The Kendal Reporter - Kendal Crosslands Communities

Vol. XLI, No. 9
November 2015
Kendal Residents Association Board Meeting Summary
Thirty-five residents, several staff and an observer
from the Crosslands Residents Association were present when KRA Board President Peggy Draegert
convened the board’s October 12 meeting. The big
news was that this year’s annual appeal brought in
$41,938, surpassing the campaign’s $39,000 goal.
The jubilant Budget and Finance Committee will be
tasked with recommending uses for the extra funds
that will benefit all Kendal residents.
Recent marketing events resulted in the sale of a
one-bedroom cottage, bringing Kendal’s current occupancy to 86.2%, “with three more signed up before
the end of the year,” according to COO Meg Lemley.
Phil DeBaun reported progress on the Promenade
extension and front entrance pr ojects, and announced formation of a committee to explore improvements to the auditorium. The committee’s job
descriptions are posted on the Administration bulletin
board and the kalresweb.org website. The first task,
Phil noted, will be to determine “what, followed by
when.” Consultants have recommended updating the
Center’s downstairs crafts areas for more efficient
utilization.
Peggy Draegert reported meeting Kendal Corporation’s incoming chief executive officer, Sean Kelly,
at a conference of Friends Services for the Aging she
had attended in New Jersey (in advance of his October 30 visit here).
Peggy displayed a souvenir mousepad featuring
[Quaker founder] “George (Fox)’s Spiced Pie,” a reference to the “Quaker SPICE” testimonies of Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, the Environment and Stewardship. She likened the SPICE imagery to residents’ contributions of work and money
to KRA.

play handbells, possibly enhancing Kendal Singers' concerts. Interested residents can contact
Mary Alice James or Janny Sterret to learn more.

Ernie noted that two committees, Better Hearing
and Health Center Volunteers, will be discontinued at their own request.

The Communications, Ethics and Dog Park Committees made reports. The Communications
Committee plans to examine website usage after
the first full year of kalresweb.org’s “going live”
last December.

The updated version of the “Who’s Here” biographies is now being distributed via email to all
who have email addresses, so that fewer paper
copies need be printed. The committee hopes to
reach out to those who manage and depend on
Channel 9.

The Ethics Committee is comprised of 15 staff
and resident representatives from the Kendal,
Crosslands and Barclay Friends communities.
Confidential case reviews are within their purview.

The dog park is open, primarily utilized in early
morning and late afternoon. Protocols are being
developed proactively to assure safety and enjoyment by all users.
President Draegert thanked the residents and staff
who have received their annual flu shots, as a means
toward protecting us all.
Susanna Davison
KRA Secretary
President-elect Ernie Kimmel announced the formation of a new committee, Kendal Chimes,
which will open opportunities for residents to
November 2015
1
In Memoriam
There were no deaths in October.
New Residents
Willard & Julie Smedley 314, 315
Shoya Zichy Apt. 83
Moves within Kendal
Janet Doehlert 323 to 438
Phyllis Danby 171 to 323
Grayfred & Lois Gray 155 to 21
Ruth Raughley 60 to 343
The Reporter welcomes articles of general
interest by any member of the community.
E-mail copy (300-word limit) to
<[email protected]> or
place copy in Box 49,
marked “For the Reporter.”
Material must include your name, and
may be edited as necessary.
Deadline for December issue:
November 23
The Kendal Reporter
Published by and for the residents of Kendal at Longwood
P.O. Box 100, Kennett Square PA 19348
Editor and Layout: Ter r y Engeman
Reporters: Annie Hazar d, Faith Wohl,
Kay Rosier, Al Zalon
Proofreaders: Peg Allen, Mar gie Gr iest,
Eleanor Pearson
Distribution: Raoul Leuter itz, Peg Allen
November 2015
Recent Russian Impressionists
“It is both possible and desirable to separate Russian culture from Russian politics.” So said Jim Curtis as an opening to his talk on Russian Impressionism on Monday, October 19. Then he offered a bit of
background, showing a few impressionistic paintings
to set the artistic mood.
He introduced eight young Russian artists who
paint in the Impressionist style, all of whom were
born in a 25-year period between 1956 and 1981!
The first one was Mariya Shcherbinia b.1965, a
Moscow painter who went to the Stroganov Art Institute in Moscow. Her work showed lush romanticism,
and her “Garden Patio” was an explosion of color.
Olga Suvorova b.1965, is from St. Petersburg. She
graduated from the Academy of Art in St. Petersburg.
Both her parents are artists as well. Her painting,
“Two Cats” had glowing color. She also reflected a
style more like Renaissance.
Third was “an international party boy,” Nikas Sofronov, b.1956. His “Venice Morning” was pale and
cloudy, showing much use of white.
Inna Andrazhevskaya, b.1965, combined Impressionism with Cubism in her paintings. Her “Still Life
with Mandolin” and “Still Life with Orange Rose”
show these influences. A bit of abstract shapes come
into play in her paintings.
Irina Kruglova, b.1981, is among the youngest of
the painters represented and her “Snowdrops” was a
good example of her impressionistic style.
Yelena Komarova, b.1960,
used bright pastels to create
“Tuscany” and shiny orange in
her Luxembourg Gardens. She
was the purest Impressionist of
the group.
Gennady Alekhnovich, also a
young Russian artist, had no
published birth date given. His
“Roses” was an intriguing combination of realistic
roses with an impressionistic background. The same
was true of his painting titled “Mood”.
The last painter discussed was Pyoyr Bezrukov
b.1974, and he was the most radical painter. His use
of luminous color around the water in “Golden Evenings” was fascinating, as was his “Saturation of
Spring,” which was a colorful example of Impressionism with abstract interpretations.
After watching the slides and hearing about these
modern Russian artists, we had time for questions
and comments. We learned a lot!
Annie Hazard
2
Phil DeBaun’s Forum Had A Full Agenda:
Upgrades, Dining, Occupancy and More
Phil then reported that the long-planned extension
of the Promenade has begun, so that walkers will be
able to make a full circuit of the campus without
walking in the road. Some trees will have to come
down (the audience sighed) but once the path is complete, the area will be re-landscaped, most likely in
the spring.
By separating plans for the front entrance from the
issue of traffic light maintenance on Route 1, we
have finally been able to move our request forward.
The township has approved and it is now on PENNDOT’s desk.
The auditorium planning project has also gotten
started, with a newly formed resident advisory committee that includes Peggy Brick, Ed Brubaker, Peggy Draegert, David Feldman, Charlie Ford, Carole
Smith, Janet Spencer and Gail Van Wie. This group
will make a critical assessment and inventory of each
function (storage, lighting, performance and others)
of the auditorium. The committee may visit area
communities that have redone their auditoriums to
November 2015
see what we can learn from their experience.
There is also interest in improving the finishes and
space allocation of the craft and activity rooms on the
lower level. The physical spaces in the Health Center
were renovated ten years ago and may need some refreshing.
Phil discussed the Board’s thinking, along with the
Loving consultants, on how to reconfigure our mix of
residence sizes. When he last spoke on this topic
he had indicated that Kendal would cut back significantly on studios and one-bedrooms by combining
adjacent units to achieve larger cottages, which seem
to be the preference of current potential residents.
However, considering Kendal’s continued desire
to achieve economic diversity, original plans will be
modified. Compared to our current mix of about
37% studios and one-bedroom apartments (the recommended percentage nationally is only 15%), the
long term target will eventually be between 20 and
25%. Importantly, since construction and reconstruction take time, and needs in the market change, we
should envision the transformation of the community
as it will look 20 or 25 years from now.
Right now our approach is somewhat opportunistic—we change configuration as apartments become
available. This needs to be more strategic so we can
achieve that long-range vision.
Phil’s presentation generated many questions from
the resident audience. We have grouped them by general topic for clarity: see next page, col. 2.
Faith Wohl
Kendal Is Happy to Spread the Word
Terry Engeman
It was almost standing room only as Kendal residents gathered in the Auditorium and Lounge to participate in the first Forum since last June. Thanks to
an unusually lively question and answer session following remarks made by Phil DeBaun and Meg Lemley, the meeting ran nearly an hour and a half.
Meg reported succinctly on our continued work
with outside consultants:
 Loving and Co. has been working with the
Admissions and Marketing staff; among other
recommendations, they are upgrading the
Kendal-Crosslands web site.
 Strategic Dining Partners are supporting the
dining services staff in a very hands-on manner—literally right in the kitchen—working
side by side on menu planning, recipes and
food presentation.
 She also commented that the furniture ordered
for the Garden Café has been shipped and is
on its way. (New, higher, chairs and handsomely refinished tables have been in use in
the main coffee shop for a few weeks.)
 Two very successful marketing events have
resulted in more potential residents. While
overall occupancy has dipped slightly owing
to the transition of residents into health center
accommodations, the hope is that we can
bring it up to 90% by year-end.
These two signs greeted visitors along the entrance drive.
3
Winter Driving Do’s and Don’ts
I lived over 40 years in Syracuse, New York, the
snowiest major city in the U.S. (Yes, more snow on
average—126 inches!—than Buffalo.) Here’s what I
learned about winter driving:
 Service your car before the bad weather starts. If
your battery is over six years old, consider replacing it. Don’t expect that the weekly run to Giant
will keep it charged in cold weather. Drive 20
minutes in non-stop-and-go traffic every 10 days or
so.
 Keep your windshield washer reservoir full. And
now is the time to replace those wipers that have
been streaking your windshield all summer.
 Have a flashlight, a small snow shovel and a blanket handy. And stash some granola bars in the
glove box, just in case.
 Always drive with a fully charged cell phone.
 Before setting out, warm up the car and clear snow
off all windows and lights—including the rear turn
signals—and the roof and hood.
 Keep your distance: It can take twice as long to
stop in snow. Slow down well before you enter a
turn—and signal well ahead of time so drivers behind know what you’re doing. Brake gently before
you turn the wheel, then drive slowly through the
turn.
 Never use cruise control in slippery conditions.
Eliminate distractions: Ask passengers to be quiet;
turn off the sound system.
 Four wheel drive helps to get moving in snow and
going uphill, but according to a recent Consumer
Reports article, it’s no more effective for braking
or turning than two wheel drive. If you must drive
regularly in snow, get snow tires. (All-season tires
are NOT snow tires.) If you’re putting off buying
tires until spring, don’t; have tires with lots of tread
before the first snowfall.
Best advice: Keep off the roads until they’re clear;
if you don’t really have to go out, stay warm and cozy
at home.
David Feldman
Some Questions and Answers
Following the Forum (p. 3)
A far-ranging question and answer session followed the Forum, at which many
residents spoke. Here are a few of the topics they raised:
Food A few long-term residents said the food used
to be better. “We need to get back to the quality of
food we used to have and give Steve [Wandishin,
dining services manager] the tools he needs to make
that happen.” (Answer: Strategic Dining Partners
will be working with us for the next two years; they
have already made a difference in, for example, “the
chicken problem.”) But another resident remarked
that “We have not solved the chicken problem!”
Still, “ Many people are making positive comments
about the food recently.”
New Construction -- Commenting that she is
“saddened by the fact that we are cutting back on studios as inconsistent with our
Quaker values,” a resident believes
this reduction will make it more
difficult or impossible for those
with limited resources to afford to
live here. A fairly recent resident wanted to know
whether new construction will “break currently open
ground or be within the present buildings that exist?” (Answer: While we need to be open to both
solutions, we do not want to lose the layout that clusters around the Center and the sense of community
that it helps create.) The comment was made that as
we think about reconfiguring the buildings we need
to decide how large a resident population we can sustain effectively. Have we reached that point?
Long-term Care—Will we have the option to stay
in our own houses, supported by health aides, rather
than go to the Health Center? (A nswer: There are
three outside services that have been certified by our
Health Care staff to provide care in the home if that
is desired. It would be the responsibility of the resident to pay for those services. ) What happens when
a patient needs to be on a ventilator or dialysis machine (services not available in the Health Center)?
(Answer: Such patients will need to be moved to a
sub-acute nursing facility, which can be paid for by
Medicare and supplemental insurance, until they are
able to return to Westmorland.)
Faith Wohl
November 2015
4
How to Plan For Your Death
Dr. June Lunney, a Cartmel resident and nurse
researcher, engaged a rapt Kendal audience at a recent “Choices at the End of Life” gathering. Dr.
Lunney talked about the inherent paradox we confront in looking ahead to life’s end, that is: “To embrace life with gusto, but to experience death with
dignity.”
In addressing this paradox she drew on her many
years of research for the National Institutes of Health,
Medicare and the Rand Corp. to define in simple pictures four possible trajectories of death, each of
which requires different planning for the future and
in one case, no planning at all.
There is no way, for example, to plan for the first
of these trajectories by definition—“sudden death,”
the sort that comes from a tragic accident or a devastating heart attack. The second is very different, as it
results from a terminal illness such as cancer, where a
doctor can predict approximate timing with some certainty. The third is from organ failure over time, with
peaks and valleys along the way. This trajectory is
episodic, as in cases of congestive heart failure or
COPD, where periods of intense illness are followed
by recovery—until they’re not. The final one is frailty, a long, slow pattern of continuing diminishment,
with the end uncertain as to diagnosis and timing.
Nearly half of all deaths result from frailty, about
20% from cancer, 28% from organ failure and fewer
than 10% from sudden death. Since none of us
knows which will mark the end of our lives, how do
we plan for the future?
In choosing to live at Kendal we’ve already made
a decision that can help address all situations. She
encouraged as much individual planning as possible
while our ability to make cogent decisions remains
intact. The ability to think clearly begins to diminish
with age, so it is important to make key decisions
when we are fully capable of doing so.
She encouraged an ongoing conversation with
family members in which to discuss these trajectories, and spoke briefly about the public policy implications of these views of the future. This could include, for example, expanding the role of hospice,
which was designed to help terminal patients through
their final months.
Faith Wohl
Blame the Bug, Not the Rug
Such read the headline in a recent W ashington
Post article covering a presentation at an annual
meeting on infectious diseases known as IDWeek.
Stating the fact that annually more than two million seniors are admitted to emergency rooms due to
falls, with 20% resulting in serious injury such as broken bones or head trauma,
they say most falls are blamed on
known risk factors such as medications
that affect balance, vision problems, and
throw rugs or other tripping hazards.
New research suggests another cause:
infections. The connection between infections and
falls is not always recognized.
According to the study, “Bloodstream, urinary
and respiratory infections are the most common culprits for infection-related falls… People can fall because an infection may cause low blood pressure and
make someone feel lightheaded or dizzy … according to researchers.”
Farrin A. Manian, a clinician at Mass. General
and the study’s principal investigator, said he hoped
the study could raise awareness of falls “being a potential manifestation of an infection … so that perhaps these infections can be diagnosed and treated
before the fall actually occurs.”
“Some of the more serious infections I treated
were in people who came to the hospital because they
fell,” Manian said. “Even though many of the patients had vague early signs of an infection, such as
weakness, or lethargy, it was the fall that brought
them in.”
Still, eliminating tripping hazards in your
cottage is a good idea!
Cal Calvache
The newly formed KCC Dementia Education and
Training Steering Committee will host its first of
two annual presentations on Thursday, November
12. “Cognitive Impairment: What is a Loved one to
Do?” will begin at Crosslands and will be repeated
at Kendal at 1:30. It will feature a brief talk by neuropsychologist Dr. George Ledakis on cues & clues
for discerning impairment, stigma and barriers to
seeking help, and what causes these changes medically. The program includes a panel of residents
who have experienced the cognitive decline of a
loved one. The panel will be available to answer
your questions about their personal experiences.
Jan Clodius
November 2015
5
Travel to Four Fascinating Countries
on the Ocean Rim
A recent Armchair Travel presented by Dr. Bob
and Carolyn Parker took us to Thailand, Indonesia,
Bangladesh and Kenya, four countries on the rim of
the Indian Ocean that they had visited over
the years.
The variety of landscapes, the gloriously colorful
clothing and interesting faces of the citizens, and the
occasional elephant, water
buffalo, or king cobra, Thai
dancing, exotic fruits, shadow puppets, and a gigantic Buddha were pleasures to
see.
These photos were not mere souvenirs of brief
vacations, but scenes from a number of the
Parkers' "working visits." For about 30 years
Bob was a teacher, consultant and researcher on the
full time faculty of International Health of Johns
Hopkins School of Public Health. In this role he was
able to travel abroad to take part in conferences, visit
community health projects and clinics, evaluate and
plan innovative programs for health care services in
poor or rural areas. Carolyn , though not an official
visitor, was there to learn and offer support.
A variety of sponsors for these projects included
World Health Organization, Save the Children, Indonesian School of Public Health, and the Gates Foundation.
Kay Rosier
The Gateway Shop Needs You
If you need a stamp, a roll of toilet paper, or a
Dove dark chocolate bar to indulge yourself, you
can find it in The Gateway Shop. There is a lovely
selection of jewelry, and some attractive clothes.
We are open on weekdays 10:00 am -2:00 pm and
Saturdays 11:00 am -1:00pm.
Now the Gateway Shop is in need of some more
volunteers, since we have had several former salespeople retire. There are numerous jobs: working at
the counter, helping a buyer, counting the daily
money intake for example. Even a couple of hours a
month will help.
If you’re interested, come on in and write your
name on a piece of paper with the volunteers at the
counter, or call Annie Hazard (x1696) or Joanne
Sencindiver (x1321).
November 2015
Young Singers to Compete Here
Enthusiastic young people with beautiful voices
come to sing and compete at Kendal once each year. This year the
date is Saturday, November 21
starting at 1:00 p.m. They love to
sing to an appreciative audience of
Kendal residents and other guests.
Sponsored by the Kennett Symphony of Chester County, this
voice competition is open to young people in the
Delaware Valley between the ages of 18-26. There
will be 16 auditions starting at 1:00 p.m., one every
15 minutes. Listeners can come and go between the
auditions and stay as long as they like.
For information contact Dave or Fran Gilbert, 610
388-7039
Tangos Had Feet Tapping
One must park preconceived
notions about tango music at
the concert hall door when it
comes to the work of Astor
Piazzola. Here at Kendal we
have little opportunity to hear
tangos, and even less ability to
dance them, and most North
American listeners tend to associate them with tacky popular culture.
The Pyxis Piano Quartet treated us to a fast tango seminar in late September in the form of Piazzola’s wittily titled Four Seasons of Buenos A ires, four
pieces ostensibly named for the seasons but actually
interchangeable, and all equally filled with astonishing rhythmic surprises. All were characterized by
snapping phrasing, swooning chromatics and heartmelting drama, and Pyxis played them to a fare-theewell. It was hard to stay in my seat, but unfortunately this reviewer’s tangoing days are long behind
him!
The Brahms A Major Quartet, Opus 26 which followed might have been an anticlimax, but it is an
immensely compelling work, and Pyxis laid into it
with panache, enough to drive all thoughts of Buenos Aires away. Unfortunately the Piazzola left the
quartet short on energy: they were able to give a stirring account of Brahms’ third movement only.
That’s two more movements they owe us!
Al Zalon
6
New Books At the Library
Non-fiction
Tweedy, Damon, M.D. Black man in a white coat: a doctor’s reflections on race and medicine. 305.8
Matthews, Chris. Life’s a campaign: what politics has taught me about friendship, rivalry, reputation, and
success. 324.7
Hirshman, Linda. Sister in law: how Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg went to the Supreme Court
and changed... 347.73
Leovy, Jill. Ghettoside: a true story of murder in America. 364.1
Scales, Helen. Spirals in time: the secret life and curious afterlife of seashells. 594
Palfreman, Jon. Brain storms: the race to unlock the mysteries of Parkinson’s disease. 616.8
Letts, Elizabeth. The eighty-dollar champion: Snowman, the horse that inspired a nation. 636.1
Shapiro, James. The year of Lear: Shakespeare in 1606. 822.3
Light, Alison. Common people: in pursuit of my ancestors. 929.1
Biography
Gottlieb, Robert. Sarah: the life of Sarah Bernhardt.
Klobuchar, Amy. The senator next door: a memoir from
the heartland.
Norris, John. Mary McGory: the first queen of journalism.
Fiction
Bialosky, Jill. The prize: a novel.
Boyd, William. Sweet caress: the many lives of Amory
Clay.
Brooks, Geraldine. The secret chord.
Evison, Jonathan. This is your life, Harriet Chance!: a
novel.
Galassi, Jonathan. Muse: a novel.
Groff, Lauren. Fates and furies.
Jong, Erica. Fear of dying.
Mallon, Thomas. Finale: a novel.
McLain, Paula. Circling the sun: a novel.
Pitts, Leonard, Jr. Grant Park.
Mystery
Baldacci, David. The forgotten.
Berry, Steve. The patriot threat.
Ellory, R.J. Saints of New York.
Mayor, Archer. The company she kept: a Joe Gunther
novel.
Perry, Anne. Corridors of the night: a William Monk
novel.
Scott, A.D. A kind of grief: a novel.
The UNICEF Scarecrow
Wants to Greet You
Have you noticed a scarecrow outside of Apartment #119? Holding an orange pumpkin and a little
UNICEF box or
two? That is the
UNICEF Bumpkin
created by Ann and
Rod Waters about
five years ago. They
initially just put out
the scarecrow, but
when Sid Berry suggested that she put a
container with him
for donations, they
adopted the
UNICEF idea. Each
year he is out there
for two weeks, and
they collect a fair
amount of money, usually coins, which they donate
to UNICEF. Come by and meet him yourself!
Annie Hazard
It takes the human eyes an hour to adapt completely
to seeing in the dark. Once adapted, the eyes are
about 100,000 times more sensitive to light than
they are in bright sunlight. On a clear night when
there is no moon, a person sitting on a mountain
peak can see a match struck 50 miles away.
November 2015
7
Meeting Our Staff: Millie Lee
On Fifth Avenue in New York, at Rockefeller Center, stands a colossal 45-foot bronze statue of Atlas,
Titan of Greek mythology. He carries on his shoulders a mammoth rendition of the celestial spheres, a
heavy burden indeed. So, too, at Kendal, we have
our own versions of Atlas, heroes of the present, who
carry on their shoulders the job of making Kendal a
great place to live. From time to time, The Reporter
will feature brief articles about some of them.
One of the best-known staff members is Millie Lee,
who supervises the main dining room and has done
so for the past 15 years. She does so in a way that
makes it feel (almost) like home. She joined Kendal
in 1993, working as a server part time at night. A
lifelong resident of Kennett Square, she graduated
from Unionville High School and now lives in West
Grove. Her biggest challenge in her job is “ to meet
the needs of residents in a way that both satisfies and
is fair.” This often requires well-honed diplomatic
skills in addition to a knowledge of fine dining.
You can thank Millie for the excellent work of our
young servers. She hires and trains them, based on
applications from Human Resources. When asked
what she looks for in a new employee, she said she
wants them to be “flexible and polite with a smile on
their face.” Amazingly, she has never turned down a
young person she’s interviewed! Her charges learn a
lot on to the job about the logistical aspects of serving, but even more about how best to meet the needs
of residents.
Millie is now studying for her LPN (licensed practical nurse) degree and expects to complete her certificate by the end of next year, hoping someday to
be a Kendal nurse.
As if she didn’t have enough to manage in the dining room, she has 10-year old twin boys at home,
along with an older daughter who helps keep things
running there.
Faith Wohl
Do you know what a clerihew is? It’s “a four-line verse containing specific reference to a person.” Here is an appropriate
one, written by E. Clerihew Bentley while still a schoolboy:
Clothing Drive Helps Both Donors
and Recipients
Fifty-three bags weighing 20-25 pounds
each! Were they sand bags filled in preparation for a
flood? The luggage of a high school group off to visit a foreign country? No, to both. They were bags
filled with gently worn clothing donated to Kendal’s
semi-annual American Friends Service Committee
clothing drive. Hilda Grauman, who heads the effort,
remarked with satisfaction that, “It was our best year
ever.”
She attributed the size of the collection first to the
continuing generosity of Kendalites and also to more
extensive publicity, especially through the resident
web site, kalresweb.org.
Her committee spent five hours receiving clothing
contributions from residents and then sorting and
packing them. Garments in pristine condition were
sent to AFSC to be sold to raise money for their pro-
Hilda, second from left, had many helpers!
Pat Redmond
jects. That represented about half of the collection.
The rest of the items are given to local charities for
distribution to the needy, such as homeless people.
Hilda pointed out that the residents tend to have
nice clothes and keep them in good condition, a benefit to the semi-annual drive. Looking a little weary
after spending hours in the auditorium sorting and
examining each piece of clothing, she nonetheless
was clearly very pleased with the effort.
There will be another collection in the spring.
Faith Wohl
Sir Humphrey Davy
Abominated gravy
He lived in the odium
Of having discovered sodium
Ah yes, the odium of sodium! Many of us can relate….
November 2015
8
“Who’s Here” is Here
The October 2015 issue of Who’s Here, our resident directory, has been delivered, with a considerable saving of paper and printing. Residents
with email addresses received their copies via
email; paper copies were distributed only to residents who did not have email addresses.
Distribution by email is not new. Marianne and
Ian Whitlock had developed the procedure a while
ago. With email, residents receive a better product
(in color), more frequently (quarterly), at lower
cost and by sacrificing fewer trees. How good is
that?
With this edition there was a concerted attempt
to eliminate the redundant distribution of paper
copies to residents who have email. Many residents did not need the extra paper copies and
some were attached to the paper format. It is not
easy to change old habits; however, paper copies
have a cost—a cost we are trying to reduce. We
appreciate the efforts residents have made to
adapt to the “new way.”
The Communications Committee was helpful in
assisting a number of residents to use Who’s Here
on their computer and is still ready to help. Contact them at [email protected] or through its
open mail box.
If you have any questions or comments, please
email [email protected], 484-7708457, or put a note in my open box, #291.
Terry Engeman
John Olszewski
The weather was perfect and many residents strolled down
to the Harlan Glen pond on October 12 to enjoy sunshine,
cider and cookies, and perhaps a walk through the woods.
November 2015
Update on Replanting of Entrance
Driveway
Based on various resident committees recommendations, 15 native honey locust trees, Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis Skyline®, were planted last month
along the divided parkway leading up to the Kendal
Center. The selected cultivar, Skyline®, is a thornless form with a strong upright growth habit, few
seed pods and excellent yellow fall color, as well as
being tough and winter roadway tolerant.
Now that they are in place, the project will move on
to the area between the Parkway and the Promenade. Horticulturist Casey Groff is working with the
arboretum committee to select four or five low growing flowering trees which will be planted in the early
spring of 2016. In addition, there will be space for
arboretum donations.
For information on gifting trees, contact philanthropy director Stephanie Cory, 610-388-5528.
The arboretum sponsors an Adopt-a-Tree program. Three times a year “adoptive parents” check
the health of their tree. We are seeking a parent for
the newly planted honey locust trees. Contact Ellen
Wilkinson, #260, for more information.
Caring for Our Environment
Kendal resident Owen Owens spoke at a Monday
Topics event in early October about “Religious
Responses to Environmental Issues.”
He pointed out that “religious leaders have been
calling us to get in balance with creation” for
years, and mentioned such familiar figures as
Henry David Thoreau, John Muir and John Bartram as proponents of this advice.
It’s no good having a great idea if you don’t put it
into action. Is your church sanctuary hard to heat?
Are its windows placed so as to maximize the benefit of sunshine? Builders need to be aware of the
long-range consequences of their plans.
Kendal should invest in solar energy, understanding that the payoff may be years down the
road. (We have made a start with the LEED certified “new houses” recently added to the campus.)
Everyone can do at least something to start moving in the right direction, and slowly the tide may
begin to turn.
Terry Engeman
9
Coming Events
Nov. 3 Book sale on election day, all
day in the lounge. Something for everyone!
Bring money!
Nov. 5, 10:30—11:30 in the auditorium, Social Services will present “Transitions: Moving to the Health
Center: The Compass for Knowing when It’s
Time” (Kathleen McAleer) and “The Nuts and Bolts
of the Move” (Vicki Center). Two residents who recently moved up to the Health Center will share their
experiences.
Nov. 9, 7:15 in auditor ium
Monday Topic: “Chester County Hospital, History
and Future: Implications for Our Care” with Jeffrey
Wise, VP of the hospital and member of the KCC
board.
Nov. 12, 1:30 in auditor ium
“Cognitive Impairment” presented by Dr. George
Ledakis and a panel of residents. (See p. 5)
Nov. 13, 9-10:15 in Activity Central
The next session of the series on “Creating a Life
with God,” focusing on contemplative prayer practices, will feature the Rev. Bill Perkins, executive
director of Friendship House in Wilmington and former Jesuit priest, who will lead the discussion on
“The Examen,” one of the spiritual exercises introduced in the 16th century by St. Ignatius of Loyola
and practiced by Jesuits since that time.
Nov. 14, 7:15 Ar mchair Tr avel
African Safari: Join Jan and Don Vassallo on a
two-week video safari in Zimbabwe and
Botswana. The trip was notable for the wide
variety of camps visited (seven), the closeups of moving animals and the many means
of transport. Go on an elephant search, trail a cheetah, see wild dogs encounter zebra and more.
Nov. 21, 1:00 p.m. in auditor ium
Voice competition for young singers, sponsored by
Kennett Symphony. (See p. 6)
Nov. 23, 7:15 in auditor ium
“The Emancipation of American Slaves and Russian
Serfs.” Peter Kolchin, Professor of History, Univ. of
Delaware
November 2015
Talking to Family Members
about Your Wishes
On October 1, a program on “Keeping the Peace
in the Family,” part of the Choices series, outlined
some of the important considerations to be addressed
by a resident and family members as life draws to a
close.
It is important, for instance, to have what is referred to as The Talk, that is, discussing your end of
life preferences frankly and while your mind is clear.
Another suggestion is to write a letter to your children, perhaps bringing light to buried conflicts that
should be aired and settled.
Emotions may surface and should be permitted
and even welcomed. These may arise around the inevitable diminishment of physical abilities, necessitating acceptance of the life cycle.
Cognitive issues should be faced and understood,
both by the resident and by family members.
As much and for as long as you are able, be the
captain of your ship!
Terry Engeman
Putting Contest Is A
Popular Event
There was a big turnout for the Putting Contest on
Labor Day 2015. It was started with a moment of silence for Keiichi Tanabe, a helper and putter for
many years in the past, who died in late August after
a long illness.
Then 15 eager putters were divided into teams of
three to compete for the trophies: one for individual
best putting (i.e. the lowest score on total of all the
holes), and one for the team with the lowest net
score. Individual winner: Don Vassallo; team winners: Charlie Ford, Peg Allen and Don Vassallo with
a total of 73 strokes, the lowest of all the teams!
See you next year on Memorial Day!
Annie Hazard
10
November
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
10:30 –11:30 in
auditorium:
“Transitions” (p.
10)
Noon-2 p.m.
At the barn,
shredder event
12
13
1:30, auditorium
“Cognitive Impairment” (see p. 5)
9-10:15, Activity
Central, “Creating
A Life with
God” (p. 10)
3:45 p.m. in auditorium, Sunday at the
Opera
8
Book
sale!
9
10
10 a.m. KRA
board mtg, audi3:45 p.m. in audito- torium
rium, Sunday at the
7:15 Monday
Opera
Topics: Chester
Co. Hospital (p.
10)
15
16
7:15 Film
11
7:15 Concert:
Charles
Abramovic, piano
17
18
19
20
7:15 Armchair
Travel: African
Safari (p. 10)
21
7:15 Saturday
Night Live
7:15, auditorium
Documentary
23
3:45 p.m. in auditorium, Sunday at the
7:15 Monday
Opera
Topics: Emanci7:00 Vespers
pation of Slaves
29
3:00 p.m. Quaker
business meeting
in training room
14
1:00 p.m. in
auditorium, voice
competition (p. 6)
3:45 p.m. in auditorium, Sunday at the
Opera
22
7:15 Pre Kendal
Memories
24
25
26
27
28
7:15 Film
30
3:45 p.m. in auditorium, Sunday at the
Opera
November 2015
11