Garden Spot Communities presents: Purpose In Retirement. In this podcast series released in fall 2020, co-hosts Scott Miller and Juanita Fox explore what it means to retire with purpose, to make a difference, to invest in your family and your community, to live to your full potential and explore abundant opportunities to live with purpose in community.
Scott Miller, Chief Marketing Officer for Garden Spot Communities, has more than 30 years of marketing experience. Scott oversees all of the marketing efforts and creates innovative approaches for Garden Spot Communities such as a hot air balloon campaign, Destination Garden Spot Village (a bi-annual, promotional magazine), and the Purpose In Retirement podcast.
Juanita Fox, Director of Media Experiences and Storytelling, has more than 20 years of experience in writing and corporate communications. She shares the stories of the people who live and work at Garden Spot through magazine and blog stories, video interviews and now podcasting through the Purpose In Retirement podcast.
5 Pieces of Wisdom from Crow’s Feet [PDF]
Read these 5 articles that imparted wisdom in our lives.
Frozen in Time: How Skating Connected My Family Across Generations
How Early Retirement Has Improved My Social Life
Read the 5 Ways Beth talks about Reframing Aging: gsc.gl/5WaystoReframe
Thistledown Cooperative Living Featured in the Journal on Active Aging: www.gardenspotvillage.org/news/thistle…ctive-aging/
Purchase – “Caregiving: The Spiritual Journey of Love, Loss, and Renewal” by Beth Witrogen: www.amazon.com/Caregiving-Spirit…wal/dp/1620455846
5 Ways to Reflect on Your Life Story
If you are following along virtually, you will want to draw your constructed world and then write a one to two-page narrative about it. If you are one of the first six people to email [email protected], you can get direct feedback from Scott through 2025. You will also want to read pages 11-86 of The Well-Lived Life by Gladys McGarey and think about how she tells her own story. You will also want to listen to podcast #24 of Purpose In Retirement. In this podcast, Steve Lindsey and Conrad Kanagy talk about the inspiration of the Wisdom Course.
What happens when a lifelong appreciation for people, cultures and service becomes part of your everyday work?
In this episode of Garden Spot Communities Presents: Purpose in Retirement, hosts Scott Miller and Juanita Fox sit down with Duana Helsel, Volunteer and Transportation Manager at Frederick Living. Duana shares how 18 years in children’s ministry prepared her to work alongside volunteers and how she helps residents and community members discover meaningful ways to use their gifts.
Duana also reflects on growing up internationally and attending a school with students from more than 40 countries. Those experiences shaped her belief that our differences give us opportunities to learn from one another and that relationships are at the heart of meaningful service.
The conversation also travels to Kenya, where Duana served alongside Missions of Hope International (MOHI) through Garden Spot Communities. She shares how the experience deepened her understanding of relationship-centered service and why she is looking forward to returning to Kenya as a co-leader for an upcoming Travel with Purpose trip.
00:00 — Learning from one another
Duana reflects on how growing up around people from different countries and cultures shaped the way she sees relationships.
00:40 — Finding her role at Frederick Living
After 18 years in children’s ministry, Duana discovered an opportunity to continue working with volunteers in a mission-driven community.
01:09 — Supporting more than 200 volunteers and team members
Duana describes a typical day of meeting people, introducing volunteers to Frederick Living and connecting their interests with meaningful opportunities.
01:32 — Residents, community volunteers and therapy dogs
From Frederick Living residents to community members—and even therapy dogs—Duana explains how she welcomes volunteers and helps them find the right fit.
02:11 — Keeping Frederick Living moving
Duana discusses the other side of her role: coordinating Frederick Living’s vehicle fleet and working with a dedicated team of drivers.
02:40 — Returning to Africa as an adult
Having grown up in southern Africa, Duana shares how returning as an adult gave her a new perspective on places and experiences that once felt familiar.
04:00 — Serving with Missions of Hope International
Duana reflects on her experience in Nairobi and the importance of Garden Spot Communities coming alongside organizations already doing meaningful work.
04:35 — Relationships before tasks
Inspired by MOHI’s relationship-centered approach, Duana explains why getting to know volunteers is essential to helping them find fulfilling ways to serve.
05:41 — Growing up in an international community
Attending an international school with students from more than 40 countries taught Duana that people can look, speak and live differently while still needing—and learning from—one another.
06:08 — A love of travel and discovery
Duana talks about traveling with her husband, Paul, and their shared love of exploring new cities, foods, architecture and even birds.
06:50 — Returning to Kenya
Duana shares what she is looking forward to most about the upcoming Travel with Purpose trip, including reconnecting with Favor and Favored, twins she and her husband sponsor.
07:28 — Co-leading Travel with Purpose
As a co-leader, Duana will help manage logistics and details while supporting the team throughout the experience.
07:54 — Give volunteering—and purposeful travel—a try
Duana encourages listeners to explore different volunteer opportunities without feeling like the first thing they try has to be permanent. And when it comes to Kenya, she has one piece of advice: don’t let the long flight keep you from an experience built around relationships, service and connection.
“People are different, and it doesn’t matter what you look like. We need each other, and we can learn from each other.”
Duana’s story is a reminder that purpose doesn’t always come from finding one perfect role. Sometimes it comes from staying curious, building relationships and being willing to discover where your gifts can make a difference.
Read Duana’s story:
Learn more about Duana and her work at Frederick Living in the Fall 2026 issue of Destination magazine.
About Purpose in Retirement
Garden Spot Communities Presents: Purpose in Retirement shares stories of people who continue to find meaning, connection, service and adventure throughout every season of life.
Host: Scott Miller
Co-host: Juanita Fox
Audio Engineer & Producer: Austin Gingerich
What We Discuss
Key Takeaways
Notable Quotes
“Life isn’t always about you. I had three children who needed to know that God had a purpose for them.” (Sue Fitzgerald)
“Every child is unique. You have to look beyond the curriculum and look at the child.” (Sue Fitzgerald)
“I don’t like guns, but I said for four years I can do it. I became very good at it.” (Tom Payne)
“His name was Wonderful. And he totally, totally changed my mind right there.” (Tom Payne)
“You just can’t plan this. I thought I was in control.” (Sue Fitzgerald)
Resources Mentioned
Credits
What if the best part of a trip isn’t where you go, but who you meet along the way? In this episode of Purpose in Retirement, Scott Miller and Juanita Fox sit down with Karen Bender, General Manager, and Laura Bomberger, Business and Finance Manager of Bob Neff Tours. They share how a new collaborative travel model is bringing residents from retirement communities across Lancaster County together for memorable adventures and creating unexpected friendships along the way.
From Cape Cod and Niagara Falls to mystery tours and adventures across North America, Bob Neff Tours takes care of the details so travelers can focus on experiencing something new. Karen and Laura also share how thoughtful planning, accessibility, Christian fellowship and a commitment to personal connection have shaped the company for more than 50 years.
As Karen puts it, the motor coach may be the transportation, but the feeling of community is what makes the journey worth taking. Travelers may board as individuals, but many return home with new friendships, shared stories and a community they didn’t expect to find.
Purpose in Retirement is presented by Garden Spot Communities and explores the people, experiences and opportunities that make the second half of life meaningful and purposeful.
How can the arts bring generations together, inspire meaningful connections and create new opportunities to live with purpose?
In this episode of Purpose in Retirement, hosts Scott Miller and Juanita Fox welcome Sally Mittelstadt, a Garden Spot Village resident and chair of the Spark Committee for Time to Shine, the fundraising campaign supporting the future Center for Arts and Culture.
Sally shares how her passion for community, background in education and commitment to volunteering led her to embrace a new opportunity to serve. Through the Time to Shine campaign, she is helping residents envision a space where creativity, collaboration and intergenerational relationships can flourish throughout eastern Lancaster County.
Purpose evolves throughout retirement. Sally’s story illustrates how embracing new opportunities can lead to unexpected fulfillment and personal growth.
The arts are about more than performances. While the Center for Arts and Culture will offer exciting features, Sally believes its greatest potential lies in the relationships and community it will cultivate.
Generosity extends beyond financial giving. Sharing time, talents, experiences and resources can create a lasting impact on future generations.
Connection across generations enriches everyone. By bringing together residents, young people and community organizations, the center has the potential to create opportunities for mentorship, belonging and shared creativity.
Time to Shine — Center for Arts and Culture Campaign
Discover the vision for the Center for Arts and Culture and how you can support this initiative.
https://trellisworksfoundation.org/time-to-shine/
Destination Magazine — Fall 2026
Read more about Sally Mittelstadt, the Center for Arts and Culture and other inspiring stories of purposeful living in the Fall 2026 issue of Destination, published by Garden Spot Communities.
https://www.gardenspotcommunities.org/destination-magazine/
Purpose in Retirement, presented by Garden Spot Communities, shares inspiring stories of people embracing opportunities to live with purpose, build meaningful relationships and make a difference in their communities.
Host: Scott Miller, Chief Marketing Officer, Garden Spot Communities
Co-host: Juanita Fox, Storyteller
Audio Engineer and Producer: Austin Gingerich
Guest: Carol Lehman, Realtor, Hostetter Realty
Hosts: Scott Miller, Chief Marketing Officer, and Juanita Fox, Storyteller, Garden Spot Communities
Selling a home you’ve lived in for 20, 30 or even 50 years can feel overwhelming. But preparing for your next chapter doesn’t have to be stressful, especially when you start planning early.
In this episode of Purpose in Retirement, Scott Miller and Juanita Fox welcome Carol Lehman, a New Holland-based realtor with Hostetter Realty who specializes in helping people transition to retirement communities like Garden Spot Village.
Carol shares practical advice for preparing your home for sale, navigating the emotional side of downsizing and making the transition to retirement living easier. Whether you’re planning a move in three months or three years, her experience offers reassurance that a little preparation can make a big difference.
1. It’s Never Too Early to Start Planning
Even if your move is several years away, meeting with a realtor can help you understand what needs to happen before selling your home. Early conversations allow you to make decisions at your own pace rather than feeling rushed when the time comes.
2. Downsizing Starts with Three Simple Categories
Carol recommends approaching downsizing one room at a time and sorting belongings into three categories:
The “maybe” category gives you permission to take your time, making the process less overwhelming.
3. Small Improvements Can Make a Big Difference
You don’t necessarily need to renovate your entire home before selling it. Routine maintenance, minor repairs and thoughtful decluttering can help make your home more appealing to prospective buyers. Carol explains why presentation matters and how a realtor can help identify which improvements are worth making.
4. Selling Your Home in 90 Days Is Possible
A quick transition to retirement living can feel intimidating. Carol discusses how advance preparation, strategic pricing and coordinating closing dates can help homeowners navigate a shorter timeline. She also shares the importance of having a backup plan.
5. Moving Is About More Than Selling a House
Leaving a longtime family home means saying goodbye to a place filled with memories. Carol emphasizes the importance of honoring those memories while looking forward to new experiences, friendships and opportunities.
Carol shares the experience of a couple preparing to move to Garden Spot Village. By following recommendations to declutter, make a few improvements and prepare their home for buyers, they received five offers in just three days and sold their home for more than the asking price.
Their experience demonstrates the value of thoughtful preparation and working with someone who understands the transition.
One of Carol’s favorite parts of her work is reconnecting with clients after they’ve moved. Many discover that the transition they once worried about has opened the door to a lifestyle filled with new opportunities.
Rather than focusing only on what they’re leaving behind, Carol encourages future residents to imagine what they’re moving toward.
Purpose in Retirement is a podcast from Garden Spot Communities that shares stories, experiences and conversations about living with purpose at every stage of life.
Subscribe to Purpose in Retirement for more conversations about retirement living, meaningful connections and embracing the opportunities ahead.
What does it take to turn a vision for community into a place where people truly belong?
In this episode of Purpose in Retirement, hosts Scott Miller, Chief Marketing Officer at Garden Spot Communities, and Juanita Fox, Storyteller, explore the more than 20-year journey behind the Sycamore Springs neighborhood at Garden Spot Village.
From early conversations about cohousing and pocket neighborhoods to the development of Beacon Plaza and the future Center for Arts and Culture, Scott shares how thoughtful design can encourage connection, support purposeful living and create a neighborhood that feels like a small town.
The conversation also explores what it means to spark a pro-aging revolution, why older adults have an important role in shaping future generations and how Garden Spot Communities is carrying its vision for purposeful living into Frederick Living and The Exchange Harrisburg.
A Vision More Than 20 Years in the Making
Discover how Sycamore Springs evolved from an undeveloped piece of land into a neighborhood designed around relationships. Scott reflects on the early concepts that influenced the community, including European cohousing, pocket neighborhoods and the importance of balancing privacy with opportunities to connect.
Creating a Small-Town Experience at Beacon Plaza
The next phase of Sycamore Springs brings a different approach to retirement living. With villas, apartments, shops, dining and outdoor gathering spaces surrounding Beacon Plaza, the expansion is designed to encourage everyday interactions and create the feeling of a traditional small town.
Sparking a Pro-Aging Revolution
Aging doesn’t mean stepping away from adventure, learning or making a difference. Scott and Juanita share stories of residents traveling across the country, learning new skills and investing in younger generations. They discuss the importance of wisdom, the role of elders and the opportunities that come with the second half of life.
A Center for Arts and Culture That Serves the Community
What began as a request from residents for more performance and gathering space has grown into a vision for a flexible arts center serving Garden Spot Village and the broader eastern Lancaster County community. Learn how the planned space will support theater, education and cultural experiences, including a partnership with Gretna Theatre.
Purpose Across Garden Spot Communities
The commitment to purposeful living extends beyond Sycamore Springs. Scott discusses how improvements and expansion plans at Frederick Living, along with the development of The Exchange Harrisburg, reflect the belief that the places we create can help people form relationships and discover new opportunities for purpose.
Read the stories behind this episode in the Fall 2026 issue of Destination Magazine, featuring the vision for Sycamore Springs, the Center for Arts and Culture and the expansion at Frederick Living.
Purpose in Retirement shares the stories of people who are finding meaning, building relationships and making a difference in the second half of life. Through conversations with residents, team members and community leaders, the podcast explores what it means to live with purpose at Garden Spot Communities.
Hosts: Scott Miller and Juanita Fox
Audio Engineer and Producer: Austin Gingerich