Libby Crumb is the director of marketing and sales at Appleridge Senior Living in Horseheads. The independent senior living community seeks to make a positive difference in the quality of life of its residents. The facility features more than 100 luxury apartments on 22 acres.
When and why did you become involved with Appleridge Senior Living?
I became the director of marketing and sales August 15, 2022 after selling my house in Rochester and moving to my home in Hammondsport on Keuka Lake. My youngest daughter went off to college at Dayton University and the housing market was for sellers. I commuted for almost a year to the Independent Living Retirement Community I worked for in Rochester where I was their marketing and sales director. I was fortunate enough to join Appleridge when the previous director of 13 years retired.
The first time I walked into Appleridge Senior Living, I was absolutely blown away! It gleamed with cleanliness, elegance, efficiency and the sense of community was very strong. I was blessed to be hired and I enjoy working here as the face of Appleridge.
I am passionate about working to help seniors create their “New Now” in a community where they can thrive independently and create their own personal life and care plan. I make new friends every day; it’s a privilege to support them and their families through a big life decision. I enjoy seeing them settle into a beautiful resort-style community. Here we have lots of fun activities, amenities and neighbors that support independent living as long as possible. At the same time, Appleridge allows you to add services as needed so you can stay in place and call us your forever home.
When was the community started?
We will be celebrating our 13th anniversary on August 5 with a large tent party for residents and their families. The actual founding date of Appleridge was August 4, 2010 under the direction of our Executive Director Michele Fitch Smith.
Can you describe how you stand out from other senior living communities?
We are a true gem! I have been to many other communities, but not one is as beautiful as Appleridge which sets upon a 22-acre cascading hilltop that was once an apple orchard. Out front, we have a panoramic view of the rolling hills of the southern gateway to the Finger Lakes Region. Behind, we are nestled against a backdrop of a scenic wooded hillside. We offer privacy yet are only minutes from shopping service and area attractions like the Corning Museum.
Appleridge provides a respectful quality of life, the safety and security you need and the freedom you deserve in a community you can trust. Our community offers two health care providers that operate their service businesses within our community, so it’s convenient and easy to create and change your care plans your needs change. We offer inclusive living in varying degrees so you can have it the way you like it! We have a clubhouse, computer center, fitness center library, resident garden, frequent outings, salon, recreation, exercise and wellness programs, on-site ATM, live entertainment, maintenance-free living and many optional services like housekeeping, garages and transportation.
We also have several beautiful outdoor spaces to enjoy. We have the garden, a courtyard patio, front patio and wrap-around balcony on the front of the building adjacent to our elegant main dining room. There are several community balconies that are convenient for residents to use so they don’t have to have designated outdoor space of their own to enjoy. However, we do have some apartments that offer patios or yards which are perfect for our dog lovers! (Yes, we allow pets as well.)
What is your favorite part of your job?
Listening to our existing and new potential residents tell their lives’ stories. I learn a lot from them and they are walking history books. I have residents in their 60s and our oldest turned 103 in December. I also enjoy helping them and their loved ones create and implement their next steps in life which often enables them and their family to spend more valuable quality time together. Because we are independent, guests can stay with a resident overnight, come to meals in our a la carte restaurant and enjoy all the community has to offer with their special person living here.
What do you enjoy most about the Finger Lakes Region?
The Finger Lakes Region offers culturally diverse and relative smaller cities to visit with the most scenic countryside. The region is filled with charming small towns with history, art, events, great restaurants, numerous lakes surrounded by award-winning wineries and colleges. Altogether, it provides perfect grounds for couples, friends and families to spend time “togethering,” making memories.
Do you have any favorite local activities you enjoy?
There’s Market Street in Corning, Hammondsport (the best little town in the USA), Tags Restaurant and concert venue, the Windmill Market, many of the wineries for events, wines and concerts, the wine museum and tour at Pleasant Valley Wine Company, Montour Falls, Watkins Glen, Curtis Museum, the new and improved Penn Yan Main Street strip, Garret’s Chapel and the wine trails for walking with my dog and family. Plus, the region has the best boating, swimming and fishing around. There is so much more!
