Resident Spotlight: Bobbi Laratta

   Resident Bobbi Laratta has visited more historical homes, Major League Baseball parks (28 of 30), and homes of United States Presidents (20) than most people can name. She has a passion for community involvement and a love for travel and history. To put it mildly — she loves adventure.

   After living in Chicago, Indianapolis, and Silicon Valley, among other cities, Bobbi planted roots in Western North Carolina 13 years ago. When she first visited Ardenwoods, she immediately thought, “This is the community I want to live in when it’s time.”

   Bobbi is no stranger to the concept of community. Since 2012, she has been a student and volunteer at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UNC Asheville, serving on the Member Engagement, Civic Engagement, College for Seniors, Facilities, and Asheville Newcomers committees. Additionally, she has volunteered at Creative Retirement Exploration weekends and several Paths for Creative Retirement workshops. Bobbi also documents and tracks all tuition credits earned by College for Seniors instructors and even speaks on panels. This spring, she spoke to a Continuing Care Retirement Community class.

   “I like everything that OLLI offers, the educational aspect, and the social aspect. And OLLI is so open to everyone,” she said.

   Bobbi’s love for serving others runs deep. She also volunteers at Claxton Elementary School in Asheville, helping in the library since 2012. 

   “What a wonderful time it is,” she said. “I go once a week. Everyone is so pleasant.”

   Bobbi equates much of the joy in her life to the 47 years she spent as an executive assistant in various industries, the last working for venture capitalist firms in Silicon Valley, California. 

   “If someone had asked me when I was 18 years old about my dream job, the last job of my career would have been it,” said Bobbi. 

   Fascinated with her career field and longing for more involvement, Bobbi joined the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) in California. Later, she was elected president by her peers. 

   “This was a major part of my career that I never wanted to give up on. I once welcomed 2,000 members at the international convention in Los Angeles – I spoke to the whole crowd!” said Bobbi.

   These professional roles taught Bobbi many life lessons, such as time and money management, and brought her deep friendships. She stays in touch with many of her lifelong  IAAP friends and often travels with them.

   Bobbi loves the open road, sometimes taking friends with her on her adventures and other times venturing solo. From Virginia to Florida, Bobbi has enjoyed visiting several states already this year.

   “Moving to North Carolina made me realize how close I am to such beautiful places,” she said.

   She delights in finding unique landmarks and museums to explore in her travels. Recent favorites include the National Prisoner of War Museum, Charlotte Motor Speedway, where she drove on the track to view Christmas lights, the Ava Gardner Museum, and the movie set from A Time to Kill in Mississippi. 

   “Museums are so special to me. I spent three weeks in Washington D.C. visiting all the museums and have made it a point to visit many museums in the Southeast,” she said.

Bobbi has one son who has retired from the Air Force. She also enjoys traveling to see him and his family in San Antonio each Thanksgiving.  

   “With a master’s degree in astronomical engineering, my son is literally a rocket scientist,” she said. “I am beyond proud of him.”

When she is not serving her community or planning her next quest, Bobbi enjoys listening to music, exercising, crafting, knitting, reading, and attending theater performances at the local theatres.

   Bobbi has truly enjoyed her life. “I did everything I wanted to in my younger years, saved my money, explored my career, and embraced my friends,” she said. “When I retired, I knew what I wanted to do, and I am doing just that. I just love my life.”

   Cheers to Bobbi and her adventures; your Ardenwoods family wishes you many more!