by Sherry Cheney, Director of Activities, and Amber Flow, Assistant Director of Activities

Photo: Fallingwater and travelers, (left to right) Activities Director, Sherry Cheney; Resident Stephanie Parent; Assistant Director Amber Flowe, Residents Ellen and Bob Cinq-Mars

Life enrichment at Covenant Village encompasses the contributions of several departments that form the Life Enrichment Team, focused on opportunities that engage residents with the eight dimensions of wellness.

One of the best things about being a part of the Covenant Village community, and maybe we are biased, is the plethora of fun events we have the pleasure of planning and taking part in every month. Our wonderful Resident Activities Committee keeps us supplied with suggestions that cover a variety of interests. We’ve included a list of all activities and events from this past year below, along with a few highlights worth mentioning. 

Most recently, our residents hit the road with Christian Tours to experience “Fall Colors and Fallingwater.” Our journey took us through West Virginia, where we enjoyed Canaan Valley Resort, Blackwater Falls State Park, the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad, and the breathtaking New River Gorge. I would have to agree with Mr. John Denver…it was almost heaven. 

Then, we traveled onward to Pennsylvania to see Fallingwater, Frank Lloyd Wright’s crowning achievement in organic architecture. The three-story home is built over a waterfall and blends nature with modern design. Our last full day brought us to Pittsburgh, where we rode The Duquesne Incline and dined at the Grand Concourse Restaurant, a true testament of grandeur and elegant dining. It’s safe to say, the trip left us happily tired, but it was an experience to remember. 

We can’t wait to get on the road again with our road-warrior residents. The wheels of planning for 2026 are already in motion as we look to the spring for future adventures.

In the meantime, as we bid farewell to 2025, reflect with us on a year filled with meaningful activities, shared experiences, and moments that brought us together as a community. Through creativity, connection, and participation, this past year offered countless opportunities to learn, celebrate, and support one another, leaving us with memories that will carry forward into the new year. As we delve into this recap, let us celebrate the myriad memories, achievements, and community spirit that define Resident Life at Covenant Village and make it truly exceptional.

Special thanks and gratitude are extended to our Life Enrichment Team, Dining Services, and the guidance of our Resident Activities Committee for making 2025 a fun-filled year of wonderful memories.

The following is a short recap of all the engaging events, socials, and outings that our Resident Community enjoyed throughout 2025:

Wellness

• Waves
• StrongHer
• Stretch-Out-Stretching Class
• Aquarobics-Water Aerobics
• Yoga
• Resilient Yoga
• Shape-Up Cardio
• ·AquaFit
• Brain Games with Legacy
• Tai Chi
• Funday Friday-Learn a New Game
• Aqua Walking
• Senior Fit
• Foam Rolling Basics Workshop
• Fun Fitness Chair Volleyball
• Grip Strength Workshop
• Bingo Bananza
• Leg Strengthening Workshop
• Game Day/appetizers
• Equipment Orientations

Weekly-Scheduled Engagements

• Knitting Buddies
• Art Class with Karen
• Craft Class
• Helping Hands (monthly)
• Card Making with Esther Boyle (quarterly)
• Walmart Shopping
• Gastonia Shopping
• History Class
• Bingo
• Bonus Bingo (bi- monthly)
• Movies (monthly)
• Wellzesta 101 Training
• Spiritual Life
  (Communion, Chapel Services, Bible Studies, Bible Bingo, Ash Wednesday Service, Annual Remembrance Service, Christmas Concert with the Covenant Village Choir)

In-House Memories

• Chili Cook-Off Social
• Classic Arcade & Pinball Museum
• Piano nights with Ethan (monthly)
• Over 90’s Club Luncheon (quarterly)
• Name That Tune with Mrs. Harrelson
• Dox in a Box
• Community Snack Program: Ali Pizza, Director of Gaston County Museum
• Roaring Twenties Social
• Fire Safety with Leigh Kish
• Fall Prevention with Leigh Kish
• Edible Flowers with the Grounds Committee
• Casino Night Social
• Community Snack Program: Crowders Camps with Nate Flowers
• Sunday Lenten Programs with John Weisenhorn
• Dianne Bumgarner Retirement Program
• James Webb Telescope Presentation
• Community Snack Program: Meet Our Contractors
• Declutter for Your Well-Being
• Groovy 60’s Social
• Book Review with Dr. Wysocki
• Community Snack Program: Rhino Adventures
• Financial Tidbits
• Ladies’ Luncheon
• Fun Fatale Trio Spring Show
• Accents on Aging (quarterly)
• Men’s Luncheon
• July 4th Ice Cream Social
• Gaston Board of Elections
• Women Who Changed Astronomy with John McDonald
• Covenant Village 43rd Anniversary Social with Bailey Marie Griggs & Scott Barker
• Gaston Dance Theatre Spring Performance (Alice in Wonderland)
• Gaston Dance Theatre Nutcracker Preview
• “The Star and the Shamrock” Book Review with Sue Corbin
• Emerald Horizon” Book Review with Sue Corbin
• “The Hardway Home” Book Review with Sue Corbin
• “The World Starts Anew” Book Review with Sue Corbin
• Buck’s Ice Cream Truck
• End of Summer Social
• Friday Afternoon Documentary: “Audrey”
• Thursday Afternoon Documentary: “Tricky Dick and the Man in Black”
• Memoir Writing with Sue Corbin
• Jigsaw Puzzle Race
• The Fun Fatale Trio Fall Show
• Fall Fest Social
• Coach’s Corner with Jerry Greene
• Active Aging Week
• Seminar with Mick McMahan: “Doing Good for Others Can Also Be Good for You”
• Trick or Treat at Norman’s
• Cyber Safety with Gaston College
• Employee Spotlight: Wanda Flowers-Chicken Chat
• An Evening of Thanksgiving and Gratitude Social
• Christmas Carols with Ethan Uslan
• Christmas Party with String Theory Band/Music with Michelle, Glenn, Amber
• Sleighride (AKA Hayride) with A J Barker
• Tuesday Afternoon Documentary: “Call Me Kate”
• Employee Spotlight: Kevin Stewart-Canvas Healer
• Christmas Resident Home Tours
• Employee Spotlight: Season’s Sirens-Amber Flowe, Jeanne Maricle
• Christmas Movie and HO HO HOT Chocolate
• New Year’s Eve Drop-In Celebration

Off-Campus Excursions

• Mitford Museum Lunch Trip
• Lunch Bunch: Mic’s Kitchen
• Classic Arcade & Pinball Museum
• Lenten Lunch Programs
• Falls Family Farm Tour
• South Park Shopping
• Charlotte Airport Overlook/Zaxby’s Lunch
• Hang Time Golf Trip
• Men’s Lunch Outing: Shrimp Boat
• The Star Dusters Big Band at First Assembly Church
• Lunch Bunch: Copper Premium Pub
• Lunch Bunch: The Garden Café
• Mike D’s Antique
• Gastonia Farmers Market
• Lunch Bunch: Jia’s Asian Fusion Restaurant
• Veronet Vineyards
• Childress Vineyards
• Valley Hills Mall Shopping/Lunch
• Textile Lanes Men’s Bowling/Lunch outing
• Blakeny Town Center Shopping/Lunch
• Lunch Bunch: Longhorn Steakhouse
• Lunch Bunch: The Webb
• Belmont Abbey: The Importance of Being Ernest
• Gaston County Museum: Woman of the Wing
• Transportation to vote in Primary and General Elections
• Bush-N-Vine Farm Trip
• Dinner at the Pump House/ Rock Hill, SC
• Southern Arts Society Gift Shop & Gallery/Lunch Trip/Kings Mountain
• Our New Bus Has Arrived
• Men’s Outing: Eggs Up Grill
• Men’s Lunch Outing: Hillbillys BBQ & Steaks
• Gaston County Museum: Woman of the Wing
• Keepsake Brewery
• Birkdale Shopping Trip
• Lunch Bunch: Honeycomb Café/Belmont
• Men’s Lunch Outing: Copper Premium Pub
• The President James K. Polk State Historical Site Trip
• Lunch Bunch: Floyd & Blackies
• Gaston County Museum Trip: “Tony’s Ice Cream” Exhibit
• Tony’s Ice Cream Trip
• Hamrick’s Gaffney Shopping Lunch Trip
• Baker Buffalo Creek Farm & Winery Trip
• Rankin Lake Picnic and Walk
• Lunch Bunch: The Open Kitchen
• Steele Creek Shopping/Lunch Trip
• Transportation to Vote
• Shopping and Lunch Trip to Valley Hills Mall
• Kings Mountain Little Theatre: Dashing Through the Snow
• Lunch Bunch: Reginella Italian Pizzeria and Restorante
• Hickory Christmas Show
• Lunch Bunch: Groovy Beast
• Men’s Lunch Outing: Clover Station
• Lunch Bunch: The Garden Café/York, S.C.
• Charlotte Premium Outlets and Lunch Trip
• Christmas at the Abbey
• McAdenville Christmas Lights (2 nights)
• The 71st Singing Christmas Tree at CPCC