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FRIDAY JULY 21* 1972PAGE 2 5litrKa(Unmttg1__A[■£ IR\ MARY ELLEN STEZZImCourier Times Living EditorGolden age is living in a high-rise, and 62 years of age iswhere it's atBucks County’s senior citizens have adopted the swinging life in a high rise apartment with delight comparable only to their first ice cream cone.Bristol’s Grundy Towers, the county housing authority’s answer to low-income housing for the elderly, is the cure for arthritis, the pep pill for energy, the ticket for independence, and the gleam in the eyes of its proud residents.High over the roofs of the nestling river port town thatwas one of the first settlements in the county and sprawled in different modes and directions looms the county’s first highrise apartment, a 14-story modern building that has been called a “wart on the nose of Bristol. ”It the sight of the building from the outside is breathtaking in comparison to its surroundings, then the beehive-like bustle stirring on the inside has to be called overwhelming.The lobby is like a launch pad for the bustling residents who are off to the Senior Citizens Center across the street, the food store also across the street, the town’s Mill StreetShopping center two blocks down, or the laundry room, the community room or a hundred different places which they hurrv to.mNot even the two elevators which zoom up and down the14 floors seem to phase the residents. “This is their home.It’s like they’ve lived here all their lives. People still stop at the desk to tell me how happy they are to be here,” said Joanne McCarthy, assistant manager of the Grundy Towers.The building has been opened since May 1 and the 176 units are filled.“We had more than 700 applications for admission to the building The qualifications the applicants had to meet were they must be 62 years of age. have a eiaiimtim income of $4,000 for one person or $4,800 for two, and have assets only up to $12,000 They also have to be able to take care of themselves and their apartment ” said Carolyn La Mont, manager of the building.All many of the elderly who live here have is their social security money They can’t compete on the private real estate market. The maximum rent at Grundy Towers is $80.but the average rent is $45 which includes utilities, explained Mrs. La Mont.In the lobby of Grundv Towers sat one of the first resi-•w mdents of the building. Lewis Mvers who never is seen without a coat and tie jokes ‘it is for his women friends.” He is the pleasant self-appomted greet er.He is only too proud to show his efficiency apartment and on the way up to the sixth floor fills the visitor in on all statistics of the building. Myers was so excited about Grundy Towers, he use to sneak up to his room before the building was complete so he could get decorating ideas. He was the building’s sidewalk superintendent.I tried to furnish my apartment not too masculine and##i’ve waited five years for what you see hereI# %not too feminine ** he said ushering the way through thellillSllliiSillailHis position of ceramics teacher at the Senior Citizens Center is apparent with the little statues that liven his room“I'm sold on senior citizens, he said nodding his head tn assurance It 's just wondAfter retiring from the men’s clothing business, Myers bummed around tor six months and got bored to death Thesenior citizens director called me in and asked what I knew about ceramics.“I don’t even know how to spell the word,” he retorted W.C. Fields style. “Well they sent me to classes and now i teach.“And I teach in the same building from which I graduated from high school back in 1920 The senior citizens building is the old Bristol High School,” he said.“Look I can see it from my window. See that red cupola? he asked pointing to the building from his window. “TTiis is what intrigues me most — looking at this view. It’s like a picture post card.4 And I have two walk-in closets. We men appreciate that too.” he said with eyes twinkling “I have a freezer and,” he said drumming his fingers on the front of the colored refrigerator. “there’s no defrosting After keeping house for mybrother for 16 years, I hate defrosting. ”ftMyers had no trouble adjusting to living in a high rise“It was easy for me,” he said. “I lived in hotels all my life.Myers then insisted on showing something you’ve never seen before — a view of Bristol from the 15th floor.»»Margaret Ryan is a senior citizen who doesn't look like one. She lives in a one-bedroom apartment on the 15th floor which she calls the Penthouse. A former teacher at Bristol High School and Eastern State Sc hool, Mrs. Ryan is the organizer in the building,She is one of the forces behind forming a residents” committee to help with any problems or to visit the sick and send cards, or to organize activities in the building for those who can't get around as well.Recently they collected four large cartons of food for flood relief,i was anxious to make the change here. It didn’t botherme much. I adjust to change easily,” she said flashing a warm smile,Mrs. Ryan was the first resident of Grundy Towers andmoved in at a moment’s notice so she could show her furnished apartment on opening day.“1 haven’t heard anyone say anything except they just love it here. We really have a great thing going Now it’s up to us to make the best of this.“Oh, but we have a grand time. In the evening a lot of us take our lightweight lawn chairs down to the front of the building and sit outside and talk. Everyone joins in.‘‘You’d be surprised at the number of people in and out of this building A man who sits in the lobby a lot counted oneGrundy Towers reaching for the skyupday and from 9 a.m. to S p.m. 2.200 people went up on theelevators.”Mrs. Ryan managed to use most of her favorite family things in her little apartment. She gave what she couldn’t use to her family, even her dishes, and uses her fine china for daily meals. “I love to entertain, and this is all I need,” she saidsmiling.I love it. I don’t feel like it is an apartment I feel like this is home,” the little dark-haired woman said,“I was surprised at the size of the apartments. People were saying they were like little matchboxes, but when I saw them I thought ‘this is for me.* 1 knew right away just what kind of furniture I wanted ”“When I’m having visitors. I usually ask them to come at night so they can see my beautiful view. It looks like a fairyland with the little houses with different colored roofs, the train and Silver Lake in the background. It's just like a Christmas village all year long.”Ida Ross greets visitors at her door as the very proud occupant of the 12th floor. “I just love it here up high,” said Mrs. Ross who has been the cook at St. Mark's Rectory for23 years.The tour of her apartment was a quick one because she was off to her job.Mrs. Ryan, like quite a few others at Grundy Towers, has her own car which she often uses to transport others.“I wondered when I moved in here if there would be anyproblems because most of my life has been geared to younger people, but I haven’t noticed anyone even being grumpy. ’Anna Russo has lived in Bristol all her life, but neverfive floors above the ground. Mrs. Russo, the widow of Antonio Russo, the first county detective, has lived alone since herhusband’s death 22 years ago.“It’s entirely different with people living all around you.Mr. and Mrs. John Sharkey occupy a fourth floor apartment. “My arthritis is much better since I don't have to walk up and down steps and go so far for groceries,” said Mrs. Sharkey.“John, he’s quiet. Before winter he didn’t see many of his friends. Now, people always are here. Oh, it’s nice,” she exclaimed.To most of the residents, Grundy Towers means they can be independant. It means a change in attitude for at least one lady who said when she moved in she didn't care if she lived or died. Now, she hopes she lives to be 100.Courier Times photos by Alex ZidockIda Ross enjoying her view from the 12th floor.Lews Myers in his efficiency apartment decorated with his ow?i ceramics, The building a/the right isthe old Bristol High School from which Myers graduated in 1920. iIcompetent decorator of her4 ipenthouseWMZ
Newspaper Details
Bucks County Courier Times
Levittown, Pennsylvania, US
Fri, Jul 21, 1972
Page 25
Full Page
Clipped by
Margaret R.
PA, USA 28 Apr 2022
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