T he G ar de n N e w s December 2019

Across and Down The Power of Gratitude The Season of Sugar and Spice The Magic of the Sahara

You don’t need to be a Being grateful has been linked to health benefits December is chock full of The city of Douz in southern Tunisia is cruciverbalist, someone skilled such as improved mood, better sleep, and more holidays celebrating cookies. known as the “gateway to the Sahara” and at solving or creating crossword satisfying relationships. Thank You Note Day The first week of December is considered the most celebrated corner puzzles, to celebrate Crossword on December 26 offers us a chance to use is Cookie Cutter Week. The of the world’s most famous desert. From Puzzle Day on December 21. On the power of gratitude. Researchers recently week of December 16–20 is December 20–23, Douz hosts the International that date in 1913, the very first explored how writing thank-yous increases Cookie Exchange Week. The 4th is Cookie Day, Festival of the Sahara, opening the Sahara’s puzzle appeared in the Sunday one’s sense of well-being. Writers of thank-you the 12th is Gingerbread House Day, and the wonders to those brave enough to make the New York World newspaper. notes often feel nervous about the task. They 14th is Gingerbread Decorating Day. No wonder journey. The festival is a celebration of Berber Even the most passionate cruciverbalists might be worry that they will not be able to find the right December is heralded as “the most wonderful life, those hardy nomads who wander the delighted to discover that the very first puzzle was words or that the recipients of their notes would time of the year”! Baking and exchanging sweets desert sands on camelback. Visitors can called a “word-cross.” Weeks after the first “word- feel awkward or surprised to receive a letter. have been winter solstice traditions for hundreds experience Berber music and food, and even cross” appeared, a typesetting error resulted in But these worries are completely unfounded. of years. take in a camel race or two, but the real magic the puzzle being called a “cross-word,” and it Recipients of thank-you notes are almost of the festival is the desert itself. The cafés and The winter solstice has long been celebrated has been called that ever since. always grateful. In fact, recipients find thank-you souks lining the narrow streets of Douz come around the world by many cultures, and food has notes to be warmer and more articulate than the alive once the sun begins to set. Palm groves always been associated with these traditions. It writers expect. As long as the intentions of the skirt the city, providing shade and the desert’s No one knows what inspired Arthur Wynne to was during the Middle Ages that dessert became writer are sincere and heartfelt, the contents of most important crop: dates. Beyond the palms, create the first crossword puzzle. Wynne was an important part of winter solstice feasts. This the note are always well received. Researchers the Grand Erg Oriental beckons, a vast field of born in Liverpool, England, and moved to America was due to an influx of new and exotic ingredients, believe that thank-you notes are prosocial; that is, sand dunes. The most intimate way to explore at age 19, where he worked for newspapers in including spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and black they are an important type of social glue linking the sand sea is on camelback, and plenty Pittsburgh and New York City. Word puzzles pepper, and sweet fruits like dates and apricots. people together. Self-consciousness should of tours allow you to sleep among the soft, were fairly common in newspapers, but Wynne Wealthy families added these fine new ingredients never stand in the way of giving thanks. So, rippling dunes beneath clear skies spotted innovated many features of the crossword that to their pantries, and their cooks created new and let us express our gratitude to the researchers with a million stars. The desert here is so still exist today. He created horizontal and vertical wonderful pastries and cookies. It became a sign for conducting their experiment. otherworldly that it has been the backdrop boxes for each letter, and he first used patterns of great wealth to send friends and rivals gifts of of four Star Wars movies. Indeed, visitors of symmetrical black squares to separate the baked sweets. to the Sahara feel as if they have ventured words into rows and columns. His first puzzle Rub-a-Dub-Dub to a distant planet. took the shape of a diamond with a hollow One of the oldest and most popular cookies center. Numbered clues below corresponded On December 5, skip your was springerle, the anise-flavored cookie that to numbered boxes in the puzzle above, similar originated in the German province of Swabia in Radio City Splendor worn-out shower routine and to today’s crosswords, although the numbering sink into a bath for Bathtub the 15th century. Anise was prized as a spice On December 27, 1932, at the system was slightly different. To help new Party Day! Showers suffice and a medicine, often grown in the cloistered height of the Great Depression, puzzlers along, Wynne filled in the first answer if your only objective is to get gardens of monasteries. Springerle is easily Radio City Music Hall opened in with the letters F-U-N. clean, but there’s something recognized by the elaborate bas-relief pictures New York City. The theater was indulgent about reclining in a bathtub full of pressed into the cookies thanks to detailed the pet project of billionaire John D. Crosswords have grown so popular that it’s bubbles. What is more, using bath salts can molds carved into wood or clay. These cookies Rockefeller Jr. He envisioned a easy to forget that they are just over 100 years transform a bath into a therapeutic experience. were not only delicious, but their pictures told performance venue for the masses, an Art Deco old. Wynne likely never imagined that his puzzle Balneotherapy, or immersion in mineral-laden important historical and religious stories. Like masterpiece where rich and poor alike could see would appear in newspapers across the globe water or mud, has been a medical remedy anise, ginger was considered both an exotic the highest-quality entertainment. One year after and spawn helplines where people pay for helpful for millennia. Today’s bath salts made from spice and a medicine. Recipes existed in China opening, Radio City debuted its Christmas clues. There are even annual crossword puzzle magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) or sea salt as early as the 10th century and finally made Spectacular, featuring the high-kicking Rockettes tournaments where the best-of-the-best crossword replicate the experience. These minerals can it to Europe during the Middle Ages, but it on its Great Stage. The stage measures over 100 puzzle solvers compete against the clock and have remarkable effects of reducing stress, wasn’t until the 16th century that the gingerbread feet long and 60 feet wide, and was constructed each other. Don’t be intimidated or discouraged; relieving aches and pains, reducing skin house became popular. This was thanks to the to resemble a setting sun. Since its opening, over crosswords are offered in a variety of levels, from irritations, and improving circulation. Add a Brothers Grimm and their story of Hansel and 300 million people have passed through its doors easy to difficult, so on December 21, everyone can few candles and some relaxing music, and Gretel discovering a house made entirely of to enjoy movie premieres, stage shows, concerts, enjoy the satisfaction of being a cruciverbalist for your bathroom suddenly transforms into a candy. These traditions have endured for and more. Radio City Music Hall remains the a day. world-class spa. centuries because they are so delicious. largest indoor theater in the world today.

Spinning into the Season

As the holiday season approaches, children gravitate to toy store Special Events in December windows to stare longingly at the wonders on display. Rarely do spinning tops make children’s wish lists anymore, yet these toys are some of the oldest known to human civilization. A clay top discovered by archaeologists in Iraq’s ancient city of Ur dates back to the 35th century BC—that’s nearly 6,000 years ago! A wooden top dated to 1300 BC was found in King Tut’s tomb. During the medieval era in Europe, parish tops measuring eight inches high and weighing two pounds were kept in town squares for play, exercise, and competition. Cultures all over the world have fashioned tops from whatever materials they have on hand, including fruits, nuts, seeds, and seashells. What makes these toys so fascinating and enduring? It’s not just their simplicity, but the way they seem to defy gravity as if by magic. Every spinning top is an experiment in physics. The toys remain upright thanks to angular momentum. In fact, precision balanced tops spun perfectly upright would spin forever if there were no Mighty Musical Monday – Monday the 2nd friction between their points and the surface. However, this hasn’t th stopped engineers from trying to build a top that could conquer the Farkle Winners Lunch – Thursday the 6 laws of physics. Annual Family Christmas Party – Thursday the 12th Traditional tops are still hand-built using a lathe and a discerning Christmas Lights Scenic Drive– Friday the 16th eye. The best of these handmade tops can spin for several th minutes and even hours. New technologies now allow precise and Lunch Bunch – Friday the 20 perfectly balanced tops to be made on computerized machines December Birthday Party – Friday the 20th using top-of-the-line materials. These tops cost thousands of th dollars and may spin for hours. One top called LIMBO recently Resident Christmas Party – Tuesday the 24 broke the world record by spinning for 27 hours, 9 minutes, and 24 ROMEOs – Friday the 27th seconds. How was this feat achieved? Hidden inside the top was a Roaring 20’s NYE Party – Tuesday the 31st battery, flywheel motor, motion sensor, and a computer chip designed to monitor the top’s stability and correct the motion of the spin. While LIMBO is not technically a top but a gyroscope, it is a demonstration of how far engineers will go to perfect this simple toy in an attempt to defy gravity.

Errand Run Top Farkle Scores for November

I would love to pick up some odds Gayle – 15,050 and ends that you might need Eloise – 13,100

from Walmart!!! Please submit your shopping list on Monday’s by 5:oo pm

Come play Farkle with us on Tuesdays at 3:30pm! It is okay if you have never played- we work together through each game. The winner for the month is treated to a special lunch!

Beauty & Barber Shop Stylist Ms. Janice Open Thursday

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 9:30 Black Oak Heights 1 9:30 Devotions with 2 9:30 Devotions and 3 9:30 Devotions/Chronicle 4 9:30 Devotions/Chronicle 5 9:30 Devotions and 6 9:30 Bookwalter United 7 11:00 Decaf and Daily Pastor Mike Daily Chronicle 10:30 The Great Christmas 11:00 Powell Middle Daily Chronicle Methodist Chronicles 11:00 Mighty Musical 10:30 Dominoes Light Fight- TV Series School Choir 10:45 Farkle Winners 11:00 Decaf and Daily 1:00 Temple Baptist Monday at the Tennessee 11:00 Josie the Dog 2:00 Social Time- 11:00 Indy the Dog Lunch Chronicles 7:00 The Beverly Hillbillies Theatre 1:00 Errand Run Peppermint Ice Cream 1:30 Rummikube 1:00 Gibbs Middle School 2:30 The Andy Griffith 2:30 Elf on the Shelf 2:30 Book Club Music and Motion 3:30 Cooking Club Choir Show 3:30 BINGO 3:30 Farkle 3:30 Rummy 6:00 Brickey-McCloud 3:30 Music and Motion 7:00 Lawrence Welk 6:00 Berea Baptist 6:30 Rick Clayton 6:00 Rev. Paul and Mona Student Choir 6:00 Susie’s Piano Students

9:30 Devotions with Shirley 9:30 Devotions with 9: Devotions/Chronicle 9:30 Devotions/Chronicle 9:30 Devotions/Chronicle 9:30 Devotions and 9:30 Clear Springs Baptist 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 11:00 Decaf and Daily Pastor Mike 10:30 Dominoes 10:30 The Great Christmas 10:30 Rummikube Daily Chronicle 11:00 Decaf and Daily

Chronicles 10:30 Hand and Foot 11:00 Josie the Dog Light Fight- TV Series 11:00 Indy the Dog 10:30 Christmas Trivia Chronicles

1:00 Temple Baptist 1:30 Music and Motion 1:00 Errand Run 2:00 Christmas Shopping 1:30 12 Days of Christmas 1:30 Music and Motion 2:30 The Andy Griffith 3:00 Holy Ghost Choir 3:30 BINGO 2:30 Book Club Extravaganza in the Charades 3:00 Rick Christian Guitar Show 6:00 Berea Baptist 3:30 Farkle Activity Room 3:30 Craft with Kim 6:00 Outing: Wallace 7:00 Lawrence Welk 7:00 Wheel of Fortune and 3:30 Rummy 6:30 Annual Family Memorial Christmas Show Jeopardy! 6:00 Rev. Paul and Mona Christmas Party

9:30 Worship Music on the15 9:30 Devotions with 16 9:30 Devotions/Chronicle17 9:30 Devotions/Chronicle18 9:30 Devotions/Chronicle19 9:30 Devotions/Chronicle20 9:30 Music and Art 21

Radio Pastor Mike 10:30 Dominoes 10:30 The Great Christmas 10:30 Rummikube 10:45 Lunch Bunch 11:00 Decaf and Daily

11:00 Decaf and Daily 10:30 Christmas Pictionary 11:00 Kim and Josie the Light Fight- TV Series 11:00 Indy the Dog 1:30 Melody’s Piano Chronicles

Chronicles 1:30 Grinch Social Dog 2:00 Terri Conner- Musical 1:30 Christmas Trivia Students 2:30 The Andy Griffith

1:00 Temple Baptist 3:30 BINGO 1:00 Errand Run Entertainment 3:30 Craft Club- Candy 3:30 Birthday Party Show

7:00 The Beverly Hillbillies 6:00 Scenic Drive: 2:30 Book Club Music and Motion Cane Elf 6:30 Karen Binkley Hymn 7:00 Lawrence Welk

Christmas Lights 3:30 Farkle 3:30 Rummy 7:00 Wheel of Fortune and Sing

6:30 Rick Clayton 6:00 Rev. Paul and Mona Jeopardy! Winter Begins 10:00 Peoples Bible 22 9:30 Devotions with 23 9:30 Devotions/Chronicle24 25 10:30 Decaf and Daily 26 9:30 Devotions and 27 9:30 Music and Art 28

Church Pastor Mike 10:30 Christmas Cookie Merry Christmas!!! Chronicles Daily Chronicle 10:30 Decaf and Daily

11:00 Decaf and Daily 10:30 Starbucks and Making 2:00 Ricky Starr- Musical 10:45 ROMEOs Chronicles

Chronicles Caroling by the Fire 2:00 Resident Christmas Enjoy the Hallmark Entertainment 2:30 Armchair Travels: 11:15 Rick Christian

1:00 Temple Baptist 1:30 Wassail and Butter Party (Tacky Christmas Christmas Movies in the TV 7:00 Wheel of Fortune and Canary Islands 2:30 The Andy Griffith

2:00 Central Brass Band Cookie Social Sweater Theme) Room and Christmas Music Jeopardy! Music and Motion Show

7:00 The Beverly Hillbillies 3:30 Elf Yourself 6:00 Christmas Movie in the Lobby all day long!! 7:00 Wheel of Fortune and 7:00 Lawrence Welk

6:00 Berea Baptist Jeopardy! First Day of Hanukkah Christmas Kwanzaa Begins

9:30 Worship Music on 29 9:30 Devotions with 30 9:30 Devotions/Chronicle31 the Radio Pastor Mike 10:30 Dominoes

11:00 Decaf and Daily 10:30 Hand and Foot 11:00 Josie the Dog

Chronicles 2:30 Music and Motion 1:00 Errand Run

1:00 Temple Baptist 3:30 BINGO 3:00 Roaring 20’s NYE

7:00 The Beverly Hillbillies 7:00 Wheel of Fortune and Party

Jeopardy! 7:00 Wheel of Fortune and Windsor Gardens Assisted Living

Jeopardy! New Year’s Eve

Windsor Gardens Assisted Living 5611 Central Avenue Pike Knoxville 37912 865-688-4840