The Branchlands Times
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August 2016 THE BRANCHLANDS TIMES Resident Spotlight Fred Hoffman Fred Hoffman was born in Nuremburg, Germany, an only child. His father was a business man and his mother stayed at home. In German schools of the time children chose their career at the age of ten, either studying for a profession or learning a trade. Fred wanted to be an engineer and continued his studies at Gymnasium (high school). When the Nazis took over the government in 1933, his father, who loved his country, thought his family would be safe because he was a WWI veteran who had earned the Iron Cross. Sadly, he was wrong and soon was forbidden to work in his profession; the family moved to Munich, where life was a little bit easier. Fred stayed in school for one more year before he was forced to leave and began to make plans for leaving Germany; he entered a four-year apprenticeship as an auto mechanic but left after three years to come to America. Four years later, in 1942, his parents were ready to leave but it was too late; they were sent to a concentration camp and died there. In the U.S.A. Fred was sponsored by an American-born cousin, and lived with him until he got a job as an auto mechanic. Later he worked for a landscaper, and never missed work in bad weather because he also took care of the company's vehicles! Working in an iron shop later, he was given three deferments from military service, but he wanted to serve and enlisted in the U.S. Army. As a soldier, he earned his American citizenship, and when the call went out for speakers of German he volunteered for that duty. In the grand tradition of Army snafus his orders were changed and he spent eighteen months in New Guinea and the Philippines! After he was discharged, Fred returned to his job and two years later he and another employee opened their own small iron works, eventually expanding into the structural steel business for the next thirty years. He had met Ethel when he first arrived in this country at the age of eighteen; Ethel was only fifteen then but after the war they rekindled their friendship and were married in 1946. They had three children- daughters Betty and Ellen, and a son, Paul, who lives in Charlottesville. Ethel, whom many Branchlands residents remember, died after sixty-seven years of “a wonderful life together”. By, Mary Rodriguez 1 Me & Martha – Letter to the Editor July 5, 2016 Armchair Travelers via Branchlands by Jean Baker “Lunch and Travel” on July 14th, conducted by Terry Gaudette, our resourceful “Travel Agent”, with her large map, was attended by 20+ travelers. What an opportunity to learn of remote places the residents have explored as well as insights into how others enjoy their travels! As Terry placed colored pins on various locales, it became obvious that sites of choice were Europe and islands south of the United States. However, only one person had ever been to China – Norma Stimler who experienced a career as a travel agent. During my teen-age years my mother and I read all of Pearl Buck’s books and longed to visit those countries. The closest I ever came was to volunteer in the Pearl Buck resale shop, a charity to support Doylestown, PA hospital. She made China come alive for us. We look forward to the next installment of ‘Armchair Travelers”, which will cover the United States of America. The lunch was fun too – as if we had come to a picnic. Happy Birthday to… Glenn Short Aug 8 Helen Bowling Aug 15 Margaret Wilson Aug 15 A Warm Welcome to our new Residents: o Dolores Carley – H2G s a 2 M DIANNE’S CORNER AND QUOTE OF THE MONTH You don’t have to wait for happiness, to find you… …Plant some seeds and grow your own. Staff Please know that I have taken your concerns regarding Duane to Corporate. Duane was offered different options but decided to continue with his specialty of remodeling. Let’s all wish him the best. An active search is being completed to fill his position. It may take some time to find the right person so please bare with me. In the meantime, we have a back up person. Please let Robin know if there is an issue. Pet Owners Please note the following common rules for owning a pet at Branchlands: 1.) Realize that all people do not like dogs or other animals. That is okay and their right. It’s your right to love your animal. 2.) Respect others, Be respected – Keep your dog on a leash even when outside. Do not let your dog wander in or outside of the building and always keep them in your eyesight. 3.) Do not leave your dog barking outside – It’s not only unfair to your dog, it’s rude to your neighbors. 4.) Pick up after your dog. No one wants that ‘gift’ your dog left behind. Please dispose of it properly. 5.) You may let your dog play in the courtyard but the dog must be supervised. 6.) No dogs are allowed in an area where people are eating unless it is a service dog – certified by ADA. Thank you for respecting your dog and your neighbors. Dianne 3 Roller Coasters Terry’s Tidbits . Find and circle all of the roller coasters that are hidden in the grid. The remaining 20 letters spell a Ernest Hemingway quotation. Social Calendar There will be times when special events on certain days prevent me from fitting everyday activities Reminders: on the social calendar. Or I may Weekday Breakfast officially starts at 9:00. To allow the staff to set up in the morni just inadvertently forget an activity. If you think something was dropped accidently, please just call the office and ask. I will be happy to get the word out to everyone, when necessary. Bus Availibility Along this same line…there will be times when the bus will not be available because of a special activity. We try to give you as much notice as possible so you can schedule your appointments around these times. We apologize if this causes any AFTERBURN GHOSTRIDER MIND BENDER SHEIKRA inconvenience. We are doing our ALPENGEIST GOLIATH MONTU TATSU best to accommodate everyone. BALDER GRIFFON NEMESIS THUNDERBOLT Please read your activity calendar BIZARRO HADES NITRO TITAN and check the bulletin board COLOSSOS INTIMIDATOR PHOENIX TREMORS outside the office for any special COMET JUPITER PROWLER TROY CYCLONE KATUN RAGING BULL TWISTER times when the bus will not be DESPERADO LEVIATHAN RAPTOR VIPER available. Thank you for your DIAMONDBACK MANTA RENEGADE XCELERATOR understanding. EL TORO MAVERICK ROAR Upcoming Activit ies - A PLACE TO LIVE/ ‘How Well Do You Know Your Neighbors?’ – Lunch and Fun - Aug 18 @ 12:00 MH This will be a Branchlands version of Jeopady. I will be giving the answer and A WAY OF LIFE you will need to match the resident up with a question. (e.g. Q: Earned a PhD in BRANCHLANDS PROPERTIES Behavioral Science at Harvard. A: Who is Dr Leo Shatin?). Let’s work the old memory bank. I’m sure there is still a little something in reserve. There will 1300 Branchlands Drive also be questions related to the staff and Branchlands, in general. Charlottesville VA 22901 ‘Who Done It?’ – Snack and Fun - Aug 25 @ 12:00 LR 434-973-9044 This is our version of the game ‘Clue’. Each participant will be given a clue. You will then need to talk with other residents to find out what they know, as well [email protected] as, listening for verbal clues as the game progresses. Who will figure it out first! 4 .