newsletter_november2009

VOLUME TWENTY THREE, NUMBER SEVEN

NOVEMBER 2009

Small fee increase, system upgrades planned for 2010

By Mary Graff

A residents’ monthly fee increase of only 2 percent for 2010—equal for the first time to the record low set in 1999, and achieved despite the weak economy—was announced at Beaumont’s 21st annual meeting on the budget Nov. 5.

In other welcome news, Finance Committee Chairman Bruce Mainwaring disclosed an increase in the Medical Reserve Fund, which had “dipped a tad under” the minimum goal of $6 million, he said, to more than $7 million, and a reduction in the Health Center loan balance to less than $900,000, with the assurance of total debt retirement in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Comparing Beaumont with its competitors by the numbers is difficult, Mr. Mainwaring pointed out, given Beaumont’s generally larger unit and room sizes and its nearly unique status nationally as an equity ownership community in the form of a real estate cooperative, owned and run by its residents.

Nevertheless, he said, the Beaumont slogan “more for less” was amply supported by the graphs in a “Market Comparison” booklet handed out at the meeting and available on request. As new resident continued on page 7

MORE SUMMER ADVENTURES AND MEMORIES: The magic of Maine, page 2 Other people’s food, page 2 Resident bares all, page 3 * * * Where the wild things are, page 5 Wedding bells are ringing, page 8

Photo by Don Trachtenberg Staying as cozy as possible below the radar is Truly, one of Beaumont’s undocumented residents.

Hidden assets: A cat’s tale

By Truly, as told to Dr. Don Trachtenberg My name is Truly. Modestly, I am an extremely attractive female, approximately 25 years old by common (i.e., human) counting method, and am finally coming out of the closet as a member of a group of undocumented residents of Beaumont. I, and my brethren and sisteren, are mostly below the admission age, and consequently we try to stay below the radar screen of the administration.

My year-round garb is a pretty butterscotch-orange color on the back and sides, and pristine white on the front. Those who know me well–mostly Don and Judy Trachtenberg, who bought Villa 11 for me–understand that I am really a human in feline clothing. I have taken on their surname to help them adjust, but the truth is that as with all other residents who cohabit with cats at Beaumont, they think they are our owners, but in truth they are our housemen and housemaids. continued on page 4

Sandwiches, martinis, matches=picnic perfection

By Anna Roberts

This morning when I took my early Beaumont walk it was cool and foggy, and I was transported to Maine.

So I thought I would tell you about two fairly recent Maine picnics.

We all know a picnic can be all sorts of things, and often a challenge. To find no matches were packed is a disaster. To have to take a dip in freezing water is hard for some. To scavenge litter or driftwood for the fire is difficult. Still, picnics are wonderful!

Our favorite family jaunt is to Cookie Bite Cove on Bartlett Island. We load up the Whaler and head up the Narrows. The beach is pebbles, the tide is ebbing, and we remembered the matches. We build a small fire for hamburgers, rolls and hot dogs, cookies and grapes for dessert, and some Coke cooling in the sea.

The children swim; the grownups pretend because it’s “no martinis unless you swim.” What a miserable Roberts rule that is! But we change in the woods, settle around the fire, watch the tide and the Whaler and feel again the magic of sky, water, rocks, and trees. At the end of the day, every scrap that shows we were there is gathered. The fire is carefully doused and we head out delighted when the

outboard starts and we’re going home after a perfect day.

Another kind of picnic is very popular among the mature. We stay on the boat, find a lovely cove, put down the anchor, eat sandwiches plus grapes and cookies and again feel the magic of Maine.

One summer Sally and Tom Clark (Cecily Clark’s late brother-in-law and his wife) asked us to join them on such a picnic. It was full speed ahead with Tom at the wheel and a lobster pot lookout. But the lookout wasn’t very good and we’d hardly begun before we were caught by a lobster pot. The pot’s line was around our propeller, but a skilled sailor with a boat hook and balance to lean way over the stern finally freed us.

We dropped anchor in the Cranberry Island pool and sipped sherry. Sally went forward to find the premade sandwiches, only to discover they were still on the kitchen table at home. We feasted on the ubiquitous grapes and cookies and let nothing dampen our appreciation of Mount Desert Island.

So remember the matches, the sandwiches, and the martinis, and Maine will always weave her magic and you will remember the best picnics ever.

What can you do with 1,001 Cheerios?

She drinks tea but our brand isn’t the proper one, so we purchase her variety. When I left at the end of summer there were four different teas on the pantry shelf.

The cornflakes are wrong for the baby. Another huge box of cereal is crammed into the closet. And who will eat the rest of the Cheerios once the baby has left? We hope the mother will take them with her, but she usually forgets. All purchases are big: super-size everything.

It’s so much more economical, I’m assured.

The thoughtful gifts of food that pour in on the weekends

By Mary Schnabel When we first began our yearly vacation at Cape Cod over 60 years ago we were young, with young children, and we were renters, not owners. The month of August was our time and the house we rented, though simple, was equipped with the essentials: a refrigerator, a stove, a fireplace and a wood pile as well as beds and linens for our family of six. At that time I was the sole proprietor of the larder and the food supply. I didn’t realize at the time how lovely and simple that was.

Fast forward 50 years. We’re old, the children and grandchildren are grown, and we are now the owners of the vacation house to which we come each year. But another change is that I no longer control the kitchen and pantry. Now life in that area is far from simple.

Suddenly a grandchild announces that she can’t possibly get through the day without her coffee jag. So real coffee is added to the shelf next to the decaf, which has been the staple up to now. But since a couple of us shouldn’t drink real coffee, another pot is brought in and two are brewing on the counter each morning.

A daughter-in-law’s nerves won’t tolerate coffee.

Continued on page 3

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

Managing Editor Production Editor Editor Emeritus and Historian New Resident Editor Circulation Manager Medical Advisers Photo Editor Events Manager Proofreader

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Mary Graff Christine Johnson-Hall Louise Guthrie Jean Kirk Bea Goldstein Dr. Jay MacMoran Dr. Herbert Diamond Louise Hughes Kim Norrett Jennie Frankel

Daring to go bare in Denmark

By Jeanne Cortner

In 1974 my husband, most beautiful beach.

Jean, took his first and They were friends of only year-long sabbatianother family immedical in his research field ately. We drove to “our” of genetics. We left beach, and I cannot get Buffalo and spent a out of the car. I go to the year in London as a back of the VW, lie on family of five. Our the floor, and roll out of August vacation was a the sliding door onto the month’s camping trip in sand. I close my eyes our VW camper in the tight shut–as if that Scandinavian counmakes a bit of differtries. ence.

One glorious day we Jean is lying beside were driving along a me on the beach, and beautiful stretch in after about 45 minutes Denmark. Jean was he says, “I think I will driving. I was next to take a walk.” him with a stack of The author and her niece’s golden retriever, Lily, on the Snake River in Jackson I gulped and guidebooks in my lap. Hole, WY, last summer. Daughter Debra Loft took the picture. thought, not without Our three children, me! Again I could hear ages 14, 12 and 9, were in the back with our gear. Two him telling the stories. I literally crawled up his legs and boys and a girl in the middle. Jean says to us all: body to a standing position; he suggested I open my “Denmark is famous for its beaches. Let’s find the most eyes. We began to walk. I was holding on at first as if beautiful beach and spend tomorrow there.” my life depended on it. It probably did.

“Great,” everyone says, so I go to the guidebooks to As we walked, I saw the beauty and quietness of the find the most beautiful beach in all of Denmark. place, and dozens of naked families laughing and playing There was no question which one it was–a nude in the sun. Had we been clothed, it would have been beach. Next to it was the second most beautiful beach very embarrassing and everyone would have stared at in all of Denmark, but it was definitely second. us. As it was, no one paid any attention.

I read about them, and everyone in the back seat As the sun went down, people put shirts on–but no says “No way” to the nude beach. Jean says, “That’s more. All the bottoms remained bare!

OK–I had rather you go with me, but I want to go even One car got stuck in the sand as we all were leaving. if I go alone. How ‘bout it, Jeanne?”

Everyone went to help, pushing the car from behind.

I look at him sideways and can tell he is dead serious The bodies were from age 3 to 103–beautiful young and is going whether I do or not. I cannot stand that he fannies and very old, sagging fannies. What a funny would have that experience without me, and go back to sight. I would have missed it all if my Jean had not Buffalo and tell the tales that he would tell! been determined to go.

I just had to accompany him! I dreaded it all night. The (No, the children were not sorry they did not go–not next morning we dropped the children off at the second at their ages!)

Cheerios . . . .

insists. “I’ll eat anything but meat, fish, cheese, eggs, milk . . .” His girlfriend and daughter are also coming.

Are they vegans too? Oh well, we’re all in this together, so out come the cookbooks and the sections on vegetables.

Then they leave. The peace and quiet are lovely, but not the prospect of facing a refrigerator that is chock full of leftovers and tidbits with which we have to deal.

By the end of the week we have listlessly made do by consuming the leftovers, most of which are not to our taste . . . and watching the shelves of the cupboards and refrigerator slowly return to normal. Then it’s Friday and we start all over again.

continued from page 2

are even more daunting. It’s such a good time to try the newest cheese or the latest in gourmet goodies that can be consumed during cocktails or for dessert.

But . . . but . . . oh well, thank you very much.

One son is allergic to wheat, so we have to be careful what we cook when he is home. He usually brings his own food and cooks for himself. While thoughtful of him, it is just one more cook in an already crowded kitchen.

My brother is a vegan. He won’t eat anything that has a mother. “But don’t go to any trouble for me,” he 3

A cat’s tale . . . . continued from page 1

They even harbor the silly mistaken notion that when we come up on their laps purring profusely, this represents an expression of affection for them. Wrong. True that it is an expression of love, but for ourselves and not for them. We are the masters of hedonism.

They are primarily vehicles to feed us what and when we want, pet us profusely upon demand, groom us and play whenever we want. If we don’t want, we simply ignore them, or feign sleep or severe hearing impairment (which we do much of the day anyway because we find them so tedious and so constantly infantilizing us).

Well, all of the above notwithstanding, we are as a group very adorable, comforting and Photos by Don Trachtenberg well-behaved pets (the despised p-word). We Downward dog, twisted cat. Intricate yoga postures pose no challenge for Truly, will sit on your lap nearly forever, or at least here in midday meditation at Villa 11. until we are finished sucking you dry of affecthe community as a whole. There is Beau, the black tion, while you are convinced you are getting it in full giant who tends to the needs of the Health Center measure returned. Also, of great merit is that we do patients. Consider also the gray, very fertile feral very effectively ward off loneliness and lower your female who has taken upon herself the burdensome blood pressure. civic responsibility of attempting to populate Beaumont We possess distinct advantages over our major and with as many kittens as residents. (See story on Page very public competitors, the dogs of the world. 5.) Then, of course, there is the other orange cat, Consider perhaps the best of all being that we don’t Sunshine, who lives in his winter and summer houses have to be walked in rain, snow, freezing cold, or boiling outside of the Mansion porch, and has even donated a heat. We are extraordinarily fastidious in our bodily dining table inside in his own name. Name one dog in functions, defiling only a little box of sand, and requiring this community who has performed such functions. no heinous toileting pick-up after us. We are green Behind other closed doors can be found felines who animals, not needing the daily use of plastic bags, as also long to break free and be recognized as the do our loud barking neighbors. We do not get “doggy valuable community members that they are. No longer odor.” We do not attack mailmen. We can be left home will they live by the “don’t ask, don’t tell” pact that has alone overnight without fear of death or massive hidden their existence. These include, to name but a destruction. In short, we are a very civilized group. few, the Morgan family guys, Mango and Camus, as Some of us are even noted for our contributions to handsome a pair as could be found anywhere; the robust and loving Rocket, who cohabits with Jen Shingle; Amber, jet black with golden eyes and her companion “the very naughty” Jezebel, who keep Mary Yurchenko very busy; and Mr. Whiskers of the long white hair who is “a great game player” according to his houseman, Jim Luther.

So now that we have been outed, I urge all of the rest of you to throw off the shackles of human oppression and make yourselves known for the valued community members that you are. No longer will we accept being the hidden assets of Beaumont. We shall put an end to the attempted mastery of our servants over us and march out into the sunshine of a new and better world. Viva la Pussycat!

In all fairness, dogs will have their day in a forthcoming issue.

Talk to the tail.

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Crafty kittens defy capture As many of our readers know, five new neighbors have defied the rule about age at admission (see Don Trachtenberg’s story Page 1) to become Beaumont’s youngest new residents. In the terrace garden by the garage entrance to Baldwin, our resident homeless cat, known for good reason as Mama, recently gave birth to a third healthy litter. Four are solid gray, one a solid tan. The Maintenance Department’s Paul Conboy and Tracey Vitabile, Personal Care Administrator in Assisted Living, have assumed responsibility for them, feeding them according to instructions provided by two cat rescue organizations.

R e s i d e n t s Barbara O’Brien and Gloria Swift have served as kitten Photo by Louise Hughes watchers, supplying regular reports. Other The Maintenance Department’s Paul residents and staff Conboy, a man of many and varied talents, have made what captures a feral kitten on its way (though kitten doesn’t know that yet) to a good Tracey calls “hearthome. warming” offers of help. Beaumont President Joseph H. Fortenbaugh III, when he heard about this latest event, jumped in with a spirited offer to subsidize surgery for Mama.

Meanwhile, with Mama and two kittens still at large as of this writing, despite all efforts to capture them (“They’re crafty,” says Tracey), good homes are being sought. Anyone wishing to adopt may contact Paul Conboy or Tracey Vitabile.

Five little kittens snuggle on the wall.

Photo by Tracey Vitabile

Another wild visitor A fox basks in the sun on the wall behind Villa 11 recently, one of many wild visitors to Beaumont this fall. Wildlife sightings include deer, geese, wild turkeys, and many species of birds.

Photo by Don Trachtenberg

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Photo by Louise Hughes Most residents know Johvon McLaughlin, here in the Music Room, as the skilled waiter who plays the piano beautifully by ear. He also is a serious student, now at Delaware County Community College, with his eye on an advanced degree in the new field of nanotechnology.

12 employees win scholarships

By Rose-Marie Pringle, Director of Dining Services

Community College, who is aiming to become a Certified Nursing Assistant.

Nursing–Kumba Sombie, West Chester University, public health.

Winners, who receive up to $1,000 each, must have had a clean work history for more than a year, must have maintained a minimum of 20 hours in each pay period, must be recommended by a resident and his or her department head, and must produce proof of enrollment and tuition fees. Beaumont President Joseph H. Fortenbaugh III and Human Resources Director Mary Wells are the evaluators.

Twelve young employees from four departments are this year’s winners of Beaumont Scholarship Awards, established in 1991 to help with college tuition costs.

The recipients, with the institutions in which they are enrolled and their fields of interest: Dining Services–Shakia Blount, Villanova University, nursing; Kimeshia Dudley, CHI Institute, dental hygiene; Carly Finkelman, University of Massachusetts, economics; Joe Hoban, Drexel University, music technology; Robel Kassahun, Radford University, finance and accounting; Johvon McLaughlin, Delaware County Community College, engineering and nanotechnology; Kadeen McNish, Community College of Philadelphia, nursing; Amanda Radziak. Neumann College, criminal justice; Earl Oxendine, Temple University, psychology.

Dietary–Kerry-Ann Simpson, Community College of Philadelphia, linguistics.

Housekeeping–Katie Gonzales, Delaware County

The Beaumont News is hoping to resume publishing a popular feature in December, briefly introducing new residents (and some not so new). If anyone has a suggestion, please drop a note at the front desk to Jean Kirk, our new New Resident columnist.

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Photo by Louise Hughes On a sun-drenched day, Rena Burstein tends to a house plant that was returned to Geranium Alley for the winter.

House plants return to their winter home

By Rena Burstein

While the days are getting shorter, frost is in the air, temperatures are falling, and trees are shedding their leaves, Beaumont’s Geranium Alley is coming to life after a summer hiatus. Residents’ geraniums and other large potted plants (some an overflow from the greenhouse) are slowly returning to their Florida-like residence, where they can bask in the sun, protected from the winter’s winds. The Alley, a glass-enclosed passageway connecting Baldwin Hall to the swimming pool, was recognized by some astute residents as a perfect

winter shelter for the outdoor plants they’d want to keep. And so the tradition, and the name, was born.

Although Housekeeping maintains the passageway, owners are responsible for their plants’ care and watering. At the height of the winter season, there is a glorious display of blossoms throughout the Alley–a blaze of color, shades of pink and red mixed with various shades of green leaves, along its walls and the entire length of its window sill. A wonderful mid-winter sight to boost one’s spirits.

Small fee increase . . . .

■ Upgrading Comcast services.

■ Fine tuning and promoting marketing and advertising programs, in view of increased competition and the weak housing market (in which potential sellers focus on “what they could have sold their house for just a few years ago.”)

From the floor, resident Ann Louise Strong complimented the administration for including a 2 percent salary increase across the board for Beaumont staff.

The full budget and associated documents are available from Beaumont’s front office.

continued from page 1

Alan Tripp put it from the floor, in regard to room size, “The difference in the graphs is real—at Beaumont, you can get your furniture to fit!”

Beaumont President Joseph H. Fortenbaugh III listed some of the improvements planned for 2010: ■ Replacing the Baldwin roof, at an estimated cost of $450,000.

■ Increasing and enhancing Beaumont’s use of technology, including a wireless system, electronic medical records (required in 2011), and telephone systems in the Health Center and Assisted Living.

■ Updating physical plant including paint, lighting and wall hangings in the Baldwin and Austin hallways.

IN MEMORIAM Joan Nalle..............November 1, 2009 Members of the Beaumont Community extend deepest sympathy to their families and friends.

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Wedding bells are ringing One of the events honoring Susan Dahme and John Woolford in advance of their planned Nov. 27 wedding was a dinner at the home of Ann Louise and Michael Strong. From left: Mr. Woolford, Mrs. Dahme, and Annette von Starck, who supplied the hors d’oeuvres here going down the hatch, including caviar, homemade blini, and trimmings.

Photo by Ann Louise Strong

A cook’s tour (by the numbers)

By Chef Mark Robison as told to Liz Dornberger

1 Food Services clerk: Sonya Clarke.

111,700 shrimp, including 63,700 large (30-40) per lb plus 48,000 jumbo (16-20) per lb 7,300 gallons of soup.

2,600 lbs. of chicken breast.

2,400 lbs. of whole chicken.

1,250 lbs. of filet mignon.

1,400 lbs. of fresh fish.

1,175 lbs. of jumbo crabmeat.

1,300 dozen eggs.

2,400 lbs. of bacon.

400 lbs. of rice.

300 gallons of coleslaw.

130 lbs. of pasta.

700 cakes & pies.

800 lbs. of breakfast sausage.

230 cases of tomatoes.

1,900 lbs. of onions.

1,700 lbs. of carrots.

900 lbs. of celery

19 Number of years Chef Mark Robison has headed Food Services at Beaumont.

365 Days a year kitchen is open, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

5,475 Hours a year kitchen is open.

170,000 Meals to be prepared this year, excluding private parties and catering.

12 Food Service suppliers servicing Beaumont.

1993 Year the Food Service staff started to attend the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, N.Y. 1 Chef: Mark Robison.

2 Sous Chefs: Barry Hill, Michael Santangelo.

2 Relief Chefs: Robert Foster, Rocco Arcaro.

5 Cooks: Dwight Langley, Sheldon Jarvis, Julia Kisia, Rudy Lagasca, Lawrence Reid.

3 Prep Cooks: Melissa Graham, Courtney Henry, Roel Dixon.

3 Full-time Food Service assistants: Carlton Drayton, Marcus Taylor, Angelo McFadden.

3 Part-time Food Service assistants: Courtney Steer, Fritz Lubin, Perez Johnson.

The deadline for the December 2009 issue of the Beaumont News is November 10. Please sign your story and either turn it in at the front desk or e-mail it to Mary Graff at graffs@msn.com. The Beaumont News team is interested in stories about residents, services, and activities at Beaumont. Many of our neighbors have interesting tales to tell, about their lives or careers, experiences or travels, but hesitate to come forward with them. Please feel free to rat on your neighbors. The news welcomes suggestions for interviews. It is the responsibility of the editors to correct and edit all copy in keeping with Beaumont News standards. Contributions, suggestions, and comments are welcome and necessary for the success of the Beaumont News.

HOW TO GET A COLOR COPY OR LARGE PRINT EDITION OF BEAUMONT NEWS To get a color copy of this newsletter, go to our website, www.beaumontretirement.com, click Skip Intro at the bottom of the page, then click Read this month's newsletter, and print. If you would like to receive the Beaumont News in large print, please leave your name a the desk in the front lobby. A copy will be placed in your mailbox.

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