Around the world with Atlas - March 2025 - Italy
Resident's Birthdays
Elizabeth Elton 03/02
Judy Joyce 03/03
Laura Banta 03/08
Euphrosine Van Dijk 03/10
Jean Matjazic 03/15
Dale Cawthorne 03/19
Janice Bergsma 03/26
Valere Hood 03/30
Month's Celebrations
Mardi Gras 03/04
St. Patrick’s Day 03/17
National Poetry Day 03/21
National Puppies Day 03/23
Events Spotlights
March is National Nutrition Month
Mardi Gras Party 03/04
Luck of Irish Care Fair 03/17
Magic Poodles Parade 03/21
“Italy” Signature Dinner 03/26
March Birthday Bash 03/28
In March, you can try gardening, nutrition, and home maintenance tips
– Prune evergreens and remove wraps to shape them for the season
– Fertilize your lawn and plants with a balanced fertilizer
– Harden off tender seedlings by moving them outside to slowly adjust to the temperature
Italian Tradition
Alexa play "The Ecstasy Of Gold" from "Ennio Morricone"
“The Ecstasy of Gold” (L’estasi dell’oro) is one of Ennio Morricone’s most celebrated compositions, featured in the climactic scene of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966).
It plays during the moment when Tuco (Eli Wallach) frantically runs through the Sad Hill Cemetery, desperately searching for the grave that holds the buried gold.
The piece exemplifies Morricone’s genius, blending classical composition with unconventional sounds to create a piece that feels both cinematic and timeless.
Fun facts about Mardi Gras
1. Colors
The colors of Mardi Gras are purple, green, and gold, which symbolize justice, faith, and power, respectively.
2. Origins
Some say Mardi Gras originated from ancient pagan celebrations of spring and fertility, while others say it came from the Catholic Church’s discouragement of meat and sex during Lent.
3. King Cake
King cake is eaten from January 6th, King’s Day, through Mardi Gras eve. It honors the three kings and celebrates their jeweled crowns. A small plastic baby is hidden inside the cake.
4. King of Rex
The Krewe of Rex selects the King of Rex each year. The mayor gives the King of Rex a symbolic key to the city.
5. Parades
Krewes choose a different theme for their parades each year, and some keep their themes secret until the parade starts.
6. Mardi Gras in Louisiana
Mardi Gras has been an official state holiday in Louisiana since 1875.
7. Mardi Gras in Mobile
The first recorded Mardi Gras in the United States was in Mobile, Alabama in 1703.
8. Mardi Gras in Ireland, England, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada
In these countries, people celebrate Mardi Gras by eating pancakes.
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 the ages. Timeless.”
Rome, the Eternal City, is an open-air museum. Walk its cobblestone streets to witness the Pantheon, the Roman Forum, and fountains that whisper stories of empire and artistry.
Italy, the birthplace of the Renaissance, gave the world great artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Titian. With world-renowned cuisine, iconic design, and a rich musical legacy featuring maestros such as Vivaldi, Verdi, Puccini, Ennio Morricone, and Nino Rota, Italy remains an eternal source of inspiration.
Resident of the Month
Nancy Giles Stone
Nancy was born in Rock Hill, South Carolina on July 16, 1935. She was an only child but had many cousins nearby to bond with. Nancy was in the band and became a majorette in high school. She was also chosen in her senior year as one of the top ten beautiful women in her high school by the Hollywood director Cecily B DeMille. After high school she went on to Winthrop College and majored in business. However, her favorite classes were dance, especially Modern Dance.
During college, while working as a model for her future mother-in-law’s dress store, she met her true love, Mark Stone. Mark was called into the ministry, so they moved to Texas to attend Baylor University and Southwestern Seminary. While there, Mark was severely burned in a house fire. Mark survived the accident but spent many years in the hospital in Galveston, Texas. Nancy worked to support her family during that time. Mark and Nancy eventually moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia where Mark was the pastor of London Bridge Baptist Church. Nancy held a few jobs as church secretaries, but her real niche was when she became an administrative assistant for a major hotel conglomerate in Chesapeake, Virginia. She loved her job so much that she did not retire until the age of 76. Mark passed away in 2001, and Nancy continued to live in Virginia until she moved to Madison to be near her daughter and son-in-law Greg.
Nancy has two children, Jonmark who lives in Indiana, and Cheryl who lives nearby in Madison. (She adores her son-in-law, Greg!) Nancy also has four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Her hobbies outside of her job were reading, working on puzzles, sewing and being outside; either at the beach or working in her yard.
Nancy is kind and she feels greatly for others. She likes to have a few friends in her life but also likes to sit back and enjoy what is going on around her. Her nickname has always been Fancy Nancy because she doesn’t like a hair out of place or lint on her cloths. Even when she moved the lawn, her clothes matched, her hair and makeup were perfect, and it is doubtful if she ever broke a sweat!
Her largest asset in her life is her faith in the Lord. She and her family relied heavily on him during Mark’s accident and subsequent illnesses throughout his life. Even now during this season of her life, she knows God is still in control. On that note, she will reprimand you quickly if you ever tell her she is lucky. She’ll remind you she is NOT lucky, but she is very blessed!
Nancy and her family also feel blessed that she is living at Monark Grove. The care and the attention she receives is worthy of what she deserves. There is never a doubt that she is and will continue to be well taken care of by the staff at Monark!
March is National Nutrition Month
5 healthy eating tips
1. Eat breakfast that includes lean protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Get creative with your choices, including items like eggs, low-fat cheese, a whole wheat tortilla, low-fat plain yogurt, fruit, and whole grain cereal.
2. Make half your plate fruits and Vegetables. Fruits and veggies add color, flavor, texture, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber to your plate.
3. Be active
4. Drink more water and quench your thirst with water instead of drinks with added sugars.
5. Fix healthy snacks. Try raw veggies with low-fat cottage cheese, hummus, or a tablespoon of nut or seed butter with an apple or banana.
Culture of Italy
The culture of Italy encompasses the knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, and customs of the Italian peninsula and of the Italians throughout history. Italy has been the Centre of the Roman civilization, the Catholic Church, and of the Renaissance, as well as the starting point of movements with a great international impact such as the Baroque, Neoclassicism, and Futurism and significantly contributed to historical phenomenon such as the Age of Discovery and the Scientific Revolution. Italy is considered a cultural superpower and the Italian peninsula one of the birthplaces of Western civilization.
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Recipe of the Month
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!
Associate of the Month
Sharon Malone
Congratulations to Sharon Malone for being our March Employee of the Month!
Sharon is a dedicated cook at Monark Grove Madison, having served us for one and a half years. Hailing from Athens, Alabama, she is a proud mother of three girls and a grandmother to five.
Sharon radiates positivity through her love for socializing, dancing, and uplifting those around her. Her commitment to our team and the residents exemplifies the spirit of Monark Grove.
We are honored to have her as part of our family!
Italian Masters
(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.
Collaborators
Julie Campbell
