Glover Park MARCH 2018 The Monthly Newsletter of the Glover Park Citizens' Association Aging in a Special Place Randy Rieland harlotte Nusberg has been in Glover Park so long she remem- bers when it had its own bakery. The Wisconsin Avenue strip Cwas a very different place when she bought her house on W Place in 1972. The Avenue featured a Giant grocery store, and a small movie theater. And, there was Sam’s Argentine Bakery. “They made fantastic empanadas,” she recalls. “First time I ever ate an empa- nada was from Sam’s.” But Sam’s closed when its owner retired, one of the first of many transitions Nusberg would witness over the years in the neighborhood’s business community. The other part of Glover Park, however, has remained comparatively unchanged, in her mind, and that’s something she’s come to value. An Early Perspective on Aging Charlotte Nusberg: "I learned how important it is to plan...." Nusberg has an uncommon perspective on the passage of time. For most of her career, before she retired 10 years ago, she worked at fifteen years ago, it has spread to more than two hundred communities AARP, and that sharpened her focus on the process of aging and how, in the U.S. for all its inevitability, it remains, for most, a distant abstraction. That includes Glover Park, which launched its own “village” in “I learned how important it is to plan for secure income, health 2010. Nusberg was one of the founders and remains on its board. Un- maintenance, and providing meaning and structure to your life,” she like many villages that charge a membership fee and hire an executive said. “I had learned those lessons well, so I was pretty well prepared director, Glover Park Village is an all-volunteer effort. when I left the workforce. But I can understand why it’s hard for people According to Nusberg, roughly 100 people in the neighborhood to visualize themselves becoming ill and requiring long-term care,” she have requested help at one time or another, and another 100 have added. “You know those things happen, but it doesn’t seem at all pos- responded to provide services. That could include anything from sible that it could happen to you.” driving someone to a doctor’s appointment to handling basic home As both an expert on the subject and someone who is just ahead maintenance chores to taking out a person’s trash. The point is to make of the cresting wave of retiring Baby Boomers, Nusberg is anxious it easier for seniors to deal with the demands of daily life. “We have one about how ill-prepared the country seems to be for what’s coming. older woman who lives on the top floor of her apartment. She now has “Long-term care is a bit of an abomination in this country, both in the trouble with the steps and can’t pick up her mail,” she said. “So, we have financing and the provision of it,” she said. “We’re the only developed a volunteer who gets her mail and leaves it outside her door.” country where the majority of long-term care institutions are in the There’s also a social component. Volunteers are able to provide hands of the for-profit sector. And, not surprisingly, we have a lot of companionship for those who have become increasingly isolated. To poor quality care in our nursing homes. encourage seniors to stay active and engaged, Glover Park Village also “We’re also facing severe personnel shortages in providing long- schedules lectures, classes, and concerts at the Guy Mason and Stod- term care,” she continued. “Many immigrant low-income workers are dert Recreation Center. the ones who work there because no one wants to do that for those Nusberg points out that villages can help foster a sense of commu- wages. Now, this administration wants to siphon that source of staffing. nity that enables people to meet others in the neighborhood that they And, we Baby Boomers are all going to experience the consequences would otherwise have never known. In fact, she said, that’s what has of t h at .” happened with her. “That’s been a very positive part of it for me,” she said. “When I was working, I knew a couple of people on my block, but It Takes a Village that was it.” she said. “I now feel more a part of Glover Park than I did One thing that does encourage Nusberg is the growth of what’s before. It’s been such a rich experience to get to know so many more of become known as the “village movement,” a network of neighborhood the people here.” organizations that coordinate largely volunteer services for older adults To request help or become a Glover Park Village volunteer, go to its to help them stay in their own homes. Started in Boston more than website at www.gloverparkvillage.org. 2 Join In • Make a Difference Glover Park Participate • Get Involved • Engage Glover Park Citizens' Association (GPCA) President Jarrett Ferrier ([email protected]) Aging in a Special Place .............. 1 1st Vice President Jack Everett ([email protected]) 2nd Vice President Allen Tomlinson ([email protected]) Treasurer Paul Thrasher ([email protected]) President’s Report ....................... 3 Secretary Karen Pataky ([email protected]) Sergeant at Arms Frank Martorana ([email protected]) GPCA February Minutes .............. 3 Federation Reps Patricia Clark, Frank Martorana, and Karen Sprecher-Keating ([email protected]) GPCA March Agenda ................... 3 Membership Director Allen Tomlinson ([email protected]) Glover Park Day Amanda Gant and Cheri Meyer ([email protected] and [email protected]) ANC 3B News .............................. 4 Business Community Liaison Paul Holder ([email protected]) Stoddert Liaison Lisa McCluskey ([email protected]) Parenting in the Park ................... 5 Gazette Staff Glover Park History ..................... 5 Editors Ken Charney ([email protected]) and Sheila Meehan ([email protected]) Contributor Randy Rieland Dig This! ...................................... 6 Design and Production Nora Korc ([email protected]) Poem ............................................ 6 Contacts Advertising Maggie Simpson ([email protected]) Toxic Waste Collection ................ 6 Editorial [email protected] Delivery Dick & Elaine Sullivan ([email protected]) Guy Mason Events ....................... 8 The Gazette is distributed throughout Glover Park by volunteers. If you do not receive the Gazette and/or would like to volunteer, contact Elaine Sullivan at [email protected]. Georgetown Library .................... 8 Responsible letters to the editor will be published as space allows. What’s new in Glover Park? Check us out on both Facebook and Twitter! AARP Tax Help ............................. 8 Call us at: 202-379-4824. Visit www.gpcadc.org to keep up with community news! Stoddert Fundraiser .................... 8 If you love living in Glover Park, get involved! Join the Glover Park Citizens' Association today! Generously support the group that takes care of your neighborhood. Preserve the family-friendly quality of our community. Communicate your ideas to improve your neighborhood. Act locally to get things done. 1 Adult / Glover Park Resident = $20 Return form and fee to GPCA, P.O. Box 32268, Washington, DC 20007 2 Adults / Same Address = $35 Make check payable to GPCA. 3 Adults / Same Address = $50 4 Adults / Same Address = $60 1 Senior / Glover Park Resident = $15 Name(s) 2 Seniors / Same Address = $25 1 Adult / Non-Resident / Non-Voting = $20 Address 1 Senior / Non-Resident / Non-Voting = $15 Business / Corporation / Non-Voting = $75 US Military Veteran / Active or Retired = $5 Discount Total Enclosed: $____ / Date:_______ Email Glover Park Gazette 3 President’s Report Glover Park Citizens' Association Tuesday, March 6 • 7 p.m. Turning Ideas into Actions GP Community Center at Stoddert Jarrett Ferrier Police Report GPCF Fundraising Good ideas are easy… ‘hood on Saturday, April 21. Details will be in Stoddert PTO Representative: Following through is often a different the April edition of the Glover Park Gazette. Current State of the School story. I’m pleased to report that two of our Big thanks to Jack and Allen, as well as Earth Day Toxic Waste Drop Off — neighbors, Jack Everett and Allen Chester, Allen Tomlinson, who will be organizing the Jack Everett/Allen Chester came up with an idea and now comes the transport of your toxic items that have been Letter to Whole Foods Landlord follow through! lying around in your house or apartment. Membership Report With Earth Day fast approaching (April This is one idea for a better Glover Park. Treasurer’s Report 22), Allen and Jack suggested providing their I challenge you to bring other ideas to our Secretary’s Report fellow Glover Parkers with the opportunity to next GPCA meeting and let’s follow through New Business dispose of hazardous waste right here in the with them! Check www.gpcadc.org and the Glover Park list serv for updates. GPCA February 2018 Minutes Karen Pataky President Ferrier called the meeting to order has joined the GPCF. President Ferrier is merchants even if out of date. at 7 p.m. reaching out to local businesses for contribu- Secretary’s Report. Due to a lack of Police Report. Sgt. Benjamin Firehock tions to the GPCF, which has 501c3 status. quorum in October, November, and January, said that over the past month two violent If fundraising permits, some grants may be minutes have not been approved. President crimes were reported. An accusation of available for distribution in autumn 2018. Ferrier asked for discussion, there was none, sexual assault proved to be unfounded and Earth Day Toxic Waste Drop-off. In and minutes were approved. the carjacking is still being investigated. Two honor of Earth Day, April 22, Jack Everett and Treasurer’s Report.