Plush Mills Senior Living

Residents Share Their Story and Stained Glass

Plush Mills residents Amy and Fred Arimoto are native Californians who, as young adults, were interred in a camp in Colorado during World War II.  They married at the camp, and remember life in the barracks as very primitive and monotonous.  Fred became a high school chemistry teacher during this difficult time.

When the war ended, the couple moved to Illinois where Fred earned his Ph.D. at the University of Chicago.  They moved to the East Coast in 1951 when Fred began a career as a chemist with DuPont, and where their three children were born.  Amy is a creative knitter, and she also became skilled at making stained glass.  Fred came to share that interest, and the couple became self-taught stained glass artisans.  Fred later crafted stained glass windows for the Arimotos’ church in Newark, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.

 

We recently displayed many examples of the Arimotos’ work in our lobby…just another example of the talent that abounds among our residents.

 

 

 

Dora Noble's Presidential Bust Returns From Casting

After 3 months, Dora Noble's sculpture of President Obama's bust returned from being casted in Chester, PA. "It took so long! They were terribly busy," said Noble. It was well worth the wait, though, as the finished product speaks for itself.

The bronzed bust is currently on display in the Plush Mills lobby. Noble is currently working on plans to send the bust to the White House.

For more on Noble and pictures of her other works, visit our prior post here.

Noble and her casted sculpture of the President's bust.

One of America’s Finest Pianists to Play Free Recital at Plush Mills this Sunday

Acclaimed American pianist Thomas Pandolfi will bring his repertoire of classic masterpieces, including compositions by Liszt, Chopin, and Gershwin, to Plush Mills Senior Living, Wallingford, PA on Sunday, September 27 at 7 P.M. This is a free event!

Washington, D.C. based Thomas Pandolfi Pandolfi most recently took his music on tour through Canada, Germany, China, Eastern Europe, as well as the US, playing both in recital and as guest soloist with orchestras.  In his young career, he has established a resume’ that boasts performances with renowned European and American symphony orchestras.

The Juilliard School graduate has been called “an artist who is the master of both the grand gesture and the sensual line,” by The Washington Post.

The public is invited to see Pandolfi in an intimate setting.  Plush Mills is located on 501 Plush Mill Road, Wallingford, PA.  Reservations are recommended for this free event and can be made by calling 610 690 1630.

Observing the High Holy Days

Rosh HaShanah (ראש השנה) is the Jewish New Year. It falls during the month of Tishrei, ten days before Yom Kippur. Together, Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur are known as the Yamim Nora’im, the Days of Awe in Hebrew. In English, they are usually referred to as the High Holy Days.

The Meaning of Rosh HaShanah

Rosh HaShanah literally means “Head of the Year” in Hebrew.  The Hebrew calendar begins with the month of Nissan (when it's believed the Jews were freed from slavery in Egypt) but the month of Tishrei is believed to be the month in which God created the world.

Rosh HaShanah is observed on the first two days of Tishrei.  During Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur (and in the days leading up to them) Jews embark upon the task of examining their lives and atoning for any wrongs they have committed during the previous year. Jews are encouraged to repent and make amends with anyone they have wronged and to make plans for improving during the coming year. Thus, Rosh HaShanah focuses on making peace in the world and making personal improvements.

A holiday filled with hope for the New Year, Rosh HaShanah begins at sundown tonight.   Plush Mills will have Jewish High Holiday Services in our Theatre on Monday, September 21.

Resident's Carvings on Display

Currently on view in our lobby display case are wood and wildlife carvings by resident Ray Lambert, shown here with his daughter June McCormack of Collingdale.

 Ray, age 92, relocated to Plush Mills from Springfield.  He retired at the age of 80 from Carl Schmidt Realtor, where he was the proprietor.  For decades, in his spare time, he enjoyed working with wood.  "He made a bed for me when I was a little girl," said June.  Pointing to the carved decorations of Woody Woodpecker and Popeye which are also on display in our lobby, she said "He made these for my brother when he was very young."

Completing the display are some of Ray's tools, paints and instruction books, which the family treasures. 

Plush Mills Art Show

Local painter Margaret Ewing has been teaching at Plush Mills for nearly two years.  In her weekly classes, Margaret teaches both new and seasoned resident artists, focusing on oil, watercolor, and illustration.

 

We recently mounted the first ever Plush Mills Art Show featuring the works of Margaret's students and others, in our lobby.  Wine and cheese, harp music, and the proof of so much creativity added brightness to an otherwise rainy and dreary day.

 

 

 Art teacher Margaret Ewing, left, with artist Helen Sherman

 

Bernie DeCampli, left, joins Billie Minisci, a prolific artist who exhibited many works in the show. 

 

Some of the works by residents on display.

 

 

The scene at the art show, with sounds of the harp providing the ideal ambience.

Tea & Art Party!

Family and friends of resident Ruth Gordon recently gathered at Plush Mills for a Tea & Art hosted by Ruth.  There she displayed works she created mostly in the 1970s and 1980s, which included watercolors, oil paintings, and pen-and-ink drawings.  Other than one art class as an adult, Ruth is a self-taught artist.

This Friday, September 11, the works of many residents will be on display at the Art Show Wine & Cheese Party from 4-6 PM.  This is a great opportunity to see the splendid works of our talented residents.

One of Ruth’s watercolor works.

Ruth (front) and her grandson Ryan Gordon, daughter in law Jane Gordon, and granddaughter Devon acting as human easels.

A group shot of family and friends who came out to Ruth’s Tea & Art party.

The Glory of Gardens

Labor Day is just around the corner, but there are still several more weeks of good gardening ahead.

Our gardening group has proven to have a  collective green thumb. 

 

And our planter in front is like a cornucopia.

 

This is the view of Plush Mills' "back yard, which gets the best sun.

 

Our champion sunflower is flourishing:

 

And so is the individual garden box of resident Jane Warters.

 

Come thrive with us!

Adopt-a-Platoon

A new committee has formed at Plush Mills to aid Lois Nelson’s grandson, US Army Spc. Brooks Nelson-Major, and the 37 other members of his 82^nd Army Airborne Platoon, currently stationed in Bagram, Afghanistan.

Residents Ted Blinder, Flo Lewis, Lois Nelson, and Bernadette Zapiec head the “Plush Mills Platoon Committee”, which collects supplies to support the platoon, such as personal hygiene products, energy bars, candy, and magazines.  In their first campaign, they sent 5 care packages totaling over 70 pounds to Brooks’ platoon in July.  Brooks replied to his grandmother, Lois, with his platoon’s thanks:

“Everyone was very pleased.  Not everyone in my platoon has a supportive family or any family at all.  I can’t tell you how much we appreciate what you’re doing for us…  On the days the packages arrive, everyone’s morale gets a boost along with our blood sugar.”

The committee has wrapped up their August campaign and is preparing to send the platoon more supplies.

Lois Nelson and Ted Blinder ready to ship out the donations.

Bernie Zapiec and Flo Lewis are more than happy to help the troops.

The Plush Mills Platoon Committee prepares the care packages.

Lois Nelson with her grandson’s thank you note to Plush Mills residents.

Wednesday Night is Free Movie Night at Plush Mills

“Marley and Me” is the feature attraction in a free outdoor movie night on Wednesday, August 26 at Plush Mills Senior Living on Plush Mill Road in Wallingford. Neighbors, friends, families and all others are invited to join Plush Mills residents for the free movie, which will begin at 7 PM on the parking deck at the main entry to the residence.

Visitors should bring their own folding chairs and beverages for the twilight feature; Plush Mills will provide the popcorn. To reserve your spot in the outdoor theater, call Joan Sobel at 610-690-1630. 

Here’s what our outdoor theatre looked like for the screening of Marley and Me. 

As the evening darkened, the picture on the screen became perfectly visible.  As an added bonus, the PM concierge came around with tissues during the sad ending of the movie.  You won’t get that service at the metroplex!