MAY 2017
Alexander Place
329 Parkside Drive, Waterdown, L0R 2H0 | Phone 905-689-2662 | Fax 905-689-2625 | Web www.jarlette.com
Tokyo in Full Bloom
Celebrating May
Clean Car Month
Inventors Month
Vinegar Month
Teacher Day
May 2
Astronaut Day
May 5
Cherish an Antique Day
May 9
PTA Day
May 12
Mother’s Day
May 14
World Lindy Hop Day
May 26
Memorial Day (U.S.)
May 29
Japan may be famous for its cherry blossoms, but
springtime in Tokyo brings an abundance of other
flowers and flower festivals. By the end of April, many
of Japan’s cherry blossoms have already flowered,
but Tokyo’s city dwellers still have plenty of blooming
flowers to look forward to. The Nezu Shrine is a quiet
place for 11 months out of the year, but by the first week
in May, its 3,000 azalea plants burst into a palette of bright
colors. The Bunkyo Azalea Festival, or Tsutsuji Matsuri,
attracts thousands of visitors during Golden Week, its
busiest viewing week. The 300-year-old azalea garden
is home to rare varieties, such as the black karafune
flower, and is complete with a Shinto shrine, bridges
running over streams, traditional Toriii gates, and
women dressed in their best kimonos.
Across town is yet another sacred spot draped in
wondrous springtime color: the Kameido Tenjin Shrine.
This shrine is home to its famous trellises boasting
a sea of cascading purple wisteria vines. The wisteria
were planted 300 years ago when the original temple
was built. Visitors can stroll over the shrine’s beautiful
red bridge, spying darting koi and lounging turtles in
the pond. The wisteria are so alluring that old Japanese
shoguns made pilgrimages to visit the garden. Many of
Japan’s most celebrated artists have captured the
garden’s scenic serenity in color prints.
Perhaps the most celebrated of all flower festivals is
the Kyu Furukawa Garden Rose Festival. The gardens,
sprawled at the foot of a western-style mansion, have
been designated a national place of scenic beauty.
The roses hit their peak in May with a dazzling array
of colors and an intoxicating bouquet of aromas. Over
90 rose varieties can be found, including Princess
Michiko, a variety named for Japan’s Empress, and
Royal Princess, a variety offered as a gift from France
and named for Princess Aiko, daughter of Japan’s
Crown Prince and Princess.
May 2017
Polkamania
All Eye on Activities
Put on your dancing shoes
for Polka Weekend on May
26–28. Many places will
not only be playing Czech
polkas in their dance halls
but they’ll also be serving
up traditional Czech fare like
kielbasa sausage, sauerkraut,
and kolache pastries with a dollop of fruit.
Wed, May 3rd @10:00…….Tim Horton’s Social
Wed, May 3rd @ 10:30…Food Comm. Meeting
Wed, May 4th @ 2:30………………Racquetball
Wed, May 5th @ 8:30…………...Breakfast Club
Wed, May 5th @ 2:00..Music by Ken Hammond
Sat, May 6th @ 2:00…………………...High Tea
Mon, May 8th @ 10:00………...Floral Arranging
Wed, May 10th @ 11:00……………..Man Cave
Wed, May 10th @ 2:30…..Music by David Kirby
Thurs, May 11 @ 10:30…Res Council Meeting
Thurs, May 10th @ 6:30……..Andre Rieu Video
Fri, May 12th @ 10:00…………………..Art Club
Fri, May 12th @ 2:00..Mother’s Day Celebration
Sat, May 13th @ 1:30…Afternoon at the Movies
Mon, May 15th @ 6:30….Music by Jola Senson
Tues, May 16th @ 10:00………………..Auction
Wed, May 17th @ 9:30......Outing to Lion Safari
Thurs, May 18th @ 10:00……..Greyhound Visit
Thurs, May 18th @ 6:30………...Comedy Night
Fri, May 19th @ 2:00.......Music by Brad Boland
Mon, May 22nd @ 1:30………. Movie Afternoon
Wed, May 24th @ 12:00………….Lunch Bunch
Thurs, May 25th @ 2:00…………Birthday Party
Wed, May 31st @ 2:00.. ………..Music by Vili V
The popularity of the polka is said to have
originated with one woman, Anna Slezakova
from Labska Tynice, who invented the dance in
1834. Slezakova created a lively dance to the folk
song “Uncle Nimra Bought a White Horse.” Music
teacher Josef Neruda, who witnessed Anna’s
new and unique dance, transcribed the tune to
paper and taught the steps to his students. By
1835, the dance had spread to Prague. By 1839,
it was popular in Vienna, and in 1840, it was
introduced in Paris, where it became so popular
that it created a so-called “polkamania.”
The polka sound is immediately recognizable.
Accordions, fiddles, clarinets, and tubas whip
up a quick beat for happy dancing feet. The main
characteristic of the polka is the half-step, or hop.
In fact, the word polka likely comes from the
Czech word pulka, meaning “half.” Perhaps the
easiest way to understand the rhythm of the polka
is through a children’s nursery rhyme: “Hippety
hop, to the barber shop, to buy a stick of candy.”
The four counts of the phrase “hippety hop”
correspond to the four parts of the dance:
step, half-step, step, hold.
The polka may have originated in Bohemia
(present-day Czech Republic), but it has
spread far and wide to Germany, Austria, Poland,
Scandinavia, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the
United States. As this musical form has traveled,
it has evolved into a wide variety of styles. Polkas
have even grown throughout South America, where
songs praise the gauchos of the pampas. Seeing
as the polka is one of the few dances to have
maintained its popularity since the 19th century,
chances are good that it will remain popular for
many years to come.
Be Scent Sensitive
It is important to note that
Alexander Place is a
scent-sensitive
environment. Some of
our care providers have
allergies to the scents
that are included in some perfumes, lotions,
body sprays, etc. Please be conscious of this
when considering wearing or bring in
fragrances, creams, and lotions in our homes.
In addition, please be considerate when
choosing flowers to bring in for loved ones,
as flowers such as hyacinths and lilies put
off a strong scent that can irritate those
who have allergies.
Thank you for your understanding,
The Management Team
May 2017
As Luck Would Have It
May 12th is PTA Day!
See a penny, pick it up, and
all the day you’ll have good
luck. The notion that a found
penny brings good luck is
such a popular superstition
that it enjoys its own holiday
on May 23, Lucky Penny Day.
May 12th this PTA Day (Physiotherapy
Assistant’s Day). On behalf of the Alexander
Place team, we would like to extend our
gratitude for our PTA's; Emi, Joe, and Christina.
Your efforts and dedication towards our
resident’s rehabilitation program is greatly
appreciated.
Why are pennies considered lucky, especially
when many of us consider one cent to be
worthless? The idea of attributing luck to metal
is an ancient custom. It was believed that metal
was a gift from the gods. To carry a piece of
metal was to carry the gods’ blessing and receive
protection from evil. For similar reasons, charm
bracelets and horseshoes are also considered
lucky. Another influence stems from the belief
that money brings wealth and power. A penny
saved, although only a mere cent, marks the
beginning of a lifetime of savings.
Some cultures, like those in Europe and Ireland,
believe that if you find a penny you have found one
piece of a leprechaun’s horde of gold. Tradition
advises you to spit on the found coin and toss it
into the bushes, returning it to the little magical
elves. These enchanting creatures would then
return the favor by doing you good deeds.
There are many variations on the lucky penny
superstition. Some believe that only heads-up
pennies are lucky. If you find a tails-up penny,
you should flip it heads-up and leave it for
another to find. Others believe that a penny or
coin thrown into a fountain or tossed into a well
allows you to make a wish. One rhyme advises,
“Money on the floor, more at the door.” An old
Victorian rhyme advises brides what to wear on
their wedding days: “Something old, something
new, something borrowed, something blue, and
a silver sixpence in your shoe.” This last bit has
evolved into “a lucky penny in your shoe.”
The legend of the lucky penny has endured,
but if you’re still skeptical, perhaps you’ll change
your tune when you learn that one U.S. bank has
hidden 100 “lucky” pennies across the country.
Each one is worth $1,000.
Sun Safety
Fingers-crossed we will be getting some
sunshine this month! As the sun wakes up from
a long winter, please remember that Alexander
Place provides sunscreen for residents who will
be going out to enjoy the fresh air. Sunscreen
is provided at all of
the doors into the
courtyards and other
outdoor space.
Please feel free to
use this sunscreen
for yourself or a
loved one. The
sunscreen pumps
are white and
orange. If the
sunscreen pump is empty, please speak with a
nurse manager.
May 2017
Visiting Precautions
May Birthdays
As we attempt to leave the cold and flu season
behind us to enjoy some nicer weather, we would
like to remind families and staff to refrain from
coming to Alexander Place when feeling sick.
Remember to utilize the hand sanitizer pumps
that are available around the building. Thank you
in advance for your efforts in keeping our
residents safe and healthy.
In astrology, those born between May 1–20
are Bulls of Taurus. Bulls are stable, reliable,
and committed in both work and family. Bulls
also appreciate love, beauty, and creativity,
making them true romantics and lovers of the
good life. Those born between May 21–31 are
Gemini’s Twins. Twins have two distinct and
alluring sides to their personality: sociable
and ready for fun, or serious and thoughtful.
Sometimes they feel as if one half is missing,
so they forever seek new friends.
Roll Out the Welcome Mat!
Join us in welcoming Rachel Fritsch as our new
Restorative Care Coordinator! You may know
Rachel from the exercise classes on each of the
home areas, where she worked as one of
Alexander Place’s
Physiotherapy
Aides. Rachel
knows and loves
our residents and
is excited to serve
as the new
Restorative Care Coordinator! For wheelchair
and walker concerns or to meet Rachel, you can
find her in the Restorative Room on the main
floor or phone her at ext. 119.
Lois R…………………………………….May 1st
Magda V……………………………….…May 6th
Jean B…………………………………...May 10th
Anita M…………………………………..May 15th
Joan F…………………………………...May 18th
Audrey H………………………………...May 20th
Corinne A………………………………..May 20th
Barbara S………………………………..May 30th
Happy Mother’s Day
Many of our residents
enjoy the sights and
sounds of birds chirping
at their windows, eating
seeds out of their bird
feeders. This is one of
the great things about
Alexander Place; the
variety of beautiful birds
that live in the
surrounding countryside! We appreciate all of the
residents and family members who diligently fill
up these bird feeders when necessary, but we do
have one request: If storing bird seeds in
resident’s room or anywhere else in the home,
please ensure that the seed is stored in a
sealable, airtight container to deter pests from
thinking the seed is a snack.
This year, Mother’s Day falls on Sunday, May
14th. Alexander Place would like to wish a Happy
Mother’s Day to all of the mothers and mothersto-be in our Alexander Place community.
“A mother’s love for her child is like nothing else
in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dates all
things and crushes down remorselessly all that
stands in its path.”
- Agatha Christie
Mother’s Day gift idea – trying to think of a great
gift for Mom that would be useful for her at
Alexander Place? How about a nice new set of
pajamas or a night gown!
Happy Birthday to all of our residents born in
the month of May!
Not “For the Birds”
Thank you in advance!
The Management Team