Senior Living News, November 2025
Spring Park Travelers Rest
Newsletter
Around the world with Atlas - November 2025 - Australia
Resident's Birthdays
Estelle Knoll Nov 03
Elizabeth Drummond Nov 08
Alvin Ponder Nov 19
Month´s Celebrations
Daylight Saving Time ends Nov 2
Veteran Day Nov 11
Thanksgiving Family Lunch Nov 18
Associate of the Month
Finley
Born & raised in Greenville SC. Been employed with Spring Park for 3 years. Has an 8-year-old daughter in her free time she enjoys spending time with friends and family. Shopping and taking vacation.
Australian Joy
Alexa, play Down Under, by Men at work.
Released in 1981, “Down Under” quickly became a defining song of Australian identity. With its catchy flute riff and witty lyrics, it celebrates the country’s laid-back spirit, humor, and pride. More than a global hit, it remains an unofficial anthem—an upbeat tribute to Australia’s culture, people, and sense of adventure.
ZZ Plant
The ZZ plant, or Zamioculcas zamiifolia, is a favorite houseplant. This resilient perennial is native to Africa, where it thrives in grasslands, along riverbanks, and in dry, forested areas with sandy, low-nutrient soil. It has sturdy, waxy, glossy green leaves that start near the soil and run up the length of each stem. When it flowers, it produces small, white, lily-like blooms. It reproduces by dropping leaflets that can take root and grow into a new ZZ plant. It’s a great “starter houseplant,” as it’s very difficult to kill. While this hearty plant grows more quickly in indirect, bright sunlight, the ZZ plant can survive with limited light and care for long periods, and it stores water as a part of its root system to help it survive periods of drought. However, overly harsh sunlight and overwatering can damage the plant. Because it tolerates neglect well, it’s often kept in offices, hospitals, and other busy public spaces.
Welcome to Australia
Around the World with Atlas
Australia, the world’s largest island and smallest continent, is a land of striking contrasts—from its vast deserts and tropical rainforests to its bustling coastal cities. Indigenous Australians have lived on the continent for over 60,000 years, developing rich spiritual traditions and deep connections to the land. Their art, music, and stories remain an essential part of the nation’s cultural identity today.
European settlement began in 1788 with the arrival of the First Fleet from Britain, marking the start of Australia’s colonial era. British influence shaped the nation’s language, institutions, and political systems, though this period also brought immense hardship to Indigenous communities. Over time, Australia evolved from a collection of colonies into a unified federation in 1901, forging its own democratic and multicultural identity.
Modern Australia is known for its relaxed lifestyle, love of the outdoors, and vibrant cultural mix. From iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and Uluru to its world-class art, music, and sport, the country reflects both its ancient heritage and modern dynamism—a place where tradition and innovation coexist under the southern sun.
Birthstone – Yellow Topaz
In addition to its status as November’s birthstone, yellow topaz is a symbol of enduring friendship, abundance, and creativity, and is said to strengthen one’s capacity to give and receive love. This golden gem is also thought to make one more aware of their actions and their impact on others. Topaz comes in a variety of shades, from the traditional honey hue to reds, oranges, and pinks. It is found in many parts of the world, including in the United States, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Pakistan, and Russia.
Chrysanthemum
November’s flower is the lovely chrysanthemum, whose name comes from the Greek for “gold flower.” For centuries, the flower was the official badge of the Old Chinese Army. In Japan, it was featured on the Imperial Crest, and Japanese emperors sat upon chrysanthemum thrones. While the flower generally represents cheerfulness and rest, red chrysanthemums specifically represent love, good luck, and best wishes.
Veterans
We honor our veterans – the brave, the true, Who stood on the line for red. white, and blue.
They carried our nation on weary bones, Fighting for freedom far from home. You betray our veterans when you forget their pain. When you talk of glory but ignore their names.
Maybe you never saw the tears they hide, The scars they bear, the nights they cried.
You speak of patriot hearts so loud, But honor is quiet – it don’t need a crowd.
So if you love this land, then stand and see, Their courage bought your liberty.
For every soldier who still believes, We lift our hands, we will not leave.
Freedom lives because they gave – We honor our veterans, the strong, the brave.
THANK YOU, ALL VETERANS-WE WILL STAND WITH YOU, TO PROTECT OUR COUNTRY, PROUD AND TRUE. AND TO THE ONES WHO DO NOT UNDERSTAND, REMEMBER – FREEDOM LIVES BY A VETERAN’S HAND.
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Share our good news:
Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, reflection, and togetherness. Rooted in early harvest feasts shared between settlers and Native Americans, it has grown into a cherished American tradition.
To give thanks for all blessings in life
Resident of the Month
Alice Norris
Alice Norris, a current Spring Park resident, has made this facility her home for the last two and half years. Before retiring, 33 years of her career were spent in the classroom, teaching English and counseling students in several Belton and Honea Path area schools. Extracurricular activities included yearbook sponsors, homecoming festivities and school pageant at BHP High School.
With degrees in English and history, Alice graduated first from Erskine College and next earned a master’s degree from Clemson University in secondary guidance.
Meanwhile, music was also high on her agenda. She studied piano for 12 years, organ for 5, and clarinet for 4. Teaching piano and serving as church musician helped to round out 80 plus years of her life. In addition to teaching at Sunday school, Alice served numerous committees in her home church, Mt Bethel, near Belton. Finally, she served as President of the Anderson County Education Association. With not as much to do, Alice occasionally plays the piano for hymn singing at Spring Park!
Alice has been married twice and first to Don McCoy (deceased 1986) and second to Fred Norris (deceased 2006). She has a daughter Michelle Ballard and a son-in-law MAJ Ret. Christopher Ballard, US Army; 4 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren/ There are 2 stepdaughters, Ann-Marie Rice and Paula Lewis as well, Both Belton. For the 35 years, the family served tours of duty in the military Alice was fortunate to visit them and traveled to Germany, England, Holland, Austria and served times two Hawaii.
Collaborators
Lisa Hawkins
