Aberdeen Village Community Matters – January 2023

JANUARY 2023

Epiphany around the world For Christians around the world, the official end to the Christmas holiday occurs on January 6.

Known as Epiphany, or the 12th Day of Christmas, it commemorates how a star led the Magi, or the three kings or wise men, to the baby Jesus.

Here’s a look at how this holiday is celebrated around the world.

Spain In Madrid and the rest of Spain, locals eat a ring-shaped, cream-filled Roscón cake that is decorated with a paper crown while a king figurine or a dried bean is baked inside. Whoever finds the former gets to wear the crown while whoever finds the latter has to pay for the cake.

In Barcelona and Catalania, the Epiphany cake is called Tortell or Gâteau des Rois and is filled with marzipan.

France In Paris and beyond, the French feast on ‘Galette des Rois’, a marzipan cake with a toy baked inside, while the cake itself is topped with a gold paper crown. Whoever winds up with the toy gets to wear the crown.

Epiphany – continued on page 2

Frankie and Bill Payne

New residents keep passion up in the air

Before moving to Aberdeen Village, Bill Payne enjoyed building, repairing, and flying his large model airplanes.

“I probably had 8-9 of them before,” Bill said. “I just have a love of flying. I had a whole basement set up to repair and build those planes. Most of them made from balsa wood, with a gas engine that had between 35 and 55 horsepower. But Roscón: A Spanish cake with a figurine you had to take the wings off to move baked inside. them, because the wings could be 7-8 feet wide.”

Now, however, he’s made the transition to smaller, electric-powered airplanes that can be easily stored in his garage at Aberdeen Village.

In addition to flying model planes, Bill held a private pilot’s license and owned an airplane that he and wife Frankie Gallette Des Rois: a French cake with a toy would use to travel throughout the baked inside.

United States.

“We flew to Vegas a couple of times, and our family still lives in Louisiana so we’d fly down and back. It’s a quick flight only takes a couple of hours.”

Since moving to Aberdeen Village at the end of July, Bill and Frankie have settled in nicely.

Sternsinger travel door to door in “They provide a dinner and I’m glad I Germany, singing a traditional blessing

Up in air – continued on page 3

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Epiphany– continued from page 1 Germany Groups of young people called Sternsinger (also known as Star Singers) travel door to door dressed as the three Wiseman, plus the leader carrying a star. These singers will be offered treats at the homes they visit, but they also ask for donations for worthy causes. The young people then perform the traditional house blessing by marking the year over the doorway with chalk. This protects the inhabitants from evil in the upcoming year. They will write 20 + C + M + B + 16 (The year surrounds the traditional names of the Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar). Others claim the CMB stands for “Christus Mansionem Benedicat” (Christ Bless This House)

European City borrows from French traditions, a country that has a great influence on the city. The King Cake of New Orleans is usually made with cinnamon and pecans and is distinguished by vibrant purple, yellow and green sugar and icing.

Whoever gets the piece with the baby will enjoy a prosperous and lucky year.

Italy On Epiphany Eve, the children of Rome, Milan and beyond hang up stockings in anticipation of presents from an old lady named La Befana.

This is in addition to the Christmas gifts they receive from Babbo Natale course. Most cities celebrate the national holiday with a parade, but Venice holds a regata during which men dressed as La Bafana race around the city’s signature canals.

New Orleans It’s fitting that America’s most

The King Cake of New Orleans made with colorful icing

La Befana brings presents to children in Italy.

The Kalloikantzaroi goblins live underground but roam the earth in Greece and Cyprus during the 12 days of Christmas

Greece and Cyprus Epiphany is known a “fota” in Greece and Cyprus which is Greek for lights and represents the fact that on this day God enlightened the world.

The day is celebrated by blessing the waters on beaches across both countries. Greek Orthodox priests toss a cross into the sea and boys and men jump in to quickly retrieve it. A more bizarre tradition is the Kallikantrzaroi, goblins who live underground but come to the surface during the 12 days of Christmas. To prevent them from destroying the earth, tradition has superstitious families throwing food on the roofs of their houses on as an offering to eat and then return underground without entering people’s homes. u

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | January 2023

is published monthly for residents and friends of Aberdeen Village

by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

To submit or suggest articles: soehlert@pmma.org Tim Allin, executive director Stephanie Oehlert, director of sales and marketing

OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.

Find Epiphany in this traditional cake recipe In honor of Epiphany, here is a delicious recipe for a French cake, the Galette Des Rois. As part of French tradition, a bean or small china feve (favor) is hidden in the cake. The person who finds the feve in his or her slice becomes king or queen for the day u

Galette Des Rois ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Servings: 16

¼ cup almond paste ¼ cup white sugar 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened 1 egg ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract ¼ teaspoon almond extract 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 pinch salt 1 (17.25 ounce) package frozen puff pastry, thawed 1 dry kidney bean 1 egg, beaten 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar for dusting

Directions 1. Place the almond paste into a food processor or blender with about half of the sugar, and process until well blended. Add the butter and remaining sugar using and process until smooth, then blend in 1 egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, flour and salt. Set aside.

2. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Butter a baking sheet or line with parchment paper, and set aside.

3. Roll out one sheet of the puff pastry into an 11-inch square. Keep the pastry cool, do not knead or stretch. Use a large pie plate, cake pan or frying pan to trace an 11 inch circle onto the dough using the tip of a small knife. Place the circle of pastry onto the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the second sheet of pastry. Refrigerate both sheets.

4. Mound the almond filling onto the center of the pastry that is on the baking sheet. Leave about 1 1/2 inch margin at the edges. Press the bean or feve down into the filling. Place the second sheet of pastry on top, and press down the edges to seal. Beat the remaining egg with a fork, and lightly brush onto the top of the galette. Use a knife to make a crisscross pattern in the egg wash, and then prick several small slits in the top to vent steam while baking.

5. Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Do not open the oven until the time is up, as the pastry will not fully puff. Remove from the oven, and dust with confectioners' sugar. Return to the oven, and cook for an additional 12 to 15 minutes, or until the top is a deep golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

6. Lay a golden paper crown gently on top of the cake. This will be used to crown the person who finds the bean or feve. Serve warm or cold. Make sure to tell everyone about the bean or feve.

Up in air – continued from page 1 don’t have to cook every night,” Frankie said.

“We’re gradually in the process of making friends,” Bill said.

“They have a lot of activities, and we’re kind of watching those. They have a social gathering on Friday and we go to that. They serve wine and hors d’oeuvres and have an outside entertainer, usually music, like a clarinet and violin.”

Before living at Aberdeen Village, Bill and Frankie lived in Gardner, where Bill had an accounting business until 2007, when he sold it.

“But I kept going up to help out during tax season,” Bill said.

The couple has four children, 12 grandchildren, and 18 greatgrandchildren. Their three daughters live nearby, along with most of the grandchildren, and they have been instrumental in helping Bill and Frankie downsize, move, and set up their new home.

“It’s taken some time, but we’re getting into the routine,” Bill said. “We’ve made some connections with people. The food is very good. And they do a very good job decorating here for Christmas. They’ve got Christmas trees on every floor, and electric trains set up. We’re glad to be here.” u Aberdeen Village | A PMMA COMMUNITY

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Celebrating National Dress Up Your Pet Day on January 14 It’s always a good time to celebrate our favorite pets - but even more so when there’s a holiday specifically designated to put your pet in the cutest outfits you can find. Here are a few of our resident pets in this year’s prettiest pet fashions. u

Lucy the Christmas Dog – Dog of Stephanie Oehlert, Sales & Marketing Director Frankie as a puppy showing disapproval in a sweater from day one and then Frankie the Disapproving Christmas Corgi – Granddog of Stephanie Oehlert, Sales & Marketing Director

Jack and Jill as Easter Bunnies – Dogs of Janelle Erickson, Director of Social Services

Fern and Lucy Ready for Hawaii – Dogs of Janelle Erickson, Director of Social Services

17500 W. 119th St.

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | January 2023

Violet & Aloe Dressed Up as Dragons for Halloween – Cats of David Meyer, Sales & Marketing Counselor

Brady the Elf – Dog of Diane Gunsolley, Chaplain

Olathe, KS 66061-9524

Elphie Proudly wears her crown – Cat of Stephanie Oehlert, Sales & Marketing Director

Jolie on St. Patrick’s Day and then 6 months later on the 4th of July – dog of Sandy Barnes, Life Enrichment Director