There is nothing better than enjoying ice cream outside on a beautiful day. Wait, there is; Having ice cream in the beautiful clubhouse overlooking the pool at your apartment building, where you can meet and reconnect with neighbors, is an even better way to enjoy a summer night.
At The Lakes of Valparaiso, an apartment community located at 1715 Lake Michigan Drive off of U.S. 49, residents were invited to come together for an ice cream social Thursday evening.
For the event, families living at the facility streamed in to enjoy scoops of the quickly melting ice cream. Each bowl of vanilla or Neapolitan ice cream was covered in different assortments of sprinkles, candies, syrups, and of course, whipped cream.
“I like it,” 8-year-old Claire Vogt said. “I finished all of mine!”
This event is just one of the many fun social activities the staff at The Lakes of Valparaiso offer their residents.
“We try to do four a month,” Carrie Rowell, Assistant Manager of the community, said. “We always have things going for the residents where they can join and meet each other.”
The ice cream social was a hit to many, especially the kids who came back for second bowls. When they couldn’t decide what to get, most kids came back with a bowl of ice cream and their crispy, cone sticking out upside down.
Kylin Crane, 12, was one of the first residents to grab a scoop after spending time in the pool. Holding a bowl full of ice cream, hot fudge, and M&M’s, she said she and her dad, Jimmy Crane, attend these events often ever since they moved into the complex about two months ago.
“They had a mimosa night where we popped open sparkling apple juice for the kids,” Jimmy said. “The amenities offered, like the pool, are great.” Another resident named Tee said she too likes the amenities offered at the complex.
“They really show their appreciation with these events,” she said. “It is a way the staff are giving back and a great way to meet your neighbors and socialize.”
Other events in the past have included a pizza night and a Cinco de Mayo party.
“There’s always something fun going on,” Rowell said.
Mafe Nieves, 11, said her favorite event so far was the puppy event.
“Dogs were out in costumes,” she said. “It was a party for the dogs!”
Nieves and her family have lived at The Lakes of Valparaiso for about a year and she enjoyed having ice cream with her sister and Vogt, who was in town visiting from Iowa.
In the near future some of the events include a live program from a resident who is a member of the Moraine Ridge Rehabilitation Center. This event will be on June 21 from 7 to 8 p.m. and is open to both guests and the public and everyone in the audience can pet and learn about different animals. Another event is a movie and popcorn night at the clubhouse on Friday, June 23. Then, on July 11, the staff will hold a breakfast on the go, where residents can pull up to the clubhouse and get breakfast and coffee served to them in their car. Events like the ice cream social and breakfast are just given for the residents, but when they are open to the public, it will be publicized on Facebook.
Families walked into the clubhouse looking for a sweet treat for after dinner, but by the end of the night, it had brought neighbors and friends together to enjoy the setting sun and summer weather.
For more information on The Lakes of Valparaiso, like prices and floor plans, click here and check out their Facebook page!
