A Family

Tradition

40 YEARS
IN THE MAKING

You talk about an inspired life? Over 16

years my mothers life was truly inspired by
Rydal Park. So says Helen Helmick-Waite, a
second-generation Rydal Park resident who,
in addition to her extensive volunteer work
in the greater Abington Township, has spent
these last two years involved with everything
from committees like Residents Council to
social programs and volunteerism.

We used to have Thanksgiving for the family

here. Her place at Rydal Park was the first
stop for great-grandbabies on the way home
from being born. She really was the matriarch
of the family.
Celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year, Rydal
Park has begun to welcome a growing number
of second- and even third-generation residents

to its beautiful campus in Abington Township.

As you listen to these residents stories, you
start to understand what makes Rydal Park
such a desirable place to live, and just how
it earned its reputation as a well-liked and
well-established Continuing Care Retirement
Community.
Kathe Grebe is a third-generation resident. My
grandmother was here, and my mother lived in
the Woodside apartment building when it first
opened. I used to visit them at least once or

twice a week. With each generation, Ive seen

Rydal Park grow. Some of the staff from those
days still work here and they remember me,
which is neat.
Kathes time at Rydal Park has been divided
between the computer lab, gardening,
swimming, chorus, program committee, and
being a Resident Ambassador.

Theres just so much to do that I

sometimes have trouble prioritizing!
Kathe Grebe

time. I feel like Im my own generation.

On the other hand, 10-year resident Lorraine
Alexander came here with her husband, Ben,
because my mom lived here, and we knew it
was top notch.
While her mom enjoyed playing bridge with
friends and spending time with family, Lorraine
also values the programming. In particular,
the World Religions classes, Speaker Series,
and swimming pool classes are terrific, she
states. She feels a deep sense of pride and
tradition.

Second-generation resident Jane Bunting prefers

a more relaxed pace of life, and recalls visiting
her mother often.

I hung out with her all of the time...

we would sit together and just
talk and laugh. other times wed
pick her up and go to the shore.
Jane Bunting
Now that shes a resident, Jane enjoys her
privacy which she feels they have in the

Parkside apartment home they selected. Her

husband John agrees, Parkside is terrific. Its
like living in the presidential suite of a good
hotel.
Everyones got their own path, and thats one of
the best things about being here, says secondgeneration resident Sue Castle. You can come
here and be yourself. She remembers visiting
her mother fondly, but at the same time, she
says, Im looking forward to improving all the

877-933-6699 1515 The Fairway

info@rydalpark.org Rydal, PA 19046

My mother had excellent taste! The

community has only improved over
the years and it is very financially
stable, a fact people should really
know about when they are shopping
around.
Lorraine Alexander
In fact, a sense of pride is the common thread
among this diverse group of residents pride
not only in their own familys Rydal Park
tradition, but in the community, the amenities,
and above all, the people.

Own Words
Their

My favorite Rydal Park moment was...

Since opening in 1974, literally thousands of residents have called Rydal Park
home. In honor of our 40th Anniversary, we asked some current residents to
share some of their favorite Rydal Park memories.

when all of the furniture in our living room was in place

and my wife entered the apartment and said, I love this place!

getting to know the staff at the Concierge Desk, in

the caf, bar, and dining room. They are all so very nice,
and made my transition to Rydal Park that much nicer!

1.

My favorite moment unquestionably came last year on

the morning of our Annual Bazaar. I had the pleasure
of observing our dedicated staff enjoying their own
time-window for shopping. This small gift of time
was a gift of joy to me as Bazaar Chairwoman.
Sue Aemisegger

The community of Rydal Park makes it possible

for us to recapture the diversity of our earlier
years. We benefit by sharing and discussing different
aspects of our own lives with fellow residents. Rydal Park
offers near-endless choices to explore and continue to be
engaged in the world; my favorite is working with our
personal trainer, Angie McNellis.
Gene Taylor

2.

Roz Ruskin

4.

the camaraderie expressed during the

snowstorms this past winter.

What I really love about

Rydal Park

Jane Haines

3.

Kathe Grebe

Yvette Arian

posing for push-ups and pull-ups in the fitness

room last year for Rydal Parks marketing photo shoot.

shortly after I arrived at Rydal Park during the

summertime, I went to the pool, sat on a chaise outside
to dry off, and felt like I was living at a resort.

2.
3.

Jay and Donna Karfunkle

2.

the New Years Eve Mummers strut.

Fred Malkin

Ill never forget

1.

1.

Thursday evening concerts. Havent missed one

in 21 years!
Anna Pullar

3.

meeting the staff and fellow residents. I am so

lucky to have been introduced to Rydal Park!
Morrie Shtatman

4.

all the exquisite birthday celebrations.

Phyllis Bernstein

PHYSICAL FITNESS, BY THE NUMBERS

Besides being outright amazing, these fitness facts & feats go to show
that its never too late to get started on a path to better health.

FEELING INSPIRED? GOOD.

Physical fitness has changed a lot in the last 40 years.Thats why Rydal Parks amenities include
a state-of-the-art Fitness Center. Besides a swimming pool, resistance training, and cardio
equipment, there are also fitness classes and an onsite certified personal trainer to help you
meet your personal fitness goals whatever they may be.

POUNDS 63-YEAR-OLD ELLEN BITTNER DEADLIFTED

to become a 2011 National Female Powerlifting Champion. Shed begun training a year earlier.

LARRY MARATHON MANIAC MAC ONS AGE

when he set a Guinness World Record by completing

255 marathons by 2013. He ran his first at age 63.

ROGER ALLSOPPS AGE

PERCENT OF WOMEN 65-74

exercise regularly*

PERCENT OF MEN 65-74

exercise regularly*

when he swam the English Channel (21 miles)

and set a Guinness World Record in 2011.

MINUTES IT TOOK 101-YEAR-OLD FAUJA SINGH

to complete the Hong Kong Marathons 10k (6.25-mile) course.

DALE DAVIS AGE

when he bowled a perfect game in 2008

even more amazing because he was legally blind.

SISTER MADONNA THE IRON NUN BUDERS AG E

when she became the oldest person to ever complete an Iron Man
(2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and 26.2-mile marathon run).

NUMBER OF RUNNERS 65 AND OLDER

who finished the 2014 Boston Marathon.

MEET THE TEAM

From the Desk of Sarah

KHAREEN ECKARD
RESIDENT CONCIERGE

...I love talking to the

residents, staff, and guests.

We Have A Lot More Living To Do

It wasnt long ago that people were saying, 40 is the new 30. Well with todays growing population
of adults 62-plus more vibrant and active than ever before, 80 is the new 60.
Youre working and travelling longer than your predecessors. Youre far more involved with arts,
culture, and technology. And youve brought the focus of health and wellness to the forefront.
Continuing care retirement communities have had to revamp and revitalize to suit the interests,
passions and needs of a proactive generation thats on the move.
This milestone anniversary is a natural time to reflect on where we are headed. Plans continue to
provide a fabulous and flexible environment for our residents, understanding that many are still
working or volunteering in the greater community, have numerous outside interests, and seek
fulfillment from within. Flexible dining options are just one recent way weve addressed the lifestyle
of those who live here.

How long have you been at Rydal Park?

Since the Spring of 2010, so about four and a half years.

Do many residents use these services?

Most of them do, actually!

What does the Resident Concierge do?

My job is one part receptionist, and all parts customer
service! I answer the phone and greet residents, staff,
and visitors with a smile. But I also help connect
residents to any services they may seek.

What is your favorite part of working here?

Thats easy I love talking to the residents, staff, and guests.

What kinds of services do you connect

residents to?
We have been asked to do anything from setting up
appointments, making reservations, and scheduling
personal transportation to calling maintenance, unlocking
doors, and making arrangements for overnight guests.

What does it mean for a community like

Rydal Park to offer concierge services?
It means that we care about hospitality and our residents
happiness. By using this extra level of service, they can
focus on living well instead of worrying about minor
everyday things.

We also continue to look at both our programming and facilities. New offerings like continuing
education courses, wine tastings, yoga, concerts, and a jazz brunch have become wildly successful. A
fully renovated auditorium with state-of-the-art audio/visual technology is on tap for early 2015, and
our apartment homes are being renovated to the highest standards sought by todays market.
This Ruby anniversary is a celebration of not only Rydal Park, but of this new generation your
generation of people looking to add years to their life and life to their years. I invite you to call me
if you want to join the party, and see just what were all about these days.

What has been the greatest challenge?

It can be challenging to juggle all the different
responsibilities of the job, but its a challenge I enjoy.

Chefs Corner
Move over, pumpkin spice this autumn, its all
about fresh flavors and real ingredients. This recipe
from Rydal Park Executive Chef (and Iron Chef
winner) David Stoltzfus makes a savory side dish

or a lighter entree. Be careful not to overcrowd

the pot when cooking your ravioli or better yet,
become a Rydal Park resident and enjoy inspired
fare like this every day!

FALL RAVIOLI WITH GORGONZOLA AND CANDIED PECANS

Sarah Jolles
Executive Director, Sales & Marketing
sarah.jolles@presbysinspiredlife.org
215-376-6296
Visit us at rydalpark.org

ABOUT SARAH
Sarah Jolles is the Executive Director of Marketing for Presbys Inspired Lifes Rydal Park and Rosemont
communities. Sarah has held key leadership roles within the retirement living industry throughout
Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, and is knowledgeable in contract offerings, trends, and the many
intricacies of this rapidly advancing industry.

INGREDIENTS:

DIRECTIONS:

2 packages

Butternut Squash Ravioli

1.

Blanch ravioli for 3 minutes; reserve

1 cup

Pecan halves

2.

Thin honey with water; then coat pecans

3 oz.

Honey

3.

Roast pecans for 10 minutes at 350; let cool

1 oz.

Hot water

8 oz.

Gorgonzola cheese

4 oz.

Cream

4 oz.

Chicken stock

5.

Add ravioli for 1 minute

1tbsp.

Chervil, chopped

6.

To serve, place 5 ravioli on a plate with

1/2 tsp.

Ginger

1 1/2 oz. of sauce, top with crumbled cheese

1/4 tsp.

Black pepper

and candied pecans

1/4 cup

Crumbled Gorgonzola cheese

and chop coarsely

4.

Combine cream, cheese, stock, chervil, ginger

and black pepper and bring to simmer

Relive the celebration at our

40th Anniversary party.

2
7

3
6

4
(1) Presbys Inspired Life Pres./CEO Judee Bavaria discussing the past, present and future of Rydal Park (2) Dr. Karen Wiley-Sandler, Chancellor, Penn
State Abington; Wayne Luker, Abington Township Commissioner, Ward 5 (3) Sarah Jolles, Rydal Park Exec. Dir. Sales & Marketing; Ben Sanchez,
Abington Township Commissioner; Daniel Kaye, Rydal Park Dir. of Life Enrichment (4) Ben Sanchez, Abington Twp. Commissioner; John Berges, Pres.,
Rydal Park Resident Council; Sarah Jolles, Rydal Park Exec. Dir. Sales & Marketing; Madeleine Dean, PA State Representative, 13th District; Josh
Shapiro, Chair, Montgomery County Board of Commissioners; Judee Bavaria, Presbys Inspired Life Pres./CEO

10

(5) 2nd generation residents Claire Schafus, Carole Covert, Bill McMenamin, Lorraine Alexander, Ben Alexander, Carol Magee, Esther Grier, Hal Grier,
Helen Waite and 3rd generation resident Kathe Grebe; John Berges (6) Carol Magee, Rydal Park 2nd generation resident, pictured on signage along
walkway into party area (7) Rydal Park Chef Ed Bremme serving guests (8) Musicians entertaining guests with classic tunes (9) 2nd generation
residents Esther Grier and Carol Magee (10) Jennifer Kappan, VP Finance; Michelle Bryk, VP Human Resources; Rydal Park Executive Director Stuart
Skinner; Maricel Glova, Director of Nursing

1515 The Fairway | Rydal, PA 19046

words from our

residents:

With each generation, living

at Rydal Park is just getting
more and more enjoyable.
- Kathe Grebe

inside this issue...

A FAMILY TRADITION
PHYSICAL FITNESS,
BY THE NUMBERS

RELIVE THE
CELEBRATION
and much more