Thoughts from Tony: In honor of Holly Humor month in April, I found the following piece. I hope you enjoy and do not find offending.

CHANGING A LIGHT BULB, THE CHRISTIAN WAY

How many Christians does it take to change a light bulb? Charismatic: Only one. Hands already in the air. Pentecostal: Ten. One to change the bulb and nine to pray against the spirit of darkness. Presbyterians: None. Lights will go on and off at predestined times. Roman Catholic: None. Candles only. Baptists: At least 15. One to change the light bulb and three committees to approve the change plus decide who brings the potato salad and fried chicken. Episcopalians: Three. One to call the electrician, one to mix the drinks and one to talk about how much better the old one was. Mormons: Five. One man to change the bulb and four wives to tell him how to do it. Unitarians: We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey, you have found that light bulbs work for you, that is fine. You are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your light bulb for the next Sunday service, in which we will explore several light bulb traditions, including incandescent, fluorescent, three-way, long-life and tinted, all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence. Methodists: Undetermined. Whether your light is bright, dull, or completely out, you are loved. You can be a light bulb, turnip bulb, or tulip bulb. Church wide lighting service is planned for Sunday. Bring bulb of your choice and a covered dish. Nazarene: Six. One woman to replace the bulb while five men review church lighting policy. Lutherans: None. Lutherans don't believe in change. Amish: What's a light bulb? Tony

THE TRUMPETER

Space Vacation On April 28, 2001, outer space went beyond the realm of exploration and became a tourist destination. American engineer and millionaire businessman Dennis Tito paid $20 million to become the world’s first space tourist. Dennis Tito was no stranger to space. He worked with NASA’s jet propulsion laboratory in aerospace engineering before switching careers to investment management and consulting, where he made his fortune. Tito’s vacation aboard the International Space Station (ISS) was not easy to book. NASA, worried about Tito’s lack of professional astronaut experience, did not want to train him for a mission into space. NASA believed that there were just too many safety concerns, including too short a training schedule and Tito’s age of 61 years. Tito was undeterred and found another ride to space from the Russians. Perhaps the Russian Space Agency agreed to blast Tito into space courtesy of the $20 million Tito was willing to pay for the ride. Or maybe it was because Russia was already planning a voyage to the ISS with one if its Soyuz space capsules. These Soyuz capsules are essential pieces of equipment for the space station, for they act as the station’s “life rafts” in the event of an emergency. The capsules must be replaced every six months. Tito’s trip coincided perfectly with the replacement of the Soyuz capsule. After eight months of training in Russia, Tito and two Russian cosmonauts, Talgat Musabayev and Yuri Baturin, blasted off for the ISS, where they were warmly welcomed by the American crew manning the station. His six-day stay aboard the space station (and roughly eight days in space) was a childhood dream fully realized. Tito said that the trip brought “a sense of completeness for my life.” It also heralded the beginning of a fantastic new space tourism industry.

April Birthdays In astrology, those born between April 1–19 are Rams of Aries. As the first sign of the zodiac, Aries are energetic and assertive initiators. With bravery, zeal, and speed, they jump headfirst into life, confident that they can navigate any challenges. Those born between April 20–30 are Bulls of Taurus. Bulls are stable, reliable, and committed in both work and family. Bulls also appreciate love, beauty, and creativity, making them true romantics and lovers of the good life.

Marlon Brando (actor) – April 3, 1924 Bette Davis (actress) – April 5, 1908 Billie Holiday (singer) – April 7, 1915 Beverly Cleary (author) – April 12, 1916 Tom Clancy (author) – April 12, 1947 Wilbur Wright (aviator) – April 16, 1867 Harry Reasoner (journalist) – April 17, 1923 Charles Grodin (actor) – April 21, 1935 Roy Orbison (musician) – April 23, 1936 Al Pacino (actor) – April 25, 1940 Duke Ellington (bandleader) – April 29, 1899

Gimme Five Say “Gimme five!” on April 20, High Five Day. This timeless show of enthusiasm is a relatively recent phenomenon. One rumor suggests that the high five was invented in 1979 by a Murray State University basketball player whose dad served in the 5th Infantry during the Vietnam War. But it turns out this was merely a myth. The true originator of the high five was Los Angeles Dodgers baseball player Glenn Burke. On October 2, 1977, in front of a crowd of 46,000 fans, Burke held up his hand for teammate Dusty Baker, who had just hit a home run. The men spontaneously slapped palms. Burke, in the very next at-bat, also hit a home run, and this time it was Dusty Baker who greeted him with a congratulatory high hand slap. The “high-five” as it came to be known, as opposed to the “low five,” quickly gained popularity in sports and beyond.

Asbury Towers Retirement Community

APRIL 2017

Celebrating April

Birthdays Residents

08 Robert Weiss

12 Jim Hayes 15 Suzanne Hebb

19 Ann Rennekamp 23 Robert Clover 25 Judith Aikman

29 Emerson Phillips 30 Ado Long

Staff

02 Stephanie Barnes 05 Sara Nodley

08 Stephen Harmon 10 Rosemarie Shaw

12 Stacey Pilkin 12 Whitney Gray 17 Lori McCarley 18 Ashlyn Clark 27 Lori Hakman 28 Dusti Pursel

April 2017

Easy Being Green For 47 years, April 22 has been celebrated as Earth Day around the globe. Today, Earth Day organizers are asking citizens around the world to do a “billion acts of green.” Unsure what constitutes an act of green? Earth Day organizers offer some easy suggestions. A step that will relieve both the earth and your mailbox is to end junk mail. Over 100 million trees are cut down every year to produce junk mail, producing four million tons of advertisements, catalogs, and solicitations thrown into the trash. Often, a telephone call to those sending junk mail can take you off their mailing list. Many appreciate the value of recycling paper, plastic, and cans, but few understand the value of recycling old computer parts and obsolete technology. Technology develops so fast that it is no wonder many people toss their cell phones and laptops into the garbage, accounting for 50 million tons of electronic waste each year. Many of these electronic parts contain lead, mercury, cadmium, and other harmful chemicals that leach into our soil and water. Luckily, most local governments have electronic recycling stations ready to accept old and obsolete electronics. One of the biggest threats to the planet is plastic: bags, bottles, and packaging take 500 to 1,000 years to decompose. Using less plastic, especially plastic grocery bags, is a great way to act green. Changing old habits is hard, but current innovations are helping clean up some wasteful habits. “Green” buildings are being built that produce as much energy as they consume. New batteries can store energy for homes and businesses in a way that reduces pollution. Energy is being harnessed from solar panels, wind turbines, and even ocean waves. But if you’d still like to help Mother Earth the old-fashioned way, a great and enduring act of green is to simply plant a tree on April 28, Arbor Day.

ASBURY TOWERS STAFF

Executive Director Anthony Mundell

Medical Director Dr. John Savage

Director of Nursing Cindy Gambill-RN

Activities

Julie Dozier

Assistant Director of Nursing Charlie Clark

Business Office Debbie White

Chaplain

Jim Staggers

Dining Services Justin Homler

Environmental Services

Lisa Steele

Human Resources Kris Beck

Marketing

Michelle Collins

MDS Michelle Linton, LPN, MDS

Maintenance Supervisor

Jake Hodges

Social Services Jennifer Lewis

WELCOME NEW RESIDENTS

Poplar Grove

Rudy Green

WELCOME NEW STAFF

Esta Hoover-Health Care Diana Douglas-Health Care Niki Henry-Dining Services

Ashley Abney-Dining Services

Please if you see any of these residents or staff, stop and make them feel welcome.

I had not thought of violets of late, The wild, shy kind that springs beneath your feet In wistful April days…”

~ Alice Dunbar-Nelson

Announcement from Malcom Romine I have self-published the book, Clinton Falls: A Look at Its Unique History, and have donated the book to the Putnam County Museum. It is available for sale at the museum’s gift shop, 1105 N. Jackson Street, phone: 765-653-8419. If any residents care to purchase the book from the museum, I am willing to deliver the books from the museum to the Asbury Residents. Lisa Mock, the museum’s Executive Director, will be pleased to notify me of any book sales to Asbury Towers for delivery!

Malcolm Romine

From the Desk of Sharon:

Hello April!

Sometimes April showers, but I don’t think August ever does cause August is so hot & humid that she makes stuff smell funny. In fact, I read once that people are grouchier in August than any other month. Little wonder! Which brings us to the subject of nutrition. Did you know that cranberries have more vitamin “C” than oranges? It’s a fact! Plus, if you eat too many turnips, your toenails will turn black, ain’t that sad? You know the saying “You are what you eat!” Well, my advice on this is, never eat a cumquat! Now, I know this article is not making any sense, but neither did my old Aunt Minnie and she lived to be a hundred! So, it must be good for you not to make sense of this. March found our facility plagued with the flu, but healthier days are on the way. I hope you who have been ill are much better. And that soon we’ll all be laughing in the sunshine again. God Bless Us Everyone! Sharon Sheridan

Don’t forget to look at the sign-up bullentin board by the Main Dining Room for trips scheduled outside of the building for the Month of April! Be mindful that trips could be cancelled due to inclemental weather. If you have a suggestion or place you would like to go, please contact Julie at Ext. 117.

April Food Committee will meet on April 10th at 10:30 a.m. in the Founder’s Lounge. April Resident Council will meet on April 11th at 1:30 p.m. in the Main Dining Room. Officers are: President: John Baughman Vice-President: Joan Talley Secretary: Jeanne Shillings Board Representative: Joyce Jones Everyone from the Village and Asbury Towers are welcome to attend.

WEEKLY EVENTS

Church Service every Sunday at 1:00 pm in the Lobby

Movies every Monday at 1:00 pm in the Lobby Chimes every Tuesday at 1:30 pm

in the Main Dining Room Art/Craft every Tuesday at 2:30 pm

Cards every Wednesday at 1:30 pm in the Main Dining Room

Manicures/Music every Wednesday at 3:30 pm in the South Dining Room

Vespers are every Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Lobby Fireside Chat w/ Alex on Thursdays at 6:30 pm in the Lobby Bingo every Saturday at 1:30 pm in the Main Dining Room

For April, we will be having our Theme Dinner on April 19th at 5pm in the Main

Dining Room. The Theme will be a Mayberry Café.

Also, the Taste of Asbury will be on April 18th, 2016

at 2:30 pm in the Main Dining Room HHooww’’ss tthhee WWeeaatthheerr iinn AApprriill?? April is the month known for its showers. Although slightly wetter than average, April was not the wettest month for 2016 in the United States. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, August had the highest precipitation with 3.47 inches and May had the second highest with 3 04 inches followed by

Special Events of the Month 6th Dancing Raine Studio in Main at 1:30 pm 6th Walmart Shopping leaving lobby at 2:30 pm 7th Ron Potts in Lobby at 1:30 pm 7th Joyride in the Country leaving lobby at 2:30 pm 10th Food Committee in Founders Lounge at 10:30 am 11th Resident Council in Main at 1:30 pm 11th White Elephant Bingo in Main at 6:30 pm 12th Mike VanRensselaer in Lobby at 1:30 pm 13th Dollar Tree Shopping leaving lobby at 1:00 pm 14th Good Friday Social in the Main at 2:00 pm 18th Drum Therapy in Main at 1:15 pm 18th Taste of Asbury in Main at 2:30 pm 19th Theme Dinner in Main at 5:00 pm 20th Walmart Shopping Trip leaving lobby at 1:00 pm 20th Aldersgate in Chapel at 1:30 pm 21st Joyride to Dollar Store in Rockville leaving lobby 1 pm 25th April Bingo in Main at 6:30 pm 26th Matt DeMars in Lobby at 1:30 pm 26th April Birthday in Main at 2:30 pm 27th Out to Lunch Bunch to McCormick Creek Inn 28th Dollar General Trip leaving lobby at 1:00 pm 28th Arbor Day Social in Main at 2:30 pm Look for more activities on your calendar and on TV channel 2 for additional activities throughout the month of April.

On April 28th, we have a lunch outing to McCormick’s Creek. We will leave the lobby at

10:30 a.m. Anyone who would like to go please, sign up on the sheet on the bulletin board.

See Sandy or Julie with any questions

April Bingo Dates Join us in the Main Dining Room on April 11th, at 6:30 pm for a White Elephant Bingo. Don’t forget to bring your wrapped gift to exchange. Also, April 25th, we will hold our monthly April bingo in the Main Dining Room at 6:30 pm

WWhhaatt''ss YYoouurr EEaasstteerr CCaannddyy PPeerrssoonnaalliittyy?? Do you have a favorite Easter candy? Research has shown that your favorite holiday treat reflects more than what your taste buds desire. It also says something about your personality, family values, and how you celebrate Easter. Which one of the following is? your favorite Easter candy? MMaarrsshhmmaallllooww PPeeeeppss If you are a peep lover, you are young at heart and enjoy a good time, regardless of your age. You are interesting and full of life. You see Easter as a season of birth and renewal, which fuels your never-ending optimistic attitude. CChhooccoollaattee BBuunnnnyy If you are a chocolate bunny lover, you are family centered when it comes to celebrating Easter. You enjoy family parties and gatherings during the holiday. You are caring, affectionate, and maternal— characteristics found in many chocolate connoisseurs. Chocolate bunnies are the Easter candy of choice for families with children. JJeellllyybbeeaannss If jellybeans are your favorite, you have a childlike approach to Easter. You enjoy a youthful celebration that goes right along with the sweetness of this tried and true Easter basket staple. You get pleasure from receiving and rummaging through your very own Easter basket and get an absolute charge out of participating in egg hunts. Your enthusiasm is inspiring and contagious. Everyone around you benefits and shares your simple pleasures. CCaaddbbuurryy CCrreeaamm EEggggss Cadbury lovers are unique individuals and prefer a unique Easter celebration. They try to come up with something different and special every year. People who can't resist this delicious cream egg are deep thinkers but not necessarily serious thinkers. They appreciate that life passes quickly—like the Cadbury egg, which is only available once a year—and they grasp happiness whenever it comes their way.

A Lot to Juggle If you think you’re busy, consider International Jugglers’ Day on April 18. There’s a reason we call organizing many things at once “juggling.” Take one look at a professional juggler, and it’s plain to see how challenging it is to keep so many different things from falling flat. While the art of juggling is one of the oldest circus disciplines, its origins go back at least as far as ancient Egypt, where hieroglyphs depicted people tossing balls into the air. The entertainment continued through ancient Greece and Rome into the Middle Ages, where jugglers were considered dangerous outcasts, scoundrels, magicians, or witches. During the Renaissance, juggling regained popularity as entertainment in the courts of royalty as well as in street performances for common folk. This perhaps led to the word juggle, which comes from the Middle English word jogelen, meaning “to perform or entertain.” For anyone wishing to learn the art of juggling, scarves are the easiest prop to begin with because they are light, fall slowly, and are easy to catch. How you throw your props—whether they are scarves, balls, rings, pins, flaming torches, or chainsaws—is called the pattern. Patterns can be easy, such as the Cascade, or they can be very complicated (and interestingly named), such as the Arrow of Asai, Romeo’s Revenge, or the 531 Mills Mess. While most patterns require three balls, some people choose to juggle more. The world record for the most balls juggled is 11, while the record for rings is 13. Many consider juggling to be a funny circus act, but during its heyday, it was performed by gentlemen. The gentleman juggler wore formal evening attire and juggled items found at a formal dinner: china plates, wine bottles, loaves of bread, his hat and cane, even dining room chairs. Today, gentlemen and gentlewomen practice this fabulous art, often juggling it with raising a family and working full time.

Monetary Motto On April 22, 1864, the U.S. Congress authorized the phrase “In God We Trust” to appear on currency. Before this phrase, the country’s motto was the Latin E pluribus unum, meaning “Out of many, one,” a reference to the original 13 colonies that became one new nation. However, in 1864, in the midst of the American Civil War, this unifying phrase did not seem very accurate. During this fractured time, and with uncertainty over the United States’ future, many turned to a higher power for guidance and peace. Then-Secretary of Treasury Salmon P. Chase received a letter from a Pennsylvania minister begging him to recognize “the Almighty God in some form on our coins.” Chase instructed the director of the Mint to come up with a short motto, and it was decided that “In God We Trust” would appear on the two-cent coin. Use of the phrase was not mandatory, however, and it wasn’t until 1956 that Congress made “In God We Trust” the national motto of the United States. It has appeared on all classes and denominations of U.S. currency ever since. Garlic Breath

Don’t hold your nose on April 19, Garlic Day. This pungent vegetable, a bulb related to the lily family, has been long thought to possess almost supernatural powers. Egyptian slaves were given rations of garlic, as it was thought to increase strength and ward off illness. In ancient Korea, people would eat garlic before traversing the mountains because it was believed to scare away tigers. The Greeks believed that garlic warded off evil spirits. Heads of garlic were placed at crossroads to confound evil pursuers, and cloves were hung from doorways during childbirth to protect newborns. The myth that garlic frightens away vampires stems from the use of garlic as an effective repellent of blood-sucking mosquitos. No wonder this legendary food enjoys its own holiday.

That’s News to Me Sixty-two percent of all Americans now get their daily news not from a newspaper or the radio but from online social media outlets like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat. If you’ve never heard of these things, then chances are you’re in the minority who still get their news the old-fashioned way. Lest we forget the importance of these traditional news outlets, let’s celebrate Snailpapers Day (that’s the home-delivered news) on April 7 and Newspaper Columnists Day on April 18. While technology certainly has its upside, when it comes to online news, there is some cause for concern. People who gather news via social media have been compared to packrats, gathering small bits of information here and there, without remembering to verify sources, and without getting the whole story. Social media has also made it easier to spread false information and ignore stories that do not reinforce our own opinions. So are printed “snailpapers” essential to a well-informed society? They certainly bring in-depth news stories to the public, focusing on facts rather than fanatacism. But perhaps the most important role of a true snailpaper is, in the words of Richmond, Virginia’s newspaper editor, “the relationship between a newspaper and the community it covers.” This relationship, on the local level, provides a community with invaluable investigative resources into local stories and a platform to sing the praises of local heroes. The importance of the journalists who bring us the news is no less important. It has been said that the purpose of journalism is to bring citizens the information they need to be free and self-governing. In this way, newspaper columnists are an integral part of free societies and healthy democracies. All the more reason on April 18 to celebrate the journalists who bring us news that is accurate, unbiased, whole, and unfiltered.

Good Hair Day Things are going to get a bit hairy on April 30, which is both Hairstyle and Hairstylist Appreciation Day. After all, what is one without the other? The best hairstyles endure different eras and trends, never going out of style. So many hairstyles are popularized by television and film. Take Farrah Fawcett’s famous soft and feathered look from the 1970s show Charlie’s Angels. Another television show, the 1990s sitcom Friends, introduced the world to actress Jennifer Aniston as well as her layered bob haircut, which came to be known simply by her character’s name, “The Rachel.” From Meg Ryan’s short and shaggy look to Mia Farrow’s tomboy pixie cut, most any style can be requested by name at the beauty salon. As far as men’s hair is concerned, there is only one style that is generally considered a cut above the rest. According to the men’s magazine GQ, the most popular look is a clean, professional, and versatile cut that’s longer at the crown and faded into a short clipper cut at the sides and back. This cut is so universal amongst male actors that it does not go by any name. Aww, Nuts

While everyone agrees that April 14 is Pecan Day, many still debate this word’s proper pronunciation. Is it PEE-can? Or puh-KAHN? In Georgia, pecans are as dear as peaches, and according to the Georgian Pecan Growers Association, it’s pronounced puh-KAHN. Southerners may indeed enjoy a small majority when it comes to pronounciation: A survey conducted by the National Pecan Shellers Association revealed that 45% of Americans pronounce it PEE-can, especially in the northeastern United States. Is the pecan pronounciation divide just a matter of North vs. South? Apparently even single individuals can be divided. Pecan farmer Duke Lane III says PEE-can trees but eats puh-KAHN pie. And let’s not even mention those sophisticated few who say puh-CAN.

April 2017