April 2016 Newsletter - Masonic Home of Virginia

MAHOVA
News
April 2016
Foolin’ for Fun
On April 1, 1700, English pranksters begin popularizing the annual tradition
of April Fools’ Day by playing practical jokes on each other. Although the
day, also called All Fools’ Day, has been celebrated for several centuries by
different culture, its exact origins remain a mystery. Some historians
speculate that April Fools’ Day dates back to 1582 when France switched
from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar, as called for by the
Council of Trent in 1563. People who were slow to get the news or failed to
recognize that the start of the New Year had moved to January 1 and
continued to celebrate it during the last week of March through April 1
became the butt of jokes and hoaxes. These included having paper fish placed
on their backs and being referred to as “poisson d’avril” (April fish), said to
symbolize a young, easily caught fish and a gullible person.
Historians have also linked April Fools’ Day to ancient festivals such as
Hilaria, which was celebrated in Rome at the end of March and involved
people dressing up in disguises. There’s also speculation that April Fools’
Day was tied to the vernal equinox, or first day of spring in the Northern
Hemisphere, when Mother Nature fooled people with changing,
unpredictable weather.
April Fools’ Day spread throughout Britain during the 18 th century. In
Scotland, the tradition became a two-day event, starting with “hunting the
gowk”, in which people were sent on phony errands (gowk is a word for
cuckoo bird, a symbol for fool).
In modern times, people have gone to great lengths to create elaborate April
Fools’ Day hoaxes. Newspapers, radio, TV stations and Websites have
participated in the April 1 tradition of reporting outrageous fictional claims
that have fooled their audiences. In 1957, the BBC reported that Swiss
farmers were experiencing a record spaghetti crop and showed footage of
people harvesting noodles from trees; numerous viewers were fooled. In
1985, Sports Illustrated tricked many of its readers when it ran a made-up
article about a rookie pitcher named Sidd Finch who could throw a fastball
over 168 miles per hour. In 1996, Taco Bell, the fast-food restaurant chain,
duped people when it announced it had agreed to purchase Philadelphia’s
Liberty Bell and intended to name it the Taco Liberty Bell. In 1998, after
Burger king advertised a “Left-Handed Whopper”, scores of clueless
customers requested the fake sandwich.
In general, part of the fun of April Fools’ Day is that it has become a
good-natured way to blow off steam and poke a little harmless fun at friends,
family members, and co-workers. If you want to avoid becoming an April
Fools’ victim, make sure to circle that day on the calendar as a reminder. And
put a happy face inside.
In This Issue:
Health Rx
Program Highlights
April Calendar
Book Ends
Behind the Scenes
In Memoriam
Birthdays
Welcome New Residents
Welcome New Employees
Resident Advisory
Council
Pat Wilson
President - Village
Steve Bollinger
Vice President - Village
Jim Herring
Secretary - B Wing
Tom Kaufman and
Evelyn Harding- D Wing
Earl Carver and
Jim Herring– B Wing
Bunion Bussey– C Wing
Page 1
Health
Here’s To Your Good Health!
Volunteering Boosts Health
A study by Cornell University found that volunteering boosts self esteem and energy and
gives people a sense of mastery over their lives. “Community commitment,” especially
formal participation, helps enhance our sense of identity, promotes ongoing networks of
social relationships, and fosters expectation of what to do when we wake up in the
morning,” says Phyllis Moen, a director of the Gerontology Research Institute at Cornell
and the study’s author. Other studies suggest that volunteering also increases longevity.
Have You Heard?
In olden times, planting a tree was a way to celebrate spring. The tradition took on
new meaning in the prairie state of Nebraska at the end of the 19th century when J.
Sterling Morton began to plant trees in his almost-treeless state to benefit farmers by providing windbreaks and preventing soil erosion. People would also enjoy
the beauty and shade the trees provided. Morton promoted the idea of Arbor Day,
and in 1885 his birthday, April 22, was declared a legal holiday in Nebraska and
an occasion for planting trees. That year almost one million trees were planted in
the state. The idea spread rapidly and has now been adopted by communities
across the nation. The birthstone for April is the diamond and
symbolizes balance, clarity, and abundance. The flower for April is the Sweet Pea.
Program Highlights
Page 2
Resident Council Meeting
Monday, April 4
9:30 AM
Dining Room
Resident Advisory Meeting
Tuesday, April 19
10:00 AM
Private Dining Room
Food Committee Meeting
Tuesday, April 19
1:00 PM
Private Dining Room
Activities Committee Meeting
Thursday, April 21
3:45 PM
Library
Program Highlights
Tuesday, April 5
1:30 PM
TV Room
Sign up for a balance and
screening test with Jackie.
Friday, April 8
2:30 PM
TV Room
Change your looks for a day
and join us for Wig Day.
Thursday, April 14
10:00 AM
Gallery
Coffee and Donuts from
Country Style Donuts
Thursday, April 14
2:30 PM
TV Room
Reenactment by
Richmond Discoveries
Friday, April 15
2:00 PM
Multipurpose
Room
Classic Movie Club Matinee
Saturday, April 16
10:00 AM
TV Room
Job’s Daughters Visit
Tuesday, April 19
2:00 PM to
4:00 PM
Reading Room
Sign up for the many volunteer
opportunities at the Home.
Wednesday, April 20
10:00 AM
to 4:00 PM
TV Room
Resident and staff silent
auction yard sale
Monday, April 25
2:30 PM
TV Room
Join us for Let’s Walk Day.
Tuesday, April 26
1:30 PM
TV Room
Cooking Class with Jason
Thursday, April 28
2:30 PM
Dining Room
Quarterly birthday social and
employee of the quarter
Friday, April 29
1:00 PM to
4:00 PM
Outside
Ambulance
Entrance
DMV to go
Friday, April 29
5:00 PM
Multipurpose
Room
Dinner and Movie
Page 3
Entertainment
Saturday, April 2
1:30 PM
TV Room
Performance by Nikki Headley
Saturday, April 9
2:30 PM
TV Room
Fred James performs.
Monday, April 11
7:00 PM
TV Room
Billy Mitchell sings golden oldies.
Tuesday, April 12
7:00 PM
Dining Room
John Marshall Band performs.
Friday, April 15
6:30 PM
TV Room
Genie Brickey sings golden oldies.
Thursday, April 21
2:30 PM
TV Room
Magic show with Phil Crosson
Friday, April 22
6:30 PM
TV Room
Karaoke with Leon and Nancy Lee
Tuesday, April 26
7:00 PM
TV Room
Performance by the Very Off Broadway Singers
Saturday, April 30
2:30 PM
TV Room
New entertainer, Mary K. Lombardi, performs.
Page 4
Movies
Channel 2 and TV Room
6:00 PM
Monday, April 4
“The Intern”
A 70 year-old man gets the
opportunity to intern for a young
woman and her online fashion
start up.
Friday, April 8
“90 Minutes in Heaven”
After 90 minutes, a man is declared
dead from a traffic accident.
He
unbelievably wakes in the hospital but
has to endure severe pain and emotional
turmoil. While in the hospital he clings
to his faith to recover the life he lost.
Page 5
Trips and Outings
Shopping
Schedule
Wednesday, April 6 White Oak Village
Friday, April 15 Kmart
Wednesday, April 20 Walmart
Tuesday, April 26 White Oak Village
Rising Readers
Thursdays
Bus leaves at 9:15 AM
Page 6
Friday, April 1
10:30 AM
Lunch at Seafarers Restaurant
Friday, April 1
5:45 PM
Grand Master’s Official Visit at Scottish Rite
Thursday, April 7
1:00 PM
Shop for shoes at Saxon Shoes
Monday, April 11
11:00 AM
Lunch at American Tap House Restaurant
Monday, April 11
2:00 PM
Trip to your neighborhood bank
Wednesday, April 13
8:00 AM
D Day Memorial Trip
Saturday, April 16
5:00 PM
Prime Rib dinner in West Point
Tuesday, April 19
11:00 AM
Lunch at Legends Restaurant
Monday, April 25
4:45 PM
Dinner at Calabash Seafood Restaurant
Wednesday, April 27
10:00 AM
Riverside Dinner Theater Trip
Book Ends
By Richard Neiswander
More spring weather! A good time to sit in the sun with a good book and snooze! Learn to
keep from dropping the book because that wakes you up.
THE CELESTINE SAMPLER
written by Celestine Sibley
edited by Sibley Fleming
I don’t remember who recommended this book to me, but THANK YOU. It is quite
different as it is a compilation of one author’s writing and not one continuous story. It contains newspaper columns, recipes for foods, gardening tips, excerpts from novels and many
more things. In essence it is a sampling of the works of Celestine Sibley, a news reporter for
at least two Atlanta GA newspapers. She also wrote twenty-two books, both novels and nonfiction. After reading this book, I think she is a true wordsmith who can write anything.
I had some trouble in the beginning getting used to the short segments of the book.
Each one is from one to five pages and while on the same general subject may have no relationship to the last or next segment. Even with this, I found Celestine’s writing compelling
enough that I plan to look for more of her works. I recommend you do the same.
Back Fire
by Catherine Coulter
I liked this murder mystery even though I do not understand the title of this book, because to me, it has no relevance to the story. The author leads you from the attempted assassination of a San Francisco judge to the apprehension of the shooter, up one alley and down
the next. As with all of good mystery novels, of course, some of these alleys are dead ends.
Ms. Coulter has penned a suspenseful tale and sprinkled it here and there with a splash of humor.
The story has about all anyone could ask for, especially some unusual lawmen.
One pair of FBI agents are husband [Savich] and wife [Sherlock] while another agent starts
dating one of the U S marshals who are unsuccessfully protecting the judge from a second
attempt on his life. Savich and Sherlock leave D C for the west to apprehend the attempted
assassin, the judge being a family friend. Of course they take their five-year-old son because
he can visit Sherlock’s parents during the investigation.
During the investigation, which covers nine days, even the judge’s family needs protection including his eleven-year-old daughter who is to play a solo at the San Francisco Orchestra concert. Near the end, the judge is in attendance for this solo which is covered in the
epilog. If you read the book - - DO NOT CHEAT! Read the complete story before the epilog! It is a very fitting conclusion to the story. But then do not miss the P. S.
One final note [my personal question]: How important must a person be in order to be
assassinated rather than murdered?
Page 7
In Memoriam
Forever in Our Hearts
Caroline “Cindy” Lee
Simeon Phipps
Anniversaries
4/3/1954 James and Carol Friis
4/17/1944 Whitney and Elizabeth Bohannon
4/19/1958 Robert and Jean Colby
4/22/1950 Joseph and Barbara Hogge
4/24/1948 BB and Myrtle Bussey
4/27/1946 Robert and Gloria Hall
Notifications
The MAHOVA Library is very pleased to welcome new and faithful users since the Library's relocation
(across from the Beauty Shop) in August 2015. A recent enhancement in the movie (DVD) section added
the first letter of the movie title (excluding The, A & An) to the back of the movie case. While adding the
title letter, the Library volunteers noticed several of the movies were returned without the movie in the
case. There have been a few movies returned without the case. Should you have uncased movies (DVD's)
or empty DVD cases that may belong in the MAHOVA Library, simply return the items to the Return
Cart in the Library. After viewing your selected movie, please be mindful that other residents may be
eager to watch the movie you borrowed. A reasonable return time is greatly appreciated. Please return
movies, as books, to the Return Cart located inside the Library under the bulletin board.
Also, please be aware items (books, movies, magazines) borrowed from the Henrico County
Bookmobile/Public Library should not be returned to the MAHOVA Library. MAHOVA is not
responsible for items borrowed from Henrico County Libraries. The Henrico County Bookmobile is in
the MAHOVA Reading Room the 1st Tuesday of each month (unless that date is a County holiday) from
1 - 2 p.m.
Page 8
Notifications
Weight and Blood Pressure Checks
Please bring your pendants with you.
B– Wing
Friday, April 1
8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
D Wing Recreation Room
C and D – Wing
Tuesday, April 5
8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
D Wing Recreation Room
Dementia Support Group for Families
For information, please contact John Zacharias at extension 77309.
The group meets 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month at 10:30 AM.
Monthly Meeting with Meridian Lodge No. 284
Meridian Lodge #284 Monthly Meetings are held every 4th Monday of the month
in the Multipurpose Room at 12:00 PM and are open to ALL Master Masons.
Please come and join us!
Passport Dinner
Wednesday, April 20
Sweden
Page 9
Notifications
Wig Day
Friday, April 8
2:30PM
TV Room
Change your looks for a day; come see the
Activities Department if you want to borrow a wig!
Volunteer Fair
Tuesday, April 19
2-4 PM
Reading Room
Come to the fair to sign up for the many volunteer
opportunities available at the Home.
Yard Sale
Wednesday, April 20
10:00 AM -4:00 PM
TV Room
Silent Auction Yard Sale open to residents and staff
Employee of the Quarter and Birthday Social
Thursday, April 28
2:30 PM
Dining Room
Congratulate the employee of the quarter and celebrate resident and staff birthdays.
Page 10
Brain Fitness
Answers on page 12
Page 11
Scan this QR image to go
to the Masonic Home Website.
Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday to the
following residents who
celebrate their birthdays:
4/1
Nancy Lee Martin
4/13
Miriam Bew
4/4
John Carpenter
4/16
William Holliday
4/4
Catherine Doggett
4/17
Judy Burton
4/4
Rose Mills
4/17
Jean McCuiston
4/4
James Mitchell
4/24
Mary Colgin
4/4
Elizabeth Payne
4/26
Shirley Roberts
4/8
Clifford Grotz
4/27
Evelyn Lee
4/8
Thomas Kaufman
4/28
Helen Payne
Employee Birthdays
4/5
Tammy Walker
4/7
Marie Ivory
4/8
Wendy Connor
4/8
Vickie Jones
Masonic Home Census -- 209
The MAHOVA News
A monthly publication of the Masonic Home of Virginia
500 Masonic Lane
Henrico, VA 23223
804-222-1694
800-262-4644
The MAHOVA News is published monthly for the
residents of the Masonic Home of Virginia. Articles in this
publication may not be reproduced without permission.
4/10 Neomi Dayalsingh
4/14 Theresa Brown
4/14 Yvonne Green
4/15 LaToya Daniels
4/18 Gloria Simms
4/26 Anne Hagen
4/29 Rhonda Hiles
Welcome New Employees
Joelle Schwartz
Development
FT
Katrina Smith
Nursing
PT
James D. Cole
Chief Executive Officer
Anne Hagen, CPA
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Amy Spalek
Interim Director of Human Resources
Robert Adkins
Senior Administrator
Kathy Bryant
Assistant Administrator
Dr. Danny Felty
Medical Director
Sean Watterson
Development Officer
Regina Pettaway
Residential and Assisted Living Director of Nursing
Nuala McCauley
Care Center Director of Nursing
Jon Truett
Director of Facility Management
Eric Flynn
Director of Dining Services
MAHOVA Editor
Robyn Nakamoto
804-222-1694
Extension 77268
MAHOVA Copy Editor
Mildred Ammons
Page 12