Assisted Living Residences

December 2017 Resident and Family Satisfaction Survey Results

Each year Youville House engages a Excellent/Good category. You rated, consultant organization, My InnerView, “Quality of Life” at 92%, “Billing and to administer a Resident and Family Charges” at 92%, “Quality of Staff” Satisfaction Survey. We do this for several at 91%, “Environmental Quality” reasons. Although we have an open door at 90%, “Quality of Service” at 89%, culture and regularly scheduled forums to and “Dining Experience” at 85%. meet with residents, we want to provide an opportunity for residents and families As always, the leadership at Youville to give us feedback on every aspect of House will be developing the 2018 living at Youville House. In addition, Action Plan focused on achieving your feedback helps us know where we “Excellent” ratings in all areas. Our are doing well, and where to focus our greatest indictor of your satisfaction is the energies as we go forward. number of residents and family members who respond “Excellent” to the statement The survey provided scores on your that they would recommend Youville satisfaction with the quality of life at Place to a friend. For 2017, 66% of Youville House, as well as your residents and family members rated the satisfaction with the quality of services, “Recommendation to Others” statement staff, and surroundings. It also provided as excellent. us with your level of satisfaction with dining services, accuracy of billing Based upon the survey results, the 2018 charges, and general ‘global’ satisfaction. Action Plan will include initiatives to expand other religious services, increase It is very encouraging to all of us at programming opportunities for residents Youville House that the combined on the weekend, improve the variety and surveys (Family and Resident) rated appeal of the food by switching to a five “Global Satisfaction” at 96% in the continued on page 2 Resident and Family Holiday Party Thursday, December 7 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Celebrate the holiday season with family, friends and staff. Survey Results continued from page 1 Community Outings week menu cycle, increase communication to our Lunch Trip: Legal Sea Foods families on operational updates through constant Wednesday, December 13 contact, and develop superior customer service skills for Depart: 11:15 AM all levels of staff. Return: 2:00 PM Cost: $ for lunch Did you know that eating just two servings of fish per Most importantly, we will continue to provide education week can help protect your heart, brain, circulation and for our staff, and show our appreciation for their improve your mood? Be smart, be healthy, and join us dedication throughout the year. for a delicious seafood lunch! Legal Seafoods is the most famous of Boston’s many seafood restaurants and a Thank you for participating in the survey. perfect place to get fresh, high quality “fruits of the sea.”

Sincerely, Trip: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Nicole Breslin, CEO Thursday, December 21 Depart: 12:30 PM Return: 4:00 PM Cost: $12.00 Welcome Dan MacCrae, The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum boasts an Our New Director of Dining Services intimate collection of fine and decorative artworks collected from all corners of the world throughout Ms. On Tuesday, November 21, residents had the Gardner’s life. The building is a stunning 15th-century opportunity to meet with Dan MacRae, who became Venetian-style palace, with three stories of galleries the shared Director of Dining Services for both Youville containing more than 2,500 paintings, sculptures, House and Youville Place, in Lexington. According to tapestries, furniture, manuscripts, rare books and Nicole Breslin, President/CEO of Youville, decorative arts. The galleries contain works by some “Dan’s excellent culinary and leadership skills at of the most recognized artists in the world including Youville Place, along with his previous experience in Titian, Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Raphael, Botticelli, assisted living, supported our decision to bring Dan to Manet, Degas, Whistler and Sargent. The Gardner Youville House in Cambridge.” Museum has long been a popular venue for contem- If you have not yet had a chance to meet Dan, porary artists, musicians and scholars, and continues to be sure to attend the Welcome Tea this month on host events to this day. Thursday, December 14 at 10:15 AM.

Jazz Funnies with Peter Gerler Holiday Meals Friday, December 22 at 2:00 PM Please remember to make meal reservations for your Jazz musicians are not just masters of musical holiday guests. Dining Room reservation forms are improvisation. They are also born comedians. In this available at the Reception desk. multimedia presentation, jazz writer and musician Peter If you are planning to enjoy your Christmas meal with Gerler will share audio and video reels from throughout guests at Youville House, please complete the form in jazz history that capture performers at their witty best. your mailbox and we will reserve a table for you. From Fats Waller and Louis Armstrong to Jerry Lewis We always welcome guests in the Dining Room, and and Groucho Marx, there will be no shortage of laughs encourage families and friends to stay for lunch or dinner in this comprehensive look at the jokey jazz legends of when they visit. Please provide advance notice so we can yesteryear. accommodate all of our residents and guests. 2 Monthly Highlights... Secretaries of State Series with Gary Hylander History of Jazz Series with Ross Petot John Foster Dulles Stride Piano and New Orleans Sunday, December 10 at 2:00 PM Sunday, December 3 at 2:00 PM As President Eisenhower’s Secretary of State, Foster The History of Jazz series covers two centuries of Dulles’ overriding foreign policy objective was to halt the America’s most treasured musical heritage. In his spread of “atheistic Communism.” As a devout upcoming presentation, Ross Petot will trace the Presbyterian, the Cold War was a matter of faith. emergence of stride piano, a style that took ragtime and Dulles threatened both the Soviet Union and China infused it with syncopation and improvisation. With new with “massive retaliation” if they broke the peace. creative freedom, stride pianists shaped a new style that He hoped to achieve a “Pax Americana” for the world. began taking the country by storm. By the end of Dulles’ stewardship at the State Department, the United States was committed to eight Ross Petot is an accomplished jazz pianist as well as a security treaties and the defense of forty-two nations. published composer. He has taught piano and performed Learn more about Dulles’ tenure as Secretary of State for over 30 years, and currently teaches at the All Newton from Professor Gary Hylander, of Bridgewater State Music School. University. Broadway Seated Dance with Phyllis Rittner Steps In Time Tuesday, December 5, 12, 19 & 26 at 9:30 AM Ballroom Dancing with Michael Winward Broadway Seated Dance is a music and dance program Tuesday, December 12 at 2:00 PM for older adults who love the upbeat tunes from movie Have you ever wished you could take ballroom dancing musicals, Broadway and the popular performers dazzling lessons? Now you can! Inspired by the idea that people audiences between the 1930s and 1960s. This program of all ages, levels and abilities should have opportunities includes a gentle warm up, easy-to-follow body to dance, Michael Winward offers social Ballroom and movements and a relaxing cool down. The exercises are Latin dance workshops. He has led classes throughout designed to improve cardiovascular function, range of Greater Boston and witnessed firsthand the many motion, muscle tone, posture, circulation and flexibility. benefits that dancing provides for the “over-55” Be sure to join us on Tuesday mornings! community. Dance encourages good posture, offers low-impact, cardiovascular exercise, and connects people ArtMatters Presents . . . through the skills of leading and following. New York, New York Most importantly, it’s fun! Thursday, December 7 at 2:00 PM There is a long-standing love affair between artists and Dramatic Reading performed by Stephen Collins New York City. The unofficial center of the universe, A Child’s Christmas in Wales and other the hub for immigrants in search of the American Holiday Literature dream and an embarkation point for trips abroad, New Thursday, December 14 at 7:00 PM York’s history, cultural diversity, density and beauty have Actor Stephen Collins returns to Youville for a dramatic inspired and challenged artists for centuries. Learn about reading of holiday inspired literature. He will recite “A art created in New York and artists who came into their Child’s Christmas in Wales,” by Dylan Thomas, “A own in the city that never sleeps. Christmas Story” by William Dean Howells and a selection of Hanukkah stories. In addition to the dramatic readings, Mr. Collins will discuss the literary significance of the stories with residents.

3 December 2017

9:30 Balance Challenge 1 2 10:15 Shopping Trip: Porter Sq. 9:30 Stretch & Flex Parkinson’s Support Group 2:00 Acrylic Painting Class 10:15 Stretch & Flex Transportation Hours Catholic Mass Tuesday, December 19 Personal Training w/ Forever Fit w/ Eddie Bruckner 2:00 Matinee Movie: Monday - Friday Daily at 10:45 AM at 3:00 PM Wednesday, December 13 & 27 3:15 Share Your Story w/ Leah A League of Their Own 8:00 AM- 2:00 PM Dance w/ Parkinson’s at 2:00 PM 7:00 Bonus Bingo w/ Carol 2:00 Bingo w/ Carol Rosary 7:00 Movie: Far From the 7:00 Movie: A League of Their Own Beauty Salon Open Thursday, December 7, 14 & 21 Tuesday at 4:00 PM Madding Crowd 7:15 Movie: Serendipity Wednesday & Friday at 3:00 PM 9:30 Stretch & Flex 9:30 Balance Challenge 4 9:30 Broadway Seated Dance 5 9:30 Stretch & Flex 6 7 9:30 Balance Challenge 8 9 2:00 The History of Jazz Series3 9:30 Yoga w/ Annie Hoffman 10:15 Stretch & Flex 12:45 Shopping Trip: Whole Foods 2:00 Writing Workshop 10:15 Flower Arranging 2:00 An Afternoon of Holiday w/ Pianist Ross Petot 10:15 Meditation w/ Matt 2:00 Matinee Movie: 1:30 CRLS Portrait Art Class w/ Tom Daley 2:00 Forever Fit! Music w/ Dominika & Friends 3:00 Bridge Club 2:00 ArtMatters presents... You Can Count on Me 2:00 Great Courses on DVD: 3:15 Craft Connection 3:00 Nurturing Room 3:15 Share Your Story w/ Leah 7:00 Movie: Sing New York, New York 2:00 Caring Canines Apostolic Fathers w/ Maria 4:00 Rosary 4:00 Happy Hour 7:00 Movie: Groundhog Day 7:15 Movie: A League of 5:00 -7:00 Resident & Family 3:00 Bingo w/ Carol 3:15 Bingo w/ Carol 7:00 Movie: The Wildest! 7:00 Willie’s Movie Pick: 7:15 Willie’s Movie Pick: Their Own Holiday Party 7:00 Movie: You Can Count on Me 7:00 Movie: Serendipity 7:15 Movie: Groundhog Day Forbidden Games Forbidden Games 7:15 Movie: The Parent Trap 7:15 Movie: Sing 7:15 Movie: The Wildest!

2:00 History Lecture: 10 11 12 9:30 Stretch & Flex 13 9:30 Yoga w/ Veronica Wollf 14 9:30 Balance Challenge 15 9:30 Stretch & Flex 9:30 Balance Challenge Hanukkah begins at sundown... 16 Secretaries of State Series: 10:15 Flower Arranging 10:15 Welcome Tea for 10:15 Shopping Trip: Porter Sq. 10:15 Stretch & Flex 12:45 Shopping Trip: Star Market 9:30 Broadway Seated Dance John Foster Dulles 11:15 Lunch Trip: Legal Sea Foods Dan MacRae 2:00 Drumming Circle 2:00 Matinee Movie: One Flew Over 2:00 Great Courses on DVD: 2:00 Ballroom Dancing w/ Gary Hylander 2:00 World Views w/ Herb P. 2:00 St. Paul’s Choir School w/ SoulWorks Rhythm the Cuckoo’s Nest Apostolic Fathers w/ Maria w/ Michael Winward 3:00 Bridge Club 3:00 Nurturing Room 3:15 Winter Brews 3:15 Share Your Story w/ Leah 2:00 Bingo w/ Carol 3:15 Bingo w/ Carol 3:15 Craft Connection 7:00 Chamber Music 4:00 Happy Hour & Holiday Trivia 7:00 Bonus Bingo w/ Carol 7:00 Movie: One Flew Over 7:00 Movie: Chicago 4:00 Rosary Masterpieces 7:00 Celebrate Hanukkah 7:00 A Child’s Christmas in Wales 7:00 Movie: Shall We Dance the Cuckoo’s Nest 7:15 Movie: The Notebook 7:00 Movie: The Notebook w/ the Bloom/Leighton Duo w/ Vocalist Mena Levit w/ Character Actor 7:15 Movie: Shall We Dance 7:15 Movie: Chicago Stephen Collins 9:30 Broadway Seated Dance 9:30 Stretch & Flex Winter begins... 9:30 Stretch & Flex 17 9:30 Balance Challenge 18 19 20 21 9:30 Balance Challenge 23 2:00 Classical Pianist Rick Scalise 10:15 Food Forum 10:15 Flower Arranging 9:30 Yoga w/ Annie Hoffman 22 10:15 Stretch & Flex 10:15 Programs Planning Mtg. 10:15 Shopping Trip: Target 3:00 Bridge Club 2:00 Writing Workshop w/ Tom 2:00 Forever Fit! 12:30 Trip: Isabella Stewart 2:00 Matinee Movie: It Happened on 12:45 Shopping Trip: Trader Joe’s 2:00 Jazz Funnies w/ Peter Gerler 7:00 Movie: For Whom the 3:15 Book Review w/ Janet 3:00 Nurturing Room Gardner Museum 5th Avenue 2:00 Great Courses on DVD: 3:15 Craft Connection Bell Tolls 4:00 Rosary 4:00 Happy Hour 3:15 Winter Brews 2:00 Bingo w/ Carol Apostolic Fathers w/ Maria 7:00 Movie: It Happened on 7:15 Movie: One Flew Over 7:00 Holiday Concert 5:30 Trip: Holiday Lights Ride 7:00 Movie: The Miracle Worker 7:00 Movie: A Christmas Carol 3:15 Bingo w/ Carol 5th Avenue the Cuckoo’s Nest w/ Pianist Nancy Day & 7:00 Willie’s Movie Pick: 7:15 Willie’s Movie Pick: 7:15 Movie: It Happened on 7:00 Songs by Roy 7:15 Movie: The Miracle Worker Drummer John Georges Petrified Forest Petrified Forest 5th Avenue 7:15 Movie: For Whom the Bell... 2:00 Matinee Movie: Holiday Inn 9:30 Stretch & Flex 27 28 25 26 9:30 Yoga w/ Veronica Wollf 29 9:30 Stretch & Flex 30 3:00 Bridge Club 9:30 Broadway Seated Dance 10:15 Flower Arranging 9:30 Balance Challenge 24 Merry Christmas 10:00 Nurse’s Chat 10:15 Stretch & Flex 7:00 Movie: Holiday Inn 2:00 December Jeopardy Trivia 2:00 The History of Western 10:15 Shopping Trip: Assembly Sq. 2:30 Celebrate Christmas 2:00 Resident Management Mtg. 2:00 Matinee Movie: 7:15 Movie: Must Love Dogs 3:15 Improv Storytelling Philosophy w/ Jason Gianetti 2:30 Welcome New Residents w/ Pianist Neil Green 3:15 Winter Brews A Late Quartet 4:00 Rosary 3:00 Nurturing Room at AfternoonTea 7:00 Movie: Must Love Dogs 7:00 Movie: The Iron Lady 2:00 Bingo w/ Carol 2:00 Matinee Movie: Ida 31 7:00 Movie: Ida 4:00 Happy Hour 7:00 Bonus Bingo w/ Carol 7:15 Movie: A Chistmas Carol 7:15 Willie’s Pick Movie: 7:00 Movie: A Late Quartet 3:00 Bridge Club 7:15 Movie: Das Boot 7:00 Willie’s Movie Pick: 7:00 Movie: Das Boot 7:00 Ring in the New Year Sundays & Cybele 7:15 Movie: Ida Sundays & Cybele w/ Norton Zieff Trio 7:15 Movie: The Conspirator Adding Up “The Twelve Days of Christmas” Holiday Concerts For most of us, the holidays are a hectic time of year. We Holiday Music with Dominika & Friends scramble to complete shopping, to mail gifts, to arrange Tuesday, December 8 at 2:00 PM family visits, to attend holiday parties and try our best Ji Eun “Dominika” Hwang, a local performer, composer, not to leave out anything or anyone. It is a time of year producer and her friends Leah Hinton and Calvin that can easily become as bewildering as it is delightful. Limuel will perform jazz and classical renditions of The beloved Christmas carol, “The Twelve Days of holiday favorites. Expect to hear their inspired takes on Sleigh Ride, O Come all ye Faithful, Have Yourself a Merry Christmas” – sung every year at the Youville Resident and Christmas, The First Noel, O Holy Night, Silent Night Family Christmas party – perfectly captures this spirit joyful chaos. Though few of us can keep up with the and more. Enjoy a wonderful time of music with voice, pace of the song, or remember when to sing our part, violin, and piano. the fact that we are singing it together more than makes St. Paul’s Choir School Performs up for the confusion. We reinforce one another, laugh Thursday, December 14 at 2:00 PM off each other’s mistakes, and ultimately have fun getting The only Catholic boys’ choir in the United States, the through the song. St. Paul’s Choir School performs music from a variety Beyond fostering a spirit of togetherness in the face of of periods and cultures in this celebration of Christmas festive chaos, the difficult-to-remember gifts in the song faith and joy. The choir is comprised of students in raise an important question: how is the True Love able to full-time study, grades five through eight. They are not to afford everything? be missed! Holiday Special with Nancy Day & John Georges If you have ever found yourself puzzling over the Tuesday, December 19 at 7:00 PM seemingly limitless resources of the True Love, you are not alone! One financial institution in Pennsylvania An accomplished pianist, singer and composer, Nancy has performed the inestimable service of calculating the Day consistently thrills audiences with her dynamic monetary value of the gifts, calling it the Christmas Price performances and infectious optimism. Her vocals have Index. PNC Bank has tracked the Christmas Price Index been described as “soaring with emotional brilliance” and (CPI) since 1984. This year, the CPI values the Twelve her piano playing as “strong, clear and decisive.” This Gifts as follows: month, Day teams up with drummer John Georges for a special holiday performance! .Georges’ style has been A partridge in a pear tree ($219.95), two turtle doves ranked with the likes of Stan Kenton and Buddy Rich. ($375), three French hens ($181.50), four calling birds Together, the two will perform a selection of popular ($599.96), five golden rings ($825.00), six geese-a-laying Christmas songs, carols and more, along with their usual ($360.00), seven swans-a-swimming ($13,125.00), cross-genre mixing of jazz, ragtime, musical theater, eight maids-a-milking ($58.00 - paid in wages), nine country and enchanting love songs. ladies dancing ($7,552.84 - paid in wages), ten lords-a- leaping ($5,618.90 - paid in wages), eleven pipers piping Merry Christmas! ($2,708.40 - wages) and twelve drummers drumming Celebrate with Pianist Neil Green ($2,934.10). The sum total, i.e. the CPI for 2017, comes Thursday, December 25 at 2:30 PM to $34,558.65. However, the “True Price of Christmas Enjoy a wonderful concert following the Christmas meal. in Song,” which takes into account the repetitions of every gift over all twelve verses, comes to an astounding $157,558.

Keep these numbers in mind next time you sing “The Twelve Days of Christmas!” 6 Grow as a Person Opportunities this Month Shopping Trips Acrylic Painting Class Porter Square with Eddie Bruckner Friday, December 1 & 15 Friday, December 1 at 2:00 PM Time: 10:15 AM Return: 12:00 PM This 1.5 hour class will guide participants through a traditional landscape painting. Whole Foods Working with acrylic paints, instructor Monday, December 4 Eddie Bruckner will demonstrate different techniques Time: 12:45 PM Return: 2:00 PM during hands-on painting such as the preparation of materials, color mixing and specific brush techniques. Star Market Monday, December 11 Writing Workshop with Tom Daley Time: 12:45 PM Return: 2:00 PM Tuesday, December 5 & 19 at 2:00 PM Award-winning poet and local writing instructor Tom Trader Joe’s Daley returns to Youville to lead two memoir-writing Monday, December 18 workshops. Experienced and/or aspiring writers are Time: 12:45 PM Return: 2:00 PM encouraged to join! Mr. Daley will lead participants through a series of in-class prompts to help set a scene Target and stimulate the imagination and memory. If you were Friday, December 22 present at previous classes, this is a great opportunity to Time: 10:15 AM Return: 12:00 PM build on or add to your writing. Target Philosophy Lecture Series with Jason Giannetti Friday, December 29 Lecture III: Modern Philosophy Time: 10:15 AM Return: 12:00 PM Wednesday, December 27 at 2:00 PM Professor Jason Giannetti will explain how key events such as the Lisbon earthquake, the rebirth of classical Celebrate Hanukkah with Vocalist Mena Levit learning in Europe and new scientific discoveries led Wednesday, December 13 at 7:00 PM to the collapse of the medieval world view. In its place, Join Mena Levit, internationally renowned vocalist, modern philosophical ideas emerged from thinkers like for a special performance in celebration of Hanukkah. Voltaire, Descartes, Hume and Kant. Levit has performed throughout the world in a variety of operatic roles. She has sung leading roles in musical Professor Giannetti received his B.A. degree from Bing- theater productions such as Fiddler on the Roof, Les hamton University, a Master’s of Theological Studies Miserables, Cabare, Titanic and more. In addition to an from Harvard School of Divinity and a Master’s of Near extensive performing schedule, Ms. Levit runs her own Eastern and Judaic Studies from Brandeis University. He vocal art studio and teaches voice at the Instrumental holds a Juris Doctor degree from Boston College. Music School in Concord.

“Like” us on Facebook Ring in the New Year Visit our Facebook page any time for updates, photos, Norton Zieff Trio videos and more. When you “like” us on Facebook, we Sunday, December 31 at 7:00 PM will send you updates and links to our most recent news. There is no better way to celebrate Ring in the New Just search for Youville Assisted Living on Facebook and Year with jazz musicians Norton Zieff, Ray DeMarco click “like.” See you on the web! and George Blodgett. The trio will play favorites from Gershwin, Porter and more. 7 December Meetings Car/Van Transportation Programs Planning Meeting Monday through Friday w/ Director of Programs, Katie Blanchard 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM Monday, December 18 at 10:15 AM Please submit your requests for transportation to the Reception Desk forty-eight hours before the date of your Food Forum appointment. Requests with less than forty-eight hours w/ Director of Dining Services, Dan MacRae notice will be accommodated whenever possible, but not Tuesday, December 19 at 10:15 AM guaranteed. Nurse’s Chat The fee for transportation is $10.00 for Cambridge and w/ Director of Wellness, Lydia Kirunda $20.00 for surrounding communities. As always, we will Thursday, December 28 at 10:00 AM do our best to meet your needs. If you have any Resident Management Meeting questions, feel free to stop by or call. w/ Youville Directors Katie Blanchard, Director of Programs Thursday, December 28 at 2:00 PM

Meal Times Shopping Requests Main Dining Room Youville offers concierge service for your shopping needs Breakfast on Mondays and Fridays. Shopping forms are available at 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM the Reception desk. A surcharge of $5.00 will be charged for requests exceeding five items. Lunch First Seating - 11:30 AM Second Seating - 12:45 PM Dinner Youville House Management Team First Seating - 4:30 PM Nicole Breslin CEO/President Second Seating - 5:45 PM Joanne Scianna COO Lydia Kirunda Director of Wellness Katie Blanchard Director of Programs Programs / Menu Hotline... Yanira Motto Director of Marketing Hear a recorded list of the daily programs and the menu Bruce Jordan Director of Environmental for lunch and dinner at Youville House. Simply call Services (857) 253-2024 directly or call the Reception Desk and Virginia Ellis Director of Community Life the receptionist will connect you. Dan MacRae Director of Dining Services Maria Benoit Director of Mission & Spiritual Care Tom Landry Director of Human Resources Regional Controller Catholic Mass Paula Desmond-Wallace Ildiko Szabo Community Life Coordinator Monthly schedule posted in lobby Get fit. Stay sharp. Age well.©

December 2017 Christmas in the Making While it may not command the same level of veneration as Easter, Christmas has profound personal significance for those who have spent their lives celebrating it. The customs of gift-giving, family togetherness and seasonal charity touch us on an individual level. They harken to our unique family stories and charitable interests. In this way, the celebration of Christ’s birth and its accompanying customs have always been uniquely attuned to our inner selves, changing with us as we change, aging with us as we age, with memories of past celebrations accumulating behind us.

Unlike Easter, whose celebration can be traced to the earliest Jewish followers of Christ on Passover, the Christmas holiday began much later in 4th century Rome, during the reign of Constantine. Constantine became the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity. The date of Christmas may have been chosen to coincide with the pagan solstice festival known as Saturnalia, a weeklong period that involved gift-giving, acts of charity, role-swapping, and games. Constantine likely reasoned that the Romans would acclimate to Christmas if it coincided with customs that had already been established.

Though the coexistence of pagan customs with Christian tradition would later pose problems for the Puritans, the early Church Father Pope Gregory supported this. In an article by Andrew McGowan, a professor at Yale’s Divinity School, Pope Gregory is said to have “recommended that local pagan temples not be destroyed but be converted into churches, and that pagan festivals be celebrated as feasts of Christian martyrs. At this late point, Christmas may well have acquired some pagan trappings.” Physical The Puritans in New England could find no basis for celebrating Christmas in the bible, and opposed what they viewed as a set of wicked, pagan rituals. They officially outlawed the holiday in 1659. For over twenty years, the open celebration of Christmas in Boston including activities Cognitive such as “feasting” would result in a fine of five shillings. Shops and businesses in New England were required to remain open on Christmas Day, and a town crier would march through the streets shouting “No Christmas! No Christmas!”

Nutritional The 1843 publication of A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens brought about a profound change in the way Christmas was viewed, recasting the holiday as an occasion for personal transformation. For the first time ever kindness and hospitality were linked with the Christmas

Spiritual continued Spirit. Even the phrase “Merry Christmas!” was coined by one of Dickens’ characters. We’re all familiar with Ebeneezer Scrooge, the solitary, ill-tem- pered miser who receives visits from the ghosts of Christmas Past, Christ- © mas Present and Christmas Yet To Come. Get fit. Stay sharp. Age well.

His journey through time reveals the pitiful legacy he will leave behind if he Balance Challenge does not reform his ways. The misanthropic, cold-hearted Scrooge learns to Broadway Seated Dance see Christmas as an opportunity to welcome others into his life and salvage Stretch & Flex his relationships. Scrooge is granted a new lease on life through the Yoga w/ Veronica Wolff Christmas spirit. Yoga w/ Annie Hoffman The story’s focus on togetherness, family and hospitality has influenced the way we celebrate Christmas in the modern era. It is also a deeply personal Apples are extremely rich in important story, in which Scrooge’s inner fears, lost opportunities and personal antioxidants, flavanoids and dietary fiber. Antioxidants can help prevent shortcomings are probed at great lengths by the Christmas ghosts. hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and The earliest readers of A Christmas Carol were deeply moved by this some forms of cancer. message. Thomas Carlyle was inspired to throw a pair of large holiday feasts after reading the story. After attending a public reading of the story in Boston on Christmas Eve in 1867, one factory owner decided to close Catholic Mass down his factory on Christmas Day and send turkeys to all of his workers. Great Courses on DVD Series: Countless others have responded to Scrooge’s transformation with The Apostolic Fathers spontaneous acts of generosity.

Most of us have an idealized notion of how we should celebrate Christmas ArtMatters Presents . . . New York, New York – with specific people, in a specific place, according to specific customs that A Child’s Christmas in Wales we have observed throughout the course of our lives. Some of these customs w/ Acto r Stephen Collins and people might date back to childhood. Others we might have adopted History of Western Philosophy Series later on in life, as family circumstances evolved. Because life is so fluid, w/ Prof. Jason Giannetti so too is the annual celebration of Christmas. The older we become, the Secretaries of State Series: differences between our past and present Christmases can be as jarring as John Foster Dulles Scrooge’s journey through time. w/ Prof. Gary Hylander Acrylic Painting Class w/ Eddie Bruckner If you have ever found yourself feeling that the holidays fell short of your St. Paul’s Choir School Performs expectations, remember that Christmas has always been what we make of it. Steps in Time: Ballroom Dancing Then as now, the holidays respond to our present circumstances. Even w/ Michael Winward centuries of tradition and sacred values seem poised and ready to adjust to History of Jazz w/ Pianist Ross Petot our small human lives, meeting us in the present moment, so long as we Resident & Family Holiday Party continue to open ourselves to celebrating them.

Assisted Living Residences Youville House • 1573 Cambridge Street • Cambridge, MA 02138 • 617.491.1234 Youville Place • 10 Pelham Road • Lexington, MA 02421 • 781.861.3535 • www.youvilleassistedliving.org