Mary Lou Cole
1987 ~ 1988

I moved from Long Island, NY, to NJ in June, 1978. I had worked for 10 years as an elementary school teacher in Michigan; Pittsburg, PA; and New York. Since elementary teachers were not needed at that time in that part of NJ, I sought an alternative career and ‘fell providentially’ in Activities. While in NJ, I worked for United Methodist Homes in Ocean Grove and Monmouth County at Geraldine Thompson Home. I was certified by NJ as a Recreation Administrator in June of 1984. During those years, I was fortunate to participate in the formation of MOCAP and NJAPA. I was the Charter President of NJAPA and reelected to a second term but my husband was transferred to Philadelphia and we moved before I could assume that position.

While in PA I worked at Leader Home in Yardley for Manor Healthcare and the Quaker-owned Pennswood Village in Newtown. We transferred to Arlington, TX, in 1995. I did not return to work after that. I find my activity/recreation training and experience to be helpful as I deal with Senior issues in my daily life in family as well as church and community volunteer responsibilities.

We retired and returned ‘back home’ to Michigan in 1998 and I keep busy with church work, redecorating my home, my flower beds, grandchildren and old and new friends.
Come see us!

Joan Colquhoun
1988 ~ 1990

Debbie Hommel, ACC
1992 ~ 1994

Upon leaving office in 1994, Debbie accepted the role of Public Relations Chairperson for NJAPA where she oversaw the organization and content of the NJAPA News from 1994 – 1996. In 1996, after ten years of active service on the NJAPA board as a founding member, member of the education committee, Vice President, President and Chairperson of the Public Relations Committee, she decided it was time to step down.

Since 1996, Debbie has been involved with her family and private practice of activity consultation and training. While her son was in high school, attending school baseball games and games for a summer traveling team consumed much time in the spring and summer. Since her son has graduated, Debbie is now a spectator at her daughter’s cross-country meets as well as winter and spring track events.

In 2002, Debbie became interested in the Culture Change movement and organized a small group of individuals interested in this movement. The group has met sporadically and unfortunately, has not met recently, but Debbie’s commitment to the Culture Change ideals remains strong. She has conducted various workshops on the topic and includes the information within the activity courses she teaches. Debbie has participated in the Advisory Committee for Education with the South Jersey Alzheimer’s Association and the NJ Geriatric Education Center, assisting in development of training programs on understanding behaviors and pain management. Currently, Debbie continues to finish coursework in order to sit for the exam to become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. After ten years of study, Debbie only needs to complete one more course to apply. Her goal is to sit for the exam in early 2006.

Today, Debbie is committed to the education of activity professionals and her main focus is teaching the MEPAP courses and various one day programs. She continues to consult for long term care, medical day care and assisted living communities as well.

Debbie is the state representative for the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals. Future professional goals for Debbie include the transitioning of the MEPAP I and II course into the MEPAP, Second Edition; obtaining her CTRS certification; and developing on-line education through her web site – dhspecialservices.com. During her leisure time, Debbie enjoys shopping with her teenage daughter, the beach in the summer time, crossword puzzles, gardening, and baking. Personal goals include living each day the best she can, learning cake decorating, riding in a hot air balloon and surviving her daughter’s teenage years.

Mary Lou Schnurr
1994 ~ 1996

Mary Lou joined the Activity profession in 1982. She quickly became a leader in the field and founded the Northwest New Jersey Gathering of Activity Professionals (NWNJGAP) in 1986. She served as a Board member and on various committees of the National Association of Activity Professionals (NAAP). Mary Lou was one of the founding members of the New Jersey Activity Professionals’ Association (NJAPA) and has served as Treasurer, Vice President and President of the organization. She received NJAPA’s “Madison E. Weidner Lifetime Achievement Award” in 1998.

Mary Lou established her own company, Quality Resources, in 1987 and has provided education, training, and consultation to numerous healthcare organizations and professionals throughout the long term care continuum over the years. She was an instructor of the former “basic” activity course and subsequently the NCCAP Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals.

A Licensed Nursing Home Administrator since 1998, Mary Lou has been the Nursing Home Administrator of the Sussex County Homestead since August of that year. She is also credentialed as a Certified Assistant Living Administrator and continues to maintain her Activity Consultant certification through National Certification Council for Activity Professionals (NCCAP). She earned a Masters in Administrative Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University in May 2005.

A member of the American College of Nursing Home Administrators, Mary Lou is credentialed as a Certified Nursing Home Administrator through the organization. She was presented with the New Jersey Chapter’s “New Administrator Award” in 2001.

Mary Lou currently is an ex-officio member of the Sussex County Senior Services Advisory Council. She also serves on the Boards of Trustees of the Sparta Ecumenical Council on Senior Citizen Housing, Inc. and Knoll Shared Housing, Inc. She founded and serves as Executive Director of the Homestead Life Enrichment Foundation, Inc., whose mission is to financially support quality of life enhancements and help “Put ‘life’ into living” at the Sussex County Homestead.

Margaret Abdil
1996 ~ 1999

Margaret is an LPN and a Certified Activities Director with NCCAP since 1988.  She is currently the Director of Activities at the Masonic Home of New Jersey in Burlington.  She is a member of the National Association of Activities and American Therapeutic Recreation Association. She was the President of New Jersey Activity Professionals’ Association, along with holding other numerous positions on the board and on the Tri-County Activities Coordinators Association board. Margaret has presented for many organizations including the New Jersey Association of Non-Profit Homes for the Aging, New Jersey Day Care Association, and the New York City Bar Association.  Margaret has been presented awards from numerous groups, such as the Madison E. Werdner Lifetime Achievement Award from NJAPA, and the Innovation of the Year Award from American Associations of Homes for the Aging.

Laura Wilson
1999 ~ 2001