For our annual “Aging Gratefully” cover package, Jmore interviewed three members of the Edward A. Myerberg Center in Northwest Baltimore to learn about how participating in creative endeavors there has added meaning, nuance and purpose to their lives.
Coming Into Focus
Mark Pressman admits that patience is not one of his greatest virtues. But immersing himself in the study of photography has taught him to slow down to savor moments and capture the finer things in life.
“Sometimes, you just have to stop and wait and take the time to get the right angle,” says Pressman, 76. “I do try to wait, but I’m the kind of person who likes to keep moving. But I really love [photography]. It’s the little boy in me.”
A Philadelphia native who lives in Mays Chapel with his wife Fran, Pressman — a father of three and grandfather of three — retired in 2017 as executive director of Pikesville’s North Oaks Retirement Community.
Before coming to North Oaks in 2007, he worked in mental health facilities, hospitals and nursing homes in Philadelphia, Memphis and Baltimore.
“I really liked working with seniors and fell in love with long-term care,” Pressman says. “I learned a lot along the way, especially from the mistakes I made. But that’s how you learn.”
When deciding the time was right to retire, Pressman knew he wanted to stay active and continue making a difference in the community.
“Someone recently told me, ‘I’m not retired, I’m redeployed.’ That’s how I feel,” he says. “I’ve always liked to keep busy. But I like to be engaged in labors of love. If the love stops, I’ll go away to something else.”
While continuing to serve as a consultant to North Oaks, Pressman serves on the boards of the Myerberg, CHAI, Jewish Community Services and the Greater Baltimore Chamber of Commerce. He’s also president of his condo association.
“These organizations have great boards and great staffs. Why wouldn’t I want to contribute to those environments?” he says. “I feel very blessed. Now I go at my own pace and keep as active as I want to be. If I sat at home all day, I’d go nuts and drive my wife crazy. So I get out a lot.”
The Myerberg Center has a special place in his heart, Pressman says. Besides attending the center’s photo club workshops and other assorted events, he works out regularly at the Myerberg’s fitness facilities.
“There’s a million things always going on here,” he says. “There are places more convenient to where I live. But this is a more relaxed, friendly, haimishe environment. I really love it.
Since childhood, Pressman has enjoyed photography as an avocation.
“I remember borrowing my father’s camera and getting the pictures developed at the old Fotomats,” he says. “I never wanted to be a professional, but I wanted to develop into a capable photographer.”
He says his passion and technical skills have accelerated considerably since coming regularly to the Myerberg.
“In the photo club, we have some people who are extremely accomplished,” he says. “We have people who are at all different levels — people learning how to use their cell phone cameras and others who really know lighting, depth and composition. And then there’s people like me. The class forces me to think a lot about what I’m doing. It’s really opened my mind about things like colors and lighting. I’m a much better photographer today.”
Pressman says he tends to enjoy taking spontaneous photos, particularly of nature and mechanical objects such as locomotives and clock mechanisms. His digital Canon camera is never far out of reach.
“Some people use Photoshop and make major alterations to their pictures,” he says. “But I’m more interested getting what the eye sees. I like photos that look like photos, that are realistic. If I’m going for a walk somewhere and something catches my eye, I shoot it.”
Pressman strongly believes that staying busy and connected is the key to aging well.
“Some [retirees] volunteer or go back to school or start hobbies they always wanted to do,” he says. “See what gets you excited and put your energies there. You have to keep learning and find meaning.
“Some people tell me, ‘You should relax already,’” Pressman says. “But why? I’m having fun. I do get tired some days. But it’s a good tired. I’m as busy as I want to be.”
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