APRIL RUNNER April 2021 “The roofs are shining from the rain. The sparrows tritter as they fly, and with a windy April grace the little clouds go by.” ~ Sara Teasdale Animal of the Month – Cat Special Days The domestic cat, oftenreferred to as a house cat, is part of April Fools’Day the feline family, Felidae. Cats April 1 share over 95% of their DNA Good Friday with tigers. They first became April 2 pets in ancient Egypt around 7500 BC and in Cyprus around Easter 9500 BC. April 4 Last Day of Passover Today, the world is home to The only other animals to walk April 4 over 500 million domestic cats. this way are giraffes and camels. These carnivorous mammals Tax Day sleep an average of 12 to 16 Cats are known for being feisty, April 15 hours a day, can run up to 30 independent, and landing on their miles per hour, and live on a feet—hence the belief that they Earth Day diet of small critters, such as have nine lives, which explains April 22 birds, rats, and mice—unless why they symbolize rebirth. Black Arbor Day they are eating a bowl of cat cats are thought to be magical April 30 food. Cats walk by moving the and/or bad luck, while legend has two legs on each side at once. it that white cats bring good fortune. Flower – Daisy Birthstone – Diamond April’s flower is the daisy, one of the The birthstone for April is the oldest and best-known English diamond. For centuries, this stone flowers. It retains its Anglo-Saxon has signified romance, intrigue, name, “day’s eye,” because of its power, greed, and magic. In the appearance and the fact that it closes Middle Ages, it was used to cure according to the amount of available headaches and to create love sunshine. According to legend, the potions. Today, it symbolizes everlasting love. first daisy appeared when a young Formed nearly 100 miles beneath Earth’s surface nymph turned herself into one to in temperatures that exceed 2700˚F, the diamond avoid unwanted attention. Thus, the flower has is the world’s hardest naturally occurring come to symbolize modesty, chastity, and substance. It is also the purest of all gemstones, innocence. The daisy is also used to tell if “he composed completely from crystallized carbon. loves me” or “loves me not” by pulling off the Its name comes from the Greek word adamas, petals one-by-one. which means “unconquerable.” Monthly Gazette April 2021 Birthday Colors April Weather Lore April 1–7: Blue April 17–23: Green We all know April showers bring If your birthday color is blue, You make friends easily and are May flowers, but have you heard you have strong feelings about often the person people go to for of these April weather sayings? almost everything. Other advice or a shoulder to cry people might say you are on. You are intuitive and • Cloudy April, dewy May opinionated but also tend to caring but often put The louder the frog, the see you as a leader. You love yourself last. You have an • more the rain your life but seek to improve it. adventurous spirit but also enjoy the comforts of home • Moist April, clear June April 8–16: Silver and a familiar routine. Those with a birthday color of April 24–30: White silver are creative, sensitive,and Although you are highly respected, April Zodiacs imaginative. You like to try new most people think of you asbeing Aries (The Ram) things and do the unexpected. a little unusual—in a good way. April 1–19 You can be shy, but you like to You set goals, go after them with challenge yourself. You enjoy abandon, and like to dream big. Taurus (The Bull) the chase, and in love, you You are always prepared and April 20–30 are attracted to a romantic rarely surprised by what comes partner who loves adventure. your way, but do love a mystery. April is the fourth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar. It was originally the second month of the Roman calendar, before the addition of January and February. No one knows for sure how April got its name. Some say it comes from the Latin aperire, meaning “to open,” alluding to the opening of buds in springtime. Others sayApril was named afterAphrodite, and still others say it was named for the goddess Eostre. Whatever the case, the onset of April means that spring has arrived. Easter & April April Birthdays Have you ever wondered why Easter isn’t Wayne Newton (entertainer) –April 3, 1942 always in April? The holiday falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring Maya Angelou (writer) – April 4, 1928 equinox. (The first full moon after the equinox Bette Davis (actress) – April 5, 1908 was March 28 this year.) Thousands of years Billie Holiday (singer) – April 7, 1915 ago, Christians would often make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land to celebrate Easter. Most Sonja Henie (ice skater) – April 8, 1912 traveled by foot, and they needed a light in the Joseph Pulitzer (journalist) – April 10, 1847 darkness of night to guide them as they walked. Tom Clancy (writer) – April 12, 1947 Thus, the holiday’s date was set to follow and Wilbur Wright (aviator) – April 16, 1867 center around the full moon. Elizabeth II (queen) – April 21, 1926 What’s Lucky in April? Charles Grodin (actor) – April 21, 1935 Lucky Color: Orange Shirley Temple (actress) – April 23, 1928 Lucky Animal: Fox Al Pacino (actor) – April 25, 1940 Lucky Letter: H Lucky Day: Saturday Harper Lee (writer) – April 28, 1926 Lucky Plant: Snapdragons Duke Ellington (composer) – April 29, 1899 Page 2 EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS EDITION April 2021 Happy Spring! I am happy to report that another COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic was held here at Paul’s Run on March 21. The final Clinic will be April 11, for 2nd dose only, for those who received their 1st dose on March 21. Remember the full efficacy of the vaccination takes two weeks after receiving the 2nd dose. We still need to be mindful of physical/social distancing and wearing a mask around others. Some of the restrictions for Independent Living have been lifted: - The Salon is now open, by appointment only. Call Anne at 215-934-3055 - The Liberty Grille is open for take-out - We hope to be resuming In-person dining in the dining room in the very near future. We will keep you updated. - The Gym is open, by appointment only. Call Kate P at 215-934-3066 - Community Life has resumed in-person activities in small groups. Sign- up is required. - Spiritual Life in-person Prayers for Peace and Chaplain’s Chat have resumed but will continue on Channel 97 as well. Thank you for your continued cooperation. Sincerely, William R. Hines Executive Director Page 4 MUSIC THERAPY NOTES April 2021 Hello everyone! My name is Tommy Licato and I am the new Music Therapy Intern here at Paul’s Run. I am currently wrapping up my undergraduate degree at Temple University. Part of my training involves doing a 6 month clinical internship. A music therapy internship is similar to student teaching, for those who are familiar. I began last month observing and getting my feet wet, before I start leading programming on my own. I will complete my internship here in August and will then be able to graduate. During my internship I have the privilege of working with Molly. I grew up a little over an hour in the suburbs outside of Philly, in New Jersey. Since I began studying music therapy I have spent most of my time living in North Philadelphia. I have a background in advocacy and social justice work. In my spare time I enjoy exploring the city and facilitating dialogues in presentations. My taste in music is eclectic, ranging from Broadway show tunes to R&B and Pop music. I also enjoy being introduced to music I haven’t heard before from all genres. Unlike an entertainer I get to share a musical experience with you whether you are making music or just listening. I am a firm believer we are all musical beings and have our own connection to music. I have been lucky enough to make music with and get to know some of you, and am so grateful to Molly and Paul’s Run for giving me the opportunity to be in person with you all. I am excited to make music with the wonderful residents in the Paul’s Run community. Musically, - Tommy Page 5 RESIDENT MONTHLY ARTICLES April 2021 April 2021 By: Ed Scully When the month of April comes around we all seem to feel that Spring is really here and we do not mind the showers that help to bring May flowers. Some of our residents quite vividly remember this person who may be called the announcer of this joyous happening: Al Jolson who is always recalled with "April Showers". Al Jolson, born in 1886, was a Lithuanian-born American singer, comedian, and actor. Jolson rose through the ranks of vaudeville also as a comedian, "The World's Greatest Entertainer who starred in the first all-sound movie: "The Jazz Singer”. One of his greatest songs is "April Showers" which is presented below: When April showers may come your way They bring the flowers that bloom in May So when it's raining, have no regrets Because it isn't raining rain you know It's raining violets And when you see clouds up on a hill You know they'll bring crowds of daffodils So just keep looking for a bluebird And listening for his song Whenever April showers come along Now that the month of April is here, this "Begin the Day with Friendliness" fits.