When Kathy Lentz began thinking about downsizing, she wasn’t sure where she would end up.
She had heard good things about senior living communities, but she imagined herself settling somewhere close to a larger town. Pine City wasn’t initially on her radar.
That changed the moment she walked through the doors at Timber Pines by Vivie.
“The minute I walked into Timber Pines, I felt such warmth, such peace, and it was so calm here and so much light,” Kathy said. “I fell in love with the place.”
As she toured the community, she noticed something even more important than the building itself.
“I could hear laughter, I could see smiles. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming,” she said. “It just made me realize that this is a place I can make my home forever.”
Kathy moved to Timber Pines in 2024. Since then, she has embraced community life with enthusiasm, finding opportunities not only to stay active and engaged, but also to enrich the lives of those around her.
“At the time, I thought, I don’t know why I’m being led here,” Kathy said. “Now over the two years, I realized that I was led here, because now I’m doing the travelogues, I’m doing the fitness, so I’m giving back to this community that’s given so much to me.”
For Kathy, one of the biggest benefits of living at Timber Pines is easy access to wellness opportunities, including the wellness center.
“I’ve realized as I’ve gotten older that I really need to take care of my health,” she said.
She appreciates having opportunities for aerobic exercise and strength training just steps from her apartment. As a regular participant in wellness classes, Kathy became a familiar and encouraging presence in the wellness center.
Then, when one of the center’s wellness specialists needed to begin maternity leave earlier than expected, Kathy was asked if she would be willing to help lead a class. She said yes.
Later, Kathy volunteered to lead a Saturday morning exercise class for residents. That class is still going strong, with a group of regular participants who gather to move, encourage one another, and start the weekend on a positive note. When wellness specialists are unavailable during the week, Kathy sometimes steps in to help residents maintain their routines.
“It satisfies me. It satisfies them,” Kathy said. “Because I think it’s so important that as we get older, we need to move and do activities. And I’m really happy to be able to facilitate that.”
Kathy’s example encourages others to prioritize their health, stay engaged, and continue doing the things they enjoy. She helps create an environment where wellness is not just an individual pursuit but a shared experience.
Kathy’s passion for connection extends beyond the wellness center.
She’s also played a key role in helping Timber Pines’ Armchair Travel program grow into a favorite activity for residents. The idea began with a member of the Timber Pines life enrichment team, and Kathy volunteered to share stories from some of her own travels. From there, the program developed into a full virtual travel experience, complete with passports, airline tickets, and meals featuring foods from the featured destination.
“It really has taken off, and it’s become very popular, and people have loved it, and I have loved it,” Kathy said.
Kathy first fell in love with travel through trips she took with her daughter. Since then, she has visited several countries around the world, collecting experiences and stories she now shares with her neighbors at Timber Pines. Her favorite destination has been Japan, a place she especially appreciated for its unique culture.
Through presentations that feature photos, stories, and experiences from travels around the world, Armchair Travel invites residents to discover new destinations, start conversations, and continue learning together.
For residents who may no longer be able to travel long distances themselves, the program offers an opportunity to explore new places, learn about different cultures, and relive memories of adventures from their own lives.
“They really love it,” Kathy said. “They want to know when the next one’s going to be, what country it’s going to be. So they’re very involved and it has grown.”
Kathy’s enthusiasm brings each destination to life. Whether she’s telling a funny travel story, explaining a local tradition, or answering questions from fellow residents, she creates an experience that is both educational and engaging.
In many ways, Armchair Travel reflects the spirit that Kathy brings to everyday life at Timber Pines: curiosity, connection, and a willingness to share experiences with others.
Kathy believes one of the greatest strengths of Timber Pines is the variety of opportunities available to residents.
“There’s a monthly schedule we get of all the daily activities, and there is anything you can imagine,” she said. “There’s just something for everyone here.”
Residents can choose from games, entertainment, movies, social gatherings, exercise classes, and resident-led activities. Kathy especially appreciates that residents are encouraged to express their interests and talents.
“Some of the people who live here will start their own activities and lead them,” she said. “So it’s really, really a wonderful place for anything and everything to go on.”
That spirit of engagement is strengthened by life-enriching programs made possible through support from Vivie’s foundation and community partners. From creative arts experiences to special events and educational opportunities, these programs help create meaningful moments that bring residents together and encourage continued growth, learning, and self-expression.
For Kathy, those opportunities are part of what makes Timber Pines feel like home.
“Meeting all the people, hearing their stories, being involved in activities with them — it’s been marvelous and I feel that I’m growing and I’m thriving,” she said.
Ask those who know Kathy what makes her special, and they rarely talk first about the exercise classes or travel presentations.
Instead, they talk about her willingness to help, her genuine interest in others, and the way she makes people feel welcome.
Whether she’s greeting neighbors before an exercise class, sharing stories from around the world, or chatting with friends over coffee, Kathy helps create the sense of belonging that defines community life at Timber Pines.
She came to Timber Pines looking for a place to live. What she found was a place to stay engaged, get involved, and continue growing — and in the process, she helps others do the same.
“Every day, my decision is reinforced that it was the best decision for me,” Kathy said.