Q: What is a favorite activity at The Garlands that encourages collaboration, stimulates brain health, engages long-term memory, facilitates friendships, and is just plain FUN? A: Trivia Night! What started as a one-time event attended by a few Garlands members has grown into a heated battle of the brains for many! Teams of 6-8 —…
Considered the “Royal Dog of Madagascar,” Rambo cavorts with Garlands “commoners” who are more than happy to share treats and belly rubs on his daily walks. Our beloved pets are with us through thick and thin, adding joy and laughter — and so many other benefits — to our lives and our homes. The…
The Garlands takes great pride in its award-winning design, top-quality care, life enrichment offerings, and customer service, but what we value most are the relationships The Garlands fosters among members and our team. This pervasive sense of community is, of course, because of the outgoing nature of the people who live and work here, but…
1. the vibe Maybe it is the aesthetics and timeless décor, or perhaps it is the people, sense of community, and the culture, but most all agree that there is a comforting home-like, and casually elegant “vibe” that is noticeably unique to The Garlands. “It just feels like home.” – Carol Palmer 2. the people Many…
At The Garlands, fine dining is a cornerstone of fine living. Chef Glenn Zamet and his team of sous chefs, cooks, pastry chef, dishwashers, servers and hosts, consistently exceed Garlands members’ expectations with plenty of delicious meal choices in four distinct restaurant venues daily. But, Chef Zamet and his team know that the role food…
“Snow drop” motif lead glass window, originally from a home designed by architect George Washington Maher around 1907 in Kalamazoo, MI. The innovative vision conceived for The Garlands two decades ago was as revolutionary then as the Arts and Crafts movement that inspired its interior design and serves as a metaphor for the beauty of…
Garlands Travel Club members had the opportunity to admire the work of one of their own while cruising Chicago’s famed architecture. Garlands member, Sally Nutini (pictured above left)and her husband’s construction company, North Products, were behind a significant amount of high-end, custom skylights and doors created and installed in landmark buildings throughout the greater Chicago…
Cooped up by COVID no longer, Garlands members are cautiously and optimistically traveling to destinations known (and unknown) and enjoying the convenience of a pre-planned itinerary, the luxury of furnished transportation, and the company of friends. Fasten your seatbelts – The Garlands Travel Club is hitting the road! Their first stop was The Windy City…
This fall, The Garlands Play Readers, a troupe of ten-plus thespians, all of whom are over the age of 75 and live at the Barrington retirement community, delighted packed audiences at two performances of their original variety show, “Laugh and Sing.” Filled with songs made famous by the likes of Doris Day, Bing Crosby,…
One of the most spectacular aspects of retirement is having the time and resources to explore one’s passions. Many Garlands members have mastered this aspect of “the fine art of retirement.” Some are literally studying and producing their own fine art . . . and inspiring Garlands staff to do the same. Their collective works…
Veronica Potter is a Marine Veteran and artist who danced her way through life—literally teaching ballroom dancing and performing as a flamenco dancer. So, while most people find it hard to stay put these days, Veronica sees this time as an opportunity to soldier on, go with the flow and create more art. “I’ve made…
Photographic Exhibit at The Gallery at The Garlands Garlands member Bill Lawton got his first camera in junior high, and he hasn’t stopped taking photos since! “There is hardly a day that goes by that I don’t take a photo of something,” says Bill. “If I haven’t taken a picture, it hasn’t been a…
Mahjong is a tile game that originated in 19th century China and links back to Confucius and his love of birds. The “twittering of the sparrows,” or shuffling and tinkling of the tiles, signals the start of the game. At The Garlands, the Mahjong bird metaphor continues, as in “birds of a feather flock together” to…
Teddie Kossof entered the beauty industry in the late ‘60s and in 1975 opened the doors to his namesake salon and spa in Northfield. Forty-four years later it continues to be among the nation’s top salons, serving Chicago’s North Shore. In 1998, Teddie’s son, Alan joined the salon business and co-owns the salon, overseeing the…
It is 1922 in New York City, and a young Millie Dillmount has just moved to the Big Apple in search of a new life – what’s a small-town girl to do? But, in real life, it is 2019 at The Garlands of Barrington and the actress who is playing Millie is a mere 81…
Marlene Peterson is a priceless original. Be CREATIVE When a Garlands friend asked Marlene if she painted, she replied, “I don’t ‘do’ art.” The friend’s response, “How do you know?” sparked Marlene’s curiosity and creativity. Dozens of masterpieces later, Marlene exhibits her work at The Gallery at The Garlands and around town, but her true gift is…
The art exhibit “Divergent Paths” on display at The Gallery at The Garlands of Barrington July through August 30, 2018 features work by a group of talented women artists and friends who are equally passionate about creating art and supporting each other’s artistic endeavors. The self-named Watercooler Sisters—a result of a happy accident on a restaurant reservation—are showing a…
The Garlands Play Readers, a troupe of 20+ thespians, all of whom are over the age of 75 and live at the Barrington retirement community, act, lip-sync and dance their way through dramas, sketch comedy and one-acts that are performed live in The Garlands’ own 200-seat Performing Arts Center.
Explore your artistic side…nurture a green thumb…audition for a leading role. Whatever strikes your fancy, you’ll find the companions, means and freedom to make those dreams a reality at The Garlands. Here you can create a one-of-a-kind lifestyle for a one-of-a-kind you.
Over the last 15 years our members have inspired us to set goals, dream bigger and have fun! We have countless examples of members with remarkably inspiring stories about their lives before and since moving to The Garlands—health improved, interests pursued, bucket lists crossed off . . . and the list goes on. “The Inspira philosophy and name are in honor of our members past, present and future and 15 years of inspired living here at The Garlands,” says Lund.