TheTheThe CHATTERCHATTERCHATTER Homewood at Frederick

Volume 16 Number 1 January 2016

HOMEWOOD MEANS… Ronnie M. Janney

Heartfelt friendship, happiness, too; Opportunities to grow, to learn, to do. Meaningful volunteer work available to all. Energy permeates the complex winter, spring, summer and fall. Words of comfort, praise, thanks and more; Open arms and hearts when you walk in the door. Occasions of observances, celebrations and such; Delightful dining; and programs that residents enjoy so much. Dwelling in an apartment, cottage or patio home, Residents arriving at Homewood no longer wish to roam. The Health Care Center is always active, cheerful and bright, Its skilled and loving care are available morning, noon and night. The best reason for living here simply must be The warm and friendly attitude from everyone you see.

The CHATTER Staff wishes you a very Happy New Year!

Nichols’ Notes

Eric T. Nichols, Executive Director

A New Year has arrived and it is time to take a look ahead to see what we can expect on our Frederick campus. The

Lodge and patio home construction will be completed and the Use and Occupancy certificates will hopefully be

obtained for them during the month of February. New neighbors will then move onto our campus during the spring

season of 2016. Our new dining venues will open at the Lodge mid- to late March. We will begin with limited hours

for the venues and slowly build as new residents move into the Lodge.

Linda Procter will transition into her new role as Community Services Director for our Frederick campus. She will

serve as the primary contact person for all the Independent Living residents on the campus. Many of you know Linda

since she is a 20-year employee of Homewood at Frederick. She has worked as our Social Services Director for the

Health Care Center for many years. Once her replacement is hired, she will move into her new role, hopefully during

the month of February.

During the first quarter of the year, new co-workers will be hired to fill various positions at the Lodge.

Housekeepers, kitchen staff, receptionists, maintenance, security, an event co-ordinator, and wellness assistants will

be hired. In all, approximately 23-25 new co-workers will be hired once the Lodge is fully occupied.

A new bus will arrive during the June timeframe. The joint funding effort of the IL Residents Association and

Homewood has made this new bus a reality. I personally thank the Residents Association for providing money for

this new bus which everyone will surely enjoy using.

Homewood at Frederick’s 15th annual golf tournament will be held on June 15 this year. Glade Valley Golf course

will once again be the site of our tournament.

Wow, this will all happen within just the first six months of 2016! I look forward to having a wonderful year with all

of you.

BASKET BINGO PROCEEDS Shirley Erdmanis

The proceeds from 2015 Basket Bingo were

$1305.00; with $1477.42 that carried over from

2014 Basket Bingo, the 2015 total was $2682.42.

So pleased was the committee with these results

that its members voted to donate $1500.00 toward

the purchase of Homewood’s new bus, leaving a

balance of $1182.42 in the Basket Bingo funds.

CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCHEON Shirley Erdmanis

Residents who were at Homewood on Christmas Day

had a wonderful time chatting and enjoying a delicious

meal prepared by some very exceptional cooks. The

staff from Food Services and Maintenance set up the

covered dish luncheon and Julie Norris, Activities

Coordinator, obtained the paper supplies. Residents

Nancy and Bob Manthey organized the program and

Bruce Poynter entertained with piano music.

Resident Association Update Richard Petre, President

New Bus—The new bus is on order with a wait time of

four to five months.

Council—The first Council meeting of 2016 will be

Wednesday, January 5, at 9:30 am in the Private

Dining Room. Council members will discuss an

organizational design for the Association when the

Willow Ponds patio homes and The Lodge are

completed and resident membership is combined with

Crumland Farms.

Association—The full membership of the Association

will meet on Thursday, January 20, at 9:30 am in the

Multi-Purpose Room. Refreshments will be served

beginning at 9:00 am. The agenda will include

Standing Committee reports and an update by the 2016

and Beyond Committee.

Yard Sale—The next big project is to plan and

implement the 2016 Yard Sale on April 29-30. Co-

chairpersons Avadna Coghill and Vernon Rippeon

will call meetings soon. Save the dates and begin

exercising those muscles!

Many topics were brought to the attention of the

Residents Association’s 2016 and Beyond Committee

by residents who completed and submitted

questionnaires. The questionnaires were reviewed by

Committee members and by Eric Nichols, Executive

Director, and Candace McMullen, Vice President of

Operations at the corporate office of Homewood at

Frederick. The majority of the items were operational

issues and will be addressed as such. Four basic

categories emerged: Communication, Maintenance,

Transportation and Medical Care (Care Centers

availability).

The main purpose of the 2016 and Beyond Committee

is to propose to the Residents Association a new

organizational restructuring. A formal proposal will be

presented to the Residents Association meeting on

January 20 at 9:30 am in the Multi-Purpose Room.

Please plan to attend!

PRELIMINARY REPORT OF THE 2016 AND BEYOND COMMITTEE Shirley Erdmanis/Roland Hobbs, Co-Chairpersons

HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE Fran Wenner, Chairperson

(Note: This is #6 in a series about the Standing Committees of the Residents Association.)

The Hospitality Committee was established to welcome new residents into the Independent Living community, to

answer their questions, and to help them feel comfortable in their new home.

Currently there are four sub-committees within the Hospitality Committee: the Welcome committee greets new

residents; the Sunshine/Caring committee sends cards to those who are hospitalized, recovering from illness or

suffering the loss of a family member; the Social Committee hosts the monthly Coffee Hour and Birthday Party, as

well as special events such as the Halloween Party and New Year’s Eve Celebration.

The “Buddy” committee consists of one resident from each wing in the CF/IL apartments and each area in the East

and West cottages, as well as sections of the patio homes of Willow Ponds. The committee members’ job is to

welcome new residents as they move in, and stay in touch with them throughout the year by inviting them to attend

activities such as the Coffee Hour, Birthday Party, and HOBO/ALOHA Luncheons. As new residents move into

The Lodge apartments in the spring, they will have the opportunity to get to know each other through programs

created by the Hospitality Committee.

The Hospitality Committee meets on the third Friday of each month in the third floor Library at 10:30 am. For

additional information, contact Fran Wenner at 301-644-5924 or email at faw500@msn.com.

Current residents serving on the Hospitality Committee include: Linda Broadrup, Catherine Chaney, Betty Fox,

Barbara Grigg, Ev Higbie, Terry Higgins, Sue Hoffman, Mary Alice Marks, Sylvia Sclar, Shirley Silbernagel,

Sharron Smith, Peggy Strine, Juanita Warfield and Fran Wenner.

We are in need of additional members to help with parties and events. Call one of the members if you’re interested.

OPERA: The Magic Flute Dottye Ewing

Preview Lecture by audiocassette:

Wed., January 6, 1:00-2:00 pm, ILAC Room

Opera Matinee (A German opera w/English subtitles):

Wed., January 13, 1:00-400 pm, MPR

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s The Magic Flute, written

in 1791 as his life was ending, was to be the greatest

popular success of his too-short life. That popularity is

undoubtedly due to its widespread appeal to audiences

with a wide diversity of interests. An inspired

kaleidoscope, the opera says something to every age

and every age group.

To children, it is an enjoyable fairy tale with enchanted

bells, funny birdmen and a battle between nice and

nasty. Adults can see it as charting individual progress

to enlightenment or fulfilment as a complete human

being. Those with historical interests may see it as a

piece of propaganda for freemasonry which was falling

into official disfavor at the time. (Both Mozart and the

librettist were Masons.) Musically, too, The Magic

Flute is a wonderful mixture, with echoes of folksy,

popular German songs, near-religious music and

emotional music given to real people of varied status

experiencing real feelings. One critic states, “The

musical marvels of The Magic Flute are endless, but the

real marvel is that the most finicky musical connoisseur

does rejoice…while the untutored freely absorb the

highly artistic and subtle elements without being aware

of their nature.”

To enable residents to more fully enjoy The Magic

Flute, a preview lecture has been scheduled. The

lecturer is the acclaimed music critic, Dale Harris, who

wrote about opera for many publications including The

Wall Street Journal, New York Times and Opera News.

Mr. Harris examines the plot, music and cultural

background, using musical examples to clarify key

points. The production of The Magic Flute was filmed

at the Metropolitan Opera in 1991, with James Levine

conducting.

Music Listening Group Avadna Coghill/Barbara Zentner

THE VISIONAIRES Avadna Coghill

On Tuesday, January 5, at 10:30 am, in the ILAC

Room, Visionaires will have a special “Show and Tell”

meeting. Everyone is encouraged to bring any useful

aides he or she may have, especially a best magnifying

glass, to help living with low vision. We will also

demonstrate the Eye Pal and C-TV from the Homewood

library. Please join us!

At the January 21 Music Listening program entitled

“The Road to Paris,” Leonard Bernstein will discuss

three composers: George Gershwin, Ernest Bloch and

Manuel De Falla. These three went to live and work in

Paris around 1900, and their life there influenced their

compositions.

Among the selections to be played are Gershwin’s An

American in Paris and De Fall’s The Three-Cornered

Hat.

The Music Listening Group meets at 3:00 pm in the AL

Activity Room on January 21. See you there.

LIBRARY CORNER

Quotations submitted by Ronnie Janney

“I cannot live without books.” Thomas Jefferson

“My best friend is a person who will give me a book I

have not read.” Abe Lincoln

“When I get a little money, I buy books, and if any’s

left, I buy food and clothes.” Erasmus

ADVENTURES IN LAW ENFORCEMENT Herb Janney

Ardine Gorden has been a volunteer in law enforcement for a long time. He participated in helping the sheriff in

North Carolina and in Maryland at the Frederick Sheriff’s Office. Ardine has received numerous awards for his

work in both states, even presidential service awards from President George Bush and President Obama. In

October, 2015, he was presented the Frederick Sheriff’s Office retirement proclamation for over 5,000 hours of

community assistance for the past 15 years.

Ardine never carried a firearm. In North Carolina, his responsibilities were to monitor arrested suspects

transported between the sheriff’s department and the jail, deal with bondsmen and other personnel about what can

and cannot be taken into the jail, and lock away money and medicine not allowed in a cell. Ardine fingerprinted

suspects and the general public in Maryland who wanted fingerprinting. During the years of his volunteer work, he

met some very interesting people walking in the front door of the jail as well as many repeat offenders.

When he moved to Frederick in 2000, he continued his volunteering at the Frederick Sheriff’s Office. He went on

patrol with a Sheriff’s deputy and learned how to use pepper spray and was sprayed to find out what it was like.

All the tasks he participated in did not develop overnight; each step involved schooling and training, and lots of it.

He learned how to use a gun for protection, the right way to treat a suspect, and the vast amount of local, state and

federal laws governing the operation of a jail.

COLORING IS THE NEW STRESS RELIEVER Teresa Groff

Think back to when you were a child: do you remember a box of Crayola crayons and a coloring book of cartoon

animals? This year has seen a new interest in an old past-time…coloring. The new age-group with a passion for

coloring is now 30-95 years young! A recent NPR broadcast featured a story about coloring clubs…groups of

people who get together to color and chat. They are finding that coloring is a great stress-reliever.

Two Homewood residents who are friends, Nancy Boltz and Terry Higgins, have taken on coloring as their new

hobby. They have been dabbling for about a month now, experimenting with designs and techniques and products

available for this new “fad.” They displayed samples of their coloring pages at the recent Collectibles and Hobby

Show in the MPR.

Coloring books geared to adult audiences have black and white line drawings, most with intricate designs and

patterns. Some are themed and include flowers, animals, stained glass and beautiful circle designs called

“mandalas.” The new coloring books are printed on premium bright-white paper. Prices range from $5.00-$20.00.

Terry and Nancy say that the best colored pencils and markers aren’t always the most expensive ones sold. Most

craft stores are carrying all of the coloring supplies one would need for this inexpensive hobby.

Terry says coloring is very therapeutic: “You can’t worry and color at the same time.” Nancy takes her coloring

sheets with her to pass the time when she has to wait for appointments. She said that sometimes people are surprised

to see an adult coloring. She colors in the evenings while watching TV, instead of eating a snack.

Terry “gets a feel for a picture” then usually fills in one color at a time, but she is flexible on the patterns, too. There

is no wrong way to color, she says; “You can’t goof up.” She adds her own ‘texture’ to drawings, sometimes adding

her own tiny circles and shading to the designs. She likes both colored pencils and markers. “Each medium has its

own technique,” she said.

Nancy describes the new interest in coloring for adults as “the new paint-by-number of the 2000s.” Look for future

coloring activities offered at Homewood. You might get hooked, too!

NOTES FROM THE ROAD Tom McLaughlin

Two months ago, I packed up my RV and set off to see America…all of it. It’s been quite an adventure and

learning experience already. I had to learn which diesel pumps are safe to use, and, as it turns out, is more than

most of the cashiers know at the gas station. I had to learn how to turn off the lady in my dashboard who, when I

decide to go a different route, repeatedly nags “make the next legal u-turn.” And I’m learning that there is an

almost limitless number of tourist destinations, beaches, forts, lighthouses, art and history museums, historical

homes and monuments, cathedrals, city parks, county parks, state parks and national parks. It’s going to take a

while.

Between all those destinations, there is also a lot of everyday living going on…from the smallest of towns with

just three buildings, one of them abandoned, on the four corners of a crossroad…to the sprawling cities where you

have to choose one of the next seven exits off the freeway. I’ve been trying to see it all.

That means you see the good and the bad. In November, it was still warm enough to swim in the ocean at

Wrightsville Beach, NC, where you could see your toes six feet under. But if you ride your bike just a few miles

east of the city, the Savannah River has such a black oily sheen you ask the fishermen, “You’re not going to eat

that are you?”

There are incredible architectural historic homes in Charleston, SC, with grand parlors just inside the front door

where they ask for large donations to see the rest of the house, which I politely decline. Down the street there are

row homes that need quite a bit of effort or they will surely not be there in a few more years.

In the middle of football season, I was lucky enough to find a baseball game on the campus of Randolph Macon

College in Ashland, VA, on a sparkling new field so lush you just wanted to lie down on it. In Edenton, NC,

historic Hicks Field boasts the last all wooden grandstands in NC; while at historic Grayson Stadium, which has

seen baseball every summer since 1926, the groundskeeper will tell you that the Savannah Sand Gnats will be

playing ball in a brand new stadium in Columbia, SC, next year.

So seeing it all is a little like the Clint Eastwood movie… it has the good and the bad. Sometimes it’s ugly, and

sometimes it’s so incredible, you realize you need to start breathing again. It’s a big country and I’m just getting

started.

You can see me learning to take pictures on my new phone at this website…

https://instagram.com/_tom_mclaughlin_

NOSTALGIA Caption and Photo by Shirley Erdmanis

While doing some research, I came upon a

photo of Julie Norris’ baby girl, Bethany, in

the December 2001 CHATTER. (Julie is

Homewood’s Activities Coordinator.) On

December 16, 2015, Bethany sang with her

church’s Praise Band at Homewood. The

photo shows Bethany, some 14 years later,

with “Uncle Bob” Hartman.

MEET THE STAFF – Maintenance Department Herb Janney

Note: This is the first in a series of monthly articles entitled “MEET THE STAFF” which will describe the

Homewood at Frederick operations and the responsibilities of staff members.

Greg Lescalleet is the Director of Maintenance at Homewood. Some aspect of maintenance is involved with

every room, hallway, office, storage facility, elevator, plumbing fixture, furniture, appliance, HVAC equipment

and other operations in the buildings, such as food service, as well as the exterior landscaping and security of the

campus.

In addition, the staff responsibilities include maintaining the pool and exercise equipment, disposing of

“recycles” once a week, trash collection twice a week, monthly fire drills, attending construction meetings, snow

removal, meeting OSHA state requirements and the repair or replacement of just about anything that requires

attention, from a burned-out shower light bulb to a faulty microwave. Routine scheduled tasks take place such

as checking the temperature of the hot water once a week in the Health Care Center to assure it is at 110 degrees

to comply with state law. The staff processes 20-30 unplanned work orders each week, with 80% completed

within a day and a goal of finishing the rest in a week. The relocation of a resident from one place to another,

where the movement of personal belongings is very important, occurs three or more times a week.

The Maintenance Department is a 24/7 operation. The Department occupies a large area on the first floor which

includes a full wood working shop and a host of parts and supplies. A staff member with a campus cellphone is

on call at all times; this position is nicknamed “radio man.” The front desk has direct communication with this

person. If he requires additional assistance, he is authorized to call other staff.

On the day shift, the staff members are Francis, Wayne, Butch, Michael, Chuck and Mike. The night shift staff

is Frank, Robert, Kevin and Ricky. The staff may be rotated from time to time. Everyone is trained and experi-

enced in all facets of maintenance at a healthcare facility and general maintenance work. Some have a special

talent; regardless, they operate as a team. At Homewood, they have been on the job from one year to 15 years.

The average time of service is five to six years. There are plans to hire two additional staff members to help

support The Lodge and patio homes at Willow Ponds.

The security of the campus is a duty of the Maintenance Department and is the responsibility of the entire staff;

however, a few staff members represent the security group. These staff members are Neil, Nelson and Don.

When a staff member uses an exterior door, he makes sure it closes and locks properly. When walking the halls,

the staff keeps alert to nearby residents in case help is needed. They work at night, assuring that the buildings

are secure, and respond to calls from other Homewood staff members who need security access in their routine

duties.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Adriana Posada has joined the Homewood staff as Director of Housekeeping. She is quickly learning her way

around the campus and becoming familiar with other staff members in the housekeeping and laundry areas.

Prior to joining Homewood, Adriana served for seven years as the Housekeeping Manager for Northampton Manor

Nursing Home; she gained part of her 15 years of housekeeping management experience with Healthcare Services

Group. She spent many years working on special assignments, trouble shooting and training new staff in a variety

of buildings and facilities, initially in the New England area, but most recently in Frederick.

Adriana oversees all aspects of housekeeping and laundry for Crumland Farms and Willows Ponds including staff

scheduling to insure that all residences are clean and ready for new residents as well as for residents who are

returning from hospital visits. She is quick to commend Maxine Pearson, Assistant Director of Housekeeping, who

has been invaluable in helping her meet the staff and residents, and begin to learn the campus.

Adriana and Maxine have a staff of 22 housekeepers and four laundry staff members. As Homewood grows she

anticipates increasing the size of both staffs. Housekeepers work seven days a week during mostly daytime hours;

however, one evening housekeeper is in charge of cleaning the dining rooms, carpeting, chairs and other special

areas. Beginning January 1, the Homewood Laundry will be open 5:00 am-7:15 pm each day. The Housekeeping

Department office is located on the first floor of the Crumland Farms building across from the Laundry. Adriana

and Maxine encourage residents to stop for a visit. Adriana will also have an office in The Lodge; she can be

contacted by phone at 240-578-5935.

Adriana’s first impression of Homewood has been an overwhelming sense of kindness and compassion among the

staff and residents. Her warm smile was very evident as she explained how very welcomed she has felt during her

first month at Homewood. Adriana is married with one son who is a Marine. She lights up as she speaks of her

beloved three-year-old grandson who lovingly calls her “abuela.” Adriana was born in Columbia, South America.

At age 14, she came to America with her parents and six brothers and sisters, and settled in New York. She is an

avid Patriot and Red Sox fan. Adriana and her husband live in Keymar where they enjoy the scenery and beautiful

mountains as well as their quiet surroundings.

MEET THE NEW HOUSEKEEPING DIRECTOR Cathy Stull

GREAT DECISIONS 2016 Leslie Hobbs

Great Decisions is America's largest discussion program on world affairs. For more than 60 years, Great Decisions

has been an inspiring example of the role citizens can play in discovering, discussing and deciding how to meet

some of the world's greatest challenges. It is an opportunity to learn more about issues that are in the headlines.

At Homewood, Great Decisions participants gather twice a month in the Multi-Purpose Room to watch a video and

discuss the topic. A briefing book with background on each of the eight topics can be purchased from Julie Norris,

at a cost of $25. This year’s eight topics are:

Middle East Alliances February 5

The Rise of ISIS February 19

The Future of Kurdistan March 3

Migration March 18

The Koreas April 1

The United Nations April 15

Climate Change May 6

Cuba and the U.S. May 13

Brochures with further information are on the bulletin board in the Community Center where there is a sign-up

sheet. Call Nan Doggett or Leslie Hobbs for more information.

Class Description Weekday and Time Location____

Group/Individual Equipment Demo Thursday Weight Room

How to work equipment; some one-on-one @ 9:00 am, ___ mins.

training to show how to reach personal goals

Osteoporosis Exercise—Strength-focused; some Tuesday & Thursday Fitness Center

standing and resistance using weights and @ 10:00 am, 30 mins.

bands

Basic Arthritis Exercise—Standing & seated; Tuesday & Thursday Fitness Center

focus on fluid movements to help @ 10:30 am, 30 mins.

reduce joint and muscle pain

Sittersize Arthritis Exercise—Seated; Mon-Wed-Friday Fitness Center

endurance, cardio, flexibility @ 10:00 am, 30 mins.

Advanced Balance—Standing, using balance Monday @ 1:30 pm, Fitness Center

props 30 mins.

Advanced Circuit Training (Not for beginners) Tuesday @ 1:30 pm Fitness Center

Interval workout with various stations;

mostly standing but some floor work

Advanced Step—Cardio step and ab work Wednesday @ 1:30 pm, Fitness Center

30 mins.

Grip Exercise--Using hands with putty, beads, _____ day, ____ am, Fitness Center

sand and other manipulating tools 30 mins.

Walking (Not the Walking Club) 1.5-2-miles, To be determined Campus areas

weather permitting

Yoga—With certified instructor Thursday @ 1:30 pm, 1 hr. Fitness Center

Aquafit—Water aerobics and endurance training Mon-Wed-Friday Pool

@ 7:45 am, 30 mins.

Aquafit (Women Only)—Water aerobics and Mon-Wed-Friday Pool

endurance training @ 9:00 am, 30 min.

Beginning Water Workout Friday @ 11:00 am, 30 mins. Pool

Pool and Spa are open to residents, staff, and families, M-F, 7:00 am-8:00 pm, with a pool temp at 86-88 degrees

and an endless jet current to promote lap swimming; spa temp is 102-104 degrees. Two private dressing rooms

are available; sign in, shower, wear an appropriate swimsuit, leave food and drinks outside the area. (Source:

2016 Supplement to Resident Handbook)

The Fitness Center is open to residents, staff and families, 24/7,

and contains seven resistance and six cardiovascular machines as

well as hand weights, resistance bands and stretching mats.

Also available are a TV, CD and DVD players, and instructional

videos for Tai Chi, kick boxing and aerobics. (Source: 2016

Supplement to Resident Handbook)

WELLNESS CENTER 2016 CLASS SCHEDULE: Subject to Change Gretchen Smith, Director, X 6040 or 301-644-5640

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER Chaplain Shelley Weakly

Recently my family and I visited the Thomas House, part of the Monocacy National Battlefield. On the second

floor is a window with glass original to the house. It was fascinating to look through this old glass, full of swirls,

bubbles and cracks, and see how it changed the appearance of what was on the other side.

Thinking about the new year is like looking through that antique glass. We may have an idea of what to expect

and what lies on the other side, but surprises lie ahead too. As the new year unfolds and becomes more clear to us,

we can be confident knowing that in all things God is with us.

The Retired Clergy Group will host a Martin Luther King program on Monday, January 18, at 10:30 am in the

ALAC. All are welcome.

Independent Living Bible Study will engage in a study on the topic of Health and Wholeness beginning January

4. We’ll use a resource from Baylor University’s Center for Christian Ethics.

SCHOOL OF RELIGION Nan Doggett

For 35 years, the Frederick community has offered an interfaith School of Religion. A group of Homewood

residents usually attend, with transportation arrangements by calling Nan Doggett at 240-629-1961. See brochures

for more information at the bulletin board in the reception lobby.

On Mondays and Tuesdays, for six weeks, February 1-March 8, the 2016 courses will be:

*Banned Questions about the Bible--The Prophets and Wisdom Literature (Mon. 1-3 pm)

Carl Gregg, Minister, Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Frederick

*Ethical Reflection on Technological Enhancement (Mon. 1-3 pm)

Ann Boyd, Professor of Biology at Hood College, Frederick

*An Introduction to Buddhism (Mon. 7-9 pm)

Ray Moreland, Retired, Executive Director of the Maryland Bible Society

*The Inquisitions and the Crusades (Mon.7-9 pm) Charles Harrell

*Mendelssohn: A Diverse and Fruitful Family Tree (Tue. 2-3 pm)

Wayne L. Wold, Professor of Music and Chair, Music Department, Hood College

*The Jewish Holy Days (Tue. 1-3 pm)

Rabbi Dan Sikowitz, Spiritual Leader of Congregation Kol Ami, Frederick

*Christian Practices, Then and Now (Tue. 1-3 pm)

Charles Melchert, Lancaster Theological Seminary, Pennsylvania

*The Rise of the Nones: How Young Adults Are Losing Religion and Finding Faith in Science,

Service and the Internet (Tue. 7-9 pm) Beth O’Malley, Dean of the Chapel, Hood College

*Dust to Dust: On Being Mortal (Tue. 7-9 pm)

Anabel Proffitt, Professor of Educational Ministries, Lancaster Theological Seminary

HOBOs Bruce Poynter/Fred Burton ALOHA Nancy Smith

SATURDAY NIGHT MOVIES

7:00 pm in the MPR (Subject to change) Nancy McIntyre

Jan 2 The Raggedy Man 1981

Jan 9 Paint Your Wagon 1969

Jan 16 Akeelah and the Bee 2006

Jan 23 Spencer's Mountain 1963

Jan 30 Dirty Dancing 1988

If you are interested in helping select the

Saturday night movies for 2016, please place

your request, including your name, in McIntyre’s

mailbox #20.

Newly Donated DVDs:

It's a Wonderful Life

Runaway Jury

In the Line of Fire

Air Force One

Sophie's Choice

Amazing Grace

Safe Harbour

THE RESIDENT OPTIMIST Guest, Pat Dawson

The three steps to happiness: (1) Have something to do; (2) Have something to

look forward to; (3) Have someone to love.

On Friday, January 22, ALOHA (Active Ladies of

Homewood Association) will meet for lunch

beginning at 11:45 am. All Homewood ladies are

members of ALOHA. There are no dues. The only

cost is $10.23 for lunch, as it would be in the dining

room. Please sign up for lunch by 6:00 pm on

Thursday, January 21, at the front desk.

Everyone is welcome to the program which begins at

12:45 pm. To start off the ALOHA New Year, the

program will feature the men’s gospel group, “Who

So Ever Will,” from the Frederick area. The group

has been together for about five years and includes

three pastors. The founder is John Onley, a deacon in

his own church.

On Thursday, January 21, HOBOs will have its

regular lunch meeting in the Multi-Purpose Room,

beginning at 12:00 noon. The program that follows

will honor the memory of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther

King, Jr., especially his work for justice. At 12:45

pm, HOBOs and their guests will view the film

Sisters of Selma: Bearing Witness for Change. The

60-minute documentary recalls a group of Roman

Catholic nuns’ support for Dr. King’s cause in

March, 1965, for African-American voting rights in

segregated Selma, Alabama. The program is

presented jointly by Homewood’s Retired Clergy

Group and the Chaplain’s Office. Gentlemen, please

sign up at the front desk for Thursday’s lunch, by

6:00 pm on Wednesday, January 20.

THE CHATTER NEWSLETTER STAFF

Editor……..…………………………….Pat Morgan

Reporters……………...….Lane Hart, Leslie Hobbs,

Herb Janney, Ronnie Janney

Photographers………………….....Shirley Erdmanis,

…………………………...…………..Roland Hobbs

Circulation Assistant…………………..Sylvia Little

Final Proofreaders…….Ronnie Janney, Herb Janney

Advisor, Production Manager…………..Julie Norris

RA Council Rep…..……………..To Be Determined

Contact Info: Pat Morgan, Editor

Email: patgmorgan@comcast.net

In-house: Box 213; Phone X 5810

DEADLINE to submit copy: 15th of any month

How pleasant the job of

preparing envelopes for

Employee Appreciation Gifts

2015 and a few of the

grateful employees after they

received their envelopes!

Caption and Photos by

Shirley Erdmanis

To place an order or to make a

reservation in the IL Dining Room,

please call 301-644-5601 x 5265.

THE GIFT WRAP AND THE JEWEL Submitted by Bobby Rickman

Author: Wanda B. Goines, age 92.

(Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com)

I looked in the mirror and what did I see

But a little old lady peering back at me,

With bags and sags and wrinkles and wispy white hair,

And I asked my reflection, “How did you get there?

You once were straight and vigorous and now you’re

stooped and weak,

When I tried so hard to keep you from becoming an

antique.”

My reflection’s eyes twinkled as she solemnly replied,

“You’re looking at the gift wrap and not the jewel inside,

A living gem and precious, of unimagined worth,

Unique and true, the real you, the only you on earth.

The years that spoil your gift wrap with other things more

cruel,

Should purify and strengthen, and polish up that jewel.

So focus your attention on the inside, not the out,

On being kinder, wiser, more content and more devout.

Then, when your gift wrap’s stripped away, your jewel will

be set free

To radiate God’s glory throughout eternity.”