Corporate Newsletters
Since 2002 I have been writing newsletters for Charter House (www.charterhouse-mayo.org), a retirement community in Rochester, Minnesota that is an affiliate of the Mayo Foundation.
The newsletter’s main purpose is to market Charter House to prospective residents. Each issue is a color, 8 ½” x 11”, 6-page trifold that is mailed to several thousand prospective Charter House residents. Issues consist primarily of a front-page feature article, a Meet Your Neighbors page, goings-on-about Charter House news, a list of new residents since the last issue, and a message from the administrator.
Several weeks prior to the publication of an issue, I meet with the Charter House executive team to brainstorm on the issues theme, purpose, and contents. Following that meeting, I work primarily with the marketing director to set up interviews and arrange photographs. After I complete the copy and it is approved, I coordinate the newsletter’s printing.
Here are the newsletters I have completed:
- Spring 2007 (Continuing Care Retirement Community)
- Fall 2006 (New Administrator - Tory EnQuist)
- Fall 2005 (Main street – friendly town)
- Winter 2004/5 (Fitness)
- Spring 2004 (Health care)
- Summer 2003 (Art at Charter House)
- Fall 2002 (Planning a move to a retirement center)
Customer Feedback
The content, quality and effectiveness of the Charter House Newsletter improved significantly when Michael Ransom became its editor and writer. Michael has the gift of listening and the gift of translating what is said into words for reading that communicate. The sign of a master, Michael makes it seem easy. It’s not! Mike is a good team leader and makes the process fun!
Dick Edwards, Charter House Administrator
"Mike is a true delight to work with. He has a very gentle and genuine approach with his clients. He listens to not only what is being said, but also to what isn't being said. Through regularly scheduled meetings, he leads his customers through the project one detail at a time and takes responsibility from beginning to end. I have utmost respect for Mike and his work."
Ruth Weispfenning, Director of Resident Services
"Mike has helped us with several of our newsletters and a history project. He is like an artist; we sketch in black and white, Mike renders in color and hones our message. He also shepherds our projects through the printing process. We like Mike!"
Tom Hall, Charter House Marketing Director
Following are samples of my writings from each newsletter:
Fall 2005
Main Street Charter House
Larger than a village, smaller than a city, Charter House is a bustling town of four hundred citizens. At the heart of all vibrant towns is a main street where people come to socialize, relax, shop, and transact business. Strolling along a main street, what one sees and hears speaks of the town’s personality, friendliness, and certainly its vitality. Charter House’s Main Street runs throughout its lobby, where on any day of the week one encounters a beehive of activity. Smiles and greetings abound - “Good morning, Jack.” “Hello Carolyn, how are you today?” – as residents meet one another “on Main.” People gather in small groups, talking, listening, and simply enjoying the company of one another.
The Corner Cupboard on the west end of Main Street has always been one of the most popular stops. Recently remodeled to double its space, extend its hours, broaden its menu, and expand its inventory, the Corner Cupboard serves as the town diner, drug store, “five and dime,” newsstand, and florist. Residents linger over delicious meals and steaming cups of coffee while they hear of the latest news - then on their way home many purchase a magazine, a bouquet of flowers, or some groceries. During summer months, a farmer’s market outside the general store offers fresh produce.
The Charter House main entrance is east of the Corner Cupboard. The town bus stop nearby is where groups of residents board van transportation to events such as the symphony or the theater. The town church (Chapel) at the heart of downtown Charter House represents a spectrum of faiths and offers a weekly ecumenical worship service. On the east end of Main, one finds the library, post office, bank (Business Office), town hall (Cultural Arts), and combined city hall and chamber of commerce (Administration Office).
Judy Rud, Charter House Senior Receptionist, oversees Main Street activity from her desk by the front door. She wears so many hats -town greeter, dispatcher, building security officer, postal clerk, traffic director, and problem solver to name a few - that a single title fails to do justice to her role. For five days a week for the past eighteen years, she has been sharing her warm smile with all those who come and go from Charter House, making them feel welcome in her town. She says, “Since I’m very visible and accessible on Main Street, people expect me to know the answers to almost everything. I try my best to be as helpful as I can possibly be. Listening is a big part of what I do. After all these years, the residents have become family to me.”
Winter 2004/5
Around the House …
Thoughts from Charter House Administrator, Dick Edwards
Much of history is about people of vision and commitment who stay the course and make dreams come true. Their labors yield our heritage and we move forward. So it is with Charter House, a dream come true. I wrote those words in 1995 to commemorate Charter House’s tenth anniversary. I find it meaningful that they ring as true to me today as we celebrate our twentieth birthday.
Charter House is always changing, always responding to the needs of our residents, and I like the challenges that come with change. Our recent renovation of the Corner Cupboard and the opening of our Fitness Center are two exciting examples. This commitment to responding to resident needs is my way of seeing that Charter House stays fit, for I never want us to become a “still stream that stagnates.”
As I reflect on the past twenty years, what satisfies me greatly is that amidst all of our change, we have maintained an extraordinary stability among our staff and leadership team. I truly believe in the value that comes with this stability. Staff and residents get to know one another. Trust ensues. Meaningful relationships build.
As we begin our third decade, I am enthused about what changes the future will bring, yet committed to maintaining the Charter House heritage and spirit that so many have come to appreciate.
Wishing you a fit and healthy 2005.
Dick
Spring 2004
Charter House’s Best Friend
Have you heard that Charter House has “gone to the dogs?“ Yes, it’s true. In the 1980s, recreational therapist Jane Nigon participated in research that demonstrated the value of companion animals in health care situations. Studies showed that the simple act of petting a dog lowered a patient’s blood pressure and made the person feel better. When Jane joined the Charter House staff, she hoped to some day administer that type of therapy. Her chance came when Dick Edwards asked Jane to add companion dogs to her therapy repertoire.
Since its inception nearly four years ago, the program has been a winner. Jane brings Gus, an English setter, with her once a week. He is either by her side, or by a resident’s side, throughout the day. “Not every dog is suited for this work,” says Jane. “I look for dogs that are friendly and compassionate. I also like a bigger dog, like Gus. Residents won’t trip over him, and they can reach down and pet him easily from a wheel chair.”
Companion dogs take on the emotions and feelings of people around them. They typically are as emotionally exhausted at the end of the day as if they had spent the day flushing pheasants from corn fields.
With Jane’s hospice patients, Gus usually snuggles by the person in bed. They love the warmth of Gus next to them. Her skilled care patients appreciate the fact that Gus is their “temporary pet” until they return home. And Gus often reminds Jane’s supportive care patients of pets that they used to have. Jane is quick to note that all participation is voluntary. Though few, some residents aren’t dog lovers, and Jane respects their privacy.
Gus, now 12, is in a league of his own – top dog as it were. Jane knows his owners, Jeff and Linda Smith of Zumbrota, who have raised English setters for 28 years. They readily agreed when Jane asked if Gus could become Charter House’s first companion dog.
Jane recalls a care conference at Charter House where a resident was told that his wife had but a short time to live. The man began crying quietly. Gus, who was sleeping in the corner, awoke, came over, and laid his head on the man’s lap. The resident said, “Gosh, even he knows I’m sad,” which brought tears to the rest of the staff who were there. Gus was recently featured on Ron Schara’s TV program, Minnesota Bound. Gus was filmed with Charter House resident, Don, whose health was rapidly failing. Recalls Jane, I videotaped the special and brought it immediately to Don’s room and showed it to him. “Oh thank you,” he replied.
“He died later that evening – a movie star,” says Jane.
In February, Gus received the Companion Animal of the Year award from the Minnesota Veterinarians Association. He and Jane attended the state convention and were called on stage to receive the award in front of 500 attendees. It was just another day’s work for Gus, Charter House’s best friend.
Summer 2003
A Beloved Wife and Friend
The interior of Charter House is decorated with nearly 300 framed, fine-art prints from nationally known galleries. This professional artwork has been donated for the enjoyment of all by Henry Somsen in memory of his beloved wife and best friend, Anne Duncan Somsen. “The Arts and Decoration Committee has done a wonderful job of displaying and cataloging this collection,” he says.
Born in New Ulm in 1909 and the son of a lawyer, Henry studied psychology, but later switched to law and followed in his father’s footsteps, receiving his Law Degree from the University of Minnesota in 1934. Henry married Anne whom he had met at the University of Minnesota in 1936, and they later had two children, Pennell and Stephen. Henry was a “general practitioner” of law in New Ulm from 1946 to 1985, when he and Anne moved to Charter House.
Henry loves the outdoors – especially hunting and fishing – and takes pride in his respect for the environment. “I hope to get out fishing again this year,” he says with a smile. He has served on the board of directors of the Minnesota Parks and Trail Council for 50 years, longer than any other member. In New Ulm, he was a board member of many profit and non-profit organizations, and for 38 years he headed an organization that helped bring musical entertainment to New Ulm from such metropolitan areas as New York City.
Though Anne died of cancer in 1987, when Henry walks about Charter House, the paintings he sees remind him of her and her love of life. “My favorite is in the dining room,” he says. “It’s Dances at Bougival, a Renoir.”
Fall 2002
Marnie Shedd has attitude; and a youthful one at that. “My environment has much to do with how I act and feel,” she says. “Charter House is filled with many vivacious people who keep me upbeat. I thoroughly enjoy being around such optimistic people.”
But what about those aches and pains? “What I like about the people here, she adds with a smile, “is that we all know everybody has them, so why complain?”
Marnie, a Rochester native, married Bill in 1943. He became president of Rochester Savings and Loan, and together they raised their four children. In 2000 when Bill’s health began to decline, they sold their home, put their name on the Charter House waiting list, and lived with their daughter and her family in Kasson. In a year, an apartment became available and they moved to Charter House. Sadly, Bill died a few months later.
“I am glad we came here when we did,” notes Marnie. Her mother, Alberta Holt, moved to Charter House shortly after it opened, and lived until the age of 103. Because of this experience, Marnie says, “I knew what to expect in every way; there were no surprises.”
She loves classical music (she played violin in the Rochester Symphony in high school), bridge, and needlepoint, and she is impressed that Charter House offers so many activities. Because she reads extensively, she especially enjoys the Higgins Library.
Her enthusiasm for Charter House is infectious. Her bridge group and needlepoint friends have either moved in or added their names to the waiting list since she came. And her sister, Gloria, and her husband have put their names on the list, too.
Marnie says that Charter House serves her purpose well, and she is quick to note, “I have more socializing here than I can handle.” But knowing Marnie, she won’t complain.
