How one Carroll Lutheran Village resident found creativity, purpose and connection in retirement.
When Betty Hanyok moved to Carroll Lutheran Village nearly eight years ago, she and her husband were ready to downsize from their three-story nearby home and find a place that offered convenience, peace of mind and community.
“We looked around and realized CLV was very convenient and it had a lot to offer. Being near to where we lived, we didn’t have to leave our doctors, church or friends. We just changed our address,” Hanyok said.
Moving to CLV opened the door to an entirely new chapter of life—one filled with creativity, learning and opportunities she never had time to explore.
Discovering Hidden Talents
Like many people, Hanyok spent much of her adult life raising a family and working. “When you’re raising your family and working, there’s little time for much else,” said Hanyok.
Today, Hanyok’s calendar is filled with activities she never imagined pursuing years ago. One of her favorite discoveries is pottery.
“I used to play in the mud when I was a kid, so I thought, why not give pottery a try?” she stated.
The result has been years of enjoyment, beautiful handmade gifts for family members and meaningful friendships with fellow residents.
“The pottery group is fantastic. Everybody is helpful and supportive, no matter what you’re making,” she said.
More recently, she added basket weaving to her list of interests. After years of collecting Longaberger baskets, she decided to learn how to make her own.
“It’s a lot more work than you think, but it’s a lot of fun,” she said.
Hanyok is quick to point out that she’s not alone. Many residents discover talents they never knew they had.
“My neighbor had never painted before she came here. Now she’s a beautiful watercolor artist. “People discover all kinds of talents because they finally have the opportunity,” Hanyok said.
More Than Just Hobbies
For Hanyok, life at CLV is about more than staying busy. It’s about finding purpose and connection.
She volunteers with the community’s Green Team, helping raise awareness about environmental issues and sustainability initiatives. She participates in gardening activities and enjoys supporting projects that encourage conservation and beautification across the campus.
She’s also involved with the Crafty Ladies, a resident group that creates handmade items for residents in CLV’s Health Care Center.
“We make little things to brighten someone’s day. It’s about doing something for someone else,” she stated.
Those small acts of kindness reflect what Hanyok values most about the community.
A Community That Encourages Exploration
The ease of trying something new is one of the biggest surprises for Hanyok.
Each month, residents receive a calendar packed with opportunities—from fitness classes and educational programs to creative arts, volunteer projects and social events.
“If you see something that interests you, give it a try. If you like it, that’s great. If you don’t, that’s okay too. You simply move on to something else,” she said.
That freedom to explore has led her to activities she never would have considered years ago, including glass fusing and Aqua Fit classes in the community’s indoor pool.
The Joy of Simple Pleasures
Aside from pottery, basket weaving, volunteering and various other activities, one of the greatest lessons
Hanyok has learned is slowing down enough to appreciate life’s simple pleasures.
For Hanyok, that means sitting outside with neighbors, watching fireworks
on the Fourth of July, enjoying a conversation on the porch or creating something by hand for a grandchild.
“The simple things are really the best,” she said.
That philosophy is one she believes many older adults are searching for today—a lifestyle that offers both independence and opportunity, while removing many of the stresses and responsibilities that come with homeownership, such as lawn care, shoveling snow and dealing with home repairs.
A Place to Grow
When asked what she would tell someone who is considering moving to CLV, her answer is simple — visit, spend the day, sit in on some classes, meet people and see what’s going on.
At CLV, you can continue to learn, grow and discover new passions. It’s never too late to try something new, and open the door to creativity, purpose and connection.
Learn more about Hanyok from her WTTR radio interview at bit.ly/Hanyok.
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.
