Last Updated on March 21, 2025
Legend: GS: General Services; ME: My Erickson website; BCF: Benevolent Care Fund;
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.
1. The General Services Call Center’s phone number and current hours are listed under General Services Communications on our website. If you need something fixed or repaired, call, or for non-urgent requests, residents may utilize a Request a 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, and staff are handing out QR forms as they complete their tasks for easy usage.
2. Recurring Opportunities for Voicing Concerns are listed 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, March, can be obtained by asking at lobby desks. 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: Check out the recent images of the Fireside Artists’ murals’ work on the walls in FH. The Tech Bar Was a huge success on 2/26, and the next is June 6 at the Chesapeake. The Pet Gallery has been updated. The Charlestown Continuing Care Monthly Newsletter for March has been posted. Hope is creating a team of residents to assist other residents with the use of computers, 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 on Monday, March 24, 2025, at 1 pm VIA Zoom! Contact Hope for the address.
5. BCF: Philanthropy welcomes their new Manager, Rachel Susio on April 1. They also remind 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 to ensure the promise of a “Home for Life”. The next TS will be May 8-10, 2025, and there is an ongoing litany of volunteer needs for many TS tasks; contact Casey, at 410-737-8892. The Pickup Line is open. All Stores are open. Anyone interested in joining the BCF committee should contact Virginia Antevil, the Chair, to attend a meeting. The next Memory Walk will be held on May 13, 2025.
6. CR: The Spring Arts and Crafts Sale is on 3/28, 2-5 PM, in the Erickson Center. Register with Allison or Ellie DiPietro, to be a 60-minute volunteer to visit residents in Caton Woods. CC is seeking magazine and coffee table books for Memory Care and prize donations for CC Bingo. Volunteers also remain needed in CC to share their talents for CC activities and card players. Also, register with Allison for the Volunteer Program. 2025 Volunteer Census Surveys have been distributed. Surveys should be completed and returned before Friday, March 28, 2025. Mary announced that her section is getting an intern (Nadine Reberio) who will be helping them on various projects. Jennifer Tillets’ April “Arts Alive at Charlestown” newsletter is now available on My Erickson under Resident Resources.
Res. Life: The Tapestry Program will continue with events on March 25th & April 1st. American Med Equipment is here on Wed., 3/26, 10 am- 1 pm in the Erickson Center. Marie Skane leads the monthly Dine Together Program for new residents and can use more volunteers as Hosts; the next is Monday, April 7. The Health & Wellness Expo will take place on April 9 from 10-12:30 PM in the Gallery and Fireside Lobby. The Resident Life meeting in April will be held in Continuing Care in the Caton Wood Conference Room.
7. Medical Center: Out-patient Rehab is now located back on the 1st Floor of Caton Ridge, newly refurbished. Stay healthy by washing hands—keep others healthy by not going out if sick. Call the medical center if not feeling well.The New COVID-19 vaccine and Flu shots are still available if you have missed the Clinics. A Mask may be required at the Medical Center if a resident is symptomatic. 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 they have 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 posted on our website in the Blog area and was in the August Sunburst. As the posting states, 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 is having a Shred It Event: Saturday, March 29th, Charlestown Square Curbside 9-12pm. Housekeeping special: Cost $350, starts April 21st and ends September 26th, 2025. **ADDED BONUS*** Included two rooms of carpet shampooed.The Committee asks if you see something that needs clean-up attention, say something, please!
10. Home Care: Lory Stoner volunteered to represent the Health Services Committee on the Certified Home Health and Home Support Advisory Council Liaison. Home Care info is listed on our website, describing their services under Health/Fitness. The Preserving Independence presentation by Kristen Aybar on home safety, Home Safe Home, is on ME under Special Presentations.
Extras: Hello Spring! A cabaret performance by the resident Studio Singers of Studio 7-1-5, part of the Little Theatre Company, is at the Shortline Café on 3/25 at 7 PM, BYOB. Vietnam Veterans please join the Dr. Charles B. Frank VFW Post 219 for: the 3rd Annual Welcome Home to all Vietnam Veterans, Saturday, March 29, 2025, 11 AM – 2 PM in The Gallery in Charlestown Square, spouses are welcome. Brittany is looking for backup Birthday Angels in all the buildings and volunteers to color birthday cards. Archives is looking for volunteers who are interested in history and/or preserving Charlestown history and photographers to cover our events and a coordinator who may or may not be a shutterbug; contact John Yoder. The Medication Disposal events are on May 19, Aug 25, and November 24 from 1-3 pm in Cross Creek and Fireside Lobbies. The resident-run Cancer Support Group, led by Ann MacKay, will meet on the 2nd Monday of each month, the next being April 14 at 2 PM in CTS Classroom 216 Breakout Room. The Annual Nature Festival will be 4/24, 11 am – 2PM, in the Erickson Center.The Black Swan Yacht Club Opening Regatta is 5/5 at 10 AM.
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!
Happy Spring!
Charlie Eichenlaub
Communications Committee