Marvell Adams Reflects on his Two Years at Collington’s Helm -- page 3 The Collingtonian Photo by: Jim Giese Vol 25 No. 7 A Monthly Publication of The Collington Residents Association September 2013 A Great Day for Collington by George Newman

Collington Board Chair the remaining original residents Annetha Hall called it the -- and the one original employee, “best day of the year.” She Receptionist Priscilla Atkinson. was referring to the weather After the brief speeches, -- crystalline air, comfortable residents, staff and friends temperatures, a porcelain- blue sky -- but she enjoyed a munificent buffet, complete with ice could also have meant the spirit of celebration sculpture, prepared by Dining Services Director that animated Collington’s 25th anniversary gala Eli Ayoub and his hard-working staff. Truly a on Sept. 6. great day. In addition to the Board Chair, Kendal CEO John Diffey, Residents Association President New Collingtonian Editor Named Grant Bagley and Collington Executive Director by Jim Giese Marvell Adams addressed the gathering. All Welcome George Newman, editor of the proclaimed that Collington, in partnership with Collingtonian beginning with this issue. Although Kendal, was undergoing a renaissance, “a return relatively new to Collington, George comes with to its origins,” in Diffey’s words, “a rebirth” in extensive journalistic experience. Adams’. And all agreed George and his wife, Barbara Fairchild, that the quality of the a retired school librarian, moved here from residents defines the Chesapeake Beach in March. When Barbara, a institution -- “a rich body member of the Annapolis Chorale, learned that of life work that has not Pat and Joe Howard (Joe also is in the Chorale) been left behind,” as had moved here, she and George decided to Adams said. take another look at Collington and signed up. The ceremony George has a son who is an attorney and a step- also honored the 11 Collington Board Chair daughter who is a nursing student. Annetha Hall Collington pioneers -- Editor Cont’d p.2 Although journalism has been his lifetime Returning to calling, George said he approaches the journalism after a 10- Collingtonian editorship with some trepidation, year hiatus, George still having much to learn about Collington. His joined the Utica (N.Y.) goal is to build upon the work of his predecessors Observer-Dispatch, and he feels privileged to have former editors eventually becoming around to help. editorial page editor That the Collingtonian is solely produced and writing a weekly and financed by residents makes it unique and column on politics. George wants it to serve as their voice. He Also, for three years hopes the newsletter will always be interesting he was a regular George Newman―JKG and occasionally entertaining. While there panelist on a political already is a large staff, he hopes to involve even discussion program on the local ABC-TV affiliate. more residents in its production. After 16 years, George left the paper to join George sees possibilities for expanding the the U.S. Information Agency. Before he retired newsletter’s service to residents through greater 10 years later in 2002, George and Barbara were use of the KeepingupwithCollington web site posted to Vienna, Austria; Leipzig, Germany; and and plans to work with webmaster Curt Bury on the countries of Togo and Zambia in Africa. adding new features. “What makes Collington what it is,” George says, “are its residents. I want the Collingtonian to be a showcase for their talents.” The Collingtonian George was born in Austria, but shortly Financed by Residents, thereafter Hitler annexed Austria and George’s Written by Residents for Residents family fled to the United States, settling in 10450 Lottsford Road, Mitchellville, MD 20721 Massachusetts. Phone: 301-925-7330 Published monthly (except July and August) After graduation from McGill University by the Collington Residents Association, Inc. in Montreal, Canada, George enrolled in the Editor: George Newman; News Editor: Frances Columbia University School of Journalism and in Kolarek. Staff for this issue: Barbara Allen, Jean 1960 was hired by the Associated Press (AP) as F. Getlein, Jim Giese, Pat Howard, Bill Preston. Webmaster, Curt Bury. Distribution Manager, a summer fill-in in New York. After Army service Ernie Blake. Composition and Graphics by Steuer he rejoined AP and was sent to Salt Lake City Consulting. and then back to New York. Internet: Read this issue, selected past issues and the “Collingtonian Extra” at keepingupwithcollington.org George left AP in 1966 and did public information work for Columbia University and The Collingtonian invites all Collington residents to submit articles, photographs and story suggestions, for the Peace Corps. He then served as public preferably concerning Collington and its people. We relations director of Hamilton College in Clinton, also welcome “Letters to the Editor” commenting on the Collingtonian and its content. Submissions may be N.Y. e-mailed to [email protected] or placed in the Collingtonian mailbox. All submissions are subject to 2 The Collingtonian September 2013 editing for length, clarity and style. Marvell Adams on His Two Years as CEO: Five years’ worth of change, ‘couldn’t happen without Kendal’

On Aug. 7, two years and a day after he took else we can do to help?’ and that says to me office as Collington’s Executive Director, Marvell there’s no agenda being imposed, we are one Adams sat down with Collingtonian Editor big family, and how can we all improve?” George Newman to review Colllngton’s recent • On Kendal’s past and address its future. The interview influence in ranged from the state of Collington’s grounds, Collington’s to future “right-sizing,” to the extraordinary beginnings: generosity of Collington residents. Clearly, ...”It’s a fact that Marvell came to Collington at a challenging I think is not time. He noted that over the past two years widely known many of those challenges have been met, but that one reason many remain. Following are some highlights the Kendal of the interview. For the full transcript, affiliation worked visit keepingupwithcollington.org to read is that Collington “Collingtonian Extra,” our new web supplement is modeled Marvell Adams to the print Collingtonian. A paper copy of the on a Kendal For a very different view of transcript has been placed in the library, in the community ... The our CEO see back page room containing filed Collingtonians. founding committee at Collington 25-plus years Interview excerpts: ago went to Kennett Square in Pennsylvania and toured Kendal Crosslands • On the pace of change and “Collington is modeled and came back and built what the Kendal affiliation: Over the on a Kendal community” past two years, Collington has they saw ... If you tour Kendal dealt with the “strategic planning process, a Crosslands, it looks very similar, major refinancing, an almost-new leadership [with] covered walkways around a community team. Most [organizations] would see that center... But what the Kendal affiliation has happen in five years. We’ve seen it in two, and meant, really, is Collington getting the support it would have been impossible without Kendal’s to get the bigger things done.” support. And it’s important to use the word • On the thinking behind hiring Kevin ‘support’ because I think a lot of folks believe Seawright as Chief of Facilities:: “When that Kendal calls the shots, and that’s so far I arrived Collington had two departments from the truth. We have our own independent that served the bricks and mortar of the board of directors; I report exclusively to our organization. You had Plant Operations board; I don’t report to anyone at the Kendal -- maintenance, grounds -- and you Corp. I work in collaboration with members had Environmental Services -- security, there, and I think the thing that makes the CEO Cont’d p.4 difference is, each time I talk with someone September 2013 The Collingtonian 3 at Kendal, they always ask, ‘Is there anything transportation, pest control, that kind of thing. relationship with lending banks:: “Collington ... Even though they worked together as has, in a sense, a mortgage with four banks needed, it still left two departments. So I made ... Collington has never missed a mortgage a decision that we needed to restructure so payment, but that doesn’t matter to those four that it was one department, and that brought banks that no longer want to be in this service forth bringing in a Chief of Facilities who line... Our “The partnership with residents could oversee and understand all sides of it, letter of makes Collington better” not only gaining efficiencies but also gaining credit that effectiveness in, quite frankly, just getting the they hold is about to expire. So we’ve begun job done. I think we’ve seen improvements conversations about what it would look like in the grounds, but every time I say that, the to refinance with a different set of banks. ... caveat is, we We’ve gotten a lot of support and assistance “In years past there was a path of just getting by” have a lot from Kendal, and support and guidance from more to go. our board, and it’s moving along really well. At Collington 10 years ago, there was a path of Our hope is ... a tangible deal by the end of just getting by, and that’s manifested itself over this calendar year or at the very least by the the years where we have some serious issues first part of next year.” like our HVAC [heating and air conditioning] • On residents’ participation in Collington’s system needing to be replaced. ... There’s governance and whether it complicates some real substantive stuff [needed] to get life for the administration: “You’ll find things moving in the right direction and Kevin’s other communities where residents are on recruitment was a big part of that.” the board but do you find that residents are • On the need for rapid change:: “We went constantly part of the interview process, that from the lowest of the low, when Collington’s the residents’ fiscal committee gets a report occupancy was 67 percent, and that was April on the finances every month? Not really. The 2012 -- not very long ago -- and we’re now way I see it, [in the administration] you spend at about 74.3 percent. For an organization the time one way or another. Either you spend that’s 25 years old, it’s really hard to move that it on the front end and try to be as transparent fast, because you’ve got people moving out as possible, or if you don’t you’ll spend time or transitioning through the continuum just as on the back end explaining what the heck much as you have people moving in. So we had to go from having five or six people move “We’ve seen improvement in the in each quarter -- pushing to get to 10, 12 grounds, but there’s a lot more to go” people, so you had to have the infrastructure that could steward that, and that’s still you just did. I think the partnership makes something that Kevin and [Marketing Director] Collington better. The one line I’ve drawn, Susan Deller are working on.” and at times gotten pushback on, is when it • On Collington’s finances and its comes to personnel matters. ... I think people don’t always understand that when someone 4 The Collingtonian September 2013 ... leaves Collington, whether they chose to or we asked them to, that the employees deserve Journal Recognizes Joan Zorza some privacy.” by Jim Giese • On residents’ financial support:“When I talk to colleagues [at other retirement The National Bulletin on Domestic Violence in communities] and I say that for our Employee its July issue published a tribute to Collingtonian Appreciation Fund, residents raise a six- Joan Zorza, who is now in the process of figure amount … most campuses that I know retiring from her life-time legal career dedicated to aiding and advocating for the victims of of don’t come “In philanthropy, it’s time violence, especially domestic and sexual close to that for us to think big” amount. [For our violence. The article was written by Barbara employee scholarship fund] we had a resident Hart, who is, according to Joan’s husband, who [made] a $25,000 gift [with] a matching Richard Zorza, “a legendary advocate in her campaign. That turned that $25,000 into a own right,” total of over $60,000 within a span of maybe Hart describes Joan as being “perhaps 45 days. ... So ... it’s time for us to think big... the most prodigious legal writer on domestic With Pam Patterson coming on board as our violence and sexual assault in the United philanthropy director, as a staff member of the States,” citing two bi-monthly newsletters she foundation, that’s been a big plus, because I founded as well as numerous other publications think residents now feel there’s someone they with which she has been associated as author can talk to not just about how I can give money or editor. but to talk about estate planning, to have that Richard was particularly pleased with this expertise in house.” concluding paragraph for the article: “Joan • On Collington two years hence:: “I think we is a consummate knitter. Needles and yarn will have right-sized the community. Collington accompanied her to the highest reaches of right now sits at 355 independent living units government, as well as meetings with survivors. and 100 in the health center. I see that 355 Multitasking, perhaps. Seemingly working the working its way down and the occupancy rate detail and complexity of her legal analysis into creeping up ... with something like 320 as a each line. Surely knitting her passion into each maximum occupancy and most likely always stitch. We honor and thank you, Joan, for having 300 or 305 [occupied]. That gives us your extraordinary productivity and unequaled the opportunity to think what do we do with all passion for survivors and wish you well in your [the extra] space. There are 12 to 18 homes retirement.” in each cottage cluster. If we went for 10 to 13 … maybe we could use one as an office for –––––– residents, or a satellite fitness area, or storage “Talk about getting old. I was getting dressed or just a meeting area where people can have and a Peeping Tom looked in the window, took a a drink together. I’m looking to hear from the look, and pulled down the shade” -- Joan Rivers clusters what that space should look like.”

September 2013 The Collingtonian 5 Dramatic Evening at the Woodshop By Margot Starr Kernan Colorful Those hotshot impresarios, Grant Bagley Happenings and John Lees, offered an evening of thrills and chills Aug. 31, showing action-packed entertainment on the outdoor movie screen up the hill at the Woodshop. Preceded by a heart-pounding eipsode of a “Perils of the Darkest Jungle” serial starring Tiger Woman, the feature film “Wagon Train,” made in 1940, offered a refreshingly modern twist to time-worn Western plots. Indians played second fiddle in a story of criminal intrigue on the trail with a dastardly 70 Years of Love and Luck villain outgunned and out-romanced by hero Tim Holt. John and Mary (better known to us as Popcorn and other refreshments added to the Ricky) Evans marked their 70th wedding pleasures of the evening. anniversary Aug. 27 by dining in the Bird Room with daughter Becky, visiting from her home in Nottingham, England. On another day they celebrated by dining at the Pirates Cove Restaurant in Galesville. Later, daughter Judy, Where were you on Nov. 22, 1963? of Boulder, Colo., will join them. This November will mark 50 years since the Ricky, a Washington native, and John, who assassination of John F. Kennedy. Most of is from Ohio, met and fell in love at Oberlin us remember vividly what we were doing on College. John was called to active duty in the that fateful day, how we heard the news and Army Reserves upon graduation. They married how we reacted. in Washington while John was on a three-day What about you? We’d like to learn about pass. Their wedding dinner was at Zang’s Collingtonians’ memories of half a century Pier, which has since been replaced by Pirate’s ago. Cove. Email your recollections to collingtonian@ John attributed their long marriage to their gmail.com or place them in the Collingtonian “getting to love each other and taking ‘till death mailbox (next to the library box at the far end do us part’ seriously.” Ricky said it was due to of the mailboxes). We’ll publish them in the “just dumb luck.”—JKG November edition. If we receive more than we can fit in print, we’ll post the rest on our new online “Collingtonian Extra.” 6 The Collingtonian September 2013 Deel Does It Again in Labor Day Regatta

And they’re off! Boats are bunched at the start. The eventual winner, David Deel’s Addy (No. 45) is second from right. -- Photos by Pat French Addy crosses the finish line

Co-Director of Facilities David Deel, who had never sailed prior to his victory in the Memorial Beaver’s Not Yet a Leaver Day Regatta, triumphed again on Labor Day. In You may have noticed the wire netting contrast to his earlier win, when he volunteered around some trees by the lake. It’s been to pilot a skipper-less late entry, David built his successful in protecting them from our wood- own boat this time. chomping resident beaver. But at last word On a warm day, with just enough breeze to efforts to trap said beaver haven’t succeeded, inspiring Judith Shaw to this limerick: power the small craft (and make steering tricky) David’s Addy and Jack Yale’s Eva J. traded Rodent Hum the lead for much of the race, which required The song of the Collington beaver, two circuits of the lake. Entrants wielded radio A tune of strong anti-beast fever. controllers to adjust the sails and rudder of their It stays in the lake, craft, which were propelled only by wind power. White waves in its wake. The trapper is not a retriever. An innovation this year was pari-mutual betting. Half the proceeds went to the Residents Next Month: More limericks by Judith, Association, the other half to the winning including rhymes for “Collington” and bettors. -GN “Mitchellville.”

–––––– “How old would you be if you didn’t know how September 2013 The Collingtonian 7 old you was?” -- Satchel Paige in Kansas City, Mo., We Welcome has lived in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Our New Neighbors California, Louisiana, by Barbara Allen and George Newman Florida and Washington, Constance Hammond D.C. Donald, who Apartment 250, graduated from high Extension 5059. school in Los Angeles, Constance came retired in 1994 from the General Services to Collington from Administration. He has had a part-time career Annapolis, but her playing drums since he was 12 and is now life’s path took her over interested in jazz and classical mandolin. He much of the world, would like to get together with other musicians thanks to careers in “just for enjoyment.” both the Air Force and the Foreign Service. Joan, holder of a After retiring from the military in 1980 with B.A. in sociology from the rank of lieutenant colonel, she spent 10 Newcomb College, years as a Foreign Service officer; her last retired from GEICO, assignment was as administrative officer at the where she was a U.S. embassy in Istanbul, Turkey. systems analyst. She In addition to Turkey, Constance has lived took a course for the in Lesotho, Thailand, Germany and Okinawa. ministry sponsored by the A native of Ashton, Idaho, she holds a B.S. Episcopal Church, and she has done volunteer (Ed.) from the University of Idaho and an MBA work for the church and for schools. As a from Syracuse University. She has a sister in sideline Donald raises bonsai trees and now Madison, Wisc., and 10 nephews and nieces has 12 trees. The Lewises have two daughters throughout the United States. and two sons, all married. They have three Constance reports she has been made to feel granddaughters, one grandson and two great- welcome here. Her interests include golf, which granddaughters. she plans to play at the Enterprise course.

Donald and Joan Lewis John and Denise Bunting Cottage 2109, Cottage 4011, Extension 7343. Joan is that Extension 7274. rarity -- a native Washingtonian -- although The Buntings came she has also lived in Virginia, Atlanta, New to Collington from Orleans, Huntsville, Ala., and London, England, Richmond, Va., where as well as Maryland. The Lewises are moving John retired in 2005 here from Silver Spring. Donald, who was born as program director of 8 The Collingtonian September 2013 the Math and Science Center and Denise had been a registered nurse M.B.A. at Harvard Business School. While her and cardiac sonographer. husband served in the U.S. Army they lived A native of Buffalo, John holds bachelor’s, in Harvard, Mass. After his Army service her master’s and doctorate degrees from the husband became a commercial banker and University of Buffalo. He was an elementary for 25 years they lived in Winnetka, Ill., and in school teacher in East Mequon, Wisc., for 29 years. Aurora, N.Y., and Katrina moved to Collington from Mequon. assistant superintendent While she had no paid employment, she of schools in Lancaster, stayed busy with volunteer work, especially for N.Y., before retiring and historic restoration, and served as president of moving to Richmond with her condominium association. She has also Denise in 1988. She was traveled in Europe and the United States. born in Zanesville, Ohio, Katrina loves music and loves to sing. Her and has also lived in family consists of three adult children, five Plainfield, Ill., as well as Buffalo and Richmond. grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Both Buntings have been active in the Episcopal Church and have served as docents –––––– -- she at the Buffalo Zoo, he at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. John was a member of the Lions Club for many years and lists his former hobbies as golf, brewing beer and model railroading. Denise, a master gardener, describes herself as a lover of plants and animals. She plays bridge, mah jongg and pinochle. The Buntings have a daughter in Silver Spring, a son in Buffalo and three grandchildren. Their household includes “two spoiled cats” named Simon and Garfunkel.

Katrina “Winkie” Hatton Cottage 3104, Ext. 7319. Katrina was born in New York City and grew up in Connecticut. She went to boarding school in Pigging out on July 4. Tyrone Jones and Thurman Baltimore. Mack of Dining Services show off a roast pig that After her marriage she was part of the lavish July 4 barbecue. Residents and guests enjoyed a similar feast on Labor Day. lived with her husband in Photo by Joe Howard Cambridge, Mass., while he acquired a B.A. and September 2013 The Collingtonian 9 New Hospital to be Near Collington The Collingtonian now has its own email A new 259-bed hospital and medical campus account: [email protected] Use this address to submit articles, photos and story will be within minutes of Collington near the suggestions. Those without email may place intersection of Lottsford Road and Arena Drive. written material in the Collingtonian mailbox. The final decision was made Aug. 22 by the board of directors of Dimensions Healthcare System, which oversees healthcare facilities owned by Prince George’s County. For Bagleys, it’s ‘Vive le Tour’ By Frances Kolarek The University of Maryland Medical System will operate the $645-million hospital campus, In Paris, staying at an hotel on the Rue which will include a full-service medical and de Rivoli, Grant and Margaret Bagley were trauma center offering specialties and general curbside as the Tour de France wound down. care. Plans call for completion in 2017. Grant stood for hours as the spectacle rolled The 26-acre site is between Largo Town by. “I could have reached out and touched the Center and the Boulevard at Capital Center riders,” he said. shopping centers and is adjacent to the Largo One hundred sixty-nine bicycles flying by, Metro station. It was a combination of nearness ridden by169 men wearing boldly colorful to Metro, proximity to the Capital Beltway helmets and outfits, created a unique and the availability of a suitable site that led pageantry. The show started early in the to the Largo site being chosen, according morning of July 23 when the cyclists set out to newspaper reports. Retail Properties of from Versailles for the 135-kilometer ride to the America, owner of the Boulevard, will relinquish Place de La Republique by way of the Arc de a lease it has on 16 acres of county property Triomphe in the heart of the city. As the cyclists and donate another 10 acres for the hospital. circled and recircled various venues along the With the hospital, residents can expect a route, tout Paris had the opportunity to see and significant number of new doctors’ offices to be feel the excitement of this long and challenging built near by. Already, the owner of vacant land race. on the Collington side of Landover Road (MD Margaret and Grant, with their 11-year-old 12), between Lottsford Road and St. Joseph’s granddaughter Sarah, joined a tour group which Drive, has been seeking subdivision approval included children, parents and grandparents. for medical offices among other development.― They were all very nice people, Grant says, JKG but after a few days of desultory conversation

–––––– at mealtime he was impatient to return to Collington and the interesting, stimulating “The aging process has you firmly in its grasp if you never get the urge to throw a snowball” -- companionship of its residents. Doug Larson

10 The Collingtonian September 2013 Collington loses a trouper By Frances Kolarek

Born into a theatrical family, Betty Bryson, who died last month, was off to an early start as a performer. Much of our garden effort this past year can While still a teen-ager, be discussed in light of what we might do next she appeared in a 1934 year to alleviate problems. Cary Grant movie, Kiss Disease occurred during the year in and Make Up, as a client cucumbers, cantaloupes and squash. This of beauty shop owner was a bacterial wilt, introduced by infected Grant. There were other 12-spotted cucumber beetles. Next year we roles in movies including will plant a "trap crop" of irresistible candytuft Fiesta, starring Esther Williams in 1947. plants very early, and when they are covered by Soon Betty hit the road, singing jazz in clubs these bugs, we'll kill 'em all before they move to in Vegas and New York. Her marriage to Harry their regular crop plants. Jaeger, a drummer in Benny Goodman’s band, For tomato blights, we'll plant resistant was short-lived, but he introduced her to Harry varieties, make certain they are mulched James, who was looking for a singer. She lost as soon as they are planted, and regularly out to Frank Sinatra. inspected for any diseased lower leaves. After USO work in World War II, Betty Many sorts of weeds gave us problems, returned to the stage and a period of exhaustive including red root pigweed, lambsquarter and touring in plays that ran the gamut from Uncle morning glory. The first two produce millions Vanya to Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. of seeds, and the latter produces seeds that Her post-war marriage to Herbert Bryson live in soil for up to 50 years. Mulching the endured to his death. crop plants helps prevent their germination. She joined us at Collington in 2008. A Nutgrass is a perennial weed almost impossible few days before her death, severely ill, she to eliminate because each time you pull it nevertheless attended a recorded performance up, you leave little nuts that send up more in our auditorium of her monologue from shoots. For this weed, an impervious mulch is Jeffrey Hatcher’s comedy 13 Things about Ed necessary. Carpolotti. Successes? We still picked plenty of A trouper to the end. tomatoes, cut loads of zinnias and marigolds. Okra did well, beans were picked, and Hilda –––––– Jay's cucumber crop was fabulous!

Check out the new Collingtonian extra online at September 2013 The Collingtonian 11 keepingupwithcollington.org Employee Talent Show

Performers at the Aug. 22 show -- Clockwise from bottom right: Co-Director of Facilities Dwindle Robinson leads the Facilities Choir; the Activities Group Whacko Boomwhacker Choir; Dwindle Robinson front and center; Co-Director of Facilities David Deel and IT Administrator Donan Sibedwo perform a skit; Administrative Director Karen Cheney on guitar with the admin group; Executive Director Marvell Adams rehearsing with the admin group; Therapy Manager Rick Photos by Jim Giese, Bosworth on the banjo. George Newman and Curt Bury Center: Marvell Adams in his star turn as Tina Turner.