Tina Prins, Author at Moravian Manor Communities

Welcome Chef Ed

May 30, 2023 | Community

Please join us in welcoming Chef Ed Koprowicz to The Owl’s Nest team! He comes to us with a depth of experience, knowledge and a well-honed craft for creating exquisite dishes.

A graduate of Johnson and Wales University, Chef Ed began his career as an Executive Sous Chef with Hilton in NJ and New York City. From there, he worked at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, AZ, and the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, FL, in similar positions. In 1994, he was hired as the Assistant Executive Chef at Silver Legacy Hotel and Casino in Reno, NV. Four short years later, he was given his first opportunity as Executive Chef at the Greate Bay Golf Club in Somers Point, NJ.

All of these wonderful opportunities led him to the Yorktown Hotel. Here, as Director of Food and Beverage/Executive Chef, he achieved the prestigious “Wine Spectator Award” for three consecutive years, earned the AAA Four Diamond Award for food/wine/service for five consecutive years, and was honored as one of the Best Chefs of Central PA. From there, Chef Ed went in another direction, the corporate world, where he was Corporate Chef for Henry’s Seafood and Ferraro Foods, Inc.

Chef Ed’s culinary forte is focused on using proper technique and high-quality ingredients to create fresh takes on classic cuisine.

Work Immersion Program Provides Growth and Independence

May 25, 2023 | Community

Meet our Dining Services Interns,
Marcus Phillips and Maria Poliski.

“I like getting experience and seeing what I would like to do for a job.” – Marcus

“I enjoy getting to know the residents. I’ve had a lot of fun interactions.” – Maria

The Moravian Manor Communities’ Work Immersion Program with the IU13 has been going strong since it began in August 2022. After a brief period of education about workplace expectations, led by the IU13 Instructor Kate Weiler and Job Trainers Nathaniel Wright and Jeff Kuhn, the interns were placed in internships around the MMC campus. The departments include Activities, Housekeeping, Grounds, Laundry, and Dining Services. The Interns moved into their second internship rotation in mid-January. Department managers have appreciated the energy and enthusiasm of the interns. According to Dining Services Area Manager Bill Zimnoch, “Working with the team from the IU13 has been extremely appreciated, both at the Owl’s Nest Restaurant and on the Founders Campus. They have been a tremendous help when we are short-staffed during our lunch shift.”

Accommodations Director Patti Shelley shares her experience with the interns, “Over the past several months, the Housekeeping and Laundry departments have had the pleasure of working with the IU13 interns. At the onset of their training, it was evident that most interns were very nervous. They appeared shy, quiet, asked few questions, and had little experience with domestic and environmental cleaning. It’s been amazing to see the transformation in them since they started. They have bonded with their Housekeeping and Laundry mentors, learned the importance of environmental cleaning, and for some, have developed relationships with MMC residents. For the department mentors, the experience has been positive, eye-opening and heartfelt. They will miss the companionship and help that Emily, Ariel, Marcos, Dylan, Evan and Jordyn have given them.”

The Interns will continue with their internships until the end of May, at which time they will have successfully completed the program, and will be prepared for employment.

IU13 Instructor Kate Weiler commented, “We are thrilled to be here at Moravian Manor Communities, and watching the growth of the interns has been amazing! The MMC mentors have been a good fit and so helpful to the interns, who are loving the program, and it’s great to see their growth and independence.”

Madison Haldeman – Excellence in Customer Care

May 23, 2023 | Excellence in Care

Madison Haldeman, Dining Services

Resident family members Albert and Diane Bindie nominated this month’s Excellence in Customer Care award recipient.

“Our nomination is based on our observations over a long period of time of Madison’s devotion to the residents of MMC. She is always pleasant, helpful, and attentive to the needs of the residents and their visitors. We are totally impressed with her fine character. In the many years that we have been coming to MMC, we rank her as one of the most pleasant and devoted members of your staff.

“We have attached a photo to demonstrate one of her recent acts of kindness and caring. The picture was taken on Valentine’s Day this year. In addition to the flower, which she made for each resident, in every card she wrote a personal message and explained the meaning of the colors of the flowers. Our entire family was deeply touched by her thoughtfulness. We cannot find enough kind words to say about her.”

Thank you, Madison, we are grateful for all that you do for Moravian Manor Communities and your dedication to Excellence in Customer Care! We appreciate you!

About the Excellence in Customer Care Recognition Program:
Moravian Manor Communities takes pride in maintaining a strong set of standards and ethics, delivering superior services that make a difference in the daily lives of residents. Through the Excellence in Customer Care recognition program, MMC’s leadership and management team nominate and acknowledge the contributions made by team members who rise to challenges and go above and beyond the call of duty.

The Woman, the Myth, the Legend …
Patti Shelley

May 11, 2023 | Community

For more than four decades, Patti Shelley has walked the halls of Moravian Manor Communities with a keen attention to detail, making sure everything was in tip-top condition. While her role has changed over her 46 years of service, her dedication to MMC has been unwavering.

One of six children, Patti grew up a Lititz girl in a tight-knit family. She attended Warwick High School and was involved in various activities such as cheerleading. Perhaps that’s why she is so team oriented! Soon after graduation, she followed in her mother’s footsteps and found her way to Moravian Manor Communities.

Patti’s mother worked as a second shift RN at the time, and that’s what motivated Patti to seek employment here. Hired as a Housekeeping Aide in June 1976, Patti quickly learned the ins and outs of environmental services and proved herself to be a hardworking employee with a positive, can-do attitude. By January 1977, she was promoted to Housekeeping Assistant Supervisor.

As a new mother in 1982, Patti reduced her hours to part-time to care for her son Ben. Five years later in 1987, she welcomed her second child, Lucy, and in June that year, assumed the full-time position of Housekeeping and Laundry Director.

Patti’s 46-year career, the longest in MMC history, encompassed many roles and titles including Director of Accommodations, the current title from which she is retiring. She has truly made MMC a better place for residents and team members. In typical Patti fashion, she delayed her retirement date in 2023 so she could help organize a major flooring replacement job in the Herrnhut Community. Over the years, Patti has proven herself to be the master of organizing the team to systematically move groups of residents with as little disruption as possible. Under Patti’s direction, over 20 residents (and their possessions) were moved in less than half a day. The entire move went like clockwork.

“I have worked for and with Patti for 35 years. Patti has always been a huge inspiration to me. She’s been very thoughtful, loyal, and helpful in so many ways throughout the years. Patti will most definitely be missed by residents, family members, and staff. Best wishes to Patti as she enters this new chapter in her life!”

~Kelly Clugston

It would be impossible to give an account of every memorable and impactful moment of Patti’s work journey. Honestly, it’s not the high standards that she held us to, her “get-err-done attitude,” or even her performance in countless Christmas pageants and the historic MMC Follies (a program put on by staff for the resident’s enjoyment) for which she will be most remembered upon her retirement on June 1, 2023. More likely, it will be her big heart, caring attitude, and humility. She established strong bonds with residents and earned the respect of numerous staff and co-workers.

“It’s been a pleasure working with Patti through the years. She has always been there when the Laundry Department needed a helping hand. She always reminded us to work as a team, to have fun rather than have a stressful day. Patti will be missed. I wish her an enjoyable and happy retirement”

~Lena Gengana

There is a well-known quote that says, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.” Patti Shelley embodies that quote, always putting the needs of others before her own, and never asking anyone to do something she wouldn’t do herself.

Thank you Patti, for sharing your time and talent with MMC for over 46 years! You will be missed more than you know.

“Patti is a great lady. She will go above and beyond for her employees. She has compassion, but is firm to make sure the building is cared for to the best of our ability.”

~Tina Snyder & Idella Finefrock

Patti’s 46 Years of Service

1976 Housekeeping Aide

1977 Housekeeping Assistant Supervisor

1987 Housekeeping and Laundry Director

1994 Assistant Director Housekeeping and Laundry Services

1996 Housekeeping Supervisor

2004 Accommodations Director

“Patti was always willing to help others when they needed it. She has done a great job over the years at MMC. I’m going to miss working with her.”

~Bonnie Supplee

Patti’s Employment History

Patti was hired as a Housekeeping Aide on 6/22/1976. This was right after Patti graduated Warwick High School. At the time, Patti’s mother was working as a second shift RN at the Manor, and that’s what motivated Patti to apply for a position in Housekeeping or Dining Services. Patti’s family lived in Sutter Village on West Sixth Street, so the Manor was right down the street from her home.

Patti went on to become the Housekeeping Assistant Supervisor in January 1977. When Patti had her son Ben in 1982 she went part-time. In June 1987, Patti became the full-time Housekeeping and Laundry Director. This is the same year Patti welcomed her daughter Lucy. In January 1994 Patti became the Assistant Director Housekeeping and Laundry Services. Another title change occurred in February of 1996 when Patti became Housekeeping Supervisor. Patti’s final title change occurred in April 2004. This is when Patti earned her current title of Accommodations Director.

Patti’s 46 year career at Moravian Manor Communities will end with her retirement on June 1, 2023.

Kate Souder – Excellence in Customer Care

Apr 21, 2023 | Excellence in Care

Kate Souder, Sales & Marketing

“I am consistently amazed by Kate’s work ethic and boundless energy. Her caring attitude toward prospective residents, current residents, and staff is admirable. Going above and beyond is the norm for Kate. From making ‘house calls’ to clients who are homebound to baking treats as a ‘thank you’ for co-workers who go out of their way to assist her…she is the quintessential employee!”

– Nicky Michael, Corporate Director, Sales & Marketing

Kate truly exemplifies MMC’s core values (People First, Accountability, Communication, and Transformation). Her commitment to every task and attention to detail is commendable and appreciated.

Thank you, Kate, we are grateful for all that you do for Moravian Manor Communities and your dedication to Excellence in Customer Care! We appreciate you!