continued inside

Summer 2008

Vo lume 12 No.1

argaret Ford attended the grandopening of The Terraces of Los Gatos’new fitness center April 14. “But Isnuck in afterwards because I wantedto see those machines,” says Ford ofthe state-of-the-art exercise equipmentdesigned especially for seniors.

Ford’s neighbors are just as excited. For the past

year, they eagerly anticipated this first addition to the

community since its opening in 1992. And they did

some “heavy lifting” themselves to make sure the fitness

center was built. Residents contributed approximately

$137,000 of the $548,000 project.

“The generosity of the residents has been amazing,”

says Executive Director Alex Candalla, “and it demon-

strates how committed they are to healthy living.”

With more than 20 pieces of new exercise equip-

ment, mirrors, and windows that look out onto beautiful

gardens, the center now houses all of The Terraces’ fit-

ness activities. And in the future it will be home to

Masterpiece Living, a national wellness program that pro-

motes physical, intellectual, social and spiritual health.

Managing all of this activity is Steve Cheregosha,

The Terraces’ lifestyle coordinator. Even before the center

opened, residents were enthusiastic about his program

offerings. “I do everything. I go to all the classes that Steve

offers,” says Ford, rattling off ropes, yoga, and pilates.

She also walks every morning with a group of

neighbors and takes dance classes led by a fellow resi-

dent. “Line dancing is great exercise,” she adds. “You

don’t even need a partner.”

Ford embodies what researchers call successful

aging. In the early 1990s, the MacArthur Foundation

attributed successful aging to the ability to maintain

three characteristics: low risk of disease, high mental

and physical function, and active engagement with life.

That research is the foundation for Masterpiece Living.

The Terraces of Los Gatos is owned and operated by American Baptist Homes of the West

MA New Perspective on Living from The Terraces of Los Gatos

Margaret Ford enjoys a workout in the new fitness center.

“If a community can provide the kind of environ-

ment and culture that believes in the growth of the resi-

dent, the resident will respond to that,” says

Masterpiece Living President Dr. Roger Landry. “That’s

what Masterpiece Living communities are all about.

That’s what the philosophy of Masterpiece Living is

about. It’s a belief in growth, a belief in the research

that tells us that this growth is possible in all areas of

our lives – and achieving this potential.”

The Terraces’ sister communities in American

Baptist Homes of the West are also embracing

Masterpiece Living. Once the program comes to The

Terraces later this year, Cheregosha will help residents

stretch in a variety of ways.

The process will start with a self-assessment of val-

ues, interests, social activity, and exercise history. A

mobility review will follow, with evaluation of balance,

strength, flexibility and endurance. Finally, residents will

receive a medical review with feedback from the world-

renowned Mayo Clinic, giving them benchmarks for

how well they are doing and an idea of where they need

to improve. Periodic reviews will measure their progress.

For now, residents are getting great workouts in the

new center plus personalized attention. Cheregosha

meets one-on-one with residents to identify their health

and fitness needs. That information is fed into a comput-

er program, which provides customized workout plans.

Indeed, from the moment they walk through the

doors of the center, the high-tech equipment starts

communicating with residents. Their names appear on

a monitor that provides a personal exercise regimen for

the day. Six cardiovascular machines, including tread-

mills and recumbent bikes, are ready to go with specific

speeds and inclines set for each registered resident.

“It’s like a personal trainer being there for you,”

Cheregosha says.

More than 90 residents went through a one-hour

orientation session the first week to get acquainted with

the new equipment. All of the cardio machines have

touch-screen monitors with cable TV plus radio, built-in

fans and iPod stations.

One machine, called the Wave, approximates walk-

ing up and down stairs without impact on the knees.

Using a gliding motion similar to skiing, the machine

takes pressure off of the knees while strengthening the

quads, hamstrings and calves.

The element line of machines, which includes 10

pieces of equipment, uses weights to strengthen mus-

cles, while the easy line, comprised of five different

machines, works various

parts of the body using

resistance.Ford, for one, is

excited about the equip-

ment. “Those machines

are marvelous,” she says.

“They just do all kinds of

good things for you.”

A six-year resident of

The Terraces, Ford wasn’t

always as committed to

exercise as she is today. As

a schoolteacher, she says,

she didn’t have the time,

other than to walk or play

tennis on weekends.

But things changed in

retirement. “I realized that if you sit, you’re going to sit

for the rest of your life,” she says. “And if you move,

you’ll be able to keep moving.”

New Fitness Center continued

Steve Cheregosha, The Terraces’lifestyle coordinator, coaches residentDottie Sawyer.

Residents Jody Sorensen (left) and Alice Brown admire thenew equipment designed especially for seniors.

LIFE IS MAINTENANCE by Dorothy Lee

Th

e V

iew

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de

Life is maintenance. The author of these succinctwords is unknown to me, but I’m sure a sage seniormuttered them after a trying day. Living doesrequire maintenance and constant attention. Ourcalendars detail numerous notations for appoint-ments that ensure we remain in tip-top condition.

As we age, we no longer move effortlessly. Ifwe’re able to rouse ourselves each morning with lit-tle pain or stiffness, we’re relieved, even ecstatic. Welive in the miracle age of medicine as evidenced bymany residents with knee and hip replacements.Most walk with mature agility, minimal pain, andthe satisfaction of regained independence.

A few years ago, osteoarthritis eroded the carti-lage in my knees, causing me to hobble instead ofwalk. For over a year I was bent forward like a lop-sided question mark slowly shuffling with the aid ofa cane. This posture injured my lower vertebrae,and spinal stenosis developed. Despite the pleas ofmy doctors, I delayed having knee replacement sur-gery. Only when my exasperated internist labeledme “chicken” was I challenged, and consented tothe surgeries.

Rehabilitation after each surgery was excruciat-ing. Even after the knees flexed well, I persistedwith two years of demanding yoga and tai chiinstruction, plus constant trudges up and down thegrassy slopes of the Huntington Library. Time andthese exercises helped me regain normal body pos-ture and mobility.

Yes, life is maintenance. My neighbors and Iknow this well. Everyone is eager to utilize the newfitness equipment. Many already participate inscheduled classes and rhythmic dance programstaught by a resident, a former Arthur Murrayinstructor. Motivated residents have organized sup-plemental activities to fit their needs.

A stalwart group meets daily at 7:30 a.m. for a 30-to 40-minute walk in the neighborhood. One man,who is not inclined to exercise by himself, dutifullysets his alarm knowing the early morning walk is

more beneficial than the extra sleep. The support ofthe group is the impetus that motivates him.

Most residents walk to the adjacent shoppingcenter to attend to their errands. On Sundays, a fewjourney to the Farmers’ Market in Los Gatos, athree-and-a-half mile round trip. A 99-year-old resi-dent inspires awe as she crosses busy Blossom HillRoad pushing her walker en route to the dry clean-ers. These dedicated seniors are determined toremain fit.

Devoted residents and their dogs venture out fornecessary walks in all weather conditions. The dogsare protected by raincoats and unique umbrellas.

Gardeners tend their community plots and sharetheir bounty of vegetables and flowers. Stress isminimized by being outdoors and working withplants.

Enthusiastic mermaids exercise in the heatedoutdoor pool regardless of the temperature. Despitethe frigid air, a few are splashing at 7:30 a.m. whenthe pool is opened.

One woman eases the boredom of riding the ele-vator from the first to the third floor by doingstretches using her walker as a prop. This is her wayof utilizing time to improve herself.

Life is maintenance and the residents of TheTerraces are in perpetual motion keeping them-selves in seamless functioning condition. They arefocused in their desire to be fit; they act on thatbelief and are buoyed by a positive spirit, goodhealth and a joy of life.

Dorothy Lee is busy maintaining her life byusing the new fitness equipment andattending chair exercise and pilates classes.She hopes to splash in the pool when theweather is warmer.

It doesn’t take a long associationwith The Terraces of Los Gatos torealize what an exceptional commu-nity it is. But for two advisory boardmembers who have known TheTerraces literally from the groundup, the years of awareness havedeepened their appreciation.

Florence Lambert, the board’sresident liaison, lived less than amile from The Terraces for 43 yearsin a house built by her father andfather-in-law. She and her husband,Jim, watched the construction ofThe Terraces in the early 1990s.Almost daily they would walk by thecommunity on their way to breakfastat nearby Peet’s Coffee.

Jim took care of their homerepairs for years. When their retain-ing walls needed fixing again, hetalked Florence into moving to TheTerraces. They settled in on NewYear’s Eve 2001 and went to a com-munity party that very night. “Younever think you’re old enough,” sheadds. “But it’s great to come inwhen you’re still active.”

Florence is as activeas ever at The Terraces,serving on the advisoryboard and ResidentCouncil. Appointed bythe board as the resi-dent liaison, she sits onthe dining and budget

committees. Her role, she says, is tokeep her ear to the ground andbring resident concerns to the board– “to be a voice for the residents andto be a voice to the residents fromthe management,” she explains.

Carl Cilker is interested in beinga voice as well – for the wider com-

munity. And like Florence, he hasknown The Terraces from its verybeginning. Indeed, he grew upacross the street.

Cilker’s family farmed the areaknown today as Blossom Hill Manor.His childhood home is now a den-tist’s office. Next door is the housewhere his grandparents lived.

The family land that was anorchard was developed in the late1960s, and the Cilkers movedtoward Monte Sereno.They retained ownershipof the property that isnow the CornerstoneShopping Center, acrossthe street from TheTerraces.

Today Cilker and his wife, Kathy,live in Willow Glen. With his fatherand sister, he runs the family busi-ness, half of which is still in agricul-ture – growing olives and walnuts inthe Central Valley – the other half inproperty management.

A well-known leader in the area,Cilker gets lots of requests to servefrom community organizations. Heaccepted The Terraces’ invitation forseveral reasons. His aunt, MarionCilker, is a resident. Board memberClayton Bruntz is a fellow Rotarianand extended the invitation. AndCilker imagines he and his wifeeventually may return to his oldneighborhood.

“I know it’s important to have acommunity feel to the place,” hesays. “Someday my wife and I maywant to go there, and I would wantpeople to play that community roleat that time.”

Neighborhood Roots Run Deep

I N S I D E T H E B O A R D O F A D V I S O R S

Lambert

Cilker

The Terraces of Los Gatos

Board ofAdvisorsDonald Allari, MD pediatrician

The Rev. Lamar Allenpastor for seniors at CalvaryBaptist Church

Pamela Bancroftelected staff/board member;director of sales, marketingand community relations

Pamela Bondeliecommunity volunteer

Clayton Bruntzretired insurance broker

The Rev. Mark Burnhamsenior pastor, PresbyterianChurch of Los Gatos

Deal Christiansenretired owner of Chrislow's Dept.store, Los Gatos

Carl CilkerV.P., Cilker Orchards

Tamara Marozickleasing administrator, SamaritanMedical Center

Terry Duryeafinancial management consultant

Dr. Bobbye Gorenbergretired San José State Universityprofessor

Thomas O’Donnellattorney

Florence Lambertresident representative

Allen Slutmanretired IBM and Siemens Rolmexecutive

Leigh Weimersretired San José Mercury Newscolumnist

Cynthia Biasca wasn’t surprised by the generosityof her neighbors. She serves on the resident founda-tion committee. When the idea of raising money forthe fitness center came up, she told fellow membersif they made a pitch to the residents, “I think you’llfind they come through.”

They had come through before. In 1998, the yearafter Biasca and her husband, Frank, moved to TheTerraces from Fremont, residents raised more than$100,000 for a new bus.

“We’re a very caring bunch. It shows in manyways,” Biasca says, noting that the fitness center isjust the latest example. Philanthropy is a habit formany residents, cultivated over a lifetime of giving.

Biasca and her husband give to a variety of organ-izations, including their alma maters – hers is

Radcliffe College, now Harvard University; his isOregon State. They have endowed a scholarship fundat Oregon State that helps out three students eachyear. “That makes us feel good,” Biasca says.

Giving, she says, is “just part of what we believein. We feel we’ve been very fortunate in life, and wewant to share that in so far as we can.”

Kern Hamilton, president of the ResidentsCouncil, says he and his neighbors naturally want toshare what they enjoy at The Terraces. “Most peoplefeel they are privileged to be here,” he says, “andthey want to make sure other people are able toenjoy this situation.”

The Terraces of Los Gatos’ new fitness cen-ter has just opened, but residents havebeen exercising one muscle for manymonths: their generous hearts.

Residents contributed more than $137,000 to the$548,000 project, thefirst addition to TheTerraces since itsopening in 1992.

“Raising thesefunds was accom-plished rather quicklybecause residents areso excited about thenew fitness center,”says Pam Bancroft,director of marketingand community rela-tions and a member ofThe Terraces of Los

Gatos Resident Foundation, which led the fund-rais-ing campaign.

Additional monies for the project came from TheTerraces of Los Gatos Auxiliary Fund, ProgramEnhancement Fund and Special Project Fund. TheABHOW Foundation made a matching contributionof $137,000.

Resident Giving IsMuscle Behind Center

Kern Hamilton

The Terraces celebrated the opening of the fitness center April 14 with a rib-bon-cutting ceremony. Pictured (fromleft) are Lifestyle Coordinator SteveCheregosha, resident Britt Saterlee,resident and board chair Al Slutman,ABHOW President David Ferguson andAlex Candalla, executive director of The Terraces.

Cynthia Biasca

Th e Te r r a c e s o f L o s G a t o s

800 Blossom Hill RoadLos Gatos, CA 95032408.356.1006

The mission of TheTerraces of Los Gatosis to create a quality envi-

ronment of recognized

value for its residents

in a Continuing Care

Retirement Community

setting which is respon-

sive to their desire for

an independent lifestyle,

and supplemental care

as may be required

during their lifetime.

State of California License #430708817

INSIDE Perpetual MotionLiving requires constant attention and a capacity to keep

moving, writes Dorothy Lee.

Long AssociationTwo members of The Terraces Advisory Board have deep

neighborhood roots.

Charitable LiftResidents raise money for new fitness center.

…

WWW.Discover more about The Terraces at www.theterracesoflosgatos.com.