Growing Purpose at Cornwall Manor: Volunteer Spotlight on Terry Woodnorth

For Terry Woodnorth, Cornwall Manor represents far more than a future place to live—it reflects a community where service, sustainability and connection come together in meaningful ways. After spending many years in upstate New York, Terry and his wife, Lorene, decided to relocate to Lebanon County to be closer to family, including children and grandchildren who live nearby. At the same time, they were seeking a high-quality continuing care retirement community—an option that was limited in New York. Cornwall Manor stood out immediately.

Terry and Lorene joined the Cornwall Manor waiting list in 2020, drawn by the community’s rural setting, nonprofit mission rooted in Methodism, historic ties to the Cornwall Iron Furnace and access to the Rail Trail. When Cornwall Manor announced its partnership with the Rodale Institute and the launch of Trailside Organic Farm in 2021, their interest was only deepened. Together, these qualities reassured Terry and Lorene that Cornwall Manor was a community where their priorities and values would be shared.

Terry retired in 2022 after a 36-year career with IBM, where he worked as a software engineer and later supported IT operations for a life insurance company. During the pandemic, both Terry and Lorene—who managed a dental practice—were able to work remotely, allowing them flexibility as they planned the next chapter of their lives.

Gardening has been a constant throughout Terry’s life. His interest began in high school while working on a farm and expanded in 1979, the same year he started at IBM, when the company offered employees offsite garden plots. Over the decades, that hobby grew into a passion rooted in food access and education. After retiring, Terry became a certified Penn State Extension Master Gardener, completing a rigorous six-month program that covered plant biology, soil science, pests and diseases and sustainable growing practices. Equally important, the program emphasizes teaching—sharing knowledge to help others succeed.

In 2025, Terry began volunteering at Trailside Organic Farm at Cornwall Manor, a role he had anticipated since first learning about the farm several years earlier. At Trailside, he enjoys being part of the hands-on work that keeps the farm thriving while supporting Cornwall Manor’s commitment to sustainability and wellness. He also helps transport excess produce grown at Trailside to local organizations such as Chestnut Street Community Center, a Lebanon-based hub that offers educational programs, meals and support services for children and families, and Lebanon County Christian Ministries, which provides food assistance, counseling and emergency support to individuals and families in need. In doing so, Terry helps extend the impact of Cornwall Manor’s mission well beyond campus and into the broader Lebanon community.

For Terry, volunteering brings together his lifelong love of gardening, his commitment to service and his belief that everyone deserves access to healthy food. His volunteer work helps ensure fresh produce reaches those in need and that reflects the values that first drew him and Lorene to Cornwall Manor.

Outside of volunteering, Terry enjoys gardening at home—experimenting with new vegetables each year—spending time with his grandchildren, traveling with Lorene and caring for their Cavapoo, Dobby. Terry remains rooted in his community, where he has found meaningful opportunities to give back while contributing to causes he is proud to support.

Through volunteers like Terry Woodnorth, Cornwall Manor continues to cultivate not only healthy harvests, but meaningful connections—nourishing both the land and the people it serves.