Guide to Inspiring Living Summer 2011

Inspiring Living your guide to

Summer 2011

www.shannondell.com

A Publication of Shannondell at Valley Forge

The Shannondell Gardens:

INSIDE

A Springtime Ritual

Health & Wellness..............2 Tips for living and staying well

Leisure................................4 Dining out & summer reading

Lifestyles............................6 Rightsizing your life made easy

Technology..........................7 Senior adults adapt and adopt

Country Roads....................8 The most scenic drive in PA

Crossword..........................9 Test your skills across & down

Entertainment...................10 What’s coming up around town

Opening July 15

10000 Shannondell Drive Audubon, PA 19403

Presorted Standard U.S. Postage Paid Mailed From Zip Code 30655 Permit No. 15

Shannondell Performing Arts Theater

Nancy Foster finds herself in the spotlight as a resident

Residents Enjoy Their 15 Minutes Of Fame Andy Warhol once said, “In the future, everybody will be worldfamous for 15 minutes.”

Given the recent growth of reality TV and social media, many might now agree that Andy was years ahead of his time and that his time span is far too short.

That sentiment seems to be the general consensus among the dozen or so Shannondell residents who share the focus of a new advertising campaign that launched earlier this year for the Shannondell community.

If you read the Philadelphia or

one of the suburban newspapers, chances are good that you’ve seen one or more of the ads. Building on the Shannondell theme, “Living to inspire,” each real-life ad focuses on an actual resident and how living at Shannondell has inspired the resident to try new things and/ or hone lifelong hobbies, activities and causes.

For instance, Nancy Foster, a founding member of Shannondell when the community opened in 2004, found herself in the Continued on pg.11

Staying Well This Summer

By Shannondell Medical Director Dr. David Galinsky

I doubt that I have to remind you how hot the summer of 2010 was in and around Philadelphia.

In fact, every state east of the Mississippi River recorded one of the 10 warmest summers since records began and long-term forecasts call for more of the same this summer.* Don’t worry, I’m not adding meteorologist to my professional medical designations, but I am

reminding you that hot muggy weather is just around the corner. And with it, increased opportunities and probabilities See Staying Well, pg. 3

There’s a slight chill in the air this spring morning as spades and trowels dig and scrape at a winter’s crust formed on top of rich Pennsylvania soil.

Bags of fertilizer and other soil enhancements appear at residents’ sides, thanks to Shannondell staff, as they begin to tend to their plots on hands and knees.

For many of these gardeners, the smell of fresh tilled dirt functions as a natural stimulant.

Awakening the heart and soul after a long winter’s solace spent scouring seed catalogs and See Gardening, pg. 12

The Civil War at 150:

Time To Revisit Gettysburg More than 3 million fought in the war. 620,000 perished – roughly two percent of the population in the 1860s.

In 2011, 150 years after the start of The Civil War and 50 years after the last big anniversary that took place, ironically, during the civil rights movement, the country still finds itself healing and unsure, exactly, how to respond, at least in public.

In many communities with close ties to significant battles Continued on pg. 9

Inspiring Living Summer 2011

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Health & Wellness

Staying Well continued from page 1

that adults will be faced with potentially harmful health issues including dehydration and heat stroke. But did you know that extreme summer temperatures could also be hazardous to your drugs? Many of my patients forget this.

As such, before things really begin to heat up outside, I offer you the following tips as timely reminders to take a few extra precautions this summer. I can assure you that you and your physician will appreciate it, along with family and friends.

Feel The Beat:

The neighborhood “doc” is always just steps away at Shannondell

The Main Line Health Center at Shannondell

S

hannondell at Valley Forge enjoys the only Main Line Health Center located within a retirement community.

Located within the Ashcroft clubhouse, The Main Line Health Center at Shannondell is connected to all residences via climate-controlled walkways. So, the doctor’s literally just down the hall.

The Center is part of Main Line Health – nationally recognized for the outstanding care offered by more than 1,200 board-certified physicians at its distinguished hospitals Bryn Mawr, Lankenau, Paoli, Riddle Memorial and Bryn Mawr Rehab. Physicians and specialists from Main Line Health are consistently recognized as the “Best” in annual polls conducted

by Philadelphia Magazine and

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Main Line Today.

“What really separates the Health Center is the quality of care you receive from everyone,” Shannondell resident Ann Marie Garraty notes. She goes on, “The staff, nurses, and doctors all take the time to care about you before they care for you.”

Whether it’s primary care, audiology, physical, occupational and speech therapy, podiatry, cardiology or other on-site services, Shannondell residents and their families enjoy peace of mind knowing that the medical care they receive is second to none.

For more about all the quality health care services available at Shannondell, visit www.shannondell.com

The Latin inspired dancercise craze has found a new home at Shannondell. Blending pulsing Latin music with easy-to-learn dance steps and moves, Zumba takes group floor exercise up a notch or two when it comes to having fun.

Zumba Gold, designed for people who might not be able or ready to take part in a regular Zumba class, includes all the elements of a regular workout – warm-up, a main

routine, and a cool down period – and never requires a dance partner.

Led by a certified Zumba instructor, Zumba Gold classes teach simplified dance moves that match the rhythm of the music.

The good news: even those who claim to have two left “dancing” feet find that Zumba is easy to ease into. Michelle, an exercise physiologist at Shannondell, says, “It’s absolutely amazing to watch Shannondell residents latch on to these dance moves. They start

out a little shy and hesitant, but by the end of the first session, they’re clapping and swaying their hips to the music, laughing and having a blast. And, in the process, they’re burning hundreds of calories using low-impact movements that are easy on the joints.” She adds, “And for those with limited mobility, we offer seated Zumba classes that offer most of the same physical benefits of regular Zumba Gold, and all the fun.”

So what do the residents think about Zumba Gold at Shannondell? “I thought line dancing class was fun, but Zumba makes you feel like you’re really getting better at the steps,” claims one resident. Diane, a regular in the Shannondell Fitness Center, adds, “the class goes by so fast because you’re cutting up with everybody around you and at the same time, paying close attention to the instructor and trying to follow her moves. It’s a blast!”

The psychological benefits of Zumba are well documented, too, and include: enhanced self-esteem and relaxation, reduced depression, stress and anxiety.

To tour Shannondell’s fitness facilities, call 610.728.5211 and mention this article.

Zumba Gold Calories Burned Minutes Calories Burned 45 400+/-

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Dehydration and heatstroke go hand in hand, particularly when you’re out in the summer sun. Even when you replace lost body fluids with water, dehydration can still occur. Water doesn’t replace electrolytes such as potassium and sodium. Deprived of electrolytes, perspiring can no longer cool you down, and your body temperature rises. So, remember – drink water and sports drinks like Powerade or Gatorade (now called “G”) or fruit juice with a pinch of salt.

As a rule of thumb, you need to drink the equivalent of a onequart bottle every hour if you’re working or exercising in the sun.

Also remember that certain medications, including antibiotics and diuretics, have side effects including fluid and electrolyte loss under normal conditions. So, check with your physician and/or pharmacist regarding your prescriptions’ side effects.

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Another casualty of extreme summer heat can be your prescription medication. Storage at high temperatures can quickly degrade the potency and stability of many medications. Most drugs are recommended to be stored at what’s known as “controlled room temperature” – an average of approximately 77 degrees F – not usually a problem inside most air conditioned homes. But, what if you lose power for a sustained period during a heat wave? Or, you place prescriptions in checked luggage or a car trunk during summer travel?

Internal trunk temperatures can quickly reach triple digits in July and August. So, when traveling this summer, store meds inside the car or in your carry-on luggage while flying, to be safe. And if you think your medication has been exposed to extreme heat, talk to your pharmacist to see what he or she recommends. Your health insurance company may be able to replace your medication, or reimburse you.

Enjoy your summer in and around Philadelphia. It’s a great time of year to get outside, breathe some fresh air, soak up extra Vitamin D from the sun (Don’t forget sunscreen!) and, most importantly, have fun and be safe.

David Galinsky MD is Medical Director of the Main Line Health Center at Shannondell. Dr. Galinsky is a specialist in Internal and Geriatric Medicine and has been recognized numerous times as a “Top Doc” for geriatric medicine by Philadelphia Magazine and Main Line Today. He has also received the Award of Honor from the Philadelphia Geriatric Center.

Part of Main Line Health, the Main Line Health Center at Shannondell offers residents and their families peace of mind knowing their current and future well being is in the absolute best hands, including Dr. Galinsky.

Antioxidants May Aid Cancer Treatment Edited from My Health News Daily

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new study suggests that drugs providing a dose of antioxidants might also help treat cancer.

Oxidative stress, a process that damages cells, may fuel tumor growth. By triggering cells near the cancer to release nutrients, oxidative stress can feed the cancer cells.

“Cancer cells are parasites, and the way they do their business is that they use oxidative stress as a weapon to extract nutrients from

adjacent normal cells,” said study researcher Dr. Michael Lisanti, professor of cancer biology at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia.

According to the researchers, because antioxidant drugs mitigate oxidative stress, they might be useful tools for fighting cancer. Previous research has suggested that oxidative stress may promote cancer, but researchers weren’t sure exactly how this worked.

Antioxidant Rich Blueberry Smoothie A refreshing summer treat Ingredients 1 frozen banana (thawed 15 minutes) 1/2 cup vanilla soy milk 1 cup vanilla fat-free yogurt 1 1/2 teaspoons flax seed meal 1 1/2 teaspoons honey 2/3 cup frozen blueberries Place banana pieces into a blender. Add the soymilk, yogurt, flax seed meal, and honey. Blend on lowest speed until smooth (about 5 seconds).

Gradually add the blueberries while continuing to blend on low. Once the blueberries have been incorporated, increase speed, and blend to desired consistency.

In one session, you could burn off breakfast – including calories consumed in a standard omelet or French toast. Ready to sway those hips now? * National Climatic Data Center

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 207 | Total Fat: 0.7g | Cholesterol: 2mg 3

Inspiring Living Summer 2011

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Leisure

Culinary Corner

Summer Reading

60 seconds with Craig Brown, Director of Culinary Services at Shannondell

Bobblehead Dad: 25 Life Lessons I Forgot I Knew

By Jim Higley

Q: What’s harder –

Release Date: June 1, 2011 Edited from Greenleaf Book Group

keeping menus healthy or always changing?

C: They are both equally

challenging. With at least 23 entrée choices on the menu most nights, it’s fairly easy to maintain variety.

Making sure, within those selections, that we offer each resident several options that meet their individual taste and nutritional needs is the real trick.

Q: What’s your favorite

dessert that you serve?

C: I’m a big fan of dessert in

Shannondell residents enjoy fresh baked treats just steps from their homes

Spotlight on Dining:

Q: What’s the most

The Shannondell Bistro & Bakery

W

hether it’s a warm cinnamon roll and coffee in the early morning or a grilled Reuben and field greens salad at lunch, the Bistro and Bakery located on the second floor of both Shannondell clubhouses is a favorite spot for residents.

According to Penny, a longtime resident, “The great thing about the bakery is that if I don’t feel like cooking breakfast or if I’m running low on something, I can simply walk down to the bakery and grab pastries and fruit and bring them back home. It’s nice, particularly in the winter when I wouldn’t dream of braving the elements for a trip 4

to the market.”

The Bistro is just as popular at lunch. Offering made-to-order sandwiches, grilled seafood, wraps, burgers, salads and a hot buffet, this cafeteria-style dining venue is a daily stop for many residents. “I like the fact that you can eat at the Bistro every day and not get the same thing for months at a time,” boasts a resident elated with the fact that she no longer has to prepare three meals a day.

Notes Craig Brown, Director of Culinary Services at Shannondell, “The Bistro is a great way for us to find and try new menu ideas.

Maybe because of its smaller size or more casual atmosphere, the

general, but I’d say it was the Almond Joy Cheesecake. Light coconut cheesecake, with toasted almonds and milk chocolate … what’s not to like?

residents seem more open to trying new foods and giving us feedback.

They’re also quick to mention a dish they enjoyed somewhere else or a family favorite. Good or bad, it’s dialogue like this that builds a great dining program!”

Residents seem to appreciate the variety. George, another longtime resident is quick to add, “I enjoyed more different dishes here, in my first month, than I did during years in my former home. You don’t realize how much of a ‘food rut’ you fall into when you’re forced to cook for yourself three times a day.

I don’t think I ever thought, ‘Hey, I think I’ll make banana pudding today’.”

requested dish?

C: Probably one of the classics

like Baked Crab Imperial or Beef Wellington. However, our new Vegan Entrees are winning quite a few fans among the more traditional “meat and potatoes” diners. I guess fresh food and great flavor are in style, no matter where you come from.

To appreciate the author’s style before starting this book, we recommend that you visit his website at bobbleheaddad.com. You’ll quickly get to know this single dad who is raising three kids and surviving cancer.

An account of a typical dad’s extraordinary journey through several forgotten life lessons— and the discovery of one lifechanging gift – Bobblehead Dad is both inspiring and humorous.

Jim Higley was a forty-yearold bobblehead. Just like those collectible figurines—with an oversized head on a bouncy spring—he’d put on a smiling face and bobble through his hectic, overflowing days. Higley’s bobbling comes to a screeching halt with the diagnosis of cancer and a summer of healing. But this is not only a cancer story.

Bobblehead Dad gives the reader

a front row seat in the author’s discovery of illuminating parallels between the events of his childhood and adulthood, as he delves into his family history with rich, vivid detail.

With a distinctive storytelling rhythm, Bobblehead Dad keeps readers laughing, crying and— most importantly—thinking about their own life journey.

Higley’s knack for handling heavy topics with an embraceable voice quickly draws readers into his experiences—while launching them on their own journey of self-discovery and reflection.

Yukon Gold Potato & Artichoke Salad Serve at room temperature with any freshly grilled fish. We like to use Tuna lightly seasoned and then finish with a little Feta cheese. Serves 6.

Q: What recipes are you

3/4 c

working on for Summer?

1 1/2 lb Yukon Gold Potatoes, washed and cut into 1” chunks

C: For me, summer is always

1/2 c

Roasted Red Peppers, cut into 1” squares

3/4 c

Artichoke Hearts, cut into quarters

2 Tbl

Parsley, chopped fresh

about the salads, and not just crisp greens. I’m talking about Fresh Tropical Fruit and Cottage Cheese, Chinese Chopped Salad with Shrimp, a Smoked Turkey Cobb, or my favorite for the summer Seared Tuna with Roasted Gold Potato and Artichoke Salad. The flavors are so light and fresh, you can really taste the season!

Shannondell Book Clubs Recommend

Lemon Herb Vinaigrette (from a bottle or make your own)

Sea Salt To taste Preheat oven to 425 F. Toss the potatoes in 3 Tbl of the vinaigrette, spread and place in the oven on a roasting pan. Roast for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool. In a large mixing bowl toss the potatoes, red peppers, artichoke hearts, parsley and remaining dressing. Taste. Adjust seasonings with sea salt, if necessary.

Place 1/2 c on a plate, top with your favorite grilled fish and enjoy!

Fiction Book Club The Camel Bookmobile

by Masha Hamilton Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand

by Helen Simonson

Non-Fiction Book Club Cleopatra

by Stacy Schiff The God Delusion

by Richard Dawkins

Pat Hughes chairs the Non-Fiction Book Club at Shannondell, a resident group of about thirty members.

Says Pat, “We read lots of history. Some autobiographies.

The group chooses the books.

Most members are serious readers. I just try to keep the conversation down to a ‘quiet roar.’ When you get a bunch of well-read, highly educated people together, it can get lively.”

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Inspiring Living Summer 2011

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Lifestyle

Technology

Rightsizing For All The Right Reasons

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hen people talk about moving to Shannondell, one of their first questions usually involves what they’ll have to give up as part of downsizing – possessions, space, privacy and independence.

Of course, what they discover, once taking the time to actually visit Shannondell, is that their perceptions are far from reality.

Particularly when factoring in what Shannondell residents gain: n

A more active lifestyle focused on health and wellness

n n

n

n n

From the Computer Lab at Shannondell Lee Berg, computer technologies instructor at Shannondell, recently sat down with Inspired Living editors to answer questions about her role and her students at Shannondell.

The following is edited from that conversation.

Freestyle living without rigid schedules and a lot of rules Abundant social opportunities including 50+ groups, classes and clubs Housekeeping, home maintenance and grounds keeping services More certainty & control over monthly living expenses On-site access to quality Main Line Health services

Q:

Statistics list older adults as the Internet’s fastest growing new user segment. True, based on what you see?

LB: Absolutely! And their

The best discovery – the current equity in their home usually covers an entrance fee that

Shannondell residents enjoy many options for customizing their homes

starts at $50,000 less than the 2010 median home price in Montgomery county, PA.* A fact that strikes at the heart of another common misconception. Namely, that Shannondell is too expensive.

Even Shannondell’s most affordable one-bedroom residences (see the sample floor plan) are spacious enough for your most cherished possessions, while offering access to the same amenities and services that

neighbors with larger Shannondell homes are paying higher fees to enjoy. Now that’s value. And value that hasn’t gone unnoticed during trying times.

So, combine the rebound in Philadelphia home prices with current availability of Shannondell’s most affordable residences, and you’ve got a timely opportunity to do a little rightsizing for all the right reasons. * www.trendmls.com

The Creighton one-bedroom floor plan is just one of more than 40 residence designs available within the Shannondell community.

To schedule a visit to Shannondell, including a tour of available one-bedroom and larger homes, call 610.728.5211 or 800.669.2318.

Or visit www.shannondell.com

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“

interests have gone way beyond email. They are doing research (“Googling”), shopping online (one of my favorites) and learning to customize their Internet experience via “Favorites” and browser settings. Also, more students are expressing an interest in blogging and creating websites.

Q:

How would you rate the computer savvy of the average Shannondell resident when you first start working with them?

LB: Well, they’re all 10s in my

book, just for braving the leap to technology. While I have more beginners than intermediate or advanced students, they all amaze me at how inquisitive they are and how fast they learn. My beginners are usually focused on Internet access and email. The more advanced students are currently interested in digital photography, blog and website creation.

Q:

While considering a move to Shannondell from our 4-bedroom home, we were concerned about what we’d be giving up.

What we found, with all the amenities and activities we gained at Shannondell, is that we’ve actually traded up – like we live at The Greenbrier or another resort.

Janice S. Shannondell resident since 2007

“

What’s the most often utilized application?

LB: Probably Internet Explorer.

I’m currently educating residents about alternative browsers such as Mozilla Firefox. Another new program we’re working with is Picasa, a digital photography application from Google (free, by the way).

Q:

What surprises you most about working with Shannondell residents?

LB: Their thirst for knowledge.

I don’t know if that surprises me as much as it inspires my admiration and respect.

Q: What do you think surprises residents the most, once they have taken several computer classes?

LB: Many are surprised by their

own abilities. I’ve had residents who were convinced they couldn’t learn to use a computer and, subsequently, go on to enroll in almost every class Shannondell offers. That’s why the Introduction to Computers class covers everything from turning the computer on, to using the mouse, to, finally, going on the Internet.

Q:

Talk about the adoption of digital media among residents? Do many use eReaders or iPads?

LB: I teach a class called Gadgets

that features, among other eReaders, the (Amazon) Kindle. A

few residents bring their Kindles and Nooks (Barnes & Noble version) to class. Just in the past year, I’ve had a couple of residents bring iPads to class. And recently, I had a resident ask about an iPad class. So, adoption is lagging, compared to other generations, but growing.

Q:

How do you see technology helping to improve the quality of life for residents?

LB: I see technology as a means

of connecting residents more easily to their families. Case in point: I’m now teaching residents how to “text.” The grandkids can’t believe it when they get their first text from the grandparents – “OMG,” talk about connecting two distinct generations.

I also see technology as an increasingly easy way to conduct research (via the Internet). In fact, I recently read an article, online, that stated that conducting

online searches may be a beneficial exercise for the brains of older adults. And, after working almost exclusively with this generation for the past eight years, I must say I’ve noticed improvements in many students’ cognitive abilities.

On a less academic level, I also see technology as a means of making tasks that become increasingly less convenient as we age (such as going to the bank and shopping) much, much easier and, dare I say it – fun!

Q:

Lastly, Mac or PC?

LB: Both! I really believe that each

has its own advantages. That’s one of the reasons why I own one of each.

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Inspiring Living Summer 2011

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Country Roads

Gettysburg continued from page 1

Brandywine Valley

and historic events tied to the war, people and emotions remain polarized, to a degree. Of course, media fuels these emotions by reporting especially controversial events such as “Secession Balls” held in parts of the South.

When Freddie Parker, a professor of history at North Carolina Central University and a member of the state’s Civil War sesquicentennial commission, was asked how much more time before the nation is less emotional, less polarized about the war, he ventured, “A hundred and fifty years?”

Regardless of how we feel about the war, today, the most tangible reminders we have left of this most bloodiest and significant war in American history are our Civil War battlefields. And when it comes to the most pivotal battle, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania stands by itself.

From July 1 to July 3, 1863, 160,000 Americans fought and more than 51,000 died. General Lee’s push to take the war “north” was repelled with Union forces pushing the Confederate Army back south. Despite the fact that

The most scenic drive in Pennsylvania

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ur home state of Pennsylvania is blessed with some of the most beautiful countryside in the country. From the Poconos to Dutch country and the southern Alleghenies, the changing scenery provides the perfect backdrop for a day’s drive or weekend getaway from the Philadelphia area. The hard part is choosing just where to go and what to see.

Luckily, there’s a guide. Reader’s Digest publishes The Most Scenic Drives in America in both hardcover and spiral bound (for ease in following in the car) editions. The most scenic drive in Pennsylvania, according to the book: Brandywine Valley – not too far down the road from Shannondell at Valley Forge.

The route (about 20 miles) takes you from the Brandywine

Battlefield and nearby Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania down Route 1 to Longwood Gardens near Kennett Sqaure, then heads south down Route 52 into Northern Delaware. Stops in Delaware include Winterthur (the ancestral home of Henry Francis Du Pont), Haley Museum (site of the Du Pont Company’s early gunpowder mills) and ends at Nemours Mansion (another 300 acre Du Pont estate featuring a 102-room Louis XVI-style chateau and gardens that some say rival those found at the Palace of Versailles).

Used copies of the published Guide start at just $12 on Amazon.com. A larger downloadable and printable map of the route is available at www.rd.com

the South continued to fight for two more years, Gettysburg was a decisive victory for the Union. And as it turned out, the turning point in the war.

Just over a two-hour drive from Shannondell and the western suburbs of Philadelphia, Gettysburg National Military Park remains a compelling classroom for both young and old. And this July, 148 years after the historic skirmish, the Park is planning a special series of Ranger-led battle walks, reenactments, and other “real-time” programs to commemorate the anniversary.

Given peaked interest in the battle, due to the Civil War sesquicentennial, the Gettysburg Foundation in partnership with the National Park Service is recommending advance reservations this summer, particularly during and around July 1–3. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/gett or www.gettysburgfoundation.org, or you can reach the Foundation at 877.874.2478. The senior ticket price for the Cyclorama, Film and Museum is $9.50. Package prices, including a Battlefield tour start at $33 for adults.

ACROSS 1- King Arthur’s palace 8- Police officer 15- City in central Texas 16- Embodiment 17- Guess 18- Christens anew 19- Hot time in Paris 20- Catchall abbr.

22- Glaze 23- Elects 25- High-pitched tone 26- Disney mermaid 29- Vertical face of a stair 31- Rat-a-___ 34- Releases 36- One-time link 37- French military cap 38- Shake 40- Number symbol 42- “Give that ____ cigar!”

43- Monetary unit of Vietnam 45- Knight wear 46- Corrida cry 47- Crowd together 49- Greek island 50- Laugh loudly 52- Biblical spy 54- Mountain spinach

Nemours Mansion 8

Winterthur Gardens

See answers on back cover

Pennsylvania During The Civil War A total of 427,286 Pennsylvanians served in the Union forces during the Civil War, including 8,600 African-American volunteers.* * www.pa-roots.com

56- Delhi wrap 57- Mark of Zorro 60- State in the NW United States 62- Harmonious relation 65- Changed 66- Pertaining to dreams 67- Say again 68- Befitting a wag DOWN 1- What you do to a joint, prior to a heist 2- Adjoin 3- Bog 4- Shade tree 5- Wreath of flowers 6- Beginning 7- Move unsteadily 8- Blackbird 9- Primate with a short tail or no tail 10- Impostor 11- Hackneyed 12- Homopterous insect 13- Iowa city 14- Not as much 21- Bhutan’s continent 23- Roman goddess of the hearth

24- Gymnast Korbut 25- Humdinger 26- San Antonio landmark 27- Royal 28- Travellers 30- RR stop 32- Separated 33- Sao Paulo feature 35- Alternate 37- Skewered edible 39- Decoration at the top of a chair leg 41- Labyrinth 44- Killer whale 47- North African desert 48- Composite plant 51- Group of eight 53- Woody vine 54- General Bradley 55- Acting part 56- “No Ordinary Love” singer 57- Japanese sandal 58- Goddess and sister of Ares in Greek mythology 59- Draw with acid 61- Open mesh fabric 63- Fastener 64- Hog

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Inspiring Living Summer 2011

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Entertainment

Residents’ Fame continued from page 1

Inspired Living Spotlights The American Premiere of Phaedra Opera Company of Philadelphia

June 3 – 12, 2011 Perelman Theater

Based on the classic Greek myth of Phaedra, wife of Theseus, the Athenian King who vanquished the dreaded Minotaur. Performed in German with English translations.

For more information, including tickets, visit www.operaphila.org or call Ticket Philadelphia at 215.893.1018.

Next to Normal

June 21 – 26 Kimmel Center Academy of Music From the director of Rent comes Next to Normal, an emotional powerhouse of a musical with a thrilling contemporary score about a family trying to take care of themselves and each other. Winner of three 2009 Tony Awards. Visit www.kimmelcenter.org or call 215.731.3333 for information.

Tony Bennett

June 26, 2011 American Music Theater Lancaster, PA Tickets: $99 - $134

On stage at Shannondell

21st Anniversary World War II Weekend “A Gathering Of Warbirds”

Rembrandt and the Face of Jesus

May 21 - Jeffrey Uhlig, piano, Hirono Oka,violin & John Koen, cello

When it comes to WWII air shows, this weekend-long event, sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum, is hard to beat. Choose to fly on any of ten different WWII aircraft including: B-29 “Superfortess,” B17G “Flying Fortress,” B25J “Mitchell” medium bomber,” SBD-2 and SB2C dive bombers and the P51D “Mustang” among others.

Festivities include: encampments and reenactments, more than 200 military vehicles from motorcycles to tanks, artillery firings, the Andrew Sister style trio “Ladies for Liberty,” The Manhattan Dolls and Big Band evening dances.

Visit www.maam.org or call 610.372.7333 for information.

June 4 - Audubon Symphony Orchestra

Philadelphia Museum of Art August 3 – October 30, 2011

June 24 – 26 Rosecliff Newport, Rhode Island

This exhibit reunites seven of the eight paintings of this exceedingly rare and singular series (painted

by Rembrandt and students from 1643 to 1655) – complemented by over fifty related paintings, prints, and drawings. Visit www.philamuseum.org or call 215.235.7469 for information.

If you missed The Philadelphia Flower Show in March, this show, taking place on the historic grounds of Rosecliff in picturesque Newport, Rhode Island, is ample consolation (and we’re being kind).

For more information, visit www.newportmansions.org or call 401-847-1000.

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June 29 - New Holland Band July 7 - Scot Silver & The Jazz Guise

Artist Grace Blumberg

Master Carver George Snyder

August 3 - 22 Park Avenue Big Band August 30 - The Joey Vincent Show

Tickets to performances in the Shannondell Performing Arts Theater for non-residents of Shannondell are available, but limited. Call 610.728.5211.

Opening at Shannondell July 15 Newport Flower Show

the group know from experience, it’s anything but easy. It’s hard work, but also tons of fun.”

As for her newfound fame from appearing in the ads, Nancy says, “I can’t tell you how many people called me after seeing the ad. A friend of my daughter-in-law put it on Facebook, and when I walked

Upcoming at The Shannondell Performing Arts Theater

June 3-5 Reading Regional Airport

For more information and tickets, call 800.648.4102 or visit www.amtshows.com .

spotlight, literally, after she moved to Shannondell.

According to Nancy, “I had never acted in my life, and through a colleague at Lilly Pulitzer, I met the director of the King of Prussia Players, one of the resident theater groups at The Shannondell Performing Arts Theater. And,

The King of Prussia Players – one of the two resident theater groups that call the Shannondell Performing Arts Theater home – opens Rogers & Hammerstein’s award-winning musical The King & I on July 15.

Based on the 1944 novel Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon, the original musical premiered on March 29, 1951 at Broadway’s St. James Theatre. Yul Brynner won an

Academy Award for Best Actor in the 1956 film adaptation.

The King & I July 15 – 30 The Shannondell Performing Arts Theater For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.kofpplayers.org Ticket for seniors start at $10.

“This is an ecumenical community. When they (residents) find out that something’s needed, they help. It’s a nice feeling to know they’re there. A lot of these people I would have never met without moving here.” well, one thing led to another and the next thing I knew, I was in the Chorus of The Music Man. You know … 76 Trombones, Harold Hill, River City. I was the only Shannondell resident in the musical, and I had a blast!”

Today, Nancy is a member of the Actors’ Studio at Shannondell, a thriving resident acting group led by director Rob Hutter. The group regularly reads plays and rehearses for upcoming shows that debut at the state-of-the-art, 500-seat Performing Arts Theater at Shannondell. And when the group isn’t improvising on stage, they’re traveling to Walnut Street Theater, Kimmel Center or Broadway.

Nancy goes on, “It’s so inspiring to see these professionals who can do it all – sing, dance and act – and make it look so easy. But all of us in

into the dry cleaner, the owner said, ‘Oh, you’re the one in the ads.’ It’s flattering, really.”

Nancy hasn’t cornered the market on living inspired, though. Joining her as a fellow Shannondell resident and current advertising star is Grace Blumberg.

Since moving to Shannondell, Grace discovered that her longtime appreciation for art was, in fact, just scratching the surface. Brewing below was a passion and talent to sculpt … to twist and weld metal into abstract works of art that intrigue, inspire and sell.

As a Shannondell resident, Grace found the tools, motivation and support to debut her inner artist.

As a result of her self-discovery, Grace has also discovered a new confidence in her work and herself.

“You’re looking at a whole different

‘me’ today,” says Grace. She goes on, “I didn’t have much confidence in my work before moving to Shannondell, meeting Maria, my art teacher, and receiving encouragement from other residents.”

Grace adds, “This past fall, I joined two other sculptors for a three-person show at The Shannondell Art Gallery. Before the show opened, we spoke to several hundred residents about our work. Afterwards, people came up to me told me what an inspiration I was to them. That’s a good feeling.”

And a feeling that’s shared

by George Snyder, another Shannondell resident who also shares the advertising spotlight in the current “Inspiring” campaign.

A Master Carver before moving to Shannondell, George was instrumental in developing what has become a premier woodworking studio within Shannondell. He’s also been responsible for developing a following of eager woodcarving students among both residents and staff – students who are now winning recognition and awards.

“Residents look at our work and say, ‘I wish I could do that.’ So, I tell them if they can peel a potato, they can carve. Many times that’s all it takes,” says George.

He goes on, “It’s gratifying to see my neighbors beaming with pride when they put the finishing touches on a lifelike carving of a fish or bird that started out as nothing more than a raw block of Tupelo wood.

It’s like somebody turned on the light switch and, suddenly, they see themselves in a whole new light.”

But George’s story isn’t just reaching neighbors within Shannondell, but also the greater Philadelphia community. After George’s ad began appearing in local papers, he began traveling with the Shannondell billiards team to tournaments at other retirement communities.

According to George, “Players from the competing teams would

come up and ask me if I’m the guy who carves in the Shannondell ads.

And, here’s the weird part … they’d go on to tell me how much they like reading the stories in the ads.

Remember, these are folks who live in other retirement communities!

That’s something.”

Indeed, something that’s resonating with many adults who live around Philadelphia.

It’s that connection that makes Shannondell such an inviting place to live. Says Grace, “This is an ecumenical community. When they (residents) find out that something’s needed, they help. It’s a nice feeling to know they’re there.

A lot of these people I would have never met without moving here.”

Your Guide to Inspiring Living is a publication of Shannondell at Valley Forge, an award-winning continuing care retirement community. Nestled in the countryside of Audubon, Pennsylvania, Shannondell is just down the road from Valley Forge National Park, King of Prussia Mall and a short drive from both the Main Line and Philadelphia.

Email: info@shannondell.com To unsubscribe: Call 800.669.2318 or write us at

Shannondell at Valley Forge 10000 Shannondell Drive Audubon, PA 19403

© 2011 Shannondell, Inc. All rights reserved.

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www.shannondell.com

Inspiring Living Summer 2011

Gardening continued from page 1

mapping out exactly what will grow best this season.

Conversations with neighbors begin around the best tomato varieties, based on last year’s crop.

One resident notes they’re experimenting this year with a summer crop of Bok Choy, as

Shannondell Gardens Facts:

100 resident plots 50-60 varieties

of vegetables, herbs, & flowers are planted

opposed to the more standard fall crop. Others provide their two cents, but it isn’t long before all are back to focusing on their plot.

Thus begins another season in The Shannondell Gardens – a very

social season.

“People don’t realize how social shared gardens can be,” says one Shannondell resident as she adds a shovel-full of compost to her garden. “Although you’re focused on cultivating your own plot, we’re all constantly helping each other, asking questions, lending a hand (spade) and, of course, swapping cuttings and crops,” she adds.

And, boy, do the cuttings and crops come in. Most years, the abundance of the garden’s bounty finds it way to an impromptu community farmer’s market set up by the gardeners to share their harvest overages with Shannondell residents and staff.

Says William Ross, Shannondell C.O.O., “Like many home gardeners, residents tend to grow more than they can use themselves.

Of course, none of us tell them to plant less next year.”

Inspiring George

George has always been good at carving out a place for himself.

WWII landing leads to art

Residents and staff enjoy the bounties from the gardens Answers from page 9

Making wood come alive

From the D-Day invasion to, later, climbing the corporate ladder, George’s diligence led to his choice of assignments. So, when George moved to Shannondell, it was only a matter of time and a little encouragement from management before his wood carving skills found a stage. George helped design a carving studio at Shannondell where he makes wood come alive. Today, he’s not only winning awards, but also eager students among residents and staff. George found the support and tools to fuel his passion and motivate a new community of carvers as a resident of Shannondell.

Yours FREE! Call 800.669.2318 to request your Free issue of Talk About Inspiring Stories including interviews with Shannondell residents. Or, visit

www.shannondell.com/inspiring

Puzzle provided by BestCrosswords.com. Used with permission.

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Living to Inspire SM

10000 Shannondell Dr, Audubon, PA 19403

© 2011 Shannondell, Inc.