Beaumont News July 2015

V o lu me T wen t y N i ne , N umber 6

July 2015

New operations chief shoots welcome statistics from both hips

Statistics do not often make riveting reading, much less hearing, but when recently appointed Assistant Vice President of Operations Brock Nichols made this speech at the June 24 Town Hall Meeting, there was almost a standing ovation.

By Brock Nichols As of June 22, the Housekeeping, Laundry, Maintenance and Grounds departments had generated about 16,000 work orders, thus putting these departments on pace for over 30,000 by year’s end.

Of the work orders, approximately 15,000 (94.3%) have been completed. Furthermore, 87.5% had been completed within two days of generation. This is well above the industry average of 71%, according to data gathered from more than 400 retirement communities nationwide.

In addition, these departments have been averaging an “overdue� percentage of 15.3%, significantly below the industry average of 26%.

Given these figures, we can say that the early implementation of the WorxHub computerized workorder program is a success.

And it can only get better: As we get more familiar with the software and its capabilities, we will continue to grow our systems and programming. Our goal is to continue to improve our performance by forecasting needs through historical analysis and obtaining a better understanding of the services we can provide to the residents and staff of Beaumont.

The individual members of the Laundry, HousekeepThe next issue of the Beaumont News will be published in October.

Photo by Greg Benson

PLAYTIME AT CAMP BEAUMONT (Continued on page 8).

ing, Maintenance and Grounds departments are to thank for making this transition such a success.

Thank you to all for your hard work and willingness to embrace this new program.

In other aspects of our work over the past few months: Energy Management We hired EnerNOC to install an energy management monitoring system. The monitors were installed in March, and we have been gathering data regarding electrical supply demand and consumption. These monitors divide the campus into different sections (Austin, Baldwin, Health Center, Commons, Villas) so we can compare usage versus square footage and building purpose to see where improvements Work continued on page 2

Feel like shaking a friendly paw?

Archie has four of them!

By Sis Ziesing

A yellow lab named Archie has been visiting Beaumont two days a week, about 12 hours each day, since January.

With his handler, Marjorie Shoemaker, he has been calling on any resident anywhere on the campus who might enjoy a dog pat, a soft head on the lap, or just a friendly conversation.

A Facility Dog from Canine Companions for Independence (CCI), Archie is a dog with education.

At 8 weeks of age, he began his puppyhood at a private home. There he spent 18 weeks learnArchie ing his first 20 commands and experiencing all a dog needs to know about working in public.

The next step on his journey to Beaumont took him to the Northeast Region of CCI on Long Island. There he spent six months learning 20 additional commands and being prepared for the real world.

Marjorie, meanwhile, spent two weeks at the Long Island facility, training to do her part. After that she was matched with Archie and their career began. Marjorie received Archie’s leash from his puppyhood handlers at a moving graduation ceremony with 13 other teams.

Marjorie and Archie have other places to go, and I particularly loved this story: A little boy had seriously injured his leg and was very painfully relearning how to walk. Archie was hitched to a wagon that held the little boy’s teddy bear. The child was hooked up to Archie with a leash. As Archie slowly pulled the wagon, the little boy—transfixed by Archie, wagon and bear—followed along on his own two feet, rising above his pain.

I think I’m going to sign up for a dog pat!

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 Editor Associate Editor and Production Manager Assistant Editor Graphic Designer Photo Editor Roving Reporter Events Manager Proofreader Circulation Manager

Mary Graff John Hall Ginny Rivers TJ Walsh Louise Hughes Wistie Miller Kim Norrett Jennie Frankel Barbara O’Brien

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Photo by Carol Korabik

THE NEW FACE occasionally greeting residents and others at the Front Desk is Paige Welby, replacing Caitlin McDevitt as assistant to Resident Services Director Kim Norrett. (Caitlin, with a desk of her own in the Front Office, is now assisting Marketing Director Audrey Walsh.)

Paige grew up in north central Pennsylvania, graduated from Shikellamy High School, and is an alumna of Bloomsburg State.

Residing currently in Manayunk, Paige enjoys beach visits to the Outer Banks of North Carolina and the television show Jeopardy. A chance to compete on Jeopardy is number one on her bucket list.

— Rod Ross

Work continued from page 1 can be made.

Our goal is to see where energy reductions can occur and where improvements to equipment and the property can be made. More information regarding this program will be forthcoming as we gather more data and learn our usage patterns.

Geothermal HVAC Remediation Project We hired an engineer to perform a study of our HVAC system and to make recommendations for improvements to the heating and cooling system to fully extend its life expectancy. This study has been completed and the scope of work has been drawn up and issued to contractors for bidding.

The work will include modifications to the villa geothermal wells and manifolds as well as addition of check valves and pumps to individual units to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Work on this project should begin in late summer or early fall.

Austin and Baldwin Garage Gates The gates were inspected by Lower Merion Township with four of the five found to be fully operational. Work on the fifth and a follow-up inspection will occur as soon as possible. There will be signage and stripes on the floor to call attention to potential hazards. Detailed instructions will be distributed prior to the gates’ going live.

New Beauty Salon stylist also teaches, rears sons, and rides bikes fast

Who am I?

I have been living at Beaumont for a few years.

I know just about everyone and they know me, even though I never wear a name tag during the designated Name Tag Week.

I fit right into life at Beaumont. I am demure, attractive, pleasant and well behaved and I always know my place or station here. I walk the campus numerous times a day and am friendly to everyone I pass. I visit my friends in the Health Center on a regular basis as well as the Front Desk, Administration, Wellness Center, Library, Hair Salon, Ballam Theater and Fitness Center.

During the week you may find me at a Bridge game (or Bridge Lesson), at a Beaumont Singers practice, at a special presentation or lecture, at a Town Meeting, at a monthly social (tea, coffee or ice cream), to name just a few of my favorite activities. I am full of zip and enjoy attending all of the above.

So, now that I have described myself to the best of my ability, can you guess who I am? Remember, most of you call me by name when you see me. See you around Beaumont. . .

See answer on Page 5

By Mary Schnabel

Three things are quickly evident in an interview with Tim Grunsby, the new stylist in the Beauty Salon who replaced Oscar Zeller when Oscar retired. He is a survivor, an athlete, and a single father of two boys, Christian, 9, and Vincent, 11.

A professional in the beauty business for 31 years, with several time-outs for surgeries and other health reasons, Tim at one time owned two salons on Rittenhouse Square simultaneously. He trained with Vidal Sassoon, spent two years in Europe training with Irvine Rusk (owner of an international beauty Tim with Betsy Ingersoll

business) and studied with Redken, eventually becoming a “certified educator” with them. Tim mentioned several other names of well-known people in the industry with whom he has had experience of one sort or another, including Bumble and Bumble in New York and José Eber, with whom he interned and who is known as an operator to the stars.

Tim’s career had to take a back seat along the way because of some unlucky breaks: In addition to 14 surgeries on a club foot, Tim has had open-heart surgery and is now in his third year of being free of cancer of the throat.

Fortunately, he has always been an athlete and a positive thinker, full of enthusiasm and energy.

After his heart surgery he took up biking, and came in 23d in this year’s Elite U.S. Cycling Association’s “Tour de Shore” race, which starts in Center City and is a round-trip ride down to the shore and back—149.5 miles total! (No, he doesn’t bike to work.)

In addition to working Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at Beaumont and doing things with and for his boys, Tim teaches advanced techniques “on average about 20 hours a month” to staff at salons and beauty schools.

Occasionally, he says, “I get to work on actors in TV and film.”

About those two boys: Both are athletes like their father. Vincent collects sneakers, Christian collects caps, and their father is a marshmallow when it comes to adding to their collections. He says he really enjoys his Beaumont clients and the friendly atmosphere in our community. Lots of luck, Tim!

Photo by Richard Stephens

SUMMARIZING THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, Evelyn Rosen was a star performer at Beaumont's July Fourth celebration.

In Memoriam Sara Ann Boenning July 1, 2015

John Butterworth July 8, 2015

Members of the Beaumont Community extend deepest sympathy to their families and friends.

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From pre-K to 12 he taught them all (but liked 3rd grade best)

Dixon Gym, when he became varsity swim coach; and in spring, varsity tennis.

After five and a half years of teaching third grade, on a Friday in January, George remembers that the headmaster called to tell him, “The head of the history department suddenly died and I would like you to take over his classes in the Upper School beginning on Monday.”

What a bombshell!

George complied.

Later, when camp was demanding so much of his time, George requested a move to the Middle School, where he was asked to teach U.S. history, general science, geography and Latin. He had not previously taught science or Latin, but his uncle at The Haverford School had always advised him, “All you have to do is stay two weeks ahead of your students!”

A few years later George received another call from the headmaster’s office. Jay Crawford (one of George’s former students), called him the Friday before Labor Day weekend—school was scheduled to start in just a few days— and said, “I’d like you to teach all of the general science classes from third through eighth grades—the general science teacher was just drafted!”

Again George complied, and again managed to keep his students, their parents, and the headmaster happy.

He was still coaching three seasons a year, however, and his camp demands were increasing, so he decided to accept an offer to join the Athletic Department and leave the academic classroom for the rest of his teaching career. That is where he completed his “taught every class” circuit by adding pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and first and second grades.

In 1986 George’s wife, Dede, founded and subsequently ran a sister camp for girls, 10 miles away, until she retired in 2001. They had married in 1953 and reared four children.

During his coaching career, George’s boys’ tennis teams garnered 19 championships plus three in varsity swimming. He was inducted into the Episcopal Academy Athletic Hall of Fame with a total of 22 InterAcademic League championships during his 43 years at the Academy.

For many years George also taught and served as Deacon and then Elder at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church. He volunteered to coach young tennis players in the National Junior Tennis League (NJTL) program Shafer continued on page 5

By Wistie Miller and Dede Shafer We have someone in our midst who should be listed in Guinness World Records. Who else can you name in the teaching field who has taught students in every single age group from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade? Give up? That person is George Carlton Shafer, Jr. For 43 years George devoted a major portion of his life to one school, The Episcopal Academy, and one camp, Camp Susquehannock.

(During these years George coached Jim Zug in tennis (in 1956, ’57 and ’58) and taught John Gregg first in the third grade, again in eighth-grade geography, and then a third time in history!)

To begin with, he came from a family of educators. His George Carlton Shafer, Jr. father, George Carlton (King) Shafer, began teaching at The Lawrenceville School after graduating from Princeton University in 1903. Two of George Jr.'s uncles taught school, and one of them, Frank Shafer, taught Latin and was Dean of Students at The Haverford School.

King Shafer found there was a need for summer tutoring for a number of students at Lawrenceville, and looked for a site in the country away from distractions.

He found the perfect site on a secluded lake near Montrose in Susquehanna County, in northeastern Pennsylvania. Camp Susquehannock began in 1905 and continues today, 110 years later, serving campers 7 to 17.

Campers and staff come from many states and countries.

George Jr. graduated from Lawrenceville in 1947 and Princeton in 1951. He obtained a master’s degree in history and education from Columbia University. When he graduated, it became obvious that he should follow his father and uncles and teach.

He applied to The Episcopal Academy, then in Overbrook, and when there was no opening at first for a teacher of history, he agreed to teach third grade. He also began a long career of coaching: in the fall, “junior” football teams (i.e. over the years each of the 70-, 80-, 90-, 105-, 120- and 135-pound weight-limit teams); in winter, JV squash until a swimming pool was built in the new

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Critters give Doc a happy day and also food for thought

WHO DOESN'T KNOW LILY BY NOW? Usually but not always attached by leash to her human, Jeanne Cortner, she inspired Resident Services Director Kim Norrett to write about her in Who Am I on Page 3.

By Dean (Doc) Snyder

Behavioral scientists have generated some pretty convincing evidence that people who live alone, or individuals who for one reason or another prefer not to mingle with folks, do not live as long as those who are wont to socialize a lot.

Far be it from me to question that, but I do believe they have overlooked those of us who, while not mixing it up with fellow human beings, are nevertheless savoring close encounters with critters out of doors.

For example, one happy day just as I was entangled in some of the worst assortments of vines, briars and bushes, a catbird suddenly began hopping from branch to branch, in my face, all the while chattering frantically as if I were intruding.

Curious as to what I might have done to upset it (I did not determine the gender), I stopped pulling vines from a bush just off my left shoulder and voilà, a nest of young.

Upset, I retreated to a nearby stump, sat down and had a drink of water. Just then the same bird flew down at my feet and began devouring all the insects and bugs that were suddenly exposed by my doings. Occasionally, said bird would stop foraging and stare at me. I accepted the apology and went on about my chore.

That very same day as I was leaving for lunch I came upon a very young cottontail rabbit. After we exchanged glances I looked up and saw the mother watching both of us. In an instant she bounded off to cover as did her youngster, each in a different direction. All the while I never uttered a sound, nor did I move, but the experience was nonetheless energizing.

After lunch that day, as I was looking for a water faucet in the Austin garage, I bumped into Maintenance Supervisor Paul Conboy. In the electrical closet Paul spotted a small garter snake on the floor. As I reached for the little guy he instantly coiled and struck at my finger. I recoiled but finally succeeded in overpowering him. After I placed him on the ground outside he struck again. He did not hurt my finger but he did hurt my feelings. After all, I did him a big favor. Food could be very scarce in an electrical closet and the risk of getting light-up is very high and deadly.

Far be it from me to question the benefits of human-to-human encounters, but I do believe that human-to-critter encounters can be just as healthful.

Photo by Louise Hughes

Shafer continued from page 4 for inner-city youth, the Gold Cup program for very talented youth (scheduling practices at 5:30 a.m. to get the indoor court space!), and the Merion Cricket Club Junior Tennis Development Program.

He organized and led tennis workshops for public school teachers and coaches for the Middle States Tennis Association. For 20 years he volunteered as Operations Chair for the Philadelphia Indoor Tennis Tournament, which raised large sums for the Philadelphia Recreation Department Tennis programs.

He spent many years serving The American Camp Association as a Camp Accreditation Visitor, taught others the process, served on the ACA Eastern Pennsylvania Section board, became president of that board and united all of the ACA camps in Pennsylvania, Delaware and western New Jersey into one larger, more efficient Keystone Section of ACA. There were also hundreds of hours of unpaid coaching time on weekends and during Christmas and spring vacations—done because he loved coaching and his EA “kids.”

After retirement from teaching and camp directing, George was recruited by a friend, Robin Ledwith, to lend his expertise to the Board of The College Settlement of Philadelphia Camps. That institution, located in Horsham, Pennsylvania, has been serving disadvantaged children from the Philadelphia area since 1922. This too-little-known 501(c)(3) institution quickly became George’s favorite charity. He served 14 years on the personnel and finance committees, and created and led a fund development committee until he retired from the board last year for health reasons.

“Of all the classes I’ve taught,” George said recently, thinking back on his career, “my favorite was third grade.

They thought I was God. The seniors knew I wasn’t!”

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From newcomers to neighbors

Pat and Rod Ross, 'not keen on moving,' now enjoying Villa 55

a lot of luck,” he said. “I just worked hard and kept plugging away.”

Ten years later, in 1983, Philadelphia Life was acquired by a larger firm. Ross was recruited to help form another insurance company.

He raised capital from 10 investors including banker Roger Hillas, the Graham Berwind Corporation, Philadelphia Contributionship and the Keystone Automobile Club. Rod himself put $500,000 into the new venture.

“It was very exciting,” he said, “especially when half of your net worth is on the line.”

He said Pat was “really scared” but the investment panned out. He credited good fortune and the wise counsel of Bill Elliott, the late retired board chairman at Philadelphia Life, whom Rod described as his “hero.”

The company is now part of Allstate, one of the nation’s largest insurance companies.

Rod looked forward to his job “every single day,” he said. Since his retirement in 2002, he has served on the boards of Hunt Manufacturing, PNC Bank and PMA Corp; as rector’s warden of St. David’s Episcopal Church in Radnor, and as board chairman of his alma mater, Hobart College.

Over the years, Pat Ross has performed social work and served as a volunteer at Paoli Hospital. And, oh yes, she played a major role in raising the couple’s four children—Timothy, Amy, Jan and Christopher, all now in their 50s. There are four Patricia Ross grandchildren and, very recently, one great-granddaughter.

Pat and Rod loved their home on Pugh Road and “were not keen on moving,” Rod said. But the experience at Beaumont, he said, “has exceeded our expectations.”

By Peter Binzen

Roderic Ross was born on July 14, 1930, in Jamestown, New York, near Buffalo. His wife, the former Patricia Johnson, is one year less one day younger.

She was born on July 13, 1931—in the same Jamestown hospital.

The couple, now living in Beaumont’s Villa 55, spent 45 years in the same home on Pugh Road in Wayne.They grew up at opposite ends of Lake Chautauqua, New York, and finally met in college, William Smith for Pat and Hobart for Rod.

After Rod’s graduation in Roderic Ross 1952, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Then the letter writing began. Rod, who was smitten, proved to be a relentless correspondent. He barraged Pat with mail to ward off her other suitors during his 16 weeks of basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey.

“It was a process to woo her,” he said.

The Korean War was on and Rod was sent from Seattle to Seoul, the capital of South Korea. He was there for 14 months. It was a tense time. China threatened to support North Korea if the U.S. did not retreat. The American commander, Douglas MacArthur, insisted the Chinese were bluffing. They weren’t. After China entered the war, U.S. troops moved back. The result was a bloody stalemate. The fighting stopped in July 1953, and Rod Ross returned home without seeing combat.

He had two goals: to get a good job and to marry Pat Johnson. Mission accomplished on both accounts.

In August 1954, just after his Army discharge, Rod joined the Philadelphia Life Insurance Company at a starting salary of $300 a month.

One year later, on August 6, 1955, he and Pat were married. They will be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary.

Rod moved up quickly at Philadelphia Life, and when he was elected president 19 years later, “It was a real hot shop.”

Ross takes no credit for the company’s growth. “I had

Grahams' route to Beaumont was a long way around

By Joan Roberts

The newest residents of 35 Pond Lane are world travelers who have called some interesting places home.

Mary and Richard (Dick) Graham have lived on a farm in Chestertown, Maryland, and a ranch on the Wind Grahams continued on page 7

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Grahams continued from page 6 River in Dubois, northwestern Wyoming. Winters have taken them to Argentinian Patagonia, where they have stayed in “estancias” owned by French families, with accommodations for a maximum of 10 guests, the chief attractions being riding and fishing. They love France, and the past two summers have found them traveling on small French canal barges.

Dick’s career has been in the paperboard box business.

A graduate of the Haverford School, Lafayette College and the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, he Dick Graham went to work for the Container Corporation of America, headquartered in Chicago.

This firm was bought by Jefferson Smurfit, an Irish company, and Dick worked for it for 40 years (with many trips to Ireland), eventually becoming its Chief Executive Officer.

In his retirement, Dick serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of the Haverford School. He describes himself as an exercise freak whose passions include golf, fly fishing and politics. (Mary cautions against engaging him in a political discussion without knowing all your facts!)

Mary, a graduate of Rosemont College, has been involved in the art world practically all of her life. At ages 11 and 12 she attended children’s classes at the Mary Graham Philadelphia School of Industrial Art. In 1973 she became a volunteer guide at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and was asked to do research in American art in the years leading up to the Bicentennial.

After moving to Chicago, Mary became involved in that city’s Art Institute and was hired as an Assistant to the Assistant Director. Following the box company takeover by Jefferson Smurfit, the Grahams moved to St. Louis, and Mary joined the board of the St. Louis Art Museum.

While there she was asked to be in charge of the installation of a major art exhibition, “Art Nouveau in Munich,” which had been shown in Philadelphia. She said she was glad to have already seen it!

Mary now serves on the board of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Her other great love is the

Morris Arboretum, where she serves on the Director’s Guild. As might be expected, she is a painter (chiefly figures and still lifes), has sold some of her work, and expects to use the new Arts and Crafts room at Beaumont.

The Grahams have three daughters, a son and eight grandchildren. Currently, the only other member of the household is an energetic 16-month-old poodle named Pheebee [sic] who can rise to 5 feet tall on two legs, which she is inclined to do. Fortunately, she is very friendly.

For this new resident, moving was. . .well, read on!

By Jean Homeier Margaret (Peggy) Canfield had moved to Beaumont only two weeks prior to our meeting in June, but her lovely apartment looked as if it had been her home forever.

Credit goes, she said, to her two daughters. They not only painted the walls themselves, but also had all furnishings and ornaments in place when she walked in for the first time.

I suggested she "rent out" those daughters!

Peggy is a native PhiladelPeggy Canfield phian who grew up in Drexel Hill, graduated from Immaculata College and raised her five children in Haverford.

In addition to the two daughters there are three sons, nine grandchildren and an infant great-grandchild, all right here in this area. Three of the grandchildren are married and the youngest will be entering his senior year at Penn State.

"Lawyering" seems to run in the family. Her first husband was a lawyer, as was her second. A son, son-in-law and grandson all chose that profession as well.

Peggy volunteered often and at length in various capacities at her five children's schools. She is an avid reader ("good novels and biographies"). She loves flowers and had extensive gardens at her Haverford home.

For about 50 years the family has maintained a shore house in Longport, New Jersey, and Peggy always looks forward to the summer there with nonstop visits from her family.

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PLAYTIME AT CAMP BEAUMONT: From the bocce court to the putting green and the Fitness Center to the Bistro, Beaumonters celebrate summer. On the bocce court, top left (from left): Daniel Hutchinson, Katherine Hutchinson, Leslie Wheeler and Marlene Heineman, the same team featured on Page 1. Sally Morris watches as husband Roland addresses his ball and then— Yay Roly!—sinks it! Indoors, Bertram Wolfson works out under the approving eye of Fitness Instructor Bob Stedeford and shares a toast with Dr. John and Barbara Benson.

Photos by Greg Benson

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