Last Updated on February 21, 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; Dietary Focus Group (DFG)
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. 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 GS service call. Welcome to Wade Newcombe, new IL Maintenance Supervisor, who began on 2/9/26. More carts have arrived and are dispersed throughout the campus.
2. Recurring Opportunities for Voicing Concerns are posted 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.
Bittersweet news that Associate Executive Director Leslie Johnson has been promoted to the position of Regional Director of Clinical Operations at Erickson Corporate. Leslie has truly been a compassionate and sincere human being and leader for us. Godspeed Leslie!
3. Resident Directory Info: The latest printed version, February, can be obtained by asking at the lobby desks. Note that in the back, there are Staff Dept. phone numbers and email addresses. 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. Note that in the back, there are Staff Dept. phone numbers and email addresses.
4. ccicharlestown.org: The Tech Bar on Feb 18 was a success with 50 residents getting free assistance from IT. The new Residents’ Alternate Transportation Services Brochure is now posted under News. Gatehouse Operations has been updated along with the Form for Family and Friends Vehicle Registration. Posting for Electronic Recycling and Shred-it dates are up under News. The January update for Tips for Enhancing Your Dining Experience at Charlestown Restaurants is also posted. The February 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. You can submit questions or suggestions for the website on the Home Page, or join us for the next Website Subcommittee meeting, Mon., Mar. 23, 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 TS was a huge success with proceeds of $43,360! Thank you to all volunteers who helped in this great cause, as well as Putterland, which brought in $12,000.75. The next TS is scheduled for May 14-16, 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 open. The Treasure Stores are open, with the Ladies Boutique having a Pink Dot Sale. The Treasure Sale Furniture is 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. 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 Spring 2026 Memorial Brick Dedication is Mon., Apr. 13th at10AM in the Chapel. Sandy Mack thanks all the residents who shared their talents for the V-day Bake Sale, which brought in $1000 for BCF.
6. CR: Groups and Clubs should email ccicommunityresources@erickson.com to check your room reservation for your meetings. All volunteers, please complete your Volunteer Census distributed to cubbies and return ASAP. Jennifer Tillett’s February “Arts Alive at Charlestown” newsletter, the February-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. Walking Escorts are needed for Intermissions; contact Nadine. American Medical Equipment will be here on 3/18 in the Gallery from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM for free repairs to your mobility equipment. Nominations for the Maryland Senior Citizen Hall of Fame are due by April 7th.
Res. Life: Welcome back to Kosta Viennas as Community AV and TV Manager! Marie Skane leads the monthly Dine Together Program and had 35 new residents on 2/2, and the next will be Monday, Mar. 2, at 5:15 PM. Look for a new lunch, Dine Together, at Cafe on Main/Bill’s Place on 3/9. The next Tapestry events will be 3/26 and 3/30, in the Atrium Restaurant at 10-11:30 AM, registration begins Mar. 1, stay tuned. Cathy Stevens, our Dining Ambassador Chair, is seeking more new Dining Ambassadors and residents to have meals with Newbies. Ann MacKay reported that the Accessibility & Inclusion Group subcommittee will provide to Management a list of locations where changes can be made to make the Campus more accessible. Ann is looking for a “trained facilitator” to oversee a one-time Resident Accessibility Focus Group in the near future. Margaret Vincent is looking for any new residents not receiving her New Resident Newsletter. The Transportation Subcommittee’s new Residents’ Transportation Options Brochure is now posted on our website under News and shows various ride-share opportunities available to residents, and is available at lobby desks.
7. Medical Center: Welcome to Funmilayo (Funmi) Opadina, CRNP-PMHNP, our new Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, who started 1/21/26! The COVID-19 and Flu Vaccine are still available. Call to make an appointment for your shot. 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 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.
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 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: There is a current Carpet Cleaning special: 2 rooms for $150, 1 room for $60; call GS by 2/27.
Free Electronic Recycling is 3/3, 10:30-Noon at the CTS Card Room, and 1-2:30 PM in the Cross Creek Lobby. And the Shred-it Event is 5/2 at CTS Curbside. 24 hours’ notice to the GS Call Center is now required to request that apartment keys be made available to housekeepers. If you see something that needs cleanup, please call the GS Call Center. Welcome, Tameria Willis, new Team Leader! There are new Housekeeping Services brochures available at the front desks with a price list for services. Gift Certificates are now available also by contacting Doris at GS.
10. Home Care: Updated Home Care info is listed on our website. All facets of Home Care are staffed and busy, but available to any resident who needs their services.
Extras: Welcome to Nathan Taylor, our new Asst. Finance Director! Brittany is looking for backup Birthday Angels in all the buildings and volunteers to color birthday cards. Archives remind clubs and groups to send photos, meeting minutes, etc. The next Medication Disposal event is scheduled for Monday, May 18. The resident-run Cancer Support Group, led by Ann MacKay, meets on the 2nd Monday of each month, the next being Mar. 9, at 2 PM in CTS Classroom 216 Breakout Room. In CC, they ask for Bingo prizes of small snacks, costume jewelry, soaps, lotions, etc., for residents to be taken to the CR Office. Councilman Pat Young, Balto. County Dist. 1, will speak at the Progressives Together group meeting, Mon., 3/2, at 3:30 PM in the Gallery.
Please Note: The Resident Council Nominating and Elections Committee is seeking nominees for our Residents’ Council for a three-year term to help navigate our continued way of life in our great Community. Please consider running for a seat at the table in the room where it happens!
A perfect example of the previous paragraph is Pat Kasuda, resident volunteer extraordinaire! Pat founded the recent Putterland winter event here at Charlestown years ago. She was a Past President of the Resident Council, where she participated for three years, has been a member of many Council Committees, made numerous contributions in CC as a retired nurse, and is now a Board of Director, whose 6-year term is up in September. Thank you, Pat, for all your contributions as a resident of Charlestown!
It’s not too early for you to put the Scholars’ graduation ceremony on your calendar. It will be held in the Conference Center on Tuesday, May 5, at 6:30 p.m. All residents are invited to attend. It’s a special night!
Charlie Eichenlaub
Communications Committee