When Terry Rosenmeier and Karen Kluge moved into Piper Shores this past March, they brought decades of adventure with them.
Over the years, the couple has traveled the world in search of birds, from the rainforests of Panama to the remote sub-Antarctic islands between New Zealand and Antarctica. In fact, their shared passion for birding is what first brought them together 34 years ago, after meeting on a birding trip in Texas.
But their latest adventure wasn’t halfway around the world. It was a move across the country.
After retiring and spending more than a decade in Arizona, Terry and Karen found themselves ready to return to New England. They wanted a place where they could enjoy an active lifestyle, build meaningful connections, and feel confident about the future.
Their search led them to Piper Shores.
“We looked at the greenery and the ocean and said, ‘Wouldn’t that be wonderful?'” Karen recalled.
What began as a visit quickly felt like home.
During their tour, they happened to discover a resident-led bird walk taking place on campus. As lifelong birders, they immediately felt a connection.
“We fit right into that group,” Karen said. “We thought, this seems like a good fit for us.”
Just a few months later, they’re not only settled in—they’ve become some of Piper Shores’ most enthusiastic participants.
Saying “Yes” to a Busy New Chapter
Although they’ve only been residents for a short time, Terry and Karen have embraced nearly every opportunity that has come their way.
Following advice they received before moving in, they made a commitment to say “yes” to just about everything for the first year.
That approach has filled their calendars with activities, friendships, and experiences they never expected.
Karen sings with the Piper Harmonizers, participates in a French reading group, and joins the Friends of the Bard Shakespeare gatherings. Terry attends mindfulness sessions, recently discovered a love for water volleyball, and has started exploring pottery through the clay studio.
Together, they’ve joined the bocce league, attended concerts and theater performances, visited museums, explored local attractions through Piper Shores outings, and participated in countless educational programs and community events.
“We’ve been surprised by how many things there are going on here,” Karen said.
Sometimes, she joked, they even find themselves grateful for a quiet weekend.
Finding Their New Home
For Terry, who describes himself as more introverted, one of the biggest adjustments was simply meeting so many people.
“The moment you step outside your apartment, you’re running into people,” he said. “Everybody is so friendly.”
That welcoming atmosphere was reinforced through Piper Shores’ Buddy Program, which paired them with a resident who helped introduce them to community life, answer questions, and connect them with other residents.
The experience made such an impression that Terry and Karen now regularly invite others to join them for dinner, creating opportunities to meet even more neighbors and deepen new friendships.
What they’ve discovered is that life at Piper Shores offers both connection and flexibility. Residents can fill their days with activities, events, and social gatherings—or enjoy a quiet afternoon with a good book. The choice is entirely their own.
“You can be as involved as you want to be,” Karen said.
Looking Ahead
When asked what they’re most excited about as they continue their Piper Shores journey, neither Terry nor Karen pointed to a specific activity. Instead, they talked about the people.
While they’ve already met countless residents, they’re looking forward to building deeper friendships and continuing to discover new opportunities throughout the community.
For Terry, that might mean spending more time in the clay studio or exploring the woodshop once renovations are complete. For Karen, it’s continuing to strengthen the connections they’ve already begun to form.
Their advice for prospective residents is simple: don’t wait.
“Come sooner rather than later,” Terry said. “Come while you’re still active and able to take advantage of everything.”
Because while planning for the future is an important part of life at Piper Shores, Terry and Karen have discovered that the real joy is in everything happening right now.
And for two lifelong birders, that includes spotting 110 different bird species on the Piper Shores campus in just three months.
Not a bad way to start a new chapter.