March
Madison Heights / Kelley Place Enterprise
Newsletter
Around the world with Atlas - March 2025 - Italy
Resident´s Birthdays
William “Ed” Hicks 3/3
Month's Celebrations
St. Patrick’s Day 3/17
Events Spotlight
St. Patrick’s Day Party 3/17
Associate of the Month
Melinda McGowan
Melinda lives in Enterprise, AL where she was born and raised. She has 2 daughters and 2 sons and is blessed with 14 beautiful grandchildren. Melinda loves working as a care associate and being able to take care of and love each and every resident as if they are her own family. In her spare time, she loves going to the beach, taking road trips and cooking. Melinda has a huge heart and loves taking care of other people.
Italian Tradition
Alexa, play“Vivaldi’s Four Seasons”
Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741), “Il Prete Rosso” (The Red Priest) due to his red hair and clerical status, was a Venetian composer, virtuoso violinist, and a key figure of the Baroque era. His innovative compositions and extraordinary violin skills earned him a reputation as one of the most celebrated musicians of his time.
Vivaldi composed over 500 concertos, more than 230 for solo violin, making him one of the most prolific composers for the instrument. The Four Seasons is his most famous work; his music legacy has inspired musicians over the centuries. The Four Seasons was composed around 1721 and published in 1725 in Amsterdam.
The Renaissance
(Amazing Facts)
Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa isn’t just a painting—it’s a mystery. Using sfumato, he created a lifelike, shifting expression that changes depending on where you look. Stare at her mouth, and she seems neutral; focus on her eyes, and a subtle smile appears. This optical illusion showcases Leonardo’s brilliance as both an artist and scientist. He carried the painting for years, perfecting it until his death in 1519, suggesting it was more than a commission—it was deeply personal. Today, her gaze still captivates, proving Leonardo’s genius in capturing the essence of human perception.
Importance of Volunteers and Volunteering
Volunteers are important because they help communities, improve lives and contribute to the economy. Volunteering can also benefit the volunteer by building skills and making new friends. Volunteering helps the community by helping people, animals and organizations in need. Volunteers also connect with people and promote a sense of shared responsibility. Volunteers help communities host large-scale events that bring economic benefits to the community. Some benefits to the volunteers include learning new skills and improving existing skills. They also meet new people and expand their social skills. Focusing on others while volunteering can also help reduce stress by interrupting tension-producing patterns. Volunteers demonstrate initiative and motivation to potential employers
Italian Legacy
Around the World with Atlas
A Timeline “From the grandeur of Roman amphitheaters to the visionary works of Renzo Piano” Italian architecture is a living testament to art across ages. Timeless. Rome, the Eternal City, remains an open-air museum. Walk its cobblestone streets to see the Pantheon, Roman Forum, and fountains that whisper stories of empire and art. Italy remains an eternal source of inspiration.
The importance of Pet Therapy and Seniors
Pet therapy can improve the quality of life for older adults by reducing stress and anxiety and providing companionship and a sense of purpose. It can also help seniors who are struggling with depression. Pet therapy can also improve cardiovascular health and lower blood pressure. Playing with a pet can encourage physical activity as well. Other benefits of pet therapy include helping seniors through challenging life transitions, such as a move or development of an illness. It can also satisfy basic human needs such as attention and affection.
The meaning of Aging with Grace
Many may wonder what aging with grace means. Aging with grace means aging with confidence, valuing the experience, knowledge and wisdom that comes with age, and rising above a youth-oriented culture. Older adults can cope with aging by practicing self-acceptance, staying active, and maintaining social connections. They can also try to manage stress and prevent loneliness.
Seniors and Spiritual Well-being
For seniors, spiritual well-being can play a crucial role in promoting positive aging by providing a sense of purpose, meaning in life, connection to something larger than themselves, and can contribute to improved mental and physical health, often through practices like prayer, meditation or involvement in religious communities, helping to combat feelings of loneliness and isolation that can be prevalent in older adults.
More Articles
What’s the Smartest Healthcare Move Seniors Are Making Right Now?
Most people think of healthcare as something you turn to when there’s a problem—a doctor’s visit when you feel unwell, a prescription after a diagnosis, …
Rediscovering Love After 70s, Love Doesn’t Retire
Share our good news:
Recipe Spotlight:
Ragù alla Bolognese
Ingredients:
1 medium onion, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
1 small carrot, peeled, chopped
3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 lb. ground beef chuck (20% fat), patted dry
Kosher salt
3 oz. thinly sliced pancetta, finely chopped
1 cup dry white wine
⅓ cup tomato paste
1 bay leaf
Pinch of finely grated nutmeg
2 cups (or more) homemade chicken stock or low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup whole milk
1 lb. fresh tagliatelle or pappardelle, or dry rigatoni
2 oz. finely grated Parmesan (about ½ cup), plus more for serving
Directions:
Finely chop onion, celery, and carrot in a food processor. Brown ground beef in olive oil, then set aside. Cook pancetta until crisp, then soften the onion mixture in the same pot. Return beef, add white wine, and cook until evaporated. Stir in tomato paste, bay leaf, and nutmeg. Add chicken stock, milk, and salt. Simmer on low for 2–2½ hours until thick and tender. Cook pasta until al dente. Toss pasta with sauce, Parmesan, and pasta water.
Serve with extra Parmesan. Enjoy!
Resident of the Month
Marie Thrush
Marie was born1 Feb 1941 along the Oder River in Sudetenland, Czechoslovakia during very troubling times. Her mother was a potato farmer named Klara Christian, and her father was Edmund Jahn a German soldier who was killed before she was born.
While her momma was picking potatoes in the fields, she was at my babysitter’s house in town and got bombed out! Marie and her momma migrated by boxcar train to Hof Germany. They lived in a refugee camp inside an old school building for 10 years with many other families. They slept in bunk beds and kept all our belongings close. Marie survived during difficult times raised in Christian Churches.
Marie went to 8yr of Grammer School and 3yrs of Trade School. She worked at a bakery delivering fresh baked bread to families in Hof. Later after school she worked in a factory weaving shear curtains. Marie met the love of her life while dancing in the guesthouse pub. His name was Robert Loyd Thrush, he was stationed in Hof, Germany as a member of the U.S. Air Force.
The were married by the Justice of Peace in Hof, Germany. They then moved to the United States of America, to McGuire AFB, New Jersey. While there Marie gave birth to three children, first was Robert Jr. April 1964, second Corinne July 1966 and third was Nancy September 1967.
They moved several times while her husband served in the U.S. Air Force. Plattsburgh AFB New York, Westover AFB Massachusetts, Pease AFB New Hampshire. Twice during her husband’s time at war in Vietnam she managed the household and caring for their children.
Marie learned English language and studied history and civics. She took exam to become a United States citizen. Marie also learned to drive and got her driver’s license in 1969. While in New Jersey she worked in a Delicatessen making specialty sandwiches, she also worked for Carvel Ice Cream Shop.
Marie and her husband retired to Bonifay, Florida in 1987 where they had the pleasure of raising my eldest grandson, Michael Bozarth. Marie also has a granddaughter, Makayla and two more grandsons Cole and James.
Marie says that life with family and friends and shared memories are most precious to her! All while enjoying some really good food!!!
Collaborators
Madison Heights and Kelley Place is the first specialty care community to focus on memory care in Enterprise, Alabama. Naturally, their weevil had to represent the individuals and families who suffer from Alzheimer’s and dementia daily.