by Heidi Harrison | Jun 26, 2026 | News, Spotlight Fox Hill VIllage, Spotlight Residents
Each June, Fox Hill Village residents and guests gather at the Resident Garden for our annual Garden Party. It’s a special occasion in a beautiful setting where residents show off their garden beds, connect with family and friends, and enjoy the scenery. But it doesn’t happen without the planning and support of the Garden Committee and the work of resident gardeners who tend their own garden beds with care, purpose, and a sense of pride.
It all starts in January when resident gardeners decide what they want to grow during the coming year. At that time, new gardeners are also offered the opportunity to sign up for a bed. In February, the Garden Committee assigns beds, and gardeners order compost. When March arrives, outdoor activities begin: Compost is delivered and distributed to individual beds and a temporary water barrel is available for early-season gardeners. By mid-April, preparation for the growing season is in full swing. Supplies are brought in, hoses are reconnected, pathways are refreshed, and more than 30 clematis plants growing along the perimeter fence are pruned and fertilized.
April is also when tulips, daffodils and hyacinths announce spring’s arrival. It’s a busy month for gardeners eager to get their flowers and vegetables planted. As the days grow longer and temperatures rise between May and July, clematis and peonies bloom. Spring crops of lettuce go from baby leaves to full heads. Peas climb trellises. Flower beds shift to bold colors with zinnias, marigolds, and black-eyed Susans brightening the scene. And what were once tiny green tomatoes become full-size.
With more than 60 raised garden beds, there’s a wide variety of colorful plants and flowers to enjoy. A shady pergola with a bubbling fountain and comfortable seats offers gardeners and visitors a place to rest, connect, and watch the birds, butterflies, and bees flit from flower to flower.
Discover the many health benefits of gardening.
Whether you’re a first-time gardener or haven’t held a trowel in years, the Resident Garden at Fox Hill offers an opportunity to exercise your green thumb, spend time outdoors, and connect with neighbors who are always happy to lend a hand or share gardening tips. If you’re new to organic gardening, they’ll show you how to keep the weeds out of your bed and your plants healthy without resorting to pesticides or other harmful chemicals.
If you love flowers, growing them yourself can provide a steady supply of arrangements. In addition to brightening your living space, research shows that flowers improve mood, reduce stress and strengthen your connection to nature.
Studies in the UK have found that allotment gardening like that practiced at Fox Hill lowers cortisol levels, fosters social interaction, provides a sense of purpose, and improves strength, stamina and flexibility.
Resident gardeners at Fox Hill can also look forward to enjoying the fruits of their labor. Nothing beats the taste of a vine-ripened tomato, fresh-picked lettuce or sugar snap peas grown in our organic garden beds.
To learn more about how Fox Hill Village residents enjoy the great outdoors, and the health benefits that go with it, visit the Outdoor Living page on our website.
by Heidi Harrison | May 26, 2026 | News, Spotlight Fox Hill VIllage, Spotlight Staff
Numerous studies have found that spending time in nature positively impacts our health. Fox Hill Village residents now have a wonderful addition that provides easy access to the natural environment. Located at the back of the Resident Gardens is a new treehouse pavilion built specifically for the space. Fox Hill Village Director of Engineering Ray Seymour conceived the idea of constructing a platform projecting into the forest that would be safely accessible to everyone, even those using assistive devices.
In researching the project, he drew on the well-established Nelson Treehouse Company for guidance. Nelson advocates “fostering the forest through low-impact building practices and use of environmentally sustainable materials. This is done by building with the highest-quality hardware and tried-and-tested techniques that foster the longevity of living trees and prioritize the safety of customers and guests.”
Ray, his son, Jonathan, and John Grant from the maintenance staff volunteered their time and worked steadfastly for three consecutive weekends to build the new treehouse pavilion. Lumber was ordered and the men set to work securing the structure with heavy-duty bolts that anchor it to the tree trunk. It was important that the pavilion be level to the ground so residents of all abilities could “stroll or roll” onto it with ease. The pavilion is outfitted with chairs so visitors can sit down to meditate, read or simply enjoy spending time in nature. As the warm weather arrives, this beautiful spot can now be used by everyone seeking a restorative respite from the bustle of daily activities.
A big thank you goes out to Ray and his crew for providing not only the vision, but also the dedicated labor and craftsmanship required to make our treehouse pavilion a reality.
by Heidi Harrison | Mar 20, 2026 | News, Spotlight Fox Hill VIllage, Spotlight Residents
When you choose to live at Fox Hill Village, you become a shareholder and a co-owner in a Life Plan Community designed for vitality, independence, and long-term security. So, you may be wondering about the nuts and bolts of living at Fox Hill Village and what the cooperative model means for you.
Fox Hill’s unique cooperative model gives residents an ownership interest and a formal governance role with a board of directors that is elected by and comprised solely of resident shareholders. Residents also have a financial ownership stake, and a strong voice in major decisions that are reserved for shareholder vote such as approval of the budget. In addition, residents participate in many committees that provide expertise to the Board, enrich the community, and strengthen decision-making.
Our community is built on respect, collaboration, shared stewardship, and independence. Fox Hill’s model works thanks to a three-way partnership that is central to our culture: Residents own the community; the Board represents the interests of the owners; and the executive management team runs operations with professional expertise. This structure produces a level of engagement, accountability, and transparency that is one of our greatest strengths.
To learn about the residents who make up the current board of directors and the professionals who comprise our executive management team, visit the Leadership Team page on this website.
by Sandra Davis | Nov 6, 2025 | News, Spotlight Fox Hill VIllage, Uncategorized
Life can get stressful if you let it control your thoughts. Who hasn’t spent hours awake at night with their mind racing or struggled to stay calm in a difficult situation? How you react to stressful situations can either make matters worse or put them in perspective. That’s where mindfulness can help.
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is about paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally. It’s the opposite of taking life for granted. It’s about stepping back and observing with kindness what’s happening in your mind and heart so you can respond thoughtfully instead of reacting automatically.
The health benefits of mindfulness.
Studies suggest that mindfulness practices may help people manage stress and navigate life’s ups and downs with resilience. Mindfulness has also been shown to produce measurable changes in the brain regions involved in memory, learning, and emotion, improving cognitive function.
Here are some of the ways mindfulness supports your brain and body:
- Lowers blood pressure. Calms the nervous system and reduces stress hormones that strain the heart and immune system.
- Reduces chronic pain. Helps shift the brain’s response to discomfort, making pain feel less overwhelming.
- Improves sleep quality. Promotes relaxation and eases racing thoughts, allowing for a deeper rest.
- Increases emotional resilience. By practicing awareness without judgment, we build the ability to bounce back more quickly from stress or setbacks.
- Enhances mood stability. Helps regulate emotions, leading to steadier moods and fewer extreme highs and lows.
- Fosters greater compassion. Helps you slow down, notice your own struggles with kindness, and extend that same understanding to others.
Putting mindfulness into practice.
Practicing mindfulness can be as simple as tuning into your breathing — the feeling of your breath coming into your body and the feeling of your breath leaving your body. When your mind wanders, keep returning to the breath. That’s all there is to it.
For more ways to cultivate mindfulness, try these tips:
- Mindful Walking – Move slowly while noticing each step and how your feet connect with the ground. Perfect for hallways, walking in place, or enjoying nature outdoors.
- Mindful Eating – Be aware of taste, textures, and flavors in each bite. Listen to when your body is hungry and when it is full.
- Body Scan – Mentally notice each part of the body without trying to change anything. Helps pain reduction and sleep.
- Three Good Things – Reflect on three positive things at the start or end of each day. Improves mood and sleep quality.
- Simple Stretching with Breath – Try gentle neck rolls, shoulder shrugs, or ankle circles while breathing deeply. Supports mobility and relaxation.
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation – Tense and release muscle groups one at a time, starting with hands and moving upward. Reduces body tension and aids sleep.
- Loving-Kindness Reflection – Think of loved ones and silently wish them well. Boosts positive emotions and reduces loneliness.
Meditation class at Fox Hill Village.
Guided meditation is a popular class at Fox Hill Village. An experienced instructor leads participants in developing mindfulness, balance, and a sense of calm. It’s often combined with gentle yoga exercises for even more holistic benefits.
Meditation classes are part of the Fox Hill 360º initiative that empowers residents to embrace well-being in every area of their lives. To learn more about our whole-person approach to wellness, visit our Living Well page.
by Heidi Harrison | Sep 23, 2025 | News, Spotlight Fox Hill VIllage, Spotlight Residents, Uncategorized
Since its founding in 1990, Fox Hill Village has been home to a broad range of interesting and engaging individuals. Today, our community boasts more than 20 second-generation residents — those whose parents previously lived here and who ultimately chose Fox Hill for themselves. Now, residents are sharing the stories of how their parents came to live at Fox Hill, what they enjoyed, how the community has changed, and what led these second-generation residents to make the same choice.
“My mother, [Margaret “Peggy” Platt Gray], lived in a large house overlooking Buzzard’s Bay,” recalls Sam Gray. “Our young family was in a house next door during summers and weekends. She had many friends and a very busy life. She enjoyed her life there and was hesitant to make the move to Fox Hill Village. But, as time went on, it became clear that the large home was too much for her and she needed the help Fox Hill would offer.
“In retrospect, it’s a shame she didn’t move to Fox Hill earlier so she could have enjoyed every part of the vibrant Fox Hill lifestyle.”
by Heidi Harrison | Sep 23, 2025 | News, Spotlight Fox Hill VIllage, Spotlight Residents, Uncategorized
Since its founding in 1990, Fox Hill Village has been home to a broad range of interesting and engaging individuals. Today, our community boasts more than 20 second-generation residents — those whose parents previously lived here and who ultimately chose Fox Hill for themselves. Now, residents are sharing the stories of how their parents came to live at Fox Hill, what they enjoyed, how the community has changed, and what led these second-generation residents to make the same choice.
Current resident Martha Bisbee is one example. Martha shared: “My mother, Harriet Hodgdon, chose Fox Hill Village even before it was constructed. My aunt followed her here shortly after. Mom enjoyed exploring the local area and participating on several committees.
“When my husband, Tom, and I started looking at communities, location was important to us. Fox Hill was on our list because I knew how much my mother loved her time here.
“Now we, too, enjoy the friendliness of the residents. The community has a familiar feel to us, but it has also changed a lot over the years. We appreciate that it is less formal now — suits and ties are no longer required for dinner — and so many wonderful new amenities have been added.”
