Blog Posts

Acclaimed American pianist Thomas Pandolfi will bring his repertoire of classic masterpieces, including compositions by Liszt, Chopin, and Gershwin, to Plush Mills Senior Living, Wallingford, PA on Sunday, September 27 at 7 P.M. This is a free event!

Washington, D.C. based Thomas Pandolfi Pandolfi most recently took his music on tour through Canada, Germany, China, Eastern Europe, as well as the US, playing both in recital and as guest soloist with orchestras.  In his young career, he has established a resume’ that boasts performances with renowned European and American symphony orchestras.

The Juilliard School graduate has been called “an artist who is the master of both the grand gesture and the sensual line,” by The Washington Post.

The public is invited to see Pandolfi in an intimate setting.  Plush Mills is located on 501 Plush Mill Road, Wallingford, PA.  Reservations are recommended for this free event and can be made by calling 610 690 1630.

Rosh HaShanah (ראש השנה) is the Jewish New Year. It falls during the month of Tishrei, ten days before Yom Kippur. Together, Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur are known as the Yamim Nora’im, the Days of Awe in Hebrew. In English, they are usually referred to as the High Holy Days.

The Meaning of Rosh HaShanah

Rosh HaShanah literally means “Head of the Year” in Hebrew.  The Hebrew calendar begins with the month of Nissan (when it's believed the Jews were freed from slavery in Egypt) but the month of Tishrei is believed to be the month in which God created the world.

Rosh HaShanah is observed on the first two days of Tishrei.  During Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur (and in the days leading up to them) Jews embark upon the task of examining their lives and atoning for any wrongs they have committed during the previous year. Jews are encouraged to repent and make amends with anyone they have wronged and to make plans for improving during the coming year. Thus, Rosh HaShanah focuses on making peace in the world and making personal improvements.

A holiday filled with hope for the New Year, Rosh HaShanah begins at sundown tonight.   Plush Mills will have Jewish High Holiday Services in our Theatre on Monday, September 21.

Currently on view in our lobby display case are wood and wildlife carvings by resident Ray Lambert, shown here with his daughter June McCormack of Collingdale.

 Ray, age 92, relocated to Plush Mills from Springfield.  He retired at the age of 80 from Carl Schmidt Realtor, where he was the proprietor.  For decades, in his spare time, he enjoyed working with wood.  "He made a bed for me when I was a little girl," said June.  Pointing to the carved decorations of Woody Woodpecker and Popeye which are also on display in our lobby, she said "He made these for my brother when he was very young."

Completing the display are some of Ray's tools, paints and instruction books, which the family treasures. 

Local painter Margaret Ewing has been teaching at Plush Mills for nearly two years.  In her weekly classes, Margaret teaches both new and seasoned resident artists, focusing on oil, watercolor, and illustration.

We recently mounted the first ever Plush Mills Art Show featuring the works of Margaret's students and others, in our lobby.  Wine and cheese, harp music, and the proof of so much creativity added brightness to an otherwise rainy and dreary day.

 Art teacher Margaret Ewing, left, with artist Helen Sherman

Bernie DeCampli, left, joins Billie Minisci, a prolific artist who exhibited many works in the show. 

Some of the works by residents on display.

The scene at the art show, with sounds of the harp providing the ideal ambience.

After 3 months, Dora Noble's sculpture of President Obama's bust returned from being casted in Chester, PA. "It took so long! They were terribly busy," said Noble. It was well worth the wait, though, as the finished product speaks for itself.

The bronzed bust is currently on display in the Plush Mills lobby. Noble is currently working on plans to send the bust to the White House.

Noble and her casted sculpture of the President's bust.

Family and friends of resident Ruth Gordon recently gathered at Plush Mills for a Tea & Art hosted by Ruth.  There she displayed works she created mostly in the 1970s and 1980s, which included watercolors, oil paintings, and pen-and-ink drawings.  Other than one art class as an adult, Ruth is a self-taught artist.

This Friday, September 11, the works of many residents will be on display at the Art Show Wine & Cheese Party from 4-6 PM.  This is a great opportunity to see the splendid works of our talented residents.

One of Ruth’s watercolor works.

Ruth (front) and her grandson Ryan Gordon, daughter in law Jane Gordon, and granddaughter Devon acting as human easels.

A group shot of family and friends who came out to Ruth’s Tea & Art party.

Labor Day is just around the corner, but there are still several more weeks of good gardening ahead.

Our gardening group has proven to have a  collective green thumb. 

And our planter in front is like a cornucopia.

This is the view of Plush Mills' "back yard, which gets the best sun.

Our champion sunflower is flourishing:

And so is the individual garden box of resident Jane Warters.

Come thrive with us!

A new committee has formed at Plush Mills to aid Lois Nelson’s grandson, US Army Spc. Brooks Nelson-Major, and the 37 other members of his 82nd Army Airborne Platoon, currently stationed in Bagram, Afghanistan.

Residents Ted Blinder, Flo Lewis, Lois Nelson, and Bernadette Zapiec head the “Plush Mills Platoon Committee”, which collects supplies to support the platoon, such as personal hygiene products, energy bars, candy, and magazines.  In their first campaign, they sent 5 care packages totaling over 70 pounds to Brooks’ platoon in July.  Brooks replied to his grandmother, Lois, with his platoon’s thanks:

“Everyone was very pleased.  Not everyone in my platoon has a supportive family or any family at all.  I can’t tell you how much we appreciate what you’re doing for us…  On the days the packages arrive, everyone’s morale gets a boost along with our blood sugar.”

The committee has wrapped up their August campaign and is preparing to send the platoon more supplies.

Lois Nelson and Ted Blinder ready to ship out the donations.

 Bernie Zapiec and Flo Lewis are more than happy to help the troops.

 The Plush Mills Platoon Committee prepares the care packages.

Lois Nelson with her grandson’s thank you note to Plush Mills residents.

In an update on the classic tree fort sign "No Girls Allowed," the first meeting of the Plush Mills Men's Club took place recently. The TV was tuned to a ball game - the Little League World Series was the game being broadcast at the time - and the beers and soda were on ice.

Pizza and peanuts were served in the great room, and the Men's Club meeting continued with games of cards, checkers, and chess in the library. Several dozen of our male denizens, ranging in age from 65 to 100, turned out to enjoy each other's company, along with some of their sons.

We look forward to the next meeting of the PM Men's Club.

On August 6, the Plush Mills main lobby was turned into what could be mistaken for a casino floor. Gaming company, Tumbling Dice, lent their services and brought in tables and machines for the residents to have their own Monte Carlo night.

Over 50 residents came out to enjoy the Monte Carlo night, where cocktails and refreshments were served to enhance the atmosphere even more. Residents got the opportunity to play some of their favorite casino games like roulette, blackjack, Wheel of Fortune and more (without having to gamble their own money, of course). While some enjoyed the table games, many found themselves trying to hit the jackpot on the slot machines.

Cheers and claps of excitement filled the main lobby as the residents enjoyed the games of chance.