Five years ago, the first residents arrived at Wesley at Tehaleh and began transforming a newly built campus into a true community. As Wesley at Tehaleh celebrates its fifth anniversary, several of those pioneering residents are reflecting on the friendships, traditions and sense of belonging that have shaped the community from the very beginning.
“When we arrived, the kitchen wasn’t even open yet,” recalls original Lodge resident Anita Fenton. “They brought in dinners for a short while, and it was during those meals that we got to know the first residents. We quickly became friends.”
Founding Lodge resident Liz Ingalsbe shared a similar memory. “The original founders still meet for dinner all the time,” she says. “You meet a variety of people here, and they’re all so nice.”
Creating the Lifestyle
Those early connections laid the foundation for a resident-driven culture that continues to thrive today. What began as informal introductions evolved into organized programs such as the Neighbor-to-Neighbor committee, helping new residents feel welcome from day one. During the community’s first six months, residents also launched Coffee and Conversation, a casual Saturday morning gathering that remains a favorite tradition today.
Bill and Marilyn Thoms, the first residents to reserve their future home at Wesley at Tehaleh, have enjoyed watching the community grow from its earliest days.
“We recognized early on that it wasn’t up to someone else to create this community,” Bill reflects. “The residents make the community.”
Over the years, resident-led activities have flourished. Book discussions, trivia competitions, volunteer opportunities, fitness classes and lifelong learning activities have become important parts of daily life.
Liz, for example, volunteers in the campus library, enjoys playing volleyball and helps support the community bake sale.
“Wesley is activity-rich,” Marilyn says. “There are opportunities for fitness, learning, art, current events and social connection. It’s important for brain health and for staying engaged.”
As the community has grown, so has the campus itself. Residents have played an active role in shaping the campus’s outdoor spaces. They contribute ideas, enthusiasm and countless volunteer hours. One notable example is the beloved dahlia garden, established through the efforts of residents and supported by Wesley Community Foundation. Today, colorful landscaping, walking paths, fountains and gathering spaces enhance the natural beauty surrounding the campus.
“In the last couple of years, the backside of Wesley at Tehaleh has really evolved,” Marilyn says. “The landscaping, fountains and the emerging memorial area are creating a beautiful sense of place. It’s resident-driven, and more than ever, I see the value in that. As Pioneers, it feels like ours, and as new residents become involved, they leave their own mark.”
For many residents, nearby Reflection Park and Discovery Park have become natural extensions of the community, providing opportunities for exercise, reflection, creativity and connection with nature.
Beautiful Community and Friendships
Anita remembers being impressed from the moment she first toured Wesley at Tehaleh. “When I walked in, I was flabbergasted by how beautiful everything was,” she says. “It was bright, inviting and full of natural light. It made me feel comfortable and happy.”
She also remembers finding comfort in the friendships she quickly formed. “When I first came here, I thought I might be the only one with a walker,” Anita laughs. “Then I met another resident who had one, too, and we became close friends. Now there are quite a few of us, and that makes me feel very comfortable.”
While the beautiful surroundings and amenities are often what first capture people’s attention, residents say it is the people who truly make Wesley at Tehaleh special. That spirit of kindness, authenticity and connection continues to define the community five years later.
Original Brownstone resident Gene Tenney agrees. “There are new garden plots at the Brownstone where people grow squash, peas and flowers. There’s a dahlia garden, and now we have goldfish and whitefish in the pond. But what I really enjoy is the woodshop and the friendships I’ve made there. We were a small family, and now we’re a larger family.”
“I still love the history of this place and the characters who have come and stayed, and those who have come and gone,” Marilyn reflects. “I have lunch once a month with three other residents. We all have ties to Tehaleh or the surrounding area, and we’ve become great friends.”
Five years after opening its doors, Wesley at Tehaleh has become far more than a collection of residences and amenities. It is a vibrant community built on friendship, purpose, volunteerism, lifelong learning and mutual support. For the residents who helped shape it from the beginning, the greatest accomplishment isn’t the beautiful campus or the growing list of programs; it’s the sense of belonging they’ve created together and the place they proudly call home.
