Brain Injuries
Not Just For Athletes
A lot has appeared in the
news lately about
concussions among high
performing athletes, but
very little has been said about traumatic brain
injury (TBI) as a significant problem for
older adults.
Among Americans over age 65, the risk of
TBI is more than double that of other age
groups, according to the Centers for Disease
Control. Falls account for more than half of
all brain injuries in older adults, so learn how
to avoid becoming a frequent faller: Exercise
regularly to maintain core strength. Wear
practical shoes. Use walking aids, when
needed. Keep clutter in your apartment to a
minimum.
In about 17 percent of TBI cases, causes
remain unknown. Open head injuries occur
with clear signs including gashes to the skull,
bumps and bruises when the head makes
contact with a foreign object or the floor. On
the other hand, closed head injuries leave no
mark and can be caused by whiplash or other
trauma involving fast movement. In either
case, symptoms of brain injury include:
headache, nausea, dizziness, blurred vision,
difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness and a
tendency toward impulsiveness.
Left untreated, injured tissues and blood
vessels can put pressure on the brain,
sometimes causing death. If you suspect
brain injury, contact your doctor immediately
for a CAT scan. Also be aware that injuries to
the brain early in life can set the stage for
dementia.
News to Consider
Life-long learning enriches lives, helps
build new friendships, enables us to adapt
to change, increases our wisdom, opens
our minds, cultivates our natural abilities,
and keeps us active contributors to
society. So says Nancy Merz Nordstrom,
M. Ed., the author of Learning Later,
Living Greater: The Secret for Making the
Most of Your After-50 Years.
With that in mind, Smith Village and
Saint Xavier University are working
together to develop lifelong-learning
opportunities for Smith Village residents.
SXU Renaissance Academy classes are
now offered here. Smith Village residents
have participated in Reminiscing Project,
a field study program for SXU nursing
students. SXU Computer Science majors
help residents with their technology needs
through the miSmith program. And now,
Saint Xavier writing students are inviting
residents to participate in an oral history
project. If you are interested in learning
while helping these students, contact
Karen Jellema at ext. 7355.
Employees show their support
Be sure to thank our employees who have
made a donation to Emilie’s Fund. You can
spot them wearing special 90th anniversary
shirts on payday Fridays. For your own
commemorative shirt, please stop in your
Village Store and make a minimum
donation of $9.00. Also, to serve as a raffle
ticket captain, contact Coleen Barkmeier,
773-474-7351.
March 2014
Pat Mosley, left, Maryanne Smith and Rita Chappel
employ teamwork to win the snowball relay at the
2014 Smith Olympics.
Rita Chappel dresses up for
the snowman relay.
Sue Delves demonstrates her
inner snowman.
Get Connected with miSmith
Now it’s easy to request help in setting up your computer. Just call ext. 7440 for an
appointment to have your computer ‘normalized’ by the miSmith team. We‘ll make sure your
computer is free of viruses, enable it so you can browse the Internet, and install a ‘miSmith’
icon on your desktop to make it easier for you to send future assistance requests.
After that, a miSmith technician will guide you through the process of accessing the miSmith
web portal. This customized web page for Smith Village residents allows you to initiate and
track requests for assistance. It also provides step-by-step instructions for setting up voicemail.
Call us today!
Baskets of Love
Last month, residents bought delicious
baked goods and raffle tickets that
yielded prize baskets
stuffed with goodies
and items donated by
several local
businesses. As a result,
our Spread Your Love
event raised $2000 for
Emilie’s Fund. Thanks
to all who participated
and enjoyed the day!
Luck of the Irish
Step into St. Patrick’s Day festivities early by
listening to the Irish tunes of Frank K on Friday,
March 14, at 3 p.m. in Community Hall. You’re also
invited to learn interesting facts about the Emerald
Isle and enjoy green beer and mini corned beef
sandwiches at our St. Patrick’s
Day Social on Monday, March 17,
at 2 p.m. in Community Hall. A
St. Patrick-themed meal follows
in the Main Dining Room from
4:30 to 7 p.m. May the luck of the
Irish be with you!
Resident Spotlight: Jeanne Murtaugh
Jeanne was born in Chicago, and is of Irish descent. She grew up in St.
Sabina’s Catholic Parish and attended Calumet High School. For 17 years
she worked in the medical records department at Holy Cross Hospital, a job
she truly loved due to the people she met and the variety of the work. While
there, Jeanne always enjoyed working on New Year’s Day “because I
couldn’t stand football!”
She met her husband, James, who is now deceased, when they were both standing up in the
same wedding. Later, while seated next to James, Jeanne, who didn’t like champagne, made a
trade—her champagne for his meal. With that simple swap, the two began dating. They
eventually married and raised four children—two boys and two girls. Jeanne became the proud
grandmother to 10 and great-grandmother to another 10.
She enjoys reading, piecing together jigsaw
puzzles, and watching an occasional TV show or
Hallmark movie. One of Jeanne’s fondest
memories is of visiting Door County with James
and five other couples. While the husbands played
golf, the wives shopped, because as Jeanne says,
“My idea of golf is a good book on the 18th hole.”
Welcome, Jeanne!
Publication Credits
Editors: Emily Eisinas, Sarah Jewett and
Amanda Mauceri
Contributors: Tory Brigance, Monica Joria,
Clare Moore and Michael Thomas, D.O.
Book Review:The Racketeer by John Grisham
By Monica Joria
I have read many of John Grisham’s books, but this is not my favorite. The Racketeer refers to an
attorney who inadvertently ends up serving a 20-year sentence in a federal prison. Grisham does an
excellent job portraying this man’s loneliness half way through his sentence. This prisoner becomes
a sort of jailhouse lawyer, helping other prisoners obtain freedom and procuring information that
even the government doesn’t know.
When a federal judge is murdered along with his young secretary in a cabin in a remote area, a
strange box is emptied of its contents. Through his contacts as a “jail lawyer,” the racketeer learns
the identity of the murderer. He makes a deal with the authorities to help them find the culprit. To
protect his safety, he assumes a new identity that includes a new name, a new physical appearance
and even changing his voice. He is released from prison, knowing the government is still keeping
an eye on him.
He gets in touch with a woman who had visited her brother, a fellow-prisoner. Naturally, the
racketeer and the woman become sexually attracted. Through many adventures in the U.S. and the
Bahamas, they track down the real killer and learn the location of the locker where the murdered
judge hid the gold—the reason he and his girlfriend were killed.
I didn’t think this was the best of Grisham’s stories because it contains too many characters and too
many aliases. At first I found it completely confusing, but it’s still a good story if the reader can
figure out who’s who.
On the Road
Again
By Clare Moore
For many years,
Lake Geneva, Wisc.,
has served as a
Mecca for summer
vacationers from the Chicagoland area. Now cold weather
enthusiasts enjoy the area for different reasons, one of which is
the Lake Geneva Winterfest held annually on the first weekend
of February.
Instituted eight years ago, the Fest’s National Snow Sculpture
competition attracts snow-sculpting teams from all over this
country—15 teams this year. To enter, each three-person team
was required to have won its state’s competition and submit
detailed plans for an original exhibit.
The Wednesday before the weekend, a metal cylinder measuring
about 12 by 12 feet delivered solidly packed snow to each team’s
station. With all stations ready, organizers signaled the teams to
begin sculpting. Only hand tools were allowed—ice picks,
hammers, chisels, rakes, and any other inventions that work.
Some teams worked night and day. By Friday, when the
spectators began to arrive, the artists were putting the finishing
touches on their exhibits.
On Saturday at 11 a.m., all work ceased. The 42 artists and many
more spectators cast their votes. “Fountain of Youth” won the
People’s Choice Award. It’s pictured here along with “Alice in
Winterland,” which also captured my interest. To learn more
about this exciting event, please see the booklet at the AL
Reception Desk.
A Moment’s Reaction
A Photo Column By Tory Brigance
In the picture, Joe Rizzone was bracing himself
against all the snow! When this photo was
taken on February 10, we still had about 37
days until spring, which officially arrives on
Thursday, March 20.
Everyone here can’t seem
to wait until it’s warm
enough to sit on the patio
while drinking tea. Iced tea
Rizzone braces
that is! We’ll watch the kids Joe
himself against the
playing, dogs chasing
long winter!
Snow piles up on the
tables outside of the squirrels and birds building
nests over the patio. Can you picture it now?
Main Dining Room.
Musings On . . . Luck
By Sarah Jewett
The Luck of the Irish is said to
bring good things, so this
month I want to explore the
meaning of luck. The
dictionary says “success or
failure apparently brought by
chance rather than through
one's own actions.” So when
are we lucky? When we win at
Bingo, or when the elevator
stands open and waiting? Or
are we only lucky if great
fortune comes our way? I hear
residents say, “I’m lucky,”
when referring to wonderful
children who take great care
of them, but we all know that
good parenting involves more
than luck. How often do you
claim “I just got lucky” when
someone compliments you for
an achievement? Whether you
say “I’m lucky,” “I’m
fortunate” or “I’m blessed,” it
all points to one thing—you
are grateful for whatever good
things come your way.
For each petal on the
shamrock
This brings a wish your way─
Good health, good luck, and
happiness
For today and every day. –
Author Unknown