You re Invited! DECEMBER Winter Solstice Spectacular Thursday, December 21, 2017 THE HIGHLANDS STAFF TRANSPORTATION

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1 129 E. Main Street Westborough, MA Phone (508) DECEMBER 2017 THE HIGHLANDS STAFF Managers... SCOTT & ALICE RAMSAY Managers...NED & MARY GRAD Executive Chef...ERICA SOLITRO Activity Coordinator... BRANDIE SLEEMAN Maintenance... MIKE O BRIEN Bus Driver...DAVE ALLMAN TRANSPORTATION Monday & Friday, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.: Shopping, Banking and Errands Local Area Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.: Medical Appointments Worcester Area Wednesday, Time TBD: Wednesday Outing Day Thursday, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.: Medical Appointments Framingham Area Friday, 8:45 a.m.: St. Luke Parish You re Invited! Winter Solstice Spectacular Thursday, December 21, :30-5 p.m.: Mocktails and Hors d Oeuvres, Atrium 4-5 p.m.: Entertainment by Marti Sawyer, Activity Room 5:30-6:30 p.m.: Solstice Supper, Dining Room Special Menu: Caesar Salad with Snowflake Croutons Filet Mignon with Crumbled Blue Cheese or Baked Stuffed Shrimp Twice Baked Potato Green Bean Almondine or Harvard Beets 6:30-7 p.m.: Keeping It Cheery and Bright With Our Jingle and Mingle Cocoa Bar and Dessert Buffet, Atrium 7 p.m.: Ending with Miracle on 34th Street, Movie Theater Put your party dress on!

2 Join us Thursday, December 21, 2017 as we celebrate the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. In more agrarian societies, this was a huge day as the people looked forward to the return of the sun and longer days. From The Old Farmer s Almanac. Winter Folklore and Verse Deep snow in winter; tall grain in summer. Estonian proverb Visits should be short, like a winter s day. A fair day in winter is the mother of a storm. English proverb Summer comes with a bound; winter comes yawning. Onion skins very thin, mild winter coming in. What Is the Winter Solstice? The word solstice comes from Latin sol, sun, and sistere, to stand still. In the Northern Hemisphere, as summer advances to winter, the points on the horizon where the sun rises and sets advance southward each day; the high point in the sun s daily path across the sky, which occurs at local noon, also moves southward each day. At the winter solstice, the sun s path has reached its southernmost position. The next day, the path will Winter Solstice Every snowflake, like every person, is different. advance northward. However, a few days before and after the winter solstice, the change is so slight that the Sun s path seems to stay the same, or stand still. The sun is directly overhead at high noon on the Winter Solstice at the latitude called the Tropic of Capricorn. What Does Winter Mean to You? Winter inspires both joy and woe. Some people can t wait for the cooler weather, snow, skiing and ice skating, curling up by a fire, and the holiday spirit. You ll notice a peaceful sort of silence when you walk through the woods a muffled kind of quiet. Other people dislike the frigid temperatures, blizzards and wild weather. In colder regions, winter often means shoveling, snowblowing, dealing with bad roads and sometimes unbearable temperatures. In warmer regions, the winter temperatures become very mild and cool, and places such as Florida fill up with people escaping the harshness of a northern winter. As we celebrate the seasons of the earth and sky we will gather to eat, sing, drink and be merry! Please put on your dancing shoes, a sparkly dress, a tie and get ready to enjoy the gifts of being in community at this special time of the year! The Picture by Evie Tanner A few years after my retirement in the late 90s, I started to take art lessons from a well-known New Hampshire artist. A good friend saw my work and asked if I would paint this picture for her. I was thrilled and nervous. It was completed in 2002 and I enjoyed doing every bit of it. My friend passed away two years ago and her family made sure the picture was returned to me.

3 Looking Towards 2018 After the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, we can look forward to the 2018 Hawthorn Adventure where we are going on a virtual tour of exotic locations around the world. We will board the Hawthorn Jewel Cruise Ship and sail off. Your Cruise Director is busy planning many fun, interesting and exciting excursions. After we have our Bon Voyage Party we will sail to Brazil, on to Australia, then to Hong Kong to celebrate Chinese New Year and then make our way to Nepal. It is sure going to take some planning to figure out what clothes and shoes to pack! All aboard! Highlands Happenings The month of December offers us great excuses to gather, eat, drink and celebrate life. For Christians, Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ and for Jewish people, Hanukkah celebrates the Festival of Lights. For those more inclined to be in touch with nature and the cycle of the earth, the Winter Solstice. Then comes New Year s Eve! We will be busy here as family, friends, neighbors and volunteers come to share in this joyful time of year. Entertainment: Saturday, 12/2/17, 2 p.m.: Judy Capone Christmas Karaoke Kick-off Sunday, 12/3/17, 2 p.m.: Assabet Valley Chambersingers Saturday, 12/9/17, 11:30 a.m.: Frank Leva, Piano Singalong Sunday, 12/10/17, 11:30 a.m.: Vocal Recital with Catherine P. Voice Studio (Midge Carrier s Daughter) Sunday, 12/17/17, 3 p.m.: Chapel of the Cross Children s Christmas Show, 4 p.m.: Thursday, 12/21/17 Winter Solstice, Marti Sawyer, 2 p.m.: Saturday, 12/23/17 Christmas Memories with Michael Elliott: Sunday, 12/31/17, 5:30 p.m. New Year s Eve Celebration with Dan the Accordionist Outings: Wednesday, 12/6/17, 11 a.m.: The Villa Restaurant and Russell s Garden Center Wednesday, 12/13/17, 10:15 a.m.: Vaillancourt Folk Art Tour and Lunch Wednesday, 12/20/17, 10:30 a.m.: Tower Hill Exhibit and Lunch at Twigs Cafe Festival of Lights Wednesday, 12/27/17, 11:30 a.m.: Stephen Anthony s Restaurant Special Events: Saturday, 12/2/17: Deck the Highlands Halls Monday, 12/4/17, 10:15 a.m.: Boxwood Tree Workshop Tuesday, 12/5/17: Paparazzi Accessories Sale Tuesday, 12/12/17, 4 p.m.: Hanukkah Celebration Merry and bright Thursday, 12/14/17, 11:30 a.m.: Art For Your Mind Thursday, 12/21/17: Reading Buddies Visit Monday, 12/25/17: Candlelight Christmas Dinner Sunday, 12/31/17, 5:30 p.m.: New Year s Eve Celebration And whatever other surprises Santa Claus brings our way! Goodbye 2017, hello 2018!

4 DECEMBER 2017 Birthdays Margaret McConnell, 2nd Evie Tanner, 5th Carol McAuliffe, 11th Joan Dolan, 20th Pat Sylvia, 21st Christine Sliva, 21st Carol Spagnuolo, 22nd Irene Montigny, 31st Arthur Martin, 31st Locations Activity Room, AR Billiards Room, BR Bistro, Bistro Chapel, CH Computer Center, CC Dining Room, DR Exercise Room, EX Front Lobby, Lobby Library, LBY Movie Theater, MT Private Dining Room, PDR TV Room, TV Community Wellness Encompass Healthcare Home Care Provider Nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. BrightStar Care In-Home Care and Assistance 24-hour care service/on-call service, Maenzo s Hair Design at the Highlands Open Tuesdays-Saturdays. Roller sets Tuesdays and Saturdays. Manicurist is available on Tuesdays. Deck the Halls 2:00 Assabet Valley Chambersingers, AR 9:30 Morning Worship & Communion, CH 11:30 Vocal Recital with Catherine P. Voice Studio, CH 3:00 Chapel of the Cross Children s Christmas Show, AR 4:30 Patriots at Steelers, MT CHRISTMAS EVE 24 9:30 Morning Worship & Communion, CH 1:00 Patriots Vs. Bills, MT 31 1:00 Patriots vs. Jets, MT 5:30 New Year s Eve Dinner & Celebration, DR NEW YEAR S EVE SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY 3 4 9:00 Paparazzi Accessories, AR 5 10:15 UNO & Rummikub Games, BR 10:15 Boxwood Tree Workshop, AR 10:30 Creative Writing, CH 3:00 Tea & Talk, AR 3:00 Ballet for Balance with Irene, EX 3:00 Christmas Treats & Talk, AR HANUKKAH BEGINS AT SUNSET 12 10:15 Arts & Crafts, AR 10:00 Health Talk with Encompass, AR 10:15 UNO & Rummikub Games, BR 2:00 Resident Meeting, AR 3:00 Tea & Talk, AR 3:00 Ballet for Balance with Irene, EX 3:00 Christmas Treats & Talk, AR 5:00 Hanukkah Festival of 8:30 Patriots at Lights Begins, DR Dolphins :15 UNO & Rummikub 10:15 Arts & Crafts, AR Games, BR 10:30 Creative Writing, CH 2:00 Movie Club, TV 3:00 Tea & Talk, AR 3:00 Ballet for Balance with Irene, EX 11:00 New Resident Meet 3:00 Christmas Treats & Talk, AR & Greet, AR CHRISTMAS DAY :15 UNO & Rummikub 12:30 Candlelight Games, BR Christmas Dinner, DR 3:00 Tea & Talk, AR 3:00 Ballet for Balance 5:30 Sandwiches in the with Irene, EX Activity Room, AR 3:00 Christmas Treats & Talk, AR WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 8:45 Mass, St. Luke 11:00 Bible Study Group, CH Deck the Halls 2 2:00 Judy Capone Christmas Karaoke Kick-Off, AR 6 7 8:45 Mass, St. Luke :00 Wellness Wednesday with 10:00 Knitting Group, BR Right at Home, Bistro 10:00 Scrabble, TV 11:30 Frank Leva Piano 10:15 Debating Great Ideas, AR 11:00 The Villa Restaurant & Singalong, DR Russell s Garden Shop, Lobby 11:00 Bible Study Group, CH 2:00 Catholic Communion 4:00 Jingle & Mingle Service, CH Happy Hour, AR 10:00 Wellness Wednesday with Encompass, Bistro 10:15 Vaillancourt Folk Art Tour & Lunch, Lobby 2:00 Catholic Communion Service, CH 3:00 Singalong!, AR 10:00 Wellness Wednesday with Right at Home, Bistro 10:30 Tower Hill Tour & Lunch at Twigs Cafe, Lobby 3:30 Catholic Communion Service, CH 10:00 Wellness Wednesday with Encompass, Bistro 11:30 Outing: Stephen Anthony s Restaurant, LBY 2:00 Catholic Communion Service, CH :45 Mass, St. Luke :00 Knitting Group, BR 10:00 Scrabble, TV 10:15 Debating Great Ideas, AR 11:00 Audiologist Samina, Bistro 11:00 Resident Meeting with Chef Erica, AR 11:00 Bible Study Group, CH 2:00 Art for Your Mind, AR 4:00 Jingle & Mingle Happy Hour, AR 20 WINTER BEGINS 21 8:45 Mass, St. Luke Spectacular Solstice Celebration 10:00 Knitting Group, BR 10:00 Scrabble, TV 2:00 Christmas Memories 10:30 Reading Buddies, AR with Michael 11:00 Bible Study Group, CH 3:30 Mocktails & Hors d Oeuvres, Lobby Elliott, AR 4:00 Marti Sawyer Entertains, AR 5:30 Solstice Dinner, DR 7:00 Special Screeing of Miracle the on 34th Street, MT Highlands, MT :00 Knitting Group, BR 10:00 Scrabble, TV 10:15 Debating Great Ideas, AR 4:00 Jingle & Mingle Happy Hour, AR 8:45 Mass, St. Luke 11:00 Bible Study Group, CH

5 Counting Our Blessings: Looking Back Fall has been beautiful and warm in Massachusetts! The Highlands has been busy with community groups coming to share their time and talents with us. On October 24th, we had two groups visit from Armstrong Elementary School. This is our second year in a row having a Reading Buddies program with Mrs. Casciano s second grade class. We had fun reading scary stories, drawing pumpkins and getting to know our new buddies. That afternoon, we had a Harvest Celebration with the Armstrong Parent Group. Our Activity Room was full of kids of all ages, parents and ourselves making beautiful fall wreaths for our doors. Then Halloween was howling good fun. Some of us got into the spirit and made fantastic costumes to wear. We had a party that afternoon with karaoke and fun was had by all. Then Sunday, November 5th, families from the Westboro Newcomers Club paid us a visit. We had an interactive music class with Michelle from Apple Tree Music. Our youngest guest, Sam, was seven weeks old and slept through the whole thing. We ended a great time by sharing coffee and donuts. We can t wait for the little ones to come back and see us. The Club also generously donated $140 towards our Boxwood Tree Workshop in December. We are so blessed to be part of such a wonderful and caring community. And last, but not least, we need to mention the pumpkins we decorated. Extra love goes out to Dottie Plourde s beautiful great-grandchildren who bring joy to all our lives when they visit. Frances was stunning. Who are those people? Doris is always up for some fun!

6 Joseph and Micayla love their pumpkins! Arthur, always the teacher Our Reading Buddies George and his friend had fun making wreaths. The ladies all enjoyed watching the kids sing and dance. Diane listens intently!

7 129 E. Main Street Westborough, MA Warm Hearts...A Warm Home are waiting for you... Yes, we do believe that OUR home IS where the heart is. Please come join us for a nice cup of hot chocolate and some homemade treats around a warm and cozy fire this winter season. You ll see firsthand how things are really heating up with our winter activities calendar. Give us a call for more information on any of the activities you d like to participate in or feel free to stop by to meet our warm and caring staff and have a complimentary meal and tour. welcome home. Call Now!