February 2013

Emeritus at Bellevue

15241 NE 20th StBellevue, WA 98007

Telephone: (425) 401-0300

STAFF DIRECTORYExecutive Director

Smitty WileyCommunity Relations Directors

Mary WatkinsResident Care Director

Roxanne HornBusiness Office Director

Maloy BonifacioDining Service Director

James WhiteWellness Coordinators

Jo SuarezLaura Santiago

Memory Care DirectorSheila Marzittie

Maintenance DirectorSteve Wood

Life Enrichment DirectorAnn Allen

February Birthdays!!Happy birthday to Fanny Reed,

Mary Jo Ward, Gary McGill, JeanMaher, Myron Doxon, JoanMorrison, Pauline Lawson, ArleneEngland, James Walker, RobHamilton, Claire Tompos, EmmyKnemeyer, Bernice Kilpatrick andChuck Konigsberg!

FEBRUARY IS HERE!It is easy to think of February

as a mellow time of year whenwinter is still with us, and wespend our leisure time snuggledin front of the fire with hotcocoa. But in actuality, Februaryis full of opportunities to havefun and reflect what isimportant.

First there is the whimsicaltradition of Groundhog Daywhich is followed with SuperBowl Sunday! Then there is AshWednesday, Valentine’s Day,Chinese New Year, Mardi Gras,President’s Day and Flag Day(Mexico)! And don’t forgetabout the Oscars!! February isalso Black History Month andHeart Health Awareness Month.WHEW!

The activity department isgeared up to recognize andcelebrate all of these eclecticoccasions! The question is—are

you up for the challenge?This month marks my one

year anniversary as your LifeEnrichment Director. Thank youfor such a wonderful year filledwith laughter, encouragement,joy, awe and wisdom!

I remember stating last year atmy first social, which happenedto be Valentine’s Day, that a yearfrom then I would look backand remember being warmlywelcomed and surrounded by somuch love. Over the past year,this love and support has grownso much larger than I could haveever expected, and I am honoredto continue serving you all formany more years to come!

Best,Ann Allen

Have a Safe Winter Season From Emeritus at Bellevue

Behind the BubbleGum-chewing has been a

popular activity for thousands ofyears; ancient Greeks, Mayansand American Indians chewedtree resin to help clean andfreshen their mouths. Modernchewing gum products weredeveloped by the late 1860s, butinventors still searched for a wayto create a gum withbubble-blowing power.

In 1928, Walter Diemer, anaccountant for Fleer ChewingGum Company, accidentallydiscovered the formula forbubblegum while experimentingin the company’s lab. Fleermarketed this new gum as“Dubble Bubble,” a brand thatremains popular today.

Diemer’s first bubblegum waspink, because that was the onlyfood dye available at the factory.Pink is still used as the standardbubblegum color.

In the 1930s, companiesstarted inserting trading cardsinto bubblegum packages. Thecards featured images of warheroes, Wild West figures andprofessional athletes. Baseballcards introduced by The ToppsCompany in the 1950s becamepopular collectors’ items forsports fans of all ages.

In addition to sweeteningone’s breath, chewingbubblegum can relieve stressand improve concentration. Thenext time you’re feelingoverwhelmed, reach for yourfavorite flavor to help focus yourmind on the task at hand.

Protect Yourself inChilly Weather

As we age, our bodies becomeless resistant to the elements andcold temperatures. Hypothermiaand frostbite are seriousconcerns for seniors. If you gooutside, layer your clothing andcover as much skin as possible.Add a hat to keep body heatfrom escaping, and limit yourtime outside.

American Heart MonthSupports Healthier Lives

Cardiovascular diseases areour nation’s No. 1 killer. DuringFebruary’s American HeartMonth, thousands of volunteersfor the American HeartAssociation raise funds forresearch and education. To getinvolved or learn more aboutheart disease and stroke, visitwww.AmericanHeart.org.

The Big GameSome ignore the commercials.

Some watch nothing but. Nomatter your reason, tune in tothe Super Bowl this year.

Postage Stamp HonorHarriet Tubman, who helped

others escape slavery, was thefirst African-American womanhonored on a U.S. postagestamp on Feb. 1, 1978.

Word for February: FrigidThe chill in the air can chill

you to the bone with February’s“frigid” temperatures. Definedby www.M-W.com as “intenselycold and lacking warmth,” it’sno wonder people play indoorsthis month. Fight off winter’sfrigid frost with a steaming bowlof soup or chili or a mug of hotcocoa. Or simply cozy up to thatspecial someone and snuggleduring February’s month of love.

The Presidential PalaceFor more than 200 years, the

White House has been a symbolof U.S. leadership. Constructionbegan at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.in 1792 under the supervision ofPresident George Washington,but he never lived there. Itwasn’t until 1800, when JohnAdams was president, that theWhite House had occupants.

Throughout the years, theWhite House has survived fires,restorations, renovations andadditions. As we honor ourcommanders in chief thisPresidents’ Day, check out thesefun facts about their historichome:

Sturdy surface. The exteriorstone walls of the White Houseare the original walls built whenthe White House was firstconstructed.

Hide and seek. There are 132rooms with 412 doors and 35bathrooms on six levels in theWhite House. In case you getlost, there are three elevatorsand eight staircases to help youfind your way.

Quick touch-up. To cover theentire outside surface of theWhite House, it would take 570gallons of paint.

All work and no play. A lot ofimportant business takes placein the White House, butpresidents need to have fun, too.The White House has a tenniscourt, jogging track, swimmingpool, movie theater and bowlinglane.

Laugh Lines: RiddledWith Romance

Q. What did the valentinecard say to the stamp?

A. Stick with me and we’llgo places.

Q. What did the octopus sayto his valentine?

A. I want to hold your hand,hand, hand, hand, hand, hand,hand, hand.

Q. Why did the banana goout with the prune?

A. Because it couldn’t geta date.

Q. What did the snake givehis valentine?

A. A hug and a hiss.Q. What is a ram’s favorite

love song?A. “I Only Have Eyes for

Ewe.”Q. What do squirrels give for

Valentine’s Day?A. Forget-me-nuts.

Picture Perfect DisplayPhotographs, whether taken

in a professional studio or withyour own camera, are a greatway to preserve specialmemories. However, it’s hard torelive those memories whenyour pictures are stashed in abox or cluttering up yourcomputer’s hard drive. Use thesedisplay ideas so you can enjoyyour photos every day.

Frame and hang. A frame is allyou need to turn a photo intoart. Go the classic route withmatching frames and mats, ormix styles and colors thatcomplement each other. Arrangewith mirrors or other artwork foran eclectic look.

Let your shelves shine. Settingframed pictures on shelves addsdimension. For variety, trydifferent sizes of frames, andadd flowers, books or otherknickknacks.

Line ’em up. Hang wire orstring behind a large, emptyframe or along the wall, then useclothespins or other decorativeclips to hang photos. Thisarrangement is ideal forchanging out images throughoutthe year.

Search the supply closet.Clipboards are another creativeway to refresh photos on aregular basis. Leave the boardstheir natural color or dress themup with decorative paper, thenclip in photos and hang theclipboards or prop them againsta wall.