Love at The Covington: A Story of Connection & Community
When Karen Mauro talks about her partner Jim Espinosa, there’s laughter in her voice. And happiness. And most definitely love. “Jim’s a joy to be with. I just love him,” she says, with her signature North Carolina chuckle. That’s the beauty of life at The Covington, an ECS senior living community in South Orange County’s Aliso Viejo – that two people can find love in their 80s and live a rich, vibrant life together within an outgoing and active community. This is a story of Karen and Jim. But it’s also about the indelible connections residents at The Covington make with one another, and how that makes for a very lovely life. But, first, let’s back up. Karen, a former nurse, marriage and family therapist, and religious educator, and her late husband Tom moved into The Covington in 2017. Tom was a family physician who loved to play beach volleyball and travel the world. But...
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Next Stop: Manhattan. Family Fun in the Big Apple
It’s rumored that more than 150 movies are filmed in New York City every year. I’d wager that a good portion of those are made during the holiday season, celebrating the most populous city in the country under a blanket of white. Iconic landmarks, glittering skyscrapers, and some would argue the best slice of pizza in the US. Street food vendors, Central Park, ice skating, the tree in Rockefeller Center. Easy to see why the whole family can find something to love at the most magical time of the year or all year ‘round. Madame Tussauds NY The selfsame tourist hit (madametussauds.com) that attracts visitors from all over the world to its iconic location on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles has a sister venue in the Big Apple. Not surprisingly renowned as “the world’s greatest wax museum,” Madame Tussauds is home to some of the most incredible wax attractions you’ll ever lay eyes...
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Your Vacation Needs Branson Missouri
Adventure Awaits in the Ozarks A few years back my teenage daughter came home from school using the phrase “beyond.” I gathered after it was expressed a few times that it meant “extra,” or “really great.” And then I felt very old. After enough time passes though, those juvenile phrases you think you’re unlikely to ever utter become part of your everyday vocabulary. I’m sure I used the phrase incorrectly more often than not, but she and I did come to an agreement that the town we vacationed in recently fit the idiom perfectly. Branson, Missouri. Mind you, it sports attractions you might expect to see: zoo, aquarium, family fun parks. But each feature was just the slightest bit extra - 1880’s themed park, or a massive four-story upside-down house at Wonder Works which you can spend hours exploring. A Titanic museum with a real iceberg. Excellent dining, gorgeous and expansive Ozarks views, live...
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Blending Traditions. Food and Faith Mix Well at The Covington
At The Covington, an ECS senior living community in South Orange County’s Aliso Viejo, holiday meals are an opportunity to create cultural experiences for residents. The Covington is home to residents of many faiths. Holiday meals are a chance for residents to celebrate their faith and culture with others through food. “There are multiple religious beliefs here at The Covington,” says Javier Sarmiento, Dining Services Director at The Covington, whose hospitality background includes The Four Seasons and Hilton Hotels. “So, when there’s a religious holiday, we try to accommodate as much as we can by creating delicious meals that are typical for that celebration.” Holiday meals at The Covington are frequent throughout the year, and include Seder dinner for Passover and Chinese New Year. “Our Executive Chef, Mike Desimone, is great at coming up with different dishes that accommodate our residents,” says Sarmiento. “It’s something we’re really proud of – attention to detail.” Resident reaction is what...
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