Senior Living News,
October 2025
Oakview Park Greenville
Newsletter
Around the world with Atlas - October 2025 - Germany
Halloween Special
Resident´s Birthdays
Tom Kennett 10/6
James Carman 10/8
Michelle Patteson 10/13
Archie Neal 10/19
Augustine Crocker 10/20
Janice Riddle 10/30
Celebrating October
Ergonomics Month
Organize Your Medical Information Month
Cookbook Month
Balloons Around the
World Day
October 1
James Bond Day
October 5
World Day of Architecture
October 6
Pet Peeve Week
October 12–18
Train Your Brain Day
October 13
Chemistry Week
October 19–25
Count Your Buttons Day
October 21
International Artists Day
October 25
Halloween
October 31
Events Spotlight
Trunk or Treat 10/29/25
Royal Arms of Germany
The coat of arms of Germany, also known as the Bundeswappen, displays a black eagle with a red beak, a red tongue and red feet on a golden field, which is blazoned:
Or, an eagle displayed sable beaked langued and membered gules.
Associate of the Month
Cash The Cat
Oakview Park’s Most Loyal Shadow
This month, we’re proud to recognize a very special member of the Oakview Park family — Cash, the black cat who’s quietly won our hearts over the past two years.
Rescued as a young kitten, Cash has grown into a quiet, watchful presence around the park. Though shy by nature, he’s a loyal companion from afar — especially to his dedicated caretaker, Mr. Rivers. Rain or shine, morning or afternoon, you’ll often find Cash faithfully following Mr. Rivers on his daily walks.
Cash’s favorite pastimes include lounging on his back for belly rubs (from Mr. Rivers only!), and watching the world go by from his perch near the side yard manhole — a spot he’s proudly claimed as his own.
While he may not seek the spotlight, Cash’s calm presence and quiet loyalty have made him a beloved part of the Oakview Park community. For that, we are happy to name him this month’s Employee of the Month.
Congratulations, Cash!
German Music Legacy
Alexa, play Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 4, BWV 1049, Allegro
This concerto is full of life and beauty, with the flute, violin, and harpsichord leading the entire orchestra in joyful dialogue. At the time, Bach himself would often direct the ensemble from the harpsichord but he was also the most skilled violinist of is era, so you can picture him conducting from the harpsichord with a violin in hand just as easily—an image that perfectly captures the spirit of this vibrant masterpiece.
The Bright Side of October
Orange is one of the most iconic colors of the fall season. From the changing leaves to ripe pumpkins and Halloween decorations, it’s everywhere in October. But beyond its seasonal spotlight, orange has an interesting history and set of associations that make it stand out year-round.
The word orange didn’t appear in English until around the 1300s, borrowed from the Old French orenge, which came from Arabic nāranj—originally referring to the fruit. Before that, people in English-speaking areas would describe the color as “yellow-red.” It wasn’t until the fruit became common in Europe that the word was used to describe the hue. In many cultures today, it represents creativity, change, and enthusiasm.
In nature, orange often signals warmth and energy. It’s the color of fire, sunsets, and autumn leaves. In October, orange becomes especially visible. Pumpkins, perhaps the most famous fall symbol, take center stage during Halloween. Originally, jack-o’-lanterns were carved from turnips in Ireland, but when the tradition came to America, pumpkins were more plentiful and easier to carve. Their natural orange color made them perfect for the holiday’s spooky glow. Orange also pairs well with black, Halloween’s other signature color. While black represents darkness and mystery, orange balances it with brightness and warmth, making the two a striking seasonal combo.
Aside from Halloween, orange pops up throughout fall in decorations, wreaths, seasonal foods, and clothing. It evokes the cozy, crisp feel of the season and reminds us of harvest time. Even sports teams and schools often use orange in their autumn promotions and uniforms to reflect that seasonal energy.
While orange is not everyone’s favorite color year-round— only five percent of people choose it as their favorite—it has certainly carved out a place in October’s spotlight. Whether you’re admiring the leaves, carving a pumpkin, or just sipping something cinnamon-spiced, you’re likely soaking in a little bit
of orange this season.
Welcome to Germany
Around the World with Atlas
Germany’s history stretches back to ancient tribes such as the Saxons, Franks, and Goths, whose resilience left a mark on Europe’s foundations. From the crowning of Charlemagne in 800 AD to the rise of the Holy Roman Empire under Otto I, the medieval period saw the growth of a diverse cultural and political landscape. Moments of transformation, like Martin Luther’s Protestant Reformation, sparked new ideas that influenced the world far beyond Germany’s borders.
In the centuries that followed, the rise of Prussia and the eventual German unification in 1871 brought together a patchwork of regions into a modern and power nation.
Though the 20th century was marked by hardship and division, after two awful wars, Germany was in ruin and divided by a wall, years of division goes by until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the re-unification of Germany opened the path to a new chapter. Today, Germany stands as a symbol of resilience and renewal—celebrated for its music, philosophy, literature, and innovations, as well as its role as a cultural and economic leader in Europe.
Leafy Legend
Kale is no ordinary leafy green. It’s one of the healthiest foods on the planet. It’s so dense with nutrients that one cup, at only 33 calories, has vitamins A, K, C, B1, B2, B3, and B6, as well as minerals calcium, manganese, potassium, magnesium, copper, and more iron per ounce than beef. With all this good news about the vegetable, it’s no wonder kale has its own holiday, Kale Day, which falls on October 1 this year.
Why else is kale hailed as a superfood? It’s high in antioxidants, which provide powerful anti-inflammatory benefits and can lower blood pressure. Kale has also been studied for its effects on lowering cholesterol and is loaded with substances known to fight cancer. Perhaps this is why kale is taking kitchens by storm. People have even taken to putting “Eat More Kale” bumper stickers on their cars and wearing kale T-shirts.
But kale is no passing fad. The healthiest way to enjoy kale is raw—in a salad or as a wrap for hot foods. But for those who may not like the slight bitterness of the greens, there are other ways to enjoy kale’s many benefits. Steaming it softens the leaves. Baking the leaves in the oven with olive oil and spices produces kale chips. Or you can hide the kale. Blend it with fruit for a nutritious smoothie. Mince it finely, and add it to hamburgers or meat loaf. Do you like pesto with your pasta? Substitute kale for half of the basil.
Kale is also easy to grow in the fall, since it thrives in cool temperatures. It became a staple in Britain during World War II as a supplement to rationed diets. Today, kale enjoys its place as the centerpiece of many dinner tables.
From Holy Cows to Home Runs
Holy cow, October 13 is Silly Sayings Day. While this saying’s origins are a little obscure, many believe it was an expression used by baseball players in the early 1900s to tamely express disgust while avoiding the ire of umpires. It most likely references the cows held sacred by Hindus.
Perhaps silly sayings and baseball have a special link, for one of the silliest sayers of all was former New York Yankee Yogi Berra. He said of his sport, “Baseball is 90% mental and the other half is physical.” When giving directions to his home, he once explained, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” When he saw Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris repeat their feat of hitting back-to-back home runs, he exclaimed, “It’s déjà vu all over again.”
When it comes to silly sayings, Mark Twain may offer the best advice: “It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.”
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The Valknut
The Valknut, a symbol of three interlocked triangles, is tied to Odin in Norse mythology. Found on ancient stones and artifacts, it represents the mysteries of life, death, and the warrior’s passage to the afterlife, other schoolars sugest that the 9 points/intersections represent the 9 worlds in the Norse Mythology and how they are some how interconected.
Resident of the Month
Gilbert Rivers
Gilbert Rivers was born in Florence, SC and will be turning 80 years old on his birthday in November. He has been a resident at Oakview Park for over 5½ years. He served in the US Army during his younger years and landed himself in a long and successful career with Hollingsworth. After his retirement he filled his time serving his community faithfully. Anyone that had a need he could meet, he went above and beyond to help. Gilbert led many Good News Clubs at multiple elementary schools. He was elected to the position of Taylors Fire Commissioner. He has been a member of his Sunday school class at Taylors First Baptist for many years and serves on numerous missions committees with them, most notably Connie Maxwell Christmas Shoes and also Harvest Seeds.
Gilbert is loved by many, especially by his family. He said goodbye to his loving wife a couple of years ago, but he has two sons, a daughter, two daughters-in-law and a son-in-law, in addition to nine beautiful grandchildren. He continues to fill his days caring for anyone he can, making sure he hits his step goals each day, and playing Phase 10.
Handle with Flair
Purses, pocketbooks, satchels, totes, clutches—whatever the
handbag, it’s worth celebrating on October 10, Handbag Day. Technically, a purse is only supposed to hold coins, whereas a handbag is a complete carryall. These days, anything goes in a handbag: wallet, keys, sunglasses, cell phone, mints, gum, pen, umbrella, baby toys…. Truly, some handbags carry as much as a small suitcase. The first handbags were made of leather, metal, or fabric studded with ornaments. The oldest surviving bag, dating back to c. 2500 BC, features beadlike rows of canine teeth on fabric. At just 700 years old, the bag pictured above (reputed to be a horseman’s saddlebag) is intricately inlaid with gold and silver, depicting scenes of an enthroned couple,
musicians, and hunters. It’s kept for display at London’s CourtauldGallery.
Collaborators
Jennifer Klein
