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Heritage Manor celebrating 50th anniversary
By LINDA M. LINONIS
YOUNGSTOWN
Gary Weiss summed up the philosophy toward residents of Heritage Manor this way: “Once here, they’re family.”
The executive director of the rehabilitation and retirement community at 517 Gypsy Lane said that feeling is shared by staff and volunteers. Some have and had family members there; Weiss is among them.
He admitted that when he brought his mother to Heritage, she resisted. After visiting at his residence one day, she told him it was “time to go back home,” he recalled. He wondered if she meant she wanted to return home to Cleveland, but then she said no – back to Heritage. That was a stellar endorsement of the manor, one shared by residents and their families.
Heritage is marking its 50th anniversary this year. In the lobby area, there is a continuous video with photos of residents and family members, staff and volunteers. A party for residents, families and staff took place in March. Another celebration, by invitation, is planned for Monday for residents, current and former staff members and the Jewish community. Linda Sniderman and Marilyn Sniderman, who aren’t related, are 50th anniversary celebration co-chairwomen.
Weiss explained that Heritage was born out of an idea by the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation, which continues the operation. “It was a vision of leaders in the Jewish community to provide a nursing home for the elderly because there wasn’t a Jewish home here,” Weiss said. Families went to Cleveland and Pittsburgh for facilities that kept kosher. “It was a schlep,” he said of the inconvenient travel.
Dr. Milton Yarmy, a Heritage resident about two years, was on the federation board when the Heritage project evolved. Yarmy, who practiced internal medicine in the Valley for 53 years, is now 103. “My wife was here and I came later,” he said. “The professional care is excellent, the place is spotless, the staff is wonderful and the food is good,” he said.
Yarmy, who moves around fairly quickly with a walker, said he attends current-events class. “I like to keep up with what’s going on,” he said.
The centenarian said he takes pride in his involvement in formulating plans for Heritage. His daughter, Janie Yarmy, brings her labradoodle, Molly, to visit residents, and his son, Rick, who also is at Heritage, painted artwork displayed in his father’s room.
Heritage rose out of a need in the Jewish community. “There was a waiting list,” Weiss said of people wanting to live there. Because of changing demographics, the need in the Jewish community decreased somewhat, and that led to the home’s being opened to the general community in 2005.
Heritage retains its Jewish roots with Friday and Saturday services for Jewish residents. The Rev. Mary Hall of Fifth Avenue Community Church conducts Bible study on Mondays. For other special religious occasions, other services take place. “The spirituality of each resident is respected,” Marilyn Sniderman said.
“The needs of the community are met,” Weiss said. “We know our residents and their families.”
Outside each of the 58 private and seven semi-private rooms are photos and biographies of the residents. Linda Sniderman and her husband, Howard, originated the program. She wrote the biographies. “My mom was here, and I’m a thankful daughter,” Linda Sniderman said.
Marilyn Sniderman, activities director from 1979 to 2001, said the goal at Heritage was to “enrich lives” and involve residents. That was accomplished through activities including a greenhouse where residents could garden. Music, art, bingo, pet days and style shows were other activities. The activities board boasts a list including travelogue, exercise, science for seniors, opera afternoon, tap dancing, herb hunt and Torah study. “The needs of people change,” Marilyn Sniderman said.
Weiss said he is proud of the religious and enrichment activities offered and even prouder that Heritage has earned a five-star rating from the state that is based on three criteria – staff-to-resident ratio, quality of care and annual state surveys. He said the nonprofit home aims “to provide a high standard of care.” He also said Heritage is an approved provider for veterans. “They served us, now it’s our turn to serve them,” he said.