by Sandra Davis | Sep 10, 2026 | News, Spotlight Fox Hill VIllage, Spotlight Residents, Uncategorized
Fox Hill Village’s Strategic Planning Committee has developed a set of initiatives that will maintain Fox Hill’s status as a best-in-class senior living community for decades to come. Our goal is to take steps that will address the needs and desires of current residents while also creating a roadmap for updates that will appeal to potential future residents.
In this Spotlight, we’re taking a closer look at one of those initiatives: Strengthening community connection and engagement. In furthering this initiative, we are actively seeking to create additional opportunities for all members of the Fox Hill community to connect. We are also increasing connection with the broader Westwood, Massachusetts community through expanded access to campus life, more intergenerational opportunities, and meaningful volunteer engagement beyond our campus.
Members of the Fox Hill Village community are exceptionally generous and genuinely want to make a difference by contributing to the broader community. This is seen in the many food and supply drives, charitable fundraising initiatives, advocacy, and sponsorship of Westwood community events Fox Hill residents engage in every year. For example, they’ve stepped up to support the Westwood Senior Center as sponsors of the Council on Aging’s Halloween Lunch, The Westwood Community Chest’s Gala of Giving, the Westwood Day festivities, and the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, to name just a few annual events.
Residents and staff members also have volunteered their time and donated resources to keep the shelves stocked at the Westwood Food Pantry. The Handcraft Group at Birch Grove have been busy knitting hats, blankets, scarves, and prayer shawls that are distributed to Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston Medical Center’s neonatal intensive care unit, and The Knitting Connection.
In addition to these outreach efforts, we’ve invited local students into the Fox Hill Village community to build connections and share perspectives with residents. Students from Northeastern University join Birch Grove residents four times a year as part of the Perfect Pair program, a student-run volunteer program that connects college students with older adults for friendship and social interaction. And every week, one local high school student and one college student visit Fox Hill to engage with residents.
We want to thank residents, staff, and community partners for making Fox Hill Village an important part of the greater Westwood community. And we look forward to strengthening our connection to the many friends and neighbors who call Westwood their home.
The Strategic Planning Committee has identified even more ways residents can engage with a wide variety of causes in the greater community of Westwood and beyond, and we look forward to sharing news of these efforts as they happen. Be sure to “like” and follow us on Facebook to stay up to date on how Fox Hill Village is expanding this initiative.
by Heidi Harrison | Aug 19, 2026 | News, Spotlight Fox Hill VIllage, Spotlight Residents
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. In our Modern Legacy magazine, residents share stories of how their parents came to live at Fox Hill, what they enjoyed, and what led them to make the same choice for themselves. In this Spotlight, we hear from resident Mimi Baird:
“My mother moved to Fox Hill Village after my stepfather had passed away. She was friends with other people who lived here.
“Here, I find you can be who you are and do things you enjoy. I am currently working with people in Hollywood on turning my book into a film, so I’m not as involved in the daily activities of the community. But it’s OK. You can retreat into your own world or immerse yourself in the community — or some combination of both. It’s always up to you.”
To request your own copy of our Modern Legacy magazine with more stories and thoughts from current residents, use our contact form or call 781.329.4433.
by Heidi Harrison | Jul 28, 2026 | News, Spotlight Residents
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. In our Modern Legacy magazine, residents share stories of how their parents came to live at Fox Hill, what they enjoyed, and what led them to make the same choice for themselves. In this Spotlight, we hear from resident Sukie Reed:
“My father already had friends at Fox Hill Village when he moved here, and he enjoyed making new friends. He had a ball! My aunt also moved here and was happy as a clam. Even when she needed assistance, she was well cared for. Knowing their experiences, I thought, ‘Now it’s my turn!’
“My father appreciated good food — as do I — and the new chef is wonderful.”
To request your own copy of our Modern Legacy magazine with more stories and thoughts from current residents, use our contact form or call 781.329.4433.
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 12, 2026 | News, Spotlight Residents
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.
Bob Chellis’ mother, Elizabeth Chellis, was 87 when she moved from Wellesley to Fox Hill Village. Leaving behind a large house where the washer and dryer were in the basement, Mrs. Chellis found that life became much easier. She found she could continue her active, engaged lifestyle.
“For mother, the location was also important as she already had friends here,” recalls Bob.
As a supporter of the Boston Browning Society and Wedgwood Society of Boston, Mrs. Chellis was able to use the community spaces, especially the auditorium to hold meetings and catered events, sharing with Fox Hill residents.
“She could be a hostess here,” Bob says. “And her events brought the Fox Hill and local communities together.”
Although much has changed since Bob’s mother first moved to Fox Hill Village in 1990, the core values of excellence, innovation, respect, resident-governance and financial strength remain the same.
Bob says Fox Hills’ unbeatable location and his belief in its future were important factors in his decision to move here. A pioneer of the continuing care retirement community (CCRC) concept, Bob saw the potential and advocated for Fox Hill’s development.
Bob and his wife, Sandy Adams, were also attracted to Fox Hill as a dynamic, ever-evolving community. “The residents here are really interesting,” Bob says. “The main dining room is quite grand, and I like the option to dress for dinner — even though it’s not a requirement — meeting friends for cocktails, and the stream of large events.”
Superior care services are also important. Bob appreciates the adaptability and exceptional care his wife receives at White Oak Cottages for memory care. And, since White Oak Cottages is located on Fox Hill’s campus, they can remain near each other. Sandy has full access to the support services she needs and Bob can visit daily, rain or shine.
Fox Hill’s commitment to resident well-being fosters a dynamic lifestyle that adapts and thrives across generations. From offering a cutting-edge wellness program to hosting engaging resident events and providing supportive living options on-site, Fox Hill is constantly innovating to help residents connect with what matters most to them.
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.
