View Attachment - Transitions Healthcare

December 2015
SUNBEAMS
Transitions Healthcare Sykesville, 7309 Second Avenue, Sykesville, MD 21784
Celebrating December
Bingo Month
Spiritual Literacy Month
Safe Toys and Gifts Month
Antarctica Day
December 1
Special Kids Day
December 2
Hanukkah
December 6–14
Lost and Found Day
December 11
World Choral Day
December 13
Christmas
December 25
Boxing Day
December 26
Kwanzaa
December 26–January 1
New Year’s Eve
December 31
Winter Traditions
The sweet smell of gingerbread and a glimpse of
evergreen are two sure signs that the holiday season
is upon us. While gingerbread can be delicious to eat,
many will be using it as a construction material on
Gingerbread House Day,
December 12.
Author DeeAnn Mandryk
traces the origins of the
gingerbread house to the
early 1800s in Germany,
after the Brothers Grimm
published their collection
of fairy tales. One tale in particular—that of Hansel
and Gretel lured into a house made of bread and
sugar—inspired bakers of a traditional German
gingerbread, known as lebkuchen, to become
architects on a miniature scale. Why build houses out
of gingerbread? They’ll last a long time.
Mandryk credits the first gingerbread people,
however, to Queen Elizabeth I. The queen would
honor important visitors with gingerbread people
fashioned in their likeness. It’s unknown whether the
queen actually liked to eat these hard, spicy treats.
Many winter evergreens—such as holly, mistletoe,
and even such conifers as fir, spruce, and pine—were
revered in ancient times by Druids, Celts, and the
Vikings. Botanist Larry Stritch explains how these
cultures believed evergreens were sacred due to their
ability to withstand snow and freezing cold. Decking
the halls with boughs of holly provided both winter
decoration and protection and good luck for the home.
On December 19, which is Look for an Evergreen
Day, bundle up and venture outside to find winter
greenery. Or perhaps a better idea is to bring in a tree
or some garland for decorating your living space. Set
up a chair nearby and enjoy the beauty of the season
with a warm cup of mulled cider or hot cocoa.
December 2015
Naughty or Nice?
Outside the Lines
December 4th is
Santa’s List Day,
but throughout
December, children
worldwide will be
wondering whether
old St. Nick has
counted them as
naughty or nice. Of course, most fall somewhere
in the middle. But tell that to the Krampus.
Looking for that perfect gift for someone on
your “nice” list? Consider a coloring book.
In the alpine villages of Europe, December 5th is
celebrated as Krampusnacht, or Krampus Night.
It’s the eve before Saint Nicholas Day, and—
says cultural historian Stefanie A. Babb—it’s the
night when a Krampus creature (half Big Foot,
half Devil) searches for all the children who’ve
been “naughty.” This long-haired beast is
thought to be Santa’s twin brother and helper.
Children hear his arrival by the clanking chains
and bells around his waist. The punishment for
the naughty depends upon the child’s degree of
naughtiness. Some children are given coal or
bundles of birch. But the naughtiest are said to
be thrown into a sack and carried away to the
Krampus’ lair—where they’re eaten for dinner.
Modern day Krampusnacht activities involve
men donning elaborate goat-skin costumes and
exquisitely carved wooden masks. Photographer
Alan Taylor has traveled throughout the Alps—
from Italy to Austria and Germany—capturing
groups of men parading the streets in their
terrifying costumes while dragging chains and
carrying flaming torches. It’s a common sight for
homes to be decorated year-round with bundles
of the Krampus’ birch, painted gold, to remind
children to remain well-behaved. And there’s
even a new horror movie, scheduled to be
released on Krampusnacht eve 2015, that tells
the tale of this devil beast.
It’s the “nice” children who enjoy the big payoff
on December 6, Saint Nicholas Day. It’s named
for the fourth-century Bishop of Myra famed for
his secret gift-giving. Children awake to find gifts
and sweets, and can breathe easy since there’s
a whole year before the Krampus returns.
Coloring books are no longer just for children.
Adult Coloring Clubs meet up at bars after
work. Executives gather employees in
conference rooms for impromptu “coloring
sessions.” Just look at Amazon’s bestseller list,
which recently included three coloring books
for adults. The hottest is by Scottish artist
Johanna Basford, whose Secret Garden offers
dozens of elaborate illustrations. There’s also
Steve McDonald’s Fantastic Cities, with vast
cityscapes to fill. Think outside the crayon box
and opt for colored pencils or even gel pens.
Why are adults suddenly so drawn to coloring?
Media such as ABC, Fox, Yahoo, and even the
New Yorker have tried to explain the faddish
phenomenon. Clinical Psychologist Ben
Michaelis explains that the amygdala, the part
of our brain responsible for our fight or flight
response, takes a rest while we focus on
coloring. The process creates a calming effect.
Dr. Michaelis is such a believer that he both
prescribes coloring to his patients and uses it
at home with his own family.
Jingle All the Way
Everyone singing Jingle Bells this
holiday season may be surprised
to learn it’s a Thanksgiving song.
Kyna Hamill, vice president of
the Medford Historical Society in
Massachusetts, explains that the
song’s 19th-century composer,
Medford resident James Pierpont, based it on
a local tradition of one-horse open sleigh races
through the streets of his hometown. When
Pierpont moved to Savannah, Georgia, and
became a pastor, he led his congregation in
singing the song on Thanksgiving. They loved
it so much they sang it again a month later on
Christmas. Today, residents of Savannah
share their ancestors’ passion for the tune.
They dispute that Pierpont wrote the song in
Medford, and they claim it as their own.
December 2015
Resolve to Be Different
Life Interrupted
The holiday season
is sometimes one of
indulgence. After all,
food and drink, cakes
and cookies are a
major part of many
holiday events and
celebrations. By the end
of the month, many are
thinking of their New Year’s
resolutions. According to
Time magazine, the most
common resolutions are to lose weight,
exercise more, eat healthier, and stop smoking.
Sadly, these are also the most frequently
broken resolutions. So this new year, think
outside the norm. Try a wild, wonderful, or just
plain weird resolution, and you might just follow
through (for a few months anyway).
We live in the Digital Age, where computers
allow us access to vast amounts of information
and almost-infinite social networking. To put it
another way, it’s a near-endless amount of
distraction. Gloria Mark, University of California
professor of informatics (the science of
computer data), likens it to a candy store with
unlimited offerings. And, as many know, an
endless stream of candy is bad for our health.
Humorist Bill Mann has compiled a curious list
of real-life New Year’s resolutions. First on the
list is to subscribe to more trade journals (these
are magazines for unique or niche industries).
Miniature Donkey Talk, despite the name, is a
journal about raising donkeys of all sizes. PRO,
Portable Restroom Operator, has articles on
how to grow and maintain your porta-potty
business. Search for “free trade magazines,”
and you’re bound to find something you’ll enjoy.
Pulling Their Weight
Another resolution catching on in New York
City, Seattle, Bloomington (IN), and even
Lexington (KY) is a goal to knit sweaters for
trees. That’s right, for trees (see above).
Crafters are yarn bombing—the term for knit or
crochet graffiti—trees that could suffer in a frigid
winter, or anything in need of a spot of color.
Also on Mann’s list is a resolution to promote
holiday good cheer—waving to fellow motorists
at four-way stops. Eye contact. Big smile. Your
best Queen of England-style wave. It’s a great
way to remind other drivers that actual humans
operate automobiles, and it may result in less
road rage and more civil driving. Or, if you live
in a place like NYC, it might backfire. If so, then
you might want to drop this resolution entirely.
What better way to ring in the new year than
with No Interruptions Day on December 31?
Research conducted by Mark and her
colleagues shows that work interruptions cost
us hours in productivity each day. But what of
those who believe work itself is an interruption?
Then you, too, can participate. Take time on
the 31st to unplug and spend quality time with
someone special—face-to-face, heart-to-heart.
San Francisco’s cable cars
are recognized the world
over. The modern three-line
system debuted on a Sunday
morning, December 22,
1957—when car No. 51 rang
its bell and coasted onto
Washington Street from the WashingtonMason cable car barn. That’s according to San
Francisco’s Cable Car Museum.
But the story of San Francisco’s famous cable
cars really began when Andrew Smith Hallidie
witnessed a horse struggling to carry a horsedrawn tram up a slippery, steep, cobblestone
street in 1869. Hallidie conceived a system
using thick steel cables powered by massive
steam engines. The trams would grip cables
embedded in the roadway. As the engines
moved the cables, the tram would be pulled up
and down San Francisco’s steep city streets.
It’s a system that has changed little from its first
incarnation in the 1800s. Today, cable cars
endure as a symbol of hilly San Francisco and
a romantic slice of California history.
December 2015
Sincerely Yours
With so much giving
and receiving this
holiday season, it only
stands to reason that
Thank-You Note Day
falls on December 26.
To some, letter writing may seem like a lost art.
To others, it seems like an antiquated waste of
time, thanks to email, texting, and social media.
But Martin Nowak, director of Harvard
University’s Program for Evolutionary Dynamics,
takes a different tack. He believes that displays
of thanks and gratitude are deeply rooted
cooperative behaviors used to form strong
social bonds. Even primates appreciate the
importance of the “if I scratch your back, you
scratch mine” kind of thank-you.
Leave it to the experts at Hallmark to offer tips
on writing the perfect thank-you note. A thankyou note begins long before you sit down with a
piece of stationery. First comes a careful tally of
names: those in attendance at your party, those
who sent you a gift, and those who were
immeasurably helpful, caring, or kind.
A good thank-you note doesn’t have to be
written on expensive paper with gold-embossed
filigree. Emotion shines through in the voice of
your written words. Charm is in the imperfection
of your unique handwriting. Excitement comes
in finding an envelope in a stack of junk mail.
Next you must figure out just what exactly to
write. You must spell the recipient’s name
correctly and be sure to address the recipient
properly, whether as Aunt, Uncle, Mr., Ms., or
something more intimate like My Love. Always
begin with your thanks. Then add details about
how that person helped and how it made you
feel. To conclude, restate your thanks. Sincerely
is a tried and true ending, but feel confident to
vary your regards. With love, Many thanks,
Yours truly, and Until next time add character.
Decorum requires thank-yous within a week.
However, a late thank-you is always better than
no thank-you at all. Even primates know that.
December Birthdays
In astrology, those born between December
1st and 21st are Archers of Sagittarius.
Archers are exciting and independent. Their
positive attitude, great sense of humor, and
kind heart make them excellent friends. But
get ready for an earful. Archers often also
speak their mind. Those born between
December 22nd and 31st are Goats of
Capricorn. Goats are the most stable and
sure-footed of astrological signs. Reliable,
economical, practical, and organized, they
make good multi-taskers and politicians.
Dolly Davis – Dec. 6
Ruth Anderson – Dec. 8
William Flynt – Dec. 10
Frances Bass – Dec. 13
Charles Stair – Dec. 17
Victoria Grandel – Dec. 18
Audrey DeGrange – Dec. 18
Clara Murray – Dec. 22
Michael Brodie – Dec. 22
Emma Weiner – Dec. 24
Diane Conley – Dec. 25
Aron Beber – Dec. 27
Marcio Dossantos – Dec. 30
Janet Anderson – Dec. 30
Cheryl Graboyes – Dec. 31
Jaqueline Maize – Dec. 31
Ringing in Your Ears
Some would argue that Ding-aLing Day on December 12 is a day
to celebrate the kooky, off-the-wall ding-a-ling in
your life. Well, those ding-a-lings don’t know the
real meaning of Ding-a-Ling Day. According to
the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper, the Ding-aLing Club was started in 1971 by Franky Hyle of
Chicago, Illinois. Hyle believed that city dwellers
needed to be friendlier to one another. His
solution was to spread cheer through the
telephone lines. The mission of the club was to
pick up the phone and dial a friend you haven’t
seen or spoken to in a long time. Why the name
Ding-a-Ling? Hyle looked the word up in the
Slang Dictionary. It said a ding-a-ling was “one
who hears bells in his head.” The name stuck,
and so did his heart-warming method of “ringing”
up old friends.
SYKESVILLE MANAGEMENT TEAM
KIM DRAKE, NHA, RD, CSG, LDN – Administrator
MARJORIE SIMPSON, PhD, CRNP – Vice President, Nurse Practitioner Services
LISA LIPMAN, RN – Director of Nursing
LINDA KARMALA, RN – Assistant Director of Nursing
IAN ROHE, LPN – Marketing/Clinical Liaison
KRISTEN ALLEN – Admissions Coordinator
TOM HOUSER, LPN – 1st Floor Unit Manager
DURAMANY SESAY, RN - 2nd floor Unit Manager
DEBBIE GRIGSBY, LPN – 3rd Floor Unit Manager
CHARLES COLE, RN – Evening Supervisor
ROSE KELLEY, RN – Weekend Supervisor
RACHEL GUILFOYLE, MS, OTR / L – Rehabilitation Director
Certified Brain Injury Specialist
LISA TIMMONS – Director of Human Resources
MICHELLE MOORE, LCSW – Director of Social Work
MARISA COOKE, MSW, LGSW – Social Work (1st & 3rd Floors)
MEREDITH FARGNOLI, RD, LDN – Dietitian
IGAL QUINTANILLA – Maintenance Director
Food Service – Housekeeping - Laundry
RICHARD COLEMAN, Director / CARLOS SHARP, Assistant Director
TASHAWN WHEELER– Business Office Manager
JENIFER SHOWER - Medicaid Specialist
Life Enrichment Director
DONNA BARNETT, AC-BC, ADC/MC, CDP, Editor “Sunbeams”
Welcome to Transitions
Healthcare Community
K-PETS will visit
Transitions
Healthcare Sykesville
residents every 3rd
Thursday monthly.
Next visit Date
Thursday,
December 16 th
Sharon Yinger
Carole Wiles
Marie Wallace
Janet Anderson
June Peraro
Phyllis Ullman
Karen Webster
Pamela Wright
Bruce Hill
Sharon Jeffries
Linda Fridley
Marie Wallace
Marcio Dossantos
Carter Craig
Ford Campbell
December
Birthday Club
Our
Deepest
Sympathy
Sympathy is expressed from all of
the Transitions Healthcare
Community to the families of ..
Rose Chambers
Hazel Waters
Frederick Pahl
John Murray
December 17 , 2015
11:30 am
1st Floor Dining Room
Entertainment By:
Norman Hogeland
(Please note that the Birthday Club will
continue to be scheduled at 11:30 am
each month)
Today, Tomorrow,
And Always
By: Helen Steiner Rice
In Sickness or health,
In suffering and pain,
In storm-laden skies,
In sunshine and rain,
God always is there
To lighten your way
And lead you through darkness
To a much brighter day.
Rocking New Year
Eve Celebration!
Transitions Healthcare
Sykesville
Notaries
RESIDENT BANKING NEEDS
The business office is open
Monday through Friday,
8:00am – 4:00pm
Resident banking is available
from 7am – 8:00pm seven days a
week.
For after hours banking when the business
st
office
is closed please
see the front31
desk
Thursday,
December
receptionist.
Residents can retrieve up to
2:00pm-3:30pm
$50.00 per day.
st
Floor
Dinning
Room
1From:
Kim Drake,
RD, LDN,
NHA
Please see Tashawn Wheeler and Jen Shower
Dance to the Music of
in the Business office to open a “resident
account.” Check deposits for resident fund
accounts should be made in the name of the
resident. We cannot accept checks made
payable
to “Transitions”
resident
account
Welcome
in theforNew
Year!
deposits. Please make checks payable to the
resident to open an account.
Jenifer Shower
Business Office
Monday – Friday
9:00am – 4:00pm
“Standard Delivery”
Please visit the Business Office to make sure we
have correct and current billing information.
Resident bills are sent out around the 5th of each
month. If you have not received a bill, please
contact the Business Office.
Thank you for your cooperation!
--------
Tashawn Wheeler
Business Office Manager
410-795-1100 ext. 4202
Jennifer Haines
Receptionist Hours
Monday – Friday
4:00pm – 8:00pm
~
(Every other)
Saturday
8:00 – 4:00pm
Manicures
Fridays
10:45 am – Game Room
FAMILY COUNCIL
There will be no Family
Council meeting for the month
of December. Watch for
postings for the January 2016
meeting.
If you have any questions
please call:
Eleanor Armstrong
Family Council Leader
410-596-8868
Ellie1790@yahoo.com
If you are in need of having your
fingernails cut; please see anyone in the
nursing department.
SUNDAE SUNDAYS
Sunday, December 27th
2:30pm
st
1 Floor Dining Room
What a TREAT!!!!
Time Change:
2:00pm
Wayne and Nancy Share Sunday
Worship
Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer have taken the 1st
Sunday of each month since Clearview
Bible Church no longer has the
congregation members to continue this
outreach!
Thank you for many, many years of
volunteer service!
MIND MATTERS
A Support Group for Survivors and
Caregivers of Brain Injury
Hosted by: Transitions Healthcare Sykesville
There will be no meeting in December
Meetings & speakers will resume in January 2016
Mind Matters Support Group’s mission is to provide education, emotional support, and community
resources to survivors of brain injury as well as their families and caregivers. Suggestions are welcomed
for future topics and speakers.
Contact: Rachel Guilfoyle, MS, OTR/L
Certified Brain Certification
443-60-88 – MindMattersSG@gmail.com – Findus on Facebook
Transitions Healthcare
Sykesville
Beauty Shop
At this time Teresa will only be coming on
Saturdays. However, if there is a need for
her services, she may be able to come in to
accommodate needs/requests at other times.
Teresa Thornton
Beautician
Appointments/walk-ins
Every Saturday 10am – 4:00pm
Please see Donna Barnett, Life Enrichment
Director for any beauty shop needs.
Prices are reasonable and within the same
rate in the community. Checks are accepted
but should be made to Teresa Thornton. A
Resident Account may be set up with the
Business Office Staff for residents who
request regular appointments (weekly, biweekly, etc.
“Sugar & Spice” Country Store
Resident Council Fundraiser
th
Monday, December 14
10:00am-4:00pm
Game Room
New variety of items
each visit!
Come shop for holiday
gifts or treat yourself!
Checks, Cash and Credit
Cards are accepted.
20% profit is donated to
the Resident Council
Account. Tell your
family and friends!
“Come Shop With Us”
Walmart Trip
Thursday, December 10th
Leaving: 1:00pm
Returning: 4:30pm
Let’s “roll” into the new Eldersburg Super-Wal-Mart!
Everyone interested in going to Wal-Mart must sign up with the Life
Enrichment Staff. Each person must have their own cash. Go to
the Business Office prior to Thursday, to withdraw cash from your
resident account for this trip.
Holiday Shopping or just shopping for yourself!
Volunteers are needed for this trip. If you are able to accompany us,
please sign up in the Life Enrichment Office
Resident Council
Meeting
Wednesday, December 23rd
2:30 pm
1st Floor Game Room
Please plan to attend!
Officers of the Resident Council Board are proud to serve the residents of
Transitons Healthcare Sykesville. If you have questions or suggestions, please
stop by the room of any of the officers.
Looking forward to seeing everyone at this meeting!
Resident Council Officers:
Matt Tiffany, President
Room 201 B
Ron Mattern, Vice President
Room 109 D
Jackie Maize, Social Secretary
Room 110 B
Robert Richardson, Chaplain
Room 107 A
Happy Holidays from the Resident Council
Holiday Lights Bus Ride!
Monday, December 21st
Leaving: 5:30pm
Returning: 8:00 pm
Supper will be served in the 1st Floor Dining room
At 4:00 pm. (little early so everyone can be ready to travel!)
Everyone remember to wear your winter coats, hats, and gloves…the
weather may be quite cool! We ride…snow or shine!
SUNDAY
DECEMBER 20TH
2:30pm
Resident Council
Carry-In Supper
1st Floor Dining Room
Hymn & Holiday
Sing-a-Long
With
Mary Hogwood &
Friends
PLUS.. ice cream treats for
everyone!
Papa John’s
Delicious Pizza
Tuesday, December 8th
4:30pm
1st Floor Dining Room
Come & enjoy this delicious pizza
supper!
Christmas Eve
December 24th
2:30 pm
“Rearview Mirror”
Will be Entertaining Us!
1st Floor Dining Room
Rumor has it, that there may be a few
holiday cookies served!
Rockin’ New Year’s Eve Celebration!
Thursday, December 31st
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
1st Floor Dining Room
Dance to the Music of:
“Standard Delivery”
Come Welcome in the New Year!
Words from Mrs. Claus and the Holiday Elf…
Santa has scheduled
Saturday, December 12th
10:00am
To Visit with all the “good children”
at Transitions Healthcare Sykesville
Due to Santa’s busy schedule, Mrs. Claus is hosting
Annual Breakfast at 9:00am
1st Floor Dining Room
Tell everyone in Sykesville and Eldersburg to
come have breakfast and a visit with Santa!
Mrs.
P.S.
Santa likes to give out a few gifts before Christmas Eve!
Transitions Healthcare Sykesville
Salute to our Veterans
November 11, 2015
U.S Veterans were honored with certificates and
patriotic music provided by Steve Flynn. Your
service to our country is NOT taken for granted.
Army
Aron Beber
Philip Blank
Joseph Bloom
William Fortin
Joseph Garen
William Reeping
Robert Richardson
Ford Campbell
Coast Guard
Samuel Pugh
Navy
Alan Heinz
Clara Murray – Cook for Navy
Thank you for serving our Country!
NEW to Transitions
This Year!
Decorate your office door
Beginning Monday, December 7th
Ending Friday, December 18th
Announcement will be made
at 1:00pm Monday, December 21st
“Best Decorated Door”
Team of resident judges
will select the winner!
“All supplies needed
are to be donated
by the decorator(s)
to complete this activity.”
Best Decorated Door!
Don’t miss out on the fun!
November Birthday Club
Celebration!
Transitions Healthcare Sykesville
Salutes Our Veterans!
Jim Edmondson, Navy Veteran, presented certificates to the men and
women of Transitions Healthcare Sykesville who proudly served our
country. Tom Houser, 1st Floor Unit Mgr., served in the Army.