Beaumont News May 2023

Stitch a Bit

By Margaret Balamuth,

Sharon

Kelly,

and Linda Madara. Photos by Linda Madara. Have you ever wondered why your friends are walking around at 3:30 every Monday afternoon with bags stuffed with stitching and knitting? The answer is simple…

Thanks go to Lydia Gemmer, Director of Personal Care, who found the perfect spot for gathering and knitting at Beaumont. She chose the sun porch on the second floor in Personal Care. In this warm and sun-filled space we meet with new and old friends to

Lydia Gemmer create and continue work on our individual projects,share new ideas,and chat.It’s a community activity that brings old and new friends together. Newcomers are always welcome.Whether you want to learn something new,finish what is at the back of your closet, or just hang out with Beaumont friends,we would love you to join us!

Once in a while a special guest joins us.Senior Maintenance Technician,Reed Dormond,surprised us all on a recent visit with the fabulous cross-stitch pieces he brought to share with us One could not have imagined the pieces which,like a magician,he drew from his satchel.Stitched piece after stitched piece,each was more exciting and beautiful than the previous one.

Reed also shared with us how he became so in love with cross-stitching.His mother was a wonderful seamstress,creating a variety of handmade items that were very much in demand. She traveled in the summer Sharon Kelly and Mary Lee Straub months from church fair to country celebration selling her handiwork.Reed,a small boy,went along to “help”her He could be “little-boy wiggly” at times so she gave him pieces of fabric on which he could

stitch to keep him occupied. And stitch he did, enjoying the feel of the needle pulling the thread through the fabric and seeing the exciting result of his colored “XX’s” next to one another. It's not bad for

learning to count as well. One must carefully follow patterns of counted “XX’s”.

As Reed grew older and became more and more aware of what he could do with this new love in his life, he progressed to designing his own pieces and working with the vast hues of the cotton threads he had access to. Reed’s stitching had become the perfect way to subdue the wiggles and set his creative imagination free for a lifetime adventure in fiber.

Today, a father of three, Reed has continued enthusiastically with his hobby which has now become an abiding passion. The stitches are no longer a beginner’s uneven sewing but are created with a perfection that is almost unimaginable. Stitching is Reed’s love and his escape from life’s stresses. Come check us out - you’ll be more than welcome! And it’s great fun! Any questions contact Margaret Balamuth at 610659-4433 or Sharon Kelly at 215-906-8377.

Reed Dormond showing his handiwork

Reed Dormond showing Barbara Pottish how to set up a quilt frame

A Well-cared-for Team Delivers! — An Interview With Christy Lane, Beaumont’s New Vice President of Health Care Services

By Richard Lange

Christy Lane is Beaumont’s new Vice President of Health Care Services. Ms. Lane oversees the Health Care Center, Personal Care, Wellness Center, Social Services, and Fitness Center. This interview took place near the end of January via Google Chat.

I want to ask about your background in Health Care.

I started at Christiana Care Hospital as a unit clerk, 3-11 shift during high school, and took positions of increasing responsibility. It was ultimately taking a role as the Admission & Marketing Director and Clinical Liaison at Riverside Christiana's LTC and skilled facility that I knew I enjoyed helping to make people's lives and care better. I became licensed in 2012 and have been an Administrator ever since and truly love what I do.

The trend in Health Care is toward integrated services; what are your thoughts on this?

The focus on health care being person-centered, encompassing total health and wellness, and emphasizing hospitality-based service is the best health care. And an interdisciplinary, integrated approach with effective communication provides seamless care and service delivery.

What is the future of health care, telehealth, smart services, artificial intelligence, and even robots?

Absolutely, all that you mentioned and more. Telehealth became a focus with the onslaught of the COVID epidemic and the shortages in specialists, especially in more rural areas, so many hospitals and health systems are working to improve Telehealth service delivery. Facilities are also looking to add IT to their designs as we are at Beaumont. Smart application health care is advancing rapidly, and all facilities are interested in growth and development and learning to implement. Facilities interested in growth and development are learning to keep their attention on the ever-developing advancements in facility and community design, care delivery, and aging-in-place smart applications.

What has been your best positive experience here at Beaumont? Or how would you describe in a few words your experience here?

Coming to Beaumont was a great decision. The entire community has been so welcoming and warm, and I enjoy getting to know the team members, residents, and their families, and I am excited about all the great things we can accomplish together.

Editor Beverly Wilson

Photo

Madara

Christy Lane. Photo by Linda Madara.

“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

Carol & Bennett Aaron

By Sally Randolph

The Aarons’ romance began in 1953 when they worked as counselors at a summer camp in the Poconos. Two years later, they married when Carol graduated from Penn State University. They first lived in Leonia, NJ where Carol taught elementary school while Bennett completed a law degree at Columbia. At the encouragement of Carol’s father, Bennett joined his law firm here in Philadelphia. That was the beginning of a 60-year, distinguished career in estate planning. When they moved to Merion, Carol continued her teaching career at Upper Merion Elementary School for a few years until they started a family. While she was at home raising four children, she volunteered at their children’s’ school and did fundraising for the Adath Israel Synagogue. Once the kids became teenagers, she decided to go into real estate, encouraged by her children to get out of the house and to choose something in sales, because she was so good at convincing them to do what she wanted. Thus, she began an award-winning, 50-year career in real estate, primarily with Fox & Roach Realtors.

As the son of a conservative rabbi, Bennett’s outside interests revolved around Jewish organizations. He became president of Adath Israel Synagogue in the 1970s and

then president of Solomon Schechter Day School, (now the Perelman Day School).

In addition, he volunteered for the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, and served as their president from 1984-87. During this time, Bennett received many awards in recognition of his service to Israeli causes.

They are very proud of their children and their eight grandchildren. Carol is still actively involved in real estate and Bennett is enjoying retirement. They are glad to be at Beaumont, continuing the romance that began 70 years ago at a summer camp in the Poconos.

Personal Care Residents Enjoying all Aspects of Beaumont

By Lydia Gemmer, PCA, MHSA - Director of Personal Care

Residing in Beaumont’s Personal Care allows residents many choices in planning their days. Lena Ciurlino, Mary Lee Straub, and Sandra Feitelson take full advantage of this fact by attending and participating in many programs offered by Resident Services.

Lena Ciurlino, who moved here from South Philadelphia, loves that she can attend so many programs at Beaumont, particularly music programs and special resident dinners. She says, “I like people!”. Lena enjoys having so many opportunities to meet other Beaumont residents. Chatting, learning about others, and making new friends at Beaumont, has been a joy for her. Her daughter and family live nearby, but when out with them Lena sometimes must remind them that she is busy here and is anxious to return to the community for events that she does not want to miss!

Lena is a regular participant in group exercise classes in the Fitness Center. She also enjoys horticultural programs, various outings, and any chance she has to socialize with others.

Mary Lee Straub was familiar with Beaumont from a brief stay here years ago. Her son encouraged her to move into Personal Care. As Mary Lee states, “He thinks it is the greatest place on earth.” Mary Lee is a frequent attendee of concerts, musical programs, and resident dinners. She also

goes to the Beaumont Fitness Center for group exercise classes. She enjoys the benefits of these group classes, including meeting so many other residents.

Mary Lee led a very active life in Havertown prior to her move to Beaumont and continues to be involved in two outside social groups. She is the “group organizer” and enjoys these outings to meet up with old friends while also fitting in Beaumont events. As she says, “sometimes I have too many things to choose from, but it is a good problem to have!”.

Sandra Feitelson moved to Beaumont after many years in her Wynnewood home with summers at her shore home. She describes herself as very sociable and outgoing. She has gone out of her way to introduce herself to other residents as she loves meeting new people and making new friends. Sandra has a natural curiosity about people that makes her easy to talk to.

All three residents are delighted to have so much available to them to enjoy at Beaumont!

Carol and Bennett Aaron. Photo by Audrey Walsh.

Sandra Feitelson, Lena Ciurlino, and Mary Lee Straub at the Eagle’s Pep Rally. Photo by Linda Madara.

“It’s Not Like a Blind Date…”

Photos by Linda Madara

“It’s not like a blind date…”

“I know that, but maybe I won’t know anyone …”

“That’s the whole point. Meet new people. Eat a wonderful dinner! Have a great time!”

Not an easy goal for a party, but Beaumont’s Mixer dinners are always a wild success. One only had to see the line-up of residents checking in for their table assignments and hear the chatter of excitement in the halls to know this most recent gathering would be no exception.

“Breaking the ice” in a new situation is never easy, even for the most personality-endowed person. Being given a seat at a festively decorated table with a glorious floral centerpiece took the edge off any feeling of nerves.

Before you knew it, the dinner partner on the right was introducing him or herself and the gal across the table was the nice one you had met at the mailbox whose name you could not remember.

Everyone was so pleasant and friendly. Then the moment came to sit down and face dinner. All fears fled as the most amazing “bowl” made from a hollowed-out loaf of bread containing ginger carrot soup arrived. (Yes, it really was a bread loaf.) Quickly and cautiously the curious diners took their first taste…absolutely delish! Wow!

By that time, conversation was buzzing with newly made friends and neighbors at the table. The main course, beautifully presented, arrived as described on the menu card. The fish course gave the soup bowl a run for its money. How could any dessert top this?

What a way to start a party! Discussions, which were admittedly whether the bowl would leak before one finished the soup, were heard at all tables… F.Y.I. not a drop of the wonderful starting course was lost through leakage. All of the bowls were perfect.

Depending on one’s sweet tooth, it did. The glass of custard and fresh berries topped with whipped cream and chocolate swirls was just the right finish. Sweet, exciting, but not overwhelming…unless you ate your fiercely strict dieting neighbor’s dessert as well. That did not happen more than twice in the whole dining room.

Zack, the magician behind the party, turned on the mic as he brought out the chefs (that’s chef with an “S” at the end) and the remarkable waitstaff so we could thank them. Lined up along

Rita Rome and Harriette Goldenberg

Gerald Isom and Ann Baruch

Brad Kling and Stan Baiman

Richard Lange and Marlynne Clothier

Mary and Dick Graham

Carrot & ginger soup in sourdough bread bowl

the wall, they received the enthusiastic accolades of everyone present for making everything go flawlessly from our arrival to the coffee at meal’s end. What a wow of a party! We should eat like this every day! (Actually, we can, IF we come out of our apartments and villas and eat in our dining rooms!)

Blind dates have never been like this!

Alice Cullen

By Peter Abel

Alice Cullen, having led a very active life, is now looking forward to relaxing and enjoying her newly renovated and lovely Villa. Alice was born in NYC but has spent most of her life on the Main Line. She attended The Spence School and then Mt. Vernon Seminary for the last two years of high school. After two years at Bennett Junior College, her plans for further education were shelved when she married her first husband and proceeded to have and raise three children. Her second husband, Craig Cullen, founded and ran Cullen Construction Company, which builds and remodels dwellings and is well known around the Main Line, including at Beaumont. After Alice bought her Villa, she had the interior completely remodeled. It was A Family Affair. The project was designed by Alice's daughter, Cynthia Nemo, proprietor of Cynthia Brooks Designs. The construction work was done by (surprise?) Cullen Construction Company. (Were you able to negotiate a good price, Alice?)

Alice’s entrepreneurial nature surfaced when she founded Alice Cullen Gift Boutique, selling household decorative accessories in Devon and fundraising fairs at The Willows, the

Shipley School, and other nearby and distant venues. She ran that enterprise for 15 years.

Her favorite sports are golf and tennis. She was a member of the women's tennis team at Merion Cricket Club. Craig and Alice spent many happy days aboard their 60-foot sloop, plying the waters off Maine in summer and the Caribbean Islands in winter. She loves sailing and other sports, but her eyes really light up when she talks about her favorite activity, hunting game birds, which she did often both in the US and in Africa. Closer to home, she loves gardening and is still a member of The Garden Workers. She is also on the West Philadelphia Committee of the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Welcome, Alice.

Helen Ballard, Louise Albert, and Joan Thayer (seated)

Gay Gervin and Madeline Manogue

David Prewitt and Alice Cullen

Eta Glassman, Pam McMullin, Hunter McMullin, Nell Mecray, and Evelyn Isom

Alice Cullen. Photo by Audrey Walsh.

Allen and Patricia Misher

The Pond

By Bette Peterson. Photos are by Jane Ruffin.

I am the Beaumont Pond. Years ago, I was just a mere brook. The Austin family put in a small dam across my slender stream, and I became a modest sized pond. Ducks from the pond would come up to the main house for daily treats from Mr. Austin. The locals enjoyed winter skating and spring and summer fishing; however, one needed an invitation by the Austins to use the Pond. Dede Shafer and a friend one day went up to the Mansion porch to ask for permission to ice skate from Miss Austin and her sister who was in a wheelchair. She got permission and was told that she could see some of the rest of the mansion. The two young girls peeked in several rooms but stopped to handle the billiard cue sticks. In the make-believe style of young girls, they pretended to fence and one of the sticks broke, so they hightailed out of the mansion.

When the Beaumont Retirement Community was built, a bigger dam was built to enlarge the pond. Pond Lane was developed and became the “Gold Coast” of Beaumont. When Harriton High School was built, the pond silted up but then two coding ponds were built which cured the problem of mud flowing into my waters. Two fountains have been added to aerate my waters and they do provide music to my ears.

Today I am waiting for the redo of Beaumont to be finished and allow for quieter times that will welcome the many birds to return. Here are some of my favorite feathered residents and visitors:

The Canadian Goose, that mates for life, comes often in the autumn sky. You can hear their noisy honking that means winter days are near.

Hummingbirds help pollinate flowers nearby as they flit from bloom to bloom transferring pollen. These little birds are in constant motion going forward and up and down in quick flight.

The red shouldered hawk with its whistling cry and soaring flight can spot its prey from high up in the

air. It’s young has polka dots on its shoulder and circles overhead.

Woodpeckers you hear before you see, as they hammer on a tree. They peck at wood and dig to find insects or carve out a nest.

The Black capped chickadee from the woodland nest near and feed around the pond. It is named for its call which sounds like “schick a dee”.

Owls that nest in trees in the woods close by are often not seen in the day but hunt for their prey at night. By day it sits very still so it won’t be seen. At night it swoops with noiseless wings and its hoot or screech lets one know it is near.

The Mallard duck pair is often on my waters. The female is very plain but the colorful male with its green head banded by a white ring around its neck are a happy duo.

The Great Blue Heron can be spotted with its long neck and legs hunting for prey. It silently stalks its prey and then stands very still until a fish comes its way. Then it swiftly attacks in the blink of an eye.

The Wooded Duck nests in a tree. When the female calls the newly hatched young climb out of the nest and drop one by one, to the water. The numbers are large at hatching time, but three to four weeks later, the number of ducklings alive is one or two. A large snapping turtle that lives deep in my belly, has too many for lunch. Bull frogs are here in the spring. Please come down to my water’s edge and hear the noises they make.

Bull Frog

Hope to see you by my side.

Great Blue Heron

Mallard Duck Pair

Black Capped Chickadee

Hummingbird

“Give every day the chance to become the most beautiful day of your life.”

– Mark Twain

Spring Surprises

By Ann Baruch. Photos by Jane Ruffin

The long-awaited season of renewal, beauty, and surprises is finally here! In Wheeler Woods the parade of spring ephemerals has begun. Spring-blooming understory trees are showing off their finery, and the foliage on trees is transitioning from plump buds to a beautiful light spring green color. Male birds are assuming their breeding plumage. Other birds are flying through on their way further north and sometimes we are lucky enough to get a glimpse of them as they stop to rest in Wheeler Woods.

Jane Ruffin recently had a unique experience in Wheeler Woods: “The bird boxes needed to be cleaned out before the house wrens and chickadees began looking for a place to nest. The first one was full of twigs from last year’s wren’s nest. I opened the second one and it was stuffed with moss and lichen. The top had soft grasses wound around the space. As I put my hand in the box to pull it all out, I saw an eye looking at me. I stopped in surprise. I thought that it was a chipmunk. I quickly took a photograph and gently closed the door and stepped away. Suddenly the little animal came out of the hole and flew over to the nearest tree. It was a Flying Squirrel.”

Flying squirrels are common, but not often seen because they are active at night. They have membranes of fur between their arms and legs, called “patagia.” The patagia act as parachutes to slow them down in leaps between trees. They can leap many times their own body length and have precision control of their landings. “Flights” (which are really glides), of nearly 300 feet have been recorded. Flying squirrels can also turn nearly 180 degrees in mid-air. Their limbs and their flat rudderlike tail help them steer and control their leaps. As they near their target they reach toward their landing spot with strong, padded back feet that land silently, before their front limbs come down to steady the landing.

Because they are nocturnal creatures, flying squirrels can hide from many predators. Their enormous eyes help them see in the dark. They are omnivores and eat a range of food including fungi, nuts, berries, seeds, as well as carrion, eggs, slugs, and small birds. They don’t hibernate through the winter, but they do slow down their metabolism to conserve resources. They are social creatures and will curl up in nests with up to 20 other flying squirrels to keep warm.

Jane had a very rare treat to come across this little critter in the bird box!

Trout Lily

May Apple

Trillium

Virginia Bluebells

Cutleaf Toothwort

Bloodroot

Flying squirrel in bird box

Elfie Weaver

By Helen Ballard

Elfie Weaver hails from New Haven, Connecticut and is the energetic eight pound, nine-year-old Yorkshire Terrier, son of Greta Weaver who lives in the gatehouse.

Greta spied this bright eyed little wiggly ball of fluff with the rather large, oversized ears when walking past a pet store. She was smitten. It was love at first sight - she simply had to have him. Big ears, she thought, might be an advantage in obedience training. Although as terrier owners know, while loving, smart, and loyal, they are independent-minded and often seem to have very selective hearing.

Elfie is friendly with people and other canines. In fact, he becomes ‘possessed’ with excitement when meeting them. He is a happy fellow and loves his gatehouse home where he has a wonderful deck from which to watch landscaping and wildlife activity. When not monitoring life from the deck he likes to curl up on his favorite sofa to keep an eye on his mom or take a snooze.

Elfie may be small in size but when it comes to his appetite, he is mighty! When he takes his mother for her daily walks, and, in spite of being well fed at home, he likes to sample

CANINES of BEAUMONT

any bits of litter or debris he spots. Feeling he is a true connoisseur of canine fare, anything that looks interesting, if not particularly appealing, must be tasted! This behavior has caused him to have his stomach pumped twice!! Nevertheless, no matter his mom’s admonitions, which he doesn’t seem to ‘hear’, he still tries to sample unusual ‘treasures’ he happens upon on his walkabouts. One might wonder if a DNA test would find him somehow related to goats...we know they eat everything!

There are two things that Elfie really hates -- one is having to go out in the rain, (he is definitely not a water dog), the other is thunderstorms of which he is very afraid. He has begged his mother to investigate canine ear plugs and thunder shirts which he feels might help in calming him but so far, they have not been forthcoming.

Should you stop in to say hello to Elfie, he will wiggle about and wag his tail with great enthusiasm while vocalizing his happiness at your visit. He truly does have amazing vocal abilities and would happily carry on a conversation with you. Not only will you have made his day, but you would catch a glimpse inside of Beaumont’s very charming gatehouse.

Safely Disposing of Medications at Beaumont

By Miriam Quinn

Proper disposal of prescription and non-prescription medications in a timely manner can reduce the risk of accidental misuse of medication and allows an environmentally friendly way to dispose of the medication. Appropriate disposal will reduce medication residue and decrease a serious threat to wildlife. In past years, individuals would dump expired medication in the trash or down the drain introducing dangerous elements in wastewaters. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) now prohibits this practice. Most water treatment plants are unable to remove medicines with an eventual infiltration into our water supplies.

Any Independent Living resident at Beaumont can dispose of medications through the Wellness Center. The Wellness Center will dispose of your medication safely by using a “Drug Buster” system or place directly in receptacles for pharmaceutical or medical waste management pickup. Using a Drug Buster bottle system will immediately

turn pills and powder into liquid and inhalers and liquid medication containers will be placed directly in waste management receptacles.

Residents using diabetic supplies should place used supplies in a fastened red sharps container. Health Services employees will place these sharps containers in a waste management receptacle for pick up. Our medical waste company will collect the content of the receptacles and dispose of these items according to strict guidelines which undergo treatment processes before their disposal.

As we prepare for renovations in the Wellness Center beginning in 2024, we will plan to add space for large drop-off medication disposal containers. In the interim, while tidying up your medicine cabinet, please bring your unused or expired medications and red sharps containers to the Wellness Center for safe disposal. If you have any questions, please contact the Wellness Center at 610-542-2015.

Elfie Weaver. Photo by Helen Ballard.