When Zelda Sheldon moved to Boerne nearly two decades ago, she thought she might be “too young for an old folks’ place.” Today, at ninety-five, she’s proof that staying active isn’t about age; it’s about attitude.

Each morning, Zelda begins her day with a smile, a stretch, and a workout.

“Keep moving,” she says. “I walk two miles a day and spend an hour in the fitness center. You don’t stop, you just adjust.”

Her days are filled with laughter, exercise, and friendships; the perfect mix for a vibrant Hill Country life.

When Zelda first arrived in Boerne, she began volunteering with Meals on Wheels, delivering hot meals and warm smiles to neighbors in need.

“It’s a lifesaver for both those delivering and those receiving,” she says.

That experience introduced her to The Center at Kronkosky Place, a welcoming hub where active adults gather for fitness, meals, classes, and companionship. Zelda soon became both a member and an ambassador, greeting newcomers and helping them feel at home.

“I love showing new people around, teasing, laughing, and visiting,” she says. “That’s how you stay young — by finding joy in others.”

For Zelda, The Center is more than a gathering spot; it is a second home. Whether she is calling bingo, greeting visitors, or working out in the fitness room, she is surrounded by friends who have become family.

“We check on each other,” she says. “If someone doesn’t show up, we call to see why. We look out for one another.”

From exercise classes and support groups to Meals on Wheels, a medical loan closet, and a volunteer-run thrift shop, The Center connects people through service, friendship, and shared purpose — something Zelda believes is essential to aging well.

Zelda has lived in cities across the country, from Denver to Waco, but she says nothing compares to the warmth and kindness she has found in the Hill Country.

“The people in Boerne are far more receptive and sharing than anywhere I’ve been,” she smiles. “That’s why I stayed. This is home.”

When she isn’t at The Center, Zelda enjoys exploring her favorite local spots that capture Boerne’s natural beauty and small-town charm. She loves peaceful mornings at Boerne Lake and walks along the Cibolo Trail, where she often pauses to enjoy the shade of the oak trees and the sound of birds along the creek.

She visits the Boerne Farmers Market on Main Street, chatting with vendors and neighbors while picking up fresh produce and a few “knickknacks.”

When it is time for a bite to eat, Zelda has her local favorites.

“I love Cane’s Chicken when I’m on the go,” she says with a laugh. “But for sitting down with friends, El Chaparral is my favorite. The food and service are always good.”

She also enjoys 259 Bistro on Main Street and M & M Donuts, where she recommends the apple fritters: “They’re the best in town.”

When asked her secret to staying active and positive, Zelda doesn’t hesitate.

“Keep moving and keep laughing,” she says. “Don’t take yourself too seriously. Enjoy each day as though it were your last, because one day you’ll be right.”

Her story reminds us that aging well in the Hill Country isn’t about slowing down; it’s about leaning into life — movement, laughter, friendship, and community.

Here in the Hill Country, we are surrounded by neighbors like Zelda who show us what it means to live with joy, gratitude, and purpose.

If you are new to the area, take a note from her book: get out, get involved, and experience all that our community has to offer, from friendly faces at The Center to quiet walks along River Road.

Vibrant living is not about where you are in life; it is about how you live it — right here in the place we all call home.

Zelda’s Local Favorites

Outdoor Spots: Boerne Lake, Cibolo Trail, River Road Park
Local Market: Boerne Farmers Market on Main Street
Restaurants: El Chaparral, 259 Bistro, Cane’s Chicken, Hungry Horse
Treat Stop: M & M Donuts (try the apple fritter)
Shopping: H-E-B — “It has everything I need.”