Senior Living News July 2025

The Goldton at Athens Newsletter

22171 Traditions Way | Athens, AL 35163

July 1st, 2025

United States of America, Around the World with Atlas

Around the world with Atlas - July 2025 - United States of America

Resident´s Birthdays

G. Grisby 7/5
G. Miles 7/9
M. Sallo 7/15
G. Carter 7/16
D. Davis 7/18
S. Arndt 7/19
C. Ramsey 7/23
M. Buzbee 7/28

Staff Birthdays

Ashley Bolton 7/9
Marilyn Carter 7/21
Lexi Haywood 7/25
Katrina Jones 7/30
Angelique (Angel) Hill 7/31

Month's Celebrations

4th of July
July Birthdays

One of the most enduring symbols in the United States is the bald eagle—a majestic bird chosen in 1782 as the national emblem.

With its fierce gaze and powerful wingspan, the bald eagle represents strength, courage, and the soaring ideals of liberty that define the American identity.

Leader of the Month

DeAvanice (Dee) Fowlks-Turner was born on September 9, 1977, to the parents of Marjorie Fowlks and Carl Anthony Orr in Huntsville, Al…. Dee has two half-brothers Deryck Martin and Carl Anthony Orr. DeAvanice attended S.R. butler Sr. High School after graduating she attended Virgina College where she earned Medical Assistance Administration Office Management degree. She then went to Drake State where she earned her LPN certificate, Calhoun for her R.N., UNA for her B.S.N., M.S.N. and Sanford Moffett and Sanders School of Nursing where she earned her D.N.P… She meet her husband Ronald Turner at a club and they were married in 2015. Dee has one son that she miscarried in 2017 and one living child daughter (Rhema) who was born in 2016. She takes care of her special needs step grandson. Dee still practicing her Pentacostal religion when she can, but she is now Baptist and attends her husband’s church. The thing she says she loves about The Goldton is taking care of the residents. When she isn’t working you can find her spending time with her family, helping out with her daughter’s school, and being active with the church.

Freedom Folk

Alexa play "Masters of War" from "Bob Dylan"

A scathing antiwar protest song from 1963, stripped down to voice and guitar. Dylan’s lyrics pulled no punches, making it a rallying cry for peace during the Cold War and the Vietnam era. From his second album, The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan.

Folk music gave America its voice of protest and unity. Rooted in tradition, it flourished in times of change—speaking out against war, injustice, and inequality with acoustic guitars and powerful words.

Rock & Roll
Hall of Fame

Alexa play "All Along the Watchtower" with "Jimi Hendrix"

Hendrix transformed Bob Dylan’s folk ballad into an electric storm. With layered guitars and powerful vocals, it became a defining anthem of the Vietnam era and a staple of psychedelic rock. The year was 1968, and the album was Electric Ladyland.

Birthday Celebrations

Birthdays Celebrations are always special no matter the age. They like coming together to celebrate and having a good. Trying to get everyone together is sometimes complicate, but this one I was able to get everyone together and some even had family members there that made it better. The more the merrier. Music playing, conversations and good birthday cupcakes.

Welcome to the United States of America
Around the World with Atlas

The United States of America is a vast and diverse nation, shaped by a bold spirit of freedom, innovation, and cultural fusion. From towering skyscraper cities to serene national parks, from the sounds of jazz and rhythm & blues to the electrifying pulse of rock & roll, the U.S. radiates a restless energy that has left a lasting cultural impact around the globe.

More than a global superpower in terms of industrial influence and technological innovation, the United States is also a leading force in the arts and cultural development. It has played a central role in shaping the modern world as we know it. The rise of Silicon Valley and the culture surrounding today’s tech giants is the result of a long legacy of American ingenuity and creative drive.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued over 11 million patents since its founding in 1790.
Among the most famous early patents: the light bulb (Edison), the airplane (Wright brothers), and the telephone (Bell).
Home to world-leading research institutions like MIT, Harvard, and Stanford.
The Internet, GPS, and personal computers were all developed in the U.S.
The birthplace of jazz, rock & roll, blues and hip hop.

The Dulcimers

The residents enjoy live music and we here at The Goldton at Athens have many live performances. The Dulcimers is one of the groups that come by to perform for them. The residents enjoy listening to the music and some of them might even sing along with them if they know the song. They bring little wooden instruments for them use and dancing dolls for them to use on the tables. The members of the Dulcimers stay behind for a while talking with the residents before leaving and they enjoy that.

Happy Hour

Happy Hour was something that was started by one of the residents here at The Goldton at Athens. When he decided he couldn’t no longer do it I just kept it going. It is a great way for the residents to come together to get to know each other and a great way for the activity director to know the resident one on one. Everyone joins in staff makes it better since the residents’ love the interaction. Here we treat the residents like family members, and they love it.

Resident of the Month

Venita Stith

Venita Stith was born, Venita Bradford on February 14, 1924, to the parents Erman Roberts Bradford and Minnie Sims, in Walker County Al. Ms. Venita was raised with her brother (Erman Robert Bradford Jr. ) and her two sisters (Beulah and Bobbie Jean). Ms. Venita went to Oakman High School and after graduating she attended Athens College where she earned her business degree. Once she graduated, she taught school for 17 years and taught business high school business courses. Ms. Venita meets her husband John Stith on a blind date that was set up by their roommates. Ms. Venita and John Stith was married in 1950 in Birmingham, Al… Ms. Venita Stith is a Methodist. Ms. Stith says what she loves about The Goldton is that they feed us well and the living quarters are decent, and the people are friendly.

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

May 20, 2025 No Comments

Why This Day Matters Deeply in Senior Living Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of May, is a national day of remembrance honoring U.S. ...

Recipe Spotlight:

Southern Peach Cobbler

Ingredients:
4 cups fresh peaches, peeled and sliced (or use high-quality canned peaches, drained)
1 cup granulated sugar (plus a bit more for sprinkling)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
Optional: cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm touch

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Toss peaches with lemon juice and 1/2 cup sugar; set aside. In another bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt, and the remaining sugar. Stir in milk until smooth. Pour melted butter into a baking dish—do not stir.

Pour batter over the butter, then spoon peaches and juices on top. Do not mix. Sprinkle with extra sugar (and cinnamon, if using). Bake for 40–45 minutes, until golden and bubbly. Best served warm with vanilla ice cream!

Associate of the Month

Juanita (Dee) Mondell

Ms. Juanita (Dee) Mondell was born, Juanita Caldwell December 29, 1979, to the parents of Frank and Mary Caldwell in Limestone County Athens, Al… Juanita (Dee) has five siblings but was raised with two sisters and one brother. Ms. Juanita (Dee) started working here at The Goldton at Athens December 11, 2023. Ms. Juanita (Dee) is a Baptist. Juanita (Dee) says that she loves the residents here at The Goldton. When she isn’t working you may find her playing puzzle games on her phone and watching Netflix.