From the November/December issue of the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce newsletter Packed house at Deer Meadows business card exchange A packed house of GNPCC members and prospective members highlighted the Oct. 25 business card exchange at beautiful Deer Meadows Retirement Community, 8301 E. Roosevelt Blvd. GNPCC business card exchanges are held monthly between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. At a few minutes after 5 p.m., there were only a handful of seats remaining at the tables inside Deer Meadows’ elegant Walton Conference Center, as the room quickly filled with guests. Deer Meadows Retirement Community was founded in 1869 as the Baptist Home of Philadelphia. Currently home to more than 400 residents, they offer Independent Living, Personal Care, Rehabilitation, Skilled Nursing Care, Dementia Care and Hospice Services. Their executive director, Michael Jacobs, is a dynamic administrator with an infectious enthusiasm for Northeast Philadelphia. His support of the GNPCC has been outstanding. Moreover, his leadership and vision at Deer Meadows have earned him national praise in the continuing care industry. While members networked, they enjoyed samplings from Deer Meadows’ legendary kitchen. The food is five-star restaurant quality, so much so, that when Philadelphia Mayor John F. Street once addressed the GNPCC at Deer Meadows, he received a take-home piece of specially seasoned salmon after publicly praising his meal! Deer Meadows operates on the concept of Continuous Quality Improvement, and that can take on many forms, Jacobs says. Community outreach takes the form of many exciting projects here, including the annual Spring Flower Festival and a salute to war heroes. “There has never been a time in my memory when I failed to be totally impressed when coming to this facility,” said GNPCC President Al Taubenberger. “The word ‘retirement’ does not come to mind when I am visiting Deer Meadows, because the residents here are busy and the place is alive with activity.” One of the highlights of the evening was a gathering of seven new members for a group photograph and networking discussion. “I am really impressed by what I saw here tonight,” said one of those new members, Bob Rossi, director of business development for CPR Restoration and Cleaning Services of the Northeast. “This is a good way to make business contacts.” For more information about Deer Meadows, please call Liz Harbison, director of marketing and public relations, at 215-624-7575 (ext. 1506).