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SUNBEAMS
December 2014
Transitions Healthcare Sykesville, 7309 Second Avenue, Sykesville, MD 21784
Celebrating
December
Safe Toys and Gifts Month
National Tie Month
Computer Science
Education Week
December 8–14
Eat a Red Apple Day
December 1
Sachertorte Day
December 5
Pearl Harbor
Remembrance Day
December 7
Weary Willie Day
December 9
Cocoa Day
December 13
Cat Herders Day
December 15
Egg Nog Day
December 24
Christmas Day
December 25
Keeping Healthy for the Holidays
By the first of December, the holiday season is already
well underway. It’s a season of feasts and parties,
tempting desserts, and freely flowing drinks. Combine
this steady eating with harsh and discouraging
weather, and it is not uncommon to suddenly pack on
a few extra pounds. Fortunately, there are ways to both
enjoy the holidays and stay fit well into the new year.
Despite our best intentions to eat light, it is near
impossible to resist a full holiday table with all the
trimmings. The trick is not to “save” your appetite before
the big meal. Don’t skip breakfast and lunch. Instead,
have four to six mini-meals throughout the day to
sustain your metabolism and keep burning calories.
Then you will be less likely to overeat.
To increase a feeling of fullness and reduce your
appetite, eat water-based foods that are low in calories,
such as brothy soups, fruits, and vegetables. Also,
when dinner arrives, eat slowly. It takes at least 20
minutes for your stomach to signal to your brain that it
is full.
Invited to a holiday potluck? Volunteer to bring a
healthy dish. Do you enjoy preparing the same
traditional family recipes year after year? You can
modify the recipes with new ingredients. Substitute
applesauce for cooking oil or make stuffing with whole
wheat bread rather than white.
Maintaining an exercise routine may be the most
important factor in staying fit. Make a point of
exercising before the big meal or holiday party. Often
you can even find holiday-themed community events
like Turkey Trots or Jingle Jogs. Traveling? Include
exercising in your travel plans. And if the weather
outside is frightful, move your routine indoors, perhaps
even trying new workouts such as stationary bikes,
yoga, or volleyball.
December 2014
The Mother of All Demos
Storm Spotters
Some call it the day that
launched the personal
computing revolution.
Others call it the “Mother of
All Demos.” On December 9,
1968, a computer engineer
named Douglas Engelbart made a
presentation to an audience of 1,000 at the San
Francisco Convention Center. During this
presentation, Engelbart foresaw the future of
computing.
The first Saturday of December is Skywarn
Recognition Day, a day of appreciation for over
290,000 volunteer storm spotters. These spotters
provide timely and accurate reports of wind, hail,
flash floods, lightning, tornadoes, and hurricanes.
Skywarn volunteers are often the first to signal
warnings of severe weather as it approaches.
In 1968, computers were considered by many to
be little more than fancy calculators, but Engelbart
and a group of 17 other researchers had been
working since 1962 at the Stanford Research
Institute in Menlo Park, California, to prove that
computers were much more than that. Computers,
they believed, could augment human intelligence:
using a computer, we could work smarter and
faster, thereby dramatically increasing our ability to
do good in the world.
During the 100-minute presentation, Engelbart
presented the first computer mouse, so called
because of the long cord resembling a mouse’s tail
running from one end. He used the mouse to
move a cursor around a screen, highlight words,
and resize windows. A video of Engelbart himself
appeared on half of the screen, while the other half
displayed the computer’s working output. Soon
after, Engelbart’s colleagues appeared on-screen
to converse and help modify the on-screen
document. The team was effectively
demonstrating the first collaborative remote
videoconference.
While we take such technological innovations for
granted today, in 1968, such a presentation was
mind-blowing. Personal computers would not even
become accessible to the public for another 12
years. Furthermore, the interface Engelbart first
described on December 9, 1968, is still the basic
computer interface we use today. Before his
presentation, some believed Engelbart to be a
“crackpot.” Afterward, he was hailed as a visionary
and genius.
Anyone can be a Skywarn weather spotter. Local
National Weather Service offices provide training
in storm structures and development, weather
safety, and how to report severe weather
information. These spotters are a gift to their
communities, giving them time to prepare for
whatever Mother Nature brings.
Bingo!
Bingo is celebrated throughout
December in church halls and
community centers because
December is Bingo Month.
The game dates all the way
back to 1530, when Italians
played a game called Lo
Giucco del Lotto d’Italia.
Some even say that this game was used to fight
government corruption. Instead of winning a pot
of money, those holding winning numbers were
elected as local leaders.
The French first introduced a playing card full of
numbers. Then in the 1800s, the Germans used
the game as a tool to teach children math and
spelling. It first appeared in America in 1929 at a
carnival near Atlanta, Georgia, where it was
called “Beano.” When an excited winner shouted
out the word bingo by mistake, an entrepreneur
named Edwin S. Lowe overheard the faux pas,
renamed the game, and employed a Columbia
University mathematician named Carl Leffler to
create 6,000 randomly numbered bingo cards.
Leffler purportedly went insane from the task. A
Catholic priest asked Lowe to show him the game
as a way of raising money for the church. Bingo
has been a church hall mainstay ever since.
December 2014
Elementary, My
Dear Beeton
Samuel Orchart Beeton, an
English publisher from the
1800s, was best known for
publishing his wife’s book,
Mrs. Beeton’s Book of
Household Management, a
guide for keeping house in
Victorian England. Beeton
went on to launch a new magazine that came out
only once a year, called Beeton’s Christmas
Annual. His 1887 issue contained three stories,
including a story by a writer named Arthur Conan
Doyle entitled “A Study in Scarlet,” featuring a
detective named Sherlock Holmes and his friend
and assistant, Dr. Watson.
Doyle had not originally intended to become a
writer of mystery stories. He studied medicine at
the University of Edinburgh in his native Scotland.
One of his professors, Dr. Joseph Bell, inspired
him greatly with his amazing powers of deduction.
It is said that the character of Sherlock Holmes is
based on Dr. Bell.
Doyle moved to London to practice medicine,
but work was slow, and he wrote in his free
time. When “A Study in Scarlet” was first
published, it did not garner much attention.
However, as Doyle introduced more
adventures, the public clamored for more
Sherlock Holmes stories. Eventually Doyle quit
medicine to become a full-time writer.
“A Study in Scarlet” is marvelous in that it shows
the first meeting between Sherlock Holmes and
Dr. Watson, as well as paints a full picture of
Holmes’ many eccentricities. It is also famous for
being the first detective story that included a
magnifying glass as a detective’s tool. Only 11
copies of the 1887 Beeton’s Christmas Annual are
known to exist, and copies in excellent condition
are collectors’ items worth more than $100,000.
Doyle would go on to write over 50 Sherlock
Holmes stories, and his famous detective would
forever influence the future of the crime and
mystery genre.
Beach Blessings
While the northern hemisphere is bundling up for
winter, in the southern hemisphere, Uruguayans
are preparing for beach season. One of the great
secrets of this South American country is that its
coastline is one long, never ending beach. In fact,
Uruguay boasts some of the most beautiful
beaches in the world, earning the nickname of the
“Uruguayan Riviera.”
Beach season unofficially opens every year on
December 8, the Day of the Beaches, when local
priests perform a “Blessing of the Waters.” After
the blessing, sailboat regattas and horsebackriding competitions are held. Then everyone
frolics in the surf for the rest of the summer.
A Cut Above
Nothing announces the arrival
of the holiday season like the
smell of freshly baked cookies
from the oven. If you’re looking
to spruce up your baking this
year, ditch the common round
shape for some fun cookie cutters during Cookie
Cutter Week, held the first week of December.
While evidence shows that ancient Egyptians
created interesting molds for baking cakes,
Queen Elizabeth I of England is said to have
popularized the novelty of baking cookies not
round, but in the shape of her guests!
Gingerbread men and women soon became
popular in bakeries across 17th-century England.
Today, you can find cookie cutters in every
conceivable shape and size. There are even
manufacturers who will create custom cookie
cutters. Some enjoy collecting cookie cutters,
and serious enthusiasts belong to the Cookie
Cutters Collectors’ Club (CCCC). In fact, it was
the CCCC that originally conceived Cookie
Cutter Week 20 years ago. Members enjoy
benefits such as a quarterly newsletter and
an exclusive cutter designed to commemorate
Cookie Cutter Week.
December 2014
The Art of
Letter Writing
We live in a digital age where
email, Facebook, Twitter, and
text messaging are considered
preferable ways of
communicating with friends.
These days, good oldfashioned letter-writing is a lost art. December may
be the perfect time to resurrect that art, for
December is Write to a Friend Month, and
December 7 is Letter Writing Day.
December presents a variety of opportunities for
writing letters. The holiday season is often the one
time a year we send holiday cards with updates
about our family or events from the past year. And
after all the holiday gift giving, there may be no
better way to express thanks than by sending a
handwritten thank-you card.
If you need some extra incentive to start your letter
writing, consider buying some fun new stationery.
You could also head to your local post office to pick
out some unique stamps. If you want to get really
fancy, join a calligraphy class to add an extra
flourish to your letters, or add a dash of oldfashioned elegance by sealing your envelopes with
a wax seal.
As long as you’re writing, a letter could also prove
the perfect vehicle for reconnecting with old
friends. Receiving a letter in the mail is nice
enough, but a letter from a childhood pal or an old
flame? Thrilling!
Some shy away from writing to old friends out of
the blue because it may feel awkward, but we must
not forget that old friendships are valuable things.
After all, a friendship is a shared history. What
better way to reconnect with a friend than to fondly
reminisce about those shared good times and to
perhaps reflect on how you have grown? It is also
important to realize that reconnecting via a handwritten letter does not necessarily mean you must
make a long-term commitment. Sometimes a
warm hello is sufficient and can stand well enough
December Birthdays
If you were born between December 1–21, you are
Sagittarius, the Archer. Archers are optimistic,
energetic, generous, and honest. They enjoy
exploration and keep an open mind during new
encounters. Those born between December 22–31
are Capricorns, the Goat. Capricorns are the most
stable and serious signs of the zodiac. Reliable,
resourceful, and determined, they make excellent
leaders and managers.
Nicholas Attick Dec. 06
Dolly Davis Dec. 06
Ruth Anderson Dec. 08
William Flynt Dec. 10
Frances Bass Dec. 13
Frank Abramowicz - Dec. 15
Audrey DeGrange - Dec. 18
Christina Cooley - Dec. 18
Clara Murray
- Dec. 22
Michael Brodie Dec. 22
Emma Weiner Dec. 24
Diane Conley Dec. 25
Jacqueline Maize –
Dec. 31
Let ’Em Roll
Dice may be the ultimate random
number generators,
but there is nothing ramdom
about the date of National Dice
Day, which always falls on
December 4. Some of the oldest
known dice are more than 5,000 years old; they
were part of a backgammon set from the historic
Burnt City in Iran.
Why are dice sometimes called “bones”? In
olden times, the talus, or ankle bones, of
hoofed animals such as sheep and goats were
used as dice. Since then, the name bones
stuck. The dots on dice are called pips, and
the six sides of a die also have names: ace,
deuce, trey, cater, cinque, and sice. Speaking
of die, where did this term for a single number
cube come from? It comes from the Latin word
datum, which means “something that is given
or played.” On December 4, you can do both:
give some dice as a Dice Day gift and then “let
’em roll” in your favorite game.
December 2014
Welcome to Transitions
Healthcare Sykesville
Community
Staff, Family, Friends and
Volunteers Express Their
Sympathy To The Families Of..
Florence Eckhardt
Ki Han
Frances Shannon
Michael Heffernan
Joseph Witte
Robert Merson
Carmeno Albertini
William Janelli
Everett Cooper
Frederick Grimes
Donald Walters
Phyllis Blizzard
Paul Barnes
Emilie Wisniewski
In God Is My Strength
By-Helen Steiner Rice
My earthy load I could not bear
If you were not there to share
All the pain, despair, and sorrow
That almost make me dread tomorrow,
For I am often weak and weary
And life is dark and bleak and dreary.
But somehow when I realize
That he who made the sea and skies
And holds the whole word in his hand
Has my small soul in his command,
It gives me strength to try once more
To press on toward the heavenly door
Where I will live forevermore
With friends and loved ones I adore.
Breakfast with
Santa and Mrs. Claus
Rock Around The Clock
New Year’s Eve
Saturday, December 6th
9:30am
Wednesday, December 31st
2:30PM
1st Floor Dining room
10:15am – Santa Arrives at Transitions
By Reindeers Sleigh
Entertainment by Billy Lynch
Invite Your Family and Friends to help us
welcome in 2015!
Bring Your Dancing Shoes!
Grab Some Champagne and Snacks.
Midnight Toast!
Food and presents for everyone!
Picture taken with Mr. and Mrs. Claus and the Elf!
Holiday Bus Ride to See the
Lights!
Sadly We tell you….. The older Mrs. Claus, Santa’s
mother, who lived at Transitions, has passed on to
Heaven! Therefore, Santa is bringing his wife, Mrs.
Claus – who is also a Jolly Ole Elf and like Santa.
Santa’s wife is shorter, then but as sweet as his
mother, with the beautiful snow white hair. She and
Santa come dressed in their best!
Wednesday, December 17th
5:30 – 7:00 pm
4:00pm
Everyone who sings up for this trip will meet in
the Game Room for a Light supper of soup and
sandwiches before the bus pulls out.
When you return from the ride, hot cocoa and
donuts will be waiting to warm you back up.
Dress very warm – coats, hats, scarves, and
mittens!
HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT TEAM, SYKESVILLE, MD
JOHN WHITE, NHA – Senior Administrator
KIM DRAKE, AIT, RD, CSG, LDN – Administrator in Training
MARJORIE SIMPSON, PhD, CRNP – Vice President, Nurse Practitioner Services
LISA LIPMAN – Acting Director of Nursing
LINDA KARMALA, RN – Assistant Director of Nursing
IAN ROHE, LPN – Marketing/Clinical Liaison
KRISTEN ALLEN – Admissions Coordinator
TOM HOUSER, LPN – 1st Floor Unit Manager
DURAMANY SESAY, RN - 2nd floor Unit Manager
DEBBIE GRIGSBY, LPN – 3rd Floor Unit Manager
JANE OZOR, RN – Evening Supervisor
ROSE KELLEY, RN – Weekend Supervisor
GREG LORCH, DH-LPTA, MHA, CST – Director of Rehab Department
LISA TIMMONS – Director of Human Resources
MICHELLE MOORE, LCSW – Director of Social Work
MEREDITH FARGNOLI, RD, LDN – Dietitian
RICHARD COLEMAN – Food Services Manager
JULIO CASANAS – Area Plant Director
CARLOS SHARP – Housekeeping & Laundry Supervisor
SANDI McDIVITT – Business Office Manager
DONNA BARNETT, AC-BC, ADC/MC, CDP, Editor “Sunbeams”
Life Enrichment Director
Christmas Dinner
Thursday, December 25th
11:30 am
1st Floor Dining Room
$7.00 per person
Family & friends, come join your family member and enjoy a delicious meal.
Thanksgiving dinner was great with the turkey and roast beef. The menu for
Christmas dinner will be posted soon.
Please give your reservation directly to Mr. Richard Coleman, Food Services
Manager.
Each meal is $7.00, and must be pre-paid prior to the date of the meal.
December
RESIDENT BANKING
Birthday Club
NEEDS
Business Office is located
on the 3rd Floor
Monday – Friday Hours
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
~
Saturday – Sunday
See Front Desk
Receptionist
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
A limited amount of cash is kept with the
receptionist to accommodate residents’
monetary needs on the weekend.
Residents must have an active Resident
Account to request money on weekends.
If you do not have an account, or need
further information, please see the:
Sandi McDivitt
Business Office Manager
THURSDAY
December 11, 2014
4:30 pm
1ST FLOOR DINING ROOM
Entertainment by:
Norman Hogeland
Beauty / Barber Shop
It is time to get that special haircut for the holidays! Brenda Souders,
Beautician, welcomes new customers and happily serves those who use
her services weekly. Brenda will be very busy during the holidays so fill
out a beauty shop request form and leave it with her – as soon as
possible.
Prices are reasonable !
Beauty shop is located on the 1st floor
Haircuts, perms, shave, styling, trimming beard, waxing
Brenda can do it all!
“Sugar & Spice” Country Store
Resident Council Fundraiser
Monday, December 15th
10:00am-4:00pm
Game Room
Paula is offering many specials and sales as this is her last show of
the Holiday Season, as well as the year 2014!
Profit of fundraiser supports the Resident Activity Account
RESIDENT
COUNCIL
MEETING
Resident Council
Officers
Matt Tiffany, President
Room 109B
Ron Mattern, Vice President
Room 109 D
Carole Kluge, Social Secretary
Room 102D
Thursday
December 18, 2014
2:30 PM
GAME ROOM
Looking forward to seeing all the
familiar faces as well as new ones!
Robert Richardson, Chaplain
Room 107 A
Let’s end the year on a high note and
have as many people, as possible, who
live at Transitions come to the last
meeting of the year, 2014!
Get involved in the life of our
community. Come to Resident Council
and let your voice be heard!
“Our doors are open for your
listening ears.”
Family Council News
Eleanor Armstrong, Family Council Leader
December is a very busy month here at Transitions Healthcare
Sykesville. Eleanor Armstrong has suggested there NOT be a Family
Council meeting this month.
Family Council meeting will resume in January 2015, with the date in
the next newsletter. This will give family members time to think about
new projects that support our community and benefit the residents.
Eleanor is looking forward to meeting many new family members in
January 2015. It may be cold outside, but come on in, where it is warm!
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact Eleanor.
Eleanor Armstrong
Family Council Leader
410-596-8867
[email protected]
November Birthday Club Celebration
__________________________________________________________________________________________
ENJOYING YUMMY PIZZA!
VETERANS DAY CERTIFICATES
Thanks to all our Veterans and
Jim Edmondson, Marine Corp