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The residents had a great time helping to shuck corn for an upcoming meal!

American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living honor National Assisted Living Week in September! Themed “Joyful Moments” the celebration took place September 11th – September 17 th. During the week, Columbia cottage enjoyed entertainment from Mike Evans and Robert Banks, a special prize bingo, and a visit from Sweet Ride Ice Cream Truck!

The two latest Columbia Cottage babies joined our family! On July 24, Nurse Angie welcomed little girl, Rylie. On August 29, Mel welcomed little boy, Ja’Mel. For those of you keeping track, that’s four Columbia Cottage babies in a year!

We live in an overstimulated society, where busy schedules lead to lack of connection, where many people go through life barely looking one another in the eye, where connection is summarized by scrolling down a Facebook newsfeed and clicking “Like” to show we care.  Research shows that helping others can be good for our overall health. It reduces stress, improves our emotional well-being and even benefits our physical health. Doing something nice for someone doesn't cost a lot of time or money. We have all been told that it's the small things in life that can make a big difference.   So, if you are not already in the habit of performing random kind acts — or if it does not come naturally to you — start by thinking about what you like to do.  It’s not about you being like, ‘Oh man, now I have to learn how to bake cookies in order to be nice’.  It’s about, what skills and talents do you already have?  And how can you turn that into an offering for other people? If you do nothing else today, keep an eye out for an opportunity to help someone with a random act of kindness or hold onto that warm feeling, when someone helps you.  Here is a quick list of 10 things to consider: Read stories to school children. Hold the door open for someone. Smile at everyone you see today. Tape some coins on a vending machine for someone else to find. Leave a kind note in a library book. Donate an old toy to charity. Leave positive notes in random places. Help someone with their bags. Buy someone in the queue a coffee. Volunteer at a homeless shelter. Remember, acts of kindness can be done all year round!

The residents had a blast watching Donna make fun balloon animals and hats! Donna showed the residents how to twist and turn the balloons to create all different shapes! With fun light up inserts and headbands, the residents loved receiving their special gifts! Only a few balloons were popped in the process!

This month we would like to honor our Cottage Star, Christian Soliz! Christian has been with Columbia Cottage for 11 years! His coworkers have described him as fun to be around and always calm and relaxed! In his free time, Christian loves to be in nature. He enjoys hiking on local trails with his dog and exploring new sceneries. He enjoys trying out new restaurants with his family and exploring different foods. Christian says that he loves working at the cottage because of the residents. He “feels like they are his friends” and that he can be himself and let his personality shine! Christian is currently pursuing his nursing degree from RACC. We are so proud to have Christian as a part of our family!

Patricia Lin was born and raised in New York City. She was born in a house near the Manhattan Bridge but later moved to Chinatown with her family. Pat grew up near her grandparents and shared a laundry line between their houses! She then moved to upstate New York when she began her higher education at Russell Sage College studying to be a lab technician.  After graduating, she began her career at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Her and her husband happily welcomed one daughter and three sons. During the pandemic, Pat moved to Pennsylvania to be closer to her daughter who resides in Berks County. During her free time, Pat enjoys reading, cooking, and watching her son and daughter participate in the Disney Marathon!

Peachy Facts Peaches are the third most popular fruit grown in America. United States provides about 25% of the world's total supply, while China and Italy supply about 62%. Georgia produces 25,000 ton of peaches, But California grows the most at 510,000 tons followed by North Carolina. Peaches are from the rose family, and they produce 5 petal pink blossoms. Peaches are known to reduce anxiety and are often referred to as the "fruit of Calmness". Peaches are classified as a drupe, which is a fruit with a hard stone. Peaches get their flavor from their variety not their color. DID YOU KNOW that August is also GOLDEN? The anniversaries of the Klondike Gold Rush (Aug. 16), the designation  of Klondike Gold Rush National  Historic Park (Aug. 5), Gold Rush Days in Valdez, Alaska (Aug. 3) and Oronoco, Minnesota (Aug. 19), and so much more. We hope “Yukon” enjoy it all! August was named to honor the first Roman emperor (and grandnephew of Julius Caesar), Augustus Caesar. August’s zodiac signs are Leo (July 23–August 22) and Virgo (August 23–September 22). August’s birth flowers are the gladiolus and the poppy. The gladiolus symbolizes strength of character, sincerity, and generosity. The poppy symbolizes eternal sleep, oblivion, and also imagination. August’s primary birthstone is peridot, which is said to symbolize strength and healing power, protecting its wearer from nightmares and evil, ensuring harmony and happiness. Babies born in August are lucky to be guarded by peridot’s good fortune. August is the month of sandwiches! This makes sense because the sandwich was invented in August of 1762 when the Earl of Sandwich (yes, that’s a real guy) requested two pieces of bread with meat inside.

Dreams are quite complex, aren’t they? The other morning, I awoke from a deep sleep and remembered sitting by a small lake in Erie, Pa with my grandfather. It was a sunny afternoon day in August and Pop-Pop decided to take my brother and I to the local fishing hole. Well, the fish were not biting so my brother and I quickly found other things to do – like skipping stones on the water. We had a competition to see who could skip the farthest and who had the most skips. Well, I came in last and was quite upset since I was the only one who plays baseball. Since Pop-Pop won, he said he had something special for us. My dream skipped around for a bit, but I remembered us going into my grandfather’s church and we all started to set up for a dinner event. My brother and I had to wash down the tables and set up chairs. After that, we were asked to peel the carrots and potatoes. My dream then took a weird turn and the last thing I remembered was that I was running to school to take a math test which I hadn’t even studied for…. Crazy, right? I share this quick story because it reminded me of the saying, “…like the ripple effect when a stone lands in a lake, so your kindness extends beyond your own initial effort...”. Basically, when you do something for someone else, you forget about your own troubles. That’s the thing about giving – making that positive difference for someone today leaves a legacy of kindness that can be passed on to others. Making a difference in someone’s life can be as small as sitting down and talking to someone or as big as volunteering to build a much-needed community project. Therefore, I encourage us all to examine the positive difference you make in other’s lives, and begin to build your legacy today!

Once in a while, if you’re lucky, you’ll cross paths with someone really special who makes you laugh a little louder, smile a little brighter and enjoy each day a little more.  Here at the cottage in Wyomissing we have a few of those, one of whom is Norma Mangual. Norma has been employed by Columbia cottage since 2014 which is when I had the pleasure of meeting her; one of the things that stuck out for me with Norma is her smile and her easy-going spirit.  Norma is known to sing around the cottage lifting the spirits of both residents and staff.  Norma is a very spiritual person and often has led us in prayer at cottage events.  Another thing, Norma is known for is her ever changing hair color. It is no small feat for Norma to go from a brunette to blonde in a 24-hour period, while looking good doing so! Norma goes the extra mile for our residents, during covid when we were without a hairdresser Norma gave haircuts to our men, she washed and styled our ladies hair in her attempt to lift their spirits; if just a little. We here at the cottage are saddened to see such a person leave us, although we understand that this is just the next chapter in Norma’s life.  Norma will be moving to Georgia with her husband Phil, who will begin a next chapter in his military career. Norma will be working towards her professional growth by taking the Georgia state board to obtain her LPN license. We wish you all the best in your new beginning, the cottage won’t be the same without you. - Robin and the rest of your CC family

The Columbia Cottage Baby Boom continues! This summer will welcome a little girl for Nurse Angie and a little boy for Melony! Both first time mommas were showered with love from all of us! We can’t wait to add two new babes to the family! Who is next….?

The handpan is a rare new kind of mesmerizing musical instrument invented in the 21st century. The handpan's lenticular shape looks like a UFO, a wok or a turtle shell. Part art and part instrument, the handpan is often referred to as a "sound sculpture". Each handpan is handcrafted and unique. You can see hammer marks from its artisanal making process across the instrument. The relaxing tones and intuitive playing style of the handpan make it a gateway instrument, accessible to anyone. Come to the next event with Donna and hear the beautiful sounds of the Handpan. Donna will return on 7/26!