Charlestown Retirement Community Residents > News > Residents Council > Communications Committee > Evergreen Topics as of March 21, 2026

Evergreen Topics as of March 21, 2026

Mar 21, 2026 | Communications Committee, Evergreen Topics

Last Updated on March 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 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; 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.

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.

Note: The Neighborhood Chat has changed to Monday, 3/30 in the Chesapeake at 2PM.

A warm welcome to Laura Rye, new Associate Executive Director, beginning 4/13. And then, a sad goodbye to Susan Gibbons, in Admin, who was promoted to Office Mgr. at Erickson Corporate on Campus.

3. Resident Directory Info: The latest printed version, March, 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 Erickson, 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 Next Tech Bar will be May 20 in the Chesapeake from 10 am-Noon. The Med Center Specialty Suite info is updated. The May TS info is on the website under Resident Activities: Treasure Sale/Stores | Charlestown Retirement Community Residents. The alternate Transportation Brochure is now posted under News and also under General Services -> Transportation and under Residents Council -> Resident Life Committee. The March 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., Mar. 23, at 1:30 PM via Zoom. Contact Hope for the address.

5. BCF: The next TS is scheduled for May 14-16, 2026. There is an ongoing list of volunteer needs for various TS tasks; please contact Rachel Susio at 410-737-8832. The Pickup Line is open. The Treasure Stores are open, with the Ladies Boutique currently having a Pink Dot Sale. 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 2026 Spring Memory Walk is Mon., Apr. 13th at 10 AM in the Chapel. A “Thank you” to Casey Bassler, who left us for greener pastures.

6. CR: Nominations for the Maryland Senior Citizen Hall of Fame are due by April 7. The Health and Wellness Expo will be April 16. Groups and Clubs should email ccicommunityresources@erickson.com to check your room reservation for your meetings. Jennifer Tillett’s April “Arts Alive at Charlestown” newsletter, the March-May Performing Arts Schedule, as well as the Chapel Concert Series’ 2026 Schedule, are available on My Erickson under Resident Resources. Walking Escorts are needed for Intermissions; contact Nadine. Jill Clippinger reported that presently over 90% of residents utilize the My Erickson website.

Res. Life: The next Tapestry events will be 3/26 and 3/30, in the Atrium Restaurant at 10-11:30 AM. Dotty Reitwiesner will lead the monthly Dine Together Program that had 28 new residents on 3/2, and the next will be Monday, Apr. 6, at 5:15 PM. Marie Skane will lead the new Lunch Together at Cafe on Main/Bill’s Place on the 2nd Monday of each month, the next being April 13. Kathy Stevens, our Dining Ambassador Chair, is seeking more new Dining Ambassadors and residents to have meals with Newbies. Ann MacKay’s Accessibility & Inclusion Group subcommittee will continue to provide to Management a list of locations where changes can be made to make the Campus more accessible. Margaret Vincent’s New Resident Newsletter continues with helpful info each week. If you haven’t seen it, contact Hope Tillman and join the Residents’ Council “Charlestown Resident Hub” to receive it weekly. The Transportation Subcommittee’s new Residents’ Transportation Options Brochure is now posted on our website and shows various ride-share opportunities available to residents, and is available at lobby desks and on the Council website: Transportation Ride Options | Charlestown Retirement Community Residents

7. Medical Center: Farewell to Shannon Miller after many years of service to us. Godspeed Shannon! Stay healthy by washing your hands — keep others healthy by staying home if you’re sick. Call the medical center if you are not feeling well. There will be a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Gallery on April 15 from 8 a.m. to noon. If your Primary Doctor is at the Medical Center, you may receive a Medicare Press Ganey Medical Center Survey, which is random and continues to garner high marks. Please take the survey if you are chosen. Also, new residents need to sign up for the Care Path Program, even though you may have your doctor off-campus, so in case of emergencies, 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 is a Continuing Care Coffee and Conversation, Mar. 26, 6-7 PM, at Wilton Overlook Meeting Hall.

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 Rachel Susio at 410-737-8832.

9. Housekeeping: There will be a Charlestown Resident Shred-It Event on Saturday, May 2, 2026, between 9 AM and Noon, at Charlestown Square curbside. The event may close early if the truck is full before noon. If you see something that needs cleanup, please call the GS Call Center. There are new Housekeeping Services brochures available at the front desks with a price list for services. Gift Certificates are now available. Doris in housekeeping is the contact; usually, family members buy them for Resident relatives.

10. Home Care: There is a Lucky March Special with Charlestown Home Support. For a limited time, they are waiving the Nurse Assessment Fee. Updated Home Care info is listed on our website.

Extras: 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 Apr. 13, 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.

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!

Reminder: to donate to the Charlestown Scholars’ Campaign by 3/31, we have one of the bigger classes this year!. Also, 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!

Happy Spring!

Charlie Eichenlaub
Communications Committee