Blog

The residents enjoyed a fiesta on May 5. Wendy did it again, making a festive meal to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

On April 24, the residents of Columbia Cottage celebrated Wendy's 60 birthday. Wendy has been our cottage chef for many years and plans the resident's monthly birthday bash.   Our residents were able to give back to Wendy the love she shows each of them daily through her outstanding cooking and decadent desserts.

1909 Spokane Washington, a woman named Sonora Smart Dodd, whose father was a Civil War veteran, raise her and her five siblings after her mother dies in childbirth.  The idea came to her in 1909 while attending a Mother’s Day sermon in church. She thought her father should have a similar church service to honor her father.  She went to local churches, the YMCA, and shopkeepers to drum up support for her idea.  Local religious leaders supported the idea, so she was successful: Washington state celebrated the nation’s first statewide Father's Day on June 19th, 1910, because her father’s birthday was in June.  In 1924 U.S. President Calvin Coolidge gave his support to the observation and in 1966 President Lyndon B Johnson issued A proclamation that recognized the day, and it became a national holiday in 1972 when President Richard Nixon signed legislation designated the third Sunday of June as Father's Day. It was originally largely a religious holiday; Father's Day has been commercialized with sending greeting cards and giving gifts.  Some observe the custom of wearing a red rose to indicate that one's father is living or a White Rose to indicate that he is deceased. Other males for example grandfathers or uncles who have assumed parenting roles have also often been honored on the same day this year we celebrate Father's Day on June 16th, 2024. It's almost like Father's Day is half Mother's Day because of its origin and start now here's a good question who remembers how Mother's Day started? Here's a hint North and South. So have fun remembering your father's and try to remember the origin of Mother's Day.

April 10 was National Farm Animal Day.  Wendy decided it would be fun to celebrate this day by making farm animal cupcakes.  Dottie and few of our lady residents had a great time piping the icing and decorating to make the cutest farm animals.

Creatures Great and Small once again came with their animals to entertain our residents.  Naomi Nell enjoyed holding the soft bunny rabbit.

Dear Residents, As we fully embrace the heart of spring this May, let's take a moment to appreciate the beauty and renewal surrounding us. Spring is not just a season; it promises new beginnings and vibrant days ahead. May is the perfect representation of this spirit. Nature's Palette: With flowers in full bloom and the greenery reaching its lush peak, May invites us to enjoy the outdoors. Our garden is a riot of colors, from the bold tulips to the delicate cherry blossoms, each contributing to spring's tapestry. Celebrating Together: May is rich with days to celebrate, from Cinco de Mayo's joyous echoes to the reflective Memorial Day commemoration. Each of these days brings us together in spirit and action, reminding us of the diverse tapestry of histories and cultures we share and honor. Health and Harmony: As May is also Mental Health Awareness Month, it's a poignant reminder of the importance of caring for our mental and physical health. Let's continue supporting each other by sharing a conversation over a cup of tea or participating in our wellness programs. As we move through May, let us take every opportunity to engage with nature, each other, and the activities that fill us with joy and purpose. Here's to a magnificent May full of life, laughter, and communal spirit! Warm regards, Deena

On February 27, we celebrated Lucille Carr’s 99 th Birthday Lucille was born February 27, 1925, in Hazelton, PA, to Howard and Carrie Fritzinger. She was given no middle name and often joked about being named after an obituary listing in the local newspaper. Lucille had 3 sisters and 1 brother;  Lucille’s mother died when Lucille was young and was raised by her father. The family moved to Trenton, NJ, when Lucille was a teenager. She graduated from Hamilton High School in 1943. She went to school with her future husband, Jack, but never met him until her brother Fritz met Jack in NYC, where they served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. After Jack returned from Europe and was stationed in California, he worked at setting pins at a bowling alley to save for an engagement ring for Lucille. Lucille and Jack were married September 14,1946, and remained so for almost 75 years until Jack passed in 2021. Lucille and Jack enjoyed camping and traveled to nearly every state in the U.S. with their pup Frostie. They moved to PA in 2001 and then spent their winters as snowbirds at their 2 nd home in Florida. Lucille has always enjoyed crafting, Bingo, slot machines, NASCAR, and most sports on T.V. In her 80s, she became an avid reader and word search enthusiast. Lucille was a stay-at-home mom and homemaker and is affectionately called “MOM MOM” to her immediate family… including her son John, daughter and son-in-law Lynda and Joe, 4 grandson Shawn, Justyn, Michael, and Matthew and 1 great granddaughter Syndee. Lucille became a part of the Columbia Cottage family in August 2022.

Step on a crack and you'll break your Mother's back This rhyme is believed to have originated in England in the 19 th century and was used to teach children to be careful when walking on uneven sidewalks. A Black cat crossing your path is unlucky. Traced back to medievel Europe, black cats were associated with witches and superstitions. Crossing paths with one was believd to bring bad luck. Find a four leaf clover for good luck Celtic folklore believed that finding a four leaf clover could ward off evil spirits. The rarity of the cloud added to its mystical properties. Throwing spilled salt over your left shoulder Traced back to ancient times when salt was a precious commodity, throwing it over the left shoulder is believed to ward off evil spirits. Don't sweep at night. You'll sweep away your wealth. Rooted in practicality, sweeping at night in the past could lead to the loss of valuable items in low light. Knock on wood for good luck The ancient belief that spirits resided in trees, knocking on wood was a way to seek protection or express gratitude.

Mike from our Maintenance department would like to remind all families to please not use extension cords unless they are surge-protected.  Also, you do not need to bring in light bulbs for your loved one's lamps.  We need to be careful that the light bulb is the correct wattage.  These concerns are considered fire hazards.  You can direct questions to Deena or Mike.

We had a large group gathering, enjoying some wine, cheese, and good cheer.

Our little bakers are hard at work making cinnamon rolls.

Residents enjoy painting ceramic hearts and Valentine's gnomes.