Summer 2022

Monoclonal Antibodies an important tool used for battling COVID-19

When Woodcrest Villa resident Roger Kennett embarked on his professional career in biochemical science, he never imagined how his involvement in monoclonal antibodies would impact the world in which we live today, battling Covid-19.

Graduating with a bachelor’s degree in biology from Eastern University, Kennett was fascinated with God’s amazing creation and the process of scientific research, so he went on to earn his doctoral degree in biochemical sciences from Princeton University. Kennett then completed post-doctoral research

for two years at the University of California in San Diego. It was here that the scientist first started working with antisera.

“Helping to protect against specific diseases, antisera is a collection of antibodies that appear in blood when— in this case a mouse—is immunized with something that is foreign such as bacteria or a virus. At this moment a complex reaction forms against the bacteria or virus from the antisera,” says Kennett.

Kennett explains that early on in his research and development, it was

discovered that antibody genes in B-cells work to rearrange binding sites that wait to find something in our bodies that doesn’t belong, like bacteria or viruses, thus attacking that foreign object. Kennett notes that this is extremely useful; however, the downside is that antisera contains a mixture of antibodies against a variety of sites and can act differently over time. What was the answer to finding a way to produce a large amount of specific antibody that can be administered to several patients for a specific infection or condition? The answer would come years later.

It was in La Jolla, California, where Kennett stumbled upon a seminar that would launch him into a future of scientific discovery and lead him to work with monoclonal antibodies.

Monoclonal antibodies are often useful for the detection of tumor cells or molecules involved in changes related to disease.

The seminar took a deep look into the discovery of mapping human genes using mouse-human hybrid cells. Excited about the possibilities of gene mapping, Kennett made a connection with an individual who worked at the University of Oxford and was offered a position as demonstrator for their Genetics Department. Kennett; his wife, Carol, and their son, packed their bags and headed ‘across the pond’ to the University of Oxford. It was there that Kennett began fusing human and mouse cells. Since each of these hybrid cells contained a unique collection of human chromosomes, they could be used to map a particular human gene to a specific human chromosome.

“I would say that I am probably one of the few persons who has seen his wife’s chromosomes in a mouse-human hybrid,” stated Kennett.

After his time in Oxford, he, Carol and now three sons returned to the States where he taught genetics and conducted research for 20 years at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, now the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. He took his experience of culturing cells, fusing cells and using antibodies and began the University’s Cell Center, which is still in operation.

It was during this time in 1975 that George Kohler and Cesar Milstein accidentally discovered monoclonal antibodies. They were fusing mouse B-cells with a plasmacytoma cell line to study how antibody molecules assembled. What they found during testing was that there were antibodies in almost every sample, and each hybrid cell was making a single type of antibody, resulting in the discovery of the monoclonal antibody.

Scientists can keep growing and making a monoclonal antibody so that a large amount of a very specific antibody can be produced. Monoclonal antibodies can be made against specific targets and then produced and administered to fight against a variety of infections. They are often also useful for the detection of tumor cells or molecules involved in changes related to disease.

“Monoclonal antibody therapies have been an important tool in our toolbox during the current COVID-19 pandemic,” stated Dr. Elyse Goveia Dr. Goveia, Medical Director of Mennonite Home. “They help our most at-risk residents reduce the risk of developing severe illness or hospitalization due to COVID-19. Though they remain in limited supply, we have been fortunate here at Mennonite Home to have been able to offer these treatments to our residents who qualify. I am grateful to the scientists who have laid the groundwork in this evolving field of medicine that continues to benefit our residents today.”

Though Kennett’s research made it possible for him to write Monoclonal Antibodies: Hybridomas: A New Dimension in Biological Analyses and Monoclonal Antibodies And Functional

Cell Lines: Progress And Applications, it also made possible the opportunity to work with companies such as DuPont, which sent representatives to visit him in his lab at the University of Pennsylvania. In the early stages of monoclonals he also

“It has been such a blessing to be able to contribute to the early stages of the development and applications of monoclonal antibodies. I thank the Lord for having me in the right place at the right time to be able to do this. I have continued to be encouraged, recently, by seeing all the monoclonals used in therapies including treatment of COVID. These antibodies usually block the attachment of virus to cells they would normally infect or clear out cells that have been infected. Most treatments that are monoclonal antibodies have a name that ends in MAB. I have been so blessed to see so many appearing in recent years and, interestingly, Carol and I have both been treated in the past couple of years with monoclonal antibodies. Probably many here at Woodcrest have as well.” - Dr.

Kennett

enjoyed traveling to give seminars and then discuss with several researchers how they could produce monoclonals to use in their research.

Today, Kennett enjoys retirement living, with Carol at Woodcrest Villa. During the summers they spend much of their time at their beach house in Ocean City, NJ, with visits from their sons, daughters-inlaw and grandchildren.

“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.”

- Pericles

(Left) Kennett was instrumental in publishing two books about Monoclonal Antibodies (cover photo). His students created the jacket cover for his third Monoclonal Antibodies book, which was published in 1980. Kennett went on to publish another book called Monoclonal Antibodies and Functional Cell Lines: Progress and Applications. His Monoclonal Antibodies book was later translated into Russian.

Come Home to Camellia Place Couple Reflects on 80 Years Together

Vernon Stinebaugh hopped into his dad’s car and drove from Indiana to Pennsylvania to marry the love of his life, Angela on August 16, 1942. The wedding was an intimate affair as Angela’s father conducted the ceremony, followed by a family dinner at her parent’s home to celebrate the newly married couple.

Faith played a big part in their marriage. With Angela’s support, Vernon was able to not only teach in the Music Department of Manchester College for 30 years, he also pastored a thriving church for 20 years and held national church assignments.

Going, going, gone! The soon-to-bebuilt Lancaster villas in our Camellia Place neighborhood are all spoken for -- reserved or sold. First announced in early 2022, the new building project provides 10 of our most popular residence styles and are the largest, at 2,058 square feet.

Excited to share more about the project, two open houses were held in March and April 2022. Guests had an opportunity to learn more about Camellia Place, chat with staff members and walk through a Lancaster villa in our existing Hedera and Morelle neighborhoods.

Great for entertaining, the Lancaster model offers an open floor plan from the kitchen, through to the dining room, living room and sun room and is complete with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a den and a garage. The large kitchen flows directly into the dining room, living room and sun

room. The den connects off of the living room with windows that overlook the patio, which is accessed from the sun room. The master bedroom is beautifully appointed with a walk-in closet and master bath. The one-car garage is oversized to accommodate more storage and includes a storage closet and the mechanical closet. The back patio is a beautiful space to set up a grill for outdoor dining or a quiet space for some fresh air while sipping a cup of coffee.

Construction by EG Stoltzfus began in July 2022. It is estimated that all units will be completed around June 2023. The expansion of Camellia Place offers new residents a great location for easy access on and off campus, yet is within walking distance of the VIVA Centre. Construction updates can be found on our website and social media pages.

The Stinebaughs knew that their first few years of marriage would be bittersweet, as they would instantly part ways for the first four years and would communicate primarily through letters that they would write to one another. Angela was teaching at a school in Pennsylvania, and Vernon was still in college in Indiana, not to mention that the world was turned upside down with war going on in Europe. There wasn’t a thought about nor time for a honeymoon.

“We never took a honeymoon because in those days people were trying to survive,” said Angela.

“But, we took trips to Europe and all over so it was like we had many honeymoons,” Vernon added.

Today, as they anticipate celebrating their 80th wedding anniversary in August, Vernon and Angela pause to reminisce over the last 80 years of their lives together.

It all started when they met in the music department at Manchester College in Indiana. Both are musically inclined, Vernon spent much of his life dedicated to music as a violinist and symphony conductor. Angela taught elementary school music, was a piano instructor and a homemaker taking care of their two daughters.

“The secret to a happy life together is their faith, music and family,” said Vernon. Throughout their marriage they have encountered all kinds of adventures. One particular adventure that comes to mind are the goodwill trips to Europe during the summers as Vernon played in a traveling orchestra. For seven summers Vernon conducted a choir and orchestra called Sounds of Hope. Near the end of their time there, they both became members of the Life Enrichment Committee.

When they decided to move to Woodcrest Villa in 2003 the Stinebaughs knew that they wanted to give back in different ways. Angela volunteered at Mennonite Home and worked hard to put music programs together. They both performed at the Woodcrest Villa Talent Show, in which Vernon played his violin beautifully and Angela accompanied him on the piano. Today, Angela stays fit by participating in the exercise classes on the Woodcrest Villa closed circuit TV system, and Vernon finds comfort in his daily morning walks, after he has had his coffee and doughnut, of course.

When asked about the secret to a long marriage, Angela’s response was: “Adjustments in life are continuous. Accommodate those changes in life and take it day by day.”

“The secret to a happy life together is their faith, music and family.”

- Vernon

Soar to New Heights at Falcon Pointe

Woodcrest Villa is setting its sights on a new boutique apartment endeavor, Falcon Pointe. Much like the previous Pheasant Pointe apartment building, this new 35-unit residence offers the same four apartment styles that were available in Pheasant Pointe, but with an added bonus—a rooftop terrace!

Reservations are underway and the sales and marketing team is a quarter of the way to full occupancy in this new building, with construction scheduled to begin spring 2023. Each floor of the building will hold nine apartments, with the exception of the fourth floor, which will hold eight apartments and the rooftop terrace. The boutique apartment experience is made possible

by having a small number of apartments on each floor rather than endless long hallways. New residents will truly be able to get to know their neighbors and, yet, will have the ability to host friends and family members in the multi-use spaces within the building.

Falcon Pointe offers a multi-purpose room on the first floor to host meetings, clubs and game nights. The second and third floors provide sitting areas for chats with a close friend and the fourth floor offers an indoor party room, which is connected to the rooftop terrace. This space, in particular, is fantastic because it allows residents to celebrate events any time of year, whether they are out on the rooftop taking in the sights of Lancaster county or indoors with ample views of the Woodcrest Villa community.

Built with superior quality materials, new residents will be able to make the apartment uniquely theirs by selecting interior finishes with our move-in coordinator. The building, itself,

will be constructed with concrete planks, which provide an overall better living experience verses a typical wood frame building. This is due to concrete planks having less shrinkage and less cracking over time, thus providing the least amount of noise transfer in the building.

Much like our other apartment buildings, Falcon Pointe will be connected to campus amenities without the need

to go outdoors, which is perfect on days when the weather may not be ideal. The first floor will be joined with the entrance into our Garden Café and the second floor will lead the way to our Bluebird Inn dining venue.

The four floor plans are our Lilac, Lotus, Marigold and Zinnia models ranging from 1,230-1,710 square feet. The apartments offer a two bedroom or two bedroom

with a den and have a patio or a balcony. Spacious and bright, each apartment has an open floor plan in the main living area, and each master bedroom has a walk-in closet with an en suite bath.

To learn more about Falcon Pointe and the apartment styles, we invite you to contact our Marketing Department at 717-390-4103 or go to our website at www.woodcrestvilla.org.

Left page top middle image shows the future home of Falcon Pointe, which will be located near our Garden Café. Left bottom photo showcases exterior views with our rooftop terrace. Some apartments will feature floor to ceiling windows. Large image above showcases the views from the rooftop terrace overlooking Lancaster county below. Middle three photos from left to right: Left photo reflects exterior views of Falcon Pointe showcasing either a patio or balcony for each apartment. Center photo reflects the views from the rooftop terrace at dusk. Right photo provides another perspective of Falcon Pointe, highlighting the mixture of exterior materials used such as brick, stucco and stone.

Mennonite Home Communities

1520 Harrisburg Pike

Lancaster, PA 17601

www.mennonitehome.org

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“SOARING” is published three times a year by of Mennonite Home Communities, 1520 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601. Mennonite Home Communities is a Pennsylvania non-profit organization. A copy of the official registration and financial information of Mennonite Home Communities may be obtained from the PA Department of State by calling toll free within Pennsylvania 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. Please note: A donation or contribution to Mennonite Home Communities is purely voluntary. A contribution is in no way a requirement for the institution or continuation of any business relationship with Mennonite Home Communities. Also, a contribution is in no way a requirement for admission or continued stay at the facility. Residents of Mennonite Home Communities will receive the same standard of quality care, the provision of which is not conditioned on any contributions.

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Featured on the cover: Woodcrest Villa resident Dr. Roger Kennett contributed to the early stages of the development and applications of monoclonal antibodies and was instrumental in publishing several books on the subject. His involvement would impact the world in which we live today, battling Covid-19.

SOARING COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Jessica Sibbett, Elizabeth Harvey, Daniel Mortensen, Kim Peters

What will your legacy be?

As time passes, most persons begin to give serious consideration to their legacy. Many find meaning in making gifts that will meaningfully impact others.

Financial giving comes in many forms, most of which are developed through mindful planning. A gift that you plan thoughtfully can make a significant impact on others and empowers you to meet your financial, philanthropic and estate planning goals.

Part of your legacy can be to bless residents who live and thrive at Mennonite Home Communities. Your financial contribution allows us to carry on our mission to residents who rely on us for the high quality of care that they deserve.

If you would like to receive information about Residential Living at Woodcrest Villa, call Amy at 717-390-4103

If you would like to receive information about Personal Care or Health Care at Mennonite Home, call 717-390-7979

If you wish to have your name removed from our mailing list, call Amy at 717-390-4103

With thoughtful planning, a gift can be tailored to your age, your income and assets, and your vision of giving. Not only that, a planned gift can provide important financial benefits in your lifetime. In many cases, a planned gift can enable you to make a more significant gift than you thought possible. Most importantly, any option you choose creates a powerful legacy that will make a difference in the lives of Mennonite Home Community residents for years to come.

Would you consider a planned gift today?

If you already have a planned gift to Mennonite Home Communities –Thank You! contact Kim Peters, Director of Development at 717-390-4105 or email kpeters@mennonitehome.org if you have any questions.