Zerbe Retirement Community, as the final venture of ambitious entrepreneurs, has grown to become an extended family to the community, offering security and tender loving care to both residents and their families. Back in 1958, this was the long-term goal of sisters Dot and Sis Zerbe and Ann Zerbe Good, and Ann’s husband, Curly (Omar) Good. This foursome was already well known locally as The Zerbe Sisters and Curly, a popular music group that sang at church gatherings, community fairs and on a local radio show. However, what you may not know is that they were also very ambitious prior to founding the nursing center.
Their initial venture began with a trip to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where they bought 6 mink with plans to raise and sell the mink for their beautiful fur. But, after two years and 25 mink later, the foursome tired of the time-consuming mink business and pursued a less-troublesome business . . . frog legs! The scheme included selling the frog legs to fine restaurants in New York City for a hefty profit. The frogs were a true delicacy, but little did they know just how delicate these frogs would become. Upon their release into the pond in the autumn, the 12 pairs of jumbo frogs were expected to hibernate and reproduce. When spring arrived, Curly checked on the progress of their investments, only to find the frogs frozen from the winter cold! Venture number three included purchasing one male and three female silver foxes in hopes of breeding for their luxurious coats. However, one minor detail was overlooked . . . these foxes didn’t have a pen! As a quick solution to their problem, they locked the foxes in the chicken house. Unfortunately, the foxes chewed their way out and were never seen again! The last two undertakings included making chow chow for John Cope, and Triple Z, a complete and successful hosiery mill. This hosiery business flourished until World War II when nylon became unavailable to the mill due to its use in the production of war supplies such as parachutes. In 1958, after the closing of Triple Z, the foursome began boarding residents at their farmhouse in Bowmansville, Pennsylvania. In 1960, Dot, Sis and Ann became Licensed Practical Nurses and began offering the quality nursing care that people remember and expect five decades later.
