January/February 2014

Observer
ENLIGHTEN t ENRICH t ENGAGE
Inside
Crossword
Puzzle . ............. 2
Sudoku ............. 2
You & Your Health
Physical Therapy
Helps You Get
Back Into The
Swing . ................ 3
Life At Whitney
Center . ................ 4
Learning To Get
Along
Fellowships Help
Bridge Cultures... 4
Splendid Showcases
Galleries Draw
Artists, Visitors To
Campus’s Cultural
Hub...................... 4
Upcoming
Events ..................4
Grandkids & Pets
Mischief Makers
Melt Your
Heart................... 6
The Jane Austen
Book Club
Characters Charm
In Memorable
Novel................... 6
January/February 2014
Would You Let A Tiger Into Your House?
How About Nine Of Them?
by Bert Meisel
Editor
I
Stories Of Exotic Pets Can Be
Endearing And Occasionally
Disturbing
t was Thanksgiving.
I wasn’t expecting
tion Hill and there they
ostriches.
were: two ostriches, each
A few years ago, I was
about my height, standing
pedaling the bike trail that
amongst the trees, silently
loops around Baltimore
watching me roll past. They
Washington International
Airport, a pleasant little path were safely ensconced
behind
that wends
some tall
past parks, a
The
sight
of
a
fencing, and
horse farm,
and in and
fully grown lion the encounter was
out of your
standing on
merely baftypical subfling rather
urban neighits hind legs to
than alarmborhoods. It
hug
its
long-lost
ing. They
was a brisk,
colorless
human friend is were not the
kind of fowl
day, and I
truly
amazing.
your averpretty much
age Baltihad the trail
morean expects to encounto myself.
ter on Thanksgiving.
I glided down Observa-
I later learned
from a friend who
lives in the area
that the owner of
the wooded estate
apparently had
kept a number of
other exotic pets
for a time.
Beyond Cats And
Dogs
We humans
seem to be endlessly fascinated
by our animal cousins, and
some of us don’t limit our
choice of companion to the
traditional kitty cat/puppy/
goldfish selections that are
woven into the fabric of our
American culture.
Some people’s relationships with exotic animals
are endearing and touching.
Others seem to be tempting
fate.
Making Friends With Technology
available everywhere via podcasting on the Internet (http://
www.cbc.ca/spark/). Though
Radio Host Guides People Through Changing Times not a technical program, each
week Nora and Spark focus
on the challenges and rewards
o you find it hard to keep up with
“I think some of the things affectordinary people experience as they
all of the amazing new teching us all is that the rate of change is
incorporate technology into their daily
nologies and products that are being
extremely fast now, and many people
lives.
released every year? Nora Young feels feel like they’re having trouble keepIf you find technology bewildering,
your pain.
ing up,” she says. “I mean, my full
you’re not alone!
time job is to
keep on top of Staying Up To Speed
it, and I find it
“Every once in a while, I’ll have
hard to keep
one of those moments where I go,
on top of it!”
Nora’s “full ‘Oh my god, I’m living in the future!’
when I’ve had that uncanny feeling
time job” is
that what we’re doing shouldn’t be
host of the
possible,” Nora comments enthusiastisuperlative
radio program cally. But the sheer pace of change can
Spark, a show
SEE “GADGETS” ON P. 7
from Canada
which airs in
a few American markets
as well and is
D
‘Crooning’ Enjoys Revival
W
See Retirement In
A Whole New
Light ................... 8
ith smooth and velvety voices singing with lyrics that tell a
story, crooners romance
and entrance us like no
other artists can. They’ve
been doing it for years
and the show goes on!
From boomers to generation X and beyond, this
musical style — perhaps
best epitomized by the
legendary Frank Sinatra
— is enjoying a continual
resurgence thanks to modern day stars
like Harry Connick, Jr. and Michael
Bublé.
Crooning’s early popularity grew in the 1930s when
Bing Crosby and his smooth,
soothing melodies impressed
the musical world. Throughout
the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s,
popular performers like Frank
Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Nat
King Cole established new
standards for this beguiling
music.
Even a number of Elvis
Presley hits fit comfortably in
the genre of popular songs delivered in
SEE “VELVETY VOICES” ON P. 7
Whitney Center
200 Leeder Hill Drive
Hamden, CT. 06517-2749
New Stars Find Audiences, Honor Sinatra Legend
Discover Whitney
Center
SEE “FURRY” ON P. 2
The Whitney Center Observer
Page 2
January/February 2014
Furry Families Suggest Love Really Might Conquer All
FROM “FURRY” ON P. 1
sight of a fully grown lion
standing on its hind legs
to hug its long-lost human
friend is truly amazing.
One extremely popular story attracted the
attention of NBC. In the late 1960s, two Aussie pals, Anthony “Ace” Bourke and John Rendall, were touring London. As John explained
Cheetahs On The
to Today, they came upon a lion cub living in
Countertop
a cage in the pet section of London’s famous
department store, Harrod’s.
Riana Van Nieuwen“I was pretty shocked to see this animal, even huizen also has an affinif it was three months old, in this tiny cage: ‘This ity for the ‘big cats.’ She
isn’t right. We really have to do something about and her staff are raising
this.’ And right there [we] decided to buy him.”
a number of them at her
Incredibly, they raised the cub — dubbed
home in South Africa,
“Christian” — in the basement of the furniture
including cheetahs, lions,
store where they worked. They took the animal
serval cats, and leopards,
with them around town, even to restaurants, and along with a few wolves,
exercised him in a nearby walled-in garden.
according to her website,
“We ended up
CheetahExpewith a wonderful
rience.com. Her first cheetah, Fiela,
animal,” John
has the run of the house, is able to
“We ended up with a
says. “He never
open doors, and occasionally crawls
wonderful
animal.
He
bit anybody.”
into bed with Riana at night.
When Chris“I love them all,” Riana told
never bit anybody.”
tian grew to
MailOnline. “But they’re a handful.”
nearly 200
The MailOnline’s feature on
pounds, John and Ace realized they could no
Riana and her preserve includes some remarklonger keep him, and with the help of George
able pictures of the cheetahs sitting on the table
Adamson (the real life inspiration behind the
where friends are playing poker, and standing on
movie Born Free), they were able to integrate
the kitchen counter towering over Riana as she’s
him into the wild in Africa.
making lunch.
A year later, they wondered about his fate and
Riana is motivated by the desire to help the
returned to Africa to see if they could locate him. animals she cares for, as their numbers in the
They were successful, and the film of the touch- wild dwindle due to humanity’s encroachments.
ing reunion between Christian and his human
A Lion, A Tiger, And A Bear … Aww!
parents has become one of the most-watched
videos on YouTube … and deservedly so. The
The motivations of the original owner of Leo
the lion, Baloo the bear, and
Shere Kahn the tiger were
much less noble, according to a
recent article in The Huffington
Post. The three animals were
rescued from their original
drug-dealing owner. They had
suffered neglect and abuse:
the bear had to have surgery
to remove the harness it had
been strapped into when it was
young.
Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary cared for the animals,
and discovered that something
extraordinary had happened
as they grew up together. No
doubt in response to the cruelty they jointly endured, Leo,
Baloo and Shere Kahn had
turned to each other for comfort and had tightly
bonded despite being part of three typicallyantagonistic species. The three are inseparable
and now live happily together on a preserve in
Georgia.
A Streak Of Tigers
The story of Ary Borges and his pets is also
incredible, but falls rather uncomfortably into
the ‘tempting fate’ category.
According to Yahoo News, Ary lives in the
industrial town of Meringa, Brazil along with his
three daughters and granddaughter toddler. He
and his family share their home with nine tigers,
two lions, a monkey, and a Chihuahua. A number of the tigers are now fully grown and tip the
scales at 700 pounds.
There is unsettling footage of the family
sharing their house with their pets at their large
estate. In one scene, a daughter is getting clothes
out of a bureau in her bedroom, where a tiger
squeezes between the bed and the wall, lazily
watching her. In another, Ary and his daughters sit on a couch chatting with an interviewer,
while a tiger (which is about as big as the couch)
lounges at their feet. The fact that the tiger is on
a leash serves only to highlight how surreal the
situation is.
The Brazilian government isn’t happy with
the arrangement, and is currently trying to
have the animals removed. Ary and his family
insist they’re in no danger, and a court battle is
ongoing.
Answer on p. 6
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
ACROSS
1 Son of Abijah
4 Portion
8 Female
12Own (Scot.)
13Hindu stringed
instrument
14Toward shelter
15Sheep disease
16Sprit (2 words)
18Camelot lady
20Varnish ingredient
21 Straw braid
25Confusion
29Occasional
32Counsel
33Rocket fuel
34Friend of Pythias
36Turk. title
37Galatea’s beloved
39Redo
41Pleasant-smelling bean
43Tooth pulp
44Mountain on Crete
46Spoken
49Aura
55Tumor (suf.)
56Lank
57Very (Ger.)
58Pronoun contraction
59Consecrated
60Door part
61Indo-Chin. people
DOWN
1 Rhine tributary
2 Condition (suf.)
3 Serum
4 Television channel
5 Objective
6 Genetic letters
7 Lofty
8 Chilean volcano
9 Peak
10Body of water
11Serum (pref.)
17Science class
19Daughters of the
American Revolution
(abbr.)
22Son of Zilpah
23“Cantique de Noel”
composer
24Marsh
26Castor (2 words)
27Restive
28Shak. king
29Lath
30Little: music
31Industrial fuel
35Grandfather of Saul
38Gaunt
40Egg (pref.)
42Amer. Dental Assn.
(abbr.)
45Sweetsop
47E. Indian tanning tree
48New sugarcane shoot
49Number (suf.)
50Electric unit
51Trouble
52Amazon tributary
53Exclamations of delight
54Ultimate degree
Answer on page 7
January/February 2014
The Whitney Center Observer
Page 3
W
e all know that as we age,
our bodies need more maintenance to function well. Physical
therapy can help you recover from
injuries and prevent new ones by
strengthening and improving balance. It can also decrease the need
for pain medications or surgery.
After visiting your primary
physician about an injury or chronic
pain, he or she may write a prescription for you to see a physical
therapist. The prescription will
indicate how many physical therapy
sessions you can have. Don’t hesitate to ask your physician if you
might benefit from physical therapy
if he hasn’t suggested it.
Physical Therapy Can Help
Restore Your Ability
To Live Actively
heating
you are out of
ities that are common among older
therapy.
breath or expe- adults. He and his colleagues evaluSome
rience soreness ated subjects who completed both
Your initial physical therapy
very low
or swelling, be seven-month and twelve-month
visit will include a review of your
tech treatsure to alert the physical therapy programs designed
medical history and a physical
ments are
professional.
to improve muscle strength, balance
evaluation that may measure your
highly
effecThis
conand movement. The researchers
strength, balance, flexibility, coordistant monitorfound this group had less disabilnation, posture, heart rate and respi- tive too.
Massage,
ing of your
ity than peers who only received a
ration. The physical therapist (PT)
mobilization
progress will
health education program over the
may also observe your functional
and
manipuensure
that
it
same time periods.
activities (such as getting up from
lation help
is safe. UsuSimilarly, The American Physithe floor, or your gait) and body
relax musally, you will
cal Therapy Association reports
mechanics (the way you use and
also be taught
that physical therapy for balance
position your body to do activities). cles, diminish
pain,
and
exercises
you
impairments can reduce the risk of
Your first visit may be limited to an
promote plican do at home, falling in the elderly, preventing
evaluation, or the physical therapy
ancy. Masalong with
serious injuries. It may seem counmay start that day.
sage also
correct body
terintuitive, but maintaing physical
Often, treatment must first
improves
mechanics
and
activity as you age helps to prevent
address any pain and swelling
blood flow,
how to use any falls. Staying inactive lessens your
before working on strength and
and lowers
special equipability to keep your balance, proper
becoming limber. High tech tools
pain in the
ment you may
body alignment, and confidence in
such as electric muscle stimulators
soft
tissues.
need.
You
most
mobility.
and ultrasound can help decrease
The use of
probably will
Evaluation, education, pain
pain, while old-fashioned massage
deliberate
be introducrelief and exercise are all part of
can help loosen tight tissues and
movements
ing new exerthe physical therapy package. Now
increase flexibility and alignment.
to
pull,
push
cises
into
your
that you know what to expect, don’t
Cold and ice also aid in relieving
daily routine, but you may also be
hesitate to utilize this highly effecpain and swelling from arthritis and or twist bones and joints into position is called “mobilization.” Its
adjusting what you currently do to
tive, medication-free tool that can
injuries, while heat can be bengoal is to loosen tight tissues around maximize its health benefits. Activi- sometimes help you avoid costly
eficial in cases of osteoarthritis or
ties that will be encouraged in your surgeries and prevent injuries.
immobility (but is generally not rec- a joint and improve alignment and
elasticity. “Manipulation” — an
new regimen include stretching (an
ommended for recent injuries until
48 hours have elapsed). If you need aggressive treatment with both pros important component of physical
Early detection can often keep
and cons — employs quick, forcetherapy because it reduces joint
special equipment (custom footful movements to position the bones stress), lifting weights, aerobics,
a minor physical problem from
wear, crutches, etc.), your physical
and joints.
and core stability exercises (to
therapist can advise you how to
turning into a serious medical
strengthen trunk muscles and hips).
obtain it.
issue … which is why the resiLearning Healthy Habits
Electrical stimulation may sound
dents of W
­ hitney Center appreciStudies Establish PT’s Benefits
Education
is
an
essential
ingrediscary, but it is actually pleasant
ate the many on-site health care
ent in effective, long-lasting physiIn The New England Journal
(just a slight tingle). Small electriprograms and resources helping
cal therapy. PTs will advise you
of Medicine, Dr. Thomas M. Gill
cal pads are applied to the area to
them stay active and informed.
on how to avoid
reported that physical therapy can
be treated and
injuries while
help seniors fend off certain disabilthen electrical
performing
currents are
High tech tools such
your everyadministered
as
electric
muscle
day tasks,
at very low
and how to
levels to help
stimulators and
protect your
eliminate
ultrasound
can
help
joints from
pain. This
reinjury.
decrease pain, while
technology
They may
can also be
old
fashioned
massage
also provide
used to make
can help loosen tight tips on how
muscles tense
to make
up and contissues.
your home
tract, helpmore usering maintain
friendly when dealing with
muscle tone or even reteach muscles to contract. Patients with severe vision, strength, or balance
arthritis or who are recovering from problems.
An exercise routine spea stroke or knee surgery often find
cifically targets the areas you
this helpful.
need to improve. The PT or
The Truth About Ultrasound
the physical therapist assistant (PTA) will carefully
Physical therapists will also
Sources Cited And For Further Information:
assess your progress to be
often use ultrasound. Studies show
sure you are ­executing the
http://www.webmd.com
this high tech therapy has a mixed
exercises
correctly
to
maxitrack record; not all patients benhttp://careerplanning.about.com/od/occupations/p/phys_therapist.htm
efit. Patients who do respond to this mize their efficacy and avoid
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook
technique find that the high-pitched further injury. (A practicing
Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Physical Therapists, online at http://www.bls.
PT must a have masters or
sound waves can decrease muscle
gov/oco/ocos080.htm
spasms, relieve pain and inflamma- doctoral degree in the field
http://www.geriatricspt.org/patients/resources.cfm
tion, and encourage healing. It also and pass national and state
relaxes and warms muscles prior to licensing exams. PTAs must
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
complete a 2-year associexercise. Ultrasound deep-heating
http://preventdisease.com/news/articles/physical_therapy_elderly_staves_
ate’s degree, and are comtechniques are more controversial,
disability.shtml
so investigate the benefits and risks monly state licensed, certified, or registered.) Any time
with your PT before starting deepThe Basics Of Physical Therapy
The Whitney Center Observer
Page 4
January/February 2014
T
January/February 2014
The Whitney Center Observer
Page 5
Exceptional Galleries, Savvy Residents Attract Area
Artists To Show Work At Whitney Center
he beautiful, airy Perspectives and Resident
hour two artists from the Resident Perspectives gallery
Nadia Irish, who is
Debbie Hesse
Perspectives art galleries at Whitney Center have talked.
treasurer for the Resibecome a cultural hub for the community, and a space
“It was very well attended,” she continues. “It was on a dent Art Committee.
artists are proud to use to showcase their creations.
weekend, so there were lots of family members and resiThe committee is chaired
Director of Artistic Services & Programs Debdents there. It was really a good way to share both gallerby Lois Spivak and Joan
bie Hesse of the Arts Council of Greater New Haven ies with the public.”
Stone; Bernice Margolis
curates the exhibitions of local artists’
is secretary.
Repeating Success
works in the Perspectives gallery. She
“I’ve been doing art
has been working with Whitney Center
It was so successful that
a good part of my life,”
staff to help enhance the gallery experithey will be repeating that
she says. “It’s something
ence for visitors and residents.
approach with the January
that was always very
“The last one we had was the first
25 reception for the current
important.”
exhibition that we really had the resiexhibitions.
Nadia focuses mainly
dents’ gallery and this gallery have an
“I’ve also arranged for
on printmaking, though
exhibition that did coincide with a recepanother artist to do a live
she’s explored other approaches as well. She is one of a
tion together,” she says. “It was really
performance of synthesizer
number of residents who will be displaying pieces in the
very successful. The hour before the
music and a slide show of
Resident Perspectives exhibition that will be held simultareception started, we had artist talks.
his artwork dealing with the
neously with the “Vibrant” exhibition in the Perspectives
They ran for an hour. For the first half
same them of lyricism,” she
gallery.
Willard Lustenader’s use of bold colors
an
hour,
two
artists
from
the
exhibition
I
adds.
“There’s going to be a wide variety of media used,” she
Natural light floods the art galleries at Whitney Center.
and geometric lines suggest ‘visual jazz.’
currated spoke, then for the second half
‘Lyricism’ is the theme for notes of the diversity of work which will be on display.
“Vibrant,” the current PerVisitors are sure to find something to delight or move
spectives exhibition which
them at the two exhibitions.
Debbie co-currated with
“The gallery space is just gorgeous,” adds Cynthia. “It’s
Insook Huang.
a showcase for Whitney Center. The fact that it’s close to
“I wanted to do somethe Cultural Arts Center, which is a space that is open to a
thing that was very energetic lot of outside groups, assures that the gallery is very well
he Fox ScholarIt was a time of glas- to conduct.
absolutely fabulous for them.”
and colorful for the winter
trafficked.”
ship program
nost and perestroika. “It
“The idea is to produce leaders,” Alison points
Being able to remain near Yale was one reason
months,” Debbie explained.
at Yale is the living
just seemed like a good
out. “Most of them are very independent.”
Alison and Joseph moved to Whitney Center. “We
“The artists have really
legacy of Whitney
time to bring students
Alison and Joseph have enjoyed meeting the
came partly because of the Fox Fellowship, to kind
enjoyed being in the shows,”
Center residents
from Russia here and
students.
of keep in touch with them,” Alison says. It’s a move
Detail of
she says. “We’ve had a few
Joseph and Alison
send American students
“We know the incoming ones better than the outthat’s paid off for them.
a painting
very site-specific pieces
Fox. The exchange
to Moscow State Univer- going ones,” she says. “We
by
Friendly
Neighbors
where
the
artist
had
to
create
program ‘trades’ stusity,” she says.
have a so-called Thanksgivresident
the piece on site, and the residents with a dozen
After some years,
ing Dinner for them in Nor“The main point is being
Lois
dents have really enjoyed the
universities overseas
the program expanded
folk where we have a house.
near Yale in a university area,”
Spivack
process of seeing the work
to help foster culbeyond Russia and now We do it in October so they
she says. “There’s a little
go up and asking the arttural enrichment and
includes other partner
can see the leaves.”
jitney bus which takes us to
ists questions while they’re
understanding for all
institutions in Europe,
Just this past fall, Aliwonderful concerts and plays.
working.”
participants.
Asia, Africa, and South
son and Joseph’s daughters
“I like the concerts here,
Alison has helped
America. The program
served 17 students and sevtoo,” she continues. “We have
An Energizing Partnership
her husband with the
offers financial support
eral administrators at the
concerts every Sunday afterIt’s been a process that’s
program, but notes, “It really is my husband’s proto its participants, which are usually students in the
informal annual event.
noon for an hour. They’re
energized
both the residents
gram. He was an international investment banker and social sciences focusing on law, political science, hisA number of the students
primarily classical in winter
and the artists, Debbie notes.
traveled a lot [and] had a
tory, etc.
have lived near each other
time, and more informal in
“We’re delighted to have
fairly broad international
and have developed ties.
the summer. We have lectures
Independent-Minded
a partnership with Whitney
experience.”
“They go on trips together,
every Monday evening — we
“The idea is to produce
Center,” says Executive
After retiring, Joseph
“I have learnt and grown
they go to the court in Hartjust had an excellent one given
leaders.
”
Director Cynthia Clair of the
took a few years carefully
so much both professionford and the court in New
by the wife of the new presiArts Council of Greater New
evaluating programs he
ally and socially,” says Cape
Haven, the Stock Exchange,
dent of Yale.”
Haven. “Debbie is doing a
could help establish.
Town University and Fox alumnus Aifheli Tshivhase the Frick Collection,” she
Alison appreciates that her
fabulous job. The residents
at the program’s website. “I’m relatively well travsays. “They are not regineighbors come from a variA Spirit Of Openness
are responding really well to
elled but the U.S. and Yale have so much more to
mented; they feel very happy
ety of backgrounds, including
the shows,” she notes, adding
“It was a question of giving back after having a
offer than any
about that.
current and former professors,
that they’re “very well eduvery successful life,” Alison explained. After meeting other place I have
They seem
social workers, and business
cated and culturally aware
Russian exchange students at the Andover School,
been to. My life
to get along
people.
“They’re wonderful young
and savvy.”
the Yale alumnus wondered why Yale couldn’t have
will never be the
with each
“People are very helpful
people
for
the
most
part.
It
One of those residents is
a similar program, she says, and in the late 1980s
same again after
other. Some
here,” she says. “It’s very well
he was inspired to launch the Fox International
having spent a
run, with a very nice staff.”
has been absolutely fabulous of them have
Fellowships.
year in the United
married each
for
them.
”
States as a Fox
other; some
International Felof them have
CORRECTION: In our last issue, we
low at Yale.”
married Americans. They’re
incorrectly stated the nation state to which
The program is very flexible and gives particiwonderful young people for
Pyongyang, North Korea, belongs.
Anthony Ross
pants a free hand in the kinds of research they wish
the most part. It has been
Costanzo and
Eric Owens
hitney Center partners with TRMC Media (the com(right) and Sara
pany that creates The Observer) we’re fascinated by
Mearns (below)
seniors. We aspire to Enlighten, Enrich, and Engage you
Here are a few
presentation of a Steperform in A
with every paper we create. We believe the opinions of
upcoming events
phen Sondheim musiDANCER’S DREAM.
Americans 60 years and older just aren’t heard enough.
scheduled at the area’s
cal which has been
We’d like to end this trend. To do so, we are going to be
day, January 27
best senior living
hailed as “one of the
asking our readers to participate in short online surveys
community!
great musical productions of this or
The New Haven Camera Club: Moncovering a wide variety of subjects. The surveys will never
any era” by the Independent. Friday,
day, February 10
“A Dancer’s Dream”: New York City
be more than 15 questions long, so this should take only
February 28
Ballet principal dancer Sara Mearns
New Haven Bird Club Meeting: Thursone minute.
takes the lead in this Specticast perday, February 13
formance of the theatrical reimagining
These are just a handful of special
There is no need to give us any of your personal
Big
Band
Performance
&
Dance
of Stravinsky’s The Fairy’s Kiss and
events scheduled for January and FebJazz Forever Orchestra: 7:30 p.m.
information (such as your name or address); we are
Petrushka by the New York Philharruary. Recurring activities include a
Wednesday, February 19
just interested in your opinion! We’ll then tally them
monic. Friday, January 24
concert series; day trips; walks, Tai Chi,
up and share them in the future. Your opinion counts!
The New Haven Camera Club: Monping pong, and water exercise classes;
“Vibrant” Artist Talks & Gallery
day, February 24
book clubs; art films; a lecture series
Reception: Artists will give talks
This issue’s topic is “Food.” To participate in the
& discussion groups; town meetings;
about their work from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m., Gift Shop Grand Opening Celebrareligious
services;
and
so
much
more.
online survey, just go to:
tion Week: Wednesday, February 19
with reception following from 3 p.m. –
Stephen Sondheim’s lively
For
a
full
calendar
of
events
through Wednesday, February 26
5 p.m., Saturday, January 25
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG will be shown on
please contact the Marketing Office at
YourOpinionCountsSurvey.com
February 28.
“Merrily We Roll Along”: Specticast
The New Haven Camera Club: Mon203-848-2641.
Whitney
Center
Residents Help Promote International Understanding Through Fellowship Program
T
PHOTO BY CHRIS
LEE
What Do You Think?
Upcoming Events At Whitney Center
W
The Whitney Center Observer
Page 6
January/February 2014
GRANDparents Corner
lon fish tank for two traumatized
goldfish. Only after Bailey’s mom
offered to buy a new slimline fish
tank did I agree to the arrangement
— the tank would go well with the
daughter adopted, Clover delighted nautical theme in my office.
in wreaking havoc. He climbed the
I must admit, I thoroughly
curtains. He batted the leaves on my enjoyed my grandfish. They didn’t
houseplants. He pulled magnets off bark or need walking. They didn’t
the refrigerator and swatted them
scratch or require a litter box. They
underneath. He clawed the wooddidn’t make noises or try to escape.
work. And then he spotted Toto.
What Princess and Lugnut did
Even though Clover was now
was grow. And grow. And grow.
a well-fed cat, his street-beggar
Pampered like royalty, they soon
instincts kicked in. He was deteroutgrew their tidy little tank. After
mined to take Toto down. Operation much discussion, the girls agreed
Separation of grandcat and grandpig we should release them into a goldbegan. The weekend-long battle left fish pond.
me exhausted.
Once again we’re pet free, but
A few short weeks later, Bailey
not for long. Grandson Isaac and
and Kaylee spied the shiny orange
his family are traveling to Kengoldfish at a Field Days game
tucky next month; they promised
booth. They just had to have those
Daisy she could spend the week at
fish. We could get them by sinking
Granny’s.
one large rubber ball into one small
I’m just glad the neighbors aren’t
glass bowl. For one dollar we got
planning another wedding.
five chances.
Author note: Judyann Grant
After spending ten dollars, we
teaches a devotion writing course
were the proud owners of two
for the Writing Academy and has
59-cent fish.
published essays in several antholo-
Guess What Comes Along
With The Kids?
by Judyann Grant
P
lenty of pets passed through our
lives as our daughters grew up:
birds, cats, chickens, dogs, ducks,
fish, hamsters, rabbits and roosters. Then, when the girls grew up
and moved out, they took whatever
remained of their menagerie with
them. After 20-plus years, our house
was pet free.
The freedom was short-lived.
When the grandkids came along,
they brought with them something I
hadn’t anticipated: grandpets. Three
have been weekend visitors.
Daisy, a combination of beagle,
greyhound and Houdini, is grandson Isaac’s dog. She stayed with us
during the weekend our neighbors
were hosting an outdoor wedding.
Fearing this accomplished escape
artist would crash the festivities
next door, I planned to walk her
before the ceremony began.
I triple-checked Daisy’s collar before opening the door. She
yanked the leash, spun in a circle
and leapt into the air. With heartpounding visions of her getting
loose, I grabbed her up in a bear
hug and lugged her back into the
house.
Nature’s call would have to wait
until the bride and groom departed.
All was calm when Toto, a
brown-and-white guinea pig, came
to stay. Belonging to granddaughters Kaylee and Eloise, Toto was
a model grandpet. Each morning I
visited him in his basement accommodations, refilled his water bottle
and food dish and tossed him a few
carrot-shaped woody treats. He was
content — until Clover arrived the
same weekend.
Clover is granddaughter Bailey’s cat. A street orphan that my
Proud Grandparents Of … Fish
gies, including “Cup of Comfort for
Weddings” and “My Teacher Is My
Hero.” Her work for children has
appeared in Highlights for Children, Clubhouse Jr. and Primary
Treasure. She lives in Mannsville,
New York.
The fish jostled in their plastic
bags while the girls enjoyed the carnival rides. Amazingly, they were
still alive when we arrived home.
Bailey dubbed her fish “Princess”;
Kaylee christened hers “Lugnut.”
They vowed to keep the goldfish
This article appeared in the
together forever.
November/December 2008 issue
That’s when the fun began.
of GRAND MAGAZINE. Reprinted
Both my granddaughters longed
with permission of GRAND Media,
to take the pair home, but neither
LLC, copyright © 2010. All rights
wanted the responsibility. A hot
reserved.
debate ensued. They turned
to me. “Could they
live together at
your house,
Granny?”
For more great articles from
I didn’t
GRAND, visit them on the Web at
want to
http://www.grandmagazine.com/news/
haul out
our dusty
10-gal-
Spirit Of Jane Austen Imbues Charm To Modern Tale Of California Readers
B
efore I begin my
review, I have a terrible confession: I have
never read a book by Jane
Austen. I have, however,
seen (and enjoyed) the
Pride and Prejudice remake
with Keira Knightley, and
the somewhat earlier Sense
and Sensibility with Emma
Thompson and Hugh Grant.
But claiming familiarity with Austen via film
would no doubt strike most
of the main characters in
Karen Joy Fowler’s The
Jane Austen Book Club
as a more than a little
offensive … perhaps even
sacrilegious.
New Lives And Old
Friendships
Fortunately, it proved
to be little impediment to
enjoying Karen’s Austenlike story, which interweaves the hopes and
heartaches
of a multigenerational
cast living in
present day
Northern California. Much
of the book
is written in
flashback, giving us glimpses
into the psychic
scars and deep
friendships
which underlay the occa-
sionally
mundaneappearing
interactions
between
the club’s
members.
Karen
centers
her story
on Sylvia and
Jocelyn,
50-ish
women who have been best
friends for decades. In flashback, we learn of Sylvia’s
spirited Hispanic heritage,
and the origins of her early
romance with Daniel, her
husband of 32 years who
has just left her when The
Jane Austen Book Club
begins.
We get a similar look at
Jocelyn, with her passion
for raising puppies and her
endearingly meddlesome
penchant for matchmaking
Transcending The
Ordinary
All of these characters
are smartly drawn, and
Karen displays a gift for
making ordinary triumphs
and trials compelling. Like
Anne Tyler, Karen presents her characters’ eccentricities as endearing, not as
punchlines to some harsh
literary judgment. I was
most moved by the story
of Prudie, a teacher with
(a la
a wonderful husband and
Austen’s Emma).
a superficially happy life
Karen also charms us
who nonetheless remains
with the 60-ish Bernahaunted by the slightly
dette, a slightly askew yet
surreal emotional cruelties
resolutely cheerful and
inflicted by her mother durobservant woman who has
ing Prudie’s childhood.
somehow managed to marry
As should be clear, I very
both well and often. Sylmuch enjoyed The Jane
via’s daughter, Allegra, and Austen Book Club despite
the young Prudie round out my relative inexperience
the female members, while
with the Austen oeuvre.
science fiction fan Grigg — Austen fans will no doubt
invited by Jocelyn for her
enjoy it even more.
own mysterious purposes —
—Bert Meisel
is the club’s lone male.
January/February 2014
The Whitney Center Observer
Page 7
Fans Flock To Hear Velvety Voices Of Connick, Bublé
scene significantly in his 60s and still
a soft, sentimental manner. But the more beathas popularity among the younger set.”
heavy songs of Presley and others seized the
Now 87, Bennett is regarded as a
popular imagination in the late 1950s, and by the national treasure. Known for his famous
time the 1960s rolled around, crooning waned in song, “I Left My Heart In San Franpopularity. The Beatles and rock’n’roll became
cisco,” today’s generation recognizes
the signature musical style for youth in that era.
him as the one who sang with Bono, of
But it didn’t disappear, and today it’s enjoying the band U2.
a resurgence.
One of the more recent crooners
appealing to today’s generation of music
Musical Genre Emerges From Hibernation
lovers is Canadian Michael Bublé. His
“There’s a regeneration of crooning from
smooth vocal sound and big band renmusical stars inspired by Sinatra’s style, includ- ditions of old Sinatra songs helped his
ing Harry Connick, Jr.,” says Bill Bentley, a
popularity take flight. His 2003 release
20-year veteran of the music industry and publi- of a self-titled album included such
cist for Warstandards as “For Once in My
ner Brothers.
Life” and “Come Fly with
Michael Bublé’s smooth
Harry
Me.” According to his pubConnick Jr.
licist, his albums have sold
vocal
sound
and
big
is one of the
over 11 million copies and
band renditions of old
modern day
he has 2 Grammy nominasingers who
Sinatra songs helped his tions to his credit. Last year
gained popuhis most recent album, To Be
popularity
take
flight.
larity with
Loved, debuted at No. 1 on
cover songs
the Billboard 200, according
and then his own renditions of old standards.
Billboard.com.
Connick began singing and performing when
he was five years old, and recorded his first jazz Spanning Generations
album at ten. By the age of 20, he had released
Although the listening is spanning
his first record with Columbia Records. His
generations, spreading the word about
popularity grew in 1989 when he scored his first new music is not as easy for all generations even
movie, When Sally Met Harry.
though the use of the Internet has grown among
Connick and Bublé have been criticized by
more senior music lovers.
some as Sinatra wannabes, but over time they’ve
“Now with the Internet exposure, music is
developed their own style.
being heard much quicker than in the old days
“All artists start out by copying their inspira- and the stars are rising faster than ever,” says
tions,” says Bentley. “It’s difficult to be origiBentley of the popularity of Connick and Bublé.
nal today. The greatest compliment to an artist
“It’s so easy to share music now too. Today’s
is when a newcomer wants to copy a familiar
kids get their music from the Internet, share it on
sound. Eventually, they all come into their own. their iPods, download videos from YouTube and
“Tony Bennett opened the door to modern
enjoy a wide variety of music.
kids listening to crooners,” continues Bentley.
“Twenty years ago, young people were pres“He has an artistry and singing voice that’s betsured to like the music they saw on videos,” he
ter than ever today. He came back to the music
explains. “What was popular there is what they
FROM “VELVETY VOICES” ON P. 1
listened to. It’s not like that today. There is less
pressure to identify with genres of the music.
It’s all about what they like. A good crooner can
appeal to multiple generations. Bublé is that
guy.”
Bentley hopes older fans of music take advantage of the same ready access to the wide variety
of musical styles they enjoy that younger people
have found on the web.
“I believe that music is therapeutic and is
quite possibly the best healing force on the
planet,” he says. “If boomers would continually listen to the music they love, they could be
healthier, happier people.”
Gadgets & Gizmos Are Nothing To Fear, Says Radio Host
about computers, I can see them
alienate people.
confronting some of their nervous“For many people, once you feel ness with technology, and I imagine
like you’re falling behind, it can
the same sort of thing goes on with
make it extra hard to keep up,” she
a lot of other people.”
continues. “That’s where the anxiThe generations don’t always fit
ety creeps in.”
into people’s stereotypes.
“People make broad assumptions
Seniors And Technology
about the
Spark is
generations’
somewhat
different
“My father is in his 80s
unusual
approaches
and had a lot of trouble
among
to technoltechnologyogy, but
with PCs, but he took
oriented proI think
to his iPod Touch like a
grams in that
there’s a
it will often
big range
duck to water because it
make a point
in people
presented
its
function
in
of discussing
in both
how a particua clear and obvious way.” ends of
lar new develthe demoopment affects
graphic,”
older people.
Nora explains. “Not all young
“I guess I see it partially from a
people are tech savvy, and not all
personal point of view,” she says.
old people are not. I’ve noticed for
“When I give advice to my parents
example that people in the younger
end of the older
demographic —
people in their
60s — often
have a lot of
experience using
digital technology in their jobs,
much more so
than those in
their 80s.
“I think there
can be a point of
friction between
the generations
centered on new
technology and
how it changes
FROM “GADGETS” ON P. 1
our lives,” she says,
“but it can be a tremendous source of community as well.”
Nora recalls
one story which
featured an 85-yearold British woman,
Ofelia Podolski, who
developed a small
global following on
the Internet even
Nora Young
though she doesn’t
use computers. Her
grandson helped her
post her thoughts on the web, and in
the process he learned things about
his grandmother — such as her
doomed affair with a member of the
Resistance during World War II —
that she had never discussed with
him before.
Design Makes A Difference
Spark often
focuses on the challenge of making
technology usable
for everyone. Nora
notes that Spark
staff have speculated
that the proverbial
youngster you might
get to help you
with some new tech
product won’t necessarily know how
to use it right off
the bat. Instead, he
or she likely has the
confidence to poke
around and tinker
with it until they
figure it out.
“If people
are afraid
they’re going
to break something, that can
really affect
their confidence level
when they’re
trying to learn
how to use a
new device,”
Nora explains.
“It’s also
a question of
design,” she adds. “A good design
presents the user with how a device
is supposed to be used more effectively than a poor design. My father
is in his 80s and had a lot trouble
with PCs, but he took to his iPod
Touch like a duck to water because
it presented its function in a clear
and obvious way.”
Answer to Crossword
The Whitney Center Observer
Page 8
H
January/February 2014
Enjoy Winter Without The Worry!
as dealing with icy winds and
slippery snowfalls become more
than a little annoying? If you fantasize about moving to a Pacific atoll
to escape the inconveniences of
Connecticut winters, but don’t want
to leave family, friends, hobbies and
even a job behind (in other words
Winter weather is much nicer without the
words “shoveling” and “scraping”!
— your life), consider the oasis of
­Whitney Center.
This full-service senior living community puts an incredible range
of services, amenities, and activities within a comfortable, climatecontrolled walk from your beautiful
apartment home.
having to bother with a coat!
With a broad range of floor
plans to choose from, you’re sure
to find a maintenance-free home
to suit your style and budget …
without the worry of spending
money or time taking care of it.
From the shingles to the shoveling, from the appliances to the
Take A Walk … Leave Your Coat!
housekeeping,
Go to the Spa on Main, take a dip the staff takes
in the heated indoor pool, or tone-up care of everyin the Fitness Center with no worries thing inside and
about scraping off your car. Take in a out. All of which
movie with neighbors, enjoy a Spec- leaves you with
ticast showing of your favorite opera, more time to do
or dine with good friends in the
the things you
on-site restaurants … without even
really want to do!
Program Helps Community Director Lead By Listening
W
hen Director of Resident Relations Mary Martino
first began attending the Connecticut Leadership Academy, she was a
little apprehensive.
“We’re not
“I left there after the
first day, wondering what
in corporate
I had gotten myself into,”
America; we’re
says the Whitney Center
dealing with
adminstrator. “It ended
people’s lives!”
up being the greatest
experience I’ve had in my
career!”
The program is run by LeadingAge CT, the local
arm of the national organization of professionals
dedicated to providing exceptional service to seniors
in their communities. Whitney Center sponsored
Mary’s participation to help her lead her staff in
maintaining the community’s status as the region’s
finest senior living option.
Positively Contagious
“I’m a people person,” she explains. “Most in the program were
more analytical; it was a very tough group for me and pushed my
comfort zone.
“Once everything started to meld together, it was a wonderful
experience,” she continues. “What I took out of that was that positive leadership is contagious, and you can bring that to
everyone, no matter what their level of employment is.
“The program reinforced how important it is to be transparent with people, and to be clear with how their work fits
into the broader
picture,” she adds.
“I’m blessed with a
staff here that will
do cartwheels for
residents, because
they understand
why we’re doing
what we do. We’re
not in corporate
America; we’re dealing with people’s
lives.”
Mary said the
course also emphasized how important it is for leaders to be
responsive.
“The program has really helped me be a better listener,”
she points out. “Since attending the sessions, I’ve been having my staff bring forward their needs in team meetings.
We’re building on what they see the residents need; I’m
being the supporter.”
A Resident-Led Community
The community’s front line staff often have the keenest
insights into what residents need. Mary sees her role as makWhitney Center is a Not-For-Profit community.
EQUAL HOUSING
OPPORTUNIT YY
OPPORTUNIT
ing sure those staff
members have the
right tools to provide the best possible service to the
residents.
Mary is proud of Whitney
Center’s accomplishments over
the past few years. The resident
art committee and the Arts
Council of Greater New Haven
have been putting together very
popular exhibits in the community’s exceptional galleries.
Residents helped plan the wall
mural in the community’s new
Bistro, and resident volunteers
have also helped local students
through the Bridge Builders program. For 2014, Mary is exploring
options for trips that go beyond
Director of
Resident
Relations
Mary
Martino
local destinations.
“Our residents are amazing,” Mary says. “Some are still working
in their 70s and 80s, and they contribute so much to our community. I just want to help them remain engaged, and keep listening
to what they really want.”
Call Today To Receive Your Free
Retirement Planning Kit!
To find out
more about
the area’s leader in active
retirement living, fill out and
send in the coupon below,
or call toll-free today to
receive your free, comprehensive retirement package:
(800) 237‑3847
� Yes, please send me my free retirement planning kit.


Call (800) 237-3847 or cut this coupon out and send to:
­W h i t n e y C e n t e r
200 Leeder Hill Drive, Hamden, CT 06517
www.WhitneyCenter.com
 Mr. & Mrs.  Mr.  Mrs.  Ms.
Name _____________________________________________________
Address ___________________________________________________
City _____________________________ State ______ Zip _ _______
Phone _____________________________________________________
E-mail _ ___________________________________________Obsvr Jan14