American House Southland 25250 Eureka Road Taylor Michigan 48180 (734) 946-9900 Fax: (734) 946-9275 ahsouthland@comcast.net www.americanhouse.com TDD: (800) 649-3777 Cassandra Lowe Maria Hutchison Karlita Young Debbie Mogg Muria McIntee Gary Crane Colleen American House Staff Executive Director Assistant Director Life Enrichment Director Culinary Supervisor Housekeeping Supervisor Maintenance Supervisor Night and Weekend Office Important Numbers The Medical Team (734) 946-7853 American House Driver John (734) 558-0493 Northline Drugs (734) 285-9496 Smart Bus Connector (866) 962-5515 Xfinity (cable & phone) (734) 231-9268 Taylor Senior Center (313) 291-7740 February 2016 Chocolate Truly Soothes the Soul Feeling stressed? A dose of dark chocolate could cheer you up by lowering your stress-hormone levels, a new study suggests. Swiss researchers tracked volunteers who said they were highly stressed. The study provides strong evidence that a daily dose of chocolate (1.4 ounces) over two weeks is sufficient to modify the metabolism of healthy human volunteers, researchers said. The chocolate also appeared to help correct other imbalances in the body related to stress. Join us in the activity room on Thursday, February 11, from 3 to 4 p.m., as we sample different chocolates and discuss the benefits of eating chocolate. Love Is Ageless Valentine s Day Dance Please join us for our annual Love Is Ageless Valentine s Day Dance on Friday, February 12, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., in the dining room. Please feel free to invite a loved one to join us.
2 Trivia Whiz Logos of Love Symbols for love and romance are everywhere we look. Hearts, flowers, gems and other motifs bring to mind the emotional qualities of love and how we feel about our loved ones. The Romans believed diamonds, worn to symbolize eternal love, were splinters of fallen stars. The first diamond engagement ring can be traced to the 15th century. The personification of love and courtship, Cupid is depicted with a bow and quiver of arrows. The notion that being hit by Cupid s arrow will make the victim fall in love comes from the myth of Cupid and Psyche. Likely the most common symbol for love is the heart. At one time, scholars believed the heart was the seat of all human emotions. Other symbols of love include the rose, swan and harp. Happy Birthday!! 314 Grace V. 2/1 322 Rose W. 2/5 319 Mark L. 2/11 243 Naomi R. 2/14 137 Flora C. 2/15 112 Ron M. 2/15 106 Nancy G. 2/16 121 Stanley Z. 2/17 223 Helen S. 2/19 336 Jack S. 2/19 233 Jerry H. 2/21 242 John O. 2/23 329 Helen M. 2/24 311 Jean P. 2/26 328 Edward O. 2/27 Cake for February birthdays Feb. 26, at 2 p.m. Time to Celebrate a Birthday! Each month we celebrate birthdays for our residents. We have cake with everyone. This is a time to announce who is having a birthday for that month. We sing Happy Birthday to them and enjoy a time of celebration. This is on Fridays at 2 p.m. during Entertainment. Pioneers in Black History Celebrate Black History Month by paying tribute to some firsts in African-American history: Published poet. Brought to America as a slave, Phillis Wheatley was only about 13 years old when her first poem was published in a Rhode Island newspaper in 1767. Six years later, she published a book of poetry, which earned her worldwide admiration. Governor. P.B.S. Pinchback, the son of a white plantation owner and a former slave, briefly served as Louisiana s governor from December 1872 to January of the next year, after the elected governor was impeached. The country s first elected African- American governor didn t come until more than 100 years later, when L. Douglas Wilder became Virginia s governor in 1989. Olympic medalist. After breaking records running track for the University of Wisconsin, George Poage competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics in St. Louis, where he became the first African-American to win an Olympic medal. He placed third in both the 220- and 440-yard hurdles. TV show host. From November 1956 to December 1957, NBC aired The Nat King Cole Show, the first national variety TV series to be hosted by an African-American. The popular jazz pianist and singer was joined by guests such as Ella Fitzgerald and Mel Tormé.
3 Wit & Wisdom Word for February: Shadow Each Feb. 2, famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil emerges from his hole, and the nation waits to learn whether he saw his shadow. February is also a good time for us to examine our own shadows. One definition of shadow, from Merriam-Webster, is partial darkness or obscurity. What talents or skills do you humbly hide from others? This February, as winter begins to wane, polish up some dazzling facets of your personality and pull them out of the shadows. Show off your painting talent in our painting on canvas class on Monday and Thursday in the theatre or join us for a game of Wii bowling to show off your bowling skills, on Tuesday mornings in the Lobby. Let the whole world see you shine! Our Holiday Party!!! First Dates It s February, a popular month for sweethearts. Do you remember the first time you were struck by Cupid s arrow? Use the questions below to start a discussion about your own dating experiences, as well as those of your friends and neighbors. Who was your first date with? Did you ask them out, or did they ask you? How old were you then? Did you have to get your parents permission to go? Where did you go on that first date? Maybe a dance, pizza parlor or movie? Did it lead to other dates? Did you ever double date? If so, with whom? What was, or would be, a dream date with your special someone? Tart Is Smart National Cherry Month in February gives you a good reason to choose cherries specifically tart cherries. This sweetly sour snack contains anthocyanins, compounds that contribute to the fruit s flavor, bright red color, and numerous health benefits. Research shows that tart cherries may lower the risk of heart disease; fight inflammation in arthritis and gout patients; provide relief to sore muscles; and promote better sleep. Purple Power Amethyst, February s birthstone, is a purple variety of quartz. In ancient times, people believed this gemstone could provide mental clarity, intelligence and pleasant dreams.
Southland February 2016 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 11:15 Banking 2 3 10:00 Bible Study W/ Reverend Ken in the Chapel 2:00 Sing-a-Long in the Dining Rm. 4 5 10:00 Arts and Craft in the Activity Rm. 2:00 Entertainment W/ Anita Greene Painting on Canvas Entertainment Out Trips Exercise 6 14 7 Presidents Day 15 8 Happy Mardi Gras! Fat Tuesday! Paczkis Served During Breakfast 11:15 Lunch Outing 11:15 Lunch Outing 9 10 10:00 Bible Study W/ Reverend Ken in the Chapel 2:00 Sing-a-Long in the Dining Rm. 16 17 10:00 Bible Study W/ Reverend Ken in the Chapel 2:00 Sing-a-Long in the Dining Rm. 11 8:30-10:30am Wyandotte Hsp. Blood Pressure Checks in the Lobby 3:00-4:00pm Seminar with Rivergate 12 10:00 Arts and Craft in the Activity Rm. 6:00-8:00pm Love Is Ageless Dance W/ Barry in the Dining Rm. (Wear Your Red) 18 19 10:00 Arts and Craft in the Activity Rm. 2:00 Beach Party W/ Kelly Miller 13 20 21 22 11:15 Dollar Store 23 24 10:00 Bible Study W/ Reverend Ken in the Chapel 10:30 Auction in the Library 2:00 Sing-a-Longg in the Dining Rm. 25 26 10:00 Arts and Craft in the Activity Rm. 2:00 Entertainment W/ Allen Goupel & Birthdays Today 27 28 29 Copyright 2015 Uhlig LLC
6 Resident Services Ear Center Audiology: Here With Dr. Iverson the first Monday of the month at 10 a.m. Dr. Iverson will see you in your apartment. BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS Wyandotte Hospital Blood Pressure checks will be on the Second Thursday of the Month. This will be in the Lobby from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Dr. Yedulla, MD, is here on Fridays after 9 a.m. They will see you in your apartment; please be in your apartment if you need to see them. A sign-up sheet is on the 2nd Floor. IN-Medical Teams OFFICE. Foot Doctors Schedule Dr. Rives / Dr. Brown Friday, 2-5-16 & Dr. Schelberg Monday, 2-22-16 Sing-a-Long Join us on Wednesdays at 2 p.m., in the Dining Rm., for a sing-a-long. Movie Night! The movies we watch are in our cinema, located on the 2nd floor, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7 p.m. The Star of the Month is... George Clooney Friday Is Special Feature Night!! 2/5 Ocean s Eleven 2/12 Ocean s Twelve 2/19 O Brother, Where Art Thou? 2/26 Ocean s Thirteen Salute the USO Celebrate the organization with the mission of lifting the spirits of America s troops and their families. The USO s anniversary is Feb. 4. Logic Problem James, Sam, Jeff, Ben, Henry and Dan all gave Anna a gift for Valentine s Day. Anna received flowers, a box of chocolates, a heart necklace, cookies, a heart balloon, and a fishing pole. Using the clues, can you find out who gave which gift? Henry gave Anna a gift that begins with the same letter as his name. James wrapped his gift in a small box. Dan s gift, which was not chocolates, smelled very good. Neither James nor Sam gave Anna something to eat. Ben needed an oven to make his gift. Happy Day
7 Daily Activities! Balloon Volleyball in the lobby on Mondays at 2. Ceramics Class in Activity Rm. on Mondays at 2. Wii Bowling in lobby, Tuesdays at 10:00. Bingo on Tuesdays and Thursdays in dining room at 2 and Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 7. Knifty Knitters make hats for the newborn babies and children on Tuesdays at 3. Scrabble Games in Activity Rm. Tuesdays at 6:30. Euchre in Library on Thursdays at 3:30; Church Services in Chapel on second floor west end. Eucharistic Service at 10:30 first Friday of the month. Rosary and Communion, Thursday evening, 6:30. Bible Study Class, Wednesday morning, 10:30. Baptist Service, Wednesday evening, 6:30. Second Sunday of the Month, a Church Service w/ David at 2, in Chapel. Painting Canvas, Thursday Mornings at 10:30. Special Feature Movies in Cinema Room on second floor, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7. Dominoes Game in Dining Rm., Friday night at 7. Penny Ante Every Saturday and Sunday at 2 in Dining Room. Pool Games in Library Sundays at 1:30. Puzzles in Library Saturday & Sunday! Auction in Library Every Month! Something you have to see! Interesting Chocolate Facts By Brian K. Rosso, R.D. Chocolate is a food enjoyed by most people, especially at Valentine s Day. Here are some interesting facts about chocolate: Worldwide, consumers spend more than $200 billion per year on chocolate products. Chocolate is a great source of antioxidants, which have been shown to reduce a person s risk of developing cancer and heart disease. Snickers is the No. 1 selling chocolate bar in the world. Eating dark chocolate in moderation can lower a person s cholesterol levels. Try to eat dark chocolate containing at least 40 percent cacao (will be stated on the chocolate candy wrapper) for the most health benefits. The first United States chocolate factory was built in 1765. The average American eats 12 pounds of chocolate every year. One tablespoon of cocoa powder contains 10 percent of the daily requirement for iron intake. The first chocolate candy bar was made in 1842. Chocolate is made from cacao beans. However, the cacao bean is actually a seed. Chocolate can offer some health benefits, but it should be eaten in moderation because of the calories associated with the fat and sugar content. Happy Valentine s Day! Building Services Check Out Our Beauty Salon! Call for an appointment: With Kathy: (313) 460-3234 Manicures Sheron will be doing manicures on Fridays for $10. Call (313) 928-1608 to make an appointment. Remember, please come to the office for any repairs you may need in your apartment. We will inform Gary. If you cannot come down, please call the office and someone will be happy to help you. Thank you.
February 2016 FEBRUARY 1778: A few months before his death, author Voltaire returns to Paris after being in exile for 28 years. 1805: While on the road with Lewis and Clark, Sacagawea gives birth to a son, Jean Baptiste, often called Pompey. 1809: The steamboat is patented by Robert Fulton. 1924: Beginning with a single clarinet, George Gershwin s masterful piece Rhapsody in Blue is performed for the first time. 1935: The board game Monopoly hits the shelves. The game would go on to become a favorite for decades. 1940: Singer and songwriter Woody Guthrie writes the ultimate American folk song, This Land Is Your Land. 1952: Following the death of her father, Elizabeth is proclaimed queen. She is not formally crowned until more than a year later, receiving the proper title Queen Elizabeth II. 1962: On the Friendship 7 spacecraft, John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit Earth. He would make a return journey to space many decades later. 1972: Baseball great Hank Aaron signs a three-year contract with the Atlanta Braves that pays him $200,000 per year. The deal made him the highest-paid player in Major League Baseball at the time. 1983: The series finale of M*A*S*H, titled Goodbye, Farewell and Amen, draws more than 100 million viewers. It is the most-watched series finale of any television show in America. 1998: At the age of 15, Tara Lipinski becomes the youngest Olympic gold medal winner in her sport, figure skating. 2008: After 100 days and large-scale consequences for the entertainment industry, the Writers Guild of America ceases a strike. AMERICAN HOUSE SOUTHLAND 25250 Eureka Road Taylor, MI 48180