Senior Living News,
September 2025

Madison at Oviedo Newsletter

September 2025
Scotland, Around the World with Atlas

Around the world with Atlas - September 2025 - Scotland

Resident´s Birthdays

Sue M. 9/3
Elenore W. 9/6
Linda M. 9/8
Mary B. 9/16
Sandra 9/21
Enrique S. 9/21

Celebrating September

Labor Day 9/1
National Guacamole Day 9/116
National HIV, AIDS & Aging Awareness Day 9/18
National Dance Day 9/20
World Gratitude Day 9/21
Autumn Equinox 9/22
National Woman’s Health Day 9/24
National Veteran of Foreign War Day 9/29

Events Spotlight

Assisted Living Week 9/7 – 9/13
September Birthday Bash 9/24
Resident Town Hall Meeting 9/25

Royal Arms of the Kingdom of Scotland

“Or, a lion rampant Gules armed and langued Azure within a double tressure flory counter-flory of the second”, meaning a red lion with blue tongue and claws on a yellow field and surrounded by a red double royal tressure flory counter-flory device.

Associate of the Month

Yobanni Guerrero

Our September associate of the month is Yobanni Guerrero. Yobanni has been worked with our community for eight years now and we are beyond grateful to have her! She was born and raised in New York before coming here to stay in Florida. She is a phenomenal caretaker and finds joy in caring for not only ours but all seniors. Her daughter is her everyday motivation to keep pushing through any obstacles in her way. In her free time, you can catch her going on long walks in the park or spending quality time with her family. Thank you so much Yobanni, for all the years of hard work and your time we couldn’t do it without you!

Scottish Heart

Alexa play "Why" from "Annie Lennox"

Opening her debut solo album Diva, “Why” stands as one of Annie Lennox’s most moving and vulnerable performances. Stripped of the theatricality of her Eurythmics years, the song reveals a deeply personal voice—aching, intimate, and direct. Built on a restrained arrangement of piano, subtle strings, and Lennox’s soaring vocals, it captures the quiet devastation of regret and the search for reconciliation.

As the lead single, “Why” not only set the tone for Diva but also redefined Lennox as a solo artist: elegant, emotionally raw, and capable of blending pop with artful sophistication. It remains one of her signature songs, an anthem of tenderness and strength.

Around the World - Welcome to Scotland

Scotland, a country in the northern part of the United Kingdom, is renowned for its dramatic landscapes, vibrant traditions, and rich history. From ancient castles perched on rugged cliffs to lively festivals filled with music and dance, Scotland has preserved a strong cultural identity that continues to thrive today. Alongside its heritage, Scotland’s cuisine—once humble and practical—has evolved into a celebrated part of its national pride.

The story of Scotland stretches back thousands of years, beginning with the Picts and Celts who left behind stone monuments and intricate carvings. During the Middle Ages, Scotland was a kingdom in its own right, famously resisting English rule in battles such as Stirling Bridge and Bannockburn, led by figures like William Wallace and Robert the Bruce.

The union with England in 1707 created the United Kingdom, but Scotland retained distinct institutions like its legal and education systems, which still differ from those in England. Its history is also marked by cultural revivals, from the romantic Highland imagery popularized in the 19th century to modern movements promoting Gaelic language and Scottish independence. Today, Scotland balances its ancient past with modern innovation, with cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow recognized as hubs of culture, education, and the arts.

The bagpipes remain one of Scotland’s most recognizable cultural symbols, often played at ceremonies and festivals. Traditional Ceilidh dancing, accompanied by fiddles and accordions, brings people together for lively social gatherings. Haggis – a savory pudding made of sheep’s offal mixed with oats and spices, traditionally served with “neeps and tatties” (turnips and potatoes). Scotland is a land where history lingers in castles and battlefields, where culture thrives in music, language, and festivals, and where food tells the story of resilience and resourcefulness. It is a nation that celebrates both its proud past and its evolving future, inviting visitors to experience its traditions, taste its cuisine, and explore its breathtaking landscapes.

Welcome to Scotland
Around the World with Atlas

Scotland: The Land Beyond the Wall
When the Roman Empire pushed north into Britannia, it met fierce tribes the legions could never conquer. To mark the limit of their reach, the Romans built Hadrian’s Wall, and further north, the Antonine Wall — yet beyond lay the untamed lands we now call Scotland.

By the 8th century, Scotland began to take shape as a kingdom, often in conflict with its southern neighbor, England. Centuries of wars, heroes like William Wallace, and an enduring sense of independence defined its story. In 1707, Scotland formally united with England, creating Great Britain, which later grew into the United Kingdom alongside Ireland.

Still today, Scotland remains proudly distinct — with its Gaelic roots, tartans, castles, and legendary landscapes reminding the world of a culture that was never fully subdued.

Assisted Living Week

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.

Autumn Equinox

The autumn equinox is a special celestial event that marks the beginning of fall in the Northern Hemisphere. It occurs each year around September 22–23, when day and night are nearly equal in length. The word equinox comes from the Latin words aequus (equal) and nox (night), symbolizing balance. On the day of the equinox, the sun shines directly on the Earth’s equator, creating nearly equal hours of daylight and darkness across the globe. After this point, the nights gradually become longer than the days, leading us toward winter. Throughout history, cultures around the world have honored the autumn equinox with traditions and festivals. In ancient Britain, stone circles such as Stonehenge were aligned with the sun’s position during equinoxes and solstices. In Japan, the equinox is observed with Higan, a Buddhist tradition of remembering ancestors. Many Native American tribes celebrated harvest festivals at this time, giving thanks for nature’s bounty.

Today, many people mark the autumn equinox with seasonal activities such as apple picking, decorating with pumpkins and gourds, enjoying warm beverages, or simply taking a walk to admire the changing leaves. It’s a reminder of nature’s cycles and the beauty in change. The equinox is often seen as a season of transition and reflection. Just as the natural world prepares for rest, people may take this opportunity to slow down, restore balance in their lives, and express gratitude for the harvests of the year—whether literal or symbolic.

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Recipe of the Month:

Scottish Dundee Cake

Scottish Dundee Cake

Ingredients:
– (5 1/2 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
-(5 1/2 ounces) dark brown sugar
-1 tablespoon orange zest
-(8 ounces) all-purpose flour
-2 teaspoons baking powder
-1 teaspoon mixed spice, or pumpkin pie spice mix
-3 large eggs
-(1 pound) raisins
-(2 ounces) citrus candied peel, coarsely chopped
-55 grams glace cherries, halved, optional
– 1 tablespoon malt whiskey, or brandy
– (4 ounces) whole blanched almonds

Directions:
1. Oven temperature 300℉ (150℃).
2. Butter an 8″ springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper. Flour the sides.
3. In a bowl, combine the flour and ground almonds.
4. In a stand mixer, or bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, Sherry (if using) and molasses/treacle, until light and fluffy.
5. Add an egg and mix thoroughly. Add a a little flour, then another egg. Proceed until all the eggs have been added, then add the remaining flour. Don’t overmix the batter.
6. At this time, add the marmalade and orange rind, and mix gently.
5. Finally, add the golden raisins/sultanas until uniformly mixed.
6. Put the thick batter into the prepared tin. Smooth the top of the cake with a spatula. Arrange the blanched almonds on top of the batter in concentric circles as symetrically as you can. You can add more almonds if you prefer.
7. Place in the middle rack of the oven and bake for approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. Check the cake. After two hours, and if it looks like the top is browning too much, cover with aluminum foil.
8. Check the cake with a skewer or cake tester at about 2 hrs 15 minutes. Remove it from the oven when the tester comes out clean/dry.
9. Cool in the pan for about 20 minutes or longer before attempting to remove the cake. Put on a cooling rack to cool completely.

Resident of the Month

Leo Valois

Leo Valois, Resident of the Month

Our September resident of the month is Leo Valois. He was born in Montreal Canada and later on moved around from New Mexico, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Leo is truly a delight to be around and talk to. In his youth, he loved to roller skate for fun and by the age of 17 joined the military at and served 20 years in the U.S. Navy. He then worked doing submarine building for the electric boat division. He is one of 5 brothers which all went into the military, three of them served in the Navy and the other two joined the Airforce. Leo has currently been married for 68 years and counting and loves music he also enjoys listening to the radio or classical music and going outside for fresh air with his CD player. Another wonderful fact about Leo is that he is a grandfather of 3 and a great grandfather of 7! If you’re every lucky enough to come across him, be ready to learn something new and hear some terrific stories. Thank you, Leo, for lighting up the community with your bright personality and for being yourself.

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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