Vistas Voice Maplewood at Orange * 245 Indian River Road * Orange, CT 06477 * 203-795-3117

A Note From Our Program Director

Brrrrr!! Well, winter is finally here, it seems! We dodged snowstorms all season long only to be met with Winter Storm Juno in full force! As I write this, myself and so many other members of the Maplewood at Orange team are rubbing the sleep out of our eyes from a night of bunking up with all of you fine folks, and it’s business as usual… more or less! Onward to February! This month is jam-packed with holidays. We’ve got special events planned for Mardi Gras, and our cultural week celebrates the Chinese new year with a “trip” to, you guessed it- China! We’ll be getting some great face-time with a few Chinese natives, and trying out all sorts of Chinese foods and ways to have fun! There’s holidays this month for Jews (Tu B’Shevat) and Christians (Ash Wednesday), patriots (President’s Day), and pagans (Groundhog Day), and lest we forget to mention- Valentine’s Day, so let’s get on with the celebrations! See you around Maplewood!

Briana Benn-Mirandi

MMaannaaggeemmeenntt TTeeaamm Executive Director

Barbara Camillo

Director of

Environmental Services

Bill Hinkson

Vistas Program Director

Briana Benn-Mirandi, MAAT

Community Relations Director

Liz Castiline

Director of Culinary Services

Leif Swanson

Business Office Manager

Nathan Moffie

Currents Program Director

Madora Powell

Director of Wellness

Pat Sullivan, RN

Celebrating February Groundhog Day

February 2

Tu B’Shevat

February 4

Valentine’s Day

February 14

Chinese Cultural Week

February 15-21

Presidents Day

February 16

Mardi Gras

February 17

Ash Wednesday

February 18

February 2015 The

Love Is In The Air… Love Stories- Feb 14th at11am in the Pub

Valentine’s Day Party- Feb 14th at 3:15pm in the Tides Lounge

Chocolate Happy Hour-Feb 14th at 4:15pm in the Pub

Checking Out China

A Peek Into China

Sunday, February 15th at 11am Settle into a comfy seat in

our TV Lounge as Janice takes you on a journey through China. Learn about the people, the culture, the economy, and the politics in this informative primer to Chinese culture.

Chinese Language and Culture with Aux 3 Pommes Sunday, February 15th at 3:30pm Join us for a special visit with one of the Mandarin language teachers of Aux 3 Pommes! Try Chinese tea, try out a new language, and hear about the culture from China from one of the country’s own natives!

Chinese Calligraphy Monday, February 16th at 11am Try your hand at writing some Chinese calligraphy!

We’ll lay out some inspirational Chinese characters for words like “love”, “hope”, “family”, etc, and help you create calligraphy on a beautiful Chinese-inspired background- all perfect for framing!

Program-Planning Happy Hour

February 10th at 4:15pm Fireside Chat with Barbara

February 11th at 6:30pm Resident Council

February 13th at 2pm Food Committee

February 27th at 1:30pm

Bake Shoppe: Cheesecake Eggrolls Monday, Feb 16th at 1:15pm Could anything be more delicious than eggrolls filled with sweet, creamy cheesecake? You’ll have to come help us answer that question!

Learn to Play: Tichu Tuesday, Feb 17th at 11am Tichu is a trick-taking card game similar to bridge, but

easier to learn, played with a special deck of cards. Come see for yourself!

Chinese Treats Taste-Test Tuesday, February 17th at 1:15pm Join us in the Pub after lunch to sample some delectable Chinese candies and treats that you are not likely to find in American stores!

What’s New China? Tuesday, February 17th at 3:30pm Our regular news program this weeks takes on a

Chinese flavor as we peek into today’s front pages in China. Let’s see what’s going on in “The Middle Kingdom”.

February 2015

Mardi Gras

Happy Hour

Tuesday, February

17th at 4:15pm

Chinese Cultural Week, Cont’d

Lunch at Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet Wed, February 18th at 12pm Chinese Cultural Week just would not be complete without a visit to one of our favorite lunch spots! For less than $10, enjoy all-you-can-eat delights, featuring a variety of styles of foods and plenty of desserts!

“Jade” Jewelry-Crafting Thursday, February 19th at 11am and 3pm Jade is highly valued in Chinese

culture and represents grace, nobility, and purity. We’ll be learning how to create faux jade with our polymer clay to create stunning and exotic jewelry. Chinese New Year Trivia Thursday, February 19th at 1:30pm Whether you’re the year of the rat of the rabbit, you’ll have fun learning these little-known facts about the Chinese New Year!

Chinese Dragons and Their Significance Friday, February 20th at 11am Dragons not only capture the imagination in China, they are

an integral part of the culture. Come and learn about these mythical beasts and their importance in Chinese culture.

Friday Evenings at 6:30pm

WWeellccoommee NNeeww RReessiiddeennttss

Marshall Z. Lorraine P. George B. Harriet P.

Welcome to Maplewood! We are so happy to have you here with us!

Bake Shoppe: Fortune Cookies Friday, February 20th at 11am

Chinese Cultural Week would not be the same without indulging in fortune cookies, and though most have eaten these crispy cookies, we’re willing to bet you’ve never MADE them, so come learn how it’s done! Chinese Happy Hour Friday, February 20th at 3pm Enjoy the usual wine or beer, or try a Beijing Bellini- a drink created in honor of China’s hosting the Olympic Games a few years back. It’s made with lychee-flavored vodka, and is quite good!

Chinese Folk Tales Friday, February 20th at 3:30pm Relax back with your Beijing

Bellini while we lead you into the Chinese countryside and regale you with much-loved folklore.

Chinese Music, Aromatherapy & Massage Friday, February 20th at 4pm Enjoy the aromas of popular Chinese incense oils while we massage your cares away to the sounds of Chinese music.

February 2015

I-Ching Fortune-Telling Saturday, February 21st at 11am

For ages, the Chinese have divined through various

methods, including the I-Ching. With the toss of a handful of coins, we’ll see what words of wisdom come through. Lunch at Taste of China/ LunarFest Saturday, February 21st at 12pm The Center for East Asian Studies at Yale is hosting a celebration for Chinese New Year featuring classes, workshops, and demonstrations! We’ll check it out after a quick bite at one of the CT Shoreline’s best Chinese restaurants!

Decorative Chinese Take-Out Containers Saturday, February 21st at 3pm Those paper Chinese food cartons you get from Chinese

restaurants are not only practical, they can be stylish as well! Don’t believe us? Mandi will prove it to you!

Going Somewhere??

Saturday mornings

are wide-open on

our driving

schedule! Whether

you need to hit up

the ATM, pick up a prescription,

get in your grocery shopping or

return something to wal-mart,

don’t worry about trying to fit

it in during the busy weekdays-

sign up for a Saturday morning

and have more time!

February Birthdays If you were born between

February 1–18, you are Aquarius, the Water Bearer. Witty, clever, and honest,

Water Bearers desire independence above all and are not afraid to deviate from the crowd to pursue their own interests. Those born between February 19–28 are Pisces, the Fish. Selfless, spiritual, and intuitive, Pisces swim on an inner journey. They are emotional, compassionate people who are always willing to help others.

Theresa R. 3rd Marilyn P. 9th Ellen A. 11th

Maplewood Employee of the Month

Hooray for Pam Long! She’s this month’s Associate of the Month, based on numerous Resident

recommendations! Pam is known for her daily cheer, helpfulness, punctuality, and simple kindness. Her co-workers are also very appreciative of the fact that she hardly ever calls out. Pam is truly a team player, a star Maplewood Associate, and so we recognize her this month with some special gifts and public accolades. Way to go, Pam!

Your recommendations go a long way in choosing who we honor each month, so please make sure to stop by the front desk and let us know who’s made your day extra special!

February 2015

February Forays

Lunch & a Movie at the Mall Wednesday, February 4th at 12pm After losing his wife, a grieving widower is drawn into a custody battle over his granddaughter, whom he

helped raise her entire life. The child of a mixed-race marriage, Eloise has to try to convince her grandfather that love has no color. Movie tickets are $5.50, plus

lunch.

A Peek Inside Munson’s Chocolates Saturday, February 7th at 12pm A Connecticut-born business, Munson’s chocolates first opened in Connecticut in 1946. Come learn more about the history, how the chocolate is made, try free samples, and get in some chocolate

shopping before Valentine’s Day!

TIDES Trip: Valentine’s Day Party at Lauralton Hall Wednesday, February 11th at 1:00pm The young ladies of

Lauralton Hall would like to invite you to join them for home-made refreshments and dancing in their festively-decorated

school gym!

Lunch at Café Atlantique with a Treat from H. Mangel’s Confectioner

Saturday, February 14th at 12pm Craving chocolate this Valentine’s Day? Let’s imagine we are in the city of love (Paris) as we enjoy crepes and chocolate sauce with a special treat for dessert from the chocolate shop down

the road! Bring $ for lunch.

Lunch at Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet Wed, February 18th at 12pm Part of Chinese Cultural

Week, see p 3.

The Last Romance Thursday, February 19th at 7:15pm Widower Ralph is full of life and exuberance, while the lovely Carol is elegant but a bit more straight-laced. Neither of them believes they will find love this late in life, particularly with each other -- and Ralph’s lonely and jealous sister, Rose, isn’t helping. “The Last Romance” explores the trials, tribulations, and tender moments of a couple finding love in their golden years. Punctuated with touching moments of humor, heartbreak, and opera, “The Last Romance” shows that life can be lived with passion at any age. Performed by Eastbound Theater. Tickets are $18.

Lunch at Taste of China/ LunarFest

Saturday, Feb 21st at 12pm Part of Chinese Cultural Week, see p 3.

February 2015

= Very Little Walking

= Some Walking

= A Lot of Walking

= Amount of walking unknown

Further February Forays

Casino Trip Wednesday, February 25th at 9:30am All aboard the bus on our way to Mohegan Sun! This free trip nets you a

free bet (roulette, wheel of fortune, etc), and a free lunch! Bring extra money for shopping or gambling as you see fit!

Exploring the Exotic Trip: Lunch at Miya’s/ Sideshow Art Exhibit Saturday, February 28th at 12pm Up for trying something new? Miya’s has some tasty and traditional Japanese foods, but if you want to walk on the wild side, you can always try the “crickets and brie cheese”! Either way, prepare yourself for the bizarre because after lunch we’ll be visiting Yale’s exhibit on circus side shows! Are you ready to get freaky?

Our staff gets in the groove, celebrating 50’s week and Elvis Presley’s birthday.

From The Desk Of The Executive Director Onsite Dental Care is proud to offer Caring and Compassionate dental care to residents of Maplewood at Orange. While the eyes may be the window to the soul, your mouth is a window to your body's health. The state of your oral health can offer lots of clues about your overall health. Oral health and overall health are more connected than you might realize. Onsite Dental Care provides full service dental care in our community. From routine cleaning to extractions and dental bridges – they can meet almost all of the dental needs of our residents within the convenience of our community. The Onsite Dental team includes Dr Greg Bemis, Tabatha Leto, Team Leader and Kris Grabocka, Dental Assistant. Dr Bemis and Team visits our community every six weeks. The first scheduled date at Maplewood at Orange is Friday March 12, 2015. Feel free to reach Onsite Dental at 800-632-0306 of via their website www.onsitedentalcare.net to schedule an appointment or to learn more.

February 2015 December 2014