Vicar's Landing residents Joseph O'Gara, 100, Paul Snyder, 100, and Barbara West, 102, recently shared their thoughts on life at the local retirement community and how they’ve remained happy and healthy through their centennial years.
O'Gara, who was in the real estate business in New York City, came to Florida to retire and play golf and tennis. He has been living at Vicar’s Landing for over two decades and has enjoyed every year at the facility. West, a writer, has been living at Vicar's for 23 years. Snyder, another longtime resident, had a career of 38 years at an oil company working in at least six different cities across the country. He also served in the Navy.
When asked if they feel any different after hitting triple digits, each resident echoed the same sentiment.
"I don't feel any differently than when I was 75," West revealed.
None of the residents said they've done anything differently throughout their lives to make it to age 100 and beyond.
"No, I drank, what did I do?" O'Gara said. "I did what everybody else did. I played sports, I played a lot of tennis, played squash."
O'Gara noted that he didn't pick up golf until he was 75 years old.
"We were all into sports," West said. " I think that was part of what kept us healthy because we were active. I still make an effort to be active, I swim every day."
As a real estate broker in New York, O'Gara said he walked a great deal through the city to various properties around town. Meanwhile, Snyder was interested in sailing.
"I sailed a lot all my life," he said. "I don't know if that helped my health or not."
Snyder also played lacrosse and football in his younger years.
As for Vicar's, all three residents said they are loving life there and would recommend it to anyone interested in moving to a retirement community.
"It's wonderful," O'Gara asserted. "One of the best moves that my wife and I made was moving here."
Snyder agreed, saying that he came to Vicar's at the request of his late wife and it was a perfect fit. West added that her favorite part about the resort is its tight-knit community.
"It's wonderful to live in a place where everybody is so happy," she said.
O'Gara also noted that he has made close friends in the community.
"You meet such wonderful people here," he said, "with few exceptions."
"Why don't you like me Joe?" Snyder asked in jest, before the three laughed together.
The residents went on to commend Vicar’s for its living conditions, the activities offered at the community and its dining options.
For more information on Vicar’s Landing, visit www.vicarslanding.com.
