Senior Resident-Managed Magazine Still Going Strong 31 Years Later
The Spicy Apple has been published since Applewood opened in 1990. Originally utilized as a mimeographed bi-monthly community newsletter for residents, the popular publication has steadily evolved over the years in response to improved technological communication efforts and resident interests.
With the advent of technology and the internet, Applewood management could disseminate community news quickly and effectively.
As a result, the Spicy Apple transformed into a literary journal format, using original content contributed by residents, including articles, poetry, artwork, photography and puzzles.
Doris Wells, editor-in-chief, has done a marvelous job during her tenure since 2014. She has amassed an outstanding staff who edit submissions and help prepare the quarterly issues for printing and distribution.
Resident Helen Kho, who preceded Doris as editor, was instrumental in modernizing the design, layout and commercial production of nearly 300 copies seasonally.
The Spicy Apple documents Applewood’s fascinating residents over the years
“If you truly want to learn more about the history of Applewood, nearly every copy of the publication is stored in binders in our library,” explains Doris. “It is a fascinating look at how our community started and grew over the years.”
Doris said the newsletter was originally manually typed on mimeographed paper and produced in-house. Today, the issues are professionally printed and feature a color cover and back with original artwork created by resident Joel Stern.
“We’re really proud of the quality of our content and how popular The Apple is after all these years,” Doris says. “Residents get very excited when they see a new brightly-colored issue in the mail cubbies.”
Creating a unique publication by residents for residents
She says the longstanding publication is one of the only resident-generated literary publications of its kind in the region.
“Our current publication is more like a magazine—it can be up to 20 pages of content that includes resident articles about life, travel and important memories.”
Doris says that her editors and staff are fully independent and appreciate that the management staff does not interfere or oversee the magazine in any way.
After a career as a business teacher in Westchester County, NY and Staten Island, Doris has generously served as editor-in-chief for six years. “We’ve been successful in steadily expanding our content to include some photography, cartoons, sketches and puzzles, which everyone enjoys.”
Residents who would like to contribute to the Spicy Apple, or join the staff, can drop a message to Doris in the Spicy Apple folder located at the Concierge Desk.
“We hope to share the thoughts, ideas and memories of every resident,” says Doris, as she takes a call from one of her editors. “Even brief pieces of content are welcomed!”
The flexibility of a single-site retirement community
Applewood is a unique single-site continuing care retirement community (CCRC) affiliated with the highly-regarded CentraState Healthcare System. The community management team and residents work in tandem to meet the specific needs of nearly 300 seniors who reside in independent living (traditional senior living), assisted living, memory care, short-term rehabilitation and skilled nursing.
We are fully open and offer tours of our community to interested seniors and their loved ones. Call (732) 303-7416 to receive more information or complete the Contact Us card.