Testimonial 04

We feel a true sense of community

Our busy life at the Academy Village reminds us of a Linus Pauling quote we read a few years ago: “The satisfaction of one’s curiosity is one of the greatest sources of happiness in life.” We have probably been at least as happy in our new life stage in the village as in any of our “previous lives”, and not only because of the intellectual stimulation we find here. This is the first place we have lived where we feel a true sense of community, our first home where we are on a first name basis with more than 100 new friends.

We love the Village setting, with its protected views of the Rincon Mountains in Saguaro National Park to the north and east. We have enjoyed getting acquainted with the flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert, the lushest of the southwestern deserts, thanks to the rains that occur in both summer and winter. An excellent class on “The Living Desert” in 2003 helped us appreciate the natural world that surrounds us.

During the year we also enjoyed lectures on topics as diverse as the Future of Medicare, Archaeology in China, Venture Capital, Rainbows and Sundogs, and media coverage of the Iraq War. Many of our new neighbors shared their expertise with fascinating presentations on astronomy, economics, the laser, psychology and SARS. The frequent concerts by U. of Arizona music faculty and graduate students have been outstanding.

We have both found the Academy Village Wellness Program to be an important resource. The regular fitness activities we have chosen (yoga, aqua aerobics) are a highlight of each week and we love our wonderful fitness instructor.

For us, an apt description of this special place might be a “seniors” community where you retire neither your mind nor your body.

Authors : Deon Holt, community college president-emeritus, and Diane Holt, community college professor-emeritus (counseling and psychology). Deon’s first career was in journalism. In recent years he has cultivated an avocation for free-lance writing and digital photography. He enjoys coordinating the weekly movie program in the village and being involved with the Macintosh users group, the Macademians. Diane also likes photography. She loves to read and to engage in thought-provoking discussions with new friends. As a member of the Senior Academy’s Program Advisory Committee, she helps plan the educational programs in the community.