Sister Jane Coyle with State Rep. Anthony Bellmon and City Councilmember Anthony Phillips.
Centenarians
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Each guest received a commemorative Philadelphia Liberty Bell from the Mayor’s Office, as well as roses provided by State Representative Anthony Bellmon and Councilmember Anthony Phillips, and congressional proclamations from the office of United States Representative Brendan Boyle. Guests
also received certificates of recognition signed by PPH administration, and the PPH Auxiliary provided flowers and corsages.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to all department and team members who helped make this event a joyful success! To view news coverage of the event and a slideshow of those honored, visit pphfamily.org/about/press-news/
Back row: Board of Directors Vice Chairperson Timothy Hinchcliff, Jordan Robinson and Ciani Langford of our Life Enrichment Team, Board Chairperson Eric Sigel; front row: special guests Mary Staton and Kenneth Strobel.
Oldest PPH resident: Cecelia Amato - 108 years old
Newest PPH centenarian: Bernice Segal
Total PPH centenarians: 15
PPH 99-year-olds slated to turn 100 by the end of 2025: 5
Alpha resident celebrates 100 with family, friends and the mayor
Bernice was one of 20 PPH residents who received a special commemorative Liberty Bell from Mayor Parker.
Bernice (pictured with one of her daughters) received a Senate Citation from Pa. State Senator Christine Tartaglione.
Bernice's friends and neighbors signed a card to mark the special occasion.
PPH Alpha Manor resident Bernice Segal celebrated her 100th birthday in April with a family party, as well as a celebration with neighbors and friends. A joyful Bernice thanked everyone for coming out and shared how special she felt from all of the visits, phone calls and well wishes she received! A few days later, PPH's newest centenarian attended the Centenarian Luncheon, and received special recognition from Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, who noted that her paternal grandmother was also named Bernice.
Family Focus
Andrew Denelsbeck with the group of residents who recognized him as a Guardian Angel: Pat Ripoll, Maxine Littlepage, Velma N'Jai, Carol Drummond and Charna Heiko.
Two team members honored as Guardian Angels
Two PPH team members were recognized in April as Guardian Angels!
Rondell "Dell" Shelton of PPH's Maintenance team received his second Guardian Angel in 2025! Emil Scharer of Alpha Manor recognized Dell for the dedication he shows each and every day he comes to work at PPH.
"Dell does a great job in his role. I really appreciated everything he did. He's a good and conscientious worker," Emil said.
Dell's expertise and friendly demeanor are always on display throughout the Community as he and the rest of our Maintenance team repair and fix any issues that may arise.
Andrew Denelsbeck of PPH's Environmental Services team was recognized by five residents: Carol Drummond, Charna Heiko, Patricia Ripoll, Maxine Littlepage and Velma N'Jai. The group expressed appreciation for Andrew's work ethic and willingness to consistently go above and beyond.
"Andrew comes to PPH from his day job to work an evening shift. Andrew, we see you as you perform your duties with hard work and dedication. Thank you for the extra care you show; it doesn’t go unnoticed," the group said.
"Dell and Andrew, on behalf of PPH
board, leadership and team members, we thank you," said Director of Donor Development Marianna Calabrese. That is what is important to us every day … our care and compassion. Amazing work."
Recognize Someone SpecialShow your Appreciation PPH Guardian Angels are team members who go above and beyond for our residents, and embody the PPH core values of integrity, friendliness, quality care, compassion, respect and comfort.
Since 2018, PPH Guardian Angels
have been honored for compassionate care, customer service, quickthinking action when necessary and much more.
If you are a resident who is interested in recognizing a team member, or a resident-family member who wants to express your gratitude and appreciation for the care a team member gave your loved one, contact Director of Donor Development Marianna Calabrese at 215-697-8508 or mcalabrese@pphfamily.org.
Emil Scharer with Dell Shelton
NEWS BRIEFS, HAPPENINGS AND EVENTS
★ Philly Pups: Thursday, May 1 at 7 p.m. in the Social Hall. Come and meet these future service/therapy dogs and watch them as they participate in training exercises.
★ Bucks County Singers: Sunday, May 4, 2 p.m. in the Social Hall.
★ Veterans’ Meeting: Tuesday, May 6 at 10 a.m. in the Learning Center. Any questions, call Bill Conaway - #8031.
★ Koffee with Kelli: Independent Living Residents - Come out and chat with Kelli Mills, PPH’s Interim Executive Director, over a cup of coffee or tea in the Social Hall on Wednesday, May 7 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. There will be monthly community updates from Kelli and PPH administration.
★ Independent Living Residents’ vaccine clinic: Monday, May 12 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon in the Learning Center – COVID-19, RSV, and Prevnar 20 vaccines are available. For anyone that received a COVID vaccine in October, per CDC guidelines, a booster is recommended for six months after the first vaccine. To sign up, please call/leave a voicemail with Infection Control Preventionist Eileen Bratton at #6633.
★ DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging) Monthly Meeting: Embracing Diversity at PPH - Monday, May 12 at 3 p.m. in the Fellowship
Room. For more info on this residentinitiated meeting, contact MaryAnn Volk at #8345.
★ Quizzo: Monday, May 12 at 7 p.m. in the Social Hall. Quizzo consists of multiple rounds of trivia questions. Be your own team or join up with some neighbors or friends!
★ Coffee with the Little Flower President: Calling all Little Flower alumna-residents, staff and anyone that has a connection to Little Flower Catholic High School. Please join us in the Learning Center on Tuesday, May 13 at 10:30 a.m. to sit and chat with Little Flower’s current president, Kristie Dugan '92. This will be informational and a reminiscing session on all things Little Flower. Please RSVP to Ginny Maciocha ASAP at #8567
★ PPH Auxiliary: The Auxiliary will hold its next meeting in the Social Hall on Tuesday, May 13 at 11:30 a.m. and will broadcast live on PPH TV channel 7.
★ Our Time Cabaret: Musical trio Our Time Cabaret returns to PPH to perform on Wednesday, May 14 at 2 p.m. in the Social Hall.
★ Ladies Day Tea: Thursday, May 15, 2 p.m. in the Social Hall. Must sign up in business office by May 9. Please wear a fancy hat!
★ Independent Residents Association Officer Elections: The Independent Living Residents Association will hold its 2025-2027 elections for officers on Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Fountain Room. Winners will be announced Monday, May 19 at the IL Residents Association meeting.
★ IL Residents Association meeting: The May meeting will be held on Monday, May 19 2 at 2 p.m. in the Social Hall and on PPH channel 7.
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Upcoming services and events from Pastoral Services
★ Bible Study: Tuesdays, May 6 and 20, 10 a.m. in the PPH Chapel and broadcast on channel 5.
★ Prayer Breakfast: Saturday, May 10 at 9 a.m. in the Social Hall. Tickets are $8.50 and may be purchased at the Business Office during the week or at the Breakfast.
Guest speaker: Interim Executive Director Kelli Mills
★ Shabbat Service: Friday, May 2 (postponed from 4/25), May 9 and May 23.
★ Good Grief - Companions in Loss Bereavement Support: Wednesday, May 14 at 11:30 a.m. in the Alpha Manor First Floor Lounge.
For a full list of weekly events and up to date information, see the May 2025 calendar and PPH channels 2 and 4.
Daughter and mom Hailey and Theresa Magilton (Business Office) at the April Prayer Breakfast.
Sing a Song
Singer Elyse Langley performed various hits of the 1950s and '60s on April 16 in the Social Hall.
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★ Remembrance Butterflies – A symbol of love and a reminder of the ongoing connection we have with those we’ve lost: Thursday, May 22 at 1 p.m. in the Learning Center.
★ Bingo (IL residents): Thursday, May 22 at 2 p.m. in the Social Hall.
★ Rhawnhurst Elementary: The Kindergarteners of Rhawnhurst Elementary return for a day of arts and crafts on Tuesday, May 27 at 9:45 a.m. in the Social Hall.
★ Juneteenth: Remembrance, Reflection and Celebration: Thursday, June 19, PPH will once again embrace and commemorate Juneteenth with a Juneteenth Festival.
Meet our New Residents!
Margaret “Marge” Katziner moved into PPH's Alpha Manor building last summer from nearby Lawndale. Marge grew up in Cheltenham and was a teacher.
Marge enjoys reading, gardening and is a huge fan of the Philadelphia 76ers.
Marge has two brothers, a nephew and a great-nephew.
Dorothy Kajani recently moved to PPH’s Alpha Manor building from
Unheralded
the Fox Chase neighborhood of Northeast Philadelphia and previously lived in nearby Elkins Park for 40 years.
Dorothy grew up in Defiance, Ohio; she attended the University of Toledo and went on to work as a nurse. She has two sons; and three grandchildren, two boys and one girl, all who live in California.
Since moving to PPH, Dorothy is happy to not to have to cook and can instead enjoy PPH’s food and
Various activities are planned for residents to increase their awareness and understanding of this holiday through group discussions of historical events, film presentation, special musical instruments demonstration, games, special noon meal and light refreshments. The June REACH calendar and PPH channels 2 & 4 will have specific event info and times.
★ Pride Month: June is Pride Month, a month-long observance dedicated to the celebration of LGBTQ pride! If interested in participating in resident-initiated Pride events and activities at PPH, please contact Marge Sexton at #8368.
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dining options. She’s also excited to make new friends in the community.
Kathryn Czajkowski recently moved to PPH’s Alpha Manor building from the Mayfair neighborhood of Northeast Philadelphia.
Kathryn grew up in the West Oak Lane section of Philadelphia; she attended Cecilian Academy School and Chestnut Hill College and went on to work as a teacher. Kathryn enjoys bowling.
Heroes — Dr. Vada Watson Somerville
Compiled by Velma N'Jai Alpha Manor resident
Dr. Vada Somerville was the daughter of a former slave from Arkansas. She was born in Pomona, CA.
She was the first African American female to graduate from the University of Southern California with a Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree, and went on to be the first women
licensed to practice dentistry in California.
She rose to prominence as a dentist and entrepreneur and hotel owner. She and her husband, John Alexander Somerville — also a dentist —encouraged her to go to school. They cofounded a hotel in Los Angeles, CA and named it Hotel Somerville. The hotel was described as an elegant space for gathering
to speak freely for social change. They were nationally known leaders in social reform and civil rights in Los Angeles for more than 50 years. Today, the Hotel Somerville is an apartment building named "Dunbar Village."
