Vivian Sedlacek

Vivian lived just down the road from Shannondell. Her granddaughter lives in an adjacent neighborhood. Another family member is married to one of Shannondell’s fitness trainers. So, it’s no surprise that Vivian now calls Shannondell home. What is a surprise, at least to Vivian, is that she’s busier today than before she moved to Shannondell. From swimming and exercising, to computer classes and Tai Chi, she takes full advantage of her neighborhood. But ask Vivian what she enjoys most and she’s quick to sing the praises of The Shannondell Singers, a resident choral group that fills the Performing Arts Theater with sweet harmony.

Q:
I hear you still maintain a lot of your long-time connections from your former home.

Vivian:
I’m still involved with the Phoenixville hospital. My husband, John, was on the board for years. I also maintain my membership in a Club, and I still sing in a local Church choir. Because they’re all so close to Shannondell, it’s easy. But I’m not alone. A lot of residents here maintain ties to their former neighborhood. With all there is to do here, though, it get’s harder to leave.

Q:
So you sing in two choirs, counting The Shannondell singers?

Vivian:
Actually three. I also sing in a choir in Tucson when I’m there

Q:
We’ll come back to singing, but tell me what else attracted you to Shannondell?

Vivian:
The Aquatics Center. I never had an indoor pool. You have no idea what it’s like to be water walking in 88-degree water and watching it snow outside. It’s wonderful.

Q:
Did you exercise before you moved here?

Vivian:
Some, but not like I do now. In addition to swimming, I also use the bicycles in the fitness center, and I just started taking Tai Chi. If I don’t have to kick up my heels too high, I’ll be okay. My son, the psychiatrist, is encouraging me to stick with it for the meditation.

Q:
What do your children think about Shannondell?

Vivian:
They love it, but I think they’re surprised by how many friendships I’ve formed here. I’ve become friends with residents that, it turns out, knew some of the same people as me sixty years ago growing up in Nebraska. One resident worked with my husband for 20 years. This is such a fun, social place to live, it’s easy to meet people who share the same likes and hobbies.

Q:
One of those shared hobbies being singing, right?

Vivian:
When the Shannondell Singers started, we only had eight or ten of us. Now, we barely fit on the stage at The Performing Arts Theater. We count several former opera singers, but we also have a lot of residents who just love to sing and perform. We do two or three concerts every year. It’s something I really enjoy, but if my voice gets any lower, I’ll have to start singing tenor.

Q:
Most choruses welcome more tenors.

Vivian:
Spoken like a singer. They do. I’ll be in Vespers and hear a nice male voice and go up to them after the service and recruit them for the Shannondell Singers.

Q:
And they say….

Vivian:
I haven’t sung in chorus since high school. To which I usually reply, “You”re over qualified, but we’ll take you anyway.”

Q:
I think you missed your calling as a talent scout.

Vivian:
(laughing) Our choir director says American Idol needs help.

Read other interviews with Shannondell residents by clicking on the names below:

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