At John Knox Village of Central Florida, every resident has a story to tell—and during a recent community event, some of those stories—quite literally—took the spotlight. On October 30, residents gathered in the Village Auditorium for a first-of-its-kind Resident Author Meet & Greet, celebrating many of the writers who call our vibrant Orange City senior living community home.
The event invited residents to explore a showcase of books written by their own neighbors and hear the inspiration behind them—proving that creativity and lifelong learning flourish at every age.
Resident authors take center stage.
The event, organized by resident Kathy Olson, brought together 16 authors who’ve published works spanning many genres, including photography, history, romance, and children’s books. Each author had a display table featuring their works, offering fellow residents a chance to browse, ask questions, and connect one-on-one with the creative minds behind the pages. There was even a table that provided information on how to get books published for those who were inspired by the event.
“I walked into the room after the event had begun, and stood in awe over the number of other residents visiting with our resident authors, Mary C. shares. “It’s impressive to know we have so much talent at John Knox Village.”
Residents enjoyed light snacks while mingling, sharing stories, and discovering new books to add to their personal reading lists.
“We wanted an informal, open-house-style event,” Kathy says. “Something where residents could simply walk through, see the books, chat with the authors about their process, and appreciate how much talent lives right here at John Knox Village. We have people here who have either self-published or professionally published books, and they deserve some recognition for their work.”
A community that celebrates creativity.
For Kathy, who is on the welcoming and library board committees, serves as the community’s book club coordinator, and plays violin and saxophone in the resident band, this event is just one example of how John Knox Village encourages residents to pursue their passions. That spirit of camaraderie, creativity, and lifelong learning is what makes the community such a special place. Whether it’s music, art, writing, or volunteering, residents are empowered to explore their interests and share them with others.
“This community is so supportive,” Kathy says. “It almost feels like a college campus. There’s entertainment, guest speakers, different venues for eating, and tons of activities. When people move in, they bring their own talents—like writing—and want to share them. We even have one woman who’s written screenplays for Hollywood.”
Lifelong learning. Lifelong living.
While the Resident Author Meet & Greet was limited to residents, the message it sends is universal: At John Knox Village, learning and growing never stop. From renovated creative studios to the ever-growing roster of resident-led programs, the community thrives on curiosity and engagement.
The Resident Author Meet & Greet is one of many programs at John Knox Village that highlights the community’s commitment to lifelong learning and creative expression. And for those residents who missed it, they can still visit the community library to find books by our resident authors on a special display shelf.
Beyond the displays and discussion, the event underscored something special about life here: the spirit of curiosity, sharing, and community support that helps residents stay intellectually active and socially connected. Whether they’re leading book clubs, performing in a music group, or taking part in continuing education programs, opportunities to engage the mind are everywhere. The depth of talent and creativity that so many in John Knox Village possess is one of the things that new residents like Joy B. learn quickly. “I recently visited the community library and was looking through all the resident authors on display,” she says. “It’s great to see so many of them here today.”
As Kathy puts it, “Getting older doesn’t mean we stop learning. We don’t come here to sit and wait—we come here to live.” And live they do—one story, one song, one shared moment at a time.
Start your next chapter.
To hear more inspiring stories directly from our residents and staff—and maybe even write some new ones of your own—schedule a visit to our Orange City senior living community by calling 386-775-3840.