Share a Day in the Life of Walter and Polly, Two Unstoppable Residents of The Village

Apologies to Eddie Cochran, but there’s no such thing as the “Summertime Blues” when you live in a senior living community like The Village at Germantown. The amenities, activities and peace of mind that define our retirement community lifestyle make it easy to pack lots of joy and vibrant living into those extra hours of sunshine.

Just ask Walter and Polly S., two accomplished, energetic seniors who fill their days with family, community and purposeful pursuits—during summertime and all year through. Since moving to The Village in July of 2025, they’ve been maintaining a schedule that would challenge people with far fewer decades behind them. Let’s take a peek at their rewarding day-to-day life.

Putting Down Roots in Memphis

While Walter and Polly are both Ohio natives, Walter’s job as a chemical engineer brought them to Memphis several decades ago. Their home, situated on two acres of land, became the center of family life for the couple and their daughters—and later, a playground for five spirited grandsons.

“It was a true blessing watching the boys grow up,” says Polly, a retired nurse, “but over time, the house became more of a chore to maintain.”

Walter agrees, adding, “When our daughters were teenagers, I joked that I wanted to live long enough to be a burden on them. Since then, I’ve had a few hospital excursions, and I realize now that any health concerns put stress on the family. So, we began to explore moving to a senior living community with continuing care options.”

Because they wanted to remain close to their daughters, the pair narrowed their search to communities in the Memphis area. After several years of research, The Village rose to the top of the list. “There was such a family-like atmosphere here,” Walter explains. “Everyone went out of their way to make us feel welcome. It didn’t hurt that the food was amazing, too.”

“I also have to give a plug to Megan in the sales office,” Polly says. “Even if a year or two passed between visits, Megan remembered who we were, and even some details about our lives. It was clear she really cared.”

A Warm Family Welcome—Even Before Move-In Day

After making their deposit, Walter and Polly soon learned that there’s a lot more to being on the waitlist at The Village than simply waiting. That’s because there are ample opportunities to experience our vibrant community through dining events, happy hours and other activities.

“Everybody we met made us feel like we belonged. Their first question was always ‘tell us your story,’” Polly says. “I’m always amazed at how many different types of people live here, from singles to couples and folks of all religions and backgrounds—and everybody just gets along.”

This atmosphere of engagement and caring is cultivated further by the dedicated staff at The Village—a fact that isn’t lost on Walter. “They choose good people who make it a point to do the ‘little things’ that aren’t part of their job description,” he notes.

Sometimes the bonds formed with staff members can be especially meaningful. “We met one young server who looks almost exactly like one of our grandsons,” Polly says, smiling. “He’s preparing for law school, and we’re kind of following his career. He calls us his ‘Village Grandparents.’”

While the pair treasure the social connections they’ve formed since moving to The Village, Walter makes it clear that they’re still heavily involved with the community outside our gates. “We frequently attended church functions before we moved here, and that hasn’t changed,” he stresses, “and we’ll rarely say no to a day out with our daughters or grandsons.”

Making the Most of Summer—and Their New Season in Life

Aside from daily “must-dos” like shopping and meeting for dinner, there’s no such thing as a “regular” schedule for Walter and Polly. “I rarely kept my cell phone with me when we lived in our house, but now it’s the only way I can stay in touch with Walter when we’re off doing our own things,” Polly laughs.

For Polly, there’s nothing better than a brisk walk outdoors when the weather is at its finest. “There’s a program here where you track your steps and post your numbers on a community board,” she explains. “It’s not competitive, but it’s a great way to track how well you’re meeting your own fitness goals.”

Walter and Polly also love experiencing the sights and sounds of Memphis and Germantown in the summer—and The Village senior living community makes it easy. “There’s a bus that takes us on trips to museums, baseball games, and other activities,” Walter says. “Plus, Shelby Farms Park is just a short drive away, and it’s always relaxing to take a leisurely stroll around the lake.”

Indoors, the pair spend time pursuing their favorite hobbies with renewed vigor, now that they don’t have to worry about cleaning the house or sweeping the walkway. In addition to quilting, sewing and tai chi, Polly is an avid painter who is currently focusing on acrylics. “It’s great to live in an apartment where I have plenty of room to set up my canvas,” she beams.

As for Walter, he frequently attends the diverse educational programs at The Village and likes that many are presented by residents. He also finds satisfaction and purpose in our woodworking studio, where he lends his skills to repairing broken chairs or bookcases for his neighbors. “I thought I had a nice workshop before, but wow! There are almost more tools here than I could possibly use.”

Thinking About a Senior Living Community like The Village at Germantown? Walter and Polly Share Some Advice

“Some people think they shouldn’t move to a retirement community until they have to because of medical reasons,” Walter says. “But the sooner you do, the more time you’ll have to meet new people and enjoy all the happenings. The peace of mind is also well worth it.”

Polly adds, “Make sure you start downsizing way before you’re ready to move. We’re glad The Village didn’t rush us, because it gave us time to go through our ‘stuff’ and relive special memories—like when we found a ticket to a concert we attended decades ago. It was nice celebrating the different seasons of our lives while getting ready to make this next season our best yet.”

Call us today at 901-737-4242 to learn more and schedule your visit to our Holleran Choice Community, where neighbors become family.