NOVEMBER 2022


A Message From Michelle

Dear Friends,



This November Message from Michelle will be my last. I will be retiring after 26 years on November 30th… and so, this is my Love Letter to all of you.


My time at Pickering Manor has been filled with beautiful opportunities; beginning with the relationships made with the residents and their families. I often think back to the first resident I ‘admitted’ on January 7, 1997 and can see her face; remembering she was ‘old Newtown’ when I didn’t even know what ‘old Newtown’ meant at the time! Her sister was later admitted, and the family would visit both at the same time. It didn’t take long to understand how very special Pickering Manor was to the Newtown Community.


Pickering Manor is an iconic part of the fabric of this Community and Neighborhood. Russell Pickering and his parents built a home on this parcel of property on N. Lincoln Ave in the late 1800’s-early 1900’s. Russell would later bequest it upon his passing for the purpose of caring for the aging in Newtown. Sidney Yates, along with the Community Welfare Council of Newtown saw his vision and Pickering Manor opened in January, 1963. From there, Sidney Yates continued the legacy of growth by leaving a similar bequest to Pickering Manor which insured its growth and sustainability into the next generations. To say I’m deeply honored to have been a small part of the history of this facility would be an understatement.


You see, I was not born and raised in Bucks County like so many of our residents and families have been. I have not personally witnessed the changes as they have, but what I have been fortunate to feel is the welcome I received from those who paved the way for me throughout my career. I was taught by the best; people who gave their lives to Pickering Manor when times were different. Whether they were Administrators, Nurses, Aides, Housekeepers, Maintenance, Dining, Activities…each one of them touched my heart and taught me what it means to be a part of Pickering Manor. I also learned so much from the respected group that form our governing body, the Community Welfare Council of Newtown. Through their guidance and leadership, they trusted my opinions and supported me through not only the daily challenges, but those that truly tested our resolve. For all of this, I am forever grateful.


I have felt love and I have felt acceptance. I have formed relationships that go far beyond the walls of a building. I have made lifelong friends with people I’ve worked beside and people I’ve grown to know from the residents in our care.


I believe that in every single circumstance, Kindness Matters. The manner in which we speak; the importance of a single hug or a smile; the efforts to ask how others are feeling are what makes Pickering Manor the special place we all know.


…And I can assure you, I received so much more than I could ever give. And for that, I thank Pickering Manor and this Newtown Community for accepting this ‘kid’ from Kentucky and loving her as one of your own.


With Love,

Michelle


Michelle Knobloch, NHA

Chief Executive Officer

www.PickeringManor.org 

This quote hung in Michelle's offfice since she became CEO in 2010

and is the essence of her career. Always ready with a "warm hug," her smile will be felt in our hearts for years to come.

NEWS & UPDATES

Pickering Manor CEO Announces Retirement 

Michelle Knobloch bids farewell to the Community Welfare Council of Newtown.

L-R: David Woodhead, John Parry, Michelle Knobloch

NEWTOWN, PA – Pickering Manor, 5-star non-profit life plan community in Bucks County, announced today that Chief Executive Officer Michelle Knobloch will retire from Pickering Manor effective November 30, 2022. Pickering Manor’s Board of Directors, Community Welfare Council of Newtown, unanimously elected David Woodhead, current Chief Operating Officer, to succeed Michelle Knobloch as Chief Executive Officer, effective December 1, 2022.

 

Knobloch’s legacy with Pickering extends twenty-six years. She joined Pickering in 1997 as a Director of Social Services and Admissions and became the Chief Executive Officer of Pickering in 2010. Woodhead has been with the firm for nearly thirteen years and the Chief Operating Officer the past three years.

 

Pickering Manor’s Board President John Parry commented, “It is with both sadness and joy that we announce the retirement of our valued leader and friend [Chief Executive Officer – Michelle Knobloch]. It is difficult, if not impossible to sum up Michelle’s achievements over her many years of dedicated service to Pickering Manor and the impact she has made on all of us both personally and professionally. She will be greatly missed by everyone here but will move on to enjoy this well-deserved retirement.”

 

“It has been a blessing and privilege to be a part of Pickering Manor for twenty-six years, and it will forever hold a special place in my heart. Thank you to all the residents, families, staff and community for the gift of your love and support that you have shown Pickering over the years and during my tenure,” said Knobloch.

 

Knobloch continued, “As Pickering moves forward into the 60th year, I am confident David Woodhead [as Chief Executive Officer] will continue to be an exceptional leader and proceed with the same high-quality care and dedicated service for which we are known, and our reputation was built.”

 

Woodhead closes with, “It is never easy to bid farewell to a friend and mentor. Michelle has been a beacon of strength and resilience, a guiding light for Pickering! On behalf of all of us here at Pickering Manor, we would like to wish Michelle nothing but the best that life has to offer and our best wishes for a long and healthy retirement!”

Never underestimate the difference you made and the lives you touched...

Community Welfare Council of Newtown 2008-2009

Pickering Manor Gala Throughout the Years

Pickering Manor Honors Hometown Heroes (2008)

Pickering Manor's First Annual Car Raffle

Celebraing the Holidays with the Residents

Enjoying Dinner Al Fresco with the Cottage Residents

Congratulations for this amazing milestone in your career -

Memory Care Opening!

May you be proud of the work you have done, the person you are and the difference you have made.


We love you Michelle!

SCHEDULE A TOUR

OUR LIVING OPTIONS

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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!

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CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

We have reached 75% of our goal of $1.5 million. We encourage all potential and existing donors to explore doubling their gift through their employer’s Matching Gift program. You can give online or call our Development Department for more information at (215) 968-3878 ext. 1112.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Please visit our website for more details.

RECENT EVENTS

L-R: John Parry, Betty Filder, and Allen Fidler. (photo credit: Jeff Werner)

SIDNEY T. YATES AWARD


Newtown Township residents Allen and Betty Fidler were honored during Pickering Manor’s first Sips N Suds fundraiser held since 2019.


Community Welfare Council board member John Parry presented the Fidler’s with the Sidney T. Yates Award, given to a donor for their many years of vision and support of Pickering Manor, its residents, the people of Newtown and the surrounding communities.


Read Article

ANNOUNCEMENTS

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happiest of birthdays to our residents celebrating a birthday this month:


November Birthdays


November 11

Lorraine B.


November 15

Jean K.


November 16

Dorian T.


November 12

Ross H.


November 21

Beverly O.


November 23

Evelyn S.


November 25

John H.



PICKERING COMMUNITY 

RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT
Celebrating our residents "then & now." Each month we will celebrate a resident from both our Personal Care and our Skilled Nursing neighborhood.
RESIDENT HIGHLIGHTS

Giving Thanks!

We enjoyed our annual Thanksgiving Luncheon this week. Thank you to our Culinary Team for preparing this delicious meal, activities for making it so beautiful, our managers who assisted in serving meals and to all our staff - you make everyday wonderful!


Most importantly, thank you to our residents and families for always making our days great!

Let the Music Take you Higher!

Lovely musical tunes were heard throughout our Pickering Community. Our Skilled Nursing Neighborhood and Memory Care Neighborhood each had musical talent visit - creating many beautiful smiles!



Music can have many benefits in a senior setting. It can help reduce anxiety and depression, help maintain speech and language & enhance the quality of life - just to name a few!


Skilled Nursing had a visit from the Bucks County Singers – what a talented entertaining group.

Singing along, dancing in their chairs and tapping their feet - the residents were thrilled to have entertainment back in the ‘neighborhood!

Our Memory Care Neighborhood enjoyed a visit from pianist Marc - there was not one request that stumped him!

Our Personal Care enjoying live entertainment by Michael Lazar.

Holding on to the Warm Sunshine!

Our residents are soaking up every last bit of the fall sunshine in our Memory Care Garden Live the life you love!

Personal Care Fun

There's always fun happening in Personal Care - this crew sure keeps busy!

One of Our Favorite Traditions!

Oh how we missed you Goodnoe Elementary School!!  Our staff and residents were full of emotion to finally see our little visitors back at Pickering to parade their fabulous costumes on Halloween. It has been an annual tradition - over the years Goodnoe Elementary School would parade through our halls in their Halloween costumes for our residents and staff creating many smiles and much excitement. Sadly we missed the students these past few years due the pandemic and weather...but this year we safely reunite creating many smiles and wonderful memories!  Thank you to the teachers, staff and students at Goodnoe Elementary!

Feeling the Love!

We are thankful and so very touched by thoughtfulness of our friends, family and community.

Always warms our hearts to get visits from such wonderful people, we enjoyed seeing our Pickering Family – The Moore’s. Bob and Pat M. stopped by to treat our staff to delicious cannoli’s handmade by the Buck County Community College – Restaurant School. The cannoli were amazing! Thank you for not only bringing the cannoli but your heartwarming smiles. 

Our ‘Baking with Babies’ buddy is not much of a baby these days! Adorable little Liam stopped by to visit us and bring the staff and residents some Halloween Treats. Can you guess what little Liam is for Halloween?


Just look at those smiles he brings the residents!

Paying it Forward – as part of working towards his black belt at Action Karate, Sean Grady chose to pay it forward to a few local senior living centers by delivering treats for Halloween! Your thoughtfulness is very much appreciated. Good Luck with your black belt, Sean. Pickering Manor is rooting for you!

PICKERING MANOR AUXILIARY HIGHLIGHTS

Cookies, Cider and Great Company

Always a fun time! Thank you to the Pickering Manor Auxiliary members for stopping by our Personal Care with some delicious fall treats - Apple Cider and Cookies! We always enjoy your visits.

STAFF HIGHLIGHTS

Showing the Love

We are so lucky to have such a great team! Colleen B. (Housekeeping) noticed the residents love to draw and color so she donated numerous large boxes of crayons for our Skilled Nursing Residents. Afterall, you can never have too many crayons!


German C. (Director of Housekeeping) leads his team by example, he is always ready to listen, lend a helping hand and respond immediately to whatever will make our residents smile (he even sews slippers!).


Thank you to Colleen, German and all our staff – you truly represent ‘Quality Care by People Who Care.’

Joining Together to Raise Awareness for Breast Cancer

Our heart goes out to all those who have suffered from Breast Cancer. The Pickering Team gathered in our resident courtyard to express love and support for Breast Cancer Awareness by wearing pink.

DFN Walks to Raise Awareness for Dementia

Dementia Frienly Newtown and supporters walked together to raise awareness for dementia. Learn More about DFN: https://www.facebook.com/allthingsdementia

Some of the Pickering staff wasn't all able to walk with Dementia Friendly Newtown (DFN) in person so we 'walked' with them in 'Spirit' and wore purple to support their initiative to raise awareness and support those with memory impairment.

Trick or Treat

We had so much fun decorating, dressing up and celebrating Halloween!

FALL FOOD DRIVE 


We are collecting donations in our food box in the vestibule of the Sidney T. Yates Pavilion. Because of your generosity we have donated dozens of full boxes of food and toiletries over the past few years to the Wrightstown Food Cupboard. These donations are also distributed to other area food pantries whose shelves run low.


If you or someone you know would like to schedule a time to use the Cupboard or to donate directly, please call and leave a message for Mitch at (215) 598-3661.

SUPPORT GROUP
Pickering Manor offers a monthly online Dementia Support Group
The support group helps caregivers in Newtown and our surrounding communities stay social and supported during these unprecedented times. 

The group discusses the emotional and mental well-being of caregivers, preventing burn out, enhancing the understanding of the disease process, and creating a supportive network with other caregivers in the community.

For more information/sign up: Meri Luarasi, Memory Care Administrator, at (215) 968-3878 or email her here.

Stay tuned for dates!!!

Sign Up Today!
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Pickering Manor


Located in Newtown, PA, Pickering Manor is a non-profit senior-living facility offering Independent Living consisting of 10 semi-detached cottages and 24 senior rental apartments. In 2020, Pickering Manor launched its largest expansion to date; the 26,000 square foot Sidney T. Yates Pavilion complete with a state-of-the-art rehab, 15 Short-Term Rehab rooms, and 15 Personal Care rooms are now open.


In 2021, Pickering Manor finished renovations to the existing "Pickering Pavilion" which includes a 32 -bed renovated Skilled Nursing unit and a 21-bed certified Memory Care unit.


Pickering was founded in 1963 and is the only 5-star community-owned and operated continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in Pennsylvania.

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