Around the world with Atlas - February 2025 - Iceland
Resident´s Birthdays
Martha Murphree 2/12
Joy Boltz 2/13
Frances Black 2/19
Brenda Blackwell 2/21
LC Smith 2/24
Dot Rivers 2/24
Celebrating February
Canned Food Month
Time Management Month
Black History Month
Pancake Week
February 17–23
Groundhog Day
February 2
Thank a Mail Carrier Day
February 4
Bagel and Lox Day
February 9
Galentine’s Day
February 13
Valentine’s Day
February 14
International Sword Swallower’s Day
February 22
Single-Tasking Day
February 22
World Spay Day
February 25
Events Spotlight
Valentines Day Bake off 2/14 @ 2 PM in Bistro!
Stick to Tradition
Eating with two little sticks may seem like a taxing and complicated food delivery method, especially with forks, spoons, and knives available. Yet more than a billion people (a quarter of the human population) use chopsticks every day. This makes February 6, Chopsticks Day, a very big deal.
The old Chinese word for chopsticks is kuaizi, which means “quick little bamboo fellows.” However, not all chopsticks are made of bamboo. The material, shape, and length of chopsticks varies from place to place. They may be made of wood, plastic, metal, jade, porcelain, ivory, or even bone. Chinese chopsticks are slowly tapered with blunt ends, while Japanese versions are often shorter and more pointed. Also, not all chopsticks are used for eating.
In Japan, long ryoribashi and saibashi (12 to 16 inches) are used for cooking and dishing food, while shorter hashi are used for eating.
Chopstick users must also remember proper chopstick etiquette. It is impolite to spear food, and resting chopsticks should never point at another person at the table. But it is never impolite to ask for a spoon if necessary.
Icelandic Vibes
Alexa, play “Don't be afraid, you have just got your eyes closed” from Múm
Finally We Are No One is the second studio album by Icelandic band Múm, the band composed the songs for the album Inside a lighthouse in the Westfjords, Galtarviti, one of the least populous and remote areas of Iceland.
The album was release in 2002, Múm is well known for the use of multiple instruments, all sort of strings, winds, percusions, flutes, choirs and uncommon instruments, their music is an intricate and whimsical soundscape that feels both intimate and otherworldly. The album captures the essence of untouched beauty and serene isolation, a timeless ode to the remote magic of Iceland.
Goody Goody, Gum Drops
February is a sweet month for candy lovers, with both Bubble Gum Day and Gumdrop Day celebrated within weeks of each other. Bubble Gum Day falls on the first Friday of February, while Gumdrop Day is February 15. Both holidays highlight the history and fun behind these popular treats.
Bubble gum has a surprisingly long history, dating back to ancient peoples who chewed natural substances like tree resin. Modern bubble gum, however, was invented in
1928 by Walter Diemer, a young accountant at the Fleer Corporation. Diemer accidentally created a formula for gum that wasn’t too sticky and could stretch—perfect for blowing bubbles. It was famously pink because that was the only dye available at the time. Bubble gum became an instant hit, and today, Americans chew an average of 100 pieces each year.
Gumdrops, on the other hand, have been around since at least the 19th century. These chewy, colorful candies are often used to decorate cakes and gingerbread houses. While their exact origin is debated, the gumdrop’s sugary coating and fruity flavors have made them a long-standing favorite. The candy was so beloved that a NASA spacecraft was even named Gumdrop in the 1960s.
Both gum and gumdrops have made their mark in popular culture and candy aisles for decades. Bubble gum is often linked with childhood, and gumdrops remain part of festive traditions. Furthermore, gumdrops paved the way for other popular gummy candies like gummy bears and gummy worms. Interestingly, while we celebrate these sugary delights, February is also Gum Disease Awareness Month, a reminder to enjoy sweets in moderation and prioritize dental care.
These candy-themed holidays offer a chance to indulge, reminisce, and enjoy the playful nature of bubble gum and gumdrops. Whether you prefer blowing bubbles or savoring a sugary gumdrop, February is full of reasons
to celebrate these nostalgic treats.
ICELAND
Around the World with Atlas
Iceland’s dramatic landscape is shaped by its active volcanism and vast glaciers. It is home to over 130 volcanoes, including Eyjafjallajökull, and Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull.
During summer, Iceland experiences the Midnight Sun, with almost 24 hours of daylight. In contrast, winter brings long nights, creating the perfect setting for Northern Lights displays.
Resident of the Month
Gwen Owens
Our February resident of the month is Gwen Owens. Gwen grew up in Easley, SC with her parents, two brothers and two sisters. She attended Easley High School and then went on to business College. Gwen went to work for Greenville County working at the Tax Office for 52 years. Forty of those years were full-time and then part-time for twelve more. She met her husband Don Owens, who was from Piedmont, at a filling station he was working at in Easley. They were married for 62 years. The two of them have a son named Craig and a daughter-in-law Lisa. Gwen has three grandchildren and three great grandsons. She loves spending time over the years with the grandkids and loves visits from the great grandsons. Gwen’s favorite past is reading. She will stay up late any given night reading a book she loves. She also passed that love of reading onto her granddaughters and sometimes they borrow each other’s books. Gwen spent a lot of time with her aunt who was a schoolteacher, and she always encouraged her to learn more and to read, read, read. Gwen was close to her aunt until her passing and shares many memories of her. Another hobby Gwen would enjoy when she was able was her yard work. She loves flowers and plants and had the best yard in the neighborhood. Gwen also enjoyed cooking, which she learned from her aunt as well. We are so happy that she is our resident of the month!
Purely Refreshing
Judges in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, treat water like wine from February 20 to 22. Local connoisseurs will examine waters from around the world and declare the world’s best water based on taste, aroma, appearance, mouth feel, and aftertaste. Not all water is created equal, so it is divided into categories: municipal (tap), bottled, purified, and carbonated. A separate category for package design is voted on as a People’s Choice award.
Berkeley Springs has always attracted those interested in water. George Washington owned land in Berkeley Springs and visited often, perhaps lured there by the warm mineral springs believed to have medicinal qualities. Visitors can still marvel at his bathtub, a stone-lined basin dug into the earth that draws water directly from the mineral springs.
Saturday night brings high anxiety at the Country Inn of Berkeley Springs, where judges sip and sample before a crowd of spectators and water purveyors. Last year drew stiff competition in all water categories. More than 100 different waters sourced from 14 countries representing all six inhabited continents entered the competition.
The best tap water in the world was awarded to Independence, Missouri, a new contender in the category. Castle Rock Water of Dunsmuir, California, once again triumphed, beating entries from Italy and Australia to claim the title of the world’s best bottled water. The top sparkling water was awarded to Smeraldina Natural Artesian Water from Sardinia, Italy, with strong runners-up from Bosnia and New Zealand. As for the best purified water, that honor stayed local, with H2Only Purified Water from Berkeley Springs clinching the win.
Hometown favoritism? Unlikely. The waters of Berkeley Springs have attracted international acclaim for more than 250 years.
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Recipe Spotlight:
Kjötsúpa: Icelandic Lamb Soup
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
3 pounds bone-in lamb shoulder or thick chops
1 medium onion, sliced
1/3 cup brown rice, or rolled oats
6 cups water
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 head cabbage, coarsely chopped
3 medium carrots, 1/2-inch dice
1/2 cup diced rutabaga
1 cup cauliflower florets, optional
4 medium potatoes, 1/2-inch dice
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Directions:
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté garlic for 1–2 minutes without browning. Add lamb and brown on all sides.
Stir in onion, sauté briefly, then add rice and water. Bring to a boil, skimming off froth, and boil for 5 minutes.
Reduce heat to medium, add thyme and oregano, cover, and simmer for 40 minutes.
Add cabbage, carrots, rutabaga, cauliflower (if using), and potatoes. Cook for 20 minutes until vegetables are tender.
Remove meat, chop coarsely, and return to the pot. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper, serve, and enjoy!
Associate of the Month
Jennie Thompson
We are so happy to announce our February Volunteer of the Month Jennie Thompson. Jennie has a very loving heart and caring personality. She loves coming to Oakview Park daily to help with the laundry and be around the residents. Jennie lives in Belton with her husband Tim and their two fur babies, Lily and Halie. Jennie likes to color, paint, play board games and cards with her husband. She also enjoys listening to music and playing with her fur babies. We are so happy to have Jennie as a volunteer.
Cookie Cravings
It’s the weekend you’ve been waiting for all year: February 24–25 is Girl Scout Cookie Weekend! The iconic flavors are all back: Thin Mints, Samoas, Trefoils, Tagalongs, Do-si-dos, and Lemon-Ups. Two other popular options this season are Adventurefuls, a brownie-inspired cookie with caramel-flavored crème, and a gluten-free option, Toffee-tastic, a buttery cookie packed with toffee bits.
This year, the price of Girl Scout Cookies has increased slightly to six dollars a box, which reflects rising costs. Every dollar goes toward supporting programs that help build our next generation of female leaders. The Girl Scout Cookie program continues to teach Girl Scouts five key life skills: goal-setting, decision-making, money management, people skills, and business ethics. Plus, scouts grow in courage, confidence, and character. There’s something extra sweet about enjoying these cookies while knowing you’re supporting such an impactful program.
Jólabókaflóð
(Icelandic Christmas book flood)
A Love for Literature:
Iceland boasts the highest number of published authors per capita. The Icelandic tradition of gifting books during Christmas, known as Jólabókaflóð (Yule Book Flood), reflects their deep connection to storytelling and literature.
Collaborators
Jennifer Klein
