2012 AT A GLANCE
January In the news…Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney wins the New Hampshire primary, only to be crushed in the South Carolina primary by Newt Gingrich.
Here at home…Residents enthusiastically supported a towel drive sponsored by Philanthropy’s Doing Good Committee to benefit the new Bucks County SPCA shelter in Quakertown. We collected 91 bags of towels for animal care. Also in January, a planned water system maintenance project meant no water (hot or cold) to apartments (and yes, we survived!).
February In the news…Wall Street has its best February in 14 years and the Dow hits 13000, pointing to an economic recovery.
Here at home…We held our 8th annual Wing Bowl and Freddy Crossland (Security) was the winner with a wing count of 67! Thanks to a mild winter, daffodils were in full bloom in front of Village Clubhouse. The Phillie Phanatic visited campus to help us (and some of our pets) pack up all of those SPCA towels. And the resident website, acresidents.org, celebrated its first anniversary, establishing it as the go-to place for campus information.
March In the news…Governor Romney cleans up in the “Super Tuesday” round of national primaries.
Here at home…A Tech Expo introduced residents to new technology; and the annual Variety Show filled the PAC stage with music and comedy. The RAC election was held.
April In the news…North Korea test-fires a long-range missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, but the missile disintegrates shortly after takeoff.
Here at home… Resident creativity was on display at the Fine Arts and Crafts Sale to benefit the BCF and Scholars Fund. Volunteers were “appreciated” at the annual Philanthropy breakfast.
May In the news…Edvard Munch’s iconic painting The Scream sells in New York for a record $120 million.
Here at home… We said goodbye to Executive Director Joe LoCascio, a man of many talents - and costumes! The 4th annual Golf Tournament raised money for our Scholars Fund and the annual Home Run Derby was won by Jim Seybolt and Joan Skelly. LJ Herman and Yoli D’Archangelo represented Ann’s Choice at the Bucks County YWCA’s “Women Who Make a Difference”event.
June In the news…Queen Elizabeth II celebrates 60 years on the throne with a pageant of nautical vessels down the River Thames and a concert featuring Sir Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder, who serenade the Queen with “Isn’t She Lovely.”
Here at home… It was hot, hot, hot…record setting temperatures arrived, continuing into July. The 5th annual food drive, a Doing Good project, collected over a ton of food for the pantries of the Bucks County Housing Group. Dining Services rolled out the Flexible Meal plan option (replacing the “Meal of the Day” program), giving residents a choice between 30(31) meals a month or 20, with the added convenience of being permitted to use more than one meal credit a day for themselves or guests. The 9th Community Forum posed the question, “We’re not getting any younger. What are we going to do about it?”
July In the news…The Olympic Games begin in London with a lavish (and somewhat surreal) opening ceremony in which a stuntman dressed as the Queen parachutes out of a helicopter! United State athletics take 46 gold medals, more than any other country.
Here at home… Residents Betty Sykes and Ruth Kurtz and staff member Ed Shreiner led a project to grow produce for the Coordinating Council Emergency Food Cupboard, using garden spaces in the resident garden area managed by the Ann’s Choice Garden Club. Chris Donati, our former Associate Executive Director, returned to Ann’s Choice to become our Executive Director.
August In the news…NASA’s rover “Curiosity” made a spectacular landing, showing off its braking power by going from 13,000 mph to 2 mph to park safely on Mars.
Here at home…Ann’s Choice celebrated its 9th year of operation with more than 2000 residents now living on our Warminster campus!
September In the news…To no one’s surprise, President Obama is selected as the Democratic Party candidate for President.
Here at home… September’s Benevolent Care Fund Gala had a touch of mystery and glamour with a “Masked Ball” theme; and the Medical Center offered the possibility of winning a Kindle, iPad or flat-screen TV in return for a quick and painless flu shot.
October In the news…A massive super-storm, Hurricane Sandy, makes a direct hit on the New York metropolitan area and the storm surge and fierce winds devastate coastal areas of New York and New Jersey.
Here at home…We were well prepared for Hurricane Sandy, thanks to management’s great planning. Rain and wind pelted us all day and through the night. While it did little damage to our community, more than half a million Delaware Valley residents were without power. The lights went out here one day later in the month for a planned electrical “tune-up,” which went without a hitch. The “Erickson Walking Challenge” ended with 234 walkers, 56 teams walking in 21 states and 3 countries, completing 18,184 miles.
November In the news…Americans go to the polls, electing President Obama to a second term.
Here at home…We learned about the history of the Naval Air Development Center (the former occupiers of our acreage) from a documentary, “Tales From Before Ann’s Choice,” produced by residents Jim Meyer and Ken Longman. Zumba, a national exercise craze, became one of the many fitness options available.
December In the news…Prince William and Kate Middleton confirm that they are expecting their first child; and the Washington powerful enter into tense negotiations with the President on a plan to avoid the “fiscal cliff” automatic tax hikes and spending cuts due to take effect on January 1.
Here at home… Chris Wheeler answered questions about the Phillies during a “Let’s Talk Sports” show (produced by resident Diana Bowen for Channel 5); the Philadelphia Zoo on Wheels visited; the Ann’s Choice Chorus presented a “Glory-ous Holiday Concert”; the Staff Appreciation Fund reached over $340,000 with 78% of residents participating; and Renaissance Gardens officially became Continuing Care at Ann’s Choice.
Who’s new?
Staff changes included the addition of Morgan Gioffre to Channel 5; Dave Rector, formerly with our IT Department, also moved over to Channel 5. Long-time Ann’s Choice employee Debbie Turnock was promoted to Restaurant Manager for Banners/Fireside restaurants. Rev. James S. Sutton became our first Pastoral Ministries Associate. Gloria Smith, our Director of Nursing at RG, assumed the administrator’s job. John Mann, formerly director of Extended Care at Riderwood Village (Maryland), joined the leadership team as Associate Executive Director. And much to the delight of many residents, Holly Henderson, who started as a student server at Fireside Restaurant in 2003, returned to Banners Café (having completed her degree at East Stroudsburg University) and became a service coach. Welcome back, Holly!
And let’s hear it for…
- Our Grounds Department, winning 2nd place in the annual Bucks Beautiful competition.
- Deborah Olcese, recognized among her peers with the 2012 Sales Leadership Award.
- Rose Gardens, listed by US News as one of America’s Top Nursing Homes (2012).
- Jessica Bunner, who received the Good Samaritan Award from the Pennsylvania Senate for saving the life of an ACH resident.
- Our staff – the annual Halloran survey showed that 94.9% of our residents would recommend Ann’s Choice.
Resources:
The Week (magazine) Dec. 28, 2012-January 4, 2013
Erickson Tribune
Ann’s Choice Board of Directors Annual Report 2012
Prospect Hill Library Archives
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