Last Updated on September 26, 2026
Evergreen Topics (remaining fresh and vital) as of 9/26/2026
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; BOD: Charlestown Board of Directors
1. GS Call Center operating hours are: 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. You will receive a confirming email with a ticket number to reference. If there is an emergency after hours or on weekends, call Security for help.
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’sCouncil Communication Form icon alerts the Council to a problem. The Administration also welcomes comments; please send them to ccifeedback@erickson.com.
Look for several promotional events leading up to the release of the 2026 Resident Satisfaction Survey. You will be able to access the form beginning on October 5th through My Erickson by visiting the Forms Icon or at front desks for paper copies. The survey will be available in electronic and paper format.
Note: CVS Pharmacy Transitions to Main Street Pharmacy on November 2: CVS Pharmacy Transitions to Main Street Pharmacy November 2 | Charlestown Retirement Community Residents. You will need to update your credit card on file.
Finance is hosting a Value for Price Paid seminar on 9/29 at 1 PM in the Auditorium.
3. Resident Directory Info: The latest printed version, September, can be obtained by asking at the lobby desks. Note that in the back, there are Staff Department 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. CCICharlestown.org:The next Tech Bar is targeted for Dec. 1 at Wilton Overlook, with more info to come. There is a new Help file on how to set up wi-fi-calling on their cell phone for anyone experiencing cell phone issues: https://ccicharlestown.org/help/wi-fi-calling/. The Move-out Process article has been updated and includes Guides. The Admin Org. Chart is updated as of 8/31/2026. 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 September 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 of ccicharlestown.org was 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.
5. BCF: 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 stop 10/9 and resume 11/2. The Treasure Chest, Treasure Sale Furniture, and Ladies Boutique are open. Anyone interested in joining the BCF committee should contact Lois Eldred, 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 Fall Memorial Brick/Bench Dedication Ceremony will be held Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 10 AM in Our Lady of Angels Chapel.
6. Community Resources: The Grand Opening of Main Street of the Maple Terrace Arts Studio, Train Room, and Library was on Wednesday, 9/23. Jennifer Tillett’s October Arts Alive Newsletter is available on My Erickson under Resident Resources along with the Fall 2026 Charlestown Performing Arts Schedule. It is also available under Performing Arts on ccicharlestown.org/performing-arts/ . Paper copies are available at the lobby desks. Walking Escorts are needed for Intermissions; contact Nadine. In CC, they ask forBingo 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 My Erickson messages. Thanks again to Desmond Young III for continuing the Charlestown Newcomers Email. Dotty Reitwiesner leads the monthly Dine Together Program, and the next will be Mon., Oct. 5, 5:15 – 6:45 PM. Marie Skane leads the Lunchtime Social at Cafe on Main/Bill’s Place on the 2nd Monday of each month. The next will be Oct.12, and you can bring your own snack. Mimi O’Donnell, Friendly Visitors Chair, welcomes volunteers. Cathy Stevens, the Dining Committee Chair, has recruited new Dining Ambassadors and could use new Ambassadors for Caton Ridge and Harbor View. Ann MacKay’s Accessibility & Inclusion Group subcommittee is continuing to make suggestions to Admin to help us around campus.
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 residents. David Graham reported that the Low Vision Group will hold monthly meetings beginning October 15th. Carol Benner reported that she will be presenting a Low Vision presentation at ELLIC on Dec. 4, 2026.
John Yoder is creating a Low Hearing Group for all interested residents and will be under the Health Services Committee.
The Speed Friending group is taking a break until January, when it will invite new residents from the last six months to join. In its place, they’re having a mix and mingle on the third Thursday of every month at Bill’s place at 1:30 PM. Next is 10/15.
Paul Rao, Chair of the DEIB Committee, announced the Heritage Festival will be held on November 6th from 11:00-2:00 in the Chesapeake area. It’s been suggested that his group should be a subcommittee of the Resident Life Committee, and it was agreed that this will happen in the future.
Beginning in 2027, the Charlestown Board of Directors will start a five-year long-range plan to evaluate and assess the fitness needs of the community. They plan to gather resident feedback on the fitness center equipment. The information gained will inform any new equipment purchases for the gym. (Health Committee Minutes, Sept.)
A four-part series titled “Living for Today and Planning for Tomorrow,” sponsored/headed by Lisa Roeder, Resident Services Manager, began on Sept. 24 and will continue on Oct. 15, Nov. 12, and Dec. 17. This is vital information to prepare survivors to handle a death in the family. A video of the 9/24 presentation on ME will be available at the end of next week.
7. Medical Center: No Flu Zone: Get your Flu Vaccine to stay healthy! If you missed the Clinic dates, walk-ins are welcome between 9-11 AM and 1-3 PM each day. There will also be a COVID vaccine clinic on October 7 in the Fireside bar area. At a recent Town Hall, Dr. Myla Carpenter, MD, Charlestown Medical Director, explainedand 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 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. The Medical Center services will continue to operate with temporary adjustments as needed during each phase of construction.
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 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.
9. Housekeeping: Carpet Cleaning Special ends 10/8: 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.
10. Home Care: Updated Home Care info is listed on our website. Our rehospitalization rate remains exceptionally low, reflecting excellent clinical care. Their Open House at Cross Creek on Tues., 9/15 was appetizing and successful.
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 to assist Marty White at Fireside, and Kathy Eiswert and Lois Eldred at Cross Creek. The resident-run Cancer Support Group, led by Ann MacKay, meets on the 2nd Monday of each month; the next is Oct. 12, 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.
Food, music, and drinks will be available to help residents cheer on our Charlestown Sluggers at the Annual Softball Tourney versus, Oak Crest, and Riderwood on Wednesday, 9/30, beginning at 9 AM. Go Sluggers!
Update: The Aquatics Center is closed through mid-October for refreshing, and the Fitness Center is closed through the end of October.
MaCCRA is considering the responses that were suggested for VP.
The Scholars’ Committee is looking for additional Mentors to maintain open communication and to assist scholar candidates throughout their pursuit of a degree. Mentors will be assigned in January after student candidates have been accepted into the program. Contact Mel Milio, Chair of the Scholars’ Committee.
Charlie Eichenlaub
Communications Committee