Beaumont News January 2019

V o lu me T h i rt y T h ree , N umber 1

Januar y 2019

Leadership changed at Beaumont News

For 10 years, the Beaumont News has prospered under the leadership of Executive Editor Mary Connelly Graff. Her demanding standards raised the BN from an ordinary newsletter to a document with quality equivalent to a newspaper.

Mary brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to this endeavor. She attended Bryn Mawr College before transferring to and graduating from the University of Michigan. She subsequently received a master’s degree in journalism in 1982 from Syracuse University in New York. She worked as both a journalist and a teacher of journalism.

Her roster of employment included Newsweek, the Rome Daily American, the Chicago Tribune, the New York Journal-American, the Baltimore News-American, and the New York Post. After a five-year interval spent teaching

Tired of broken New Year’s resolutions?

Here’s one you can keep.

By Eta Glassman

I am making only one New Year’s resolution: I will not change anything this year!

I am not going to run for exercise. I will keep walking in the halls at Beaumont—no hills, no wind, and best

Lynn Ayres

Mary Graff

Irene Borgogno

journalism, first at Syracuse University and subsequently at Temple University, she began working in 1985 at The New York Times, where she began as an editor in the Week in Review and retired as society editor in 1994.

Besides her formidable journalistic expertise, Mary’s personal traits enhanced her success. She was a tough lady, relentless in pursuit of a story. Her standards were high, her requirements exacting, but she also had a LEADERSHIP continued on page 7 of all, no rain. Everyone knows running causes injuries.

Those of you who ran when you were young now have bad backs and hip (or knee) replacements.

A recent TV program suggested that whatever we do to increase our heartbeat is good exercise. Forget going to the gym. In fact, thinking about exercise might be as beneficial as the actual activity. That sounds good to me. I can just stay in bed, think about exercising and RESOLUTIONS continued on page 7

MARCHING TREES line the hall near the Ballam Theater, awaiting deployment to their seasonal homes in the common areas. Photo by Richard Stephens

What’s new in our greenhouse?

Our nurse practitioner makes time for travel

By David Randolph

By Lynn Plasha, Vice President of Health Services

If you are walking on the path outside the Fitness Center on a cold winter’s day and want a few minutes’ respite from the wind, rain or snow, then drop into the greenhouse for a moment, and see what’s blooming in the warm (75°-85° F), humid mini-climate.

Currently, almost half of George Hollingshead’s 30-40 orchid plants are starting to bloom, and with most of our December purchases—36 poinsettias—already distributed to Health Center and Assisted Living residents by Marlynne Clothier and Sharon Kelly, we’re getting ready to take in a new crop for distribution.

I’ve had the privilege of working with Marsha Stamm Gayl, the Registered Horticultural Therapist at Beaumont, who holds classes in C Lounge of the Health Center twice a month. In fact, the largest number of plants currently in our greenhouse are cloned plants started by Health Care residents—about 30 African violets started in September horticultural classes, as well as a few narcissus bulbs left from the October classes and Christmas cacti started in mid-November that are just starting to bud now.

Among the flowering plant enthusiasts whose GREENHOUSE continued on page 3

Ryan Sholinsky, RN, CRNP, has been a member of the Wellness Team since early this year. He came to Beaumont after working in a long-term care setting at Garden Spring Center in Willow Grove. Ryan works closely with our Medical team to coordinate the care of Beaumont residents in the Health Center, Personal Care and Wellness Center.

Ryan was raised in New Jersey and attended Rutgers University, where he earned a B.A. in psychology. Later, he moved to Philadelphia to study nursing at Thomas Jefferson University where he received a Bachelor of Nursing, summa cum laude, as well as two Masters in Nursing, in adult geronRyan Sholinsky tology primary care and community systems administration. Ryan has experience in a variety of settings, including hospital, home care, nursing homes, and skilled nursing facilities. In addition, he has worked as a nursing instructor at Thomas Jefferson University, Gwynedd Mercy University and Roxborough Hospital School of Nursing.

Ryan lives in South Philadelphia with Jaimie, his wife of nine years, and their dog Juno. He and his wife enjoy travel, especially to Latin America. They recently returned from Panama and hope to return next year to volunteer on a medical mission.

Ryan is happy to be part of our Health Services team. He feels a strong sense of community and cooperation between residents and staff. He has enjoyed working at Beaumont, getting to know the residents and their families, of which many have led interesting and meaningful lives. “It has been a thrill to hear these stories. I am especially happy to trade stories of overseas travel with residents.”

BEAUMONT DRIVER Richard Smyth, one of three Resident Services Drivers, retired December 31, 2018.

He has been a member of the Beaumont staff since April 2013, and he will be sincerely missed. Rich and his wife, Connie, will be relocating to Florida, where they will enjoy retirement in the Sunshine State.

Photo by Rich Smyth

BEAUMONT RESIDENTS Barbara Moore, Fytie Drayton, George Miller, Elizabeth Royer and Mary Backe enjoy “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” at the Pines Theater in Allentown.

In Memoriam Marie Furlong December 26, 2018

David Allen January 3, 2019

Mary Yurchenco January 3, 2019

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

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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 Lynn Ayres Executive Editor Editor Emeritus Mary Graff Irene Borgogno Managing Editor John Hall Deputy Executive Editor and Production Manager Graphic Designer TJ Walsh Louise Hughes Photo Editor Contributing Editor Linda Madara Quality Control Jennifer Frankel Nancy Harris Index Manager Consulting Assistant Editors Mary Schnabel, Jean Homeier, Peggy Wolcott, Sis Ziesing, Wistie Miller

Residents display impressive talent, skill and imagination

library, and a corner of the room became her studio.

She painted there almost every afternoon, a radio quietly playing music behind her.

Text and photos by Linda Madara

Bobbi took inspiration from nature, enjoying photographs of friends and family where nature was featured.

Think you know your neighbors? What about the She often would ask for a print so that she could depict the lady whose large magical designs leave your head spinning, scene in her own magical style with lines defining the or the retired engineer whose figure drawing is breathtaking, or the talented needle workers stitching away in our midst?

We have photographers who can capture a spider looking like a piece of jewelry, and birds in flight with every feather perfectly in place. Where does the talent to construct small furniture in a variety of woods hide?

The 2018 Resident MOSAIC PAINTING: Bobbi Rosen’s painstaking art intrigues and Art Show opened in amazes viewers. the Beaumont Room on December 2 with changes in color shades almost like a mosaic. an exciting display of Shortly before her death, Bobbi chose three pieces NEEDLE POINT PILLOWS by

talents.

Visitors for the show—one Sondra Jaffee (right) are photographed by

enjoyed the work of of them a painting her granddaughter.

a variety of gifted of Alaskan “Blue residents. It was not a contest; the show was a chance to Ice” from a share interests. photograph by

Seventy-five pieces of art—collages, paintings in Jane Ruffin. She oil, acrylic and watercolor—graced the walls. Twenty-five completed the entry residents displayed remarkable photographs, decoupage, by telling daughneedlework and ceramics, making the event and reception ter Roni about an artistic opportunity to get to know one’s neighbors the exhibition and on a different level.

A PAINTED TRAY by Mary Schnabel attracts which pieces she the attention of Rena Burstein and friends.

The show this year was particularly poignant. had designated.

Bobbi Rosen, one of our artist residents, passed away in

Roni remembered her mother’s wish and offered to November. She had been involved in the planning and lend the pictures to the show. How rewarding to enjoy her design of the Arts and Crafts Room across from the work for a final time.

GREENHOUSE continued from page 2 plants are in our greenhouse now are Don and Jacqueline Mykytiuk, Jean Yarnall, Sue Denious, George and Bambi Gay, and Isabella Budzynski, granddaughter of Tony and Linda Parrotto. There is still plenty of room for new additions, as well!

After January 1, 2019, we will receive some donated seeds from the Burpee Seed Company, courtesy of Marsha Stamm Gayl, so we can get an early start on spring by starting herbs and possibly tomatoes. A herb starter garden

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for Beaumont residents will be a nice complement to the Eldergarden® Herb Garden, which will be installed in one of the lounges of the Health Center in early January, thanks to our Recreational Director Bernadette Bevilacqua.

Our plan is to start growing herbs in the Beaumont greenhouse, then transfer them to the exterior raised (rabbit-proof ) boxes outside the C Lounge of the Health Center when the weather turns warm again in spring.

Holiday celebrations include music, food and good cheer.

MRS. CLAUS’S ANNUAL HOLIDAY BRUNCH featured waffles with fruit, hot maple syrup and whipped cream. Mrs. Claus (Louise Hughes) and elf Caitlin (Gardner) organized the brunch, and other staffers chipped in, including waffle elf Paul Conboy.

Photos by Linda Madara and Lynn Ayres

THE STAFF HOLIDAY LUNCH on December 7 provided a chance for staff to be served by management, have a tasty lunch, socialize with friends and just have a relaxing, good time. Caricaturists were hired to sketch employees. Among the takers were Paul Conboy and fitness instructors, Diana DeMeglio, Karen McFee and Katelyn Brown.

Photos by Mary Wells

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Photos by Linda Madara THE HOLIDAY SING-ALONG was held in the Music Room on December 11, led by “Classic Carolers” Carol Latimer, Cody Muller and John Williams, to the delight of residents. Jim Zug held forth on the organ for an extra-special festive evening capped by the annual holiday dinner.

THE RESIDENTS’ HOLIDAY DINNER followed the sing-along. The Beaumont Room seated close to 190, yet the buffet lines were well organized and minimally crowded. Part of the reason was that there were two sing-along times, and those who sang earlier began to eat earlier.

Also, while some diners headed for the cold seafood and sushi, others selected meat, ravioli and sides.

The evening was a great success, thanks to the food and dining staffs and the leadership of new Food and Beverage Director Zachary Margolis.

Photos by Linda Madara and Lynn Ayres

Photos by Page Gowen

WYNLYN JAZZ MEETS MUSICOPIA: Marv Weisbord and Dr. Carlos Gonzalez, great supporters of Musicopia, brought four super talented music students in the Philadelphia program (ages 15-19) and their coach, Jesse Mell, to Beaumont on Saturday, December 8. The kids joined the Wynlyn Jazz Ensemble, jamming (improvising) seasonal music as well as some old standards like White Christmas. Jingle Bells à la jazz was the hit of the evening with the entire audience joining in song! Linda Madara took videos of the performances. It could be said that Beaumont was really rocking that night.

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Local couple grew up on same street but met in high school

Philadelphia and have remained in the area ever since.

They have two sons and four grandchildren.

Hunter’s careers began in the investment business, first with Hornblower and Weeks and next Elkins Morris Company, from which he moved into sports management with the Philadelphia Wings (box lacrosse). Next he joined the staff of the 76ers and last of all went into commercial real estate. For thirty-five years he served on the board of Children’s Hospital and was a volunteer at the Church of the Redeemer and Bryn Mawr Hospital.

Hunter is a busy reader and sports follower as well.

In her first job, Pam was Lower School Assistant at the Baldwin School where she did “everything not assigned to someone else” and moved on to Valley Forge Military Academy as assistant librarian. Later she owned the craft store, “Whichcraft,” in Bryn Mawr. When Pam closed it she completely switched fields, doing data entry at an accounting firm. When the firm later split, she became an office and sales manager for one of the spin-offs. In addition, Pam volunteered with The Children’s Aid Society, is on Altar Guild at the Church of the Redeemer, works on its annual bazaar and is still involved, with great pleasure, with the Garden Workers’ Garden Club.

By Jean Homeier

In June, Hunter and Pam McMullin moved into their bright and airy Baldwin apartment, then left to spend the summer in their much loved home in Cape May. The house, which has been in the family since 1984, was ordered by the original owners in 1907 and came “all-in-a-box” from Sears Roebuck complete with every nail, piece of wood and instruction necessary to build a comfortable family home ... and all for $1,265!

Although they grew up on the same street in Rosemont, Pam and Hunter did not know each other until their high school days at The Shipley School and Episcopal Academy, after which Hunter went on to Denison University in Granville, Ohio, and Pam to Briarcliffe College in New York State. Following Hunter’s graduation, they Hunter and Pam McMullin were married, returned to

Couple loves to visit large, widespread family, but Maine holds as special place

By Joan Roberts

Two new residents have moved to Beaumont from Sorrel Lane in Bryn Mawr. Despite their claims of unsorted belongings and the mess of moving, their Austin apartment looks well settled and immaculate. Both Neilsons grew up locally.

Benjamin (“Benjie”), originally from St. Davids, spent most of his academic life in New England, boarding at St. Paul’s School in New Hampshire and going on to Harvard and its Law School. He joined the firm of Ballard Spahr, from which he recently retired. His public service included chairing the board of St. Paul’s.

He helped to raise five children. An avid sailor, he enjoys lengthy summers on Mt. Desert Island in Maine. When not otherwise occupied, Benjie enjoys workBenjamin and Meta Neilson

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ing with (challenging?) his computer. He is a dedicated music lover, attested to by a massive collection of CDs, which have encountered a space problem in their new home.

Meta, long known to her friends as “Metsie,” grew up in Bryn Mawr and graduated from Baldwin School. She attended Mills College in California, and left to get married. While raising three children, she was involved in many commitments, both paid and volunteer.

She worked for International House, in its original location in downtown Philadelphia, running its gala fundraiser. She ran Channel 12’s auction for three years. She chaired the board of Montgomery (Country Day) School for six years, afterward serving on the Baldwin School board. Her longest, and perhaps most dedicated, commitment was working for the Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County, to which she devoted fifteen years of legal advice and counseling, as a volunteer, then staff, and chair of the board.

Meta is an avid hiker, especially in Maine.

Between their combined families, Meta and Benjie have eight children and eighteen grandchildren who are widely scattered around the country and the world, creating enviable places to visit.

nova University. Her computer knowledge was acquired through numerous in-service courses taught within the Philadelphia School System and a program at Temple.

She was co-editor of Breezes, the bi-monthly newsletter of the community where she resided before moving to Beaumont in 2015. She was also editor of the monthly newsletter of the Valley Forge Signal Seekers, a model-airplane flying club.

LEADERSHIP continued from page 1 soft side and a great sense of humor (note the photo she chose for this article).

Mary met her late husband Bill while she was working at the Post. The Graffs moved to Beaumont in 2006. She became Executive Editor of the Beaumont News in 2009, replacing the previous editor, Louise C. Guthrie. * * *

And now another cycle has come to an end. A few months ago Mary decided to move on to Editor Emeritus, in which role she could offer advice and guidance, but the responsibility for getting an issue out every month would be turned over to a successor, Marilyn (Lynn) Ayres.

For the past three years, Lynn has served an apprenticeship, learning the fine points of journalism while supporting Mary’s continued leadership when substantial portions of Mary’s time was consumed by personal issues.

Lynn brings a different set of knowledge and experience to the position of editor. Her 32-year career in the Philadelphia School System included teaching English, then computer programming and applications, and finally three years in Central Administration. Lynn has a B.A. and M.Ed. in English from Temple University, and an M.A. in secondary school administration from ViIla-

* * *

Replacing Lynn as managing editor is Irene Borgogno. Irene has a B.A. and an M.A. in anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania, and an M.B.A. in management from Temple University. Although trained as an archaeologist, Irene’s entire career was in clinical research of investigational new drugs in the pharmaceutical industry, mostly working for Johnson & Johnson. Except for her stint on the Beaumont News, she has no experience with newsletters, but a lot of experience writing reports.

Irene is not only a talented writer, but also a first-rate editor and a superb “hunter-gatherer,” an anthropological term for pre-agricultural cultures. In this case, however, it means someone who notices what she sees, listens to what she hears, and digs around in search of story ideas. Irene’s archaeological training has finally been put to good use.

RESOLUTIONS continued from page 1 be healthy.

I will not stop swearing at the Eagles football team.

When I tell them to run, they pass. When I tell them kick, they run. Last year the Eagles won the Super Bowl. I guess they really did not need my advice, after all. Forget the Flyers and the Phillies. They need an injection of talent. As of today, the 76ers are finally okay. I like their mascot (whatever he is).

I will not stop eating chocolate candy. After all, that’s good for you. So what if I eat the whole candy bar or 25 Wilbur buds. If I want to get sick, it’s my business.

I will not give up shopping. Why would I want to deny myself the fun of driving 80 miles an hour to the mall,

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searching for a parking spot and then fighting my way through crowds to find the perfect coat, sweater or boots?

Who can even think about dieting? No pizza, chicken wings or French fries? Someone suggested that at breakfast eat the protein first and then the carbs. How does that apply to a McDonald’s breakfast sandwich?

Simple. Eat the eggs; then eat the bread and hash browns.

Forget the coffee; it’s not a carb or a protein.

And, last, but not least, I will not stop drinking vodka.It would not be a good year without Kettle One in a martini glass, rocks on the side and a lime.

Happy New Year!

Photos by Linda Madara

Christmas and gingerbread houses— what’s the connection?

and Poland.

Gingerbread bakers were gathered into professional guilds, and decorated gingerbreads were frequently given as presents. In the German GINGERBREAD HOUSE created by John Bauer, speaking comExecutive Chef, and Mike Santangelo, Sous Chef

munities of North America, ginger snap cookies gained favor as Christmas tree decorations.

The tradition of making decorated gingerbread houses started in Germany, probably in the early 1800s.

Many food historians believe the tradition resulted directly from publication of the Grimm brothers’ fairy tale, “Hansel and Gretel.” The witch might have been evil, but she GINGERBREAD HOUSE created by Rocco lived in a very Arcaro, Food Services Supervisor appealing house.

But why are gingerbread houses associated with Christmas? Gingerbread was a treat that would naturally be shared on holidays. Shaping the gingerbread into figures made it more whimsical and festive. The time and labor needed to create a fully decorated gingerbread house made it very special indeed, suitable for only the most important celebrations.

Text by Irene Borgogno; photos by Lynn Ayres

During the 2018 holiday season, we had the opportunity to inspect and enjoy two wonderful gingerbread houses. These labors of love were constructed by our own chefs, one a combined effort by Chef John Bauer and Sous Chef Mike Santangelo and the other by Food Services Supervisor Rocco Arcaro. Rocco indicated that he did the construction at home with the assistance of his brother.

Chef Bauer states that he has made the design and construction of a gingerbread house an annual event at Beaumont, continuing a tradition he has followed for most of his professional life, a tradition that started at the Ritz Carlton in Philadelphia, where a gingerbread village was on display in the hotel lobby each holiday season. Such a projANYBODY HOME? ect requires time and preplanning; the Ritz Carlton village was completed in increments over a two-week period.

Gingerbread has a long history in Europe, dating at least to the 11th century, when crusaders returning from the Middle East may have brought home the custom of sweet, spicy bread for special occasions. Some legends propose an even earlier presence of gingerbread in Europe, and the spice itself, ginger, has a history dating back 5,000 years, to origins in Southeast Asia. Its earliest uses were medicinal, but it was a popular seasoning in the Roman Empire.

Forming gingerbread into decorative shapes goes back to the 13th century, and the first documented instance of figure-shaped gingerbread is from the court of Elizabeth I of England. Gingerbread shaping became a significant form of popular art, particularly in Germany

BEAUMONT SINGERS perform their winter concert on December 21 to a full house in the Music Room, under the direction of their new conductor.

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Photos by Linda Madara