Theatre Lovers Right at Home at The Summit
When Alex and Jessica Newmark first toured The Summit, “perfect strangers” stopped them in the halls to ask if they were moving to the Life Plan Community.
“They all said, ‘you’ll love it,’” Jessica said. “We were favorably impressed by the warmth of the people.”
The couple, who will celebrate their 60th anniversary next year, moved to The Summit in May. They have enjoyed taking part in activities and making new friends.
Originally from New York, the Newmarks moved around for Alex’s job in human resources for GE (later Ericsson). With a degree in microbiology, Jessica worked in research. They moved to Lynchburg in 1980.
“We’ve lived here longer than any place,” she said. They have one child and one grandchild. They enjoy attending concerts and plays and visiting museums.
A former competitive tennis player, Alex plays pickle ball regularly at the Jamerson YMCA, a few blocks from The Summit. Jessica is part of numerous book clubs and started playing duplicate. bridge. She serves on the board of Interfaith Outreach.
“It is an absolutely wonderful organization,” she said. “It’s an opportunity to truly make a difference in the lives of those in need.”
The couple enjoys a simpler pace at The Summit.
“I enjoy sitting on the back patio and looking at the view,” Jessica said. “It’s like living in a high class hotel really. You have the concierge who gets your packages and there’s coffee in the lobby.”
New friends make all the difference. “Everybody is exceedingly welcoming,” she said.