In The News

In the fall, the churches celebrated Harvest Home and they brought the harvest of garden and fields to the Altar for display – baskets of potatoes, apples, canned goods, and groceries. These were then sent to Frederick. In 1961, Frederick announced that due to government regulations, they could no longer accept home-canned food.

“Local orchards often donated apples or ripe fruit. I remember Beulah Brunk bringing her copper apple butter kettle and someone else borrowed a cider press. Some of the staff and a few of our friends gathered in the evening to make apple butter and cider and use up the apples. It was a lot of fun. We had some nice times.” (There is no notation on the quote).

The arrival of October brings with it a reminder to ourselves to consider how we manage the stressors of daily life, especially during the pandemic. Many people are feeling the stress of social isolation, fear of the coronavirus, becoming caregivers, in addition to parents doing at home learning with their children.

Emotional Wellness Month helps us focus on the ways that we can care for ourselves. This includes learning how to process feelings in a healthy, positive way or practicing self-care strategies such as crocheting or exercise.

Listed here are 6 ways we can support our emotional wellness during these high anxiety times!

• Physical exercise: Walking outside is one of the easiest and simplest ways to exercise, but it also lets you experience the world through our senses.
• Social connections: Connections and conversations with others give us the opportunity to express feelings to others and make long lasting relationships.
• Self-care: Promoting our physical well-being helps us improve our self esteem.
• Meditation: Practicing meditation provides us with a sense of calm, decreasing stress and centering our anxious mind.
• Emotional Self-Check-Ins: Alleviate Stress, let go of negative emotions.
• Pursuing hobbies: By taking a moment for yourself to let go of worries and negativity you can focus on something that gives you pleasure. Hobbies also offer a strong sense of purpose which can positively affect our emotional wellness.

Remember to take care of yourself, so you can be the best version of you possible!

Thanks to the efforts and contributions of the whole Frederick Living family: residents, team members, board of directors, family members, volunteers, corporate partners and friends we are pleased to announce that we raised over $11,500 for Benevolent Care. A Big Thank You to our sponsors, auction donors, attendees and monetary donors who supported our event.  Thank you to the auction committee who worked especially hard in all aspects of the event.

You are making a difference in the lives of residents receiving Benevolent Care. Benevolent care assists those residents who, through no fault of their own, no longer have the ability to fully cover the cost of their care, continue to “live well” with us at Frederick Living.

Anniversary Day has involved Frederick’s friends since 1897. It all began one year after it opened its doors. Called Donation Day initially, Anniversary Day became a tradition; its perfect record was broken only in 1943 when the World War II gas rationing forced people to stay home.

The Auxiliary prepares approximately 700 pounds of beef for the roast beef and mashed potato dinner. With the $24,000 and up they raise that day, the women have purchased a Frederick Community bus, quality artwork for the public lounges, Suzuki hand chimes, and wheelchair bowling sets, among other things. They have initiated renovation projects and installed (for $30,000), two Century tubs with special jets and whirlpool action. Though the day now offers more varied activities, people still come for the same components that made it a success for the last 99 years – good food, entertainment, fellowship with a wide circle of old and new friends, and the pride in the Frederick Mennonite Community as “something good that ordinary people made happen.” 1996

For many years the occasion included a well-known speaker, good food, music and fellowship. Community and church supporters visited, mingled with the staff and residents, and enjoyed the grounds by perching on boards supported by sawhorses. Women volunteers from all over the Eastern District churches prepared the food and served two meals.

“The charge of the dinner tickets advanced to $.35. A large canvas was stretched to provide shelter. The East Greenville orchestra discoursed excellent music, greatly enhancing the pleasure of the occasion.” – Anniversary Day 1914

“Anniversary Day was a big occasion for our community. I always went, except for one year in the 1940s there was a polio epidemic, and children were quarantined for several weeks. We didn’t go to school and I didn’t get to go to Frederick. I was so disappointed.” Nancy Hasson Roan, Neighborhood Child stated.

As Frederick Living celebrates 125 years of service, we appreciate the honor of being chosen by the Pottstown Mercury’s readers as BEST in Assisted Living, 55+ community and Nursing Care.

We appreciate and are honored by being given these awards because we know how important the care of older adults is to the families that love them. We are truly thankful for the community we are privileged to serve.

Women had an early influence on the Mennonite Home for the Aged at Frederick in that it was the local congregation’s women’s groups who made frequent donations of work, materials, and money to create a pleasant living environment for residents.

The women sold kitchen cutlery for many years (what Mennonite household didn’t use those little paring knives?) and used the profits to purchase new furnishings or curtains. They cooked and served the Anniversary Day meal (in 1924, for example, they served 400 persons) and decided where the profits would be spent. And as women’s groups (Ladies Aid Societies and later, Women in Mission) they faithfully sent yearly donations.

It was often women who gathered their families together for an annual outing at “The Home.” When it was their church’s turn to provide Sunday vesper services, the women took a meal along for both residents and visitors.

Administration was initially carried out by the steward and matron who acted as nucleus of an extended family. Sixty-eight years later, with the hiring of Rev. and Mrs. W.S. Shelly, the term “administrator” came into use for leadership of the major two-story addition finished in 1957.

Prior to government licensing, administrators were chosen from conference ministers. They would preach as services, lead devotions and prayers at meals as well as perform the day-to-day duties or operation.

Rev. Larry Smith came to Frederick’s role of administrator as a single man. It was here that he met Marlene Ruth, a nurse who would later become his wife. They had two children and Donnie and Debbie grew up around the residents and enjoyed the benefits of Christmas with a “Home” full of “Grandparents” to shower them with many purchased trinkets. Larry and Marlene lived on the grounds. He saw his work as a ministry; the home was operated as a mission for those who lived here, many of them with limited resources.