Valley Voices
A publication for the residents, families, and friends of
Our Lady of the Valley
The History Behind April Fool’s Day
April Fools' Day, sometimes called All Fools' Day, is one of the
most light-hearted days of the year. Its origins are uncertain,
though. Some see it as a celebration related to the turn of the
seasons, while others believe it stems from the adoption of a
new calendar.
Ancient cultures, including those of the Romans and Hindus,
celebrated New Year's Day on or around April 1. It closely
follows the vernal equinox (March 20th or March 21st.) In
medieval times, much of Europe celebrated March 25, the
Feast of Annunciation, as the beginning of the new year.
In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII ordered a new calendar
(the Gregorian Calendar) to replace the old Julian Calendar.
The new calendar called for New Year's Day to be celebrated
Jan. 1. That year, France adopted the reformed calendar and
shifted New Year's day to Jan. 1. According to a popular
explanation, many people either refused to accept the new
date, or did not learn about it, and continued to celebrate New
Year's Day on April 1. Other people began to make fun of these
traditionalists, sending them on "fool's errands" or trying to
trick them into believing something false. Eventually, the
practice spread throughout Europe.
Today, April Fools' Day is observed throughout the Western
world. Practices include sending someone
on a "fool's errand," looking for things
that don't exist; playing pranks; and
trying to get people to believe ridiculous
things.
This April Fool’s Day, have fun with it!
The day is all about fun with friends!
April 2016
April is:
1: April Fool’s Day
2: World Autism
Awareness Day
7: World Health
Day
10-16: National
Volunteer Week
15: Tax Day
22: Earth Day
23: Passover
27: Administrative
Professionals Day
28: Blueberry Pie
Day
29: Arbor Day
New Resident Tea
We’re bringing back the New Resident Tea! A few years ago, we had a
little tea and light snacks in order to welcome the new residents that
had moved into Our Lady of the Valley that month. We are excited to
say that it will start happening again! Every month that a new resident
moves into Our Lady of the Valley, we will welcome them with a social!
The New Resident Tea will take place on Friday, April 8th at 3:00 in the
afternoon. We are inviting all new residents from the very beginning of
this year. So, if you have moved into Our Lady of the
Valley from January 1, 2016—March 31, 2016,
please come to the tea so that we can welcome you
and you can get to know everyone!
Pastor’s Corner
April is the month when things are beginning to look like Spring and
Summer. Oh, there is still a chance of a cold day here and there and maybe
even a touch of frost, but for the most part, those buds are out. Daffodils
have already bloomed and other flowers are close behind. It is always good
to see the affects of the warmer temperatures along with the beauty of the
flowers. Does anyone remember a man called Arthur Godfrey? He had a
song that was titled, “A lonely little petunia in an onion patch.” You never
know where a flower is going to spring up. We can thank the squirrels for
moving nuts and bulbs all around the yard. I had a purple tulip that came
up in the middle of my back yard and bloomed. I later moved it to the
garden with some other tulips. Being outside of the garden, the little tulip
still did what it was supposed to do. It bloomed, right in the
middle of my back yard. The point of all this is that we, too,
are God’s flowers and we are “blooming where we have been
planted.” So, don’t ever think of yourself as a weed, but as a
flower that is showing God’s handiwork to the world. We
can do that wherever we may be. Philippians 4:11 says,
“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in
whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” May we all
bloom where we have been planted.
Upcoming Events
April 2: Mary Baldwin College Choir
The Mary Baldwin College will join us on Saturday, April 2nd at
6:00pm. Join us in the Conservatory to hear their beautiful voices.
There will be about 35 women from the college here to preform for you.
You won’t want to miss this!
April 5: Lost and Found Event
Come down to the Conservatory at 10:00 on Tuesday the 5th to look through all of the lost and
found items. This event is being held by our Assistant Administrator, Peter
Hayes. He will have all of the items that have ended up in the lost and found
bins. Come and grab your goodies that you’ve misplaced!
April 9: Easter Cantata—Performed By Bethesda UMC Choir
You may remember the Bethesda UMC choir from their Christmas
Cantata. They’re back to fill the lobby with the miracle of Easter. Pull
up a chair in the lobby to hear the choir preform their Easter Cantata on
Saturday, April 9th at 2:30.
April 16th: Trip to the Downtown City Market
Join the activities department on a trip to the Downtown City Market! We
will be leaving on the morning of Saturday April 16th at 10:30. We will do a
little shopping and then grab a little bite to eat downtown. Bring your
walking shoes and shopping money! There will be fresh fruit and veggies,
homemade crafts, soaps, lotions, fresh flowers, and more! We’ll be back for
lunch if you’d rather eat at Our Lady of The Valley. See you there!
April 22: Spring Concert—Performed by Roanoke College Choir
Come with us across the street to St. Andrew’s Catholic Church for
Roanoke College Choir’s Spring Concert! We will be leaving Our Lady
of The Valley at 5:15 with the concert starting at 6:00. We saw this
same group during Christmas time and they were wonderful!
April 29: Memorial Service
Come down to the Conservatory on April 29th at 10:30 to honor those people who lived at Our
Lady of the Valley and have passed away in the last three months. The
Valley Bells will play as we celebrate the lives of those we love.
April Birthdays
2: Patricia Harris
13: Roena Munsey
15: Beatrice Goad
15: Lillian Peters
17: Donald Hega
21: Alton Crouch
“Most folks are as 23: Era Shufflebarger
happy as they
23: Dorothy Engel
make up their
26: Mary Donato
minds to be.”
29: Martha Barry
The diamond is the
traditional birthstone of
April and holds significant
meaning for those born in
that month, thought to
provide the wearer with
better relationships and an
increase in inner strength.
Wearing diamonds is
purported to bring other
benefits such as balance,
clarity and
abundance.
It's also
symbolic of
eternal
love.
- Abraham
Lincoln
650 N. Jefferson Street
The birthflower of April
is the daisy.
Roanoke, Virginia 24016
Telephone: 540-345-5111