Resident Stories

Meet Thelma Laderberg

Born in Philadelphia, Thelma's family moved to Suffolk when she was a child. She developed an early interest in the theatre and was acting on stage at the age of 5; she was hosting three shows for the local WLPM radio station at just 15 years old! She left her spot behind the microphone to attend The College of William & Mary in nearby Williamsburg. After leaving school to marry and raise a family she got her degree at Old Dominion University. Thelma taught acting at the Jewish Community Center and graced the airwaves with her pleasant voice for 25 years as a reader for the blind on the Norfolk PBS TV station WHRO.

Today Thelma continues to develop artistically - she can often be found in the Arts Studio pursuing her newfound interest in watercolor painting. She is a regular at all of the onsite social activities and is often accompanied by her adorable canine companion Katie, or one of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren who frequently visit.

For Thelma the decision to move to Harbor's Edge began in 2001 after the death of her husband of 55 years. "I didn't want to be alone. I saw an ad in the paper for a new development called Harbor's Edge so I went to the very first informational meeting they held and wrote a check that night! While the residence was being built I downsized and moved in one week after opening - on September 8, 2006. Everything was perfect!"

What do you most enjoy about living at Harbor's Edge?

I feel like I'm living on a cruise ship - being on the water, watching the ships move in and out of the harbor, enjoying the camaraderie of the other residents and all of the activities! I join everything I can. I swim regularly, do aqua aerobics twice a week, paint, make jewelry and I formed a "Books and Poems" club. I can get my groceries delivered, go down a few floors to the beauty salon and get my hair done, I get to learn from guest lecturers that come...it's ideal! Living here I wake up every morning with a smile.

What appealed to you about the Harbor's Edge location?

There's so much to do and it's easy to get everywhere you'd like to be. I go to the Opera at the nearby Harrison Opera House, and I belong to the Virginia Symphony Pops which performs locally as well. I've gone on trips to the theatre in Hampton and Williamsburg and recently a group of us enjoyed a wonderful Schooner ride in nearby Yorktown.

What was the single most important reason you chose for moving to Harbor's Edge?

It was their promise of true lifecare -- the whole idea that they would take care of me from the minute I walked in until the minute I left.

What would you say to someone who was considering a move here?

Make the move earlier than later. There's nothing lacking here! You don't want to remain in your house so long that you miss out on all that this place has to offer.