When Stuart Freidrich and his wife began exploring retirement communities, they had a clear vision of what they wanted. They wanted a comfortable apartment in Carroll County, where they could stay close to their church, friends and the community they loved. Just as important, they wanted the reassurance that future care would be available if their needs ever changed.
Carroll Lutheran Village offered everything on their checklist. What they didn’t expect was the one thing that would matter most—the friendly residents who made them feel welcomed.
“We’ve lived in a lot of places over the years, but the residents here are just phenomenal,” Friedrich said.
A New Beginning
Like many people who transition to senior living, Friedrich admits the first few weeks felt overwhelming. After years in a four-level home, downsizing brought more than boxes to unpack. There was a new apartment to settle into, neighbors to meet and a community to learn.
“Everything feels big when you’re new. There are so many buildings, residents, and things to learn,” said Friedrich.
It’s a feeling many new residents can relate to. Despite knowing the right decision was made, stepping into a new chapter of life can feel uncertain. Fortunately, uncertainty doesn’t last long.
One Invitation Changed Everything
A few days after moving in, Friedrich and his wife decided to take a break from unpacking and headed to CLV’s Pub to relax and enjoy a drink.
They found themselves becoming part of the community. Friedrich sat beside another resident, who casually asked whether he played bridge.
Before the evening was over, Friedrich had played his first bridge game in decades, met several new friends and discovered something that continues to shape his experience today.
“Residents at CLV don’t wait for you to feel like you belong. They help you belong,” said Friedrich.
A Community That Opens Doors
That single invitation became the beginning of a deeper sense of connection and belonging.
In the months that followed, Friedrich joined bridge lessons, duplicate bridge, party bridge, pickleball, fitness classes, neighborhood gatherings and a variety of other community activities.
Each experience introduced him to new residents, friendships and opportunities to learn, grow and have fun.
“I learned pretty quickly that if you want an active lifestyle, all you have to do is show up,” he says.
From educational programs and clubs to volunteer opportunities, concerts, committees and social events, there is always something happening at CLV.
Friedrich believes the activities calendar isn’t what makes CLV exceptional—it’s the residents.
The Power of Everyday Kindness
Over time, Friedrich and his wife have faced changing health needs, something many older adults experience.
In addition to on-site care, what stands out the most is the compassion of their neighbors. The spirit of inclusion isn’t organized or scheduled. It’s simply how they treat one another.
Neighbors invite one another to card games, share conversations over dinner, help newcomers find their way around the community, check in after an illness and offer a warm welcome after time away. These everyday gestures create connection. “It’s more like a family than a neighborhood,” Friedrich says.
For Freidrich, one memory stands out as a perfect example. When residents on Friedrich’s apartment floor gathered for a casual get-together, they invited a former neighbor who had moved to another level of care within the community.
“It meant so much for him to come back and spend time with everyone. This is the kind of thing that happens here,” said Friedrich.
A Piece of Advice
For those considering retirement living, Friedrich’s advice is simple: get involved. Attend an event, join a club, introduce yourself over dinner and say yes when someone invites you to play a game, attend an event or share a dining table.
“If you stay in your apartment all the time, no one is going to force themselves on you. But if you get out and meet people, you’ll find they’re incredibly welcoming,” Friedrich says.
Finding Peace of Mind and More
Friedrich is grateful that he and his wife chose to live at CLV. They found a genuine sense of belonging from new friendships and reassurance that on-site care is available when needed from the Life Plan Community. Those are the things that transformed CLV from a place to live into a place to call home.
Learn more about Friedrich from his WTTR radio interview at bit.ly/SFriedrich.
Every CLV resident has a unique story. Together, those stories create a vibrant, welcoming community full of connection, purpose and peace of mind. Discover their stories at clvillage.org/resident-stories.
