Time Flies When You’re Having Fun - Spring & Summer
Through the work of our resident committees, management, and staff, Beaumont residents have been part of - and heartily enjoyed - parties, musical performances, birthday celebrations, art exhibitions, trips, ceremonies, and just plain fun times. We open this edition of The Beaumont News with good times we have shared, the friendships we maintain, and the extraordinary staff that makes our home so special. Enjoy the memories from the past several months.
Solar Eclipse Watch April 8
Concert by David Kim April 23
David entertains with joy and exuberance.
New Residents Dinner May 9
Residents raise their eyes (safely) to the sun.
Don Mykytiuk, Jacqueline Mykytiuk, Jean Homeier, and Norma Fabian watching the eclipse.
We will miss our beloved conductor Kevin Vondrak who shared his talents and love of song with us for 6 years.
Catherine Herrmann and Michela Henry
Mary Ellen and Brendan Walsh chat with Barbara Billings.
Beaumont Singers May 2
Bhutan and Back May 15
Birthday Celebration for Bunny Solomon - 102! June 11
Seafood Boil June 25
Stan Spitzer, Joan Yannessa (and Charlie) with family Sanna Steigerwalt surrounded by loved ones
Pam McMullin is welcomed by Zack “The Lobster” Margolis.
Table 4 digs in.
Man in the flying bib - Mike Robinson
Jim and Debbie Zug with Choni Selden and family
Salute by Dan Hutchinson and David Prewitt
Ladies in Red - Mollie Slattery, Barbara Benson, Pat Ross and Anne Butcher Sally Pearne leads the singing of God Bless America.
4th of July Picnic
Staff Appreciation
Each year residents and management celebrate the service and dedication of our amazing staff. In April, employees were invited to a special luncheon served by our Culinary Team. Certificates, pins, and monetary awards are given to those staff who have met years-of-service standards. In May, the management team organized an entire week of Staff Appreciation events, including pizza luncheons, breakfast goodies, 38 gift baskets and gift cards for our employees donated by management and vendors. Even Mr. Softee Ice Cream appeared for a grand finale. We all extend our Thanks and Congratulations.
35 Years Service
Barrington Hill Food Services
30 Years Service
Anne Hill Housekeeping
25 Years Service
Sonya Blackwood Food Services
20 Years Service
Kerry-Anne Simpson-Patrice Dietary
Carlton Drayton Food Services
John Armenio Security
Fitness and Fun
Through the past several months, our Fitness Team created indoor and outdoor activities and programs to keep us feeling healthy and keep us moving. Thanks to Diana, Karen, and Amy for all your hard work and encouragement.
15 Years Service
Miriam Kissi Howard Barron Skilled Nursing Housekeeping
Lauren Scott Krystal Brown Administration Personal Care
Abeba Hailu and Gregory Johnson
Chair Dancing with Diana Trivia Day brings out the competition.
Olympics at Beaumont
Beaumont residents had a big screen TV view of the 2024 Olympics for two weeks in the Beaumont Room to share time and excitement with one another. Opening and Closing ceremonies drew large crowds to cheer on the USA and enjoy the spectacle from Paris. They also had a special opportunity to see a unique collection of Olympic pins. For Carol Aaron, a last minute phone call from a friend to come to Los Angeles in July 1984 was the beginning of her Olympic adventures to Atlanta (1996), Sydney (2000), and Beijing (2008). She and Bennett immediately sent the kids to camp, hopped on a plane, and spent two weeks in the thrilling LA Olympic venues. But the real fun began when Carol started a conversation at the hotel pool with a McDonald’s sponsor, and was given a handful of corporate logo pins. From there, Carol went to the stores where you buy and sell pins and to a track and field event where she learned about “the book”. While a man next to her tried to trade pins, Carol wanted to know what he kept secretly by his side. It was Bennett who convinced the man that he might as well tell her what it was because he knew she wouldn’t give up for the next four hours. She bought “the
book” and studied all night to learn pin values. She was hooked! Carol fell in love with the camaraderie of the collectors, from around the world, all of whom would trade, give and take, and help one another complete a collection or find that special pin. She would carefully display her collection on her hat, or scarf, or jacket, and end up in conversations with people of all walks of life who shared a common joy of trading a pin and telling a story. She once asked a bartender to give her a pin from his hat, which she knew was worth $1500! She got in touch with the pilot of a corporate sponsor who found and sent to her - for free - the specialty pin (“Bye Y’all") that completed her Atlanta Coca Cola collection in 1996. She still bubbles with enthusiasm about her collection and her experiences during the four Olympic games. Thank you, Carol, for sharing.
Carol Aaron shares her special collection of Olympic pins.
Los Angeles, Beijing, Atlanta and Sydney Olympic memories
Team USA during the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics held on The Seine
Beauty of Beaumont
Enjoy and celebrate how our community is made more beautiful and exciting every day through the artistic talents of our residents and staff.
Richard Lange fills The Music Room with the glory of the newly restored Beaumont Aeolian Organ.
The Beaumont Mansion Tour. Performances by Linda Madara, Marian Lockett-Egan, Barbara Stephens, Norma Fabian, Richard Lange, Richard Stephens, Audrey Walsh and Louise Hughes.
Cutting Corners provides flower and vegetable bounty from Nalle Gardens.
Sonia Treister and Wanda Richardson-Whetstone created their own potted garden to rival that of Terrain, and it cost a lot less.
Creative designs from flowers, pots, and shells.
Rita Rome creates her own masterpiece.
Hummingbird and hibiscus at Page Gowan's garden.
A Poetry Reading
By Vick Kelly
I have avoided poetry readings since college where I had gotten lost in poetry’s metaphorical jungle. However, I decided to overcome this fear to attend Bette Peterson’s presentation of her poems to our community to celebrate World Poetry Day in April. Bette stood at the podium in front of a packed house and recited 34 of her poems. What I experienced was a warm, personal and highly entertaining look into the joys and sorrows of life. My fear had melted into awe.
Bette’s love of poetry has clearly been with her for many years. It has been enhanced by a varied education journey. She received a BA with a mixed major in History and English, and she has MA’s in History, Child Psychology, and Counseling, all from different institutions. Her remarkable capacity for openness and empathy leads naturally to helping others. Her audience was helped into her multiple worlds. We visited Winter Nights, City Rain, A City Garden, and went Hiking with Dick. We saw Dawn and Sunset, A Spring
Canvas. We experienced Silence, Being Fog Bound, The Return of Memories and began Looking Ahead to Spring. We contemplated A Memo to April 15th Taxes, Dutch Elm Disease, Thoughts on Death. We heard her existentialist thinking in Life and This is It.
The theme for World Poetry Day of “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants” came to us by Bette’s quotes from such poets as Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost and T.S. Eliot. As Bette shared and as I learned, a poet can “say a lot in a few words.” Thank you, Bette, for the joy of learning to love poetry and of this particular moving poem about the woman who raised you.
My Grandmother
A phone call at 3 am announced the end of a life That I thought would never stop.
Like the warmth of the sun and the moon at night. Things that I trusted, things that don’t end.
Memories of her come back to me, like dreams I never dreamt. Sometimes I feel her hands Gently caressing me, and her voice Singing me to sleep.
Her life, a living history book. She saw and did things That I can only imagine. She was 57.
She left without saying goodbye Like a birthday card never sent. I am not angry, just sad.
There are no goodbyes for a love like that.
In Memoriam
NormaN greeNe
April 5, 2024
FraNciS STrawbridge
April 22, 2024
VerNoN STaNToN
June 14, 2024
william broach
June 20, 2024
berTram (berT) wolFSoN
June 24, 2024
roberTa holliNgShead
June 26, 2024
birchard (birch) cloThier
June 29, 2024
mary SchNabel
August 15, 2024
aNN curraN
August 28, 2024
JeNNiFer morriSoN
August 29, 2024
iNgo regier
September 1, 2024
The Beaumont Community extends deepest sympathy to their families and friends.
Bette Peterson shares her poetry with residents for World Poetry Day.
The Beaumont Fund Scholarship Awards
August 5, 2024
Residents, management, staff, and their children gathered for an inspiring ceremony to honor the recipients of The 2024 Scholarship Awards.
Mr. Richard Peterson, Chair of the Beaumont Fund, and Joseph Peduzzi, President and CEO, presented the awards to 12 employees, and 13 children of our employees. The awards totaled over $70,000, the individual awards being $2500 or $2000. Students who complete their semester are eligible for an additional $1000 in January.
The recipients spoke about their career goals and chosen educational programs, including Nursing, Cybersecurity, Business, Finance, Early Childhood Education, Natural Sciences, Digital Arts, Political Science, Computer Science, Pre-med, Psychology, Neuroscience, Biology and Medical Diagnostic Sonography.
The Beaumont Fund was established in 1992 and, as a completely resident-funded program, has helped over 350 individuals follow their continuing education paths. The late Birch Clothier was honored as he had a special place in his heart for this project which encourages staff, and their children, to reach for the stars and achieve their goals.
Kudos to the Culinary Team for its refreshment presentation, to Resident Services for the planning, and to all who made the event so special. It was great to see the students meet and mingle with each other, some returning from last year. Thank you, Beaumont residents, for your generosity.
Employee
Scholarships
Health Services:
Jennel Coles
Trendafile (Trendy) Gjergo
Natasha Ivey
Gerlyne Lafontant
Shonda Loney
Jessica Opare
Dining Services:
Sarah Ansumana
Tess Bannister
Ernest Kamara
Austin Margolin
Henry Tucker
Lisa Wallon
Employee Children Scholarships
Nathaile Abebe - Abeba Hailu
Emily Branes-Huff - Mary Huff
Luke Branes-Huff - Mary Huff
Henry Coughlin - Katherine Fasoldt
John Coughlin - Katherine Fasoldt
Henry Gjergo - Vjolica (Vicky) Gjergo
Jared Allen Gravely - Dawn Gravely
Jordan Marie Keller - John Keller
Jasmin Park - Hyeonju (Kim) Park
Benjamin Rix - Sierra Rix
Diego Nicholas Santos - Maria Villanueva
Arlin Shehu - Mahmudie (Diana) Shehu
Scottie Wiliamson, Jr. - Sulan Booker
Recipients of the Scholarship awards
Welcome Ann Thompson
Ann moved to Beaumont a few months ago, saying that “it is great finding a place that is close to where you grew up.” Great memories encompass Ann’s youth. She grew up in Gladwyne with three siblings, two horses, dogs, chickens and rabbits. She loved riding but along with its pleasure came the full responsibility of care. She attended The Shipley School and after graduation, went to The Philadelphia College of Art. She, her husband who died a few years ago, and children lived in the area and they are still around to give her advice. Last year, her daughter felt it was time for her to relocate to Beaumont because she was living “amongst animals” - indeed deer, foxes and groundhogs (not just on their day) were frequent visitors to her pond.
Ann is thrilled to be here at Beaumont.
Welcome Brendan and Mary Ellen Walsh
It took a gentle, loving but persistent shove by their children for Brendan and Mary Ellen Walsh to sell their home in Radnor of 54 years and move to Beaumont in February.
Mary Ellen is a local Philadelphia girl, a Rosemont College and Villanova University graduate. There appeared on her family’s front porch one day a handsome young man from Navan, Ireland, Brendan Walsh, who in his travels in the US was given the Stanton address as a family who would take him in for a visit. They did. He stayed. They fell in love and after their marriage moved to Chicago where he graduated from the University of Chicago. Mary Ellen worked as an editor for TV Guide at the time. Their belated honeymoon was a six week drive through Europe in a VW Beetle. Brendan’s education and profession is in corporate finance. They settled in this area to raise their three children. Over his successful decades of work in the corporate world, Brendan has served as the President of the local chapter of The Financial Executive Institute and as a Board member of the national organization. Mary Ellen taught creative writing at Upper Merion High School for 15 years. She has been very active with the local AAUW. They have six grandchildren. Along with travel and visits back to his home of Navan,
Ireland, the Walshes have been members of Overbrook and St. David’s Golf Clubs where Brendan has played golf and tennis for years. While he claims to be the only Irishman who cannot sing, Brendan does enjoy a good game of poker and gin rummy. Beaumont has been a good choice and their move all the easier having known Pat Ross, Richard and Amanda Smoot, and others, for many years. With new friends here and old friends around Radnor whom they see regularly, Brendan and Mary Ellen now have the best of both worlds. It just took a gentle shove.
Ann Thompson
Brendan and Mary Ellen Walsh
Welcome Lenore (Lee) and Ken Levin
These new residents made the shortest move we know of - literally from two blocks away in Bryn Mawr where they had lived for the past 29 years. Lee is originally from New York City and came to medical school at Penn. During her residency, she and Ken were introduced three times by different groups of friends. Ken was practicing law in Philadelphia after graduation from Harvard University and Harvard Law School. He clerked for a federal court judge and then focused his years of practice in Trust and Estate law. Lee trained in Ob/Gyn with a sub-specialty in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. After several years in academic medicine she formed her own practice
in Philadelphia at Pennsylvania Hospital. They raised their children in Wynnewood and Bryn Mawr and now have two grandchildren.
Retirement was welcome for both of them as they have traveled and remained active in the community. They particularly enjoy taking courses each semester at Villanova University which allows senior citizens to audit classes. It’s a great way to keep learning and enjoy the young students they meet.
Beaumont was a natural move for them since they had been on the future residents list for several years and participated in activities, fitness and dining on a regular basis. Lee has had a special friendship of many years with Margaret Balamuth and with Sylvia Yedinsky who had taught her in the Ob clinic she attended as a student at Penn many years ago.
Ken and Lee are very happy to be settled into their villa and have found their new home at Beaumont the right place to be at just the right time.
Welcome John and Carolyn Clendenning
John and Carolyn Clendenning joined the Beaumont community in May having moved from their home of 52 years in Berwyn. They both grew up in the Philadelphia area. John graduated from Brown University and served in the US Navy on a destroyer during the Cuban Missile Crisis and later on fleet staff. Carolyn graduated from Mt. Holyoke College with a degree in Art and Art History. She worked at Look Magazine for several years. They met back here, married and raised their family first in Gladwyne and later in Berwyn. John started as a manufacturing rep and later started his own company which successfully represented many large companies throughout a multistate area. After 40 years, he sold his company, however, he still remains active in his property management. Their three children, and 5 grandchildren, live all over the country but return each summer to Cape Cod for a large, wonderful family gathering.
They have been members of Merion Golf Club and had a second home at Champion Hills in Hendersonville, NC for many years.
The Clendennings are delighted with their move to their Baldwin apartment, although still unpacking boxes. Carolyn has ongoing projects of organizing family history and relearning bridge. John still gets out for golf games at Merion. They know many residents already from their years in the area, but now look forward to an easier pace of life and to enjoy the best ice cream selections - rum raisin, anyone?they could ask for.
John and Carolyn Clendenning
Ken Levin
Lee Levin
Welcome Helen Jennings
Helen Jennings grew up locally and was married to Jim Jennings who died last year. Their son and daughter live in the area. Jim supported Helen throughout their 56 years together “enabling her to blossom,” as she says.
Helen is an explorer, with three overlapping interests. First, she loves gardening with memories of her mother introducing her to raspberry picking in their garden as a little girl. She later attended The Barnes School of Horticulture, took courses at Longwood Gardens, volunteered at The Morris Arboretum, and started a pruning business. She and Jim traveled to China in the 1980s with Paul Meyer from The Morris Arboretum. When Jim retired, they became snowbirds in Tucson, Arizona enjoying the flora and fauna of the desert.
Second, Helen began her spiritual pursuit with work at The American Friends Service Committee after college. She was drawn to the weekly meeting for worship which quieted her mind and opened her to the presence of God. She attended Theological Seminary studying spiritual direction and wrote
her thesis on “Silence as a Way of Encountering God.” She celebrated this accomplishment by having a labyrinth created in her backyard. She, as well, has taken two pilgrimages to Iona, an island of Scotland.
Third, Helen and Jim traveled to see the world through hiking, walking, kayaking, and getting a sense of different lives.
Highlights were rafting on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon and walking coast to coast in England.
Helen begins her life here at Beaumont with many good friends nearby and new and meaningful friendships to add in this phase of exploring of life.
Welcome Joel Rubin and Carole Epstein
Joel Rubin and Carole Epstein are new residents in Baldwin. Their marriage of 21 years combines his and her four children, eight grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
Carole grew up in Wynnefield and attended Overbrook High School. She graduated from Temple University, received a masters in counseling and psychology from Villanova University, and a law degree from Widener Law School. She worked for 30 years in the Philadelphia school system as a reading specialist and was instrumental in bringing special education to the Lower Merion School District. She also served as President of The Women’s Group of American Friends of Hebrew University.
Joel, now 97 years-young, grew up in West Philadelphia and went to West Philadelphia High School. He graduated in 1944 and enlisted in the Navy. He was trained as an electronic technician which then included radio, radar, sonar,
and other naval technologies and served on a repair ship. At only 19, he was discharged. He graduated from Franklin and Marshall College. He was a member of the wrestling team there and was later the wrestling coach at Episcopal Academy. He also wrestled for the United States team at the Maccabi Games in Israel in 1953.
Joel’s professional career was in the Graphic Arts industry, starting in photoengraving, and ending up in printing, owning his own company for 28 years. He served on many industry boards, local and national, which set printing specifications and standards.
Carole is an avid Canasta player, reader and world traveler, especially enjoying India, The Galapagos, and Cold War Russia. Joel was an ardent golfer and member of Rolling Green Golf Club. They look forward to meeting many new friends at Beaumont.
Helen Jennings
Joel Rubin
Carole Epstein
Welcome Anne and Robert McAlaine
Anne McAlaine was born and raised in Manhattan where she was educated in the Religious Order of the Sacred Heart school system. She then attended Manhattanville College or, as she calls it, “the Pope’s answer to Radcliffe”. Anne ventured to the Philadelphia suburbs to teach at Sacred Heart. This move was fortuitous as she and her husband, Robert, were introduced to one another by local mutual friends. The rest, they say, is history as they have now been married for nearly 60 years.
In addition to a busy life raising four children, Anne and Robert have been very involved saving a local Sacred Heart school, The Gesu School in Philadelphia (pre-K to 8th grade). Robert was on the Board for 25 years, offering extensive guidance to the school after it lost its support from the archdiocese. Robert is proud of the fact that the school provides education to approximately 400 students at little to no cost to them. He described his involvement with the school as very satisfying with the additional bonus of meeting many nice people in the process.
Robert was educated in the Lower Merion School System then attended Williams College where he played baseball. He was recruited out of Williams to play professional baseball as his “first job”. He enjoyed a year of playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates (outfield and pitcher) then turned his baseball talent to local team play for many years.
After his baseball career, Robert worked in the investment business, then, with a group of investors, purchased and ran a medium size manufacturing company for 20 years. Once this business was sold, he chaired an insurance company located in Lancaster which allowed him a flexible lifestyle and to semi-retire. In describing his career path from baseball to business, Robert stated that he has always felt that “it is better to be lucky than smart!”
Welcome Ellen Seltzer
She was a camp counselor at a summer resort from New York City where Central Park was her playground. He was a waiter at the resort from Philadelphia. They met, fell in love, married and became area residents for the next 60 years.
Ellen Seltzer has a special story of coming to Philadelphia, residing first in the suburbs, then renovating a carriage house on Delancey Place, and later living in a condo on Rittenhouse Square as she and Robert raised two children. Robert was in the insurance
With an obvious aptitude for math and technology, Anne taught middle school algebra and was involved in instructing IBM employees in how to manage new computer systems. As if that wasn’t enough, she also found time to teach bridge and to introduce the works of her artist first cousin, Charles Iarrobino, to this area. She hosted shows for the artist and collected his works (which hang on the walls of many Beaumont residents too).
Anne and Robert have traveled extensively. Robert golfed throughout the world which led to exploring wonderful countries known for their golf courses. They also “bare boated” with friends- adventure boating without a captain on board! Both are great sports fans and support all Philadelphia sports teams.
Moving to Beaumont felt comfortable to Robert and Anne as they knew residents here and knew they would also be able to maintain their nearby, familiar connections in Bryn Mawr. The wonderful array of programs, activities- mealsall appeal to them. Robert is very social and enjoys being around people (look for him playing ping pong, a new hobby) while Anne enjoys her solitude and the comfort of their beautiful new apartment.
business. Ellen returned to college for a degree from Temple University. She had volunteered for many city programs, and had a special purpose in serving on the Board of a breast cancer awareness project for many years.
Now, with four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and after Robert’s death, Ellen has left the city and recently moved to her apartment here at Beaumont. It was “THE choice” since her cousin Margaret Balamuth has shared all the good things about Beaumont for years. Ellen loves her newly renovated apartment where it is easy to be cozy and enjoy the gardens and birds from her windows. She doesn’t miss the city and has instead found happiness here in our special community. We are happy, as well, to have you here.
Anne and Robert McAlaine
Ellen Seltzer
Concierge Corner
By Paige Welby
A recent study by CivicScience confirms that while vacations are linked to rest and relaxation, the travel itself - airport security, check-in, documents, and long lines - causes quite the opposite feelings of anxiety, confusion and stress. I love traveling and have learned how the Trusted Traveler and Global Entry programs, managed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, ease the travel process.
TSA PreCheck accelerates traveler screening by eliminating the need to remove shoes, belts, 3-1-1 liquids, laptops, or light jackets as you move through security checkpoints.
Global Entry provides the TSA precheck benefits and adds expedited clearance upon arrival into the U.S. after foreign
A Beaumont Moment
As Told by George (Brook) Gay
Mr. Fox visited me on my birthday, Tuesday, May 14. I was sitting in my chair in the shed about 8:00 a.m. I always sit way back in the shed.
Mr. Fox just came walking in. I put my hand down and talked to him, “Good morning, Mr. Fox.” He smelled my hand, gave it a lick, turned around, and walked out. What a birthday present!
Have you heard what is going to be published in the next edition of the Beaumont News?!
travel. The technology allows quick processing for pre-approved, low-security-risk travelers. Both programs require an application, fees, and sometimes an interview at a local airport with the Department of Homeland Security. Let me help you get started and learn how to deal with the government websites. For a small fee, I can go over the application with you, make sure you have the documentation you need, and you can then focus on the fun stuff of travel. And I can help you do that, too!
Monday-Friday 9:00-5:30 call (610)-526-7096 or email pwelby@beaumontretirement.com.
Editor
Quality Control
Production
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
Contributing Writers
Cathy Leahy
Articus, Ltd.
Joan Bromley, Mary Caulder, Lydia Gemmer,Sharon Kelly, Vick Kelly, Priscilla Bradshaw-Page,Paige Welby
Photographs by Linda Madara, Sharon Kelly, Amy Singh, Jane Ruffin
