Senior Living News, June 2025
Monark Grove Madison Newsletter
Around the world with Atlas - June 2025 - Perú
Resident's Birthdays
Independent Living
Gregg Novac 06/02
Eleanore Chapman 06/06
Pat Wilson 06/07
Charlie Blough 06/07
Debbie Kulmer 06/08
Carol McClendon 06/11
Shirley Baker 06/18
Eva Lindau 06/20
Ed Few 06/28
Marilyn Blue 06/28
Kathy Drouin 06/30
Memory Care Birthdays
June Cochran 06/01
Carmen Seaman 06/09
Pat McNeely: 06/17
Month's Celebrations
June 2nd – “National Rockey Road Day”
June 5th – “National Environment Day”
June 15th – “Father’s Day”
June 16th-20th “CNA’s Appreciation Week”
June 20th – “Summer Solstice”
June 27th – “National Pineapple Day”
Events Spotlights
June 13th – Low Country Boil Father’s Day Lunch
June 20th – MGM Luau, The Longest Day Celebration
June 27th – Birthday Bash
While the Inca Empire is the most renowned civilization of Peru, it was preceded by a rich array of cultures that laid the groundwork for its eventual rise
Sounds of Peru
Alexa play "If I could" from "Simon & Garfunkel"
“El Cóndor Pasa” is so iconic that, in 2004, Peru declared it part of the nation’s cultural heritage. The original version is an orchestral piece from the 1913 zarzuela El Cóndor Pasa, composed by Peruvian musician Daniel Alomía Robles and inspired by traditional Andean music.
The most internationally recognized version is “El Cóndor Pasa (If I Could)” by Simon & Garfunkel, released in 1970 on their album Bridge over Troubled Water. Among hundreds of officially recognized adaptations, this rendition introduced the song to a global audience.
Resident's Note
**Notice from the Short Story Writers Club**
Short stories written by MGM residents are on display and available for pickup at our Library, located next to Elevator B-1. Don’t miss the captivating new story, “The Fourth Floor.”
If you feel inspired to join the club, reach out to Ed at 703-635-0481. We welcome stories that reflect life’s experiences, fiction, poetry, or any unique fourth-floor tales you wish to share.
Ed Few.
Tips for Aging Gracefully
1. Do something you enjoy every day. When you immerse yourself in things you enjoy, you can’t wait to do them again. And then you do them again, and again and again, and the enjoyment continues.
2. Work at friendships. Friendships are fuel, providing energy, love and feeding your emotions. You’re never too old for new friendships.
3. Congratulate yourself. Everyone has accomplishments: celebrate them and use them as inspiration for new ones.
4. Embrace change. Life is change. Resisting it wastes precious time and energy. Living for it can create adventures you never thought possible.
5. Learn. Exercise your brain continually.
6. Know yourself. You know best what you like and don’t like, and you have the power to emphasize the good.
7. Make your home your special place by personalizing it and making it comfortable. Everyone needs a refuge that’s uniquely theirs.
8. Realize that opportunities often express themselves in ways we’d never imagine.
9. Get a massage frequently. Touch feels good and it’s so relaxing.
10. Be gentle with yourself. Listen to your own inner voices and senses and do what makes you feel best.
Welcome to Peru
Around the World with Atlas
Land of Ancient Echoes and Living Wonders
Peru is a place where time weaves a magnificent tapestry of past and present. From the dizzying heights of the Andes to the depths of the Amazon rainforest, Peru is a country of contrasts—mystical, colorful, and vibrantly alive. It’s home to ancient civilizations, awe-inspiring landscapes, and cultural traditions that still pulse with life today.
Whether you’re drawn by the lost city of Machu Picchu, the flavors of ceviche, or the haunting sound of Andean flutes, Peru invites you to explore a land where legends walk beside everyday life.
🦙 Amazing Facts about Peru
Machu Picchu Is One of the New Seven Wonders of the World
Built in the 15th century by the Incas and rediscovered in 1911, this mountaintop citadel is Peru’s most iconic site—and a breathtaking symbol of human ingenuity.
Resident of the Month
Babette Shove
We are pleased to present Mrs. Babette Shove as our June Resident Spotlight. Born in Verdun, France, on January 16th, 1940, during the challenging times of World War II, Mrs. Shove’s early experiences shaped her resilient character. She grew up in a family of five siblings, with her mother devoted to homemaking and her father managing the regional water plant.
Mrs. Shove attended an all-girls school and graduated from high school, beginning her journey into adulthood. Shortly thereafter, she married a Frenchman, and during this phase of her life, she served as a telephone operator for the American Forces for five years while proudly raising two sons. Following her divorce, Mrs. Shove took on a role as a secretary at a lab run by the American Forces, where she met her future husband, John F. Shove, who was then a lab technician.
Their paths eventually led them to Germany after John relocated following the departure of American troops from France. Although separated by distance initially, they maintained a devoted connection, culminating in their marriage. The couple spent three years in Texas before returning to Germany, where they enjoyed a fulfilling life for three decades. Mrs. Shove dedicated herself to her career with the American Forces for a commendable 40 years prior to her retirement in Germany.
In 2005, Mrs. Shove returned to the United States, settling in San Antonio, Texas, where she resided for 18 years. She is a proud mother of four children: three sons and a daughter. Additionally, she has welcomed a dear companion, a stray dog named Sofie, who, as Mrs. Shove affectionately puts it, “adopted.” Sofie has since become a cherished member of the family and an endearing presence here at Monark Grove.
Mrs. Shove is actively engaged in various hobbies, including reading the newspaper online in both German and French, maintaining connections with friends in France, and enjoying exercise at the Monark Grove gym. Her radiant spirit, along with her pet, Sofie, truly enriches our community, and they bring smiles and warmth to everyone fortunate enough to encounter them.
Fun Facts about Peru
Here are 5 interesting facts about Peru:
1. Machu Picchu: The ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
2. Biodiversity: Peru boasts incredible biodiversity, with over 10% of the world’s plant species and a wide array of animal life.
3. Potato Origin: The potato, a staple food worldwide, was first domesticated in Peru.
4. Deepest Canyon: Peru is home to the deepest canyon in the world, Cotahuasi Canyon.
5. Amazon River Begins Here: The Amazon River, the longest river in the world, originates in Peru.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
The official language of Peru is Spanish, with around 84% of the population speaking it. However, Peru is also a multilingual country, with significant numbers of native speakers of Quechua (13%) and Aymara (2%). Additionally, over 72 other Indigenous languages and dialects are spoken, mostly in rural areas and along the borders with neighboring countries.
Fun & Facts about Father's Day
Here are some fun facts about Father’s Day:
• Origin: Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, wanted to create a special day to honor her father, William Smart, who was a widowed Civil War veteran and raised six children on a farm.
• First Celebration: The first Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, in Spokane, Washington.
• Official National Holiday: It wasn’t until 1972 that Father’s Day was made a permanent national holiday in the US, with then-President Richard Nixon signing a law.
• Card Sending: Father’s Day is a significant card-sending occasion, with an estimated 100 million cards sent annually, making it the fifth-largest card-sending occasion in America.
• Cost: On average, individuals spend less on Father’s Day than Mother’s Day.
• Neckties: The necktie is considered the most popular Father’s Day gift.
• Global Celebration: Father’s Day is celebrated in various countries around the world, with some having different dates and traditions.
• “Dad” as a Term: The origin of the word “dad” may simply be from baby talk, with “dada” meaning “father”.
• Card Evolution: The earliest Father’s Day cards date back to around 4,000 years ago, with one carved on a clay Babylonian tablet by a young boy named Elmesu.
• Number of Fathers: There are over 72 million fathers in the United States.
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Recipe of the Month
Iconic Peruvian Ceviche
Fresh, zesty, and effortlessly elegant, this is Peru on a plate.
Ingredients (serves 2):
250g fresh firm white fish (sea bass, corvina, or halibut), diced
Juice of 4–5 limes
½ red onion, very thinly sliced
1 small red chili or ají limo, sliced
Salt to taste
A few cilantro leaves, chopped
Optional: cooked sweet potato and corn (for the traditional side)
Directions:
Combine fish, lime juice, salt, and chili in a bowl. Let marinate for 10–15 minutes until the fish turns opaque (“cooked” by the citrus). Add red onion and cilantro just before serving. Serve cold, with sweet potato and Peruvian corn if available.
Associate of the Month
Sandra Jefferson
June Employee Spotlight: Sandra Jefferson
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Sandra Jefferson for being recognized as our Employee Spotlight. Since joining our community in May 2024, Sandra has consistently demonstrated her exceptional caregiving skills and compassion for our residents. Her dedication to providing the highest quality of care and her willingness to assist others are truly commendable. We are honored to have her as a valued member of our Monark Grove Madison family
Collaborators
Julie Campbell
