How Resident Shirley H. Stays Active and Connected at New Pond Village
Starting Each Day with Purpose (and a Pair of Knitting Needles)
On any given day, you might find resident Shirley H. heading to yoga, meeting friends for a game of Rummikub, painting with neighbors or settling into her favorite chair with knitting needles in hand. Rarely still for long, she moves through her days with energy, creativity and connection.
“I continue to do the activities I love,” she says. “But now, I have people to do them with.”
At New Pond Village, that simple shift of enjoying life alongside others has made all the difference.
Needle Neighbors: Knitting With Friends, Creating for Good
Knitting has been part of Shirley’s life since childhood, when her mother first taught her to stitch tiny blankets for her dolls. Today, it’s still second nature, and it’s also how she stays connected.
On Monday mornings, Shirley meets with friends from the Needle Neighbors group in either the Village Club or the library. On library days, they cozy up near the fireplace, knitting side by side and chatting while neighbors stop in to say hello and admire their latest creations.
“It’s relaxing,” Shirley says. “It’s nice to sit together and talk while we work.”
Regulars like residents Savita P. and Pat H. pull up their chairs, yarn in hand and the morning quickly fills with conversation and laughter.
The group’s projects are stitched with purpose. Together, they create blankets for veterans at the Brockton VA Medical Center and soft, colorful hats for newborns at Sturdy Health.
“It feels good to make something for someone else,” Shirley says. “It gives you purpose.”
What is Life Like at New Pond Village?
From the moment Shirley arrived, New Pond Village felt right—and it still does.
“The day I moved in, it felt like home,” Shirley says. “I brought everything I needed and wanted. The memories came with me.”
After years of living nearby and staying close to her church community, Shirley knew she didn’t want to slow down. She wanted to stay engaged and surrounded by people.
With maintenance-free living taking care of the everyday chores, Shirley is free to spend her time exactly how she wants. Some days that means getting her hair or nails done, attending church or joining a group exercise class. In the winter, she paints and knits. In the summer, you’ll often find her outside tending the garden.
“It’s nice to do what I want, when I want,” she says.
New Pond Village: A Pet-Friendly Community
At the end of the day, Shirley returns to her apartment home to spend time with Sophie, her 11-year-old rescue cat.
“I rescued her,” Shirley says, smiling, “but really, we take care of each other.”
It’s one more layer of comfort in a home that truly feels like hers.
Read more about “Pets Are Family at New Pond Village” and the comfort, companionship and joy pets like Sophie bring to residents in the community.
An Active, Connected, Continuing Care Retirement Community
After her husband passed away in 2010, Shirley knew she didn’t want to spend her days alone. She wanted laughter, purpose and people around her. Today, that’s exactly what she has. Yoga. Games. Choir. Painting. Knitting. Friends popping in to say hello.
“You’re never alone unless you want to be,” she says.
For Shirley, staying active, creative and connected makes every day feel full; and she finds it all at New Pond Village.