By Nelson Simonson

You may have seen the Reading Eagle on Sunday 27 June 2010; several recent issues have had articles about Prince Harry of Great Britain and his current United States visit. This Sunday paper told about him throwing out the first pitch at Saturday’s game in New York between the New York Mets and the Minnesota Twins. Read the rest of this entry »

Don Kimberling

Lottie discovered Phoebe first. She arrived in June  2005.
Then came Ethel. November 2005.
Ellen was next. December 2007.
Marion completed the quartet. June 2009.

 What is unusual about these move-ins? Well, Lottie Hill, Ethel Blecher, Ellen Franco and Marion Schmidt never had met before settling at Phoebe. Now, they are as inseparable as sisters…walking the halls, eating in the dining room, attending musicals, playing games like Wii bowling… you would think they had known each other forever. Read the rest of this entry »

Nelson Simonson

That sounds pretty impressive doesn’t it?  But it’s an active group – in more ways than one. One of its’ recent endeavors which has taken hold is a gathering of neighboring retirement communities to engage in a little sporting events competition.  Read the rest of this entry »

Rev. Richard Whitney

The Volunteer Coordinator in the Phoebe Berks Health Care Center  was on the phone.  “Are you free to escort  Betty (not her real name) to the Reading Hospital on Monday?  The Western Berks Wheelchair Van pick up time is 9:15.  The tests and procedures will last about seven hours, so we will send along a box lunch for each of you.”  “Give me a moment to check my calendar,” I replied. Even though I looked forward  to playing Cribbage every Monday morning I said, “Yes, I’m available and will be glad to escort her.” As an escort, I have met some very interesting people who are struggling through the last weeks and months of their lives. Read the rest of this entry »

Rev. Whitney

By Rev. Richard Whitney

Twice a month it is my privilege to serve as a volunteer in the beautiful new 24-unit Village Gardens here at Phoebe Berks Continuing Care and Retirement Community in Wernersville.  For about thirty minutes per visit, I share current events with the residents.  Some of  them are very alert and participate in the conversations. I have enjoyed every visit. Read the rest of this entry »

Nelson Simonson

 By Nelson Simonson

It’s nice to be living at Phoebe Berks when that subject comes up. We’re fortunate that when the question arises we are still able to respond, and then get ready and go. Read the rest of this entry »

By Rev. Richard Whitney

The second Intercommunity Sports Event took place on Friday January 22, 2010, at Garden Spot Village in New Holland.  Players came from Cornwall Manor, Phoebe Berks and Garden Spot Village.  The Phoebe Berks teams were sporting their new colorful T – shirts imprinted with the team logo:  PHOEBE PHLYERS.  Phoebe had the largest number of people present – about 40.

There were nine sporting events offered:  water volleyball, shuffleboard, ping pong, pinochle, chess, bridge, Wii bowling, billiards, and cribbage.  No winners were announced and no trophies were awarded but everybody had a wonderful time. Many new friendships  were made and we had a delicious lunch provided by the host community.

The next event will be held on Friday April 22, 2010, with Cornwall Manor serving as the host community.  The events planned are: ping pong, bocce, 8-ball pool, scrabble, Wii bowling, golf putting, darts, and pinochle.  Sounds like another good time with our new friends!

By Rev. Richard Whitney

On a rather rainy Friday morning October 16, 2009, there suddenly seemed to be quite a bit of activity at the front entrance of Phoebe Berks Village. Busses from two nearby retirement communities were unloading their players and some spectators for the first inter-community games.  They came from Garden Spot Village in New Holland and from Cornwall Manor in Cornwall. After signing in and enjoying some light refreshments, three simultaneous games began: dart baseball, ping pong, and cribbage. At first the players and spectators were pretty quiet.  Before long, however, there were some outspoken remarks and a few polite cheers. Read the rest of this entry »

By Nelson Simonson

We have been fortunate – we planned our move to Phoebe Berks while still able to “get up and go. ‘ And we have taken advantage of it. Still do, as we are able. Stop the paper, stop the mail, and put in the Phoebe Berks “Away Notice”.

          We had a motor coach when we moved in, one of two in the community at the time. We put the miles on! We had a map of the United States on the side of the coach. When we visited a State, we had a cut-out that we could peel off and paste in the proper place on the map, indicating that we had been there. Our goal was to visit all 48 contiguous States with the motor coach. Read the rest of this entry »

Rev. Richard Whitney

By Rev. Richard Whitney

Soon after moving into our apartment here at Phoebe Berks in August of 2001, I made an amazing discovery.  Among the 475 or so residents were two almost life-long friends – the Rev. Garnet Adams and the Rev. Alfred Creager.  Buddy Adams, as everybody called him, was the last chaplain I had while serving in the Marine Corps in World War II.  As an alumnus of Ursinus College, he supported my application to Ursinus as a pre-ministerial student, Class of 1949.  Without his endorsement, I doubt if I would have been accepted. Read the rest of this entry »