DECEMBER 2020
4240 Town Center Blvd • El Dorado Hills, CA 95762 • Phone (916) 934-0596 • www.seniorlivinginstyle.com
EL DORADO ESTATES STAFF
TRANSPORTATION
Monday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.: Shopping and Errands Tuesday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.: Medical Appointments
Wednesday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.: Outing Day Thursday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.:
Medical Appointments
Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.: Outings and Errands Managers ... FRED & LEAH TILLICH Assistant Managers ... ETHAN
& RACHELLE WEBER Executive Chef ...CARLOS PIZANA Sous Chef ...BRENDEN ORLICZKI Activity Coordinator ...THERESA DAVIS Maintenance Coordinator ... STEVE HIGGINS Bus Driver ... MARY JANE MARTIN Head Housekeeper ...SHERRY MILBOURNE
Annual Holiday Gingerbread Contest
Every year, Hawthorn communities around the country participate in a gingerbread house contest. This year we are being asked to create a themed holiday gingerbread VILLAGE! The theme we have chosen, in keeping with our local history, is a gold rush era town.
We are looking for residents to help name, build and decorate our California Gold Rush themed “Gingerbread Town” throughout the month of December.
That’s right — a village!
This is a community project and we need a lot of folks to help out.
Chef Carlos and his kitchen staff will be providing many of the building and decorating supplies, supplemented with gumdrops, candies, pretzels and more.
We’ll be having Gingerbread Village “work parties” on Thursdays, at 10 a.m. and 2:15 p.m., in the Activity Room. We will have a special party on Wednesday, December 23rd, at 10:30 a.m., to celebrate the village completion and take photos. Our village will be on display for the remainder of the month. We do hope you’ll all lend a hand to make our El Dorado Estates’ village a Hawthorn winner!
LeJune’s Gingerbread House
The Joy of Simple Things
A whirlwind of sights and sounds, the holiday season is often a busy time. But there’s much joy and meaning to be found in the quieter moments as well.
Treats: Certain foods taste better around the holidays, don’t they?
Whether it’s a sip of eggnog or a bite of decadent fudge, savor the moment as a mini celebration.
Decorations: Setting out some seasonal items can instantly put you in a festive mood. By placing a treasured keepsake in a spot where you’ll see it every day, you can stir up warm feelings of comfort and joy.
Crafts: Winter is often peak crafting season. If the weather outside is frightful, you can delight in creating a homemade gift or jolly decoration. Take pride in using your hands and putting love into your work.
Music: Listening and singing along to your favorite holiday tunes is a simple pleasure that many folks enjoy. When you hear a song that’s special to you, close your eyes and focus on the words and melody.
Tuesday Crafts
Anyone can complete most of these crafts in under an hour. Craft projects are free, but you do need to sign up in advance so we can have adequate supplies.
December 8th: Orange and Clove Pomanders (clove studded oranges to scent your home for the holidays)
December 22nd: 3-D Snowflakes (cut and shape a gorgeous hanging snowflake)
December 29th: Watercolor Thank You Cards (make your own ombre watercolor cards to send as thanks for your holiday gifts received)
December Wednesday
Excursions
2nd — Blue Diamond Almonds, Sacramento We’ll be visiting the Blue Diamond Almond Gift Shop and Visitor Center, and historical landmarks of Sacramento’s Almond Growers/Processing
facilities. Box lunch provided, bring money for almond purchases. Very light walking.
9th — Blue Diamond Almonds, Sacramento 16th — Holiday
Neighborhood Lights Display Excursion
Our local neighborhoods go all out with home light displays for the holidays.
We’ll be driving by several of them on our bus, while you’re sipping hot cocoa and eating delicious cookies. This is a driving excursion — no walking involved.
23rd — Holiday
Neighborhood Lights Display Excursion
30th — Chocolate Architect Excursion, Folsom
We’ll be able to try a gourmet chocolate and champagne tasting — you choose the chocolate and bubbly of your choice! Cost ranges between
$15-25, depending on the flight you select.
Ombre Watercolor Thank You Cards Orange Clove Pomanders
Friday by the Firepit at 3:30 p.m.
Just one sip of a seasonal beverage can put you in a holiday mood. Celebrate all month long with us.
Hot cocoa on
December 4th — There may be no better way to warm up on a cold winter’s day than with a mug of hot chocolate sprinkled with marshmallows.
In addition to drinking it, you can indulge in hot cocoa-flavored candies, cookies, ice cream and popcorn.
Spiced Hot Apple Cider on December 11th — apples, cinnamon and cloves blended together to warm you up ...
just like drinking a fabulous piece of apple pie!
Eggnog on December 18th — This rich, creamy beverage has been adapted into recipes for cookies, cakes, ice cream and candies, all celebrating the drink’s scrumptious blend of vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon.
Country Corner Store Returns
It’s back! Our new and improved Country Corner Store will reopen in December on Friday afternoons between dinners, from 12 to 1 p.m.
Now conveniently located in the Activity Room.
Come by and shop for inexpensive snacks, beverages, holiday cards and gift wrap supplies, convenience items and “boredom breakers.”
Any small profit made from sales will go right back into the Activity Program. We are looking for volunteers to help with setup and sales. Please let Theresa know if you are interested.
Watercolor Painting Exhibition
by Helen
Watercolor exhibit by our very own resident artist, Helen Unmack, in the Atrium on Thursday, December 10th, between 11:30 a.m.
and 2:30 p.m. Helen will be onhand to answer any questions you may have on framed watercolors she has painted over the years.
New Qigong Exercise Class
Now you can start your week with a half hour Monday morning Qigong class. Standing or seated, this ancient practice is a form of meditative exercise that focuses on body posture and movement, breathing, and meditation.
Qigong is rooted in Taoist philosophy and traditional Chinese medicine (although we will be focusing just on the movements and not the Taoism philosophy). It has been around for over 5,000 years. Qigong roughly translates to cultivating the “inherent functional essence of the human being.” I more simply describe the Qigong practice as a way to balance and open the flow of your body’s energy. The idea behind Qigong is that discomfort and sickness are a result of imbalanced energy within a person. To improve health and prevent disease, a person must balance their internal energy by enhancing the
“Qi” (energy). Qigong involves repetitive movements that strengthen, balance, and stretch the body, increase the circulation of bodily fluids, and build awareness of how the body moves through space.
Studies have shown that regular Qigong practice may increase bone density, reduce blood pressure, improve balance, strengthen immune response and decrease depression and anxiety.
Helen is a very talented watercolor painter!
DEC 2020
Birthdays
Joanne Porter, 5th Wayne Shaw, 7th Charlotte Jarwin, 8th Wayne Durrington, 12th Nadine Zarback, 17th Carol Tachibana, 24th Margret Quest, 25th Frank Lewis, 27th Bobbie Levin, 28th Wally Currey, 30th
Locations
Activity Room, AR Activity Room Kitchen, ARK Atrium, AT
Billiard Room, BR Bistro, B
Bus Transportation, BUS
Chapel, CH Courtyard, CY Dining Room, DR Fitness Center, FC Library, LIB
Lobby, L
Movie Theater, MT TV Room, TV Van, VAN
9:15 Flexibility Exercise, FC
12:30 Group Hangman, AR 2:00 Golf Putting
with Sid, AR
2:00 Afternoon Matinee, MT 2:15 Crafts, AR
4:00 Coffee with Carolyn Ewing, AR 6:45 Evening
Movie, MT 9:15 Flexibility
Exercise, FC
12:30 Name That Tune, AR 2:00 Golf Putting
with Sid, AR 2:00 Afternoon
Matinee, MT
4:00 Coffee with Carolyn Ewing, AR
6:45 Evening Movie, MT
2:00 Afternoon Matinee, MT 3:00 Bingo, DR
6:45 Evening Movie, MT
9:00 Thursday Word Search Puzzle, AR 9:15 Qigong Exercise, FC 2:00 Bean Bag
Baseball, AR 2:00 Afternoon
Matinee, MT 3:00 Bingo, DR 6:45 Evening
Movie, MT
2:00 Afternoon Matinee, MT 3:00 Bingo, DR
6:45 Evening Movie, MT
9:00 Thursday Word Search Puzzle, AR 9:15 Qigong Exercise, FC 2:00 Bean Bag
Baseball, AR 2:00 Afternoon
Matinee, MT 3:00 Bingo, DR
6:45 Evening Movie, MT
9:15 Flexibility Exercise, FC 12:30 Spelling Bee, AR 2:00 Golf Putting with Sid, AR 2:00 Afternoon Matinee, MT 3:15 Residents’ Activity
Input Meeting, AR 4:00 Coffee with Carolyn
Ewing, AR
6:45 Evening Movie, MT
2:00 Afternoon Matinee, MT 3:00 Bingo, DR
6:45 Evening Movie, MT
9:00 Thursday Word Search Puzzle, AR 9:15 Qigong Exercise, FC 10:30 Gingerbread Village
Completed Party, AT 2:00 Bean Bag
Baseball, AR
2:00 Afternoon Matinee, MT 3:00 Bingo, DR
6:45 Evening Movie, MT
9:15 Flexibility Exercise, FC 12:30 Pictionary, AR
2:00 Golf Putting with Sid, AR 2:00 Afternoon Matinee, MT 2:15 Crafts, AR
3:30 Secret Santa Gift Exchange Party, AR 4:00 Coffee with Carolyn
Ewing, AR
6:45 Evening Movie, MT 7:00 Left Center Right, AR
2:00 Afternoon Matinee, MT 3:00 Bingo, DR
6:45 Evening Movie, MT
9:00 Thursday Word Search Puzzle, AR 9:15 Qigong Exercise, FC 1:30 Board Games, BR 2:00 Bean Bag
Baseball, AR
2:00 Afternoon Matinee, MT 3:00 Bingo, DR
6:45 Evening Movie, MT
9:15 Flexibility Exercise, FC 12:30 Word Challenge, AR 2:00 Golf Putting with Sid, AR 2:00 Afternoon Matinee, MT 2:15 Crafts, AR
4:00 Coffee with Carolyn Ewing, AR
4:30 Tell Us All About It:
Carolyn Pierce Ewing, DR 6:45 Evening Movie, MT
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY
6 7 8
13 14 15
20 21 22
1
28 27
“Time together as a family is a gift.”
—Joanna Gaines
WINTER BEGINS
29
DEC 2020
10:45 Blue
Diamond Almond Excursion, BUS 11:30 Spanish Class
with Carol, AR
2:00 Afternoon
Matinee, MT 3:00 Bingo, DR
6:45 Evening Movie, MT
10:45 Blue DiamondAlmond
Excursion, BUS 11:30 Spanish Class
with Carol, AR
2:00 Afternoon
Matinee, MT 3:00 Bingo, DR
6:45 Evening Movie, MT
9:15 Flexibility Exercise, FC 10:00 Gingerbread Village
Construction, AR 11:30 Watercolor Painting
Exhibition by Heln Unmack, AT
2:00 Afternoon Matinee, MT 2:15 Gingerbread Village
Construction, AR 3:30 Singalong with Shelly, AR 6:45 Evening Movie, MT 9:15 Flexibility
Exercise, FC
10:00 Gingerbread Village Construction, AR 2:00 Afternoon Matinee, MT 2:15 Gingerbread Village
Construction, AR 3:30 Singalong with
Shelly, AR
6:45 Evening Movie, MT
8:45 Cranium Challenge, AR 9:15 Balance Fitness, FC 10:30 Bible Study: Book
of Daniel, MT
12:30 Country Corner Store, AR 2:00 Afternoon Matinee, MT 2:15 Team Trivia, AR 3:00 Bingo, DR
3:30 Social at the Firepit, CY 6:45 Evening Movie, MT 9:15 Balance Fitness, FC 10:30 Bible Study: Book
of Daniel, MT 12:30 Country Corner
Store, AR
2:00 Afternoon Matinee, MT 2:15 Team Trivia, AR 3:00 Bingo, DR
3:30 Social at the Firepit, CY 6:45 Evening Movie, MT
9:30 Chair Dance with Ethan, FC
10:00 Nail Polish & Lemonade with Rachelle, AR 2:00 Afternoon Matinee, MT 3:00 Bingo, DR
3:30 Billiards with Ethan, BR 5:30 Saturday Night
Dinner Music, DR 6:45 Evening Movie, MT 9:30 Chair Dance
with Ethan, FC 10:15 Radio Show
Request Hour, DR 2:00 Afternoon Matinee, MT 3:00 Bingo, DR
3:30 Billiards with Ethan, BR 5:30 Saturday Night
Dinner Music, DR 6:45 Evening Movie, MT
11:30 Spanish Class with Carol, AR
2:00 Afternoon
Matinee, MT 3:00 Bingo, DR
6:30 Holiday LightsExcursion, BUS
6:45 Evening Movie, MT
9:15 Flexibility Exercise, FC
10:00 Gingerbread Village Construction, AR 2:00 Afternoon Matinee, MT 2:15 Gingerbread Village
Construction, AR 3:30 Christmas Caroling, AR 3:30 Singalong with
Shelly, AR
6:45 Evening Movie, MT
9:15 Balance Fitness, FC 10:30 Bible Study:
Book of Daniel, MT 12:30 Country Corner
Store, AR
2:00 Afternoon Matinee, MT 2:15 Team Trivia, AR 3:00 Bingo, DR 3:30 Social at the
Firepit, CY
6:45 Evening Movie, MT
9:30 Chair Dance with Ethan, FC 10:15 Music Appreciation
with Rachelle, DR 2:00 Afternoon Matinee, MT 3:00 Bingo, DR
3:30 Billiards with Ethan, BR 5:30 Saturday Night
Dinner Music, DR 6:45 Evening Movie, MT
11:30 Spanish Class with Carol, AR
2:00 Afternoon
Matinee, MT 3:00 Bingo, DR
6:30 Holiday LightsExcursion, BUS
6:45 Evening Movie, MT
9:15 Flexibility Exercise, FC 2:00 Afternoon
Matinee, MT 3:30 Christmas
Caroling, AR 6:45 Evening
Movie, MT
10:00 Christmas Morning Coffee, AT
2:00 Afternoon Matinee, MT 5:00 Light Christmas
Supper, AR 6:45 Evening
Movie, MT
9:30 Chair Dance with Ethan, FC
2:00 Afternoon Matinee, MT 2:30 Gourmet Club, AR 3:00 Bingo, DR
3:30 Billiards with Ethan, BR 5:30 Saturday Night
Dinner Music, DR 6:45 Evening Movie, MT 11:30 Spanish Class
with Carol, AR 2:00 Afternoon
Matinee, MT 2:00 Chocolate and
Champagne Tasting Excursion, BUS 3:00 Bingo, DR 6:45 Evening
Movie, MT
9:15 Flexibility Exercise, FC 2:00 Afternoon
Matinee, MT
2:15 Cake in a Mug, ARK
6:45 Evening Movie, MT
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
10 11
9 12
16 17 18 19
26
23 24 25
2 3 4 5
CHRISTMAS DAY
NEW YEAR’S EVE
HANUKKAH BEGINS AT SUNSET
30 31
Recent Activity Highlights at El Dorado Estates
Excursions to Apple Hill in Camino to taste their famous apple fritters and doughnuts, visit numerous art and craft vendors, and enjoy relaxing by a lovely pond.
Excursion to the Aerospace Museum and Hubble Exhibit in Sacramento included a very informative docent talk about the space Hubble and the amazing images it has allowed us to see of galaxies and nebulas in space.
The outdoor Air Park featured historic military flight vehicles, and the indoor museum gave us the opportunity to get up close to actual rocket and aeronautical engines.
Fall Festival — which included a pumpkin patch where residents could select a pumpkin of their choice, participate in “Count the Candy Corn”
guess, Dog Costume Parade, try and eat a doughnut hanging from a string, Toss the Eyeball into the Cauldron, and enjoy candied apples with caramel dip.
Veterans Day festivities started with a caravan parade drive through our community with over a hundred historic vehicles, motorcycles, Corvette Club and even a Tesla driving through our community to show their gratitude for our veterans’
service to our country. We had a moving Tribute of Honor Ceremony with music, readings and Military Mail call to each veteran resident. We ended the day with an excursion to the State Capitol Park in Sacramento to view the Veterans Monument and Vietnam Veterans Monument.
Chef Carlos showed us how to make a delicious Cranberry Upside Down Cake that was enjoyed by all.
Apple Hill Excursion
Aerospace Museum Excursion Leaf Print Crafts
Chef Carlos’ Cranberry Dessert Fall Fest Pumpkin Patch
Making Peace Doves for Veterans Day
Staying Connected During Covid and the Holidays
The AARP magazine had a wonderful article written by Aaron Kassraie this past March. Keeping your connections with family and friends is especially important as we cope with not being able to visit in person, and not being able to give and receive hugs. I’m sharing some of the article with you here ...
Catch up and check in on friends on your phone:
Take the initiative to call your fellow older adults to check in with them and practice good listening skills. Make a contact list of people to call and check in daily or every few days. Start with those in your close circle of friends and then move outward. You can go through your old letters, address books, alumni contacts, email addresses and memorabilia to reconnect with “long-lost” friends, classmates or coworkers who you haven’t been in touch with. It might be uplifting and reassuring to reach out to them — and they would likely love to get a call.
Connect with friends and family using technology:
Many older adults use videoconferencing such as Zoom, Skype and FaceTime. This allows for conversations and
“think out loud” with one another. It can be helpful for a family member or friend to teach how to use these services and apps.
And, reaching out the old-fashioned way:
Everyone loves receiving a hand written note or greeting cards. It doesn’t have to be long — just a few short sentences, or even just slipping in a funny comic strip you saw in the paper or a photo can brighten someone’s day when they see mail in their mailbox.
You Can Make a Difference to Local Families in Need This Season
FOOD DRIVE:
We will be collecting your donations of canned and dry goods for our local food bank — Food Bank of El Dorado County. Look for the donation barrel in the Atrium. Especially needed are items for holiday meals such as cranberry sauce, stuffing mix, canned vegetables as well as “meals in a can” such as soups, stews, spaghetti, etc. We will be delivering the barrel of collected goods on Wednesday, December 16th, so that will be the last day for collection.
Secret Santa
Want to play Secret Santa with fellow El Dorado Estate residents? Anyone can join the fun! Just fill out a
Secret Santa signup card by Friday, December 4th, and drop it into the Secret Santa Hat (in the Activity Room).
Participants come back between December 7th-11th to draw, in secret, the name of the person for whom they’ll buy a gift. Everyone then goes away and buys a gift for their secret person, (between $5-10 — staff has many easy suggestions for gift ideas). Wrap and mark your gift with the name of the recipient, but not the gift- giver. Secretly place your gift under the Secret Santa Tree the day before the Secret Santa Party on Tuesday, December 22nd, at 3:30 p.m. Everyone will unwrap their gifts and try to guess who their Secret Santa is.
4240 Town Center Blvd El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
