Larry and Chuckie McPherson are Northeast Ohio natives who lived in Bonita Springs for over 20 years. After spending two decades in a four-bedroom, two-story home, the couple decided it was time to start thinking about their future. Together they decided that Moorings Park Grande Lake was the perfect place for them.
Larry and Chuckie moved into Moorings Park Grande Lake in April 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and were two of the first residents to do so. Despite stay-at-home orders and social distancing requirements, the couple has been able to safely utilize the amenities Grande Lake currently has in place and have met many new friends.
A commanding figure even today, it’s of little surprise to find that Larry served in the Army during the Vietnam War. With a degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s in business, he ran the North and South American operations for NFK, a Japanese manufacturing company, while living in Europe. Chuckie, one of the most caring people you will ever meet, was a registered nurse for many years.
The couple chose the Brook floor plan, which features three bedrooms, three and a half baths, with a wonderful great room that spills out onto a massive lanai. With over 3,200 square feet under air, the McPhersons are very happy with their choice and are the first to recommend it to others. Chuckie especially enjoys the comfortable layout of the Brook floor plan.
“All the space is very usable. In our big home, we didn’t use it all. But here we have all the space we need,” she said.
The Selection Studio by London Bay Development Group, who is the developer of the project, was a great help to the couple as they prepared for their big move. Residents of the new Life Plan Community of Moorings Park Grande Lake make selections for their new homes with the help of on-staff, trained, experienced designers. Every homeowner also has the option to customize their individual residence, which Larry and Chuckie were glad to take advantage of.
“It was a very detailed process but we couldn’t be happier with how things turned out,” said Larry. “We added recessed lighting, crown moulding and hardwood floors instead of tile. We also switched the bathtub in the master bathroom for another vanity and we added Sonos speakers throughout the whole house.”
While the McPhersons chose Moorings Park Grande Lake for a myriad of reasons from its quality construction, to the partnership with London Bay Development Group and the large floor plans, what ultimately played the biggest role in their decision was the concierge physicians and personalized healthcare that’s included with residency.
“In the summer of 2018 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. This was right after we had signed the papers to live at Grande Lake,” said Chuckie. “Honestly, at first I wasn’t really on board. But through my diagnosis I realized I made the right decision, and I’m glad that I decided this when I was healthy and of sound mind.”
“Through it all, the Moorings Park team has done a great job of keeping us involved virtually and in person,” added Chuckie while noting that they are both very active, social individuals. “We’ve attended fitness classes, have dinner at the Naples Grande Clubhouse, enjoy Happy Hours with other residents and we even recently attended an outdoor concert.”
Larry has even started a golfing group that gets together every Wednesday at Naples Grande golf course.
“I play four days a week and Chuckie and I play on Sundays,” said Larry. “Naples Grande is a very nice, challenging course that’s in beautiful condition. I’ve been able to meet other members and get involved with a new social group.”
The McPhersons credit much of their happiness to their social life and social activities. “Our Campus Life Director, and really the whole dedicated team, have done a great job of helping us get to know others,” Chuckie said.
“Now that we’re living at Moorings Park Grande Lake, it has far exceeded our expectations,” said Larry.
“It was a big decision to move here after living in a very large home for over 20 years. But, our new residence is much nicer than we could ever have imagined. The construction is superb, and the views of the golf course from our lanai are priceless.”
Happy, healthy, and in Chuckie’s case in remission, the McPhersons are loving their new lives at Moorings Park Grande Lake. Now in their early 70s, they advise others to plan for their futures early on.
As Larry was told in the Informational Session he and Chuckie first attended, “It’s better to be five years too early than five minutes too late.”