Video displaying scenes from The Terraces at San Joaquin Gardens, a Life Plan Community in Fresno, California

Arminee

Discovering Artistic Passion

Douglas

Active Living Is a Matter of Course

Douglas is a regular on golf courses around the Fresno area. Two to three days a week, the avid golfer tees off first thing in the morning, usually walking the 18 holes rather than using a golf cart. He shot an enviable 73 at the age of 72.

But Douglas isn’t out there for the birdies. He enjoys the fellowship of playing alongside friends and the beauty of the lush, green golf courses.

“Golf isn’t anything you’ll be perfect at — not even close,” Douglas, who began golfing when he was 15, says. “It’s kind of artistic.”

When he’s not on the links, Douglas excels at a much different artistic endeavor. He has sung in church choirs for more than 30 years and has spent more than 20 years with the West Coast Mennonite Men’s Chorus. The Reedley-based choir is the largest on the West Coast, with more than 150 members who sing everything from anthems to Southern gospel hymns. He recently joined the choir at The Terraces, where he enjoys singing with community members.

“I get real enjoyment out of singing in a choir,” says the tenor, who enjoys the beauty of bringing voices together. “The idea of harmony is not to stand out but to blend in.”

Just as in a choir, Douglas keeps things harmonious at The Terraces, serving as first vice president of the Residents’ Council. With his genial personality, he focuses on creating consensus among the residents.

“You need to sit down and see if there is a middle ground,” he says. “That’s the best way to get things done.”

In his free time, he enjoys working on projects around the community, including a solar energy proposal at The Terraces. The veteran utility executive — he was the former chief of operations for the city of Fresno’s water division — estimates this new program could easily generate 7,000-10,000 kilowatts per day.

That would be a hole-in-one for the community.

Bev

It’s All About Coffee, Tea and Sociability

When people think of Bev, the first word that comes to mind is “social.” In all aspects of her life — whether it be entertaining for 100 or exercising in a pool — Bev seeks out opportunities to gather with others.

“I really enjoy bringing people together,” she says.

For nearly three decades, Bev was known for her annual “Bev’s Christmas Coffee,” serving up bread, candies and dozens of varieties of cookies. The event grew from 20 to 150 guests, uniting people from all parts of her life.

“It was a really beautiful thing,” she says.

“One year, my husband and I created a cookbook filled with cookie recipes, and we gave it to our guests as a Christmas gift.”

Since moving to The Terraces a decade ago, Bev's love for both food and fellowship have continued. 

She assists with the community’s monthly Talk & Tea, where residents get updates about the community. Bev offers up the use of her personal teacup collection — which she amassed as gifts over the years — for these occasions. She also started a Tuesday lunch gathering for a group of neighbors, meeting every week under a covered patio. They started with three people, and within weeks, the tables were full.

“Everyone really looks forward to it,” she says.

She even socializes when she’s exercising. Once a week, she happily does laps around the community’s pool in a water aerobics class. Never a swimmer before, she was introduced to it at The Terraces. She loves the sunshine and the chance to work out alongside her fellow aerobicizers.

“It’s really good exercise,” Bev says. “I can do something good for myself and be around a fun group of people.”

Carolyn

She Keeps the Gears in Motion

At 6:30 every morning, Carolyn heads off to work at Ray-Check Manufacturing, the machine shop she owns. She takes orders and sends out invoices at her company, which makes steel blocks used in the testing industry.

“I enjoy it so much!” says Carolyn, who has created a culture of warmth in the workplace by baking treats for the employees every Monday. “I find it interesting and fulfilling. It’s always fun to watch a factory in action.”

Carolyn has a zest for everything she does, whether it’s throwing strikes with her Wii bowling league, riding the CyberCyle in the gym or playing beanbag baseball.

“I am someone who loves to get involved. I try every hobby trending,” Carolyn says. “If it’s on the schedule, I sign up for it. It’s all so fun! I barely have time for my old hobbies.”

A passionate gardener for many years, she continues to put her green thumb to good use, pruning and trimming her yard at The Terraces. She loves the lush beauty of the campus, with its curving walkways, fountains and flowering foliage.

One of Carolyn’s favorite new activities is tai chi, which she learned at The Terraces. “You make really slow movements with your arms,” she says. “I’ve never done anything like that before. It makes me feel so good, so I guess it’s working.”

Between her full calendar of activities at The Terraces and working at her family business, Carolyn is more active than ever. And she has no plans to retire anytime soon.

“I’m proud of this business,” she says of Ray-Check. “I hope to keep working here as long as I can. It’s a part of me.”