January
Spring Park Travelers Rest Newsletter
Resident´s Birthdays
Bill Peacock 1/5Frances Anderson 1/12Anita Duncan 1/15Maria Clark 1/30
Celebrating January
New Years Day 1/1Trivia Day 1/4Epiphany 1/6Martin Luther King Day 1/15Puzzle Day 1/29Hot chocolate Day 1/31
Community Events
January 5th
Great Smoky Mountains
January 9th
Smoky Mountain Lunch
January 11th
Lunch Bunch
January 15th
Red Hatters outing
January 18th
Walmart shopping
January 25th
Upstate Museum Civil War Narrative Quilts
Arts for Healthy Creative Aging
Creative Aging is an initiative that has gained a lot of traction. Seniors involved in the creative arts see an improvement in many aspects of their lives. The fine arts and the performing arts have been shown to have positive effects on a senior’s quality of life. Many contend that they have physical benefits as well. We know that art and music have healing benefits. The burgeoning disciplines of art therapy and music therapy attest to this. Arguably, there is good evidence to show both psychological and physical healing taking place. There seems to be a fostering of the mind-body connection. Moving beyond that, the question is whether actually making art in a serious and substantive way has benefits for the elderly and chronically ill. In fact, there have been studies to show that making art actually has an array of health benefits. and neurological benefits. Some of the benefits are:* Give meaning and purpose which in turn reduces anxiety and depression* Reduce isolation and provide opportunities for socialization in a lighthearted setting* Improve cognition by stimulating brain activity* Reduce boredom and monotony for a retired demographic which also helps stave off depression* Nurture a sense of spirituality and identityIt’s never too late to start something new…So get Creative for Healthy Aging. The brain is not inevitably doomed to decline and wither away. Fortunately, it actually can grow and become stronger. As the saying goes-“if you don’t use it, you lose it”.
Clingmans Dome
At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park & Tennessee. On clear days you can see over 100 miles in any direction. The highest peak in the park is easy to access for visitors of all ages and abilities and a must for any visit
Cades Cove
This beautiful misty mountain
valley is perhaps the most
popular spot in the park with its historic cabins, abundant wildlife, including black bears. The fall is the best time to visit providing excellent wildlife viewing opportunities and some of the best fall foliage found anywhere in the world.
Great Smoky Mountains
National Park
The most visited National Park
in the United Estates
Keeping your mind sharp as you age
Memory is the ongoing process of retaining information. There are many different types of memory functions, each of which can be affected by the natural aging process. As we age, several cognitive changes occur. Normal aging can affect memory and language in several ways. For instance, many people have difficulty remembering names or finding the right words in a conversation as they get older. However, normal aging does not typically affect long-term memory, recognition, intelligence, comprehension, vocabulary or syntax. According to the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), exercising is the best way to maintain your brain health. Engaging in aerobic exercise at least twice a week can positively influence your cognitive ability and reduce the risk of dementia. Exercise also promotes neuroplasticity, which is your brain’s ability to create new neural connections and adapt. Other recommendations for maintaining good brain health and lowering the risk of cognitive decline include getting enough sleep, maintaining a balanced diet, reducing stress and staying socially active. Exercising your brain can also help maintain cognitive health. Activities that improve brain health include: Board games, Puzzles, Reading, Learning a new language, Word games, such as crossword puzzles and Wordle, and Logic games, such as Sudoku.
Resident of the Month
Lora Lee Cordes
Born in Terre Haute, IN to Bert & Kathryn(Briner) Broadwell along with 1 brother and 1 sister. At age 7, the family moved to Miami in 1941. A tropical paradise-swaying palm trees and the sandy beach of the Atlantic. There were excellent public schools. WWII began so we retreated back to IN. A side venture during that time was Golf Practice Driving Range where I learned the game at 8.
Returning to Miami in 1943 I attended Miami Edison all my remaining years where I met my husband in 9th grade. We married in 1950 and 2 sons and 1 daughter. Our family loved tent caping, boating and fishing in the mangrove waters. I liked to play bridge and square dance. We took 3 tours on his 1984 Honda Gold Wing. My personal interests were as a seamstress along with knitting, crochet and an extensive collection of thimbles & sewing tools. Researching family lines provided many hours of pleasure. I worked as a bookkeeper for my husbands plumbing business. In our retirement we were avid gofers in Citrus County in North Florida. We managed to make it to our 70th anniversary in 2020
Aging with Grace
To me aging with grace is one’s ability to accept growing older and all the changes that come with it. We could almost change the term to, “Aging with Acceptance.” Aging (or the passing of the years) brings many changes to our appearance and abilities (physically, mentally); it also brings changes to the world and our lives. Aging with grace means we are able to accept, adapt and accommodate these changes. People who are aging gracefully… accept aging are happy are confident are wise live a healthy and active lifestyle
The attitude we carry into our later years will also influence our ability to age with grace. Regarding “healthy” lifestyle — as we age, our risk for developing age-related illnesses and diseases increases. I think it is important that even if we develop health conditions, we take care of ourselves and try to recover quickly or learn how to live well with chronic illness. I know many people who are aging with grace despite chronic illnesses. It all comes down to attitude. For example, does arthritis become who you are or is it just something you need to live with and manage? If we are able to practice self-love as we age, by nurturing our bodies and minds, We tend to be happier and more at peace. It helps us improve our confidence. As we become more compassionate about ourselves we will become more compassionate about others. We are responsible for our own lives and decisions are made with the wisdom that comes with age. Accept the wisdom to embrace and celebrate aging.
New Year
Baby New Year, a symbol deeply rooted in the traditions of welcoming the new year, carries with it a fascinating history. The concept of Baby New Year dates back to ancient Greece and Rome, where it was associated with the god of time, Cronus. It symbolized the cyclical nature of time and the renewal of life that comes with each passing year. Over time, the concept evolved and found its place in various cultures and traditions. In modern times, the image of Baby New Year has become synonymous with the transition from December 31 to January 1. You’ve likely seen illustrationsof a plump, diaper-clad baby sporting a sash bearing the year’s new number. This charmingfigure embodies hope, renewal, and the endless possibilities of the year ahead. Beyond the symbolic figure of Baby New Year, many cultures celebrate the birth of New Year’s babies in a more literal sense. It’s considered an auspicious sign to be the first baby born in the new year. These “New Year’s babies” serve as a reminder of the perpetual cycle of life and the promise of fresh beginnings. Baby New Year, with its rich historical roots and modern symbolism, reminds us of the continuous flow of time and the opportunities that each new year brings. Whether portrayed as a cherubic infant or celebrated through the birth of actual New Year’s babies, this tradition serves as a heartwarming reminder that with each passing year, we have the chance to start anew and make make the most of the time that lies ahead.
More Articles
Emotional Support for Aging Dads – What Senior Fathers Really Need
We talk about senior health. We talk about senior safety. But how often do we talk about senior dads and their emotional needs? The truth …
How Memorial Day Lives On in Senior Communities 2025
Share our good news:
January Recipe Spotlight:
Stuffed Crown Roast Beef
Although this roast is mostly seen on holiday tables, it is excellent year-round either spit-roasted on a barbecue pit or roasted slow and low in the oven. I prefer bone-in for extraordinary flavor.
Ingredients:
1 (5-7 pound) bone-in beef rib roast
6 cloves garlic, chopped
2 cups green onions, sliced
1/8 tsp dried thyme
1/8 tsp dried basil
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup cayenne and jalapeno peppers, sliced
6-8 sprigs of rosemary
1/4 cup oil
2 cups onions, diced
1/4 cup celery, diced
1/4 cup bell pepper, diced
2 carrots, diced
1/4 cup parsley
Louisiana Gold Pepper Sauce
Instructions:
Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees F. In a small mixing bowl combine garlic, green onions, thyme, basil, salt and pepper. Pierce holes through the roast and fill each cavity with mixture. Follow with the peppers and rosemary, leaving approximately 1-inch of the rosemary exposed. (This will give flavor to the roast.) Season the roast completely with salt, pepper and Louisiana Gold. In a 12-quart cast iron Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat. Sear roast in hot oil on both sides. Add onions, celery, bell pepper, carrots and parsley. Bake uncovered until tender, 25 minutes per pound for rare to medium-rare. Allow roast to rest 30 minutes prior to slicing.
Collaborators
Lisa
Stephanie Albert
Associate of the Month
Mea Bowen
Congratulations to Mea! She is originally from Travelers Rest and has lived here her entire life. She graduated from Travelers Rest High School. She is a 911 dispatcher and certified. She has a beautiful son Onix who almost 1 year old. She is expecting a sibling for Onix July 4th. Mea still lives at home In case you don’t know she is Zack Bowen’s daughter, our very own Spring Park Maintenance hero. She enjoys arts and crafts, especially painting. Another hobby of hers is shopping. Mea has been with Spring Park since February of 2023. Many of you may not see her because she is our 3rd shift caregiver. She started out as 1st and 2nd shift. She loves visiting the residents during regular hours when she can.
What makes the Smoky Mountains smokey? The mist is formed from the vapor given off by all the plants in the mountains. When the vapor is released, the molecules that make up the gas scatter blue light from the sky, giving the fog its blue color.
