Page 8 December Horoscopes and Birthdays In astrology, those born between Richard Pryor – Dec. 1, 1940 Arbor Hills Grapevine December 1–21 are the Archers Andy Williams – Dec. 3, 1927 of Sagittarius. The Archer’s open Walt Disney – Dec. 5, 1901 December 2020 mind, optimism, curiosity, and Kirk Douglas – Dec. 9, 1916 Arbor Hills Independent Living enthusiasm make them the Ada Lovelace – Dec. 10, 1815 travelers of the zodiac. Above all, Rita Moreno – Dec. 11, 1931 Residence they treasure freedom. Those Christopher Plummer – Dec. 13, 1927 4145 Lakeland Hills Blvd born between December 22–31 Tim Conway – Dec. 15, 1933 Lakeland, FL 33805 are Capricorn’s Goats. Goats are Brad Pitt – Dec. 18, 1963 Resources 863.698.7811 responsible masters of self-control. Jane Fonda – Dec. 21, 1937 They are practical planners and Humphrey Bogart – Dec. 25, 1899 leaders who value experience Susan Butcher – Dec. 26, 1954 Mary Gaudet A Tough Nut to Crack and expertise. LeBron James – Dec. 30, 1984 Executive Director December brings many beloved Dumas himself had “borrowed” holiday traditions, but one soars the story from the German writer A Tough Nut to Crack continued from pg. 1 Schelma Whitcomb above the rest. No, not flying E.T.A. Hoffman, who wrote The Community Director concert of the musical suite was called a ballet.” For decades, only reindeer, but the dance of the Nutcracker and the Mouse King Sugar Plum Fairy. Tchaikovsky’s in 1816. In the 1800s, nutcrackers Notable played in St. Petersburg. Every the first half of the ballet, featuring number was given an encore. the battle between the soldiers Erik Christensen classic ballet The Nutcracker were common decorations in Quotable Tchaikovsky knew the music and the rat king, was performed. Food Service has become a holiday staple German households, revered all around the world. as symbols of good luck. While was good, but he worried about But in 1944, the San Francisco Director “Bigger than life the performance. Ballet, led by William Christensen, composing in France, Tchaikovsky It was not Tchaikovsky’s idea is not difficult for staged the entire ballet, and it discovered a new instrument, the Ramon Miranda to write The Nutcracker. After me. I am bigger Tchaikovsky was right to worry. became an instant holiday hit. celesta. He decided to feature enjoying success with his ballet than life.” Critics did not like The Nutcracker By the 1960s, dance companies Maintenance its wonderful sound in his new The Sleeping Beauty in 1890, when it premiered at the Mariinsky all across America were performing Director ballet. Before the ballet premiered, Tchaikovsky was asked to Theater in St. Petersburg, Russia, The Nutcracker as an annual a short ~ Rita Moreno, compose a ballet for the Imperial on December 18, 1892. One December tradition and nutcrackers actress Kaitlyn Askey Theatre. Tchaikovsky turned to continued on pg. 8 particularly harsh review read, “The were synonymous with the Activities Director his friend and collaborator Marius Nutcracker cannot in any event be holiday season. Pepita, who suggested they write
Lori Merrill a ballet based on the fairy tale
Resident Relations The Story of a Nutcracker, by the Happy December Birthdays! French writer Alexandre Dumas.
Johanna Ganauser 12/02 Physician Transport with Paul Merry Christmas to All… Monday (south I want to personally wish all of our things we don’t mean. So, take side), Wednesday residents and staff a very Merry this time to thank those around Arthur Deslongchamps 12/10 Christmas and Happy New Year! you for their friendship, and Friday generosity, and kindness. I know this has been a rough year Continue to show patience and Barbara Langley 12/17 Beauty/Barber with for everyone with Covid-19 spread joy during this holiday Courtney Tuesday looming over our heads and the season. I’m looking forward to 9:00am-12pm, presidential election dividing sharing a bright new year with Thursday, and many of us. I know it has my you all! Anthony Siron 12/28 Friday head spinning just thinking about it! However, this is a time to 9:00am-3:00pm Merry Christmas! remember that we are all human. We all make mistakes and say -Kaitlyn Askey, Activities Director Page 2 Page 7
Star of the Month – Joan Crawford
Joan Crawford was an actress who While her roles in these were small,
began her career as a dancer and Pete Smith, the publicity head of
chorus girl in theatrical productions MGM, recognized her talent. He
before finally hitting it big in the film wished to cast her in more major
industry. She was known for her prolific roles but felt that her current name
acting career as well as her ability to felt too fake. He once remarked that adapt well to nearly any role given to her last name, LeSueur, reminded her. him of the word sewer. After some deliberation, the name Joan Joan Crawford was born Lucille Fay Crawford was chosen to replace her LeSueur on March 23, 1908, in San given one. • Make Christmas Cards for Soldiers on December 7th Antonio, Texas. Her biological father, Thomas E. LeSueur, left the family Crawford found more success over • Get your Christmas shopping done at Bealls December 8th shortly after Lucille’s birth, leaving Anna the next few years and starred in Bell Johnson, her mother, behind to take many movies, including some • Free health assessments with Mederi on December 10th care of the family. notable ones such as Montana Moon, Letty Lynton, The Gorgeous • Put on your PJs and enjoy a Christmas movie together December 14th Lucille’s mother later married Henry J. Hussy, and Our Dancing Daughters. Cassin, an opera house owner from Crawford had gained much respect • Need help wrapping gifts? We’ll give you a hand on December 15th Lawton, Oklahoma, which is where the for her work and was even named family settled. Throughout her childhood “Queen of the Movies” by Life • Come grab a gift with a fun twist on December 21st there, Lucille frequently watched magazine. However, by the late performances in her stepfather’s 1930s her popularity had begun to • Let’s check out the Christmas lights around town on December 22nd theater. Lucille, having grown up wane. In 1943, Crawford’s contract watching the many vaudeville acts with MGM was terminated with perform at the theater, grew up wanting mutual consent. That same year, • Group Christmas Carol Karaoke Party on December 24th to pursue a dancing career. Crawford signed with Warner Bros.
for a three-movie deal, the first of • Lima Bean Auction with Mitch from Mederi on December 28th Lucille began dancing in various which was Hollywood Canteen. In
traveling choruses under the name 1945, she scored a lead role in the • Buy some goodies at the Bingo Store on December 29th Lucille LeSueur. While performing in critically acclaimed and highly
Detroit, her talent was noticed by a successful Mildred Pierce, which • st Ring in the new year at out New Year’s Eve Party December 31 producer named Jacob Shubert. received several Academy Award Shubert gave her a spot in his 1924 nominations, with Crawford winning Broadway show Innocent Eyes, in which for best actress. These are just a few of our Holiday Highlights! she performed in the chorus line. Crawford’s handprints and footprints Check your calendar for any extra information! After having a little taste of Broadway, can be found in the forecourt of Lucille wanted more. She approached a Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in publicist for Loews Theaters and was Hollywood. She has her own star on secured a role with the singer Henry the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her Richman’s act. In 1925, she landed work in the industry. She was also modest roles in several films: Lady of voted the tenth-greatest female star the Night, The Circle, and Pretty Ladies. of classic American cinema by the . American Film Institute. Page 6 Page 3
These holiday activities are coming to town! A Pearl of Wisdom
December 15 is Wear Your fluid called nacre that envelops
Pearls Day, a day to wear the the irritant. Layer upon layer of
pearl jewelry that’s been hiding nacre coats the irritant until a
out in your jewelry box. It is also pearl is formed. Nacre is more
a day to appreciate nature’s commonly known as mother-of-
ingenious design. A pearl is pearl. It is incredibly strong and
created when an irritant, often a beautifully iridescent. For this
parasite (not a grain of sand as reason, Wear Your Pearls day
commonly thought), invades an is also a day to recognize the
oyster, mussel, or clam. To hidden beauty and strength that Pearls are the only defend itself against the foreign so often comes with life’s small gemstone to come invader, the oyster secretes a and irritating imperfections. from a living creature.
Are You Game?
Games Day was created in designed to be played alone. 1975 when an annual gaming Tabletop games not only convention scheduled for challenge your mind but they August was canceled. Games promote social bonds as well. Workshop, a British-based December 20 falls so close to manufacturer of miniature the holidays that perhaps tabletop wargames, decided to visiting family members can be sponsor their own Games Day convinced to play. Not only is a to fill the void. On December 20, new game a great holiday gift 1975, the first Games Day was but games provide a wonderful held in Seymour Hall, London, and creative way to pass the as an opportunity for game time with relatives. enthusiasts to meet each other and play. Today, the UK Games Game aficionados have seen Expo is an annual event held in a tabletop gaming renaissance Birmingham, but for many, during the past few years. While Games Day remains a perfect traditional board games like time to play their favorite Monopoly, Clue, and Scrabble games, be they board games, are fun, designers have been The German Spiel des card games, video games, or busy developing new card, Jahres award is the strategy games. tabletop, dice, and role-playing highest honor in the games for players of all ages. board game industry. Health experts have repeatedly There are even game-design demonstrated that habits matter conferences where inventors when it comes to brain health. showcase their games while Adding a game night to your attendees get to play them lifestyle is a fun way to increase and offer feedback. What mental stimulation and improve new games are out there? mental acuity. There are many Log on to websites like computer games or puzzle boardgamegeek.com or websites that promote mental boardgamequest.com to acuity, but many of these are peruse the newest offerings.
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Strange Christmas Traditions
Christmas brings with it many Norwegian folklore tells of how beloved traditions: trimming the evil spirits and witches emerge tree, hanging stockings, and on Christmas Eve. Norwegians singing carols. Many countries hide their brooms so that around the world enjoy witches cannot steal them for traditions you may be less riding through the night. familiar with. In Caracas, Venezuela, In Japan, an estimated 3.6 million Christmas morning brings families eat Kentucky Fried presents and roller skates. Chicken during the Christmas Authorities close down the city season. This is largely streets on Christmas morning thanks to Takeshi Okawara, so that thousands of residents who managed the first KFC can roller-skate to church in franchises in Japan. In 1970, safety. One tradition tells of Okawara marketed the how children go to sleep with With so few Christmas Christmas “party barrel,” a one end of a skate lace tied traditions in Japan, complete fried chicken dinner around their toe and the other KFC grew to become replicating American turkey end dangling out the window. In one of Japan’s biggest dinners. These days, if you do the morning they are awakened holiday pastimes. not pre-order your KFC dinner by skaters tugging at the lace weeks in advance, you will have to alert them that it is time to to stand in line for hours to get attend mass. your “Kentucky Christmas.” These traditions may seem If you happen to be in strange to you, but does your Norway for Christmas, you’ll be family have any Christmas hard-pressed to find a broom, traditions that others may find for they are all hidden away. nontraditional?
Sitting Down for Equal Rights On December 1, 1955, Rosa not. This was not because she Parks was commuting home was tired from working all day. after working a long day at a In her own words, she “was Montgomery, Alabama, tired of giving in.” department store. Segregation was written into law and Blacks Word of Parks’ arrest reached were required to sit in the back civil rights activist E.D. Nixon. of the bus, with seats in the front Nixon quickly organized a reserved for white riders. When boycott of the Montgomery Three other women a white man entered the bus buses and enlisted the support joined Parks in the and found no open seats, the of Martin Luther King Jr. Nearly Supreme Court battle bus driver asked four Black a year later, the Supreme against bus riders seated in the first row of Court ruled Montgomery’s bus segregation. the “colored” section to stand. segregation unconstitutional and Three complied, but Parks did Parks became an icon of justice.