Heart & House - Spring 2023 - Northeast

Acts Future Resident Club p. 4–7

The Heart of Acts p. 8–11

Acts Well-Being p. 12

SPRING/SUMMER 2023 • NORTHEAST

HEART & HOUSE

Northeast Region

Brittany Pointe Estates—Ellen Mammele Ellen.Mammele@actslife.org

Fort Washington Estates—Lori Ann Dancheck LDancheck@actslife.org

Granite Farms Estates—Jill Kuhn Jill.Kuhn@actslife.org

Gwynedd Estates—Heiki-Lara Nyce HeikiLara.Nyce@actslife.org

Lima Estates—Jill Kuhn Jill.Kuhn@actslife.org

Normandy Farms Estates—Kathy Morris KathyM@actslife.org

Southampton Estates—Anne White Anne.White@actslife.org

Spring House Estates—Patricia Gola Patricia.Gola@actslife.org

HEART & HOUSE

Heart & House is a publication of the Acts Sales & Marketing Team

For Suggestions And Comments

HeartHouse@actslife.org

Editorial Group

Lori Woodward

Chief Marketing Officer

Beth Carey

Corporate Director of Brand & Promotions

Kimberly Burke

Director of Sales

Lisa Sileo

Marketing Manager

Jill Quirk

Marketing Manager

Contributors For This Issue

Editorial

Lisa Sileo Design

Lia Calhoun Graphic Design

Acts Resident Photography

John Warner Photography

Pace Branding & Marketing Photography Production

Beth Carey & Jill Quirk

Acts Mission Statement

PENNSYLVANIA

Acts is committed to providing security and peace of mind to seniors by being a preeminent provider of retirement-life services, responsive to individual, social, personal, health and spiritual needs in a Christian atmosphere graced with Loving-Kindness, dignity, sensitivity, honesty and respect, without prejudice or preference.

Acts Retirement-Life Communities

Corporate Services Center 420 Delaware Drive Fort Washington, PA 19034 www.actsretirement.org

Located in Delaware, Montgomery, and Bucks Counties, there’s an Acts campus near you!

Living the Life They Love.

1. Bruce & Shing Mai Hwang, Granite Farms Estates residents

Bruce and Shing Mai Hwang, residents of Granite Farms Estates in Media, Pennsylvania, are both active gardeners originally from China. The couple joined the Granite Farms Estates garden club and Bruce started to keep Bonsai Trees at the community.

“Everybody can plant the way they want. It’s a very rewarding experience,” Bruce said. “There are so many activities that keep you going. And with new neighbors moving in regularly, change is always in the air, which can be very exciting.”

2. Gloria Fettes, St. Andrews Estates resident

Gloria “Gee” Fettes and her husband John moved into their Boca Raton, Florida Acts community in 2021. With its serene landscaping, lakes, walking trails, birds, and wildlife, St. Andrews Estates stood out from other retirement and 55+ communities.

“I just love this community; it has something for everyone,” Gee Fettes said. “Everyone is so friendly. I felt welcomed right away.”

“I’ve lived overseas most of my life and love the European lifestyle of being able to walk everywhere,” she said, “At St. Andrews Estates, I can walk to the grocery store, a zillion restaurants, and the best mall practically in South Florida, certainly in Boca Raton.”

3. Mary & George Drake, Fairhaven Residents Mary Drake, a resident of Fairhaven in Sykesville, Maryland, finds it relaxing to putter around the community’s arts and craft amenities. “Some people knit and sew to relax. I relax with woodwork and crafts,” she said. She recently carved a picture out of wood in the shop.

Her husband George also enjoys the wood shop, ceramics studio, and the beautiful, scenic campus grounds.

“We like to hike and bike, living here with so many acres and trails, we love to get out

in the community, it’s the perfect place for us,” George said, “It’s wonderful if you have a pet too, with covered walkways you can easily go outside even in the rain.”

4. Cliff McElveen, Matthews Glen resident

Cliff McElveen traveled extensively throughout his successful career as president of BellSouth International Services, globe-trotting to Australia, New Zealand, Beijing, Shanghai, Israel, and Europe, before retiring to South Carolina.

Cliff and his wife Linda now live at Matthews Glen in Matthews, North Carolina and are thrilled the retirement community supports their

active lifestyle, allowing them to fully enjoy their days without any worries about the future.

“For us, it was the right place at the right time,” Cliff said, “When my wife first saw it here, she remarked that it looked a bit like the Ritz-Carlton. And you don’t always get that with retirement communities.”

The McElveens made this important decision after extensively researching Acts and its 50-year reputation of strength and stability as a leader in the senior living industry.

Cliff said, “Acts is a viable company. I looked at both the design and the business model and was very impressed.”

Here are a few of our residents, who remind us every day that age is just a number.

2.

4.

time at the woodshop as well. After moving in, he learned how to build dollhouses, and now ships them to friends and admirers all over the world.

“There are almost always people down here doing interesting projects,” Burt said. “And there’s always space at the table.”

“This felt like a pragmatic move for retirement,” he continued. “I’m happy to report that it’s also a lot of fun to live here!”

“You can’t just sit still as you get older. You have to get up and do things,” said Gloria Colabelli, who has lived at Lima Estates since 2013. She moved to the Acts community when she was 62 years old, and had some reservations about it being “too early.” She now has zero regrets after experiencing all the amenities—and perfecting her golf swing.

“I love playing golf here, and it is so easy to make friends,” Gloria said.

Ronnie Mill had been a salesman for 43 years before he retired at Spring House Estates in Lower Gwynedd, Pennsylvania. He was intrigued by the community’s woodwork shop. He jumped right in and learned how to carve ducks.

“If anyone wants to learn, this is a great place. It’s never too late to start on your next big project,” Ronnie said. He is also part of a team of woodworkers who repair furniture and various projects for residents.

His friend Burt Jones, who also lives at Spring House Estates, spends much of his

For Barbara Sowinski, a painter and resident of Brittany Pointe Estates, moving into the senior living community meant getting rid of the hassle of homeownership, leaving more time to paint. She still shows her artwork in galleries in New York and Pennsylvania.

“I use my second bedroom as my art studio, but also can do a lot of painting in the bathroom,” Barbara said.

Katherine Jetter, a cancer survivor and avid cyclist, dared fellow Tryon Estates resident Lorraine DeCesare to rappel off a building for her 65th birthday.

Lorraine’s healthy, active lifestyle is supported by her move to Tryon Estates. The community’s fitness director helped her train by setting up a workout plan focused on arm and core strength. Lorraine also swam laps three days a week at the indoor pool. She raised over $4,000 for cancer research, the highest amount raised by a participant!

“Both Lorraine and Katherine are great examples of how to change misconceptions of our older population and show us what it means to be active and aging,” said Caroline Eller, Tryon Estates’ fitness director and their biggest supporter.

Life is an adventure at Tryon Estates in Columbus, North Carolina, with endless opportunities to stay active with your friends.

5. Gloria Colabelli, Lima Estates Resident

6. Ronnie Mill & Burt Jones, Spring House Estates Residents

7. Barbara Sowinski, Brittany Pointe Estates Resident

8. Lorraine DeCesare & Katherine Jeter, Tryon Estates Residents

“ You can’t just sit still as you get older. You have to get up and do things…”

DISCOVER THE BENEFITS OF THE

Acts Future Resident Club

Are you taking full advantage of Acts’ Future Resident Club and all the rewards it offers? It is the perfect introduction to the active, resort-like retirement lifestyle which Acts communities provide. The club also gives members exclusive access to highly desirable services. Here are the benefits to joining the best club in town:

1. Priority List for First Access

As Future Resident Club members, you’ll be among the first to know when an apartment, carriage home, cottage, or villa becomes available in the community you’re interested in. This can give you an edge over other potential residents who may not be on the list.

“It’s always great to join the Future Resident Club, even if you’re not ready to move today,” said Kim Burke, Director of Sales at Acts RetirementLife Communities.

Depending on the community and floor plan availability, some may be on the waiting list for up to a year or more, that’s why it’s so important to join the Future Resident Club right now.

“When an apartment with your preferred floor plan becomes available, you’ll be called based on the date you joined the priority list. If you decide to pass, your name will not drop to the end of the list. You’ll be called again, based on the date you joined, when the next residence of your desired preference becomes available,” Burke said.

Members who ultimately become residents will receive a credit of $1,000 from their priority list deposit toward their entrance fee. If for any reason they decide not to move to the community, Acts will issue a refund from their priority list deposit of $1,000.

2. First-Hand Resident Experiences

Another benefit as an Acts Future Resident Club member is access to community amenities, including restaurants, fitness areas, clubs, and other activities. This enables you to picture yourself as a resident, before packing up any boxes to officially move in. It’s a fantastic way to “trial run” what your future may look like.

“Future residents can join fitness classes, the swimming pool, art room, even partake in campus activities, like joining the choir,” said Burke. “They could also go to concerts and have dinner with residents.”

Future club members interested in having lunch or dinner at their community are encouraged to call Acts’ life care consultants to schedule a visit.

3. Build Close, Lasting Friendships

As a Future Resident Club member, you'll also receive invitations to exclusive events and activities to help you feel connected to the community and meet other future residents on a similar path in their life journeys. You’ll also get to know community staff members who can help provide an easier transition into campus life.

“When we moved in, we were ready because we took advantage of the Future Resident Club,” said Marilyn Moskowitz, a resident of Edgewater at Boca Pointe in Boca Raton, Florida. “We could enjoy the activities, gym, and the pool, and were able to meet many people before we moved in.”

Meeting like-minded people in relatable life situations, you’ll be surprised how quickly and easily you’ll develop close friendships. You’ll feel more confident and comfortable in your new surroundings, excited to make dinner plans.

“We loved eating in the bistro, and went on a few day trips,” she added. “I signed up for book club and we played cards, so when we moved in, we already knew people.”

4. Secure Your Future

Relax, you are part of a club that opens the door to an active and enjoyable retirement of your dreams.

Making this wise investment into your future means you are a step ahead of others who did not plan for life’s unpredictability and are at a greater risk of being ineligible for services when they truly need them.

Rest easy with peace of mind and financial security, knowing you are in line for a residence in the community of your choice, and have access to the community's extensive resources and excellent health services, whenever you’re ready to move in.

“Do it now, you’ll be happy you came in and took advantage of this time to learn and feel more comfortable in the community,” said Burke. “Then when you receive that call, it’s a smooth, easy and enjoyable transition to your new home.”

“

I signed up for book club and we played cards, so when we moved in, we already knew people.”

“

It’s always great to join the list, even if you’re not ready to move today.”

THE HEART OF ACTS: HOW ACTS LEGACY FOUNDATION GIVES BACK

The Acts Legacy Foundation is essential to Acts’ mission as a non-profit, and instrumental in its success as a leader in continuing care retirement services. In the spirit of Loving-Kindness, the Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of seniors by helping to fund community projects and enhancements for residents to maintain a vibrant, active lifestyle; and assisting residents in need to fulfill Acts’ promise of financial security for a worry-free retirement.

One of Acts Legacy Foundation’s most charitable and residentsupported endeavors is the Acts Samaritan Fund. Because Acts’ lifestyle promotes healthier aging, residents live longer, more fulfilling lives, and may

unexpectedly find their personal resources dissipate, through no fault of their own. In these instances, residents can receive direct fee assistance through the Samaritan Fund, so they can continue to live at their Acts community.*

“We have a due diligence process to ensure people don’t take advantage of the Samaritan Fund that is available for anyone genuinely needing assistance,” said Ray Boyle, Managing Director of Acts Legacy Foundation. “Part of the benefit of Acts maintaining our charitable status is to assure residents that we will financially work with them in the future.”

St. Andrews Estates residents Carlene Starace and Jo Ann Messuri volunteer at the campus Wonder Store, a resident-run thrift store raising money to benefit the Acts Samaritan Fund.

* According to the terms of the Resident Contract

Residents Embrace the Giving Mission

“Charity begins at home,” said Bonnie Hurd, a resident of Brittany Pointe Estates who supports the Samaritan Fund. “As the years progress and you are living longer, you wonder if there is enough to carry you through. The Samaritan Fund can help assure that.”

Residents embrace this giving spirit, and actively pursue opportunities to benefit their fellow neighbors, with delightful fundraising galas, silent auctions, and other resident-led, charitable events. This not only helps individuals and families in need but strengthens the sense of

community by fostering a spirit of generosity and compassion.

Last year, generous donors provided more than $4.3 million in charitable gifts to the Acts Legacy Foundation, with nearly $2 million fulfilling its resident benevolence assistance programs. “Some residents give individually, some include the community’s Samaritan Fund in their wills, life insurance or IRAs, and many participate in resident-centered fundraising activities,” Boyle said. The Wonder Store, a popular resident-run thrift store at St. Andrews Estates, donated $25,000 to its community’s Samaritan Fund last year. Carlene Starace, the store manager and volunteer, sees first-hand how

residents and their families support the shop, donating or purchasing items, knowing their contributions will help support fellow residents.

“Residents, staff and friends of our community, all visit the Wonder Store to socialize and leave with a treasure at a reasonable price,” Starace said. “The store has 31 resident volunteers and it’s a real pleasure to give to the Samaritan Fund.”

Similar shops supporting the Foundation’s charitable funds operate at Azalea Trace, Country House, Manor House, and Matthews Glen.

Residents who volunteer also find it fulfilling to make a positive impact and give back to their

Granite Farms Estates’ new car charging station was made possible with a generous donation from residents Bruce and Shing Mei Hwang. Shown here with Executive Director Brian Levesque, along with resident Jane Young and Michael Martin from the Acts Legacy Foundation.

communities. Volunteering is also a wonderful way for residents to meet neighbors and make connections, which builds longlasting friendships.

Reinvesting with Community Enhancements

As a non-profit organization, Acts is mission-driven, which means decisions are made with the best interests of residents in mind, rather than the bottom line. On the contrary, profits are reinvested into Acts communities to make a significant impact on all residents’ quality of life.

Last year, the Acts Legacy Foundation released $5.5 million in donor-supported funding for community enhancements, resident care, and wellness incentives. This is an amazing benefit for residents who can enjoy high-quality amenities and services without having to pay exorbitant fees.

“Residents are giving gifts to benefit Willowbrooke Court, our skilled nursing center, as well as memory care and wellness programs,” Boyle said. “They are also raising funds to beautify campus grounds and gardens.”

Community enrichment projects are consistently underway at various Acts communities, in part with funding from Acts Legacy Foundation. Residents

of Magnolia Trace in Huntsville, Alabama, enjoy a beautiful new canopy-covered courtyard, bocce courts, and an entertainment area with night lighting, made possible by donor funds. At Granite Farms Estates, in Media, Pennsylvania, residents supported funds to build a beautiful stone, natural gas firepit in one of the community’s courtyards, as well as a new electrical car charging station on campus.

“At Fairhaven, located in the scenic mountains of Sykesville, Maryland, donor funds are being used for a composting toilet requested by residents who enjoy hiking the extensive nature trails around it,” Boyle said. The possibilities are endless, if there is a need, Acts’ charitable foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of those it serves.

Supporting Staff to Provide Outstanding Care

In addition to charitable donations for resident-centered projects, Acts Legacy Foundation also supports employees through emergency assistance, educational scholarships, and Acts Corporate University.

Acts Corporate University provides education and professional development programs to staff throughout the

organization, promoting career growth opportunities, advancing industry knowledge and skills, and ultimately delivering the highest level of service to residents.

“There has been a greater interest, among residents post-COVID, in developing scholarship funds for employees to improve themselves and advance in their careers,” Boyle added. “The Legacy Foundation supports 15 community-based employee scholarships, helping employees continue their education, including financial assistance for graduating high school seniors in our culinary departments.”

With the support of the Acts Legacy Foundation, residents can rest easy knowing today’s needs as well as future needs will always be met, so they can enjoy a rich and rewarding retirement.

For more information

or to donate, visit ActsLegacyFoundation.org

Acts Well-Being

Two Refreshing Summer Recipes

Key Lime Pie

1 Nine Inch Graham Cracker Pie Shell

8 Large Egg Yolks

1/2 Cup Key Lime Juice

28oz Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 tsp Lime Zest

Combine all ingredients in a bowl with a whisk until incorporated. Pour mixture into the pie shell and bake in a 325 oven for 10–12 minutes.

The pie should cool at room temperature then be stored in the refrigerator and served chilled.

Brain Health

Grilled Fruit Kabob with Yogurt Sauce

1 Cup Halved Strawberries

1 Cup Diced Fresh Pineapple

1 Cup Diced Fresh Cantaloupe

1 Cup Diced Fresh Honeydew Melon

16oz Vanilla Greek Yogurt

2oz Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice

1oz Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice

3oz Honey

10 Bamboo Skewers

Skewer the fruit by alternating each type for a rainbow of color. Grill each skewer on both sides just to get a little char on the edges. For the sauce, mix the yogurt, juices and honey and serve in a bowl on the center of a platter surrounded by skewers.

Acts Word Search

420 Delaware Drive

Fort Washington, PA 19034

Upcoming Events

June 2023

Lunch with the Executive Director

July 2023

Sweet Life Presentation

August 2023

Real Peace of Mind— Minding your Mental Health webinar