Issuu

May 2026

Social Club President’s Message

Welcome to May! Here’s what’s coming:

• Brunch: Sunday, May 3rd, hosted by our new neighbor and Social Club member, Roberta Collum. She will be serving quiche with a fresh fruit salad. This is the last Brunch until October.

• May Dinner: May 15th, our yearly Cinco de Mayo dinner hosted by Ruth Syfert and crew.

• Happy Hour: May 29th, Poker Run hosted by Ruth Syfert. Bring quarters—each poker hand costs 25 cents, and we’ll play four or five hands for a chance to win Country Cash.

Other news:

1. NOMINATIONS FOR THE NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS begins this month. If you’re a Social Club member, look for a nomination form in your tube on/about May 10th. Those forms are to be returned to the clubhouse Social Club comment box by May 30th.

2. Please consider running for the Social Club Board: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer or one of the three Directors positions. See Board position descriptions in this magazine. Nominations close on May 30st.

3. Our Social Club General Meeting will be held at the June BBQ/dinner on the 20th, and the new Social Club Board will be sworn in on that date as well.

4. At the Members Meeting, we’ll vote on a change to the Bylaws regarding nominations. At this time, the Bylaws say the nomination process starts at the May dinner. The Bylaws will be changed to say the nomination process will commence on May 1st and end on May 30th.

Do you have a suggestion for the Board? A compliment? A complaint? We appreciate your feedback. Place them (signed) in the Social Club comment box in the Clubhouse.

Sincerely,

Linda Bello-Ruiz Social Club Board President

RECYCLE PICKUP DATE: Tuesday, May 5th

The recycle crew will be collecting the recyclable bottles and cans. Please place your bagged cans, bottles and wine boxes with bladders by the mailboxes on the morning of the first Tuesday of the month. Please make sure there is a CA-CRV on the item.

Thank you! The Country Social Club Profit and Loss Report: March 2026

Spring Brunch Gathering

Sunday, May 3rd 11:30 AM

Hosted by Roberta Collum

Enjoy a warm and welcoming May brunch surrounded by friends, good food, and the soft beauty of spring.

Quiche

Fresh Fruit Salad

Mimosas

Coffee & Tea

$6.00 for all attendees

Cinco de Mayo Dinner Celebration

Saturday, May 16th

Hosted by Ruth Syfert Drinks at 5:00 PM Dinner at 6:00 PM

Social Club Members: $6.00

Park Residents: $8.00

Out Of Park Guests: $10.00

MeetTheNeighbors!

Meet Ruth Syfert!

Ruth Syfert has lived on Heyford Circle for the last nine years. Prior to moving into The Country she was a real estate broker in Sonoma County. A profession spreading over a 25 year time period. “My first job,” she shares was at the age of four.” That’s when she began picking apples up off the ground at her grandpa’s apple farm in Sebastopol.

“From apples, I graduated to black berry picking and then babysitting. I worked to earn money to buy clothes for schools and other things I wanted, that my parents couldn’t afford. Now, at age 87, I can afford most anything I want, and yet, I still shop at discount stores and count my pennies.”

Ruth is proud to wear a “51” t-shirt. “51,” she explains, stands for 51 kids, grandkids, greatgrandkids and greatgreat grandkids –that’s between my family and John’s.” I can just imagine those family reunions!

Ruth is known for her cooking and for her card playing. I’ll start with the cooking. Ever since she moved into The Country and mentioned to Irene Badaglia that she had experience cooking for huge groups of people, Irene grabbed it and has hardly let her go! Each year she prepares meals for the Social Club. “Now that I’m almost ninety,” she says, “I only cook one dinner and one brunch – and those with help from others.” She’s also the hostess for Poker Run at two of our Happy Hours.

I specifically asked her to host Poker Run a couple of years ago,

when I heard about her love of poker. She and a group of women friends have been meeting to play poker for over fifty years. We were school friends and our regular poker games kept us in touch with one another. Some of those friends have passed on (leaving just three from the original group) but those gals have been replaced by their daughters or other women. They average twelve for their “women’s night out.”

Besides poker, Ruth plays Hand and Foot, Bunco, and Bingo. Her goal is to “keep walking, keep moving, and keep my mind active.”

Born in Sebastopol, Ruth’s family has a long and historic ties to the Sebastopol/Graton area of Sonoma County. If you google, “Gregson, Sutter Fort history,” you will read about her ancestors who panned for gold at Sutter’s Fort before migrating to and becoming one of the original

settlers of Green Valley (now Graton).

“I’ve been married most of my life,” she shares.

“My first marriage lasted 21 years and then I married John and we’ve been married 48 years!”

She is thankful for the full life she has led, from driving around the Western States (and Tennessee to visit the Grand Ole Opry) in their motorhome and taking cruises (19 of them) around the world. “I’ve been to places like China, Mexico, England, Ireland, Scotland, Alaska, and Canada. When John stopped cruising with me, I kept on going with my daughter.” When not traveling, she enjoys working in her yard and cooking for family. Ruth’s advice for us all, “Keep involved with your neighbors and community. Keep moving.”

Thank you, Ruth!

Submitted by: Linda Bello-Ruiz

The Month of May 2026: Holidays, Fun

Facts, Folklore

Celebrate the gorgeous month of May! Find out why this month is called “May” and which seven holidays are coming up. Plus, we have the May weather forecast, May Full Moon, gardening tips for May, seasonal recipes, folklore, and more to bring a smile to your day.

The Month of May

“May” is likely named after the Roman goddess Maia, who oversaw the growth of plants. Alternatively, the name might have come from the Latin maiores, “elders”.

May Calendar

May 1 is May Day. Mark the return of spring by bringing in branches of forsythia, lilacs, or other flowering shrubs from your region. May Day is also “Lei Day” in Hawaii. Leis are garlands or wreaths that are often made with native Hawaiian flowers such as plumeria. Nowadays, they are given as a symbol of greeting, farewell, affection, celebration, or honor, in the spirit of aloha.

May 5 is Cinco de Mayo (“The Fifth of May”). This day celebrates the victory of the Mexican army over the French army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

May 10 is Mother’s Day—don’t forget! Do you have something planned to show appreciation for your mother?

May 16 is Armed Forces Day, which honors those who serve in all branches of the United States military.

May 18 is Victoria Day in Canada. This holiday celebrates the birthday of Queen Victoria, who was born on May 24, 1819. The holiday is observed on the penultimate Monday in May.

May 22 is National Maritime Day. Created in commemoration of the first transoceanic voyage via steamboat (completed by the U.S.S. Savannah in

1819), this holiday recognizes the efforts of the U.S. merchant marine during both war and peace.

May 25 is Memorial Day a poignant reminder of the tenacity of life. It’s tradition to raise the flag on this day.

“

Just for Fun” Days

May is Get Caught Reading Month and National Good Car-Keeping Month.

Here are some more fun things to celebrate this May:

May 1: School Principals’ Day

May 2: World Tuna Day

May 8: No Socks Day

May 13 (second Wednesday in May): Root Canal Appreciation Day

May 14: Dance Like a Chicken Day

May 28: Slugs Return from Capistrano Day

May Full Moon

There will be not one, but two, Full Moons in May! The first Moon, the Full Flower Moon, reaches its peak on Friday, May 1⁠, while the second Moon, the Blue Moon (which is also a Micromoon), peaks on Sunday, May 31. Find out the meaning of the Flower Moon, the Full Moon of May.

When to See the Full Moons in May 2026

May 1: The Flower Moon

May’s first Full Moon, the Flower Moon, reaches peak illumination at 1:23 P.M. (EDT) on Friday, May 1. How fitting to have the Flower Moon arrive on May Day!

May 31: The Blue Moon

In May, a second full Moon, a Blue Moon, will make an appearance. The term Blue Moon is most commonly used when we have two full Moons in a single month. On Sunday, May 31, the Full Moon will peak at 4:45 A.M. EDT.

Find a location with unobstructed views of the horizon, if possible.

The Blue Micromoon

This month also brings a micromoon. Curious about how it compares to a supermoon? The full Moon on May 31, 2026, occurs just before reaching apogee on June 1.

Apogee refers to the point when the Moon is farthest from Earth. When the full Moon occurs near this point, it’s classified as a “micromoon”—the opposite of a supermoon, so it will appear slightly smaller and dimmer than usual.

Why does the Moon’s distance vary? The Moon orbits Earth in an elliptical path, with one side closer and the other farther. While this affects its size and brightness, the difference is too subtle to notice with the naked eye. What often makes the Moon appear larger is the “Moon illusion” an optical effect that occurs when it’s near the horizon. Since this micromoon will be high in the sky, it likely won’t appear as large or imposing as a full Moon closer to the horizon.

Why Is It Called the Flower Moon?

The full Moon names used by The Old Farmer’s Almanac come from many places, including Native American, Colonial American, and European sources. Traditionally, each full Moon name was applied to the entire lunar month in which it occurred, not solely to the full Moon.

The Flower Moon

May’s Flower Moon name should be no surprise; flowers spring forth across North America in abundance this month!

“Flower Moon” has been attributed to Algonquin peoples, as confirmed by Christina Ruddy of The Algonquin Way Cultural Centre in Pikwakanagan, Ontario.

May’s Moon was also called the “Month of Flowers” by Jonathan Carver in his 1798 publication, Travels Through the Interior Parts of North America: 1766,

1767, 1768 (pp. 250-252), as a likely Dakota name. Carver stayed with the Naudowessie (Dakota) over a period of time; his expedition covered the Great Lakes region, including the Wisconsin and Minnesota areas.

Henry David Thoreau sparked the Native American Moon names as well, referencing the Flower Moon and Carver when he wrote about Native Americans.

May’s Moon names tend to speak to the arrival of spring and all that it entails!

The Cree names Budding Moon and Leaf Budding Moon celebrate the awakening of local flora, which really begins to leaf out now in many areas. Similarly, Planting Moon (Dakota, Lakota) marks the time when seeds should be started for the farming season ahead.

The activities of animals marked spring’s arrival, too, which is highlighted by the Cree names Egg Laying Moon and Frog Moon, as well as the Oglala term Moon of the Shedding Ponies. All three names indicate that warmer weather is on the

Moon Phases for

All dates and times are

May Moon Phase Dates and Times

Full Moon: May 1, 1:23 P.M. EDT

Last Quarter: May 9, 5:10 P.M. EDT

New Moon: May 16, 4:01 P.M. EDT

First Quarter: May 23, 7:11 A.M. EDT

Full Moon: May 31, 4:45 A.M. EDT

May Weather

”A warm January, a cold May.” May acts as the bridge between spring and summer, hinting at

warmer weather for those still stuck in spring’s grasp while heating things up for those already well on their way.

May Folklore and Fun

A dry May and a leaking June Make the farmer whistle a merry tune.

A snowstorm in May Is worth a wagonload of hay.

Among the changing months, May stands confessed The sweetest, and in fairest colors dressed! –James Thomson, Scottish poet (1700–48)

May Zodiac Signs

Taurus: April 21 to May 20

Gemini: May 21 to June 20

May Birth Symbols

Lily-of-the-valley and Hawthorn are the May birth flowers. Learn all about history, meanings, symbolism, and growing tips for this dainty flower and flowering shrub, which both bloom in May!

What Are the May Birth Flowers?

Lily-of-the-valley, with its dainty, small, bellshaped white flowers, is a perennial ground cover that spreads aggressively given the right conditions. These flowers represent sweetness and purity.

Hawthorn is a flowering shrubs in the rose family with flowers that bloom in May in small white, red, or pink clusters. Small berries, called haws, sprout after the flowers. The hawthorn is a longstanding symbol of hope.

All About Lily-of-the-Valley

Also known as Our Lady’s Tears, May lily, and May bells, Lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis) is not actually a lily but rather a member of the asparagus family, Asparagaceae. Native to Eurasia, it has become naturalized in North America, having been planted in home gardens for its simple foliage and lovely flowers.

It produces pendulous, bell-shaped white flowers with a strong, sweet smell. It can also produce pink or purple blossoms.

Lily-of-the-valley Meanings and Symbolism

In ancient astrology, Lily-of-the-valley was said to be protected by the son of the goddess Maia. In Greek mythology, that son was Hermes; for the Romans, it was Mercury.

According to legend, Lily-of-the-valley fell in love with the song of the nightingale and only bloomed when the bird returned to the woods in May.

It is also believed that Apollo created the ground cover flower for nymphs to walk on.

This flower has been associated with motherhood, sweetness, purity, and humility. It signifies a return to happiness, likely due to its time of bloom and the anticipation of summer.

In Christian lore, Lily-of-the-valley came to be from Eve’s tears after she was expelled from the Garden of Eden. It has also been said that Lily-of-the-valley sprouted from the tears of Mary at the site of Christ’s crucifixion.

Lily-of-the valley in History

• In the 1500s, King Charles IX was gifted a Lily-of -the-valley for good luck on May Day, and each year following, he continued the tradition of gifting the flowers for luck.

• In France, the tradition of gifting Lily-of-thevalley continues as a symbol of good luck.

• In Serbia, Lily-of-the-valley is picked on St. George’s feast day, and people decorate their homes with the flowers to bring about good luck and prosperity.

• The flower is mentioned numerous times in the Bible and has also been associated with Christ’s second coming.

• Thomas Jefferson recorded the flower in a list of hardy perennials that grew at his Monticello home.

• Due to its sweet fragrance, Lily-of-the-valley is a popular choice for wedding bouquets. In Holland, newlyweds have been known to plant Lily-of-the-valley in their garden to bring about luck in their marriage. The flowers were also part of the bridal bouquets of Princess Diana

and Kate Middleton.

• In Helston, England, the Lily-of-the-valley is worn during the Furry Dance, a centuries-old celebration observed on May 8 each year.

• Lily-of-the-valley is the national flower of Finland.

Lily-of-the-Valley in the Garden

Lilies-of-the-valley work well in shaded garden beds, rock gardens, and woodland gardens. The perennial flowers first appear in May and remain in bloom for 2 to 4 weeks.

It’s a perfect ground cover for shady areas with rich, moist soil, but in the right conditions, it will aggressively spread. It may be considered invasive in some areas, so check local regulations before planting.

Plants reach 6 to 12 inches tall with two to three leaves and a flowering stem rising from the center of the leaf clump.

All About Hawthorn

Hawthorn belongs to the genus Crataegus and is a member of the Rosaceae (rose) family, which also includes many food crops such as apples, cherries, and pears. Its genus name is derived from the Greek words kratos, meaning “strength,” because of the great strength of the wood, and akis, meaning “sharp,” referencing the thorns of most species.

‘Hawthorn’ can be traced back to the Old English word hagathorn, with haga meaning “hedge.”

Hawthorn are found in Europe and Asia, as well as North America. There are hundreds of species of Hawthorn, which are small, dense trees or shrubs that can grow up to 30 feet tall.

Hawthorn Meanings and Symbolism

Hawthorn have long been a symbol of hope. Other associations include its ability to mark the entrance to other worlds, with a strong connection to fairies.

Ancient Greeks were said to use its branches during wedding processions, while in Celtic lore, Hawthorn was thought to heal a broken heart.

According to Serbian lore, it was once believed that stakes made from Hawthorn could slay vampires.

Hawthorn are associated with the pagan symbol of fertility.

It was once thought that bringing a hawthorn blossom inside would be followed by illness and death. During medieval times, the smell of Hawthorn blossom was associated with the

Great Plague.

Many have believed that a Hawthorn’s bloom marked the point of change from spring to summer.

Hawthorn in History

The Hawthorn’s link to May Day is undeniable. For this reason, it has been customary to decorate the celebration with flowering Hawthorn branches, most notably in the form of May Day garlands.

In 1923, the white Hawthorn blossom was recognized as the state flower of Missouri.

Hawthorn has been used for medicinal purposes for years, including to treat heart and blood diseases, as well as chest pains, blood pressure issues, and high cholesterol. The majority of its medicinal value is found in its fruit pigments.

Hawthorn leaves and fruit are edible. When picked young, the leaves can be used in salads. The fruit can be eaten on its own or used to make jelly and wine.

The shrike a type of bird will impale its (already dead) prey onto a hawthorn’s thorn, allowing the bird to eat more comfortably.

Hawthorn in the Garden

Mature hawthorn have scaly gray bark. The twigs are thin, and thorns grow 1 to 3 inches long.

Small white or pink flowers with five petals bloom in clusters in late spring. After the flowers come and go, small pome fruit emerges, first as yellow and then red when it matures in the fall. The leaves are simple, usually tooth- or lobe-shaped.

Hawthorns can grow in full sun or partial shade,

doing best in moist, well-draining soil. For optimum fruit production, full sun is best.

The fruit is an important winter food source for birds, and the thorny hawthorns also provide protective nesting areas safe from predators.

Pliny the Elder once said that “nothing greens greener” than an emerald.

Hindu teachings associated emeralds with the planet Mercury, while Western traditions connected the stone with Venus.

May Birthstone: The Emerald

Perhaps you recall the Emerald City in The Wizard of Oz, named for the vibrant, scintillating hues of nature’s greenest gem. Emeralds are also the birthstone for May. For centuries, emeralds were thought to possess healing powers and reduce stress. Learn more about the symbolism, meaning, and history of emeralds.

Emerald’s Color

Emeralds can range in color from light green with blue or yellow tones to deep, rich green. The finest emeralds have a deep green color sometimes touched with a hint of blue offering translucence, depth, and clarity. The green color comes from impurities of chromium, vanadium, or a combination of both. Iron will also affect the color, creating bluish tones.

Known for its inclusions, which are foreign materials trapped within the gem, emeralds are unique stones. Some say that the inclusions can look like mossy plant life under a microscope. The inclusions can also be an indication of a gem’s origin.

The emerald is a variety of the mineral beryl, which forms with six sides. March’s birthstone, aquamarine, is also a type of beryl.

Emerald Meanings, Symbolism, and Folklore

Emerald’s English name is borrowed from Old French esmeraude, which stems from smaragdos, the Ancient Greek word for this gem.

According to legend, emeralds were one of four stones given by God to the Israelite King Solomon.

It has been linked to producing a calming effect and loving energy. Ancient civilizations considered it a symbol of fertility and immortality.

Over the years, emeralds have been associated with inspiration and patience, rebirth and renewal. It has also been thought to make those who wear it more intelligent, quick-witted, and passionate speakers.

At one time, it was believed to help relieve issues with the muscles, spine, and chest area. The emerald was also once thought to cure diseases such as cholera and malaria.

It has long been associated with the eyes, from helping to reduce eye strain to opening a window to the future for those who place it under their tongue.

Today, emeralds symbolize loyalty, new beginnings, peace, and security. The gem is also believed to relieve stress.

The emerald is the gem given to celebrate the 20th and 35th wedding

History of the

• The earliest recorded mining of emeralds occurred in 330 B.C. in Egypt, although it’s estimated that the oldest gems are close to 3 billion years old.

• The May birthstone, emerald, was a favorite of the Egyptian queen Cleopatra. The gem was her royal jewel and adorned her palace. During her reign, Cleopatra also laid claim to all the emerald

mines in Egypt.

• The Egyptians as a whole were enamored with the gem, using it both in jewelry and in burials, burying the stones with monarchs as a sign of protection.

• The Emerald Buddha, which is actually made from a form of jasper, is housed in The Temple of the Emerald Buddha on the grounds of the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand.

• In L. Frank Baum’s novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Dorothy follows the yellow brick road to the Emerald City to find the wizard.

• In the 1980s, Seattle, Washington, became nicknamed “The Emerald City.”

• An emerald pendant owned by Elizabeth Taylor sold for more than $6 million in 2011.

Where are Emeralds Found?

Egypt is the most ancient source of emeralds and remained the only significant source for hundreds of years.

In the 16th century, deposits found in Colombia expanded the locations for mining the gem to South America. It continues to be a major source of emeralds, along with mines in Brazil and Africa, most notably Zambia.

Emeralds are also found in Pakistan and Afghanistan, while North Carolina is home to the largest deposits of the stone in the United States.

Emeralds in Jewelry

With a Mohs Hardness rating of 7.5 to 8, emerald gems are often used in rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.

It’s important to take special care of emeralds, using warm, soapy water to clean them. Avoid exposing gems to hot water, heat, and harsh chemicals, as well as storing them close to harder gems like diamonds, which can cause scratching.

This Month in History

May 23: What’s Your Name?

On this day in 1707, Swedish botanist and naturalist Carl Linnaeus was born. One of his major achievements was the formal introduction of a system of classifying and naming organisms according to genus and species, called binomial nomenclature. The method uses Latin words (a language commonly used by scholars in his day). For example, humans are classified as Homo sapiens. Homo, meaning “man,” is the genus,

and sapiens, meaning “wise,” is the species. Several species may exist within one genus, but each species only has one scientific name. Scientists today use a modified version of Linnaeus’s system. Because the same naming convention is used throughout the world, it eliminates much confusion when discussing organisms.

Did You Know?

Carl Linnaeus originated the use of 0 (the symbol for Mars) to mean male and 1 (the symbol for Venus) to mean female.

May 26: Terrifying Twisters

On this day in 1917, tornadoes struck central Illinois, killing 101 people. Originally thought to be just one tornado that wreaked havoc along a 293-mile-long path, the outbreak was later determined to be four to eight tornadoes. One of them lasted 4 hours and followed a track 155 miles long (including the distance traveled while in the air). Mattoon and Charleston were especially hard hit by an F4 tornado (original Fujita scale). In Mattoon, almost 500 houses were destroyed.

According to newspaper reports:

• straw was driven 1/2 inch deep into a tree

• a flagpole with a flag was blown four blocks and planted upright in the ground

• books and other items were carried 50 to 70 miles away

Source: almanac.com

Famous Names Ancient Texting

ANGELL

ANNAN

ARAFAT

ASSER

BELO BRANTING

BRIDE

CECIL

CHAMBERLAIN

CORRIGAN

EBADI

ELBARADEI

FRIED

GORE

HENDERSON

HULL

HUME

JOUHAUX

KING

KYI

LANGE MONETA MOTT MYRDAL NANSEN OSSIETZKY PASSY PIRE

RABIN ROBLES ROOSEVELT ROOT

SADAT SATO TUM TUTU WALESA WIESEL WILSON YUNUS

Across

1.C.E.O.’s degree

4.Thickness

7.“Field of Dreams” setting

9.Ashtabula’s lake

10.Rocky peaks

11.Electric unit

12.Bewilder

14.Craving

15.Pakistani port

19.Delhi wrap

20.A long, long time

22.Entreaty

23.Dapper fellow

24.“Absolutely!”

25.___ v. Wade

Down

1.Cambridge sch.

2.Thundering noise

3.Not straight

4.Fac. member

5.Easter flower

6.“Are we there ___?”

8.Present-day Iraq

9.Expressed

13.Oolong, for one

15.Cabbagelike vegetable

16.Mars, to the Greeks

17.Part of a day

18.Prefix with China

19.007, for one 21.Bishop’s jurisdiction

How to solve sudoku puzzles

The headline is a clue to the answer in the diagonal.

May Sudoku

No math is required to solve a sudoku. You only need logic and patience.

Simply make sure that each 3x3 square region has only one instance of the numbers 1-9. Similarly, each number can only

appear once in a column or row in the larger grid. The difficulty on this puzzle is easy.

TRIVIA TEASER First Ladies

1 Which First Lady collaborated with her pet springer spaniel to write the best selling book "Millie's Book"? a-Hillary Clinton, b-Laura Bush, c-Barbara Bush, d-Eleanor Roosevelt.

2 What was the real first name of Lady Bird Johnson? a-Claudia, b-Merle, c-Katherine, d-Mary.

3 Which First Lady gave a tour of the White House for a TV program, earning a special Emmy Award? a-Nancy Reagan, b-Laura Bush, c-Jackie Kennedy, d-Bess Truman.

4 Which First Lady worked as a professional dancer with the Martha Graham Company? a-Michelle Obama, b-Betty Ford, c-Laura Bush, d-Nancy Reagan.

5 Which First Lady met her future husband at Stanford University where she was the only female geology major? a-Frances Folsom Cleveland, b-Caroline Harrison, c-Julia Tyler, d-Lou Hoover.

6 The wife of which President was nicknamed "Lemonade Lucy" because she refused to allow hard liquor to be served at the White House? a-John K. Polk, b-John Tyler, c-Rutherford B. Hayes, d-Chester Arthur.

7 Which first name was shared by the wife of Theodore Roosevelt and the second wife of Woodrow Wilson? a-Harriet, b-Nellie, c-Edith, d-Sarah.

8 Barbara Bush's maiden name was the same as the surname of which President? a-Woodrow Wilson, b-Calvin Coolidge, c-John Kennedy, d-Franklin Pierce.

9 Jill Biden made history as the first First Lady to hold a paying job outside the White House while her husband served as President. What did she do? a-Practiced law, b-Taught English at a community college, c-Worked as a hospital administrator, d-Ran a nonprofit organization.

10 Melania Trump was the first foreign-born First Lady since Louisa Adams, who was born in London in 1775. In which country was Melania Trump born? a-Hungary, b-Austria, c-Czech Republic, d-Slovenia.

QUOTES

If criticism is mistaken or mean-spirited, rise above it. Maintain the high ground when you're under fire. No victory is worth winning at the expense of picking up the mud that has been slung at you and throwing it back.

Rubel Shelly

Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out if they've got a second. Give all you've got and you'll be amazed at the energy that comes out of you.

William James

We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us really happy is something to be enthusiastic about.

Charles Kingsley

Life is like a ten-speed bike. Most of us have gears we never use.

Charles M. Schultz

I will waste not even a precious second today in anger or hate or jealousy or selfishness. I know that the seeds I sow I will harvest, because every action good or bad, is always followed by an equal reaction. I will plant only good seeds this day.

Og Mandino

Optimism is essential to achievement and it is also the foundation of courage and of true progress.

Nicholas Murray

Often people attempt to live their lives backwards. They try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want so they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then, do what you need to do in order to have what you want.

Margaret Young

Never miss a chance to keep your mouth shut.

Robert Newton Peck

The Lighter Side

Are you glad you asked?

The professor of a contract law class asked, "If you were to give someone an orange, how would you go about it?"

A student said, "Here's an orange."

"No!" the outraged professor said. "Think like a lawyer!"

"Okay, I'd say, 'I hereby give and convey to you all and singular, my estate and interests, right, claim, title, and advantages of and in, said orange, together with its rind, juice, pulp, and seeds, and all rights and advantages with full power to bite, cut, freeze and otherwise eat the same or give the same away, with or without the pulp, juice, rind or seeds, herein before or hereinafter or in any deed or deeds, instruments of whatever nature or kind whatsoever to the contrary in anywise notwithstanding ...'"

Dirty magazines

A Marine husband called home to tell his wife he would be late. He said dirty magazines had been discovered in the platoon's quarters and they had to discipline the whole squad.

She launched into a tirade, arguing that many men had pictures hanging in their quarters at their previous post, so his new platoon should not be penalized for something so trivial.

The husband calmly listened to her gripes and then explained, "Dirty magazines: The clips from their rifles had not been cleaned."

Answers to 'First Ladies

1-c, Barbara Bush

2-a, Claudia

3-c, Jackie Kennedy

4-b, Betty Ford

5-d, Lou Hoover

6c, Rutherford B.Hayes

7-c, Edith

8-d, Franklin Pierce

9-b, Jill Biden continued teaching English at Northern Virginia Community College throughout Joe Biden's presidency. 10-d, Melania was born in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, then part of Yugoslavia