June 2013 - Whitney Center

Observer
ENLIGHTEN t ENRICH t ENGAGE
Inside
You & Your Health
Doctors Cautious
Prescribing OncePopular Hormone
Therapies........... 3
Mind Readers
Does Fido Know
What You’re
Thinking? ......... 2
Life At Whitney
Center . ................ 4
Exciting Upcoming
Events ..................4
Life Clicking Away
Photo Buffs Go
Digital ...............4
Concentrated
Culture
Festival Of Arts
& Ideas Shakes
Up Summer . .....4
June/July 2013
Architect: Home’s True Value
Not Measured In Square Feet
D
uring the late 1990s, buyers
now for less tangible but more
seeking the biggest house
meaningful aspects of design in
they could afford fueled a feverish the home that are about beauty,
housing market. Architect Sarah
self-expression, and the enhanceSusanka took a contrarian view. In ment of life.”
her book, The Not So Big House:
A Blueprint For the Way We Really Inspiring A Movement
Live (1998), she wrote, “Maybe it
Sarah now finds herself one of
was the 1980s that created what I
the leaders of a movement that is
call the ‘starter castle’ complex — redefining the American home,
the notion that houses should be
having written more than a dozen
designed
books expanding
to impress
on the philosorather than
phy of ‘the not so
nurture.
big house.’ Her
More
approach to design
rooms, big— “better, not
ger spaces,
bigger” — is being
and vaulted
embraced widely
ceilings do
across the country.
not necesHer website (www.
sarily give
NotSoBigHouse.
us what we
com) lists a numneed in a
ber of resources
home.”
for people eager to
The
know more about
housing
how her approach
landscape
is being impleSarah
Susanka
emphasizes
qualhas changed
mented. Whether
ity of living, not space, in her books
radically
you’re moving
and
home
designs.
(Photo
by
Cheryl
since then,
from a large home
Muhr.)
and many
to one not so big
Americans are welcoming the wis- or moving to an apartment, Sarah
dom of Sarah’s words.
offers helpful insights on how to
“People start out with big ideas, make the change a positive one.
big homes, but the ‘feeling’ of a
“Our homes can still express
home has nothing to do with the
our personalities, but also accomsize,” Sarah says today. “Home is modate our changing lifestyles,”
about quality, not quantity. Square she points out. “No matter how
footage in a home is being traded
SEE “HOUSE” ON P. 7
Historic Legacy
Resident Helps
Preserve Dramatic
Exhibits ............. 5
Financial Advisors
Help Clients Navigate
Turbulent Times
W
ith the economic downturn of the last
couple of years, and with so much
more financial complexity and turbulence
today than before, the world can be a confusing place for the average retiree trying to
make the best of his or her nest egg.
Where’s the best place to go for help?
“The number one most confusing thing
I see seniors trying to deal with is knowing
from whom to accept advice,” says Greg
Gann, president of the investment firm Gann
Partnership.
Trust Is Not Enough
“I’ve seen a lot of CPAs and accountants
who have gotten involved in selling investments to their clients,” he continues. “They
have a built-in trust and understanding of
their clients’ finances, but many seniors
have learned the hard way that accountants
are not really investment specialists. They
don’t have the systems in place or the time
to make changes with their client when the
market changes.”
True financial advisors offer investment
skills to their clients that accountants lack,
Greg says. This can be particularly helpful for older people with little experience in
financial matters. A wife (and occasionally a
husband) may have relied entirely
on a spouse to handle the couple’s
money matters. They may feel
adrift when that spouse passes on.
“They’re overwhelmed with the
situation,” Greg explains. “They
want to rely on someone, but they
SEE “ADVISORS” ON P. 2
Messy Is Good
Crossword
Puzzle .............. 6
Sudoku ............. 7
Discover Whitney
Center
See Retirement In
A Whole New
Light ................. 8
H
Tradition Vies With Modernity
In ‘Wine’s World’
umanity’s love affair with wine
began centuries ago. Some seem to
enjoy talking about it almost as much as
they do drinking it. Here is a roundup of
stories about the beloved beverage:
In The Beginning, There Was …
The Grape?
Wine is older than most religions.
An Associated Press story noted that
the earliest known intact winery has
recently been discovered in an Armenian mountain cave, and is estimated to
date from 6,000 years ago. Complete
with a vat, fermentation jars, drinking
bowl and cup, the archeological site
provides clear proof that its inhabitants
were onto something with long lasting
appeal.
Wine Goes Hi-Tech
Today, some people are so enthralled
by the wine-making process that adult
camps are offered.
On the trendy east end of Long
Island, both well-heeled aficionados and
novices can enjoy local vintages with
gourmet food and discuss the secrets of
wine and food pairing. Participants take
SEE “WINE” ON P. 2
Lenbrook
Whitney
Center
3747
Peachtree
Road
NE
200 Leeder Hill
Drive
Atlanta,CT.
GA06517-2749
30319
Hamden,
Cherishing A
Mangled
Lunch ............... 6
The Whitney Center Observer
Page 2
The ‘Veritas’ About ‘Vino’
FROM “WINE” ON P. 1
tours of vineyards (getting
their hands dirty if they
want) and classes on the
wine making process.
There are even computer
applications which use
Global Positioning System
technology to help plan
wine touring adventures and
conveniently provide pertinent information on wineries, events, local hotels,
inns and restaurants. The
Long Island Wine Council
sponsors a free Long Island
Wine Country smartphone
app, which is compatible
June/July 2013
The ‘Death’ Of Chardonnay Is Greatly Exaggerated
with the iPhone, Blackberry
and Android (www.liwines.
com). No doubt these clever
promotions will spread to
other wine producing locals.
Wine Is Hip
The online newspaper
Huffington Post (www.huffingtonpost.com) recently
decried all the hoopla sur-
rounding the annual predictions of which wines will be
a hit in the upcoming year.
The article postulated that
many recommendations are
self serving.
Refuting the hypothesis
that Chardonnay is dead, the
column suggests that this
category is merely in a state
of experimentation, with
many vignerons moving
to the unoaked style wine.
The dry white wine will still
attract new fans.
Although Pinot Noir’s
popularity was undoubtedly
boosted by the movie Sideways a few years ago, credit
for its success must largely
go to the triumph of relatively young U.S. vintners
finally scaling a steep learning curve and producing
fine wine from this capricious grape. The Huffington Post article does allow
that the movie encouraged
more plantings of the grape,
which will lower prices,
and in turn, increase its
popularity.
In spite of what naysayers predict, the Huffington
Post piece expresses confidence that French and
Italian wines’ popularity is
secure in the American con-
year. “Life’s too short to
drink wine you don’t like
because someone says that’s
the type of wine you should
be drinking.”
Purity Popular (But
sumer’s favor, pointing out
that these vintages comprise Potentially Pricey)
fully half of the U.S. wine
Another trend to watch
market.
for is the rise of organic
Competitive regions have wines. Europe already has
emerged. Because of the
an Agriculture Biologique
economical costs of land
logo, indicating that a wine
and labor in South America, was made from organic
Australia and Portugal,
grapes which were grown
these regions are able to
without chemical fertilizers,
offer good wines at excepgenetically modified organtionally low prices. At under isms or synthetic pesticides.
$15 a bottle they presSeveral very prestigious
ent real
European
value. At
vineyards
$25, they
French and Italian have sucare comcessfully
wines’ popularity
peting
made the
against
switch to
is secure, though
a league
competitive regions organic
of disgrowing,
counted
returning
have emerged.
wine from
to the old
around
practices,
the world.
such as using compost.
Joanne Levengood of
Domaine de la RomanéeManatawny Creek Winery
Conti (DRC), which sells its
in Pennsylvania is skepti2005 vintage for $16,000 a
cal of the idea that wine
bottle, and has been organic
consumers are motivated by since 1985, has even
trendiness.
reverted to horses instead of
“People buy and drink
tractors (to keep the ground
what wines they like no
loose) and applying natural
matter what anyone tells
products on its crop based
them and I think that’s fanon a lunar calendar. Organic
tastic,” she says, noting that proponents argue that chemshe doesn’t anticipate any
icals have weakened the soil
big changes in the coming
SEE “CONNOISSEURS” ON P. 7
Financial Advisors Offer Guidance On Prudent Investing
FROM “ADVISORS” ON P. 1
don’t know who to rely on.
“Many turn to their children, but many of
those have been spendthrifts themselves. The
widow doesn’t know who to get advice from
because someone else has been taking care of
things,” he continues. “The husband may have
been confused, but now that he’s out of the picture, she feels completely clueless.
“I can’t tell you how many people have told
me, ‘My spouse has no interest, he or she relies
on me. They gloss over it, it bores them.’
“ ‘This is out of my domain,’ they think.”
risk of having concentrated assets in
a few companies.
We put a ‘stop’
in place so if the
stock goes down a
certain percentage,
we sell it off.”
Taxes ‘Wagging
The Dog’
Clients also
have tax-free IRAs
that they haven’t
Plagued By Lack Of Interest
adjusted for fear
Today’s markets pose considerable challenges of the tax implicafor seniors who have limited or non-existent
tions of doing so.
opportunities to increase their income outside of
“They’re so
their investments.
afraid to create a
“Seniors today need income, but interest rates protective stratare so low,” says Gann. “The question is, where egy because of taxes, they let the tax tail wag
do they get this income, while still having secu- the dog,” he explains. “They don’t make good
rity of principal?
investment decisions. They should look at the
“We seek to mitigate loss by using a variety
investment first, then the tax side. If 90 percent
of different strategies that create income and
of your account goes out the window [due to a
also preserve principal, regardless of whether
bad investment], the taxes are a very small porthe market trend is up or down,” Gann explains. tion of the game.
“We do a lot of individual issues that provide
“We are today at very low tax rates, relative
fixed interest rates, but
to historical rates,”
with short term matuGreg reminds us.
“They
should
look
at
the
rity, so that if interest
“That’s a good thing.
rates do go up, you can
investment first, then the tax Tax rates on dividends
capture that new rate
and capital gains are
side.
If
90
percent
of
your
and not have a major
at historically low
negative impact on
account goes out the window, levels.”
what you own.”
Accountants acting
the taxes are a very small
One situation Greg
as financial advisers
sees fairly often is a climay overemphasize
portion of the game.”
ent with a large concenthe focus on taxes,
tration of stock in one
Greg suspects.
company, often a legacy of holdings from where
“An accountant is really a historian looking at
the client used to work.
what happened in the past, and at how to arrange
“I had a client who had worked for a comeverything to maximize an account’s return
pany and had a large position of company
given those taxes. They look very closely at
stock,” Greg says. “So we created a strategy to
what can be written off,” he points out. “That’s
protect that value and minimize the downside
very different than looking to invest in pharma-
ceuticals, silver, or commodities! They typically
just use a static asset allocation model, generally
with mutual funds, that over an 80-100 year span
may produce wealth. They’re not set up to move
clients nimbly in real time.”
Tackling Problems Face To Face
Finding a financial advisor you can trust can
be a challenge. The Internet does offer clients a
relatively easy way to check to see if a particular advisor has had complaints, Greg points out,
adding that the FINRA website (www.finra.org)
is a particularly good resource for individual
investors.
“Trust is different than just knowing what
kind of results someone’s had,” Greg explains.
“So many businesses have moved to the web and
have no personal contact. When it comes to your
finances, it’s good to have a deep personal connection with the person and sit eyeball to eyeball
with them to discuss your account, and determine if your values are in line with the other
person’s values.
“It’s tough to get trust if you haven’t met the
person,” he concludes.
June/July 2013
The Whitney Center Observer
W
idely embraced by doctors
HRT regimen was found to increase
and their patients in the latter risk of heart attack and breast
part of the 20th century, hormone
cancer while reducing the risk of
replacement therapy (HRT) and
colorectal cancer. Studies continue
estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) to evaluate the hormones’ other
are far more controversial today.
potential risks and benefits.
Though still considered valuable by
The findings complicate the
conventional doctors, enthusiasm
medical approach to older women
for the treatments dimmed consider- facing the risk or reality of osteoably when the National Institutes
porosis, a reduction in bone density
of Health released the initial results that can lead to increased risk of
from its Women’s Health Initiafractures.
tive (WHI) studies a few years ago.
The onset of osteoporosis is
Both therapies were found to pose
symptomless to the patient, but can
significant risks for patients.
be detected with a DEXA scan, a
“Forty years ago, the Western
dual energy X-ray that measures
world thought that medicine had
hip and spine bone density (BMD).
discovered the Holy Grail in the
Any score lower than -2.5 indiform of supplemental estrogen ….
cates osteoporosis. This condition
By 2001, HRT was the number one can increase the risk of bone fracprescription drug in the world,”
tures and breaks, back pain, spine
notes Gillian Sanson, a staunch
curvature (with resulting protrudcritic of these therapies and author
ing abdomen), loss of height, and
of The Myth of Osteoporosis: What decreased mobility.
Every Woman Should Know About
Creating Bone Health. “The prom- Too Good To Be True?
ise that a single pill could prevent
Many women choose to use
age-related chronic diseases had
HRT or ERT because of symptoms
led vast
that may
numaccompany
Doctors
now
advocate
using
bers of
perimenohealthy
the lowest effective dose for the pause and
women
menominimum
time
period.
to take
pause, such
medicaas night
tion for diseases they didn’t have,
sweats, vaginal dryness, itching,
and may never have developed. We burning, discomfort during internow know they also were exposing course, and hot flashes. Since the
themselves to serious harm.”
hormone therapies were known
to have the side benefit of helping
Fewer Fractures … But More
prevent bone loss, HRT and ERT
Strokes
were seen as multi-faceted remedies
According to the Ohio State Uni- in the past. Doctors and their clients
versity Medical Center, the WHI
must now wrestle with the quesstudies found that both long term
tion of whether their negative side
HRT and ERT regimens increased
effects outweigh their benefits.
participants’ risk of stroke and
In response to the WHI findblood clots, while reducing risk of
ings, doctors now prescribe reduced
fractures. In addition, a long term
doses of hormones that still appear
Page 3
to be effective, yet lower the risk of therapies may outweigh the risks
unwanted side effects.
for women who reach menopause
ERT is used for women who
prematurely.
have had a complete hysterectomy
The U.S. Food and Drug Admin(removal of the uterus and ovaries) istration recommends that postor an oophorectomy (removal of the menopausal women discuss other
ovaries). Because ERT can increase osteoporosis medicines with their
a woman’s risk of developing canphysician before taking ERT or
cer in the uterus, it is not given to
HRT to prevent bone loss. In cases
patients who have not had a hysof severe osteoporosis in postmenoterectomy. A doctor may prescribe
pausal women when other treatERT for those who have had a hys- ments are unsuccessful, they may
terectomy, or for those who will be be the best solution. In other cases,
taking estrogen for less than a year. alternative medications may be
ERT only replaces estrogen,
more appropriate.
while HRT
Dr. Felicia
replaces both
Cosman, mediEarly detection can often keep a
estrogen and
cal director
minor
physical
problem
from
turnprogesterone.
of the clinical
ing
into
a
serious
medical
issue
Progesterone
research cen…
which
is
why
the
residents
of
is added to
ter at Helen
­Whitney Center appreciate the
HRT to stem
Hayes Hospital
many on-site health care programs
the rapid
and profesgrowth and
sor of clinical
and resources helping them stay
thickening
medicine at
active and informed.
of the uterColumbia Hosine lining
pital in New
and help reduce the risk of uterine
York, notes that “We’re not using
cancer.
hormone therapy for women in
HRT has side effects that should their 60s. That’s where you see
be taken under consideration before the increased risk of heart disease,
initiating use. Some medical profes- blood clots, and strokes, enough
sionals prescribe the estrogen and
negative side effects that you don’t
progesterone separately or in variwant to start women in their 60s
ous forms (such as cream, patch or
and 70s on hormones anymore.”
pill) in order to allow for fine tuning
It is recommended that only
dosages depending on effectiveness women who need relief from menoand side effects.
pausal symptoms take HRT or ERT,
in the smallest dose possible and for
Looking For Alternatives
the shortest time necessary.
To reduce added risks, doctors
There are alternatives to combat
advocate using the lowest effecosteoporosis: Eat a healthy diet, do
tive dose for the the minimum time regular weight bearing exercises,
period. Dosage can be kept lower
and take calcium and vitamin D
by choosing the most direct delivsupplements. Refrain from smokery method. For example, estrogen
ing and excessive drinking. If you
applied directly to the vagina is
do have osteoporosis, be sure to
more effective for vaginal-only
get your doctor’s recommendations
symptoms than a lower dose of
for the most effective medical and
estrogen in pill or skin patch form.
lifestyle approach.
The protective benefits of these
Dogs ‘Talk’ To Their Owners Without Barking, Survey Says
(ARA) – Ever get the feeling that
your dog knows what you’re thinking? According to a new survey,
it’s the wags, not the words that tell
the story when it comes to canine
communication.
The survey, conducted by Kelton Research for Pup-Peroni dog
snacks, revealed that most canine
source of comfort and companionto ‘read’ humans like few other
ship as their human friends — or
animals can,” said body language
maybe even more so. With a smile
expert Patti Wood. “Even someand a wag, dogs just know. How
thing as minute as a glance from
their owner has meaning for a dog.” many people can say that about
Wood also points out that our
their best friend or significant
Canine Body Language
modern dogs’ ability to communiother?
cate with us seems to be a product
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Pet owners feel confident that
of millennia of interacthey know what’s on their pups’
Answer to Sudoku
tion. “Research shows
minds, even without the benefit
that, over time, there
of words. Almost three in four
has been a deliberate
(74 percent) respondents believe
selection of dogs with
their dog’s body language or facial
the ability to pick up on
expressions better indicate how
cues from humans,” she
their pet is truly feeling than barks
or other sounds. They also estimate said. “It shows just how
important nonverbal
that they know what their dog is
thinking nearly half (49 percent) of communication between
dogs and people has
the time.
Seven in 10 (70 percent) respon- always been.”
Maybe it’s because
dents say there have been times
when they shared a meaningful look of that unspoken
connection between
with their canine companions.
canines and humans
“Dogs have an uncanny ability
to pick up on even the subtlest cues that people feel their
dogs are just as good a
from their owners, enabling them
pet parents believe that they can
communicate with their dogs even
though they don’t speak the same
language — giving a new twist to
the old adage, “silence is golden.”
The Whitney Center Observer
Page 4
June/July 2013
The Whitney Center Observer
June/July 2013
Page 5
T
he International Festival of Arts and Ideas is a small
explosion of concentrated culture in Whitney Center’s backyard. For two weeks in June, the festival showcases enough thrilling theater, daring dancers, masterful
musicians, and the intriguing insights of a full slate of
scholarly speakers to make New York jealous.
“We’re really excited that Whitney Center finds us
a valued cultural partner for their residents,” says Art
Priromprintr, director of marketing and communications
for the Festival. “We’re grateful that Whitney Center is
interested in partnering with us to bring residents here and
to support the Festival.”
explains. “More than 80,000 people attend these concerts
More than 140,000 people attended last year’s events.
over the five nights of the series.”
“Our most popular events are our free headline conAmong this year’s headliners are the Grammy-winning
certs on the New Haven Green, which take place on
Aaron Neville and the innovative Kronos Quartet. In
Saturday and Sunday evenings during the Festival,” Art
addition, the popular country musician Roseanne Cash
returns this year as a speaker to close out the Ideas
programming.
Whitney
Center
“One of the biggest
events we’re really
excited about is Midsummer Night’s Dream,
which premiered in the
Christian McBride
UK in March,” Art adds.
Roseanne Cash Returns
The unusual puppet
“We just find Rosanne to be an incredibly engaging
production is an international collaboration between a
and inspiring performer,” says Art. “We had an opportuBritish and a South African theater company.
nity to presThe performances at the Festival are the proent her as our
duction’s only appearance in the Northeast.
“We’re grateful that Whitney
closing night
“The puppets and people interact with each
headliner last
Center is interested in
other in really interesting ways,” Art explains.
year, and we
“It’s an intriguing process to see
partnering with us to bring
thought at
brought to life in a spectacular way
the time that
residents here and to support
… their imagination really brings the
that would
life out of these things.”
the Festival.”
be that. But
we ran into
Thrilling Athletic Performances
her again at the annual conference for performing arts
The Festival brings a number of superb
presenters in New York City and were inspired by a
physical performers to New Haven, including
powerful keynote speech that she gave, based on her
two ‘circus’ acts, one by the Montreal-based
life experiences and making music.
circus company Les 7 doigts de la main (7
“Many of us in the room didn’t realize she was an
Fingers), and another by the one-man circus
engaging speaker as well as a fantastic performer, so
artist, David Dimitri.
we asked her to come back to the Festival as part of
“We also have a marvelous classical Indian
our Ideas program of lectures and conversations,”
dancer appearing, Shantala Shivalingappa,”
he adds. “We think she has great things to say and to
Art adds. “She actually lives and works in
share with our audience, and it’s a nice bridge between
Paris, but she’s trained in the classical Indian
our Arts programming and our Ideas programming.”
style. She’s beautiful and such a master with
Other speakers are discussing such topics as what
her form.”
traditional hunter-gatherer societies have to tell us
The Festival began on June 15 and runs
about the way we live now, the politics of food, and
through June 29. For a complete schedule of
how global innovation in business is sparked right
events and locations, visit ArtIdea.org.
here at home.
7 Fingers
performs
Sequence 8.
Artist Aspasia Patti
Anos stands by
two of her pieces
exhibited in the
“On Nature” show
which runs through
June 30 at Whitney
Center’s Perspectives
Gallery.
Babe Ruth’s
granddaughters Linda
Ruth Tosetti and
Ellen Ruth Hourigan
— seen here with
Whitney Center staff
member Sam Roman
— recently gave a talk
at the community.
Upcoming Events At Whitney Center
Resident Barbara Stanley talks with a
vendor at the recent Wellness Health Fair.
Here are a few upcom- Whitney Brewers
Club: Tuesday,
ing events scheduled at
August 6
the area’s best retirement
community!
Company: Specticast of
Stephen Sondheim’s
Whitney Brewers Club:
comedic musical
Tuesday, July 2
about modern relaManon Lescaut: Spectitionships features
cast of Puccini’s popua star-studded cast
lar opera masterpiece.
which includes Neil
Friday, July 26
Patrick Harris and
Storytelling Slam:
Christina Hendricks.
Thursday, August 1
Friday, August 23.
Above, Shantala
Shivalingappa
is giving three
performances of
classical Indian
dance at this
year’s Festival.
Left, the unusual
human/puppet
production of A
MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S
DREAM produces some
haunting images.
Preservation Of The Past Is Resident’s Gift To The Future
by Mary Beth Congdon
Deputy Director, Yale’s Office of Planned Giving
actually moved. Rudolph Zallinger’s famous mural, The chamber music concerts at Sprague Hall, and from the
Age of Reptiles, will also be more dramatic. Thanks to a concert series at the Collection of Musical Instruments.
ramp repositioning, visitors will be able to look directly
Yale plays a significant role in Victoria DePalma’s
hat would you do if the director of the Peabody
into the eyes of the dinosaurs. It is an ambitious project life today, just as it did in her past. She is excited to
Museum
and Victoria is delighted to be a part of it
ensure that it becomes a part of her future, as well. Her
of Natural
and to support an institution she loves.
charitable gift annuity allows Victoria to contribute to
History asked
Victoria has deep connections to Yale.
the Peabody Great Hall renovation — a decision she
When Victoria learned of plans
you to build a
Her grandfather, Frederic William Keator,
feels her father would applaud.
to
renovate
the
Great
Hall
where
steel structure
earned his bachelor’s degree in 1880 and his
For more information about the museum, go to http://
strong enough
Yale
Law
degree
in
1882.
After
her
father
Peabody.Yale.edu/.
her father’s construction still
to support six
came to New Haven for his graduate work,
A version of this article first appeared in the pubstands,
she
jumped
at
the
chance
tons of dinohe subsequently taught at the University for lication for Yale’s Office of Planned Giving, PARTNERS
to participate.
THROUGH GIVING, Spring 2013 edition.
saur fossils in
almost 40 years.
The Office of Planned Giving welcomes any quesa realistic forA self described “life-long learner,” Victions you may have about their programs. Contact them
mation? What
toria took summer courses at Yale in addiif you were asked in 1928, when something like it had
tion to her fine arts courses at Albertus Magnus College. at Development.PlannedGiving@Yale.edu or (800)
445-6086.
never been done before?
Later, at Wesleyan University, she earned a master’s
That was exactly the proposition made to Yale’s
degree in Art and Art History.
mechanical engineering department. Frederic William
Keator, Jr., then a graduate student in his early twenties, Enjoying
University Life
volunteered. “I’ll try it,” he quickly replied. The result
was the Peabody’s largest mounted skeleton, the ApatoToday, Vicsaurus. The steel structure and the dinosaur fossils exca- toria is a volunvated by archeologist O.C. Marsh remain on display in
teer and docent
the Great Hall of Dinosaurs today, as they did in 1928, a at the Peabody.
testimony to Keator’s engineering skill and talent.
She also participates in many
Helping Preserve The Past
of the cultural
When Keator’s daughter (and current Whitney Center and educational
resident) Victoria DePalma learned of plans to renoopportunities
vate the Great Hall where her father’s construction still
that Yale has to
stands, she jumped at the chance to participate — just as offer. In addition
her father did so many years earlier — and established
to the Peabody,
a charitable gift annuity to help fund the project. Vicshe has included
toria’s generosity not only benefits Yale, but also gives
a bequest for
her the financial security that comes with fixed quarterly Yale music in
payments for her lifetime, backed by all of the Univerher estate plans,
Resident Victoria DePalma stands amidst the worldsity’s assets.
thanks, in part,
famous dinosaur skeleton displays that her father,
The renovation will restore the dinosaur fossils, the
for the enjoyment
Frederic Keator Jr., helped build nearly a century ago.
museum’s centerpiece, and align them more accurately
she obtains from
— employing new knowledge about how the dinosaur
the piano and
W
For a full calendar
of events please contact
the Marketing Office at
203-848-2641.
Photography Classes Help Residents See The World With Fresh Eyes
he advent of the computer age over the past two decades has
“I focus on letting them know that the camera is very smart, it
radically changed photography.
will give you good results,” he explained. “You don’t have to worry
To help residents learn more about digital photography, Whitney about anything, just trust the camera and you’ll probably get a
Center brought in instructor Craig Norton, who works with the non- pretty good shot.”
profit Arts for Learning Connecticut. He
Gerald Anderson enjoyed the class.
taught two courses, one for beginners and
“It was time well spent,” he com“You don’t have to worry about mented. “It caused me to get better
one for more advanced residents.
“About three fourths of my work is
about my camera. I wish we
anything, just trust the camera informed
teaching the arts with Arts for Learning,”
had more sessions. Maybe they’ll have
and you’ll probably get a pretty Part II for Beginners in the future.”
Craig says. “That work puts me everywhere from schools to museums, comHarry Wexler also got a great deal out
good
shot.
”
munity centers” and elsewhere.
of the beginners course.
The organization has been focusing
“I enjoyed it very much,” he says. “It
more on reaching out to seniors. Working with residents was a natu- began with people who were novices bringing their cameras into
ral fit.
class.”
There were a few sessions which dealt with students familiarizThe Art Of Technology
ing themselves with their cameras.
Craig explained that seniors often find the latest computer gad“It then switched from the mechanics of taking pictures to the
getry confusing to work with, having not had the experience of
artistry of framing and choosing your subjects,” Harry added. “That
growing up with constantly changing electronic technology. The
was quite rewarding.”
first challenge is getting someone comfortable with the camera, and
then focusing on the device’s many features.
Photo by Robert DeSanto, Yale University
T
Not Your Childhood
Puppets
The Whitney Center Observer
Page 6
June/July 2013
GRANDparents Corner
O
ne rainy day my three young
granddaughters, Bailey, 5;
Kaylee, 4; and Eloise, 2, were
dropped off for an impromptu visit.
Before I was free to spend time with
them, however, I had office work to
do. “You’ll need to entertain yourselves for a bit,” I told them.
Within a few minutes the girls
popped into my office. “Are you
done yet?”
“No, not yet.”
This scene repeated itself several
more times until, just before noon,
Bailey and Kaylee came in with an
offer: “We’re going to make lunch
so you can work!” announced in the
high pitch that only excited little
girls can reach.
Love Is Messy
Hold The Mustard
by Judyann Ackerman Grant
More Than A Meal
While I cleaned up the kitchen,
the girls lingered over their lunches,
their voices filling the living room
with happy chatter.
Back in the living room, I picked
up the pretzel sticks that Eloise
hadn’t yet ground into oblivion.
Twenty years earlier, when I was
the mother of two girls, the floor
picnic—and its king-sized mess
from pint-sized princesses—would
have sent me into a tizzy.
No longer.
“Nice lunch,” I told my granddaughters, as I hauled out the
vacuum.
“Thank you,” they chorused.
“Thank you for making it,” I
said, without the least hint of sarcasm, overwhelmed with the feeling
of being loved.
Taking The Order
I agreed, thinking it would buy
me a few uninterrupted minutes.
“What can we make?”
“How about sandwiches?” I
suggested, thinking that would
be simple enough for their 4rattling and the refrigerator door
and 5-year-old hands to handle.
open and close. And open and close.
“There’s salami, bologna, cheese
And open and close.
and jelly in the fridge and peanut
Not wanting to spoil the surprise,
butter in the cupboard.”
I stayed in the office.
Their eyes lit up. They looked at
About 20 minutes later the girls
each other. They squealed.
charged in. “Lunch!”
I panicked.
Lunch Is Served
Maybe I should
have just suggested
My prized
Heavy dinner
cheese. Or bologna.
hand-knit afghan,
plates,
adorned
Bailey grabbed
stitches stretched
the notepad I keep
to the breaking
with an array
next to the compoint, lay across
of
misshapen
puter. In true waitone end of the
ress fashion, she
living room floor.
sandwiches,
scribbled down the
Heavy dinner
anchored
each
lunch orders. Mine
plates, adorned
corner.
was:
with an array of
“Do you want
misshapen sandyour sandwich whole or cut in
wiches, anchored each corner.
half?” Bailey asked, pencil poised
Forks, spoons, napkins and opened
above the notepad.
bags of pretzels and party mix were
“Half,” I mumbled
piled in the middle.
absent-mindedly.
I spied what must have been my
They disappeared down the hall. sandwich.
“I’ll make the salami and bolo“It’s hard to rip salami,” Bailey
gna,” Bailey decided.
said.
“I’ll make Eloise a peanut butter
Without the benefit of a sharp
and jelly,” Kaylee said.
knife, she had torn the salami in
I tried to concentrate as I heard
half. Thick mustard oozed out every
chairs scrape across the kitchen
side of the tattered bread. When I
floor, drawers pulled open, utensils saw the mangled mess, complete
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
ACROSS
1 Bath (Fr.)
5 Explode
8 Of the kind of (suf.)
12 She (Fr.)
13 Jap. apricot
14 Para-aminobenzoic acid
15 Differ
17 Arabian chieftain
18 Greek letter
19 Tree
21 Asbestos (abbr.)
22 Burmese knife
23 Incessantly
25 It. marble
29 Tilled land
32 Common man
33 Siesta
35 Adjective-forming (suf.)
36 Agave fiber
38 Daw
40 Soft mineral
42 Guido’s note (2 words)
43 Noun-forming (suf.)
45 Yarn
47 Hawaiian frigate bird
50 House (Sp.)
52 Ern (2 words)
54 Monad
55 Feline
56 South African
57 Senior (Fr.)
58 Donkey (Fr.)
59 Salver
DOWN
1 “Venerable” monk
2 Settled
3 “Casablanca” characters
4 Nat’l Endowment for the
Arts (abbr.)
5 Steal
across the room. She sauntered to
the television and pressed jelly-covered fingers against the screen.
After lunch I ventured into the
kitchen with my plate—and saw
the real mess. The girls had pawed
through the bread bag looking for
perfect slices. Hunks of bread,
cheese wrappers, butter smears,
jelly globs and pieces of bologna—
riddled with bite marks—littered the
table. On the floor, smashed party
mix mingled with chunks of cheese.
with embedded fingerprints, I
prayed that she had remembered to
wash her hands first.
After I settled on my corner of
the afghan, the girls bounded into
their respective places.
They watched in rapt attention
as I picked up half of the smashed
salami and, with a weak smile,
began eating. Thoughts raced
through my mind….
Judyann Ackerman Grant is the
Had any part of my sandwich
author of CHICKEN SAID, “CLUCK,” a
been on the floor?
Had the girls coughed or sneezed Dr. Seuss Honor Book. This article
originally appeared in the August
on it?
2009 issue of GRAND Magazine.
What was that lump I just
Reprinted with permission of
chewed?
GRAND Media, LLC, copyright ©
Two-year-old Eloise, normally
2010. All rights reserved.
confined to a high chair at mealtime, loved the freedom to forage.
She held the pretzel bag upside
down, dumping sticks
and salt all over
the afghan
To receive a complimentary
that I had
never
subscription to GRAND
used on
(a $19.95 value for 12 issues), visit
the floor.
http://TinyURL.com/FreeGrandSub.
Her trail
of sticky
breadcrumbs
stretched
6 Buddhist sacred mountain
7 Picque
8 Amazon tributary
9 N.A. tree
10 Wading bird
11 Carbon (pref.)
16 Objective
20 Stowe character
22 Old Sp. gold coin
24 Heath evergreen
25 Consumer price index
(abbr.)
26 They (Fr.)
27 Peccadillo (2 words)
28 Horse
30 Arabic letter
31 Cheer
34 Bishop
37 Sprite
39 Away from the wind
41 Slayer of Caesar
43 Ecuador (abbr.)
44 Hindu queen
46 Hit on the head
47 Frankenstein’s assistant
48 Olive genus
49 Eagle’s nest
51 Daughter of Zeus
53 Amer. Ballet Theatre (abbr.)
Answers on page 7
The Whitney Center Observer
June/July 2013
Page 7
Scientists Join Wine Connoisseurs In Search For The Perfect Grape
vineyard like Domaine de la
Romanée Conti is not proand depleted it of natural
ducing
world-class wines
minerals — elements that
are critical to a grape’s taste. and it has been organic for
decades.”
In Connexion, a French
Some areas in the U.S.,
news journal in English,
while
not required to be
Gault Millau director
organic, have local restricBertrand Clavières says,
tions on pesticides. Charles
“Organic wine had a bad
Moussand, who owns and
reputation in the early
days — it was unstable and manages the award winning Paumanok Vineyards
did not keep well — but
on Long Island, asserts that
as vignerons have learned
more about what is needed, “Long Island is already
perhaps the most restricted
the wine has become much
place on earth for pesticide
better. You cannot say a
FROM “CONNOISSEURS” ON P. 2
A
N
S
W
E
R
S
has also created genomic
maps of over 1,000 samples, indicating which
genetic markers link to a
trait (such as disease resistance, acidity, etc.), according to the National Academy of Sciences. Instead
of waiting three to four
years for hybrids to mature,
harvest the grapes, make
wine, and then sample and
analyze the results, scientists can now test the first
sprouting leaf and determine if it has the qualities
they are looking for by
studying its DNA.
use.
“Today we have new
classes of pesticides ...
known as ‘low risk, fast
track pesticides’ that are
far more environmentally
friendly than even some
organic treatments,” he
adds. “We like to use
these in preference to any
others.”
Another manifestation
of this trend is the sustainable farming practices
utilized at Manatawny
Creek Winery. The winery
uses composting, improved
canopy management, a
solar energy system, postemergent herbicides, and
natural phosphorous acid
products in an attempt to
reduce its environmental
impact.
Science To The
Rescue?
There is also ongoing
scientific research into the
possibility of developing a
naturally disease resistant
grape, one that would be
pleasing to the wine drinker’s palette.
A Toast
The Economist noted
that Riccardo Velasco and
his team at the Agricultural
Institute of San Michele
all’Adige, in Italy, recently
published the first full
genetic sequence of a grape
variety (Pinot Noir) in the
Public Library of Science.
A Cornell/Stanford team
Italian artist and genius,
Leonardo da Vinci, (14521519) presciently noted,
“The discovery of a good
wine is increasingly better
for mankind than the discovery of a new star.” While
wineries innovate, connoisseurs will no doubt continue
to expound the virtues and
pitfalls of certain vintages,
and wine lovers will continue imbibing.
Cheers!
Forward-Thinking Author Vindicated By Recent Housing Trends
allows you not to worry about the
large or small you make your home, home, giving you the freedom to
it will not truly be a ‘home’ unless
carry on with the rest of your life.
you tailor it to the way you live,
That’s what really matters — the
filled with
upsizing of your
the things
life, not the downthat have
“Just be sure that what sizing of your
meaning to
belongings.”
you
keep
is
meaningful
you.”
Sarah encourages
The goal
people to look at
to you.”
is to just
the useful beauty of
keep the
their belongings.
things that really give your life
meaning — the items that bring you Making Comfort A Priority
the most joy, which you have the
“What do you love, what things
best associations with. The objects
bring you pleasure, and is it useful
you hang on to should be a reflecto you?” she says. “Keep in mind
tion of you, rather than things you
it’s your home — don’t worry about
feel obligated to keep.
offending people when you need to
“It’s better to spend money on
downsize or get rid of things. Just
tailoring your home like you would be sure that what you keep is meana ‘well-tailored suit,’ ” she explains. ingful to you.
“We sometimes make a mistake
“Just as a well tailored suit allows
you not to fuss with the way it feels when we think that we’re movon your body, a well-tailored home ing and buying the last place we’re
FROM “HOUSE” ON P. 1
going to live, and we don’t invest in
it properly — meaning even if you
live there for a year, or two or 15,
make it the best place you can. It’s
your home, make it comfortable. If
you have the option to paint, upgrade
the trim, or add build-ins and you
have the resources to do so, then do
it. You’ll be happier and have more
time to focus on other things and
people who really matter.”
When Sarah talks with seniors
who are planning moves, she
explains that sometimes they want
to get rid of nothing when they plan
a move to a smaller space; other
times they want to get rid of everything and purchase all new things.
Your Home, Your Identity
Answers on page 3
“My advice is not to get rid of
all the things you love,” she says.
“Rather, keep a favorite connection to the past, so you still ‘see
yourself’ in your new space. For
example, you may keep the roll top
desk you’ve used everyday for the
past 30 years. It’s a part of who you
are. You’d feel at home seeing it
everyday, and it would be important
to keep a piece like that.
“Your home should appeal
to you. Comfort is a quality that
doesn’t just come from the furniture
you’re using,” she continues. “It’s
about expressing yourself in a way
that makes a house a home. We
have a greater sense of well-being
when we have a sense of ourselves
in our home.”
Sarah notes that this new
approach seems to resonate with
many retirees.
“Seniors want to find a ‘connection’ to their homes,” she says.
“Quality of life is so important,
which is why I like designing a
home for an increase in life — one
that allows comfort and freedom
and time to do the things in life that
really matter, instead of caring for a
large space.”
Your new home can help you
live a richer, less complicated life,
have more time to enjoy with others
making intangible memories, and
upsizing your life.
The Whitney Center Observer
Page 8
W
June/July 2013
Expert Chef Embraces Challenge Of
Pleasing A Panoply Of Palettes
hitney Center’s new chef, Alastair Revell,
moved from San Diego to Connecticut a little over a year ago. Though Alastair is
originally from London, the move represents a
homecoming of sorts for the Revell household.
“I love California. It was beautiful in San
Diego, living on the beach,” he says. “But my
wife’s from Milford, and moving back to the
East Coast
is a natural
change for
us. It puts
us closer
to England
and my
parents.”
Alastair
met his
wife in
San Diego,
where
he spent
more
Whitney Center Chef
than two
Alastair Revell
decades
tantalizing
the taste
buds of tourists at a small group of exquisite
resort hotels.
5 Star French Cuisine
He began his career in London. Britain isn’t
known for its cuisine. “We’re famous for boiling
things and boiling them well,” Alastair chuckles, “but I actually worked in French kitchens
in London, getting a training in classic French
cuisine in London’s 5 star resorts.
“When I moved to Texas in 1980, we
brought cuisine nouvelle to Dallas,” he says. “I
loved Dallas, and learned a lot about American
culture there.”
cheese steak; and other dishes such as a warm
Alastair was later recruited by Wolfgang
quinoa pilaf or roasted mushroom and root
Puck to be a chef in one of his Colorado restau- vegetable with white beans served over puff
rants. Eventually his career brought him to San pastry.
Diego, where he oversaw kitchens serving both
Alastair loves getting feedback from the
Asian fusion and American cuisine.
community about how well his kitchen is
“Since I’ve been living in America, I’ve diver- doing.
sified my cooking style quite a lot, and focus on
Meeting ‘The Family’
incorporating fresh regional ingredients,”
“I certainly enjoy getting out and meeting
he says.
with the guests,” he says. “I spend time talking
Alastair is looking forward to spicwith them and learning about what they like
ing up the selections served at Whitney
and what they don’t like.
Center. “We have a
“I enjoy getting to
very diverse group
know the residents. They’re
of people here,” he
Alastair was later
family,” he continues.
explains. “Plus, there’s
recruited by Wolfgang like
“There’s actually a lady
a younger generation
Puck
to
be
a
chef
in
from Wales here; it’s nice to
coming in, the leadconverse with her. Another
one of his Colorado
ing edge of the baby
resident’s mother was
boomers. They want a
restaurants.
English, so we always chat
different style of food.”
a little bit.”
Philly Cheese
The lifestyle enjoyed by those at Whitney
Steak Or Warm Quinoa Pilaf?
Center continues to impress its new chef.
“There’s so much to do here,” he says. “It’s an
The menus Alastair has put together
amazing place that offers so much on a weekly
reflect that desire to appeal to a wide
basis. It’s phenomenal.”
variety of tastes. Residents can choose
from such tempting fare as a salad of beets,
Whether you’re enjoying delicious dining in
goat cheese, and
the Center Stage Restaurant, casual fare in
toasted walnuts
The Bistro or joining your friends in The Pub,
over a bed of
you’ll appreciate Whitney Center’s convivial
arugula; entrees
atmosphere and gracious staff.
such as apricot
ginger chutney,
herb-crusted
see bass with
lemon caper
burre blanc, or
a delicious oldfashioned Philly
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Whitney Center is a Not-For-Profit community.
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