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.

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

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.

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.”

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.

Londonderry Resident, Nancy Burns, and her dog, Duke.

Londonderry on the Tred Avon’s CEO, Irma Toce, has a passion for senior pet adoption and placing senior animals with Londonderry residents.

“I have always been an animal person,” said Toce. “Animals give people purpose and are incredibly therapeutic, especially for those living alone who are at risk of feeling isolated – like seniors. While an energetic puppy may not be the best option for our residents, older dogs and cats can be a great match. The animals provide our residents with purpose and companionship, and our residents provide the animals with a second chance and a safe and loving home.”

Toce’s passion began several years ago when she visited the Talbot Humane Society. She met a cat who was 16 years old and completely bald. Knowing no one else would adopt her, Irma brought the cat home. She lived happily with Irma for about a year, her hair even growing back. Within that same year, the Humane Society called and said they had an overweight cat on insulin. Irma adopted him as well and cared for him for five wonderful years before he passed away.

Toce’s reputation as a champion for senior pets grew on campus and residents who were interested in adopting began asking her for help finding a pet.

“I always have my eye out,” said Toce.

Toce’s latest adoptee was a dog named Duke. He was almost 13 when his owner passed away and her loved ones were getting the word out on social media to find Duke a new home. She immediately thought of a resident who had been looking for a puppy. She encouraged her to consider an older dog because they would be a better match for her energy level and lifestyle. Once she met Duke, he never left her side, and they are often found sitting together on her front porch swing.

Londonderry residents have also taken it upon themselves to share the responsibility of the on-campus pets by offering assistance to friends in need. If a resident is ill or away for the day, there is never a shortage of neighbors willing to walk a dog or feed a cat. Overall, having animals on campus has brought much joy, with dogs even greeting visitors on tours.

Irma has now placed 11 animals with loving residents over the course of seven years, mostly from the Humane Society. All pets are still a responsibility, no matter the age, but Toce insists that those who are able should adopt. Senior animals only want to be loved and love their owners in return.

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.