It is striking that in the earliest days of Medford Leas, 1971-1973, the new residents took responsibility immediately for contributing their skills and talents for the enjoyment of their fellow residents. By 1972 there were classes in an Art Studio, and a Woodworking Shop had been launched. Residents saw the need for a governing body to deal with resident issues and formed the Residents Council, which, after adoption of a Constitution and By-Laws, became the Medford Leas Residents Association (MLRA). On January 16, 2017, the MLRA marked its 500th meeting, with Barbara Trought presiding.
Today, there are almost 90 resident-run committees on the combined Medford (70) and Lumberton (19) campuses. While most activities continued to play their intended, important roles, there have been some noteworthy new offerings in this decade.
In 2012, to replace Road Scholar (formerly Elderhostel), which decided to end its programs at Medford Leas, Jane Weston, then Director of Marketing and Community Relations, created an “Elderhostel-style” program called Pathways to Learning at Medford Leas, a stimulating series of learning-based programs to be held during the fall and spring seasons for the general public as well as Medford Leas. Its appeal was to lifelong learners on such topics as history, horticulture, music and medicine. A committee of residents has helped to develop the popular programs each season.
In 2012, to replace Road Scholar (formerly Elderhostel), which decided to end its programs at Medford Leas, Jane Weston, then Director of Marketing and Community Relations, created an “Elderhostel-style” program called Pathways to Learning at Medford Leas, a stimulating series of learning-based programs to be held during the fall and spring seasons for the general public as well as Medford Leas.
Its appeal was to lifelong learners on such topics as history, horticulture, music and medicine. A committee of residents has helped to develop the popular programs each season.
Pathways joined other established learning-based activities, including Leas Forum, bringing lecturers twice a month to speak on current events, science, and humanities, led by Dorothy Cebula; and Great Decisions, America’s largest discussion program on world affairs, developed by the Foreign Policy Association, headed by Len and Dorothy Cebula. VID-U offered recorded lectures on interesting topics, such as Roman history.
Lifelong learning also came about in the field of music. In 2014, LeasMusiCast launched its first year-long season of filmed classical music concerts, opera and ballet. The first program featured the Berlin Philharmonic and the music of Haydn, Mozart and Berlioz. LeasMusiCast followed Specticast, which was no longer presenting classical music.
The Music Committee, under chair Marion Norcross, continued the Guest Artists Series featuring live performances of renowned classical and jazz musicians.
Residents also bring their own talents to Medford Leas in many fields, including music. In 2019, the Medford Leas Singers gave their first concert, conducted by Danielle Peterson Boyd, pianist and music therapist with Therapeutic Recreation.
The Cool Hand Ukes, led by Conant Atwood, were popular performers at events on both campuses.
Residents also bring their own talents to Medford Leas in many fields, including music. In 2019, the Medford Leas Singers gave their first concert, conducted by Danielle Peterson Boyd, pianist and music therapist with Therapeutic Recreation.
The Cool Hand Ukes, led by Conant Atwood, were popular performers at events on both campuses.
Origami, the centuries-old Japanese art of paper-folding in which the three-dimensional crane is best known, symbolizing good fortune and peace, became popular at Medford Leas. Resident Steve Yanai brought the tradition of origami paper folding from his native Japan to the U.S., and years later to Medford Leas. At Christmas, beginning in 2012, he could be seen in the Atrium decorating a small Christmas tree with tiny origami decorations. Interest in origami, encouraged also by Kathy Riley, soon took off on both campuses. On December 1, 2017, a flock of 200 origami cranes appeared in the rafters of the Community Center on the Lumberton campus for the holiday gathering.
Origami, the centuries-old Japanese art of paper-folding in which the three-dimensional crane is best known, symbolizing good fortune and peace, became popular at Medford Leas. Resident Steve Yanai brought the tradition of origami paper folding from his native Japan to the U.S., and years later to Medford Leas.
At Christmas, beginning in 2012, he could be seen in the Atrium decorating a small Christmas tree with tiny origami decorations. Interest in origami, encouraged also by Kathy Riley, soon took off on both campuses. On December 1, 2017, a flock of 200 origami cranes appeared in the rafters of the Community Center on the Lumberton campus for the holiday gathering.
Residents brought still other forms of self-expression, ranging from painting in the Art Studio, to wood-working in the Workshop, to photography. Resident photographers — Joe Costanza, Ralph Berglund, Margery Rubin, David Bartram, Joyce and Robert Koch and Ezra Shahn — saw their work appear in Medford Leas Life and exhibited in galleries on both campuses. Joe Costanza is a nationally recognized nature photographer, with especially amazing pictures of birds. His photographs have been exhibited widely. Ralph Berglund in 2016 was a national finalist in the field of landscape photography. Margery Rubin, staff photographer of Medford Leas Life and exhibitor in the Photo Gallery at Medford Leas, has enjoyed photographing in New York City and Europe.
The nationally popular game of pickleball came to the Medford campus, when on October 14, 2019, 40 residents joined Jeremy Vickers for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony on the newly refinished tennis court, to which pickleball has been added. Through the gentle persistence of resident Sandy Evens, pickleball was brought to the attention of Jeremy, along with the existence of the unused, obsolete tennis court on the Medford campus. The game was introduced to residents at a demonstration in the Oak Room, and on the Lumberton campus tennis courts, before the Medford court was ready.
Four long-time creators and maintainers of the Medford Leas 5.8-mile trails system were honored on October 4, 2016, for their “tireless efforts” in bringing enjoyment of the woodland trails and Rancocas Creek to Medford Leas residents. The four “trailblazers” were Gordon Clift, Ruth Blattenberger, Holger Stub and Steve Denham, who were continuing the vision of Medford Leas founder and naturalist Lewis Barton.
The nationally popular game of pickleball came to the Medford campus, when on October 14, 2019, 40 residents joined Jeremy Vickers for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony on the newly refinished tennis court, to which pickleball has been added. Through the gentle persistence of resident Sandy Evens, pickleball was brought to the attention of Jeremy, along with the existence of the unused, obsolete tennis court on the Medford campus. The game was introduced to residents at a demonstration in the Oak Room, and on the Lumberton campus tennis courts, before the Medford court was ready.
Four long-time creators and maintainers of the Medford Leas 5.8-mile trails system were honored on October 4, 2016, for their “tireless efforts” in bringing enjoyment of the woodland trails and Rancocas Creek to Medford Leas residents. The four “trailblazers” were Gordon Clift, Ruth Blattenberger, Holger Stub and Steve Denham, who were continuing the vision of Medford Leas founder and naturalist Lewis Barton.
The Thrift Shop is a favorite for volunteers and may now attract even more. In June 2019, following the ground floor construction, the Thrift Shop moved into modern, brightly-lit, well-organized quarters. Jan Durbin, in charge of the Thrift Shop, who has been through two moves, hopes that shopping in the new place “will be a more enjoyable experience,” perhaps bringing in even greater sales.
Annual Medford Leas events attracting wide resident involvement are the Flower Show, the Golf Outing, Evening in the Arboretum, the annual Dog Show, the Holiday Craft Fair, the Holiday Bazaar, and The Holiday Show.
(For a description of all of the committees, please refer to the booklet Resident Activities at Medford Leas.)
The Thrift Shop is a favorite for volunteers and may now attract even more. In June 2019, following the ground floor construction, the Thrift Shop moved into modern, brightly-lit, well-organized quarters. Jan Durbin, in charge of the Thrift Shop, who has been through two moves, hopes that shopping in the new place “will be a more enjoyable experience,” perhaps bringing in even greater sales.
Annual Medford Leas events attracting wide resident involvement are the Flower Show, the Golf Outing, Evening in the Arboretum, the annual Dog Show, the Holiday Craft Fair, the Holiday Bazaar, and The Holiday Show.
(For a description of all of the committees, please refer to the booklet Resident Activities at Medford Leas.)