Commun ty Matters Lawrence Presbyterian Manor
July 2016
Start painting — at any age! By Heidi Raschke for Next Avenue
Megan Jackson is the kind of person people describe as an old soul. “It’s hard for me to really connect in my own age group, and that’s always been the case,” says the painter who created an untitled work selected for publication by Next Avenue (see page 4). “I’ve always had older friends.” Before Jackson created this work of painting and collage, she wasn’t familiar with the terms “artful aging” or “creative aging” — which refer to the practice of engaging older adults in participatory, professionally run arts programs with a focus on social engagement and skills mastery. But she knew many people who were living it. “Anyone — anyone — can be an artist.You hear people all the time say, ‘Oh, I don’t have any artistic talent,’ which is not true,” Jackson says. “You just have to do it whether you think you have talent or not, you have to get out there and try it.” Jackson offers two tips on how you, too, can let go of the pressure and get started doing art: ART, continued on page 4
The Fourth of July is fun, but we also recognize our veterans who have served.
Fourth of July memories Independence Day is a highlight of every summer, as communities come together to celebrate our nation’s birthday (this year is her 240th!). We asked our residents about some of their favorite memories of fun on the Fourth of July. Picnics, fireworks, concerts, road trips, friends and family — and the occasional giant “snake” — that’s what the Fourth means to us. Beverly Burrows: Back in the 1920s and 1930s we watched the Fourth of July fireworks from my grandfather’s old car, which had a roll-back roof. The fireworks were held at the city golf course, and there was always a crowd. INDEPENDENCE, continued on page 3