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We all may have finished with school long ago, but there’s something about coming off of Labor Day that kicks off that old back-to-school feeling. With any luck, we’re all rested and recharged after the summer, and we have a few months here in the fall before the busy holiday season arrives.At Brandermill Woods, our mantra is “Redefine Retirement.” One thing that means to us is that you never stop learning, growing and improving yourself to make the most out of life in every season. We work hard...

September is “Classical Music Month,” a time to celebrate artistic excellence in music. The time correlates to the start of a new school year (with its accompanying recitals and concerts) and a new season at the symphony.Here at Brandermill Woods, we love Classical Music Month both because of the power of the music and because of the health benefits listening to classical music provides—particularly to seniors. Health benefits include:Physical Wellbeing.

To those in the know, gardening is one of life’s true pleasures: a chance to commune with the natural world, work steadily and in tune with the seasons, and see the fruits of your labor slowly emerge. Perhaps nothing is more satisfying than the first bite of a tomato you grew yourself, or being able to toss a little basil into a pasta.But what if you don’t have a green thumb? What if that herb garden always seems to wilt, or the flowerbeds never bloom?

The first wave of summer may have peaked with several 100+ degree days in July, but here in Central Virginia, we usually see a second wave of heat that lingers long past Labor Day. While we enjoy having four seasons, the last gasp of summer heat can grow tedious—and it poses a special danger to seniors who might over-exert themselves and overheat. Until the mild days of autumn arrive, here are five tips to help you stay safe:1.

It’s been nearly 30 years since DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince rapped about how parents just don’t understand, and most of us no doubt go through a teen angst phase where we strove to build our identities and discover the freedom of adulthood.But at some point, we inevitably discovered our parents’ point of view, which makes National Parents Day—the fourth Sunday in July—such an important holiday. Unlike Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, which gives us t...

Summer is in full swing, which means it’s time to take advantage of the warm weather and long days by cooking up a few nice meals to share with family and friends. At Brandermill Woods, we’re all about lifestyle, and nothing says summer lifestyle like breaking out the grill in the summer.Because grilling is a healthy and tasty way to enjoy your favorite foods, it pays to do a little research. You can grill so much more than meat, from fish and breads to fruits and veggies—even ...