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PLACE

STAMP

HERE 11117 20th St. NE

Lake Stevens, WA 98258

Administrative Staff

SUSAN JONES

Executive Director

STEPHANIE MIZELL Resident Care Coordinator

Business Office Mgr./HR

JANET KRISTENSEN

Community Relations Director

LINDA FOSTER

Registered Nurse

ANN TANIS

Registered Nurse

RON STONKE

Dietary Services Manager

JERRY SONGSTAD

Maintenance Director

JEAN REYNAUD

Activity Director

Our mission is to create and sustain

comfortable, caring environments

for those who depend on us.

Our true “Radiance” begins with how we treat each other!

Ashley Pointe Newsletter Ashley Pointe Independent & Assisted Living Newsletter— February 2016

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Five Steps to a Healthy Heart………….….……P2

Chaplain’s Corner….……………………………..P3

Activities Calendar….…..……………………...P4-5

February Highlights………….…..……………….P6

New this Month……..………..…………..………..P6

Ashley Pointe Scrapbook..…...……..……….….P6

Valentine Puzzle Page…......………………...……….P7

History of Sweethearts Conversation Hearts….….P7

Mission & Team……………..…………………………P8

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Five Steps to a Healthy Heart

It’s all coming up hearts this February, but not just

in preparation for Cupid’s arrival. In efforts to raise

awareness about the importance of heart health, Feb-

ruary has been designated National Heart Health

Month. Heart disease remains a paramount concern,

and leading reason of death, for people aged 65 years

and older, according to the U.S. Centers for Diseases

Control and Prevention (CDC). It affects 37 percent of

men and 26 percent of women 65 and older.

In a national effort to prevent 1 million heart

attacks and strokes in the United States by 2017, the

CDC is encouraging Americans to make blood pressure

control their goal. Adults of any age should know their

blood pressure, and if it is high focus on controlling

their blood pressure through diet, exercise, and in some

cases, medication. We aim to encourage our staff, fami-

lies and residents to focus on their own heart health

this month with these five easy steps to a healthy

heart:

Visit your doctor – Getting your blood pressure

tested and learning what your blood pressure

should be is a great first step to a healthy heart.

Stop Harmful Behaviors—Unhealthy eating habits

and smoking are two of the biggest contributors

to heart disease. If you struggle with either of

these behaviors, take steps to reduce or quit.

Increase Physical Activity— To improve overall car-

diovascular health the American Heart Associa-

tion recommends at least 150 minutes per week

of moderate exercise. That is about thirty

minutes of aerobic activity at least five days a

week. Not sure you can give it that much?

Something is better than nothing! Try one of our

many exercise classes that we offer throughout

the week, you can find them in our activity cal-

endar.

Improve Diet— A healthful diet of nutrient dense

fruits and vegetables will go a long way in im-

proving heart health. Maintaining a healthy

weight is essential to heart health. Avoid foods

high in sugar and sodium and increase amounts

of vegetables and fruits to easily improve your

diet.

Get Good Quality Sleep-- Not getting enough sleep

or getting too much sleep may put you at risk

for heart disease according to researchers at the

Center for Cohort Studies at Kangbuk Samsung

Hospital. Make efforts to get at least six hours of

good quality sleep to help reduce your risks.

Show yourself some love this February by focusing on

your heart health!

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History of Necco Sweet-

hearts Conversation Hearts

In 1866, Daniel Chase devised a

machine that pressed food dye let-

ters onto the candy lozenges

made famous by Oliver Chase, the

founder of NECCO (New England

Confectionary Company) and Dan-

iel’s brother. In 1902, candy

hearts with sayings on them were

first produced. Over the years, the

words and phrases that appear on

the hearts have changed with the

most recent messages saying

“Tweet Me” “Text Me” and “You

Rock” . From mid-February to

January, NECCO produces about

100,000 pounds of the candy

hearts each day. Sweethearts are

the best-selling Valentine’s Day

candy, outselling boxes of choco-

lates.

Heart Sudoku

Guess the number of heart

candies in the jar at the

front desk and win

a prize! Closest guess

without going over wins!

VALENTINE

How many words can you make

out of the word VALENTINE?

Write them down and give to

Jean. The person with the most

words wins a prize!

Valentine’s Day Healthy Heart Word Search Puzzle

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February 1 (10:00) Blood Pressure Clinic in the Activity Room

February 2 (11:30) Out to Lunch: Razzals in Frontier Village

February 2 (2:45) Shopping: Fred Meyer

February 3 (3:00) Come say farewell to Susan at a reception in the Living Room

February 4 (11:20) Outing: Ebenezer “Sweetheart Day” Luncheon

February 7 (3:30) Super Bowl Party—Come to the living room for snacks and

watch the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers play in Super Bowl 50

February 9 (11:15) Out to Lunch: Bob’s Burgers and Brews in Marysville

February 9 (2:30) Shopping: Hobby Lobby in Everett

February 10 (2:30) Shopping: Safeway

February 10 (4:15) Visit and Valentines from the Girl Scouts

February 11 (10:45) Visit and fun with Lake Stevens Middle School students

February 11 (12:00) Special Valentine’s Lunch

February 11 (4:00) Special Valentine Happy Hour Sing-a-Long with Sheila

February 14 (3:00) Valentine’s Day Entertainment with Doug Williams

February 16 (11:00) Out to Lunch: Qdoba in Frontier Village

February 16 (3:00) Shopping: Wal Mart

February 16 (6:00) Visit and Activities with LDS Women’s Group—Nail Salon,

Crafts and More!

February 17 (3:45) Happy Hour with entertainment by Ed Pearson

February 21 (3:00) Church Service

February 23 (11:00) Out to Lunch: The Keg in Lynnwood

February 23 (3:00) Shopping: Safeway

February 24 (1:00) Outing: Hibub Cultural Center in Tulalip

February Highlights New this month:

Pilates Class—Every Monday from 1:15-1:45 in

the Activity Room. Come join us for this exciting

new exercise class taught by Kristen from Lake

Stevens Pilates.

Art Class with Adrianna— Soft Pastels (3rd

Monday of each month) and Watercolors

(Monday of the Month. Adrianna will bring all the

materials so come and learn how to create beauti-

ful pictures step-by-step. Beginners welcome!

2:00 in the Activity Room.

Coloring Books for Adults—Recently, adults

across the country have picked up coloring books

as a way to relax and unwind. The health benefits

go way beyond relaxation, and include exercising

fine motor skills and training the brain to focus.

Join us on most Thursdays at 2:30 in the Activity

Room for relaxation and fun and you just might

feel like a kid again!

Hand Massages in

the Activity Room

Wednesdays

at 11:15

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Valentine’s Day not only comes at the middle of February, it is also the dominant holiday of the month…especially for greeting card companies! Did you know that, according to one legend, the Valentine takes its name from a young Christian who once lived in ancient Rome? Like so many early Christians, Valentine had been imprisoned because of his faith. Often and longingly he thought of his loved ones, and wanted to as-sure them of his well being and his love.

Beyond his cell window but not beyond his reach, grew a cluster of violets. He picked some of the heart-shaped leaves and pierced them to spell the words, “Remember your Valentine,” then sent off by a friendly dove. On the next day and the next, he sent more messages that simply said, “I love you.” Thus did the “valentine” have its beginning.

On Valentine’s Day, people of all ages remember those they love by sending valentines. God loves us and He sends us gifts to show His affection. Not once a year, but every day, He sends us many blessings; love, joy, peace, health, seasons of sunshine, showers of rain.

Let’s suppose that God would send all His children a Valentine’s Day message. What might it say? One per-son has written the following “love letter” from God:

To My Child,

You tell me your homesick. That you’re ready to leave where you’re at and come home. How I wish that were

possible right now. Years ago you confessed your sin to me and placed your faith in what I did for you on the

cross. Therefore I want nothing more than to have you here with me, to see you face to face. But you see

there is still much work to be done here, just as there is much work to be done there. Never forget that I am

longing for the day when we will be together, forever and ever. When we can walk side by side, down the

streets of gold to the shores of the crystal sea. For soon that day will come, when you will run through those

gates of pearl and fall into my waiting arms.

Do not be weary, I know that you are tired and long to be by my side, but hold on just a little longer. Do not

let the signs of the times get you down, my dear. Look up to the heavens when you hear of the terrors of the

world. Call me when you feel afraid and alone, for even though miles and miles separate us, I will be there

right with you. I will take care of you until that day that you come home. Just like I promised you "I will never

leave you, I will never forsake you."

Hold onto that promise when you feel frightened, when you feel the cares of the world are about to over-

whelm you. Hold onto that and call me, anytime, day, or night. I will listen for the sound of your voice, for its

sweet music to my ear. I anxiously wait each day just to hear from you. Although you have said it before, to

hear you tell me you love me, brings a joy to my heart that is beyond compare.

So smile a while for me my love, for very soon, we will be together forever and evermore.

Forever in my heart,

Jesus

Chaplain’s Corner By Pastor Highland Goodman

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