Last Updated on August 23, 2025
Legend: GS: General Services; ME: My EricksonMy Erickson is a resident portal. It is provided by Erickson Corporate and is managed by Charlestown staff, mainly Community Resources. See Portal. READ MORE website; BCF: Benevolent Care Fund; E: Electronic; CR: Community Resources Dept.; RL: Resident Life; QR: Quick Response; cci: Charlestown Community Incorporated; BYOB: Bring your own booze; FH: Fountain Hill; TS: Treasure Sale; CTS: Charlestown Square. DEIB: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, CGO Expo: Resident Club, Group, and Organization Expo (formerly Fruits of Our Labor) & Sales Open House
1. The General Services Call Center’s phone number and current hours are listed under General Services Communications on our website. If you need something fixed or repaired, call, or for non-urgent requests, residents may utilize a Request a Service Work Order online under the ME icon forms. If there is an emergency after hours or on weekends, call Security for help. There are GS Comment Forms on ME to report on your service call from GS, and staff are handing out QR forms as they complete their tasks for easy usage. Goodbye and Good Luck to Kevin Crawford, off to a new adventure after 36 years at Charlestown.
Note: ComcastThe Charlestown Comcast bulk service contract provides basic HD television in the apartments. Address your concerns to General Services. See more information about apartment television and television connections. READ MORE is offering an Accessibility Support Center for Customers with Disabilities. Residents should follow the calling instructions provided on the GS Communications website and request verification for a disability.
2. Recurring Opportunities for Voicing Concerns are listed on our website under Campus Info>Getting Things Done and Getting Started. The monthly Neighborhood Chat schedule is published in the Sunburst under Campus Connections. Our website’s Council Communication Form icon alerts the Council to a problem. Also, the Administration welcomes comments; please send them to ccifeedback@erickson.com.
Note: Admin is presenting a DEIB Joint Council Heritage Festival on 9/25 at The Gallery/Fireside Lounge, 11 AM to 2 PM. Resident participation is needed to perform, host a workshop, game, or reserve a table to represent your culture. Contact employee Ireyna Parker or resident Merci Izquierdo-Whitaker.
3. Resident Directory Info: The latest printed version, August, can be obtained by asking at the lobby desks. The only E-directory is on My EricksonMy Erickson is a resident portal. It is provided by Erickson Corporate and is managed by Charlestown staff, mainly Community Resources. See Portal. READ MORE, which is password-protected. Changes to both directories should be referred to the Res. Life Asst., Deanna Booker, at Ext. 601-8230.
4. ccicharlestown.org: The Tech Bar on Aug. 13 at the Chesapeake was a huge success with 88 residents participating. The new Residents’ Council Members page is up on our website, along with information about this year’s Council Committee meetings. The October Treasure Sale dates and info are updated under Resident Activities. Add a photo of your pet to the Pet Gallery posted on our website, or send a photo to Betty Elder or Hope Tillman. The website is constantly adding information as sent by Club leaders. Hope is creating a team of residents to assist other residents with the use of computers; those interested in helping can reach out to her. Questions or suggestions for the website may be submitted on the Home Page, or join us for the next Website Subcommittee meeting, Mon. Sept. 22, at 1:30 PM via ZoomAI Companion is a generative AI-powered assistant from Zoom (for those with the paid version). It uses large language models from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta, and has also trained itself by listening in on thousands of meetings between Zoom employees. Some of its uses include:
• Summarizing... READ MORE. Contact Hope for the address.
5. BCF: August is Benevolent Care month! A Spenddown/BCF seminar will be on 8/26, 1-2 PM in the Conference Center, and the by-invitation-only Legacy Society Brunch, 8/27. The next TS is scheduled for 10/23-25, 2025, and there is an ongoing list of volunteer needs for various TS tasks; please contact Casey at 410-737-8892. The Pickup Line is open, the Treasure Stores are open. Anyone interested in joining the BCF committee should contact Sandy Mack, the Chair, to attend a meeting. If you wish to donate your car to Cars for Care, contact Bette Hallowell at 410-314-7958. All funds raised through Cars for Care go to the BCF. The last day for purchasing a Memory Bench or Brick for the October 10 Ceremony is August 29.
Note: Philanthropy reminds us to “Leave your legacy at Charlestown” by designating the BCF in your estate plans or as the beneficiary of all or a percentage of the entrance deposit, ensuring the promise of a Home for Life.
6. CR: Participants are needed for the Trunk or Treat during the 10/17 Fall Fun Festival; call Brittany. CC is seeking magazine and coffee table books for Memory Care. Volunteers are also needed in CC to share their talents for CC activities and card players. Jennifer Tillett’s September “Arts Alive at Charlestown” newsletter is available on My EricksonMy Erickson is a resident portal. It is provided by Erickson Corporate and is managed by Charlestown staff, mainly Community Resources. See Portal. READ MORE under Resident Resources. Paint Night is on August 27th in the Conference Center. Sandy Mack will lead the event, providing supplies for a fee to accommodate up to fifty people. Finally, the 2025 CGO Expo is scheduled for September 12th.
Res. Life: Tapestry events are planned for October 7 and 15th in the Atrium Restaurant. Marie Skane leads the monthly Dine Together Program for new residents, and the next will be Monday, Oct. 6, at 5:15 PM (September 1 skipped due to Labor Day). Cathy Stevens, Dining Ambassador Chair, was re-elected to the Council and is also the Dining Committee Chair. On September 22nd, learn about resources and support from a presentation sponsored by the Blind Rehabilitation Group in the auditorium at 1 PM, given by the Maryland State Dept. of Education. Next, The Low Vision Group is planning to host a “Tapestry Like” series of resident discussions beginning on October 9th in the Chesapeake Restaurant. This will involve small group discussions on topics relevant to visually impaired persons. The first topic will be “Meeting your Low Vision Neighbors”. The Accessibility and Inclusion Group has invited Custom Interiors to attend the next subcommittee meeting on September 9th at 11:00 AM in the Chesapeake Card Room.
7. Medical Center: This year’s Flu clinics will be held on Wednesdays, 9/10 at the Cross Creek Lobby and 9/17 at the Gallery/Fireside Pub, both from 8 AM to Noon. Send back the form to participate. The COVID-19 bug is still active. If sick, call the Medical Center, and a mask will be required at the Medical Center if a resident is symptomatic. Stay healthy by washing hands—keep others healthy by not going out if sick. Call the medical center if you are not feeling well. Those who have Primary Care Physicians at the Medical Center are encouraged to sign up for the new Medicare APCM initiative. Also, new residents need to sign up for the Care Path Program, even though you may have your doctor off-campus, in case of emergencies, so the Medical Center has your particulars. If you are going to the hospital on your own (i.e., elective surgery), please let security know. All hospital stays should be followed by a transitional doctor visit to help prevent readmission. There will be a COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic in October. The Specialty Suites have been relocated next to the Dentist’s Office.
8. The Move-out Process at the End-of-Life helpful article has been updated on our website in the Blog area with the name of the coordinator, Trina Butler. The Article was posted in the July Sunburst. As the posting states, BCF is asking us to inform families that we offer our volunteers to pack up any donations left behind in loved ones’ apartments and that there is no charge for removing approved larger items left for donation to the Treasure Sale. Our volunteers work quickly because they realize time is of the essence. Call Casey Bassler, Coordinator – 410-737-8892.
9. Housekeeping special: Cost $350, ends September 26th, 2025. “ADDED BONUS” Included two rooms of carpet shampooed. A Shredding Event is scheduled 9/13, 9 AM – 12 PM in the CTS parking lot. The complimentary exterior window washing will restart on 9/2. Look out for your Building schedules. The Committee asks if you see something that needs clean-up attention, say something, please!
10. Home Care: Updated Home Care info is listed on our website. The “Stay Independent: Learn More About Fall Prevention” brochure is also now on our website under News.
Extras: Res. Services Coordinator Erica Darby’s office has been relocated from the Terrace area to FH near the Reception desk in Bldg. 1. Brittany is looking for backup Birthday Angels in all the buildings and volunteers to color birthday cards. Archives can use help on various tasks; contact John Yoder. The Medication Disposal events are on Mondays, Aug. 25, and Nov. 24 from 1-3 pm in Cross Creek and Fireside Lobbies. The resident-run Cancer Support Group, led by Ann MacKay, meets on the 2nd Monday of each month, the next being Sept. 8, at 2 PM in CTS Classroom 216 Breakout Room. Jane Amtmann, Film Library Chair, is looking for projectionists for the Friday (2nd week of the month) and Saturday Movies; training is provided. The Ellic Fall Catalog release is 9/3, with Registration beginning on 9/10. Forms will be at the Lobby Desks or online.
The re-named Scholar Mentor (formerly Coach) Program is beginning its third year. Mentors will assist scholar candidates throughout the process and maintain open communication while they pursue their degree. Mentors will be assigned in January after student candidates have been accepted into the program. You still have time to join, so contact Mel Milio, Chair of the Scholars’ Committee.
Have a Great Labor Day!
Charlie Eichenlaub
Communications Committee