Charlestown Retirement Community Residents > News > Residents Council > Communications Committee > Evergreen Topics, as of September 20, 2025

Evergreen Topics, as of September 20, 2025

Sep 20, 2025 | Communications Committee, Evergreen Topics

Last Updated on September 20, 2025

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 complete 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 CGO Expo: Resident Club, Group, and Organization Expo (formerly Fruits of Our Labor) & Sales Open House
  1. The General Services Call Center’s phone number and current hours are listed under General Services Communications on our website, ccicharlestown.org. 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. IT has a Windows 11 compatibility check on Tues., 9/23 at 11 AM in the Shortline Cafe.
  1. 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.
    Note: Admin is presenting a DEIB Joint Council Heritage Festival on 9/25 at The Gallery/Fireside Lounge, 11 AM to 2 PM. All Residents are invited to attend and may wear their ancestral attire all day long.
  1. Resident Directory Info: The latest printed version, September, can be obtained by asking at the 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.
  1. 4. org: The next Tech Bar is on Dec.10 at the Chesapeake from 10 – Noon. The website has the current Council members under “Council Members” and has listed a Charlestown DEIB Council page on its front page icons. The October Treasure Sale dates and info are updated under Resident Activities, and Dayle Dawes points us to the resurgence of interest in animal prints in fashion, on display at the Boutique. All TS stores are open, as well as the TS Pickup line, until 10/10. The September 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. Sept. 22, at 1:30 PM via Zoom. Contact Hope for the address.
  1. 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 next TS is scheduled for 10/23-25, 2025, and there is an ongoing list of volunteer needs for various TS tasks; please contact Casey at 410-737-8892. The Pickup Line is open, the Treasure Stores are open. 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. The Memory Walk Ceremony is on October 10. The 8/26 Spenddown/BCF Seminar video is on My Erickson under TV and Videos>Admin>Finance. The BCF Facts & Rumors presentation that was on Tuesday, September 16th, will be aired on 972 next week and will also be on ME videos under Special Presentations.
    1. CR: Farewell to Ally Chlada! Thank you for all you have done for us residents! Participants are needed for the Trunk or Treat during the 10/17 Fall Fun Festival; call Brittany. CC is seeking magazine and coffee table books for Memory Care. Volunteers are also needed in CC to share their talents for CC activities and card players. Jennifer Tillett’s Fall “Arts Aliveat Charlestown” newsletter, as well as the Chapel Concert Series’ 2025-26 Schedule, is available on My Erickson under Resident Resources. The new group mail address for Community Resources is: CCICommunityResources@erickson.com. The Holiday Craft Fair will be held on November 14, and they are looking for crafters to reserve tables.

      Res. Life: Congrats and welcome to Jill Clippinger, the new Res. Life Director! Tapestry events are planned for October 7 and 15th in the Atrium Restaurant. Marie Skane leads the monthly Dine Together Program for new residents, and the next will be Monday, Oct. 6, at 5:15 PM.  On September 22nd, learn about resources and support from a presentation sponsored by the Blind Rehabilitation Group in the auditorium at 1 PM, given by the Maryland State Dept. of Education. The Low Vision Group is planning to host a “Tapestry Like” series of resident discussions beginning on October 9th in the Chesapeake Restaurant. This will involve small group discussions on topics relevant to visually impaired persons. The first topic will be “Meeting your Low Vision Neighbors”. On November 10th, several members will go on a field trip to the National Federation for the Blind. Margaret Vincent is still looking for a few people to act as reviewers to attend activities and to write reviews on those groups for her New Resident Newsletter.

    1. Medical Center: The Flu Vaccine is still available if you’ve missed the Clinics earlier this month; call to make an appointment for your shot. The COVID-19 bug is still active, if sick, call the Medical Center and amask will be required at the Medical Center if a resident is symptomatic. The next Covid-19 vaccine Clinic is Wed., Oct. 22, from 8 am – Noon, in the Refectory; fill out your form to enroll. 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.
    1. 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 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 Casey Bassler, Coordinator – 410-737-8892. Although currently out of handbooks, the revised edition should be available in early October.
    1. Housekeeping special: Cost $350, 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! John Arnold is the Council Chair for Housekeeping.
    1. Home Care: Updated Home Care info is listed on our website. They will continue to have pop-up blood pressure and balance screening throughout the community.  The last was well received and even resulted in some residents connecting with their providers to resolve abnormal blood pressure values.

    Extras: Brittany is looking for backup Birthday Angels in all the buildings and volunteers to color birthday cards. Archives are in holding as they wait for their new digs to be ready. The next Medication Disposal event is scheduled for Monday, November 24, from 1:00-3:00 pm in the Cross Creek and Fireside Lobbies. The resident-run Cancer Support Group, led by Ann MacKay, meets on the 2nd Monday of each month, the next being Oct. 13 at 2 PM in CTS Classroom 216 Breakout Room. The OLOA Ladies Auxiliary Basket Raffle drawing begins 10/1 through 10/3. Sad to see Chef Paul Brewer leave; thanks for all your efforts on our behalf!

    The re-named Scholar Mentor (formerly Coach) Program is beginning its third year. Mentors will assist scholar candidates throughout the process and maintain open communication while they pursue their degree. Mentors will be assigned in January after student candidates have been accepted into the program. You still have time to join, so contact Mel Milio, Chair of the Scholars’ Committee.

    Happy Autumn!

    Charlie Eichenlaub
    Communications Committee