APRIL 2021
16 Digital Way • Maynard, MA 01754 • Phone (978) 243-2085 • www.seniorlivinginstyle.com
CAMELLIA GARDENS
TRANSPORTATION
Monday, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.: Acton: Walgreens, DCU,
Acton Urgent Care Monday, 2-3:30 p.m.:
Stow: Osco, Citizen’s Fidelity, BoA ATM Tuesday & Thursday,
8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.: Appointments Wednesday, 2-3:30 p.m.: Maynard: CVS, Citizen’s, Middlesex Bank Friday, 10 a.m.: Stow: Osco, Citizen’s
Fidelity, BoA ATM Friday, 2 p.m.: Acton:
Walgreens, DCU, Acton Urgent Care Managers ...CANDY & TONY ALESSI Assistant Managers ...KALYN
& PATRICK KATHEEDER Executive Chef ...SAMAR KHOURY Activity Coordinator ... RACHEL ORTIZ Maintenance ...BILLY ROSS Bus Driver ...RICK MCLAUGHLIN
Welcome
Baby Levi!
Our very own Courtney has given birth to a beautiful baby boy. Camellia Gardens, meet Levi Tylor Dumais! Levi was born on March 1st, at 7 lbs. 13 oz. We wish Courtney a speedy recovery, rest and relaxation, and a bunch of bonding time with the newest member ofDo April Showers Bring May Flowers?
Have you heard this saying before:
“April showers bring May flowers”? You may remember it from your childhood, as most of us do. The saying traces back to the mid-1500s. It actually is thought to have been said before that but was first recorded in a series of writings by Thomas Tusser. He pulled together a series of writings that he titled “A Hundred Good Points of Husbandry.” In Tusser’s collection he had a short poem that said: “Sweet April showers
Do bring May flowers”
So now we know the origin of the saying, but is it true? Do April showers bring May flowers? The short answer is yes! As winter draws to a close, the days begin to warm up and become longer. The precipitation that falls comes as rain instead of snow or ice. Thank goodness! April rains do start the seasonal process of renewal and growth. It washes nutrients deeper into the soil. There are more hours of sun and this triggers the genetic code within the plants and animals. This period of new growth and regrowth begins. This is an ecosystem designed to work together and it is amazing how each affects the other.
Spring brings an increase in activity in animals, birds and insects. The rain washes the earth from the top surface down and long dormant bulbs and perennials begin to come to life and grow and bloom. Trees get into the action by coming to life again. The warmer days and rain bring the nutrients needed to grow. Some trees flower first and then grow new leaves, while others grow new leaves first. Bushes come to life and flowers spring up and make their way through the ground to reach up to the sunshine.
April Holidays and Interesting Observances
April 1st: April Fools’ Day
April 2nd: World Autism Awareness Day April 3rd: National Find a Rainbow Day April 9th: National Name Yourself Day April 11th: National Pet Day
April 13th: National Scrabble Day, National Peach Cobbler Day
April 14th: National Library Workers’ Day April 15th: Titanic Remembrance Day April 16th: Wear Pajamas to Work Day April 17th: Husband Appreciation Day
April 19th: Patriots Day
April 21st: Administrative Professionals Day April 22nd: Earth Day
April 23rd: National Picnic Day, Lovers’ Day April 25th: National Hairstylist Appreciation Day April 26th: National Pretzel Day
April 27th: National Tell a Story Day April 28th: National Superhero Day April 29th: International Dance Day April 30th: National Arbor Day
St. Patrick’s Day Preparation
A very special thank you to Natalie, Nettie, Rocco and Leo for being so generous and kind, and willing to help decorate and make our community green for our St. Patrick’s Day celebrations!
Notable April Birthdays
Wayne Newton (entertainer) — April 3, 1942 Maya Angelou (writer) — April 4, 1928 Bette Davis (actress) — April 5, 1908 Billie Holiday (singer) — April 7, 1915 Sonja Henie (ice skater) — April 8, 1912 Joseph Pulitzer (journalist) — April 10, 1847 Tom Clancy (writer) — April 12, 1947
Wilbur Wright (aviator) — April 16, 1867 Elizabeth II (queen) — April 21, 1926 Charles Grodin (actor) — April 21, 1935 Shirley Temple (actress) — April 23, 1928 Al Pacino (actor) — April 25, 1940
Harper Lee (writer) — April 28, 1926
Duke Ellington (composer) — April 29, 1899
Finding April
Have you ever wondered why Easter isn’t always in April? The holiday falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox. (The first full moon after the equinox was March 28 this year.) Thousands of years ago, Christians would often make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land to celebrate Easter. Most traveled by foot, and they needed a light in the darkness of night to guide them as they walked. Thus, the holiday’s date was set to follow and center around the full moon.
Meet Our Hairdressers!
Karen has been a hairdresser for over 30 years. She is a mother of two cute little boys and one beautiful girl. She has lived in Maynard with her husband for over 37 years.
Louise has been a hairdresser for over 30 years as
well. Louise is a mother to three grown children and lives in Somerville with her husband.
Karen and Louise operate Karen’s Salon, and are open Wednesdays and Fridays. Karen’s Salon is located on the first floor. If you have a special event, please let them know and they will do their best to accommodate.
Karen can be reached at 781-572-2701. Louise can be reached at 617-240-9759.
APRIL 2021
Birthdays
John Deane, 1st Jackie Scheibel, 6th Shelley Henry, 10th Emma Ricketson, 27th Ken Scheibel, 30th Carolee Schaffer, 30thAnniversaries
Ed & Shelly Henry, 4/24/2020
Locations
4th Floor Patio, 4P Activity Room, AR Atrium, AT Billiard Room, BR Bistro, BI Dining Room, DR Fire Pit, FP Gardens, GD Gym, GYM Library, LIB Main Lobby, LB PC Area, PC Pergola Courtyard, CY Private Dining Room, PDR Sanctuary, SAN Theater, TR TV Room, TVStop in the Reading Room any time over the weekend to pick up word games and puzzles to complete at your leisure.
Tartan Day: Wear Plaid!
8:30 Morning Walking Club, AT 9:30 Exercise Bands, AR 10:00 Refreshments, BI 2:00 Movie Matinee, TR 2:00 Everything Caramel Social, BI
3:00 Afternoon Exercise with Rachel, AR
3:30 Easy Chocolate Energy Bars, BI 7:00 Movie, TR
9:30 Word Games, LIB 10:00 Virtual Sunday Mass, TR 10:00 Refreshments, BI 10:00 Gardening Club, CY 11:00 Morning Meditation, TR 2:00 Movie Matinee, TR 7:00 Movie, TR 9:30 Chair Exercises, AR 10:00 Refreshments, BI 10:30 Craft Corner: Seed
Mosaics, AR 2:00 Movie Matinee, TR 2:05 Bingo Bash, AR 3:00 Play Reading Group, SAN 3:00 Celebrating Gold Star Spouses, AR 7:00 Movie, TR
9:30 Word Games, LIB
10:00 Virtual Sunday Mass, TR 10:00 Refreshments, BI 10:00 Gardening Club, CY 11:00 Morning Meditation, TR 2:00 Movie Matinee, TR 7:00 Movie, TR 9:30 Chair Exercises, AR 10:00 Refreshments, BI 10:30 Hand Massages &
Manicures, AR 2:00 Movie Matinee, TR
2:00 Family Photo Show, AR 2:05 Bingo Bash, AR
3:00 Ice Cream Social Hour, BI
3:00 Play Reading Group, SAN 7:00 Movie, TR 8:30 Morning Walking Club, AT 9:30 Exercise Bands, AR 10:00 Refreshments, BI 10:30 Scrabble Tournament, AR 2:00 Movie Matinee, TR 2:00 Mason Jar Plants, AR
3:00 Camellia Gardens Charades, AR 7:00 Movie, TR
9:30 Word Games, LIB
10:00 Virtual Sunday Mass, TR 10:00 Refreshments, BI 10:00 Gardening Club, CY 11:00 Morning Meditation, TR 2:00 Movie Matinee, TR 7:00 Movie, TR 9:30 Chair Exercises, AR 10:00 Refreshments, BI 10:30 Hand Massages &
Manicures, AR 2:00 Movie Matinee, TR 2:05 Bingo Bash, AR
3:00 Ice Cream Social Hour, BI 3:00 Play Reading Group, SAN 7:00 Movie, TR 8:30 Morning Walking Club, AT 9:30 Exercise Bands, AR 10:00 Refreshments, BI 12:00 Dress Alike Contest, DR 2:00 Movie Matinee, TR 2:00 Camellia Garden Art Gallery, AR 7:00 Movie, TR
9:30 Word Games, LIB
10:00 Virtual Sunday Mass, TR 10:00 Refreshments, BI 10:00 Gardening Club, CY 11:00 Morning Meditation, TR 2:00 Movie Matinee, TR 7:00 Movie, TR 9:30 Chair Exercises, AR 10:00 Refreshments, BI
10:30 Craft Corner: Upcycled Muffin Tins, AR
2:00 Movie Matinee, TR 2:05 Bingo Bash, AR
3:00 Ice Cream Social Hour, BI 3:00 Play Reading Group, SAN 7:00 Movie, TR 8:30 Morning Walking Club, AT 9:30 Exercise Bands, AR 10:00 Refreshments, BI
10:30 Craft Corner: Morse Code Jewelry, AR 2:00 Movie Matinee, TR 7:00 Movie, TR
7:00 Open Mic Talent Show, AR
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
4 5 6 11 12 13 18 19 20 25 26 27 EASTER
APRIL 2021
Karen’s Salon is Open! 8:30 Walking Club
Wednesdays, AT 9:30 Chair Exercise with
Rachel, AR 10:00 Refreshments, BI 11:00 Technology Help, AR 2:00 Bridge Club, AR 2:00 Movie & Popcorn, TR 3:00 All About the First
Ladies, SAN 7:00 Movie, TR
9:30 Exercise Bands, AR 10:00 Refreshments, BI 10:00 Croquet, AR 10:30 Funny Smile Sickle
Photoshoot, AR 11:00 Veterans’ Club, SAN 1:30 Billiards and
Beverages, BR 2:00 Movie Matinee, TR 2:00 Pick a Penny Game, AR 3:00 Knitting Club, AT 7:00 Movie, TR
9:30 Exercise Bands, AR 10:00 Refreshments, BI 10:00 Croquet, AR
10:30 April Activity Overview, AR 11:00 Veterans’ Club, SAN 1:30 Billiards and Beverages, BR 2:00 Movie Matinee, TR 3:00 Knitting Club, AT 3:00 April Birthday Celebration, AR 7:00 Movie, TR
Karen’s Salon is Open! 9:30 Chair
Exercises, AR 10:00 Refreshments, BI 10:30 Mini Golf, AR 2:00 Movie Matinee, TR 2:05 High Stakes Bingo, AR
3:00 Happy Hour!, AR 4:00 Book Club, LIB 7:00 Movie, TR
Karen’s Salon is Open! Wear Blue for Autism Awareness
9:30 Chair Exercises, AR
10:00 Refreshments, BI
10:30 Mini Golf, AR
2:00 Movie Matinee, TR
2:05 High Stakes Bingo, AR
3:00 Happy Hour and Hot Cross Buns, AR
4:00 Book Club, LIB
4:30 Welcoming Shabbat, SAN
7:00 Movie, TR
9:30 Word Games, LIB 9:30 Exercise Bands, AR
10:00 Gardening Club, CY 10:00 Donuts and Coffee, BI 11:00 Movie Selection Committee, SAN 2:00 Movie Matinee, TR 2:00 Camellia Antique Roadshow!, AR 7:00 Concert Series, TR
9:30 Word Games, LIB 9:30 Exercise Bands, AR
10:00 Gardening Club, CY 10:00 Donuts and Coffee, BI 11:00 Movie Selection
Committee, SAN 2:00 Movie Matinee, TR 3:00 Ice Cream Sundaes 7:00 Concert Series, TR
Karen’s Salon is Open!
8:30 Walking Club Wednesdays, AT 9:30 Chair Exercise with
Rachel, AR 10:00 Refreshments, BI 11:00 Technology Help, AR
2:00 Spring Cleaning Indoor Yard Sale, AR
2:00 Movie & Popcorn, TR 3:00 All About the First
Ladies, SAN 7:00 Movie, TR 9:30 Exercise Bands, AR 10:00 Refreshments, BI 10:00 Croquet, AR
11:00 Veterans’ Club, SAN 1:30 Billiards and
Beverages, BR 2:00 Movie Matinee, TR 3:00 Knitting Club, AT 7:00 Movie, TR
Karen’s Salon is Open!
9:30 Chair Exercises, AR 10:00 Refreshments, BI 10:30 Mini Golf, AR 2:00 Movie Matinee, TR 2:05 High Stakes Bingo, AR
3:00 Pajama Party Happy Hour!, AR 4:00 Book Club, LIB 7:00 Movie, TR
9:30 Word Games, LIB 9:30 Exercise Bands, AR
10:00 Gardening Club, CY 10:00 Donuts and Coffee, BI 11:00 Movie Selection
Committee, SAN 2:00 Movie Matinee, TR 7:00 Concert Series, TR Karen’s Salon is Open!
8:30 Walking Club Wednesdays, AT 9:30 Chair Exercise with
Rachel, AR 10:00 Refreshments, BI 11:00 Technology Help, AR 2:00 Bridge Club, AR 2:00 Movie & Popcorn, TR 3:00 All About the First
Ladies, SAN 7:00 Movie, TR
9:30 Exercise Bands, AR 10:00 Refreshments, BI 10:00 Croquet, AR
11:00 Veterans’ Club, SAN 1:30 Billiards and
Beverages, BR 2:00 Movie Matinee, TR 2:00 Jelly Bean Taste Test, AR 3:00 Knitting Club, AT
7:00 Movie, TR
Karen’s Salon is Open! 9:30 Chair Exercises, AR 10:00 Refreshments, BI 10:30 Mini Golf, AR 2:00 Movie Matinee, TR 2:05 High Stakes Bingo, AR 4:00 Book Club, LIB
7:00 Movie, TR
9:30 Word Games, LIB 9:30 Exercise Bands, AR
10:00 Gardening Club, CY 10:00 Donuts and Coffee, BI 11:00 Movie Selection
Committee, SAN 2:00 Movie Matinee, TR 7:00 Concert Series, TR Karen’s Salon is Open!
8:30 Walking Club Wednesdays, AT 9:30 Chair Exercise with
Rachel, AR 10:00 Refreshments, BI 11:00 Technology Help, AR 2:00 Bridge Club, AR 2:00 Movie & Popcorn, TR 3:00 All About the First
Ladies, SAN 7:00 Movie, TR 9:30 Exercise Bands, AR 10:00 Refreshments, BI 10:00 Croquet, AR
11:00 Veterans’ Club, SAN 1:30 Billiards and
Beverages, BR 2:00 Movie Matinee, TR 3:00 Knitting Club, AT 7:00 Movie, TR
Karen’s Salon is Open! 9:30 Chair Exercises, AR 10:00 Refreshments, BI 10:30 Mini Golf, AR 2:00 Movie Matinee, TR 2:05 High Stakes Bingo, AR 4:00 Book Club, LIB
7:00 Movie, TR
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
8 9 7 10 14 15 16 17 24 21 22 23 1 2 3 28 29 30 GOOD FRIDAY EARTH DAY
Cats,
Daisies and
Diamonds
Animal of the Month — Cat
The domestic cat, often referred to as a house cat, is part of the feline family, Felidae. Cats share over 95% of their DNA with tigers. They first became pets in ancient Egypt around 7,500 BC and in Cyprus around 9,500 BC. Today, the world is home to over 500 million domestic cats. These carnivorous mammals sleep an average of 12 to 16 hours a day, can run up to 30 miles per hour, and live on a diet of small critters, such as birds, rats, and mice — unless they are eating a bowl of cat food. Cats walk by moving the two legs on each side at once. The only other animals to walk this way are giraffes and camels. Cats are known for being feisty, independent, and landing on their feet — hence the belief that they have nine lives, which explains why they symbolize rebirth. Black cats are thought to be
The Origin of April Fools’ Day
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. In the Julian Calendar, as in the Hindu calendar, the new year began with the spring equinox around April 1st.
People who were slow to get the news or failed to recognize that the start of the new year had moved to January 1st and continued to celebrate it during the last week of March through April 1st, became the butt of jokes and hoaxes and were called “April fools.” These pranks 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. Hilaria
Historians have also linked April Fools’ Day to festivals such as Hilaria (Latin for joyful), which was celebrated in ancient Rome at the end of March by followers of the cult of Cybele. It involved people dressing up in disguises and mocking fellow citizens and even magistrates, and was said to be inspired by the Egyptian legend of Isis, Osiris and Seth.
Vernal Equinox
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. History of April Fools’ Day
April Fools’ Day spread throughout Britain during the 18th 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) and followed by Tailie Day, which involved pranks played on people’s derrieres, such
as pinning fake tails or “kick me” signs on them. April Fools’ Day Pranks In modern times,
people have gone to great lengths to create elaborate April Fools’ Day hoaxes. Newspapers, radio and TV stations and websites have participated in the April 1st 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. In 1985, Sports Illustrated writer George Plimpton tricked many readers when he ran a made-up article about a rookie pitcher named Sidd Finch who could throw a fastball over 168 miles per hour. In 1992, National Public Radio ran a spot with former President Richard Nixon saying he was running for President again ... only it was an actor, not Nixon, and the segment was all an April Fools’ Day prank that caught the country by surprise. 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 rename it the Taco Liberty Bell. In 1998, after Burger King advertised a “Left-Handed Whopper,” scores of clueless customers requested the fake sandwich. Google notoriously hosts an annual April Fools’ Day prank that has included everything from “telepathic search” to the ability to play Pac-Man on Google Maps. For the average trickster, there is always the classic April Fools’ Day prank of covering the toilet with plastic wrap or switching out sugar and salt.
magical and/or bad luck, while legend has it that white cats bring good fortune. April’s flower of the Month — Daisy
The daisy is one of the oldest and best-known English flowers. It retains its Anglo-Saxon name, “day’s eye,” because of its appearance and the fact that it closes according to the amount of available sunshine. According to legend, the first daisy appeared when a young nymph turned herself into one to avoid unwanted attention. Thus, the flower has come to symbolize modesty, chastity, and innocence. The daisy is also used to tell if “he loves me” or “loves me not” by pulling off the petals one-by-one. The birthstone for April is the diamond. For centuries, this stone has signified romance, intrigue, power, greed, and magic. In the Middle Ages, it was used to cure headaches and to create love potions. Today, it symbolizes everlasting love. Formed nearly 100 miles beneath Earth’s surface in temperatures that exceed 2,700°F, the diamond is the world’s hardest naturally occurring substance. It is also the purest of all gemstones, composed completely from crystallized carbon. Its name comes from the Greek word adamas, which means “unconquerable.”
The Origins of Three
Easter Traditions
1. DYEING EASTER EGGS
The tradition of decorating eggs of all kinds — even ostrich eggs — may go all the way back to the ancient pagans. It’s easy to see why eggs represent rebirth and life, so associating them with spring and new growth isn’t much of a stretch. To celebrate the new season, it’s said that people colored eggs and gave them to friends and family as gifts.
When Christians came along, they likely incorporated the tradition into their celebrations. According to some legends, Mary or Mary Magdalene could be responsible for our annual trek to the store to buy vinegar and dye tablets. As the story goes, Mary brought eggs with her to Jesus’
crucifixion, and blood from his wounds fell on the eggs, coloring them red. Another tells us that Mary Magdalene brought a basket of cooked eggs to share with other women at Jesus’ tomb three days after his death. When they rolled back the stone and found the tomb empty, the eggs turned red. 2. HOLLOW CHOCOLATE BUNNIES Now that we know why Easter is
associated with rabbits, little chocolate leporidae actually make sense. But why are so many of them hollow inside? As it turns out, it’s not just to get kids used to disappointment at
a young age. According to the R.M. Palmer company, one of the oldest makers of chocolate bunnies in the U.S., the empty insides are really just in consideration of your teeth. “If you had a larger-size bunny and it was solid chocolate, it would be like a brick; you’d be breaking teeth,” Mark Schlott, executive vice-president of operations, told Smithsonian.
Of course, there’s also the “wow” factor — confectioners can make a larger, more impressive-looking bunny for a reasonable price if there’s nothing inside of it.
3. HOT CROSS BUNS
Like the bunny and the eggs, it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when people started making hot cross buns — sweet rolls studded with raisins or currants and marked with a cross on top — during the week leading up to Easter Sunday. It’s said the tradition started in the 12th century with a monk who was inspired to mark his rolls to celebrate Good Friday. The first written record we have of them dates back to an issue of Poor Robin’s Almanac from the 1730s: “Good Friday comes this Month, the old woman runs, With one or two a Penny, hot cross Bunns [sic].”
16 Digital Way Maynard, MA 01754
