The Harbor Light - June 2020

HarboTrhe Light

F U T U R EL O O K I N G I N T O T H E

Plymouth Harbor looks toward reopening plan

JUNE 2020

JUNE

WARM WELCOME Continuing to Thrive

Plymouth Harbor joined by As these challenging
new DON in Smith Care times continue to
consume our daily life
— Page 6 — and thoughts, I would
like to remind everyone
AROUND CAMPUS this is not forever.

Check out what's happening The future exists,
at Plymouth Harbor and although we don't
know what exactly it
— Page 7-11 — will look like, we have
to remember that some
SEEING THE IMPACT version of it is out there.

Hardship funds directly Your diligence and
impacting team members steadfast patience
has been nothing but
— Page 12 — appreciated. Your
compliance is the most important and welcomed part of
WELCOME NEW this entire situation.
FRIENDS
We continue to thrive in how our campus operates on a
Introducing neighbors daily basis. We have no positive cases of COVID-19 and
we want it to stay that way. We are healthy and that is our
— Page 14-15 — top priority.

2 ­— The Har bor Light Please continue to stay positive and know we are here for
you. We will continue to keep you updated on the basis of a
reopening plan, as well as our hurricane preparedness plan.

We are working non-stop to make sure you are safe. So,
thank you for everything you do for us.

Hope to see you in the future, whenever that may be.
Best,

Harry Hobson
President & CEO

F U T U R EL O O K I N G I N T O T H E

By Emmalee Molay | Communications Coordinator

Everyday life has changed for Wendy Popp,
but she isn’t alone in that. Things are different now.

Wendy, owner of Plymouth about whether everyone is Plymouth Coiffures, has
Harbor's beauty salon, smells OK,” Wendy said. “I’m so three locations across cam-
more sanitizing spray during happy to be back to work. I pus and is the first of many
the day than hair color and just wish I could give them things at Plymouth Harbor
nail polish. She spends more all a hug or a kiss on the to reopen amid the pandem-
time than ever making sure cheek.”
everything in her shop is safe Wendy’s in-house business, Please see FUTURE, page 4
and germ-free. She is dealing
with the COVID-19 pandem-
ic just like everyone else —
one step at a time.
Wendy went about eight
weeks without seeing resi-
dents, and the one thing that
hasn’t changed is how much
she cares about the Plym-
outh Harbor family. After 35
years on the job, she will do
anything for her clients.
“It’s one thing to have not
seen them for this long, but
it’s another thing to worry

Above, Plymouth Coiffures owner Wendy Popp sanitizes a chair
between appointments. On the cover, resident Rae Lichtenstein, right, and
Wendy look into the mirror at the conclusion of Rae's hair appointment.

The Har bor Light — 3

HEALTHY seriously,” Plymouth Harbor including things such as the
President Harry Hobson Art Studio, Wood and Craft
Continued from page 3 said. “We are doing every- Shop, Wellness Center, the
thing in our power to make pools, The Fund Shop, Bocce
ic. She and her two other cos- sure we don’t have any hic- Court, the Library, the Mac-
metologists, Sherry Anavo cups in the process. However, Neil Chapel and the May-
and Rose Baldwin, are back we want people to be com- flower Restaurant.
wearing masks and addition- forted by the fact that we’re Some things will come
al PPE when needed. The still here for them. sooner than later, but others
remainder of the reopen- “We want people to be able might need much more time
ing process will be slow and to get back to some kind of to figure out logistics.
steady, secure and sanitized, activity, however that is pos- The truth is no one knows
but the beauty shop is the sible.” how this will play out.
first glimpse of hope to what Reopening Plymouth Har- “It feels like things are
the future might look like for bor’s communal areas on changing in the world, but
all of us. campus will be addressed we all have to just hope that
“Plymouth Harbor is tak- one by one, Harry said, it isn’t going to be perma-
ing the reopening plan very

Above, a bin marked for used pens sits on the counter next to a spray can of sanitizer.
On facing page, Wendy, left, speaks with resident Shirlee Schachtel about masks.

4 —­ The Har bor Light

nent,” Wendy said of the have been around and see and a lot of doing hair,” she
future. “The human things every day. I’ve had so many said with a chuckle. “That’s
like touch, you don’t want residents already say, ‘You all I can do.”
those taken away because have no idea how much I As Plymouth Harbor and
then what are we? We are thought about you.’ It’s very the entire world continues
nothing without a little love rewarding to have that feel- to figure out how all of this
in our heart.” ing that you are doing some- is going to work out in the
On the other hand, Wendy thing good. future, Wendy wants people
is happy to report that she “We may not be essential to know just how much she
has felt nothing but love workers, but our work is es- missed the residents, too.
since the beauty shop has sential.” “Yes, we wear these masks,
reopened. At the end of the day, Wen- and yes, I have to take more
“My soul is filled just being dy understands that the top time between appointments
here,” she said. “It’s not even priority is to keep everyone to clean. But, it is safe to see
just about the routine. It’s safe. us and get your hair done.
about life and the people you “It’s just a lot of cleaning We want to see you here.” g

The Har bor Light — 5

WARM WELCOME

By Emmalee Molay
Communications Coordinator

We would like to formally
welcome Katie Tackett to
Plymouth Harbor as our
new Director of Nursing in
the Smith Care Center!
Katie said she always knew
she would want to work in
the medical field, but did
not find her passion for
long-term care until she had
a personal experience with
the subject.
“My grandfather was Tidewell Hospice as a case the adoption of a teenage
manager. Working there, boy and girl. She also has
admitted into a rehab Katie was able to learn about two biological children who
facility, and I really noticed multiple long-term care
how important it was to have establishments in the area, still live in Ohio.
Katie takes the spot of
great care in that situation,” including Plymouth Harbor. Karen Novak, who has
Katie said. “It made me “I always knew I would recently shifted into her
realize how important the return one day to be a
new role as Administrator
details were and feeling that Director of Nursing again, of Strategic Healthcare
the caregivers truly care.” but it was important to Initiatives, and held the
Katie began her career as a me to find the right one,” DON position for the last
Certified Nursing Assistant, Katie said. “I wanted to find seven years.
working her way up to a somewhere with a great “Coming into this role,
Licensed Practical Nurse reputation and culture.
and has been a Registered “Everyone has been so Karen has really been a
great mentor,” Katie said.
Nurse for about four years. welcoming and friendly, “I really look forward to
She comes to Plymouth especially in such a difficult being able to use her as a
Harbor from Ohio, where time.”
she worked as the Director Katie said she has loved resource.”
For any questions or to
of Nursing at another everything about Florida welcome Katie, she can
CCRC.
since she has moved. She be reached at Ext. 400 or
She has lived in Florida for lives with her husband and [email protected]
about a year, working with is in the process of finalizing Welcome, Katie!

6 —­ The Har bor Light AROUND CAMPUS

ALWAYS TOGETHER

Resident Cheryl
Mooney has been "visiting"
with her husband and
Smith Care Center
resident Tim Mooney
by sitting on a bench
under his window in
the North Garden. The
bench was graciously
placed by the Plymouth
Harbor Maintenance
team complete with a
photograph of Cheryl for
Tim to always see!

BE ON THE LOOKOUT

Keep your eye out
around campus for
some newly painted
Kindness Rocks.
The rocks were
placed in nature
settings by Director
of Wellness
Summer Rentsch
after she and
Health and Fitness
Specialist Elizabeth
Goldsmith painted
a new batch!

AROUND CAMPUS The Har bor Light — 7

FRESH LOOK

A crucial part of Plymouth but is currently on hold," Vice taking advantage of the replaced
Harbor landscape recently President of Facilities George boards as evidenced by Ike
underwent some safety McGonagill said. Eisenfeld, pictured above, on a
improvements. morning walk.
It looks like residents are
Starting at the bridge and
going south, stringers on the
boardwalk were reinforced and
about 300 feet of board was
replaced. Approximately 75
individual boards that were in
poor condition throughout the
rest of the trail to the point of
becoming a hazard were also
replaced.

"This work was just to
keep the boardwalk safe and
useable until we commence
the Peninsula Upgrade project
which is budgeted for this year

8 —­ The Har bor Light JUST A SONG

You never know when
song might break out, like
this one recently in the
Lobby, from left to right,
transportation driver Ritchie
Stanley, Vice President of
Marketing and Community
Affairs Gordon Okawa
and Dr. Paul Groen. Make
sure to listen closely, or you
might miss it!

AROUND CAMPUS

MORNING PICKUP

Shout out to
Chaplain Dick
Sparrow for his
wonderful morning
announcements.
Chaplain Sparrow
delivers the daily
news with a few
jokes here and there.
We appreciate
hearing it all!

BRIGHT LIGHTS

The makeover of the happened without the Colony 22 residents. We
Colony 22 Living Room generous contributions encourage everyone to
has almost been completed and support from take a look!
with the delivery of new
furniture and lights. The
light artwork by Christian
Sampson, whose work can
also be seen at the Sarasota
Art Museum, was installed
late last year. The room
has been made possible
by the hard work of the
Decorating Committee
headed by Ricky Newkirk
with members Marie
Belcher, JJ Jensen, Gerda
Maceikonis and Elsa
Price. This wouldn't have

AROUND CAMPUS The Har bor Light — 9

JUST A REMINDER

Make sure to keep these basic health precautions in mind during these coronavirus times!
1. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
2. Put distance between yourself and other people — six feet
3. Wear a mask when out in public
4. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily
5. Do not gather in groups
6. Get tested!

A GRACIOUS GIFT

Plymouth Harbor recently Based on his findings enough oximeters for our
received a very gracious gift and wanting to make early Assisted Living and Memory
from a close friend. detection a priority, Garry Care departments. Garry also
reached out to Karen Novak, funded the batteries for the
Former CFO Garry Jackson Administrator of Strategic devices.
saw the need for something Healthcare Initiatives, for a
that has been found to greatly conversation. He then decided We greatly appreciate this
benefit medical practices here to donate the money to fund kind gesture and extend our
at Plymouth Harbor. warm wishes to Garry.

With all that is going on
amidst the COVID-19
pandemic, Garry did a little
research into early detection
of respiratory compromise.
He learned about oximeters
and how they can first detect
signs of low oxygenation
concentrations in the blood.
Garry then reached out
only to find that this was not
something routinely done in
Assisted Living, though it is in
the Smith Care Center.

10 ­— The Har bor Light AROUND CAMPUS

HIGH HONOR

Plymouth Harbor recently received high
praise in SRQ Magazine's annual "Best of
SRQ Local" issue. The edition, which was
published in April, ranked Plymouth Harbor
on the Gold Level for Best Retirement.
Comments from Sara Sinaiko said, "My aunt
lived there and her daughter (my cousin) is
now a resident. My cousin just celebrated her

90th birthday. She moved to Plymouth
Harbor with her husband, Roberto.
When he passed
away, she stayed
in her beautiful
apartment and
enjoys her active
senior lifestyle."

CONSERVATION TIP

When putting items in the recycle The Har bor Light — 11
bins, care is needed to avoid items
that cannot be recycled. These
include plastic bags, containers
with food contamination, wet
papers, cloth items such as clothing
or cleaning wipes (though the
container is good to recycle),
wooden items and wires or strings
or similar items that can damage
the recycling machinery. Please
exercise care in what you put in the
recycle bins; read and comply with
the posted instructions.

AROUND CAMPUS

The Spirit f Philanthropy

These are safety net for our Employee
unprecedented team members and Hardship Fund
times for us all. When their families who are
COVID-19 first broke, I financially struggling $200,000
recall reading articles from circumstances
talking about the fact beyond their control. $180,000
that “we are all in the Because of your $160,000
same boat." At first I generosity, we have $140,000
wholeheartedly agreed. assisted more than 31 $120,000
It felt like we were all team members and
in this together, I felt their families so far and $100,000
united. However, expect to continue to
the nightly news and offer assistance through $80,000
social media images the end of the year. $60,000
that we began to cling Since announcing this $40,000
to, revealed quite the campaign just more $20,000
opposite to me. It was than a month ago, we
clear that no, we are all have received $88,000. $0
not in the same boat, We have established a
but we are in the same year-end goal of raising Current Total:
storm. For all, that storm $200,000 to brace for $88,000
came without warning, what is yet to come with
for many that meant this relentless virus.
financial insecurity. Please reach out to me
Plymouth Harbor’s if you are interested in
COVID-19 Hardship making a contribution to
Fund continues to the Employee Hardship
provide a critical Fund.

We Thank Our Donors

Aase Eriksen Burt & Estelle Silbert Jack & Margot Robinson Molly Brzica
Ada "Maizie" Abuza Celia Catlett JJ & Esther Jensen Resident Association:
Albert & Marita Marsh Joanne Hogan
Cerita Purmort Joelle R. Hamovit The Fund Shop
Anonymous Dr. & Mrs. Charles Eckert Joyce Fitzpatrick Ricky Newkirk
Barbara Pickrell Judy Fernald Sandra & Allan Weis
Bill and Betsy Johnston Tom & Edy Bulthuis Timothy & Joy Light
Bill & Judy Stanford Gerda Maceikonis Laurie & Tom Goddard Tom Towler & Nancy Lyon
Brian & Jean Rushton Lorna Hard Virginia Mulkin
Gerry Mattson
Harriett Chwasky

Beth Watson has been the Vice President of Philanthropy of The Plymouth Harbor
Foundation since 2019. Please feel free to call her with questions or comments at Ext. 398.

12 —­ The Har bor Light

HARBOR FAITH

In Plymouth Harbor’s come upon in the clearing and storm is going to last a while.
Hurricane Season 2020 know they are lucky to be in But we’re so glad to have you.
Handbook for Residents, a story with a happy ending. Carl! Come down and see
the procedures are clearly 'That was how I felt about the who’s here!' 'Is it the storm
outlined for residents to follow Kloeckls ... though my family child?' 'Yes! Himself, in the
in the event that extreme might have wondered about flesh!'"
weather threatens our safety my assignment to a Catholic
at Plymouth Harbor – and home, had they known. We The truth is this: Plymouth
Sarasota County Emergency were suspicious of Catholics, Harbor IS a "storm home."
Management calls for a enough to wonder if the Pope Our new hurricane resistant
voluntary or mandatory had ordered them to take windows are being installed
evacuation. In advance of in little Protestant children so we are sheltered from glass
a mandatory evacuation, during blizzards and make breaking or being blown in,
we’re encouraged to seek them say the rosary for their should a hurricane come too
out a "storm home" on the suppers. But I imagined the close. We’re a storm home
mainland, i.e. home of a friend. Kloeckls had personally in other ways too – here
"Storm homes" are life-savers, chosen me as their storm child we have every convenience
as Garrison Keillor reminded because they liked me.' and comfort ... all designed
us in one of his wonderful to keep us healthy and safe.
radio monologues – No blizzard came during In this time of COVID-19
"Reflecting back on his school hours that year and the Pandemic, a number of you
school days in Minnesota, snowstorms were convenient have heard from your children
recalling how the school evening or weekend ones, and who have told you that they
principal assigned each farm I never got to stay with the are grateful you are here – in
child a "storm home" in town Kloeckls, but they were always this storm home on Sarasota
for the winter months. In in my thoughts and they grew Bay. The last two months have
case a blizzard came up while large in my imagination. My been hard on many of us –
school was in session, the Storm Home. Blizzards aren’t we’re weary of masks, social
children would be sent to their the only storms and not the distancing and the four walls
storm homes to stay the night. worst by any means. If the of our apartments. Yet we’re
The day he received the slip worst should come, I could go fortunate to call Plymouth
of paper with the name of to the Kloeckls and knock on Harbor home, especially when
his "storm home" family – a their door, 'Hello,' I’d say. 'I’m we hear of other facilities
family he’d never met – Keillor your storm child.' in Florida where residents
walked over to the house to have not found such safety
have a look at it. It looked 'Oh, I know,' she’d say. 'I was and comfort. I wonder what
like the home of the kindly wondering when you’d come. Garrison Keillor would think
old couple that the children Oh, it’s good to see you. How of our storm home, even
lost in the forest suddenly would you like a hot chocolate though the Kloeckls don’t live
and an oatmeal cookie?' We’d here?
sit at the table. 'Looks like this

Dick Sparrow has been the chaplain at Plymouth Harbor since 2016. His page for The Harbor Light
entitled Harbor Faith runs monthly. Please feel free to call him with questions or comments at Ext. 587.

HARBOR FAITH The Har bor Light — 13

WELCOME, NEW FRIENDS!

Introducing your newest neighbors

RUTH KREINDLER

Apartment T-1201; Ext. 340

By Ann Anderson having her own multifaceted In addition to these creative
Biography Committee career, however. After graduating pursuits, she raised two children,
from NYU and Columbia School Jim and Laurie in Westchester
Ruth married the love of her of Architecture, she became a real County, New York. They have three
life, Lee Kreindler, who she said estate broker, interior designer and and two children respectively, so
"was the most exciting man" she furniture designer. Her last project she enjoys visits with all of them.
ever met. They laughed because was interior design for an airport Unfortunately, they live in New
since she had not yet turned 21, he for which she holds several patents. York, but they visit whenever busy
had to sign her school papers and schedules permit.
became her legal guardian. Her furniture is beautiful with
clean modern designs that add Ruth is a soft-spoken gentle
Her impression of him when they to a feeling of lightness and woman with many interests. She
first met was that he was a kind, space. Many of her designs were splits her time between her condo
gentle and very sweet man. These patented. One of these patents at Plymouth Harbor and another
traits continued through their was for a magic table that goes up beautiful one at the Water Club.
happy marriage. However, they and down at the flick of a button, Both are full of examples of
did not preclude his becoming a becoming a cocktail table, a desk or her exquisite taste in furniture
successful international lawyer. It a dining table, depending on what design, sculptures and meaningful
was very hard on her when he died is needed. mementos from a life well lived.
suddenly 17 years ago.
She has served on the board of
Ruth's main career was being Emcore, a high-tech company,
a wife and mother and now, and It's About Time, an education
grandmother, keeping up with her company that published math and
family and grandchildren. In the science books for high schools.
past this also meant keeping up
with her husband who traveled Her interests include science,
almost constantly all over the current events, bridge, chess, opera,
world. She always kept two the theater and sharing some of
suitcases packed, one with warm- Plymouth Harbor's activities and
weather clothes and one with dinner with residents here. She is
cold-weather clothes for the whole looking forward to learning more
family. about Plymouth Harbor life.

That didn't prevent her from Ruth is a very special person. It
would be an honor to be her friend.

14 —­ The Har bor Light WELCOME, NEW FRIENDS!

PENNY & BOB THOMAS

Apartment N-316; Ext. 199

By Lorna Hard
Biography Committee

Penny and Bob Thomas both area. Then they relocated and puzzles of all kinds. Among
grew up in Princeton, New to Hartford and Simsbury, her very many volunteer
Jersey, but they did not meet Connecticut, where they activities were being a docent
until after Penny, who had raised their sons. Later they at the Wadsworth Athenaeum
skipped a grade in school, had lived in Boston and Duxbury, in Hartford. She also served
completed her B.A. at Cornell Massachusetts. After Bob's as a guardian ad litem and
University. She then went home retirement, they spent five years volunteered at Child Protection
for a while and attended a party in Savannah, Georgia, before Center in Venice.
at Princeton where Bob was moving to Osprey where they
completing his B.A. The rest is lived for the past 20 years. Both Bob and Penny love
history. They married in 1964. sailing, and for most of their
Bob has always been athletic. life together have owned and
Bob served six months on He played soccer at Princeton enjoyed boats. They both also
active duty with the Army and loves most racquet sports, take delight in the Symphony,
National Guard before especially tennis, as well as golf. Opera and Theater as well as
beginning his career in banking He coached both soccer and the other cultural offerings of
and finance. That career was baseball in Simsbury. He also Sarasota. Both of them also
unexpectedly interrupted for one enjoys kayaking, bicycling and very much enjoy duplicate
year in 1965 when he was called birding. Bob has always enjoyed bridge. They are very happy to
back to active duty, serving in singing and has been a member be at Plymouth Harbor and are
Louisiana. Then he resumed his of his church's choir almost looking forward to meeting new
career, working with several everywhere he has lived. friends and participating in the
firms in various capacities daily life here as soon as the
including securities analysis, Penny enjoys noncompetitive Coronavirus threat is past. It is a
equities trading, portfolio activities like long walks with great pleasure to welcome Penny
management and product her miniature labradoodle, and Bob to our community.
development. He particularly Rooney, dog training, reading
enjoyed his time near the end of
his career as President and CEO
of Boston Security Counsellors.

Penny has always enjoyed
working outside the home and,
after their two sons were born,
she got a real estate license. She
sold real estate for a few years
before beginning a corporate
calling and counseling program
for Merrill Lynch Realty.

The Thomases began their
married life in the Princeton

WELCOME, NEW FRIENDS! The Har bor Light — 15

facebook.com/PlymouthHarbor John M. Cranor III
@PlymouthHarbor Chair, Plymouth Harbor,

Inc. Board of Trustees
Harry Hobson
President/CEO

HARBOR LIGHT STAFF
Liz Clark

Administrator of Home Care
Joe Devore

Senior Vice President of Health Services
Emmalee Molay

Communications Coordinator
Gordon Okawa

Vice President of Marketing &
Community Affairs
Maryanne Shorin

Director of Resident Programming
Beth Watson

Vice President of Philanthropy
Tena Wilson

Vice President of Resident & Employee Relations

HARBOR LIGHT BIOGRAPHERS
Judy Stanford — Chair
Catha Abrahams
Ann Anderson
Sue Elliott
Lorna Hard
Kathy Hendricks
Beverly Koski
Cerita Purmort
Estelle Silbert
Wendy Underwood
Sallie VanArsdale