Who knew...? In honor of Trivia Day on January 4th, here is some fun trivia about January.
The New Year baby is a lot older than you think. The idea of using an infant to symbolize the start of a new cycle began in ancient Greece, around 600 B.C. In Britain, the first guests of the New Year are thought to bring good luck, especially if they carry a little salt in their pockets. January is named for the Roman god Janus, protector of gates and doorways. Janus is depicted with two faces, one looking into the past, the other the future. Garnets, the birthstones of January, are found in almost every color except blue. Most people recognize Hail to the Chief as music played to announce the president; few know the march was first used at Martin Van Buren’s inauguration in 1837. The name Carnation, January’s flower, comes from “coronation” or corone (flower garlands), as it was one of the flowers used in ancient Greek ceremonial crowns.
Martin Luther King, Jr. stood out from an early age, reciting scriptures before age five. At six he sang hymns from memory that moved people to tears. It was the beginning of the oratory and leadership King would exhibit over the course of his short life. In the summer of 1964, Dr. King won the Nobel Peace Prize and was invited to the White House for the historic signing of the Civil Rights Act. He was almost 35 years old. Dr. King said, “Hatred and bitterness can never cure the disease of fear; only love can do that. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.” On January 19th we honor the very special Baptist minister from Georgia who gave his life insisting we honor truth, conquer evil, embrace love and expand justice.
Quiz Answers 1. B 2. C 3. E 4. G 5. I 6. J 7. H 8. F 9. D 10. A Scoring 10-7 Superb! 6-4 Fantastic! 3-1 Great! Newsletter Press, Inc. For questions or comments please call 432-426-2072, Fax 432-426-2421, or write to HC 74 Box 115, Fort Davis, TX, 79734. For more info about our newsletters, visit our Web site www.newsletterpressinc.com. All rights reserved. Please recycle this newsletter.
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For RAMBLEWOOD
The custom of making resolutions goes back 4,000 years to the Babylonians - their favorites being paying off outstanding debts and returning farming tools and cooking utensils. If neither of those works for you, here are a few that might. Resolve to be... 8ORGANIZED. Clean out one drawer. Not all, just the really messy one. 8UNSELFISH. Find one opportunity to give of your time or resources to children, other adults or to charity. 8CHEERFUL. Spend one day finding the good in everything. 8HEALTHY. Take a half-hour walk one day, just one day, to see how you like it. 8IMPROVED. Take a class, go to an art museum, listen to some music you don’t usually listen to - learn something new! 8KIND. Do a favor for someone who needs it, but would never ask. If your resolutions make you feel like a failure by February, try several of these and see what a difference they can make.
cene January 2009
Reminder: December 31st New Years Eve Party Doors Open at 8:00 PM Music 9:00 pm - Midnight Music by Billy Wilson & Charlotte BYOB
TO ALL A HAPPY, HEALTHY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR
Unusual HoliDAYS in January 2nd, Run It up the Flagpole and See if Anyone Salutes It Day; 3rd, Fruitcake Toss Day; 4th, Trivia Day; 5th, Bird Day; 10th, Peculiar People Day; 12th, Skeptics Day; 13th, Make Your Dream Come True Day; 14th, Dress Up Your Pet Day; 20th, Penguin Awareness Day; 23rd, Pie Day; 29th, Cornchip Day and 31st, Backward Day.
The FUNNY Zone
Year of the Ox This year you can celebrate the New Year twice in January! January 26th marks the start of the Chinese Year of the Ox. Here’s what the Old Farmer’s Almanac says about the Ox sign and its compatible and opposite signs.
LIGHTER SIDE OF ENGLISH
People born in the Year of the Ox 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997 and 2009 are said to be bright, patient and cheerful. They are compatible with those born in the Year of the Snake and Rooster. Their opposite sign is the Year of the Sheep.
Sometimes finding just the right word can be tricky. Here are some funny examples that have been heard:
People born in the Year of the Snake 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989 and 2001 are strong-willed and intense.
ûAs far as I’m concerned, it’s a mute
question. ûThe best strategy for peace is
nuclear detergent. ûMy son bats lefty and throws righty.
He’s amphibian. ûThere was a big fire. They had to
vacuum a lot of people from the building. ûUnless dues are paid by March 1,
you will be dismembered. ûThere he sat, smiling like
a cheddar cat. ~The Revenge of Anguished English
People born in the Year of the Rooster 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993 and 2005 are wisdom seeking. People born in the Year of the Sheep 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991 and 2003 are stylish and private.
Memories I remember when most women wore dresses and always had their hair looking pretty. There was a time when it was customary for men to open doors for women.
~Jeffrey C. Schwoch, Eagle River, WI
NATIONAL
Carrots are good for your eyes. Have you ever seen Presidential Quiz Here’s a match-up quiz in honor a rabbit with glasses? Seriously, good nutrition MONTH of this month’s inauguration. Answers on the back page. is essential for great vision and that means eating a healthy well-balanced diet, not just ÊWho was the first President to carrots! Read on about a vision myth and be photographed? signs to watch for to save your vision. ËWho didn’t learn to read until he Having 20/20 vision means your was 17? eyesight is perfect. Not true. Actually ÌWho built a swimming pool and a 20/20 vision means being able to see movie theater in the White House? clearly what a “normal” eye can see ÍWho was ambidextrous? clearly at 20 feet. 20/20 is not the best, ÎWho was president for only some eagle eyes can see even better! 32 days? If you are experiencing any of these ÏWho ordered the White House’s warning signs, see a doctor as soon as first bathtub? possible. NPain in and around eyes ÐWho had the White House’s first NColors, particularly blue, appear faded telephone? NVertical lines appear bent or distorted NDouble vision or spots NCloudy vision ÑWho held his wedding in the White House? Social Security News ÒWho let his horse graze on the About 50 million seniors will get a 5.8 White House lawn? percent increase on their January 2009 ÓWho gave his pet mockingbird Social Security checks. The cost-of-living free rein in the White House? adjustment will mean about $63 for the A. Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809) average recipient. The average retired B. John Quincy Adams (1825-1829) couple will see an increase of $103 a C. Andrew Johnson (1865-1869) month. It’s good news for retirees struggling with higher prices, low interest rates D. Zachary Taylor (1849-1850) E. Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945) on their savings and a big decline in the value of their investments. The deduction F. Grover Cleveland (1885-’89,1893-’97) G. James A. Garfield (1881) from Social Security checks for Medicare H. Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881) will remain the same as in 2008. Social I. William Henry Harrison (1841) Security is the only source of income for ~Pages J. Franklin Pierce (1853-1857) 21 percent of seniors.
Announcements Jack Bruce has taken on the duties of the Bingo caller and is doing a great job. Thank you Jack.
Diet & Fitness
Hints
So you decided to lose some extra pounds this new year. What to do? Here’s helpful advice from the fitness gurus.
January Birthdays WORD SEARCH
Remember, January is when we need to elect a new Vice-President and Treasurer for our Activity Club Committee.
äDrink a large glass of water before meals to help you feel full. äBrush your teeth after eating dinner to discourage late-night snacking.
We have a willing candidate for the position of Treasurer. Thereasa Skarus has volunteer.
The Activity Club is still looking for äDon’t skip breakfast. To keep your ways to raise money to be able to metabolism revving and hunger at provide the supplies & bay, eat at least 1,500 calories a day. entertainment for all our residents. äWatch your portion size. An easy way to do this is to make sure you can see the plate between the The bake sale and white elephant portions of your food. sale at the club house, held December 6th, was a huge success. Thanks to everyone who donated items, baked goods or time to make this a good fund raiser. Thanks to all who attended, and to all the volunteers who worked on the pancake breakfast. This also is a good fund raiser for the community and without your attendance it would not be possible.
äGet moving. Try walking, dancing or swimming for at least 30 to 45 minutes, four times a week. And finally, always remember to consult your doctor before you start on a new diet and exercise program.
January Chart Toppers How many do you remember?
1939 - Address Unknown - Inkspots 1940 - Careless - Glenn Miller 1949 - Far Away Places - Bing Crosby 1950 - Bewitched - Doris Day 1959 - Donna - Ritchie Valens 1960 - Running Bear - Johnny Preston 1969 - Wichita Lineman - Glen Campbell
UpDate
We do need a volunteer for Vice-President. Any resident, year round or snowbird, can fill this position.
Alda Aldrin Ali Belushi Bogart Cage Cannon Caruso Costner Denver Dunaway Fillmore Franklin Goldwater
Grant Gretzky Hackman Hardy Judd Keaton King Kitt Limbaugh MacArthur Milland Milne Mondale Nicklaus
Presley Redgrave Roosevelt Salinger Sandburg Selleck Sinatra Stapleton
Dates for the Red Hat and Lunch Bunch have yet to be determined. Look for sign up sheets in the clubhouse. Thank you to Dave for the hams for the Christmas dinner. Much appreciated.
2009 Sun
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Tue
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Happy New Year! We wish you and yours the best of health and happiness this coming year.
Thu
Others lighting candles this month: 1st, 1 Happy 2 J.D. Salinger, 90; 4th, Dyan Cannon, 72; NEW 5th, Walter Mondale, 81; 8th, Shirley Birthday Bassey, 72; 11th, Naomi Judd, 63; 14th, YEARS to our Andy Rooney, 90; 19th, Dolly Parton, 63; DAY 20th, Buzz Aldrin, 79; 21st, Jack Friends Nicklaus, 69; 24th, Ernest Borgnine, 92; 25th, Ernie Harwell, 91; 29th, Tom Celebrating Selleck, 64; 30th, Vanessa Redgrave, 72 & 31st, Jessica Walter, 68. in January! 4 5 6 7 8 9
5:00 pm Pot Luck dinner & Activity Club Meeting
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10:00 am Bible Study
6:15 pm Bingo
6:30 pm Euchre
10:00 am Bible Study
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6:15 pm Bingo
14
6:30 pm Euchre
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10:00 am Bible Study
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21
27
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6:15 pm Bingo
6:30 pm Euchre
6:00 pm Dominos
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10:00 am 6:00 pm Birthday/ Bible Study Anniversary 6:00 pm Ice Cream Social with Dominos Nickle Bing
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11:30am Golf
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3
6pm Game Night
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6pm Game Night
6:15 pm Bingo
6:30 pm Euchre
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29
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11:30am Golf Noon - Soup & Sandwich 6pm Poker Night 11:30am Golf
6pm Poker Night
Monthly Reminders
M-F Shuffleboard 1:00 PM Red Hat and Lunch Bunch dates to be determined.
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6pm Game Night 8:00 am Pancake Breakfast
6pm Poker Night
6:00 pm Dominos
18
11:30am Golf
Sat
6pm Poker Night
6:00 pm Dominos
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Fri
24
6pm Game Night
31
6pm Game Night