Volume Twenty Eight, Number 3
March 2014
Photo by Dr. Richard Stephens Grounds crew members, in one vehicle or another, hauling salt or sand or shovels, were the most visible of our hard-working staff during recent storms, but there were many others. See story below and Meeting Page 6.
Behind the storms, before and after them, ‘one fully active machine’
By Mike Bailey, Housekeeping
As Mother Nature greeted us with blustery cold days and nights to match, slippery sleek roads under piles of snow, the response from most at first was a wondering whispered chatter. How will routines be kept? Within the building, windows were covered with frost, doorjambs sealed with ice, making it hard to even take a good look at the outside. Reports were coming in with news from all over, power outages, some roads closed because of accidents and trees that seemed to have fallen over.
While so many wondered, dedication and teamwork took over. Teams were gearing up, machines and trucks, staff with shovels, the kitchen and generator were really heating up. Preparation is key, so the staff prepared to help handle whatever might come of this storm (and the next). Some stayed the night while others came early in the morning. Chef gathered his staff and executed a game plan, while Dining and Dietary ran the halls to make sure that demand was met. With new visitors and recent ones coming in as refugees from power loss, Housekeeping got together to ensure their stay was like they never left home. Concerned calls came pouring in from family members all at once, so Maintenance paired in twos, did physical resident checks. There was still a lot to be done, so we were still working in groups. Grounds made it possible for people to Behind the storms continued on page 3
In memory of Jack and Midge Miller: a memorable concert by violinist David Kim By Eta Glassman, with Gene and Giuliana Calabi
Feb. 6, while welcome as a day between snowstorms, was memorable as the day the Philadelphia Orchestra’s Concertmaster David Kim came to Beaumont. He and Natalie Zhu, pianist, played selections from works by Handel, Brahms, Kriesler, Massenet and Sarasate, and received a standing ovation from the more than 150 residents who all but overflowed the Beaumont Room. “I live right around the corner from Beaumont and would love to play again for such an enthusiastic audience,” Mr. Kim said afterward. The concert was sponsored by the family of the late Jack and Midge Miller. Kristen Munnelly, one of the Millers’ daughters, summed up the family’s reasons: “We are delighted to sponsor this concert in honor of our parents,” she said. “They loved music, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and most of all Beaumont.” David Kim has been concertmaster with the Philadelphia Orchestra since 1999. Although he
From left: Cindy Miller Hibbert, Kristen Miller Munnelly, David Kim, John Miller and Nancy Miller. performs as a goodwill ambassador throughout the world, he also gives lessons and lectures locally. He says he has a warm spot in his heart for Beaumont. As first chair of the string section, he has the privilege of playing the Guadagnini violin, a gift to the Philadelphia Orchestra for the use of its concertmaster by Beaumont residents Dr. Eugenio and Giuliana Calabi. The violin was made in Milan in about 1757 by Giovanni Battista Guadagnini. According to Mr. Kim, the sound of the violin compares to that of the best known Stradivarius.
The BN is published monthly 10 times a year, October through July. Contributions are welcome, provided they are the contributor’s own work. The deadline for each issue is the 10th of the preceding month. E-mail to Mary Graff at graffs18@gmail.com and mgraff@BeaumontRetirement.com, or hand in at the Front Desk.
CORRECTION: In last month’s article “Her trip to Haverford bank put paid to robber’s career,” we misspelled the author’s name. It was Rena Burstein who wrote it.
BEAUMONT NEWS The Beaumont News is published by the residents and staff of the Beaumont Retirement Community, 601 N. Ithan Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
In Memoriam Emily Brooks, February 12, 2014 Albert Keegan, February 23, 2014
Editor Assistant Editor and Production Manager Graphic Designer Photo Editor Events Manager Proofreader Circulation Manager
Members of the Beaumont Community extend deepest sympathy to their family and friends.
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Mary Graff John Hall TJ Walsh Louise Hughes Kim Norrett Jennie Frankel Barbara O’Brien
Thank you, Giant Gen! By Virginia Rivers
Beaumont’s Giant Generator did us proud last month after one winter storm left more than 700,000 area households without power. When the grid providing our electricity faltered at 4:10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, our generator took over within 40 seconds and continued without a hitch until 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, when the grid picked up our service again. There was once, in 2012, when the operation did not go so seamlessly. A critical switch component failed, leaving our 1.6-megawatt generator asleep. Beaumont was without power for almost four hours. The failed component was corrected. Giant Gen was installed in January 2007, replacing two relatively small generators that powered two elevators, one in Baldwin and another in Austin, along with hallway lighting. A 65-kilowatt generator still powers the Health Center (and some other areas) when needed. It turns on automatically, as state law requires. Some more statistics: 16 cylinders, 1800 horsepower. Initial cost about $1.3 million, including a 12-by-18-foot shed, the size of a tractor trailer. Quarterly maintenance is provided by a local contractor. “Sufficient power and also quiet,” says Warren Gillings, Beaumont’s Director of Facilities. Neighborhood residents voiced concerns about potential noise at a public hearing back in 2006. Powered by natural gas piped underground, the generator can be switched on to PECO through a so-called “curtailment” program. That program invites Beaumont to switch on our own generator when demand peaks in hot weather, as well as during mass outages. Thus our generator replaced electricity from the power grid 18 times in 2012, usually between noon and 6 p.m. We earn rebates for the wattage we send to the regional power grid through curtailment. Net of the costs
“Mike’s Roundup” will resume next month.
Photo by Alan Tripp CARRYING ON: Warfel workers defied snow and sleet at times to try to meet construction deadlines. “Although the snow did present obstacles,” Beaumont’s construction coordinator Brock Nichols reported (dryly), “we were able to move ahead of schedule in other areas to minimize the weather’s impact.”
for natural gas that Giant Gen consumes, Beaumont’s annual rebate has amounted to about $25,000 a year in recent years. If maintenance costs and replacement parts are figured in, that seeming profit shrinks by about half. This winter, however, few Beaumont residents would have been prepared to quibble about the costs of keeping Giant Gen running smoothly. Behind the storms continued from page 1 travel and see the white layered view. The rumbling from machinery meant Warfel was still at it; people were surprised to see so many hard hats still focused on the new construction. Conditions made it impossible for residents to follow through with appointments, even doctor visits, so the Wellness Center mixed with CNAs, RNs, LPNs and companions to help deal with health issues and daily medicine intake. Some might have thought all this was just workers doing their jobs. Others knew it was more than that. Those who stay beyond their shifts, and do beyond their jobs, we can say at that moment we all share the same mind and heart. We care, and because we care, we became one fully active machine working as one.
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5-star Valentine’s food brin
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ngs many-megawatt smiles
CHEF JOHN BAUER presides over buffet behind his Valentine’s sculpture, Francis Gowen holds up Valentine’s party favor, Eta Glassman fills her plate at Louise Hughes’ Valentine’s coffee social and Cally Wheeler toasts photographer with a fancy pastry. Among delights at Valentine’s dinner were roasted pepper, tomato and crab soup; filet mignon with lobster ravioli, and chocolate sampler dessert. Food photos by Chef John; others by Louise Hughes.
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Margie takes ‘miracle’ tour; recommends it to others
space on either side of the tram’s space was filled. We went around a second time and it was not enough. There would always be more to see no matter how many times we went around. It had taken three years to set it up. The lunch was nice too. Vacationers, you really missed it but Louise might book another trip.
By Margie Manlove
Stay-at-homes over the summer had an opportunity for vacationers to envy. Louise Hughes, trip-coordinator and creator of miracles, booked a trip to the American Treasure Tour. No one knew what to expect, but the trip included lunch, so, what the heck, I signed up. I never could have imagined what I saw. It is impossible for me to adequately describe the collection. Once on the bus Louise told us we were going to Oaks, where we were to see one man’s collection of Americana. She had seen the tour advertised and had learned that the owner lived near Valley Forge and was very wealthy. She later learned that he also owns Shannondell. He thinks big. We arrived at a bare, large, warehouse-appearing building and piled out of the bus. We were greeted by two pleasant, informally dressed men who were to conduct our tour. Except for a gift shop, which we visited after the tour, and restrooms, this level appeared empty. We went up to the second floor by elevator, arriving at a hall between two large spaces, both of which were—well, I would say they were full. Going first into the smaller (or rather, less large) space we saw many player pianos. Past them we were seated in a space surrounded on three sides by more player pianos. Our guide had a control device in his hand and each piano lit up and played as he told us about it. As he went from one to another the same tune was continued. Actually they were not all pianos. One was a harp and another a banjo. We then toured the room with our guide. It was filled with every kind of mechanical music maker you could imagine and more, from a hurdy-gurdy with a stuffed monkey to orchestrions (a real word meaning a machine that plays like an entire band or orchestra). Then we went across the hall to a humongous space where we boarded an electric tram. Our guide slowly walked along, pausing and pointing out special treasures. There were a lot of old cars (my favorite the Stanley Steamer), airplanes, trucks, more orchestrions and hundreds of stuffed animals and dolls. Many of the latter moved as we rolled past them. Every bit of
Community Meeting notes: Medicare gives Health Center
5-star top rating again By Mary Graff
Beaumont’s Health Center has once again received the highest rating the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services awards—five stars in all of the rated categories. Health Services Vice President Linda Lemisch reported this among other accomplishments in her department at the residents’ quarterly Community Meeting last month. “Compare us with similar institutions, and these results are one powerful marketing tool,” she said. In addition, Linda reported: • The Health Center underwent its annual inspection by the Pennsylvania Department of Health in December. The team “spent three grueling days here and couldn’t find us doing anything wrong.” In DOHspeak, the inspection result was “0 Deficiency.” • Personal Care was inspected last month by its oversight agency, the Department of Public Welfare, which found only one minor paperwork fault. *** Also at the meeting, Human Resources Director Mary Wells paid tribute to the staff for “full coverage during all of the storms.” “We pulled together as a team…the staff were always willing and able to cover for each other if someone was running late…many stayed over up to three nights in order to be on hand in the morning… in some cases, as one staff member was leaving a room another was entering so that they could rest after
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Meeting continued on page 7
Hutchinsons bring variety of interests to Middle Road By Jean Homeier
Just before Thanksgiving, Kathy and Dan Hutchinson moved to 64 Middle Road and somehow managed to have 10 family members for the holiday dinner. They may have set a record for settling in. Kathy was born in Birmingham, Ala.; lived in Baltimore for five years and entered Baldwin in 5th grade when the family moved to Bryn Mawr. She graduated from Harriton High School, attended the University of Maryland and received her degree from Rosemont College. Kathy says she has enjoyed the jobs she has had, both paid and volunteer. She started as Assistant Director of Social Services for the Cambridge, Mass., Red Cross, planning and directing Junior Red Cross activities. Once settled back on the Main Line, in addition to rearing three sons, she became an active volunteer teaching English as a second language and participating through the Junior League in both the Art Goes to School program and a singing group which performed in nursing homes and retirement communities. The Church of the Redeemer has played an important role in her life. In addition to having been a member of the choir and chairing the church bazaar, she is now a Eucharistic Visitor and co-chair of the pastoral care program. Music is a vital part of her life, and now that she is settled, she has resumed weekly piano lessons. Dan was born in suburban Philadelphia’s Great Valley, but when he was 9, because of his father’s severe illness, he was sent to northwestern Connecticut to live with his beloved grandparents. In 1947, his grandparents had no electricity. Dan attended a two-room schoolhouse (with a privy out back) and remembers those years with fondness. When he was 11, his father died and Dan moved back to Haverford. He completed Montgomery Country Day School, moved on to St. George’s in Newport and then entered Harvard. Three and a half years of active duty in the Navy followed, first on an aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean and then teaching at the Officers’ Candidate School in Newport.
Photo by Kim Norrett Kathy and Dan Hutchinson, on the dance floor New Year’s Eve.
Almost all Dan’s civilian working career concerned international business, first at Fidelity Trust, where he became general manager of the bank’s Edge Act Corporation, which dealt with international investments, and then with Smith Kline & French, where he was International Treasurer Manager for 15 years until the company merged with Beecham. Hutchinsons continued on page 8 Meeting continued from page 6 coming off a 16-hour shift…Dining Services had staff call that were not scheduled to say they were available… “Housemen chipped in and helped shovel snow… “We cooked hot dogs on the grill for some fun and to show appreciation to our staff… “Just what we need to do—that’s what we do!” *** At the first of his planned monthly “Town Meetings” last month, President Joe Peduzzi presented a report on discussions and actions taken over the last six months by the Beaumont Retirement Community Inc. (BRCI) Board, the various support committees and Beaumont management. Too detailed to publish in these few pages, Joe’s report in its entirety is available in the Administration Office. The Town Meetings, inaugurated by our new president “to increase transparency” in the dealings of the committees and the BRCI Board, will be held henceforth on the last Thursday of every month in the Beaumont Room.
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Behind-the-scenes reporter learns (a bit) about ham radio in Charlie’s attic aerie By Mary Schnabel
It was way over my head! But so interesting and so much fun I went back for more the next day. I spent several hours with Charlie Wood at his shortwave station, up in the third floor space that was probably once upon a time the Mansion attic. The bright little room is behind Mary Graff’s Beaumont News office and contains ham radio equipment that is both baffling and brilliant. A long table holds two layers of radio-like instruments, along with a couple of microphones and a computer. Charlie tried to explain the way it works in lay terms but he was not making good progress with unscientific me. I got the VHF, the HF and even the FCC, but the rest needed a better brain than mine. However, the thing that so tickled me was the fact that Charlie can talk to people all over the world, just sitting up there in that warm and cozy nook. Charlie became interested in becoming an amateur radio operator while he was in the Air Force. For that he had to study Photo by Ann Louise Strong and pass the Charlie Wood, at Valentine’s dinner next to Jean Bodine test for Morse Code. That was then; today Morse Code isn’t used any more so the test to get an amateur license is different—and really easy, Charlie confides. Slowly the bug really bit him and he began buying the equipment, a complicated and expensive proposition. He says that the most important component in a shortwave operation is the antenna. He took me over to a window to show me the post on a lower roof, where the wires begin and finally reach up to the very top of a Beaumont tower. My first visit was on a Friday afternoon, and although Charlie was very anxious to connect with someone to demonstrate the process, the airwaves were quiet. He did find someone on the computer who lived in South Africa, but the connection was bad. After switching
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to the radio for the United States, he made contact with a genial fellow named Mike who lives in Sugar Grove, Pa., up near Erie. After introducing himself (not as Charlie, but as KC3DS), they had a pleasant chat and Charlie introduced me to Mike (KC5SAN) and then handed the microphone to me so I could say hello as well. By now Charlie has taken all tests necessary to get to the top as an Amateur Extra Class operator. He loves his radios and spends a little time almost every day checking out what’s going on in the miles and miles of air space between him and his ham radio friends. Yes, he has buddies with whom he speaks on a pretty regular basis, just to chat and exchange news. When I marveled at this fascinating and unusual hobby and all the marvelous equipment, I mentioned that I was sure other Beaumont residents would enjoy seeing his setup and learning the fun of operating such a system. Would he object if I mentioned in this article that Charlie would be glad to show his station and explain what he does? He immediately agreed. In fact, he told me he would like very much to be able to share his terrific setup with anyone who would like to become an Amateur Operator. It sounds like a great fellowship! Call Charlie Wood, make an appointment and see for yourself!
Hutchinsons continued from page 7 He took early retirement and next became Executive Vice President and Treasurer of a venture capital business which, he said, had developed real-time computer software for “an object-oriented data-base management system.” The company was eventually sold and Dan moved on to the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia in International Supervision and Regulation. Kathy and Dan vacationed for several years near Clayton, N.Y., on the St. Lawrence River, where they played golf and tennis and cruised on their boat in the Thousand Islands. At Beaumont, while continuing their mutual interest in tennis and golf, Dan looks forward to doing considerable reading and Kathy will concentrate on her music. Both are open to possible new pursuits. Of course they will continue having fun here in their new home with their children and seven grandchildren.