CATONSVILLE, MD – On a beautiful September morning, eight residents of Renaissance Gardens Terrace at Charlestown met with shuttle driver Norman Jefferies to try their luck fishing in the Charlestown pond. The pond occupies three acres of land on the Charlestown campus; it was stocked with several species of fish in 1999, including bluegill, channel catfish, crappies, yellow perch, and large-mouth bass.

The outing was part of a new campaign at Renaissance Gardens at Charlestown called “Share Our Gifts.” Assistant Administrator Joan Hyman and Operations Associate Isabel To created Share Our Gifts to encourage staff at Charlestown and the Erickson Corporate office to volunteer and share their hobbies, talents, and passions with the men and women who live at Renaissance Gardens and Renaissance Gardens Terrace.

When Jeffries heard about the program he thought it would be nice to bring men and women who live at Renaissance Gardens Terrace, the assisted living neighborhood at Charlestown, to the pond to relax, fish, and tell tall tales of fishing trips past.

You can often find Jeffries at the pond prior to the start of his shift; he tells people that it is the best fishing spot he has ever found in over 50 years. Many of the residents who went fishing with Jeffries said they can’t wait to try their luck on the pond again. (Dave Schuch)