Joe & Joan Regan feel a special connection with Pomperaug Woods. “Our children and grandchildren feel so comfortable here that this is where we celebrate our family Christmas together,” said Joan. “We have a large extended family, with four children and seven grandchildren. The whole family gathers here at Pomperaug Woods the Saturday before Christmas. We all pile into the Garden Room, and put our family presents under the huge Christmas tree. We order our Christmas dinner from the dining room, and the dining staff takes care of everything — set up, table service, clean up. Pomperaug Woods feels like home to ALL of us!”

 

“When we first moved here, our grandsons were just 5- and 7-years old,” said Joe. “They would visit occasionally on Fridays and one would play the piano and the other would play the violin during our Happy Hours. They were a huge hit, and played here for many years. This community is at the center of so many happy memories within our family.”

Joe and Joan met in Manhattan, in a chance encounter at a pizza parlor. They raised their four children in Long Island and Eastchester, NY, and spent summers at their cottage in Old Lyme, CT. Joe co-founded an import/export business for forest products and wood pulp. “At last count, I had visited over 40 countries during my career,” said Joe. And frequently I was lucky enough to have my wife travel with me.”

When Joe retired, they became snowbirds, spending summers in Greenwich, CT, and winters in Longboat Key, FL. “We loved our townhouse in Greenwich,” said Joan, “but after many years the stairs were starting to bother me, so I started researching and visiting continuing care retirement communities in Connecticut. As soon as we saw Pomperaug Woods, we knew we had found a new world for us here. It immediately felt like home.”

“We moved here when we were in our early 70’s,” said Joe. “That made all the difference. Pomperaug Woods offers so many wonderful activities, and we’ve been able to enjoy all of them over the years. No matter what your hobbies, they have it all here. There’s a bocce court, a putting green, walking trails, and a Fitness Center. I play pool and poker with the guys every week.”

“And I love playing mahjongg,” said Joan. “We didn’t know a soul when we moved here, but we have met the most wonderful friends. Our group eats dinner together in the dining room every week. We’ll even meet for cocktails before dinner in each other’s apartments. All of the residents are friendly, and the staff is just wonderful. You couldn’t find a more supportive, welcoming community. Of course, the lectures, trips, concerts, and classes are all terrific, but it’s the people that make you happy to live here.”