JUNE 2022 - Homewood at Frederick
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A Publication for the Independent Living Residents of Homewood at Frederick
VOL. 23 NO. 6 JUNE 2022
Photo by Will Chapman of a bluebird seen along our nature trail
INSIDE THIS ISSUE …
A Memorable Gandhi Evening … WRRA Election Results … Service
Project Wrap-Up … Additional Yard Sale Info … And Much More!
1
THE MAINSTREAM …
Notes from Executive Director Karen Main
As we move into the second half of our year, we still face challenges. Challenges will
always be a part of our lives, regardless of what we do. But what we do about them is the
most important thing! Challenges frustrate most of us and often require us to come out of
our “comfort zone.” Once we accept a challenge we are facing, we can work on a plan to
fix it, make it better, get it solved and off our “to do” list.
The one thing I have learned about challenges is that once we have mastered one, there is
always another coming along that needs our attention. Without challenges, none of us
would learn, make discoveries, share our talents or be able to see how strong we truly are.
May we continue to grow and discover that we are each other’s best resource!
Let’s remember the men who have shaped our lives this month and celebrate them on
Father’s Day … and every day!
The Lodge Expansion is moving forward with 23 depositors. A construction bid has been
awarded and we will schedule a resident meeting with the company to discuss the timeline
and project details.
The Westside Cottage roofing project has been approved and we are waiting for a start
date. We need to have some more details on the sidewalk repair project and will be
submitting an order for The Lodge pool heater.
Crumland Farms pool and spa renovation is complete and has passed inspection! The
pool/spa area is ready for you to enjoy again!
We will be making an offer for a new Director of Maintenance and a Human Resources
Director and hopefully have a June start date for both.
Starting June 1, Independent Living residents will need to bring their own personal
containers to take leftovers home from their meals when “eating in” at any of the dining
areas.
Please see the article on page 9 in this month’s
issue of The Chatter on WeCareConnect. It
provides resident information on the survey
process.
Join me for campus connections on June 2 and
June 16!
Happy Father’s Day!
Karen
2
INTRODUCING OUR NEW OFFICERS & DIRECTORS
The Willow Road Residents Association, Inc. (WRRA) is pleased to announce the
following newly elected officers for 2022-23:
PRESIDENT-ELECT: Roland Hobbs
Resident since 2014. Volunteers in the Catoctin Country Store and sings in the Noteables. Served as
President of the ILRA. Served as Co-Chair of ILRA By-Laws Changes Committee.
ASSISTANT TREASURER: Ernie Kessler
Resident since 2019. Volunteers in the Catoctin Country Store. Enjoys woodworking and learning from
the other “Woodpeckers.”
VICE PRESIDENT – LODGE: Jim Spiller
Resident since 2017. Involved with Noteables and National Christian Choir. Army Chaplain for 27 years.
REPRESENTATIVES – LODGE:
Margaret Perry Resident since 2018. Involved in Hospice care, the Frederick County Literacy
Council and Meals on Wheels. Served as Representative since January 2022.
Beverly Shively Resident since 2021. Serves on Lodge Food Committee. Volunteered in school (PTA
President) and ran computer lab for five years. Volunteered on hospital cancer floors.
VICE PRESIDENT – PATIO HOMES: Don Fox
Resident since 2020. Chair of Safety and Security Committee and Vice-Chair of By-Laws Changes
Committee.
REPRESENTATIVES – PATIO HOMES:
Connie Cranor Resident since 2020. Serves in Ladies Literary Society and the Gratitude Pilgrims.
CPA and a member of the AICPA.
Art Elgin Resident since 2020. Served as President of a homeowners association, and President of the
Rotary Club. Member of the By-Laws Changes Committee. Attorney until 2019.
VICE PRESIDENT – CRUMLAND FARMS: Shirley Erdmanis
Resident since 2005. Served in numerous positions: Chairperson of Basket Bingo Committee; Co-Chair
of Yard Sale Committee and Religious Life Committee; Secretary, Religious Life Committee and Family
Council; Catoctin Country Store helper and scheduler; Health Care Center volunteer receptionist; three
terms as President of the ILRA; Chairperson, Retired Nurses Group; Co-Chair of Appreciation Fund
Committee; ALOHA Board; Immediate Past President, WRRA and Member Homewood Foundation
Advisory Council.
REPRESENTATIVES – CRUMLAND FARMS:
Maxine French Resident since 2018. Participates in Knit Wits and Bridge, serves on the Hospitality
Committee and as a “Buddy” on her wing, volunteers in the Meadows, sings with Noteables, and is Chair
of the Crumland Farms Food Committee.
Coralinn Kuehl Resident since 2016. Served as a representative from The Lodge from 2016-2018.
3
CHAPLAIN’S CORNER
Remember the days before the advent of the GPS? Once upon a time we had to rely on
old-fashioned paper maps to help us find our way in unfamiliar territory. Perhaps we
visited the AAA office to pick up a TripTik. We
would leave with a bundle of maps containing the
necessary routes for our vacation marked with a
highlighter.
I remember standing on tip toe straining to see as the
customer representative talked at length with my dad
about places along the way, “you just don’t want to
miss!” Sometimes those places included a favorite
restaurant or an out-of-the-way scenic spot that was
worth taking the time for a detour.
Nowadays we can type our destination on our smart phone in the Google Maps or Waze
app and listen as we are told which way to go or which way to avoid in case of heavy
traffic or accident activity. Some days we may long for the paper maps of former years.
Other days we’re thankful for new technology. Needless to say, traveling is just not the
same as it used to be!
Recently I read a post by author, Parker Palmer, as he reflects upon a poem by Elizabeth
Jennings, “Rembrandt’s Late Self-Portraits.” Palmer notes that the older he grows, the
greater appreciation he holds for this particular poem by Jennings. He writes, “Happy are
those elders who can look in the mirror and say, ‘My face is as wrinkled and worn as an
oft-folded map. But it’s a map of my life, of all the ups and downs. I’m grateful for the
journey, for what I gained from it, and the chance to travel on for a while—living, loving,
and learning as I go.’”
This reflection offers a more positive perspective on wrinkles than many of us may hold. It
invites us to consider questions such as the following:
What does the map of my life look like? Where have I been? What do I treasure about my
journey and what have I learned to let go? Where have been the favorite stops along the
way I’m so glad I didn’t miss? Who have been my traveling companions for particular legs
of my journey? Am I looking forward to traveling for a while, making the most of the time I
have to live, love, and learn as I go?
Whether or not you’re planning to hit the road this summer, consider sharing the map of
your life with someone else and allowing them to share their own map with you. May
traveling mercies be with us all!
--Chaplain Suzanne Morris
4
A NOTE FROM THE WRRA PRESIDENT
Not Again … And Yet Again
Under the “Not Again” category, as I write this, the Homewood at Fredrick campus is
closed by the Coronavirus once again. No group activities or meetings or dining room get-
togethers. Many of our plans had to be revised when we had thought the vaccines and
medicines would give us back our freedoms. It’s like trying to climb out of a cave—you
know the exit is close because you can see it brighter up ahead, but every time you get
closer, you end up sliding back, but not as far back as you were. So, you keep climbing up
again. It is nice to have support in our climb. I hope that by the time you read this, we will
be back open and we can plan lots of enjoyable activities for the second half of 2022 and
then actually get to do them!
Under the “Yet Again” category, thanks to the Homewood staff for arranging to give the
second booster shots. Also, under “Yet Again,” the Willow Road Residents Association
(WRRA) has held its annual elections. We had several people nominated for each
neighborhood’s representatives and I congratulate those elected. I want to thank Claude
Revis for his service as President for almost all of the last two years and I welcome
Roland Hobbs as our new President-Elect. We should all also thank Shirley Erdmanis
for her many consecutive years in the various Presidential positions of the old ILRA and
the newer WRRA (which must be some sort of record) and I am glad that she is willing to
continue serving the WRRA as Vice President of Crumland Farms.
The WRRA provided a Dinner for Four to each member of the Homewood at Frederick
staff in late May to “yet again” show our appreciation for all they have done. Thank you to
the Appreciation Fund Committee for making all the arrangements.
Finally, under the “Yet Again” category, as I look out at the trees changing from their
flowers to their leaves and the bushes showing off their flowers, I thank God for the beauty
He gives us each year—season after season.
--Bill Weller, WRRA President
A REMINDER …
As of June 1, the Independent Living dining rooms will no longer
provide disposable containers for you to use to take your leftovers
home. Please bring your own container with you when you dine in for
a meal. Our staff is not permitted to transfer leftover food into your
containers; you will need to do this yourself.
This change ONLY affects providing containers for leftovers. All
take-out food orders will still be packaged in disposable containers.
5
HOMEWOOD’S
ANNUAL YARD SALE
Thursday, September 29,
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
(residents and staff only);
Friday, September 30,
8 a.m. to 4 p.m.;
Saturday, October 1,
8 a.m. to noon
HOW TO VOLUNTEER
If you would like to volunteer during the Yard Sale, you can choose from the following list
and contact the Team Leader. If you prefer to e-mail, addresses are on the APP for those
leaders who have them. We encourage you to join a team and participate if you are able so
you can meet new people, make new friends, and have a fun experience.
LEADERS
• CASHIERS – Ray Green, 301-639-2016; Sandy Green, 301-694-3236
• RAFFLE – Ernie Kessler, 301-732-5092
• TREASURES – Judie Kirkpatrick, 301-378-0026
• JEWELRY/BOUTIQUE – Pat Culwell, 301-644-4280
• SMALL FURNITURE – Graham McIntyre, 301-378-9979
• PUZZLES – Joyce Howes, 240-888-7294
• BOOKS – Ruth Edder, 410-259-0836
• HOLIDAYS – Sharron Smith, 301-693-5227
• ELECTRONICS – Adrien Tudor, 301-732-6407
• SMALL APPLIANCES – Phil and Barbara Young, 240-651-0048
• HOUSEWARES – Mary Wilbur, 410-437-1507; Ginger Ward, 301-732-6580
• LINENS /BEDDING – Colleen Newlin, 301-631-6840; Pat Dawson, 301-662-8737
• FRAMED ITEMS – Joanne Durst, 301-501-0912
• MISCELLANEOUS/HOBBIES – Donna Jeo, 240-815-5777; Coralinn Kuehl, 301-662-6290
• PUBLICITY – Fred Spahr, 301-663-8299; Deb Ehart, 301-835-7904
• TEAM OF SORTERS – Nancy Hamstead, 240-831-4189
• SET UP/CLEAN UP/TRUCK LOADING (Tues. & Sat.) – Skip Stewart, 240-457-4961
An article about HOW TO DONATE will appear in the July edition of The CHATTER. If
you have further questions, contact Co-Chairs Jean McGraw, 240-877-7216 or Joyce
Smith, 520-820 8510.
6
GANDHI … WITH A TWIST!
A recent movie/dinner pairing arranged by Jim Spiller with Food Services Director Sean
Dunham took place on April 26 in the Event Center at The Lodge. The showing of the
powerful and poignant movie, Gandhi, was paused halfway through to allow residents to
feast on an authentic Indian meal before seeing the conclusion of the film.
Those in attendance enjoyed Sean's creative
Indian cuisine offerings beginning with an
appetizer featuring Vegetable Lentil Fritters
with Coconut Yogurt Chutney and an
especially delicious Butter Chicken Soup (top
photo).
This was followed by an entree of tender
lamb curry with basmati rice and warm Naan
(second photo) topped off with an interesting
dessert of carrot trifle, consisting of shredded
carrots layered with nuts, spices and warm
milk. Even the drink special, a Tamarind
Margarita, captured the essence of the Indian-
themed dining experience.
But the best was yet to come …
A special surprise for the evening involved a presentation by Maxine French (shown in
the photo below), who began by describing an exercise that most of us can relate to—
disposing of items before moving to Homewood. I’m sure the group was wondering about
the relevance of all this, UNTIL … Maxine mentioned that
during her downsizing, stashed away in a closet, she came
across a large box that had been left to her mother by her
mother's best friend, Helen.
Maxine confessed that her first impulse was just to pitch
the box but decided that in deference to the memory of
their family friend, she should at least take the time to sort
through the items that were in it. Imagine her surprise
when the very last item she discovered lying in the bottom
of the box was a priceless treasure—a handwritten letter
from Mahatma Gandhi himself to the missionary who had
adopted Helen when she was a child! Maxine brought the
letter along to share with the group. It added a very special
personal touch to the evening!
--Nancy Hamstead (cont’d on p. 8)
7
GANDHI, cont’d
Enjoying the delicious appetizers
are (left to right) Stephen and Kim
Sines, Diane and Robert King and
Cindy Abbott.
Tasting the incredible entree are (left to right) Pam Zusi and Jacque Janss.
Ready to delve into the trifle
dessert are (left to right) Beverly
Kohlhepp, David Carmack, Jim
Spiller and Pat Vallandingham.
(Photos by Nancy Hamstead)
BOOK REVIEWS
The Day the World Came to Town – Jim DeFede
This book should lighten your spirits, even though it was written 10
years ago. It is the story of Gander, Newfoundland where 38 jetliners
were diverted on 9/11 because all US airports closed down. It’s about
the kindness and generosity of the people there who opened up their
town, their homes and their hearts to so many strangers on that
frightening day. As one reviewer said, “If you must be stranded
somewhere, Gander is the place to be.” This book is in The Lodge
library collection.
--Kathy White
8
OUR RESIDENT SATISFACTION SURVEY EXPLAINED
You may be receiving periodic communications from WeCareConnect, the company that
handles our resident surveys. Yes, it is legitimate, and yes, we do encourage your
participation. Your opinion matters, and the feedback you provide is one way we can help
improve your experience as a Homewood at Frederick resident! Listed below is some
background information and what to expect from the survey. Please feel free to contact me
if you have any additional questions.
--Karen Main, Executive Director
YOUR OPINION MATTERS!
You have chosen to spend your golden years in our community and we want to ensure
we’re meeting your needs. Through regular contact, we’ll be monitoring your overall
satisfaction with our community by asking questions about areas of interest, including
food service, housekeeping, activities and health and wellness.
All surveys are non-anonymous, allowing our leadership team to follow up with you
to address potential issues that are interfering with your satisfaction. Your honest
feedback is encouraged and appreciated as we strive to provide you with the best possible
experience in our community.
❖ Please complete your survey via e-mail, text, phone or with assistance from staff.
❖ Certain “negative” responses will prompt out leadership team to reach out to you.
❖ We’ll sit down for a one-on-one discussion—your opinions matter and we may ask
for more information.
❖ We will do our best to ensure that the issue is resolved to your satisfaction.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
1. Surveys will be sent via e-mail and text (844-234-7406). If you do not respond
within one week, you’ll receive a phone call (231-638-5596 or WCC on Caller ID).
You may also request accommodations to complete your survey with assistance
from a staff member or volunteer.
2. Surveys are made up of 15 to 20 questions; most response options are Yes/No or a 1
to 5 scale. You’ll have the opportunity to provide open-ended comments (positive
and otherwise) at the end of the survey.
3. Yes/No questions are designed to notify management of any potential concerns. If
you respond “No” to certain questions, our leadership team will be notified and may
follow up with you to further discuss your concerns.
KEY TIME FRAMES: 2 weeks after move-in / 45 days after move-in / Every 180 days
thereafter / After move-out.
9
MEET YOUR NEW (AND NOT-SO-NEW) NEIGHBORS
SUZANNE SCHMIDT and DAN DAVIS joined
friends at our Homewood community in February. They
moved from Germantown, Maryland to their patio home.
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Suzanne earned her
B.S. in English from Edinboro University of
Pennsylvania, her M.Ed. in Counseling from Slippery
Rock University, her Ph.D. in Education from University
of Pittsburgh and her M.Div. from Wesley Theological
Seminary. Throughout her career, she has been a teacher
from grade school to graduate school, a preacher and a team builder who facilitated groups
in a variety of locations from airplane hangars to hockey rinks. Suzanne has authored two
books and recently completed a major research project on retired clergywomen. She has
served at various leaderships levels for the United Church of Christ.
Suzanne’s many interests include church activities, swimming, writing, traveling, singing
(often off-key, she says) old songs and camp songs, and facilitating fun, which often
involves costumes—look out for Flag Day!!
Dan is from Durham, North Carolina. He attended Wesleyan University in Connecticut for
his B.A., Columbia Medical School for his M.D., the University of Massachusetts for his
M.P.H. and did his residencies at the University of Washington and Cornell Medical
Center. He was in private practice as an obstetrician/gynecologist in Massachusetts for 20
years, an FDA Medical Officer in Silver Spring for 19 years and now a part-time
consultant for drug development and women’s reproductive rights. Dan is also a veteran
who served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps in Germany at the 130th General Hospital.
He is looking forward to continuing golf and tennis and the theater now that he is at
Homewood. Dan collects ties, stamps and Scotch and enjoys traveling. Suzanne and Dan
have three children and three grandchildren.
ANN O’BRIEN made the decision to choose Homewood for her
retirement residence after she had been a post-op patient in our
healthcare center a few years ago. She loved the campus and the co-
workers and was pleased with the care she had received. Ann has lived
in an apartment in Crumland Farms for a little over three years now,
moving here from Brookeville, Maryland.
Originally from Avoca, Pennsylvania, Ann graduated from St.
Patrick’s Business Academy and had a career as a secretary for both
the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps and Montgomery General Hospital. She enjoys opera,
the ballet, old movies and reading. Ann has four children and 12 grandchildren.
10MEET YOUR NEW (AND NOT-SO-NEW) NEIGHBORS
KATIE and ISAM BALLENGER became part
of the Homewood at Frederick community when they
moved into their Crumland Farms apartment in April
2022. They had been living in New Market and
wanted a location that would be close to two of their
children.
Katie is originally from Laurens, South Carolina. She
received her Bachelor’s degree from Coker College
and a language certificate from Heidelberg
University. Katie taught third and fourth grades in
Fairfax County Virginia and Creedmoor, North Carolina. She has done volunteer work in
churches in the United States, Germany and Switzerland, been a hostess at a retirement
community in Richmond, Virginia, and worked the election polls in Henrico County
Virginia. Her interests are reading, music, handwork, travel and relationships.
Isam, an Army veteran, was born in West Palm Beach, Florida. He earned his Bachelor’s
degree at Clemson University, then went on for a M.Div. and M.Th. at Wake Forest
University’s Divinity School. He also holds a D.Min. from Vanderbilt University. Like his
wife, he also holds a language certificate from Heidelberg University.
Isam pastored Baptist churches in Henderson, North Carolina and in Offenbach, Germany.
He was Associate Area Director, then Area Director, for cooperation and engagements in
Europe, the Middle East and North Africa for the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern
Baptist Convention, later to be named Regional Vice President for that area.
Isam has also been a professor at the Baptist Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia.
He served on the Board of The Daily Planet, which provides services for the homeless in
Richmond, Virginia. His hobbies are reading, gardening and travel.
The Ballengers have three children and five grandchildren.
CHRIS DeVITO, a native New Jerseyite, moved from the
Garden State to her Crumland Farms apartment in March 2022.
After graduating from Penn State University, Chris taught school
in the elementary grades. She counts gardening, golf, travel and
bridge among her interests.
Chris has three children, seven grandchildren and two great-
grandchildren.
11MEET YOUR NEW (AND NOT-SO-NEW) NEIGHBORS
JEAN and BRUCE McGRAW are familiar faces on
campus, but somehow have never been “properly
introduced” through a profile in The Chatter! They moved
to their patio home 3-1/2 years ago from Lawrenceville,
New Jersey to be closer to one of their sons and his
family.
Jean hails from Oak Ridge, North Carolina and received
her education at University of North Carolina, earning
both a Bachelor’s and Master’s in History. She had a
teaching career in high schools in North Carolina and New
Jersey. Jean was a Sunday School teacher and consultant to Old Barracks Museum in
Trenton, New Jersey. She also served as Mercer County’s Legislative Lead for Moms
Demand Action for Gun Sense. She enjoys camping, gardening, reading and American
politics.
Bruce is originally from Sommerville, New Jersey. After receiving his A.B. in Philosophy
from Bucknell, he went on to earn a Master’s in History and Ph.D. in Education
Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Bruce had a varied
career in education—as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent and educational
consultant.
Bruce has a long history of volunteerism: with the rescue squad, as chair of his church’s
Haiti Task Force, as part of the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance National Team, and as a
board member for both Children’s Home Society and Old Barracks Museum. He enjoys
camping.
The McGraws have two sons and six grandchildren.
BONNIE RUSSELL moved to Homewood in May 2018 from
Monrovia, Maryland. She is currently living in one of the Crumland
Farms apartments. Although Bonnie was born in Miami Beach,
Florida, she spent part of her childhood in this area, graduating from
Damascus High School and attending Frederick Community College
for secretarial classes.
Bonnie began her working career as a telephone operator for C&P,
then worked in the Montgomery County Clerk of the Court’s office
and as a legal secretary for a large law firm in Montgomery County.
Bonnie enjoys reading, games, volunteering and “making people happy.” She has two
children, two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
12MEET YOUR NEW (AND NOT-SO-NEW) NEIGHBORS
NANCY and DAVE HAMSTEAD moved
to their Homewood patio home in April 2020 from
Frederick. Nancy may be the more familiar face of
the two since she joined The Chatter staff not long
after moving in and has been our main staff
photographer for the past year.
Nancy is originally from Salem, Massachusetts
(yes, home of the infamous Salem witch trials) but
was reared in West Virginia. She is a graduate of
West Virginia University with a Bachelor’s in
Speech Therapy. Nancy spent her working years as a speech therapist in schools in West
Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Over the years she has been an active volunteer with PTAs, a deacon at her church, a
member of the Mt. Lebanon Traffic Board and was an elected member of the Mt. Lebanon
Republican Committee. Nancy enjoys photography, birdwatching, reading (American
history with emphasis on the Civil War), travel, exercise, cooking, tennis and gardening.
Dave is a CPA who received a B.S. in Business Administration from West Virginia
University. He was a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Pennsylvania
Institute of CPAs. Dave was employed by Price Waterhouse in Pittsburgh upon graduating
from college and was made partner in 1976. This was followed by an assignment to Hong
Kong from 1982 to 1984 where he was part of the firm’s Partners International Program.
He returned to the Pittsburgh office and retired from there in 1996.
Dave has been active in volunteering with the Mt. Lebanon Board of School Directors and
the Allegheny Regional Asset District. He served as Chairman of the Republican
Committee of Allegheny County and was a member and Chairman of the West Virginia
University Foundation Board of Directors. Dave’s interests include financial investing,
health/nutrition, history and exercise. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserve.
The couple has two children and six grandchildren.
MARGUERITE BYERS moved to a Crumland Farms
apartment in September 2018 from Charlottesville, Virginia to be
closer to her son. She was born in Alexandria, Virginia and attended
Washington and Lee High School there. Marguerite was a service
representative for C&P Telephone Company during her working
years. Her interests are dancing and reading. She has one son and
five grandchildren.
13MEET YOUR NEW (AND NOT-SO-NEW) NEIGHBORS
CONNIE and MORRIS CRANOR moved to
a Patio Home in Homewood in November 2020
from nearby Middletown.
Connie is a CPA who was born at Ft. Bragg, North
Carolina, grew up in Kentucky and graduated from
Goldey-Beacom College in Wilmington, Delaware.
She worked in local accounting firms in the
communities in which they lived and has been
active in her church and a member of book clubs.
Morris also grew up in Kentucky and then attended
Vanderbilt University where he earned a degree in electrical engineering. He worked in the
chemical fibers division of DuPont for 35 years and continued his career with Invista
Fibers and with Palmetto Engineering. Throughout his career, Morris was active in
service organizations and the United Methodist church.
Connie and Morris enjoy skiing, hiking, reading and travel. They appreciate the warm,
friendly atmosphere at Homewood and the chance to be near family and friends.
TONIE EVANS has been enjoying her patio home since
she moved to Homewood in July 2021 from Silver Spring,
Maryland. She is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
After attending Oshkosh Teacher’s College, Tonie obtained
her RN through Garfield Memorial Hospital in Washington,
DC, via a National Reciprocity Program. She has had various
careers: a busy mother with four children, four grandchildren
and two great- grandchildren; a registered nurse; a small
business owner since 1989 who teaches Japanese embroidery,
traveling five times to Japan to absorb the culture.
Among her volunteer activities, Tonie was President of the Johns Hopkins Applied
Physics Women’s Club where she also arranged art shows for the club. She was President
and program chairman of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America (EGA) DC chapter. Tonie
has taught Japanese embroidery in the UK and at national and area seminars for the EGA.
Some of her many other interests are gardening, cooking, and oil painting.
Tonie chose Homewood partly because of the beautiful area. She loves the mountains and
farms nearby since she grew up on a farm.
14MEET YOUR NEW (AND NOT-SO-NEW) NEIGHBORS
CAROLYN and WADE MANNING and their
Westie, Heidi, came from Frederick to their new
patio home in February 2022.
Born in Columbia, Missouri, Carolyn graduated from
the University of Missouri with a B.A. in Art. She
was a busy homemaker, moving with her Navy
husband for many years and always volunteering in
her children’s schools. Among her many interests are
cooking, bridge, art (she decorates Ukrainian eggs)
and gardening. She is a member of the Hoe and Hope Garden Club.
Wade, who is from Springfield, Illinois, earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering at the
University of Missouri and his M.S. in Electrical Engineering at the Naval Post Graduate
School. He served in the Navy for 20 years. A past member of the Frederick Chamber of
Commerce, the Private Industry Council and Rotary Club, Wade served on the boards of
the YMCA and Frederick Health Hospital (FHH). His interests include table tennis, jigsaw
puzzles and of course, their dog.
Both Carolyn and Wade are members of the Good Samaritan Club of FHH and the YMCA
Heritage Club. They are active members of the Brook Hill United Methodist Church where
they have served on various committees and Carolyn is the treasurer of the Brook Hill
Weekday Preschool. Their family of two children and four grandchildren and their
ownership of the Willowdale Car Wash here in Frederick keep them hopping.
--Leslie Hobbs, Jacque Janss and Barbara Kirk
HOW TO USE THE SECOND FLOOR LIBRARY AT CF
To help clear up some confusion, here is the procedure for checking books out of the
second floor library at Crumland Farms:
1. Select the book of your choice from the shelf.
2. Take that book to the cart across from the door of the Country Store.
3. Open the book to the last page and take out the book card.
4. Use the pen provided on the cart to print your name and date on the card.
5. Return the pen to the box and place the card in the box.
6. Enjoy the book!
7. When finished with the book, place it on the cart. A library aide will reshelve it.
--Ruth Edder
15FOCUS ON OUR FOUR-FOOTED FRIENDS
What is the perfect dog for a senior? If you ask Marcy Pekar,
she HAS one—a dog with a good-natured disposition who
wants to stop and rest during walks, is well-trained and doesn’t
bark unless there is a really good reason! That’s how Marcy
described her Shiba Inu mix, Mitzi, who’s shared her life since
2010. The Shiba Inu is an ancient Japanese breed that is still a
popular companion dog in that country today.
Mitzi’s early life is a sad story. Her first owners fell on hard
times and surrendered the dog to a pound in South Carolina
when they were evicted from their home. Mitzi’s intake photos
show a miserable-looking pooch who had bronchial
pneumonia, diarrhea and heartworms. The pound was ready to
euthanize her, but a good Samaritan pleaded that with the dog’s gentle personality and her
young age, she needed to be given the chance to get healthy and be adopted.
Enter Paws to the Rescue, who was instrumental in getting Mitzi up to Virginia where she
received medical care and was fostered. Marcy’s daughter found the listing for Mitzi
online and the rest is history. It’s really a toss-up of who rescued whom. Marcy was going
through a rough time after the loss of her husband, and here was this poor dog who needed
someone to love and care for her. Yes, it was the perfect solution for both of them.
Weighing in at about 17 lbs., 14-year-old Mitzi is the ideal size dog for an apartment-
dweller. She lived for a while with another family dog (a dominant male) and also adapted
to living with cats for a short time when Marcy stayed with her son during COVID. Mitzi
loves people and is good with kids, as long as they aren’t too rambunctious.
But meeting up with another dog outdoors is another story. Apparently, Mitzi is very
territorial of “her space” when she’s out for a walk and there are no friendly doggie
greetings coming from this girl! That is one of the few times that Mitzi will bark and carry
on, letting the intruder know of her displeasure. For this reason, Marcy gives a wide berth
to other dog walkers.
Perhaps because of her “impoverished youth,” Mitzi
seems like she doesn’t know how to play with toys.
She is very happy just spending time with Marcy or
watching Homewood life unfold outside her window.
One of Mitzi’s funny little quirks is how she dreams
and “talks” in her sleep. You can only wonder what
she’s thinking about!
--Barbara Kirk
(Photos by Marcy Pekar and Barbara Kirk)
16“A CAREGIVER FOR CAREGIVERS” GIVES
PRESENTATION TO OUR GROUP
We are thrilled to announce that our guest presenter for June’s third
Tuesday program of caregiving resources is Carolyn Miller Parr who
will visit with Homewood’s caregivers, family members and
friends in the Multi-Purpose Room of Crumland Farms on Tuesday,
June 21 from 2 to 3 p.m.
By her own accounting, Carolyn Parr is a “wife, mom, trial lawyer,
judge, pastor, family caregiver, mediator, widow and bride again.” A
seasoned senior who speaks as a caregiver to other caregivers, Ms.
Parr’s most recent book is Love’s Way: Living Peacefully with Your
Family as Your Parents Age, and she blogs under the banner:
“Tough Conversations—Solutions Through Compassionate
Communication.”
Carolyn Parr’s writings and presentations have grown out of her
mediation practice and her experiences as a family caregiver. As she visits Homewood on
June 21, she will speak with us about how families of seniors can deal with changing roles,
sibling rivalry, grief, forgiveness and letting go, and she’ll respond to the specific concerns
of those in attendance.
Homewood’s Caregivers Group meets monthly as a support group in The Lodge’s
Classroom B on the first Tuesday of each month at 11 a.m., and they offer public
presentations about caregiving on the third Tuesdays at 2 p.m. at Crumland Farms.
Homewood residents are cordially invited to visit the support group on June 7 and to
attend this special presentation on June 21.
--Fred Wenner
A LITTLE HOMEWOOD
HUMOR MAKING THE
ROUNDS!
With the heater at The Lodge pool
temporarily not operating, the water
temperature has taken on a bit of a
chill, although some stalwart souls
don’t seem to mind.
(Photo courtesy of the Fitness Staff)
17ALOHA PRESENTS …
REDISCOVER YOUR LIBRARY!
Did you know the library offers so much more than just books? Did you know that through
the library you can access the full Consumer Reports website? Stream movies? Listen to
the Great Courses? Download digital books and audio books? Research your family
history with Ancestry.com? Check out a book club bundle? And so much more!
On Friday, June 24 at 2 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room at
Crumland Farms, Active Ladies of Homewood Association
(ALOHA) invites you to meet with librarians from Frederick
County Public Libraries to rediscover your library. They will give
a presentation and leave plenty of time for questions and answers
and tech help. Bring your portable electronic devices if you want
help in accessing the library programs.
Homewood ladies are invited to a social gathering at 1:30 p.m. in
the same venue. Dessert and beverages will be provided, but please sign up on the APP to
make sure we have enough.
ALL Homewood residents are invited to the program at 2 p.m. No sign-up is needed for
the program.
Questions? Contact Jenny Shull at shulljenny@gmail.com or 240-421-6087.
OUR FIRST DOGGIE YEARBOOK
IS IN THE WORKS
As our canine population continues to expand here at
Homewood, one of our residents, Dick Rohe, came up with
the idea of publishing a Dog Yearbook to celebrate all
creatures canine on campus.
Dick’s publishing background plus interest in dogs is the ideal combination for him to
undertake this project. His plans are for the directory to include a photo, the name of the
dog, its owner, its age and breed. He envisions it will be updated annually.
Dick’s committee will be contacting dog owners as the project gets underway asking for
electronically transmitted photos (dogs only—no humans in the picture, please) or print
copies plus information on their pet.
If you have questions, contact Dick at journal240@gmail.com or send a text to 802-855-
3845.
--Barbara Kirk
18SERVICE PROJECT BENEFITS LOCAL NON-PROFIT
Service project participants gather with Care Net Pregnancy Center’s Deena Koertsmeijer (standing at back) for
the presentation of items collected during our recent drive for baby goods. Left to right are Michele Bissonette,
Sue Snay, Andi Packard, Nancy Revis, Carole van Gosen and Lodge Activities Coordinator Sarah Clary.
(Photo courtesy of the Activities Staff)
We had a baby shower at Homewood! For a recent service project, we had collected items
for newborns and infants during the month of April for Care Net Pregnancy Center of
Frederick and made the presentation to Deena Koertsmeijer from their community
outreach team at the end of the month.
Deena gave us a little background on the Center and spoke about the services they offer to
expectant parents and those with young babies. She explained that mothers and fathers in
need receive a layette filled with items like those we collected. In addition, the parents can
take free parenting classes at the Center and earn “bucks” to spend at the free Center
boutique filled with new or like-new clothing and other items they might need for their
little ones. Along with classes, she said the Center offers pregnancy testing and
confirmation ultrasounds, STD/STI testing, and counseling/support for pregnant women
and the babies’ fathers.
The room was decorated like a baby shower (decorations can be reused by the Center) with
banners and balloons. We even had a guessing game for our residents in attendance—
guess the number of buttons in the baby bottle. Carole van Gosen had the closest guess
and won a fun movie night basket filled with lots of yummy snacks. Our Homewood
residents were most generous with their donations to a very worthy organization.
--Sarah Clary
19KINGFISHERS HOLD CLUB OUTING
Almost three years ago we formed a Homewood club called
Kingfishers for residents with a common interest in fishing—
doing it, talking about it, learning more about it, sharing
current information, and chartering trips together. We meet
monthly at the Lodge, and for the April meeting, we decided
to fish together at Willow Pond
behind The Lodge.
While the fishing there can be
Richard Taylor (background: quite productive for largemouth
Bob Vespico, Herb St. Clair and bass, crappies, sunfish and
Dennis Brekhus. catfish, the nine club members
who fished that day were challenged by the muddy cold water
and wind. Only about six crappies and sunfish were caught,
and then returned to the water, with Joe Loetell catching the
most. Despite the limited success in our catch rate, we had the Dennis Brekhus (background:
Herb St. Clair, Bruce Robertson
usual amount of fun just being together sharing our common
and Richard Taylor.
interest.
If anyone wants to join us, just let me know as we look forward to welcoming you aboard.
(Photos by Skip Stewart) --Bruce Robertson
(Brucer1@comcast.net or 240-575-9705)
On Wednesday, June 8 the Fitness Department will be working with the Rehab Department
to do the annual Fitness Assessments from 9 a.m. to noon in the Lodge fitness area.
HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE UPDATE
Your Hospitality Committee here at Homewood at Frederick has many functions, but one
very important part of our mission is to reach out to residents in a caring way when it is
needed. We send out cards to those who are ill, those who need a little sunshine in their
lives, and those who have lost a loved one. It is the job of ALL residents to let us know
when a need arises in their neighborhood, and we ask that you contact the following
Sunshine committee members so that we may respond accordingly.
Crumland Farms and Cottages: Betty Wheeles, Apt. 314, phone 301-325-6326
The Lodge: Jan Heller, Apt. 3010, phone 301-261-7439
Patio Homes: Donna Bainbridge, 401 Pearson Blvd. phone 301-800-1759 OR Sharron
Smith, 2511 Angell Ave. phone 301-693-5227
--Sue Rock
20WATER VOLLEYBALL TOURNEY RESUMES
The Homewood inter-campus water volleyball tournament resumed this year, after a two-
year hiatus caused by COVID. This year our erstwhile Homewood at Frederick teams
hosted Homewood at Plum Creek from Hanover, Pennsylvania, and let’s just say that we
came in “second best.” Our team members gave it their all during a morning filled with
fun, laughter and a lot of splashing around The Lodge pool, followed by a delicious buffet
luncheon. Our White Caps team placed second and the Silver Streakers placed third. We’re
ready for a rematch next year!
Participating on the White Caps
team were (left to right): Harry
Smith, Sue Chapin, Kim
Sines, Sue Rock and Rich
Snay.
Members of the Silver Streakers
team were (left to right): Diane
Holter, Bob Kinsey, Margaret
Perry, Robert King, Bev
Kinsey and Dave Chapin.
(Photos courtesy of the Fitness Staff)
_________________________________________________________________________
A NOTE FROM THE RELIGIOUS LIFE
COMMITTEE
Keep watching for details about the upcoming School Supply
Drive to benefit local students in need. Even though summer
vacation has barely begun, it will soon be time to collect supplies
and funds for the next school year.
21SCENES AROUND
CAMPUS
Sue Snay spotted these tiny wildflowers down by the Tuscarora
Creek. The blooms are actually no bigger than your fingernail so she
zoomed in on them with her camera lens to show the exquisite detail.
There are bursts of
color everywhere on
campus, as caught by
Nancy
Hamstead’s
camera.
Nancy Hamstead
captured a blue
heron taking off
in flight down at
The Lodge pond.
A striking photo by Nancy Hamstead of
The Lodge reflected in the adjacent pond,
as seen from our new George Bolling
Nature Trail.
Sue Chapin shared this photo of her orchid cactus now in full
bloom. This was begun four years ago using a leaf from Starr
Myklebust’s plant. If anyone would like leaves for
propagation, contact Sue. Plants are easy to grow she says,
but you need patience to await beautiful results like this.
22JUST ONE PERSON CAN
MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Gail Slezak describes herself as “a diehard
environmentalist who can’t stand to see trash and
litter strewn all over the sides of roadways and
highway exit ramps.” One of the areas she found
most distressing was right in our own back yard, so
to speak—the stretch of Willowbrook Road
between Oppossumtown Pike and Willow Road
that we all drive to reach the back entrance to
Homewood.
When no one seemed ready to step up to the plate,
Gail mounted a one-woman campaign to do a road
clean-up. Armed with rubber gloves, a pick-up tool
and a large contractor’s refuse bag, she walked
along that stretch of road and picked up everything
that “was not part of nature,” as she puts it. The net
result was one very full trash bag from just that small stretch of roadway! Thank you, Gail,
for your dedication to helping make our community a litter-free zone.
(Photo by Joyce Howes) --Barbara Kirk
YOU MAY NOT NEED EMISSIONS TESTING!
I’m sure that all of you know that the owner of a vehicle in Maryland is required to have
an emissions test done on their vehicle every two years. But what you may not know is
that there is a special provision for senior citizens that can save you time and money. If
you are 70 or older and drive less than 5,000 miles per year, you are not required to
have the testing done, thus saving you time and the $10-$14 testing fee. All that you
need to do is complete a simple form and send it to the MDOT.
For details either call Maryland Department of Transportation at 410-768-7000 or visit
their website at mva.maryland.gov/vehicles/pages/veip.aspx.
--Bruce Robertson
DID YOU KNOW …
Wreaths Across America is a National Program to thank our veterans
for their service. There are 4,000 veterans buried at Mount Olivet
Cemetery in Frederick and last year Homewood placed wreaths for
1,121 of them! Thank you.
23THE DR. ROBERT BROADRUP
ANNUAL MEMORIAL
Friday, July 1, 9 a.m. till Noon
Outside area behind The Lodge
$20.00 team entrance fee to participate
All proceeds go to Pancreatic Cancer Foundation
Donations accepted day of the event
Contact the Fitness Dept. for more details and to sign your team up
Would you like to help plan one of our fun events here at Homewood? We’re looking for a
new “host” for The Lodge movie nights, as Jim Spiller will be stepping down from the
position to assume additional responsibilities in the Willow Road Residents Association.
This is a wonderful opportunity to share your love of movies with our community. For more
information, contact Jim or Sarah Clary, Program Coordinator at The Lodge.
THE CHATTER NEWSLETTER STAFF
Editor: Barbara Kirk (Phone: 301-682-2204, Email: bjkirk107@aol.com, Mail: CF Apt. 443)
Staff Writers: Leslie Hobbs, Shirley Erdmanis, Jacque Janss
Proofreaders: Fanny Johnsson, Michele Bissonette
WRRA Representative: Barbara Kirk
Photographers on Call: Shirley Erdmanis, Nancy Hamstead, Barbara Kirk
Advisor/Production Manager: Julie Norris
DEADLINE to submit copy: 15th of the month for the following month’s issue. Copy can be emailed to the Editor,
given to the receptionists to be sent through in-house mail to CF #443 or placed in the box in the CF coatroom
near the reception desk.
Newsletter Committee Meeting: the second Friday of each month at 9:30 a.m.
in the 3rd floor library at Crumland Farms.
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