Senior Living News, August 2025
The Goldton at Spring Hill Newsletter
Around the world with Atlas - August 2025 - England
Resident Birthdays
Jake E. -8/1
David B. -8/3
Wilma S. -8/5
Nada K. -8/9
Roxana M. -8/9
Faye W. -8/17
Charlotte L. – 8/19
Donna G. -8/22
Staff Birthdays
Tammy B. -8/9
Collin F. -8/12
Kelly B. -8/19
Celebrate August
August 1 – International Mahjong Day
August 2 – International Friendship Day, National Coloring Book Day, Ice Cream Sandwich Day
August 6 – National Root Beer Float Day
August 8 – International Cat Day, Happiness Happens Day
August 9 –National Book Lovers Day
August 12 – Elephant Day
August 16 – National Roller Coaster Day
August 19 – National Aviation Day, World Humanitarian Day
August 26 – Women’s Equality Day
Events Spotlight
Sunday, July 13, 2 PM
Stars & Stripes Show
The Tudor Rose
A timeless symbol of unity, the Tudor Rose combines the red rose of Lancaster and the white rose of York—emblems of rival houses during the Wars of the Roses. When Henry VII united the two through marriage, this floral symbol became a lasting emblem of peace and the English crown.
English Heart
Alexa play "A day in the life'" from "The Beatles"
The final track on Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band isn’t just a song — it’s a cinematic experience. John Lennon’s dreamlike verses collide with Paul McCartney’s everyday rush, stitched together by swelling orchestras and a final, crashing chord that rings into eternity. As the closing note of one of the most revolutionary albums ever made, “A Day in the Life” captures the dizzying blend of wonder, boredom, and beauty that defined a generation.
England’s Rich Culture
England’s culture is a vibrant tapestry woven from centuries of tradition, art, and evolving social landscapes. Literary giants like Chaucer, Shakespeare, Dickens, Austen, and others have profoundly shaped not only English identity but global artistic expression—Shakespeare frames common English phrases and themes still quoted today. The Elizabethan era, in particular, represents a cultural apex, with dramatic innovations in poetry, theater, and prose that continue to inspire writers centuries later .
Music and folklore play a unique role in defining English tradition. Folkloric ballads, sea shanties, Morris dancing, and Morris music reflect rural and coastal rhythms adopted into festivals and community rituals throughout the country. Meanwhile, England’s modern music legacy—ranging from classical figures like Elgar and Britten to Beatles era pop, punk, Britpop, and electronic genres—continues to influence global soundscapes. The annual Proms concerts remain a cornerstone of national cultural life and patriotic expression.
Everyday customs further enrich English culture, blending historic ceremony with evolving social norms. Iconic traditions such as May Day maypole dancing, Guy Fawkes Night bonfires, and the ritual of Afternoon Tea still mark the calendar of national and local observances. English cuisine reflects both its agrarian past and global connections—traditional dishes like fish and chips, Sunday roast with Yorkshire pudding, shepherd’s pie, and sweet treats like sticky toffee pudding and scones with clotted cream endure beside modern interpretations and multicultural influences born of post war immigration and culinary innovation.
Together, these literary, musical, culinary, and festive threads form a cultural fabric that is timeless yet adaptive—rooted in history, yet always evolving with the influences of new voices, places, and ideas.
Welcome to England
Around the World with Atlas
England’s story begins long before it was called by that name—when Celtic Britons inhabited its misty hills and Roman legions reached the edge of their empire in a land they called Britannia. Though Rome left its mark with roads, baths, and Hadrian’s Wall, the far north—home to fierce tribes and enigmatic druids—remained unconquered. After the Romans withdrew, waves of Saxon settlers shaped a new identity, giving birth to a nation where myth and history often blur.
At the heart of this early tapestry is the legend of King Arthur, the once and future king said to have united Britain with the help of Merlin the wizard, the sword Excalibur, and the noble Knights of the Round Table. Whether myth or memory, these tales reveal England’s deep-rooted fascination with destiny, honor, and the magic of storytelling—traditions that would shape its greatest literary voices.
From the poetic grandeur of Shakespeare to the epic realms of J.R.R. Tolkien and the modern wizarding world of J.K. Rowling, English literature has enchanted readers across centuries. And in music, few countries have left such a global imprint. With sounds ranging from the rebellious rock of The Rolling Stones to the dreamscapes of Pink Floyd, and the timeless genius of The Beatles and David Bowie, England’s cultural output is as powerful and enduring as its history.
The History of English Tea
Tea arrived in England in the 1660s via Catherine of Braganza, consort of Charles II, and quickly became a fashionable luxury among the upper class. Over the 18th century, as imports from India and Ceylon increased, tea became more affordable and thereby transformed into a domestic ritual across all social classes. By the Victorian era, the notion of “afternoon tea” emerged—popularized around 1840 by Anna Maria Russell, the Duchess of Bedford—who began having tea, bread, butter, and cake mid-afternoon to stave off hunger before a late dinner. Her habit evolved into an elegant social ritual, complete with finger sandwiches, scones, pastries, and tea served around 4 pm in fine china and silver teapots.
In modern England, tea remains a daily comfort and a cultural touchstone. The quintessential tea break—whether at mid-morning, afternoon, or after work—often includes a biscuit or small snack and serves as a moment for pause, conversation, and connection. While formal afternoon tea is today reserved more for special occasions or luxury venues like Claridge’s or the Ritz, casual tea—strong, black, with milk (sometimes called “builder’s tea”)—is deeply rooted in working-class and everyday life . The ritual of serving tea is imbued with hospitality: offering “a cuppa” has become a ubiquitous gesture of welcome, comfort, or social bonding throughout British society .
English Rock Bands Shape the Culture
England’s rock and roll tradition began in the mid 1950s when American records first washed up in port cities like Liverpool via sailors and films such as Blackboard Jungle and Rock Around the Clock sparked youth fascination with a rebellious new sound. British youth subcultures like the Teddy Boys embraced rock and roll, jazz and skiffle—an amateur folk blues hybrid that inspired youngsters to pick up guitars and form bands. The emergence of home grown talents like Tommy Steele and Billy Fury gave Britain its first authentic stars, but it was 1958’s “Move It” by Cliff Richard and The Drifters—and later hits from acts like Johnny Kidd & the Pirates—that established a uniquely British take on the genre. As the 1960s dawned, beat groups grounded in this rock and roll revival—such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, The Who and The Animals—added blues, R&B and strong British wit, propelling the British Invasion and reshaping rock music into a globally influential art form
Resident of the Month
Charlotte Lamb
Getting to Know Your Neighbor -Charlotte Lamb
Q: Where were you born?
A: Born in Hopkinsville, KY, raised in College Grove, TN
Q: Tell us a little bit about your life story.
A: I was an LPN right out of high school at WMC. I retired from Aetna Insurance. I have one daughter, Rebecca, and two grandchildren, Garrett and Reagan.
A Few of Charlotte’s Favorite Things
Favorite food: anything coconut
Favorite color: blue
Favorite musical genre: 70s music
Favorite book: all of Nicholas Sparks’s books
Favorite activity: Going to Gatlinburg to the mountains!
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Share our good news:
Recipe Spotlight:
Classic Shepherd’s Pie
A warm and comforting English favorite, perfect for sharing. This dish layers seasoned ground lamb (or beef), soft vegetables, and creamy mashed potatoes — then bakes to golden perfection.
Ingredients:
1 lb ground lamb or beef
1 small onion, chopped
1 cup peas and carrots (frozen or cooked fresh)
2 tbsp tomato paste
Salt, pepper, and a pinch of thyme
2 cups mashed potatoes (prepared with butter and milk)
Directions:
In a skillet, cook meat and onion until browned.
Stir in tomato paste, vegetables, and seasonings. Simmer 5–10 minutes.
Spread mixture in a baking dish. Top with mashed potatoes.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes, or until golden and bubbly.
Associate of the Month
Maria Uribe
Let’s get to know our associate of the month, Kristy Current! Kristy has been part of the Goldton family as a Caregiver for 3.5 years.
Q: Why did you choose to work in senior care?
A: After caring for my grandmother, I felt it was my calling.
Q: Tell us a little about your life outside of work.
A: I’m an extremely busy mom of four. I love watching my kids play sports, basketball, and cheer, as well as spending time with my family. I have a 4 lb. Yorkie named Tucker. In my free time I love to do hair as I am a licensed cosmetologist, and have been for 14 years.
Kristy’s Favorite Things:
Favorite Food or Go-to Snack: Smoothies are my new favorite food and snack!
Favorite Movie, TV Show or Book: Almost Famous is my favorite movie, and my favorite show is Big Brother.
Favorite Music or Song: Megan Moroney, Tennessee Orange
Favorite Quote or Life Motto: Spend less time worrying and more time doing what
August Fun Facts
1. August Was Once the Sixth Month
In the original Roman calendar, August was the sixth month and was called Sextilis, meaning “sixth.” It became the eighth month after January and February were added to the calendar.
2. Named After Emperor Augustus
August is named after Augustus Caesar, the first Roman emperor. It was renamed from Sextilis in 8 BCE to honor him—because several of his greatest triumphs happened during this month, including the conquest of Egypt.
3. Two Zodiac Signs
People born in August are either Leo (July 23–August 22), known for being bold and passionate, or Virgo (August 23–September 22), often thoughtful and detail-oriented.
4. No Federal U.S. Holidays
August is the only month in the U.S. with no federal holidays, making it a popular time for summer vacations and back-to-school shopping.
5. It’s International Cat Month
Animal lovers rejoice—August is International Cat Month, with August 8 specifically celebrated as International Cat Day.
6. Back-to-School Season
For students and teachers in the U.S., August often marks the start of the new school year, especially in the South and Midwest.
Collaborators
Jennifer Nolan
