Video displaying scenes from The Terraces of Boise, a HumanGood Life Plan Community in Boise, Idaho

Tom and Mary

The Right Place at the Right Time

Ever since moving to The Terraces of Boise, one of the biggest challenges for Tom and Mary is fitting in all the activities they love to do each day.

“We’ve always had an active lifestyle, but once we moved here, Tom and I found it difficult to balance all our interests in the greater Boise area combined with the amazing activities that The Terraces has to offer. And we are forever grateful for this challenge,” Mary says.

As a former travel agent, Mary has always been fascinated with people and places, so she decided one way to get involved and meet other residents was to become a member of the lifestyle committee, planning events such as tea parties, live music performances and excursions to local parks, museums and nearby wineries. Mary also enjoys painting watercolors in the art room on campus, spending time with fellow artists who have become good friends. She even started a small ukulele group.

Tom continues to enjoy the outdoor lifestyle Boise has to offer, along with their springer spaniel, Jack, who often joins him on bird hunts. Jack is also a regular at The Terraces dog park, where he can play with the other resident dogs.

“There is always something going on here, which we absolutely love,” Tom says. “Every day is different; sometimes, we sit in the bistro and talk with other residents — who always have a good story to share — or attend social hour. Or there are times when we just want a quiet moment alone. We both love to read or tend to our vegetable garden.”

Mary adds, “We are truly amazed at the people we have met. I expected I would like it here, but what I didn’t anticipate was the wonderful sense of community we both feel here. The Terraces continue to complement our lives in so many ways, and that is a real blessing.”

Joel

Finding Joy in the Music

Joel shares his many talents with everyone. A retired mortgage banking executive and lifelong musician, Joel finds joy in pursuing his passion for the saxophone, which he has played since the age of 14. He brings his talents and passions to his life at The Terraces of Boise.

His love for community bands and jazz groups has followed him across various places throughout his life, including New Jersey, the Hudson Valley of New York, Cleveland and now Boise, Idaho. Currently, Joel plays in four bands within the greater Boise community: the Kings of Swing, The Midnight Jazz Cats, The Switch in Time Jazz Orchestra and the Boise Community Band.

What makes Joel’s story even more remarkable is the generational legacy of saxophonists in his family. His son, Adam, a staff psychologist at the VA Medical Center, is also a professional musician. His grandson, Jacob, a music education major at the University of Idaho, also plays the saxophone. All three generations live locally, allowing them to spend quality time together, share their love of music and even swap instruments from time to time!

Joel also occasionally performs for his fellow residents at The Terraces, which is always a welcomed treat. His involvement at The Terraces goes beyond his musical contributions. He serves on the resident council as secretary and is a member of the activities and lifestyle committee. His participation in the Lively Lit group allows him to read poetry and song lyrics out loud, enriching the cultural fabric of the community. Joel is active in many pursuits at The Terraces, from lively social events to captivating murder mystery dinners.

Joel exemplifies how a lifelong passion can continue to thrive at any age. His dedication to music, coupled with his active involvement in the community, has made him a cherished resident of The Terraces. Living his best life, surrounded by family and fellow residents, Joel is a testament to the enriching power of music and the importance of community.

Holli and Walter

A Community Embraced by Canine Companions

Holli and Walter give new meaning to dog lovers.

When they considered moving to a Life Plan Community, one of the most significant deciding factors when choosing The Terraces of Boise was the beautiful on-campus dog park and the inviting surrounding neighborhoods to exercise their two rescue golden retrievers, Annie and Penny. Fondly known as the “Golden Girls” on campus, Annie and Penny have become beloved members of The Terraces community.

Holli, a trained recreational therapist with a background in animal-assisted therapy, spent her second career supervising 40 volunteers and 40 dogs at a hospital in California. Her expertise and passion for therapy dogs have seamlessly integrated into her life at The Terraces.

“Annie and Penny are both natural-born therapy dogs,” Holli says. “Their open-heartedness and friendly demeanor bring joy and energy to everyone they meet.”

Holli and her Golden Girls make regularly scheduled visits to residents of assisted living and memory support and engage in one-on-one interactions with those in independent living who seek companionship. Their daily jaunts to the dog park and walks in the surrounding neighborhoods not only provide exercise and stimulation for the dogs but also foster a sense of community among the residents.

Beyond her work with the dogs, Holli is deeply involved in various community activities both within and outside The Terraces. She partners with another resident to make quilts for residents in skilled nursing and recently delivered quilts to those in hospice. Additionally, they created a special quilt to raise money for Alzheimer’s research, showcasing their commitment to giving back to the community.

Holli is also a member of the local Audubon Society and the Quilt Guild. She participates in “Stories to Stitches,” a group that reads books and creates small quilts to depict the stories.

Walter facilitates the classical music appreciation group and loves capturing the beauty of the community’s picturesque surroundings through photography.

Holli and Walter’s move to The Terraces of Boise has not only enhanced their quality of life but also enriched the lives of those around them. With Annie and Penny by their side, Holli and Walter have found a community where their passions and love for dogs can flourish, making The Terraces a place where the spirit of companionship thrives.

Ruby

Connecting People Through Music

For Ruby, life at The Terraces of Boise reaches a high note.

Ever since Ruby started playing piano as a young child, she has had a deep appreciation and passion for music. And fortunately for her neighbors at The Terraces, she shares that passion by arranging instrumental and choir performances by residents throughout the year.

“I enjoy working with other resident musicians to bring the joy of music to our community, ranging from Christmas and Valentine’s Day programs, Broadway show tunes and ‘Name That Tune,’ a musical game,” Ruby says. “Music is a wonderful way to connect and bring people together, which happens often at The Terraces.”

Another way that Ruby connects residents is through the lifestyle committee, where she helps to plan fun and educational trips for the community.

“Boise is so culturally rich with museums, theaters, festivals and outdoor life, including skiing, hiking and biking. My husband, Dick, and I always look forward to the annual Boise Shakespeare Festival. Our calendar is jam-packed, which keeps us very active and happy.”

When looking for a quiet moment, Ruby enjoys reading and participating in two book clubs.

“We have a wonderful library here and downtown, so reading is a big part of my life,” she says.

She is also part of a memoir writing group that meets once a month, which she hopes will help her compile her life story for her family.

As if all of that weren’t enough, when Ruby is not volunteering her time and energy at The Terraces, she is involved with the local Philanthropic Educational Organization chapter. Together, the women in the chapter raise funds, give scholarships and celebrate the advancement of women through education.

“My life is so full living here at The Terraces, and there are many benefits that living in a community offers. If I wanted to zero in on one important one, it would be: It’s nice to know you are never alone. There is always something to do, somewhere to go with a group and someone there if you need help.”