Living Life to the Fullest at Blakehurst
Whatever your passion, you’re bound to find activities that bring you joy and fuel your spirit at Blakehurst, a senior living community in Towson, Maryland. Just minutes from Baltimore, the community is situated on over 40 lush acres in a beautiful pastoral setting replete with winding walking paths that showcase the gorgeous landscape and 50 resident-tended gardens. With over 40 resident committees to choose from and a plethora of activities at your fingertips, living life to the fullest is easy at Blakehurst.
Down on the Farm
Farm Fair, held on Thursday, August 17th, is Blakehurst’s annual fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association. The Merrimakers Committee decorated tables and tents, transforming the space into a festive state fair atmosphere. “In true fair fashion, there were displays of prized flowers and vegetables grown by residents,” said Debra Bartgis, Community Life Services Director at Blakehurst. Awards were given and it was a wonderful way for residents to show off the fruits of their labor. After the event, many of the flower arrangements were taken to residents in the Chestnut Green Health Center.
A donation to the Alzheimer’s Association got residents a fried chicken lunch and fair food like snow cones, popcorn and cotton candy. Farm animals were brought in by a local farmer whose daughter was a volunteer at Blakehurst; he regularly donates his time to this fundraising event. The main event at the Farm Fair was a talk by a local Monarch butterfly enthusiast, educating residents about the shrinking Monarch population and efforts being made to track and learn about where they go, what they eat, and their lifespan. To cap off this lecture, residents had the privilege to assist in releasing the tagged butterflies. All funds raised at the Farm Fair went to the Alzheimer’s Association, a worthy cause that Blakehurst and its residents are proud to stand behind.
Every Dog has its Day
Because Blakehurst is a dog-friendly community and many of the furry friends are well-known on the campus, residents thought it would only be appropriate to have an annual dog show. The Blakehurst Dog Show took place on August 25th, and all residents had the opportunity to show off their dogs while a resident-emcee announced awards handed down by the panel of judges. This was a standing-room-only event as residents flocked to see their favorite community canines perform tricks and look adorable. Participants left with goodie bags filled with dog treats and toys, certificates of award and the satisfaction of knowing that the care they give their pets is an investment well made.
Seafood Celebration
Blakehurst will celebrate its 24th anniversary by throwing its annual Crab Fest in September. It’s a two-day event for residents and employees alike. “We bring in forty to fifty bushels of delectable Maryland Crabs and serve them alongside traditional barbecue fare,” said Debra. “Residents look forward to this special celebration, as it’s a fun time for our local Marylanders to show off their crab cracking skills to newcomers,” said Debra.
Residents: The Heart of Blakehurst Committees
Committees are instrumental in the monthly and seasonal activity planning at Blakehurst and equally as instrumental as getting residents involved. There are currently 43 committees including the Hospitality Committee, Garden Committee, Merrimakers Committee and Trips Committee. “The Hospitality Committee welcomes new residents and the Garden Committee ensures there are fresh flowers in the dining room and lobby; usually a tall arrangement like you’d see in a high-end hotel. They are always so beautiful and it adds such a nice touch,” said Debra. This time of year, flowers from resident garden plots are used by the committee to create beautiful, and often, themed arrangements.
The Trips Committee does a fabulous job providing opportunities for residents to get out in the community. There are trail walkers that lead monthly hikes around local parks, as well as cultural and educational opportunities. For instance, residents recently took a tour of the 1,100 acre Hart-Miller Island located on the Chesapeake Bay. In order for large ships to get to port, the Chesapeake Bay has to be dredged to 52-feet deep and the Maryland Department of the Environment used the dredged soil to build up two disappearing nearby islands, Hart and Miller, to create what is now one island: Hart-Miller. “Residents had a tour of the island and learned about the dredging process, the environmental impact and how the Bay is being kept healthy; it was fascinating,” said Debra. Hart-Miller Island State Park now serves as a popular destination for beachgoers and boaters alike.
Residents have a passion and interest in learning how things are made and how they work. Many of the trips, like an upcoming trip to the Harley Davidson plant to learn how motorcycles are made, satisfy that desire. The Blakehurst community is all about living live to the fullest and it continuously delivers intellectually stimulating lifelong learning opportunities, and planned excursions to local and regional destinations. To learn more about Blakehurst and all the activities and amenities it has to offer, call (410) 870-7817.