Loving the Harmony of a Fulfilling Lifestyle at Ashby Ponds

Ashburn, Virginia--This year, resident Cecelia Lazzaro will celebrate her tenth year as a resident of Ashby Ponds, an Erickson Living-managed community in Ashburn, Virginia.

“There is no one word that adequately answers what I love the most about living at Ashby Ponds,” she says. “The best I can say is—it is the overall feeling! I love the harmony of the combined efforts of the residents and the management team.”

For Cecelia, the friends she’s made living on the fourth floor of Red Robin View, known as the “penthouse,” hold a special place in her heart. In addition, she appreciates the resources designed to make life easy, allowing more time for friends and activities.

“These conveniences contribute significantly to the quality of life at Ashby Ponds,” she says. “The conveniences that are most important to me include the security team’s quick responses and daily security checks; garage parking; the on-site Medical Center, bank, salon, and CVS all within a few steps of each other; the multiple restaurants; and voting Precinct 626 located right on campus.”

Cecelia’s been so impressed with the lifestyle she enjoys that she volunteered to serve as a resident ambassador to prospective residents.

“As a volunteer resident ambassador, I have had the opportunity to observe firsthand the significant accomplishments of our dedicated team in continuously finding new neighbors,” she says. “I believe this is a key component in keeping our community alive, vibrant, and viable.”

Practicing what she preached

A former member of that dedicated team, former Sales Director Lyn Lubic became Cecelia’s neighbor in 2014. From 2007-2012, Lyn served as Ashby Ponds’ first sales director, after serving in the same role at Greenspring, an Erickson Living-managed community in Springfield, Va.

“My husband John and I knew we wanted to live at Ashby Ponds in 2008 when the community opened, but we did not yet meet the 62-year age requirement,” Lyn says. Now, in their seventh year at the community, she continues to joyously share what she loves most about the Erickson Living lifestyle.

“I am still a sales person for Ashby Ponds and think I always will be,” she says. “I talk to anyone and everyone about the benefits. I’m not surprised that so many residents refer friends to our community. For years, I talked with my son-in-laws, who joined the priority list last year. They hope to move to Ashby Ponds this year.”

For those who know Lyn, the life she enjoys at Ashby Ponds speaks louder than words. In addition to serving on the philanthropy committee, Lyn can be seen weekly on the in-house television program, Ashby on Air.

“I am absolutely living a fuller life,” says Lyn. “I knew when I worked for Erickson Living that it would become my home one day. I shared that fact at every presentation and all our sales events. But, even then I didn’t really know how much I would come to appreciate the Erickson Living lifestyle or that it would make such a huge difference in the care, happiness, and way of life that we enjoy here at Ashby Ponds.”

Never a dull moment

Moving to Ashby Ponds more recently, Alicia Sommers and her husband Bill enjoy spending time with the people that make up their beloved community.

“Bill and I love many of the residents because they are so intelligent, moral, and interesting. We also love so many of the employees, especially Milton, from our Maintenance and Engineering Team, Marlon from Robin’s Nest Restaurant, Suzi from General Services, Okim from the salon, Olga from Community Resources and Chef Louis & the 1912 staff,” noted Alicia.

Bill and Alicia also appreciate spending the numerous opportunities to involve themselves in campus life.

“We love that Ashby Ponds offers 175 clubs to choose from to join,” says Alicia. “Although we do not belong to them all, we appreciate the vitality that comes from having so many activities to choose from. We also love the Great Oak Performing Arts Theatre and the numerous parties. When the weather is good, we love taking walks around Ashby Ponds’ 132 acres. We frequently see beautiful herons, ducks, and various birds.”

Healthy connections

In addition to building friendships and maintaining busy calendars, Ashby Ponds community members are living healthier lives thanks to these treasured social relationships. According to an article published by Harvard Medical School, “social connections not only give us pleasure, they also influence our long-term health in ways every bit as powerful as adequate sleep, a good diet, and not smoking. Dozens of studies have shown that people who have social support from their community are happier, have fewer health problems, and live longer.”

“Because I feel so strongly about the Erickson Living lifestyle, I used to tell people that I would move in as soon as I was old enough to do so,” says Lyn. “Now that I am here, I couldn’t be happier.”

Written by Kelly Shue

About Ashby Ponds: Ashby Ponds, one of 20 continuing care retirement communities developed and managed by Erickson Living®, is situated on a scenic 132-acre campus in Ashburn, Virginia. The not-for-profit community of more than 1,650 residents and 550 employees is governed by its own board of directors, affiliated with National Senior Campuses, Inc., who provide independent financial and operational oversight of Ashby Ponds. Additional information can be found at AshbyPonds.com.

Comfort, quality care, and community are just a few of the hallmarks that make Ashby Ponds the perfect independent living community for seniors. Request a brochure to take a closer look at Ashby Ponds and the beautiful, maintenance-free apartment homes.