Senior Commons at Powder Mill

Kind, clever and witty are a few adjectives that can describe Rosewood resident, Bonnie Todenhoft!

Born in the small farming town of Waterloo, Kansas, Bonnie grew up with her older sister.  Her Dad was a Navy man and her Mom a seamstress. She states that both her parents were musical. “Mom took lessons and Dad played by ear. Before we ever got a radio, we would sit around in the evenings and sing a lot of World War I songs. Those were great times!” Bonnie began fiddling with the piano keys at the early age of three and formerly took lessons at the age of five.

Bonnie recalls she and her sister Shirley helping out in the family garden. The homemade skis her Dad made her were really special to her also. She grinned from ear to ear when she recalled a pet crow named “Tom.”  “My parents were very liberal about us having pets. We had a number of cats and dogs.”

It was at the University of Nebraska where she studied music and met the love of her life, Charles Norman Todenhoft, “Toad” for short. Norman, too, was musically inclined. He and Bonnie hit it off so well that it wasn’t long before wedding bells were ringing. It was in 1948 when they tied the knot and began their lives as husband and wife. Bonnie and Norman were blessed with two children, Mary and Walter.

Bonnie states that she “doesn’t like to brag but she is very proud of her children’s accomplishments and talents.” Walter is a Sergeant Major Clarinetist in the distinguished United States Army Concert Band and has played at the Arlington Cemetery. Mary is an artist and a professor at Penn State York and York College. She also owns an art gallery in downtown York, Studio Gallery 234.

Bonnie and her husband shared many years performing in Freddie Lee’s Orchestra. She also played the piano for her own group “The Bonnie Todenhoft Trio.”

Bonnie’s interests include painting, museums, reading and a variety of music!

Bonnie is fondly loved by the Senior Commons’ community for her sense of humor and the beautiful music she plays on the piano! Thank you, Bonnie, for being YOU!

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  Do you know who makes your breakfast? It is our employee for the month of May, Aileen Smith. Aileen has been cooking and preparing the meals here at Senior Commons for over 25 years! Aileen was born at the York Hospital, she attended East Berlin High School and she now lives in Thomasville. Her parents, J. Melvin and Georgia Jacobs, had six children. Aileen has four brothers and one sister. Aileen has five children with her husband, Richard, whom she married in 1958. Her children are Pamela, Wade, Todd, Trevor and Keith. She has ten grandchildren as well as four great-grandchildren.

Aileen has many wonderful memories growing up with a close-knit big family. Her mother and father owned a dairy farm in Fordville. Today it’s called “Big Mount.” On the farm they had cows, turkeys, chickens, ducks, a horse named “Bob” and a pony named “Tiny.”  During Christmastime, Aileen’s mother would hitch up the horse to the sleigh and go around visiting their neighbors and family members. Aileen recalls a time when her father rented a school bus and all their relatives and family went to Hershey Park for the day. The bus was packed and they had a wonderful time. The family would always have picnics at their house because there was a lot of room for them. They would go out to the meadow and spread tablecloths out and eat and socialize. The children and parents would play softball while the kids would ride and play in the barn with Bob, the horse. The Memorial Day holiday was a special time for Aileen growing up because they would walk to school to get their report cards and then walk home to attend their family reunion.  When Aileen was about three, her father grew tomatoes for the cannery. He used prisoners from the jail to help him pick the tomatoes. He tried to pay them by feeding them but the prison guards wouldn’t allow him to do so.

In the late 50s, her father Melvin bought a dairy farm in Glen Rock and they eventually opened their own dairy store called “Farmer Boy.” Aileen’s job was to pasteurize the milk and put it in plastic bags. She also helped to make butter. Unfortunately, Aileen lost her mother when she was only 11 years old. If she could pick anyone to spend an hour with, it would definitely be her mother. Her mother always enjoyed having a good time. All the pictures of her mother show her mom having a wonderful time. Aileen definitely got that great attitude passed down from her mother.

Aileen loves to eat lobster, and her favorite time of year is now, during the season spring. Whenever you see Aileen at work, she always has a smile on her face. She cares very much for the people she works with; many of them refer to her as “Grandma.” Aileen loves her job and she likes the fast pace and the people she works with, and “that’s saying a lot since it’s a room full of women.” She likes camping and going to Ocean City on vacation and her favorite quote to live by is “God Bless Everyone.” We are the blessed ones here at Senior Commons to have such a dedicated worker. Happy 25^th Anniversary, Aileen!! …And many more!

Mrs. Beatrice Whiteleather, who lives in Room 214, will be 91 years old on April 28^th.  She was born in Hellam, Pa., to Mabel and Paul Crumling.  Mabel was a home maker and Paul worked for Campbell Chain.  She had one brother, Gleason Crumling, and two younger sisters, Pauline Stitely and Gerry Snyder.

In her early years, Beatrice went to Kreutz Creek School. She worked at a silk mill in York in addition to working for Mr. and Mrs. King.  Mrs. King was bedfast and Beatrice took care of her and cleaned her house.

Beatrice met her husband-to-be when a school teacher brought him along to her parents’ home. She married John Whiteleather of Wrightsville in 1941 and set up housekeeping in an apartment on Front Street along the Susquehanna River in Wrightsville. They purchased a home in 1959 on Walnut Street in Wrightsville.  She worked for the Wrightsville Valve Company (now Grinnell) for quite a few years.  She also painted for John Wright Company in Wrightsville.  John was a machinist and worked for Borg Warner (now Johnson Controls.)  Beatrice has two daughters, Darlene Stermer who lives in Massillon, Ohio and Donnavee Almoney of Wrightsville. In her extended family, she has five grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and two great-great- grandchildren.

Beatrice and John loved to travel to Ohio to see three of their five grandchildren as often as possible.  Other travels included North Miami Beach in Florida and Penn State.

Among her hobbies and interests, she loves to make all kinds of crafts, loves to crochet, made several beautiful rugs and loved to plant and work outside in her flower beds. She loves to see her grandchildren and her favorite dessert is lemon sponge pie. She was a member in good standing of the American Legion Auxiliary for over 50 years.

One of Beatrice’s fond memories was seeing Roy Rogers at Valley View Park and getting her picture taken with him.   A funny story she recalls is when she made a cake for her mother’s birthday. She was the oldest of the children and thought she would surprise her mother with a cake.  However, no one could eat the cake because she put Sloan’s liniment in the icing instead of vanilla.

Thank you for being our April Resident of the Month. We appreciate you coming to our exercise class, devotions and other activities.  We wish you many more healthy and happy birthdays.

Esther was born in Africa and has also lived in Chicago and California.  Esther attended grammar school in Africa and attended college at Indiana State University.  She grew up in a large family, her parents have nine children. Her father worked as an engineer and her mother stayed at home to raise the children.  Her father loved education and sacrificed time and money for all of his children to receive a good education.  Most of the children are in the medical field, like Esther.  Esther’s parents raised her and her siblings as Catholics with lots of love.  The love that they were taught is what helps to bind them together today in their adults lives.  Esther has a lot of love for her Catholic foundation and she enjoys attending morning mass to receive communion. It helps her draw strength and love to achieve her daily activities.  Esther is a Catholic Eucharistic Minister, and spends her free time taking Holy Communion to residents at local nursing home and also to those who are sick and cannot leave their home.

As a child she cherished and looked forward to Sunday afternoon outings with her family.  They would travel to the zoo, different parks, the Botanical Gardens and they would often visit with family friends.  Spring is Esther’s favorite season.  This year has been exceptionally nice as many flowers and trees are in bloom already.  She enjoys Christmas, it is a special time for her family and just watching the joy it brings to everyone is heartwarming to her.  Esther’s favorite food would be anything that has chicken in it. Travelling is a passion of hers and she has been to many states such as Texas, Florida, Connecticut, Virginia and Washington, DC.  Her hobbies include reading and writing and she also enjoys learning and acquiring knowledge about anything she can.

Esther has been a Resident Assistant at Senior Commons for five years.  Taking care of the residents brings her a lot of joy.  She always gives her best when it comes to attending to the residents needs.  Esther told me that, “it gladdens my heart if I know the residents and their families are happy and satisfied when I assist them.”  She also mentioned the work atmosphere is peaceful and conducive to helping the staff achieve their best.  Her philosophy for life is one we could all live by: Whatever thing you are doing, put in your best, work with your heart and always work to glorify God.

Over the past five years Esther has given our residents nothing but her best.  We should all strive to live with such a positive and loving mentality towards life and the blessings we receive each day.  We are privileged to have Esther here with us and we look forward to many more years of her gracious service.

Irishman, John Patrick O’Keefe is our March resident of the month!

Born and raised in the borough of Deptford, London England, John’s family was small. His family consisted of his Mother Julia, Father Matthew and a younger brother of three years, Matthew. John states that his upbringing was “normal” but comparing it to today’s family life, it was very different. He states his father was a stevedore, loading and unloading the ships on the docks and worked hard operating the ship’s cranes and moving cargo.  His mother dedicated herself to raising the family and taking care of the household.  Sharing his story, it was very clear how different the times were as he avidly remembered the daily bomb scares, the underground shelters and the night their house was destroyed during the Blitz.   The Blitz was strategic bombing during the Second World War.  The city of London was bombed for 76 consecutive nights and many towns and cities across the country followed.  More than one million London houses were destroyed or damaged, and more than 40,000 civilians were killed, half of them in London.  Mr. O’Keefe and his family were extremely fortunate to survive this tragic event.  John suffered an injury to his back during The Blitz and was taken to a local Children’s Hospital.  As he was recuperating at the hospital, the hospital itself was bombed killing many children.  John heard the bomb approaching from the air and quickly hid under his bed.  Again, how thankful he was his life was spared.

Leaving school behind, at the young age of fourteen, John took a job in the clerical department of a coal distributor. It was at seventeen when he decided to volunteer for the Army despite “ribbing” from his Father who was a Navy man himself! John served the army until 1946 as a radio man. As the radio man he generally was hiding in a ditch as his job was to relay the fire orders from the officer to the gunners in the field to fire upon the approaching tanks. While serving, John was wounded twice before his discharge in 1946.

It was while vacationing in Ireland, when John met a very friendly couple from Baltimore, Maryland. John and the couple corresponded back and forth for a year and they persuaded him to come to America before making a decision to move to Australia. It was 1959 when he took their suggestion and came to pay them a visit! He was only in Baltimore two weeks, when his friend encouraged him to circulate his resume and he got a job as Credit Manager for The Marine Paint Manufacturing Company (later to be bought by the Con Agra Company.)  John states that he loved his job selling paint to ships and cruise lines and it took him to see many parts of the world! After 24 years of service, John retired in 1983.

John keeps himself busy and has never let any grass grow beneath his feet! He loves to take brisk walks outside, a good game of tennis or soccer, swimming and reading novels about the war or adventure.  John enjoys good food and good conversation and takes advantage whenever he gets a chance to dine out with friends. His favorite foods would be “anything flavored with onions, especially a good crock of hot onion soup complete with the bread and melted cheese!” John also enjoys traveling and his favorite places are Ireland, Australia and New Zealand because of their natural beauty.  John’s appreciation for beauty doesn’t stop there…he also enjoys art! John enjoys visiting art museums and collects paintings.   John has several of his favorite pieces in his room to admire.

Since his arrival at Senior Commons, John states that he is very comfortable and has enjoyed meeting new people.  His philosophy in life is to “treat people as you wish to be treated” and “may the luck of the Irish be with you.”  Congratulations on being chosen our March Resident of the Month.  We have enjoyed learning more about you.  Thank you for sharing a small part of your life story with us.

March marks the 25^th anniversary month for Donna working at Senior Commons at Powder Mill.  She remembers her first day in March of 1987 as the day before the State Inspection – what a way to start!

Donna was born in Baltimore on Sept. 30, 1954.  She is one of the “baby boomer” generation.  Her father, Paul Biblehimer served in the Navy during World War II, while her Mom Charlotte worked in the shipyards of Baltimore during the war.  Her Dad was from Shenandoah, Schuylkill County and her Mom originally from Front Royal, Virginia.  She has two older brothers, John and Michael and a younger sister Gail.

Donna grew up in the small town of Ellicott City, Maryland and graduated from Howard County Sr. High in 1972.  She played field hockey during high school and loved going to rock concerts.  Her first job was at Bendix Field Engineering in Columbia, MD which was part–time to begin with and later became fulltime after she graduated. One of her coworkers introduced her to her brother Philip who was recently out of the Air Force and living in York.  They were married the following June and moved to Stewartstown, PA where they lived for 10 years, re-doing an old house.  They then relocated to the Leader Heights area where they have been for the past 25 years.

In 1998 Donna began playing bagpipes with the Kiltie Band of York.  Phil also plays with the band – first the bass drum and now pipes also.  She said it is a very challenging instrument to play – but loves doing so.  Five years ago she became Pipe Major of the Band.  They have played in many parades and performances – including the New York Tartan Day Parade and also in Edinburgh, Scotland.  She said they have a fun group that strives to continue the tradition of the Band.  The Kiltie Band has been around since 1928 and is one of the oldest pipe bands in the country.  You can listen to the music of the Kiltie Band on March 15^th at 7:00 p.m. in the Activities Room.

Besides playing bagpipes, hobbies include knitting, gardening, reading, baking and of course, watching Baltimore Ravens football!  Donna also enjoys working on genealogy research.

Donna and Phil have two West Highland terriers named Jasper and Duffy who are very active and funny with their antics.  Duffy enjoys watching T.V., especially shows that have dogs in them.  Jasper is a clown who enjoys playing ball and just being silly.

Donna enjoys working in the Business Office with Kathleen and says that each day is different and is never boring.  She enjoys meeting new residents and their families.  She believes that a sense of humor and the ability to laugh are important tools for keeping things enjoyable and not taking life too seriously.  Congratulations Donna for being March employee of the month and happy anniversary!

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!