29 Aug At Park Springs, Mame and Charlie Hooper Bring and Find Joy
When Mame and Charlie Hooper moved to Park Springs on July 26, 2006, they were the first to move into the 6000 building, where they live in a beautifully appointed 1,800 sq. ft. villa overlooking the tree tops on the 54-acre campus.
For Mr. Hooper, the fact that Park Springs was a designated continuing care retirement community (CCRC) was one of the top reasons to select Park Springs, if for no other reason that “…we would not have to worry about access to medical care should we need it in the hopefully far-away future – and that made both of us and our sons pleased as we look down the road.”
For Mr. and Mrs. Hooper, who married on August 4, 2001, their move to Park Springs was a significant moment in their relatively new marriage – the start to a brand-new chapter in their lives.
“It was not an easy decision for me to leave my East Cobb neighborhood,” says Mame. “In the old Paper Mill subdivision I was known as the Pied Piper who planned the best parties and events. But over the years, the makeup of our neighborhood had changed, and after Charlie and I married, moving together and selecting Park Springs was the wisest decision we could have ever made.”
Jump Right In
From the start, Mr. and Mrs. Hooper have been actively engaged with the Members and management team at Park Springs. Their joint contributions and involvement with the community include, but are not limited to, organizing quarterly Patio Parties since 2008; the 2009 Save The Veranda campaign; performing in three of Marvin Himmel’s annual musical productions and ten of Barbara Rives’ plays; and starting the ‘Trashy Pickups’ to keep the area around Park Springs litter-free.
During the same time, Mame represented Park Springs’ Phase Two residents for two years and also served two years as Chair of the Employee Appreciation Committee, a task assumed by her husband after she stepped down. Under their leadership, the committee raised almost $900,000 in three years, benefiting Park Springs’ outstanding employees.
For almost ten years, Charlie has edited Park Springs’ monthly newsletter.
“It did not take the management team at Park Springs very long to realize that the people who move here have so much to contribute. Our Members are a great resource. Our community includes professors, top executives of global companies, career military, doctors, lawyers, and pastors – and many of us are eager to share our skills and our smarts to make this the best retirement community to live in,” says Mame. “Members are actively encouraged to be involved and step up to duty and responsibility. I truly believe that together, we have made Park Springs a special community.”
Happy Spirit
Mame, a natural problem solver and leader par excellence, is an inspiration to many. In addition to her Park Springs activities, she has been Queen Mame of the Red Hat Society’s “Stone Mountain Mamas” for ten years.
Seasoned travelers, the vivacious couple has a real love for river cruising throughout the U.S. on American Cruise Line. They were even featured in an April 2016 article about traveling on America’s majestic rivers in the Los Angeles Times: http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-tr-cruise-column-20160424-story.html
“We are taking full advantage of the ‘lock and leave’ lifestyle at Park Springs, and together, we have been able to see some of the most beautiful parts of our magnificent country.”
“I don’t do negativity,” says Mame. “To live a happy life, you need to foster a happy spirit. Don’t bring old baggage – instead, bring joy to the people around you. Life is so much more exciting if you allow it to be joyful,” Mame continues, who notes that her deep faith got her through many difficult times.
“Charlie and I are so blessed that we have one another. We make each other laugh and we are fortunate with our combination family, including twelve outstanding grandchildren.”
“In addition,” adds Charlie, “we are so blessed that we found this beautiful new campus at Park Springs. Life is near perfect.”
To learn more about living at Park Springs by Isakson Living, or to schedule a personal tour of Park Springs, please contact one of Park Springs’ Residency Counselors at 678-684-3300 or visit www.parksprings.com.