V o lu me T h i rt y F ive , N umber 5
December 2021
Beaumont receives a five-year accreditation
By Joseph Peduzzi, President and CEO
The Continuing Care Accreditation Commission (CCAC) was founded in 1985 and began operations through the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (now known as LeadingAge). In 2003, CARF acquired CCAC. In 2017, the CCAC entity and accreditation process was fully integrated into CARF. The CCAC PRESIDENT’S name and accreditation seal are no longer in use, but CARF continues the unique attributes of the accreditation process for CCRCs, including the five-year term of accreditation, the annual financial review, and the financial ratio benchmarks. Beaumont had its virtual survey from August 25 to August 27, 2021, and was evaluated on nearly 1,500 CCRC standards. I’m pleased to announce that we had only a few minor recommendations. The CARF Survey Team highlighted the following areas of strengths of our community:
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Focus on long-term planning, including a comprehensive evaluation of IT infrastructure and the Building Envelope Project. Beautiful, well-maintained campus. Attention to detail and quality is evident. Life plan/business plan model of resident ownership
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allowing significant engagement of residents in decision-making process and in activities offered. Commitment to transparent communication through a variety of methods. Well regarded Food & Beverage Program. Commitment to supporting staff through a variety of development opportunities. Expansion of Wellness Center services and providers in response to resident input. Emphasis on a person-centered approach in serving residents with varying levels of cognitive impairment.
Most of CARF’s recommendations centered on our strategic plan, the most recent of which was developed in 2015 and slated to be updated in 2020. However, the pandemic postponed that timing. Beaumont’s Leadership, Boards, and Finance Committee have been generating a new strategic process aimed at updating the plan in February. The term of accreditation is based on the outcome of a community’s survey performance and, in Beaumont’s case, a five-year accreditation was awarded which is the longest that can be granted. Our CARF Accreditation adds tremendous value to our community by allowing Beaumont’s management team to utilize proven systems and best practices.
A campfire gathering At far left, DeeDee Ballard, Betsy Rhodes, Barbara Benson, Joan Roberts, and Sue Rakestraw roasted hot dogs on the campfire. Left, Caitlin Gardner, Director of Resident Services, greeted residents with a steaming cup of hot chocolate—with or without libation! Center, Ivan Ramos from Maintenance, our strolling troubadour, serenaded the campers on a beautiful fall evening. Photos by Linda Madara
Photos by Richard Stephens
Honoring our veterans
Beaumont served a special luncheon in the Music Room on Veterans Day to honor our veterans.
Sally Morris, Minney Robb, Rip Page, Peter Abel From left to right, Gerald O'Connor, Lee Holt, Raymond Lee
Birch Clothier, Charles Kurz II, Myron Rosenbaum, Deena Rosenbaum, Bernice Solomon Anthony Parrotto, Kathy Hutchinson, Dan Hutchinson, Thorn Sparkman
Al Caesar, Dick Peterson, Jeff White, Frank Kampas, Jack Collett
The American flag graces the Music Room set for the luncheon. 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 Deborah Bishop November 15, 2021
Robert P. Morgan November 17, 2021
Charlotte Steinberg December 7, 2021
Marsha "Tuppie" Solmssen December 12, 2021
Members of the Beaumont Community extend deepest sympathy to their families and friends.
Editor Assistant Editor Production Manager Designer Photo Editor Contributing Editor New Resident Editor Quality Control Index Manager Consulting Assistant Editors
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Marion Laffey Fox Beverly Wilson Christine Johnson-Hall TJ Walsh Louise Hughes Linda Madara Betty Matarese Jennifer Frankel Nancy Harris Mary Schnabel, Jean Homeier, Peggy Wolcott, Wistie Miller
By Linda Madara
Art in our halls
“It’s GONE!!” if this is to succeed: who gets the largest display area; do you “What’s gone?” combine work of unrelated pieces (size, medium, color, art “The painting there…!” she wailed, pointing to a space. ist); does the subject/theme complement work styles? Most “Look at the sign. It says: ‘On Temporary Loan for the important is: does the artist wish to be displayed in a show Beaumont Exhibit!’” with someone not known? Walking the Baldwin and Austin halls this November, Art on Our Halls, comprised of Beauone encountered barmont-owned paintings, was ren spaces throughan eye-opener both to the out… 29 to be exact. Committee and Residents. “Out of The strong front wall could something disaphave been in any pointing, something museum. The other wall good always comes!” spaces were equally successThat’s the Art Comful. Everything displayed mittee’s mantra. worked together … and this Having lost an exwas art chosen from our ceptional artist (who halls! was sidelined due to Paintings with hugely varied Covid) scheduled to topics/themes (scenes, still display his work in life, portraits) and in differNovember, there was ent mediums (watercolor/ a very large hole in acrylic and oil paint) were Photo by Linda Madara shown on the walls and Joan Roberts (in white) and Sanna Steigerwalt (in green) the show’s schedule. take in Kit Leslie's Watercolor "Geraniums" which hangs regularly How to fill it? between the windows. in Geranium Alley. Both ladies knew and remembered Kit Leslie. Finding No one had hurt quality art to display in the Beaumont Room is not for the faint feelings: label attribution was included for the signed pieces of heart. [Should I note “faint of [he]art?” by former residents: Helen Stephens, Thelma Schmidt, and Our welcoming gallery space is very large and well lit. Kit Leslie. Most of the art had been purchased “in the style Size, at the same time, makes it a formidable space for artists of/school of ” artists whose work hung in museums worldto fill. Smaller paintings get lost if not hung in close proximiwide and was unsigned. ty (gallery displayed: one above another, for example). What’s What a delightful piece of serendipity the show more, the artist must have enough work, or can assemble suffiturned out to be! As you travel the halls be sure to look, cient, exciting show-ready pieces to fill the room. really look, at your surroundings. You might recognize the Pairing artists together sometimes works. The Commitwork … or you might be surprised by something you haven’t tee does combine for certain shows. Pitfalls must be conquered looked at before!
Demand runs high for Beaumont lifestyle
By Audrey Walsh, Director of Marketing
2021 has been interesting! With Covid’s ugly head still present in the world and a Campus-wide Enhancement Project underway, what do people think about moving to Beaumont? Our sales data show that Beaumont continues to be a campus that enchants people who seek a community that speaks to them. Through our advertising and website, the Marketing Committee, and in partnership with Articus (our advertising agency), we work diligently to communicate the sense of caring and supportive community that makes Beaumont unique.
From the first visit through move-in, our residents and the entire Beaumont team make sure our guests and future neighbors feel a welcome part of the community. This year’s numbers affirm our mission. With 23 closings (16 apartments, 7 villas) this year and 28 new residents, it's clear that people want to make Beaumont their home. 2021, you did not stop us! To read about some of our new residents, please see Pages 5 and 6.
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Going electric: Turning over a new leaf How we put gas stations and oil changes in rearview mirror
You accelerate when you push down the “gas” pedal and slow down when you ease up. If you remove your foot the car stops in a short distance. If you go too fast you can hit the brakes as usual. How much does it cost to drive what is already an obsolete car? That varies with the ever-changing price of gas compared to electricity. As I write, gas runs about $3.50 a gallon in our area and electricity 8 cents a kilowatt hour (KWh). Our car uses 30 KWh of electricity per 100 miles. That’s $2.40 for five times more miles than we got on a gallon of gas with our Honda CR-V. We get about 124 MPGe (mileage equivalent of electricity to gas), because we only do city driving, (On the highway our LEAF gets LESS mileage—about 99—which is upside down from gas engines.) Our GPS tells us where the charging stations are for miles around. Our car charges up to 80% in 40 minutes. If we drove to Maine or Florida, we could plan our trip to stop for lunch or overnight near a charger.
By Marvin Weisbord Dorothy and I got our first electric car, a Nissan Leaf, in 2013. It went 75 miles on an 8-hour charge. Our 2019 Leaf gets 150 miles. A 2022 model gets 226 miles. Teslas and others get more. Like microchips, car batteries become more powerful each year. We moved our charging station from our home in Wynnewood and paid Beaumont a nominal fee to install it at our parking spot. We top up the battery at night about every 10 days. It takes less than a minute to insert and/or remove the hose. Our car has never seen a gas station. It has no tail pipe, muffler, spark plugs, fan belt, or radiator. It needs no oil changes, transmission fluid, or antifreeze. Gasoline engines have hundreds of moving parts. An EV has one -- an electric motor. The Nissan dealer in Devon does our annual inspection for free. We don’t need an emissions check. We keep the tires inflated with the air hose in the Austin garage. Our car is whisper quiet. It goes like a bat with a light touch on the accelerator. Pedestrians don’t hear us coming. As kids, Dorothy and I learned to walk on the left side facing traffic. Nowadays, alas, many people walk on the right with backs to us. Thus, we have a pleasant, non-ear-shattering horn to warn walkers and cyclists. The car beeps when we back it up. Then there’s the “e-pedal” -- one-pedal driving. Our car has a brake pedal, but if you drive mindfully, you don’t need it. You enter e-drive by touching a button.
Our car uses 30 KWh of electricity per 100 miles. That’s $2.40 for five times more miles than we got on a gallon of gas with our Honda CR-V. Bottom line? Compared to gas cars, EVs are much cheaper to maintain and more fun to drive. More importantly, they reduce pollution, smog, global warming, and street noise. Saving the planet and protecting our own and everybody else’s health is reason enough to own one. That’s a happy fact our grandkids already know.
A welcome boost Jim and Debbie Zug sign in for their Covid-19 booster shots Nov. 19 with Miriam Quinn, Wellness Center Director in red jacket and Heather Heiland, VP of Health Services (dark hair and face not shown). 197 Beaumont residents received their booster shots at the clinic. Photo by Charles Kurz II
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New residents feted at gala dinner on November 18
Photos by Linda Madara
Left to right: Libby Schwartz and Rita Rome Alice Victor and Patricia Misher Gerald and Sheila O'Connor Left to right: Helen Gannon and Josselyn McAdam Jack Kirkpatrick and Curtis Young Carl and Cathy Helwig and Harriette Goldenberg Left to right: Myron and Deena Rosenbaum David Prewitt and Jaye Ann McNutt Leslie Wheeler and Renata Whitaker
By Dede Shafer
Active couple makes Austin home
Masters. She has edited newsletters and taught computer science at several places, and for the past 20 years she has been teaching computer science to college-age students at Villanova. She says it has been challenging, but says she loves it. Carl is a civil engineer, a commercial builder, and a real estate developer. He has been head of the Pureland Industrial Complex since 1973, a 3,000 acre environmentally sensitive preserve in southern New Jersey which contains 150 buildings and employs 15,000 people daily. It keeps him very busy, but he has trained his son in the business to help him, and his son is very committed. Carl formerly served on the board of the Memorial Hospital of Salem County and was past chair. Carl and Cathy are big golfers. They are members of Aronomink Country Club locally and own a place on the Miles River near St. Michaels, where they go every weekend to sail and play golf. They have many friends there from Baltimore and Washington to join them on the course. Cathy is especially talented and has won several 18-hole golf tournaments. They still love to travel, too, and look forward to more Viking cruises in Europe whenever time permits. We welcome Carl and Cathy to Beaumont.
At the end of September, two very active and interesting people moved into a spacious Austin apartment at Beaumont. Carl and Cathy Helwig have lived in the Philadelphia suburbs for many years. Carl grew up in Glenside, and after marriage, he and Cathy lived in several local areas such as Wayne, Devon, and Haverford. They have two sons: John lives in Photo by Linda Madara Boston with his wife, Carl and Cathy Helwig Janine, and 5-year-old son, Mathias. Son Terry lives in Haverford with his wife, Terri (“T”) and 7-year-old daughter Caitlyn and 4-yearold son Max. Cathy attended Villanova University and received two Masters, in philosophy and history. She now has three
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Dramatics, semantics, speaking, and writing are MacNeal specialties Ed MacNeal is a management consultant and a writer with a quick-witted sense of humor. His first book, published by the Norfolk Port and Industrial Authority, The Semantics of Air Passenger Transportation, made the argument against the closure of the DC International Airport. His best-known book is Mathsemantics: Making Numbers Talk Sense. In 1997, the International Society for General Semantics issued MacNeal’s Master Atlas of Decision Making, published originally as ten installments in the Society’s journal, Et cetera, in 1987-91. Ed contributed to his brother Richard’s 1998 book, Growing Up in Alden Park, an apartment complex on 38 acres in Philadelphia, said to be the “largest residential property on the National Registry of Historic Places.” Both brothers graduated from nearby Penn Charter School and enrolled at Harvard College, but both were drafted in 1943. When Ed returned from service in Europe in 1946, he transferred to the University of Chicago and earned an MA in Planning in 1951. Ed and Priscilla lived in New York for the first 15 years of their marriage; then they moved to Wayne where they lived for the past 54 years. They had two daughters: Catherine, an actress living on the west coast, and Madeleine (Mado), a special-education teacher who lost her life to ALS. Recently they survived a life-threatening house fire, thus making their move to Beaumont a true safe haven. They have remarked on how welcoming residents and staff have been and look forward to being an active part of our vibrant community.
By Sally Randolph For 27 years, Priscilla MacNeal encouraged students at the Agnes Irwin School to find their voices; she instilled in these young women the gift of public speaking. When Priscilla joined the Drama Department in 1974, she single-handedly revamped and expanded the program and introduced Communications as part of the rePhoto by Linda Madara quired academic curriculum. Priscilla and Ed MacNeal In her tenure as head of the Drama Department, she produced and directed 27 major theatrical plays, including two musicals, Oliver and Bye, Bye Birdie. Under her direction, the Drama Club and the Ninth-Grade Workshops put on 55 plays and one-acts. In the Middle School she worked with the English and Foreign Language Departments to produce plays for assemblies. Even the teachers had their chance to perform in the faculty plays, much to the amusement of the students. Priscilla grew up in New York City. As an aspiring actress, she graduated from the esteemed Professional Children’s School in 1950 and took undergraduate courses at Columbia. She later earned a BA in Drama from Villanova University.
Fairmount Trio electrifies audience By Betty Matarese
On November 8th, the Fairmount Trio made its debut at Beaumont. Composed of Yu-Ting Chen, a Curtis graduate and Philadelphia Orchestra first violinist; Clancy Newman, an Astral Artist cellist; and Natalie Zhu, a Curtis graduate and pupil of Gary Graffman – this was a formidable trio. With further ties to Beaumont, Natalie’s student William Ge performed here last July, and her daughter Clara Chen gave a virtual recital here a few months ago. The recital made an interesting start with a quirky, muscular piece by Lukas Foss, who composed and conducted in the New York area in the 60s and 70s. It was short and energetic with humorous overtones, employing only a pianist and cellist. Once Yu-Ting Chen joined the trio things took a more serious turn. We were treated to a wonderful work by Franz Schubert, the near-sighted Viennese school
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master who wrote superb music in many genres. It was composed only one year before his death in 1828 and could be said to be a distillation of all that went before: the piano impromptus and sonatas, the symphonies, the masses, but in particular the hundreds of art songs – Lieder – that he composed. It bears all the hallmarks of Schubert style with melodies Photo by Bonnie R. Slobodien going from light to shadow – The Fairmount Trio makes its debut in the Music Room. major to minor – and back again. His inventiveness was inexhaustible. The famous second movement, marked Andante con moto was featured in a Stanley Kubrick production, Barry Lyndon, a much-admired film from 1975. The music was appreciated even more in this setting. All in all, the Fairmount Trio is a worthy addition to the long list of musical performances Beaumont has been so fortunate to host.
Holly jolly holiday staff celebration
Beaumont President and CEO Joseph Peduzzi (left) visits with our renowned Food Preparation Team, from Joe’s left: Executive Chef John Bauer, Rocco Arcaro, Barry Hill, Marvin Bay, and Rudy Lagasca. Beaumont kitchen wizards whipped up a special meal December 3 to celebrate our staff Christmas luncheon. Photo by Charles Kurz II
Bryn Mawr’s lively scene welcomes Otto by Polpo By Evelyn Isom and Eta Glassman Hurrah! after emerging from the constraints of “The Age of Covid,” we are enjoying a joyous metamorphosis that allows exploration of resources and restaurants within striking distance of our campus. Want to venture out? No problem. Bryn Mawr and its neighboring burbs are awash in restaurants, among them Lourdas, Santusca, Fraschetta, The Choice, or a few blocks away, The White Dog in Haverford. All beckon with wonderful fare. Now, lucky for us, Otto by Polpo Ristorante, a fabulous Italian retroact has joined this stellar Bryn Mawr group. Opened in April, the restaurant is a member of a group of six beloved south Jersey shore eateries that enjoy a large and loyal following. Otto (which means “eight”) is the owners’ response to enthusiastic devotees to open something outside Philadelphia, where so many Jersey Shore fans live. Situated in the centrally located space once occupied by a Wells Fargo Bank branch next to the Bryn Mawr train station, it also has an outdoor space as well. Inside, subtle blue, gray, and soft green walls encourage intimacy and a relaxing milieu. Parquet floors and crisp white tablecloths make one feel right at home. And the food? Executive Chef Bujar Daku is the maestro responsible for the authenticity of the Mediterranean cuisine and who selects each ingredient to assure its freshness and quality. The ambitious menu emphasizes authentic Italian fare: bruschetta, Fritto Misto, a variety of veal and seafood dishes, as well as pasta, including gnocchi, Fettucini, spaghetti al Pomadoro, and various risottos. For the more adventurous there is the Garganelli Barese, a concoction of Italian sausage, broccoli rabe and cherry tomatoes in a
wine sauce or a grilled whole fish prepared table side. Generously proportioned dishes can easily serve two people. For example, you can share a simple arugula salad as an appetizer. The mound of dark green, ringed by halved cherry tomatoes, topped with strips of grilled chicken has just the right amount of tenderness and bounce. After this the Salsiccia, a dish of grilled Italian sausage, resting on a bed of cannelloni, beans, and broccoli rabe and sprinkled with parmesan cheese, is a good choice. The mild beans are a perfect counterpoint to the tangy sausage and sharpness of the broccoli. Another winner to share is the bruschetta, a mouthwatering combination of chopped tomatoes and onions sprinkled with finely shredded burrata cheese, topped with sautéed red peppers, drizzled lightly with balsamic vinegar. For good reason, we loved the gnocchi carbonara. It is made daily and perfectly cut from long strands of dough into half-inch pockets then tossed with pancetta (Italian bacon) and shredded pecorino cheese. The rich and salty dish is deliciously super creamy. A real treat!! For a grande finale, try the Lemoncello, legendary dessert from the Amalfi area, made from fresh lemons, vodka, and sugar, and served in a flute glass. Buon appetito! We know your initial visit will evolve into many other happy, satisfying meals along the tracks. Otto by Polpo 52 N. Bryn Mawr Ave.
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610-880-0007 www.ottobypolpo.com
By Ann Baruch
How to regenerate Wheeler Woods
The 2012 Natural Lands Trust Forest Stewardship Evaluation summed up the status of Wheeler Woods as follows: • • •
“The two main reasons for the degraded health of the forest are overabundant deer and the spread of invasive plants.” “Most concerning is the almost complete lack of native tree seedlings.” “Without significant stewardship Wheeler Woods will likely transition to either a degraded forest dominated by exotic invasive trees, or a park-like setting maintained by periodic plantings as canopy trees die.”
Regeneration is key to maintaining a sustainable forest and the most important sign of good health is the forest’s ability to regenerate itself. Deer browsing and invasive plants have had a serious impact on regeneration in Wheeler Woods and this issue is a focus of our planning process. Regeneration can be accomplished through two basic approaches: • •
Protecting new tree seedlings until they become established Planting new trees
This picture is from Valley Forge National Park and shows an abundance of Mayapple (Podophyllum pelatum) which is a spring ephemeral and a favorite food of deer inside the exclosure, while the outside is bare of any herbaceous material.
Prior to the start of the Wheeler Woods Restoration Project, acres of pachysandra and other exotic species formed tight mats of roots and foliage that prevented light, water, and nutrients from reaching the seedbed below. Few of the seeds that would have produced desirable native plants were able to germinate. Phase I of the removal of invasive species in the summer of 2021 was a good step towards encouraging the growth of native seedlings. Kayla Kehres, a forester with the Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, commented, “Without the protection of a deer enclosure, all the seedlings that come up will be snipped off by browsing deer.” Fencing of some kind is needed to protect the investment that has already been made in Wheeler Woods. The WWSC, with guidance from Beaumont management, Jim Baney, Julie Devuono and Kayla Kehres, is considering all possibilities. All aspects of the restoration plan need to be approved by the BRCI Board. New trees will also be planted to replace some of the ash trees that were removed. At the top of the An aerial view of a deer exclosure taken in the Allegheny National Forest Research list are oaks. In addition to providing food and shelter Center and the regeneration present by excluding deer. for birds, they support caterpillars, spiders, and countless insects which, in turn, are an important Photos courtesy of Department of Conservation & Natural Resources source of protein for baby birds. The regeneration plan will include a variety of native trees.
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