Fox Run Residents Pursue Passions Through On-Campus Clubs

At Fox Run, an Erickson Senior Living community in Novi, Mich., there's no shortage of things for residents to do.

On the 108-acre campus, you'll find a fitness center, all-season pool, billiards tables, creative arts studio, pickleball and bocce courts, woodshop, in-house TV studio, library, performing arts center, and many more amenities.

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Not to mention the 100-plus clubs and groups, which span a variety of interests and hobbies. Just ask resident Joyce Welch, who helped start the new Boomers club. "It's great seeing the smiles on everyone's faces as they talk about our era," says Joyce.

Whether you share a birth year or a hobby with a neighbor, there are plenty of opportunities for residents to foster new friendships through clubs at Fox Run.

Calling all Boomers

Because all of Fox Run's clubs are resident-led, residents with a hobby or interest not yet represented on campus can work alongside staff members to bring a new group to life.

During a newcomers' coffee gathering, Joyce met Michele Ciscon and Lisa Huff, both of whom are also Baby Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964. The women began discussing ways to bring neighbors from their generation together on a regular basis.

"A staff member helped me reserve a room after we picked a date and time for our group, and he also publicized it by posting on the activity board, which includes all of the events for the month," says Joyce. "And Michele made a commercial about us on the community's TV station."

Now, the Boomers club meets monthly. Although they've met just a few times, the club has already attracted strong participation and plenty of laughter.

"At one meeting, we did a game where you put the name of a famous person on your back, and you have to ask people questions to figure out who you are. Another time, we played Trivial Pursuit Boomer Edition," says Joyce.

Joyce encourages any resident who is a Baby Boomer or loves the era to join. "We don't ask for IDs," she says, with a laugh.

Campus nightlife

Three years ago, resident Geri Angel started Midtown After Hours--named after Midtown, an on-campus restaurant and bar.

The group meets on the third Friday of each month at Midtown to enjoy dancing, conversation, and happy hour pricing at the bar. Jon Millheim, a housekeeping staff member, often volunteers to be the DJ, playing music from the 1950s and 1960s.

"This group has been successful since it started. From that very first night, as soon as the DJ plays 'The Loco-Motion,' we do a conga line!" says Geri. "Residents love it. We're having so much fun and making memories."

Geri hopes to introduce quarterly karaoke events as well.

Please, call them Shirley

More than ten years ago, Shirley Mossner became the first Michigan resident to join the U.S. branch of the International Shirley Club, a club comprised of only women named Shirley. That's what inspired her to start the Shirley Club at Fox Run.

"When I moved here, one of the first things I did was get a campus telephone listing to look up all the Shirleys. At the time, there were 14 of us," she recalls. "I invited everyone to dinner, and we had a great time."

The group now holds monthly dinners in the private dining rooms of the on-campus Fireside or Signatures restaurants. "At our meetings, we don't take minutes. We just get together to eat, drink, laugh, and have a really good time," says Shirley.

In fact, all the women have T-shirts with the club's name and slogan, "Shirleys Just Like to Have Fun!"

Sharing laughter

In February 2025, Home Care Administrator Sarah Wright began teaching laughter yoga.

"Laughter yoga is an exercise practice combining laughter with yogic, or deep breathing," explains Wright. "Through eye contact, gentle movement, and childlike playfulness, intentional laughter quickly becomes genuine and contagious."

She continues, "Residents consistently share that they enjoy laughter yoga because it lifts their mood, helping them feel happier and more relaxed."

Given the activity's popularity, it turned into a club. Now, close to a dozen residents gather for Laughing Club sessions each month.

"Laughter yoga is good for our bodies and our spirits. It's a present moment stress-buster that does not leave when class ends," says club member Donna Kjellstrom. "When we pass a fellow member in the halls, we greet each other with a hearty laugh!"

To learn more about independent senior living, request your free brochure to get the scoop on amenities, floor plans, and much more.

By Michele Wojciechowski