V o lume T h i rt y E igh t , N umber 1
J anuary 2024
A Super Holiday Gift! By David Randolph. Photos by Linda Madara.
On the afternoon of Friday, December 1st, Beaumont residents hosted a holiday open house party for our amazing staff. As one resident volunteer remarked “Now that the pandemic is behind us, we want to thank our entire staff
Lauren Scott as Santa’s ( Joe Peduzzi) Executive Assistant
Pasta – Chef Rudy Lagasca – performed his incomparable artistry with pasta and marinara sauce, all the while dressed in immaculate whites as pristine as freshly fallen snow! No wonder our employees brought their children and their parents and were proud to introduce them to their coworkers and to our resident community. Food and Beverage Director, Zack Margolis, said that we had 250 employee guests and their families coming by to celebrate over the entire three hours that the party lasted.
Maria Villanueva, Jennifer McKenzie, and Susanti Zuhri
— those who stood by us and helped us, as well as those who came to join us and have become a part of our Beaumont community. We appreciate each of you, and we want to show our gratitude for everything you’ve done and are now doing for us!”
You could not miss the Christmas theme, with Joe Peduzzi in his Santa cap handing out staff appreciation gifts to employees. Of course, there was food – one of Beaumont’s spectacularly delicious buffets -- manned by our senior management elves and reindeer. There was a crystal iced punch bowl overflowing with jumbo shrimp and flanked by amazing ice sculptures. The buffet continued the length of the room with a large selection of salads, vegetables, and meats. At the end of the buffet line, our own Master of
The pictures with this article tell the real story of the party and of Beaumont in the three decades since its founding as a unique, resident-owned, and residentgoverned continuing care retirement community. We want the best to join us, and so we want to attract the best, both in residents and in staff. Together, we can bring out the best in each other!
Monique McDonald
Paige Welby, the Concierge of Prizes, signing up Shonda Loney.
1
A Super Holiday Gift! (Continued)
Ann Hill sampling the shrimp and enjoying the ice sculptures.
Elizabeth Bennett
Kristin Szoke and Carolyn Sewell
Chef Rudy Lagasca, Master of Pasta
Christy Lane, Mary Caulder, Diana DiMeglio serving a guest
Lydia Gemmer serving
John Keller and David Guidi
Ivy Lott
Left to right: Sharon Hannibal, Ingrid Valentine, Mechelle Pompey, and Sulan Booker
Chef Rudy Lagasca serving Betty Phelps and Dylan Keito
Jettah Traynham
In Memoriam Kate Kessler December 19, 2023
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
Don Trachtenberg December 20, 2023
Members of the Beaumont Community extend deepest sympathy to their families and friends. 2
Editor
Beverly Wilson
Photo Editor
Linda Madara
Quality Control
Cathy Leahy
Production
Articus, Ltd.
Beaumont Welcomes Dr. Ruth Fischer By Peter Abel
Ruth M. S. Fischer, MD, a Psychoanalyst, recently moved to Beaumont from her nearby home/office. She was born and educated in Philadelphia: grammar school, Akiba Hebrew Academy, University of Pennsylvania, Women's Medical College, The Pennsylvania Hospital, and the Philadelphia Psychoanalytic Institute. (Women's Medical College was founded way back in 1850, to evade discrimination at that time, and was acquired by Hahnemann in the 1970’s.) In addition to her clinical work, Ruth did research, published articles and taught about the unique psychological development of females.
many of us, wishes they all lived closer.
Ruth and Newell played a lot of tennis and had their own tennis court in Bryn Mawr. The children all followed suit and are considered tennis “stars”. Skiing was another family affair. They all hit Dr. Ruth Fischer. Photo by Linda Madara. the slopes often, in Eastern states, in Colorado, Utah, and Switzerland. Ruth and Newell traveled a great deal, both to attend conferences of the International Psychoanalytic Association and for pleasure. Their travels, often in the company of their children, took them to most of Europe as well as Africa, Central and South America, and Israel.
Shortly after college, Ruth married Newell Fisher, MD, also a Psychoanalyst and President of the American Psychoanalytic Association. Newell died two years ago.
Ruth and Newell had four children, a daughter who lives in Beijing, speaks Mandarin fluently, and is an artist, and three sons, one an English professor in Boston and two engaged in video production, one in California and the other in Washington, DC. All four produced two children each, thus giving Ruth eight “wonderful grandchildren”. Ruth, like
Ruth continues teaching at the Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia, sees an occasional psychoanalytic patient, and is enjoying exercise classes, as well as other benefits of life at Beaumont.
What’s in a Number?... Especially 100? By Linda Madara
By any stretch of the imagination, the number 100 is substantial, no matter where it is found. So, when Marvin Weisbord, resident jazz pianist and composer, quite casually announced that his Wynlyn Jazz Ensemble was about to play its 100th Beaumont “gig” (a jazzy term for performance) eyebrows shot up in stunned admiration!
No wonder the 100th performance was to be over-thetop wonderful! Based on the first time Wynlyn played at Beaumont…the program was a repeat of that evening in the Bistro. Marv had offered to provide musical entertainment in the less than successful dining room, hoping to boost the number of diners. It turned out to be wildly successful…the beginning of a very popular dining venue, especially when the ensemble played there monthly.
Two performance venues later, Wynlyn Jazz Ensemble (WJE) played its 100th gig in an audience-packed Beaumont Room, with exactly the identical format as the first one … audience requests. It was actually a holdover from the casual Saturday morning jazz sessions where friends, singers and musicians gathered in Marv and Dorothy’s living room to jam away. It was all impromptu then and what fun it still is today. Audience members and supporters for each gig look forward to Marv’s exceptional programs filled with facts and bios of the musicians, composers, lyricists, and instrumentalists, all adding up to a colorful compendium of jazz knowledge and photos.
Marvin Weisbord, photo by Linda Madara.
If one dissects the numbers further, each performance offers at least 10 renditions, vocal and instrumental, for every ‘gig’. That’s 100 pieces of music per year for 10 years. Keep your computer going…10 years X 100 musical renditions totals a staggering 1000 musical offerings, give or take a couple for Covid quarantine followed by make-up gigs slipped in.
From the Bistro days through today, Marv has kept every program he produced. To celebrate Wynlyn’s centennial event and to thank friends who had performed with the band, some for 30+ years, he decided to create a compilation of all the programs. It was his secret and when completed he would give a copy 3
What’s in a Number?... Especially 100? (Continued) to WJE members in gratitude for their loyalty and musical contribution to the band. For months filled with endless hours he assembled, sorted, and edited over and over. Using his programs, peppered with photographs of the band rehearsing, performing, having fun, and creating music, he finally reached his goal. Also included are shots taken during recording sessions with Morning Star Studios for the Senior Songbook CD which went viral!
The exciting and fun to read Wynlyn Jazz Ensemble Program Book is a triumph and a treat. The band is thrilled, and members want a signing event.
Following numerous requests, Marv decided copies could be sold, with the proceeds going to the Beaumont Fund. Concierge, Paige Welby, happily takes all orders. There is a sample book in her office in the front lobby where it can be seen.
100th “gig” celebration for the Wynlyn group. From the left going clockwise around the table: Gerry Isom, Rob Stone, Sandy Crow, Mark Hollern, Cynthia Hollern, Alex Mykietiuch, Larry Serinsky, Roz Spigel, Evelyn Isom, Chris Ramsey, Linda Madara, Dorothy Weisbord, Marv Weisbord, David Zopf, photo by Zack Margolis
Classical Music Lovers Come to Beaumont Photo and Article by Sally Randolph
Dick and Amanda Smoot first arrived in this area in 1970 when Dick left the Ford Motor Company in Michigan to take a job with here with Philco, a subsidiary of Ford. The Smoots felt quite happy at that stroke of serendipity. After several years, some of them away, the Smoots returned. Dick joined the Federal Reserve System here in Philadelphia, staying on to become the Chief Operating Officer for 12 years. He then moved over to Provident National Bank with Roger Hillas who was then chairman. Dick became President and Chief Operating Officer of Provident, now PNC Bank, from 1987 to 2001.
Church. Amanda is also devoted to interfaith exploration and is a Dick and Amanda Smoot member of an interfaith group which includes Jewish, Muslim, Baha'i, and Sikh members, as well as different Christian denominations. Amanda took a 4-year course for lay people called Education for Ministry and wanted to continue learning so enrolled in the Lutheran Seminary in Germantown. She heard no call to ordination, and having a young child still at home, took only one course at a time, not expecting to earn a degree. Instead, she earned two masters' degrees, one, the Master of Arts in Religion, and the other, the Master of Sacred Theology. Recently she donated many reader-friendly theology books to the library here along with the writings of well-known Christian scholars, like C.S. Lewis. Both the Smoots are grateful to and involved in their undergraduate universities. Dick, from the University of Colorado, continues to serve on advisory boards, and Amanda has been on the Board of Advisors of the Duke University Chapel. Amanda and Dick have two daughters, 11 years apart in age. Both girls attended Agnes Irwin where the Smoots were active parents for many years and Dick served on their board from 1986 to 1997, the latter years as Chair. Their younger daughter Julie is a banker like her father and lives in Berwyn. Their older daughter Ann Elise lives in Windsor, UK with her husband and the Smoot’s two grandchildren. Ann Elise teaches organ at Cambridge and is a well-known organist. It is truly serendipitous for us that the Smoots, with their extensive involvement in our community at large, have chosen to retire here at Beaumont.
When Ed Rendell was mayor, he encouraged the leaders of Philadelphia's business community to get involved in cultural and philanthropic organizations. Dick and Amanda took this message to heart. With a love of classical music, Dick joined the Orchestra Board in 1993. These were the founding years of the Avenue of the Arts and the development of the Kimmel Center, so Dick, as finance chair of the Orchestra, was heavily involved. He then became Board Chair of the Orchestra from 2001 through 2006. Amanda's classical music service had her becoming a member of the board of the Curtis Institute of Music. Dick was also Chairman of the Settlement Music School which serves thousands of children in the 5-county area of Philadelphia and southern New Jersey who want to learn about all types of music but may have no ability to pay for lessons. To make this commitment to Settlement personal, Amanda and Dick had a string ensemble from Settlement play at the celebration of their 50th anniversary celebration. Both the Smoots have been very active in the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania and in their local parish, St. David's
4
An Extra Special Gift Article and Photos by Linda Madara
The world gets crazier by the day. Tradition and values have become lost in a swirl of ideas from who knows whom or where, and historical accuracy/truth can be changed with the stroke of a pen. Look at China rewriting the Bible!
program held in the Beaumont Room with veterans as Moderator and in the Presentation of Colors.
The highlight of the ceremony, enjoyed by Joyce de Botton, Claude’s devoted wife, and family members, was when Claude spoke of what the Memorial Joyce de Botton with her son-in-law, Christopher Pecoraro and freedom meant to him. He told of never stopping envisioning freedom and being eternally grateful for it and especially for those men and women who fought and died so he could be free.
Along came a man, refusing to be influenced by unrealistic, inaccurate facts; someone who demanded the truth, even the painfully devastating truth of those who fought and died in WWII.
Beaumont resident Claude de Botton was that man. He is a visionary, patriot, historian, and fighter to preserve history and truth. He accepted as his personal challenge and charge of keeping those horrifying and anguishfilled years as important truths remembered so Claude de Botton with his daughter Nicole de future generations would Botton Robinson never forget.
Board member Nicole de Botton Robinson gave the Memorial Presentation. Additional family members participating were Yvette de Botton Pecoraro and her husband Christopher Pecoraro, professional singers who contributed a stirring Nicole de Botton Robinson God Bless America.
As a new citizen of America, he questioned deeply within himself what he could do to insure that the lives of those who lost them in the war would never be overlooked in the legacy they had given America… the Gift of Freedom. Delaware County became the site where Claude designed and built an eye-stopping structure complete with space for learning and one for quiet contemplation. There is still room for more.
Paxon Hollow provided its Middle School Tiger Tones Chorus directed by Ms. Georgia La Rue. They performed the National Anthem. Song for the Unsung Hero closed this very special tribute to one man’s vision: a gift of gratitude dedicated to those Veterans who gave their lives for us and our freedom.
Daily the public is welcomed at the Memorial and often hear, “Be sure to look and see if there a name with a personal connection, or a family member or friend carved into the wall!” Classes of children visit on school bus trips and often participate in flag services of remembrance throughout the year. Claude’s Memorial has become his gift of devoted gratitude, dedicated to those Veterans who gave their lives to secure our freedom. On Veteran’s Day this year the Delaware County Veterans Memorial came to Beaumont with a
The Presentation of Colors: Colonel Jeffrey Jahnke, US Army with Captain LuAnn Marvel Jahnke, Army Nurse Corp.
Paxton Hollow Middle School Tiger Tones led by Georgia La Rue
5
Holidays at Beaumont Rumor Has It!! By Linda Madara
one before: seafood, a roasted pig, and the dessert area surrounding a perfectly landscaped Gingerbread house created by the entire staff of Beaumont chefs led by Chef John… all five lending their artistic skills. Don’t forget the brunch with Mrs. Claus, a tradition going back a good while. Each dining experience was more exciting and delicious than the one before.
Rumor has it that Beaumont has a direct line to Santa at the North Pole. True or not, the entertainment and ceaseless spectacular food enjoyed by our community through this holiday season has been a remarkable treat and wonderful gift!
Beginning in early December with the Staff Luncheon on to the Beaumont Chorus’s concerts, Carole Latimer’s Classic Carolers dressed in the 1800’s attire with whom we raised (some louder than others) voices, the Wynlyn Jazz holiday gig, the toe-tapping dePue Brothers, or combined Children’s Choirs concerts, it was a month of musical riches.
Where does one start and to whom goes thanks for this boundless gift? The answer: the Beaumont Community, all the participants (residents and staff ) who joined in one way or another helping set the tables for a party, braving rainy weather to set up lights, spending long hours preparing mountains of food and then cooking it, sharing precious time waiting tables. That’s what makes Beaumont Holidays so special? It’s everyone who makes up the community participating. Thank you!!!!!
Visual touches of the holiday season appeared throughout the grounds, both inside and out…a huge tree in the Beaumont Room, small lighted trees in the Atrium adorned with ornaments made from Christmas cards. Even the green house boasted a colorful addition of lights. Yes, we were surrounded by fantastic food over and over. There was the dinner after the Sing-Along, a magnificent meal served from 7 food stations throughout the dining area, each one boasting something more tempting than the
It isn’t over…One final party on December 31st. Then it’s Happy New Year to all … Have a healthy, happy Beaumont 2024!
Holiday Sing-along with the Classic Carolers
Jim Zug playing the organ
Barbara Benson, Barbara Ladd
Joe Peduzzi at podium with the Classic Carolers singing.
Left to right: David Randolph, Libby Schwartz. Bunny Solomon, Lena Ciurlino
Left to right: Lee Holt, Cynthia Scanlan, daughter of Dottie Hawke, Dottie Hawke
6
Holiday Dinner Photos by Linda Madara
The dessert table
Rocco Arcaro with the gingerbread house
Tony and Linda Parrotto
Left to right: Richard Lange, Sally Pearne, Donald and Jacqueline Mykytiuk, Jim Zug
Lee Holt at the ice fountain of boiled shrimp
Zack Margolis, Director of Food and Beverage
Amanda Smoot and Audrey Walsh
Dan and Kathy Hutchinson with Chef John
Judy Anderson and Norma Fabian
Left to right: Jennesse Morgan, Dee and David Prewitt
Left to right: Lena Ciurlino, Mary Straub, Cynthia Scanlan, Dottie Hawke, Elizabeth Stull, Peter Abel, Emily Riley
Left to right: Marian Lockett- Egan and Barbara Stephens
7
Holiday Dinner Photos by Linda Madara
Left to right: Jane Ruffin, Bunny Solomon, Libby Schwartz, Eta Glassman, Sylvia Yedinsky
Left to right: Barbara Billings, Helen Vinick (in back), Gay Gervin, Naomi Rubin
Marlynne Clothier admiring the gingerbread house
Left to right: Jack Collett, Mary Ellen Partel, Phyllis Ewing, Francis Partel
Lawrence Reid with the snowman ice sculpture
Rocco Arcaro with lamb chops. Photo by Charlie Kurz.
Left to right: Julie Williams, David Randolph (in back), Marlynne Clothier, Phyllis Ewing, Joan Roberts, Pat Ross, Betsy Rhodes, Hank Edmunds
Lawrence Reid with the roast pig
The Beaumont Room
Ice sculptures for the seafood bar
8
Left to right: Page Gowan, Rita Rome, Tom Wylonis
Holidays at Beaumont Holiday Decorations at Beaumont
Mantel at the Host Stand
Entrance
Menorah
Holiday Crafts
Trees in the atrium
Sylvia Yedinsky decorating the tree in the atrium
Lynn Ives decorating cookies
Sherrill Kling looking at the tree in the atrium
Lighted trees in the atrium
Decorated tree
9
Beaumont Backers attend Walk to Stamp Out Parkinson's Article by Richard Lange. Photos by Linda Madara.
Priscilla Bradshow-Page was our community fundraiser and organizer. Priscilla raised over $2000 for her team, “The Beaumont Backers,” putting the team in the top-ranking fundraising division.
On November 4th, five Beaumont Residents headed to the Navy Yard for the 2023 Parkinson's Walk. The Walk to Stamp Out Parkinson's is the annual fundraiser of the Parkinson's Council. All the monies raised by the Council are used only to support local non-profit Parkinson's services. Getting ready to go – left to right: Richard Lange, Diane Services include Page, Priscilla Bradshaw-Page, Rip Page, Jeff Klein home visitation programs and support groups for caregivers, and regionally, the Council funds Dance for Parkinson's right here in Bryn Mawr, which several of our residents attend weekly.
On the day of the walk, Priscilla, having arranged transportation, five Beaumont residents headed down to the Walk. The Navy On the walk – left to right: Pricilla BradshawYard was filled with Page, Rip Page, Diane Page, Jeff Klein information booths and tables with the latest Parkinson's information. It was also a time to meet, see old friends, and make new connections. The day ended with a Walk down to the Delaware River with hundreds of supporters gathering to raise money to help support the Parkinson's Community.
Welcome Dede Laveran By Judy Anderson
If one could use only one word to describe new resident Dede Laveran, that word would invariably be “nurturer.” Dede is a mother of four, grandmother of twelve, great grandmother of one (for now), foster parent of twenty-three infants through Catholic Social Services, breeder of awardwinning Bernese Mountain dogs, and current co-owner of four including the number one in the country, a mental health therapist, and a contract bridge instructor.
an article called Why Golf Drives Us Crazy. Rudi died six years ago from dementia and Dede was his primary caregiver for many years, again in a nurturing role. They had been married fifty-three years.
Dede, who grew up in Bedford, New York, graduated from Miss Porter’s school in Farmington, Connecticut and matriculated at Bryn Mawr College where she met Rudolf (Rudi) Laveran through a classmate. Rudi was a psychiatric resident from Austria at the Institute of the Pennsylvania Hospital. They married Dede’s junior year and the following year she graduated cum laude and cum baby. When her youngest child turned three, Dede returned to Bryn Mawr to get an MSS degree in social work and pursue a career in mental health counseling. She worked primarily with Bryn Mawr students and became the Director of Bryn Mawr Medical Health Services.
Dede still has her Dede Laveran. Photo by Cathy Leahy husband’s home in Austria as well as a vacation home in Harbor Spring, Michigan where the family has spent their summers since 1970. Three of her children also own summer homes there. She enjoys playing golf and is a member of Gulph Mills Golf Club where she is also on the Duplicate Bridge team. In addition, she does needlepoint and the daily New York Times crossword puzzle. Despite having had her mother as a resident of Waverly Heights, Dede preferred Beaumont for its convenient location and friendly welcoming residents. Please give her a hearty Beaumont welcome reassuring her that she made the right decision.
Rudi, who spent the majority of his career at the Institute, was a colleague of Vick Kelly. The two colleagues were part of a Sports Illustrated golf outing and were interviewed for
10
The First Beaumont By Beverly Wilson
Before William Liseter Austin built in 1912 the magnificent mansion in Bryn Mawr that we know as the centerpiece of our Beaumont Retirement Community, he built a mansion in Rosemont in 1902 called “Beaumont.” It was located on 21 acres near the Rosemont train station. The house faced Airdale Road and was bounded on the north side by the railroad and on the south by County Line Road. The house was a lot like the mansion we know in Bryn Mawr. The layout and floor plan are much the same, although it did not have the Music Room wing. The exterior is also similar and of the same stone. It had a large carriage house behind it which was “H” shaped. One side of the “H” faced County Line Road and contained living quarters for staff and storage. The other side housed the stables with stalls for several horses and a tac room. The center of the “H” was a large space that housed the carriages. After the Austins moved to the new house in Bryn Mawr, they kept the Rosemont property with the house and carriage house intact for over ten years. In 1922 Austin decided to subdivide and sell the property. At that time several of the old estate properties were being subdivided and sold. He chose the developers Wallace & Warner to work with him in selling and developing the property. They were well known at the time and the Main Line has many of their houses. To develop the property, the first thing they did was construct a road through it so they could divide it into smaller lots. The road, Orchard Way, ran from Airdale Road parallel to the railroad up to a point about halfway between the original house and carriage house, where it then made a left turn between the two over to County Line Road. This road allowed for sizable lots on either side of it and along County Line Road. They retained the carriage house as part of the subdivision,
The full entrance
but converted it to a twin, splitting the “H” in half and converting the center of the “H” into a garage for The capstone with the name each side. This property remains ‘Beaumont’ today at the corner of Orchard Way and County Line Road. The other lots were laid out and at the end of 1923, the main house was torn down so the lots could be sold and developed. While the house is gone, there is a reminder of the “First Beaumont.” The original entrance to the mansion off County Line Road was retained. It consisted of two square columns on either side of a driveway with curved wingwalls coming off the columns. It was made of the same stone that was used in the house and each column was topped with a capstone. The capstone on the left reads “Beaumont.” When the lots were laid out, the entrance was incorporated into one of the lots. One of the developers, Brenton Wallace, bought the lot with the entrance for himself and incorporated the entrance as his driveway entrance. The house he built was in a Mediterranean style, so he repointed the stone and added a row of bricks to the top of the curved wingwalls to make it look more “Mediterranean.” But the stone is the same and the capstones remain with “Beaumont” on the left one. Drive by 1429 County Line Road to see the entrance and capstone. Note: Information about the subdivision and the developers was provided by Greg Prichard, Historic Preservation Planner, Building & Planning Department, Lower Merion Township.
ElderNet
Article and Photo By Audrey Walsh
This year Beaumont at Bryn Mawr has sponsored ElderNet in Lower Merion. Residents of Beaumont gladly donated canned goods, personal items, pet food, and monies to the organization. Mrs. Marlynne Clothier and Mr. David Randolph loaded the first car up on Tuesday, November 7th with another carload following on each remaining Tuesday in November. Today, the last of the donations were taken over totaling for the month 135 bags of groceries. What a true way to celebrate the holidays! We are pleased to say that our support for ElderNet will continue through 2024.
Marlynne Clothier and David Randolph loading the car to go to ElderNet.
11
Zoe Vinick — Miss Congeniality By Helen Ballard
Zoe, who resides in Apt. 329, is a 4-year-old Havanese Poodle combo hailing from Quarryville, PA. She is all black with lovely silky-soft fur, eyes that show a hint of mischievousness, and a super friendly personality. She is a bundle of wiggles with a wagging tail that often resembles a metronome set for a prestissimo tempo!
CANINES of BEAUMONT
she hears her mom call, “come Zoe, time to go home,” she immediately grabs her leash, which is always attached to her, turns around and runs in the opposite direction while periodically glancing backwards at her mother. Should she see her mom opening the gate to leave she suddenly becomes Zoe Vinick Photo by Beverly Wilson fearful of being deserted, panics, has a change of heart, and runs lickety-split after her not wanting to be left behind. As much as she loves the vale, she does not want to spend the night there unless her mom camps out with her and that is not on her mom’s bucket list!
According to her mother, the best words to describe Zoe besides friendly are loving, sweet, kind, playful, and, of course, cute! From the get-go, unlike any of her mom’s previous puppies or for that matter her mom’s own babies, Zoe slept through the night happily nesting on her mom’s bed from 8 PM ‘til 9:30 AM -- and she still does. One would have to agree that is quite remarkable! In the apartment Zoe is well behaved, rarely barks or disturbs the neighbors. She has a hearty appetite and looks forward to her meals needing no cajoling to lick the bowl clean. Like most of her fellow canines she loves treats, most especially cheese, which works well as a reward or, when necessary, bribery! Poppy Wheeler, her halfsister, is her best canine pal but she also has many friends of the human sort, with Jeff Klein at the top of her list. However, there is no question that, of everyone in the world, her mother is #1!
Another note of interest about our Miss Congeniality is the possibility of her being selected for the Canine Olympic Gymnastics Team! Given her considerable ability and enthusiasm for leaping, jumping, and twirling, she feels, with the proper training, she could excel at a floor program, perhaps even win a medal! Should you have the chance to see her working on a routine, reward her with a treat or two for encouragement in her quest for the medal, which she hopes will be made of fine cheddar. After all, what self-respecting canine would care about a medal made of metal??
All in all, one might say that Zoe is a pretty perfect dog; however, she does have a couple of issues that keep her from placing in the 100% perfect category. Although she has a plethora of greatly loved and well chewed squeaky toys it seems she also has a great affinity for her mother's socks and absconds with them whenever possible requiring constant replenishment. Her other bit of naughtiness shows up when exploring the vale.... her very most favorite place ever! When
S’mores in the Courtyard By Linda Madara
What does one dream of doing on a very cool, clear evening when the sun has set, leaving the skies brilliant coral with white plane trails? At Beaumont, the dream is an evening Hot Dog Roast. Outside of the Exercise Room, centered amid the wandering paths of the Greenhouse courtyard that circle around endlessly on the way to the patio, sits a smoking firepit and a cluster of would-be chefs (aka hot dog holders) with their hot dogs balanced precariously on the end of their thin wooden sticks. It’s an ideal time and place for comradery and conversation. The goals of the holders are twofold: [1] don’t let the hot dog fall off the stick and into the flames and [2] stay out of the
thick white smoke billowing skyward and making one’s eyes water. On the porch beckoning tables are overflowing with trays of hot dogs, rolls, and the “fixings” for the roast. Envision Norman Rockwell’s painting of Beaumont’s American Hot Dog Roast. Participants: a dining staff member builds the fire in the pit; his compatriot in deer skin leather gloves
From left to right: Catherine Wylonis, Louise Hughes, Pat Ross, Dorothy Clapham, Naomi Hooper
12
hands him kindling; the golf cart that transported guests parked sort of out of sight; Resident Services ladies in heavy puffy jackets and frilly aprons set utensils, cups, and thin hot dog holders sticks on the tables; and too-early residents waiting remind the ladies “Leave space for the graham crackers, Hershey’s milk chocolate squares, and marshmallows. Don’t forget the marshmallows!”
Light has faded fast. The first enthusiastic roasters with firmly, and hopefully, secured hot dogs on their sticks move into place around the fire. It’s only a few minutes now until the hot dogs are ready. They keep turning the sticks so they won’t burn. Out of the dark near the tables there is always someone who loudly announces, “I don’t want a hot dog! I only came for the s’mores!”