Applestalk Newsletter – June 2025
Jennifer Holmes Just Appointed Edenton’s Executive Director
Edenton Frederick, a leading organization in retirement living with independent living home care, assisted living and memory care is pleased to announce a significant appointment to its leadership team. Jennifer Holmes has been appointed as the new Executive Director and will play a pivotal role in the daily operations of the community and fostering continued quality care and services.
With a proven record of success in senior living, Mrs. Holmes brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Edenton. Her extensive background in a variety of senior living positions will be a valuable asset to the
organization.
Jennifer has a reputation as a respected leader, and she has a deep understanding of senior living needs. “We are thrilled to announce Jennifer’s appointment as Executive Director of Edenton’s campus.” said RaeAnn Butler, President of Closup I, Inc. dba Edenton Frederick. “Her passion for excellence and operational success aligns perfectly with our company’s values and objectives. We are confident that her leadership on campus will continue to build on our reputation for quality care and support for our Residents and staff members”
In her new role, Jennifer will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of Edenton’s campus, including independent living, home care, assisted living and memory care. Jennifer expressed enthusiasm about taking on this new role for Edenton. “I am honored to be a part of the Edenton team and look forward to contributing to the company’s growth and success. I am confident that together, we will continue to provide excellent care and services and create new opportunities on our campus.”
Jennifer returned to Edenton in 2023 as assistant administrator, and she completed the coursework to earn her Assisted Living licensure in 2024.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Potsdam College of the State University of New York and a Master of Science in Health Services Administration from the State University of New York Institute of Technology.
In this issue:
Welcome to New Director
Welcome, neighbor!
Under the Ocean Day
Butterfly Experiment
Personalized Medicine
Bayada’s Wellness Talk
View from our porch
Photo by Eva Mossman
Welcome, neighbor, to Edenton!
Lisa Ambrose, Life Enrichment Director
We welcome Mr. Larry Seaman who recently moved into Cottage 531. Larry was born and raised in Washington, D.C. He was the mid-
dle child and has three brothers and one sister. Larry attended trade school and was a constructional steel worker for his career. He
worked very high up off the ground!
Larry recently lost his wife, and her last wish was that he move to Edenton to be closer to their children. Together they had a daughter
and a son, and he’s the proud grandfather of four grandchildren. Larry enjoys meeting people, talking and making new friends.
Welcome, Larry, to our Edenton family.
We also want to welcome Mrs. Dorothy “Dottie” Hall who recently moved into Cottage 502. Dottie was born right here in Frederick; but
at an early age her family relocated to Arlington, VA. She had two brothers and one sister.
She attended the Washington School for Secretaries. She worked as a secretary, did administrative work, and then worked as an office administrator. She worked at Bechtel for over 30 years.
She has a daughter, a son, and two grandchildren. She is a collector of dolls, Christmas ornaments, Santas and poodles.
We’re glad you’re here, Dottie!
Page Turner’s Book Club
This month’s selection is
A Game of Birds and Wolves
by Simon Parkin.
With extensive research, interviews, and previously unpublished accounts, Parkin describes for the first time the role that women played in developing the Allied strategy that, in the words of one admiral, “contributed in no small measure to the final defeat of Germany.”
Join us in the library for the discussion at 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 19.
Zooming in on Nature
Lisa Ambrose, Life Enrichment Director
Nature has been something to celebrate since the beginning of time.
Nature is all around us: in the weather, trees, flowers and insects. Throughout the week of June 15, we will celebrate Nature Photography Day by going outside and taking pictures of the nature that surrounds us. Each person has a different eye for beautiful things, and we will be capturing what we see and sharing those pictures.
Join Fiddler’s Green residents on Sunday, June 15 at 3 p.m. and on Monday, June 16 at 3:30 p.m. as we capture the nature that surrounds us here on our beautiful campus
Under The Ocean Day
Susan Shanahan, Life Enrichment Coordinator
National Seashell Day is celebrated annually on the first day of summer. This day of “shell-abration” was started by beachcombers in southwest Florida.
There are more than 200,000 different types of mollusks in the world, and each one creates its own type of shell. The patterns on seashells are not random. They are markers that help animals grow their shell in the proper place. A few things to remember when collecting seashells:
- Never collect live shells. When in doubt, put it back.
- Only take a small number of shells. This preserves the beach.
- Full and new moons usually bring in more seashells.
- Storms churn up the ocean floor and often bring more seashells to the surface.
On Saturday, June 21 at 10:30 a.m., residents at Garden House will celebrate National Seashell Day by painting and decorating seashells. Please stop in and join us for a “shell” of a good time!
National Seashell Day
Liz Lyles, Life Enrichment Coordinator
Under The Ocean Day is a day to explore and learn about the ocean, it’s inhabitants and it’s wonders. Its a day to appreciate and understand the underwater world.
On Tuesday, June 17, at 2 p.m., Blossom Place residents will enjoy an “Under The Ocean” themed party. Residents will make a craft, watch “The Little Mermaid,” learn about sea creatures and enjoy some tasty treats.
Come join us Under The Ocean.
Butterfly Growth Center Experiment
Andy Wright, Life Enrichment Coordinator
Last month, a painted lady butterfly caterpillar growth center arrived at Edenton’s doorstep. Orchard Terrace residents have been taking on a lot of environmentally conscious projects and have been discussing different ways we can improve our planet. They wanted to work on a butterfly project as the weather warmed up and learn something new about the lifecycle of a butterfly.
When the caterpillar larva arrived in early May, they were not active. Eventually, they acclimated and started moving around and eating.
After just two days, they were already looking plump. After ten days of observing and documenting them, they cocooned overnight. Three days later, we placed the cocoons into the butterfly habitat and waited for them to emerge. They emerged the week of May 19th and we started feeding them sugar water and let them develop. When they were ready, we released them in Blossom Place’s garden.
Join us on Wednesday, June 4 at 10 a.m., to discuss our experiment, learn something new, and maybe even step outside and see if one of the six painted ladies are still fluttering about outside in Blossom Place’s community garden.
Wanna Get Away?
Andy Wright, Life Enrichment Coordinator
When asked about their dream vacation, Orchard Terrace residents had a variety of responses. Some expressed dismay about not being able to travel anymore. Others shared stories of past trips they really enjoyed.
After some discussion about how we can still have fun by visiting these places and learning new things virtually, one resident offered an idea: “Let’s go someplace far and hard to get to. Somewhere we haven’t been before. A tropical location where we can delve into a different lifestyle.”
So, join Orchard Terrace residents on Wednesday, June 18 at 10:30 a.m., as we journey (virtually!) to a remote and distant tropical vacation spot!
Flag Day
Susan Shanahan, Life Enrichment Coordinator
Flag Day is celebrated across the United States annually on June 14.
President Woodrow Wilson made the date the official celebration in 1916. Although Flag Day is not a federal holiday, it is celebrated by many states. Parades, essay contests, ceremonies and picnics sponsored by veteran groups help keep the traditions, history, pride and respect for the flag alive. Here are a few key facts:
- The American Flag should never touch the ground, never be used as a blanket, or never be flown upside down – unless it’s a distress call.
- Flags should be raised quickly and lowered slowly. The only way “Old Glory” should be flown at night, is if there is a light illuminating the Flag. It is not considered disrespectful to fly the American Flag in the rain, especially if it’s an all-weather Flag.
- When a Flag is no longer fit for display, due to damage or wear, it should be retired in a dignified way, which can include burning. Often times, local VFWs and Boy Scout troops collect damaged flags to properly retire them.
Residents at the Garden House will honor the Flag on June 13 by displaying an American flag, repeating the pledge of allegiance together, and listening to patriotic music.
National Eat Your Vegetable Day
Lisa Ambrose, Life Enrichment Director
National Eat Your Vegetable Day is celebrated on June 17. This day reminds us to keep eating vegetables as part of a healthy diet.
Vegetables can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Each vegetable has its own nutritional values. They can contain a little protein, fat and a carry of vitamins in each bite, such as vitamin A, K and B6.
On Tuesday, June 17 at 2:30 p.m. for an afternoon snack, we will be enjoying fresh vegetables and dip. We’ll discuss our favorite vegetables and dig in to their nutritional values. Let the nibbling begin!
Cruisin’ Edenton
Edenton’s Second Annual CRUISE IN,
featuring The Golden Gears Car Club, returns on Saturday, June 28 from 10 a.m. till 12 noon.
Cars from several decades…past and present..will be on display in front of the Manor House.
Come out and enjoy a walk down memory lane and vote for your favorite! The Top 3 vote getters receive trophies.
All are invited.
Hope to see you there!
Edenton’s Annual Family Picnic
Lisa Ambrose, Life Enrichment Director
This year, Edenton’s picnic will be held Saturday, June 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the restaurant’s courtyard.
This special event brings residents, family, friends and staff together for an afternoon of fun and fellowship. There will be a picnic-style food buffet, live music by Spectrum Band, several children’s activities and games, and a photo station.
There will be tent seating for the picnic. However, we strongly encourage guests to bring their lawn chairs so you can sit on the lawn and enjoy the music and activities.
We can’t wait to see you there. Let’s make 2025 the best year yet!
Edenton’s Poetry Club
Each month Edenton poets, under the direction of resident Peggy Wolfson, meet to share their works. If you haven’t joined them yet, they meet on the second Thursday of each
month—this month it will be June 12—at 10:30 a.m. Weather permitting they meet in the courtyard gazebo.
To get your own creativity flowing, enjoy this poem written by poetry club host, Peggy Wolfson.
SPRING
The sun shines bright
between the rains,
cold days are slight –
It’s spring again!
I love it when
the flowers bloom
I fill a vase
for every room –
Being old
And gray like me
can’t stop this
yearly gaiety-
How could you think
You’re old?
Everything grows so new
And just for you
to behold!
Sunny Smiles!
Volunteer Joyce Easton visits with resident Mecca Stoner while both enjoy being outside on the patio.
Lift Every Voice!
Saint Thomas More Academy students entertained Edenton residents during a recent visit.
Casino Night!
Residents had a fun time at May’s Casino Night trying their luck betting on the horse races, placing their chips on red or black at the roulette table, and playing black jack and plinko.
Resident Spotlight
Liz Lyles, Life Enrichment Coordinator
This month’s resident spotlight shines on Margery Karbeling.
Margery was born in Augusta, GA. Her family moved first to New Jersey, then to Maryland. She has one brother.
Margery attended college at Northeastern University in Boston to study Speech Science and then switched to Education.
Margery met her future husband one day when he came to fix her parent’s air conditioning. They started dating and eventually were married in the synagogue in Chevy Chase, MD.
She has a son and a daughter and is a very proud grandmother of five grandchildren.
When her children were young she worked temporary jobs. Later she worked in healthcare at facilities around Frederick. She retired in 2022.
She has always enjoyed traveling, especially to the beach in Lewes, DE, to Memphis to visit Graceland, and to New York to see Broadway shows. Her last big trip was to Scotland with a friend.
Margery can be seen at many activities here on campus. She’s taken an interest in art and painting. She also enjoys dining out, seeing plays, going to concerts, and spending time with family and friends.
We are very glad to have Margery as a part of our family here at Edenton.
Our Sincere Condolences
All of us at Edenton extend our heartfelt sympathy
to the family and friends of those in our community
who recently passed away.
You will be missed.
Mr. William H. Smith Jr.
Thursday, June 5th at 10 a.m.
Manor House Community Room – Register TODAY and plan to attend!
Independent Living Residents: Learn more about
Personalized Medicine on June 5!
Michele Price, RN, Director of HomeCare
Incite, a company offering Pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing, will provide another information session and testing opportunity for
Independent Living residents interested in this advanced medical opportunity.
Designed to help optimize medication management and improve medical outcomes, PGx testing studies how someone’s genes
affect his/her response to medications. With a simple, non-invasive cheek swab, PGx testing can reveal how your body processes many commonly prescribed drugs, including medications for pain, heart disease, mental health, and more. As people age, they often take multiple medications, increasing the risk of side effects, drug interactions, and reduced treatment effectiveness.
PGx testing can help to: reduce adverse drug reactions (ADRs), improve symptom control, minimize trial-and-error prescribing, and support safer and more effective medication plans.
This session will answer more of your questions and offer you the chance to sign up for the testing.
How does it work? A tissue sample is taken by a nurse using a simple cheek swab. Your sample is sent to a certified lab for analysis. Then, your results are returned within 7–14 days. You can then review the results with your primary care physician to guide medication decisions.
Let’s work together to ensure that every resident receives the right medication at the right dose-tailored to their unique genetic profile.
If you have any questions, please contact Michele Price, RN Home Care Director.
If you are planning to attend, please sign up at the Manor House front office in advance.
Your greatest wealth is health.
Your medications should be, too.
Bayada presents…
“Dietary Supplements”
Michele Price, RN, Director of HomeCare
This month’s focus is on learning about your aging body. Here are a few things you should know
that we’ll use to kick off our presentation.
• Your bones become less dense as you age. This increases your risk of fractures due to a condition called osteoporosis.
• Your risk of falls also increases as you age. This happens, in part, because you lose muscle mass and strength over time.
• With cognitive changes, you may notice things like: memory deficits, a decrease in your processing time, a decrease in your reaction time, and changes in executive functions like your ability to plan, problem solve and make decisions.
Join us on Tuesday, June 3, in the Community Room, for this month’s presentation.
Tuesday, June 3 at 10 a.m.
“Your Aging Body”
presented by Bayada Home Health
DON’T MISS IT! Edenton’s Annual Picnic!
Saturday, June 7th | 11 a.m.—2 p.m.
Music this year by the local band Spectrum!
