Senior Living's Winter Stay a "Win-Win" at Scheurer
“I’m five foot, eighteen inches tall.” That may be the best way to describe the head-above-the-rest enthusiasm of Joe Burzynski. With the charisma and energy of someone born decades later, Joe makes living at 91-years-old look easy. Retiring after 37 years in the telephone business, Joe and his wife, Eleanor moved to Caseville full-time to enjoy the natural beauty of the Thumb. Joe grew up on east side of Detroit but always remembered the landscape while camping at Sleeper and Port Crescent State Parks, which drew him back to the area after retirement.
Now, after calling the Thumb home for 35 years, Joe has made his winter stay at Country Bay Village since winter of 2014. “I still have my Caseville home. I love the views, the beach…everything about it, especially the four seasons. But when the snow starts flying, I know it’s time to head here (Country Bay Village),” added Burzynski. Joe takes part in the “Winter Stay” option with Scheurer Senior Living, where residents are able to stay for up to six months in the winter. Residents can enjoy a furnished apartment with everything included. Matt Roemer, manager of Country Bay Village says that it’s a win-win for the resident, as well as their family. “Winter stay residents can walk in and find a fully, ready-to-go apartment, meals included, activities – everything. If they want, all they need to bring are their clothes and they can make the move as easy as they want,” noted Roemer.
Joe Burzynski, winter-stay resident of Country Bay Village, works on one of the many puzzles in the independent living community
What truly drew Joe to Country Bay Village was the camaraderie of its neighbors and the amenities that the independent living community offered. Burzynski says that there are more activities offered and a great bond with his neighbors. “When I first moved in, they were playing cards just twice a week. I actually learned how to play Euchre here. I loved it so much, I convinced them that we should play three times a week…and dominoes too!” Joe added enthusiastically. More times than not, visitors and residents can find Joe at the puzzle table in the main dining room. If not, he’s probably busy calling bingo, volunteering for the hospital auxiliary popping popcorn, maintaining all of the bird feeders or acting as the DJ for Country Bay Village’s lunches. “I love it here. Everything is done for you, but I can still have my independence. My kids certainly have more peace of mind while I’m here too.”
For more information about Scheurer Senior Living’s Winter Stay program, contact Matt Roemer at Country Bay Village, by calling 989.453.2188 or stopping in for a tour of the independent living community.
