Last Updated on May 24, 2025
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; 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. A heartfelt farewell to Jay Spivey and Shawn White!
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, May, can be obtained by asking at lobby desks. 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.
4. ccicharlestown.org: The next Tech Bar is June 4 at the Chesapeake. Ann MacKay writes of the benefits of being car-free under News. The Charlestown Continuing Care Monthly Newsletter for May is posted. A list of Catonsville Restaurants with phone numbers and websites is now posted under Useful Sites. Add a photo of your pet to the Pet Gallery posted on our website, send a photo to Betty Elder or Hope Tillman. The website is constantly adding information as sent by Club leaders. Hope is creating a team of residents to assist other residents with using 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, Tues. May 27 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. Contact Hope for the address.
5. BCF: Treasure Sale was a huge success once again, with $46,549.57! The next TS is July 24-26, 2025, and there is an ongoing litany of volunteer needs for many TS tasks; contact Casey at 410-737-8892. 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 to ensure the promise of a “Home for Life”. The Pickup Line is open, the Treasure Chest, and the Ladies Boutique are open. The Furniture store is now closed and will reopen when sufficient inventory and donations are being accepted. Anyone interested in joining the BCF committee should contact Virginia Antevil, the Chair, to attend a meeting. If you wish to donate your car to Cars for Care, contact Bette Holub at 410-314-7958. All funds raised through Cars for Care go to BCF.
6. CR: The Summer Solstice Festival is fast approaching and Alli needs Continuing Care escorts, inflatable obstacle course monitors, and field game monitors. 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. Jennifer Tillets’ June, “Arts Alive at Charlestown” newsletter is now 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. A walking escort is needed on Fridays for a Brookside resident, to and from Intermissions, please contact Alli Chlada.
Res. Life: American Med Equipment is here on Wed., 5/28, 10 am- 1 pm in the Erickson Center. The Tapestry events were well attended and are now planning for Fall events. Marie Skane leads the monthly Dine Together Program for new residents, and 28 residents were present on 5/5. The next is June 2 at 5:15 PM. Cathy Stevens will be taking over the role of Dining Ambassador Chair. Cathy is also the co-chair of the Dining Services Committee of the Resident Council. Mary Evans reported the recent AARP Tax Preparation season was very successful with 245 residents taking part. The Low Vision Group is currently communicating with other Erickson properties to exchange ideas concerning low vision programs. The Ageism and Ableism Group is effecting future changes in apartment enhancements for residents with any kind of limitations.
7. Medical Center: 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. 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 new 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 has been updated on our website in the Blog area with the name of the coordinator, Trina Butler. 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 special: Cost $350, ends September 26th, 2025. “ADDED BONUS” Included two rooms of carpet shampooed. There will be a staff-assisted Dumpster Day on 6/18 from 8:30 to 10:30 AM in the Cross Creek parking lot. Michele is working on an Electronics Recycling event in the near future. The Committee asks if you see something that needs clean-up attention, say something, please!
10. Home Care: Home Care info is listed on our website, Home Care celebrated Nurses’ Week, they had a Panera Breakfast, Chipotle Lunch, gift baskets, and flowers for our nursing team. The Home Care team appreciates the empathy, dedication, and hard work the Nurses bring every day at CCI.
Extras: The Scholars’ Program Ceremony was recorded for 972 and the ME video is available. A mighty thank you to all our residents who donated and helped us raise $254,158 for the Campaign! Brittany is looking for backup Birthday Angels in all the buildings and volunteers to color birthday cards. Archives is looking for volunteers 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 resident-run Cancer Support Group, led by Ann MacKay, meets on the 2nd Monday of each month, the next being June 9, at 2 PM in CTS Classroom 216 Breakout Room. The Black Swan Yacht Club is looking for more members to join. Janet Evans is seeking people to help with delivering brown bags to donate for reuse at local food banks to help them feed the needy. Charlestown Harmonizers present their Spring 2025 concert June 4 – 6, 2025 in the Auditorium. Tickets will be on sale for $8 on Tuesday, June 3. Cheer on our Sluggers at the Annual Softball Tournament starting at 9 AM on June 4!
The Resident Council Nominating and Elections Committee have arrived at 12 candidates for our Residents’ Council for a three-year term to help navigate our continued way of life in our great Community. These brave nominees are vying for a seat at the table in the room where it happens, and will be introduced at the Council Meeting next month.
Happy Memorial Day Weekend!
Charlie Eichenlaub
Communications Committee