The Gretna Effect
by Linda Brain Beck
[Originally published in the Fall 2026 issue of Mount Gretna Magazine. View the complete issue to experience this story in its original design, along with additional photographs and content.]
It’s a word often used to describe Mount Gretna.
One quality making it magical is the active aging that occurs here, says Mount Gretna Heights resident Michelle Shay.
“There’s a fountain-of-youth effect here. We walk. We get our mail. We have community events. Whether you like it or not, your neighbor knows who you are. And if you don’t come out for a couple of days, they might knock on your door,” she says. “I know so many people who have lived well into their 90s, even triple digits.”
Michelle likens the effect to “Blue Zone” communities — areas where people supposedly live longer-than-average lives. The name comes from the blue ink researchers used to mark these regions on a map.
As part of this effort, researchers identified several lifestyle traits shared among these communities:
Natural physical activity
A sense of purpose
Stress relief
Healthy eating (along with some wine!)
A sense of belonging
Deep intergenerational family connections
Strong social circles
More recently, the Blue Zone work has come under scrutiny. Some say the researchers used flawed data or faulty research methods to establish their claims of longevity. Additionally, one of the three creators trademarked the “Blue Zone” name, leading to criticism that the work had moved from science to pop culture.
Despite these objections, the traits identified through the research are widely recognized as contributors to wellness and longevity.
How does Gretna fit into this picture?
Longevity in the activity
Mount Gretna certainly has several factors that make it ideal for living longer, says Martha Peaslee Levine, M.D., professor of psychiatry and behavioral health at Penn State College of Medicine.
“There’s much more interaction than I’ve experienced anywhere. It’s the community — sharing a glass of wine on the deck or meeting new people when you go to events. Community is really the main thing,” says Martha, a Chautauqua resident.
“We can’t always pick family, but we can pick our neighbors and friends. I can attest to this being a community of caring,” she continues. That sense of community helps combat loneliness and protect mental health.
Gretna’s programs and events also help community members stay mentally sharp. “Anytime you’re learning something new, that’s keeping you engaged,” Martha says.
Gretna also gives those who live here a strong sense of purpose.
“In all of Gretna, there is a sense of something bigger than just each person,” Martha continues. “Many people who live in Gretna are retired, but they had a full life of purpose before they moved here. It is hard to give that sense of purpose up. So, they find new purposes and pursue other interests.”
Gretna is also set up for a lot of walking, which can help elevate mood and decrease depression, she adds.
“The whole vibe, the whole sense of Mount Gretna encourages walking,” Martha says. “Even people who don’t live here come to walk. There are unique pieces of art you discover or unusual cottages. There’s a lot of adventure that invites you to get out there.”
Walking into belonging
Jack and Ann Marie Stasko, who live about six miles from Gretna, travel here almost daily for a two- to three-mile walk.
Jack was born at his home in the Heights and, other than a stint in the U.S. Navy, has lived locally ever since. Together, Ann Marie, a Pottsville native, and Jack have lived in a home off Cider Press Road for 54 years. They used to walk closer to home until traffic made it too risky. Then, they moved to the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail. Around the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, the couple started walking their current route from Soldiers Field up the Campmeeting hills and back again.
Although they weren’t sure what kind of welcome to expect, they have felt the warmth of the community and have gotten to know multiple residents and their dogs.
“Here you have fresh air. We like to see the people we got to know,” Jack says.
Naturally, their walk time often doubles due to their friendly chats.
A two-time breast cancer survivor, Ann Marie says she started walking to help with her recovery and then decided she could keep going.
“We feel better after walking,” she says. “We always feel like we accomplished something for the day.”
Former Chautauqua resident and author Bill Gifford agrees that cycling, hiking, and other opportunities for physical activity play a role in keeping the community healthy. In 2015, Bill wrote the book Spring Chicken: Stay Young Forever (Or Die Trying) that explores the science of human aging and includes references to several Gretna residents.
“If you’re not active, that’s a choice,” Bill says. “The other thing it [Gretna] has in its favor is that it’s hilly.”
In addition to the sense of community and cultural engagement, Bill says Gretna benefits from a relatively high level of education. “High levels of education are strongly correlated with healthy longevity,” he says.
What to know about Gretna living
While Gretna has its magic, it also has challenges for residents as they age, says part-time Campmeeting resident Andy Berfond. He and his wife, Ellen, live most of the year in Lancaster. There, they are active with the Lancaster Downtowners, one of 300 local chapters of a national organization, the Village to Village Network.
Despite their name, Andy says the Downtowners aren’t focused strictly on city living. It’s more of a movement that helps people live in their homes as long as possible, he explains.
“Do we have that community spirit (in Gretna)? Yes, we do, but the year-round population is limited,” Andy says. “Especially in the off-season, people are totally isolated unless you have neighbors who will look in on you to assist you to have what you need.”
To age in Gretna, a person usually must be mobile enough to get up and down stairs. Although plenty of opportunities exist to get out, there are no doctors, dentists, or supermarkets within walking distance, Andy explains.
From his perspective, as long as people remain healthy and mobile, they can continue to enjoy the culture, spirituality, and common interests found in Gretna that make it a community of note.
In all, Martha concludes that not many places have what Gretna has — culture, art, music, and engaging people in a natural setting that further connects the community.
“It all intertwines to an extent,” she says. “Each special thing seems to be here that amplifies the other.”
While Gretna may not be perfect or qualify for a Blue Zone designation, most would still agree it’s a magical place where the sense of community, purpose, and engagement will outlive us all.
Linda Brain Beck’s diverse career spans corporate and academic realms. She teaches communication courses for HACC, Lebanon Valley College’s MBA program, and Dale Carnegie. A seasoned speaker, she delivers keynotes and has given a TEDx presentation. With her husband, Ed, she co-manages a communications and leadership training company.
