VOLUME X IX , ISSUE 7 • THE P ICKERSGILL RET IREMENT COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER • FALL 2017

Perhaps that is why it is appropriate that BEES were the theme of this year’s event honoring our remarkable volunteer corps! Luncheon keynote speaker, Dr. Josephine ‘Jody’ Johnson, known as “the bee expert,” presented a talk titled “What’s Happening to Our Bees?” Dr. Johnson is a Lutherville resident who has a PhD in toxicology from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and is the founder and owner of a Lutherville-based company, Cullaborate LLC, that conducts pollination studies locally as well as around the country.

P I C K E R S G I L L V O L U N T E E R S :

Thank you for BEEing Awesome!

Beulah Brown

Dr. Jody Johnson and Ann Brooke

Jean Moore

Mae Strom and Vici Heineman

The Pickersgill Singers Enjoying the Lunch Guests Enjoying

the Program

Marilyn Van Tassell

Dottie Hopkins

The Pickersgill Singers

One can draw many parallels between the team of hard working volunteers at Pickersgill Retirement Community and the busy life of honey bees.

32

N E W & N O T E W O R T H Y P I C K E R S G I L L C E L E B R AT E S F L A G D AY

Pickersgill is very pleased to welcome Ms. Jennifer Mogle (RN,

CM/DN) to the family. Jennifer brings several decades of experi-

ence in nursing and residents are happy to see her smiling face

every day.

As the Delegating Nurse for Assisted Living residents Jennifer is responsible for their individual treatment plans, assessments, and 45-day reviews (lots of documentation). In addition to that she does the usual nurse stuff, which is of course her favorite part of the job. That’s why she would much rather be out and about on the third and second floors than in her office tucked away in a suite near the home lobby.

Nursing is in Jennifer’s genes; her mother was a nurse and her mentor. Jennifer earned her LPN degree from the Springfield Hospital Center where she worked and attended classes, and then moved on to Allegheny College to earn her RN. She has since added certifications for case manager and delegating nurse. Jennifer worked at Copper Ridge Retirement Community as Delegating Nurse and then

spent more than a decade with the Maryland Department of Mental Health and Hygiene. She worked in an outpatient clinic in Cumberland where she helped her patients deal with depression, anxiety, addiction, and other issues.

Her nursing career had a brief interruption when Jennifer attended Frostburg State College and studied decidedly non-medical subjects. In the end, however, nursing won, although to this day Jennifer is an avid reader and is fascinated with other religions. She also knits, and she and her mom like to make the rounds of yard sales “looking for that treasure.” Jennifer has three children and two grandsons and is happy that all are nearby.

As do all newcomers to the Pickersgill staff, Jennifer has found everyone friendly and inviting. She says the staff is easy to talk to yet professional at the same time. Everyone is approachable, staff and residents, and she’s enjoying conversations and getting to know her charges as she makes her way daily through the building.

Flag Day at Pickersgill brings together the residents and community for a special salute to our veterans.

This year’s event, held on June 14th, drew a large crowd for the traditional ceremony and concert. New this year was an expanded flag exhibit by Robert Knowles. This was the 13th year that Mr. Knowles displayed his flag collection at Pickersgill.

Pickersgill Welcomes A New Delegating Nurse To The Team

Jennifer Mogle, RN, CM/DN

Flag Day Exhibit

Faye Tully Playing Piano

Additional Flags on Display

The Pickersgill Singers

Harbor City Chorus Performing

Residents and Guests Enjoed The Harbor City Chorus Performance

Flag Day Crowd

Executive Director Barry Eisenberg Welcoming Everyone to Flag Day

Board President Faye Tully Honoring Pickersgill Veterans

Councilman David Marks

54

M A R D I G R A S T H E M E PA R T Y H U L A H O O P L AMardi Gras Theme Offers the Perfect Backdrop for a Spirited Party!Colorful decorations, delicious refreshments, lively music and dancing blended to create a festive atmosphere at the Mardi Gras-themed celebration held in the Pickersgill Willard Room. The party vibe on Chestnut Avenue was akin to that of New Orleans’ famed February fete. The smooth big band sound of Ain’t Misbehavin’ beguiled guests to step onto the dance floor.

Pickersgill’s Annual Luau took place took place in the Willard Auditorium and featured music, dance performance, food and more!The room was bright and festive and filled with the distinct harmony of the ukulele, steel guitar and drums which blended with song to echo the sound of the islands.

Guests were treated to a spectacular and exciting luau show that included dances from the islands of Hawaii, New Zealand, Samoa and Tahiti and the dancers wore exotic, authentic costumes. Many Pickersgill residents and guests dressed in tropical style for the event, including one resident who said she purchased her hibiscus patterned dress on the big Island of Hawaii in 1970. Pineapple punch, fruit kabobs and macadamia nut

cookies were some of the tasty treats served for the occasion. Residents were further amused when the current class of Pickersgill Red Cross interns were cajoled into joining the dancers on stage to learn a classic hula dance. At the end of the party everyone universally agreed, “Hana Hou!” (Let’s do it again!)

Richard Davidson, Reada Jasper and Pat Blake

Barry Eisenberg, Faye Tully and Susan Eisenberg Bill Wernecke and guest

Jane Croft, Barry Eisenberg, Ann Sunderland and John Goodwin

Ginny Huettner and Naomi Seligman Ann Sunderland, Jim Strom and Lenore D'Adamo

Vinni and Doug Penniman

Mardi Gras King, Richard Davidson and Queen, Lucille Scribner

Jane Croft, Faye Tully and Sandra Ortwein

Mary Hurd With Her Grandchildren

Marilyn VanTassell Shows Her Best Hawaiian Dance Moves

Pat Hoopes and Vinni Penniman

Red Cross Trainees Learning the Hula

Hawaiian Dancers

Luau Guests Enjoying the Show

Residents and family enjoying the Luau

Dee Edmondston and John Famini

76

Editor: James L. Strom

Assistant Editor: Jean Lillquist

Contributor: Emily McGeady

Executive Director: Barry Eisenberg

410-825-7423 www.pickersgillretirement.org

Pickersgill@comcast.net

For Admissions information, call Janice Harris at 410-842-0408

Mission Statement

Pickersgill is a nonprofit retirement community with a strong heritage of benevolent purpose. Begun in 1802 by a small group of caring women, Pickersgill is dedicated to helping each person achieve, with dignity, the proper balance between independence and assistance. We take pride in our blend of traditional values with contemporary living. We provide a comfortable home and high-quality care at a reasonable cost, and promote each resident’s vitality of spirit.

Pickersgill Retirement Community

Board of Directors

Mrs. Stephen Tully President

Mrs. Paul AuwaerterMrs. Carlyle Barton, Jr.Mrs. G. Wayne Berry

Mrs. Brian BrookeThe Hon. Jana C. Burch

Ms. Marsha CarrollMrs. Gordon Croft

Mrs. Dennis FinneganMrs. Robert W. Flower

Mrs. Jane S. HeillMrs. Ellen Hennessey

Mrs. Carol Long MackayMrs. William A. Mangels

Sandra OrtweinMrs. Jack Smith

Pickersgill newsletter is published by Pickersgill Retirement Community for residents, families and friends. Please call the Development office at 410-842-0409 to be added to our mailing list. Or write to us at 615 Chestnut Avenue, Towson, MD 21204, if you wish to have your name removed from further Pickersgill materials.

P I C K E R S G I L L M E M O R I E S

Board Member Recalls 45 Years of Pickersgill

Pickersgill is unique in many ways, from its historical namesake

and 200+-year heritage to its all-female board of directors. Most

unique of all is one of these members who is now in her 46th year

of service.

When Jinx Barton joined the Board in 1972 only the name was the same as it is today: Pickersgill Retirement Community. The “home side” (assisted living) was the only building and housed 150 residents. There was one director, one secretary, a head nurse, and, prior to Mrs. Barton’s joining the Board, a “housemother” who lived there and was the main person in charge. Residents had their own bedrooms and two bedrooms shared a “powder room,” with a common shower room in the hall. What is now the Willard Auditorium was an open square with a fountain in the middle. At the residents’ insistence

the fountain had been brought from the gardens of the former Men’s Home but after one only night it was turned off – the sound of the water had too many people running to the bathroom.

Board members’ roles were far different forty and more years ago. When residents were accepted into Pickersgill they had to turn over all their possessions. Board members would go to their homes and help them select items to bring to their smaller new homes. Everything else became the property of Pickersgill; hence the exquisite antique items that today grace every hallway and sitting area. Board members had myriad tasks: one rode a tractor and cut the grass; a Board member doled out money to the residents from their social security checks; they took the residents shopping for clothes and necessities. (During a strike in 1972 Board members and other volunteers worked in the kitchen, helped clean, and

even helped bathe and dress the residents.) Mrs. Barton mended and even remade residents’ clothes and made walker bags (she was the original “Chatty Crafter”). She also helped with decorating and artwork and sponsored the residents’ Garden Club, which went on regular outings.

Mrs. Barton has worn quite a few hats, including that of President from 1975-1980, and seen an amazing amount of changes in her four decades with the Board. Pickersgill has grown into a community that extends from residents who live independently to those who require daily care. Board members remain vital to the community but in a less hands-on and more administrative role. And Mrs. Barton continues to love the place and the residents. She says Pickersgill “offers more to people than they can get anywhere else: companionship, friendship, comfort, good food, and many activities.” That’s why she is still on the Board. “I just love Pickersgill.”

You Can Also Support Pickersgill by Shopping on AmazonSmileAmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support Pickersgill every time you shop, at no

cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to Pickersgill.

To shop at AmazonSmile simply go to smile.amazon.com from the web browser on your computer or

mobile device. You may also want to add a bookmark to smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return

and start your shopping at AmazonSmile.

On your first visit to AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), you need

to select a charitable organization to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. Amazon will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a donation. Remember to always feel free to share Pickersgill's special link: smile.amazon.com/ch/52-0591530.

ANNUAL APPEAL GIFTS BENEFIT RESIDENTS

The 2017 Annual Appeal will shortly be underway and friends of Pickersgill will begin receiving the Annual Appeal letter in the mail by mid-October. All gifts received by December 31, 2017, will be acknowledged in the next annual report. Annual Appeal donors may direct their gifts to any of the following funds:

1) Annual Fund supports general operations and resident activities.

2) Benevolent Care Fund provides for residents who have outlived their assets.

3) Named Fund for the Endowment keeps Pickersgill financially independent and strong to be able to provide benevolent care and other critical services.

4) Chapel Fund goes towards the upkeep of our Chapel which is the heart and soul of our community.

There are also two very special groups of contributors at Pickersgill.

• The Heritage Society is made up of contributors who have included Pickersgill in their wills or estate plans.

• Leadership gifts of $1,000 or more qualifies donors for membership in the Mary Pickersgill Society.

smile.amazon.com/ch/52-0591530

Jinx Barton

Front Row: Jane Croft, Ann Brooke and Jinx BartonBack Row: Jean Smith, Brian Brooke, Rosemary Berry, Donna Reid and Brant Hart

Nonprofit Org.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDTowson, MDPermit #6897

615 Chestnut AvenueTowson, MD 21204

Phone: 410-825-7423

www.pickersgillretirement.org

Address Service Requested

For more information or to reserve a space for the Flea Market call Jim Strom at 410-842-0421

Annual Country Fair

The Blue Grass music of THE SATYR HILL BAND

and The Barbershop Quartet

PORT OF CALL

Flea Market • Antique Cars White Elephant Sale

Free health screenings Pony rides • Petting Zoo

SAVE THE DATE:

FREE and FUN for the WHOLE FAMILY!

Kids in line for the pony rides Satyr Hill BandLine waiting to enter the white elephant sale

RAIN

OR SHIN

E!

Saturday, October 7th ~ 10am - 2pm