Entertaining made easy at Charlestown

Charlestown's 110-acre campus offers endless opportunities for residents to entertain, socialize, and connect with friends and family without ever leaving home

Catonsville, Md. – November 22, 2019 – When asked what is most important to maintaining a high quality of life in their senior years, staying connected to friends and family was at the top of the list for participants in a survey by the United States of Aging. Sponsored by the National Council on Aging (NCOA), UnitedHealthcare, and USA TODAY, the survey found more than half (53 percent) of seniors said having a relationship with friends and family added to their quality of life.

One of the many benefits of moving to a senior living community like Charlestown, managed by

Erickson Living, is being able to continue to host family and friends at home—a feature at the top of many senior's wish lists. Designed for active seniors, social engagement is a common way of life throughout Charlestown. To that end, the Catonsville, Maryland campus features spacious apartments that accommodate cocktail parties and book club meetings to larger community spaces for concerts, birthday parties and special performances.  

Sales Counselor Molly Fricker says most prospective Charlestown residents are surprised at the variety of on-site options when it comes to entertaining.

"For people who have enjoyed entertaining friends and family in their homes prior to moving to Charlestown, discovering the many options that are offered is an important part of helping them envision how their life at Charlestown will be enriched," says Fricker.

"At Charlestown, your home extends well beyond the walls of your apartment, so the options for entertaining, both in style, location, group size, etc. are nearly endless. Some people like to have clubs or groups meet in their apartment and others might prefer to host guests in a private dining room. Either way, they have the option of letting Charlestown's catering take care of all the cooking and cleanup," explains Fricker.

More quality time, less stress

Before moving to Charlestown in 2004, Joann Malpass hosted holiday dinners at her home in Catonsville. This December, she is hosting a Christmas dinner for two dozen family members at Charlestown's Fireside Gallery, where she lets Charlestown's catering department do the cooking. 

"We usually have something to snack on like crab dip or sweet and sour meatballs; and for the main course, salmon is usually on the menu," says Malpass. "We have tables set up where the kids can do crafts; last year they made gingerbread houses and ornaments for the tree. The guys can shoot pool outside the Gallery and watch the football game at the bar or relax in the lounge. Sometimes everyone brings their bathing suits and we go to the pool. It all works out nicely."

Charlestown residents have access to on-site catering services provided by the community's highly trained culinary team, with a wide-ranging menu that includes hot dinner buffets, plated entrees, gourmet lunches, soups, and salads; afternoon teas; hors d'oeuvres; desserts; and a full bar.

"We cater all kinds of special events ranging from weddings, birthdays, and baby showers, to memorials, bar mitzvahs, graduations, and galas," says Director of Dining Services, Ken Zahn. "We have a variety of indoor and outdoor venues that can accommodate anywhere from 25 to 500 guests. In the warmer months, residents can enjoy outdoor barbeques, special events like luaus, and happy hours around the firepit. We also deliver full buffet spreads to apartments and other spaces such as the lounge areas and art studios."

Entertainment for all

Charlestown also features a variety of concerts, performances, and other fun events throughout the year open to residents and their guests. The community presents more than 50 performing arts events each year in one of three venues: the 400-seat Erickson Conference Center, the 200-seat Muriel Caulfield Auditorium, and the Our Lady of the Angels Chapel.

The Chapel Concert Series features classical and sacred artists from across the Mid-Atlantic region. Little Theatre Company, Charlestown's resident theatre troupe, sponsors both community theatre and in-house productions.

The Harmonizers, Charlestown's resident mixed chorus, maintains an active schedule and hosts holiday and spring performances. Popular events such as Charlestown's annual gala and Winter Putterland, an indoor miniature golf tournament, are great fun and benefit Charlestown's Benevolent Care Fund.

"Many prospective residents get excited at the idea of bringing friends and family to concerts and other events like these at Charlestown," says Fricker.

Fricker says the holidays are an exciting time at Charlestown where diversity of entertainment contributes greatly to the festive atmosphere enjoyed throughout the campus. As for Malpass, the idea of being able to spend quality time with her family without the hassle of cooking makes entertaining around the holidays a breeze.

"They do a great job and best of all, I don't have to do a thing," she says.

About Charlestown: Charlestown, one of 20 continuing care retirement communities managed by Erickson Living^®, is situated on a scenic 110-acre campus in Catonsville, Maryland. The community is located in Baltimore County and is home to more than 2,000 residents who are supported by a team of more than 1,200 employees. Additional information about Charlestown can be found at CharlestownCommunity.com.

Photo Caption: Joann Malpass gathers with her family for a Christmas dinner at Charlestown, where the community's on-site catering team handles the cooking and clean-up so she can enjoy more quality time with her loved ones.

Photo Credit: Courtesy Joann Malpass