VILLAGE VOICE - Mount Vernon At Home
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V ILLAGE V OICE
APRIL 2021
MESSAGE FROM PAULA LETTICE, President
Welcome to new beginning than January 1st. and dinners, etc.
spring. As I
And this year seems more of an Our new Board members have
write this, we
awakening than in the past. Even attended their first Board meeting
are three
though we just passed the one- and are excited about being a part
days past the
year anniversary of the World of our wonderful Village. The Pro-
Vernal Equi-
Health Organization’s designation gram Committee continues to plan
nox (March
of the pandemic, I am guardedly great events and speakers. And,
20), aka the first day of spring!
optimistic that we are turning a planning for the Gala on May 27 is
The signs of this season are now corner. Most of our members are moving along nicely. We can look
more abundant! We see daffodils now fully vaccinated and many of forward to many good activities!
open, other flowers from bulbs our neighbors and friends similarly
Happy Spring, Everyone !!!
that overwintered pushing up so. Some more personal contact is
through the soil, greener grass, now possible, within the guide-
Cheers! ~ Paula
and even buds on the trees. The lines from national and local
days are getting longer and the health authorities. Perhaps you’re
weather more temperate. Spring is planning coffee with friends, long-
always considered a time of open- postponed visits with your chil-
ing and optimism - even more of a dren and grandchildren, lunches
DIRECTOR’S CORNER
Jan Buchanan, Executive Director
Givers Gain
When we share our resources with others, we
are reminded of how fortunate we truly are be-
cause we become suddenly aware of the vast
scope of what we have earned - and learned -
over time. The experience of ensuring someone
else's well-being by sacrificing a portion of our own wealth or influ-
ence shows us that we have much of value to give to the world. Even
seemingly insignificant acts, such as a smile to a stranger, or picking up
a bit of trash on your walk (Earth Day is April 22), contributes much.
Rotary International’s motto is “Givers Gain,” and I think all of us can
reflect on the joy and good feelings that fill us as we bring happiness
and health to others. ~ Jan
www.mountvernonathome.org 703-303-4060 P.O. Box 7493, Alexandria, VA 22307
Celebrating Volunteer Month
Volunteering is good for your health!
To reach us In a recent 2nd Cup Coffee Chat, members talked about their experiences
Phone: 703-303-4060 over the years as volunteers. Virginia Hodgkinson shared research from the
Office hours: M-F, 10:00 am–4:00 pm
National Institutes of Health documenting the biological changes and health
info@mountvernonathome.org
https://www.mountvernonathome.org benefits of giving, releasing endorphins, lowering blood pressure, and de-
creasing anxiety. Virginia recently helped a neighbor who lost her job due to
Mailing address
Mount Vernon At Home cancer. She quietly supported her neighbor’s son helping him with college
P.O. Box 7493 entrance fees. Don Peterson enjoyed leading a Mount Vernon At Home
Alexandria, VA 22307 group for people with early dementia. Barbara Knight became a pastoral
Office address counselor. Kathi Hanrahan, while working for IBM, led a team that changed
Sherwood Regional Library the way 911 emergency response was handled in Nashville, Tennessee. Mor-
2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, 2nd Floor rie Hoven led a team to make necessary updates to his church (Saint Paul’s
Alexandria, VA 22306 Episcopal) while preserving the integrity of its historic designation. Cher Terry
To become a member, go to hosted international students for many years. Betsy Stephens offered psy-
www.mountvernonathome.org and chological counseling to troubled teens. Carol Mattaino drives for Mount
click on “Membership”. Vernon At Home and Meals on Wheels. Holly Hoven counseled immigrant
Dues can be paid online via PayPal
or call our office at
families for United Communities. Louise McLean led a book club for seniors
703-303-4060. at our library. Elaine Serlin is devoted to her church and has given her talent
to the MVAH Board of Directors. And Barbara Mann led fundraising efforts
To become a volunteer, go to
www.mountvernonathome.org and for a public TV station in Boston for several years. The collective efforts of
click on “Get Involved” or this small group made a tremendous impact on their lives and on the lives of
call our office at 703-303-4060. others.
To support our Village, go to Meet One of Our New Volunteers!
www.mountvernonathome.org and
click on “Donate.” Mount Vernon At Sandra Richmond Wilkinson is a semi-retired real estate broker, with two
Home is a 501(c)(3) charitable “handsome, bright adult sons, and 3 beautiful grandchil-
organization. Your tax-deductible
gifts are welcome!
dren.” Sandra splits her time between her homes in the
Montebello and Oakmont, Pennsylvania to be close to
Mount Vernon At Home Leaders her grandchildren. She and her then husband started a
Jan Buchanan, Executive Director, property management and real estate business in Spring-
director@mountvernonathome.org field, VA which she has now passed to her sons; the son
Dave Prescott, Office Manager,
info@mountvernonathome.org who lives here in Springfield manages operations.
Betsy Clagett, Bookkeeper/
Sandra is an avid reader, walker and traveler and can’t
Newsletter
Sandra Wilkinson wait to get back out there. She is planning a trip to Mon-
Board of Directors tana with her grandchildren in June. With an Army father
Paula Lettice, Board President
and Navy husband, Sandra has lived all over the country and world, but came
Deborah Matthews, Vice President
Hugh Schwartz, Treasurer to Mount Vernon when her sons were school age, and never left. Why volun-
Susan Reardon, Secretary teer for Mount Vernon At Home? “The world needs more kindness and this
Pris Bornmann group helps it along.”
Barbara Brennan
Sarah Drexler
Evan Kaufman
Barbara Knight
Bob Kuletz
Kamla Rodriguez
Barbara Sullivan
Laurie Tracy
Lee Wampler
April 2021 - page 2
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
We kick off our 2021 Sponsorship highlights with one of our longstanding community partners, Synergy
Home Care, a provider of services for those who want to age in place. Synergy has been selected for the
third consecutive year as the distinguished 2021 Best Home Care Leader in Excellence, Best Employer of
Choice and Best Provider of Choice by industry research firm Home Care Pulse.
When the need arises . . .
Sometimes you know when it is coming – and Mitch Opalski, SYNERGY
sometimes you don’t. But the need for home care - Home Care’s owner and CEO, as
either long-term or just on a temporary basis - or even well as the entire staff make
a hybrid need affects almost every family. safety and the well-being of our
at-home clients our number one
priority.
“Unexpectedly, we needed a caregiver starting Our customer service sur-
the very next day for 4 hours a day. Synergy vey results – “Leader in Excel-
was amazing. They sent the most amazing lence” earned from industry
caregiver, who was a perfect fit. The office staff watchdog Home Care Pulse the last 3 years - prove
is warm and caring; and both caregivers were this point.
competent and compatible.
SYNERGY Home Care’s services include per-
Synergy provides a personal touch that is
sonal care (bathing, dressing, grooming, medication
very reassuring. - Mary
reminders), companion care (social engagement,
memory care), and homemaking assistance (errands,
light housekeeping).
Home is where most of us want to remain, and
that becomes possible with the assistance of a reputa- Services are offered 24 hours a day. You set
ble home care provider that effectively matches the the schedule based on your needs. Respite care is our
needs of the client with a compatible caregiver. specialty.
Our caregivers are professionally screened and “Synergy provided terrific care for my husband
intensely trained to treat each client as they would after a recent fall and subsequent surgery.
their own loved one. The agency follows all CDC I have no idea how we would have managed
COVID-19 protocols as well as strict internal policies without their help! Very grateful for all they did!”
to prevent virus transmission. - Dena W.
SYNERGY HomeCare has been a preferred
provider for Mount Vernon At Home since Day 1.
If you are considering extra assistance in your
home, call us at 703-558-3435 for a free consultation.
Speak with Mitch so together you can determine your
pressing needs and formulate a care plan that will
make living at home the pleasure that is familiar to
you.
Visit us at www.synergyhomecare.com
April 2021 - page 3
Now that You’re Vaccinated
Here’s an easy flow chart to help navigate what we
can and cannot do now that we are fully vaccinated
(meaning, two weeks post your second dose,
or 2 weeks post your single dose).
April 2021 - page 4
Members Corner
Mount Vernon At Home Annual Report
We hope you received your 2020 Annual Report in the mail and that
you read about the incredible efforts, successes and accomplishments
of our Village over the past year. We would not be here without all of
you – our members, Board of Directors, volunteers, sponsors, and do- Mount Vernon At Home
nors. To that end, we have an apology and a correction to our list of Annual Gala
donors. We inadvertently omitted three very important givers:
Morrie and Holly Hoven and Susan Irvings. We want to recognize May 27, 2021
their contributions of time, talent and treasure. We apologize for this 6:00 – 8:00 pm via Zoom
oversight and extend our sincere thanks to them. If you did not re-
ceive your Annual Report, we’d be happy to email or mail you one.
Please reach out to the office to request a copy. Save the date for an
enjoyable evening with dinner
and wine delivered to your
home, fun entertainment,
Profile on our Founders door prizes and a live auction!
Ralph Slawson, Founding Member Look for your invitations
“I have lived a fantastically varied life!,” says coming to you in the mail this
founding member Ralph Slawson. On the eve of month. Don’t miss this
the Korean War, Ralph was about to finish college, wonderful, important fund-
but got sidelined by the war and impending draft. raising event for your Village!
So, he got married, and enlisted in the Navy. What
ensued was a 30-year career in the Navy where
Ralph moved his family to ports from Florida to
Ralph Slawson Hawaii to Japan in various roles related to public affairs. Ralph served along the coast of
Africa and was part of reconnaissance during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Born in Kannapolis, North Carolina in 1928, Ralph transferred from Wake Forest University to Richmond Poly-
technic Institute (now Virginia Commonwealth University). There he met his wife, Golden Lester. “She was be-
hind me in the matriculation line and looked just like Lauren Bacall,” Ralph says. They were married right after
Golden graduated college until she passed away in 2017. Ralph finally finished his college degree many years
later at American University.
In 1961 on assignment in Washington D.C., Ralph and Golden found the Universalist Unitarian Church in
Mount Vernon, located a home nearby and have been part of the church community ever since. A couple of
moves later, the Slawsons purchased their home in Williamsburg Manor where Ralph has lived since 1971.
Ralph retired from the Navy in 1982 with the rank of Captain, and poured himself into gardening and other
pursuits, including becoming a founding member of Mount Vernon At Home which was “a very good commu-
nity for me and Golden.” They enjoyed the company of people, and loved meetings with folks face-to-face.
“When Golden died, Mount Vernon at Home was a godsend,” Ralph said. Betsy Clagett (office manager) and
Barbara Sullivan (Executive Director in 2017) were just wonderful helping Ralph with funeral arrangements
and volunteering to set up and run the reception at the church after her memorial service. The pandemic has
put a damper on MVAH’s in-person gatherings, but Ralph appreciates the Board check-in phone calls and en-
joys reading the monthly Village Voice newsletter.
April 2021 - page 5
More on Ross Hunt from Anna Peterson ries. All of the presentations were very enjoyable
and thoughtful, without being too complex. There
Don and Anna Peterson wanted to add to Mount
was a lot to learn in an enjoyable way! The bottom
Vernon At Home’s recognition of founder and
line is that it is very much appreciated at this time
member, Ross Hunt, who passed away in March.
especially!”
Anna told us that Ross was instrumental in so
many ways in the establishment and ongoing To register, go to: https://www.onedayu.com/
growth of our Village. “He served on the Mount membership/
Vernon At Home Board. Ross and his companion, Click the "Sign Up Now" button. [Ignore the
Bonnie Todd, hosted a number of Mount Vernon button to pay]
At Home events, mostly Cheers, at his elegant Belle Look for the Coupon Code box on the left and
Haven home. enter: MountVernon
And Ross and Don worked together as a team of Click the "Proceed to Checkout" button.
two volunteers for a Mount Vernon At Home pro- Remember, there is no charge to you for this
ject helping MVAH members and others coping service!
with early-stage dementia, “ Anna told us. “MVAH
partnered with Insight Memory Care in providing a You can also take a look at an instructional video
weekly 4-hour session involving conversation, art on how to use these instructions: https://
and music, field trips and other activities for these www.onedayu.com/sign-up-instructions/
individuals, for about two years,” Anna add-
ed. “Ross was a patient, sensitive leader (along
with Don) of these activities, which were initiated April Birthdays
by Virginia Martin and Virginia Hodgkinson. The
program would not have been successful without The etymology behind the word “April”
Ross.” comes from the verb “aperire,” which
means “to open,” referring to the season
of trees and flowers beginning to “open”
or bloom. Your Zodiac sign is either an
Problems with One Day University Aries, which is until April 19th or a Tau-
We’re sorry if you’ve had trouble with the registra- rus, which is April 20th and onwards.
tion process to get into this new online lecture Your stone is diamond and your flowers
group. Please don’t give up! You can call our office are either a daisy or sweet pea. There
and we’ll be happy to walk you through it. Once are quite a few notable historical people
you have initially registered, you will need to set born in April, such as Leonardo da Vinci,
up a password to use each time you want to access Shakespeare, and Queen Elizabeth II
the site for viewing a lecture or event. There are who turns 95 this year and may be ready
some programs that require an extra fee, but there to step down after she took the throne
is much more that is free, so please let us help you in 1952 after the death of her father,
enjoy this terrific gift to you! King George VI.
Member Mary Sabulsky has enjoyed this free Happiest of birthdays to our Royal
membership and tells us: “It’s really a wonderful Babies!
4/11 Susan Irvings
gift and great resource for our Village. The first full-
4/15 Hugh Schwartz
length program I listened to was on “First Ladies”
4/20 Virginia Masse
and I really enjoyed it a lot. So, I am now listening
4/23 Myrna Garza
to another presentation by that same lecturer on
4/27 Peggy Chaison
the Presidents. I also listened to one by another
4/28 Betty Galbaugh
speaker about Influential Books over the Centu-
April 2021 - page 6
Virtual BookClub April Event Highlights
Our BookClub is unique in that we
don’t focus on one book, but allow Special Event! Cherry Blossom Diplomacy and the Festival of
members to share a current read or Spring on Friday, April 9 at 10:00 am
favorite book they recommend. Re- Join Arlington Neighborhood Village, At Home in Alexandria,
member to go to our website under and Mount Vernon At Home members to learn more about
the Newsletter tab to find a full de- the Cherry Blossoms and enjoyment of Spring.
scription of each book! Bring your lat-
est read and hear what others are Dr. Kathleen Bashian, Certified Master Guide in Washington
reading during this month’s BookClub D.C., will present a slide-illustrated program about the cherry
on Friday, April 9 at 3:00 pm. (Note blossoms in Washington, DC. Did you know that the first gift
changed day!) of friendship from the Japanese to the United States had to
be burned because of insects? How did we eventually get the
cherry blossoms in DC? Do you know what to look for while
Last Month’s Book Picks!
walking about the Tidal Basin with trees in bloom? How is the
1. Sarah Tatum – Big Burn: Teddy Roo- Cherry Blossom Queen chosen and what are her responsibili-
sevelt and the Fire that Saved America ties? This year the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington is
by Timothy Egan. Published 2009. 349 totally virtual. Why not join us for a Village virtual celebration
pages. of this special event? To register, please email our offices to
be placed on the list and we will send you the Zoom link clos-
2. Cher Terry – Once Upon a Time: A er to the event.
True Story by Gloria Vanderbilt. Pub-
lished 1985. 320 pages. Here is the phone access information: To join by phone, dial
301-715-8592 , Meeting ID: 862 3752 5459, Passcode: 482420
3. Carol Mattaino – The Paris Library by
Janet Skeslien Charles. Published 2020.
368 pages.
4. Louise McLean – Dune by Frank Her-
bert. Published 1965. Dune series. 412
pages.
5. Norma Brodsky – Spy by Danielle
Steele. Published 2019. 243 pages; and
No Greater Love by Danielle Steele.
Published 1991. 600 pages.
6. Hugh Schwartz – Les Misérables by
Victor Hugo. Published 1862. 1,488
pages.
7. Barbara Brennan – Team of Rivals:
The Political Genius of Abraham Lin-
coln by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Pub-
lished 2005. 944 pages; and The Giver
of Stars by Jojo Moyes. Published
2019. 402 pages.
April 2021 - page 7Conversations: Artificial Light, Humans, and Birds: Towards Supporting a Bird-friendly Relationship with
Heidi Hoven on Sunday, April 18 from 3:00 - 4:00 pm via Zoom
An immense diversity and number of birds migrate through or stay to
breed at Great Salt Lake and its wetlands each year, guided by an inter-
nal compass and visual cues that are sensitive to high intensity artificial
light. A great majority of these birds migrate at night. This presentation
explores a sensitive intersection of human population growth and a
globally important stop-over along a migratory flyway. Some of the
known effects of artificial light at night on humans, birds and other
Heidi Hoven wildlife are presented, and city and county level solutions to reducing
light pollution along this important migratory pathway are discussed. Our speaker is Heidi M. Hoven, PhD, As-
sistant Manager of the Gilmore Sanctuary, and daughter of members Morrie and Holly Hoven. She is a wet-
land ecologist and earned her PhD and MS with a special interest in saline systems and plant physiology from
the University of New Hampshire and her BS from the University of Rhode Island. After moving to Utah, she
founded a nonprofit research group to inform policy to safeguard wetland quality for the birds and other
wildlife of Great Salt Lake. She developed strategies to improve managed, impounded wetlands of the Great
Salt Lake that are still used by managers today and spearheaded the development of a wildlife functional as-
sessment of the northwest quadrant of Salt Lake City, which provided scientific rationale behind conservation
of lands to buffer globally important wetlands of Great Salt Lake for birds.
April MovieClub Picks. Watch these two films and join a lively discussion about them on Tuesday, April 20 at
3:00 pm on Zoom. Last month’s movie reviews are posted on our website under the Newsletter tab. Host Bar-
bara Brennan can help you get your television set up for movie streaming and downloads! Email Barbara at
barbarabbrennan@gmail.com or call her, 703-209-9651. Member Caryl Curry has invited Phil Hirschkop to
stop by during MovieClub. Phil was one of the lawyers presenting the LOVING v. Virginia case before the
Supreme Court in 1967.
Loving (on Netflix). This 2016 American biographical romantic drama film tells the story of Richard and Mil-
dred Loving, the plaintiffs in the 1967 U.S. Supreme Court (the Warren Court) decision Loving v. Virginia,
which invalidated state laws prohibiting interracial marriage.
The Professor and the Madman (on Amazon Prime Video). Based on the 1998 book The Surgeon of
Crowthorne by Simon Winchester, this 2019 movie depicts the true story of the life of Professor James Mur-
ray as he begins work on compiling words for the first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary in the mid-19th
century. As he led the overseeing committee, the professor received over 10,000 entries from one source in
particular - a patient at Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum, Dr William Minor. The movie stars Sean Penn
and Mel Gibson.
Aging in Place: The Importance of Senior Villages on Friday, April 23 from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm. Bring a
friend to this special presentation on local Villages, including Mount Vernon At Home! Virginia Hospital Center
is sponsoring this informative session titled, “What is a Senior Village and Is it Right for Me?” This is a perfect
presentation to let your friends and neighbors know about so they can gain a better understanding of Villag-
es. Discussion will include the way that Villages serve as an important community safety net for us as we age
in place. The webinar will answer many questions about choosing to stay home and how Villages provide the
support and services to allow us all to remain connected, engaged and secure. Jan Buchanan, MVAH Execu-
tive Director, will be joined by the Directors of Arlington Neighborhood Village and At Home Alexandria. Learn
about Villages on Friday, April 23, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm. Registration link: https://
attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/85289529715175440
April 2021 - page 8April Calendar of Events
2 nd Cup Coffee Chat: Saturday, April 3, 11:00 The Importance of Senior Villages: Friday, April
am – 12:00 pm. The discussion topic - A year 23, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm, presented by Virginia
under the pandemic: what has been your expe- Hospital Center. Please register in advance:
rience? What have you done and not done? https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/
Dial in: 301 715 8592 Meeting ID: 863 0848 0426 register/85289529715175440
Meditation: Monday, April 5, 9:30 – 10:00 am, 2 nd Cup Coffee Chat: Saturday, April 24, 11:00
Dial in 301 715 8592, Meeting ID: 898 5120 1430 am – 12:00 pm, Dial in: 301 715 8592 Meeting
Cherry Blossom Diplomacy and the Festival of ID: 811 8072 5174
Spring: Friday, April 9 at 10:00 – 11:00 am, Dial-
in: 301-715-8592 , Meeting ID: 862 3752 5459, Meditation: Monday, April 26, 9:30 – 10:00
Passcode: 482420 am, Dial in 301 715 8592, Meeting ID: 898 5120
1430
BookClub: **Changed Day** Friday, April 9,
3:00 – 4:00 pm, Dial in: 301 715 8592 Meeting
ID: 829 9260 5811
Timely Topics: Saturday, April 10, 11:00 am –
12:00 pm, Controversy surrounding admission
requirements at Fairfax County’ s exclusive Thom-
as Jefferson High School, Dial in: 301 715 8592
Meeting ID 881 3911 4436
Meditation: Monday, April 12, 9:30 – 10:00
am, Dial in 301 715 8592, Meeting ID: 898 5120
1430
Program Committee: Monday, April 12, 2:00 –
3:00 pm - Dial in: 301 715 8592 Meeting ID: 853
5941 7508
Cheers!: Thursday, April 15, 5:00 – 6:00 pm,
Dial in: 301 715 8592 Meeting ID 878 8049 3618
Conversations: Sunday, April 18, 3:00 – 4:00 Mount Vernon At Home
pm. Artificial Light, Humans, and Birds: Towards
Annual Gala
Supporting a Bird-friendly Relationship with Heidi
Hoven, Audubon Society, Dial in: 301 715 8592 Thursday, May 27, 2021
Meeting ID 854 1536 9426 6:00 – 8:00 pm via Zoom
Meditation: Monday, April 19, 9:30 – 10:00
am, Dial in 301 715 8592, Meeting ID: 898 5120
1430
MovieClub: Tuesday, April 20, 3:00 – 4:00 pm,
Dial in: 301 715 8592 Meeting ID: 880 8809 8321
www.mountvernonathome.org 703-303-4060 P.O. Box 7493, Alexandria, VA 22307
April 2021 - page 9You can also read
