Terry Dance-Bennink has been living at Berwick Royal Oak with her husband for the past year and has fallen head over heels for what the Berwick lifestyle has to offer! Since moving in, she has been enjoying a diverse range of engaging activities and programs. In fact, her biggest challenge these days is often deciding which activities to partake in on the busy Berwick calendar.
“Some of my favourite activities have been the monthly trips to the symphony on the Berwick bus, the climate action group, weekly live concerts in the theatre, blockbuster movies with popcorn, the Canadian History course led by a local historian, and of course, enjoying a cocktail at the beautiful Berwick Pub,” says Terry.
A typical day for Terry often looks like…
- 8 a.m. - A full, hot breakfast in the dining room
- 9:30 a.m. - Gentle fitness or yoga/tai chi
- 10:30 a.m. - Memoir writing group
- Noon - Lunch with friends in the dining room or on the patio
- 2 p.m. - A concert by a Victoria Symphony trio in the theatre
- 3 p.m. - A quiet solitary walk at nearby Beaver Lake
- 4 p.m. - A cocktail by the pub fireplace with friends
- 5 p.m. - Supper in the dining room with residents
- 7 p.m. - A lecture by the Victoria Naturalist Society on birds
“Berwick has set themselves apart from other retirement communities in a number of ways, but in particular, the easy communication with management, the high quality programs, the four unique dining options available to residents, and of course, our suite,” adds Terry. “It’s the biggest we’ve ever had and offers a beautiful view of the Olympic Mountains!”
Not too far away at Berwick House, lives another resident, Norma Sills, who has also been captivated by the variety and flexibility of the programs and services available.
“I moved to Berwick House in the summer of 2023 and one of my favourite aspects of life here is the freedom of choice. Being able to participate in activities and do as little or as much as you want, is wonderful,” Norma says. “I enjoy doing crafts, games and I especially like going to concerts with the other residents. Being greeted by the caring staff and my fellow residents every day is lovely, it really makes me feel like a part of the community.”
Learn more about life at Berwick House and Berwick Royal Oak at berwickretirement.com or follow them on Instagram. To book a tour of Berwick House, contact Linda McDonald at 250-853-5492 or book online here. For a tour of Berwick Royal Oak, contact Kathy McAree at 250-419-4012.
READ MORE:
Saanich chef cooks up innovative ideas to keep the menu fresh