President Joe Carrick called the regular meeting of the Residents’ Council [the Council] to order at 3:00 pm on Tuesday December 3, 2024. 68 residents attended including Residents’ Council members minus five. Staff members included Leslie Johnson, Assistant Executive Director; Ken Zahn, Dining Services; and Karen Leighton, Resident Life Director.

Moment of Silence
The Council observed a moment of silence for those who have passed away.

Previously distributed minutes of the November 5 meeting of the Residents’ Council meeting were approved as presented.

Mission Moment

Nominator Diane Powers celebrates Deb Patterson for her skill and kindness in assisting a fellow resident during a medical emergency. When the lady fell down four steps near the Terrace Café and hit her head on the floor, Deb used her Emergency Room nursing skills to perform a brief trauma survey and to keep the lady still and stable until Security arrived.  Deb also reported the event to Administration and the Maintenance and Engineering Committee, requesting additional safety measures on the staircase. As a result, new carpet was installed with a contrast strip at the edge of the steps, as well as new lighting at the foot of the stairs. Diane praises Deb as a “kind, compassionate, and knowledgeable person … just the kind of person to represent what we, at Charlestown, try to live every day.” Congratulations to Deb Patterson, who is with us today, and thanks to her nominator, Diane Powers, who is also with us.

Executive Team Reports

Joe Carrick President
I believe that the Residents’ Council is Charlestown community civic association that you had in the community you lived before moving to Charlestown. Just as these Community organizations play a vital role in enhancing the well-being and quality of life in their community, the Residents’ Council has this same mission for Charlestown. These community organizations are the residents’ advocate to local, county and state officials. The Residents’ Council is your advocate to the Administration, the Board of Directors, Erickson Senior Living as well as county and state government officials. Community Associations relies on the time and talents of its residents to be effective ambassador for its community. Charlestown residents’ talents are wide and deep. The Council has 21 talented residents who are devoting their time for the betterment of this community. They hear concerns and ideas from residents and act on them. I was recently stopped by a resident who mentioned that it would be wonderful to have a resident led holiday gift wrapping days to help those who have trouble wrapping boxes. The fee collected would be donated to the Benevolent Care Fund. Hopefully we will have this type of service next holiday season. We also have people who stop us in the halls or near the restaurants with concerns. Sometimes these concerns have been fostering for a time. I always inform the resident that their concern and/or idea should be brought up to a specific committee. I sometimes ask the person to send me an email. I should also inform them that there are forms 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 and ccicharlestown website that allows residents to notify the Council about their concerns or ideas. It only takes a few minutes to complete the form. Once competed hit the submit button and it goes to the Council Vice President for action. In the last two years these form submission have been few and far between I mention this today, so residents are aware of these forms. It is an easy way to contact the Council. If you have a concern or an idea, please start using these forms so I can keep Jerry Donaldson busy.

I would be remiss if I did not wish everyone a wonderful holiday season and an incredibly Happy New Year. The holiday season is a cherished time of joy, togetherness, and celebration that brings people closer to their families, friends, and communities. It is a season marked by traditions, whether it is decorating, exchanging gifts, or sharing festive meals, creating memories that last a lifetime. The New Year symbolizes fresh beginnings, reflection, and hope. It serves as a time for individuals and communities to evaluate the past year, celebrate achievements, and set intentions or resolutions for the year ahead. I hope your Holiday Season and New Year is the best ever for you and your family.

Connie Cooney, Treasurer

Balance – Sept 30, 2024                                 $ 4,945.40
Expenses                                                         $    234.15
Balance – October 31, 2024                           $ 4,711.25

October 2024 Expenses Details
Secretary                                             $    137.79  Transcription subscription
Communications                                 $      22.17   Domain Name
Treasurer                                            $      74.19   Supplies
Total               $    234.15

The Council finalize its 2024-2025 budget this month

Committee Reports

Benevolent Care, Virginia Antevil, Chair
The total proceeds raised from the Fall Craft Fair, benefitting Benevolent Care, were $5,348.00.

The focus for 2025 will be on planned giving for benevolent care. The committee and staff have been checking with other Ericson senior living communities about their strategies for increasing planned giving.

Plans are being discussed for holding donor cultivation events, including the possibility of participating in “Neighborhood Chat” events where committee members could speak informally to their fellow residents about the need for participation in planned giving to ensure the continued strength and vitality of Charlestown’s “Home for Life” program.

Next meeting: Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at 2:30 in Charlestown Square Room 116.

Communications, Larry Taylor, Chair

• My E-Preferred Project: This has started. If you see a small Erickson sticker on a cubby, it will indicate who has signed up for E-preferred.
• Amazon Information: Greg Johnson gave tips for Amazon delivery on Channel 972, a couple of weeks ago. He noted there is a way to block out Saturday and Sunday deliveries on your Amazon profile.
• Technology Assistance Day (Residents Tech Bar): It was held this morning at 10 AM. at the Chesapeake Restaurant. This was a FREE event and was attended by both Erickson personnel and residents’ helpers.  We had 70 Residents Participated.
• BandwidthMaximum amount of data transmitted over an internet connection in a given amount of time. Measure of how much information a network, a group of two or more devices that communicate between themselves, can transfer. Data moves from A to B just as water flows through pipes from a supply point to our f... READ MORE issue: BandwidthMaximum amount of data transmitted over an internet connection in a given amount of time. Measure of how much information a network, a group of two or more devices that communicate between themselves, can transfer. Data moves from A to B just as water flows through pipes from a supply point to our f... READ MORE issues in the Fireside and Atrium appear to have dead zones. Two Fireside APs are fighting one another due to boosted signaling; IT, team will be testing these areas again. The Atrium is waiting on a mounting bracket for one of their APs in order to mount it horizontally rather than vertically. They will move the other APAn access point also known as a wireless access point (WAP) is the ceiling box in your apartment that connects to the Enterprise system that provides a WiFi signal throughout the community. It creates a wireless local area network or WLAN at Charlestown. The current ceiling box is a Cisco Catalyst 9... READ MORE closer to the private dining room. They will test these APs within the Atrium afterwards (Main Level and Balcony.) The IT team will have a Networking staff involved and someone from Dining.  They will send test orders and monitor in real time.  They have not reviewed the BandwidthMaximum amount of data transmitted over an internet connection in a given amount of time. Measure of how much information a network, a group of two or more devices that communicate between themselves, can transfer. Data moves from A to B just as water flows through pipes from a supply point to our f... READ MORE issue yet in the Chesapeake Dining room.
• Restaurant Tablets: Lack of Tablets in the Dining Rooms. Six are out for repair. Once they are returned, they will need to have them configured.  It will take time to get them back in the Restaurant.  Four others are expected to come in shortly.   IT noted that the wait staff need more training on the tablets.
• Shuttle Tracker iPad: IT Staff are still working on the new profile for these iPads. Location in Brookside has been confirmed and they are working with General Service to have electricity installed at the Resident’s Entrance. They do have both the Wall and Front desk mounting brackets. IT is looking at the 1^st
• Mobile Phone Access Project: Continuing Care Buildings is the Main Focus for next year (2025.) Independent Living is in the 2026 budget per IT.
• Suggestions for improvement of MyErickson for 2025: This is the time of year when our Website Committee is looking for improvements to MyErickson. Hope Tillman presented the list of topics gathered so far and asked for any additional topics for improvement for MyErickson to be sent to her.

December’s Communications Committee meeting has been Cancelled.
Next Communications Committee meeting: Monday, January 27, 2025 at 2:00, preceded by the Website Committee at 1:00 PM.
Contact Larry Taylor at cherokee405@verizon.net for the 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 link.

Conservation, Mark Buehlman
Our November meeting was an interesting and productive meeting. We had updates on several projects we have been following, including the Lake Charles dredging, Nature Trail improvements, the status of deer culling and various erosion control projects. The dredging and Nature Trail work will be postponed until later in 2025 due to permit delays.

Since alternatives for carryout paper bags are being evaluated by Dining, we decided further study was necessary before we make recommendations on central locations for bag collection.

Together with the Dining Committee we formed a Sub-Committee to try and implement some of the recommendations suggested by this year’s Sustainable Dining Working Team. Nine Residents will participate in this project, and they will begin meeting either later this month or early next year. If anyone is interested in working on this project, please see me at the end of today’s meeting.

Our committee will not meet in December.

Next meeting: Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 2:00 pm in BR1. Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend.

Dining Services, Stephanie Leddy and Cathy Stevens, Co-Chairs
Mark Buehlman, chair of the Conservation Committee, addressed Sustainability as it applies to the Dining Committee. His committee is interested in further study of dining and sustainability and asked for members of our committee to join the joint sub-committee. Several people did sign up.

He talked about the use and re-use of paper bags given for carryout. On the issue of composting, Ken spoke about the study they undertook as well as looking at other Ericksons’ experience. He feels that the kitchens will probably be composting table scraps by mid-December. He is also looking into resident composting.

Ken commented that using reusable food carryout containers is not possible at this time as the cost is prohibitive. Something like this was done early on and it did not work well.

Residents giving their food containers to servers at Shortline and Terrace is not acceptable. The Health Department prohibits this.

Ken said that they are looking into larger group dining at the holidays: up to ten people at Thanksgiving & Christmas. To make a reservation for either holiday, speak with the general manager and/or hostess at the restaurant of your choice prior to the desired date.

Staff Appreciation raised $416,300 through 72% of the residents. Stephanie thanked all that participated. Funds will be distributed through direct deposit this week. We are thanking the staff at four locations during their change of shift times on Wednesday, December 4 at 6:15-7:30 am and 2-4pm at Caton Woods and Wilton Overlook. At the Chesapeake and Fireside from 2-. Thank the staff who you see on Wednesday.

There is no December meeting. Next meeting: Monday, January 20 at 1:30 at CS116.

Finance, Art Johnson, Chair
Don Grove provided update on Finance Director search at the Committee’s November meeting.

The committee reviewed the approved CapEx26 process – details are being posted on MyErickson (under forms) and will be posted on ccicharlestown in January and February.  More information and the required forms may also be obtained from resident Council’s committee chairs. An article in the Sunburst is forthcoming as well.

Seven resident-initiated proposals were approved for CapEx25. A total of 18 proposals were submitted to the Administration from residents. The approved 2025 proposals are budgeted for $1,735,000.

The Committee also Reviewed October financials. As reported in previous council meetings, Charlestown is continuing to manage and stabilize Continuing Care costs. Also, Charlestown’s overall cash position is strong, but finances trail planned budget for 2024

There will be no December meeting. Next Meeting: Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at 9:00 in Brookside 1

Grounds, Dick Voelkel Chair
Charlestown bridge pier update – next year late spring or early summer.

Lake hydro raking update – next year.

CRTT Shortline Trail extension is waiting legal approval. The Charlestown legal department made several minor changes to the agreement which CRTT lawyers are now reviewing.

Outdoor Holiday lights installation finished.

Low vision sidewalk painting completed

Nature Trail Club has ordered some small trees which they will plant next spring.

Grounds Department plans to remove some trees (Building 8 cherry trees which are blighted).

Grounds Department capital expense planning was discussed, and the form viewed.

No meeting in December. Next meeting: Tuesday January 28, 2025 at 11am in BR-1

Health Services, Marty White and Lois Eldred, Co-Chairs

• Never Too Late.  The Health Services Committee welcomed Steve Schimpff MD speaking on his initiative “Never Too Late”.  He addressed the two most important domains of healthy living: exercise and healthy eating. Changing to healthier behaviors may add 4-5 years of life to persons in their 80’s so changing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can benefit everyone. Dr. Schimpff has made 14 videos of residents discussing what they do to keep healthy.
• Caton Woods and Wilton Overlook. Thank you to Pat Kasuda and Louise Dempsey who have done a yeoman’s job in serving as liaison to Caton Woods and Wilton Overlook for years!!
• There were rooms available for families to come to Wilton Overlook and Caton Woods share Thanksgiving Dinner with their loved ones who are residents.
• Caton Woods.  Residents who participated in the Holleran Survey were invited to a dinner at Atlantic Seafood.
• Welcome to Erica Brunok the new staff Wellness Coordinator.
• Assistive Technology.  Jim Fitzsimmons presented his efforts to create a catalog of assistive technology devices over the years. This was followed by Jane Vess, an HSC member who serves as Parkinson’s group liaison to HSC and seeks more info on devices we all can use. The committee decided to ask a Charlestown Occupational Therapist to present an EELIC on this issue to educate all of us.
• Grab bars in non-ADA stalls. There are grab bars in the auditorium and Brookside Terrace. HSC co-chairs are discussing with management (and Maintenance and Engineering after this meeting).
• Swinging doors in ADA compliant stalls. An independent living resident came to the HSC meeting bringing up an issue:  the door in an ADA complaint stall banging open when it hits the back of the EMV and then swinging out of reach. The newer stalls, such as is Brookside Terrace restrooms, have a spring. We discussed alternatives.
• Home Support Satisfaction Surveys.  HSC co-chairs are hoping to develop a home support satisfaction survey. We are waiting to hear back from Kristin Aybar on a list of current users that we may add to the list of IL residents we know that are using home support services from outside the Charlestown Home Support Department.
• Home Support has developed a nice handout on ways to utilize home support within the context of their current schedules- the 4 and 5 (?) hour blocks of time.  They have recently hired new staff and will have increased availability.
• We had a highly successful medication disposal event on Nov. 18.  Special kudos to Craig Nelson, Head of Security who has been instrumental in making this happen.

Next meeting: Tuesday, December 12 at 11:00 in Brookside Classroom 1.

Housekeeping, Jean Williamson, Chair
First, I want to say a special thank you to so many folks who have stepped up in the last month to help with hall and lobby inspections. Your work is so important, as well as so helpful to Housekeeping in identifying areas needing attention…with stain removal, vacuuming, or dusting.

As noted on the screen, only two buildings are remaining for coverage: Maple Terrace and New Carroll. If you are interested, please let me know. You don’t have to live in the building…just agree to walk the halls once a month and report any concerns. It takes probably about a half an hour yet makes such a difference!

As you are aware, trash cans are placed outside the main buildings…Herbert’s Runn, Brookside, Parkview, St. Charles…and others all around the campus in front of every entrance. However, they have been placed there for folks to just throw trash into them as they are sitting outside or entering the building…just to keep the entrances clean and attractive. We ask for all persons not to use them for personal bags of trash. As they are placed on the ground, not only are they unsightly, but they also draw animals and rodents.

On behalf of Housekeeping, we would like to thank the many residents who have obtained trash cans to use in throwing out their plastic bags on Trash Pickup Days. Leaving plastic bags on the floor not only adds possibility of mice intrusion, but spills of liquids on the carpet as well, which is sometimes difficult for Housekeeping to get up.  Thank you to the many who are using the trash cans. It really does help to keep our halls cleaner and more attractive. For others, we ask you to just call Housekeeping, ask for a can…and it will be delivered to you!

Finally, we ask that tables in hallways and lobbies not be used to place giveaways, personal items, or food on the table. This is not only for your safety and security, but for Housekeeping as well, as they often deal with the messes left behind.

Thank you so much for working with Housekeeping to keep our Charlestown home healthy, safe and clean!

There will be no Housekeeping Committee meeting in December. Next meeting: Monday, January 18 at 10:00 am in BR 1.

Legislative/Political, Paulette Hammond and Richard Lee, Co-Chairs
We will have a legislative forum with all our legislators this time, we will be able to meet Alicia McGowan who has been unavailable for the last couple months. She is in 44b our sister district, but she is an important person to hear from. That will be next Tuesday, December 10, seven o’clock here in the auditorium with refreshments. We will also be tracking legislation in the 2025, Annapolis season and session. So, if you have any bills you want us to track, please let us know. We’ll let Hope Tillman know and keep following issues that will be important to us. We will also organize the wrap up, as we did last year, of what happened during this session in the spring.

Next meeting: Wednesday, December 11 at 10:00 in BR1.

Maintenance and Engineering, Rob Vickerman, Chair
Elevators: The Charlestown Square and Herbert’s Run No1 elevators should be in service on January 1. Herbert’s Run elevator No. 2 will be out of service when elevator No. 1 is back in service. And the Parkview elevator will be going out of service on December 1 and back in service on March 1.

Laundry: The replacement of the laundry washer/dryer machines at Caton Ridge will be done by Jan 1.

Low Vision Issues: The M & E Department painted the leading edge of the Charlestown Square steps yellow. Rick Buckingham will investigate using black paint instead of yellow.

Water Flooding: Work will begin soon on a proposal to General Services addressing the water sink overflow caused by residents. The M & E Department is working on a design of the heat pump closet piping to reduce the possibility of pipe failure that causes apartment flooding.

Public Restrooms:

• The possibility of installing grab bars on the outside wall of public bathrooms was discussed. The M & E Department said that the outside wall is not able to structurally support the forces of someone using the grab bars.
• The idea of “family” public restrooms was brought up. This would be a bathroom where a husband and wife could enter for mutual assistance. General Services has been informed of this request.
• The Brookside outside lighting is being investigated by the M & E Department.

Next meeting: Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at 2:00 in the General Services conference room.

Resident Life, Bill Jones and Fred Sadler, Co-Chairs
The Tapestry Programs session held on November 20 had 69 residents in attendance was highly successful. The next event will be held on Friday, December 6 and is already fully booked with 72 residents. The first session saw several residents engaged in a serious discussion on aging and the issues that face everyone. The Tapestry Program is already meeting to discuss holding sessions in the spring.

The new Chatty Bench Program has been advertised on Channel 972 and will be active, during the holiday season, to permit residents the opportunity to sit and talk with other residents about issues that concern them. This project began during the October Fall Festival and several residents stopped by to chat. It is hoped that this project can be held frequently as an outlet for resident communication.

The Age/Ageism Group is actively researching the Lanyard Program, a voluntary effort to permit residents to make others aware of their limitations. The group will be meeting with related support groups to determine the level of interest. Besides lanyards it is possible that stickers could be applied to identity badges to identify specific needs. The purpose of this program is to increase sensitivity to the needs of our fellow residents.

The concept of Universal Design continues to be a topic of consideration. This relates to the inclusion of accessibility reviews in all apartment reconstructions. Meetings with administration partners will be scheduled soon to examine best practices in modifying apartments to be more useable for residents with impairments.

The Low Vision Group will now meet quarterly and has been very successful in achieving several modifications including large print menus, curb painting, and elevator button upgrades. The group is seeking to have contact with Low Vision groups at other Erickson facilities to exchange ideas for improving conditions for all.

The Dine Together Program has been experiencing wonderful success as 37 new residents ate together on November 4. The most recent event occurred on December 2. This has become a very significant way for new residents to meet each other and to begin forming associations.

The New Resident Weekly Newsletter has proven to be a very valuable tool for new (and old) residents as it contains a wealth of important information. Feedback on this has been very favorable.

The Resident Life Committee will not meet in December. Next meeting: on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 2:00 PM in Brookside Classroom 2.

Safety and Security, Ed Appel, Chair
Craig Nelson’s Security team provides all kinds of services, from wheelchair escorts to emergency medical responses.  Each is recorded in a report.  Reports average about 500 per month.

Security safe driving and parking enforcement includes repainted parking, crosswalk and sidewalk lines.  Reminder: report vehicle descriptions and license plates of unsafe drivers to assist enforcement.

The committee consensus was that the best way to honor and thank Baltimore County Fire and Police responders, including Arbutus Volunteer FD is to create large thank-you cards to be presented to the stations by a delegation from Charlestown.  Planning for implementation is underway.

Committee articles on scams and security warnings are posted on ccicharlestown.org.

Security is trying to get abandoned and derelict cars on campus removed.

Baltimore City and County PDs note increases in teen car thefts, car break-ins and robberies, but incidents in zip code 21228 remain low.

Next meeting: Thursday, December 12, at 1:00 in Charlestown Square Classroom 116.

Update from Leslie Johnson, Assistant Executive Director
I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving. Don and I have been receiving messages from residents thanking us and sharing about their holiday meal. So, I want to thank Ken and his dining team for serving a fantastic meal for the residents. Lots going on around campus this time of year, we had the holiday arts and crafts show, which raised $5,000 for benevolent care, which is fantastic. We have the Little Theater group production of By George, which was phenomenal. We have the Harmonizers rehearsing, and I saw those lines, and I’m hearing some days are already sold out, but there’s a lot of holiday concert series coming up.

First, wanted to thank Myrone Foster and all the resident helpers that assisted with the tech bar today. How many you said? Over 70. That’s fantastic. When I stopped by at 11:50, residents had already been in and I heard good feedback from residents getting assistance; some walking out with their next day appointment already scheduled. And we were also supported this time, not only by residents and Charlestown employees, but also had some IT members from our other campuses here supporting, helping, but also trying to get some ideas about how to improve their tech bar. So Big shout out to Myrone and the resident helpers.

The holiday lights are up and installed. We do have a few areas that our grounds team is still tweaking, so we hope to get that all completed this week, but most of it is finished. I just wanted to mention there’s a few areas I know St Charles that Jay Spivey mentioned, but just a couple of other areas on campus that we’re still working on.

Regarding the CTS elevator, Otis has finished the repairs, and they are calling for the state inspection. We’re going to ask for the most recent date that we can get. Hopefully the holidays won’t hold that up. The Herberts Run elevator is about a week behind that, so Otis hopes to be able to call in for the inspection sometime next week.

We are having some issues with lighting outside in a few of the parking lots. St Charles should be repaired, but there were some reports in Chapel Court and around building 9. This is due to electrical wire failure that is underground, so Kevin Crawford and his team are working on a repair. We know that these areas are dark with the lights being out, so we are prioritizing the repairs. The security team is doing increased patrols in those areas after sunset, until the repairs are complete.

In the historic repositioning project, our next construction phase will begin on Monday, December 16. This is when you will start to see temporary walls put up around Bill’s place, the salon, and laundry area. The main hallway will be open, so you will always be able to travel there. And there will be a temporary wall where the Abbey is, closing that off and starting some construction there. The new security office will also be started in the basement in New Carroll at that time as well. We had the grand opening of the new Refectory space and music room. I hope you had the opportunity to enjoy that space. The court isn’t of standard size, so we do need to make an adjustment. We want our court to be the right way, and this was not done in the construction process. All the repairs are not being paid on our dime. They’re being taken care of by design and construction. But this will cause that room to be shut down for about a week, and we plan to do that sometime in January, when we get the dates. We will give you plenty notice and it will not affect the music room. We have our General services, Resident Town Hall meeting tomorrow, Wednesday the fourth, at 9am right here in the auditorium. It will also be recorded and played on 972.

We heard a little bit about some of the safety measures and changes that were done to the Edgewood stairs earlier. There is one more project we want to do there for safety, and that is changing out the handrail.  We don’t have a date for that, but I just wanted to mention it is upcoming. It will cause that stairwell to be shut down for two days, but we will give notice to the residents. But it was just one more thing that we wanted to do to make those few steps a little bit safer.

We also have the Toys for Tots collection tomorrow. The Marines will be here at 10:30 to collect all the toys that were donated by residents and employees. And then my final announcement is as Mr. Johnson mentioned Don gave the finance committee an update on our search for our new finance director, and I am pleased to announce that we have hired David Schneier. He will be joining our team on December 9. David has a Master of Business from the University of Maryland, and he brings a wealth of financial knowledge, and we are really excited for him to join our team. We just want to thank Jill Clippinger for jumping in during the budget season when Gladstone left, and just keeping things moving, getting our budget done and getting it approved. We can’t thank Jill enough and how she led that team, and she’s going to be a great resource for David when he comes. We’re going to be sending out a campus announcement tomorrow to all residents and employees, but we just wanted to share that this evening. David will be joining us next week, and now I’ll open it up for Questions.

Question: Yes, this is about the Saturday movie. On Sunday, we were told that, starting in January, the movie will not be shown on 972 and I was just curious as to why that was going to happen.

Leslie: Our streaming services are going to change a little bit soon, that beginning January 2025. We are going to be one of the Erickson senior living communities that will probably be in the second or third movement of the streaming service. What they’re trying to do is make it easier for all the communities to have access to streaming services. It doesn’t mean that you won’t have access to your DVDs anymore. We still will have those access but we’re just trying to figure out what that means for 972. Tom, Mary, and I just brought that up to each other last week and said to each other, what does that mean for Charlestown? Know that we are always supporting all of you and our advocates. For all of you, we are having a call next week with my home office partner. It’s coming, but I don’t know what that looks like. We’re going to try to keep it the way it is with 972. Basically, we’re not sure if that will directly affect 972 or not.

Question: I got an email just before we came to the meeting having to do with notary services here, which is another question that I had for myself. According to what we have on MyErickson, we have this notary, Weinkam and Weinkam, and they cannot notarize legal documents, including last rules, testaments, powers of attorney, Advanced Care directives and living trusts. What else can be notarized? Leslie said that she would follow up on this question.

One thing that I wanted to bring up is the idea of our private dining rooms. I’m Veronica. We are not allowed to use the private dining rooms. They’re not being used for private dining, and there are groups that want to have a party or gathering. Stephanie said, I think it was Stephanie, that you can go to the hostess desk and increase your reservation to 10. I don’t think that’s workable. I think that you have that for holidays only. Ken concurred.

Ken: First off, for clarity, us increasing the size of groups is something we are trying out and tried out on Thanksgiving and one Christmas; that is it. We’re looking to see what that does to reservations, because we have larger groups, and we want to encourage folks with larger families to be able to come and partake. The answer as far as private dining rooms, we are not there because there are times when we are using our private dining rooms as overrun, and for us to shut down those private dining rooms would go ahead and elongate reservation times. So, the answer to the question is, as soon as we get a little bit greater capacity, which is coming in phase two, when we reimagine the Terrace, then we will open back up our private dining rooms as well as look at our hours of operation. We recognize that it’s important to our residents.

Respectively submitted,
Nancy Meier, Residents’ Council Secretary