Dispelling Misconceptions About Retirement Communities

Each week, we explore different aspects of our retirement community located five minutes from Manalapan – from well-designed senior living residences to the plethora of cultural and social offerings to our restaurant-caliber dining.

When future residents tour our community, some wistfully lament leaving behind their life-long hobbies after they move-in.

Not true!

Downsizing just means you need to be a bit more creative about how you enjoy these passions.

Don’t forget—while you may choose to reduce the size of your overall living space, you’re gaining a huge square foot community center and several country-club-caliber amenities.

This week we spoke to two residents who successfully relocated their hobbies of model railroading and custom furniture-making to Applewood.

Richard Genthner and his wife Pat have been part of the Applewood family since 2011; Sal Milazzo and his wife Joanne, joined us in November of 2017, after living in an active adult community in Jackson for 16 years.

Master Model Railroader Builds Custom Switching Model Railroad

Dick Genthner, a retired civil engineer and Master Model Railroader, has been passionate about model railroads since his childhood in upstate New York. Prior to moving to Applewood, he and Pat lived in a retirement community in Manalapan, where he constructed a 1600 sq. ft. 1937 vintage Catskills Mountain model railroad.

When the Genthners moved to their cottage home at Applewood, Dick had a new idea for building his 1950’s-era railroad—he would use his garage.

Not only did he painstakingly recreate a smaller version of his Arpee and Western Railroad, he can also fit his car into the garage!

“I spend an hour or two every day laying track, making new buildings, and fine-tuning the engines and cars,” Richard says.

In May, Dick will welcome about 75 regional railroad operators to his home to see and experience the active railroad.

Custom Furniture Designer Finds a Place to Build at Applewood

Sal and Joanne Milazzo meticulously designed every inch of their new apartment after living in an Ocean County 55+ community for the past 16 years.

“We must have visited Applewood a dozen times,” Sal recalls. “This was an important move for us and we wanted to make sure it was the right place for our next phase of life.”

When Sal discovered Applewood had a separate woodshop for residents, the decision to move was solidified.

“I never expected to have a place to make furniture so close to the apartment,” Sal explains. “It was really the icing on the cake.”

The couple brought along several pieces Sal had created from their previous home and he designed a dressing table to fit Joanne’s custom closet.

“I’m in good health and look forward making new furniture and custom pieces for our new home and my large family.”

Unrivaled CCRC Living in Monmouth County, New Jersey

Applewood is about new beginnings, but also bringing along the parts of your life that are meaningful.

More than likely, you’ll discover other people that all share your hobbies and passions!

Find out more about the wide range of apartment and cottage residence options available at Applewood, located in Freehold, NJ, just minutes from the Jersey Shore and about 75 minutes from New York City and Philadelphia.

Join us for our next social event or call (732) 303-7416 to schedule your visit and personal tour.