Beaumont News February 2019

V o lu me T h i rt y T h ree , N umber 2

Februar y 2019

Recreational Therapy runs the gamut from high-tech to hands-on

care (independent living, personal care and skilled nursing).

An example of a therapeutic recreation program would be a Travelogue to Greece. The facilitator of the program can incorporate a visual slideshow of the country’s

By Linda Madara and Bernadette Bevilacqua, CTRS landscape paired with themed music, while engaging in stimulating conversation about cultural trivia and cuisine.

Recreational therapy utilizes leisure activities as Whether interventions to address the needs of individuals with the goal is to illnesses and/or disabling conditions, in order to achieve psychological and physical health, recovery and well-being. reduce anxiety, increase standTwo new programs have been recently introduced under ing tolerance or the guidance of Bernadette Bevilacqua, CTRS, Director encourage social of Therapeutic Recreation—IN2L and ElderGrow. interactions, the

IN2L (IT’S NEVER TOO LATE) is interactive, system provides state-of-the-art software that supports intellectual stimopportunities, ulation, social engagement, fitness, spiritual fulfillment, regardless of emotional age or level of support and cognition. The more. Eviprogram caters dence-based to the individresearch has ual needs and proven the interests of the effectiveness person. Beauof the sysTHE ELDERGROW indoor horticulture promont advocates tem’s positive providing gram gives resident Barbara Cooney a chance to Photos by Linda Madara outcomes, “person-centered plant and care for her own colorful specimen.

THE IN2L SHUTTLE is a handheld tablet that which can care,” and this approach is supported in the IN2L “shuttle.” can be used when engaging with a person one-on-one.

be utilized

The shuttle is a handheld tablet that can be used Therapeutic Recreation Director Bernadette Bevilacqua

in all levels of and resident Sandy Hutchinson enjoy the interaction.

RECREATIONAL THERAPY continued on page 6

Life as a pedestrian reaps rewards

By David Balamuth

Until I was almost 50 years old, my experiences with walking were distinctly mixed. I hated “hiking” in summer camp, but enjoyed walking to work as a graduate student. Arriving at Penn with a fresh Ph.D., I chose to drive my recently acquired convertible from 15th and Pine to 33rd and Walnut.

Twenty-five years of this misbehavior caught up with me when I had a heart attack in my office at age 49, and had to be carried downstairs in full view of my colleagues by two husky Philadelphia firemen on my way to HUP. After a period of recuperation at home, and in receipt of medical advice to get regular exercise, I made the ultimate academic sacrifice of surrendering my parking place.

Being forced to take the train to work was PEDESTRIAN continued on page 7

Beaumont birds have many followers

By Ann Reed

In 2017, inspired by the presence in our midst of expert birder and photographer Jane Ruffin, a group of Beaumont bird lovers began to exchange information about local birds through email. “Bird Notes” has no schedule, no agenda and no boss. Bird lovers share pictures (Sally Randolph’s robin sitting on its nest); sightings (the blue heron, John Carson’s rose-breasted grosbeak); and warnings (grackles, Page Gowan’s reminder to sterilize your feeders.)

In January this group and other Beaumont birder fanciers gathered in the Ballam Theatre for a program dedicated to our natural environment and birds at Beaumont. Jane Ruffin showed handsome slides of 51 birds that have been seen at Beaumont in recent years. These ranged from year-round residents to migrants, from the tiny ruRED ALERT: Avian red by-crowned heads include the ruby-crowned kinglet and the pileated kinglet to the woodpecker. The red-robed pileated cardinal and rose-breasted woodpecker. grosbeak are cousins—note their similar heavy beaks.

Sally Ran dolph showed vid eos. One compared the envi ronmental benefits of natural meadows with the environmen tal damage associated with tra ditional lawns.

C. James Luther January 26, 2019

Lawrence Earle January 30, 2019

Robert Olson February 17, 2019

By Wistie Miller

This is a plea on behalf of the Music Committee to see if we can increase the attendance at our free, extremely varied, world-class Astral Artist concerts here at Beaumont. The problem is not a lack of interest.

The problem is that many of us have not yet finished our dinners by 7:30!

This is not a problem in the winter months when the concerts begin before dinner at 4:30 p.m., but soon they will again be scheduled at 7:30 p.m.

The obvious solution would be to move the concert starting time to 8:00 p.m., but therein lies a second problem. Our performers frequently schedule a second concert immediately following ours. You can’t blame them.

Once they have gotten themselves out of the city to the Main Line, giving two concerts, back-to-back, reduces their expenses.

We are fortunate to have these “stars of tomorrow” on the cusp of their being discovered nationally and internationally. They deserve to be heard.

Please consider scheduling your dinnertime just one-half hour earlier. As a special treat, invite a friend from the “outside.” Make a truly gala evening of it. You’ll be glad you did.

Another demonstrated the crucial role insects play in the chain of life and the insidious effects of pesticides and herbicides, especially on birds that must have insects to raise their young. Sally described the status of the Beaumont Pond and discussed plans of the Grounds Committee to maintain it and its immediate surroundings.

Ann Reed reminded the group that Beaumont has assumed a leadership role in changing to organic lawn care. (See Beaumont News, February 2018) She invited all to receive “Bird Notes” by sending her their email address (annreed1955@gmail.com).

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 Mary Graff January 19, 2019

Concert too early? Dinner too late?

Here’s a reasonable solution

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

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

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Let’s unravel the snags and knots of recycling rules

By Irene Borgogno

We try to recycle, but often confusion intervenes.

Is the item recyclable? What happens to the recyclable materials collected? The Green Committee visited the Mascaro recycling facility last autumn to learn the answers.

there. But China has restricted what it will accept beyond currently achievable standards, especially for paper.

In consequence, the selling price of bales of paper has dropped by a factor of five, and India currently has become the biggest customer.)

The Mascaro company purchased an existing landfill in the 1980s. Today, this landfill is known as Pioneer Crossing in Birdsboro, Pa. This landfill is the final stop for collected material which cannot be recycled: the less material that ends with this designation, the longer the lifespan of the landfill. Mascaro constantly seeks to upgrade the system to move the endpoint of more materials from “landfill” to “recycle.” They have ambitions to run all collected trash through the recycling line to further reduce the volume going to landfill; this will require building a new sorting line, but it would lengthen the lifespan of the landfill.

Even the landfill contributes a bit: a series of buried collector pipes reclaim methane gas generated by the landfill and feed the gas to five turbine generators, which can produce electricity for 15,000 houses per year.

Mascaro has permits through 2030 that allow 17,000 tons per day to be added to the landfill. Mascaro’s actual use is closer to 13,000 tons per day, but even at this lower rate, the landfill will fill to capacity, without room for expansion.

HOW IS IT DONE? Mascaro does single-stream recycling. All recyclables can be mixed together in one container; separation of materials will occur at the Mascaro facility.

Most of the sorting is done automatically, but the process starts with manual sorters, who work in three-hour stretches, pulling out items too big for the MANUAL SORTING is needed to remove over- equipment

sized items, plastic bags and other items that might system to hanjam the machinery.

dle. They also remove plastic bags, which can jam the mechanism.

A number of mechanical sorting methods are used, based on the materials in the mix. Sorting wheels direct some items onto side chutes. Jets of air, laser beams and magnets all play a role. The equipment operates on two 10-hour shifts, every day, with four hours per night for cleaning.

WHERE DOES IT GO? There are several different endpoints for disposal of recyclable materials.

For example, a scrap-metal dealer picks up a couple of containers of metal per day. Broken glass gets used in a 6” layer on top of each day’s accumulation in the landfill.

The single-stream recycling operation reclaims 93% of the collected materials; only 7% goes to landfill. About 75% of the reclaimed materials are used domestically; 25% goes overseas. (A few years ago, China was the biggest customer, with 75% of reclaimed materials going

WHAT ARE THE SNAGS AND KNOTS? The worst problem in the recycling process is waste composed of more than one material: paper coffee cups with plastic lining, pizza boxes with greasy insides (grease creates holes in the resulting paper product), cardboard wine boxes containing a plastic bladder, and cardboard shipping cartons with Styrofoam supports glued inside. All such materials should be disposed of as trash, not recycled.

Plastic bags are next on the list of problems.

These can be recycled, but they require special equipment and will gum up the current single-stream system at Mascaro. Plastic bags should be returned to a grocery store or retailer that accepts them.

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RECYCLING continued on page 7

Former Villanova resident brings a history of gardening, music and travel

By Joan Roberts

A woman of many interests and talents has moved into Beaumont after living for many years in the area. A native Villanovan, Anne Dearden is a graduate of the Baldwin School. Her late husband, Ed, also a local, was a graduate of Haverford School and the University of Pennsylvania. The two met at a party—Anne was particularly smitten by this handsome man in his military uniform—and their long and happy marriage brought them three children, two girls and a boy, plus six grandchildren and two “greats.”

Anne has never been one to sit still. Her relatively brief Anne Dearden career working for CertainTeed ended with marriage and parenthood, but besides raising her children she has always enjoyed multiple activities. She took a three-year Barnes Foundation horticultural course and other courses at Main Line School Night, including French, art and history. She has also served the Baldwin School as Presi-

New resident thrives on rowing, fishing, golf and finance

By Wistie Miller

David Wilmerding grew up in Berwyn, attended St. Paul’s school, and graduated from Yale in 1957 with a BA in American Studies. Shortly after college he married Susie Thayer and they had four children. Susie later earned a BA from Villanova and an MBS from Hahnemann Hospital where for many years she was a physical therapist caring for young, handicapped children. Sadly, Susie died from a stroke four days after moving into Beaumont in late March of last year.

One of David’s many interests was competitive rowing David Wilmerding during and after college. I tried, rather unsuccessfully, to get him to talk about his participation in the Olympics, about beating the Russians, and about winning a silver medal. When asked for more details this modest man would only say: “I seemed to take a long time to grow up” and “success almost always depended on who else was in the boat.” David did admit to “forming a boat,” which at one time included Philadel-

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dent of both the Mothers’ Association and the Alumnae Association.

She loves gardening and has been active with her garden club for many years. Her talent for flower arranging has led to a flower commitment for the Merion Cricket Club. A music lover, she subscribes to the Philadelphia Orchestra concerts and is involved with the Young Musicians Musicales. She is an active member of the Sedgeley Club on the Schuylkill River’s Boathouse Row. She loves games and is an enthusiastic bridge player. Her creative talents include crewel, needlepoint and painting.

Anne loved to travel and visited many places with her husband, including Japan, Alaska, South America, Kenya and Russia. She continues to enjoy her lifetime of summers on the Jersey Shore, in a cottage bought by her father in 1944 in Beach Haven, on Long Beach Island.

I first met Anne when she was living on South Spring Mill Road, Villanova. (One of us, I’m not sure which, was collecting money for the Heart Fund.) Her next Villanova move was to Mt. Moro Road in 1961, and it is from there that she comes to us at Beaumont.

She said that the move is not yet complete, but with the help and guidance of daughters living nearby, her apartment in Baldwin is beautifully settled and decorated, down to the pictures on the wall. phia’s Jack Kelly, and that they and others had rowed in Monaco, no doubt due to the “Kelly connection” with Princess Grace.

His first job was with the Philadelphia National Bank where he was eventually responsible for Investment Research and the disposition of closely held business interests in the bank’s Trust Department. After leaving the bank, he served as President and CEO of the Mutual Assurance Company until 1988, when he returned to fulltime investment management until his retirement in 2007. He continues to maintain a working interest in investment management.

Not-for-profit activity during his business career included board membership at Lankenau Hospital and Drexel University, and membership on the Acting Committee of The Widows Corporation (Protestant Episcopal Church).

In addition, he still finds time to be actively involved with the Fishers Island Club (Green Committee Chair), Gulph Mills Golf Club (President, Green Committee Chair), Jupiter Island Club (Finance Committee, Green Committee Chair), as well as many other endeavors.

His hobbies include playing golf, and whenever possible, fishing for Atlantic salmon and trout. Also, he has a raft of grandchildren who he took to Alaska, travelling by boat from Juneau to Sitka.

Annual garage sale offers everything but the kitchen sink—but just barely

Article and photos by Linda Madara

Every year in February Louise Hughes from Resident Services produces the most amazing “jumble sale” as the Brits say, or as we say, garage sale, yard sale, tag sale, rummage sale…. Residents are invited to part with items that they no longer need, or that their closets have mysteriously shrunk so that clothes don’t fit. Everything has to be in great condition. For a ridiculously low price, the items are offered for sale to the staff and residents.

When the doors opened at 6:30 a.m. buyers had been sitting and waiting for 45 minutes. As the first shoppers stepped through the doors they were greeted with table after table of “treasures,” including a new bagel-size toaster, a never-plugged-in iron, a 5x7-foot pristine carpet, all sorts of jewelry, and clothes, clothes and more clothes.

For the next seven hours shoppers filled bags with endless items: decorative wooden fruit, silver plated wine coolers, a roll-up portable electronic piano keyboard, New Balance walking shoes never out of their box, brick-a-brac galore, gourmet pots and pans, a Keurig coffee machine with coffee pods … on and on, including not a kitchen sink, but a powder room sink

still in its original carton!

The goal was to beat last year’s $2,005 total and with Louise’s marketing skills and an enthusiastic group of buyers, the record was broken! The sale earned $2,405.40 this year—$400 more than last year.

Beaumont residents made this magic happen through their generosity. Items that did not sell were taken by GreenDrop for Purple Heart, benefitting veterans and their families. Also supported by unsold items was David Bromley’s Philadelphia Vaux School’s clothing closet where students are free to choose clothing from donations.

Beaumont’s ceaseless gratitude goes to sales manager Louise Hughes, the Residents’ Services team Caitlin Gardner and Paige Welby, Administrative Assistant Jennie Frankel, Mike Bailey and his very strong staff who delivered cart-loads of items to the Arts and Crafts room, and “Doc” Snyder and all the other resident volunteers lending a helping hand!

[Editor’s note: among the volunteers in the week-long sorting and set-up marathon was Linda Madara.]

Your nametag is my memory’s best friend, but only if you use it

in the recesses of my mind. In some cases, I haven’t the faintest idea who smiles back at me. Are they new residents? Future residents? Guests?

Forgetting names must be worse for new residents. They enter knowing few or none of us, and although we make every effort to ease them into the Beaumont community and make them feel at home, this takes time and leaves some newcomers feeling lonely and confused. We can make them feel more at home by learning their names and sharing ours.

One of the remarks I often

By Evelyn Isom

Oops, it’s nametag week again. Did you wear your nametag? No? Neither did I. My excuse: I couldn’t find it. When I found it, I hung it on the doorknob so I wouldn’t forget it, and I wore it the next day. However, while walking the corridors and entering public spaces, I did not see many residents wearing theirs. Perhaps like me, they forgot or misplaced their tags. Perhaps they know all residents’ names and assume everyone knows theirs.

I am not so fortunate. Though I have lived at Beaumont for almost nine years and smile and wave hello at familiar faces, names often tangle themselves up

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NAMETAGS continued on page 7

Artistic new resident is a local lady who has trained therapy dogs

By Peggy Wolcott

I had the great pleasure of interviewing Dorothy Hawke in her renovated and beautifully decorated apartment. Dottie, as she is called, grew up in Jenkintown, went to the Ogontz School and graduated from the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music.

She married George Hawke in 1951 after his graduation from Princeton. His profession was in finance, and in his free time he enjoyed the game of tennis. Dottie and George lived in Wynnewood for several years and then Dorothy Hawke

moved to Radnor, where they raised five children.

Dottie now has nine grandchildren, which include quadruplets and a set of twins.

Over the years she worked as a canine therapist at the Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Center. As an animal lover, she raised two championship-winning Gordon setters and then trained them to be therapy dogs that she used at the rehab center.

Being artistic, Dottie made French and German reproduction porcelain dolls as a hobby, creating them from a small amount of porcelain powder. She painted their faces, dressed them and created charming figurines.

It was a treat to see a few of them.

She also does exquisite needlepoint, with one large, beautiful piece hanging on her wall. I thoroughly enjoyed being with Dottie and hearing about her busy life.

RECREATIONAL THERAPY continued from page 1 Zachary Margolis, Beaumont’s Food and Beverage Director, to plan how best to introduce ElderGrow.

Beaumont is the first senior living community in Pennsylvania to partner with ElderGrow. Regardless of whether residents actively participate in planting or passively enjoy the result, the physically and mentally stimulating programs provide tools

“What do you mean for everyone to experience the residents are growing the pride of creating someplants in the Health Center? thing and watching it flourish.

Don’t you mean the greenImagine growing herbs in the house?” medical wing that are used to

“Nope! There is a big enhance Beaumont’s dining table with plants growing out menu! of it in ‘B’ lounge.”

It’s a treat to observe

“Plants don’t grow out of tables! You mean they are the sense of accomplishment growing in pots.” when a gardener who is in a Photo by Lynn Ayres

“No… these are

wheelchair digs a hole in the PARSLEY, SAGE, ROSEMARY, THYME... and more, in ElderGrow’s growing out of the table!

soil and carefully places her indoor herb garden.

It has soil in the middle, a plant, lovingly tamping down the soil to complete the drain thing at the bottom, and lights!” task. There’s an expression of joy and a thrill of triumph.

ELDERGROW is a horticultural therapy pro “Don’t tell me that we will be able to eat carrots from the gram that brings a new dimension of participation into the garden on wheels.” lives of those who can no longer get outside to dig in the

“Wouldn’t surprise me. I saw Chef John cutting chives for the soil. ElderGrow brings the complete gardening experience vichyssoise this morning.” inside. It’s a mobile sensory garden that brings nature to

“So, does it mean that we will have a vegetable stand on retirement community residents 12 months of the year.

Ithan Avenue?”

“Don’t count on it this year… but maybe next!”

Impressed by the program, Bernadette collaborated with when engaging with a person one-on-one. It is a great resource when family members come to visit their loved ones, especially with grandchildren, who tend to be knowledgeable about ever-evolving technology. The IN2L enables separate generations to connect and benefit from engagement during their visit.

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PEDESTRIAN continued from page 1 important, since I knew myself well enough to understand that I needed to avoid excuses to skip a daily walk: e.g. too busy, need to finish a grant, etc. My self-discipline was put to the test shortly after the switch. I had been instructed to walk, but not run; as I was walking along City Avenue on my way to the R5 station at Overbrook I saw the train coming. I realized I couldn’t make it without running, but I successfully restrained myself and continued my deliberate pace, thereby achieving a moral victory but, of course, missing the train.

I continued using public transport until my retirement in 2008, and beyond. I often reflected during my walks on the attendant physiological benefit, developing the habit of imagining blood circulating through

unblocked arteries, stimulated by the requirements of exercise. Most recently I have tried supplementing this process by deliberately conjuring the visual image of the gleaming stainless steel of a brand-new state-of-the-art espresso machine purchased by my tekkie son-in-law; I try to imagine my cardiovascular system in a similar state of shining excellence. My dedication to walking is now semi-fanatical. Before moving to Beaumont I carefully surveyed the local area to ensure that there were safe routes on which I could do my daily 3-4 miles. Results of my positive conclusions are available on request.

As you can see, there have been highs and lows along my walking journey. So far, the highs seem to outweigh the lows. After all, I’m still here.

RECYCLING continued from page 3

regarding what can or cannot be recycled. This memo should answer most of your questions about what can be recycled. If you have questions about specific items, contact the Green Committee.

Another serious problem is chlorinated plastic, but this is an issue for the operator, not the equipment.

When heated, these plastics give off chlorine gas.

Subsequent to the visit, Operations Vice President Brock Nichols issued an explanatory memo NAMETAGS continued from page 5

nametags. Let’s wear them for ourselves and for those we meet and greet each day at Beaumont.

This is especially important for me this year, as this is the fifth, yes the fifth, time I have changed my last name. So I hope you notice my name and wear your tags, so I can notice yours.

hear is how wonderful it is to live here at Beaumont because it’s a warm, loving community. We marvel at the talent of the staff to memorize each resident’s name.

I suppose it’s a bit more difficult for us oldsters to keep names straight, especially with so many new residents arriving each year. Yet we have the tools to do so: our

Web of Days

Once from the tangled web of days I tried to weave a cloth of gold Planning innumerable ways To make new beauty from the old.

STANDING TALL: The south side of the mansion is even more imposing than usual when framed by a sky of white clouds and the hill of white snow.

Although I spun with industry I could not get the color right; The thread I used turned out to be Not gold at all, but black and white, Subtle designs I chose with care Had neither symmetry nor grace, Despite my efforts everywhere It turned out merely commonplace.

Photo by Lynn Ayres

Much wiser now than at the start, I wear the homespun of the heart.

—Bette Keck Peterson

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By Mary Schnabel

In the depths of the Mansion lies a treasure we take for granted

You would not believe what is going on here at Beaumont, in an area none of us residents ever see… and yet we couldn’t get along without it. It is active five days a week, from dawn to midnight with a staff of four, whom none of you would recognize. You would never be able to find this place without specific directions because most of us have no idea it’s there.

Take the big, unglamorous elevator opposite the door to the loading dock. Go down, and you’ll find it under the kitchen: Beaumont’s laundry room.

On the right, down a short hall, you come upon four large bins where soiled laundry is left. Keep eyes right, or you’ll miss the little door that leads to a huge room where seven clothes dryers (four standard household size and three with a capacity of 70 pounds each) are constantly spinning their loads of sheets, towels and assorted other items that are used by residents on a daily basis.

These machines rim the room, which is dominated by a very large, waist-high table in the middle of the space. It is on this table that all the clean laundry is piled after it comes from the dryers. The last step in the laundry process is the sorting and folding.

Around the edge of the table the three staff members begin folding dozens and dozens of towels, sheets and other linen from all over the campus.

IRONING clothing or small items is some The laundry does times necessary. Kelly also does small mending.

everything washable that is used in the Health Center and Personal Care. It does all the towels from the swimming pool, Fitness Center, Wellness Center, Physical Therapy and the beauty shop.

It also does bed linen for many apartments and villas. The

laundry used to do all the table linen for our various dining rooms, but part of that work has recently been contracted to an outside agency. It is an absolutely enormous job!

Kelly Phasavath (a friend now because I have known her since I first wrote about this area eight or nine years ago) is the only woman on the laundry staff and has been working there for 22 years. She tells me that it is hard for her to manage the washers and dryers because of the weight of the wet clothes. Just pulling the clothes out of the washers and into the carts to Photos by Lynn Ayres transfer to dryers across the room has become too much for her arms and shoulders.

Now that job is done by the two men:

THREE LONG TABLES become one huge surface for John (left) and Shingara to fold laundry. On the left is the bank of dryers. Against the back wall is a mangle ironing machine for pressing large, flat items.

Shingara Singh, who has been working the job for eight years, and John Verdier, a relative newcomer of two years.

In addition to these day-workers, Lamar McCorkle covers the evening hours from 3:00 to 11:30 PM.

I noticed that in addition to the usual towels and sheets, there were clothes of different varieties and colors.

Kelly explained that they were the clothes of Health Center and Personal Care residents. They are usually processed in two regular-sized washers and dryers in an alcove of the main room. Along with the other routine jobs of sorting and folding, Kelly does a lot of the ironing of those clothes, and even mending if she thinks necessary. I have the definite impression that Kelly keeps her eye on all the operations and knows just when and where her help is needed.

So the next time you grab for a towel in the Fitness Center, remember those laundry room workers who keep things healthy and squeaky-clean here at Beaumont.

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