Charlestown Retirement Community Residents > News > Evergreen Topics > Evergreen Topics, as of October 25, 2025

Evergreen Topics, as of October 25, 2025

Oct 25, 2025 | Evergreen Topics

Last Updated on October 25, 2025

Below is the list of recurring topics of interest I have taken the responsibility to maintain and update periodically or as timely. 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 minutes and reports from Committees. This complete report can be found on our website under News.

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. Handicap Parking now has a 24-hour limit. Our IT Dept. has taken the time to make some videos regarding computers and printers, which can be viewed under Tech Time on My Erickson’s TV and Videos Icon.

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, October, 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.

4. ccicharlestown.org: The next Tech Bar is on Dec.10 at the Chesapeake from 10 – Noon. There has been a shuffle of Committee Chairs, and our website has the current group under “Council Members”. The Café on Main’s menus are now posted. The updated Move-out Guide, along with the new Transitional Move Guide, are posted on the website. The Feb TS info is posted on the website under Resident Activities: Treasure Sale/Stores | Charlestown Retirement Community Residents. The October 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. Nov 24, at 1:30 PM via Zoom. Contact Hope for the address.

5. BCF: By the looks of the traffic entering our community, the October TS was a huge success! The next TS is scheduled for February 5-7, 2026, and there is an ongoing list of volunteer needs for various TS tasks; please contact Casey at 410-737-8892. The Pickup Line will open on Mon., Nov. 3. The Treasure Stores will open Tues., Nov 4, except for Treasure Sale Furniture, which will open when restocked. 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. 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.

6. CR: Kudos to the Staff for the wonderful Fall Festival! The next event is the Holiday Craft Fair to be held on November 14, from 1-4 PM at the Conference Center. In CC, they need Bingo prizes of small snacks, costume jewelry, soaps, lotions, etc., for residents to be taken to the CR Office. CC is also 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 November “Arts Alive at Charlestown” newsletter, as well as the Fall Performing Arts and Chapel Concert Series’ 2025-26 Schedules, are available on My Erickson under Resident Resources. All volunteers can register with Community Resources using the new group email address: ccicommunityresources@erickson.com.

Res. Life: The recent Tapestry events were well received. Marie Skane leads the monthly Dine Together Program for new residents, and the October event had 28 residents, with 20 newbies attending, and the next will be Monday, Nov. 3, at 5:15 PM. The Low Vision Group Meet and Greet Event of resident discussions on October 9th in the Chesapeake Restaurant was a success. They hope to repeat this in the future and will involve small group discussions on topics relevant to visually impaired persons. In November, some members will go on a field trip to the Baltimore Office of the National Federation for the Blind. Cathy Stevens, our Dining Ambassador Chair, is recruiting new Dining Ambassadors, also she is hoping to promote that more new residents are being seated together in restaurants. Mimi O’Donnell is trying to recruit a couple of additional Friendly Visitors. 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. The Transportation Sustainability Subcommittee showed a draft brochure that will provide information on a variety of ride-share opportunities available to residents. Many thanks to Tom Moore for his long service to our community, as he left us for personal reasons last Friday. The position of Channel 972 Manager is in the process of being filled.

7. Medical Center: The COVID-19 and Flu vaccines are still available if you’ve missed the Clinics. Call to make an appointment for your shot. The COVID-19 bug is still active. If sick, call the Medical Center, and a mask will 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. The Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Informational Meeting is on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 10 AM in The Gallery.

8. The Move-out Process at the End-of-Life article has been updated on My Erickson and our website under News, along with the revised Move-out Handbook with the name of the coordinator, Trina Butler, as well as the brand-new Transition to CC Move Handbook. Limited copies of the printed versions are available for the Vision Impaired upon request at the lobby desks. 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: The next Dumpster Day is targeted for January. The Committee asks if you see something that needs clean-up attention, say something, please! Patricia Whittier is the Council Chair for Housekeeping.

10. Home Care: Updated Home Care info is listed on our website. They will continue to offer pop-up blood pressure and balance screenings throughout the community, as staffing allows.

Extras: Staff Appreciation ends 10/31, please give generously! Brittany is looking for backup Birthday Angels in all the buildings and volunteers to color birthday cards. Archives are officially in their new home in the Courtyard Crossing Lobby. 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 Nov. 10 at 2 PM in CTS Classroom 216 Breakout Room. American Medical Equipment will be here on 10/29 at the Erickson Center at 10 am for free repairs to your equipment. Heather Hoffman has taken over the supervision of Custom Interiors, and a new assistant is being hired.

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. This will likely be the last opportunity to join, so please get in touch with Mel Milio, Chair of the Scholars’ Committee.

Café on Main is now open! The menus are posted on our ccicharlestown.org website.
Movies in the Auditorium will return on Nov. 1.
The Black Swan Yacht Club sails Monday, 10/27 at 10 AM on Lake Charles!

Charlie Eichenlaub
Communications Committee