TheTheThe CHATTERCHATTERCHATTER Homewood at Frederick

Volume 16 Number 5 May 2015

MEET DR. ABBAS, Homewood’s New Medical Director Molly Weber, Student Volunteer

Recently, Homewood gained a new Medical Director in the friendly face

of Dr. Ghulam Abbas, M.D., who joined the staff on March 2,

2015. “It’s been pleasant. The residents are extremely nice (and well

educated),” he said, describing his new position. He also appreciates

the avid readers of Homewood.

His job requires leadership and oversight over the other medical

staff. “I’m responsible for everybody’s welfare. The buck stops here,”

he said. The specifics of the job include reviewing charts, consulting

with residents’ family members, and reducing the number of

medications patients are taking in order to eliminate unnecessary

drugging. He also works to focus on non- pharmaceutical intervention,

such as exercise and physical therapy. One of his goals is to keep a team

attitude. According to the doctor, “I don’t go alone. I take a team

approach.”

Dr. Abbas comes from a well-educated and highly experienced background, including 10 years of practice in the

United States since he emigrated from Pakistan in 1994, when he arrived at the JFK Airport in New York

City. “Even before coming here, I was a full-fledged practicing physician.” However, he explained that he had to

recertify once arriving in the U.S. He attended the University of Miami for one year and then the University of

Michigan for two years. Dr. Abbas did his postgraduate work (fellowship) at Syracuse University and then returned

to a fellowship in Infection Control at the University of Miami. He has a special interest in geriatrics and has also

worked with at least five different nursing facilities before joining Homewood.

Dr. Abbas, who speaks four languages (English, Punjabi, Pakistani and Spanish), enjoys the rural, country setting of

his home in Carroll County, where he lives with his wife, two daughters and one son. He is an avid student of

history and is eager to discuss it with other history “buffs” around Homewood.

Nichols’ Notes

Eric T. Nichols, Executive Director

PLEASE NOTE! PLEASE COMPLY!

DINING ROOM COURTESY

SIGN UP FOR EVENING MEALS BY 3:30 PM at

the front desk, for both specials and menu orders.

AFTER 3:30 PM: CALL THE KITCHEN

DIRECTLY AT X 6133 if dining plans change, for

example, if unexpected guests arrive.

HANDS OFF the coffeepot for refills, or to adjust

window blinds or the thermostat. Insurance will

not cover an injury if you are or another person is

hurt, or if equipment is broken.

Ann Burnside Love, Food Committee Chair at the Request of

Kitchen and Wait Staff

As we turn the monthly pages to May, our campus to the west is taking shape with the Lodge Apartments and

Community Center rising up out of the field. This impressive looking building is just about under roof. As I write

this, the Community Center section of the building has shingles on it; the south apartment wing (the wing parallel to

Willow Road) is getting shingles placed on it; and the north apartment wing has the roof trusses and rafters going

onto the fourth floor. Inside the building is a maze of wood studding waiting for the drywall to be placed onto it. The

mechanical, electrical and plumbing work has begun and needs to be completed before the drywall can be hung. The

swimming pool area is being dug out and work is beginning on the pool.

In the next few weeks the work will begin on the outside of the building with the various brick, stone and vinyl

finishes. There is still a lot of work to be done on this 270,000 square-foot building but what we can see so far is

looking very good. Work continues with the infrastructure on that section of the Willow Ponds campus. Sewer and

water lines are being placed in what will someday be the Pearson Boulevard and Homewood Circle roads. A

spokesperson for Wagman’s, the contractor, says that there is typically a workforce of 250-plus working on the

building and infrastructure projects during the weekdays. Please be mindful that it is a work zone and do not enter

this area of our campus at any time. If persons stand at the intersection of Angell Avenue and Pearson Boulevard,

they can get a good imaginative view at what it will look like as one travels Pearson Boulevard towards the Lodge

when this roadway is completed late this year or early next.

Homewood at Frederick’s annual golf tournament is next month on June 10 at the Glade Valley Golf Club. As I write

this column, we have raised over $25,000. Our top golf tournament was a few years ago when we grossed over

$42,000. Our goal is to top that number this year. There are tee and golf cart sponsorships available. The money

raised from this year’s tournament will be used to assist the campus in purchasing a bus.

Photo by Robert Broadrup

RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION Richard Petre, President

Photo by Lauren Burton

May is the Independent Living Residents Association’s Omega and Alpha with its Annual Meeting which will be

held on May 20 at 9:30 am in the MPR. At this time the second-year Council members will retire: Emmajane

Baker, Libby Trout, Dotte Derrick, Bobby Rickman and Priscilla Hart. All other Council members will begin

their second year. Beginning their first terms of service will be the newly-elected replacement members and three

new members from Willow Ponds. The Nominations Committee will also present for election the candidates for

Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer to serve a 2015-2017 term.

The agenda for the Annual Meeting will be finalized at the May 5 Council meeting, beginning at 9:30 am in the

Private Dining Room, when the newly-elected Council members will join members of the current Council.

In closing the Association’s 2014-2015 year, we thank all the Association’s members, officers, Council members,

Standing Committee chairs and members, and Special Committee chairs and members for their work. Also we

thank Homewood’s Executive Director and staff members who rescued us many times! Now, onward to 2015-

2016!

EYE PAL THANKS FROM AVADNA COGHILL…..Our Eye Pal Solo, located in Homewood’s Café area, was

purchased about five years ago. The Eye Pal Solo is a device to assist with low vision reading. It projects enlarged

material on a screen, as does the CTV reader. But Eye Pal also will read printed material aloud. Recently I told my

Wilmer Eye Institute low vision doctor that I had access to an Eye Pal Solo She said that not many institutions

have one available Many thanks to our Residents Association and the Homewood Auxiliary for making that

possible at Homewood…for use by anyone who needs reading assistance!

MAY BIRDING Lane Hart

As this issue of The CHATTER is being distributed, if the weather is reasonable, several thousand birders are making

their way to Bombay Hook National Wild Life Refuge in Delaware and Chinqoteauge NWLR in Virginia to view

birds of all sorts during the traditional highest migration time of the year. Meanwhile, most of us will have to be

content with walks around the Homewood campuses and adjoining fields or, for those who can, keeping keen eyes

on our feeders.

As for places to see birds in and around the campuses, the woods that shade both shores of Tuscarora Creek are good

places to see woodpeckers. warblers, chickadees, nuthatches and other insect-eating birds. In the fields that are

south of the old campus and, I suspect, those north of Willow Ponds, we can see many Robins, hopefully some

Bluebirds, some Flickers, and may have to duck to avoid being hit by Tree Swallows feeding on the gnats that are

surrounding our heads. The pond that was created on the southwest corner of Willow Ponds shows promises of

containing several varieties of ducks and shore birds; Bufflehead ducks and a Great Blue Heron are possibilities.

Speaking of ducks, Mallards have occupied Crumland Farms. They nest close to buildings and raise their ducklings

throughout the campus. They are often seen roosting on the roofs of the cottages and other buildings. We are also

bound to see Turkey Vultures souring around and Canada Geese everywhere. We may also see Sharp-shinned and

Coopers Hawks chasing, and sometimes devouring, smaller birds or perched on the fence around the south side

containment pond.

Those who have feeders know that they draw seed-eating birds such as Sparrows, House Finches and Goldfinches,

all of the blackbirds, Cardinals and Blue Jays. Hummingbird feeders should be attracting Ruby-throated

Hummingbirds. Suet feeders will attract Red-bellied, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, and an assortment of other

birds like Starlings, etc.

This is by no means an inclusive list of birds that can be seen here; for example, I had not mentioned Mourning

Doves or Mockingbirds which are here in abundance. We will save the eggs and nests for the next edition.

NEW RESIDENTS Shirley Erdmanis

Lucy Dennison joined us in Apt.

422 from Frederick, MD in March

2015. She is a widow with two

sons, two grandchildren and one

great-grandchild.

Lucy was born in Grayson County,

KY, received her BS from Western

Kentucky University, an MS from

the University of Kentucky and an

EdD from Virginia Tech. She

taught in high schools for 20 years, and for 21 years, in

universities and colleges. The last 11 years of her career

was spent at Hood College in Frederick as a professor

and chair of the Home Economics Department.

Lucy was a volunteer with the Frederick Memorial

Hospital Auxiliary and the Torch Club. She chose

Homewood at Frederick for her retirement community

because it was close to home and for its good reputation.

Joining us in Apt. 348 from

Frederick, MD is Mary Ann

Leonard. She has one

daughter, two sons and two

grandchildren. Mary Ann is a

widow and was born in

Rochester, MN. She

graduated from Rochester

Junior College, and then

worked as a registrar at the

Mayo Clinic until she married. She became a stay-at-

home-mom until the children were close to college age.

After the family moved to MD in 1970, Mary Ann

worked from 1976 to 1998 at the Library of Congress as

a contracting officer. Her “furry friend” is a cat named

Pekoe and also a senior.

Community service has consisted of being a Hospice

volunteer in both Prince George’s and Frederick County.

Mary Ann also was a Red Cross blood donor and a Pro-

life volunteer. Her interests are travel, theatre, reading,

socializing and playing cards.

Mary Ann selected Homewood because she had heard

only good things about the retirement community from

both employees and residents, and because her only two

grandsons live in Walkersville, MD.

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER Suzanne Morris

Please note: The April 2015 “Chaplain’s Corner” was

written by Chaplain Shelley Weakly but her last name

was misspelled. The CHATTER regrets the error.

May is the month when we celebrate Mother’s Day.

Some churches continue the tradition of hosting

Mother-Daughter dinners and other special events.

Others have decided to expand their celebration to

include all women.

Throughout history women have played nurturing roles

of many kinds. Who have been the important women

in your life? Certainly our moms may top the list, but

there are undoubtedly other women who have guided

and supported us on our life’s journey. Maybe it was a

teacher who believed in you when you doubted your

abilities. Perhaps a scout leader, coach or choir

director encouraged you to dream large and pursue

your goals. Friends, sisters, pastors and co-workers

stood beside you in trying times and joy-filled ones as

well.

The Bible tells the stories of many faithful women who

continue to challenge and inspire us today. They teach

us to trust God and make ourselves available to be

agents of God’s grace and love.

On Mother’s Day or any day this month, why not take

a moment to send a note to a special woman in your

life? Lift up a prayer of thanksgiving for all the gifts

women bring to the world. Keep the memory alive of

a woman who has made a difference in your life by

making a donation to a charity of your choice. The

Homewood Foundation is a great way to honor

mothers, grandmothers, daughters and others.

There will be only one worship service, at 10:00 am,

on Mother’s Day to accommodate the Mother’s Day

Brunch and to allow residents and volunteers to spend

the afternoon with loved ones. Blessings to all!

THE RESIDENT OPTIMIST

Wouldn’t it be great if we could put ourselves

in the dryer for 10 minutes, come out wrinkle

-free and three sizes smaller?

THE VISIONAIRES Mary Catherine Brake

Book Chat Vernon Rippeon

The Book Nook (the 4th Floor Library) has a new

donation. Standup Guy by Stuart Woods is a book

that is hard to lay down. An ex-con comes into some

ill-gotten gains. Can he stay alive to enjoy them?

EAST COTTAGES TO HOST OPEN HOUSE Ginger Ward, X 4282

On Tuesday, May 19, 2:00-4:00 pm, you are

warmly invited to stroll through the East

Village neighborhood and visit several open

houses. Balloons will mark the participating

cottages, and your name tag will serve as your

“ticket.” Light refreshments will be served.

All residents of Homewood…apartments,

patio homes and cottages…and residents’

friends are welcome.

Residents in the host cottages look forward to

greeting you! Please join us in celebrating the

glorious arrival of spring in this festive way.

Remember…look for the balloons and maybe

even some spring gardens!

PLAN TO CELEBRATE JULY 4

TH

Frank Lesure, Chief Instigator

Homewood’s second annual reading of the

Declaration of Independence is scheduled for

Saturday, July 4, 2015, at 10:00 am in the Café. A

short history of the writing and those involved will

precede the actual reading. All are invited to attend.

As many as 18 persons can take turns reading short

parts of the document. In a painting by John

Trumbull, the Committee of Five present their

historical work to the Second Continental Congress

on June 28, 1776.

Sue Wirths is a busy volunteer, taking on her labor of

love in the spring of 2002. She decorates the beauti-

ful, massive sideboard in Homewood’s lobby, and

changes the themes often enough so they don’t get

stale. (The sideboard originally came from Rosehill

Manor in Frederick, and was once used at the down-

town Homewood location in the former FSK Hotel.)

With her teaching background, and working behind

the scenes at the Smithsonian Museum, Sue has a lot

of ideas. She decorates the Children’s Window in the

Café, and also recycles and distributes the flower do-

nations from funerals and chapel services. Sue likes to

work when the rest of the residents are still asleep.

Thanks, Sue, for beautifying and brightening our

home. Photo by Vernon Rippeon

The Visionaires will meet on Thursday, May 5, at

10:30 am, in the ILAC Room across from the bank.

The speaker will be Robert Williamson who heads

Blind Industries for the State of Maryland. His

presentation will be most informative.

We are planning an exciting field trip for June 2. We

plan to savor the wonders of nature on the Spicebush

Nature Trail in Catoctin Mountain Nature Park. This

trail is paved and handicapped-accessible for those

who need walkers. Then we will have lunch together

at Mountain Gate Inn.

Please plan ahead for these important dates.

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION LUNCHEON Molly Weber, Student Volunteer

On April 15, Homewood hosted over 200 volunteers at the Annual Volunteer Luncheon. Guests began lining up

over two hours in advance in anticipation of the event. Representatives of all the departments at Homewood

attended, costumed in keeping with the “All That Jazz” theme. including nursing, activities, housekeeping,

maintenance, etc., the women in “flapper” style shimmering dresses adorned with jewels and feather boas, and the

men in “gangsta” style attire.

At 11:45, attendees were handed door prize tickets and escorted into the dining room which was decorated with

balloons, party favors and other jazz style decorations. They were then introduced to the staff present and heard a

brief message from Executive Director Eric Nichols.

Last year, 378 volunteers worked as Sunshine Readers, choir members, escorts and many, many other very

important tasks!

They worked a combined total of 51,984 hours—the highest number of volunteer hours ever for Homewood!

This calculates to an equivalent value of over three million dollars!

Afterwards, while being treated to a delicious meal of shrimp, pasta and mousse, attendees enjoyed jazz music by the

Connie Guy Jazz Band. As the meal finished, 20 door prizes were called, including gift certificates to Coldstone

Creamery, Giant Food and others. All guests enthusiastically applauded the staff and the luncheon.

According to Robert Broadup, who regularly visits Meadows residents, volunteering at Homewood is more than

worth it; he especially enjoys hearing the stories and wealth of information others have to share, and seeing their

faces light up. Dottie Carmody, a long-time volunteer, as well as Linda Broadrup, explained that their favorite

volunteer activity was participating in the Sunshine Readers at Brunswick Elementary School. Several volunteers

explained that one reason they loved to volunteer was that it helped them cultivate new friendships across the

campus; but all agreed that the motivations were endless, and that it is always worth it in the end (with lots of fun

along the way!).

Photos by Shirley Erdmanis and JJ Bell

A number of new volunteers have joined the

Homewood Friendship Circle and are getting

acquainted with their new Healthcare Center friends

and neighbors. Some in the group have completed

their new volunteer orientation in the Volunteer Office

and have spent time with Activity staff members, and

meet and get to know the residents that they will visit

each week.

The Friendship Circle at Homewood was formed

about five years ago and consists of volunteers who

are willing to commit at least one friendly visit a week

with a Healthcare Center resident. These volunteers

also remember their residents’ birthdays and other

special days, and often times can be seen taking walks

or visiting in the Cafe with their residents. Happily,

some resident/volunteer teams have found that they

were former neighbors in Independent Living, and

some have found that they have family and friends in

common prior to moving to Homewood. Some

members of the Friendship Circle have tails that

wag…pet visitors and their human families.

The Friendship Circle always seeks additional

volunteers (human and canine) to enhance the lives of

residents. Interested people and dogs are encouraged

to contact the Homewood Volunteer office for more

information.

The Friendship Circle Cathy Stull

New Current Events Discussion Leader Cathy Stull

Otts Kassakaris extends a personal invitation to all

Homewood residents to meet with him and the Current

Events Discussion Group on Wednesday mornings,

beginning May 6, at 11:00 am in the AL Garden View

Room. A cup of coffee and an open-minded look at

today’s and yesterday’s news is a great way to meet the

middle of the week.

Otts joined the Homewood volunteer team in

2009. During all of these years he has served as a

volunteer escort for a wide variety of activities, and has

faithfully delivered the mail every Friday. Otts retired

from Baltimore Gas and Electric Company after a career

of over 40 years. He and his wife Pat live in the

Frederick community.

READERS THEATRE played to

a full house in the MPR on April

13. Dedicated to John Grigg

were six comedy skits directed by

Priscilla Hart with audio

management by Lou Dudrow.

Members of the cast were Fred

Burton, George Kleinspehn,

Eleanore Tressler, Marian

Pepper, Nancy Boltz, Bob

Powers, Maggie Hartzell, Paul

Mellott, Hugh Morris, Frank

Smith, Pat Dawson, and Mary

Alice Marks. Photo by Lane Hart

Gloria Werking’s Great-

Grandchildren

3 year old big brother Ethan with twins, Owen David

and Isla Joy Parents are Doug and Kelly Mink The Twins were

born January 12th 2015

This story first appeared in an early spring 2015 issue of

Neighborhood News, the Homewood publication that generally

reflects current happenings for and about the residents who may live

in the Willows and Meadows units of the Health Care Center. The

story thanked Barbara Pasike and Betty Falkenstein “for their

many hours spent working on an important project.” The CHATTER

thought its readers should know the “bag ladies” story because they

are our neighbors and we’re so proud of their accomplishments.

Betty has lived at Homewood in the Independent Living apartments

since 2006 and Barbara moved into the West Cottages in 2009.

They have both volunteered many hours putting together

gingerbread houses for the Health Care residents to decorate during

the holidays, and cutting fringes to tie on fleece blankets for the

residents to give away the blankets as a service project. These two

ladies are always ready to help with other craft projects. Barbara has helped with bingo in the Meadows unit.

According to these talented ladies, “We’ve always known one another!” They have been friends since high

school, participating in 4-H, and their mothers were in a Homemakers group together. Barbara assisted her

husband with his woodworking business and made beautiful baskets herself. Betty did many types of crafts,

but is best known for her “notes and totes,” drawings that she did herself and silk-screened onto fabric to be

sewn into bags holding note pads. Barbara and Betty sold their wares at craft shows for years.

Recently, the Health Care Activities Department decided to implement a Music and Memory program. This is

a wonderful way for dementia and Alzheimer’s residents to relax and express themselves through listening to

music that they recognize and love. Playlists of familiar songs are downloaded onto iPods. The residents

listen to their music through headphones. Peggy Hopkins, Activities Coordinator for the Meadows Health Care

Center of Homewood, enlisted the aid of Barbara and Betty to sew small cotton fabric bags to hold the iPods.

When the nursing staff saw the bags, they suggested that a slightly larger bag be made to hold chair alarm

boxes that are necessary for the safety of some residents. Betty and Barbara put their heads together and made

30 iPod bags, 90 chair alarm bags and 12 catheter bags. These bags take about one-half hour each to make,

say Betty and Barbara.

THE BAG LADIES OF HOMEWOOD

SOLUTION TO THE BIBLE PUZZLE in the April issue:

The 16 names of books of the Bible are marked in red.

Someone once made a remark about the hidden books of the Bible. It was a lulu…kept people looking so hard

for facts…and for others it was a revelation. Some were in a jam, especially since the names of the books were

not capitalized. But the truth finally struck home to numbers of readers. To others it was a real job. It is in-

tended to be a most fascinating few moments for you. Yes, there will be some really easy ones to spot. Others

may require judges to help them. We could quickly admit it usually takes a minister only 20 minutes to find 15

of them, but there will be loud lamentations when the 16th is found! A little lady says she brews a cup of tea so

she can concentrate better. See how well you can compete. Relax now, for there really are sixteen names of

books of the Bible in this paragraph.

Music Listening Group Avadna Coghill/Barbara Zentner

HOBOs Paul Mellott, Head Tramp

ALOHA Shirley Erdmanis

SATURDAY NIGHT MOVIES

7:00 pm in the MPR

(Subject to change) Nancy McIntyre

May 2 Scent of a Woman 1992

May 9 Terms of Endearment 1983

May 16 Blades of Courage

May 23 Bridge Over the River Kwai

May 30 The Dolly Sisters 1945

HOBOs will meet Thursday, May 21, starting with

lunch at 12:00 noon for the men followed by a program

for everyone starting at 12:45 pm. Men are reminded

to sign up for the luncheon at the Reception Desk by

6:00 pm, Wednesday, May 20.

Our program will be presented by the Frederick County

Department of Solid Waste Management, Office of

Recycling. A representative will explain recycling

programs in Frederick County and sources for reducing

consumption and waste by residents, and the effects of

waste on our environment.

On Friday, May 22, the Retired Nurses Group from

Homewood at Frederick will present the ALOHA

program honoring a leader of nurses and a great

humanitarian, Florence Nightingale. There are 23

retired nurses who live or work in Independent

Living, Assisted Living and HealthCare Center units

at Crumland Farms and Willow Ponds. May 6-12 is

always National Nurses week since Florence

Nightingale’s birthday is May 12.

All residents are cordially invited to join with the

Group for lunch, hear about Florence, meet the

retired nurses and see some of their memorabilia.

Some members of Crumland Farms nursing

administration will also join us for lunch. Remember

to sign up for lunch at the Community Center desk by

Thursday, May 21. As always, anyone, including the

gentlemen, may attend the program which begins at

12:45 pm.

In a 1960 broadcast Leonard Bernstein paid tribute to

Brooklyn-born Aaron Copland on his 60th birthday. The

New York Philharmonic Orchestra played a variety of

Copland’s music. The selections included an outdoor

overture and an example of Copland’s modern music,

“Dogmatic,” from Statements No. 3. Copland composed

the music for the film, Our Town, and excerpts from this

film were played, as well as “Hoe Down” from Rodeo.

To illustrate Copland’s arrangements of folk songs,

baritone William Warfield sang “The Boatman’s Dance”

and “I Bought Me a Cat.” In conclusion Aaron Copland

conducted his El Salon Mexico.

This DVD will be the program at the May 21 meeting of

the Music Listening Group at 3:00 pm in the ALACT

Room.

Photo by Vernon Rippeon

Standing left to right: Lana Borsellino, Pat Enos, Jane

Dertzbaugh, Shirley Erdmanis, Evelyn Manwiller,

Virginia Weller and Phyllis Hackett.

Sitting left to right: Charlotte Patton, Jean Gaver, Ida

Wolk, Gwen Stone, and Geri Lichtinger.

FALLINGWATER: Oh…The Stories They’ll Tell! The Editor

The CHATTER features this month two stories from different perspectives about the Homewood trip to

Fallingwater. The trip was described in the Travel packet for the month of March. But the description didn’t say

anything about the possibility of frightful snow-packed roads or the breath-taking view after a deep Appalachian

snowfall or sharing a mutually-beneficial experience with brave fellow travelers or returning with stories to tell.

Reading these stories prompted my wish to have been on the trip, not only to see if I saw what they saw, but also to

feel the inner warmth of companionship despite the outer chill.

FALLINGWATER: A Practical System Vernon Rippeon

Nine adventurous Homewood residents met with two intrepid drivers (Jack Davis and David Burke) at 6:00 am

on Friday morning, March 20, to begin the trip. It was snowing pretty heavily, but we relaxed, and left the

driving to Jack…having been through this with him before. We made a quick breakfast/rest stop at McDonald’s,

and continued on our way with great anticipation to finally view the much-heralded Fallingwater, one of the

most famous private residences ever built. We arrived ahead of schedule and had time to use the restrooms and

browse the gift shop that held an array of interesting but expensive items.

When our group was called, we were shuttled to the home designed by and built under the supervision of Frank

Lloyd Wright for the Kaufmann family, the wealthy owners of a department store. An outstanding guide

directed our tour through the house that is built into the side of a hill of stone quarried on site. “Unique” is not a

sufficient word to describe it.

All the floors are made of waxed stone; in some places, the stone in the hill protruded through the floor and the

walls. There were no hand rails along the narrow stairways; the masons positioned stones for hand grips. The

three-legged chairs in the dining room were more stable on the un-level stone floors. The centerpiece of each

room was a beautiful stone fireplace.

Wright used the cantilever construction that permits the house to extend over the falls of a trout stream. The

furniture in a Wright home is also part of the design. All sofas were in the cantilever style. Even the toilets were

different than ones to which we are accustomed; we pondered the sewage system and decided that building on

solid rock would have prevented using a standard septic system, and that a system of storage tanks and pumps

were used.

Mrs. Kaufmann had a beautiful swimming pool, kept at 55 degrees, which she loved. (We complain when the

Homewood pool is under 80 degrees.) Wright brought the outside indoors through the extensive use of glass.

The home is heated with hot water fired by an oil burner.

After a lite lunch at Falls Market and Country Store, we drove to Kentuck Knob, another Wright home, designed

for the Hagen family which owned and operated a dairy; it was also constructed of stone quarried on the

property. We wished we had toured this home before Fallingwater; while Kentuck Knob was magnificent, it

was a bit of a let-down, comparatively. Like Fallingwater, the floors were waxed stone, with cantilever

construction employed and a 21” narrow hallway. The doorway into the master bedroom was only 19” wide;

Wright designed the built-in bed, but some of the other furniture was brought in through windows.

Light rain fell as we started our return to Homewood. David had selected a mystery dinner stop at the Puccini

Restaurant where most of us ordered pizza; even the gluten-free pizza was excellent. We returned after a great

trip at about 8:00 pm.

FALLINGWATER: A Creative Design Diane and Bart Kinlein

The Homewood trip to Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob (owner's spelling) was scheduled for March 20. Much

anticipated by us, on the evening of the 19th, we had serious doubts about whether the trip would proceed since

snow was in the forecast. But a call from David assured us that we would go. Waking to snow in the early

morning (the bus was scheduled to depart at 6:00 am), we still had our doubts. But the bus arrived with drivers

Jack and David. Nine Homewood residents climbed aboard. And happy we were to be going (another item on

our bucket list would be completed)!

After a three-hour ride, including a brief stop for breakfast at McDonalds in LaVale, we arrived at the entrance to

Fallingwater, a Frank Lloyd Wright design, near the southwest corner of Pennsylvania. A facility bus took us to

the house entrance where we were greeted by a knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide. Then we entered.

Do you occasionally have the feeling that you are in the presence of a work of genius? Like a Bach fugue or a

Monet painting or a Charlie Parker riff? You know…a chill goes up your spine? Well, it happened to me there.

It was an absolutely amazing execution of an inspired architectural masterpiece. Three living levels are

cantilevered from a rock mountain (some of the rock structure is actually incorporated into the final building)

over a waterfall in an isolated wonderful landscape. Just having the vision to create a structure at this location

was enough to make this a truly unique home. No wonder it is considered by many architects and engineers to be

the most interesting house in the United States! We can't imagine that we never visited before, but we're glad that

we had this opportunity. Another very positive reason for living at Homewood!

After spending over an hour wandering through the house, we walked to the guest quarters. The walkway was

covered by a reinforced concrete canopy. To a casual observer it appears to be an impossible structure. As a

structural engineer, Bart could again appreciate the creativity exhibited in the daring design of such a minor part

of the overall facility.

After that experience we got back on the Homewood bus and were taken to Ohiopyle, a good place to visit,

particularly if you are interested in outdoor activities. There we had a leisurely lunch at Falls City Restaurant

before another short ride to another Wright-designed home, Kentuck Knob. While not as interesting as

Fallingwater, it nonetheless showed another approach to using the existing land to best advantage for the

construction of a dwelling. Another knowledgeable guide was able to point to design features which might have

been overlooked without her input.

Completing our tour, we climbed aboard the Homewood bus and headed for dinner. Puccini Restaurant just east

of Cumberland, Maryland proved an excellent choice, the structure itself having served as a hospital during the

Civil War. The service was very good, and everyone seemed pleased with their dinner choices.

We then re-boarded the bus and prepared for the remaining two-hour ride back to Homewood. We arrived

around 9:00 pm, bringing an end to what was a memorable day. We hope the tour is repeated and that more

Homewood residents will take the opportunity to visit a unique and spectacular structure!

REMEMBER TO RECYCLE STAMPS and BOX TOPS Cathy Stull

Homewood residents, volunteers and co-workers are asked to support two very important programs, both located in

the Café, by using the stamp recycling box, Sticking Together, and the container for Box Tops for

Education. Cancelled stamps (no metered mail, please) are collected and sorted by volunteers and then sold to

distributors. Proceeds from these sales go directly to the Homewood Benevolent Fund. It’s an easy task to just tear

the corner off your incoming mail and drop the cancelled stamps in the recycling box. Collecting the box tops

benefits our sister school, Brunswick Elementary, where proceeds are used to buy much needed equipment and

books for students.

The CHATTER IS ON THE WEB! The CHATTER is posted on Homewood’s website for

family and friends to read!

Go to www.homewood.com. At the “location” line,

select Frederick MD.

Scroll down to “About Us” and click on “News.”

Scroll down to see the selections for

“Crumland Farms Newsletters.”

Click on The CHATTER issue that you want to view.

(Be patient while it downloads; then scroll down,

page by page, to read.)

Julie O’Connell in Concert Barbara Zentner, X 5923

Something to look forward to on Saturday, May 30, at 2:30

pm in the MPR is Julie O’Connell in piano concert. Julie is

the daughter of the late Jes Kallenbach who, during her

sojourn at Homewood, presided over the Music Listening

Group for many years. While Jes was a resident, Julie

presented many piano concerts here, and has remained

close to the Homewood community.

Members of the group, with Julie at the piano, will perform

compositions by Beethoven, Brahms and Dvorak. The

musicians, all of whom are from the DC area, are Nancy

Sulfridge, clarinet; Edith Gilmore, horn; Rob Grace and

Marjorie Greene, violins; and Edwina Moldover, cello.

THE CHATTER NEWSLETTER STAFF

Editor……..…………………………….Pat Morgan

Reporters………Shirley Erdmanis, Vernon Rippeon,

Leslie Hobbs

Final Proofreader………………………Paul Mellott

Photographers………..Lane Hart, Shirley Erdmanis,

Vernon Rippeon, Roland Hobbs

Circulation Assistant…………………..Sylvia Little

Production Manager……………………Julie Norris

Ex-Officio…..………….President, Residents Ass’n

Contact Info: Pat Morgan, Editor

Email: patgmorgan@comcast.net

In-house: Box 213; Phone X 5810

DEADLINE to submit copy: 15th of any month

BRADY LOVE IN MAY CONCERT

Brady Love, the grandson of resident Ann Burnside Love, returns to Homewood in concert

on Thursday, May 14, at 7:00 pm. He was only 17 two years ago when his lyric baritone

voice enchanted the residents. Now age 19, Brady has been busy with his musical career,

playing the lead role of “Javert” in Les Misérables and participating in community

productions, all the while recording and producing his own vocal material.

Brady “is thrilled to finally return to Homewood for a night of Broadway’s best!” In the May

14 show, simply entitled “Home,” he will offer a range of music, from Carousel, South Pacific

and Kiss Me Kate, to The Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables, and, he says, “even a

little Rat Pack along the way.” Mark your calendars now and come early for a good seat.

Ardine Gorden recently received

the Presidents Award from Hood

College honoring him for enhancing

the music program. He is pictured

above with Wayne Wold, Music

Chair (left) and Hood President

Ronald J. Volpe, PhD.(right).