Meet the Neighbors

Our Meet Your Neighbor segment allows you to get to know the people who will be living in the Searstone community with you. Our community is made up of individuals who bring Searstone to life through the many stories and interests they share.

This month, we are happy to introduce Michael Bassman and David Champagne. Learn about their families, inspiring careers, and how they’re looking to spend their time at Searstone.

Q: What area are you from?

A: Michael is from Brooklyn, New York. David is from San Francisco, California

Q: How did you hear about Searstone and what was your main selling point for joining?

A: Michael found it on the internet and then we went to visit.

Q: What are you looking forward to most about moving to the community?

A: Meeting new people, and having less responsibilities maintaining a home and yard.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your family?

A: We have been together for over 24 years and were married in 2014 in Brooklyn, New York in the middle of a snowstorm. We have 3 children, 6 grandchildren ranging in ages from 4 to 16. We also have 2 nephews who live with their families in Cincinnati, Ohio. We both have one other sibling.

Q: What is the most interesting fact about yourself or what do you think people will be surprised to know?

A: Michael lived and studied in Romania as a Fulbright Scholar and has travelled widely around the world. He retired as the Distinguished Honors Professor from ECU in Greenville, NC. He is immediate past president of the Docent Organization at the North Carolina Museum of Art. He also teaches classes for the OLLI Program and NCSU.

David lived and taught English, typing in the Peace Corps in Afghanistan from 1968-1971. He was Assistant Director of the Center for Afghanistan Studies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. And then had a 30-year career as a military intelligence analyst with the US. Army at Ft. Bragg, NC. He retired in 2012 as the Director of Psychological Operation, 4th PSYOP Group, Ft. Bragg. He has travelled widely in the Middle East and South/ Central Asia. He currently teaches classes for the OLLI Program at NCSU.

Q: What hobbies, activities or programs do you hope to get involved with?

A: Michael is looking forward to reading, traveling, going out to eat with friends, collecting fountain pens, and learning new languages.

David hopes to spend his time reading, traveling, studying Irish and French Canadian genealogy and listening to all forms of music and walking their standard poodle Henrietta.

We hope everyone joins us in welcoming Michael, David and Henrietta to the Searstone community!

Our Meet Your Neighbor segment allows you to get to know the people who will be living in the Searstone community with you. Our community is made up of individuals who bring Searstone to life through the many stories and interests they share.

This month, we’re so thrilled to introduce Richard Heinze! Learn about his exciting profession as a scientist, his tennis skills, and his philanthropic volunteering experiences.

Q: What area are you from?

A: I grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin – and I’m an avid Packers fan! I was transferred to Cary from Erie, PA 25 years ago. I retired in 2015 after 30 years as a scientist at Lord Corporation.

Q: How did you hear about Searstone and what was your main selling point for joining?

A: I am a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church and know many of our members who live there. The idea of being able to have continuing health care without moving appealed to me most.

Q: What are you looking forward to most about moving to the community?

A: The many activities and hopefully friendships that develop.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your family?

A: I am a widower, losing my wife to Alzheimer’s 11 years ago. We had a Brady bunch of 6 children from 2 marriages. 3 children live in the area and 3 in Ohio, Colorado, and New York. I have 4 grandchildren.

Q: What is the most interesting fact about yourself or what do you think people will be surprised to know?

A: My wife and I started doing Jazzercise together although I was often the only man. I continued after my wife passed away and still have many friends.

Q: What hobbies, activities or programs do you hope to get involved with?

 A:I have played tennis for most of my life. Lately I do more watching than playing, and will be going to see the US Open in New York and Wimbledon in London. I had tickets for the French Open last year but the trip has been postponed until 2022 because of COVID. I might be ready for some Pickleball!

Before COVID I also did some volunteer work with The Center For Volunteer Caregiving, mainly providing rides to medical appointments. I am still the coordinator for a similar service at CTK.

Welcome to Searstone, Richard! We are so happy to have you. 

Our Meet Your Neighbor segment allows you to get to know the people who will be living in the Searstone community with you. Our community is made up of individuals who bring Searstone to life through the many stories and interests they share.

This month, we’re happy to introduce Betsy Towler who joins us from Raleigh! Learn more about Betsy below, including some VERY interesting facts!

Q: What area are you from?

A: I was born and raised in Petersburg, Virginia and moved to Raleigh NC in 1965 with a 3-year-old son and a husband enrolled at NCSU.

Q: How did you hear about Searstone and what was your main selling point for joining?

A: My friend John O’Neil moved into Searstone when it was brand new in November 2013. I was considering a 50 year old CCRC near me and became disillusioned. When I did a google search and compared several CCRCs, I came to my senses and called Searstone! I told Allie exactly what I was looking for and she said, “Wow, I think you may like this!” and showed me an apartment that I immediately fell in love with!

Q: What are you looking forward to most about moving to the community?

A: Giving up all the responsibilities that one has in owning and maintaining a home. 🙂

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your family?

A: Stan, my son, and my wonderful daughter in law, Laura, live in Apex, North Carolina. Liz, my daughter, lives off Lake Wheeler, NC, near the mill.

My granddaughter, Kelly, will be a freshman at NCSU school of engineering this fall.

My granddaughter Megan, her husband and my two great-grandchildren live in Holly Springs. Jasper (6) and Violet (3) play with me a lot! Nate, my grandson, flies an airplane for the Coast Guard in Florida. And my granddaughter, Kelly, lives in Alabama.

Yep, 2 Kelly’s. We all choose to avoid using the term “step.” 

Q: What is the most interesting fact about yourself or what do you think people will be surprised to know?

A: I slept through labor in 1968. Liz was born at home 7 minute after I woke up. I was also in a Shamanic Studies School for 2 years in the 90’s. I was in a class that studied the Tree of Life (Kabbalah) once a week for years. I’ll stop now as I see the question was for “a” fact. 😉 But I could go on. 🙂

Q: What hobbies, activities or programs do you hope to get involved with?

 A: My goal is to always live in the moment and be present to appreciate what’s always available. I’m willing to wait and see what chooses me. I’m looking forward to all the possibilities at Searstone.

Opportunities will definitely be coming to you, Betsy! Welcome to Searstone, we are so happy to have you.

Our Meet Your Neighbor segment allows you to get to know the people who will be living in the Searstone community. Our community is made up of individuals who bring Searstone to life through the many stories and interests they share. 

This month, we’re happy to introduce Jerry and Sharon Wilhelmy. The Wilhelmys are joining us straight from sunny Honolulu with their goldendoodle, Winston and cat, Spot. Ask them about their Vegas wedding! Learn more about why they’re so excited to be a part of the Searstone. 

Q: What area are you from?

Jerry was born in Pennsylvania and Sharon was born in Iowa. We both moved to Arizona as youngsters and remained there through college (UofA and ASU). We married after graduating and moved to California where Jerry entered graduate school at UC/Berkeley. When he finished, we moved to New Mexico for work and lived there until we retired. In 2002 we moved to Honolulu and have lived there since then.

Q: How did you hear about Searstone and what was your main selling point for joining?

Jerry collaborates at Duke University so we have spent a few weeks a year in the area for the past 15 years. Initially, we were attracted to Searstone by the villas but were not quite ready to move to a retirement community at that point. The Highview timeline is a better fit for us.

Q: What are you looking forward to most about moving to the community?

We have enjoyed our house and neighborhood in Honolulu but as the house and its occupants’ age, it is more of a burden than a pleasure. We look forward to outsourcing home maintenance and other future health needs.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your family?

Our family consists of our Goldendoodle Winston, a cat named Spot, and ourselves.  We met on a blind date arranged by Sharon’s sister. We were married in Las Vegas at Fred White’s Wedding Chapel en route to graduate school. The charge for the wedding was $9.00 (we shopped around) and included a witness hired off the street and a minister whose family waited in their Mercedes. We think ours may be one of the chapel’s longer-lasting marriages: we have been married almost 57 years. Over the years, we have had a series of pets. Spot has been with us for about 10 years and Winston joined us in early 2020. Winston was good timing–he has kept us active and amused during the pandemic.

Q: What is the most interesting fact about yourself or what do you think people would be surprised to know?

People look at us quizzically when we tell them our dog got us into Wimbledon. We had gone to the Australian Open and the French Open tennis tournaments but had been unable to obtain tickets to Wimbledon where advance sales are by lottery. Walking our dog, we became friends with a tennis-playing couple who lived next door to a Nike rep who gladhands players at international tennis tournaments. Through him (and our dog), we got free seats directly across from the Royal Family’s box. 

Q: What hobbies, activities or programs do you hope to get involved with?

When we moved to Honolulu 18 years ago, we knew no one. We met people through our activities, including walking our dog, golfing (Jerry), charity quilting, and other activities (Sharon).  We anticipate the same will be true at Searstone and look forward to the opportunity. 

We’re happy to have you, Jerry and Sharon!

Our Meet Your Neighbor segment allows you to get to know the people who will be living in the Searstone community. Our community is made up of individuals who bring Searstone to life through the many stories and interests they share. 

 This month, Caryn and Alex Hart are sharing a little bit about themselves and why they can’t wait to make the move to Searstone.

Q: What area are you from?

We live in suburban Philadelphia—Havertown, Delaware County, to be exact—but Caryn is originally from Bay Shore, Long Island. Alex is a born and bred Philadelphian.

Q: How did you hear about Searstone and what was your main selling point for joining?

We were searching for CCRCs in the Raleigh/Cary area and found Searstone. The main selling point of Searstone vis a vis other CCRCs is its presence in Cary. Our younger daughter and our youngest granddaughter live in Cary, just a few miles away from Searstone.

Q: What are you looking forward to most about moving to the community?

First and foremost, living near our daughter and granddaughter! Cary appears to have many other attractive qualities as well, not least of which is winter weather that’s warmer (and less snowy) than Philly’s!

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your family?

We’re a family of four. Our older daughter (a pediatric endocrinologist), her husband (a vascular surgeon), and their three children live in South Florida. Again, our younger daughter lives in Cary; she owns and runs a local yarn shop called Warm ’n Fuzzy in downtown Cary. We’re both retired. Caryn was a database programmer for many years. Alex is an attorney but never practiced law. Instead, he ran continuing education programs for lawyers for close to 40 years before retiring.

Q: What is the most interesting fact about yourself or what do you think people would be surprised to know?

Caryn: I bake almost all of our bread, usually using sourdough. I have been baking these “artisan” breads since way before the pandemic made them popular. I also am an avid knitter. I don’t usually knit the same thing twice, because I enjoy the learning process.

Alex: I’ve been listening to and collecting classical music for decades. I spend hours a day listening to and reading about a wide variety of (mostly non-vocal) works. I lean more towards lesser-known works than warhorses. My favorite composer is Frederick Delius.

Q: What hobbies, activities or programs do you hope to get involved with?

Caryn: I would enjoy meeting others who enjoy knitting or other needlework and also having discussions, political and otherwise, with other residents.

Alex: I’m looking forward to enjoying the company of other Searstone residents who share my musical interests and attending concerts and recitals, both at Searstone and elsewhere in the area. Also, we both love to take long walks, and living close to Bond Park and various Greenways is a real plus for us.

This month, we’re featuring Mike and Linda McComb. Learn more about this wonderful couple.

Q: What area are you from?

We were both born and raised in Midland, Michigan – global headquarters for Dow Chemical, where we both worked. Together, we have a combined service of 125 years there. Both of our fathers worked at Dow as well.

We retired to South Carolina in 2009 to enjoy the milder winters.

Q: How did you hear about Searstone and what was your main selling point for joining?

We learned about Searstone from current residents, who we also knew from Midland! We like knowing more definitively when the apartment in the Highview will be available, and that it will be brand new. We look forward to customizing it to our style.

Q: What are you looking forward to most about moving to the community?

We sincerely hope all residents (from the original Searstone and the Highview) are able to socialize together and make friends. We look forward to performances in the Highview Hall, dining in the six different restaurants, and volunteering in whatever way our skills are useful.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your family?

We don’t have any children so we are not restricted to a location to relocate to a CCRC. We have done extensive research on more than 130 CCRCs, visiting more than 20 in person.

Q: What is the most interesting fact about yourself or what do you think people would be surprised to know?

We love to travel and have visited all 50 states – most more than once – over half of the US national parks, all 7 continents, and 73 countries. Yes, we still have a bucket list!  We especially enjoy cruising and have spent nearly 400 nights on cruise ships.

Q: What hobbies, activities or programs do you hope to get involved with?

Mike is a competitive and social bridge player and a master gardener.  Linda plays social bridge, enjoys photography and is a great organizer. We both enjoy card and board games and like to walk. We have logged over 1400 miles since the pandemic started in March. We like getting to know new people – with or without wine!

We’re so excited the McCombs are joining us at The Highview at Searstone. Stay connected with our Meet Your Neighbor segment each month and you’ll have new friends before you even meet in person!

This month, we’re featuring Sharon & Larry Crane. Before retirement, Sharon was a computer programmer and systems analyst – one of the few women in the field at the time. Larry practiced medicine in the diagnostic radiology field until 2007. Learn more about this wonderful couple and what led them to Searstone.

Q: What area are you from?

We’re from Texas but we’ve been living in Durham, NC for the last several decades.  

Q: How did you hear about Searstone and what was your main selling point for joining?

We originally learned about Searstone as we were researching CCRCs in the area. Compared to other communities we were considering, Searstone offered a greater variety of living accommodations. The high end design and ancillary facilities were really appealing to us. And most importantly, we learned that Searstone offered excellent nursing, memory, and assisted living care.

Q: What are you looking forward to most about moving to the community?

We’re excited to be able to socialize with interesting individuals and couples. And we love that we’ll be able to eliminate taking care of household maintenance items. We are both getting tired of cooking! And we’re also looking forward to joining the wine club that we’ve heard about.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your family?

We have two daughters – both very accomplished women. One lives in Las Vegas and has managed several hospitality venues. The other lives nearby in Durham and is a geneticist that specializes in scientific graphics. Our grandson is a biostatistician and epidemiologist for Becton Dickinson and our granddaughter studies cognitive neuroscience at the University of Michigan.

Q: What is the most interesting fact about yourself or what do you think people would be surprised to know?

Larry: I’m constantly curious about the world around us. Currently, I’m writing a book on Race, Crime, and Incarceration from a public health viewpoint. And I just finished a website advocating Covid vaccination: www.vaccinatedurham.com.

Q: What hobbies, activities or programs do you hope to get involved with?

Larry’s main hobbies are digital art and photography. Since Searstone has other artists in residence or moving in, it will be nice to share ideas. Sharon is a Life Master bridge player. We both love to travel and will be glad when the pandemic is under control so we can plan our next trip.

We’re so excited the Cranes are joining us at The Highview at Searstone. Stay connected with our Meet Your Neighbor segment each month and you’ll have new friends before you even meet in person!

This month, we asked Jim and Pat Pierce to give us a glimpse into their lives and who they are. We can’t wait for them to be a part of the community.

Q: What area are you from?

My wife Pat and I are originally from coastal North Carolina but have lived in Cary for the past 51 years.

Q: How did you hear about Searstone and what was your main selling point for joining The Highview?

I was invited to join the Searstone Board of Directors in 2008. Serving on the Board for the past twelve years has given me the opportunity to see first-hand the quality of service and the value provided to the residents of Searstone.

Q: What are you looking forward to most about moving to the community?

Pat and I look forward to becoming part of an active community with so many different backgrounds and interests.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your family?

We have one son, Brock and he is married to a wonderful lady, Catherine. They are both UNC-CH alumni. We have two grandchildren, Cameron (12) and Sawyer (8). Ironically, Pat and I met in Chapel Hill, so did Brock and Catherine. So, I guess you could say we are Tar Heels, born and bred.

Q: What is the most interesting fact about yourself or what do you think people would be surprised to know?     

Pat played for the state division 3.5 doubles championship in 2012 and 2013.

Q: What hobbies, activities or programs do you hope to get involved with?

Pat enjoys painting and I suspect she will be involved in an art club. We both enjoy travel and I understand the wine clubs are quite popular.

We’re so glad to have the Pierces joining us at The Highview at Searstone. Stay connected with our Meet Your Neighbor segment each month and you’ll have new friends before you even meet in person!

We asked Dennis and Jan Hefner to give us a glimpse into their lives and who they are and we can’t wait for them to be a part of the community.

Q: What area are you from?

A: We were both born and raised in California and in 2012 moved to Carolina Preserve in Cary upon Dennis’ retirement. He had served 16 years as president of the State University of New York at Fredonia. We’ve also lived in the states of Washington, Maryland, and Minnesota.

Q: How did you hear about Searstone and what was your main selling point for joining?

A: About five years ago, we heard about Searstone from friends who live in our community and thought we’d check it out. There was so much that appealed to us including location, size and quality of living units, access to the various amenities like the gym and the dining venues, number and diversity of the clubs and friendliness of the staff. Of course, the peace of mind that comes from living in a continuous care community was also a selling point.

Q: What are you looking forward to most about moving to the community?

A: We are excited about the possibility of moving into a brand-new facility that will provide us an opportunity to get to know 152 new neighbors who will be moving in at the same time.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your family?

A: We have been married for 53 years and have two adult children. Our daughter, Kara, lives in Cary and is a Senior Internal Auditor at the University of North Carolina. Our son, Joel, lives in Austin, Texas with his wife and our three grandchildren (21, 17, 14) and is a Vice President at Dimensional Fund Advisors. Most of our family members live in California or Oregon.

Q: What is the most interesting fact about yourself or what do you think people would be surprised to know?

A: Dennis’ grandfather was a candy maker, founder of Kendon Candies. His influence led to Dennis making thousands of soft caramels over the past 50 years that he gives away at the holidays. Jan has sewn and donated hundreds of quilts to children in need.

Q: What hobbies, activities or programs do you hope to get involved with?

A: We enjoy playing pickleball, following college sports, traveling, attending plays, musical events, and lectures, and playing card games. We also like being involved in different social clubs such as quilting, cycling, and volunteering. Pre-COVID days saw us every week helping others who are less fortunate, primarily through volunteer work with Urban Ministries of Durham.

We’re so glad to have members like the Hefners at Searstone. Stay connected with our Meet Your Neighbor segment each month and you’ll have new friends before you even meet!