Dear Friends,



Fall is just around the corner and the memories are starting to fade from this past summer. Here are some of the highlights of Pickering’s summer activities and events.

Our residents enjoyed a Car Show and the many volunteers that came through our doors and shared their gifts with them. There was bingo, music, pets and one-on-one socialization. We thank our volunteers, because without them there would be a void in our residents’ lives.

The big event for our residents was their participation in the annual Middletown Grange Fair. Our Life Enrichment department and residents plan all year for this event and is one that all those involved truly enjoy! This year we performed outstandingly at the Grange Fair. We won 51 ribbons and received the ribbon for the Best of Show for Senior Care Community. We are extremely proud of our residents and Life Enrichment team for receiving this accolade!

Our staff kicked off the summer with a Pretzel and Water Ice Day and some fierce corn hole games. There were many employees looking for bragging rights! We also sponsored a Health Fair for our employees. Thank you to CURA food service management for supplying healthy snacks and drinks! I think you helped to expand the palates of all our employees!

This summer we also were recognized again as a 5-Star facility by CMS and Medicare. We are very proud to once again receive this distinction. It was also 5 years ago in July that we broke ground on the Yates Pavilion. This marked a major step to meet the future needs of the seniors in the Bucks County area. We thank all of our supporters for helping us accomplish this milestone!

July was also a sad time for Pickering Manor as we said farewell to a true icon and supporter of Pickering – Marge Torongo. Marge was an ever-omnipresent force at Pickering. Whether she was attending an Auxiliary, Board or Committee meeting or visiting with Michelle or me, she was always here and willing to help move Pickering forward to the future.

Marge was a larger-than-life figure to me from the time I met her at my first interview 13 years ago. Her desire that Pickering was put into a positive position was an inspiration to me and many others. She was always willing to give her opinion of what was right for Pickering. I am sure that doesn’t surprise anyone who knew Marge. Marge was not only a mentor to me but also someone who inspired me to always move Pickering forward. I miss her support, guidance, grace and most of all her laugh!  As I lead this organization that she was so devoted to, I always ask myself – What would Marge do or think? I hope I am able to make her proud.  I know she is watching over Pickering Manor and helping to guide us to bigger and better things!

We have a busy fall coming up with seminars coming back and celebrating our one-year anniversary of the opening of Memory Care. In November we again are hosting our annual and largest fundraiser – Sips n’ Suds at Rafters. We hope to see you there and maybe we’ll see you on the campus volunteering or visiting our residents. Thank you for all you do for our residents and for helping Pickering Manor continue into the future!

David

David Woodhead, NHA

Chief Executive Officer

www.PickeringManor.org 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY YATES PAVILION & MEMORY CARE!

Pickering Manor Yates Pavilion Main Entrance

Pickering Manor Mansion (1963)

Pickering Manor Rendering (1963)

Yates Pavilion Groundbreaking (2018)

Memory Care Grand Opening (2022)

Through the generosity of Russell Pickering, our doors opened and we welcomed our first resident on January 3, 1963. How exciting that must have been to open a brand-new healthcare facility for seniors in a residential neighborhood.

Pickering Manor has grown significantly in the past 60 years from a small nursing home of 47 residents to a newly-expanded and renovated Life Plan Community offering the full continuum of care.

Over 5 years ago, in July of 2018, Pickering Manor broke ground on its largest expansion to date; the 26,000 square foot Sidney T. Yates Pavilion complete with a beautiful rehab gym, 15 Short-Term Rehab rooms, and 15 Personal Care rooms. Plus, it was three years ago this month, on September 29, 2020, we joyfully moved our first residents into the ‘Yates Pavilion’.

In 2021 Pickering Manor completed renovations to the existing Pickering Pavilion which includes 32-bed Skilled Nursing Neighborhood. Also completed was a 21-bed certified Memory Care Neighborhood which opened its doors nearly a year ago.

This next era in our history officially began.

Although our ‘space’ has grown, we continue our mission of providing a small, friendly family-oriented space within our Pickering Manor community. 

All of this could not have been possible without the very generous donations from the late Pickering Manor board member Sidney T. Yates, our Capital Campaign Committee and of course our wonderful community.

To date, we are transitioning the Manor, where Mr. Pickering lived, into a gathering and dining space for our cottage residents to enjoy! See details in our news & updates section.

Happy Birthday Yates Pavilion and Memory Care! 

Stay up-to-date with our living option availability, employment opportunities, news, and more!

SAYING FAREWELL TO A NEWTOWN LEGEND

An Exceptional Leader and Dedicated Resident of Newtown

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Marjorie (Fabian) Torongo on July 16, 2023. Marjorie “Marge” was an exceptional leader and dedicated resident of Newtown. She always carried herself with admirable confidence, professionalism and humor!

Marge’s legacy will never be forgotten as she made an everlasting mark on Pickering Manor and the Newtown Community. If you lived in Newtown, you were lucky enough to know Marge. She grew up in the borough on Washington Avenue and served on various committees and boards tirelessly supporting the Newtown Community and her church. She was even one of the first women to join the Newtown Rotary Club!

There is no doubt that Marge gave her all to the Pickering Manor community. She served as the President and Chairman for the Board of the Community Welfare Council of Newtown (Pickering Manor) in addition to being active in the Auxiliary for many years.

Marge’s dedication was instrumental to the growth of Pickering Manor. We are forever grateful for Marge’s exceptional service, leadership, and vision. We would not be able to care for the many residents we do without the tremendous support she has given through the years.

Marge’s physical presence will be missed, but her presence will be felt each and every day we walk through our Pickering Manor doors.

Marjorie (Fabian) Torongo’s Obituary

Showcasing the Pickering Manor Home Sign. L-R: Marjorie Torongo, Emma Stumpf, and Francella Smith. (1992)

The Auxiliary standing next to the aviary they donated to Pickering Manor. L-R: Rose Elliot, Kathy Manney, Janie Swartz, Michelle Knobloch, Jean Torongo, and Marge Torongo. (2000)

Marge never missed a Newtown Holiday Parade. Here she is getting ready to wave to the crowd from one of the Pickering Manor Car Raffle vehicles. L-R: Marge Torongo and David Woodhead. (2021)

Pickering Manor Auxiliary 2022 Executive Board. Standing, L-R: Kelly Moyer, Beverly Remsburg, Jane Mahler, Jean Torongo, Barbara Gallelli and Sitting, L-R: Marge Torongo, Lois Malloy, Jeanette Rogers and John Parry (not pictured: Tina Schaffer) (2022)

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE - SPRING APPEAL

Progress is moving fast on our Manor House!

As you may recall, our request for support in our end-of-year appeal was for renovation to the Pickering Manor House. With your support, we have been able to begin the renovations to the Manor House, and we thought we would update you on our progress. 

As of today, all of the staff that worked on the first floor have moved their offices to the second floor. This has allowed our internal Maintenance staff to begin to prepare the first floor for renovations.  

There were a few interesting findings when demo work began, such as finding several hidden fireplaces. The renovations to this area will provide amenities for our cottage residents, such as a workout/gym area, a game/social room, a library nook or reading room and most especially a large dining room for our cottage residents to gather for meals and other special events.  We are anticipating a completion date of early 2024.

Demo is done! Now on to drywall, spackle and paint! Thank you to our Maintenance Team for all their hard work.

What a cool find! A time capsule from retired Pickering Manor CEO, Michelle Knobloch when she served as the Director of Social Services in 1999.

Please visit our website for more details.

Lots of Summer Fun in the Pickering Community!

From car shows to health fairs, and so much more!

Pickering Manor 'Mini' Car Show

Pickering Manor Director of Life Enrichment Director Andrea Eells and employee Roger Anderson coordinated a delightful ‘mini’ car show for Pickering Manor Residents and Staff. The residents enjoyed seeing an assortment of cars from their earlier years, ranging from a 1941 Willys Street Rod to a 2005 Ford Mustang. Thank you to the generous car owners that shared their time and cars were Bill Cook, Roy VanderWyck, Jim Garner (on behalf of Eileen Steele), Joe Matthews, Jim Levan, Roger Anderson, and Chet Gessemeyer. 

The Philly Phanatic even stopped by for a look at these beautiful cars!

Pickering Manor Health Fair

Recently, our residents and staff enjoyed a mini health fair provided by our Dietary Department and Cura Hospitality! We sampled tasty, spiced nuts, sweet potato energy bites and dark chocolate bark!

All the delicious treats included Cura's proprietary anti-flammatory and brain boosting spice blends. To top off the event, our Chef Jim Skudris and Assistant Jen Donnell demonstrated how to make the most delicious Black Tea Mint Latte using Cura's brain boosting spice blend. The residents and staff were HUGE fans of the yummy latte!! 

Thank you, Cura Hospitality and Pickering Manor, for such a wonderful treat!

Pickering Manor Residents Win 51 Ribbons at the Grange Fair!

We are so proud of our residents’ creativity. The best part was we had a lot of fun doing it! Thank you to the Grange Fair and to all who helped make these projects come to life!

Pickering received 20 First Place Ribbons, 15 Second Place Ribbons, 8 Third Place Ribbons, 3 Fourth Place Ribbons, 3 Fifth Place Ribbons, 2 Sixth Place Ribbons, and our Personal Care Residents won ‘Best in Show’.

"The variety of what they made shows that the residents are really loved and cared for by the staff. It's obvious that you love and take good care of the residents. It's the place where I'd want my OWN parents to live." - Middletown Grange Fair Coordinator Carol Sautner

We can't wait to celebrate all our residents hard work with an imitation Grange Fair Later this month!

Thank you to the Middletown Grange Fair for honoring the talents of the seniors in our local community and providing such a wonderful annual tradition!

Summer Fun in Personal Care!

It's all fun and games in Memory Care!

Music, Baking and a little pet therapy!

Our Rehab Residents enjoy pizza parties, games and beautiful music

played on the cello by our wonderful volunteer from George School, Max Lin.

SCHEDULE A TOUR

OUR LIVING OPTIONS

CONTACT US!

Summer Fun with Pretzels on the Patio!

VIEW ALL OUR AVAILABLE OPPORTUNITIES? CLICK HERE

At Pickering, you will find a warm, friendly environment filled with smiles, care, stories and laughter. Many of our employees have been with us for years, creating a family-like atmosphere – join our Pickering team today!

If you are interested in Volunteering or being a member of the Auxiliary, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator Kelly Moyer at kmoyer@pickeringmanor.org or 215.968.3878

Thank you to the Pickering Manor Auxiliary for all you do for Pickering, our residents and the community!

JOIN US FOR OUR COCKTAIL PARTY FUNDRAISER!

September 17, 2023 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

The Auxiliary will be hosting their annual Fall Cocktail Party Fundraiser. It will be held in the Garden Terrace in the Yates Pavilion. We hope you will plan to join us!

RSVP to Jane Mahler at 215-968-2085

Below are some photos of our 2022 Cocktail Party!

Enjoy our Summer 2023 Auxiliary Newsletter

Thank you to our volunteers for all they do to make our residents smile!

From reading books, knitting handmade blankets, playing the cello, sharing your pet, to offering company at a water ice social...you are appreciated!

Becoming a volunteer cannot only enrich a resident's life but also enrich yours as well!

Interested in volunteering? Call Kelly Moyer at 215-968-3878 or email info@pickeringmanor.org or Apply Today!