The Open Gate
The Open Gate - a retirement home for Christian Scientists
36 South Clinton Avenue
Bay Shore, NY 11704-8603
Phone(631)666-5203
Fax (631)666-9335
opengateassoc@optonline.net
Welcome!
The heart of The Open Gate is a large and lovely turn-of-the-century frame home adjoined by an up-to-date brick wing with 20 private rooms and baths for residents. Guests and visitors are accommodated in Rest and Study rooms decorated in the Victorian manner, in the original frame house. In a separate building are four apartments with kitchens and dining areas for completely independent living. These apartment residents may elect to share meals in the main dining room and participate in other resident activities.
The atmosphere is loving and home-like. Applications for permanent residence are accepted from Christian Scientists over 55 who have been members of The Mother Church or a branch church for at least two years, are free of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and are ambulatory, after a brief get-acquainted visit.
In December 1958, The Open Gate Association, Inc. was incorporated by a private group of interested Christian Scientists under the laws of the State of New York "to acquire and maintain a residential home or homes for persons 55 years of age or over who are Christian Scientists."
In 1964, the former summer home of the Gulden family, of Gulden mustard fame, was acquired and converted to use as The Open Gate. Available space soon outstripped demand and in the 1970's a two story brick wing of private rooms and baths was constructed on the original property to adjoin the original frame building. After that a large home to the north was also purchased and converted to four separate one-bedroom apartments with full kitchens and dining areas, where residents can live independently but still enjoy participating in Open Gate activities.
ROOMS AND APARTMENT
Rest and Study rooms in the original house are Victorian in decor, large and airy, with either twin or double beds. We welcome guests of our residents, friends attending New York City associations, or those seeking a peaceful haven for a few days or weeks.
The Dining Room, bright and multi-windowed, looks out over the evergreen grounds and the rear cottage.
A typical resident's room in the new wing is fully windowed on one wall, and looks out on green garden areas. Second floor rooms are accessed by elevator. Residents may bring their own furnishings or use the lovely traditional Open Gate furniture.
Four separate one-bedroom apartments with kitchens and dining areas are in a separate building, known as number 26. Apartment residents may opt to join other residents for both meals and activities.
STAFF, SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES
Staff
The Open Gate is staffed on a twenty-four hour basis. All administrative personnel are Christian Scientists, and the majority of housekeeping and operational personnel are local community members. An application for certification as an Assisted Living Facility is pending with the State of New York Department of Health.
Services
Rooms are cleaned weekly and clean linens provided. Weekly personal laundry service is included. All common areas are open at all times. Relatives and friends of residents are welcomed for overnight or longer stays in our well-appointed rest and study rooms. Residents in our apartment building are completely independent, but may choose to share meals with residents in the dining room, along with other activities. An in-house beauty salon is open once a week.
Light assistance with everyday living and additional services are available, if needed, and is reflected in the rates.
Resident Activities
A weekly calendar outlines upcoming events. Breakfast is at 8 am followed by the videotaped Christian Science Bible Lesson-Sermon in the TV room. A home-cooked dinner is at mid-day, followed by a 3 pm afternoon snack. 5:30 p.m. evening supper is followed by an 8 pm snack. Mornings and afternoons are filled with voluntary activities: an exercise session led by the Resident Assistant; a daily outing in the van to a local park, mall, beach, or site of interest when the weather permits; a late afternoon tape or reading by the staff of either Christian Science literature, lectures, or Sentinel programs. Residents love the games and travelogues that are interspersed in the events calendar, too. An evening movie usually tops off the day's events.
A sunny, well-stocked Reading Room is always open.
Residents enjoy many special activities, too. Local libraries host a series of musical events highlighting local talents. The local YMCA Boulton Center in town and other local theaters give lively theatrical performances. Residents may attend Christian Science lectures and Sunday and Wednesday church services in the Open Gate van. Regular and holiday hymn sings and parties are attended by outside friends and supporters.
The Open Gate is a member of the Organization of Residential Homes, formed for the purpose of sharing information and ideas among member Christian Science residential facilities.
Members of the ORH meet once a year to report progress and discuss issues of mutual interest.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Bay Shore was once a recreational area for the turn-of-the-century wealthy from New York City, who maintained their summer "cottages" here - huge, rambling frame houses just like the one that forms the architectural core of The Open Gate. The cool breezes from the Great South Bay and the pristine beaches along bay and ocean attracted people then, as they do today.
Many of our residents and Rest-and-Study guests love the short walk south to the marina where fishermen and clammers are at work, or they may just enjoy sitting out on the open back deck or the enclosed front porch watching the scenery and reading.
A short walk to the north is the main street of Bay Shore with banks, restaurants, shops, and a gazebo overlooking the newly landscaped canal to the Bay where regular summer outdoor concerts are held. The Christian Science Society and its Reading Room are on Main Street, too, a walk away. The Open Gate van takes residents to the services.
The Long Island Railroad is nearby in town, giving our visitors and residents access to the treasures of New York City; the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Lincoln Center, Broadway Theaters, Central Park, South Street Seaport, the Cloisters and endless other attractions.
CURRENT RATES AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Main House
Private Resident Rooms (in new brick wing) with private bath - $1,550.00/month
Room Numbers 101-110 and 201-210
Private Rest and Study Rooms (in original Victorian home)
One Guest in twin bedded room - $60.00/per night
Two Guests in double bedded or twin bedded room - $80.00/per night
Metropolitan New York area transportation to and from the Open Gate for Rest and Study Guests can be arranged in advance on request.
Included in Main House Resident and Rest and Study Rates
- Cleaning and Laundry
Weekly changes of sheets, pillow cases and towels, weekly room cleaning, weekly personal laundry
- Meals
Three Meals and two snacks per day.
- Transportation
Van transportation to church services and scheduled activities.
Assistance with daily living tasks, such as showering, is available on an individual basis as the circumstance requires, and should be discussed at the time of application. An application for certification as an Assisted Living Facility is currently pending with New York State.
One-Bedroom Apartments - Independent Living
Separate four-apartment building next door
- Apartment 1A $1,400.00/month
- Apartment 1B $1,100.00/month
- Apartment 2A $1,000.00/month
- Apartment 2B $1,000.00/mont
Meal service is not included in apartment rental rates, but full or partial food service is available in main building dining room on a separate fee basis. Cleaning services can also be arranged separately.
© 2007, The Open Gate Association, Inc.
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