Video showing scenes of The Terraces of Phoenix, a HumanGood Life Plan Community

Sheila

Sharing a Lifetime of Music

Sheila finds a new stage at The Terraces of Phoenix.

On any given afternoon at The Terraces, music drifts through the community. Familiar melodies from decades past mingle with the joyful sound of residents singing along. At the center of it all is Sheila, who can be found seated at the piano, bringing people together through music.

Sheila’s journey began early. At just 5 years old, after attending her cousin’s recital, she knew piano lessons were exactly what she wanted. At her very first lesson, she looked around and asked, “Where is the audience?” Even then, Sheila understood what many spend a lifetime discovering: Music is meant to be shared.

That belief shaped a lifelong career as both a performer and educator. As a public school music teacher, she spent decades inspiring young students, watching music unlock confidence, creativity and joy. Today, she continues that legacy at The Terraces, sharing her lifelong passion in community singalongs. “It didn’t take me long to find my rhythm here,” Sheila says with a smile. “I planned a simple singalong featuring songs from the 1920s, ’30s and ’40s, and I was pleasantly surprised when more than 75 of my neighbors came out to participate. It was so much fun!”

Building on that success, Sheila now plans to host quarterly singalongs celebrating different musical eras — each one an opportunity to connect through shared memories and timeless songs.

“Music brings everybody together,” she says.

Life at The Terraces is anything but quiet for Sheila. She stays active with Level One fitness classes, regular walks on the beautiful grounds and encouragement from the community’s dedicated instructors. She also channels her creativity in a bi-monthly writing class, where residents share personal stories and reflections. Recently, she wrote about her years teaching public school music — another way of preserving and sharing her lifelong love of music.

Beyond campus, Sheila and her husband James take full advantage of Phoenix’s vibrant cultural scene. They attend performances by the Phoenix Symphony and enjoy evenings at The Phoenix Theatre Company, with season tickets to both symphony and chamber music concerts.

At The Terraces of Phoenix, Sheila hasn’t just found a place to live — she’s found a new stage and a community eager to share in the rhythm of this next chapter.

Q&A:

Did you have any hesitations before moving?

The transition naturally came with an understandable hesitation, but we were excited to find a one-bedroom apartment with a den and a large living room — perfectly suited for my grand piano.

Why did you choose Life Plan Community living?

While I’ll admit I didn’t initially feel “ready” for such a big change, we were thinking about the future — planning and wanting to avoid placing a burden on our three children. Ultimately, it was about making a thoughtful decision that would support both our independence and our long-term well-being.

Looking forward, how do you feel about this next chapter?

Today, I feel very happy and secure. The move I once hesitated to make has opened a new chapter filled with creativity, connection and purpose.

Any advice?

Know what matters most to you — the people, the grounds, the apartment, the culture. When those align, you’ll know you’ve found the right place

Julie and Malcolm

Lifelong Curiosity, Lasting Community

Malcolm and Julie stay sharp through connection.

If you ask Malcolm what keeps him energized, his answer is simple: mental exercise. What began as taking a single college class has turned into a remarkable nine-year academic streak. One class at a time, semester by semester, he has now completed 18 semesters.

For his second time through college, Malcolm first attended courses at Phoenix College before continuing his studies at Paradise Valley Community College. He has studied subjects ranging from political science and history to microeconomics — topics that keep his mind engaged and his curiosity alive.

“I love being in the classroom, studying for exams, hearing what the kids have to say,” Malcolm says.

Unlike many students today, Malcolm doesn’t take his classes online. He prefers the energy of a real classroom, where he sits alongside fellow students, actively participating in discussions and debates.

“Mental exercise is just as important as physical activity,” he says with a smile.

For Malcolm, education isn’t about earning a degree. It’s about staying sharp, exploring new ideas and connecting with the next generation.

While Malcolm is in class or studying for midterms, his wife, Julie, pours her energy into shaping everyday life at The Terraces.

She happily manages The Trove, the community’s on-site vintage shop. The shop features donated items from residents, including furniture, décor, kitchenware and unique treasures. Proceeds from store sales go directly back into the community, supporting the resident association and special projects.

“These funds have already made a difference in our community, helping to purchase a new barbecue grill for the pool area, chairs for the beauty salon and supporting resident programs like Readers Theatre,” Julie says.

Julie also brings creativity to the community by curating the display cases around the community with her friend and neighbor, Jan, refreshing them with seasonal and themed exhibits throughout the year. From resident artwork and photography to Arizona artifacts and pottery, her displays add a personal and ever-changing touch to shared spaces. She also serves on the renovation committee, where she contributes ideas that help shape the look and feel of The Terraces.

Together, Malcolm and Julie have discovered that life at The Terraces is about far more than retirement — it’s about possibility. Whether Malcolm is debating economic theory in a college classroom or Julie is creating spaces that bring residents together, they’ve found a community that encourages curiosity, creativity and connection.

Q&A:

What was something that surprised you?

Something that surprised us was the fact that we love structured fitness classes! We had never participated in them before, but now we rarely miss a day. The friendliness is amazing. We’ve moved around a lot during our lives, and for the first time in a long while, we feel really settled, and that feels good.

What is your favorite part of living at The Terraces?

We’ve formed close friendships, attend community events and rarely miss a day of fitness classes! We love and appreciate the ease of daily life, including the freedom from having to plan every meal.

Did you look at other communities before selecting The Terraces?

We explored and toured several other senior living communities. The Terraces offered exactly what we had been hoping to find: a spacious two-bedroom apartment with a den, a garage, a guest suite for visiting family and beautiful views of Piestewa Peak, famous for its challenging summit trails.

What is your advice for anyone looking to move to a Life Plan Community?

Do your due diligence, look at everything available, understand how the community will embrace you and move when you can — not a day too late.

James

A Clear Vision For The Future

Dr. James Meador focuses on health and wellness.

More than five decades into his career, Dr. James Meador spends his Monday -Friday doing what he has always loved: helping people see the world more clearly. He makes the easy 10-minute drive from The Terraces of Phoenix to his practice to care for his patients.

“I’ve always enjoyed it,” he says simply. “I make people see better.”

Ophthalmology was a natural calling. With the long legacy of physicians in his family, medicine was always part of his path, but it was the precision and life-changing impact of restoring vision that captured his heart.

“I’ve always loved eye surgery, but now I’m more focused on office patient care,” he says. “There’s something extraordinary about vision. When you help someone see clearly again, you truly change their life.”

His passion for the work remains as strong as ever. In fact, his move to The Terraces has enhanced both his professional and personal life. “I love that I can continue to live independently and make time to work,” he says. “I’ve even welcomed new patients since the move, including some of my neighbors.”

He also stays connected to the broader medical community through his involvement with the Arizona Ophthalmological Society and the state medical association.

Outside of work, James maintains an active and adventurous lifestyle. He and his wife, Sheila, just married in 2026, and both share a love for exploration. Whether celebrating their recent honeymoon in Hawaii, spending summers in Maine, catching the opera in Santa Fe, escaping to the cool Arizona pines or visiting the Tetons or Yellowstone, one thing is clear: They have no plans of slowing down.

Wellness and connection remain a priority for James. He and Sheila’s beloved white fluffy dog, Ella — named after Ella Fitzgerald — joins them for daily walks along The Terraces’ beautifully maintained grounds. James also works out three times a week with a private trainer and enjoys the community’s social offerings, including a regular poker group.

For James, life isn’t about slowing down — it’s about having the freedom to continue doing what he loves. His purpose remains crystal clear. And at The Terraces of Phoenix, his life — and his work — are perfectly in focus.

Q&A:

What made you want to move?

The decision to leave my home — set on 4 acres — came gradually. It had become isolating and difficult to maintain, and I realized I couldn’t keep managing it on my own. I wanted to simplify my life while maintaining my independence.

Did you explore other communities?

Yes, six different communities, but I lived within walking distance of The Terraces of Phoenix for years and knew friends and family members here. What stood out most was the quality across all levels of living.

What is your advice for considering a Life Plan Community?

Visit several communities. Don’t just choose the largest one. Pay attention to the amenities, the atmosphere and the outdoor spaces. Make sure it truly fits your lifestyle.

What surprised you the most?

The friendships I’ve formed and how much I’ve genuinely enjoyed living here. That’s been one of the biggest surprises.

Peter

From Pen to Paper to Publishing

For Peter, retirement didn’t mark the end of a career — it opened the door to the work he had always wanted to do most: writing.

Today, he spends his days crafting stories, publishing books and building a small independent press. The longtime communications executive and journalist has fully embraced life as a novelist and publisher, proving that creativity doesn’t come with an expiration date.

“Writing has always been the throughline,” he says. “Now I finally have the time to focus on it.”

In 2016, Peter published his first novel, Red Metal, a story rooted in the high-stakes world of copper mining and hedge funds — fiction shaped by real-world insights. He followed it with The Heretic Hunters, continuing to explore big questions through bold, character-driven storytelling.

In October 2025, he launched Ash & Creed Press, a publishing company dedicated to stories that wrestle with faith, identity and moral complexity under the banner Bold Stories. Sacred Questions.

Through the press, Peter publishes both his own work and titles that reflect thoughtful, progressive Christian perspectives.

He’s also considering writing a memoir — what he calls “a reframe” of the experiences that have shaped his life.

Peter explains that life at The Terraces has only expanded his world. Appreciating the landscaped grounds and plentiful walking paths, Peter, his wife, Pat, and their dog, Skip, happily log five walks a day across the community.

Peter also stays active in exercise classes and trains for 5K races. He serves on the advisory council for Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona, working on issues such as hunger, voting rights, homelessness and healthcare access, and regularly participates in Lutheran Day at the Legislature.

But perhaps Peter’s most unexpected role comes each morning, when he helps deliver newspapers to fellow residents, quietly returning to his roots in journalism while staying connected to the community around him.

This next chapter for Peter is about showing up — with a story to tell, a community to serve and, at sunrise, a paper in hand — still delivering the news, just in more ways than one.

Q&A:

What was the one thing that influenced your decision to move to The Terraces?

It really came down to freedom from home maintenance. We wanted to spend our time and resources in more meaningful ways. If something breaks, we make a call, and it’s taken care of — it’s such a relief.

What surprised you the most?

I’m constantly impressed by the people who live here. It’s not just their accomplishments; it’s their energy. There’s a level of engagement and enthusiasm for life that’s both refreshing and inspiring.

What’s one of the best things about living here?

The opportunity to build an entirely new circle of friends has been incredibly rewarding for both of us. We feel more secure about the future while enjoying our independence and discovering new ways to spend our time.