April 2014
Lorien Havre de Grace
1501 Blenhiem Lane, Havre de Grace, MD
(410) 939-9300
Who's Who
A Fool’s Errand
Front Desk X3000
David Gearing
Administrator X3005
Jeanne Kushner
Social Worker X3008
Katie Searfass
HR Director X3013
Chris Herbert
Director of Nursing X3006
Lauren Smith
Recreation Director X3010
Robert Stewart
EVS/Maintance Director X3015
Lennard Johnson
Dinning Services Director X3014
Josh Budai
Therapy Director x3016
Tracey Pearson
Business Offce X3021
MDS Coordinator
x3040
Staffing Coordinator
x3012
Admissions x3007
April, Rebecca, and Nicole
Recreation Assistants
X3011
It is a strange tradition that on April 1 we celebrate the
practice of making others look foolish through tricks and
practical jokes. But April Fools’ Day, or All Fools Day as
it’s sometimes called, is boisterously celebrated
throughout the world as an unofficial holiday.
There is confusion surrounding the origins of April
Fools’ Day. Some believe it sprang from the ancient
Roman festival of Hilaria, which celebrated the
arrival of spring with silly masquerade parties.
Another belief is that it developed out of the
medieval celebration known as the Feast of Fools.
On this December holiday, common folk and young
people were allowed to become popes, archbishops,
and bishops for a day. The social order was turned
upside down, and power was handed over to those
who did not have much. These people took names
such as “Lord of Misrule” and “Pope of Fools.”
But how did two separate celebrations, one in March
and the other in December, turn into the holiday
celebrated on April 1? Some think April Fools’ Day
became official when Pope Gregory XIII established
his new Gregorian calendar in 1582. This new
calendar ordered that New Year’s Day be changed
to January 1. While many adopted this change,
some refused and continued to celebrate New
Year’s Day on April 1. As a result, these
traditionalists became the butt of jokes every April 1.
In France, someone who is tricked is called a
poisson d’avril, or “April fish.” Victims are humiliated
by unknowingly having a paper fish taped to their
back. In the United Kingdom, joking traditionally
ceases at midday, and anyone playing a joke after
noon is a fool themselves. Iranians have been
playing pranks on April 1 since the year 536 BC,
which makes Iran's holiday of Sizdah Bedar the
oldest pranking holiday in the world.
April 2014
Breaking the Color Barrier
April Birthdays
On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson played his
first major league baseball game with the
Brooklyn Dodgers against the Boston Braves in
front of a crowd of 25,000 spectators at Ebbets
Field in Brooklyn. This marked the first moment
that an African American played a sport in any of
the major sports leagues.
If you were born between April 1–19, you are Aries, the
Ram. These independent adventurers like to strike out
on their own and are natural leaders. Their enthusiasm
and confidence give them big and outgoing
personalities. Those born between April 20–30 are
Bulls of Taurus. Bulls show a steady persistence in
endeavors both professional and personal, and after
working hard, like to reward themselves for a job well
done.
Robinson did not get a hit that day, but he was
awarded the first ever Rookie of the Year title
that same year. In 1949, he was named the
National League’s Most Valuable Player. The
next year, he became the Dodgers’ highest paid
player with a salary of $35,000. In 1955,
Robinson led the Dodgers to a World Series
victory over the New York Yankees. A perennial
All-Star and Hall of Famer, Robinson’s number
42 was retired by all of baseball on April 15,
1997.
Emmylou Harris (musician) – April 2, 1947
Marlon Brando (actor) – April 3, 1924
James D. Watson (scientist) – April 6, 1928
Beverly Cleary (author) – April 12, 1916
James Franco (actor) – April 19, 1978
Queen Elizabeth II (royalty) – April 21, 1926
Barbra Streisand (entertainer) – April 24, 1942
Kelly Clarkson (singer) – April 24, 1982
Jay Leno (comedian) – April 28, 1950
Duke Ellington (pianist) – April 29, 1899
April 2014
Special Events this Month
Happy Birthday to our Wonderful
STAFF!
Miatta Moses 2nd
Jamie Reynolds 8th
Melissa DiSabatino 19th
Ashleigh Brown 20th
La'Tasha Anderson 24th
Loette Spencer 29th
Tuesday, April 8th- Performance by Leone
Friday, April 18th- Resident Easter
Luncheon
Saturday, April 19th- Performance by Gary
Diamond
Happy Birthday to our Loved
Residents
Tuesday, April 22nd- Earth Day Party
RUTH H. 1ST
NANCY W. 7TH
BETTIE B. 13TH