One of Shirley Davies’ final wishes was to enhance and enrich residents’ quality of life at Twin Lakes Senior Living Community in Montgomery where she had enjoyed life so immensely.  She generously bequeathed a donation of $500,000, and with the help of subsequent generous gifts, a new multi-purpose community center bearing her name now serves as a warm, inviting gathering place for residents, their families and friends to celebrate, learn and entertain.

The Shirley M. Davies Community Center is but one dream-come-true for Twin Lakes as part of its recently completed $52 million expansion, providing much needed services and amenities for not only current residents, but those for generations to come.

"We’re very excited about adding 45 new apartment accommodations to our independent living community at Twin Lakes, and we’re even more excited about all the new amenities we’ve added," says Jim Mayer, Twin Lakes executive director.

One of the top new features bringing smiles to residents’ faces is the Copperlight Café, a large, casual dining venue where residents and their guests can grab a delicious bite to eat at any time throughout their

active day.

"It’s a very open, casual and welcoming center with beautiful lighting," Mayer notes. It joins Twin Lakes’ fine dining area located in another part of the community, which is open from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Longtime resident Carol Ann Blain is thrilled with the new dining venue.

"I love it because it’s a very bright, open area, the food is great, and I love the décor and design," she says. "It’s very casual, and you can eat there or call in and pick up your food." She also likes the fact that it looks out onto the community’s courtyard.

The beautifully landscaped courtyard will showcase a variety of outdoor programming next spring, Mayer explains. It also serves as a more picturesque view for residents living in the apartments overlooking the courtyard, he adds. "Where they used to just look out over a parking lot, now they can see not only the lovely landscaping, but all the exciting activities going on at Twin Lakes."

The "best of the best" new amenities, however, is the Shirley M. Davies Community Center, Mayer continues.

"It’s a large room that accommodates 300 people but can be divided into three separate smaller rooms. It includes state-of-the-art audio-visual services that can be tailored to either one room or all three." The room sports a stage, two 90-inch flat screen TVs, and the latest technology for presentations, movies and other forms of entertainment. The high-tech sound system is a boon for residents and guests attending the various events, and a nearby full-service kitchen easily accommodates small or large dinners. The community center even includes a built-in dance floor for ballroom dancing and like occasions.

"The flexibility in uses for the Shirley M. Davies Community Center makes our community even more vibrant. Our residents love it."

Blain wholeheartedly agrees.

"It’s going to be great for entertainment, bridge, music, speakers…we’re all so excited to have this community room," she says. "It’s a magnificent addition to Twin Lakes."

Twin Lakes, a Life Enriching Community, is located at 9840 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, OH 45242. For more information, call 513.247.1300, or visit www.lec.org/twin-lakes/