V o lume T h i rt y S even , N umber 2
M arch 2023
Beaumont Rallies for the Eagles Photos by Linda Madara
On Friday before the Super Bowl, Beaumont came out in full force to support their Philadelphia Eagles at a Super Bowl pep rally extravaganza. Both residents and staff in Eagles green filled the Beaumont Room to capacity. Our very own Swoop (also known as Audrey Walsh) led the crowd in cheering, singing, and dancing. Of course, there was tailgate food – Philly cheese steaks and pretzels! Then Mummers in full regalia from the Fralinger String Band arrived and the crowd sang and cheered as they played. A good time was had by all. Later, residents watched the exciting game in the Beaumont Bistro or at home until hope was lost at the very end. Although we did not win, the spirit lives on and we are proud of our Eagles. SWOOP (our very own Audrey Walsh)
Pat Ross
David Prewitt dancing to Fralinger music with Lauren Scott and Eta Glassman watching the crowd.
Members of the Fralinger String Band
Chef John serving Barbara Billings with Zack Margolis in background.
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Beaumont Rallies for the Eagles (Continued)
Left to right – Cathy and Carl Helwig
Left to right - Sandra Feitelson, Lena Curlino, Mary Straub
Left to right -- Paula Ortiz, Maria Villanueva, Zulma Gil, Susanti Zuhri
SWOOP (Audrey Walsh) and left to right – Maria Villanueva, Arieana Carabello, Diana DiMeglio
Rita Rome, Marlynne Clothier, Birch Clothier
Left to right Margaret Balamuth, Linda Parrotto
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 Jean Spitzer February 18, 2023
Joe McCaffrey
Edward Curran February 23, 2023
Members of the Beaumont Community extend deepest sympathy to their families and friends. 2
Editor
Beverly Wilson
Photo Editor
Linda Madara
New Resident Editor
Betty Matarese
Roving Reporter
Eta Glassman
Quality Control
Cathy Leahy
Production
Articus, Ltd.
An Accomplished Couple Join the Beaumont Family By Judy Anderson
Richard and Jane Kihlstrom joined the Beaumont family when they moved here from Berwyn in December. As with most of us, it was not easy moving from a house where they lived for over forty years to a retirement community. But they have made the adjustment and are already exploring Beaumont’s many amenities. Richard regularly traverses Wheeler Woods six times a day and Jane regularly attends exercise classes in the fitness center.
Both are from the Midwest as Richard was born in Chicago, Illinois, and Jane in Evansville, Indiana. They met at Purdue where Richard was an economics major and Jane a nutrition major. Richard then completed a PhD in economics at the University of Minnesota while Jane worked as a therapeutic dietician in a hospital there and other locations as Richard accepted faculty positions at Northwestern, the University of Massachusetts, and the University of Illinois. In 1979 Richard accepted a faculty position in the Finance Department at University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. Soon after that he was chosen to occupy the MillerFreedman Chair in that department. In 1981, he was named as a Fellow of the Econometrics Society. In 1988, he was chosen Chairman of the Wharton Finance Department, a position he held for 10 years. Over the years, his work at Wharton was combined with visits as a researcher and lecturer to numerous universities in the US, Europe, Latin America, and Asia. During these visits he presented his research in lectures and taught courses in both economics and finance. In 2007, he was awarded the John S. Day Distinguished Academic Service Award by The Krannert School at Purdue.
Jane and Richard Kihlstrom. Photo by Judy Anderson.
shop there and other postcards at the Devon Horse Show. As both traveled, Jane honed her photography skills.
When the couple got a black lab in 1995 Jane was told that she should enroll in a dog training class. She did, and to this day continues to enrich her dog’s days by attending these classes. She has earned 57 titles with 8 dogs in 7 different dog sports including obedience, flyball, agility, rally, tricks, therapy, and scent detection. Animal Planet’s “Pet Stories” series devoted a thirty-minute segment to Jane’s pet therapy work with her dogs Riley and Tyler. Today, she continues that work by bringing her current dog to the health center to give comfort to residents there. Both Jane and Richard have enjoyed participating in athletics. Richard was a swimmer, kayaker, cross country, and downhill skier. In 2014 he skied thirty days! He also fishes and follows ice hockey as his two sons played ice hockey at Conestoga High School. Jane was a competitive tennis doubles player. Along with their many accomplishments, Jane and Richard take pride in their two sons, Eric, an entrepreneur in London and father of their two grandchildren, and Christopher, an illustrator in New York.
As Richard was involved with Penn, Jane developed an interest in photography and won a competition at Valley Forge National Park. Her postcards were sold in the gift
A Report from the House Committee By Nancy Sharp
Many thanks to the Christmas decorating committee for providing us with beautiful trees and arrangements throughout Beaumont. Joy to the world for their hard work!
The House Committee has been working very hard on projects for the Mansion. Beginning last summer, we contracted with a company to provide orchid arrangements for the front lobby to be tended weekly and changed monthly. The B-1 entrance from the garage off Pasture Lane was painted and wonderful botanical prints hung. This February the three guest suites will be closed for the month for us to do a complete makeover. New lighting, updating the sprinkler system, new carpets, furniture, and accessories will complete the project. Future plans include adding small lamps for the Bistro tables and replacing the cushions in the Liseter Garden.
A new Flower Committee headed by Lynne Ives will begin to put out arrangements in designated places in the Mansion and in the hallways of Baldwin and Austin this year. These arrangements were created by very talented residents. They will be changed four times a year. Please remember the Mansion is "our" house to be enjoyed by all. It is our hope that you will care for it and will bring to our attention any problems and concerns. We are very fortunate to be able to call this beautiful house our home. 3
What’s New at the Zoo? Now as you move around the Zoo, the Zoo moves around you Compiled by Sally Randolph
We were greatly honored to have Vik Dewan, CEO of the Philadelphia Zoo, visit Beaumont. During his 16-year tenure he has helped to lead an incredible transformation of our Zoo. He recently announced his plan to retire, having created a legacy of growth, achievement, and innovation. Most notable has been the introduction of the first-inthe-world network of treetop trails that allows the animals the unique experience of exploring the campus through a network of overhead trails, referred to as ZOO360. Monkeys play overhead and big cats cross over the walking path on a bridge that leads to the lake. Young children engage in parallel play with Treetop Trail the meerkat mob by
Left to Right - Sally Randolph, Vik Dewan, Michael Stern, Sally Pearne
Sharing the stage with Vik was Michael Stern, the curator of Primates and Small Mammals. With an amazing slideshow, he took us on a virtual tour. For example, our 99-year-old Galapagos Turtle has just been introduced to a genetically, and hopefully personally compatible, mate, through the interzoo Species Survival Program. Recently, keepers had to coach the François' langur through the birthing and mothering process. For decades, the Zoo has played an integral role in conservation efforts for one of the world’s most threatened primates, the Golden Lion Tamarins. More than 70% of the GLTs in the wild share the genetics of GLTs bred in zoos. The work of our Zoo and other zoos across the country is critical for the conservation of, not only the GLTs, but numerous other rare and endangered species.
climbing through trails that run next to the meerkat trails. These pioneering exhibits benefit animals by offering more opportunities for long-distance travel, greater environmental variety, and an increased ability to determine their own experiences. Over 60 zoos have come to Philadelphia to study our trail system and Meerkat mob adopt our pioneering approaches. The trails greatly enhance the visitor experience. “Now as you move around the Zoo; the Zoo moves around you.”
Following their talk, Vik and Michael wrote to express their appreciation for the interest level, stories, and wonderful questions you, our residents, shared with them. In response to this dynamic presentation, several residents have sign up or renewed their memberships. Here at Beaumont, we are proud of residents Peggy Wolcott, who volunteered as a docent at the Zoo for over 40 years, and active docents Sally Pearne and Sally Randolph.
Clearly the Zoo fulfills its mission. “By connecting people with wildlife, Philadelphia Zoo creates joyful discovery and inspires action for animals and habitats.”
In another initiative, Vik takes pride in having introduced programs that increase community access and inclusivity, providing free access for low-income families; expansion of the West Philadelphia Scholars program to support local youth interested in careers in wildlife conservation; and the creation of a contest, called the UNLESS Program, which challenges local students to create real solutions to environmental problems.
Baby Francois' langur
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Forward Thinking Leads to Bright Ideas An Enlightened Approach to Illuminating Beaumont By Reed Dorman
As you roam the halls of Austin and Baldwin, you may notice a change. The corridors look brighter and more welcoming, and the art hung on the walls seems to pop. This is largely due to the LED lighting upgrade performed by the maintenance team last year. LED lights offer numerous advantages over the more traditional incandescent and compact fluorescent bulbs of yesteryear. They cost much less to operate from a utility standpoint and have a lifespan that is scores longer than their antiquated counterparts. This saves not only on the cost of the lamps themselves, but on the cost of the labor to change them. We installed a total of 93 LED bulbs in the Austin wall sconces and a whopping 180 in Baldwin.
switch them on at dusk and off at dawn providing the precise amount of light needed for the season -- no more, no less.
Now at this point, I’m quite sure that you’re saying to yourself, “Reed, this is all old news! I see these lights every day!!!” What you may not notice, as its pace is more akin to the tortoise than the hare, are the other constant LED upgrades that we perform every single week. From the recessed lighting in the Health Center halls to the utility lights in the mansion basement and even to the lighting in our maintenance shop, we upgrade all fixtures here at Beaumont to LED when the incandescent or fluorescent lamps need changing. Ever call maintenance to change a light bulb for you? If so, chances are quite high we’ve installed an LED lamp in your home! We do this for all resident requested light bulbs where we can obtain an LED equivalent for the fixture.
While the corridor lighting upgrade may be the most obvious, there are numerous other locations on campus where we are utilizing LED lighting to brighten our residents' lives. Both parking garages boast new LED flat panel lights and all exterior lighting related to the envelope project follows suit. We also have 35 LED pole lights strategically placed throughout the campus to shed light on parking, driving, and walking areas. These poles are controlled by photocells that
In conclusion, this process of converting lighting to LEDs not only saves Beaumont money, but also keeps it on the cutting edge of green communities around the globe. For more information on LEDs and the upgrades the maintenance team performs, please feel free to flag me down in the hall and ask away!
How LEDs and Solar Cells Work By Frank Kampas
energy levels spread out into bands in a solid. Also, one could compare this to driving down a street with traffic lights. Only certain average speeds can be obtained.
Solar powered lighting is advantageous because it is not necessary to run electric cables to the light. In a solar powered light, a battery is charged by a solar cell in the daytime and the battery powers the LED at night. Also, LEDs are more efficient than incandescent lights. Incandescent lights are being replaced by LEDs here at Beaumont. This year the Green Committee will push for installation of solar powered streetlights here.
Solar Cells and LEDs are made from semiconductors, such as Silicon. In semiconductors and insulators, the band with the highest energy that has electrons in it is almost completely full. It is called the Valence Band. The next higher band is almost completely empty. It is called the Conduction Band. The energy difference between the top of the Valence Band and the bottom of the Conduction Band is an important characteristic and is called the Energy Gap. Semiconductors have a smaller Energy Gap than insulators.
There is an inverse relationship between LEDs and Solar Cells. Electricity going into an LED produces light. Light going into a Solar Cell produces electricity, the opposite of an LED. This is not a coincidence. The structure of the two is similar.
If a particle of light (photon) with an energy larger than the Energy Gap strikes a semiconductor, it can raise an electron from the Valence Band to the Conduction Band. In a Solar Cell, the built-in electric field carries the electron out, producing an electrical current. The semiconductor for a Solar Cell is chosen so that sunlight photons have sufficient energy to raise the electron from the Valence Band to the Conduction Band.
Note that the Diode part of the LED (Light Emitting Diode) name refers to the fact that electricity can only go through an LED in one direction. The explanation for this is that there is a built-in electric field in the LED. Solar cells also have a built-in electric field. In order to understand how LEDs and Solar Cells work, it is necessary to know that the allowed energy levels of electrons in solids are in bands, very closely spaced inside, with forbidden energy levels in between. Why is this? In an atom, electrons can only be in discrete energy levels. These
In an LED, an electron entering the Conduction Band drops down to the Valence Band, releasing a photon. The 5
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NEW in the Library The Mitford Affair by Marie Benedict (2023) Fiction
British debutante sisters take different paths influenced by fascism leading up to World War II. Starry Messenger: Cosmic Perspectives on Civilization by Neil deGrasse Tyson (2022) Non-Fiction
With a cosmic perspective and the rationality of science, humans can recalibrate life’s priorities in light of the crucial fault lines of our time. The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness by Robert J. Waldinger and Mark Schulz (2023) Non-fiction in Caring, Coping and Aging section
New York Times bestselling author about how regret, our most misunderstood emotion, can be the pathway to our best life. Spare by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex (2023) Biography
An Active Volunteer Comes to Beaumont By Judy Anderson
Barbara returned to New Jersey as the Financial Officer for Fair Share Housing Development Barbara Billings and Dolly. Photo by Linda (an organization dealing Madara. with low-income housing) in Cherry Hill. It was in New Jersey that she met her husband Stephen Billings, an Episcopal priest. Barbara and Stephen lived in Haverford while Stephen served as rector of a West Philadelphia church. Barbara then became a Christian educator (her avocation became her vocation) which eventually led her to the Church of the Redeemer as Director of Children Ministries. She retired in 2012. Stephen died in 2015.
Those Beaumont residents who attend The Church of the Redeemer in Bryn Mawr no doubt have already met Barbara Billings who joined our Beaumont family in November 2022. She leads the Women’s Bible Study there and is the chairperson of the Outreach Community Services Committee. While she is actively involved with the church, she has a history of being actively engaged with jobs and various organizations. Barbara was born in New Jersey and spent most of her early life in Palmyra and Riverton. After graduating from Wilson College with a double major in English and Fine Arts and not wanting to teach, she headed to New York and studied at Katharine Gibbs to be assured of a job. Her first job was with Standard Oil of New Jersey (now Exxon) answering shareholders’ letters. Eventually she headed to San Francisco where she worked first for a U.S. Senator from California and then in city government as a budget analyst for the mayor’s office. She also ran political campaigns. She was in City Hall the day Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk were murdered in 1978. In between jobs she enjoyed traveling. She subsequently left San Francisco and city government for academia earning an MBA at Stanford Business School. Her next move was to Washington D.C. where she ran the Office of the National Prayer Breakfast before joining Rosewood Hotels as Director of Community Affairs. Always eager for a new challenge,
Barbara spends her summers in Falmouth, Massachusetts where she enjoys water sports and volunteers at Highfield Hall, an historic and cultural center. She is an avid reader and has had season tickets to the Philadelphia Orchestra since the age of six. Her Shih Tzu, Dolly, is a constant and loving companion and may be a subject herself for the Beaumont News. In addition to Dolly, Barbara rejoices in spending time with her stepdaughter, Melissa Billings, and her active family. Barbara is grateful for the warmth and hospitality that she has received here and looks forward to meeting more residents and participating in classes and activities.
Thank you to the anonymous donor …
Our gratitude and appreciation for your generous gift to the Villa housekeeper initiative. 6
News from Beaumont’s Grounds Staff and Grounds Committee By Ann Baruch
Some people refer to the Beaumont Grounds Staff as “The Everything Else Crew”. The responsibilities of this dedicated group of four stretch far and wide and there is always more to do.
Beaumont
GROUNDS
removal and deicing on all roads, paths and driveways and seasonal leaf clean-up. They check to be sure that all the trees, shrubs and ground covers look healthy and if not, what needs to be done. How about the irrigation and drainage systems, the street signage, the common area fences and outdoor furniture? Is the greenhouse in good shape? How do they fit in required annual attendance at a seminar on landscaping, infection control, fire safety, HIPA, or other topics?
In addition to managing his department, Mark Hirtz has other unique responsibilities. He must develop the annual Grounds Department operating budget and maintenance plan. The operation of Beaumont’s 2-way radio system, annual stormwater inspections, and new resident orientation are on his list. Mark must also acquire quotes for special projects (asphalt and masonry repairs, etc.), attend monthly Safety, Grounds, and Green Committee meetings and oversee the work of outside vendors (lawn care, landscapers, and contractors).
Members of the Grounds Staff and length of service (from left to right) include Carlos Riviera (7 months), Kurt Mueller (14 years), Mark Hritz, Director (32 years), Jake Bean (21 years).
Early every weekday morning these busy men can be seen in their golf carts or pickup trucks headed for a task somewhere on the Beaumont campus. Regular maintenance of all Beaumont’s common areas consumes a great deal of their time. Although an outside contractor takes care of basic lawn maintenance, the Grounds Staff is responsible for seeding, grading, and watering all lawn areas. Gardens and atriums must be watered, mulched, weeded, edged, and fertilized. Deadheading and cutting back at appropriate times is needed to maintain beauty. Fountains must be maintained, and insects controlled. Trees and shrubs need pruning, fertilization, replanting, and insect and disease control. Material generated by these tasks must be removed.
What do we Beaumont residents do when our tires need air or are flat, our batteries are dead, we need help with small landscape requests or removal of landscape debris from our gardens? What do other Beaumont departments do when extra help is needed? You guessed it…. we all contact the “Everything Else” Department! You will get a timely response from Mark, Kurt, Jake, or Carlos, who never let you know that you have pulled them off an important task. The challenges of Covid and the Envelope Project have been extremely difficult and stressful for the Grounds Staff. They are looking forward to the completion of the Envelope Project so they can begin to restore Beaumont’s campus to its former beauty. In the meantime, let’s not forget to support and thank them for their hard work on our behalf.
Are you feeling breathless yet? Don’t forget that the Grounds Staff is responsible for maintenance, repairs, and adjustments of all grounds-related equipment (trucks, snowplows, leaf blowers, vacuums, chainsaws, and string trimmers) and Beaumont’s entire golf cart fleet. When needed, they prep and paint curbs, no parking, and special parking designations. They empty dog trash cans and supply with clean bags and collect compost from kitchen and residents for transfer to Nalle Gardens for processing.
News from the Grounds Staff and the Grounds Committee will appear in editions of the Beaumont News from now on. Please send ideas about subjects of interest, tips, questions, or anything else related to the Beaumont campus to Ann Baruch at arbaruch1227@ gmail.com.
When that work is done, depending on the season, these hardy workers move on to maintenance of trails and identification of hazards in Wheeler Woods, snow
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Bling! Madara - A Most Loveable Labrador with an Unusual Name
CANINES of BEAUMONT
By Helen Ballard
Bling! Madara, is the 8-year-old canine daughter of Linda and Ted Madara. She was born in Pennsylvania at Endless Mountain Kennels where many of her illustrious ‘blue-ribbon’ relatives started their show dog careers. Bling! however, shunned the show dog life preferring the quiet, no stress, comforts of the Madara household. Wherever you find her parents she will not be far behind as she ambles her rather portly self along behind them making her rounds. First to the Health Center, dispensing love and cheer to all, then to the Beaumont Room on the off chance something exciting and hopefully edible might be available, then to the Gym for a quick massage, and finally the Art Room where she encourages her mother in creative endeavors. She lives for love and affection wherever she goes and wiggles and whines until she is duly noticed.
Bling! Madara. Photo by Linda Madara.
to starvation...a canine Sarah Bernhardt! She does NOT appreciate her mother’s efforts to help her slim down by hiding vegetables in her food. In her opinion they are not a fit food for a Labrador and will be left in the dish. Dieting is not her thing! When will her mother learn?? Most of us know one can never win the food ‘battle’ with dogs or toddlers!
Bling! finds pleasure in many things.... for instance, she enjoys and rarely misses the Wynlyn Jazz Ensemble rehearsals having learned all about the riffs and rhythms of jazz music from Marvin Weisbord. Like many labs, while rambling about, she loves the comfort of carrying something in her mouth, usually a ball. She has a penchant for pencils when able to filch one as they are fun to crunch. In addition, Bling! has two ‘heart throbs’ [of the human sort] with whom she is greatly enamored, Reed Dormond and Marty Quinn, and is beyond elated when they meet...true love lives on at Beaumont!
To sum it up Bling! is a happy, tail wagging dog. If you don't already know her do try to make her acquaintance...give her a pat or an ear scratch and she will immediately love you, bring you great joy, and be your best friend. PS. If you are a grammarian and wondering about the ‘!’ after her name, you must discuss that with her mother. I asked Bling! but she declined to elaborate on the subject!!
The most joyous event for Bling! is mealtime. Should it be delayed she complains to her mother in no uncertain terms by moaning, groaning, and grunting as if she were close
“Scratch a dog and you’ll find a permanent job.” – Franklin P. Jones How LEDs and Solar Cells Work (Continued)
energy of the photon is determined by the Energy Gap. That is why LEDs are more efficient than incandescent lights. The energy of photons coming out of the LED can be concentrated in the visible, by choosing a semiconductor with the appropriate Energy Gap.
In summary, in an LED an electron enters the semiconductor Conduction Band and drops down to the Valence Band, releasing a photon. In a Solar Cell, the opposite occurs. A photon entering the semiconductor raises an electron to the Conduction Band, which leaves the cell.
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