Edenton Retirement Community
Apples Talk
December 2016
Edenton’s New Mayor Announced
After dinner on Monday, December 7, at
Edenton’s annual Tree Lighting celebration, we
said, Thank you!” to Mrs. Helen Brady for
her year of service as mayor. Then, Mrs. June
Ericsson was introduced as the 2017 Mayor
of Edenton. Helen passed the ceremonial key.
And, as June’s first act as mayor, she officially
lit the Edenton tree in the center
of the Garden of Eden restaurant. Congratulations, June!
Fall Colors; Crisp
Fall Weather!
Enjoying a late fall
stroll around our
beautiful Edenton
campus.
The Clustered Spires chapter of
the Sweet Adelines returned to
entertain with their a capella
presentation. Holiday treats
sweetened the evening’s ending.
A festive start to the season!
History of Christmas Cookies
Marie O’Callaghan, Activity Coordinator
Inside this issue:
Welcome,
Neighbor!
2
Weather Poetry
3
Photo collage: Annual Tree Lighting
4
Resident Spotlight:
Sharon Alonso
5
Pearl Harbor Remembered
6
It is believed that cookie baking dates back over 10,000 years, when the
Neolithic farmers baked a paste made from grain and water on hot stones.
Today’s cookies are believed to be descendants of those stone-baked cakes.
The Dutch brought cookie recipes along with them to the United States,
and those are believed to be the original Christmas cookies. The word
cookie comes from the Dutch word Koeptje, meaning small cake.
Today, baking Christmas cookies is a holiday tradition. On Saturday, December 17, Garden House will hold a Christmas Cookie Social. Our friends
from Blossom Place will join us to share cookies of all kinds, classic holiday
music and some old-fashioned Christmas poems. Come one, come all to
share a wonderful afternoon of holiday cheer.
Welcome, Neighbor, to Edenton!
Linda Grossnickle, Activity Coordinator
A warm welcome is extended to Mrs. Molly Parezo who recently moved
into Apartment 424. Molly was born in Washington D.C. and raised in Arlington, Va. She attended Strayer College for two years, and later earned
additional credits from other schools. She worked in a law firm as a secretary and multi-tasker, and also worked at HMO Group Health Association
for 13 years. Mrs. Parezo’s family includes three children, one stepdaughter,
nine grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and her adorable cat, Murray,
who she says “is an exceedingly smart cat.”
Page
Turner’s
Book Club
Molly, it’s with great joy that we welcome you to the Edenton community!
In December, Page
Turner’s will be
talking about Lee
Child’s Never Go
Back: A Jack Reacher
novel.
Described as
“combining an
intricate puzzle of a
plot and an exciting
chase for truth and
justice, Lee Child puts
Reacher through his
paces.”
Join in on the
conversation
Thursday, Dec. 22 at
3 p.m. in the library.
Page 2
Saluting Our Veterans. Edenton’s resident veterans
were honored in November during a special Veterans
Day ceremony hosted by the local Carrollton Manor
Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Guest speaker was Maryland Delegate Kathy Afzali.
And the presentation of colors
was offered by the Sons of the
American Revolution Color
Guard. Thank you, veterans,
for your service!
A Christmas Classic
Hannah Weis, Activity Coordinator
Blossom Place is eagerly awaiting the arrival of Wednesday, December 21
when residents will be watching the modern flick of a funny holiday story
we all know well, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! This is one of the best versions with Jim Carrey starring as The Grinch. For those who’d like to join
us for this delightful film, please come by and settle in with some peppermint hot cocoa and Christmas cookies for this holiday feature film.
Weather Poetry
December 2016
Marie O’Callaghan, Activity Coordinator
Weather is a feast for the senses—the feel of a warm breeze, the sound of
soft rain pattering, the smell of sharp winter air, the taste of an icy snowflake on the tongue, the sight of a glorious rainbow—the list is infinite.
What better way to express the wonder of weather than with poetry. This
month at Garden House residents will work together to create some
memorable poetry. When we have completed our poems we will bind them
together in a book for others to enjoy. Sounds like time that will be well
spent together.
Christmas Flower Treasure
Caroline Dunning, Activity Coordinator
If you enjoy the beauty of the Christmas Poinsettia there is a special day for
you to celebrate. Every year, December 12 is Poinsettia Day. The craft for
our December 9 activity at Orchard Terrace will be in preparation for the
Christmas flower’s day. Please join us at 10:30 a.m. Maybe we’ll share a little
holiday trivia, too.
A New Year with No Mistakes
Hannah Weis, Activity Coordinator
Every New Year we as a nation think long and hard about how to improve
ourselves and our lives, be it making more money or making it a point to hit
the gym more often. Now, although this is not a bad thing, it can become an
issue when we let such thoughts consume us. So rather than creating a list
of New Year’s goals or resolutions, let’s all be thankful for the chance to
enter the New Year with friends and family we love and care for by our
sides. We’ll celebrate that in 2017.
Mixing it up.
Peg Thrailkill is all
smiles as she participates in a recent
spiritual group at
Garden House…
mixing dough!
Another Year Gone By
Lisa Ambrose, Activity Coordinator
It’s hard to believe but we are fast approaching the end of another year. As
2016 comes to an end, we reflect back on where the year has taken us.
Some of the time we traveled down good trails; some were not so good.
Along the way we have taken things in stride. The good news is we are always surrounded by family and friends. So, what better way to end the year
then with friends? Join us Saturday, December 31 for our New Year’s Eve
party as we reflect on the past year, share thoughts of the New Year and
share some yummy treats as well. Cheers!
Page 3
May Joy Be Yours Today
Marie O’Callaghan, Activity Coordinator
May joy be yours today...
The air is sweet with singing
of wandering carolers
and merry bells a-ringing.
May joy be yours today...
Loved friends and family,
Bless treasured hours about
Your festive hearth and tree.
May joy be yours today...
Smiles greet you everywhere,
Goodwill and happiness
Are vibrant in the air.
May joy be yours today,
And radiantly abide
Within your heart until
Another Christmastide.
Source: December Issue Ideals 1962
Lighting Edenton’s Official Tree
Festive music. Sweet treats. Fun with friends during the sing-a-long. What a great way to kick off the
holidays at Edenton! A full house of residents joined in on the festivities. Thanks to all the Edenton staff
that helped make it such a fun evening.
Twas the Night Before Christmas
By Clement Clarke Moore
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there…
Page 4
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!
Resident Spotlight
December 2016
Linda Grossnickle, Activity Coordinator
This month’s spotlight shines on
Mrs. Sharon Alonso as a thankyou for all she contributes to our
community.
Mrs. Alonso shares her musical talents in many ways at Edenton. She
plays the piano every Sunday at our
community worship service, and she
takes care of the weekly offering.
Her talents are also used when any
special service is planned in our
Edenton Chapel. She is the accompanist for our Edentonnaires Choral
Group, and she leads hymn sings
several times a year after
our Men’s and Ladies’
Luncheons.
Sharon is a lady of great
faith and is quite humble
in all her good
works. We sincerely
wish Sharon, her husband Steve, and their
son Nathan a very Merry Christmas
and a wonderful New Year.
Thank you, Sharon! Many blessings
to you and your family.
The Golden Tones recently shared a lovely, heartfelt
musical program on a chilly day to warm our hearts.
Mike Edwards works
on a Fiddler’s Green
pottery project.
Our Sincere Condolences
All of us at Edenton extend our heartfelt sympathy to the
family and friends of those in our community
who recently passed away.
You will be missed.
Mrs. Margaret Kuykendall
Mrs. Nancy Wilkin
Page 5
Pearl Harbor Remembered
Lisa Ambrose, Activity Coordinator
President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed December 7, 1941 “a date which
will live in infamy.” This year marks the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl
Harbor. It was a surprise military strike by the Japanese Navy against the United
States Naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the morning of December 7, 1941.
This attack is what led to the United States entering World War II.
The attack commenced at 7:48 a.m. Hawaiian time. During the attack, all eight
U.S. Navy battleships were damaged. Four were sunk. All but the USS Arizona
were later raised and six were returned to service for the war. Ninety minutes
after it began the attack was over; 2,403 military personnel and civilians were
killed and 1,178 military personnel and civilians were wounded. The attack came
as a profound shock. The very next day, the U.S. declared war on Japan.
Today, the USS Arizona Memorial on the Island of Oahu honors the dead. Visitors to the memorial reach it via boats from the Naval base at Pearl Harbor.
The memorial has a sagging center but strong and vigorous ends expressing
“initial defeat and ultimate victory.” And, it commemorates all lives lost.
Join us on Wednesday, December 7 at 1:30 p.m. as we remember this historic
day. A day that will never be forgotten.
Phone: 301-694-3100
Fax: 301-694-0308
5800 Genesis Lane
Frederick, MD 21703
edenton-retirement.com