Blog Posts

Usually, July means the browning and crisping of flowering plants, as the sun beats down relentlessly.

However, thanks to a very rainy June and a cool, low-humidity July (so far), Plush Mills is in full bloom.

Here, resident Shirley Campion, who moved here in February 2009, tends to a thriving hanging plant outside her apartment.

And near the main entrance, you'll find this lush arrangement, full of vivid colors. At Plush Mills, the flora is flourishing, and so is the fauna! Stay tuned for details.

Friday, June 12 marked the last day of exams for Strath Haven high school students, but the school buses did not take them all home. Instead, some rising Strath Haven seniors came to Plush Mills, to join our residents in our “Senior Prom” celebration.

Smiles and laughter filled the room as students entered, meeting residents and making conversation. Over a buffet lunch, students shared stories from their 2009 junior prom last month, and Plush Mills residents recalled the proms and soirees of their youth.

Helen Sherman (l.) and James Innelli (r.)

Ayana Dunn and Madge McFadden

A student band featuring Kevin Seelaus (l.) provided live music and the dance floor was soon filled. Residents like Berni deCampli (c.)showed they have not lost a step, as they taught high schoolers including Michael Psitos (r.) a few moves and danced the afternoon away.

Lainy Painter tours the dance floor with her proud grandfather Fred Dauterich.

The 2009 “Senior Prom” was a great success thanks to the enthusiasm of the Strath Haven students and gracious hospitality of Plush Mills and its residents. 

Resident Flo Lewis hosted a very special tea party at Plush Mills today. She brought her collection of American dolls, most of which she hand-crafted, and arranged them at three tables in the Great Room.

Scattered around the room were small tables set for tea time. Each table had a whimsical, vintage teapot in its center. The teapots, from clowns to Humpty Dumpty to floral traditional shapes, were also from Flo's personal collection.

Scones, cream, sandwiches, and cookies were on the menu.

Flo gave a short presentation explaining the history of her dolls and the techniques she uses in hand-crafting them. She also makes miniature quilts, and paints the dolls' furniture. Her collection focuses on American dolls, since these were most appropriate for the large 18th century house she occupied in Swarthmore PA.

"I think everyone can find great happiness if they learn to make things they love," Flo said. She encouraged all residents to make full use of "this wonderful room" at Plush Mills, which contains plenty of space and an array of crafting supplies.

She was joined by her daughter and son-in-law Jane and Jack Miller, holding Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls made by Flo. In turn, Flo is holding dolls made for her by Jane.

Nearly two dozen famous Pennsylvanians visited Plush Mills yesterday. Fourth grade students from Wallingford Elementary School presented the life stories of such luminaries as author Jerry Spinelli, TV personality Fred Rogers, and seamstress Betsy Ross, whose props are visible here.

Residents joined Nittany Lions coach Joe Paterno in a chant of "WE ARE...PENN STATE."

The hint to Ben Franklin's identity was:"I invented bifocals."

Other visitors included Roberto Clemente, who brought his baseball gear:

Tara Lipinsky told about her life and career:

Betsy Ross spoke with an English accent, as befits a Colonial Philadelphian (and wore patriotic red and blue fingernail polish), while artist Mary Cassatt shared some of her paintings of children.

Even life-long residents of the Keystone State learned new facts about their commonwealth and some of its most famous residents. Many thanks to Mrs. Kubiak and her 4th grade class for sharing their well researched and polished presentation with Plush Mills! 

Over the past few months, a Fitness Challenge has been in effect at Plush Mills. Organized by Activities Director Adriana Valentine, the goal was to encourage residents to get moving and to get exercising.

Ten points could be earned at a time, whether it was doing a gym workout, taking a walk in the woods, or attending a physical therapy session. The successful program generated a lot of buzz, and residents burned a lot of calories. Many people, Adriana said, "became self-motivated - earning points was much less important than doing the activity."

Third place winner with 730 points was Kathe Harms. In second place with 840 points was Janet Brown. The top winner with 1070 points was Carolyn Hopson.

An awards ceremony was recently held for all participants, during which Adriana said "You dedicated yourselves to caring for your health, to improving the quality of your lives - and this means you are real winners, in every sense of the word."

Many Plush Mills residents have personal knowledge and memories of war and the sacrifices made during these times. Memories and gratitude for those who served and are serving were in our thoughts over the weekend.

At the end of the holiday weekend, we enjoyed a sunny Memorial Day bash featuring a cook-out, visiting uniformed military members, and a cake.

Scores of residents turned out for the introduction of the new Plush Mills Health Care Consortium on April 21. The Consortium offers on-site health and personal services to residents of Plush Mills through more than a dozen organizations, including a new preferred relationship with the primary care physicians of Crozer-Keystone Center for Geriatric Medicine Services.

With this array of services, the Consortium offers coordinated care, convenience of delivery, and a community-within-a-community to residents. At the launch, Plush Mills Executive Director Megan Longley commented, "These providers can save our residents a great deal of time and travel by taking care of many of their needs right ehre at home. Offering coordinating, convenient care is another way in which we've created a community within our community."

After meeting Consortium physicians in the theatre, attendees enjoyed a health fair, where they met 14 other medical service providers who will be available to them in-house - from Fox Rehab to Crozer Keystone Center for Geriatric Medicine, from Concord Pharmacy to Rose Tree Holistic Health.

Here, Dean Michelson of Crozer-Keystone Village greets resident Virginia Jackson.

Rounding out the afternoon event, there were also healthy refreshments and a table full of raffle prizes.

More than 500 Little Leaguers and their families turned out for Opening Day ceremonies at Media Little League last weekend. In the community spirit, Plush Mills is sponsoring a team of boys ages 8-9.

The Little Leaguers paraded into the Major League field at the ballpark complex, carrying their team sponsor signs.

The American Legion presented a flag and God Bless America was sung by a high school senior who is also the starting shortstop on his school team – nicely mixing arts and sports. It was a morning of true blue Americana as baseball season gets underway. Plush Mills, play ball!

Coordinated care. Convenience of delivery. Community-within-a community. Plush Mills is excited to announce that its new Sage Health Care Consortium is here! An array of health care providers will be on hand at Plush Mills to explain their services, how best to book appointments, what insurance is accepted, and all other key points during a health fair on Tuesday, April 21 from 3:30 - 5:30. Learn all about our Sage Health Care Consortium members and their services - physical rehab, podiatry, geriatric services, mobile X-ray, transitional nursing care, internal medicine, massage and acupuncture, even personal services like pet care - at this informative afternoon session. This event is for Plush Mills residents and their families. 

The Philadelphia Inquirer series about Plush Mills resident Diane Muraglia concluded today with the story of her wedding to Englishman Ed Kelly. HERE is a link to the entire series and all the photos.