Vol. 12, Issue 8 Official Publication of the Escapes at ... · August 2020 ~ ESCAPES NEWSLETTER 3 In thIs Issue... AUGUST BIRTHDAYS Susan Ardoin August 3 Gerard Hanley August 7 Ken

Official Publication of the Escapes at Ocean Breeze CommunityVol. 12, Issue 12 December 2020

2 ESCAPES NEWSLETTER ~ December 2020

We accept no responsibility for any advertisements. If there are any complaints concerning an advertiser, please contact them directly. If you receive no satisfaction, you can contact your Better Business Bureau or the Monmouth County De-partment of Consumer Aff airs.

We accept no responsibility for any advertisements. If there are any complaints concerning an advertiser, please contact them directly. If you receive no satisfaction, you can contact your Better Business Bureau or the Ocean County Department of Consumer Aff airs.

We accept no responsibility for any advertisements. If there are any complaints concerning an advertiser, please contact them directly. If you receive no satisfaction, you can contact your Better Business Bureau or the Hunterdon County Department of Consumer Aff airs.

We accept no responsibility for any advertisements. If there are any complaints concerning an advertiser, please contact them directly. If you receive no satisfaction, you can contact your Better Business Bureau or the Mercer County Department of Consumer Aff airs.

2020 BOARD OF TRUSTEES President Eli Bleeman Vice President Nick Vesper Treasurer Greg Miscio Secretary Bruce Blakeslee* Member-At-Large Robert Beyea**

*[email protected] **[email protected]

2020 ASSOCIATION COMMITTEES

Revised 9/1/2020

NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE Chairperson Diane Cannizzaro, [email protected] Secretary Joanne McCarthy Members Diana Attardi Louis Natalo Helen Bajek Alison Segreto Joan Fitzsimmons Elaine Vaccaro Circulation Mark Segreto (chair), Ellen Bernero, Janet Bernhard, Pam Balogh, Linda Broccoli, Jane Buck, Glenn Cannizzaro, Maria Closson, Philip Ferinde, Mike Fitzsimmons, Cecelia Henrich, Frank Hughes, Robert McAdams, Janet Malko, Cathy Pavlovsky, Carla Saams Board Liaison Bruce Blakeslee

SOCIAL COMMITTEE Chairperson Barbara Carr, [email protected] Co-Chairperson June Hodgson, [email protected] Secretary Cathy Weick Members Jane Buck Maureen Graziano Susan Buckolz Debbie Korzeniowski Lauretta Elvin Linda Michel Karen Fong Dorothy Mantellino Board Liaison Bruce Blakeslee

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE Chairperson Alfred Petrillo, [email protected] Members Domenico Calise José Martinez Martha Kremer Art Tarnowski Board Liaison Robert Beyea

ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE Chairperson Chet Broccoli, [email protected] Recording Secretary Maureen Ahern Member Rich DeStasio Subcommittee Barbara Smith, Bob Varela Board Liaison Nick Vesper

AD HOC LANDSCAPING COMMITTEE Contact [email protected] Members Bruce Blakeslee Mike Logan Jack Stoeckel Nick Vesper Board Liaison Robert Beyea

AD HOC FINANCE COMMITTEE Members Kriste Naples-DeAngelo John Stoeckel Thomas Van Wie Board Liaison Greg Miscio

HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC. Paramount ESCAPES OCEAN BREEZE

ad hoc finance committee Members Kriste Naples-DeAngelo John Stoeckel Thomas Van Wie Board Liaison Greg Miscio (Board Treasurer)

ad hoc finance committee Members Kriste Naples-DeAngelo John Stoeckel Thomas Van Wie Board Liaison Greg Miscio (Board Treasurer)

ES C A P E SNEWSLETTER

NFCAMENITYMANAGEMENT

MISSION STATEMENT

The goal of the Escapes Newsletter is threefold:

1. To provide information to the residents of Escapes at Ocean Breeze from our Board of Trustees, committees,and lifestyle and management companies.

2. To inform the residents of social, cultural, andeducational events in the community and surrounding areas.

3. To establish a means of communications within Ocean Breeze that fosters community spirit and good will among residents.

ON-SITE MANAGEMENT OFFICE:Lifestyle Pavilion

101 Paramount Escapes DriveManahawkin, NJ 08050

MID ATLANTIC PROPERTY MANAGER: MARIA VACCARO

Email: [email protected] phone: 609-698-1687

Fax: 609-660-1018

LIFESTYLE DIRECTOR: MARY HAKIMEmail: [email protected]

Officephone: 609-660-0346Fax: 609-660-1018

NFC Amenity Management700 Bangs Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ 07712

Paramount

Paramount Escapes Ocean Breeze HOA, Inc.(609) 698-1687

Visit our website at https://app.townsq.io/login

Rev. 10/15/2020

December 2020 ~ ESCAPES NEWSLETTER 3


August 2020 ~ ESCAPES NEWSLETTER 3

In thIs Issue...

AUGUST BIRTHDAYSSusan Ardoin August 3Gerard Hanley August 7Ken Miller August 15Gary Bartnicki August 16Ed Desch August 16Tom Cornell August 19Gene Koenigsmark August 22Sally Cornell August 23Jeanne Cashel August 23Pat Michlin August 24Mary Ferrara August 24Barbara Schwan August 26Phyllis Weber August 31

Every day is a giftUnwrap it, celebrate it, enjoy it

Happy Birthday!

AUGUST ANNIVERSARIESMaryann & Jim Barrek August 10Diana & Frank Attardi August 11Denise & Steve Gachko August 17Barbara & Alan Smith August 24Mary & Douglas Becker August 24

It doesn't matter where you go in lifeWhat you do or how much you have

It's who you have beside youHappy Anniversary!

Let’s celebrate you! Contact ElaineVaccaro, [email protected], to list your birthday and/or anniversary and to let her know of any corrections/changes.

Note to all ESCAPEES:You don’t have to be a member of the Committee to

contribute, but we welcome anyone interested in joining. If you have photos (with a caption), a bit of humor, funny story, family news, favorite recipe, photos of a special trip, a favorite photo you’d like to share, or an article, we’d like to hear from you! Feel free to email the Committee chairperson.

As a general guide, deadline for Newsletter items is the 10th of each month for the following month’s issue, and items will be subject to general proofing and editing prior to publication.

Material published does not necessarily represent the views of the Committee or of the Escapes community. The Newsletter Committee does not endorse the services or items offered by advertisers.

The Escapes Newsletter is available online at Senior Publishing Company’s website:

https://www.seniorpub.com, “Our Papers.”

I MP O R T AN T DA T E SF O R A U G U S T

August 2 Friendship Day August 4 ARC meeting 6 PMAugust 18 ARC meeting 6 PMAugust 19 National Aviation Day August 21 Senior Citizens DayAugust 26 Women’s Equality Day

Birding During Quarantine ............................ 4 ARC Committee Reminders ........................... 6 Paramount Construction Office Reminder... 6 Did You Know? (Elvis) .................................... 7 Popcorn Park Zoo............................................. 8 Cape May County Zoo .................................... 9 The Stranding of Steamship L’Amerique ... 10 Who Was Martha Coston? ............................ 11 We Are Awesome! ............................................. 13 Poet’s Snug .............................................................14Residents’ Pix.................................................. 15 Escapes Hiking Club...................................... 15 Laughter Is the Best Medicine ...................... 16 Clichés Completed by 6-Year-Olds................ 17 NJ State Parks and Forests: Part III ............. 20 Six Steps for Disinfectant Use....................... 21 Know Your Risk ............................................. 25 AND…Just for Fun................ 5, 7, 10, 12, 22, 26

Rich DeStasio Dec 1John Vaccaro Dec 10Donna Toutikian Dec 11Joan Fitzsimmons Dec 12Toni Lewis Dec 16Leon Toutikian Dec 19Alicia Magarelli Dec 23Elaine Ulias Dec 28

Count not the candles, But see the light they give

Count not the years, But the life you live

Happy Birthday!

Bev Phillips and Herb Madwatkins Dec 2Mary and Lou Ferrara Dec 13Jane and Jim Buck Dec 14Susan and Sam Ardoin Dec 20

Love is a friendship set to musicAnd you totally enjoy the band

Happy Anniversary!

THIS SHOULD BE AT THE TOP OF THE PAGEFOR EVERY ISSUE

Let’s celebrate you! Contact Elaine Vaccaro, [email protected], to list your birthday and/or anniversary and to let her know of any corrections/changes.

sRich DeStasio Dec 1John Vaccaro Dec 10Donna Toutikian Dec 11Joan Fitzsimmons Dec 12Toni Lewis Dec 16Leon Toutikian Dec 19Alicia Magarelli Dec 23Elaine Ulias Dec 28

Count not the candles,But see the light they give

Count not the years,But the life you live

Happy Birthday!

Bev Phillips and Herb Madwatkins Dec 2Mary and Lou Ferrara Dec 13Jane and Jim Buck Dec 14Susan and Sam Ardoin Dec 20

Love is a friendship set to musicAnd you totally enjoy the band

Happy Anniversary!

THIS SHOULD BE AT THE TOP OF THE PAGEFOR EVERY ISSUE

Let’s celebrate you! Contact ElaineVaccaro, [email protected], to list your birthday and/or anniversary and to let her know of any corrections/changes.

s

"We light candles in testament that faith makes miracles possible."—Nachum Braverman

Three Wise WomenWould have asked directions,

Arrived on time,Helped deliver the baby,

Cleaned the stable,Made a casserole,

Brought practical gifts, andAnd there would be

Peace On Earth

Joyful & Triumphant!

The best gift is Family wrapped in Love

I M P O R T A N T D A T E SDec. 1 Dec. 7 Dec. 6

ARC meeting 6 PM Pearl Harbor Day St. Nicholas Day

Dec. 10 Hanukkah begins Dec. 15 ARC meeting 6 PM Dec. 18 Hanukkah ends Dec. 21 Winter solstice Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Dec. 25 Christmas Day Dec. 26 Kwanzaa begins Dec. 31 New Year’s Eve

IN THIS ISSUE... X VVV eteran's Day Service ....................................... 4 Message from Maria and Mary ...................... 4 Residents’ Pix & Request for Holiday Pix .... 5 2020 Firewise Community Update ................ 6 A Holiday Light Up the Night! Event ........... 7 Message from Newsletter Committee ........... 8 Did You Know About Mistletoe? ................... 9 Pinelands Commission Free Webinars .......... 9 Safety Committee Bulletin ............................ 10 Steve Gachko’s Wellness Corner .................. 11 The ABC’s of Friendship ............................... 12 Poet’s Snug ...................................................... 13 Empathy (by Katherine Hepburn) ................... 14 The Peace Tree ..................................................... 15 Think About It ................................................ 18 Alfred Nobel & The Peace Prize ................... 20 Herd Immunity & CDC Holiday Guide ..... 22 The Most & The Least .................................... 24 A Park Slope Haunting Continues .............. 25 AND…Just for Fun .................. 11, 12, 18, 21, 26

V


As part of the ceremony, each veteran was presented with a candle from the Social Committee inrecognition of their service. The label on the candle reads . The veterans were asked to display the lit candle in their front window from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. so that their neighbors and the community could honor them by honking their horn or shouting a simple thank you when passing by. This is a new tradition that the Social Committee would like to institute this year and going forward to honor our veterans. Any veteran who was not able to attend the ceremony may pick-up their candle at 91 Honeysuckle Drive (The Fong's) on Thurs. 11/19, Fri. 11/20, or Sat. 11/21, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. We ask that you put your candle away for safe keeping so that you can easily retrieve it for next year's celebration.

A shout-out goes to our Social Committee for their hard work and commitment to our community. Aspecial thank you goes to Barbara Carr (amazing job on the candles!), Lauretta Elvin, and Karen Fong.

Finally, a special thank you goes to our new Lifestyle Coordinator, Mary Hakim. You are a breath of fresh air! Thank you for your support and help in making our Veteran’s Day ceremony happen.

The Paramount Escapes community would like to extend a special thank you to all of our veterans who participated in the 2020 Veteran’s Day ceremony onNovember 11. It is with sincere gratitude and appreciation that we acknowledge your service and dedication.


Baaaad Hair Day By Cecelia Henrich

Thanks to Neil Tardi and my wife AnnMarie for coming out on October 17 to hike on a beautiful fall day. We hiked from

Franklin Parker Preserve south entrance into an active cranberry farm. First time I lead this hike. Just beautiful pictures to share. We hiked a total of 5 miles. If you would like to be included in my hiking email list, please email me at [email protected]. We always welcome new residents interested in our group's hikes. Walk at your own pace!

By John Neidzwski

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GENE! 85 YEARS DONE RIGHT!

Paramount came together on Honeysuckle Drive on Halloween to celebrate Gene’s 85th birthday. Gene is affectionately known as “The Mayor” and as “Mister Bingo.”

By Gary Bartnicki Baaaad Hair Day

By Cecelia Henrich

Thanks to Neil Tardi and my wife AnnMarie for coming out on October 17 to hike on a beautiful fall day. We hiked from

Franklin Parker Preserve south entrance into an active cranberry farm. First time I lead this hike. Just beautiful pictures to share. We hiked a total of 5 miles. If you would like to be included in my hiking email list, please email me at [email protected]. We always welcome new residents interested in our group's hikes. Walk at your own pace!

By John Neidzwski

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GENE! 85 YEARS DONE RIGHT!

Paramount came together on Honeysuckle Drive on Halloween to celebrate Gene’s 85th birthday. Gene is affectionately known as “The Mayor” and as “Mister Bingo.”

By Gary Bartnicki


The Firewise® Communities Program is intended to serve as a resource for organizations, fire departments, communities, and residents across the United States who are working toward a common goal: Reduce the loss of lives, properties, and resources to wild land fire by building and maintaining communities in a way that is compatible with our natural surroundings.

At Paramount Escapes, the Firewise® Committee’s approach emphasizes community responsibility for planning for the design of a safe community, as well as effective emergency response and resident awareness of wild land fire mitigation for landscaping.

The Firewise® Communities/USA Recognition Program was designed as a tool that the NJ Forestry Service and fire service professionals can use to work with residents to obtain voluntary compliance with existing wildfire safety rules, as well as to motivate community action toward wildfire safety in the absence of strict ordinances or laws. The Recognition Program encourages and acknowledges citizen involvement in reducing community wildfire risk.

In 2019, Paramount Escapes was approved for National Firewise® status and continued its recognition status in good standing throughout 2020. The renewal of membership status is currently underway for 2021, with application completion expected by the end of November of this year.

You may have noticed signs such as this posted throughout the community indicating our good standing status with the national program. One of the original requirements for membership was the completion of a community “Action Plan” that was filed at both the State and national level. This Action Plan is a commitment to a sustained program of wild fire mitigation that is generally both physically doable and cost effective.

During 2020, the Firewise® Committee held meetings, prepared notifications and safety bulletins, and worked with individual homeowners to make their residence “fire smart” as it relates to wildfires. The Firewise® Committee reported over 100 hours of volunteer service dedicated to Firewise® activities for Paramount Escapes. In addition, the community has engaged the services of our current lawn service,Meticulous, to complete phase one of our Action Plan, the common area underbrush clean-up effort. The cost for this service is $5,000, which will be reimbursed to the Paramount Escapes Homeowner’s Association from NJ Forest Fire Service through their Firewise® Annual Grant Program.

Evacuation routes are an important element of the Paramount Escapes Firewise® Action Plan. The fact that there were only two exits from the community (Main Gate and Dusty Miller) raised concern by many residents. The Firewise® Committee, working together with the Paramount Escapes Public Safety Committee and the Barnegat Police Department, has identified a third exit that will be used in the event of a mandatory evacuation initiated by the Barnegat Township Emergency Operation Center (Barnegat Police/Fire Departments). The new exit point will be at the end of Milky Way Drive.

Paramount EscapesFIREWISE® COMMITTEE

Continued on next page


The Firewise® Communities Program is intended to serve as a resource for organizations, firedepartments, communities, and residents across the United States who are working toward a commongoal: Reduce the loss of lives, properties, and resources to wild land fire by building and maintainingcommunities in a way that is compatible with our natural surroundings.

At Paramount Escapes, the Firewise® Committee’s approach emphasizes community responsibilityfor planning for the design of a safe community, as well as effective emergency response and residentawareness of wild land fire mitigation for landscaping.

The Firewise® Communities/USA Recognition Program was designed as a tool that the NJ ForestryService and fire service professionals can use to work with residents to obtain voluntary compliance withexisting wildfire safety rules, as well as to motivate community action toward wildfire safety in the absenceof strict ordinances or laws. The Recognition Program encourages and acknowledges citizen involvement inreducing community wildfire risk.

In 2019, Paramount Escapes was approved for National Firewise® status and continued itsrecognition status in good standing throughout 2020. The renewal of membership status is currentlyunderway for 2021, with application completion expected by the end of November of this year.

You may have noticed signs such as this posted throughout the community indicating our good standing status with the national program. One of the original requirements formembership was the completion of a community “Action Plan” that was filed at both the Stateand national level. This Action Plan is a commitment to a sustained program of wild firemitigation that is generally both physically doable and cost effective.

During 2020, the Firewise® Committee held meetings, prepared notifications and safety bulletins, and worked with individual homeowners to make their residence “fire smart” as it relates to wildfires. TheFirewise® Committee reported over 100 hours of volunteer service dedicated to Firewise® activities forParamount Escapes. In addition, the community has engaged the services of our current lawn service,Meticulous, to complete phase one of our Action Plan, the common area underbrush clean-up effort. Thecost for this service is $5,000, which will be reimbursed to the Paramount Escapes Homeowner’sAssociation from NJ Forest Fire Service through their Firewise® Annual Grant Program.

Evacuation routes are an important element of the Paramount Escapes Firewise® Action Plan. Thefact that there were only two exits from the community (Main Gate and Dusty Miller) raised concern bymany residents. The Firewise® Committee, working together with the Paramount Escapes Public SafetyCommittee and the Barnegat Police Department, has identified a third exit that will be used in the event of amandatory evacuation initiated by the Barnegat Township Emergency Operation Center (BarnegatPolice/Fire Departments). The new exit point will be at the end of Milky Way Drive.


Firewise® is a registered trademark of the National Fire Protection Association, Inc. (NFPA). More information from NFPA is available at www.nfpa.org/firewise. Paramount Escapes Firewise® Committee is solely responsible for the development and content of these materials.

There is a locked fence at the Milky Way Drive exit point, which will be controlled by Barnegat Police and Fire Departments once a mandatory evacuation has been called by the appropriate authorities.The exit point will place you into Atlantic Hills, providing access to Route 72.


The Firewise® Communities Program is intended to serve as a resource for organizations, fire departments, communities, and residents across the United States who are working toward a common goal: Reduce the loss of lives, properties, and resources to wild land fire by building and maintaining communities in a way that is compatible with our natural surroundings.

At Paramount Escapes, the Firewise® Committee’s approach emphasizes community responsibility for planning for the design of a safe community, as well as effective emergency response and resident awareness of wild land fire mitigation for landscaping.

The Firewise® Communities/USA Recognition Program was designed as a tool that the NJ Forestry Service and fire service professionals can use to work with residents to obtain voluntary compliance with existing wildfire safety rules, as well as to motivate community action toward wildfire safety in the absence of strict ordinances or laws. The Recognition Program encourages and acknowledges citizen involvement in reducing community wildfire risk.

In 2019, Paramount Escapes was approved for National Firewise® status and continued its recognition status in good standing throughout 2020. The renewal of membership status is currently underway for 2021, with application completion expected by the end of November of this year.

You may have noticed signs such as this posted throughout the community indicating our good standing status with the national program. One of the original requirements for membership was the completion of a community “Action Plan” that was filed at both the State and national level. This Action Plan is a commitment to a sustained program of wild fire mitigation that is generally both physically doable and cost effective.

During 2020, the Firewise® Committee held meetings, prepared notifications and safety bulletins, and worked with individual homeowners to make their residence “fire smart” as it relates to wildfires. The Firewise® Committee reported over 100 hours of volunteer service dedicated to Firewise® activities for Paramount Escapes. In addition, the community has engaged the services of our current lawn service,Meticulous, to complete phase one of our Action Plan, the common area underbrush clean-up effort. The cost for this service is $5,000, which will be reimbursed to the Paramount Escapes Homeowner’s Association from NJ Forest Fire Service through their Firewise® Annual Grant Program.

Evacuation routes are an important element of the Paramount Escapes Firewise® Action Plan. The fact that there were only two exits from the community (Main Gate and Dusty Miller) raised concern by many residents. The Firewise® Committee, working together with the Paramount Escapes Public Safety Committee and the Barnegat Police Department, has identified a third exit that will be used in the event of a mandatory evacuation initiated by the Barnegat Township Emergency Operation Center (Barnegat Police/Fire Departments). The new exit point will be at the end of Milky Way Drive.



The Firewise® Communities Program is intended to serve as a resource for organizations, firedepartments, communities, and residents across the United States who are working toward a commongoal: Reduce the loss of lives, properties, and resources to wild land fire by building and maintainingcommunities in a way that is compatible with our natural surroundings.

At Paramount Escapes, the Firewise® Committee’s approach emphasizes community responsibilityfor planning for the design of a safe community, as well as effective emergency response and residentawareness of wild land fire mitigation for landscaping.

The Firewise® Communities/USA Recognition Program was designed as a tool that the NJ ForestryService and fire service professionals can use to work with residents to obtain voluntary compliance withexisting wildfire safety rules, as well as to motivate community action toward wildfire safety in the absenceof strict ordinances or laws. The Recognition Program encourages and acknowledges citizen involvement inreducing community wildfire risk.

In 2019, Paramount Escapes was approved for National Firewise® status and continued itsrecognition status in good standing throughout 2020. The renewal of membership status is currentlyunderway for 2021, with application completion expected by the end of November of this year.

You may have noticed signs such as this posted throughout the community indicating our good standing status with the national program. One of the original requirements formembership was the completion of a community “Action Plan” that was filed at both the Stateand national level. This Action Plan is a commitment to a sustained program of wild firemitigation that is generally both physically doable and cost effective.

During 2020, the Firewise® Committee held meetings, prepared notifications and safety bulletins, and worked with individual homeowners to make their residence “fire smart” as it relates to wildfires. TheFirewise® Committee reported over 100 hours of volunteer service dedicated to Firewise® activities forParamount Escapes. In addition, the community has engaged the services of our current lawn service,Meticulous, to complete phase one of our Action Plan, the common area underbrush clean-up effort. Thecost for this service is $5,000, which will be reimbursed to the Paramount Escapes Homeowner’sAssociation from NJ Forest Fire Service through their Firewise® Annual Grant Program.

Evacuation routes are an important element of the Paramount Escapes Firewise® Action Plan. Thefact that there were only two exits from the community (Main Gate and Dusty Miller) raised concern bymany residents. The Firewise® Committee, working together with the Paramount Escapes Public SafetyCommittee and the Barnegat Police Department, has identified a third exit that will be used in the event of amandatory evacuation initiated by the Barnegat Township Emergency Operation Center (BarnegatPolice/Fire Departments). The new exit point will be at the end of Milky Way Drive.


Firewise® is a registered trademark of the National Fire Protection Association, Inc. (NFPA). More information from NFPA is available at www.nfpa.org/firewise. Paramount Escapes Firewise® Committee is solely responsible for the development and content of these materials.

There is a locked fence at the Milky Way Drive exit point, which will be controlled by Barnegat Police and Fire Departments once a mandatory evacuation has been called by the appropriate authorities.The exit point will place you into Atlantic Hills, providing access to Route 72.


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December 2020 ~ ESCAPES NEWSLETTER 9December 2020 ~ ESCAPES NEWSLETTER 9

Balls of mistletoe growin winter; killing a tree come spring.

DID YOU KNOW. . . .ABOUT MISTLETOE?by Alison Segreto

We are all familiar with these lines from a holiday song around since 1952, written by British songwriter Tommie Connor:

I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus underneath the mistletoe last night.Getting caught under this herb with white berries might mean getting a stolen or welcome kiss, but do you

know from where this tradition comes?There are over 1,000 species of mistletoe found all over the world. Though there are a

few varieties that can live on their own, mistletoe for the most part is a parasite; that is, it feeds off of the trunks and branches of trees, often killing them in the process. So, how did this cause of death acquire a reputation that encourages romance?

The earliest explanation we can find comes from Norse mythology. Frigg, the goddess of love, sought to save her son from death after he was shot with an arrow made from mistletoe. She rewarded the gods who allowed her son to live by declaring that the plant represents love, and anyone who is under it should be kissed. Also, many ancient cultures looked favorably on this herb and thought it had magical healing properties, using it to cure ailments and as a balm for ulcers. The Celtic Druids in the first century A.D. regarded

mistletoe as a sacred symbol of fertility because it blossomed even in the coldest temperatures.During the Middle Ages, as a symbol of fertility and vitality, mistletoe began to be used as a decoration

during the winter. The tradition we know today seems to have started in England among the servant class and then spread to the upper classes. Mistletoe would be hung in the house and men could steal a kiss from a woman caught standing under the sprig. It was regarded as bad luck for the woman to refuse.

The name mistletoe comes from the Anglo Saxon words dung and tan, meaning twig. Birds eat the berries and, in their usual way, would leave seeds on the trees from which another plant would grow. So, the history of what eventually becomes a romantic holiday tradition rather ironically (fittingly?) begins with bird droppings that give rise to a parasitic plant that destroys trees—Is this love or what?

NJ PINELANDS COMMISSION OFFERING FREE EDUCATIONAL WEBINARS

By Joan Fitzsimmons

The New Jersey Pinelands Commission has expanded its schedule of free, educational webinar presentations. The newly added lineup includes the following presentations: “Forgotten Towns of the New Jersey Pine Barrens”; “Exploring the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve and Great Bay, Mullica River Estuary”; “Who Really Discovered America”; and “What’s in a Name? Names from Nature.”

All of the webinars will be livestreamed on the Commission’s YouTube channel, Pinelands Commission. Subscribing is simple, free,and it keeps one informed of upcoming or newly posted videos. For more information or to join the mailing list, visit NJ.gov/pinelands. You can also Google “YouTube Pinelands Commission” to go directly to the channel.

The Commission has uploaded 95 videos on YouTube thus far including livestreamed and archived recordings of educational Pinelands-themed webinars, as well as Commission meetings, public hearings, and projects. People can also watch videos of Pinelands wildlife, which inform and inspire. Content is added weekly and the Commission will send out email notices with direct links to the presentations, which will also be recorded and archived for later viewing.

The New Jersey Pinelands Commission is an independent state agency whose mission is to preserve, protect, and enhance the natural and cultural resources of the Pinelands National Reserve and to encourage compatible economic and other human activities consistent with that purpose.

I have enjoyed some of these interesting and educational videos during these many months of Covid-19 activity limitations. They are free and can be accessed anytime if you missed the original presentation date.


SENIOR PUBLISHING COMPANY accepts advertisements and advertisements are based upon information provided by the advertiser. SENIOR PUBLISHING COMPANY does not independently investigate the accuracy of advertisement con-tent and does not warrant or represent the accuracy of the content of any advertisement.

WALKING, RUNNING, OR BICYCLING IN THE DARK

BEFORE YOU WALK, RUN, OR BIKE

Be visible. Choose apparel and gear that will make you (and your pet!) more visible. Select reflective, light colored or neon clothing. A headlamp, flashing reflector, or a reflective vest is inexpensive gear investments that provide additional, worthwhile protection.

Communicate your planned route to someone, the time you leave, and the time you plan to return. Carry identifying information. Bring your mobile phone so you can call someone in the event you need help.

NIGHT RUNNING, WALKING, OR BICYCLING

When daytime running, walking, or bicycling isn’t an option due to winter’s shortened days, summer’s intense heat, or work, school, or family commitments, running, walking, or bicycling at night is a great option to still log those miles. Running under the cover of darkness isn’t a deal breaker, but it does require additional preparation to stay safe. Bring a GPS in case an emergency occurs and first responders need to locate you from a 911 call you placed. Most smart phones have GPS capability and are another reason why you should bring your phone with you when you run, walk, or ride your bike.

WHILE YOU RUN, WALK OR BICYCLE: • Always run against oncoming traffic. This will make you more visible to drivers. • Never assume a driver sees you. Try to make eye contact with drivers prior to entering a

crosswalk and intersections. Always yield to drivers and proceed with caution, even if the right-of-way is yours.

• Ditch the headphones. With visibility diminished you need to hear the threats you might not readily see—a car horn, an animal, or a potential attacker.

• Wear a billed hat. This will protect your face from branches and other hazards you might not see in the darkness.

• Always trust your instincts. If something seems off to you, trust your intuition and proceed to a safe area or return home.

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STEVE’S WELLNESS CORNER By Steve Gachko, Certified Personal Trainer, [email protected]

With a new year approaching, temptations encountered through the holidays can be limited if we try to

condition a healthy mindset. By daily doses of opening our awareness to self-discipline we will slowly but surely develop a new wellness lifestyle! Listed below are ways you can begin this process: ► Try to ONLY buy items with limited ingredients. ► Processed foods are infamous for being high in added sugars & limited nutrition. ► If the first ingredient listed is sugar (indicating the most in content), consider an alternate product. ► Try to replace processed sucrose with a natural form of sweetness. ► Choose fresh, whole, natural foods by eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, proteins, and

healthy fats like avocados and coconut oil daily. ► Eating out less, since restaurants tend to contain high levels of fats, salts, and sugars. All of these

compromise your health and immunity. ► It can be more cost effective and healthier to cook well-balanced meals at home as often as you can. ► A difficult task especially through the holidays is to be mindful of your alcohol intake, which can

translate into an abundance of calories. ► Eat more fermented foods such as, probiotic yogurt, kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, and kombucha bever-

ages—all of which aid in healthy digestion. ► To avoid temptations, try carrying healthy snacks with you. ► Try to plan ahead all your snacks and meals the night before to make it easier to achieve nutritional

goals the next day. ► Try to get 30 minutes of exercise in every day. This may include walking or biking. Exercise uses

oxygen to generate energy and reduce body fat and prevent unnecessary body fat from forming. ► Sleep at least 7 hours each night. Poor sleep can lead to increased hunger and appetite and result in less

productivity the next day. We live in a world where eating healthy homemade meals and getting regular exercise can be a serious

challenge. However, positive daily changes and adhering to them can become a permanent healthy lifestyle. WISHING ALL FELLOW RESIDENTS HAPPY AND HEALTHY HOLIDAYS!! Thank you for reading! I look

forward to sharing more wellness information with you again!

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGETrivially Interesting Facts about DecemberCompiled by Alison Segreto

1. December 29, 1862 is considered to be the birthdate of what modern piece of sports equipment?

2. The US acquired what piece of land on December 20, 1803?

3. On Christmas Day 1977, a famous comedian, actor, filmmaker, and composer died. Who was he?

4. Name the significant historic event that occurred on December 16, 1773.

5. What medical procedure was successfully completed for the first time on December 3, 1967?

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE Answers

1. It is the bowling ball, which was initially made of wood. From the early 1900s until the middle of the century, bowling balls were primarily made from hardrubber. However, the game of bowling itself can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians around 5200 BC, who used stones for balls.

2. Known as the Louisiana Purchase, the size of the young republic doubled after paying 50 million francs to France, under Napoleon. Stretching from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains and from the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian border, the land covered 828,000 square miles. President Thomas Jefferson sent his US minister to France, Robert Livingston, to negotiate the deal with Napoleon’s representative. Many consider this the hallmark accomplishment of Jefferson’s administration, as it was feared that Napoleon could invade the US.

3. Charlie Chaplin at the age of 88 died in his sleep of a stroke.

4. Known as The Boston Tea Party, the Sons of Liberty dumped 342 chests of tea from Britain into the harbor. It was a political protest against Britain for imposing on the colonies “taxation without representation.”

5. The first human-to-human heart transplant was performed by Dr. Christiaan Barnard and his team in Cape Town, South Africa. Louis Washkansky was the 53-year-old recipient who unfortunately died of pneumonia after 18 days.

Answers on page 26


THE ABC’S OF FRIENDSHIP

Accepts you as you are Believes in “you” Calls you just to say “hi’ Doesn’t give up on you Envisions the whole of you (even the unfinished parts) Forgives your mistakes Gives unconditionally Helps you Invites you over Just “be” with you Keeps you close at heart Loves you for who you are Makes a difference in your life Never judges Offers support Picks you up Quiets your fears Raises your sprits Says nice things about you Tells you the truth (when you need to hear it) Understands you Values you Walks beside you X-plains thing you don’t understand Yells when you won’t listen, and Zaps you back to reality

Unknown Author// Submitted by Diana Attardi

BIRTH FLOWER: NARCISSUSThe narcissus is the December birth flower and symbolizes good wishes, faithfulness, and respect. The narcissus can often be confused with the daffodil, the birth flower for March, which is a type of narcissus.

Although most narcissus flowers are spring flowers,there are several species that bloom in the winter, such as the paperwhite narcissus — making it appropriate as the birth flower for December.

BIRTHSTONE: TURQUOISESymbol of good fortune and success.In Native American culture, the turquoise is called “Chal-cui-hui-tal” which means “the highest and most valued thing in the world.”Its color is derived from the combination of copper and iron that’s present within the stone.

BIRTH SHELL: JINGLEThe Jingle shell is a shell that is extremely strong, despite its paper-thin appearance. Those that are born to this shell are often seen as steady,

durable individuals with a very intuitive nature.SOURCE: Birthshell™ CongressJewelers.com

DECEMBER

Sagittarians are characterized as optimistic and upbeat. They are always the first to see the positivity in all things and are known for their loyalty. They are also known for

their cheerful personalities, as well as for their humor and wit and soliciting joy and laughter from people around them. Favorite hobbies include being outdoors, sightseeing, and going on road trips. Sagittarians born in December are born between December 1 and 22.

Capricorns are also characterized as highly pragmatic. They are known as being ambitious and will strive for perfection. Although they can sometimes be blunt

when it comes to expressing their opinions, Capricorns have an easy temperament and are excellent at maintaining their composure. Similarly, they are great listeners and are dependable friends. Capricorns born in December are born between December 23 and 31.SOURCE: Birth flower, stone, and zodiac, FTD.com

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS

December 1, 1945 Bette MidlerDecember 5, 1901 Walt DisneyDecember 6, 1957 NY Governor Andrew CuomoDecember 9, 1916 Kirk DouglasDecember 10, 1830 Emily DickinsonDecember 11, 1931 Rita MorenoDecember 12, 1915 Frank SinatraDecember 13, 1818 First Lady Mary Todd LincolnDecember 14, 1503 NostradamusDecember 15, 1832 Alexandre Gustave EiffelDecember 16, 1770 Ludwig van BeethovenDecember 19, 1933 Cicely TysonDecember 22, 1912 First Lady, Lady Bird JohnsonDecember 23, 1948 Susan LucciDecember 24, 1931 Mary Higgins ClarkDecember 25, 1642 Sir Isaac NewtonDecember 25, 1821 Clara BartonDecember 27, 1822 Louis PasteurDecember 28, 1856 28th President Woodrow WilsonDecember 30, 1865 Rudyard KiplingDecember 31, 1937 Anthony Hopkins

‘TWEEN BIRTH AND KINGDOM COMEI have seen the sun riseAnd I have seen it setI have seen the rain fallAt times have gotten wet

I have seen a riverFlowing to the seaSome meander slowlyOthers wild and free

When the morning’s dew dropsLay soft upon the grassThey glisten in the sunlightLike tiny globes of glassAnd when the rising sunSpreads its warmth across the dayEach and every single oneDries up and fades away

I have seen a flowerOpen up its faceWatched its petals blow awayGone without a trace

And when its bloom has vanishedNo more to be seen I will e’er rememberHow it looked within a dream

When the western hills ascendAnd swallow up the sunThey cover all the shadowsAnnounce the day is doneAnd all I see are silhouettesJust shapes upon the skyThat soon retreat into the nightAnd the dark in which they’ll hide

I have known of friendshipThe kind that fosters trustAnd I have seen my share of heartbreakWhen friendships turn to dust

But you and I, we differOur feet walk the same trailFor after all these yearsOur friendship has not failed

When my angel comes to meAnd takes me by the handI hope that I can look behindAnd truly understandWhat have I accomplished?What is it that I’ve done?Have I made a difference‘Tween birth and Kingdom Come

By Randy Rush

There’s a star up in the heavensFor every soul on EarthAnd a new one is createdFor every single birth

Each one’s glow is differentSome brilliant – some not so brightEach one’s own uniquenessRepresents a single life

And the star that glows the brightestOutshining every oneWas borne upon the spiritOf the Father and the Son

Existence then is infiniteFor when life comes to an endOur souls reach immortalityAnd to the cosmos they ascend

So when you celebrate your birthLook up into the skyFor somewhere in the HeavensYour star does surely lie

Just A Thought On Christmas Day

"We light candles in testament that faith makes miracles possible." — Nachum Braverman

Three Wise Women

Would have asked directions, Arrived on time,

Helped deliver the baby, Cleaned the stable, Made a casserole,

Brought practical gifts, And there would be

Peace On Earth




‘TWEEN BIRTH AND KINGDOM COMEI have seen the sun riseAnd I have seen it setI have seen the rain fallAt times have gotten wet

I have seen a riverFlowing to the seaSome meander slowlyOthers wild and free

When the morning’s dew dropsLay soft upon the grassThey glisten in the sunlightLike tiny globes of glassAnd when the rising sunSpreads its warmth across the dayEach and every single oneDries up and fades away

I have seen a flowerOpen up its faceWatched its petals blow awayGone without a trace

And when its bloom has vanishedNo more to be seen I will e’er rememberHow it looked within a dream

When the western hills ascendAnd swallow up the sunThey cover all the shadowsAnnounce the day is doneAnd all I see are silhouettesJust shapes upon the skyThat soon retreat into the nightAnd the dark in which they’ll hide

I have known of friendshipThe kind that fosters trustAnd I have seen my share of heartbreakWhen friendships turn to dust

But you and I, we differOur feet walk the same trailFor after all these yearsOur friendship has not failed

When my angel comes to meAnd takes me by the handI hope that I can look behindAnd truly understandWhat have I accomplished?What is it that I’ve done?Have I made a difference‘Tween birth and Kingdom Come

By Randy Rush

There’s a star up in the heavensFor every soul on EarthAnd a new one is createdFor every single birth

Each one’s glow is differentSome brilliant – some not so brightEach one’s own uniquenessRepresents a single life

And the star that glows the brightestOutshining every oneWas borne upon the spiritOf the Father and the Son

Existence then is infiniteFor when life comes to an endOur souls reach immortalityAnd to the cosmos they ascend

So when you celebrate your birthLook up into the skyFor somewhere in the HeavensYour star does surely lie

Just A Thought On Christmas Day


WHAT EMPATHY REALLY MEANS!Submitted by Joan Fitzsimmons

From Katharine Hepburn’s childhood, in her own words:

“Once when I was a teenager, my father and I were standing in line to buy tickets for the circus. Finally, there was only one other family between us and the ticket counter. This family made a big impression on me. There were eight children, all probably under the age of 12. The way they were dressed, you could tell they didn't have a lot of money, but their clothes were neat and clean. The children were well-behaved, all of them standing in line, two-by-two behind their parents, holding hands. They were excitedly jabbering about the clowns, animals, and all the acts they would be seeing that night. By their excitement you could sense they had never been to the circus before. It would be a highlight of their lives. The father and mother were at the head of the pack standing proud as could be. The mother was holding her husband's

hand, looking up at him as if to say, "You're my knight in shining armor." He was smiling and enjoying seeing his family happy. The ticket lady asked the man how many tickets he wanted. He proudly responded, "I'd like to buy eight children's tickets and two adult tickets, so I can take my family to the circus." The ticket lady stated the price. The man's wife let go of his hand, her head dropped, the man's lip began to quiver. Then he leaned a little closer and asked, "How much did you say?" The ticket lady again stated the price. The man didn't have enough money. How was he supposed to turn and tell his eight kids that he didn't have enough money to take them to the circus? Seeing what was going on, my dad reached into his pocket, pulled out a $20 bill, and then dropped it on the ground. (We were not wealthy in any sense of the word!) My father bent down, picked up the $20 bill, tapped the man on the shoulder and said, "Excuse me, sir, this fell out of your pocket." The man understood what was going on. He wasn't begging for a handout but certainly appreciated the help in a desperate, heartbreaking, and embarrassing situation. He looked straight into my dad's eyes, took my dad's hand in both of his, squeezed tightly onto the $20 bill, and with his lip quivering and a tear streaming down his cheek, he replied, "Thank you, thank you, sir. This really means a lot to me and my family." My father and I went back to our car and drove home. The $20 that my dad gave away is what we were going to buy our own tickets with. Although we didn't get to see the circus that night, we both felt a joy inside us that was far greater than seeing the circus could ever provide. That day I learnt the value to Give. The Giver is bigger than the Receiver. If you want to be large, larger than life, learn to Give. Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get―only with what you are expecting to give―which is everything. The importance of giving, blessing others can never be over emphasized because there's always joy in giving. Learn to make someone happy by acts of giving.”

~ Katharine Hepburn

Photo credit: The Six Nations Indian Museum, Onchiota, NY

One of the most popular trees decorated at Christmas time is the eastern white pine. The tree is called the “peace tree” because it symbolizes the great peace that years ago united the warring tribes of the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca into one. Legend says that an Indian peacemaker named Dekanawidah had traveled among these nations in northeast United States, urging them to stop fighting. He used the eastern white pine as a symbol in his negotiations since the tree’s “roots of Peace” extended north, east, south, and west.

According to 7thgenreationlabs.com, over 800 years ago, three courageous individuals, Dekanawidah,“The Peacemaker”; Hiawatha, a young Mohawk and first convert who was an eloquent speaker whom Dekanawidah made as his public voice because he had a speech impediment; and Jikonhsaseh, “The Mother of

Nations” brought the world’s oldest participatory democracy into being and convinced the tribes to form a five-nation confederacy. The alliance of the five tribes was referred to as the League of the Iroquois (also known as The Iroquois Five Nation Confederacy). After the Tuscaroras tribe joined in the early eighteenth century, it was known as the Six Nation. The purposes of the league were to bring peace, to build strength, and to create goodwill among the nations in order for them to become invulnerable to attack from external enemies and to division from within. The message to the Iroquois was that all men are brothers; therefore, they should

cease their practices of killing, scalping, and cannibalizing. The code of the league summarized the intent of Dekanawidah and the confederate chiefs to establish “The Great Law of Peace.” Out of this code was created the Pine Tree Chiefs. Tribal chiefs would meet under the peace tree to resolve issues with weapons being buried under the tree to seal a peace agreement. The warring nations literally “buried the hatchet” under a white pine tree, ending years of bloody conflict.

Encyclopedia.com states that according to the oral tradition from which knowledge of him derives, Dekanawidah’s mother became pregnant though still a virgin. It is believed that Dekanawidah was born around the 1550’s in the Kingston, Ontario, area and was one of seven brothers born to Huron parents. His grandmother had a vision that he would grow up and live among foreigners and raise a great tree of peace. He would also indirectly be the cause of the demise of the Huron people. To prevent the latter from happening, the two women tried to kill him by drowning him in a river three times but he would not die. After the last attempt, his mother resigned herself to her son’s existence.

At the ceremony creating the League of Five Nations, Dekanawidah led in the planting of a Tree of Peace, and, uprooting another tree, the Peoples’ weapons were symbolically tossed in the hole. The league was a representative democracy well known to Benjamin Franklin and has been seen as one of the models upon which the United States government was finally created. The last prophecy of his grandmother came true in 1649 when the league attacked the Hurons andforced the survivors to assimilate into the confederacy.

The Native American Haudenosaunee denominated the eastern white pine as the “Tree of Peace” and it is known as the “Weymouth pine” in the United Kingdom after Captain George Weymouth of the British Royal Navy brought its seeds to England from Maine in 1605. It is the state tree of Maine and Michigan, and it has the distinction of being the tallest tree in eastern North America.

THE PEACE TREE:DEKANAWIDAH, HIAWATHA & JIKONHSASEH

Source: Wikipedia, Encyclopedia.com // Submitted by Helen Bajek

"We light candles in testament that faith makes miracles possible." — Nachum Braverman

Three Wise Women

Would have asked directions, Arrived on time,

Helped deliver the baby, Cleaned the stable, Made a casserole,

Brought practical gifts, And there would be

Peace On Earth




Photo credit: The Six Nations Indian Museum, Onchiota, NY

One of the most popular trees decorated at Christmas time is the eastern white pine. The tree is called the “peace tree” because it symbolizes the great peace that years ago united the warring tribes of the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca into one. Legend says that an Indian peacemaker named Dekanawidah had traveled among these nations in northeast United States, urging them to stop fighting. He used the eastern white pine as a symbol in his negotiations since the tree’s “roots of Peace” extended north, east, south, and west.

According to 7thgenreationlabs.com, over 800 years ago, three courageous individuals, Dekanawidah,“The Peacemaker”; Hiawatha, a young Mohawk and first convert who was an eloquent speaker whom Dekanawidah made as his public voice because he had a speech impediment; and Jikonhsaseh, “The Mother of

Nations” brought the world’s oldest participatory democracy into being and convinced the tribes to form a five-nation confederacy. The alliance of the five tribes was referred to as the League of the Iroquois (also known as The Iroquois Five Nation Confederacy). After the Tuscaroras tribe joined in the early eighteenth century, it was known as the Six Nation. The purposes of the league were to bring peace, to build strength, and to create goodwill among the nations in order for them to become invulnerable to attack from external enemies and to division from within. The message to the Iroquois was that all men are brothers; therefore, they should

cease their practices of killing, scalping, and cannibalizing. The code of the league summarized the intent of Dekanawidah and the confederate chiefs to establish “The Great Law of Peace.” Out of this code was created the Pine Tree Chiefs. Tribal chiefs would meet under the peace tree to resolve issues with weapons being buried under the tree to seal a peace agreement. The warring nations literally “buried the hatchet” under a white pine tree, ending years of bloody conflict.

Encyclopedia.com states that according to the oral tradition from which knowledge of him derives, Dekanawidah’s mother became pregnant though still a virgin. It is believed that Dekanawidah was born around the 1550’s in the Kingston, Ontario, area and was one of seven brothers born to Huron parents. His grandmother had a vision that he would grow up and live among foreigners and raise a great tree of peace. He would also indirectly be the cause of the demise of the Huron people. To prevent the latter from happening, the two women tried to kill him by drowning him in a river three times but he would not die. After the last attempt, his mother resigned herself to her son’s existence.

At the ceremony creating the League of Five Nations, Dekanawidah led in the planting of a Tree of Peace, and, uprooting another tree, the Peoples’ weapons were symbolically tossed in the hole. The league was a representative democracy well known to Benjamin Franklin and has been seen as one of the models upon which the United States government was finally created. The last prophecy of his grandmother came true in 1649 when the league attacked the Hurons andforced the survivors to assimilate into the confederacy.

The Native American Haudenosaunee denominated the eastern white pine as the “Tree of Peace” and it is known as the “Weymouth pine” in the United Kingdom after Captain George Weymouth of the British Royal Navy brought its seeds to England from Maine in 1605. It is the state tree of Maine and Michigan, and it has the distinction of being the tallest tree in eastern North America.

THE PEACE TREE:DEKANAWIDAH, HIAWATHA & JIKONHSASEH

Source: Wikipedia, Encyclopedia.com // Submitted by Helen Bajek



Solution on Page 26

Across 1 Depositors’ protective grp. 5 Fruitcake 10 Jane Austen matchmaker 14 Bind 15 Uma Thurman’s ex --- Hawke 16 Give temporarily 17 Arabian chieftain 18 Lightweight cord 19 Breathtaking organ 20 Against 21 Large bundle 22 Lamp scamp? 23 Bit of broken pottery 25 To do with mail 26 Strainer 29 Whisky distiller --- Walker 31 Appears ominously 32 --- Chanel 33 Actor and rapper Mike --- 37 Wheat flour in India 38 For example, brogues 39 Harvest 40 Hits lightly 41 High-efficiency lights, briefly 42 Enigmatic quotemaker Yogi --- 43 Corpse 45 Luxury accommodations 46 Dozing 49 Wet season

51 Place 52 Work the land 53 Records 57 Cookware 58 Military blockade 59 “... sting like ---” (Ali) 60 Therefore 61 Kofi --- 62 Brief message 63 Red light gas 64 Office in training 65 Writing table

Down 1 Type of market 2 What Rhett didn’t give 3 Brenda Lee’s “--- True?” 4 Yuletide 5 Home beverage center 6 Fighting an enemy 7 Old acquaintance 8 His last word was “Rosebud” 9 Unity 10 Large landmass north of the Canadian mainland 11 Launch 12 Passion 13 Theatrical backer 22 Smallest Indian state 24 “--- So Fine” (old Chiffons number) 25 Advantages 26 Fuss 27 Scintilla 28 Former Mississippi senator Trent --- 30 Summer refreshments 32 Top cook 34 Cheeky 35 Shave 36 Health farms 38 Thin potter’s clay 42 Top and bottom of a hamburger 44 Senator --- Cruz 45 Noiseless 46 Colorado resort 47 Stockpile 48 Dismiss 50 Pond problem 52 S N L comic --- Fey 54 Double-reed woodwind instrument 55 Obtains 56 Search 58 Cold War U S A F arm

Crossword Puzzle

18 ESCAPES NEWSLETTER ~ December 202018 ESCAPES NEWSLETTER ~ December 2020

THINK ABOUT IT Submitted by Diane Cannizzaro

Steven Wright is an American stand-up comedian. He is known for his distinctly lethargic voice and slow, deadpan delivery of ironic, philosophical, and sometimes nonsensical jokes, and making statements with unexpected endings, making you think twice:

“I’m going to get a tattoo over my whole body of me but taller."

"I went to a tourist information booth and said 'Tell me about some people who were here last year.'"

"I’ve been getting into astronomy so I installed a skylight.The people who live above me are furious."

"Why is it a penny for your thoughts, but you have to put your two cents in? Somebody’s making a penny."

"I almost broke both my arms trying to hold open a revolving door for a woman."

"I broke a mirror in my house and I’m supposed to get seven years bad luck, but my lawyer thinks he can get me five."

"I spilled spot remover on my dog and now he’s gone."

"When we were driving over the border back into the United States, they asked me if I had any firearms. I said, ‘What do you need?’"

"I went to a place to eat. It said 'breakfast at any time.' So I ordered French Toast during the Renaissance."

"I stayed up one night playing poker with Tarot cards. I got a full house and four people died."

"I was Caesarean born. Can’t really tell, although whenever I leave a house I go through the window."

"Woke up this morning and folded my bed back into a couch. Almost broke both my arms ‘cause it’s not that kind of bed."

“I had some eyeglasses. I was walking down the street when suddenly the prescription ran out.”

“I stayed in a really old hotel last night. They sent me a wake-up letter.”






DECEMBER

Sagittarians are characterized as optimisticand upbeat. They are always the first to seethe positivity in all things and are knownfor their loyalty. They are also known for

their cheerful personalities, as well as for their humorand wit and soliciting joy and laughter from peoplearound them. Favorite hobbies include being outdoors, sightseeing, and going on road trips. Sagittarians born inDecember are born between December 1 and 22.

Capricorns are also characterized ashighly pragmatic. They are known as beingambitious and will strive for perfection.Although they can sometimes be blunt

when it comes to expressing their opinions, Capricornshave an easy temperament and are excellent atmaintaining their composure. Similarly, they are greatlisteners and are dependable friends. Capricorns born in December are born between December 23 and 31.SOURCE: Birth flower, stone, and zodiac, FTD.com

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS







DECEMBER

Sagittarians are characterized as optimistic and upbeat. They are always the first to see the positivity in all things and are known for their loyalty. They are also known for

their cheerful personalities, as well as for their humor and wit and soliciting joy and laughter from people around them. Favorite hobbies include being outdoors, sightseeing, and going on road trips. Sagittarians born in December are born between December 1 and 22.

Capricorns are also characterized as highly pragmatic. They are known as being ambitious and will strive for perfection. Although they can sometimes be blunt

when it comes to expressing their opinions, Capricorns have an easy temperament and are excellent at maintaining their composure. Similarly, they are great listeners and are dependable friends. Capricorns born in December are born between December 23 and 31.SOURCE: Birth flower, stone, and zodiac, FTD.com

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS



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ALFRED NOBEL & THE PEACE PRIZE Sources: Wikipedia, www.infoplease.com ǁ Submitted by Helen Bajek

Swedish Chemist Alfred Bernhard Nobel developed a factory in Sweden for the production of a liquid explosive―nitroglycerin. In 1864, the factory blew up, killing his youngest brother and four other workers. The Swedish government forbade him to rebuild the factory. In 1867, working on a barge in the middle of a lake, Nobel discovered a way to combine nitroglycerin with other substances so that it could be used in non-liquid form. This was much safer and more effective. He called it dynamite. Nobel went on to develop other explosives and amassed an immense fortune. Essentially a pacifist, he hoped that his inventions’ destructive powers would bring an end to war. Alfred Nobel showed a big interest in social issues and was engaged in the peace movement. His acquaintance with Bertha von Suttner influenced Nobel’s views on peace. Suttner was a driving force in the international peace movement in Europe who later was awarded the Peace Prize. Alfred Nobel died on December 10, 1896. He left the bulk of his fortune in trust to establish what has become one of the most highly-regarded international awards—the Nobel Prize. Since its initial award in 1901, the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony takes place every December 10 in Oslo, Norway, where the Nobel Laureates receive their Nobel Prize, which consists of a Nobel Medal and Diploma, and a document confirming the prize amount. Alfred Nobel, Swedish industrialist, inventor, and armaments manufacturer also established prizes in chemistry, physics, physiology or medicine, and literature. The prizes have been awarded 101 times to 135 Nobel Laureates between 1901 and 2020 to107 individuals and 28 organizations. Peace was the fifth and final prize mentioned in Nobel’s will. The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by a

committee elected by the Norwegian Parliament, as are all the awards. The International Committee of the Red Cross was awarded the Peace Prize in 1917, 1944, and 1963, on the third occasion, jointly with the League of Red Cross Societies. This makes the Red Cross unique. No recipient has been awarded the Peace Prize as often as this organization. The very first time the Peace Prize was awarded, in 1901, the

Norwegian Nobel Committee chose to pay tribute to the founder of the Red Cross, Henry Dunant from Switzerland with Frederic Passy, a leading international pacifist of the time. Thus, his story is a natural point of departure when examining the role of the Red Cross in the history of the Peace Prize. Winning a Nobel Prize for Peace is a life-changing honor―whether the laureate is an internationally known figure, such as Mother Teresa or Barack Obama, winners of the 1979 and 2009 Peace Prize, respectively, or a scientist plucked from obscurity like Richard R. Ernst, who won the 1991 prize in chemistry for refinements in nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. In 2014, the youngest ever to be awarded the Peace Prize, at 17 years old, Pakistani Malala Yousafzai first made headlines after she was shot in the head by the Taliban for campaigning for girls’ education; after her recovery, she addressed the U.N. on her 16th birthday. Besides President Barack Obama, three other presidents have won the Nobel Peace Prize: President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906 for having negotiated peace in the Russo-Japanese war; President Woodrow Wilson in 1920 for being the leading architect of the League of Nation; and President Jimmy Carter in 2002 for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts. Also, Polish Solidarity leader, Lech Walesa won in 1983. The 2019 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Abiy Ahmed Ali “for his efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation, and, in particular, for his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict with neighboring Eritrea.” In 2020, The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize “for its efforts to combat hunger, for its contribution to bettering conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas, and for acting as a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict.” Just weeks after helping to broker peace between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, President Trump was nominated for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize. Also nominated are the World Health Organization, Greta Thunberg, Bill Gates, among the many, many nominations. (There were 318 nominees for the 2020 prize.) Held in secret, the Nobel Committee does not release names of nominees or nominators for 50 years, but that does not prevent the nominator from publicly declaring his/her nominee.


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HERD IMMUNITY AND COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS):WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus

“Why is herd immunity important? Herd immunity occurs when a large portion of a community (the herd) becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. As a result, the whole community becomes protected — not just those who are immune. Often, a percentage of the population must be capable of getting a disease in order for it to spread. This is called a “threshold proportion.” If the proportion of the population that is immune to the disease is greater than this threshold, the spread of the disease will decline. This is known as the “herd immunity threshold.”

What percentage of a community needs to be immune in order to achieve herd immunity? It varies from disease to disease. The more contagious a disease is, the greater the proportion of the population that needs to be immune to the disease to stop its spread. For example, the measles is a highly contagious illness. It's estimated that 94% of the population must be immune to interrupt the chain of transmission.

How is herd immunity achieved? There are two paths to herd immunity for COVID-19 — vaccines and infection. Vaccines: A vaccine for the virus that causes COVID-19 would be an ideal approach to achieving herd immunity. Vaccines create immunity without causing illness or resulting complications. Herd immunity makes it possible to protect the population from a disease, including those who can't be vaccinated, such as newborns or those who have compromised immune systems. Using the concept of herd immunity, vaccines have successfully controlled deadly contagious diseases such as smallpox, polio, diphtheria, rubella, and many others. Reaching herd immunity through vaccination sometimes has drawbacks, though. Protection from some vaccines can wane over time, requiring revaccination. Sometimes people don't get all of the shots that they need to be completely protected from a disease.Natural infection: Herd immunity can also be reached when a sufficient number of people in the population have recovered from a disease and have developed antibodies against future infection. For example, those who survived the 1918 flu (influenza) pandemic were later immune to infection with the H1N1 flu, a subtype of influenza A. During the 2009-10 flu season, H1N1 caused the respiratory infection in humans that was commonly referred to as swine flu.

However, there are some major problems with relying on community infection to create herd immunity to the virus that causes COVID-19. First, it isn't yet clear if infection with the COVID-19 virus makes a person immune to future infection. Research suggests that after infection with some coronaviruses, reinfection with the same virus —though usually mild and only happening in a fraction of people — is possible after a period of months or years. Further research is needed to determine the protective effect of antibodies to the virus in those who have been infected.

Even if infection with the COVID-19 virus creates long-lasting immunity, a large number of people would have to become infected to reach the herd immunity threshold. Experts estimate that in the U.S., 70% of the population —more than 200 million people — would have to recover from COVID-19 to halt the epidemic. If many people become sick with COVID-19 at once, the health care system could quickly become overwhelmed. This amount of infection could also lead to serious complications and millions of deaths, especially among older people and those who have chronic conditions.”[The Mayo Clinic website referenced the following as sources for the above article: Journal of Infection, Association for Professional Infection Control and Epidemiology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, et al.]

________________________________________

General considerations for fall and winter holidays: Fall and winter celebrations, such as . . . Día de los Muertos, Navratri, Diwali, Thanksgiving, Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and New Year’s, typically include large gatherings of families and friends, crowded parties, and travel that may put people at increased risk for COVID-19.

HOSTING A HOLIDAY GATHERING: If you will be hosting a celebration, follow CDC tips for hosting gatherings. Below are some additional considerations for hosting a holiday celebration:• Host outdoor activities rather than indoor activities as much as possible. If hosting an outdoor event is not possible,

and you choose to host an indoor event, avoid crowded, poorly ventilated, or fully enclosed indoor spaces.

THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL(www.cdc.gov)

GUIDELINES AS OF OCTOBER 19, 2020

Continued on next page


CDC and Mayo Clinic articles submitted by Diane Cannizzaro

• Increase ventilation by opening windows and doors to the extent that is safe and feasible based on the weather.• Host activities with only people from your local area as much as possible.• Limit numbers of attendees as much as possible.• Provide updated information to your guests about any COVID-19 safety guidelines and steps in place to prevent the

spread of the virus.• Provide or encourage attendees to bring supplies to help you and others stay healthy. For example, extra masks (do

not share or swap with others), hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, and tissues.• If you are planning in-person holiday gatherings with people outside of your household, consider asking all guests

to strictly avoid contact with people outside of their households for 14 days before the gathering.• Limit contact with commonly touched surfaces or shared items• Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces and any shared items between uses when feasible. Use EPA-

approved disinfectants.• Use touchless garbage cans if available. Use gloves when removing garbage bags or handling and disposing of

trash. Wash hands after removing gloves.

BEFORE TRAVELING, consider the following:• Is COVID-19 spreading at your destination? The more cases at your destination, the more likely you are to get

infected during travel and spread the virus to others when you return.• Check each state’s cases in the last 7 days.• [Review] Travel recommendations for destinations around the world.• Do you live with someone who might be at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19? If you get infected

while traveling, you can spread the virus to loved ones when you return, even if you don’t have symptoms.• Are you at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19? Anyone can get very ill from the virus that causes

COVID-19, but older adults and people of any age with certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

• Does your destination have requirements or restrictions for travelers? Some state, local, and territorial governments have requirements, such as requiring people to wear masks and requiring those who recently traveled to stay home for up to 14 days. Check state, territorial, tribal, and local public health websites for information before you travel. If you are traveling internationally, check the destination’s Office of Foreign Affairs or Ministry of Health or theUS Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Country Information page for details about entry requirements and restrictions for arriving travelers, such as mandatory testing or quarantine.

_______> > > > > < < < < < _______

Submitted by Joan Fitzsimmons


A PARK SLOPE HAUNTINGBy Joanne McCarthy

Continued from the November issue. . . .What happened one Saturday morning convinced my husband that I was not off my rocker. . . .

I worried about the voices I was hearing in the house. Even though I did visit a psychologist every other week, and she had assured me that it was probably my nerves and a lack of sleep, I still could not shake the feeling that chilled my body throughout the days. I was still edgy and downright scared when I had to go to the basement. On this particular Saturday I had planned to spend time with my friends. We were to shop at the farmer's market and then take in a leisurely lunch on the avenue. The children had made play dates with their friends, so everything was taken care of for a leisurely autumn Saturday. It would do me the world of good to connect with my friends.

Joe had set up a workshop area in the basement. He planned to refinish a bookcase. This projectwould keep him busy throughout the day. Joe quickly became absorbed in his work and did not pay much attention to the overhead light when it began to flicker. He later said that he assumed the bulb needed to be replaced. He had been working on the project for about a half hour when he heard me call him from upstairs. He called back to me asking why I was home so soon, but no answer. My voice called a second time and again he answered to no avail. It was then he remembered the experiences I was “supposedly” having in the basement. Joe quickly walked to the stairs and climbed rapidly to the kitchen.

When he entered the kitchen he found the room empty except for Duke, who was cowering near the door to the yard. He opened the door and Duke flew out. Joe called to me again as he walked into the living room. He hoped beyond hope that I would be there, but deep down he knew that the house would be empty. He then began to have the feeling of being watched. Joe thought that his mind must be playing tricks on him. This really was not happening. He knew that the psychologist had told me that sleep deprivation can cause one's mind to experience things that were not real. He had to rationalize what was happening; after all I had not heard the voices in several weeks. Joe had been working late most nights and he was tired. This was the logical explanation he concluded to be the reason for his heightened fear and that all was fine now.

So, Joe made himself a sandwich and sat in front of the television ready to relax for a while. It wasthen that he heard a loud crash coming from the basement. He heard Duke barking in the distance―the hairs on his arms rose. He dragged his heavy feet to the top of the basement staircase and listened intently. There was dead silence and the light was still on. Joe gripped the banister with trembling fingers―he felt his heart beat in his forehead as he descended the first three steps. When he bent to peer into the room he was horrified to see the bookcase broken into pieces strewn across the floor!

For what seemed to be eternity, he was planted on the step trying to make sense out of what was before him. He knew that there was no possible way a huge oak bookcase could have fallen over and smashed into several pieces. Finally, Joe was able to swiftly carry himself up the stairs. He grabbed his cell phone and ran to the door for Duke. He fastened the dog's collar and charged breathlessly out of the house,slamming the door behind him. He stood on the top of the stoop shaking from head to toe. Joe called me and asked me if I would come home. I explained that lunch was over and I would see him in a few minutes.I wondered why he wanted me home, but didn’t ask; I figured at the time he wanted to see if I liked the color of stain he was using on the bookcase.

When I turned the corner to home, I knew right away that something bad was amiss. As he approached me, his pale face was the home of dark pensive eyes. His large clammy hands grasped the

packages from my arms. His deep raspy voice was just above a whisper as Joe told me what had taken place in the basement. He kept apologizing to me for not believing me. An icy river of sweat cascaded down my back as I listened to the horror that was unfolding in our house. The dreaded fear that stayed hidden inside of me throughout the years after Seville left, now once againwas returning to haunt my very existence. I T W A S B A C K !




I worried about the voices I was hearing in the house. Even though I did visit a psychologist everyother week, and she had assured me that it was probably my nerves and a lack of sleep, I still could not shakethe feeling that chilled my body throughout the days. I was still edgy and downright scared when I had to goto the basement. On this particular Saturday I had planned to spend time with my friends. We were to shopat the farmer's market and then take in a leisurely lunch on the avenue. The children had made play dateswith their friends, so everything was taken care of for a leisurely autumn Saturday. It would do me the worldof good to connect with my friends.

Joe had set up a workshop area in the basement. He planned to refinish a bookcase. This projectwould keep him busy throughout the day. Joe quickly became absorbed in his work and did not pay much attention to the overhead light when it began to flicker. He later said that he assumed the bulb needed to bereplaced. He had been working on the project for about a half hour when he heard me call him from upstairs. He called back to me asking why I was home so soon, but no answer. My voice called a second time andagain he answered to no avail. It was then he remembered the experiences I was “supposedly” having in thebasement. Joe quickly walked to the stairs and climbed rapidly to the kitchen.

When he entered the kitchen he found the room empty except for Duke, who was cowering near thedoor to the yard. He opened the door and Duke flew out. Joe called to me again as he walked into the living room. He hoped beyond hope that I would be there, but deep down he knew that the house would be empty. He then began to have the feeling of being watched. Joe thought that his mind must be playing tricks onhim. This really was not happening. He knew that the psychologist had told me that sleep deprivation can cause one's mind to experience things that were not real. He had to rationalize what was happening; after allI had not heard the voices in several weeks. Joe had been working late most nights and he was tired. Thiswas the logical explanation he concluded to be the reason for his heightened fear and that all was fine now.

So, Joe made himself a sandwich and sat in front of the television ready to relax for a while. It wasthen that he heard a loud crash coming from the basement. He heard Duke barking in the distance―the hairson his arms rose. He dragged his heavy feet to the top of the basement staircase and listened intently. Therewas dead silence and the light was still on. Joe gripped the banister with trembling fingers―he felt his heartbeat in his forehead as he descended the first three steps. When he bent to peer into the room he washorrified to see the bookcase broken into pieces strewn across the floor!

For what seemed to be eternity, he was planted on the step trying to make sense out of what wasbefore him. He knew that there was no possible way a huge oak bookcase could have fallen over andsmashed into several pieces. Finally, Joe was able to swiftly carry himself up the stairs. He grabbed his cellphone and ran to the door for Duke. He fastened the dog's collar and charged breathlessly out of the house,slamming the door behind him. He stood on the top of the stoop shaking from head to toe. Joe called meand asked me if I would come home. I explained that lunch was over and I would see him in a few minutes.I wondered why he wanted me home, but didn’t ask; I figured at the time he wanted to see if I liked the colorof stain he was using on the bookcase.

When I turned the corner to home, I knew right away that something bad was amiss. As heapproached me, his pale face was the home of dark pensive eyes. His large clammy hands grasped the

packages from my arms. His deep raspy voice was just above a whisper as Joe told me what hadtaken place in the basement. He kept apologizing to me for not believing me. An icy river ofsweat cascaded down my back as I listened to the horror that was unfolding in our house. Thedreaded fear that stayed hidden inside of me throughout the years after Seville left, now once againwas returning to haunt my very existence. I T W A S B A C K !

THE MOST AND THE LEAST!Excerpts from “The most, the coldest, the least, etc.,” Strange Facts from Skyline Blog, Seattle

Submitted by Joan Fitzsimmons

Where's the world’s coldest place? East Antarctic Plateau; on the high ridge of the East Antarctic Plateau the temperature can drop to as low as -135.8 degrees Fahrenheit, which was recorded in August 2010.

Where is the world's most populated city? At a whopping 24,150,000 permanent inhabitants, Shanghai is the only city that is home to over 24 million people in one city.

Where is the world's least populated city? Vatican City, with a paltry population of 842, the city-state of Vatican City is the smallest city and state in the world.

Where is the world's wealthiest city? Tokyo, Japan, tops the charts with a GDP of $1,520 billion, beating New York City by a mere $310 billion.

Where is the world's poorest city? Kinshasa, Congo, is the poorest city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is also the poorest country in the world at a GDP of $55 billion. Many of its residents live on less $1 a day.

What is the highest point in the world? Mount Everest, towering 29,029 feet in the air.The top of Mount Everest is the closest you can get to touching outer space while still standing on Earth.

Where is the lowest point in the world? The Challenger Deep Trench is the lowest known natural point in the world at 35,797 ft. below sealevel at the bottom of the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean. Only three peoplehave ever made it to the bottom in a submersible, one of which was filmmakerJames Cameron.

Where is the wettest spot on Earth? (It’s not the Amazon!) In Mawsynram, India; it rains an average of 467.35 inches per year and has a record of 1,000 inches in 1985―much more than any rain forest! “Wooden structures rot away too quickly to be practical. For centuries the Khasi people have instead used the trainable roots of rubber trees to "grow" bridges over the region's rivers.”Quote and photo credit: The Atlantic.com, Alan Taylor, 2014.

Three Wise WomenWould have asked directions,

Arrived on time,Helped deliver the baby,

Cleaned the stable,Made a casserole,

Brought practical gifts, andAnd there would be

Peace On Earth



W e ligh t can d les in testam en t th at f a ith m akes m iracles po ssible .

— Nachum Braverman




I worried about the voices I was hearing in the house. Even though I did visit a psychologist every other week, and she had assured me that it was probably my nerves and a lack of sleep, I still could not shake the feeling that chilled my body throughout the days. I was still edgy and downright scared when I had to go to the basement. On this particular Saturday I had planned to spend time with my friends. We were to shop at the farmer's market and then take in a leisurely lunch on the avenue. The children had made play dates with their friends, so everything was taken care of for a leisurely autumn Saturday. It would do me the world of good to connect with my friends.

Joe had set up a workshop area in the basement. He planned to refinish a bookcase. This projectwould keep him busy throughout the day. Joe quickly became absorbed in his work and did not pay much attention to the overhead light when it began to flicker. He later said that he assumed the bulb needed to be replaced. He had been working on the project for about a half hour when he heard me call him from upstairs. He called back to me asking why I was home so soon, but no answer. My voice called a second time and again he answered to no avail. It was then he remembered the experiences I was “supposedly” having in the basement. Joe quickly walked to the stairs and climbed rapidly to the kitchen.

When he entered the kitchen he found the room empty except for Duke, who was cowering near the door to the yard. He opened the door and Duke flew out. Joe called to me again as he walked into the living room. He hoped beyond hope that I would be there, but deep down he knew that the house would be empty. He then began to have the feeling of being watched. Joe thought that his mind must be playing tricks on him. This really was not happening. He knew that the psychologist had told me that sleep deprivation can cause one's mind to experience things that were not real. He had to rationalize what was happening; after all I had not heard the voices in several weeks. Joe had been working late most nights and he was tired. This was the logical explanation he concluded to be the reason for his heightened fear and that all was fine now.

So, Joe made himself a sandwich and sat in front of the television ready to relax for a while. It wasthen that he heard a loud crash coming from the basement. He heard Duke barking in the distance―the hairs on his arms rose. He dragged his heavy feet to the top of the basement staircase and listened intently. There was dead silence and the light was still on. Joe gripped the banister with trembling fingers―he felt his heart beat in his forehead as he descended the first three steps. When he bent to peer into the room he was horrified to see the bookcase broken into pieces strewn across the floor!

For what seemed to be eternity, he was planted on the step trying to make sense out of what was before him. He knew that there was no possible way a huge oak bookcase could have fallen over and smashed into several pieces. Finally, Joe was able to swiftly carry himself up the stairs. He grabbed his cell phone and ran to the door for Duke. He fastened the dog's collar and charged breathlessly out of the house,slamming the door behind him. He stood on the top of the stoop shaking from head to toe. Joe called me and asked me if I would come home. I explained that lunch was over and I would see him in a few minutes.I wondered why he wanted me home, but didn’t ask; I figured at the time he wanted to see if I liked the color of stain he was using on the bookcase.

When I turned the corner to home, I knew right away that something bad was amiss. As he approached me, his pale face was the home of dark pensive eyes. His large clammy hands grasped the

packages from my arms. His deep raspy voice was just above a whisper as Joe told me what had taken place in the basement. He kept apologizing to me for not believing me. An icy river of sweat cascaded down my back as I listened to the horror that was unfolding in our house. The dreaded fear that stayed hidden inside of me throughout the years after Seville left, now once againwas returning to haunt my very existence. I T W A S B A C K !


23

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TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGETrivially Interesting Facts about DecemberCompiled by Alison Segreto

1. December 29, 1862 is considered to be the birthdate of what modern piece of sports equipment?

2. The US acquired what piece of land on December 20, 1803?

3. On Christmas Day 1977, a famous comedian, actor, filmmaker, and composer died. Who was he?

4. Name the significant historic event that occurred on December 16, 1773.

5. What medical procedure was successfully completed for the first time on December 3, 1967?

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE Answers

1. It is the bowling ball, which was initially made of wood. From the early 1900s until the middle of the century, bowling balls were primarily made from hardrubber. However, the game of bowling itself can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians around 5200 BC, who used stones for balls.

2. Known as the Louisiana Purchase, the size of the young republic doubled after paying 50 million francs to France, under Napoleon. Stretching from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains and from the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian border, the land covered 828,000 square miles. President Thomas Jefferson sent his US minister to France, Robert Livingston, to negotiate the deal with Napoleon’s representative. Many consider this the hallmark accomplishment of Jefferson’s administration, as it was feared that Napoleon could invade the US.

3. Charlie Chaplin at the age of 88 died in his sleep of a stroke.

4. Known as The Boston Tea Party, the Sons of Liberty dumped 342 chests of tea from Britain into the harbor. It was a political protest against Britain for imposing on the colonies “taxation without representation.”

5. The first human-to-human heart transplant was performed by Dr. Christiaan Barnard and his team in Cape Town, South Africa. Louis Washkansky was the 53-year-old recipient who unfortunately died of pneumonia after 18 days.

Answers on page


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Vol. 12, Issue 8 Official Publication of the Escapes at ... · August 2020 ~ ESCAPES NEWSLETTER 3 In thIs Issue... AUGUST BIRTHDAYS Susan Ardoin August 3 Gerard Hanley August 7 Ken