Top 5 Events of 2023
As 2023 ends, it is the perfect time to look back and remember all the fabulous and fun events at Evergreen Woods. Our team pushed the boundaries to create unique experiences for our Members. The dedicated Social and Wellness Directors created detailed, packed calendars that provided our Members with plenty of adventures! From sensational Signature Experiences to hoppin’ happy hours to exciting excursions and so much more, this year was one for the record books, making it difficult to narrow down our top events.
Get ready to count down our top five events for this year:
5. Maritime Day – Signature Experience
Our Evergreen Wood Members started Maritime Day with a narrated cruise on the Sea Mist through the historical Stony Creek Thimble Islands! This beautiful area is only a short 10-minute drive from our campus. These islands were once home to legendary figures like P.T. Barnum from Barnum & Bailey Circus and President Taft, who dubbed one of the homes his “Summer White House.” The heat kept us inside for our wellness event, but we still had a great time! Our Members brought the heat in their own way for a Porthole Cornhole tournament and mudslides for our spectators. Rosemary M. took home the win against Maureen! Next, we enjoyed a historical lecture on Maritime Knitting in New England by Historian Rebecca Bayreuther Donohue from Mystic Seaport Museum. Her presentation covered the types of knitting done during the whaling era. She even brought in knitting materials to pass around for an interactive experience. To end our maritime adventure, Members dined at our Land and Sea Dining Experience, which features a unique classic surf and turf and nautical décor that transformed the Dining Room.
4. Magic is Found Everywhere – Signature Experience
Why be normal when you can be magical? Members began the Fairytale Signature Experience Day with Alice in Wonderland! Members walked out onto the green to find a game of croquet set up with donuts, petit fours, and iced tea for guests. The playing card wickets sent Members down the “rabbit hole” as the course had a circle pattern. Later in the day, we had a few extraordinary guests at Castle Evergreen Woods. These beautiful horses showed up to take the Evergreen Woods Kings and Queens on the horse-drawn carriage rides around Ring Road they deserved. Feeling like they were floating with the power of pixie dust, they joined our Wellness Director, Maureen, at Elizabeth Park Gardens! To end our Fairytale Signature Experience Day, we held an exclusive Enchanted Chef’s Table, which featured a 5-course meal of dishes inspired by fairytales. Here is a look at the menu: 1st Course – The Watermelon Prince Consommé 2nd Course – Jack & the Beanstalk Salad 3rd Course – The Little Lamb Lollipops 4th Course – The Fisherman and his Wife’s Chilean Seabass 5th course – Lemon Fairy Raspberry Cheesecake.
3. Dixieland Signature Experience
Grab your boots, and let’s boogie! Evergreen Woods had a blast during their Dixieland Signature Experience. To kick it off, we made customized cowboy hats! Everyone came to make their one-of-a-kind hats to wear to the BBQ later in the week. On Tuesday, The Dining Services team hosted a fun bourbon tasting! There were even some brave first-time bourbon drinkers who gave it a go! Wednesday brought a unique experience with Elm City Pedal Bike! Attendees took a private Peddle Bike ride in New Haven! Everyone peddled to the famous Wooster Street to pick up Sally’s Apizza, then took a tour through Yale’s Campus, ending at Milkcraft for Ice Cream! Upon returning to Evergreen Woods, Members had a BBQ in the Courtyard featuring whiskey barrel yard games and a 10-piece Dixieland Band, The Central City Stompers!
2. Explorer Hikes
At Evergreen Woods, there is a group called the Evergreen Explorers. This is an organized group of Members who take on the beautiful terrain surrounding Evergreen Woods. One of the favorite locations is the Chatfield Hollow State Park in Killingworth.
1. Pickleball Teams
The Evergreen Woods community is full of avid pickleball players! Each week, there is a large group that plays a few matches. Betsy and Bill are part of the fantastic Pickleball team.
And just like that, this year is ending, and we are ready to start another fantastic year full of fabulous events. We can’t wait to see what this year holds and how it will surpass this year’s events!
