Around The Woodlands campus, resident Margery Andrews is known for her role as co-chair of the welcoming committee, which introduces new residents to the community and helps them adjust to their new life at The Woodlands.
“Our group is notified when someone moves in and then we match them with a “welcomer” who greets them and offers information and tips for living here,” said Margery. “We’re here to help people comfortably adjust.”
Margery herself arrived at The Woodlands two years ago, seeking an independent living community that would be both affordable and near to her daughter in Norwich, Vermont.
Margery had worked for 33 years as a therapist and raised three kids with her husband; they lived for 50 years in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, home of Dickinson College, and then 10 in another college town: Portsmouth, New Hampshire. In the end, its proximity to Dartmouth made The Woodlands an easy choice.
Margery said she loves how easy it is as a resident of The Woodlands to experience the Lebanon and Hanover communities. These days, she enjoys attending tai chi classes at the town park, taking in local arts performances, visiting nature attractions like the Saint-Gaudens National Historical site and more.
“The Upper Valley is a wonderfully rich area with many educated and accomplished people: artists and writers and doctors and professors,” she said. “There’s this wonderful support for the arts and the environment and lots of continuing educational opportunities. As a resident, you just have to figure out how much you want to be engaged.”
Margery, who describes herself as a lifelong learner, has already taken three courses through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Dartmouth and is currently taking one in English poetry.
In addition to the charms of the local college community, Margery also enjoys many of the on-campus resident activities, which continue to ramp up now that both The Woodlands and Harvest Hill residents have received the COVID-19 vaccine.
“The activities at The Woodlands are diverse,” said Margery. “They are organized and run by residents through the Residents’ Advisory Council, so you can really get involved in just about anything you want to do, whether that’s fitness classes, Wii bowling, social events, lectures, trips…”
Margery said she also keeps busy taking her ten-year-old rat terrier rescue, Bobbi, on walks three times a day.
“Bobbi adores it here and the people here just love him,” she said. “He’s very affectionate and social which was nice for me because people would learn his name and then introduce themselves to me! Dogs are good for that.”
Ultimately, the things Margery said she loves most about The Woodlands are her beautiful apartment plus a relaxed atmosphere and small size, which makes it easier to get to know your fellow residents.
“I was told when I first moved here that there were no cliques, and I’ve found that to be true,” said Margery. “This place is small — about 80 people — so it is very homelike and warm, with friendly residents and staff.”
We’re happy to know that Margery has adjusted quite well to her life at The Woodlands!
