Charlestown Retirement Community Residents > News > Evergreen Topics > Evergreen Topics as of November 22, 2025

Evergreen Topics as of November 22, 2025

Nov 22, 2025 | Evergreen Topics

Last Updated on November 23, 2025

Below is the list of recurring topics of interest that I have taken responsibility for maintaining and updating periodically, as needed. Some I submit after sending them to the Managers to alter or add before resubmitting them to reappear on our website. Other topics I glean from committee minutes and reports. This report can be found on our website under News.

Legend: GS: General Services; ME: My Erickson website; BCF: Benevolent Care Fund; CC: Continuing Care; 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 require something fixed or repaired, call, or for non-urgent requests, residents may utilize a Request for 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. With Christmas coming, along with a lot of great trips, suggest to your loved ones to gift you a Charlestown Transportation Gift Certificate.

GS Notes: We welcome David Cruz, the new Sr. Facilities Mgr., hired from outside Erickson. Greg Johnson reminds us to update our Amazon delivery instructions: Please schedule deliveries Monday – Friday (8 am – 5 pm). Weekend and evening deliveries are often misdelivered or abandoned. Instruct all drivers to deliver packages through your main clubhouse.

  1. 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.
  1. Resident Directory Info: The latest printed version, November, can be obtained by asking at the lobby desks. The only E-directory is on My Erickson, which is password-protected. Changes to both directories should be referred to the Res. Life Asst., Deanna Booker, at Ext. 601-8230.
  1. ccicharlestown.org: The next Tech Bar is on Dec.10 at the Chesapeake from 10 – Noon. Resident Writer Dayle Dawes reminds us to share our thankfulness during the upcoming holidays under News. The Café on Main’s menus are posted. The updated Move-out Guide, along with the new Transitional Move Guide, is posted on the website. Amazon Delivery Tips have been updated under GS. The Feb TS info is posted on the website under Resident Activities: Treasure Sale/Stores | Charlestown Retirement Community Residents. The November CC Newsletter is posted. Hope is creating a team of residents to assist other residents with computer use; 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. Nov 24, at 1:30 PM via Zoom. Contact Hope for the address.
  1. BCF:Worth repeating is that the October TS was the best ever, taking in $56,610! Thank you to all the volunteers! The next TS is scheduled for February 5-7, 2026, 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, including Treasure Sale Furniture.  Anyone interested in joining the BCF committee should reach out to 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. Reminder that Janet Evans is having her annual Holiday Card Sale on 12/5 at 11 am at the Terrace Café Lounge for the benefit of the BCF.
  1. CR: The $7 K & J Sale will be held on Monday, Dec. 1, from 10 AM – 4 PM in the Conference Center. The Catonsville Garden Club Greens Sale will take place on Wednesday, December 10, from 10 AM – 3 PM in the Cross Creek Lobby. The Toys for Tots Campaign is underway, and toys will be picked up on Thursday, December 11, between 10 AM and noon in the Cross Creek Lobby. Finally, the Holiday Paint Night is being held on Wednesday, December 17, from 1 – 4 PM in the Conference Center. Mary was pleased to announce that Nadine Rebeiro has been hired to provide basic Community Resources support and to act as the Volunteer Coordinator. Nadine, you may remember, had been an intern here earlier in 2025 and has recently graduated from the UMBC Erickson School of Aging. Congrats and welcome, Nadine! Jennifer Tillett’s November “Arts Alive at Charlestown” newsletter, as well as the Fall Performing Arts and Chapel Concert Series’ 2025–26 Schedules, are available on this website under Performing Arts and on My Erickson under Resident Resources. All volunteers wanting to help with Christmas decorations can register with Community Resources using the new group email address: ccicommunityresources@erickson.com.

Res. Life: Marie Skane leads the monthly Dine Together Program for new residents, and the November event had 28 residents and the next will be Monday, Dec. 1, at 5:15 PM. Cathy Stevens, our Dining Ambassador Chair, has recruited new Dining Ambassadors, also she is hoping to promote that more new residents are being seated together in restaurants. Mimi O’Donnell has recruited eight additional Friendly Visitors and is updating the handout material. The Tapestry’s recent program was a success, and plans for Spring events are underway. Ann MacKay reported that the Accessibility & Inclusion Group has been examining several areas of need around the campus. Her subcommittee has developed a list of priority projects they feel need to be addressed, which includes several automatic door openers. Margaret Vincent is still looking for a few people to act as reviewers to attend activities and to write reviews on those groups for her New Resident Newsletter. The Transportation Sustainability Subcommittee presented a final draft brochure that will provide information on various ride-share opportunities available to residents. There will be no December meeting, and the next will be Jan. 21, 2026, in Brookside Classroom 2.

  1. Medical Center: The COVID-19 and Flu vaccines are still available if you’ve missed the Clinics. Call to make an appointment for your shot. 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.
  1. The Move-out Process at the End-of-Life helpful article is updated on our website under News with the name of the coordinator, Trina Butler, as well as the brand-new Transition to CC Move Guide. Limited copies of the printed versions are available for the vision-impaired upon request at the lobby desks. 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.
  2. Housekeeping: Dumpster day is January 6, at CTS, 9-11 am. Electronic recycling is targeted for spring. A 24-hour notice to the GS Call Center is now necessary to request that apartment keys be made available to housekeepers. It is requested that if you see something that needs clean-up attention, call the GS Call Center.
  1. Home Care: Updated Home Care info is listed on our website. During November, the CCI Home Care and hospice community honors all its staff for their excellence, compassion, and dedication. Ninety percent of Americans want to age in place, and home care is the preferred method of health care delivery among older adults. Also, they are waiving the $150 Nursing Assessment Fee if you use Home Support services for at least 2 weeks. This offer is just running in November.

Extras: The Staff Appreciation campaign raised $422,629, donated by 66% of our grateful residents! Thank you to the Campaign Committee and our residents!  Brittany is looking for backup Birthday Angels in all the buildings and volunteers to color birthday cards. Archives are officially in their new home in the Courtyard Crossing Lobby, and they remind clubs and groups to send photos, meeting minutes, etc.. The next Medication Disposal event is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 16. The resident-run Cancer Support Group, led by Ann MacKay, meets on the 2nd Monday of each month, the next being Dec. 8, at 2 PM in CTS Classroom 216 Breakout Room. American Medical Equipment will be here on Dec. 3, at the Erickson Center from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM for free repairs to your mobility equipment. In CC, they ask for Bingo prizes of small snacks, costume jewelry, soaps, lotions, etc., for residents to be taken to the CR Office. CC is also seeking magazine and coffee table books for Memory Care. Volunteers are needed in CC to share their talents for CC activities and card players. Congratulations to our new Campus Executive Chef, Mary Martinez Alverez!

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. This will likely be the last opportunity to join, so please get in touch with Mel Milio, Chair of the Scholars’ Committee.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Charlie Eichenlaub
Communications Committee