Beaumont got into the spirit and excitement of A Decades Party to welcome future residents and enjoy the food, music, and friendship we all cherish. The Gilded Age welcomed guests to the elegance of our Music Room and organ music to set the high-class tone of that decade. A '20s speakeasy in the Mansion Dining rooms allowed a bit more jazzy, carefree time with special libations. The Grille Room took us to a '50s diner, with burgers, fries, milkshakes and tunes from a jukebox. A live band in the Beaumont Room kept feet tapping and people up and dancing to the music memories of the '60s and '70s. Some of us even remembered how to play arcade games of the '80s. Desserts and ice cream gave everyone choices for a sweet ending on the Lattice Porch.
Our Marketing Committee, headed by Audrey Walsh, welcomed more than 50 visitors, set up tours of apartments and villas, and got all dressed up for the occasion. The Food and Beverage Department, headed by Zack Margolis and Chef Drew and his team, created a wonderful dining experience. It was great fun and a great November evening.
Staff kicks up the fun in the '50s Diner.
Guests meet and mingle in The Gilded Age.
A Lasting Legacy: Gilded Age Designer’s Work at Beaumont
This is the first of several articles by Martha Mel Edmunds about the work of George Herzog, Gilded Age Interior Designer of Beaumont.
The Austin Mansion, completed in 1914 on 67 acres in Bryn Mawr, features the design work of George Herzog, leading designer and decorative painter in post-Civil War/early 20th century Philadelphia.
Herzog arrived in Philadelphia in 1871 from Munich, Germany, then a major center of European culture. He had graduated first in a class of 94 from the prestigious Munich public art school and attended lectures at the renowned Royal Academy of Fine Arts. He was a fully trained academic artist at age 20.
In his successful career in Philadelphia, Herzog had major design commissions: The 1876 Centennial Exposition in Fairmount where he won two awards; The Masonic Temple, where he was a member; Philadelphia City Hall; The Union League, (where he and William Austin were members); several private clubs, commercial buildings, churches, and over 20 grand private houses. Most of these private homes have been demolished or the interiors completely modified. For example, the Widener and Elkins mansions on North Broad Street, and the houses around Rittenhouse Square featuring his interiors no longer exist. Herzog’s work inside
the Disston House on North Sixteenth remains, but in very poor condition. Chetwynd, the Converse House in Rosemont, is gone. Nothing remains of Herzog’s work inside Woodmont in Gladwyne.
The Austin Mansion was designed and built for a family of five daughters and one son. Each room on the main floor has a specific function and the paintings and carvings Herzog designed reflect these functions. The spacious entrance hall opens to a parlor, dining room and billiards room to the right. On the left is a small music room opposite a ladies' seating room, and then the entrance into the spectacular double-height conservatory with the organ and painted ceiling. All rooms, except the conservatory, have fireplaces with elaborate mantels which Herzog created with a different design. The treatment of ceilings in each room is different. Even the elaborate iron grill work for doors differs from room to room.
Seventeen drawings by Herzog for the Austin Mansion are preserved in The Athenaeum of Philadelphia as part of a larger collection of correspondence, photographs and other drawings related to his long career. These beautiful watercolor and ink drawings reflect Herzog’s rigorous academic training and document his skill and importance as a designer.
Because the Austin family lost their money in the Depression, and one last daughter lived alone on the property until her death in 1983, the interior had not been changed. Thankfully, as the estate became Beaumont at Bryn Mawr, residents preserved the organ, original paintings, carved decorations, and ironwork. We are fortunate to be stewards of this unique example of Philadelphia’s late Gilded Age interior design.
Ballet Returns to Beaumont
In September, residents had an inspiring performance by the students of The School of Philadelphia Ballet. Between the ages of 16 and 20, the young men and women are in a fulltime program under the direction of Davit Karapetyan. Two dancers performed Flames of Paris inspired by the French Revolution. Four ballerinas were in perfect unison, points, and poses in Tchaikovsky’s Dance of the Cygnets
Merrill Reese
from Swan Lake. A handsome Don Quixote flirted with an exotic senorita, with sexy and provocative leaps, turns, and passion between two lovers. The entire ensemble concluded with a mysterious, dramatic performance of an original piece called My Cry. The dancers moved about the stage in black, with passion and joy to reflect love, birth, death and loss. It was a special afternoon to witness the talent of the next generation of dancers.
Merrill Reese, the play-by-play announcer for The Philadelphia Eagles, entertained a large crowd who dressed in green for the occasion.
From his long friendship with resident Nancy Sharp, he shared his personal story as a kid from Overbrook and years at Temple University. He started his radio career announcing little league baseball games in Pottstown, got a couple of radio gigs around Philadelphia, and went through a series of uncertain tryouts for the substitute sports announcer for a local radio station. His determination, words from his mother, and luck ended him as the sports announcer at WIP-AM and coverage of The Eagles since 1997. In 2024, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and received the Pete Rozell Radio-Television Award. And, he loves what he does.
Questions from residents sparked his depth of knowledge about the Eagles football history, interesting stories, and memories of the great, and not-so-great, players, coaches and staff. He shared his love of the game of football, his love of
this city, and his affection for his wife, family, friends, and unique players he has come to know. As he said, all he wants to do is convey the excitement of the football game and keep listeners interested. He did that for Beaumont, for sure, and as he said, “There is nothing in the world I’d rather be doing.” So if you weren’t an Eagles fan before, Merrill Reese certainly got you to love them now! FLY EAGLES FLY!
Nancy Sharp interviewing Merrill Reese.
Dance of Cygnets.
Flames of Paris.
Ballet troupe gathering.
Oh, The Places We Go…!
Just a glance at our monthly calendars shows at least three or four trips to every sort of experience around Beaumont, all thanks to the enthusiasm and boundless energy of Louise Hughes who has found her niche for over 25 years as Resident Services Trip Coordinator. Except when she is serving ice cream at the monthly Ice Cream Social, or cutting the birthday cake at the monthly Coffee Social, or serving hot chocolate at the Campfire, or covering the front desk when Samantha is away, or creating the monthly calendars, or mailing our birthday cards, Louise is on the computer following up with local news and stories, getting pop-up event notices, or contacting organizations to arrange tickets, tours and travel. Her phone is constantly ringing with contacts from museums, orchards, farms, theaters, orchestras or performers. Her office is full of treats for the next party and memories of special trips of the past.
It is an absolute best-of-all-worlds here at Beaumont with the trips we have had available and will see on the 2026 calendar. Residents have special ticket arrangements and transportation to the symphony orchestra every season; take a luxury bus to Broadway twice a year for a first run theater performance; get reduced prices for the ballet; have private tours in museums; enjoy outdoor trips to farms and orchards. There have been excursions to the Delaware Racetrack where, as the residents dined on scrumptious crabcakes, Louise ran to and from the betting windows with all their money and waited for the payouts. Residents once went to a fish hatchery where they fished, caught and, after professionals helped with the cleaning, ate their fish for lunch. A tour of the antique book collection at Carpenter's Hall ended
with a Whiskey Tasting at 11:00 in the morning. There was a paddle boat ride along Tom’s River in New Jersey where Louise needed really good reflexes to help residents manage the swells. A visit to Painter's Folly House in Brandywine was special because the owner herself gave the tour and shared her story of being the subject of Andrew Wyeth’s painting (Marriage) and stories of their friendship. Beaumont residents were, in fact, one of the very first organized group tours of the new Calder Gardens in Philadelphia.
In 2026, Louise already has planned the symphony schedule, trips to New York City, visits to local museums and annual flower show, and a very special surprise first-of-its-kind tour related to the Wyeth family in Brandywine. But, the amazing thing is that Louise still has the enthusiasm and love for what she does to follow up on suggestions residents give to her, like getting tickets and transportation to the Bryn Mawr Film Institute to just see the Downton Abbey movie.
Residents' interests change and evolve. Some trips are repeated and filled every year; others are new and find few participants. Thankfully, Beaumont has Louise Hughes, who absolutely loves what she does, has fun everyday, and helps all of us have some fun and experience whatever is out there. There is a special framed letter in Louise’s office that sums up who she is and how lucky we are:
Louise is the guide with the most Energy and smiles you will ever meet!
Lucky for Beaumont, she is there for them
For she makes their lives fun and complete!
Trips to Rose Bridge Farm and The Calder Museum Garden.
Welcome Cindy Archer
It is difficult to catch Cindy Archer on the Beaumont campus. She has been traveling to London, and Boston, to see her daughters and two grandchildren, and she is preparing for another grand baby in the next few months. She has been renovating her villa, selling her home of 30 years in Villanova, and continuing her activities in local organizations. But, once you catch her, you will enjoy her enthusiasm, her graciousness, and her happiness at being here at Beaumont.
Cindy grew up in New York State, graduated from Wittenberg University in Ohio, and with her career path in computer sciences, she ended up in New York City with IBM. Through friends, she met and married Pierce Archer, and moved to his hometown of Philadelphia in 1984. Pierce worked as an investment advisor in the financial services industry. They raised their daughters in Haverford and Villanova. They share a family home, as well, at Lake George in New York.
Cindy continued work at IBM, with clients such as the Saudi Arabian navy and the Kuwaiti air force, but at some point, rather than doing all the international travel, she chose to work for local organizations. She served on the
Women’s Committee of the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Bryn Mawr Hospital Women’s Board, The Milldam Club, and as Webmaster for the Garden Club of Philadelphia. She enjoys reading, needlepoint, and genealogy tracing her families’ roots.
Cindy chose Beaumont three years ago when her husband moved into the Health Center. She hoped they would both enjoy their new villa, however, Pierce passed away December 2024. She is just now getting moved in and is still among boxes, but is very happy with her decision to join our community. Cindy will be a very helpful friend as we all face the challenges of computer-based communications. Welcome.
Welcome Cheryl and Cliffe Cheston
It’s a unique situation to move to Beaumont because your son tells you that he’d love to buy your house, you find a perfect villa, and you can renovate and move in at your convenience. So Cheryl and Cliffe Cheston moved in July and now have the convenience of all Beaumont offers with the special bonus that family is nearby.
The Chestons are long-time Villanova residents and have been part of the Philadelphia community for many years. Cliffe grew up in Chestnut Hill, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, and after serving in the Navy, started his professional career in investment management. He was a Partner at Tower Bridge Advisors before retiring. Cheryl is from western Pennsylvania, graduated from Penn State University and moved to Philadelphia with sorority sisters. Her career began in real estate but she soon found a position in the research department of Butcher & Singer, the
brokerage firm, where she worked with Beaumont residents Mac Butcher and the late Cummins Catherwood. She and Cliffe met at The Racquet Club during a business meeting and married just after midnight on January 1, 1982.
Their lives over these years have been active with community and business commitments, membership at Sunnybrook Golf Club, stays in Maine, and travel. Cliffe is a lifetime member of Pine Valley Golf Club in New Jersey and he has been active in other local men’s groups. He has served for many years on the Board of Harriton House. Cheryl especially enjoys golf, gardening, and has been tending the gazebo garden at Ludington Library. She has become a devoted knitter and has scores of patterns she’d love to share! Their two children, spouses and four grandchildren live nearby and provide all sorts of grandparenting opportunities. You will see them, as well, walking their dogs, Layla and Freddie.
They have lots of old friends already here at Beaumont and feel lucky to be able to add new friendships and take up new activities. They especially appreciate the kindness and caring of the residents they’ve recently met and are greatly impressed with Beaumont’s incredibly affable staff. Welcome.
Eat, Drink and Be Scary!
October was a month-long party at Beaumont beginning with a Welcome Home Dinner that gathered us all back from summer homes and vacations, a coffee social, a California-inspired Wine Tasting, a Halloween Happening of games, music and song, with a finale on Halloween afternoon with residents in costumes (or not) feasting on lunch snacks and taking home bags of candy and treats.
Staff Appreciation
Residents, guided by Marian LockettEgan and a hard-working Maintenance team, arranged an expansive furniture and accessory showroom and sales event for employees. Thanks to all residents who worked on the project and donated items for the sale. All proceeds go to The Beaumont Scholarship Fund.
Children and employees had an afternoon for Halloween tricks, treats and smiles.
The Pumpkin Decorating Contest pit departments against one another for amusing and surprising presentations. Winner: Pumpkin at the Spa!
Welcome Darrell and Julia DeMoss
For Darrell and Julia DeMoss their move to Beaumont has assured them there is always something to do and always lots of friends to stay in touch with. It’s their 10th move in their 47 year marriage but one that settles them into our community of friends.
The DeMoss couple lived in the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood for over 23 years. Darrell is originally from Oklahoma, graduated from University of Oklahoma and received his Juris Doctor from University of Chicago. Julia graduated from University of Michigan and earned her Masters in Urban Sociology at Notre Dame University. They met through friends in Chicago and together moved to the Hartford Connecticut area where Darrell worked in the insurance industry and Julia worked in human resources at United Technologies. In 1982 they made the move to Philadelphia for Darrell to work in government affairs at Cigna Insurance Company and Julia joined a division of Cigna in senior HR positions. Julia became active in historic preservation, The Junior League, The Women’s Board of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and The Acorn Club. She and Darrell have been active at The Episcopal Church of the Holy Trinity and at Episcopal Community Services where they became close friends with Beaumont resident Julie Williams. Darrell found relaxation through fly fishing as a member of The Angler’s Club of Philadelphia and at fishing camps in the Poconos. He jokes that his closet was
Welcome Robert Harding
Bob, and his wife Diana, had been Future Residents of Beaumont for years but actively avoided having to actually make the move from their Bryn Mawr home of over 50 years. Sadly, Diana passed away in November 2024, so Bob has made the move by himself.
Bob is from New York City, graduated from Harvard University and then joined the US Army at the height of the Korean War. After two years of active service, he was assigned as an aide to the Chief of Staff to Henry Cabot Lodge, Ambassador to the UN. When his Army tour ended, Bob found a job in the “international intelligence community” - and that’s all he will say about the next 13 years.
full of tuxedos to attend all of Julia’s organization fundraisers and of waders for him to pack up for fishing trips.
About 20 years ago, they moved out of the city to Villanova and then to homes in Haverford and The Hermitage at Bryn Mawr. They are active members of Church of the Redeemer and of The Merion Cricket and Golf Clubs and love croquet. Darrell is chair of the MCC Croquet Committee and plays throughout the regular season and in the winter Polar Bear league.
Darrell is almost retired but still works on a few projects at MedRisk, a medical services company, while Julia stays active with a lifetime of friendships and volunteer positions. Darrell admits to being a cub reporter at The Daily Oklahoman after college, so we have a future Beaumont Newsletter contributor! They moved into their villa this summer and appreciate having all the wonderful Beaumont services at their fingertips while still being able to see friends they have met along the way. Welcome.
In his mid-30’s, Bob took a new direction - studying the behavior of our primate relatives. He acquired Masters and PhD degrees in Anthropology from the University of California at Berkeley. During the
program, he, Diana and their two small children, lived for over a year in the Rift Valley of Kenya where, on a large cattle ranch, he studied the behavior of a baboon troop. In later years Bob worked with other primate species in Kenya, Sierra Leone, and Venezuela. In 1973 Bob was hired by the University of Pennsylvania where he taught Anthropology and Biological Basis for Behavior for over 25 years. He is now Emeritus Professor.
After retirement, Bob took on the job/joy of supporting Diana who was the Program Director at The Eisenhower Exchange Fellowships, a non-profit that connects future leaders in a global network to promote peace, prosperity and justice. They traveled the world. Bob has two daughters and six grandchildren. They gather each summer, as they have for many years, at their family home on North Haven Island in Maine. Bob has had a fascinating life that should be a book! Welcome.
"Do Anything, but Let it Produce Joy"
- Walt Whitman
September Seafood Boil Party.
Music, Art and Entertainment
Sharing Our Own Unique Talents.
Welcome Mimi and Neil Houghton
It’s only a four-mile difference for the Houghtons who moved from their home in Villanova to a renovated villa in October but, after 50 years, they agree that now is the right time for them to join in all that Beaumont has to offer. Mimi and Neil already know many of our residents and have found the community even more welcoming each day they are here.
Neil is from Princeton, New Jersey, graduated from Washington & Lee University and received his MBA at Cornell University. Mimi is from St. Louis, graduated from George Washington University where she met Neil at a dance at W&L. They married and soon moved to Philadelphia for his work as an entrepreneur in the computer industry. While they raised two children, Mimi
received her graduate degree in Social Work at Bryn Mawr College and she provided family therapy and counseling through local providers. Both have been active in many community organizations and activities. Neil has served on several Boards but is currently dedicated to the Land and Garden Preserve organization on Mt. Desert Island, where they have a family home. They both love sailing and outdoor sports. Neil kayaks and fly-fishes here, in Maine, and in Sarasota for the winter months. They are members of the Merion Cricket Club with a special love for croquet. They have been part of a couples book group for over 35 years and find those friendships deep and long-lasting. They are both looking forward to joining in the activities here - bridge, canasta, trips to the theater and orchestra - and in keeping old friendships, and making new ones, traveling to Maine and Florida, and time with their two children and four grandchildren. They were ready to make this move, and we are ready to greet them and have them part of our special Beaumont community. Welcome.
Welcome Nick and Jackie Scharff
Picture a smoky bar in Kathmandu. In walks Jackie, a young nurse, and stewardess for Pan Am, volunteering in the OR at the Government Hospital. Nick, a Yale graduate serving three years in the Peace Corps, introduces himself. They share a romantic three months until she returns to graduate school in New York City. A year later, he calls her, and she says “Nick who?” True story that brings Nick and Jackie Scharff together, and after over 50 years in the Philadelphia area, now to Beaumont.
After the Peace Corps, Nick started his medical studies in France and then in New York City at Columbia University where he reconnected with Jackie who was in a graduate program at NYU in child and adolescent psychiatric nursing. After their marriage in 1972, they moved to Philadelphia where Nick had his internship and residency in Internal Medicine at Pennsylvania Hospital. Jackie practiced marriage and family therapy at Jefferson Hospital. With two young children, they then moved to Wynnewood where they lived for 48 years. Jackie taught at the University of Pennsylvania in the graduate school of nursing for over 30
years. Nick had his medical practice until 2003 when, with an additional degree in Public Health, he became Chief of Clinical Services for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. After 10 years, he moved into consultancy for corrections systems throughout the country. They have enjoyed retirement with their daughter and two grandchildren nearby in Narberth. Their son lives in California. With a large house becoming too much to handle and knowing the Mishers and Kellys already here, Nick and Jackie chose Beaumont, renovated their Baldwin apartment and moved in with their 5-year-old “pure mutt” Daisy. They have wonderful stories to share. Welcome.
In Our Own Words
Beaumont residents find meaning in their lives in so many different ways. Here are special thoughts from our residents.
Indian Summer by
Bette Peterson
Surely this is the autumn of the heart. October’s fires burn across the hills.
An equinoctial storm has marked the start Of a new season. Frost in morning chills
The purple asters: Let us, in this brief Pause between ebbing green and rising flame
Recall the early promise of the leaf
So richly kept by summer when it came.
We have no right to sorrow, who have known Such golden days. The cycle of the years Is never-ending, always birds have flown
South on the wind; this is no cause for tears.
Love has recurrent seasons of its own.
Color is deepest in a flower full blown.
Finding Presence by Bradford Kling (Inspired by his kitten, Curry)
Are you always in a hurry? And, life seems to be a flurry, Then you must know our Curry.
On the run here, or checking out a smell there, He’s moving on a tear.
Following his instincts, he is easily distracted, Showing a playfulness
That readily gives up the old to discover the new.
It’s the being in the Now that really inspires.
A sense of finding Presence here and now
Teaches us well to stop and look around -
Embrace the Being, be the seeing, feel the Oneness.
Yes, we plan and we act, that is part of Life.
But when the doing arises instinctively, like our little Curry, We find our joy in Being and have no worries.
Letting go of what Life means, we discover who we are.
A Special Pleasure of Beaumont - Birds
By Sally Herd (Photos by Jane Ruffin)
We live in a beautiful place and look for beautiful thingslike birds. And, that starts with feeding baby birds.
Baby birds eat baby food, soft with a juicy center, the perfect description of a caterpillar. In fact, Chickadees need up to 570 caterpillars a day to feed a brood!
Caterpillars come from butterflies which are important pollinators for many different plants. But butterflies are very picky as to which plants they want to live with and lay eggs
upon. Monarchs look for milkweed. The Black Swallowtail looks for plants in the parsley family, such as fennel, carrot, Queen Anne’s lace, dill, parsley,and common rue. The Meadow Fritillary prefers the common blue violet; Pearl Crescents, the blue wood aster, and on and on it goes.
Want more butterflies? Plant their favorite species. Then the butterflies will lay eggs and from them we get baby bird food, and perhaps more birds flying around Beaumont.
House wren with caterpillar.
Silver-spotted Skipper.
Spicebush Swallowtail.
Featured Canine Residents - Mia and Miley
By DeeDee Ballard
Mia, 4-years-old, and Miley, 2-years-old, are the beloved pooches of Renee Scharf and Stuart Kaplan. Mia, despite her need for orthodonture, is a lovely Shih Tzu. She is an alpha dog, and as such considers herself in charge of the family. While very independent, she is also affectionate and friendly, happy to spend her day chilling out and snoozing on the sofa. She, and Miley, shun their own beds, preferring to sleep with their parents on the wonderfully comfy king size bed which, in her mind, is entirely appropriate for an alpha diva. Mia’s favorite treats are Cheerios for which she will do most anything and she insists the kitchen always be well stocked.
Miley, the younger, is a mini Aussie Doodle. Poodles and Australian shepherds are both breeds known for their intelligence. Not surprisingly, Miley not only excelled at school but also won the Canine Good Citizen Certificate, a real feather in her cap! She is a contented gal who loves her toys, giving kisses, playing a game of fetch and the all important mealtime. She loves a good snuggle and
Veterans Day 2025
is happy to vegetate on the sofa with any member of her “pack”. When visitors come, she welcomes them with great enthusiastic wiggles, ready to bestow kisses and perhaps test out a new lap on which to get comfy. This dynamic duo would be happy to welcome you anytime!
Residents honored our veterans with a luncheon and memorable presentation by Alan Shapiro. As a child he always wanted to fly, so he joined the US Army Corp (now Air Force) at age 17. He went through basic training, to flight schools, to gliders, and to C47 cargo planes during World War II. He flew paratroopers, ammunition, and fuel to support the American troops in Belgium and France. Last year, at age 100, he returned for the 80th anniversary of the Normandy invasion, he flew a C47 one more time, and is proud to teach younger generations to fly and to honor the sacrifice of all who have served. Thank you to all our Veterans.
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 Catherine Wylonis
Photo Editor Linda Madara
Quality Control
Production
Cathy Leahy
Articus, Ltd.
Photographs by DeeDee Ballard, Linda Madara, Jane Ruffin, DeeDee Ralph
In Memoriam
mary STraub
September 18, 2025
elizabeTh DorNberger September 23, 2025
carloS goNzalez October 13, 2025
DoNNa WiNSor October 21, 2025
louiS roDmaN (rip) page November 26, 2025
The Beaumont Community extends deepest sympathy to their families and friends.
