Living the good life in New Jersey

Gabe Spera worked until he was 80, so it goes without saying that he didn’t look at his retirement as a time for simply kicking back. Gabe enjoyed an accomplished career in both sales and politics, serving as the vice president of sales for Hunt Imaging as well as the mayor of Scotch Plains, N.J. When he and his wife Marilyn moved to Lantern Hill, an Erickson Senior Living-managed community in New Providence, N.J., in 2015, he continued to work part time selling Ricoh printers and copiers.

“Working was my pleasure. I never really considered it work,” says Gabe. In addition to his work, Gabe and Marilyn have continued to keep busy at Lantern Hill, with participation in a number of clubs and hobbies. Gabe served on the Resident Advisory Council as the chairman of the dining committee. He never misses his Tuesday night poker games, and Marilyn is an avid bridge player. He’s an active member of the New Providence Republican Party as well as the New Providence Lions Club, which has a close relationship with Lantern Hill.

“Every year we have a 50/50 raffle,” says Gabe. “I set up tables and usually bring in about $1,000 in contributions, every penny of which goes to local charities.”

Cultivating his garden

Gabe has had a green thumb since childhood, when he grew tomatoes with his father. When he lived in Scotch Plains, he grew Silver Queen corn; at the community garden at Lantern Hill, he tends to a variety of crops, including garlic, peas, onions, escarole, kale, lettuce, and spinach. He also brought 1-inch-tall cuttings for two fig trees from his home in Scotch Plains, and planted them on campus at Lantern Hill.

“When I was growing up, many Italians had fig trees, and they would winterize them by wrapping them with blankets and putting a bucket on top,” he explains.

He also maintains a plot at the New Providence Community Garden, where he grows a variety of tomatoes. In addition to gardening, he makes his own wine, together with his son and two members of the Westfield Italian American Club, using grapes from California.

Downsizing was a breeze

Gabe and Marilyn had always lived in single-family homes prior to moving to Lantern Hill, so they weren’t sure how they’d feel about downsizing. When they first visited the community, there was high demand, and a two-bedroom apartment home was not available. Luckily for them, one opened up just in time for their move.

“Lantern Hill was very helpful,” says Gabe. “A personal moving consultant came to our house and helped us select which furniture would fit in our new apartment home. We used one of Lantern Hill’s preferred real estate agents, and she sold our home in Scotch Plains in just two days.”

Old and new friends alike

Gabe and Marilyn were attracted to Lantern Hill due in part to its proximity to their home community of Scotch Plains, where they resided for 50 years. They still have many friends there, and are members of Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club in nearby Bedminster. They love living close to their longtime friends as well as two of their three children and four of nine grandchildren that live locally.

Friends all around

At Lantern Hill, they made a host of new friends as well. When Gabe was still working full time before their move, Marilyn was often isolated at home because she doesn’t drive. When they made the move, that problem was eliminated, and she thrived in their new community.

“Marilyn is a social butterfly,” Gabe says of his wife. “She absolutely loves it here and is a friend to everyone on campus. The sense of camaraderie here is great. Everyone is so nice.” That sentiment goes for the staff as well. “Lantern Hill’s staff is absolutely wonderful,” he says. “We have very qualified people in every position. They really do a great job.”

Everything in one place

Gabe also appreciates the all-inclusive nature of the Lantern Hill lifestyle, noting fantastic amenities such as a large swimming pool and two gyms.

“The Speras are a great example of the active and engaged lifestyle seniors can expect when they come to Lantern Hill,” says Manager of Resident Services Carla Brady. “Our community is full of residents like them that are living life in retirement to the fullest.”

If you’d like to know more about Lantern Hill, visit LanternHillCommunity.com or call 1-800-989-4951.

About Lantern Hill: Lantern Hill, one of 20 continuing care retirement communities managed by Erickson Senior Living, is situated on a scenic 26-acre campus in New Providence, New Jersey. The not-for-profit community of more than 500 residents and 300 employees is governed by its own board of directors, affiliated with National Senior Campuses, Inc., who provide independent financial and operational oversight of the community. Additional information about Lantern Hill can be found at LanternHillCommunity.com.