V o lume T h i rt y S even , N umber 1
J anuary /F ebruary 2023
The Beaumont Fitness and Aquatics Team - Balancing for Better Health By David Randolph
The Beaumont Fitness and Aquatics Center, headed by Diana DiMeglio, has between 900 and 1,000 resident visitors every month and increasingly has become a center for individual balance therapy for residents. Every new resident at Beaumont is encouraged to drop by or call the Fitness Center and schedule an assessment of where their strengths and deficiencies lie -- in terms of cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength and flexibility, and balance.
Because Beaumont is a relatively small community, the needs of the individual residents can be considered fully by the three fitness training staff members. Are you interested in keeping to a healthy diet and increasing your balance? Karen McFee, who is a registered dietitian as well as a registered exercise physiologist, might be your first go-to person, and she might recommend and lead you in Fit & Flex classes, as well as suggest more healthy choices in your Beaumont Mansion, Grill Room, and Bistro dining. If you are looking for fun and innovative exercises, as well as social activities to keep you motivated, then Amy Singh might be your first fitness instructor. And for aquatic exercise, the Team Coordinator, Diana DiMeglio, is the leader of regular group classes.
Left to Right – Diana DiMeglio, Karen McFee, Amy Singh. Photo by Linda Madara.
The Fitness Team members share their client’s progress among themselves, and there is a balance to their team of three specialist -- all different in personality, but united by a common goal of maintaining and improving the health and fitness of our residents. It’s like having the power of three as an exponent for better health, and as magicians to transform exercise into a fun activity!
Sit & Be Fit By Diana DiMeglio
Exercising regularly is the single most important thing you can do for your health. Participating members of the Beaumont Fitness Center are diligent and routine enough in their daily workouts that we, as fitness trainers, rarely even need to look to know who’s coming through the door. Our largest group always arrives on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 11:00am when folks descend upon the aerobics studio for the ever popular, Sit & Be Fit. Taught by Amy Singh, Sit & Be Fit is a class filled with great music (everyone sings hits from Frank Sinatra, Simon & Garfunkel, Don McLean, John Denver, Elvis and more) while not missing a beat working on functional exercises. There is even a bit of trivia, so come with your thinking cap on!
Sit & Be Fit is a low-moderate intensity class in which the majority of the exercises are done seated in a chair. You may be wondering “How can a person get a workout without even having to stand up?” The key to providing an effective workout in any scenario is to have an experienced instructor that can provide an appropriate challenge at any level of function. Amy modifies traditional cardiovascular, strengthening, and yoga techniques to challenge her class and help them improve their endurance and flexibility and gain muscular strength and power. 1
A Lover of Cats and Opera Moves to Beaumont By Peter Abel
Priscilla Bradshaw-Page (she likes to be called "Prill") recently moved from nearby in Bryn Mawr to Beaumont with her feline friend named Dusty. She is happy to join Beaumont residents, Diane and Rip Page, cousins of her former husband. She has been a Main Line resident most of her life, attending Baldwin School from seventh grade through graduation and then Bennett Junior College for two years. Her plans for further education were postponed, as often happens, by marriage and children. Prill later resumed her education and graduated from Bryn Mawr College at age 52-- Magna cum Laude, by the way.
of Team First Book, which provides free new books for local children in lowincome families. She is proud that she broke a longstanding glass ceiling by becoming the first female Vestry member at Church of the Redeemer.
After Priscilla Bradshaw married Richard Page, they had two children, a daughter (Wendy), a son (Richard) and now three grandsons.
Priscilla Bradshaw-Page. Photo by Linda Madara.
In her spare time, she reads a lot, especially books by her favorite author, Ken Follett. An opera lover, she was once very fortunate to sit next to Luciano Pavarotti at dinner in a small Italian restaurant in Philadelphia. She says she found Pavarotti to be “unpretentious, easy to be with, and charming." Si! Si! Benissimo!
She taught young children for 28 years at different locales, including Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church and Shipley School. For 13 years she was Director of Programming at Ralston Center which supports undeserved senior citizens in Philadelphia. As a volunteer she has played a leading role in two charitable foundations -- as Chair of African Children's Mission (aiding victims of HIV in Africa) and as Treasurer
Welcome, Prill, to the Beaumont community.
Broadway Bound! By Dave Prewitt
Often as we age, we become increasingly aware of the pleasures derived from indulging oneself -- and the November excursion to see August Wilson’s “THE PIANO LESSON” certainly was one of those indulgences. From the moment we boarded the bus until we disembarked where a delicious boxed supper awaited our pickup (freshest Croissants ever!) -- all was seamless! The transportation was very professional and considerate, the delicious family-style lunch (Cucina Italiana) provided us with prime time to get to know one another and sample all the offerings, and the play itself was beautifully acted and presented. The audience’s
reaction to yet another masterpiece by August Wilson was heartwarming! Enroute home we were regaled with snacks and beverages. Kudos to Louise Hughes and all who so carefully both planned this outing and executed it. A “Lagniappe” for my fiancée Dee Welge and me was viewing “MA RAINEY’s BLACK BOTTOM” another work by August Wilson on NETFLIX after we arrived home.
STAY TUNED! Word has it that another Broadway trip (SWEENY TODD) is planned for early May of next year. 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
J. Robert Herd December 20, 2022
Geraldine Paier December 24, 2022
Patricia Bodo
December 26, 2022
Editor
Marlene Heineman January 2, 2023
Members of the Beaumont Community extend deepest sympathy to their families and friends. 2
Beverly Wilson
Photo Editor
Linda Madara
New Resident Editor
Betty Matarese
Roving Reporter
Eta Glassman
Quality Control
Cathy Leahy
Production
Articus, Ltd.
Beaumont Celebrates the Holidays with Feasts, Friends, and Traditions The Feast
Seafood Bar Photos by Linda Madara
Shrimp in Ice Block Bowls
Sushi Station
Sous Chef Santangelo preparing the seafood table
Sushi Chef Qui and his assistant were imported from the sushi restaurant UMI to prepare the sushi for the dinner.
Sushi
Smoked Salmon
Pasta Station
The Pasta station with Food Service Supervisor Brian Hall and Line Cook Bryant McCray
Beaumont Celebrates the Holidays
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Lobster
Beaumont Celebrates the Holidays with Feasts, Friends, and Traditions Main Course
Photos by Linda Madara
Porchetta Suckling Pig with Line Cook Lawrence Reid
Honey Lavender Lamb Chops
Desserts Roasted Patty Pan Squash and Grape Tomatoes
Yule Logs with Cupcakes and Eclairs
The Gingerbread House
Libations
An extensive selection of wines and other beverages were available
Beaumont Celebrates the Holidays
Tree ice sculpture
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Beaumont Celebrates the Holidays with Feasts, Friends, and Traditions Friends
Photos by Linda Madara
One big hit at the Holiday Dinner was the shrimp on ice. Nancy Sharp selects some
Thorne Sparkman (left) and Meta Neilson (right) in a lively conversation
Dining Supervisor Lee-Anna Lopez serves one of the many wine selections to Betty Peterson
Ann Dearden (front), Joel Jensen (middle), and Carl Helwig (right) partake in the various seafood options
Carl Helwig samples some of the smoked salmon from the extensive seafood bar, which also included oysters, lobsters, and shrimp on a large bed of ice
Judy Anderson (left) and Lynn Ives (right) enjoying the dinner
Beaumont Celebrates the Holidays
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Beaumont Celebrates the Holidays with Feasts, Friends, and Traditions Gold Glitz Glimmer – The New Year’s Eve Dinner By Helen Vinick, Paige Welby, and Zack Margolis. Photos by Linda Madara.
The Beaumont Room glistened with a golden hue to welcome in the New Year. Resident Services teamed up with Philadelphia based Papertini Floral and Events to draw up elegant and glamorous centerpieces that reflected the ritzy mood that New Year’s Eve brings. Balloons in champagne, white, and gold cascaded from the grand piano, evocative of a freshly popped bottle of champagne. The four-course menu written in gold ink and displayed in gleaming white cummerbund napkins atop silky gold tablecloths, welcomed diners to their table and the dinner they were about to savor. An explosion of balloons decorates the piano.
experience targeting the major senses. The presentation of each course appealed to the sense of sight. The greens of the romaine salad, followed by the pink shrimp cocktail shooter, welcomed the presentation of the chateau au poivre over the lobster risotto. Lastly came the decadent chocolate cheesecake drizzled with a light strawberry sauce. Each food appealed to the sense of touch through their various textures. The multiple courses provided the opportunity to experience
The table setting
Dining Services along with Chef John and his staff carefully curated a brilliant four-course meal. The concept of a classic surf and turf blossomed into an elegant dining
From left: Joel Jensen, Evelyn Isom, Sally Pearne, with Jim Zug on piano
a variety of smells and tastes. The sense of hearing was evident by the socialization experienced by all party goers and always the result of residents coming together. Because of the teamwork of Dining Services and Resident Services, Beaumont welcomed 2023 with elegance, beauty, and the finest cuisine.
David Randolph thanks the servers and Food Service Team.
Beaumont Celebrates the Holidays
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Beaumont Celebrates the Holidays with Feasts, Friends, and Traditions Gold Glitz Glimmer – The New Year’s Eve Dinner
Photos by Linda Madara
Joyce & David Randolph raise a glass to 2023, dressed to the nines!
Bette Peterson and Al Caesar
Eta Glassman and Bunny Solomon
Ginny Rivers and Mote Howard share a laugh.
Bill & Barbara Broach toast to the New Year.
Diane Page
Beaumont Celebrates the Holidays
Left to right: Jim Averill, Jane Kihlstrom, Richard Kihlstrom
From bottom left: Jean Churchman, Carole Morgan, Minney Robb
George Hollingshead is all smiles!
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Janet Averill
Beaumont Celebrates the Holidays with Feasts, Friends, and Traditions A Centuries-old Scandinavian Holiday Tradition Comes to Beaumont By Richard Lange
It started with an email from Sharon Kelly. "Hey, what do you think about doing a St. Lucia Day at the health care center?" As the chair of the newly reorganized Health and Wellness committee, I saw this as the perfect opportunity for our new mission: wellness and community involvement, so I quickly answered with a resounding "Sure!"
St. Lucia Day (or Santa Lucia Day) is an ancient holiday celebrated in Sweden on December 13th. It commemorates Saint Lucy, a 4th-century martyr killed for her faith. St. Lucia Day is also known as the "festival of light." The candles are a way to celebrate this theme and bring light to the dark winter days. The candles also serve a practical purpose, as they were initially used to light the way for people as they went from house to house, singing and spreading joy during the holiday season. Once the date was decided, everyone jumped in and worked together. Sharon got the traditional Swedish cookies, ordered the St. Lucia Crown with electric candles (and then decorated it to make it even more festive), and created my Star Boy hat. We recruited Vick Kelly to play the Guitar. Margaret Balamuth came to help, and Martha Morris took pictures.
When deciding who would be our St. Lucia, there was no question -- Mary Schnabel (100 years old!). We knew she lived in Sweden when she was younger, Mary Schnabel as St. Lucia and Richard Lange as the Star Boy. and when we asked her, she was more than pleased. On the big day, when we Photo by Joe Peduzzi. arrived, Mary was already dressed in the traditional white. We then placed the crown on her head and wheeled her to every room at the health care center, with Vick and his guitar, Sharon and her treats, and well… let's let Mary tell the rest:
Santa Lucia Day By Mary Schnabel
December 13th, Santa Lucia Day was a day of wonderful memories, especially for me. We lived in Sweden for a year while Nipper had a sabbatical from Penn. We lived in a little house outside Stockholm. We enrolled our daughter in the local French school while my two younger sons stayed home with me. Our little 2-bedroom house was on a steep hill and the two boys spent hours sliding down the hill. We all had a wonderful time in that snowy country. Yesterday I was dressed in all white for the Santa Lucia party with a crown of candles on my head just as a Swedish girl would celebrate Santa Lucia day. She would bring breakfast to her father wearing a crown of candles. Following the Swedish custom Richard Lange was the Star Boy and performed his duties admirably. We sang carols played by Vick Kelly and shared Swedish Pepparkokors with residents as we paraded our hallways in the Health Center. The big thing missing for me from our celebration was Yule Glog, spiced, hot red wine!!
“It’s paradoxical that the idea of living a long life appeals to everyone, but the idea of getting old doesn’t appeal to anyone.” – Andy Rooney Beaumont Celebrates the Holidays
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Do You Make New Year’s Resolutions … and Keep Them? By Linda Madara
You’d be surprised at how many people don’t want to admit that they make New Year’s resolutions. One resident at our New Year’s Eve party said it made her feel like a failure that she had to improve herself. Others just said, “Nope!” Then there was a small number who admitted, “Sure I do, but I don’t want my name used if I tell you.”
there were a few residents with winning plans (even with the 3 million plus to 1 odds.) They justified participating saying “it represents only a cup of coffee.” Hopefully, the “Beaumont winner” of the lottery will not be the person who “wanted to learn to balance her check book!” With that size pot of cash, one could own the entire bank and never write a check again.
Marlene Dubin, snaggled last minute to help canvas the guests, assured those she was asking that no names would be used…then quietly she admitted that the promise of anonymity was easy because being a very new resident, she didn’t know their names herself yet.
Feathered wildlife was not forsaken. Resolutions about birds, including “putting up the bird feeders,” while for one resident whose feeder was up and welcoming guests, planned “to fill the feeders daily -- rain, sleet or snow!”
What were some of the resolutions whispered or filled out on 3x5 cards during cocktails? One was “To be healthier in 2023!” Another resolved to “continue being grateful for what we have!”
“Fewer pills being taken” showed up twice and there were several single resolutions, for example returning library books promptly. (Mrs. Morgan will be thrilled!)
It was a member of the medical profession who resolved “to write as though someone could read it!” His wife and most likely patients probably had addressed his penmanship in the past.
One promise was to “Show up!” Someone else wanted to “remember to check in with friends more often” and to “keep smiling whether or not she wanted to.”
A waitstaff member queried responded that she “wanted to pass school!” A thought from another was to “work hard and earn money for a new car…a silver Honda.” Then there was a little voice saying she wanted “to do her best.” Someone else wanted to “learn the names of the hungry guests and how to identify them.”
A surprising number of residents “want to make more of an effort over new residents, especially learning their names!” That’s the resolution all of us should keep! The best comment when asked about making a resolution, was answered with champagne glass in hand, “Who cares? No one follows resolutions anyway!”
Our older citizens, over and over, “resolved to play more bridge!” One neighbor, hearing that thought, “wanted to play better bridge.” Don’t we all?
Obviously, it was time to join our table and enjoy one of the most delicious meals ever produced at Beaumont, ending with THOSE most memorable chocolate frosted cheese cakes…. Happy New Year!!
With the wildly rich lottery knocking at Beaumont’s door,
Welcome Doug Coath – A Lifelong Resident of the Main Line By Judy Anderson
Doug is an avid sports and game enthusiast. He was a golfer at Philadelphia Country Club, follows all the Philadelphia sports teams, plays Backgammon regularly, even joining a Backgammon club in Newtown Square, and Doug Coath. Photo by Linda Madara. is currently following a racehorse named Flightline. In addition to all the above he enjoys playing the piano but will not challenge Beaumont’s organ master.
Philadelphia welcomed John Douglas Coath Jr., April 23, 1943, and Beaumont welcomed Doug as he moved into his villa at 34 Pond Lane in May 2022. Doug, a lifelong Philadelphian, has spent all but the four years he went to Wake Forest College (class of ‘65) living on the Main Line. He has had homes in Wayne, Bryn Mawr, Villanova, and vacation homes on Long Beach Island, NJ, and Delray Beach, FL. Doug is also a 1961 graduate of The Haverford School where he had been a student all twelve years. After college Doug joined the family business, Frank W. Winne & Son, Inc., founded in 1895. The company, still thriving, produces cordage and twine. When Doug joined the company, his father said that “if I showed one glimmer of intelligence, I would be shot to the top.” And at the top he was until he turned over the company to his associates in 2015 after fifty years. 9
As a widower since 2013 Doug really appreciates the warm welcome and inclusion he has received here at Beaumont.
Beaumont Speakers Series for First Quarter 2023 Save the Dates: January 12
Vikram Dewan, CEO of the Philadelphia Zoo, “Discovering America’s First Zoo”
January 24
Mike Rader, President of Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, “Gardening for the Greater Good”
February 7
Steve Klasko, Retired CEO of Jefferson Health System, “How Technology Can Transform Health Care for Seniors”
February 16
Richard Whiteford, International Expert and Journalist, “Climate Change”
February 28
Terry Mecray, Resident, “Encounters in the Middle East”
March 9
Dick Peterson, Resident, “Irish English Relationships Over the Last Thousand Years”
March 9
David Bromley, CEO College Unbound Philadelphia, “A New Approach for College Education”
March 28
Jim Friedlich, CEO Lenfest Institute for Journalism, “Can Local Journalism be Saved?”
The Understanding and Importance of Person Centered Care By Bernadette Bevilacqua
As healthcare continues to evolve, so does the vision of care. In previous years, the Medical Model was the guide that professionals followed. This type of model had a task-centered approach that was institutional. In recent years, that focus has shifted to the Social Model, which emphasizes the importance of people’s relationships, values, lifestyle, and environment. In other words, this means putting the resident and their families at the center of decisions and working together with professionals to get the best outcome. Some elements of this would involve providing a home-like atmosphere, building close relationships between residents, family members and staff, and quality improvement processes. Being compassionate, thinking about things from the person’s point of view, and being respectful are all important factors as well.
by involving the resident in their health care decisions, medication administration, and preference of the resident’s waking and sleeping hours. The Recreational Therapy Department provides purposeful engagement to support the residents to have a meaningful quality of life through various interventions. This is evidenced in the assessments that are completed upon admission, which ask the resident personalized questions about their daily and leisure preferences. This information is then assessed, implemented, planned, and evaluated to best meet the needs of the individual in the programs that are offered. In addition to group programs offered, there are also opportunities for one-on-one sessions as well. Lastly, the Dining Department is supportive in creating a Food Preference Form. The dining staff will meet with the resident and gather information on what their exact food preferences are. Overall, we want to continue to lead in the most personalized approach possible.
The person-centered care philosophy can be seen in several ways throughout the entire interdisciplinary team at Beaumont. For example, Nursing contributes
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Where is It? By Eta Glassman
I don’t know about you, but I am constantly losing things.
Station in Philadelphia. Someone was kind enough to return it. Maybe we should alarm everything.
Where is the cell phone? I can’t see it. When I call, I cannot hear the ring. There are four phones in my apartment. Believe it or not it took me several days to find the cell phone hidden in the scarf drawer in the bedroom.
Have you misplaced (lost) your house key or your car key? I lost both. I looked everywhere. I checked the Beaumont lost and found, looked in my car and checked my handbag. The car key costs a fortune to replace. You guessed it. Last month I found my original keys in another handbag. It’s great to have two car keys. The other day the batteries in both keys did not respond. I had a third key that belonged to my husband. It worked.
As the Roving Reporter, I asked many people if they had a problem losing things. First, I asked DeeDee Ballard. She laughed. “Last night I could not find my ice cream in the freezer. Guess what? It was in the refrigerator. What a mess! Also, I always lose my remote. Is it under the covers or on the floor? I know the dog did not eat it.”
I asked my friend Felicia Gray if she has ever lost anything. She responded with a chuckle. “Yesterday I was driving home from Beaumont and was talking to my sister. I told her I could not find my cell phone.” You know the answer. She was talking on the cell phone.
Dear reader. did you ever forget why you went into the den? Did you mean to go into the laundry room or was it the bedroom? I never forget when I am going to the kitchen. I never go there.
Sometimes I put things away safely that I don’t want to lose, then I forget where they are. I could organize a treasure hunt to find them. Maybe I should check the drawers again.
Some friends cannot find their first husband and they do not care. I cannot find my invisible dog. Have you seen him?
I asked fellow resident Frank Kampas if he has ever lost anything. “I forget” he said.
Leslie Wheeler told me her grandmother was always losing her change purse (handbag). This is still a problem today. Have you lost a credit card or your driver’s license? I hope not. It’s a nightmare to replace them. When I was commuting to New York I lost my wallet at 30th Street
Is this the beginning of a larger problem I asked myself ? According to my internist our brain is like a computer. It stores things in the back. Eventually you will remember!
NEW in the Library Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver (2022) Fiction
An Appalachian David Copperfield, the story of a boy shaped by poverty in a different time and place but inspired by Dickens. And There Was Light – Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle by John Mercham (2022) Biography
Lincoln governed a divided country. In the current polarization it is relevant to learn more about his ways and means of navigating with conscience to shape events, threats to democracy and the tragedy of slavery to expand the possibilities of America. The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward by Daniel Pink (1999) Caring, Coping, and Aging New York Times bestselling author about how regret, our most misunderstood emotion, can be the pathway to our best life. A Reminder: Please return books promptly to the library so others may enjoy them too.
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Winnie Bromley: Royalty in the Canine World By Helen Ballard
CANINES of BEAUMONT
As one may imagine backgrounds among the canine population at Beaumont run the gamut from rescued dogs to those that hail from champion bloodlines. There is, however, only one of royal blood whose lineage can be traced back to William the Conqueror! Lady Winnifred Bromley, known to family and friends as Winnie, is an 11-year-old, friendly, easy-going Norwich terrier, daughter of Joan and Jamie Bromley. Winnie’s three times great Grandfather on her mother's side was William the Conqueror! That and the fact that she is a four times great grandmother is quite impressive and she is proud of her lineage and many progenies. Given her age and status there is one thing Winnie refuses to do. She doesn't do stairs! She feels her overall shape and short legs make them far too taxing a challenge and may also be the reason she does not like to be photographed. Upon learning there was an elevator in her house she was thrilled feeling this the proper mode of transportation for going downstairs to visit her mother's art studio to provide inspiration. Winnie also has little interest in walks preferring to exercise, enjoy the outdoors, and monitor animal life from the comfort of the deck.
Winnie Bromley. Photo by Helen Ballard.
room where's she’s better situated to hear what might be going an outdoors. Her nightly ritual, just before bedtime, is to go outside, face the woods, give three ferocious barks alerting all the nocturnal creatures that she is now on watchdog night duty...a job she takes very seriously.
Like most canines she loves food and any treat from a human is well received and she is very grateful. At dinner time Winnie never begs for handouts. She patiently waits for her mother to put down her fork signaling the end of the meal. When she hears the fork hit the plate, she makes a beeline for her mother’s lap where she would rather be than anywhere else in the world!
Golf carts are the one thing that sends Winnie into a frenzy, not when they are simply driving by but when they start up. She berates them by barking at them in her fiercest manner. One wonders what this is all about, but she has not yet confided the reason to her mother. One can often find Winnie holding court at Cutting Corners on Monday afternoons. She would be delighted to see you especially if you came with a treat in your pocket!
At bedtime Winnie, unlike most dogs, does not choose to sleep in her parents’ room preferring her crate in the dining
ESL Classes for Staff
With the encouragement of their management, this diverse group works on improving their reading and writing skills. Yes, they even get homework! They have worked through COVID shutdowns but always with an eye on continuing their education.
By Mary Caulder
If you come into the Classroom on Fridays at 12:00 noon you may scratch your head at what you will find -- a group of employees anxious to participate in the learning that will take place. Leading the charge are three dedicated residents: Joan Bromley, Debora Zug, and Alice Victor. The class? English as a Second Language or ESL as it is known.
These residents volunteer their time to help our staff with their confidence and ability to be their very best. We thank them for their kindness and caring.
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