Senior Commons at Powder Mill

Celebrating their 66^th wedding anniversary on February 23, Gladys and Philip Bentzel started out already having a lot in common. Both were born in 1920, are from large families, grew up in the York area and graduated from York High School. It seemed like fate was already planning their destiny. Their paths crossed when they met at the Shiloh Lutheran Church and from there they made their own combined history including exchanging vows in 1946.

One of their earliest married memories was having to curtail their honeymoon at the Gettysburg Hotel to two days, as Philip’s father needed the family car back. They had planned to stay four! They drove home and moved in with Philip’s parents for nine months until they purchased a family-owned home on Carlisle Road. They stayed in the Shiloh area most of their lives before moving to Senior Commons at Powder Mill in 2009.

Before getting married, Philip enlisted in the Marines in August, 1942 and toured from 1943-1945 on missions on the islands of the south western Pacific, Guadalcanal, Guam and Okinawa. Philip is very proud to have served his country during WWII and came home on the USS Bland arriving in San Francisco on December 3, 1945.

Gladys worked at Dental Supply for seven years. She and Philip had three sons Michael (deceased), Gary, who now lives in Texas, and Craig, who currently lives in York. When the boys started school, she worked at the Trimmer Elementary School Cafeteria before retiring in 1982.  Philip worked through the years at various factories as a machinist toolmaker.  For the last 16 years of his employment, he worked at Caterpillar as a Planning Processor before retiring. After retirement, Philip worked at several golf courses in the York area.

Gladys and Philip now have five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. They are enjoying carefree living at Powder Mill and follow the philosophy, “Keep life simple. Live for today and do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Gladys spends time knitting and doing word searches and baking for Philip as he enjoys his wife’s Pennsylvania Dutch cakes and pies.

We congratulate our “February Lovebirds” for being selected as Powder Mill’s Residents of the Month!

Even though Shantel works inside as a server in the kitchen, she is a real outdoor girl at heart. Her fondest memories growing up are of climbing trees and camping in her backyard with her older sister Cortney (also an employee) and her younger brother Dylon (a former employee).

Shantel was born in Hanover, PA on April 28, 1993 and currently lives in Seven Valleys. She attended the Spring Grove school district and was involved in the Art Club, theater and choir in high school. She currently is attending Harrisburg Area Community College for Chemistry, but says she has no plans of leaving Senior Commons.

Her hobbies are reading, drawing and spending time with her friends and family. She loves vacationing in Florida, especially to see her aunt and uncle, and plans to visit this year. She enjoys cooking and her favorite food is Chinese. Her enjoyment of life stems from the belief in “Carpe Diem” or seize the day. Fall is her favorite season because of the cool weather and the changing leaves.

The residents and staff at Senior Commons at Powder Mill thank Shantel for all of her hard work, natural enthusiasm and dedication to her job.  We also wish her congratulations on celebrating her one-year anniversary with us on February 21!

Dorothy (Reside) Cavanaugh’s “enjoy life” mentality is contagious.  When you speak with her, the can-do attitude she radiates shows through. She is an avid learner, loves new experiences and appreciates her life’s good fortune. She is blessed with a large family who visit often and recalls her memories with a smile.

Dorothy was born on March 30, 1930 in Pittsburgh, but had to move to northern New Jersey at an early age so her father could find work during the depression. She attended Saint Anastasia Grade School and then the Academy of the Holy Angels in Ft. Lee, NJ on the Palisades Cliffs. She remembers how she had to wear uniform jumpers throughout all of her school years and was not allowed to wear make-up. “Not even lipstick!” she said.

She and her friends used to spend their free time in Manhattan enjoying the attractions, shows and landmarks traveling either by foot, double decker buss or the subway when it was only a nickel a ride. She even admits to sneaking under the turnstiles to ride free!

She was an only child until age 16 when her brother David was born.  They had a wonderful relationship and David went on to graduate from Columbia University with a law degree, passing the bar in both New Jersey and New York. Sadly, he passed away at age 41. Dorothy cherishes the time they had together.

Dorothy graduated from Seton Hill College in 1952 with a degree in English and a minor in Art. Shortly afterward, she married Tom Cavanaugh whom she met two years earlier at an extended family reunion (he was her aunt’s husband’s cousin). Tom graduated from the University of Pitt and became an engineer with Western Electric. They lived in Pittsburgh, Downer’s Grove, IL, Mount Holly, NJ, and then settled in York in 1966.

When Dorothy was in first grade, she was asked what she wanted to be when she grew up. She answered without hesitation, “I want to be a mother and have a 100 children.”

Attempting to meet her goal, she and Tom had six children: Tom, Marian, Teresa, Ellen and twins Patrick and Anne. Her extended family now consists of 18 grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Fortunately for Dorothy, they all live within visiting distance of “The Mill” as her grandchildren call Senior Commons at Powder Mill.

Dorothy is one senior who does not let the grass grow under her feet. She has an iPad, has recently learned about Facebook from her granddaughter, loves reading murder mysteries, doing crossword puzzles and Sudokus and is a confirmed chocoholic.

A resident since January 2008, “The Mill” is thrilled to have such a vibrant member of our community sharing her enthusiasm for life. Congratulations Dorothy on being selected as the 2012 January resident of the month.

Resident Assistant Desiree Lehr with her son Collin.

Desiree Lehr’s bubbly personality and caring nature have made her a resident favorite at Senior Commons at Powder Mill. A resident assistant since 2009, Desiree helps people with their daily tasks, personal hygiene and taking medications. She loves her job and enjoys the special relationships she has developed with her co-workers and the seniors she takes care of.

Desiree was born at York Hospital on July 27, 1989 and has lived in York County most of her life. When she was in first grade she moved with her family to Georgia for two years. Desiree returned to Pennsylvania and went to school in the Dallastown School District where she was active in cheerleading for eight years.

Currently, she resides in Red Lion with her 14-month old son Collin, the love of her life. She enjoys spending as much time with him as she can and to watch him change and grow everyday.

Having fond memories of vacationing at the Outer Banks growing up, Desiree’s favorite season is summer. She also loves to eat McDonald’s chicken nuggets. Her favorite quotes are “Everything happens for a reason” and “Family is everything.”

Senior Commons at Powder Mill is fortunate to have Desiree on our staff and we congratulate her for being selected as January’s 2012 employee of the month!

On December 14, Senior Commons at Powder Mill resident Mrs. Katherine Marshall, a retired elementary school teacher, read The Velveteen Rabbit to children from the New Fairview Church, York. After story time, Mrs. Marshall led the guests in singing Christmas carols and then they had cookies and hot cocoa together.

A lot of life’s lessons can be learned by chatting with Senior Commons at Powder Mill resident Peter Adams, Jr. Hard work, commitment to others and turning the other cheek are just some of the golden rules he follows. Born in Union, Pennsylvania to Hungarian immigrants Mary and Peter Sr., Peter will turn 93 on January 18. The only son of five children, he grew up playing baseball, fishing, hunting and attending Hungarian dances and parties. He graduated from Connellsville High School and later took courses in banking at Waynesburg University.

After high school, Peter fought for freedom as a staff sergeant in WWII. As a young man he suffered being captured, wounded and tortured by the German offensive in the Battle of the Bulge in the Black Forest.

As quoted in a 1989 article in the TRIBUNE-HERALD:

Peter was herded with other prisons into a boxcar where he spent Christmas. At one point, the train stopped, and he could hear the strains of German Christmas carols.

“It’s the lowest point of my life,” said the POW. Instead of breeding hatred, the experience led Peter to vow to be more compassionate toward others. “I thought, if I ever get out of here, I’ll like everybody.”

Heavily decorated for his service, he was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medals, European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with four Bronze Stars and the POW Medal.

After the war, Peter married schoolteacher Patricia Dunkel. They settled in Connellsville, where he became a teller at the Second National Bank. Through hard work and dedication, he eventually became Executive Vice President.  Patricia and Peter had two daughters, Vicki and Linda, who also became schoolteachers. Although Patricia has passed away, Peter enjoys his daughters, four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Throughout the years, Peter was active in the Lion’s Club, Chamber of Commerce, Director on the Connellsville Housing Authority, Rotary Club and became the Connellsville City Controller.  He also became the President of the American Institute of Banking for four years and served on the Board of Directors at the hospital.  After retirement, he earned his real estate license and bought and sold properties throughout the area.

A resident at Senior Commons since April, we are thankful to have a person of Peter’s caliber and honor him as our December 2011 Resident of the Month.

The cheery, smiling face of employee Linda Enterline brightens the hallways and residents’ day as she performs her duties as a resident assistant at Senior Commons at Powder Mill. Responsible for distributing medicine and helping with personal care needs, Linda was selected as Employee of the Month because of her commitment and resident focused care. She states that she loves her job and “what I like best is getting to know the residents. They are precious jewels.”

Born and raised in York County, Linda graduated from Dallastown High School where she was a cheerleader and played basketball and volleyball. She was a member of the Dallastown Honor Society for scholastic achievement and went on to study at York and Dickinson College.

Linda has only been working at Senior Commons for four months, but has already made an impression on the people she cares for.

Resident Geno Antolino said, “Linda really spends time and pays attention to the little details when she does her job. That girl deserves a raise!”

Congratulations Linda on being honored as our December 2011 Employee of the Month! You are a special gift to our Senior Commons team!

Ike and Perla are Apartment Residents.

Ike was born in York, PA in 1924. He has one brother. After graduating high school from York High, Ike was in the Army, and then later went to textile school in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Ike worked for the family business in weaving, and worked at his fabric shop “Tioga” for 35 years. Perla was born in Philadelphia and has one brother. She graduated high school and then attended Temple University. She worked at York College of Pennsylvania as a professor and later was the head bookkeeper for Ike.

Ike and Perla met on a blind date and have been married for almost 49 years. They have 6 children, 7 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. Family is very important to them both.

Ike enjoys reading newspapers (his favorite is the “New York Times”) and especially likes the sports section. His favorite sports are football and baseball. Ike also enjoys playing poker with the “boys”—the same “boys” he has been playing with for over 40 years! Both Ike and Perla like going to the movies, attending concerts, and listening to good music. Perla is a very talented painter—her paintings are very beautiful! She also likes to play Bridge and to read—especially book reviews!

Perla likes living at Senior Commons because “It is a well-kept facility—the residents are pleasant—and the staff is accommodating.” Ike adds, “We wanted to downsize. We love the place and the people. We have been lucky enough to meet quite a few friends!”

The Kranichs live by “taking it as it comes, doing the best you can, and make the best of what you have; even though it is not always easy to do that!”

Congratulations, IKE AND PERLA!

Elaine grew up in Red Lion, Pennsylvania with her parents and two brothers. Now, Elaine has 2 children, 3 grandchildren  and 4 great-grandchildren.

She graduated from Red Lion High School with honors, which prepared her well for her careers. She worked as a switchboard operator, calculated payroll, and was a substitute secretary at Dallastown Area High School.

Elaine has a very active spiritual life—she attended church camp, reads the Bible on a daily basis, and says her prayers every night. She regularly attends “Morning Devotions” here at SCPM—in fact, that is one of her favorite activities! Bingo, crafts, and church services are also activities she takes pleasure in.

In her leisure time, she enjoys crafts, country music, Christian music, sewing, puzzles, reading, soap operas, Italian food, and word finds.

She likes to watch the leaves change colors and loves the mild weather that Fall brings; however, her favorite holiday, Christmas, takes place in the Winter.

Elaine is a kind hearted, compassionate, loving person. Elaine says she “likes to help people and participate in activities as much as possible.”

“I like to keep busy!”