The residents at Westchester Gardens Long Term Care Center, located in Florida, have found a way to give back to their community, while at the same time feel like they are participating in a MEANINGFUL activity!
The American Red Cross Presents, "Vial of Life." It is a program that provides medical information to emergency personnel when individuals can't.
Here's How it Works:
The Vial of Life is taped to the top shelf of the front right side of the the INSIDE of one's refrigerator. The vial contains important medical information that emergency personnel would need if they came into your home and you were unconcious or could not give it to them. When the emergency personnel come to an individual's home they look for the orange dot on the upper left hand corner of the OUTSIDE of the regrigerator identifying the indiviudual as a Vial of Life participant.
How is it "meaningful" for the residents?
The residents at Westchester Gardens assemble the vials for the American Red Cross which includes: putting the information sheet inside of the vial, putting the lid on the vial, and rubberbanning directions to the outside of the vial. Sounds easy enough... They are then brought, or shipped, to the American Red Cross and the residents hope that their efforts will assist someone in the community during a medical emergency or possibly save a life!
Contact the American Red Cross in your county for more information!
Maureen Cook (Activity Director)
Westchester Gardens
Thursday, August 2, 2007
August-History of the Month's Orgin
Augustus for 'August'
After Julius's grandnephew Augustus defeated Marc Antony and Cleopatra, and became emperor of Rome, the Roman Senate decided that he too should have a month named after him. The month Sextillus (sex = six) was chosen for Augustus, and the senate justified its actions in the following resolution:
Whereas the Emperor Augustus Caesar, in the month of Sextillis . . . thrice entered the city in triumph . . . and in the same month Egypt was brought under the authority of the Roman people, and in the same month an end was put to the civil wars; and whereas for these reasons the said month is, and has been, most fortunate to this empire, it is hereby decreed by the senate that the said month shall be called Augustus.
Not only did the Senate name a month after Augustus, but it decided that since Julius's month, July, had 31 days, Augustus's month should equal it: under the Julian calendar, the months alternated evenly between 30 and 31 days (with the exception of February), which made August 30 days long. So, instead of August having a mere 30 days, it was lengthened to 31, preventing anyone from claiming that Emperor Augustus was saddled with an inferior month.
To accommodate this change two other calendrical adjustments were necessary:
The extra day needed to inflate the importance of August was taken from February, which originally had 29 days (30 in a leap year), and was now reduced to 28 days (29 in a leap year).
Since the months evenly alternated between 30 and 31 days, adding the extra day to August meant that July, August, and September would all have 31 days. So to avoid three long months in a row, the lengths of the last four months were switched around, giving us 30 days in September, April, June, and November.
NOW...see if your trivia group knows as much as you?? ha!!
After Julius's grandnephew Augustus defeated Marc Antony and Cleopatra, and became emperor of Rome, the Roman Senate decided that he too should have a month named after him. The month Sextillus (sex = six) was chosen for Augustus, and the senate justified its actions in the following resolution:
Whereas the Emperor Augustus Caesar, in the month of Sextillis . . . thrice entered the city in triumph . . . and in the same month Egypt was brought under the authority of the Roman people, and in the same month an end was put to the civil wars; and whereas for these reasons the said month is, and has been, most fortunate to this empire, it is hereby decreed by the senate that the said month shall be called Augustus.
Not only did the Senate name a month after Augustus, but it decided that since Julius's month, July, had 31 days, Augustus's month should equal it: under the Julian calendar, the months alternated evenly between 30 and 31 days (with the exception of February), which made August 30 days long. So, instead of August having a mere 30 days, it was lengthened to 31, preventing anyone from claiming that Emperor Augustus was saddled with an inferior month.
To accommodate this change two other calendrical adjustments were necessary:
The extra day needed to inflate the importance of August was taken from February, which originally had 29 days (30 in a leap year), and was now reduced to 28 days (29 in a leap year).
Since the months evenly alternated between 30 and 31 days, adding the extra day to August meant that July, August, and September would all have 31 days. So to avoid three long months in a row, the lengths of the last four months were switched around, giving us 30 days in September, April, June, and November.
NOW...see if your trivia group knows as much as you?? ha!!
From Manager to Leader..Words of Wisdom!
By: Leslie Kossoff
Ask anyone and they'll tell you. There's a difference between managers and leaders.
Ask them what that difference is and they may have a bit more difficulty. Suddenly the words become amorphous and undefined. Somehow leadership is an intangible - a charismatic component that some people have and others simply don't. That's why, according to the ubiquitous "they", it is such a rarity.
Wrong.
The difference between being a manager and being a leader is simple. Management is a career. Leadership is a calling.
You don't have to be tall, well-spoken and good looking to be a successful leader. You don't have to have that "special something" to fulfill the leadership role.
What you have to have is clearly defined convictions - and, more importantly, the courage of your convictions to see them manifest into reality.
Only when you understand your role as guide and steward based on your own most deeply held truths can you move from manager to leader.
Whether the group you oversee is called employees, associates, co-workers, teammates or anything else, what they are looking for is someone in whom they can place their trust. Someone they know is working for the greater good - for them and for the organization. They're looking for someone not only that they can - but that they want to - follow.
Because it is only when you have followers -people who have placed their trust in you - that you know you have moved into that leadership role. And the way you see it is that your organization is transcending all previous quality, productivity, innovation and revenue achievements. You're operating at such a high level of efficiency that you're giving budget back to the corporation - and you're still beating your goals.
You're achieving what you always dreamed could be achieved. And not only that, but it's actually easier than you thought.
Because you're a leader. Because the classic command and control management model - which, contrary to popular belief still applies even in our most progressive 21st century companies - is no longer in play. Sure, controls are in place. Sure, you're solving problems that arise.
But it's not just you alone. You have the people in whom you've put your trust - and who have happily and safely reciprocated - to help you create organizational success.
Ask anyone and they'll tell you. There's a difference between managers and leaders.
Ask them what that difference is and they may have a bit more difficulty. Suddenly the words become amorphous and undefined. Somehow leadership is an intangible - a charismatic component that some people have and others simply don't. That's why, according to the ubiquitous "they", it is such a rarity.
Wrong.
The difference between being a manager and being a leader is simple. Management is a career. Leadership is a calling.
You don't have to be tall, well-spoken and good looking to be a successful leader. You don't have to have that "special something" to fulfill the leadership role.
What you have to have is clearly defined convictions - and, more importantly, the courage of your convictions to see them manifest into reality.
Only when you understand your role as guide and steward based on your own most deeply held truths can you move from manager to leader.
Whether the group you oversee is called employees, associates, co-workers, teammates or anything else, what they are looking for is someone in whom they can place their trust. Someone they know is working for the greater good - for them and for the organization. They're looking for someone not only that they can - but that they want to - follow.
Because it is only when you have followers -people who have placed their trust in you - that you know you have moved into that leadership role. And the way you see it is that your organization is transcending all previous quality, productivity, innovation and revenue achievements. You're operating at such a high level of efficiency that you're giving budget back to the corporation - and you're still beating your goals.
You're achieving what you always dreamed could be achieved. And not only that, but it's actually easier than you thought.
Because you're a leader. Because the classic command and control management model - which, contrary to popular belief still applies even in our most progressive 21st century companies - is no longer in play. Sure, controls are in place. Sure, you're solving problems that arise.
But it's not just you alone. You have the people in whom you've put your trust - and who have happily and safely reciprocated - to help you create organizational success.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Terracina Grand Host Luau!
Terracina Luau
With the arrival of warm weather, we had an Island Adventure on Wednesday, June 6th. The Forum, Galleria, and Dining Room were transformed into a tropical haven. The Golden Gate High School Steel Drum band set the mood for us, as many danced, and enjoyed the island sounds. Joseph and his team prepared an amazing tropical dinner, as well as some outstanding hors d’oeuvres for all to enjoy. Your activity staff Sandy and Miss performed a special Hawaiian dance to “My Little Grass Shack In Kealakekua, Hawaii” for all to enjoy and learn.
Until next time, Aloha!
Honoring the Flag
Although Flag Day has passed...great information on our "Stars and Stripes," in case you are looking to add to your 4th of July program!~
Symbols are powerful in their ability to transmit complex information with a simple image. For Americans, our flag is such an icon. Flying overhead, it is a reminder of all the sacrifices and hard work that have gone into creating and defending this country and its ideals. While we may be divided politically, the Stars and Stripes fluttering above unifies us into One Nation…the United States of America. Every June 14th, we take time out of our lives to pay our respects to the red, white and blue symbol of America on National Flag Day.
The holiday’s earliest roots are lost to history. Accounts differ as to whether it was Wisconsin schoolteacher BJ Cigrand or New York teacher George Balch who first outfitted children with miniature flags and gathered them to sing patriotic songs and anthems. June 14th was chosen as it was on that date in 1777 that our Founding Fathers signed the Flag Act, which recognized Betsy Ross’ creation as the emblem of our new nation.
June 14th flag celebrations quickly grew in popularity and spread across the country as unofficial events participated in by children and adults alike. On May 30, 1916, Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation establishing an observance of June 14 as Flag Day and it was Harry Truman’s signature on an Act of Congress, on August 3, 1949 that officially created National Flag Day.
Since then, many organizations, especially veterans groups, continue to hold National Flag Day in high regard and use the day to remember the symbolism of the flag and the sacrifices that have been made for what it represents. Many of these groups also use the day to promote flag awareness, including discarding or retiring flags that are worn and tattered.
While flag burning as a means of political protest is a contentious issue in America, it remains the proper disposal method for an old flag. The Flag Code states, “When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.” The veterans hold the flag with deep regard. This occasion is significant to them and it shows in the ceremony.
Honoring the Flag
Symbol of America
Symbol of America
Symbols are powerful in their ability to transmit complex information with a simple image. For Americans, our flag is such an icon. Flying overhead, it is a reminder of all the sacrifices and hard work that have gone into creating and defending this country and its ideals. While we may be divided politically, the Stars and Stripes fluttering above unifies us into One Nation…the United States of America. Every June 14th, we take time out of our lives to pay our respects to the red, white and blue symbol of America on National Flag Day.
The holiday’s earliest roots are lost to history. Accounts differ as to whether it was Wisconsin schoolteacher BJ Cigrand or New York teacher George Balch who first outfitted children with miniature flags and gathered them to sing patriotic songs and anthems. June 14th was chosen as it was on that date in 1777 that our Founding Fathers signed the Flag Act, which recognized Betsy Ross’ creation as the emblem of our new nation.
June 14th flag celebrations quickly grew in popularity and spread across the country as unofficial events participated in by children and adults alike. On May 30, 1916, Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation establishing an observance of June 14 as Flag Day and it was Harry Truman’s signature on an Act of Congress, on August 3, 1949 that officially created National Flag Day.
Since then, many organizations, especially veterans groups, continue to hold National Flag Day in high regard and use the day to remember the symbolism of the flag and the sacrifices that have been made for what it represents. Many of these groups also use the day to promote flag awareness, including discarding or retiring flags that are worn and tattered.
While flag burning as a means of political protest is a contentious issue in America, it remains the proper disposal method for an old flag. The Flag Code states, “When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.” The veterans hold the flag with deep regard. This occasion is significant to them and it shows in the ceremony.
Friday, June 1, 2007
6th Annual Senior Prom A Great Success!
The Commons on Marice's 6th Annual Prom turned out to be a HUGE success!!! From the cruise themed decorations to the tropical cocktails, from the gorgeous ice sculpture to the terrific door prizes, from the prime rib, cornish game hens and lobster to the extravagant mouth watering desserts, from the wandering violinist at dinner to the live big band music played at the dance, the "Cruise Back in Time" was enjoyed by all! Check out the pictures to see for yourself. -Anna Steffel (Activity Director Commons on Marice, Eagan, MN)
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