Erickson Tribune

Charlestown

UPDATED: Friday, May 16, 2008

Charlestown turns 25!

Posted on Friday, May 16, 2008
 

By Danielle Rexrode
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

This month, Charlestown celebrates its 25th anniversary as one of the nation’s leading continuing care retirement communities. Over the last quarter century Charlestown has revolutionized retirement for thousands of people age 62 or better and birthed 18 sister communities across the nation. Although times have changed, Charlestown continues to attract extraordinary, interesting people— including many who moved 25 years ago and are still enjoying Charlestown’s dynamic lifestyle today.

“When I moved into Charlestown 24 years ago, there was just a small group of people living here at the time,” says pioneer resident Betty Nicholson. “No one could have predicted how things would expand over the years—I don’t even think Mr. Erickson himself knew for sure,” she says.

A former Baltimorean, Nicholson moved to Charlestown from Annandale, Va. “My brother saw a big sign in front of Charlestown that said St. Charles College was going to be turned into a retirement community. I grew up in this area, so I decided to come and take a look. That same day I was signing up,” she says.

25 years of fun
According to Nicholson, it didn’t take long for folks to start forming the 170 clubs that exist today. “I remember some of the very first happy hours. Everyone would bring their own food and drinks—it was a lot of fun. I actually had the first party ever held here at Charlestown. My apartment wasn’t big enough to hold 35 people and we only had one dining room at the time, so we held it in the music room,” recalls Nicholson.

Over the years, she has watched her home evolve into a virtual resort-like atmosphere with a growing list of amenities like an indoor pool and spa, fitness center, bocce court, putting green, and six restaurants.


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Nicholson lives in one of Charlestown’s first residence buildings located in Charlestown’s Historic District. A cluster of stone buildings listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the homes in the Historic District feature some of the most spectacular views on campus, as well as the fine distinctions of historic architecture.

Virginia Hammons is celebrating 20 years in her Charlestown home after moving from Winston- Salem, N.C. “My daughter lived in Severna Park, and I had looked at a few places— one of them in the Annapolis area—but none offered as much as Charlestown did, even back then,” she says.

Hammons reports being impressed that Charlestown continues to add amenities and modernize the community year after year. “They’re always adding the newest and latest things. There’s so much to take advantage of. That’s why I’m glad I moved here when I was still young enough to enjoy all they have to offer,” says Hammons, who takes the same oil painting class as she did when she moved in 1988.

Where everybody knows your name
Jean McNab has watched Charlestown double in size since she moved in 1998 from Harford County.

“We had been searching all over from Texas to Pennsylvania, and this was the nicest [community]! I had been reading about Charlestown, so we came to take a look. That same day, we decided this was the place for us!” she recalls. “When I moved, it was still small enough that John Erickson knew everyone’s name. You would see him in the community always helping out. Every once in a while you would find him fixing something in an apartment.”

McNab recalls a story about just how “hands-on” company founder/CEO John Erickson has been over the years. “Rumor has it that one of the first people to move into Charlestown had a glitch with their apartment door. So for peace of mind, Mr. Erickson slept outside the door all night. It’s those personal touches and innovative qualities that have made Charlestown so successful over the years,” she says.

A weeklong celebration honoring Charlestown’s silver anniversary is planned for the middle of May.

A silver celebration
“We’ve been looking forward to this,” says Charlestown Executive Director Garret Falcone. “Charlestown is a testament to how one man’s vision can impact so many lives in such a positive way. We hope people will find as much joy in the next 25 years at Charlestown as they have thus far.”

Nicholson sums it up best when she says, “Even after all these years, I still love living here. I’m safe and secure, I’ve got everything I need, and I’ve made so many good friends. I wouldn’t trade one day!”

Charlestown Silver Anniversary Celebration Events

Family Fun Day
Saturday, May 17
10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Bring the family for a day filled with special events and performers.

Chapel Concert Series
Sunday, May 18
3 p.m.–4 p.m.
A performance by the Concert Artists of Baltimore.

Resident Art Show
Tuesday, May 20 & Wednesday, May 21
6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. on Tuesday
10 a.m.–2 p.m. on Wednesday
From oil to watercolors, view work produced by Charlestown’s talented artists.

These events are open to the public.

Call 410-737-8830 or 1-800-222-9651 to R.S.V.P.



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