Senior Living News,
August 2025

Madison at Oviedo Newsletter

August 2025
England, Around the World with Atlas

Around the world with Atlas - August 2025 - England

Resident´s Birthdays

Leticia L. 8/5
Robert M. 8/15
Ida C. 8/25
Camilla B. 8/29

Celebrating August

National Friendship Day 8/3
National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day 8/4
National Root Beer Float Day 8/6
National Agent Orange Awareness Day 8/10
Global Kinetic Sand Day 8/11
National Senior citizens Day 8/21
Woman’s Equality Day 8/26

Events Spotlight

Family Photoshoot 8/6
August Birthday Bash 8/27
Resident Town Hall Meeting 8/28

The Tudor Rose

A timeless symbol of unity, the Tudor Rose combines the red rose of Lancaster and the white rose of York—emblems of rival houses during the Wars of the Roses. When Henry VII united the two through marriage, this floral symbol became a lasting emblem of peace and the English crown.

Associate of the Month

Alejandro "Alex" Soto

We are pleased to introduce you to our August associate of the month Alex Soto. Alex is from Winter Park Florida but spent a short time living in New Jersey before coming back to Orlando. Not only is Alex one of our amazing servers in the dining department, but he has also been a part of the Madison family for two years and shows great compassion for our residents. Alex is currently studying general allied health and strives for self-improvement. In his free time, he enjoys traveling with his family, cooking, or hanging out with friends. Thank you, Alex, for the joy you bring and the smiles you put on everyone’s faces.

English Heart

Alexa play "Cello Song" from "Nick Drake"

Delicate, melancholic, and deeply English, featured on his debut album Five Leaves Left, “Cello Song” from 1969, captures Nick Drake’s quiet brilliance. With virtuous fingerpicked guitar, a mournful cello, and poetic lyrics, it evokes misty mornings and introspective solitude. Though underappreciated in his lifetime, Drake’s music now echoes as a timeless emblem of true British folk.

Welcome to England

This month our travel destination is England. England, the largest country within the United Kingdom, is a land where ancient traditions meet modern innovation. From the rolling hills of the Cotswolds to the dynamic streets of London, England boasts a cultural identity shaped by centuries of history, diverse culinary influences, and a deep-rooted sense of national pride.

England’s history stretches back thousands of years, marked by conquests and revolutions that have helped shape the modern world. Early Celtic tribes inhabited the land before Roman invaders arrived in 43 AD, establishing towns, roads, and baths—many of which can still be seen today in cities like Bath and Chester. English culture is a fusion of ancient customs and contemporary creativity. It is the birthplace of William Shakespeare, whose plays have become universal cultural touchstones, and of The Beatles, who revolutionized modern music. Afternoon tea, introduced in the 19th century, remains a cherished ritual, featuring scones, clotted cream, finger sandwiches, and a pot of tea. In recent decades, England’s food scene has been transformed by immigration and globalization. Indian, Chinese, Caribbean, and Middle Eastern cuisines have found enthusiastic audiences, making dishes like chicken tikka masala and kebabs as popular as traditional pies and puddings. England’s cities are now known for their food markets, Michelin-starred restaurants, and farm-to-table innovation.

England is a nation where every stone tells a story and every street has a tale to tell. Its culture is both proud and playful, its food both comforting and cosmopolitan, and its history endlessly fascinating. Whether you’re exploring medieval castles, enjoying a pub lunch, or watching a Shakespeare play, you’re engaging with a country that celebrates its past while embracing its future.

Welcome to England
Around the World with Atlas

England’s story begins long before it was called by that name—when Celtic Britons inhabited its misty hills and Roman legions reached the edge of their empire in a land they called Britannia. Though Rome left its mark with roads, baths, and Hadrian’s Wall, the far north—home to fierce tribes and enigmatic druids—remained unconquered. After the Romans withdrew, waves of Saxon settlers shaped a new identity, giving birth to a nation where myth and history often blur.

At the heart of this early tapestry is the legend of King Arthur, the once and future king said to have united Britain with the help of Merlin the wizard, the sword Excalibur, and the noble Knights of the Round Table. Whether myth or memory, these tales reveal England’s deep-rooted fascination with destiny, honor, and the magic of storytelling—traditions that would shape its greatest literary voices.

From the poetic grandeur of Shakespeare to the epic realms of J.R.R. Tolkien and the modern wizarding world of J.K. Rowling, English literature has enchanted readers across centuries. And in music, few countries have left such a global imprint. With sounds ranging from the rebellious rock of The Rolling Stones to the dreamscapes of Pink Floyd, and the timeless genius of The Beatles and David Bowie, England’s cultural output is as powerful and enduring as its history.

Women's Equality Day

Women’s Equality Day is a celebration of the nineteenth amendment to the constitution which gave women the right to vote. This amendment was passed in 1920 and it banned states and the federal government from withholding the right to vote based on sex. Every year on August 26, the United States observes Women’s Equality Day — a celebration of the historic struggle for women’s rights and a reminder of the ongoing fight for gender equality. This date marks a pivotal moment in American history.

The path to the 19th Amendment was long and arduous. Beginning in the mid-1800s, women like Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Sojourner Truth championed women’s suffrage despite opposition, ridicule, and even arrest. After over 70 years of relentless advocacy, their efforts culminated in a landmark victory when the 19th Amendment was ratified on August 18, 1920, and certified on August 26 of that year. In 1971, thanks to the advocacy of Congresswoman Bella Abzug, Congress officially designated August 26 as Women’s Equality Day, both to commemorate the suffrage victory and to highlight the continuing efforts toward gender equality.

While the 19th Amendment was a major milestone, it did not immediately ensure voting rights for all women, particularly women of color, many of whom continued to face discrimination and barriers at the polls. Women’s Equality Day also serves as a reminder that equality extends far beyond voting rights — it encompasses issues such as:

-Pay equity
-Reproductive rights
-Equal representation in leadership
-Protection from gender-based violence
-Access to education and healthcare

Today, Women’s Equality Day is a call to action, urging society to continue dismantling systemic inequalities and uplifting the voices of women in all communities.

Agent Orange Awareness Day

Every year on August 10th, the United States marks National Agent Orange Awareness Day, a solemn occasion dedicated to recognizing the lasting impact of Agent Orange exposure on American veterans, their families, and the people of Vietnam. This day serves as a reminder of the human cost of war—particularly the hidden, long-term consequences that often go unspoken.

What Is Agent Orange? Agent Orange was one of several herbicides used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War, primarily from 1961 to 1971, as part of a mission known as Operation Ranch Hand. Its purpose was to defoliate forests and remove crops that provided cover and food to enemy forces. The chemical contained a highly toxic compound called dioxin (TCDD), which is now known to be one of the most dangerous environmental pollutants. Though its military purpose was tactical, the effects of Agent Orange have been devastating and far-reaching.

Agent Orange is not just a historical footnote—it’s a living legacy that affects thousands today. As scientific understanding of its impact grows, so does the responsibility to provide care, compensation, and justice to those who were harmed.

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Recipe of the Month:

Beef Wellington

Ingredients:

-1 lb thick beef tenderloin
-Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
-2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
-2 tablespoons yellow mustard (like Coleman’s Original English Mustard)
-1 Ib mushrooms
-4 thin slices ham (Parma ham or prosciutto)
-1 puff pastry, thawed
-2 large egg yolks, beaten

Directions:
1. Preheat -Allow the oven to preheat to 400°F as you assemble the Wellington.
2. Season the beef generously with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large pan on high heat. Sear the beef in the pan on all sides until well browned, about 2 to 3 minutes per side.
3. Remove the beef from the pan and let cool. Once cooled, brush the beef on all sides with mustard.
4. Chop the mushrooms and put them into a food processor. Pulse until very finely chopped. Heat the sauté pan on medium-high heat. Transfer the mushroom mixture into the pan and cook. When the moisture is all boiled away, remove the mushrooms from the pan and set aside to cool.
5. Roll out a large piece of plastic wrap. Lay out the slices of ham on the plastic wrap so that they overlap and are large enough to wrap around and encapsulate the beef. Spread the mushroom mixture over the ham
6. Place the beef in the middle and roll the mushroom and ham over the beef, using the plastic wrap so that you do this tightly. Wrap up the beef into a tight barrel shape, twisting the ends of the plastic wrap to secure. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.
7. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry sheet to a size that will wrap around the beef.
Unwrap the beef from the plastic wrap and place in the middle of the pastry dough. Brush the edges of the pastry with the beaten egg yolks. Fold the pastry around the beef, cutting off any excess at the ends. Seam side down then brush beaten egg yolks all over the top. Chill for 5 to 10 minutes.
8. Place the pastry-wrapped beef on a baking pan. Brush the exposed surface again with beaten eggs.
9. Score the top of the pastry with a sharp knife. Sprinkle the top with coarse salt. Bake at 400°F for 25 to 35 minutes. To ensure that your roast is medium rare, pull out at 125 to 130°F for medium rare.

Resident of the Month

Holly Scott

Our August resident of the month is Holly Scott. Holly is originally from Baltimore then spent time living in Philadelphia before finally moving here to Florida. Holly was a bookkeeper and receptionist for the very known brand ” Frito Lays” and she offers great stories to share about her experiences! She loves to watch her favorite tv shows or catching up on a new book. If you’re every lucky enough to come across her, she won’t fail to make you laugh. In her free time Holly loves spending quality time with her 3 grandchildren and having her favorite foods. Thank you, Holly, for filling us with laughter and love.

Collaborators

Aaliyah Brett, AL Lifestyles Program Director | Madison at Oviedo
Aaliyah Brett
Conswhala Hamilton Lifestyles Program Manager Madison At Oviedo
Conswhala Hamilton

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