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READERS THEATRE PERFORMS
"LOVE LETTERS" Priscilla Hart
On February 16, the Homewood Readers Theatre will sponsor a
performance of "Love Letters," the two-person play written by A.
R. Gurney. It opened on Broadway in 1988, and since then has
been performed many times throughout the country. In 2014, it
was again seen on Broadway featuring a number of famous actors.
Starring in the Readers Theatre production will be
Homewood residents Marian Pepper and Bob Powers, and will
take place in the Multi-Purpose Room at 7:00 pm. The play will
last about an hour and a half with a short intermission.
"Love Letters" is a romantic comedy with characters Melissa
Gardner and Andrew Makepeace Ladd III. For almost 50 years
Melissa and Andrew relate to each other by notes, letters and cards.
They discuss hopes and ambitions, dreams and disappointments,
victories and defeats, throughout their separated lives.
Come and listen to our interpretation of
this famous dialogue!
TheTheThe CHATTERCHATTERCHATTER Homewood at Frederick
Volume 16 Number 2 February 2015
Nichols’ Notes
Eric T. Nichols, Executive Director
Crumland Farms received new carpet in the Tuscarora Dining Room late last year. I have heard a lot of positive
comments about the new carpet. The Health Care Center dining rooms, Meadows, Willows and Meadows Court, will
get new dining chairs later this year.
At last month’s Willow Ponds update meeting, I
conveyed to the residents in attendance the news that
Phase II of the Willow Ponds patio homes was going to
begin construction this coming summer. This new Phase
of patio homes will include 18 new homes whose
location will be close to the Lodge that is being built.
These homes will be completed about the same time that
the Lodge will be completed in early 2016. Willow Road
will have the construction paving on it for the remainder
of the winter months until the warmer spring weather
comes to Frederick. Once we have the warmer weather,
the road will receive its finished asphalt coat to complete
the work with the road.
Wagman’s drone visited Willow Ponds in late
December and took these pictures of the Lodge that is
being built.
Lunch & Learn: MOLST 101 Linda Procter On February 9, the LUNCH & LEARN program will offer an introduction to the health care form called MOLST
(Maryland/Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment). Please sign up at the Reception Desk for the lunch meal
in the Multi-Purpose Room beginning at 11:30 am. The program begins at 12:00 Noon.
Since January 1, 2013, the MOLST health care form is required whenever a resident is admitted to all hospitals,
nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the State of Maryland. It is also necessary for admission into home
health care, hospice and dialysis centers. The form is designed to be reviewed regularly, and changed as a person’s
needs and situation change.
The Maryland State’s Attorney General’s office has developed this form which combines the former Emergency
Medical Instruction form with the former treatment options form. It is referred to as the MOLST form and is
recognized by the Emergency Medical Services Program. It is to be signed by a doctor, nurse practitioner or
physician’s assistant. There is a worksheet that can be filled out by the patient or healthcare agent to indicate
preferences. The goal is to communicate and support a patient’s wishes with regard to life-sustaining treatment.
Since February is Valentine month, we need to stop
and thank the people who work hard for the
Association. I am amazed at the many residents
who give time and talents. If you see them, thank
them:
Officers: Shirley Erdmanis, Jane Tritt, Phil
Litman, Herb Hoffman
Council: Larry Silbernagel, Priscilla Hart,
Bobby Rickman, Jane Dertzbaugh, Dotte
Derrick, Anne Forder, Libby Trout, Vernon
Rippeon, Emajane Baker, Burnis Barrett
Committee Chairs: Paul Culwell, Mara Dudrow,
Jennie Ward, Graham McIntyre, Ann Love,
Mary Alice Marks, Freda Litman, Pat Sikes-
Morgan, Paul Mellott, Vernon Rippeon, and all
who serve on their committees
Coming soon will be the time to begin the May 1
and 2 Yard Sale; Pat and Paul Culwell will ask for
donations and volunteers. At the same time, the
Nominating Committee (composed of Chair Bobby
Rickman, Mara Dudrow, Pat Dawson, John
Freeland and Stan Schweinfurth) will put together
the 2015-2016 ballots. The ballots will include
three new Council members from Willow Ponds…
history in the making.
Finally, a “thank you” to everyone for your support
for the Independent Living Residents Association.
Employee Appreciation Holiday Gifts\ Phil Litman
Resident Association Richard Petre
The Residents Association distributed $77,710 to 308
employees in December 2014. This gift was in
recognition of their exemplary service and dedication. The
amount of the individual gift was determined by the
number of employee’s hours worked: 179 employees
received a gift of $310 each; 38 employees received $250
each; 20 employees received $210 each; and 71 employees
received $120 each. After the closing date for receipt of
contributions and after distribution calculations had been
made, an additional $4,963 was received and will be held
and applied to next year’s Employee Appreciation fund.
The 2014 gift donations by residents were 19% greater
than 2013.
THE RESIDENT OPTIMIST Submitted by Joyce Ponsell via iFunny
SENIOR CITIZEN CHEER:
Head Cheerleader shouts: “What do we want?”
Pep Squad shouts back: “Better memory!”
Head Cheerleader shouts: “When do we want it?”
Pep Squad shouts back: “Want what?”
Please notice the new display of art in the Assisted
Living hallway. Many new artists are displaying
their art for the first time. Some of the art is for
sale while other pieces are only for display. If in-
terested in purchasing any of the art, contact the
artist listed on the tag beside their work. Bailey
Rae Wright, Homewood Art Gallery Coordinator,
will change the art by the end of March. Anyone
interested in exhibiting art work should contact
her or Loberta Staley, by phone at 301-898-7914
or via email at [email protected].
NEW RESIDENTS ……………Shirley Erdmanis and Leslie Hobbs
Virginia and Bill Weller came to Willow Ponds
from Phoenix, Arizona in
October 2014. They have
four children and 10
grandchildren. Virginia was
born in Philadelphia and
graduated from Aurora
University with a BS in
Nursing and a BA in
Psychology. She worked
as a nurse and enjoyed hobbies of embroidery and
beadwork. Bill was born in Plainfield, NJ and attended
Stony Brook School and Drexel University where he
earned a BS in mathematics. Bill was chief actuary for
several life and health insurance companies and is an
actuarial consultant to the Trade Association of
Insurance Companies. He was active in his local
homeowners association and a coach for the boys’
soccer team. Bill enjoys playing bridge and singing in
choirs. Having looked at several retirement
communities in the mid-Atlantic region, the Wellers
selected Homewood because they liked the new
building as well as the size of the homes and the
community.
Verda and Bob Willyerd came to Willow Ponds in
November 2014 from
Rockville, MD. They
enjoy a large family of six
children, 25 grandchildren
and seven great-
grandchildren. Verda was
born in Thornton, Idaho
and attended Ricks
College. She worked as a
secretary and bookkeeper
and spent many years as a stay-at-home mom. Verda
has been involved in church activities and likes music
and reading. Bob is also a native of Idaho, having been
born in Idaho Falls. He attended Ricks College and
Utah State University where he earned both bachelors
and masters degrees. Bob worked in Human Resources
for the Department of Energy. He was active in his
church and the Flower Valley Citizens Association. He
enjoys gardening and woodworking. Bob and Verda
selected Homewood after years of investigating senior
living facilities in Maryland and Virginia.
.Sylvia Sclar joined us from
Frederick, MD in December
2014, moving into Apt. 252.
She is a widow with two
daughters, three grandchildren
and four great-grandchildren.
She was born in Baltimore,
MD and became a secretary
for Reliable Recycling,
formerly known as Reliable
Junk Yard, owned and
operated by the Sclar family
since 1918. Her interests are playing Mahjong, working
needle point, and socializing with people. Sylvia chose
Homewood at Frederick as her retirement community
“because it is the only place to retire! Besides, my sister-
in-law is here.”
Pat Enos moved from
Ocean View, DE to Willow
Ponds in November 2014.
She is a widow with five
children and five
grandchildren. Born and
raised in Cumberland, MD,
she graduated from
Memorial Hospital School
of Nursing in Cumberland
and worked as a pediatric
nurse in her hometown and
in Washington, D.C. As a Nationally Certified
Professional in Health Care Quality, Pat led peer review
for the Delmarva Foundation for Medical Care. She
continued her work in health care as a volunteer with the
American Red Cross blood mobile and Delaware
Hospice. She also served on the Board of her local
AARP chapter. Pat likes to travel, attend plays and
musicals and volunteer in the community. She came to
Homewood to be near two brothers who live in the area.
CLARIFICATION
The information about NEW RESIDENT Paul Gaver
in the January 2015 issue of The CHATTER was not
clear. Paul and Charlotte reside in Apartment 325.
Paul was an auctioneer and also started a real estate
and insurance business in 1950 which he sold when he
retired. The business is still in operation after 65 years.
BEATRICE TOMS, A REVERED LADY Pat Morgan
When she discovered that Bea Toms was a patient in Homewood at Frederick’s Health Care Center, Jean
Rutledge, a permanent Independent Living resident at Homewood, was thrilled. Jean and Bea were temporarily
residing in the Meadows where they were both recuperating from illness and injury. “We are blessed,” writes Jean,
“to have in our midst, Beatrice Toms, who gently and softly has shared her verses in books of poetry. The natural
sharing of one’s feelings, innermost thoughts and spirituality emerge only from a sincere, pure heart inspired by a
Higher Being. The purity, plainness and dignity of her lines must come from being one of God’s special human
beings.”
One of Bea’s outstanding poems, entitled Light for Tomorrow, begins “If we would light tomorrow with today,”
and contains some lovely advice to uplift our hearts and spirits. Her words predict that, if we follow her advice,
“the world will seem to be so much brighter.” The poem is featured on Bea’s official website, www.beatoms.com,
along with photographs of Bea and some of her favored recipes. “This dear lady is now 100 years old, very alert,
and has the prettiest blue eyes,” Jean says.
Jean continued with her memories of Bea Toms: “When she was in her 80s, her dreams and recollections poured
forth effortlessly.” Even though Jean calls Bea “a real lady…and so modest,” Jean also says that Bea herself claims
to be ‘really a farm girl.’ Bea and her husband Clark farmed in the Frederick City area for decades. Bea was
known, not only for her poetry, but also for her extraordinary cooking; “her cookbooks have come to the attention
of several foreign dignitaries. Many Fredericktonians have used her catering service and acclaimed her ‘work of
art’ cakes.”
Several IL residents remember Bea Toms. Eleanore Tressler recalls that Bea prepared “simple but lovely
sandwiches” for Eleanore’s daughter’s wedding reception in 1972 at a time when brides wanted a “simple but
elegant wedding.” Eleanore said that Bea was “a gentle, elegant lady.” Betty Falkenstein, a Frederick County
native, said that “Bea Toms grew up in Myersville with the Eldridge family.” After her marriage, Bea did not
operate her catering service from a downtown shop. Her farm home kitchen was inspected and “certified,” Betty
emphasized, for food safety and the public’s health, and then Bea’s culinary creations were delivered by helpers.
Eleanor Rappold enjoyed eating some of Bea’s “tasty pastries” at wedding parties, and Pauline Flanagan added
that “when Martha Church was president of Hood College in Frederick, many of the receptions there were catered
by Bea Toms.” Judie Kirkpatrick agreed that Bea’s reputation and the delicacies she prepared carried the
distinction of royal class. Jean says that Bea, quite the revered lady, was “still catering at age 95.”
February is American Heart Month
Do your best to fight Heart disease. Go for a walk, swim in the pool, take an exercise class. You can do anything as long as you get your Heart Rate elevated for 15 minutes.
Keep track of your progress on the ticket below…
Your Name________________________________________
Circle a number each time you workout for at least 15 minutes.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Complete 15 circles and bring this as your ticket for a FREE Heart Healthy Soup & Salad LUNCH in the Café.
(for Residents and Co-Workers only) Thursday, Feb. 26th. 11-1P.M.
WEAR YOUR SAFETY MEDALLION Bruce Poynter/Fitness Committee
Some Homewood residents have been using the
crosswalk at Willow Road (that enters into the
service road to the East Cottage area) to cross the
road between Crumland Farms and Willow Ponds.
This is not the official crosswalk between
Crumland Farms and Willow Ponds. The official
crossing is adjacent to the Community Center
circular driveway. Kindly use that crosswalk for
safety reasons. Stay safe.
I well remember how it all started in March 2013. I was
returning a pair of pliers to my workbench in the garage and
was walking back to the kitchen door, when, suddenly, I was
down, flat out, with my forehead whacking the concrete floor,
hard. (Kay is certain that I sustained a concussion. Who
knows? She was not at home at the time.) I was alone in the
house, and significantly, I was not wearing the safety
medallion we all have. With no way to call for help, I
struggled for nearly an hour to get back on my feet.
I recall all of this, and mention it now, because, up to the
moment of my falling, I had been walking quite confidently.
In fact, early every morning, I and my neighbor George
Kleinspehn and our friend Lane Hart walked the
circumference of Homewood’s campus. Never did I fall. And
I thought, heck, I am one of the younger ones here. I don’t
need some sort of S.O.S. button! Wearing the safety medallion
is doubtless good advice for the older guys, but I am not about
to number myself among them.
I believe I have learned a thing or two since then. Hence, a
word to the wise. All sorts of nasty things can, quite suddenly,
quite unexpectedly, happen to us. Wearing the medallion 24/7
is not an admission of weakness; it is a sign of superior
intelligence. So, if you are not wearing yours right now, don’t
wait until you whack your head on the floor. Go get it; hang it
around your neck; and advertise how shrewd and crafty you
have become!
SAFETY TIP: WILLOW ROAD CROSSWALK Safety & Security Committee
SAFETY and SECURITY TIP Safety & Security Committee
Cottage residents are reminded that they need to assure that their respective mail boxes are properly labeled
with the current residents’ names and unit number inside the metal mail boxes. This will help the postal
delivery carrier route the mail to the correct cottage residents.
TAI CHI CLASS CHANGES DAY AND TIME Maureen Ivusic, Instructor
For those interested in continuing or trying Tai Chi
exercise, please note that the class has moved from
Thursdays at 9:00 am to Fridays at 1:30 pm be-
ginning on February 6, still in the Wellness Cen-
ter. The move lets students enjoy a full hour of
class. And that full hour gives us a chance to ex-
pand the class! In the first 30 minutes, we will
work on balance and coordination exercises. In the
second 30 minutes, we will learn a Tai Chi form,
putting standing exercises in motion. Please join
us in February for a gentle and relaxing form of
exercise! Try one of the 30-minute sessions or
stay for the full hour. Just $5 per class!
TRAVEL/TRIP PROCEDURES Julie Norris, Activities Dir.
When you receive your monthly travel packet, please read it! Decide which trips you plan to take and mark the
back page sign-up sheet. It must be signed and returned to Julie Norris by the date listed (this is located on the front
and the last page). Trip sign-up sheets will not be put out on the lobby table until after the reply due date on the
packet; therefore, if you do not turn in a travel packet form, but you just sign up on the lobby table sign-up sheet,
you will be responsible for the ticket – even if you cross off the list a few days later. Please use the Travel Packet
form because it is much easier for Homewood staff.
By returning that sheet you are obligated to pay for those tickets after the date listed on that form. The Travel Pack-
et states that by signing this form you agree to pay for the tickets you have signed up for.
The Payment procedure for each trip may be different. For example, there are times when you will pay the driver
for your ticket, and there are times when you will pay the Residents Association; this all depends on the thea-
tre. You must read the directions on the payment slip and/or the email that you receive from Julie Norris.
Do not assume that because you pay the driver for your ticket you can back out at the last minute. Tickets have
been ordered and are most likely on hold for us at the theatre. Occasionally, there are theatres that will not charge us
for unused tickets, but that is rare; and sometimes we don’t know that until after the show.
You should ALWAYS assume that that you are responsible for any trip that you sign up for.
If you need to cancel, you must call Julie Norris at X6039. Do not call the front desk to cancel. If there is a waiting
list and/or if you can find someone else to purchase your tickets, then you may not have to pay for them. Just be-
cause you cancel before the event does not mean that you do not have to pay.
If you sign up for a trip and you already have tickets to that show, you must let Julie know by writing it on the Trav-
el Packet sign-up form that you return. If you don’t indicate that you have a ticket and a ticket is purchased for you,
you will be responsible for paying for it.
I hope this is clear, but if you have any questions, please contact Julie Norris at X6039.
Reserve a Garden Plot
Nan Doggett was proud
of her homegrown sweet
potatoes last October, and
says that now is an
excellent time to plan a
garden. Gardening is one
of the best ways to add
healthy exercise to one’s
daily activity, she says.
Homewood provides garden plots that are located just
below the Blue Lot parking area at the Health Care Center.
If you need seed catalogs, call Nan at 240-629-1961.
Contact Paul Culwell at X4280 to find out how to reserve
a garden plot.
Photo by Vernon Rippeon
Upcoming February Events:
Super Bowl Get-Together - Feb 1
AARP FREE Tax Service - Every Monday until
April 15th.
Chocolate Bake Off - Feb. 4th
Wine Tasting with Richard Crist - Feb. 11th
Valentines Day Dinner and Dance with Rocky
Birley Orchestra - Feb. 14th
Love Songs with Mark Beall and Friends - Feb.
15th
Readers Theatre Performance of
“Love Letters”- Feb. 16th
Pancake Breakfast - Feb. 17th
AMISH CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS Cathy Stull
Christmas is so important in the Amish community that it is celebrated over the course of many days, and at times,
several weeks. December 25th is always reserved for fasting, meditations, scripture readings and other religious ac-
tivities that focus on the solemn celebration of the birth of Christ. December 26th and the days that follow, or Second
Christmas, is meant for celebrating the season with family and friends with gatherings, feasts and gift giving. Again
this year I was fortunate to share part of Second Christmas with my Old Order Amish friends, John and Leah, in New
Holland, Pennsylvania.
Amish Christmas celebrations vary depending on what part of the country the Amish family is located and how strict
that particular Amish community is. While no Amish community practices the tradition of Santa Claus or decorates
a tree, some families do decorate with candles or send Christmas cards, while other Amish families consider these
practices too extravagant and unnecessary. It really depends on the Ordung (practices) of a particular Amish com-
munity.
John and Leah and the other Amish families who live in the Earl Township of the Lancaster County area have been
greatly influenced by German Christmas traditions. These traditions often include lighting candles and placing them
in the windows throughout the home to symbolize the birth of the Christ child. Multi-pointed stars, angels and
greenery are also popular decorations used at Christmastime in many Amish homes. At John and Leah’s house, stars
and angels are cut out and strung on strings around their home. Popcorn and live greenery are used to decorate over
doorways and windows.
John, Leah and their grandchildren have built a nativity scene or "putz" for display. These nativity scenes are often
put together by the Amish children in order to better understand the story of the baby Jesus and might consist of
wooden or clay figures.
Contrary to popular belief, Amish families do exchange gifts on Christmas. John and Leah observe the practice of
picking names out of a hat and generally give one Christmas gift to one family member each year. These gifts are
usually handmade or useful in nature. Younger Amish children will receive handmade clothes, rag dolls, wooden
toys or books. Older girls receive household items, such as china, quilts and other house wares, that they can add to
their hope chests for use later in life. Older boys receive tools for use on the farm or other useful projects. Amish
wives typically receive cooking or sewing implements, and Amish husbands might get a tool or something for the
horses. This year I received a handcrafted wooden basket (made by John) and it was filled with jars of homemade
soups that Leah had put together.
The Second Christmas dinner with John and Leah this year was similar to the Amish wedding dinners, and included
roasted chicken and turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, salads, fruits, breads, cakes, cookies, pies and can-
dies. When I sat down with the family, you could barely see the top of the table! Silent prayer always begins and
ends each meal in John and Leah’s home.
At the Amish schoolhouse, where John and Leah’s grandchildren are students, a Christmas program is one of the
most anticipated events of the year. This year the children spent weeks in preparation for the annual Christmas pro-
gram that was to be presented to their entire Amish community. The children made decorations, sang songs, told sto-
ries, read poems and put on a stage play to celebrate the meaning of Christmas. Many times these presentations are
humorous in nature and are one of the few times that they are allowed to "perform" in front of an audience. Special
Amish cookies and candies were made and served. Gifts such as specially made Amish quilts, toys or other wooden
crafts are exchanged.
I am grateful that, as a non-Amish visitor, I was invited to join in the Amish Christmas celebrations. While the
Amish shun modern society, this does not mean they don’t have non-Amish or "English" friends and acquaintances.
Many Amish families work at non-Amish companies or conduct business with those not involved in the Amish faith
and community. They are often considered good friends and are invited to the school Christmas program or for a
meal at their homes. If the Amish community practices the exchange of Christmas cards, it is usually for their non-
Amish friends. These cards are always made by hand and are often put together by the whole family. The cards that
I have received during the years from John and Leah are carefully saved in my scrapbooks…each one is a work of
art.
THE VISIONAIRES Mary Catherine Brake
Music Listening Group Avadna Coghill/Barbara Zentner
HOBOs Paul Mellott, Head Tramp
ALOHA Nancy Manthey
HOBOs will meet Thursday, February 19, 2015,
starting with lunch at noon for the men followed by a
program for everyone starting at 12:45 p.m. All men
who want to attend the meeting are reminded to sign up
for the luncheon at the Reception Desk by 6:00 pm on
Wednesday, February 18. ALL men residing at
Homewood at Frederick are automatically members of
Homewood Old Boys Organization (HOBOs). There
are no dues for membership. The only expense is your
meal which is charged to your account. We meet, eat
and socialize, sharing experiences and ideas.
Our program will be presented by Joanne Ivancic,
Executive Director of Advanced Biofuels USA, a
local all-volunteer non-profit educational organization,
that advocates for the adoption of advanced biofuels as
an energy source providing energy security, military
flexibility, economic development and climate change
mitigation/pollution control solution. Come and learn
more about Biofuels and how we can help save our
environment.
Due to the hazardous road situation in
January, our speaker was unable to be present
for the January meeting. Therefore, she,
Debbie from Hobby Town, will be present for
the February 3 meeting. We will discuss the
possibility of the Frederick store stocking
items that help enhance our vision, i.e.,
magnifying glasses, bold black-tipped pens,
black-lined paper. Please come to the
meeting with suggested items that she can
stock in her store. These items then can be
readily purchased.
Last month, Cliff Harrison spoke to the Music Listening
Group about Richard Strauss and played the opening
strains of Thus Spake Zarathustra.
The group will hear more about Richard Strauss in a
November 1971 program when Leonard Bernstein
examines Richard Straus’s musical interpretation of the
philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. The orchestra performs
all the verses of Thus Spake Zarathustra, a musical tone
poem about immortality, rebirth and transcendence.
This February 19th meeting will be held in the ALACT
Room at 3:00 pm. All are welcome.
ALOHA (Active Ladies of Homewood Association)
will have its monthly luncheon at 12:00 noon in the
MP room on Friday, February 27. All Homewood
ladies are members of ALOHA and welcome to attend
the monthly meetings. Ladies, please sign up by 6:00
pm on Thursday, February 26. Everyone is welcome
to attend the program which begins at 12:45 pm.
Our speaker will be Fran Cleaver who divides her
year between Homewood at Frederick and her home
in New Hampshire. After a career on stage, singing
and acting in the theater, Fran was the Music
Department Head and the choral director at Sidwell
Friends School. Then she became the first Director of
Arts at Metropolitan United Methodist Church in
Washington, DC, where another current Homewood
resident, Bill Holmes, was the senior pastor. Come
prepared to smile as Fran tells us about the “Drama
Behind the Scenes.”
BOOK CHAT Vernon Rippeon
Bomb Shell by Catherine Coulter is another of her
FBI thrillers involving musicians, drugs and
multiple murders. A great read and a new
donation to the 4th Floor Library.
EDITORIAL POLICY:
The CHATTER Committee strives to produce a publication of quality and good taste, intelligent and interesting,
attractive and informative, in a timely fashion. The newsletter’s mission is to reveal the collective but distinctive
personality of Homewood’s Independent Living residents and their active lifestyle…who they are, what they do,
what they care about, what they think.
Committee members are constantly mindful that The CHATTER’s readership is broad and varied, and that the
newsletter’s content must be sensitive without being exclusive. The newsletter’s primary reader is more than a
senior-citizen resident, but an active and dignified human being, with a life history, sometimes very similar to,
sometimes far different from, the background and experience of his or her peers within the Homewood neighbor-
hoods. Its secondary audience may be prospective residents and their families, or the extended family and
friends of current residents, or the administrative professionals of comparable facilities, both within the Home-
wood network and beyond. Since The CHATTER is posted on the Internet, beginning in 2013, the readership
potential extends globally.
The CHATTER Committee members depend on Homewood’s administrative directors for community news, on
the leaders of specific residential groups for notices of upcoming regularly scheduled activities, and on individual
contributions voluntarily submitted by residents. Occasionally, the newsletter staff may solicit written news
from persons who are knowledgeable about certain topics.
The CHATTER editors proof the submitted copy, initially, for meaning and effect, and may contact the
author or source for clarity. Secondly, the editorial staff proofs copy to satisfy the usual language arts
standards such as spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc., and some style standards established by the staff
for the sake of consistency. Space limitations may need to be considered.
Finally, the newsletter staff reserves the right to review all submissions, and to accept or reject or modify
them. The CHATTER will not publish: unverifiable information, anonymous compositions or anonymous let-
ters to the editor, commercial advertisements, death notices or obituaries, personal thank you notes, negative
commentaries or controversial content that is best addressed by Homewood’s administrative staff. The CHAT-
TER will not report a change in residence when residents move from IL units to AL. Private parties (by invita-
tion only) that are hosted by IL residents, or groups whose membership is not open to all IL residents (even when
meetings may be held in IL units), shall not be reported in The CHATTER.
In the event of grievances after publication, the editors will endeavor to correct or clarify, in print and with re-
grets, any information that was originally, and unintentionally, inaccurate or overlooked in error. Photographs of
residents, whether of individuals or within groups, may be published without obtaining prior permission, provid-
ed a resident has signed a Release upon entering the Homewood community.
“If winter comes,” asked Percy B. Shelley in his 1819 Ode to the West Wind, “can Spring be far behind?” About
January 10, Sue Wirths, Homewood’s official weather forecaster, based on her many years of experience observing
plant behavior, had noticed the pussy willow, a small tree on the roadway behind the IL apartment building off the
Green Lot, near the green pad-mount electrical transformer. “It’s showing new buds in bloom, the earliest and
coldest I have ever seen, and I’ve watched them for a long time,” Sue said. “That means that spring can’t be far
behind.” See for yourself that the tips of the long uppermost pussy willow branches have white buds. Homewood
Chaplain Suzanne Morris also reports that a lilac bush at her home is showing buds.
On the subject of spring forecasts and the Wind gods, remember that the Wicked Wind of the North is known for
playing mean tricks. (And we haven’t even heard yet from that Pennsylvania groundhog.) Carolyn Schuhardt
shared this untitled and unauthored poem with The CHATTER because it “has stayed in my memory for many
years.”
Once there was a snowman stood outside my door,
Thought he’d like to come inside and play about the floor;
Thought he’d like to warm himself by the firelight red;
Thought he’d like to climb up on the big white bed.
So he called the North Wind: “Help me, sir, I pray.
“I’m completely frozen standing here all day.”
So the North Wind came along and blew him in the door,
And now there’s nothing left of him but a puddle on the floor!
Chaplains’ Corner Shelley Weakley
Mercifully, February is the shortest month of the year. Sandwiched between sleepy January and awakening March,
February is the time when winter feels as if it will never end. Its birth flower is the violet, a blossom whose elusive
scent contains a chemical which only allows us to momentarily detect the delightful fragrance. As much as we
might long to be surrounded by the warm, sunny scents of spring, in February we merely catch a breath of what is
to come.
What keeps us going when we need more than just a glimpse of future hope? Often we can find consolation in the
present, in a friend’s smile or a visitor’s hug, crab cakes for dinner or a favorite song or piece of music. There are
rare moments of beauty, noted by the Finns in their word for February, which refers to the refrozen “pearls of ice”
on tree branches. And there are those wonderful quirky holidays: World Play Your Ukelele Day (Feb. 2), National
Hippo Day (Feb. 15), and my personal favorite, World Nutella Day (Feb. 5). Let’s celebrate them!
Lent begins with the observance of Ash Wednesday on Feb. 18 as we reflect on the frozen places in our lives. Our
imposition of ashes will be held in the chapel at 10:30 am. Beginning on Thursday, February 19, Rev. Dr. Rob
Apgar-Taylor will lead a 6-week Lenten study series on forgiveness in the ALAC at 10:30 am. It is open to all who
would like to participate in this wonderful opportunity to grow during Lent. Please see Chaplain Suzanne if you are
interested.
Religious Life Committee will meet on Tuesday, February 3, at 3:00 pm in the Chapel. We will celebrate Boy
Scout Sunday on February 8 at the 10:00 am service. Scouts are invited to wear their uniforms and/or bring items
for a display outside the chapel. Frank Mate and Lou Dudrow will lead us in the Scout oath.
Official Weather Report
Photos by Vernon Rippeon
THE CHATTER NEWSLETTER STAFF
Editor……..…………………………….Pat Morgan
Reporters………Shirley Erdmanis, Vernon Rippeon,
Leslie Hobbs
Final Proofreader………………………Paul Mellott
Photographers………..Lane Hart, Shirley Erdmanis,
Vernon Rippeon, Roland Hobbs
Circulation Assistant…………………..Sylvia Little
Production Manager……………………Julie Norris
Ex-Officio…..………….President, Residents Ass’n
Contact Info: Pat Morgan, Editor
Email: [email protected]
In-house: Box 213; Phone X 5810
DEADLINE to submit copy: 15th of any month
SATURDAY NIGHT MOVIES
7:00 pm in the MPR
(Subject to change) Nancy McIntyre
Feb. 7 The Al Jolson Story 1946
Feb. 14 No Movie
Feb. 21 Ordinary People 1980
Feb. 28 Midnight Cowboy 1969
NOTICE
Please do not remove pages from the
Resident Directories which are located on the
counter of the Café Library. If you want
changes made to your page, call Shirley
Erdmanis, X 5910.
GIRL SCOUT COOKIE SALE
On Friday, February 20, 10:00 am-2:00 pm,
Girl Scout cookies will be for sale in the Café.
The price is still $4.00 per box, cxcept the new
gluten-free box will cost $5.00. Remember, the
cookies freeze well. Please stop by and support
local Girl Scout troops.
ATTENTION POKER PLAYERS
A new poker club is to be formed. The meeting
dates and time will be determined. If interested,
call Charles Netch at X5832.
NOTICE: Amateur Musicians Diane and Bart Kinlein
We just moved into Willow Ponds last month. With
the move plus the holidays, we have not had much time
to meet many of our Homewood neighbors. We would
like to see if there are some amateur musicians (any
instrument or vocal) who would like to join with us and
others to perform for each other, and then socialize and
comment on the performances and other musical
topics. All skill levels are welcome.
We have a grand piano in our patio home and would
love to share it with other musicians. We belonged to a
similar group based in Washington for about five years
which was very successful in allowing us and many
other musicians in that area to further our skills by
performing for others in a low-pressure, supportive
environment.
Please contact us to express your interest or ask
questions about our effort to add another recreational/
artistic opportunity to the Homewood community:
Diane and Bart Kinlein,
104 Homewood Lane,
(H) 301-631-6704,
(C) 410-274-8496,
