When the time came to explore retirement homes, Nancy and Malcolm looked online and visited eight communities in Vermont and New Hampshire. “What struck me,” Nancy said, “was that when we would go to different places, they always invite you for a meal and you sit and talk to people. We came to Morgan Orchards and had a meal, and as soon as we left, we said, ‘This is the place. People have a sense of humor. There’s life here.’”

They hated to leave their home and friends in Weston, VT; but their children, health care providers, and finally their own sense told them it was time. “Leaving the house,” Malcolm said, “meant leaving the main part of our lives together, but that part is now in the past, and we’re on this new adventure which is delightful though not the same.”

Nancy grew up in Ithaca, NY, and taught fourth grade and third grade in Ridgefield, CT. Malcolm grew up in Brooklyn and practiced law in Manhattan. After marrying in 1979, they lived in Norwalk, CT. Along the way, they designed their dream house and in 1983 had it built on a mountainside in Weston. They visited it as often as they could until they were able to retire and make it their full-time home. Once settled in, Nancy served as president of the Women’s Club and assistant town clerk; she worked in the gallery shop of the Weston Priory and was elected to four terms as a justice of the peace. Malcolm worked on Latin America solidarity projects and his writing.

When Nancy and Malcolm moved into Strode in January 2020, they didn’t know anybody except the few people they’d briefly met during their try-out dinners; but, Nancy said, “When we moved here, I felt like I’d come home. It’s just so inviting and people are very friendly.” Malcolm added, “For me, it was very comfortable. Everybody’s friendly and welcoming, and the staff is friendly and competent. The view was a big factor in our choice too, not only the Green Mountains but the grounds, which are nicely planned and maintained.” Nancy, “It’s very peaceful here.”

“The best thing that has happened since we started living at Morgan Orchards,” Nancy said “is just being here and feeling at home.” Malcolm added: “Leaving your home to move into a new place is a big decision and a roll of the dice; the best thing that happened to me was realizing that moving here was the right decision.”