PENNEY FARMS - As Penney Retirement Community celebrates its centennial year, Dick and Margaret Dodds are reminiscing about all the things that make the place they call home so special.

Dick and Margaret moved to Penney back in 2003. However, their journey with Penney started much earlier as both Dick’s and Margaret’s parents were Penney residents. Dick’s parents joined the community from New York in 1959, and Margaret’s parents moved to Penney from Washington DC in 1972. Getting acquainted with the community, Dick said they hosted a rummage sale twice a year in an empty field on campus, and later an old schoolhouse.

Dick and Margaret knew the place well. Visiting often, they packed sleeping bags and lots of excitement whenever it was time to visit. When deciding on where they would live after retirement, it was a no-brainer.

“We never thought of ever going anywhere else except here,” Margaret said.

At Penney, residents are encouraged to live a life of purpose and stay physically active. Its volunteer policy is key.

“The way we define a volunteer is not all social groups or you know, but it's when your neighbor calls and needs to get some medicine picked up at Walgreens, you can go down and get it for them. That kind of thing. And it's fun," Dick said.

Because of this, residents are never isolated or alone, the Dodds said.

“Science studies shows that isolation and loneliness increase the aging challenges, you know, and so that's something that we need to hold on to and brag about," Dick said.

They love the fact that Penney is not only its own haven but intricately woven into the web of the historic town. The community was founded in 1926 by James Cash Penney, and the Town of Penney Farms was established in 1927, eventually become the epitome of a village-like atmosphere.

The Dodds said it’s become easy to be a part of that village.

Dick was the former town mayor, while Margaret was selected as moderator of Penney Memorial Church, following a time when women were visibly increased in leadership roles. The two continue to attend monthly town council meetings.

“We’ve seen so many of our contemporaries who are living in places that are only for retired people, you know, they might be in a high rise building in their apartments, but they're not part of the community around it.”

Since moving to Penney, the Dodds said they've witnessed expansion and growth from a quaint community of more than 500 residents.

They relish the advancements that have transformed the word-of-mouth fervor they once knew. But with the old-time charm still present, they couldn't imagine being anywhere else.

"That's been a blessing," Margaret said.