In The News
There’s always something fun and exciting going on at Frederick Living. The more you know about what’s going on here, the easier it is for you to become involved—and that makes Frederick Living a more interesting community for all of us. View our latest news below or use the menu to the left to get more detail—and be sure to follow us on Facebook for regular updates as well!
- 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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Frederick Living congratulates LeadingAge PA 2021 Professional Development Scholarship Program Award recipients Lauren Thomson and Alyssa Schwab!
LeadingAge PA is excited to announce the award of $36,000 to members through the 2021 Professional Development Scholarship Program. Recognizing the continued need for developing the senior services workforce, LeadingAge PA has awarded more than $450,000 to supporting scholarships and grants for members in just the last five years.
“We proudly encourage and support the professional development of our members through this scholarship program and others throughout the year,” said LeadingAge PA President and CEO, Adam Marles. “There are many rewarding career paths within senior living and it’s a privilege to award those seeking to better their opportunities, particularly following such a difficult year for our members. We applaud these awardees and celebrate their perseverance and ambition!”
The LeadingAge PA Professional Development Scholarship Program helps staff of LeadingAge PA member communities who are pursuing further education, training, and certification that will benefit the senior services field. As part of the Association’s workforce initiatives, the program enhances opportunities for advancing career aspirations and improving professional skill sets.
LeadingAge PA is pleased to congratulate the scholarship recipients who are furthering their education and professional development both within and outside the field of nursing!
Way to go Lauren and Alyssa!
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On Wednesday, June 16th, 2021, Frederick Living kicked off the public phase of its 125th Anniversary, Lighting the Way Campaign. The campaign focuses on renovations to Cedarwood Health Care Center, support for Benevolent Care, assisting with the purchase of emergency power generators to sustain power to the main building on campus, and relief from COVID-19 effects.
The campaign is Co-Chaired by Frederick Living Board Chair Warren Tyson and residents Ruby Ifkowitz and Bonnie Kauffman. Campaign supporters and campaign volunteers were thanked for their generous gifts of time, talents and resources. Leadership donors were recognized, including a number of individuals and Univest Corporation. The event also featured a special presentation to Sodexo, who is supporting the campaign with a $250,000 matching gift challenge.
The campaign, which is scheduled to conclude at the end of 2021, has received gifts and pledges of more than $852,000 toward a $1.1 million campaign goal in this anniversary year. For more information about Frederick Living’s 125th Anniversary, Lighting the Way Campaign please contact Amy Cummings-Leight at 610-754-7878 Ext. 1250.
Frederick Living is a leading rehabilitation and continuing care retirement community nestled in the beautiful countryside of Montgomery County in southeastern Pennsylvania. For 125 years, our focus has been on living well in every aspect of our lives—body, mind, and spirit. Rooted in our Mennonite heritage, we honor the dignity and autonomy of each person we are privileged to serve, regardless of their faith journey. Frederick Living is located at 2849 Big Road, Zieglerville, PA 19492. For more information, please call us at 610-754-7878.
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