February 2023 REACH

Honoring The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

On August 28, 1963, The Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. On January 16, 2023, almost 60 years later, we celebrate his legacy. Martin Luther King Jr. Day pays tribute to Dr. King, one of the most prominent Civil Rights leaders from 1955 until his death in 1968. The campaign for Martin Luther King Jr. Day started immediately after Dr. King’s death, with U.S Representative from Michigan, John Conyers, and U.S Senator from Massachusetts, Edward Brooke, supporting a bill that would make Dr. King’s birthday a national holiday. President Ronald Reagan signed Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday into a National Holiday, but it would take until January 20, 1986 for the holiday to be officially observed.

PPH hosted the fourth annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Observance in the Social Hall, where the theme was “Celebrating a Caring Community in the Spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” The event started with an introduction song titled “Happy Birthday” by Stevie Wonder, who was one of the main figures in the campaign to have Martin Luther King’s birthday

“Dr. Martin Luther King was well known for his powerful words and the legacy he left the rest of us to uphold.” – John Dubyk, PPH President & CEO

recognized as a national holiday. The event opened with a welcome message from PPH resident, Lucille Hite, who introduced PPH President & CEO, John Dubyk.

John thanked the resident committee and Lucille for including him in the program. “Dr. Martin Luther King was well known for his powerful words and the legacy he left the rest of us to uphold. He had faith change could happen”, John stated.

The Reverend Pastor Peter Ahn, Director of PPH Pastoral Services, delivered the opening meditation. Pastor Peter opened his meditation by stating that he would rather honor Dr. King through his work,

>>>continued on page 7, Dr. Martin

PPH Dining Services was recognized by the MLK Day Commitee for their hard work in upholding the PPH standards

Luther King

On January 11, Personal Care residents had their New Year’s party in the Social Hall, which was delayed due to the recent surge of COVID-19 cases. Dining Services provided a New Year’s lunch for the residents, and were treated with a performance from members of the Mummers Parade!

Cardiovascular Disease, Heart Disease, Coronary Heart Disease? Know the Difference!

from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Cardiovascular disease, heart disease, coronary heart disease — what’s the difference? These terms sound so similar, people tend to use them interchangeably, but they are very different.

Cardiovascular Disease – the big umbrella. Cardiovascular disease is the term for all types of diseases that affect the heart or blood vessels, including coronary heart disease (clogged arteries), which can cause heart attacks, stroke, heart failure and peripheral artery disease. More than 800,000 people die of cardiovascular disease every year in the United States (1 in 3 deaths).

Heart Disease – A type of cardiovascular disease. “Heart disease” is a catch-all phrase for a variety of conditions that affect the heart’s structure and function. Keep in mind — ALL heart diseases are cardiovascular diseases, but NOT all cardiovascular diseases are heart disease. The most common type of heart disease is coronary heart disease. In fact, when people talk about “heart disease” they often mean coronary heart disease. Nearly 650,000 Americans die from heart diseases each year. About 11% of American adults (that’s more than 1 of every 9) have been diagnosed with heart disease.

Coronary Heart Disease – A type of heart disease. Coronary heart disease is often referred to simply as “heart disease,” although it’s not the only type of heart disease. Another term for it is coronary artery disease. Coronary heart disease occurs when plaque (a combination of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in the blood) builds up in your arteries. You may have heard this called clogged arteries or atherosclerosis. The plaque reduces the amount of oxygen-rich blood getting to your heart, which can cause chest pain (also called angina). Plaque can also lead to blood clots, which block blood flow and are the most common cause of a heart attack.

What can you do to protect yourself from cardiovascular diseases?

• Ask your doctor about your blood pressure, cholesterol, and A1C

• Reduce the sodium, and increase the fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet

• Be physically active

• Maintain a healthy weight

• Don’t smoke

• Manage stress

• Keep your diabetes under control

The Mummers come to PPH to celebrate the New Year

This Tree

by Ronald Barras, PPH Benefits Coordinator

A seed was planted a long time ago.

Sewn with some love, it soon started to grow.

It sprung from the earth, a little each day.

Some sun and some rain had it well on its way.

The first years saw struggle, spring, summer, then fall. Winters would come, and eventually thaw.

The seed, now a sapling, now a life of its own.

A leaf, then a branch, tell the world that it’s grown.

The seasons, they pass. The time it goes by.

The branches stretch out, they reach to the sky.

Each branch, it is different; no two are the same.

Yet one tree is growing. It has but one name.

Each new spring we notice, how branches have changed.

Not all for the better, but loved just the same.

Each summer its leaves give a little more shade. They give a cool place, where good memories are made.

Autumn brings fanfare, in bouquets of gold.

Then leaves tumble down, as cool turns to cold.

Though New Years arrive and branches go bare, The snow can’t deny that life is still there.

Then spring comes again; warm breezes remind, This tree is eternal. It’s one of a kind.

This tree is our family. It’s proud and it’s strong. This tree, it’s our family and where we belong.

This tree is our family, created by love.

This tree, it’s our family, God’s gift from above.

New residents at PPH

Joann Parker

Joann Parker moved to PPH after recently living in Tinton Falls, New Jersey. She grew up in North Jersey. Joann worked as a Service Representative for Verizon. Her favorite hobby is watching television. Joann is also an Army Brat! We are delighted to welcome Joann to the PPH Family!

Fran Leswick

Fran Leswick moved to PPH after living in Calabash, North Carolina. Fran originally grew up in Philadelphia. She has two sons and three grandchildren. Fran’s special hobbies include reading and gardening. Welcome to the family, Fran! We are so lucky to have you on campus!

Ronald Barras

Collection of the Month

Vintage Wooden Advertising Hangers

The January display featured a special set of Vintage Wooden Advertising Hangers, owned by Lawndale resident & PPH Resident Council President, Patricia Coyne.

Would you like to receive a mail ballot for each election this year?

In a few weeks, you will receive an annual application that you will need to complete and return to continue automatically receiving either a mail-in or absentee ballot for each election in 2023.

If you are on the annual mail-in voter list:

1. You must complete and return the application to affirm you want a mail-in ballot for all 2023 elections in which you are eligible to vote.

Bill Conaway

2. You will receive this application every year unless you return it and specify that you no longer want to receive it. If you would like to be removed from the annual list, follow the instructions provided by your county on how to cancel your annual status.

Please contact Bill Conaway (ext. 8194) if you have any questions about voting.

PPH Honors Black History Month

by PPH resident Carol Drummond

The theme for this year's Black History Month is “Black Resistance”, focusing on how African Americans, even though they have been oppressed in all facets of their lives, have risen through all aspects of adversity. There will be multiple events throughout the month of February which will reveal how so many African Americans have persevered their dignity through trials and tribulations to achieve success.

Black History Month is a federally recognized event that is celebrated nationwide. Dr. Carter G. Woodson (1875-1950) is credited with creating this opportunity to recognize and reflect on the impact African Americans have had in this country. Dr. Woodson, the son of former slaves, spent little time in school. He worked in the coal mines, quarries and his formal education was intermittent. At the age of 17, Dr. Woodson taught himself basic English and math skills. When Woodson was 20, he was able to enroll in high school and completed a four-year curriculum in two years. Dr. Woodson would go on to earn a Master's Degree from the University of Chicago, as well as his doctorate from Harvard University.

In 1926, Dr. Woodson established Negro History Week. “We should emphasize not Negro History, but the Negro in history. What we need is not a history of selected

>>>continued on page 7, Black History Month

Employee of the Month:  Eriq Pierre

Eriq started with our PPH Security Department in June 2021. He has a great deal of patience when working with the residents and staff. We are happy to have Eriq as part of the PPH family!

Congratulations Eriq!

Thank you for doing “Whatever it takes.”

Volunteer of the Month:  Susan Kolodziej

Congratulations go out to Susan Kolodziej, who is the “Volunteer of the Month” for February 2023.

Susan has been a community PPH Volunteer since March of 2022. She does an excellent job helping the beautician in our second floor Beauty Shop. Susan is always cheerful, pleasant, and very happy to help anyone. Thanks Susan for your help. You are appreciated.

Dr. Carter G. Woodson

The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

NEWS BRIEFS

★ COVID-19 protocols for visitors: Due to the recent surge of COVID-19 cases around campus, our mask mandate will be temporarily reinstated for ALL residents and visitors throughout our PPH campus. The mask mandate is a minor inconvenience, but we must mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and we must act now. We appreciate your cooperation. Masks are still required in the Doctor’s Office, Personal Care, and Pathways. Please advise your guests to refrain from visiting if they feel sick or have been exposed to COVID-19.

★ Food Collection: The PPH Food Drive — a 2021 Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Project — will continue indefinitely as long as PPH’s neighbors are in need of food. Food will be collected the last week of the month, and then will be delivered the first day of the following month. There will be two collection sites: the vending machine area, located near the Wellness Center and in front of the Security office. For more information, call Tom Sexton at ext. 8368.

★ Trips:  Fees for trips are now added to each resident’s monthly bill (NO CASH). If you’d like to cancel, you must call the Business Office (ext. 8010) to have the trip fee removed.

★ Independent Living Residents Association:  The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 20 at 2 p.m in the Social Hall.

*(If subject to COVID-19 restrictions, this will broadcast on channel 7)

★ PPH Auxiliary: The Auxiliary’s next meeting will be held in the Social Hall and broadcast on PPH TV channel 7 on Tuesday, February 14 at 11:30 a.m.

Membership in the PPH Auxiliary is open to PPH residents, staff, and community supporters (only $5 per year). Dating back to its origins as the PPH Ladies Aid Society in 1889, the Auxiliary continues its initiatives to support the heart of PPH’s fundraising mission, Benevolent Care, as well as supporting staff/resident gratitude activities.

★ Black History Month

Presentation: On Thursday, February 2, at 2:00 p.m., there will be a special program for Black History Month with James Dupree. The event will be located in the Social Hall. Contact Kathy Nucero at ext. 8505 for questions.

★ Volunteers Needed: Volunteer Cashiers and Assistants (Baggers) are needed for Tabor Market and the Gift Shop. If you are interested, please contact Carol Cherrington at ext. 8027 for more information.

★ Attention: We will have Congressman Brendan Boyle and State Representative Anthony Bellmon giving a legislative update to the PPH residents at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, February 3 in the Social Hall. Each official will be given time to introduce themselves and speak about their vision, with plenty of time for questions. Coffee and danish will be provided. Contact Bill Conaway at ext. 8194 for any questions.

★ TED Talks: See the February calendar.

★ Veterans’ Meeting: The February Veterans’ meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 7, at 10 am in the Social Hall. If you have not provided your photos for the Veterans video, please bring them with you to the meeting. Please contact Bill Conaway at ext. 8194 with any questions.

★ Calling all Veterans: It is important to PPH that we identify all veterans living in our community. We want to make sure you are receiving the meeting notices, ceremonial invitations, and other veteran specific information. If you are new to the community and/or you have not completed the May 2021 veteran survey, please contact Bill Conaway at ext. 8194.

★ Dining Services: February 1 and 15, The Continental, featuring fresh pastries, bagels, yogurts, juices, fruit, and coffee, will be available for purchase and will take place in the Fountain Room from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

February 8 and 22, the Farmers Market will take place in the Fountain Room from 10:00 a.m. –11:00 a.m.

★ Accent Care: Join us on February 24 at 2pm in the Social Hall. Jennifer Paice, of Accent Care, inc., will give a presentation on how to remain in independent living longer. Please join us in this informative discussion.

Refreshments and raffle giveaways will be provided. Please contact Kathy Nucero at ext. 8505 for more information.

>>>Dr. Martin Luther King, continued from page 1

rather than creating his own speech. “Pastor Peter quoted from the book, “Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?”

“I chose this partly because there is one threat still in our society today and that’s divisiveness”, Pastor Peter stated. PPH resident Carol Drummond performed the song “Dr. Martin Luther King” as an acapella, where she tapped along with her song using the microphone. The performance was followed up with keynote speaker, PPH resident Kathy Andrews-WIlliams, Ed.D., delivering her speech about “Sustaining a Caring Community in the Spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” Lucille described Kathy as “a teacher for change.”

As the event progressed, Executive Chef Jerome Seeney would be recognized by the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Committee for his exemplary committment to PPH, which he accepted on behalf of Dining Services. As he accepted the award, Chef Jerome paraphrased a quote from Dr. King, “Everbody can be great because anybody can serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

At the end of the event, the audience watched a PowerPoint video which featured all of the Dining Services staff members. The video also featured Cab Calloway’s song “Everybody Eats When They Come to My House”, which drew laughter and applause from the audience as they viewed each photo.

This well-attended event was also live-streamed on Channel 7. The program would be rebroadcast on Saturday, January 28, and Saturday, February 4, for residents to rewatch the MLK program if they were unable to attend.

>>>Black History Month, continued from page 5

races or nations, but the history of the world void of national bias, race hate, and religious prejudice”, Dr. Woodson stated.

The week would be expanded to a month-long celebration, known as Black History Month. The celebration is every February when both President Abraham Lincoln's (February 12, 1809) and Frederick Douglass' birthdays (February 14, 1818) occur.

In the words of Jamaican political activist Marcus Garvey, “A people without knowledge of their past, history, origin or culture is like a tree without roots.”

This month's activity calendar and flyers will highlight films, presentations, and events that emphasize Black History Month's theme, as well as Marcus Garvey's poetic words.

The audience giving a standing ovation to the Dining Staff

Executive Chef Jerome Seeney with the certificate recognizing his committment to PPH

Audience members watching the PowerPoint video featuring the Dining Services staff

Frederick Douglass

Reflections

When Loving is Hard

Dear PPH Family,

February is typically associated with superficial symbolic gestures of love… hearts, candy, and flowers. We certainly should take opportunities to let those we love and cherish know how much they mean to us with a delicious box of chocolates or a dozen roses but, love goes beyond loving those we care deeply about.God’s love often means loving the unlovable, the difficult, the annoying.

God knew, before the creation of time, that someday He would bring together each PPH resident, each member of dining services, security, each medical staff member, administration, and volunteer for such a time as this. It is easy to become complacent about the depth of God’s love for us and just how much He cares for us. It is easy to forget that

God orders our paths. While each of us is at a different place in our personal journey, each of us has different gifts, strengths, and positions. God uses those differences to build each other up, challenge each other, and when we allow him to guide us, to “show love to one another.”

Showing love to others can be difficult, especially if we do not really like someone. When my children were in their early teenage years I loved them, but I didn’t always like them. I didn’t like the way they wanted to dress, the way they spoke to me, the places they wanted to go, and the things they did that were disobedient. BUT, I still loved them. I can say similar things about family members, teachers who worked for me, neighbors, and church members. No doubt, there are some people we all find difficult; we want to change them or think we can “fix” their annoying ways. Yet, people are the way they are and there is little you or I can do to change them.

You can however look past what you perceive as their faults and ask God to change you; ask God to help you see their value. Stop judging and condemning and look for the good others offer. In some individuals you may have to look deeply into the person; you may not know the trauma or baggage they carry, but you will be rewarded when you take the time to look past the annoying and find the good. Remember, that person you find annoying and difficult was created in the image of God, by the God who loves you.

I am grateful for the love and acceptance you have shown me during my brief time here. I look forward to continuing getting to know each one of you in a loving way as we move ahead in our journey together.

Linda Lewis, Chaplain

THE PPH MISSION

Guided by Christian values, the mission of The Philadelphia Protestant Home is to provide a caring senior living community that affords its residents the opportunity to achieve their highest possible quality of life.