V o lume T h i rt y S ix , N umber 2
June 2022
What Do You Do When The Lights Go Out... By Zach Margolis
On Tuesday, June 7th the Beaumont Operations Team performed a much-needed safety check on our building’s transformers. Thankfully, the check resulted in minimal repairs, and we were back up and running by 3:00pm.
With less than a month's notice, the Beaumont Management Team sprang into action to create a funfilled day for our residents. June 7th was going to be a day to remember, not a day to sit and think long and hard about an inconvenience. Residents had the opportunity to join us on Middle Road for a carnival filled with games, mini-golf, caricatures, a Tiki-Bar and snow cones!
A Tale of Two Beaumonts By Joseph Peduzzi, President and CEO
Beaumont’s residents were not looking forward to a twoplus year construction project until they saw the resulting transformation take place before their eyes. Engaged because of their extensive experience working with retirement communities, Lenhardt Rodgers, Architects and Warfel Construction thoughtfully passed and parsed the project, stripping and re-cladding all building exteriors, including the windows, entrances, and garage doors, one section at a time.
Now when you drive down Pasture Lane and pass the completed sections, it is a tale of two Beaumonts: gone are the old stucco fronts, dowdy soffits, and aluminum windows, and in come the exciting mix of ship-lap boards, colored cement panels, and field stone fronts to give both the apartment building and villas a fresh, contemporary look.
If that wasn’t enough, we brought in ChainSmokin BBQ food truck, who delivered delicious Texas style BBQ.
The meteorologists were calling for rain, but we held strong and went on with our plans! Beaumont En Blanc came to life underneath the massive white tents in the front circle. The Culinary Team operated outside the kitchen in the field with (3) Bayou burners for a full seafood boil.
Continued on Page 8
PRESIDENT’S
CORNER
On May 10, 2022, Beaumont hit a project milestone. We are halfway done! In true Beaumont style, we threw a “Half-Way There Party”. Residents, dressed to the nines, entered the Beaumont Room greeted with libations and hors d’ oeuvres as chatter filled the room. Also in attendance were Phil Rodgers and Jennifer Heon of Lenardt Rodgers, Shelia Snyder, Bill Musser, Jimmy Spence, Chris Shriner, Calvin Savary, Kendal Reynolds of Warfel, several members of Beaumont’s Management Team and Matt Taylor of Becker and Frondorf, our owner’s representative.
As residents and guests took their seats, a montage of the work completed to date was displayed on the big screen for everyone to take in the transformation of Beaumont. Continued on the next page
TALE, continued from page 1
After the entrée was cleared, I thanked our guests of honor from Lenhardt Rodgers, Warfel and Becker and Frondorf for the fruits of their labor. The perfect end to this magnificent party took place as residents and guests indulged in the Blueberry Crème Brulee.
Then the three-course feast began with a Le Bouchon Champagne toast followed by Crab & Grapefruit Salad Bundles with Champagne Dressing. The entrée was Pan Seared Sea Bass with Grilled Vegetables and Garlic Herb Cous Cous with Roasted Sunburst Tomato Fennel Sauce. Domaine De La Folie Rully 1 er Cru Monopole and E. Gugigal Croze Hermitage flowed as every bite was savored by all.
As everyone left the Beaumont Room, their smiles revealed that this was a night to remember!
Mary Schnabel Celebrates 100 Years! Mary continued to work in Manhattan until 1947 when she married Dr. Truman Schnabel, a teaching professor of Cardiology at Penn Medical School. Together, they raised a daughter and three sons. When reading through the list of volunteer positions she held after moving to Philadelphia, you will wonder how she had time to brush her teeth!
By Wistie Miller
A truly remarkable 100-year-old woman resides here at Beaumont! (In attempting to consolidate her century of living into a few columns is like trying to put mercury Mary Schnabel - Mary Schnabel celebrates back into a bottle. It just 100 years with Paul (left), son Brooke (top isn’t going to happen.)
1. 1973 – 1974 – Coordinator of “Super Sunday” where all Philadelphia museums opened their doors for free. Directors came from every corner of the USA and took over all the rooms of the huge hotels. This required organizing dinners and speakers for four days! (She had a police car with a side cart to drive her from one museum to the next.)
right), and grandson Kurk (top left). Photo by Linda Madara
At the age of 23, shortly after the end of the Depression and World War II, this young woman from Indiana moved to New York City. Always interested in both writing and fashion, she was hired by the MacCall Corporation, a large publishing company, in 1940 to be one of six “stylists.” Home sewing was very popular at that time. Well-known department stores devoted entire floors to the sale of patterns, fabric and bolts of material. Mary’s job as a “stylist” was to travel up and down the East Coast visiting the stores in Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C., which carried MacCall patterns to promote their sewing departments. MacCall would place advertisements in local newspapers and publish the time that Mary would be speaking and demonstrating. In some cases, she might be wearing clothing, based on their patterns. Mary was wellversed in how to sew, put in zippers, and many other “tricks of the trade.” She often made her own clothes, so she was skilled in answering their questions.
2. She began a series of lectures entitled “Lifestyles through History” at various women’s clubs. 3. She became second in command in Public Relations for Philadelphia Museum of Art.
After Mary and “Nipper” moved to Beaumont she pitched the idea of having a spelling bee. The competitors included the residents of the apartments, villas and the Beaumont staff. Joe Peduzzi was the Maître “Bee” and he wore an official beekeeper’s headgear. That spelling bee united the whole community, and competition was fierce! (Maybe it is time to have another one.) As time passed, Mary came up with many other ideas to keep residents engaged and content. In 2010, she was elected to a two-year term as Board Chair. (BRCI) When she stepped down two years later, she received a standing ovation. Describing her years of service, as “a wonderful honor… a genuinely rewarding experience,” she summed it up adding: “I sort of feel like I’m here at the age of 90, and I’ve finally peaked!”
The Public Relations Department of MacCall in New York City would reserve a room for her at the best hotel in each city. She had her own expense account which was unusual for the time.
But that was not to happen. Mary went on to serve Beaumont in countless ways over the ensuing years, designing and producing colorful Christmas cards of her family, and organizing the Club table for the express purpose of welcoming single diners to join others at a community table. This turned out to be a favorite among residents who loved the informality of knowing they had a place to sit with others, without any planning. Today, many are suggesting this practice be reinstated again. Happy Birthday Mary - Hats off to you!
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 Photo Editor Contributing Editor New Resident Editor Quality Control Index Manager Production
Marion Laffey Fox Louise Hughes Linda Madara Betty Matarese Jennifer Frankel Nancy Harris Articus, Ltd.
2
Friendship Circle News By Vick Kelly
The Friendship Circle program here at Beaumont continues to expand.
It began as a means of meeting new residents after quarantine was initiated by our Health Care Staff. As a result, almost all of the usual ways of introducing new residents to our community came to a halt. Since 2020, there have been 7 New Resident Friendship Circles to which all of the 40 or so new residents have been invited. The success of these first meetings, coupled with the continued need to limit socialization, motivated the Friendship Circle Facilitators to open up the meetings to all Beaumont residents. At every meeting, the circle process is followed. We go around the group in a clockwise direction and each person is invited to say as much or as little as they wish about themselves.
Helen Gannon
Over time, we discovered that most of the circles evolved into discussions about various aspects of life at Beaumont. As a result, we began to hold Friendship Circles open to all residents with a focus on general Beaumont Topics. The first topic was WHO TO CALL: WHY, WHEN AND WHERE. Once again, the response was very positive. In part because we have had to limit the number of participants, but also because of the popularity of the meetings, more people signed up than we could accommodate. As a result, we have held 8 open meetings for those interested in Beaumont topics.
Each circle has been limited to 15 or so people. This allows us to keep the circle small enough so that each person has time to speak, we can better hear one another through our masks and the chairs can be socially distanced without the circle becoming too wide.
Dr. Sally Pearne
The Friendship Circle facilitators, Barbara Benson, Marlynne Clothier, Jack Collett, Eta Glassman, Dorothy Weisbord, Bert Wolfson, Margaret Balamuth, and I heard a number of concerns voiced during the meetings about residents living by themselves. We, therefore, decided to introduce a new topic, BEING SINGLE AT BEAUMONT. The first of these Friendship Circles took place on February 21st. It was limited to residents living alone and run by facilitators who also live alone.
a number of residents developed a list of 25 couples in which one member is burdened with caregiver duties. We contacted these residents directly by phone and invited them to join us in a CAREGIVER FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE. More than half of the caregivers enthusiastically agreed to attend. With the help and expertise of Richard Lange, we limited these circles to 8 people and held them in the exercise room of the fitness center. This space provides a better degree of privacy for the sharing of what can be, at times, very personal information. Our motto is “what’s said in the exercise room stays in the exercise room.” As of this writing, there have been 4 Caregiver Friendship Circles. Each group has decided to continue to meet every three weeks.
Barbara Benson & Nelly Lincoln
We have room for more residents in these caregiver circles. If you are in a caregiver situation and you have not been contacted by us, please feel free to get in touch at the phone number or email below.
New resident- Howard Fatell
Another issue of deep concern to many at Beaumont, including both residents and staff, surrounds the complex problems and stress that arises when one spouse becomes the primary caregiver in the couple. Our group of facilitators in discussions with 3
Our current plan is to continue to hold Beaumont topics Friendship Circles twice a month and Caregiver Friendship Circles every three weeks. Please keep your eye on the weekly reminders and the bulletin board for dates and topics. If you have ideas or questions concerning Friendship Circles, please contact Vick Kelly at 215-920-4654 (cell) or by email at vickkelly79@gmail.com.
How Do You Describe American Pop Culture??? Don’t worry about getting lost in the collections or not being able to find your way out. There is a gentle tram to transport visitors and an excellent audio presentation about some of the more special items. There are some truly wonderful treasures on display amid the less wonderful, but very familiar items you’ll encounter.
By Linda Madara
A delighted group of Beaumont residents recently enjoyed a trip to the American Treasures Tour Museum in Oaks, Pennsylvania, located just west of Valley Forge National Park in Montgomery County.
The best part of your visit is going back in your memory to see “old friends” you owned long ago. There are also pieces your mother discarded unknowingly in the trash! It’s a fun museum to visit. Something familiar for everyone!!!
The truly unbelievable We can all relate to the emotions of the classic Donald Duck. collection of thousands of items, that handout material describes as “Wacky, weird and wonderful,” ranges from colorful old cars and telephones to musical instruments and Christmas memorabilia. And more!
The owner of this vast culture empire has chosen to remain unidentified. We do know he has been collecting for over 60 years and there is no end in sight. To house this vast undertaking the former B.F. Goodrich Tire Plant (1,000,000 square feet) in Oaks, PA was converted into a massive display space in the 50’s when the plant closed.
Another favorite exhibits is the vast collection of Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls.
If you decide to return on your own, or with family and friends, call for information and ticket reservations. Telephone: 866-970-8687.
New Resident Profile: Sally Pearne several residents have asked that she do so.) Her husband, Charles Halpern, died in 2016. He was also a psychologist in private clinical practice.
By Peter Abel
Sally Pearne (rhymes with “learn”) recently moved to Beaumont, accompanied by two felines, Angel and Jackson. The latter enjoy exploring outside Sally’s ground floor apartment where they are tethered so as not to threaten the local bird population. As for the inside of her apartment, on one occasion a friend remarked, “I’ve never seen a living room arranged primarily for the comfort of cats”.
Sally has been a docent at the Philadelphia Zoo since 2005 and Sally Pearne - in a short time, Sally Pearne has become a great her love of four-legged creatures addition to our community. shows up in her apartment which is filled with replicas, statues and pictures of animals. Even her socks are decorated with silhouettes of cats. She has traveled widely, visiting Europe, Russia and China, but her favorite trip was to Kenya (again, big cats, giraffes, etc.). Sally is very personable and laughs readily. (On the other hand, she might have just pretended to be amused by one of my attempts to be witty.)
Sally’s origins are in Cleveland, Ohio, where her father practiced law and she attended grammar and high schools. After receiving a Bachelor’s degree at Muskingum College in Ohio, majoring in music and psychology, she went on to pursue a Master’s degree and then a PhD in Counseling Education at The University of Pittsburgh, while also teaching psychology at Carnegie Mellon University. Following a post-doctorate training program at Eastern Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute in Philadelphia, she conducted therapy and testing at Friends Hospital, Philadelphia and at a youth/children’s center in Rochester, NY. After becoming a licensed psychologist, she worked at a clinical practice in Buffalo. In 1982 she moved back to the Philadelphia area, eventually opening an office in Bala Cynwyd in which she is still very active. (No, folks, she doesn’t plan to open a branch office in Beaumont although
She has always enjoyed music, including guitar playing and especially choral singing. She is a member of the St. Asaph’s Church choir and the Bryn Mawr Renaissance Chorus. As a Beaumont resident, she has already joined the Ragtime Band and the Beaumont Choir and enjoys exercise classes in the Fitness Center as well as dining with old and new friends in the Mansion. Welcome, Sally, Angel and Jackson! 4
New Resident Profile: Joseph McCaffrey By Mote Howard
Joe recently moved into 367 Austin, from Sarasota, Florida, and prior to that, hailed from various Philadelphia suburbs. He grew up in Philadelphia and graduated from Drexel University with a degree in Accounting, a profession he practiced successfully all his working life.
After college, like so many of us, he was “blown” into the Army by the draft. After a year in the Infantry, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, he was scheduled to head to Vietnam. Fate, good luck and his qualifications intervened, and he was fortunate to spend the last months of his tour at a safer destination: The Pentagon. Years later, he met an attractive woman in Avalon, New Jersey, who rejected his requests for a date, three times! The fourth invitation was accepted, and a tennis date ensued. Unfortunately, Joe had run a 10-K race earlier, and had an accident on the court, which led to a two-day hospital stay. The lady stuck with him through that ordeal, and it dawned on Joe that she was a “keeper.”
Order of the Star of Italy
In a private ceremony at Beaumont at Bryn Mawr, Cristiana Mele, the Consul General of Italy in Philadelphia, presented Prof. Eugenio Calabi with the honor of the "Commendatore dell'Ordine della Stella d'Italia " (Commander in the Order of the Star of Italy). This honor had been bestowed by decree by the President of the Republic of Italy, Mr. Sergio Mattarella. This is one of the highestranking honors of the Republic.
Joe McCaffrey - Joe McCaffrey posing in front of one of his photographs at the Beaumont Art Show
He and Eileen were married happily for thirty-five years, visited seven continents and raised two children. Eileen passed away a year ago. Their kids live in Hoboken, New Jersey, which is an easy distance for frequent visits. Joe was a runner and tennis player in his younger days. He was, and is, an avid dry fly fisherman and photographer, as was evidenced by his photo of two wildebeests exhibited in the recent Beaumont Residents’ Art Show. In addition, Joe is a connoisseur of French Fries. He chose Beaumont at his lawyer’s suggestion, based on the latter’s knowledge of satisfied residents. So far, he is very happy with his choice.
The Ordine della Stella d'Italia was instituted to recognize those expatriates and foreigners who made outstanding contributions in multiple fields with an emphasis to the preservation and promotion of national prestige abroad.
The Calabis have been residents at Beaumont for 13 years. Congratulations to Dr. Calabi and to Giuliana, his loving wife of 69 years.
Photo by Lou Laskey
Alex DePue of the DePue Brothers Band, Dies Tragically in Car Crash By Jim Zug
Don Liuzzi, the timpanist for the Philadelphia Orchestra and the administrator of the DePue Brothers Band, shared with us that Alex DePue, one of the four DePue Brothers in their famous band, died suddenly and devastatingly, of a heart attack January 28th while driving back to Mexico from a concert in San Diego. The DePue Brothers have enthralled us twice at Beaumont with their musical genius and enthusiastic playing, most recently last December 20th. Hailing from Bowling Green, Ohio, they started playing together with their father 18 years ago, creating a catchy,
The DePue Brothers (from left to right). Wallace, Alex, Jason and Zach.
toe-tapping blend of “bluegrassclassical and rock genre” that was immediately recognizable. They also coined the term “grassical music,” that headlined their unique style. Their father dropped out a few years ago, and now they will be without Alex. 5
The night of our last concert, brother Jason, who plays with the Philadelphia Orchestra, could not play because of an injury to his wrist from a fall on ice earlier that day. An hour before the concert, the brothers had to reorganize themselves to take up Jason’s parts at key moments, and Alex filled in so creatively that none of us noticed. In addition, Alex’s new wife whom he married in August 2020, sang with the band that night, much to our added enjoyment. We hope the three brothers will regroup to continue their magic. We extended our sympathies to Don Liuzzi, the brothers and the band that has played together for over 40 years, earning the moniker, “Musical Family of America.”
Jazz Appreciation Part 1: Who’s Got Rhythm? By Marv Weisbord
This article consists of two parts. In Part 1, I lay out the basics of jazz as a form of music. In Part 2, I go into the nuts and bolts of improvising.
When asked what jazz is, the legendary pianist, Fats Waller, said, “If you gotta ask, you wouldn’t understand the answer.” If you love jazz, the problem is not in the answer. It’s the question. Jazz isn’t a thing. The songs we play don’t explain it, nor do the instruments we use. Jazz is a way of expressing ourselves through music. This piece is for Wynlyn Jazz Ensemble’s loyal fans and for those who are curious about what WJE has been up to at Beaumont for seven+ years. During 75 events we have performed hundreds of songs.
Evelyne and Mark put Marvin Weisbord’s elements of jazz into play.
What does it take to play just one jazz tune? The answer may surprise you. Let’s start with my instrument, the piano. Pianos have been used for centuries to play every kind of music imaginable and even some that isn’t. A grand piano has roughly 12,000 parts. No matter how big it is, a piano plays just 12 notes on seven white and five black keys. They repeat 7 1/3 times, from low (bass) to high (treble) adding up to 88 keys. These notes are labelled A, B, C, D, E, F, and G, plus five sharp (#) or flat (b) notes indicating half steps. The songs the Wynlyn Jazz Ensemble play employ the same 12 notes that Beethoven used to write nine glorious symphonies. We use a similar harmonic system too, though many of our chords—multiple notes played together—did not exist in his day. You can use the same 12 notes to
WYNLYN JAZZ ENSEMBLE L. To R. Allan Kobernick, Len Pavel, Alex Mykietiuch, Rob Stone, David Zopf (arm holding bass), Sandy Crow, Roz Spigel, Evelyn Isom, Larry Serinsky, Alan Tripp (guest artist), Marv Weisbord, (On vacation: Mark Hollern)
play folk music, country and western, pop, ragtime, boogie-woogie, Latin, rock and roll, the blues and new forms with which I can’t keep up. Each generation finds novel combinations. Classical composer, Arnold Schoenberg, (who died in 1951), for example, invented a 12-tone system, which requires that a composition repeat no note until all 12 have been played—one of many innovations that influenced countless followers.
most often play three or four from a given scale—that sound good together. That’s called “harmony.” String instruments—piano, bass, guitar—can play chords. Wind instruments, like people, produce only one note at a time. To harmonize, two or more must perform at once.
Our band’s singers—Sandy Crow, Mark Hollern, Larry Serinsky, Roz Spigel, and now Evelyn Isom—choose their keys based on how many notes in a song’s scale lie above or below the starting note. The idea is to comfortably sing all the notes without sounding like a screech owl or a bullfrog. To make chords, we choose a group of notes—
I have now laid the groundwork for listening to jazz. Next time, I’ll get into the nuts and bolts of improvising.
The building blocks for a jazz tune consist of notes, scales, and chords. Combined, they produce melody and harmony. To these we add rhythm that enhances emotional impact. As composer/band leader Duke Ellington put it in 1931, “It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing.” Each note comprises a single bit of melody and—if it exists—one syllable of a lyric. Scales used to play jazz piano consist of 5 to 8 notes (out of 12) played in order either up or down the keyboard, starting and ending on the same note, called a “key note.” The best-known scale is the one from grade school— sung as “do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti, do.”
6
You could write about rhythm forever and never capture its essence. Try this from a dictionary: “Rhythm: a movement or procedure with uniform or patterned recurrence of a beat, accent, or the like.” Get it? I don’t. On the other hand, tell me we’re going to play a tune as a jazz waltz, at 80 beats per minute, and I know what to do. Jazz rhythms are characterized by syncopation—alternating short and long notes, accents, loud riffs and soft, so as to produce movement. That means to “swing.” We strive to induce a feeling—in ourselves and our listeners. In the band, the drums and bass carry the rhythm and often so do the guitar and piano. That doesn’t help much on paper—but you’ll know it when you hear it. If you find yourself tapping your feet, you got rhythm.*
* “I Got Rhythm,” a song by George and Ira Gershwin from 1930, became a jazz anthem, improvised in thousands of versions across the decades. Most came and went in the moment, unrecorded and unrepeatable. Now and then WJE adds a few more. On YouTube, though, you can hear some that survived.
Insights
“ If you stir coconut oil into your kale, it makes it easier to scrape it into the trash. Brain cells, hair cells, and skin cells all die constantly but fat cells seem to have eternal life. This will be the first year we aren’t going to Hawaii because of Covid. Normally we don’t go because we can’t afford it.”
Collected by Mote Howard “ I would rather live in a world surrounded by mystery than live in a world so small that my mind could comprehend it.”
- Harry Emerson Fosdick
“ In the course of my life I have often had to eat my words and I must confess I have always found it a wholesome diet.”
- From A. Butcher
“Forbidden fruits create many jams."
- Winston Churchill
“ Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.”
- Anonymous
- Mark Twain
“ Every box of raisins is tragic tale of grapes that could have been wine. We all know that Albert Einstein was a genius but brother Frank was a monster.”
- From B. Clothier
“ W hat I don’t like about office parties is looking for a job the next day. Best way to get rid of kitchen odor, eat out. Burt Reynolds once asked me out. I was in his room. It’s having the same man around the house all the time that ruins matrimony.”
Mote Howard is out and about searching for new inspirations.
-Phylis Diller
In Memoriam Rod Ross
Katharine Place
Barbara Moore
Ann Smythe
Martha Ceasar January 30, 2022
Giusto Pizzini
February 21, 2022
John Clapham
Mary Page
Grace Driscoll
Lon Homeier
Alan Vinick
Charles Wood Anne Trout
January 20, 2022
February 20, 2022
February 27, 2022 March 6, 2022
February 5, 2022
February 23, 2022
March 10, 2022
Reeder R. Fox
Anne Godfrey
Joanne Earley
February 13, 2022
February 24, 2022
April 13, 2022
May 1, 2022 May 2, 2022 May 2, 2022
June 1 9, 2022
Members of the Beaumont Community extend deepest sympathy to their families and friends.
7
Beaumont's Beloved Bistro Brownie Returns By Eta Glassman
Amidst cheers and applause, the Bistro Brownie returned after being closed due to COVID, only to, quickly and unfortunately, close again due to more COVID issues. However, the good news is that the beloved brownie will be available for takeout and will be offered selectively on the resident’s monthly menu until the venue reopens. Look for this special treat which will appear for the first time in this way on June 19th.
I have a confession to make. I am in love with the Bistro Brownie. I called a week ahead of time to make a Bistro reservation, but I only cared about dessert. The Brownie is warm, gooey and topped with vanilla ice cream or other ice creams of your choice. It was perfect with vodka. Who cares if you don’t sleep?
I conducted a survey. Are other people in love with the brownie? Some, like
Harriet Goldenberg, take the brownie home, cut it in pieces and eat some at night when needed. What willpower! My friend Barbara Benson loves the brownie just as I do. We have bonded, and she is now my best brownie friend. Do men like brownies? I asked David Balamuth. “It’s a little too rich for me. It is like a week of chocolate packed into a single square,” he added. What’s so bad about that? I did not give up. I had to find a man who likes the Bistro brownie. I called Beaumont President and CEO Joe Peduzzi. ‘It’s perfect” he said. “It’s brown, just like the Villa doors.” (Did you know there are blonde brownies?)
Then I spoke to Birch Clothier, “The brownie is everything a man could want.” Birch said. (How does his wife, Marlynne, feel about that?)
Mote Howard told me his favorite thing is Mount Gay Rum on the rocks with lime. It protects you from Scurvy. That answer does not count for my survey. I am only interested in people who love the brownie. Continuing my quest, I asked Food and Beverage Director Zack Margolis. “What makes the brownie special?" “Only Chef John knows the secret,” Zack said.
(Continued From Front Cover)
Happily, the bistro brownie returns - one way or another
I did not give up and immediately called Executive Chef John. “What’s the secret of the brownie?” I asked. “I am addicted and so are my friends.”
According to John, the brownie recipe is the creation of our longest tenured chef, Barry Hill. He said, the secret is that Barry added melted chocolate to a brownie mix along with heavy cream. Then he created more richness by a secret process. The brownies are made every day for residents in the Health Center - a side benefit of living there. My friend, Helen Vinick, has the best idea. When there is something to celebrate, just order the brownie for dinner and a salad for dessert. How smart is that?
What Do You Do When The Lights Go Out... A delicious meal was served, and residents indulged in conversation! Dessert was shared inside the lobby and the atmosphere was infectious! A day that could have been sour ended on a sweet and memorable note! June 7th was a clear reminder that when life gives you lemons, we should always make lemonade!
8