Danberry at Inverness is open for residents, offering an exceptional lifestyle for a generation over age 50, with rental or purchased housing. Oktoberfest was held on Oct. 21 in its ballroom with more than 75 residents and guests attending.

Music was played by Wolfgang Moritz. Couples danced to polka sounds, “oom pah pah,” while professional instructors Wendy and Curt Johnson demonstrated the right way to move. Award winning Chef Paul Seery provided German fare, and folks lined up at a sumptuous table.

Danberry community is developed by the Daniel Corp., and its Vice President of Senior Housing Randolph Dabney took me on a tour while most celebrants gathered at tables or stood chatting with one another.

“This generation is better educated, travel more, are more active in general. When planning for Danberry we asked what we would want,” Dabney said.

The architecture for the 36-acre community along Lake Heather is a fusion of Tudor and Frank Lloyd Wright.

Nature is prominent. Outdoor walking trails meander through manicured lawns and English gardens. Rushing water falls into pools bordered by native stones and soothing herbals.

Indoors is a sensory feast. Construction consists of natural elements, stacked stone and wood. A water feature greets residents at the main entrance. Local galleries provide original art. The lofty ceiling is striped with beams, and sun drifts in through beveled–glass windows.

Wrought iron chandeliers hang in the dining area, where residents are seated at white linen-clad tables and order meals from a fine chef’s menu.

A blazing fire draws residents to comfortable seating in the pub, doubling as a coffee shop in the mornings. Newspapers are available in the library.

An indoor pool is salt water, with locker rooms, showers and a fitness center. Next door is a massage room, beauty shop and room for manicures and pedicures.

As my tour ended, Dabney noted one difference in the Danberry community.

“We have the best staff I’ve seen in all my years in senior living communities,” he said.

Attitude is important to good performance, and the Danberry staff had smiling faces at the Oktoberfest.

If this event is any indication of attention to its residents’ needs, they will enjoy a healthy and fun lifestyle.

For information on Danberry, call Sales Director Lori Dodd at 443–9500 or stop by at 235 Inverness Center Drive.

Gladys Sherrer can be reached by e–mail at gsherrer@hotmail.com.