April

The Goldton at Venice
Newsletter

April 2025
Greece, Around the World with Atlas

Around the world with Atlas - April 2025 - Greece

Resident's Birthdays

4/7 Shirley Pappas
4/21 Donald Metz

4/6 Helen Farrell
4/10 Bonita Haynes
4/14 Linda Mackey

4/5 Pamilina Danko
4/7 Gregory Turner
4/11 Janet Trout
4/11 Marie Bobianski
4/12 Carol Gordon
4/12 Margie Chandler
4/20 Lori Kowalski
4/28 Miriam Knowles

Celebrating April

4/3 – Find the Rainbow Day
(Find the rainbows around the building)
4/9 – Be a Unicorn Day
(Dress like a Unicorn Day)
4/11 – Wheels & Wildflowers
(Car Show & Fresh Market Sales & Vendors)
4/12 – Passover Begins
4/14 – Nation Day of Gardening
(Let’s plant new flowers and veggies)
4/15 – Remembering the Titanic
(Watching the movie Titanic)
4/18 – High 5 Day
(Give everyone you see as High5)
Good Friday
4/20 – Easter
4/27 – Family Night
(Going Greek)

Greece

Events Spotlights

Memory Care | Resident of the Month

Marilyn Rollbuhler

Marilyn Rollbuhler grew up in Clevland Ohio, she has 2 boys and 5 grandchildren. Marilyn loves spending time with her family, traveling, and chocolate ice cream. Her bubbly personality and her kindness are what make her so easy to love.

Greek Heritage

Alexa play "Zorba’s Dance" from "Mikis Theodorakis"

The Song: Zorba’s Dance by Mikis Theodorakis (1964) became an iconic Greek melody, famous worldwide.
The Dance: The sirtaki dance, created for the film, becoming a symbol of Greek culture.

The Movie: Zorba the Greek (1964), starring Anthony Quinn, was based on a very famous greek novel and filmed in Crete, won three Oscars and was nominated for seven.

Health & Wellness Director

Diane Penxa, Wellness Director

Dianne Penxa

Hello everyone! This is Dianne Penxa, your new Wellness Director here at the Goldton. The flu season is upon us and runs for 20 weeks. It does not end until May 17th this year according to the Center for Disease Control. Influenza (flu) is a respiratory infection caused by a variety of flu viruses spread primarily by droplets made when infected people cough, sneeze, or talk.

Less often, a person might become infected with flu by touching a surface or object contaminated with flu virus and then touching their own mouth, eyes, or nose. Influenza-likeillness (ILI) is defined as the presence of fever and cough or fever and sore throat. With that in mind, please be aware of this when out and about. If you go to stores or out to eat, remember to wash your hands thoroughly before handling food or touching your face, mouth or rubbing your eyes. It’s a good idea to keep a small bottle of hand sanitizer with you in your bag or pocket for those times when you are not near a sink. When you do wash your hands in a public restroom, keep in mind not to touch the faucet or doorknob after washing your hands. Use a paper towel if you need to. These efforts will keep your odds of catching any illness at bay.

Greek Heritage
Around the World with Atlas

Greece, the cradle of Western civilization, is a land where ancient history, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant culture come together. From the awe-inspiring ruins of the Acropolis of Athens, where the Parthenon stands as a symbol of classical Greece, to the mystical sanctuary of Delphi, once considered the center of the world in ancient times, Greece is rich in heritage and mystical past.

The whitewashed cliffs of Santorini showcase Mediterranean charm. Whether exploring ancient ruins, sun-drenched islands, or dramatic landscapes, Greece captivates with its timeless beauty and profound legacy.

The Desk of the Director

The Desk of the Director

Dear Residents and Family members, I hope everyone is ready for spring—our spring quickly turns into summer here in South Florida. This month, it’s always lovely to celebrate with family and friends; we will be having a wonderful Easter celebration, and Chef Caite is working hard to ensure we can all celebrate together.

We will be hosting a marketing event on April 11th called Wheels and Wildflowers. It will be a great time, featuring vendors on Main Street, music, and plain old fun! Make sure you invite family and friends to the event.

We are pleased to welcome Dianne Penxa, LPN, to our family! I hope that by now, you have all had a chance to meet her. She is truly wonderful, and we are honored to have her lead our clinical team. She and Brianna are going to make an incredible dynamic duo! Regarding the team, the addition of Meredith has been a breath of fresh air. Please do not hesitate to speak with her about any items you would like to see on your calendar. We ensure that your Alexa is updated daily with our voices instead of the robot Alexa voice. I do believe it is easier to hear our voices.

As always, I am here for you if you need me. My direct line is 859-797-0989. Please leave me a message, and I will respond as soon as possible.

Laura Blakeman
Executive Director

Why Seniors Need Socialization

Socializing with loved ones or making new friends keeps your mental and emotional health in check. Regular interaction can help prevent depression, reduce anxiety, and give you an overall sense of purpose.

Believe it or not, connecting with others can have a direct effect on your physical health. Studies show that people who maintain strong relationships have lower risks of heart disease, dementia, and even premature death. Social settings often encourage physical activities, whether it’s a friendly walk around the block or a lively game of pool.

Social activity is a workout for the brain. When you connect with others, your cognitive abilities are put to the test as you engage in conversations, recall memories, and learn new things.

Retirement, losing a spouse, or moving to a new community can leave many seniors feeling a loss of direction. Social connections give life structure, whether through volunteer work, mentoring younger generations, or simply being part of a community.

If barriers like hearing loss, mobility issues, or financial limitations make socializing difficult, know that there are resources to help. Online Communities: Virtual options, such as Zoom classes, allow you to connect with others from the comfort of home.

Socialization is not just a pastime – it’s a key to healthier, happier aging. Beyond reducing stress and improving physical and mental well-being, it fosters invaluable relationships that enrich your life.

Independent Living | Resident of the Month

David

David

If you ask anyone about David the first thing you will hear is that he is a Jazz fanatic!  His recent goal is to make the Goldton the Jazz mecca of Venice. 

David grew up in the Bronx and loved banging silverware on the table at the age of 13.  His mother recognized this and got him into drum lessons.  David hasn’t stopped playing ever since.  While friends and neighbors spent time being silly and growing up in the city, David choose to go out to the county and practice and grow as a musician.  By the age of 15 he already had a weekly paid gig.  David would tell you that when he hears the music and see’s faces light up with smiles, hands clapping and people dancing he is “happier than a pig in mud”

David and Jazz Jams plays at the Goldton once a month on Tuesdays, and is always looking to invite others to join his group.

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Recipe of the Month

Classic Greek Salad (Horiatiki)

Ingredients:
4 ripe tomatoes, cut into wedges
1 cucumber, sliced
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
½ cup olives (dark or green)
1 block of feta cheese (about 200g)
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp red wine vinegar (optional)
1 tsp dried oregano
Salt and black pepper to taste
Crusty bread (for serving)

Directions:
In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and bell pepper.
Add the olives and gently toss everything together. Place the block of feta cheese on top of the salad. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar (if using). Sprinkle with dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Serve immediately with crusty bread on the side.

Associate of the Month

Shane

Shane

Shane has a passion for cooking and is constantly learning to build his skill set. Shane is a go getter, he will also stay late and give everything he has to his team and residents. Shane doesn’t stop there, he often volunteers to come in early, stay late to ensure everything is taken care of and is up to standards.

Shane has a positive outlook on life, for cooking however his pride and joy is his 10-year-old daughter. Originally from Rhode Island, he choose to move to Florida over a year ago to call home. A great big thank you to Shane for all that you do for the Goldton Community. I feel so blessed to be able to work at the Goldton. This has been a wonderful experience for me! I very much enjoy serving residents and my coworkers. God id Good!

Assisted Living | Resident of the Month

Beverly

Beverly
Beverly grew up in Connecticut and lived the majority of her life there. Beverly worked as a secretary for more than 20 years at an accounting firm. She moved to Florida to call it home 10 years ago when her husband received a promotion to move here.
Although Beverly never had she had a beloved dog mom of a Pomeranian named Value. Beverly prefers to live a quiet life, but feel free to stop in for a chat.

Olympic Mascots

Sam, Los Angeles 1984
Sam, Los Angeles 1984

Collaborators

Laura Blakeman Executive Director The Goldton at Venice
Laura Blakeman
Sock Hop Car Show
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