Around The Cracker Barrel - “A Life Well Lived: Monte & Virginia’s Journey to La Posada” (Aired 09/26/2025)

In this week’s Around the Cracker Barrel, host Guy Atchley welcomes Claudia Mirescu, Vice President of Marketing for La Posada Communities, along with special guests and longtime residents Monte and Virginia Crook. The couple shares their remarkable life journey, beginning with Monte’s Air Force career as a fighter pilot and their eventual decision to move from Florida to Green Valley. They recount how they discovered La Posada—starting with a free lunch promotion—and how it quickly became the perfect community for their retirement.Monte and Virginia reflect on the vibrant lifestyle La Posada offers, from early morning swims and aerobics to current passions like Pilates, Tai Chi, bridge, Spanish lessons, and volunteer opportunities. They emphasize the friendships built within the community and the joy of discovering the diverse backgrounds of their neighbors. Virginia highlights a personal story about how La Posada’s attentive health and safety protocols helped save her life when she suffered a stroke, underscoring the importance of keeping health records updated.The Crooks also discuss their love for their Park Center home, their gardening projects, and the comfort of knowing that La Posada is always modernizing and improving its campus. Their advice for future residents is clear: don’t wait too long to make the move. By choosing La Posada earlier, they were able to fully enjoy the classes, activities, and social connections that make the community thrive.This heartwarming conversation showcases not only the Crooks’ 67 years together but also the unique, supportive environment that La Posada at Green Valley provides—where neighbors become lifelong friends and retirement is truly about living well.