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THE MORNING CALL SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2021 7
Innovation Drives Events at

Phoebe’s Chestnut Ridge at Rodale

Even though ground hasn’t yet been broken
for Phoebe’s Chestnut Ridge at Rodale
retirement community in Emmaus, future
residents are already getting to know each
other and making connections through
Phoebe-hosted programs and events
designed with COVID-19 safety in mind.
The future retirement community will
transform the former Rodale corporate
campus into a wellness-focused residential comfortable joining in person. Each month a
destination for people ages 60 and older. differentfutureresidentgetstochooseabook,
Existing facilities will be adapted into which introduces us to a variety of genres.”
apartments with spacious floor plans, and all
construction will prioritize limiting disturbance In September, Phoebe hosted a webinar
of existing green space. The project will presented by the state Attorney General’s
even utilize some of the campus’s current, Senior Protection Unit about scams
unique features, including the walking and targeting seniors — including some new
biking trails once used by Rodale employees. ones related to COVID-19. “We just learned
of one scam focused on contact tracing,”
Normally, Phoebe hosts several large
events to allow future residents to mingle— Sinkovits says, explaining that a caller claims
like the packed Chestnut Cheers Holiday social distancing for all … At Chestnut Ridge, someone the senior knows has COVID-19,
Open Houses it held in 2018 and 2019. the fun, and community camaraderie doesn’t and then requests personal information
end, no matter what’s going on in our world.” and payment to release more information.
But 2020 and the beginning of 2021 have
been anything but normal, so Phoebe staff A monthly bingo game, held in the former As the weather has turned colder, of course,
rose to the challenge and reimagined get- Rodale cafeteria because of its large size, activities have shifted to virtual events, which
togethers with an emphasis on meeting has also been popular. Over the summer, are proving popular. A recent webinar on
health and safety guidelines. That’s meant the monthly event was held in person. This decluttering using the KonMari Method,
switching to more outdoor and virtual fall, Sinkovits changed the event to “virtual popularized by the Netflix series “Tidying
events, says Lifestyle Specialist Karen bingo” so future residents could play in Up with Marie Kondo,” was a big hit for
Sinkovits—and it’s been a switch that future the safety of their own homes. “Prizes folks preparing to move to Chestnut Ridge.
Chestnut Ridge residents have embraced. have included wine, gift cards, flowers, “Downsizing can feel really overwhelming if
gourmet food items, candy, and more.”
At a Tweet and Greet held at the Wildlands you don’t have a roadmap,” says webinar
Conservancy in Emmaus over the summer, Future resident Ann Young, who attended host Amanda Jefferson, who owns Indigo
future residents hiked the trails and learned a recent game with her husband, enjoyed Organizing and is a KonMari professional
about some of the region’s avian species the chance to safely socialize. “It was an speaker. “The KonMari Method works
from Brandon Swayser, the Conservancy’s opportunity to meet future neighbors and wonders for people who are ready to
education administrator and animal care interact with them. It was much appreciated de-clutter but who have no idea where
manager. Afterward, Swayser introduced because these kinds of occasions have been to start.” Another KonMari decluttering
the group to educational birds kept at severely limited due to the virus,” she says. webinar is scheduled for February 23.
the Conservancy—a red tailed hawk Future residents are also helping with events Another popular event was a virtual paint
and a crow. They even got to watch him party hosted in early December, with close
measure the wingspan of a blue jay. by bringing their creativity to the table. “There
are a lot of talented people who are going to 50 people attending via Zoom. Paint
Phoebe also provided seniors interested in to live here, who have a variety of interests and supplies were provided by Phoebe.
Chestnut Ridge a free, three-part outdoor and backgrounds,” Sinkovits says. “One Instructed by artist Shannon Jones of
concert series featuring The Belle Tones; woman teaches Broadway tap. It can be Girlfriends Art Clique, attendees painted
Maria Damore and Ken Bagenstose; and adapted to being seated, or you can stand… a beautiful holiday design on a wooden
Scotti Mann. Chairs are placed 6 feet apart, so we put this out to future residents and serving tray. Phoebe received lots of positive
with even more room between rows, and asked if anyone wants to join a tap group; feedback about the paint party. For many,
attendees were required to wear masks. I mean, what a great way to get exercise!” it was a welcome distraction from the
boredom of staying at home during COVID.
“Entertainment is a must during these Anotherfutureresidentisanauthor,whichfitin
pandemic times, for keeping the mind, body, perfectly with Chestnut Ridge’s monthly book Sinkovits says that Chestnut Ridge at Rodale
and spirit healthy, active, and alive,” the club. “We recently read her novel, and then is still planning to hold one of the most
Belle Tones wrote in an email describing the had a meet and greet with her, which was an anticipated events—a wine tasting. Working
show. “We had a great time performing for added treat,” Sinkovits says. The book club out the details, though, “has been difficult,
the future residents and guests of Chestnut is “held in a very large multipurpose room we because a lot of places aren’t doing wine
Ridge, while providing comfortable and safe have. Some members will call in if they’re not tastings while they’re still figuring out COVID.”
In the meantime the Phoebe team will continue to find safe, innovative ways to bring future residents together and highlight the unique options and amenities offered at Chestnut
Ridge at Rodale. For more information, visit chestnutridgeatrodale.org or call 610-632-8408