Last Updated on January 24, 2026
Evergreen Topics, as of January 24, 2026
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 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; 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. Dave Bulett is now the 4th Facilities Coordinator under Facilities Mgr. David Cruz. Join the GS Town Hall on Feb. 4 in the Auditorium at 2PM (no live TV).
2. Recurring Opportunities for Voicing Concerns have been updated 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.
3. Resident Directory Info: The latest printed version, January, 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 next Tech Bar is Feb 18. The Feb TS info is posted on the website under Resident Activities: Treasure Sale/Stores | Charlestown Retirement Community Residents. Opportunities for Voicing Concerns has been updated with 2026 dates under Getting Things Done. The January CC Newsletter is posted. Dr. Stephen Schimpf’s “As Flu Cases Surge: What You Need to Know” is posted under News. 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., Jan. 26, 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. The Committee meets in alternate months. Contact Hope for the address.
5. BCF: The next TS is scheduled for February 5-7, 2026. There is an ongoing list of volunteer needs for various TS tasks; please get in touch with Casey at 410-737-8892. The Pickup Line is closed until Monday, 2/16, 2026. The Treasure Stores will be open 1/27, then closed until Feb. 17. The Treasure Sale Furniture will open when the inventory is sufficient. 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. 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. The drawing for the 50-50 Raffle from the Winter Putterland will be Mon., Jan. 26.
6. CR: Jennifer Tillett’s February “Arts Alive at Charlestown” newsletter, and the January-May Performing Arts Schedule, as well as the Chapel Concert Series’ 2026 Schedule, are 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. All volunteers, please complete your Volunteer Census distributed to cubbies and return by the end of the month.
Note that some events now have been canceled due to anticipated snow.
Res. Life: The Fitness Center welcomes a new instructor, Deshante Richardson, to help fulfill the numerous requests for Individual Trainers. Marie Skane leads the monthly Dine Together Program for new residents, and the next will be Monday, Feb. 2, at 5:15 PM. The next Tapestry events will be 3/26 and 3/30, possibly in the Atrium Restaurant at 10-11:30 AM. Cathy Stevens, our Dining Ambassador Chair, is seeking more new Dining Ambassadors. Ann MacKay reported that the Accessibility & Inclusion Group meeting had Custom Interiors Manager, Heather Hoffnab, providing an updated brochure showing upgrades that are available for apartments to improve accessibility. Ann’s subcommittee provided a list of locations needing automatic door openers to Management. Margaret Vincent is 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 the various ride-share opportunities available to residents. The next meeting will be Feb.18, 2026, in Brookside Classroom 2.
7. Medical Center: Our new Doctor, Dr. Chika Egbe, an Internal Medicine Physician, is taking on new patients. The COVID-19 and Flu Vaccine are still available if you’ve missed the Clinics. Call to make an appointment for your shot. The The Flu virus and COVID-19 virus are still very active. If you are sick, please call the Medical Center. 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. CC welcomes our new Wellness Manager for Caton Woods 1&2, Fatmata Linonge.
8. The Move-out Process at the End-of-Life helpful article is posted 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 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.
9. Housekeeping: 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.
10. Home Care: Updated Home Care info is listed on our website. Also, there are Savings if you use Home Support services. This offer ends January 31.
Extras: Kudos for Matt Dougherty, Dir. of Sales and Marketing, and his Staff for setting new records pursuing the current Occupancy rate of 98.4%. Brittany is looking for backup Birthday Angels in all the buildings and volunteers to color birthday cards. Archives are 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 Feb. 9, at 2 PM in CTS Classroom 216 Breakout Room. American Medical Equipment will be here on Feb.11 in 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.
Thank you to the 28 volunteer residents who have agreed to mentor and be paired with a Scholar Candidate this year! Enjoy your time with them.
Charlie Eichenlaub
Communications Committee