Last Updated on August 31, 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. I also glean other topics from committee minutes and reports. This report is available 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); CGO: Clubs, Groups and Organizations
- As of today, welcome to John Thomas, the new SES {Security and Emergency Services} Mgr.
Effective September 1, 2026, the GS Call Center will have new operating hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 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. GS Comment Forms are available on ME to report your GS service call.
Welcome to the new Engr. Supvr. Tony Redmond Jr.
The IT Comcast Cable Support Guide is posted on the Council website at: Cable Television Support | Charlestown Retirement Community Residents
- 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’sCouncil Communication Form icon alerts the Council to a problem. Also, the Administration welcomes comments; please send them to ccifeedback@erickson.com. An updated Admin Org. Chart, as of Aug. 31, has been posted on our website under Campus Info: Charlestown Administration | Charlestown Retirement Community Residents
Note: The next Admin Update on Channel 972 will be Sept. 14 due to the holiday on 9/7.
- Resident Directory Info: The latest printed version, August, 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.
- 4. org:The Tech Bar on Wed., Aug. 19, in the Refectory was well attended. The IT team has taken on the Comcast liaison, and info is posted. Also posted is the current Recycling Guideline and Booklet: Recycling Guidelines 2026 | Charlestown Retirement Community Residents.The next TS is Thurs.Oct.22, 2026 – Sat. Oct. 24 is on the website under Resident Activities: Treasure Sale/Stores | Charlestown Retirement Community Residents. The August CC Newsletter is posted under CC. Hope is creating a team of residents to assist other residents with computer use; those interested in helping can reach out to her. In September, the top navigation bar will be changed, and whether to keep the change or not will be reviewed when the committee meets. Questions or suggestions for the website may be submitted on the Home Page, or join us for the next Website Subcommittee meeting on Monday, September 28 at 3:00 PM via Zoom. Contact Hope for the Zoom link.
- BCF: Thank you to the Philanthropy team for a vigorous and successful August BCF Campaign. The next TS is 10/22-24. There is a list of volunteer needs for various TS tasks; please contact Victoria Klemm at 410-737-8892. Pickups have resumed. The Treasure Chest, Treasure Sale Furniture, and Ladies Boutique are open. Starting 9/1, the Treasure Chest will feature winter (Christmas/ Hannukah) seasonal items. Anyone interested in joining the BCF committee should contact Lois Eldred, the new 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 Fall Memorial Brick/Bench Dedication Ceremony will be held Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 10 AM in Our Lady of Angels Chapel.
- CR: On Friday, September 18th, there will be a CGO Expo showcasing Charlestown resident clubs, groups, organizations & Sales Open House.
The staff will celebrate the Grand Opening for Main Street of the Maple Terrace Arts Studio, Train Room, and Library on Wednesday, 9/23. Jennifer Tillett’s September Performing Arts Schedule is available on My Erickson under Resident Resources.
The Fall 2026 Charlestown Performing Arts Schedule will be delivered to your inbox by Tuesday, September 1. Paper copies will also be available at the lobby desks. Walking Escorts are needed for Intermissions; contact Nadine. In CC, they ask for Bingo prizes for residents to be taken to the CR Office, and for volunteers for various tasks. See Nadine. American Medical will be here on Sept. 30 in the Conference Center from 10 AM to 1 PM. Big doings for Fall Festival on Oct. 16: Front Lawn Grand Opening and Trunk or Treat!
Res. Life: Charlestown This Week is presented by Res. Life on Saturdays via ME messages. Bravo to Desmond Young III for continuing the Charlestown Newcomers Email. “We’re Listening” pamphlets are available at lobby desks to advise the hearing-impaired of the support for inclusive listening provided here on Campus. Dotty Reitwiesner leads the monthly Dine Together Program and will skip September due to Labor Day, but the next will be Mon., Oct. 5, 5:15 – 6:45 PM. However, Marie Skane leads the Lunchtime Social at Cafe on Main/Bill’s Place on the 2nd Monday of each month. The next will be on Sep. 14, and you can bring your own snack. Cathy Stevens, our Dining Committee Chair, has recruited new Dining Ambassadors and new residents to have meals together. Ann MacKay’s Accessibility & Inclusion Group subcommittee continues to research where changes need to be made to make the Campus more accessible, including the new outside venues.
The Tapestry Planning Committee has set the topic “Change Happens – How do we deal with it?” for their fall dates, Oct. 1, from 10-11:30 AM in the Chesapeake Restaurant, and Oct. 5, from 1-2:30 PM in the Terrace Restaurant. Please look out for the orange ribbons, identifying low vision people, which have recently been distributed.
Mary Strassner’s newly developed and successful “Speed Friendly event on Aug. 6 at Bill’s Place was again successful. Mary is planning a monthly event, the next in September, TBA. Stay tuned.
- Medical Center:Congratulations to Dr. Kinder on her new appointment as Chief Medical Officer at Erickson Health Medical Group. We will miss having Dr. Kinder as a primary care provider at Charlestown.
No Flu Zone: Get your Flu Vaccine to stay healthy! Clinic dates are 9/9 at the Gallery CTS, 8 am – Noon. 9/16 at the Cross Creek Lobby, 8 am -Noon. Return your consent form by 9/4 to the Medical Center. There will also be a COVID vaccine clinic in October, TBA.
At the recent Town Hall, Dr. Myla Carpenter, MD, Charlestown Medical Director, explained and supported the Advanced Primary Care Management program. Please sign up if you haven’t already. Please bring your new Medicare Card to the Medical Center to be updated in the system. Stay healthy by washing your hands — keep others healthy by not going out if you’re sick. Call the medical center if you are not feeling well. 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; I did. 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.
Note: The Medical Center will begin renovations today, Aug. 31, with only special appointments in the afternoon. Tomorrow, all schedules will be normal business. The renovation project is expected to take several months and will be completed in four phases. The work has been carefully planned to minimize disruption and ensure continuity of care throughout the project. Following the August 31 transition day, Medical Center services will continue to operate with temporary adjustments as needed during each phase of construction.
- 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 informfamilies 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 Victoria Klemm at 410-737-8892.
- Housekeeping: Do You Need Your Carpets Cleaned? | Charlestown Retirement Community Residents. Also, there is a strengthened focus on common area cleaning and a crackdown on vendors and contractors to clean up after themselves. If you see something that needs cleanup, please call the GS Call Center.
- Home Care: Updated Home Care info is listed on our website. Our rehospitalization rate remains exceptionally low, reflecting excellent clinical care. Home Care employees earned Employee of the Month honors for the entire community in both June and July, back-to-back months! Look for an Open House at Cross Creek on Tues., 9/15!
Extras: Brittany is looking for backup Birthday Angels in all the buildings. Archives reminds clubs and groups to send photos, meeting minutes, etc. Note: Archives Hours – Located in Courtyard Crossing Lobby | Charlestown Retirement Community Residents. The next Medication Disposal event is scheduled for Mon., Nov. 16; Fireside and Cross Creek, 1-3 PM. Volunteers are needed: Marty White at Fireside and Kathy Eiswert, Lois Eldred at CC. The resident-run Cancer Support Group, led by Ann MacKay, meets on the 2nd Monday of each month; the next is Sep. 14, in CTS Classroom 216 Breakout Room. You can attend Jean Williamson’s free Resident-run Yoga classes normally: Room 116 at 10:00 am on Tuesday, Room 216 at 10:00 am on Thursday, and Saturday in the Conference Center at 10:00 am. Sometimes, for various reasons, they may change. Jean emails everyone signed up a confirmation every week.
Note that the Aquatics Center is closed through the end of September for refreshing, and the Fitness Center is closed into October.
Thank you, Ken Kidd, for all the years of volunteering to play piano for our singalongs throughout Campus. Enjoy your retirement!
Thank you, Paula Ray, for many years contributing to our enjoyment of the Chapel Series entertainment as Concert Coordinator.
MaCCRA is seeking a Vice-President: We invite you to submit your recommendations — including self-nominations — by Thursday, September 10, 2026, to: Bob Larson, MaCCRA Secretary, at blarson122@verizon.net.
ELLIC Fall 2026 Catalog of Courses will be available Wednesday, September 2, 2026. The registration form will be available, and registration begins on Wednesday, September 9, 2026. The registration fee is $15.
September Offerings are available on the ELLIC Course Information webpage.
Congratulations to our two new Maryland Senior Hall of Famers: Rick Jones and Uncle John Lorenz! The 2026 Induction Luncheon will be held on October 15, 2026, at the Ten Oaks Ballroom in Clarksville.
Charlie Eichenlaub
Communications Committee