“No doubt, moving is stressful. They go hand in hand. Having to move in the middle of January, in the middle of a snowstorm, in the middle of a pandemic—it was my 20th move, and I’d lost all patience!”
A Warm Welcome on a Cold Day
Community Member Vicky Alfiero knows firsthand the stress and frustration that can accompany a move. But upon arriving at Fox Run at Orchard Park, she found a team ready to ease her transition.
“Mary Lou from the Marketing Department had stocked my refrigerator with food, water, and coffee. I had all the help I needed to make the move smooth, not stressful. I can’t say enough about Fox Run—it’s truly wonderful.”
What really gave Fox Run an edge for Vicky was the Community’s welcoming approach to pets.
“At Fox Run, people with pets are welcomed, and I could keep my animals. Knowing my dogs would be embraced here had so much to do with my decision to move—regardless of the winter weather.”
The Fox Run at Orchard Park staff is dedicated to providing exceptional senior living, with a lifetime promise of care for every Community Member. From expansive dining options based on Community Member feedback, to Mary Lou, our Director of Marketing & Sales, their commitment to excellence is evident in everything they do. Vicky praises Mary Lou for being two steps ahead of her at all times.
“I did not have to worry about anything.”
Vicky values the Community’s campus-like atmosphere along with the rotating selection of fresh menu options—especially in the post-COVID-19 era. She sees and appreciates the hard work put in each day to create an exceptional dining experience for Community Members like herself and others.
“It’s wonderful knowing I don’t have to shovel snow or cut grass. I was very apprehensive about my apartment at first, but now I love it. It’s very little to take care of. I should have [made the move] sooner—like three years prior. Most of the people I’ve met have said the same thing.”
Get to Know Vicky
Growing up in Goshorn, New York, Vicky was born into a Spanish-speaking family and didn’t begin speaking English until first grade. As she grew older, she spent weekends working at her parents’ hotel, enjoying time spent in the family business.
In 1959, Vicky graduated from Russell Sage College and moved to Seattle, Washington, to pursue a master’s degree in Spanish literature. After a year of graduate studies, Vicky tied the knot with her jet pilot husband, Sal, and the couple spent three invigorating years stationed in Hawaii. While there, Vicky furthered her education by taking numerous courses at the University of Hawaii.
When they returned to the mainland, they settled in Troy, New York, where Sal completed his aeronautical engineering degree at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Vicky taught 8th grade social studies.
The next chapter brought them to Boston, Massachusetts, where Vicky tutored college students and eventually took a job with the Harvard Business School newspaper, writing weekly articles for the women’s page while Sal completed his studies there.
Later, the couple settled in Janesville, Wisconsin, where they welcomed a son. Vicky immersed herself in the community—teaching beginner Spanish and cooking classes at the YMCA, volunteering at the local hospital, and revamping its cafeteria, a project she remains especially proud of.
Eventually, Vicky and her family settled in Buffalo, New York, Sal launched his own business, Mark IV Industries. When a close friend who taught at “Par Avion” in Buffalo became ill, Vicky stepped in to teach all of her classes. This led to an unexpected opportunity—AM Buffalo invited her to appear on a Thanksgiving cooking segment, which grew into a recurring role as their on-air gourmet chef for several years. Vicky also taught Spanish, English, and French at The Park School of Buffalo for 11 years before retiring.
In retirement, Vicky found new creative outlets—making stained glass mosaics with a friend and selling them at local art shows. She continues to travel (most recently returning from Cancun), bakes and cooks often, and enjoys spending time reading and working on needlepoint projects.
