At Soleil Laurel Canyon, we love to see residents getting out and embracing the active adult lifestyle. Because there are so many clubs and social activities to choose from at this active adult resort-style community, homeowners like Helen Ford can find (or return) to their favorite hobbies.

Helen, along with her husband David, moved to Soleil in 2007 after spending several years cultivating a beautiful yard at her previous house in Druid Hills. Although she had been gardening off and on for years, it was still surprising to feel the need to garden at her new residence.

“I’ve been gardening all my life as time permitted, but I didn’t start gardening intensively until I semi-retired a couple of times. I didn’t expect to be doing a lot of gardening at Soleil but I felt the call again,” Helen said.

As co-founder and co-chair of the Soleil Garden Club, she helps maintain the community garden, greenhouse, gardening shed, compost bins and the individual gardening beds of other Soleil residents. Helen also invites guest speakers to the club’s monthly meetings and organizes trips to local nurseries and gardens.

In addition to being an avid gardener, Helen is involved in the Optimist Club of Laurel Canyon. As a part of the group, she has helped build a paleontology sandbox and has planted gardening beds at a local elementary school. She also organized a school book fair and made costumes for volunteers to wear while reading books to children. Currently Helen and David are volunteers for the Meals on Wheels program in Cherokee County.

Helen’s story is a great example of giving back to the community. It doesn’t take a lot of money or resources, just a little time and effort. At Soleil Laurel Canyon, we love stories like this – stories that prove that life doesn’t stop after 50. No matter what your age, our active adult community in Canton, Ga. can help you live life the way you want.

For more information about an exciting active adult lifestyle, visit the Soleil Laurel Canyon website.