Some people become known for the careers they built. Others are remembered for the stories they tell. At Country Meadows of York, Larry has developed a reputation for both. He is one you might call a connector – and he takes that responsibility quite literally.
“Everyone here knows me as the Puzzle Man,” he says with a smile.
Thinking about puzzle pieces that make up Larry’s full life, they all point to him creating moments of meaningful moments of connection for his family, military comrades, and now his friends at Country Meadows.
Larry the Military Mail Man
“I was a farm boy until I went into the service,” he points out. Right out of high school, Larry chose to enlist rather than wait to be drafted. Hoping to learn a skill that would benefit him later in life, he signed up for administrative training, studying typing and office work.
“I thought if I was going to go, I might as well learn something I could use.”
After training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, only six members of his large training group received orders for Vietnam. He was assigned to the First Logistical Command near Saigon, where he became responsible for handling military mail, a job he quickly realized carried enormous importance.
“I replaced the mailman,” he explains. “Every morning I’d drive over to the air base, pick up the mail, bring it back, sort it, and hand it out. Then I’d do it all again in the afternoon.”
For soldiers far from home, letters and packages were often the highlight of the day. “Mail kept the soldiers going,” Larry says. “It was pretty important.”
Larry the Pinewood Derby Racer
One recent activity he participated in on campus was a Pinewood Derby with a local Cub Scout pack. While not a Scout himself, his sons participated and Larry enjoyed watching them grow through the program. This derby event sparked memories of that childhood joy and he got to witness it again in the faces of the local scouts.
“I was thinking about the Pinewood Derby where the kids sit in the cars and race down the streets,” he laughs. “I remembered seeing those in Wrightsville growing up. Then I got to the activity and saw all these little wooden cars sitting in a row. I thought, ‘Well, this is different.’”
Residents received pre-cut wooden cars ready for decorating. Larry carefully painted his blue before deciding to add yellow, his late wife’s favorite color. “Well, the yellow mixed with the blue and turned green,” he chuckles. “It never really came out the way I imagined.”
But, he hoped it was fast! Because the Cub Scout pack was coming to race!
One of Scouts is TJ Hake, friend of another Country Meadows resident John Wolfe. This derby race is a highlight activity for the troop and an opportunity to earn their Adventure Loop for their belt and a Pinewood Derby patch.
“I’m most excited to see how fast the residents’ cars go,” smiled TJ. “It’s fun and special for the Cub Scout Pack to do activities with Mr. John because it gives the kinds in the community a chance to meet a hero.” John is a WWII veteran, and the pair have formed a beautiful friendship.
The feelings are mutual, with the residents excited to see the scouts in action. “It’s fun seeing the little guys race,” added Larry. “Everybody has a good time.”
Larry the Puzzle Man
Puzzles have become one of his favorite pastimes. “I’ve done a lot of them,” he says proudly. “We have a great setup with a big light, and I’ve got a great group at the table.”
Every completed puzzle earns a photograph that he sends to a friend. “He always says, ‘You’re nuts. I could never have that much patience.’”
Larry simply laughs. For him, puzzles are about much more than fitting pieces together. They’re about conversation, teamwork and the friendships formed while working toward a common goal. “We talk about everything under the sun at the puzzle table,” he notes.
The Real Amenities in a Retirement Community
Whether he’s piecing together a thousand-piece puzzle, cheering on Pinewood Derby racers, or sharing stories from a lifetime of experiences, John believes the secret to enjoying community life is simple.
“The most important thing,” he says, “is to get involved. Talk to people. Make friends.” “Everyone I’ve met here, co-workers and the residents, have been so kind,” Larry says. “Everyone really cares.”
For Larry, all the amenities in retirement communities are really just another chance to connect, contribute and discover that life’s best memories, like the pieces of a puzzle, come together one at a time. If you’re ready, we have a seat for you at the puzzle table, contact us today!