Rose Tree Place in Media, PA is pleased to announce its fall course catalog for residents and non-residents of Rose Tree Place. As part of Watermark Retirement Communities, Rose Tree Place offers Watermark University, featuring more than a dozen courses including Presidential Highlights, Discovering the Parks of Delaware County Pennsylvania, Beer Discovery & Tasting, Early 1900s History, and Lighten up with Laughter. Unlike conventional universities, most Watermark University classes are free for residents and members of the greater community.

Watermark University offers a variety of courses created to help seniors build upon their current activities and interests and develop new ones to keep their minds and bodies engaged. Each course is designed to stimulate and challenge while maintaining a sense of fun and accomplishment. “Brain and body fitness for seniors is a critical mission at Rose Tree Place,” said Gillian Goinden, Community Life Director at Rose Tree Place in Media, PA.  Classes are taught by special guests, local experts as well as Rose Tree Place residents and associates who are skilled and eager to share their passions.

“Watermark University encourages people to learn at any age,” adds Goinden. “Making friends and having fun helps keep minds active and creates as sense of belonging. When people are in an environment where they’re learning and making new friends, they’re thriving.”

For a copy of the fall 2011 course catalog, or more information about learning and teaching opportunities, call Gillian Goinden at 1-610-565-1405 ext. 105. Program schedules and descriptions are also listed on the community's website.  Watermark University is an important aspect of life at Rose Tree Place. Whether it's a one-time class or an ongoing series, the opportunities are endless.

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At a private ceremony for family and friends, Robert Evans was Recently honored by Care Alternatives Hospice for his service as a U.S. Army Veteran.  The recognition ceremony took place recently at Rose Tree Place, Evan’s home since January.

Evans served in the Army in the early 1950’s.  He completed basic training in Camp Jaffe, Ark.  His primary duty was served at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska where he served for 18 months.

Evans married Marge Evans on July 17th, 1954.  They have one son, two grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Bob worked for Scott Paper Company for 38 years before retiring.

“I am proud to have served my country,” Evans said, “A lot of  people did not want to be there, but I made the best of it during  the war.”  Evans added that he enjoyed meeting people from all  over the country during his years of service.  “It’s an honor and a privilege to serve veterans like Mr. Evans.

After all, they served for us,” said Bill Burland, executive director of Rose Tree Place.  The community has a wall dedicated to all of its resident veterans, including Mr. Evans.  “Mr. Evans is a fine representative of the ‘Greatest  Generation,’“  said Betty Jones, administrator for Care  Alternatives Hospice.  “He is a gentleman who deals with difficulty with great determination.  The Care Alternatives team is fortunate to be able to care for such a special man.”

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Media, PA (January 13, 2011) – It’s a time for making New Year’s resolutions and seniors at Rose Tree Place are excited about the opportunities to learn and grow in 2011 through a wide assortment of classes offered through Watermark University. Watermark University is the brain and body fitness program created by Watermark Retirement Communities, which manages Rose Tree Place. Open to the public, these classes generate laughter and creativity to keep participants learning, growing and warm this winter.

 

Students can transport themselves to a warmer climate through one class, “Caribbean-Style Cooking.” Another class highlights music of a different culture – “Drumming 101” where basic skills of African drumming are taught. One more class example is “Beer Discovery & Tasting” with lessons on the history of various beers, how different beers are crafted and, of course, the opportunity to sample a few favorites.

 

Watermark University is an important aspect of life at Rose Tree Place providing both residents and associates the opportunity to take (or teach) brain and body fitness classes on subjects they are passionate about. Whether it’s a one-time class or an ongoing series, the opportunities are endless.

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Media, Penn. -- William (Bill) Burland has joined Rose Tree Place - a Watermark community, as Executive Director. He brings to Rose Tree Place extensive leadership experience including 13 years in executive level seniors housing operations.

Rose Tree Place, 500 Sandy Bank Rd., specializes in assisted living and residential memory care for area seniors. It is managed by Watermark Retirement Communities, Inc., a company dedicated to creating extraordinary communities where people thrive. Based in Tucson, Arizona, Watermark is currently ranked 21st largest operator of seniors housing assets in the U.S. according to a July 2010 survey by American Seniors Housing Association and published by National Real Estate Investor magazine (August, 2010).

 

 “This is a beautiful community and I am looking forward to assisting the residents of Rose Tree Place maximize their potential and live their lives to the fullest,“ Burland said.

In collaboration with Watermark, Rose Tree Place supports residents in their vigorous pursuit of brain and body fitness by offering a variety of classes on site through Watermark University. Many classes are free and open to area seniors.

“The variety of life-enhancing classes offered on site is simply amazing. The fact that Watermark encourages associates, residents and family members to get involved as both teachers and students is quite refreshing and impressive,” Burland added.

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Moms with years and years of experience are speaking out in time for Mother’s Day. Even though they raised their own children decades ago, experienced mothers offer tips to young moms because the advice is just as meaningful today as it was some sixty years ago. In between work schedules, carpooling, cooking and diaper changes, moms in 2010have even more hassles and frustrations and can use all the advice they can get.

These senior mom experts are all residents of the Philadelphia-area Watermark Retirement Communities. Their advice ranges from tips on raising kids to advice for the moms’ personal lives. Here is sound advice from women who know:

  

Gloria Heller:
Tell your children they have your love – no matter what they do. Learn to deal with disappointment with humor and grace and do things that make you proud of yourself.

Lorraine Brown:
Don’t lose your sense of humor; you’re going to need it!

Sylvia Aarons:
Teach your children at an early age to respect their elders.

Selma Braid:
Take care of you, the mother by making a couple of good friends. It’s wonderful to have someone to share your feelings with.

Sylvia Lisman:
Don’t let your children get used to sleeping in bed with you.

Marilyn Dickason:
Hold them and love them, because they grow up so fast.

Muriel Keeler:
Teach them right from wrong and The Golden Rule: do to others what you would like to be done to you.

Margaret Darling:
Spend as much quality time with all your children, no matter how old they are.

 Angela Catrambone:
Be honest with your children and be careful with the teachings that you give them, because it stays with them for the rest of their lives.

 Phyllis Loughran:
Give them a lot of love and listen to what they have to say.

Betty May:
You’re lucky if you have twins – they keep each other busy and take care of one another.

Mildred Haight:
Don’t go running every time you hear the baby cry.  If they get used to that, you’ll be in big trouble.

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Cheers! Or as the Irish say, Slàinte! A CELEBRATION OF IRISH HERITAGE FOR SENIORS AT ROSE TREE PLACE – A WATERMARK COMMUNITY

St. Patrick’s Day – March 17 Media, PA (February 23, 2010) – In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, Rose Tree Place will host a special celebration of the green-themed holiday. The event, an open house for seniors with a traditional Irish feast, will be held on Wednesday, March 17 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Rose Tree Place, located at 500 Sandy Bank Road in Media, Pennsylvania. The event is free of charge and is open to the public. Please call 610-565-1405 by March 15 to RSVP.

All guests will be treated to traditional Irish fare which will include corned beef, cabbage and potatoes, Irish stew, shepherd’s pie, soda bread, and in honor of the green holiday, green beer will be served, too! In addition to the festivities, guests are invited to tour the community and learn about options in senior living.

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On Tuesday evening in Media, Pennsylvania, all of Rose Tree Place management associates, along with three Resident Care Associates and an activity assistant arrived with suitcases prepared to stay until Friday. On Wednesday morning, all managers rose early and started performing direct care duties at 7:00am. At approximately 1:00pm the community lost power. Staff provided 15-minute checks on all residents to ensure their safety. The associates did not get a break until about 9:00pm, but no one complained.

Wednesday night the chef came prepared to stay to ensure that the residents would have a warm meal. Thursday morning the maintenance director began to dig out associates’ cars, so that they could leave to go home to their families, if staffing allowed. The maintenance director and a housekeeper worked throughout the night on Wednesday to ensure that our emergency exits were clear of snow, as required for the safety of the residents. The staff of RTP worked together as a team to ensure the quality of care and life for our residents. Residents and family members commended associates for a job well done with limited staff.

When phones were temporarily down, Executive Director Michelle Adams appreciated the assistance of her colleagues at both Blue Bell Place and WRC Tucson Resource Center, who divvied up her emergency contact list and called families to let them know everyone at Rose Tree Place was fine and provided an emergency cell number in case phones went down again.

“The resources at Blue Bell Place and WRC were amazing,” Adams said. “They took care of everything and it felt great to feel that support coming all the way from Tucson.” Family members also expressed their appreciation of the outreach efforts, many of them surprised to hear from folks in sunny Tucson Arizona. “All in all, this storm has turned out to be a great blessing in disguise.”

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Philadelphia, PA (September 14, 2009) – Social Networking – it’s good for all ages … from the youngest technology guru to the oldest! As part of the mission to encourage brain and body fitness, Executive Director Kathy Wise of Blue Bell Place – a Watermark community with assisted living and memory care in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, had an idea for the community that really took off this summer: a Watermark University course in Facebook and Social Networking.  As a result, the course she created will launch at all the other Watermark Retirement Communities in the Philadelphia area.  These additional communities include The Watermark at Logan Square (Center City Philadelphia), Woodbury Mews (Woodbury, New Jersey), Rockland Place (Wilmington, Delaware), and Rose Tree Place (Media, Pennsylvania).

Wise created the first Facebook and Social Networking course at Blue Bell Place through Watermark University, the brain and body fitness programming available at each of the Watermark Retirement Communities.  The four other Philadelphia area communities will also launch their courses through Watermark University, using Wise’s as a model.  First, each community will hold an introductory class on the subject, with a teacher using his or her own Facebook page as an example.  Seniors, through the instructor’s demonstration, will learn how to “friend” people on Facebook, find family members and acquaintances, upload photos, and keep their Facebook friends updated on their lives.  They will learn how easy it is to communicate with their children and grandchildren! Also part of the course is a discussion of general safety and personal privacy online, and how to utilize the Facebook privacy options so that the seniors feel secure using the site. 

“The response was overwhelming!” Wise said recently of her introductory course. “Residents absolutely loved the idea of Facebook once they saw how easy it is to touch base and stay connected to friends and family, especially their grandchildren, anywhere in the world.”

After the initial class, seniors who are interested can continue to work with the instructors one-on-one so that they can build their individual pages.  Wise decided to structure the course in this manner to help seniors improve their computer skills and to ensure their ability to easily navigate Facebook and other Social Networking sites.   All the Watermark Retirement Communities will follow this same approach, as it has been proven successful at Blue Bell Place.

“We strive to be innovative in our approach to retirement, and always look for ways to ‘break the mold,’” said Jill Hofer, Director of Communications and Public Relations of Watermark Retirement Communities, based in Arizona.  “Kathy’s success in teaching these Facebook and Social Media skills to residents is a wonderful demonstration of the educational programming available at all Watermark Retirement Communities.  We’re thrilled that all our Philadelphia area communities will offer this same class in the upcoming Watermark University fall semester.”

Watermark University course registration at all of the communities is open to the general public.  Anyone is welcome to enroll in the Facebook and Social Networking course or any of the Watermark University fall semester courses at Blue Bell Place (Blue Bell, Pennsylvania), The Watermark at Logan Square (Center City Philadelphia), Woodbury Mews (Woodbury, New Jersey), Rockland Place (Wilmington, Delaware), and Rose Tree Place (Media, Pennsylvania).

 “I never would have thought I would be using a computer to talk with my brother-in-law and making lunch dates,” said Phyllis Shisler, Blue Bell Place Resident.  “I can’t wait to share pictures of my upcoming cruise with family and friends on Facebook.”

Watermark Retirement Communities has owned and operated successful, innovative senior housing communities for over 20 years.  Watermark is committed to creating a culture where everyone is encouraged to express their true selves.  These communities are full of spirit, character, compassion and adventure and are located in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey and Arizona. For more information, please visit HYPERLINK "http://www.watermarkcommunities.com" www.watermarkcommunities.com.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 15, 2009

Media Contacts:
Rose Tree Place
Alex’s Lemonade Stand
Kristy Coombs, Sales Director

 

CLASSIC AND ANTIQUE CAR SHOW
AT ROSE TREE PLACE

 

Media, PA – Rose Tree Place welcomes seniors, family and friends to a Car Show on Saturday, May 30th from 10:00AM – 1:00PM. The event will feature beautiful cars from the Historical Car Club of Pennsylvania, great food, music, and a fundraiser for Alex’s Lemonade Stand.  Entrance to the show is free. 

Alex’s Lemonade Stand (a registered 501c3 public charity) is a unique foundation that evolved from a young cancer patient’s front yard lemonade stand to a nationwide fundraising movement to find a cure for childhood cancer.  Since Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996-2004) set up her front yard stand at the age of four, more than $10 million has been raised towards fulfilling her dream of finding a cure for all children with cancer.

About Rose Tree Place: Rose Tree Place is an assisted living and memory care community, located at 500 Sandy Bank Road in Media, Pennsylvania and is managed by Watermark Retirement Communities of Tucson, Arizona.  Watermark has provided successful, progressive and engaging senior housing across the country for more than 20 years and is committed to creating a culture where everyone is encouraged to express their true selves, where people connect with each other and real communities are formed..  Watermark communities are located in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Arizona. For more information, please visit www.watermarkcommunities.com or contact Michele Adams by e-mail madams@watermarkcommunities.com or phone at 610-565-1405.

 

 

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July 9, 2008

Section: News
Page: 3

Rose Tree Place Launches Watermark University

Rose Tree Place has announced the launch of Watermark University, an innovative life-long learning program for Rose Tree Place residents and seniors in the area.

Through Watermark University, residents strengthen their mental muscles with stimulating activities and challenging learning experiences.

"We lift weights to strengthen our muscles, and Watermark University courses are like weight lifting for the brain," said Bobbi Cassidy, Executive Director of Rose Tree Place.

Watermark University offers a variety of lifelong learning courses to stimulate and challenge while maintaining a sense of fun and accomplishment. Rose Tree Place residents are lining up to experience Watermark University courses and associates at Rose Tree Place are signing on as faculty members, sharing their knowledge.

Watermark University offers a wide array of classes ranging from Music 101, where students learn to sing with confidence, to Art 100 where all participants find their inner artist. Other courses cover a variety of fun and educational topics including Poker, Art History, Golf, Politics, Line Dancing, Gardening, Wii Challenge, and more.

Many courses are designed specifically for residents with Alzheimer's.

"We have a fundamental belief that through Watermark University we can slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease," said Cassidy. Courses designed specifically for residents with memory care needs include Line Dancing, Gardening and Walking Club, a program to strengthen the body and restore balance.

"All Watermark University courses focus on students' strengths and what they can do, never what they cannot," said Gillian Goinden, Community Life Director and Watermark University faculty member." For example, we offer exercise courses for all levels of mobility."

To learn more about Watermark University, course selections or to become a faculty member, visitors may attend the Watermark University Orientation and sample menu items from upcoming cooking classes. The orientation takes place noon Thursday (July 10) at Rose Tree Place, 500 Sandy Bank Road, Media. To attend, an RSVP is requested, call 610-565-1405.

For more information or if you can attend the orientation, contact Bobbi Cassidy, Executive Director of Rose Tree Place.

Copyright 2008, Town Talk [Central Delaware County Edition] (PA) - a Journal Register Company Property, All Rights Reserved.

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