Londonderry on the Tred Avon

Londonderry CEO Irma Toce Announces Retirement

August 29, 2023 by Londonderry on the Tred Avon

Irma Toce, CEO, announced her retirement after a decade of successful leadership at Londonderry on the Tred Avon.

Londonderry has thrived under Irma’s leadership over the past ten years because she was committed to creating a culture and community where everyone, residents and staff alike, is invested in our success,” says Julie Crocker, Londonderry Board President. “She will be sorely missed, but we know we are on a great path thanks to her hard work and mentorship of our team.”

Before moving on to her next chapter in early 2024, Toce has committed to working with her successor to ensure a smooth leadership transition over the next few months.

Irma’s success at Londonderry has centered around her commitment to excellence and her ability to inspire others to think big. When Toce first began at Londonderry, she challenged residents and staff to think differently about what the community could be and could offer.

“We are not selling real estate here, it’s truly much more of a lifestyle. We offer a home, a community, to support our residents’ last chapter, so let’s make that a happy chapter, and one to remember. The more we can give to the residents and keep them independent, the better it is. And that’s what we’ve been doing, and I think we’ve done it well.”

It is this guiding principle that has inspired many changes on the campus over the last decade. Irma inspired her team to embrace a hospitality mindset and holistic approach to wellness that grew to include more resident engagement, on and off campus activities, fitness classes and a complete revamping of the dining services operation to include more locally-sourced and well-balanced meals.

Toce also spearheaded many physical changes to the Londonderry campus, such as the grand re-opening of Magnolia Manor in 2016, the building of the new clubhouse in 2017-2018, the creation of new floorplans and the complete build out of the community.

She also led the community through milestones, both happy and challenging, including the community’s 25th and 30th anniversaries as well as the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2020, Toce put safety plans in place and cared for residents in any way they needed during the pandemic. “She got us through COVID,” says Rachel Smith, Sales and Marketing Director. “She made sure the team, to the best of our ability, kept offering residents the lifestyle Londonderry is known for.”

It is this investment in the Londonderry team that will endure as her biggest legacy.

Londonderry is known for its strong team of staff members who go above and beyond in service to residents. “Through exemplary leadership and a strong dedication to her career, Toce has created a hardworking and passionate team that looks up to her and trusts her to lead them down the right path,” says Rachel Smith, Marketing and Sales Director. “She is known for always putting her team and residents at Londonderry first, making everyone feel seen and heard within the workplace, as well as in the community.”

While looking forward to the future, Toce reminisces on what she will miss the most about Londonderry, “I will miss the team. They’re just wonderful. What they do for the residents is amazing to me, and they all do it with smiles on their faces. I hope they stay as cohesive and supportive as they are now and will look towards the future, not the past. There are a lot of changes in healthcare, and there will always be changes in independent living. As a team, you need to be prepared for that.”

In addition to her work on the Londonderry campus, Toce is recognized as an expert on aging and senior living. She has shared her wisdom with the Talbot County Council on Aging and through the Ask Irma series with the Talbot Spy, starting in 2018, a monthly column that covered Toce responding to readers’ questions on issues related to aging.

During her tenure, both Londonderry and Toce have been honored numerous times at the local and regional level, highlights include: 7 years as the Best Retirement Community in What’s Up Eastern Shore Magazine, Best Residential Community by Coastal Style Magazine, Best Boss from APG Media’s Best of the Best Chesapeake Awards in 2022, Best Retirement Community and Best Assisted/Senior Living Community by APG Media’s Best of the Best Chesapeake Awards, Top 20 Outstanding Woman CEO by The Women Leaders Magazine in 2022, featured as a “Faces of Retirement on the Eastern Shore” in Baltimore Magazine, and Best Large Business from the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce.

In her retirement, Toce plans to travel (initial destinations include Aruba, Portugal and her home country of Holland) and enjoy her new home in coastal Delaware.

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Buildings & Grounds Team Creates Safe & Superior Lifestyle at Londonderry on the Tred Avon

July 15, 2023 by Londonderry on the Tred Avon

Londonderry on the Tred Avon’s values include a commitment to excellence, which can be seen in every aspect of the community, with each department playing a role in helping residents feel comfortable and safe. The Buildings and Grounds team plays a vital role in this, providing the community with accessible and superior living that meets the team’s renowned high-quality standards.

James Brooks, Londonderry’s Director of Buildings and Grounds, describes his Buildings & Grounds team as “always looking for ways to improve the community. With team members that are on call 7 days a week, 365 days a year, who have special backgrounds in electrical, HVAC, appliance repair, painting, etc., there is always someone available who knows how to fix it!”

The team takes pride in the work they put into the community and are always looking for ways to improve the campus’s attractiveness as well as its safety. For example, the salt the team uses in the wintertime is pet, concrete and interior floor-friendly, instead of using a less expensive and harsher variety.

Residents appreciate the lengths that the Buildings & Grounds team goes to, with their goal of fulfilling work orders within 24 hours and performing preventative maintenance to make sure everything is in the best condition it can be.

The Londonderry on the Tred Avon Buildings and Grounds Team is committed to making the Londonderry campus accessible, safe and beautiful for all residents and visitors. Pictured from left are John Riccio, Dane Brinsfield, Tory Sherwood, James Brooks and Chris Andrews.

“From sidewalks to speed bumps to patios to siding, my team is consistently staying on top of the preventative work that needs to be done,” says Brooks. “We want to make sure everything is taken care of for our Londonderry residents. We like to tell our residents we are just a phone call away.”

Londonderry’s campus displays scenic views, with river birches lining the front of the Community Center and multiple ponds that contain fountains and local wildlife, with benches and walking paths surrounding the space. The Buildings & Grounds team strives to nurture these areas so that residents can enjoy the outdoors as much as the indoors.

Keeping the cottages and apartments in the best possible shape is also a top priority. The team aims to create unique and beautiful homes for their residents. “My favorite part of my job is when I get the opportunity to refurbish a cottage. I get to see the residents’ faces when they view their personalized selections for the first time,” shared Chris Andrews, Buildings & Grounds team member.

“Excellence means providing the best of myself to my team and the Londonderry residents every day,” said Brooks. “It means stopping to ask how someone’s day is going or to say hello and tell or listen to a joke. Excellence means contributing to enriching the lives of everyone around me.”

About Londonderry on the Tred Avon

Londonderry on the Tred Avon is an intimate residential cooperative community for adults ages 62+, offering a variety of housing options from convenient apartments to spacious cottages among 29 acres, including 1500 feet of waterfront shoreline. For more information, visit www.londonderrytredavon.com.

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Londonderry Resident Margaret Bryan, Celebrates 100th Birthday

July 1, 2023 by Londonderry on the Tred Avon

On Thursday, May 11th, Margaret Bryan celebrated her 100th birthday with her fellow Londonderry residents. They enjoyed a menu that included her favorite dishes, named for places and events important to her. Continuing the celebration on Friday, May 12th, Bryan’s friends, family and the Londonderry team enjoyed a birthday party in the clubhouse, which was decorated in rose gold, and her favorite drink, a blushing mimosa, was served. Pictured is Bryan sitting in her birthday chair with 23 balloons attached to represent the year she was born, 1923.

About Londonderry on the Tred Avon

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Londonderry Resident, Bill Lawton, Takes Over as Caretaker for Londonderry’s Community Garden

June 15, 2023 by Londonderry on the Tred Avon

This spring, the Londonderry Community Garden gained a new caretaker, Mr. Bill Lawton. During a resident meeting, Susan Andrews, wife of the late Chuck Andrews, the garden’s creator, officially “passed the trowel” on to Lawton.

In 2016, Andrews created and tended Londonderry’s Community Garden. The garden flourished to the delight of fellow residents and has become a fixture on the Londonderry campus. It is not uncommon to spot someone stopping by to snack on a few cherry tomatoes or pick a few things to add to their home-cooked meals.

“I love working in the garden,” said Lawton.“One of my favorite things about the garden is growing fresh vegetables and seasonings for my neighbors. I find great joy in knowing those tomatoes are being put to good use!”

Residents aren’t the only ones who look forward to ripening tomatoes and maturing herbs every summer. Chelsea Coombs, Londonderry’s Head Chef and Director of Dining Services, can’t wait to incorporate fresh veggies and herbs into her menus.

“My team and I are so happy that Bill has carried on the garden,” said Coombs. “I am passionate about preparing the freshest food possible for our residents, and it doesn’t get any fresher than right from our own garden.”

Mr. Bill Lawton has taken over leadership of Londonderry on the Tred Avon’s Community Garden.

Lawton has planted herbs such as basil, thyme, Italian and curly parsley, rosemary, and sage. He has also planted a variety of tomatoes, including small, yellow tomatoes called sun golds.

The herbs are used every day in the Londonderry kitchen, in garnishes, marinades, roasted potatoes, and sauteed vegetables and more.

Coombs uses basil to make homemade pesto, parsley for homemade chimichurri, and sun gold tomatoes go in the house salads. The tomatoes also accompany various dinner specials like grilled mahi mahi with fresh salsa, Caprese salads, and more.

Another recipe that benefits from the Community Garden is Londonderry’s famous spice rub, which includes parsley and thyme. The herbs are harvested and then dried and mixed with other special ingredients to complete the blend. The rub is used regularly in the Londonderry kitchen, and is also given to residents and visitors. Recipes that use the rub are posted on Londonderry’s website so the community can create meals served in their Tred Avon Tavern in their own kitchens.

“Samples of the spice rub are given to visitors to offer them a taste of what life is like at Londonderry,” says Sales and Marketing Director, Rachel Smith. “It’s one small way we introduce the Londonderry lifestyle to future residents. Everyone loves hearing the story behind the rub and how we source ingredients straight from our own garden.”

About Londonderry on the Tred Avon

Londonderry on the Tred Avon is a vibrant, independent living cooperative community for adults ages 62+ that promotes wellness of mind and body. Londonderry offers a variety of housing options from convenient apartments to spacious cottages among 29 acres, including 1500 feet of waterfront shoreline. For more information, visit www.londonderrytredavon.com.

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Londonderry on the Tred Avon Welcomes Dirck Bartlett to Board of Directors

May 17, 2023 by Londonderry on the Tred Avon

Londonderry on the Tred Avon is pleased to welcome Dirck Bartlett to its Board of Directors.

Londonderry on the Tred Avon is pleased to welcome Dirck Bartlett to its Board of Directors. The Londonderry Board of Directors is comprised of residents and community members who volunteer their time to provide guidance and strategic direction to the residential cooperative and its management team.

“We are very excited to welcome Dirck to the Londonderry Board of Directors,” said Irma Toce, Londonderry CEO. “We are sure to benefit from his professional experience and vast community involvement as we continue to make Londonderry the premier senior living community on the Eastern Shore.”

Dirck Bartlett helped start a family-owned construction company, ILEX Construction, Inc. in 1986 and has worked for ILEX since then. He moved to Easton in 1998 with his wife, Christy, who he married in 1989. Together, they have two grown children, Peter and Katherine.

Dirck is an active member of the Mid-Shore community: serving on the Board of the Academy Art Museum, the Talbot Historical Society Board, the Talbot Free Library Board, the Mid Shore Regional Council as Past President, the Board of Pickering Creek – Audubon Center as Chairman, the Talbot County Council (2006-2018), and serving on the Christ Church Vestry as Senior Warden. He currently serves on the Spring Hill Cemetery Board.

About Londonderry on the Tred Avon

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Londonderry on the Tred Avon’s Sales and Marketing Director, Rachel Smith, Reappointed to the Talbot County Commission on Aging

May 2, 2023 by Londonderry on the Tred Avon

Rachel Smith

Londonderry on the Tred Avon is pleased to announce that its Sales and Marketing Director, Rachel Smith, has been reappointed to a three-year term on the Talbot County Commission on Aging.

“I am very grateful for this reappointment,” said Smith. “I hope I can continue to contribute my expertise to this wonderful community, of which Londonderry is such a huge part.”

The Talbot County Commission on Aging advises the County Council on issues affecting local seniors. This involves advocating for any changes that promote the interests, well-being, and quality of life of senior citizens in Talbot County.

“The Talbot County Commission on Aging is always seeking members who want to improve the way of living for seniors in Talbot County,” said Smith. “If you wish to benefit the community and are willing to share your time and skills, please consider joining.”

Contact [email protected] or call 410-822-2869 for more information.

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Culinary Excellence Contributes to Healthy Lifestyle at Londonderry on the Tred Avon

March 31, 2023 by Londonderry on the Tred Avon

Londonderry on the Tred Avon’s commitment to excellence is apparent in every aspect of the community, with each department playing a role in helping residents be active and healthy. The dining experience is no exception, providing the community with the healthy, nutritious and delicious meals that meet the team’s renowned high-quality standards.

Chelsea Harris, Londonderry’s Director of Dining, describes culinary excellence as “having the freshest, top-quality ingredients utilized by our trained team of chefs and cooks to create delicious and nutritious meals.”

Harris’s “eat good, feel good” mentality greatly influences what the dining department serves residents. “The food we provide to the community is essential to the Londonderry lifestyle because what we put into our body is going to affect not only our physical well-being but also our mental health,” says Harris.

Residents certainly appreciate the dining team’s efforts since their dining room is filled with patrons each evening and the meal-delivery service is also very popular.

Londonderry Tred Avon’s dining team plays a critical role in helping residents be active and healthy by providing the community with the healthy, nutritious and delicious meals. Director of Dining Services, Chelsea Harris and Lead Line Cook and Baker, Shavonte Greene, work in the Londonderry Kitchen.

“We have created a welcoming and homey dining area, where residents and guests are catered to in every way we can manage,” says Harris. “We love to give residents the best dining experience, whether that is at the table with their neighbors or in the comfort of their own homes.”

A special feature that the dining team offers is a tour of the kitchen, where the staff talks Londonderry residents through each station so that they may learn how their food is prepared.

Residents can also experience fun activities in the kitchen, such as nutritional cooking classes and how to build charcuterie boards.

Londonderry also invests in its culinary team and offers 100% tuition reimbursement for all staff members who wish to pursue additional education in the field. Harris shared that Andy Riesburg, Prep Cook, and Nick Satchell, Line Cook, are currently in culinary school.

Other culinary team members include Shavonte Greene – Lead Line Cook and Baker, Shavonte Greene – Lead Line Cook, Bryant Harper – Prep Cook, Emma Freeman – Prep Cook, Charlie Guy – Dishwasher, and Willey Cephas – Dishwasher.

“Our team is very proud to provide residents with delicious and nutritious meals,” shared Harris. “We will continue to play our part supporting Londonderry’s mission of promoting the complete wellness of every resident.”

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Londonderry on the Tred Avon Celebrates CEO Irma Toce’s Birthday

March 4, 2023 by Londonderry on the Tred Avon

On January 27th, Londonderry on the Tred Avon celebrated CEO Irma Toce’s 65th birthday.

The Londonderry staff and residents highlighted Toce’s love for animals by donating various items to Talbot Humane in lieu of gifts. The donations included food, toys, and treats for dogs and cats.

“Our residents and the entire team are so incredibly generous,” said Toce. “I am thankful to be surrounded by an amazing group of people who always think of giving back to the greater community, donating goods or their time to many non-profits. I could not have imagined a better birthday celebration.”

The party featured a charcuterie board filled with different cheeses, meats, and crackers made by the Londonderry dining team. After the festivities, Toce and her Londonderry team delivered the donations to Talbot Humane.

On February 27th, the Londonderry on the Tred Avon celebrated CEO Irma Toce’s 65th birthday by honoring her love of animals by making donations to Talbot Humane.

About Londonderry on the Tred Avon

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Londonderry Residents Paint Bowls for Empty Bowls

February 18, 2023 by Londonderry on the Tred Avon

On February 10th, Londonderry on the Tred Avon residents painted bowls at Kiln Born Creations in Easton for the 2023 Talbot County Empty Bowls event. Talbot County Empty Bowls is an independent, volunteer organization with the twin mission of striving to eliminate hunger insecurity and raising awareness in our community of this serious and fundamental issue.

“Londonderry residents are deeply invested in their community,” said Irma Toce, Londonderry CEO. “Supporting Empty Bowls is one of many ways they give back and share their time and talents with many worthy causes in the area.”

The painted bowls will be used at the February 25th, 2023, community dinner held at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Easton. Those who attend the dinner will select a painted bowl for their soup, which is provided by local restaurants.

On February 10th, Londonderry on the Tred Avon residents painted bowls at Kiln Born Creations in Easton for the 2023 Talbot County Empty Bowls event. Front Row, Left to Right: Pat Bradley, Regina Amy, Cyndy Miller. Back Row, Left to Right: Susan Andrews, Judy Lutkus, Erica Hardeo (Activities Coordinator), Cathy Cooper.

Through this event, with the help of Talbot County community members, Talbot County Empty Bowls is able to raise funds for local food pantries and award funds to several organizations to assist in their efforts to address food insecurity in Talbot County.

These funds are being provided to Helping Hands, Tilghman Island Food Pantry; Care Packs; Neighborhood Service Center; Scotts United Methodist Church Pantry on the Go; Harvest of Hope Food Pantry, Easton Church of God; St. Michaels Community Center; and Royal Oak Church/ Bellevue Church.

Since 2008, Talbot County Empty Bowls has distributed over $235,000 to Talbot County food organizations. The global non-profit organization Empty Bowls has raised millions of dollars for hunger-related causes across the United States and in countries around the world.

About Londonderry on the Tred Avon

Londonderry on the Tred Avon is a vibrant, independent living cooperative community for adults, ages 62+, that promotes wellness of mind and body. Londonderry offers a variety of housing options from convenient apartments to spacious cottages among 29 acres, including 1500 feet of waterfront shoreline. For more information, visit www.londonderrytredavon.com.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Londonderry on the Tred Avon Receives Best Retirement Community, Best Assisted/Senior Living Community, and Best Boss for CEO Irma Toce in APG Best of the Best Chesapeake Awards

December 8, 2022 by Londonderry on the Tred Avon

Londonderry on the Tred Avon is pleased to announce that it has been named the Best Retirement Community and Best Assisted/Senior Living Community in the 2022 Best of the Best Chesapeake awards and Londonderry’s CEO, Irma Toce, was named Best Boss.

Members of the Londonderry team attended the award celebration on Tuesday, November 29th at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay in Cambridge. The 2022 Best of the Best Chesapeake is the official community and readers’ choice awards for the Mid-Shore. The program is organized by APG Chesapeake, the parent company of The Star Democrat.

Irma Toce, 2022 Best Boss

The Londonderry team is very grateful to the community and residents for their continued support and is especially proud of their leader, Irma Toce, who has dedicated herself to creating a positive, energetic, and service-focused culture that allows for the residents and team to thrive.

“I am incredibly humbled by this great recognition, and I owe much of my success to the hard work of our entire team. It’s the team and residents who make Londonderry such a special place,” said Irma Toce, CEO. “We love our community and campus, full of supportive friends and neighbors.”

This is the fourth year Londonderry has been the recipient of the Best Retirement Community award, but the first year receiving the Best Assisted/Senior Living Community and Best Boss awards. They won after advancing through the nomination and voting rounds that took place earlier this year.

About Londonderry on the Tred Avon

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