1. March 2014
THE{FULL}LIFE
TOUCHMARK ON WEST PROSPECT
Singer found an accompanist for life
Miles Carlson was
looking for a piano
player to accompany
him during his singing
rehearsals while
attending the University
of North Dakota. He
found one—and a wife,
too.
Miles was majoring in
industrial education
and minoring in music.
He was a singer, and he
needed an accompanist.
One day at the Lutheran Student Association
House, a popular gathering place on campus, he
asked if anyone could play the piano. “I raised
my hand and said I could do it,” says Marlys.
“Thinking back, I don’t know why I put up my
hand, but I did.”
Marlys, who was studying nursing, began
playing the piano as a child. She soon started
accompanying Miles during his rehearsals. “It’s
not like it is nowadays. We often went out with
groups, and I guess we just gravitated towards
each other,” she says.
Their relationship grew, and then Miles went
off to fight in the Korean War. “We wrote each
other lots and lots of letters,” Miles says. When he
returned from Korea, they made plans to marry
in September 1953.
“We just marked our 60th anniversary,” says
Miles, who continued singing at churches where
the couple belonged through the years.
“I kept accompanying him until we got into some
churches where they had organs, which I didn’t
play. I really don’t play the piano anymore, but
he’s still singing,” says Marlys, adding she now
joins him singing in the chorus at Touchmark.
The couple lived near Joliet, Ill., for about 40
years before making the decision to move to
Touchmark to be closer to their daughter, who
lives in Neenah. Another daughter lives in West
Virginia. “We love it here and all the activities,”
Marlys says. “We’re definitely keeping busy.”
Especially on Valentine’s Day, both enjoy
thinking back to those days at the University of
North Dakota. “I’m just glad I raised my hand
when he said he was looking for an accompanist.”

2. Infuse your lifestyle with fun and
friendships
The lifestyle at Touchmark makes it easy to connect with
friends and take part in activities. You’re able to enjoy
the comfort and privacy of your home—and participate
in what we call the {FULL} Life. Looking to infuse your
lifestyle with fun, food, and friendship? We invite you to
visit in person or online, including our Facebook page.
(Above)
Featured: Monroe at 2574 Touchmark Court
Offering: 1,810 square feet, three bedrooms, and two
bathrooms
(Also available)
Featured: Apartment 232
Offering: 975 square feet, one bedroom, and one bathroom
Staying fit—and
relaxed—with tai chi
and chair yoga
Tai Chi: March 14 and 28
at 1:30 pm
Enjoy a relaxing and energizing class
with instructor Meighan Stellmacher.
Tai chi is a Chinese system of slow
meditative physical exercise designed
for relaxation, balance, and health.
It can help relieve physical effects of
stress, promote deep breathing, reduce
bone loss in menopausal women,
improve lower-body and leg strength,
help with arthritis pain, and reduce
blood pressure. Since tai chi requires
mind and body integration through
mental imagery, it enhances mental
capacity and concentration while
improving balance and stability by
strengthening ankles and knees.
Chair Yoga: Every Saturday in
March at 9:30 am
Are you interested in alleviating
stress, increasing mobility, loosening
stiff joints, improving posture,
strengthening muscles, stimulating
circulation, and improving balance?
Then don’t miss Chair Yoga with Holly
Tuyls.
Sharing inspiration
Recently, during a tea-tasting event, residents answered this question:
“What drives (motivates) you every day?” Here are some of their responses:
-“Our [Touchmark’s] exercise classes.”
-“My talk with God.”
-“Seeing which parts still work—and using them!”
-“Having a positive attitude.”
-“The free will of retirement.”
-“Playing bridge and staying active.”
-“The Touchmark community!”

3. CAPTURING DELIGHT{FULL} MOMENTS
Mary Kesler (left) and Joan
Schnettler toast each other
after sampling wine during
a recent Wine and Cheese
Pairing event.
Construction update
Whether it’s snowing or clear, construction continues on our expansion. The one-story addition will offer
support for people living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia illnesses and those needing enhanced
assisted living care. Extensive updates and renovations are also being done throughout the rest of the
community.

4. EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Contact a Full Life team member for additional details,
including registration, transportation information, and
participation requirements.
Tuesday, March 4, 1:30 pm
Touchmark Speaker Series. Classy Ladies Who
Made Things Happen: Eleanor Roosevelt. Bill
Mattes from the University of Wisconsin Learning
in Retirement program will share insights about
the life of Eleanor Roosevelt.
Tuesday, March 11, 3 pm
Touchmark Speaker Series. The Life of Harry
Houdini. You don’t want to miss this magical
presentation. Guest speaker Tom Boldt, a Houdini
devotee, will talk about the famous escape artist
who called Appleton his hometown.
Friday, March 14, 3:30 pm
Celebrate Fat Tuesday with New Orleans flair! Join
us for a Mardi Gras Carnival Happy Hour.
Monday, March 17, 3:30 pm
St. Patrick’s Day Happy Hour. In honor of St.
Patrick’s Day, we’re celebrating Irish style! Join
us for drinks and appetizers. Wearing something
green is optional but encouraged.
Thursday, March 20, 2 to 4 pm
Fox Pointe Homes Open House. Extend your St.
Patrick’s celebration and come tour just-completed
single-family homes. Executive Chef Chip Kerscher
will be serving Irish-themed refreshments.
Thursday, March 20, 2 pm
Parkinson’s Disease Support Group. Open to the
public.
Tuesday, March 25, 11 am
Lunch ‘n Learn. Change is Inevitable: How to
Be Proactive in the Aging Process. Join us for
the next presentation in this popular series as
Executive Director Barbara Pandolfo shares a
useful tool to help you identify your key values and
control the changes in your life. Lunch provided.
There is no charge to attend, but an RSVP is
required as seating is limited. Please call 920-2251013 to sign up today.
Thursday, March 27, 3 pm
Musical performance by the popular, local Y-Nots.
See the full calendar of events online:
TouchmarkAppleton.com/pdf/communityevent-calendar.pdf
Connecting the Generations
What’s the best thing about being a grandparent? Or what is
your best memory of/with a grandparent/grandchild?
Marge Coalman, EdD
Vice President of
Wellness & Programs
Not all of us are grandparents or great-grandparents-but all
of us are grandchildren. At some time in our lives, we were
able to experience the opportunity to know-or know of-our
family history. ...Touchmark’s intergenerational program
provides opportunities to connect with children of all ages
through activities and celebrations, both at Touchmark and
in other settings within the community. ...
Read more online at Touchmark.com/wellness-forum.
TOUCHMARK ON WEST PROSPECT
Full-service Retirement Community
2601 Touchmark Drive • Appleton, WI 54914
920-832-9100 • Touchmark.com
149277 © 2014 Touchmark Living Centers, Inc., all rights reserved