V o lu me T h i rt y O ne , N umber 7
July 2017
Compost tea seen as key to a greener Beaumont in more ways than one By Irene Borgogno
In its pursuit of greener grass, bug-free and weedless, Beaumont has long relied on chemicals that are increasingly being recognized as toxic to creatures from microbes to us. This summer, however, visible changes are under way. Beaumont has begun moving toward ecologically friendly alternatives, and key among these is the humble mixture of decomposed organic matter known as compost. Compost is not new. Its use to help build healthy soil has a long history, with written material dating at least to the Roman Empire and Pliny the Elder (AD 23-79). Beaumont’s Green/Grounds Subcommittee, created in 2015, obtained approval of the BRCI Board to discontinue the use of toxic chemicals in the Park, the area surrounded by villas on Pond Lane, Pasture Lane and Middle Road.
COMPOST-TEA BREWER steeps liquid organic fertilizer in Austin garage.
All photos by Richard Stephens
This area is being used to experiment with organic methods of lawn care. The subcommittee, headed from the beginning by Ann Reed of the Green Committee, recommended and financed the attendance of Grounds COMPOST continued on page 4
Frogs who went a-wooing leave a mystery behind Text and photos by Linda Madara PLOP! What on earth was that? I was minding my own business pulling out rogue weeds from my garden when it happened a second time. PLOP!! I looked at the little fish pondcum-bird bath on the ground. There was
TAKING TIME to smell the roses. . .er. . .petunias.
a large circular ripple on the surface of the water, but no sign of anything else. How strange! Having a generous collection of weeds, I continued on. At our previous house, we had a small pond set in a garden in the grass circle of the drive. Frogs used to FROGS continued on page 5
Why I love the Health Center
town and came back in the wheelchair van. The next day someone said to me, “That was quite a party you had yesterday afternoon.” “Really?” I said. “That’s interesting. Why do you say that I had a party?” “Well,” she said, “there were many people in your room.” “Did you see me?” I asked. “Well, no,” she said. “There were so many people in your room I didn’t see the bed.” “Well,” I said, “I wasn’t there.” “Are you sure?” she said. “Well, yes,” I said, “I was in town.” “My, my,” she said, and that was that. I figure I wasn’t there so my visitors decided to have a party—as I said, I love the Health Center.
By Deborah Bishop (This is a true story)
Let’s just get this straight—I love the Health Center—period, end of report. I love the nurses and the men and women who bring you breakfast, lunch and dinner and cookies and juice in the afternoon. I love having breakfast in bed, and I love being able to order anything I want. People send flowers and cards. Also, people come and visit in the Health Center. They just drop in, which is always a nice surprise. Now about this visiting. One day they took me in town to the doctor who had replaced my hip (do not do this unless absolutely necessary). Anyway, I went in
FRONT DESK’S Lakia Archer and fiancé Theo Gifford welcomed Khalel Keith Gifford, left, in the arms of big brother Kendall, age 3, on June 26 at 1:06 p.m. Baby weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces, and measured 19 ½ inches. Photo by Theo Gifford
In Memoriam Laura Sicalides July 17, 2017
Eloise Gretz July 19, 2017
Carter Fergusson July 21, 2017
Ruth Fergusson July 30, 2017
Photo by Michele Moran
Margaret Manlove August 2, 2017 Members of the Beaumont Community extend deepest sympathy to their families and friends.
The Beaumont News is published monthly from October through July, with the publication target date of about the 10th of each month. The deadline for turning in copy will be the 20th of the previous month (September 20 for the October issue) unless by special arrangement with Editor Mary Graff (graffs18@gmail.com) or Co-Editor Lynn Ayres (marilynayres134@gmail.com). Copies should be emailed to both editors, or if emailing is not possible, written or typed as legibly as possible and given to Administrative Assistant Jennie Frankel to convert.
A BEACH SETTING, though overcast, provided a perfect wedding day for Resident Services Director Caitlin McDevitt Gardner and her new husband, John. The wedding took place on April 21 at the Jersey shore, where both Caitlin and John had vacationed since childhood. 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
2
Editor Associate Editor and Production Manager Co-Editor Graphic Designer Photo Editor Roving Reporter Events Manager Proofreader
Mary Graff John Hall Marilyn (Lynn) Ayres TJ Walsh Louise Hughes Wistie Miller Caitlin Gardner Jennie Frankel
Operations staff, with help of WorxHub, earns high marks for performance By Brock Nichols, Assistant Vice President of Operations
Whether it’s fixing a leaky pipe or planting a tree, the mission of the Operations departments is to get it done faster, better, more economically and with the best possible use of available manpower. With the help of WorxHub, the work-order management software now in its third year of improving service at Beaumont, we are pleased to report not only continuing progress, but better numbers than the industry average. Last year saw an increase of 19 percent over 2015 in work orders completed for the calendar year (50,983 in 2016 as compared with 42,709 in 2015). Much of this improvement is attributable to better collection of data from employees and consistently increased workloads. We are proud to report that for 2016, Beaumont’s Operations departments can show that more than 88 percent of work orders were completed within two days, as compared with the industry average of
approximately 70 percent. Beaumont’s “overdue” work orders of 13 percent also surpass an industry average of 26 percent, while at Beaumont the average number of days a work order was open (1.7) was almost half that of the industry as a whole (3.0). Similar results in productivity and response times are piling up for the first half of 2017. We are currently in discussions with WorxHub to see what other software applications (e.g. Security, Transportation, etc.) can be integrated into Beaumont’s daily operations to enhance workflow and to provide even quicker and more excellent service to our residents, guests and staff. Thanks are due to all the men and women who staff our departments, and especially Housekeeping Supervisor Darryl Dick, Maintenance Supervisor Paul Conboy, Grounds Director Mark Hritz and Operations Assistant Kathy Hesington.
BELOW: VACATION SENDOFF for Bobbie McElroy (left) and gift shop volunteers (not pictured) rated champagne toasts on June 15. President/CEO Joe Peduzzi said Bobbie and volunteers will be back when shop re-opens with a new look after renovations. Celebrating with Bobbie are reception guests Virginia Rivers (center) and Joan Roberts. Volunteers were helping other guests, some of them still shopping.
ABOVE: FIVE-YEAR EMPLOYEES enjoyed an anniversary cruise on the Spirit of Philadelphia on May 17. The afternoon luncheon cruise along the Delaware River included a historical tour, dancing and even nice weather. LEFT TO RIGHT: James Conley, Food Services; Martha Aviles, Laundry; Charlene Lewis, Personal Care; Megan Drozdowski, Wellness; Joe Peduzzi, President and CEO; Jeremy Varnis, IT; Carol Korabik, Human Resources; John Bauer, Executive Chef; Tory Gosnell, Health Services; Kristin Szoke, Accounting; Stephen Malek, Dining Services. NOT PICTURED: Alicia McCullough, Health Services; Janice Pearce, Health Services; Rasool Prattis, Food Services; Adrian Carranza, Dining Services.
3
Photo by Louise Hughes
COMPOST continued from page 1 Regular aeration will prevent soil compaction. The lawn itself will be composed of a mix of desirable grasses, which will be cut at least 3 inches high. This lawn should thrive in the healthy soil and largely inhibit invasion by weeds. It should exhibit sufficient diversity to survive insect depredations. The benefits of discontinuing use of commercial lawn care chemicals will start immediately. Long-term benefits for the lawn should be clear before many growing seasons have passed. Current members of the subcommittee, besides Ann, are Roland Morris, also from the Green Committee, and Sally Randolph and Deedee Ballard, both from the Grounds Committee. John Gregg was a member of the subcommittee until his death in June, as was Nancy Harris until her retirement as chairman of the Grounds Committee.
Director Mark Hritz at an Organic Lawn Workshop in August 2016. On the recommendation of the subcommittee, Beaumont purchased an aerator, a compost tea brewer and a sprayer.
SPRAYER tank is filled with compost tea by Grounds Director Mark Hritz.
By the end of the growing season, the soil in the designated area will have been saturated by application of the solution produced in the brewer. As a slow-acting organic fertilizer, the compost tea will help build the soil. It will also assist in the development of a microbial biome that will strengthen the lawn and encourage self-perpetuation.
HITCHED TO A UTILIT Y VEHICLE, the sprayer gets to work.
Photo by Lynn Ayres
GLIMPSES OF DEER Are among the natural amenities of our peaceful campus, yet as an article in the June issue pointed out (Page 1, “Keeping Wheeler Woods healthy”), over-browsing by too many deer endangers our forest. That article was the first of a series planned by the Green Committee to explain what it is trying to do and the problems it faces. “Compost tea seen as key” beginning on Page 1 in this issue, reflecting the combined labors of the Green and Grounds committees, is the second in the series.
4
Bouquets of zinnias brighten patients’ rooms, gladden hearts of all concerned
By Eta Glassman
What a surprise! Plastic cups filled with colorful zinnias on the windowsill of my husband’s room in the Health Center. Who brought the flowers? Then I solved the mystery. I found David Randolph in the Liseter Garden with a bucket of water, hundreds of zinnia blooms and waxed hemp string. Then he and Robert Green, morning host for Photos by Audrey Walsh Beaumont’s dining venues, took bunches of miniature ASSEMBLY BEGINS: David Randolph (left) and Robert zinnias out of the water, Green take flowers out of the water tied them with the hemp bucket, trim the stems and prepare string, created small the bouquets. bouquets and threw them into a plastic bag. Once the bouquets were prepared, the duo placed them in small plastic cups. As of this writing, so far this summer, bouquets produced and distributed totaled close to 550—and counting.
The final step is distribution. David delivers the flowers to the Health Center’s desk. The nurses deliver the flowers to the patients so that everyone can enjoy the blooms. The distribution line continues to the Personal Care area. When David first took the FINISHED PRODUCT: zinnias to PC, he discovered David displays a cheerful nosegay for a Health Care that patients with macular degeneration could see the patient. colorful flowers if the bouquets were held close to their faces. David’s kindness is a tribute to his mother, who spent many years in the Health Center. Robert, who developed his love of gardening from his father, is a senior at Temple University and future law school student. “It is wonderful to bring happiness to others,” David said.
FROGS continued from page 1 appear from nowhere every spring to mate and lay their in my tiny pond. Frogs don’t congregate on the Great Lawn at Beaumont. No water near. Nope! It could not ribbons of eggs…followed, of course, by gazillions of be frogs. We had just scrubbed pollywogs populating the very small pond. out the pond two days before. One year I carefully What, then, were the plops? transported to my New York The following morning when I went outside to check kindergartner granddaughon the garden, still perplexed, I ter (via Amtrak) a very large jar of pollywogs. They were looked at the pond. There were the sensation of the lower Manny and Mo (two little dark school’s Grandparents’ Day. brown warty frogs) nestled amid the woolly thyme that draped Well in advance I had alerted the teacher, who conveover the edge of the pond. Not niently had an old aquarium one frog, but TWO! ready for the “Grand Trans Later that day as I was fer,” which was a screaming once again fussing around the way garden-lovers tend to do, success. MANNY AND MO peep out of the water at the edge of the pond. Just before summer I had another shock…the vacation the entire kindergarten class marched into number of small brown amphibians had risen to 5. Central Park and ceremoniously deposited the contents Spell it! F-I-V-E! of the aquarium, the then mini-legged creatures, into As of this writing the total seems to remain holding at five, but Paul Conboy and Kent Hall from the lake. Maintenance, who stopped by the garden to check for There were some tears of sadness, but very few, as the girls marched over to investigate the contents of mosquito larvae (we were already treating the water), their picnic bag lunches. both swear that they saw pollywogs at the bottom of the Back to the present. Frogs! Could the PLOP pond! How did they get there? possibly be frogs? Absurd in the extreme! Not possible
5
Butchers’ move to Beaumont continues a family tradition
By Wistie Miller
What a pleasure it was to interview Anne and McBee (Mac) Butcher. They are so enthusiastic about moving to Beaumont and their apartment in Austin. They absolutely “love the spirit of this place with its outreach and diversity, not to mention the food.” They met when they were pre-teenagers. Anne’s parents lived across from the Church of the Redeemer in Bryn Mawr, where Mac went to Sunday School. Fourteen years later they were married in this church. In fact, aside from their vacations, they have always lived within five miles of their home bases in Anne and Mac Butcher Bryn Mawr and Villanova. Mac’s father, Howard Butcher, was one of the first directors of Beaumont. He helped Artie Wheeler, Cally’s late husband, get the necessary financing to purchase the mansion and property. Anne attended the Baldwin School and Bradford Junior College and took continuing education courses at Bryn Mawr College and the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to bringing up two boys, Mac and Art, and a daughter, Liz, she volunteered for many community organizations. She became a guide at the University
Attention orchid lovers and French speakers: Meet Betty Byar!
but it also seemed a good opportunity for a newcomer at Beaumont to experience one of the morning socials for which Louise is famous. What a great party it was. Richard’s coffee was a real hit and every seat was taken! For the actual interview I went to Betty’s attractive apartment in Austin Hall where we settled down in her den. The first question usually is, “Where are you from?” Betty is a born-and-raised Philadelphian and another of our large number of Penn grads. She received both her undergraduate and Master’s in Education degrees from the university. Following that, Betty found the right job teaching French at Springfield High School and loved the subject so much she went back, this time to Villanova, for a second master’s in, you guessed it, French! Betty has been married, and widowed, twice. Her first husband was an Annapolis graduate who
By Mary Schnabel
Betty Byar
Betty Byar and I decided to meet at Louise Hughes’s coffee social and enjoy a cup of the special Ethiopian brew that Richard Stephens had brought back from his trip to that country. The actual purpose of our meeting was an interview for this paper that I was to have with Betty,
Museum at Penn and served as chairman of the Women’s Committee there. She also served on the board of the White-Williams Foundation and chaired a city beautification program called “The Neighborhood Gardens Association.” Mac attended Haverford School, The Hill School, The University of Pennsylvania and the Program for Management Development at Harvard. He is the retired chairman of Butcher and Singer, a family investment banking firm, and a retired managing director of Wheat First Butcher Singer. He is currently chairman of the Philadelphia Bourse, a small manufacturing and electrical contracting business, as well as being a director of several other small companies. The couple’s daughter and two sons are all married, and there are nine grandchildren. For the past 18 years they have owned a vacation home on Spring Island, a nature preserve community near Beaufort, South Carolina. They recently sold it but plan to return there frequently as they love the way of life down there and miss their many friends. Mac has a passion for fly fishing, especially in the Poconos with his children. They travel from New York, Philadelphia and Wellesley, Massachusetts, to join him. Anne and Mac both enjoy golf, bridge, birding and travel. Both said they were “looking forward to being part of this beautiful and caring community.”
6
BYAR continued on page 7
Gatehouse and Greta Weaver—perfect together!
tired, they traveled extensively in Europe. Greta’s favorite area was Tuscany. She loved the food and the scenery. The Gatehouse dining room now includes a painting of a panoramic scene of Tuscany that Greta bought there. Greta’s favorite activities are gardening and reading. She is a fan of mysteries and was reading John Grisham’s latest book when I visited. She is also a fan of owls, which she collects. The Gatehouse now displays a number of attractive and ingePhoto by Richard Stephens nious owls, GATEHOUSE: The house of 7 gables (but not 7 dwarves) looks like a fairy-tale cottage in a forest, but including a stained-glass it’s roomier inside than one would think. Magic? panel mounted on the front entrance door. After her husband died, Greta came to believe that she would be better off settled in a retirement community, where she could find companionship and security. The move to Beaumont was unexpectedly well timed, as medical issues shortly after the move necessitated two stays in the Health Center. With those issues resolved, Greta said she is enjoying the Gatehouse and looking forward to taking part in Beaumont’s many activities and opportunities.
By Irene Borgogno
It took a while, but after months of speculation about who might be the perfect match for Beaumont’s unique Gatehouse, Greta Weaver took up residence. The process began a year ago, when she received notice of an open house. She was interested, but life and a rainy, miserable day intervened. She simply forgot. She asked for another showing. At about the same time, the December 2016 Beaumont News featured a history and Greta Weaver and Alfie description of the Gatehouse with photos inside and out. That sold her—and her family! She was drawn to the photos not only of the building, but of previous owner Annette Von Starck’s furniture, which she felt was right in keeping with the nature and atmosphere of the Gatehouse. Now Greta Weaver’s Gatehouse home is beautifully furnished with her own things, an eclectic arrangement of rustic and period items that complement the architectural style and woodland setting. Her Yorkshire terrier, Alfie, welcomes visitors with happy barks and a frantic tail. Greta grew up in South Jersey. She attended Dickinson College, where she majored in English. She lived in Villanova for 45 years with her husband, Ray, and usually a dog. Greta has two children and five grandchildren. Her daughter now lives in Connecticut and her son in North Carolina. After her husband reBYAR continued from page 6 worked first at the Pentagon and then was stationed in Charleston, South Carolina. After his retirement they moved back to Pennsylvania, where they bought a house in Upper Providence, Delaware County. This is where Betty lived after she became a widow and where, seven years later, she married an architect, who was happy to share her large, comfortable house with pretty property and a swimming pool. This husband loved cruising, and Betty’s eyes lit up when we talked about those trips. “We went to so many wonderful places, but I especially enjoyed the times we spent in the South Pacific, islands like Tahiti and Bora Bora, where I was able to keep up with my French.” Betty loves orchids and thanks to that interest,
7
her brother gave her a greenhouse, built right there, adjoining her own home. Her hobby, and her unique collection of orchids, prompted a special segment on the CNBC television show, Home and Garden. The host of the show and all the cameras came right to her greenhouse to interview her. Although widowed again, she has continued to live a full and active life. Both her son and daughter and their children live in the area, so she is a fortunate and well-loved matriarch. She told me she fell in love with Beaumont the minute she walked in the door, and felt right at home already. She was quick to get involved in our fitness classes, and is determined to take advantage of everything Beaumont has to offer.
Them Dirty Benches By Dean ‘Doc’ Snyder
To the tune of “Dem Dry Bones” Upper left — BEFORE: Outdoor exposure takes a toll on Beaumont’s benches. Center — SCRUBBING AND RINSING remove lichens, bird droppings, cobwebs and stains, in preparation for a new finish. Lower left — BENCH CLEANERS Doc Snyder and his friend George Gay add a clear oil stain finish to a cleaned bench.
Them benches, them benches, Them dirty benches.
Lower right — AFTER: Cleaned and refinished bench is ready to face the elements.
Them guys, them guys, Them dirty guys.
Them benches, them benches, Them cleaned-up benches.
Come sit a spell.
Photos by Louise Hughes
Mexican Meatballs
As promised, here’s another recipe contest winner. By Nina Morgenstern
Meatballs 1 pound ground beef or turkey 1/2 cup fine, dry breadcrumbs 1 medium onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced or mashed 1 teaspoon ground coriander seed 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 2 eggs, slightly beaten Sauce 1 1 1 1 1
can (1-pound) tomatoes can (8-ounce) tomato sauce medium onion, chopped clove garlic, minced or mashed tablespoon chili powder
Mix together thoroughly the meat, crumbs, 1 onion, 2 garlic cloves, coriander, salt, pepper and eggs. Shape into balls about 1 1/4 inches in diameter.
Photo by Lynn Ayres AUTHORS MURRAY DUBIN (left) AND DANIEL R. BIDDLE discussed their book, Tasting Freedom: Octavius Catto and the Battle for Equality in Civil War America, in the Beaumont Room on August 1. The presentation was followed by refreshments and book signing.
In a large kettle with a tight-fitting cover, combine the other ingredients. Cover and simmer for five minutes.
Daniel Biddle is the son of Beaumont resident Frances Biddle.
Drop meatballs into the hot tomato sauce, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes. Serve over rice—white or brown—or wide noodles. Serves 4
8
Octavius Catto’s gravestone outside Philadelphia calls him “The Forgotten Hero.” He was a prominent scholar, educator, Union Army major and dominant leader in the civil rights movement in the mid-1800s. His efforts to register African-American voters predated by a century those of Martin Luther King.