‘Tis the season for heading back to school, and at The Garlands of Barrington, a premier life plan community for older adults, “school” knows no age limits.
According to a recent AARP study on lifelong learning, 55% of Americans ages 45 and older seek personal growth and are curious and actively learning new things. If that’s the case, there is no doubt that The Garlands’ lifelong learners are raising the curve.
“Continuous learning is known to boost self-esteem, improve memory and cognitive function, reduce stress and anxiety, and provide a sense of accomplishment and purpose,” says Dawn L. Kempf, chief operating officer at The Garlands. “As a bonus, courses, discussion groups and book clubs at The Garlands spark intellectually engaging social interaction among members.”
In addition to being learners, Garlands members like Lanny Ori, a longtime professional book reviewer and discussion leader, are also teachers who pursue life enrichment by sharing their knowledge and interests with others.
Lanny grew up in, as she fondly recalls, “a house full of books where dinnertime discussions were a regular family activity.”
After graduating from college with a degree in art history, Lanny worked at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and Time Inc. in New York City, with an eye on eventually living, working and traveling in Europe.
She eventually took a position with the U.S. Army Special Services in Germany, where she created after-hours programs for the enlisted men. That’s also where she met her husband, Pete.
A few years later, back in the U.S. and living in Glenview, Lanny was invited to initiate a Junior Great Books Discussion program in the Glenview Public Schools. Leading book discussions and sharing ideas soon became a passion for Lanny, as she hosted book reviews for adult groups.
After moving to Barrington, Lanny continued her involvement in the schools and at Barrington Area Library, where she led book discussions for more than 42 years.
Now living at The Garlands, Lanny is delighted to share her enthusiasm for literature by presenting book reviews on diverse subjects. Most recently, she shared the book “Endurance,” a classic by Alfred Lansing that tells the story of Ernest Shackleton’s legendary expedition to the Antarctic. Lanny calls the journey “one of the most thrilling adventure stories of all time.”
Among her many reviews, Lanny has highlighted Ada Louise Huxtable’s highly praised biography of Frank Lloyd Wright and Bill Bryson’s “At Home,” a history of the world based on different rooms in the house.
Lanny finds that “knowledge is the most fun when it’s shared,” and she is thrilled for the opportunity to share the fun with her new neighbors at The Garlands.
The Garlands, located near the heart of Barrington, is a life plan community for people ages 55 and older that offers members an award-winning lifestyle, beautiful homes, and unprecedented amenities and services within a resort-like setting. For more information, visit thegarlands.com or call (847) 304-1996.
Pursue Lifelong Learning at The Garlands
