PAUL’S RUN 9896 BUSTLETON AVE, PHILADELPHIA PA 19115 OCTOBER 2019 “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” ~ L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables ALL ABOUT OCTOBER October is the 10th month of our calendar year, but it was the eighth month of the early Roman calendar and takes its name from the Latin word for eight: octo. October’s temperatures are ideal for crafting beer, wine, and cider—so much so that in Old English it became known as Winmonth, or “wine month.” This month also marks the beginning of winter celebrations, dubbed Winterfylleth by the Anglo-Saxons. BIRTHSTONE – OPAL The opal has become a traditional gift for the 12th and 18th wedding anniversaries, but this is not without controversy. In 19th-century Britain, the opal was considered bad luck for anyone not born in October. This was attributed to writer Sir Walter Scott, who portrayed the opal as a bad omen bringing death to one of his fictional heroines. It was Queen Victoria who helped dispel this notion. She adored opals and gave them as wedding presents to at least three of her daughters. In return, her daughters were said to have been rewarded with long-term happiness. FLOWER – CALENDULA The flower for October is the calendula, which is native to North America and Europe. Calendula arealso known as the pot marigold. The calendula (pronounced kə-ˈlen-jə-lə) is cousin to the daisy and the common marigold. But unlike the pungent marigold used to repel garden pests, the pot marigold’s tangy, peppery flavor has become known as the “poor man’s saffron.” Its petals can be used as an edible colorant in pots of soup, pasta, rice, meat, scrambled eggs, spreads, and salads. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 INSIDE THIS ISSUE PAGE 3 BIRTHDAY REPORT PAGE 4 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S EDITION PAGE 8 COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS PAGE 9 MONTHLY TRIPS PAGE 11 MONTHLY ARTICLES PAGE 20 CROSSWORD OF THE MONTH PAGE 21 LAST MONTH’S SOLUTIONS
Transcript
PAUL’S RUN 9896 BUSTLETON AVE, PHILADELPHIA PA 19115 OCTOBER 2019
“I’m so glad I live in a world
where there are Octobers.”
~ L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
ALL ABOUT OCTOBEROctober is the 10th month of our calendar year, but it was the eighth month of the early
Roman calendar and takes its name from the Latin word for eight: octo. October’s
temperatures are ideal for crafting beer, wine, and cider—so much so that in Old English it
became known as Winmonth, or “wine month.” This month also marks the beginning of
winter celebrations, dubbed Winterfylleth by the Anglo-Saxons.
BIRTHSTONE – OPALThe opal has become a traditional gift for the 12th and 18th wedding anniversaries, but
this is not without controversy. In 19th-century Britain, the opal was considered bad luck
for anyone not born in October. This was attributed to writer Sir Walter Scott, who
portrayed the opal as a bad omen bringing death to one of his fictional heroines. It was
Queen Victoria who helped dispel this notion. She adored opals and gave them as wedding
presents to at least three of her daughters. In return, her daughters were said to have
been rewarded with long-term happiness.
FLOWER – CALENDULAThe flower for October is the calendula, which is native to North America and Europe.
Calendula arealso known as the pot marigold. The calendula (pronounced kə-ˈlen-jə-lə) is
cousin to the daisy and the common marigold. But unlike the pungent marigold used to
repel garden pests, the pot marigold’s tangy, peppery flavor has become known as the
“poor man’s saffron.” Its petals can be used as an edible colorant in pots of soup, pasta,
rice, meat, scrambled eggs, spreads, and salads. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
INSIDE THIS ISSUEPAGE 3 BIRTHDAY REPORT
PAGE 4 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S EDITION
PAGE 8 COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
PAGE 9 MONTHLY TRIPS
PAGE 11 MONTHLY ARTICLES
PAGE 20 CROSSWORD OF THE MONTH
PAGE 21 LAST MONTH’S SOLUTIONS
The swan’s fossil record dates back to the
ice age, so it’s not surprising that swans
feature in Greek mythology and fairy tales.
Swans are also featured in Swan Lake is
one of the most enduring scores and
ballets of all time. Swans are full of
contradictions, which may be one reason
they fascinate us. Most swans have snowy
white plumage and make loud trumpeting
calls. But there is a species of black swans
and a species of mute swans. One of the
only birds with teeth, swans are also
among the largest flying waterfowl. They
can fly 60 miles per hour. Despite their
muscular form and serrated incisors,
swans don’t hunt and eat only vegetation.
Swans usually form a bond with another
swan when they are just over a year old.
Eventually, the pair mates, sharing the
duties of building nests and caring for their
young. These relationships often last for
the swans’ entire lifespans, about 20
years.
OCTOBER FACTOctober is a strange month, weather wise.
The first frost usually occurs in October, but
days of warm, almost summer-like weather
can reappear. Farmers rushing to harvest
the last of their crops are grateful for these
Indian summer days. October, with its
beautifully changing foliage, is one of the
most colorful months of the year.
FAMOUS BIRTHDAYSGroucho Marx (comedian) – Oct 2, 1890
Buster Keaton (comedian) – Oct 4, 1895
Desmond Tutu (archbishop) – Oct 7, 1931
Paul Simon (musician) – Oct 13, 1941
Penny Marshall (director) – Oct 15, 1943
Evel Knievel (daredevil) – Oct 17, 1938
Mickey Mantle (ballplayer) – Oct 20, 1931
Dizzy Gillespie (musician) – Oct 21, 1917
Minnie Pearl (comedian) – Oct 25, 1912
Dylan Thomas (poet) – Oct 27, 1914
Jonas Salk (doctor) – Oct 28, 1914
Dan Rather (journalist) – Oct 31, 1931
OCTOBER BIRTHDAYSIn astrology, those born between October 1–
22 balance the scales of Libra. Libras
epitomize fairness and balance, often
striving to minimize conflict and seek
compromise. They achieve this with their
charming, sincere, and lovable personalities.
Those born between October 23–31 are
Scorpions of Scorpio. Scorpios are
passionate and assertive yet are known to
keep cool and calm. This composure makes
them good, steadfast leaders and loyal and
honest friends.
LUCKY THIS MONTHLucky Colors: Orange and Burgundy
Lucky Days: Tuesday and Saturday
Lucky Numbers: 3 and 9
Lucky Letters: O and C
Lucky Plant: Pumpkin
ZODIACSLibra (The Scales) October 1–22
Scorpio (The Scorpion) October 23–31
SWAN
BIRD OF THE
MONTH
This month I would like to provide all of you with
some information and hopefully guidance on a topic
that has become increasingly more prevalent in
communities throughout the country.
PROTECT OLDER ADULTS
FROM TELEPHONE AND INTERNET SCAMSFinancial fraud targeting older Americans is a
growing epidemic that costs seniors an estimated
$2.9 billion annually according to the Government
Accountability Office (GAO). This estimate is likely
low as often seniors do not report fraud because they
are too ashamed to admit they have been scammed,
may not even know that they are victims, or do not
know how to report it.
In the ongoing efforts to protect seniors from internet
and telephone scams, the US Senate Special
Committee on Aging (Aging Committee) has taken a
keen interest in helping protect seniors from internet
and telephone scams. The Aging Committee set up a
fraud hotline and releases an annual report detailing
the number and types of fraud complaints the
hotline receives.
and telephone scams. The Aging Committee set up a fraud hotline and releases an annual
report detailing the number and types of fraud complaints the hotline receives.
The 2018 Fraud Book noted that the Aging Committee’s Fraud Hotline alone received more
than 1,400 complaints of fraud targeting seniors around the country. The top 10 scams
reported in 2017 were: IRS impersonation scams, robocalls and unsolicited phone calls,
computer tech support scam, romance scams, elder financial abuse, identity theft, and
government grant scams. However, these are not the only scams attempted.
The Aging Committee is just one of many federal and state government entities that is
fighting fraud against older adults. In fact, all the state attorneys general offices have a
number to report fraudulent activities. In addition to the government agencies, there are
private and nonprofit entities that also provide guidance on how to help older adults avoid
scams. If you or someone you know are the victim of a scam or fraud attempt, please call the
Aging Committee’s Fraud Hotline at 1-855-303-9470.
The following tips from the Aging Committee are reminders that help older adults identify
general scams:
• Con artists force you to make decisions fast and may threaten you.
• Con artists disguise their real number, using fake caller IDs pretend to be the government.
• Con artists try to get you to provide them personal information like your Social Security
number or account numbers.
• Beware of free travel offers.
• Before giving out your card number or money, please ask a friend or family member
CONTINUED PAGE 5
Some of the different telephone or robocall
scams include lottery scams, “can you hear
me scams,” grandparents scam, and
computer technical support scams.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Impersonation
Scam
The most common scam targeting older
adults in 2017, according to the Aging
Committee, is the IRS impersonation scam. In
this scam, a caller claims to be from the IRS
and claims that the person owes taxes and/or
penalties to the government that are payable
immediately. The caller then attempts to
secure payment from the victim to clear the
alleged outstanding debt.
The IRS, in response to the impersonation
scams that have targeted Americans for the
last several years, drafted the following
advice to help people identify suspicious calls
that may be associated with the IRS scam:
• The IRS will never call a taxpayer to
demand immediate payment, nor will the
agency call about taxes owed without first
having mailed a bill to the taxpayer.
• The IRS will never demand that a taxpayer
pay taxes without giving him or her the
opportunity to question or appeal the amount
claimed to be owed.
• The IRS will never ask for a credit or debit
card number over the phone.
• The IRS will never threaten to send local
police or other law enforcement to have a
taxpayer arrested.
• The IRS will never require a taxpayer to use
a specific payment method to pay taxes, such
as a prepaid debit card.
Can You Hear Me? Scam
In early 2017, a new scam came to the
attention of the Senate aging committee –
the “can you hear me” scam. In this scam, the
caller (or robocaller) asks the person
answering the phone “can you hear me?” or
“are you there?” The goal is to get the person
to respond “yes.” The scammer records the
“yes” answer and then attempts to use it as a
voice signature to authorize unwanted
charges or billings.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
published the following tips for consumers
who get a call from somebody they don’t
recognize asking, “Can you hear me?”:
• Don’t respond, just hang up. If you get a
call, don’t press 1 to speak to a live operator
or any other number to be removed from the
list. If you respond in any way it will probably
just lead to more robocalls – and they’re likely
to be scams.
• Contact your phone provider. Ask your
phone provider what services it provides to
block unwanted calls.
Grandparent Scam
A common scam that specifically targets
older Americans is the “grandparent scam.”
Imposters either pretend to be the victim’s
grandchild, claim to be holding the victims’
grandchild hostage, or trying to help the
grandchild out of a desperate situation. The
perpetrator typically claims the grandchild is
in trouble and needs money to help with an
emergency, such as getting out of jail, paying
a bill (hospital bill is a common one), or to
come home from a foreign country. The caller
targets the grandparent specifically because
they claim the grandchild does not want to
involve their child’s parent(s) to avoid getting
in trouble. They urge the grandparent to keep
it a secret to make the ruse more believable.
Older adults should follow the tips outlined
above and hang up. Reaching out the
grandchild or a parent should help alleviate
any anxiety over their grandchild’s safety.
CONTINUED PAGE 6
Internet Scams
There has been an increase in computer-
based scams as well over the last few years.
This is not surprising given that technology is
changing rapidly and more consumers are
using the internet to communicate and shop
for products.
Tech Support Scams
One type of computer-based or computer-
related scam involves the request to fix
technical issues on your computer. Imposters
either target older adults through telephone
calls alerting the target of the scam to
computer issues that need to be resolved
immediately or they make contact through
pop-up alerts while users are browsing the
internet making similar claims.
Although these fraud losses are over all ages,
older adults are often the most vulnerable to
these types of scam. The FTC has some
useful tips to help consumers avoid falling
victim to computer-based scams:
• Do not give control of your computer to a
third party that calls you out of the blue.
• Do not rely on caller ID to authenticate a
caller. Criminals spoof caller ID numbers.
They may appear to be calling from a
legitimate company or local number when
they are not even in the same country as you.
• If you want to contact tech support, look for
a company’s contact information on its
software package or on your receipt.
• Never provide your credit card or financial
information to someone who calls and claims
to be from tech support.
• If a caller pressures you to buy a computer
security product or says there is a subscription
fee associated with a call, hang up. • Make
sure you have updated all of your computer’s
anti-virus software, firewalls, and pop-up
blockers.
Identity Theft
One type of fraud that continues to affect
older adults is identity theft. Perpetrators use
the stolen identity to run up credit card bills,
drain bank accounts and damage credit
scores. In addition to financial fraud there has
been an increase of using stolen identities to
procure medical care and services and
prescriptions. The disruption in the lives of
victims of identity theft is severe, time-
consuming, and can take years to recover
from such incidents. Nearly half of the identity
theft victims in 2015 were over 50 years old
according to the FTC.
If you are a victim of identity theft, here are
some helpful tips:
What to do Right Away:
1. Call the companies where you know the
fraud occurred.
2. Place a fraud alert with a credit reporting
agency and get your credit report from one of
the three national credit bureaus.
3. Report identity theft to the FTC.
4. File a report with your local police
department
What to do Next:
1. Close new accounts opened in your name.
2 Remove bogus charges from your accounts.
3. Correct your credit report.
4. Consider adding an extended fraud freeze.
Tips to Help Secure Your Identity:
• Neither Medicare nor Social Security will
call to ask for your bank information or SSN.
• There will never be a fee charged to obtain
a Social Security or Medicare card.
• Never give out personal information over
the phone to someone you do not know.
• Sensitive personal and financial documents
should be kept secure at all times.
• Review all medical bills to spot any services
that you didn’t receive.
As we enjoy the cooling change from a very hot summer to the unfolding splendor of
fall, which dazzles out eyes with russet, orange, red, brown, and yellow changing
leaves, we are mindful of the many gifts we enjoy and the ability of our sense of
sight to delight and amaze us. And just as we enjoy the external change in nature,
we look to the upcoming Jewish holidays for spiritual enlightenment and insightful
soul searching to help us change ourselves into our better selves. With the coming of
Halloween decorations, pumpkins, corn stalks, and childhood excitement, we are
mindful of the great saints and martyrs of Christian tradition who will be celebrated
on All Saints Day, who illuminated our souls as exemplars of the best humanity has
to offer. May we all allow ourselves to feel the awe and wonder of the change in
season, and may we use this radiant opportunity to gaze deeply into our hearts,
striving to be our best selves
The Chaplains
PAUL’S RUN GRATEFULLY
ACKNOWLEDGES
THE FOLLOWING TRIBUTE
GIFTS
IN MEMORY OF:
Albert GoldbergBy: Ms. Ethy Gross
NEW IN OUR LIBRARY: BOOK OF THE MONTHThe summer I dared
by Barbara Delinsky
When Julie visited Maine’s Sawyer Island and survived her
boats hit, her life completely changed. Her short planned
visit turned into a life changing event for her and the other
survivors. An uplifting and inspiring book!! Come past a
check this book out and all the other great books we have.
Daily Prayer at 8:40am and 3:45 pm Mon-Fri,
Chapel
Daily Mass at 9:00am Mon-Fri, Chapel; 9:30am on
Sat, Aud
Prayers for Peace every Wednesday at 12:00pm,
Chapel
Interfaith Worship Thursday at 2:00pm in
Personal Care and 2:45pm in Health Care
Shabbat Service every Friday at 2:45 and 7:00pm.
Sunday Ecumenical Worship Service at 10:45am,
Chapel;
Communion 1st Sunday of the month
LIBERTY NEWS
THE FLU AND YOUWhat is the flu?
The flu is a very contagious respiratory illnesscaused by a virus. Unlike a cold, which is also avirus, the flu comes on suddenly and includesmany symptoms that make you feel very ill,much more than if you have a cold.
How does it spread?
- The flu is spread when a person coughs orsneezes
- It is also spread by touching your mouth, nose,or eyes before washing your hands with soapand water or using hand gel, and after contactwith items contaminated from an infectedperson
- It is also spread by saliva and skin to skincontact (handshakes)
General measures for prevention
1. Get vaccinated. Vaccination is the numberone way to prevent getting the flu. Pleasecontact your physician to discuss vaccinationoptions.
2. Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Get adequatesleep, exercise, manage your stress, drinking
plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious foods.
3. Wash your hands often with warm soap andwater.
4. Use a tissue when you sneeze or cough andthen discard it immediately. (Sneeze into yoursleeve if a tissue is not handy). An uncoveredsneeze can spread germs a distance of 3 ormore feet.
5. Keep surfaces clean with a householddisinfectant. The virus can live on surfaceswhere they land for 2 to 8 hours.
Symptoms
- Fever (greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Chills, Headache and body aches
- Extreme tiredness
- Dry cough
- Sore throat
- Runny of stuffy nose
- Diarrhea and vomiting (common with youngerchildren)
What to do if you think you have the flu
1. Contact your physician (antiviral medicationscan reduce the severity of the virus if taken inthe first 48 hours of symptoms).
2. Stay at home and rest when you are sick.
Wellness Speaker Series at Paul’s Run
Liberty At Home
“KEEPING YOUR BRAIN IN SHAPE”Please join Kathleen O’Grady, Liberty at Home Speech Language Pathologist,
as she covers the following and more:
~How do I exercise my brain?
~I’m constantly misplacing my keys, glasses, and TV remote…What are some strategies that will
save me time and frustration?
~Why is it important for me to say “let me check” versus saying “I don’t know?”
Kathleen has over 20 years experience, and is a wealth of knowledge in her field!
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16TH
10:00 A.M. AND 3:00 P.M.
GREENHOUSERefreshments will be served! Everyone is welcome!
Please contact Beth Larkin, Liberty at Home/Hospice Marketing Manger, with any questions at
215-260-5300
10/3 CITY COMMISSARS OFFICE HERE WITH THE
NEW VOTING MACHINES
10/3 PARX CASINO
10/4 TASTE QUEEN
10/10 BARNES MUSEUM
10/11 TIFFANY’S DINER
10/17 PEDDLERS VILLAGE SCARECROW FESTIVAL
10/18 PAUL’S RUN TALENT SHOW
10/18 FOP SENIOR DANCE
10/19 HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARADE 930-1130
10/24 WHOLE FOODS, TRADER JOES & STEINMART
10/25 PARX
10/31 HALLOWEEN COSTUME CONTEST 2:30
10/31 WILLOW GROVE MALL
AUGUST EVENTS
HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARADE WITH...TRICK OR TREATING, A MAGIC SHOW AND
LOTS OF HALLOWEEN FUN HERE AT PAUL’S RUN!
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19TH
9:30-11:30AM ALL RESIDENT’S AND STAFF ARE INVITED BRING THEIR CHILDREN,
GRANDCHILDREN, NEPHEWS, NIECES TO JOIN THE FUN!!! (AGES 0-12)
HAVE A TALENT?
WANT TO SHARE IT?
PAUL’S RUN’S TALENT SHOW IS COMING FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1:30PM
TALENT SIGN UPS AVAILABLE ERIN SAMSEL’S OFFICE
MUSIC THERAPY NOTES We are fortunate to serve as clinical training site for music therapy students from
Temple and Drexel University. Working within our community, students have the
opportunity to share their talents, grow their clinical skills and develop relationships
with residents. This semester we have two students:
Riley Hohenstein James Lavino
Riley is an undergraduate student from Temple and will be here Tuesdays and
Wednesdays. James is a graduate student from Drexel and will be here Mondays.
If you see them in the community take a moment to introduce yourself and say
hello. I’m excited to share our community with them, and I know they’re excited to
be here.
Musically, Molly
HOLIDAY BAZAARAs Fall approaches, Paul’s Run is
gearing up for its annual Holiday
Bazaar. We are looking for
donations for the following
items:
Handcrafted items (knitted,
crocheted, painted, needle
work, wood work, etc.)
Baked Goods
Jewelry
Household items for
“Grandma’s Attic”
(No furniture, books or clothing)
See Erin Samsel if you can
help!
SOUTHERN WOMEN LOYAL TO THE UNION
BY MARGARET ATKINSONContinuing my series on women in history, I have
chosen to highlight the deeds of several women
who lived during the American Civil War during
the 1860’s.
Most of the population living in the northern tier
of the country supported Lincoln and the Union
Army, while those in the south were for the
Confederacy, however, some supporters for either
side lived in what would be considered enemy
territory. Such were the following ladies:
In the South In the fall of 1862 men of the 23rd
Kentucky Union Army were amazed to see a
squad of ragged Confederates filing into camp
totally disarmed, and a woman walking behind
them with a musket. She handed over 11
Confederates to the Colonel as prisoners of war.
The night before they had invaded her home,
discovered her husband was a volunteer in the
Union lines and destroyed her home, taking food
and supplies and then partied, stacking their
guns near the door. She quietly hid the fire-arms
during their partying except for two loaded
muskets and demanded they surrender. One
soldier who tried to stop her was shot dead and
not desiring the same fate, the others let her
march them into the Union Camp. History does
not record her name.
In Nashville, Tennessee, many Unionists openly
supported the North. Mrs. Hetty McEwen, an
elderly lady born when George Washington was
President, was the niece of four uncles who were
slain in the Revolution. She and her husband, a
Colonel, stitched together folds of Red, White and
Blue bunting and hung them on a flag staff in the
front yard. It was insulted in the local press,
vandalized and threatening letters were sent. To
protect it, her husband strapped it to the chimney
and then they were told the house would be set
on fire. Loading a shotgun, Mrs. McEwen said if
anyone came through the front door she would
shoot them. Hearing this statement, the
Governor ordered all guns be turned in to the
authorities, whereupon she challenged him to
come to her house to try to take her weapons
and suffer the consequences! (Quite a feisty
elderly lady!)
Susan Flora, a widow, used her farm to hide
deserters from the Confederate Army who
preferred joining the Union Forces.
Sarah Bailey did the same, and kept her stepson
from being forced into the Confederate Army by
dressing him in women’s clothing and hiding him
when necessary.
After the war, the Government had a bureau
established to review claims for reimbursement
for the loss of family members or property by
loyalists to the United States.
The Month of October has been designated as
National Disability Employment Awareness
Month to encourage businesses to employ the
disabled.
Heritage groups who are celebrated during
October by having the month named for them
include Italian Americans, Filipino Americans,
Hispanic Americans and Muslim Heritage
persons.
It is also listed as Breast Cancer Awareness
Month, National Bullying Prevention Month and
Domestic Violence Awareness Month,
highlighting three problems that need increased
attention in society today.
The last cause named to be included on the
monthly list has a pleasant theme—National
Pastor Appreciation Month. Give an extra smile
to your religious leader or a helping hand, I am
certain, he or she will appreciate it!
OCTOBER 2019
BY MARGARET ATKINSON
The month of the year that
nature puts on a show of
glorious reds and golds, as the
leaves on the trees and bushes
wither and die to prepare us for
the upcoming winter’s cold. A
popular time for travelers to take
advantage of special tours to
view the landscapes painted by
Mother Nature.
The month has been designated
as Breast Cancer Awareness
Month as the medical
establishment continues to
advance better detection and
treatments.
It is also Clergy Appreciation
Month to honor clergy who labor
to lead, inspire, and comfort
those who are followers of their
various faiths.
Known as Computer Learning
Month, if any of you are like me,
you struggle sometimes to
master the various techniques. I
am very fortunate to have others
assist me with producing this
offering for the Runner monthly.
Another health problem is
rampant and is recognized in
National Diabetes Month. This
disease can strike both young
and old with increased research
being devoted to the problem
and promising better treatment
in the very near future.
Some interesting topics have
been given a day in the month of
October and the following are my
choices to highlight this month:
Oct 1st-INTERNATIONAL DAY
FOR THE ELDERLY –Programs
are encouraged to enable and
expand the contributions of older
people in families, communities
and society at large. In 2014
Governments around the world
adopted a resolution to
recognize the talents and
contributions of oldsters outlined
in the Madrid International Plan
of Action on Ageing for the third
time to see if the document
needed any updates.
Oct 5th-DO SOMETHING NICE
AND WORLD SMILE DAYS.-
Despite all the depressing news
in the media, some TV stations
are beginning to feature acts of
CONTINUED PAGE 13
“OLD PEOPLE PRIDE”
BY MARGARET ATKINSON
A friend who resides in Maine
sent me this and I found it
reminded me of many events in
my past. I think it will jog your
memory as well.
Old People remember World War
II, Pearl Harbor, Guadalcanal,
Normandy, Hitler, The Atomic
Age, Korean War, Jet Age and
Moon Landing. Remember the
50 plus Peace-Keeping Missions
1945 to 2005, not to mention
Vietnam?
If you bump into an Old People
on the sidewalk he will
apologize.
If you pass an Old People on the
street, he will nod or tip his hat
to a lady. Old People trust
strangers and are courtly to
women.
Old People hold the door for the
next person and when walking,
make certain the lady is on the
inside for protection.
Old People get embarrassed if
someone curses in front of
women and children and they
don’t like dirty language on TV
and in the movies.
Old People have moral courage
& seldom brag unless about
children or grandchildren
Old People know our country is
protected by the young men and
women serving their country, not
politicians.
This country needs Old People’s
work ethic, sense of
responsibility and decent values.
THANK GOD FOR OLD PEOPLE.
PASS THIS TO THE OLD PEOPLE
YOU KNOW
OCTOBER 2019 CONTINUED
BY MARGARET ATKINSONkindness by individuals. It
doesn’t take any more effort to
smile at someone than to scowl
and it boosts the spirits of both
the recipient and giver.
Oct 8th- YOM KIPPUR- Otherwise
known as the “Day of
Atonement,” Yom Kippur is
considered the holiest day in
Judaism. The holiday lasts
approximately 25 hours, and is
typically observed with fasting
and prayer in alignment with the
themes of atonement and
repentance. On Yom Kippur,
people observing the holiday are
asked to fast from food and
drink (as well as abstaining from
bathing and marital relations). In
turn, it is encouraged that
people spend the day asking
God’s forgiveness for their sins
and donating to charity.
Oct. 9th- FIRE PREVENTION DAY
and WEEK- Constant efforts are
made to inform the public of all
the ways that fires can be
prevented. In Philadelphia
Firemen frequently visit homes
handing out smoke alarms and
lesson plans are available that
demonstrate how to exit a home
or apartment in a fire. Children
are given coloring books with
comic characters such Sparky to
help little ones remember what
to do by the use of cartoons.
Oct 13th – SUKKOT A joyous
holiday, it has been known as a
Feast of Ingathering in which
branches are waved during
services. A sukkah is a small
walled structure loosely
constructed of plant materials
similar to those in Israel which
shelter farmers while harvesting
their crops. A like shelter was
used by the Israeli people when
wandering through the desert for
40 years after fleeing slavery in
Egypt. Some families either
construct a sukkah or purchase
one to put outside of their
dwelling during the holiday.
Oct 14th- COLUMBUS DAY –A
national holiday in many of the
Americas, it celebrates the
arrival of Christopher Columbus
on October 12, 1492. It has
been given many other names in
different countries where it is
still celebrated on October 12th.
Since 1971, when some U.S.
holidays were moved to make
three day weekends, it is
observed here on the second
Monday in October, however
there are five states that do not
recognize Columbus Day and
some businesses and stock
exchanges do not close. The
earliest celebrations were
recorded in 1792 in New York
City and in 1892 President
Benjamin Harrison asked the
country to celebrate the 400th
anniversary of Columbus landing
in America.
Oct.24th-UNITED NATIONS DAY-
Anniversary of ratification of
United Nations Charter by five
permanent members of Security
Council and 193 other countries.
Oct.27th-NAVY BDAY – Birthday
of U. S. Navy established in 1775
by Continental Congress to
intercept British Ships supplying
British troops fighting the
settlers battling for freedom.
NAVY DAY- Sponsored in 1922 by
Navy League to honor members
of Naval Forces. Chief Naval
Operations Admiral Elmo
Zumwalt chose the 27th to
honor the birthday of President
Theodore Roosevelt.
Celebrations are held throughout
Navy facilities.
Oct31st-HALLOWEEN-It comes
from the Celtic Festival Samhain
when the Irish thought the
ghosts of the dead came back
and they lit bonfires to ward
them off and wore costumes of
animal skins and heads. They
also burned crops and sacrificed
animals and told each other’s
fortunes. In the eighth century
Pope Gregory III declared All
Saints Day on November 2nd to
try to replace these customs .
Early in our history, the day was
not noted in the Puritan states of
New England, but celebrated in
Maryland and some southern
areas. After the mass
immigration of Irish due to the
potato famine in their home
land, it became popularized
through all the land. By 1920, it
was no longer affiliated with
religious practices and became a
secular holiday, with trick or
treating by children its main
practice as they go house to
house in their neighborhood
asking for a treat. As a result,
one fourth of all the candy sold
in the United States is at
Halloween.
GOD IS PERFECT, GOD IS
PURE
BY: ARNOLD ESCOURT
God is perfect, God is pure
Of men and women, I’m not too
sure.
God is holy and people should be
good
But men and women never
seem to act as they should!
The children down on earth must
hurt God to the quick
As he watches them do bad
things, evil things, or acting very
slick.
Men like Madoff make us angry
and sigh,
The leaders of Iran want us all to
die.
The stories in the Torah are
usually written so very clear
And the heroes and heroines
become so very dear.
They all seem slightly imperfect
and that makes them real
By the time the story is over,
some are good and some ideal.
Laban was Rebekah’s brother
who was very greedy.
He made Jacob work 14 years to
get Rachel which was seedy
With Jacob’s daughter Dinah,
was it love or was it rape?
Was it right to avenge it with
murder and then run and
escape?
Eleven brothers, four mother’s
sons all smart and good
Yet they threw Joseph in a pit,
not something that they should.
And all those Pharaohs with
pyramids and such
The 12 tribes could not really
trust them very much.
And sweet Moses, smart and
skilled
Watched the task master whom
he killed.
God’s creations were to be
decent and kind
Yet look at all the negative
examples we are able to find.
Whores turn out to be heroines
and some wives turned out bad
Some of the stories in the Bible
are disturbing and make me
quite sad.
Samson had a lot of anger and
was very strong
He killed many Philistines; was
that right or was it wrong?
Saul became the first king over
all the 12 tribes and tried to
keep them free
Yet Samuel the prophet and King
Saul clashed and could not
agree.
Young David was selected to
take King Saul’s place
Was it fair or proper; was it a
disgrace?
Our King David, our sweet,
revered David who was he?
A shepherd, a hero, a fighter or a
man of mystery?
He had many wives and yet
there was still another beauty he
sought
He did covet, he was vindictive,
and how could he be forgiven
when caught?
As we study the Torah many
facts are not clear?
Are we supposed to deal with
confusion, finding info to share?
God made us in his image and
that is what it states
But when you read carefully,
confusion is what it relates!
DAD’S DAY
BY: ARNOLD ESCOURT
To make up for my oversight today.
I’m glad you did get away
and have a little chance to play.
And as you watched the day unfold
You realized that you were far from
old
And no matter what the future will
bring
You will still smile and try to sing.
You have your teeth and hair on top
There is not much I can do or say
You are quite a guy, you are my
pop.
Charitable, friendly, good hearted
too
I want to be a father as good as
you.
It is not much this little rhyme
But may you have peace and
happiness till the end of time.
HALLOWEEN BY: ARNOLD ESCOURT
The witches are coming on their flying brooms
They dare us to laugh and smile with their promises of
gloom.
They scare us with their evil eye and nasty curses
I’ll try to explain it with a few Halloween verses.
CONTINUED PAGE 16
JEWISH HAIKU
JUST FOR YOU
BY: ARNOLD ESCOURT
From the cool waters of the
swift moving stream
The Gefilte fish swims into the
shinning glass jars
To nourish the pious and the
hungry during the Seder.
We left a glass of wine
For the Prophet Elijah
Now our dog can’t keep her
balance.
With great relief I finished
singing my Maftir,
Then I looked up with great
pride.
First they were singing and then
they were
Throwing bags of candy the size
of snowballs at me.
The ancient Greeks and Arabs
gave us algebra.
The ancient Romans left us their
Latin
God kept the Jews alive with
Torah
To bring decency to the world!
A little pinch here, another pinch
there
And a third one for good luck.
And now the Hamentaschin are
ready to be baked.
When you bring your girlfriend
home for the first time
Everyone smiles and your
mother pulls you to the side
She squeezes your arm and
whispers, “Is she Jewish?”
He showered, shaved and
dressed for the Mitzvah
He looked in the mirror and was
satisfied.
His wife walked by, smiled and
said,
“Change your shirt and tie, you
don’t match!”
We were watching Molly
Goldberg on TV,
My wife’s breath warmed my
cheek.
She caressed my arm and
whispered,
“Sweetie, turn the TV off now
and go to sleep!”
She --“Darling, it is supper time!
He—“What are you going to
make for dinner?”
She--“Not to worry dearest, get
your coat,
I made reservations!”
He asked, “Where are you
from?”
That’s easy, I’m my father’s son.
Where is he from?
We’re Jewish, we have been
everywhere!
So who cares about old age?
So an ache here, a pain there,
I’m going to move to Florida
Where they let you drive forever.
We were in bed together,
I touched her knee and she
sighed.
I moved my hand higher and
then
“Eureka, I found the remote!”
The April rain is falling and
falling
And the Pansies are blooming
so nicely.
Mother calls out, “Who left the
wet umbrella
And made the puddle in the
hallway”?
Before refrigerators your family
had an old ice box,
The ice melted and
accumulated in the basin.
If you waited too long, you or the
floor got all wet.
She quietly said, “Don’t mind
me if I am shivering,
Don’t mind me if I am shvitzing,
I’m going through, (whispering)
the change!”
The husband moved a little
closer and
He gently touches her once and
again
She pushes him away and
shouts in his ear,
“Get away from me; your hands
are ice cold!”
ON BEING OLDER BY JACK BIRNBAUM
Getting older one thinks with less time,
things I should have done, now it’s too late
As I am known as rebellious, I compiled a
list of contrary thoughts it, to abdicate
It’s not too late to apologize if any of my
remarks were insulting, have given pain
It’s not too late to tell my children and
grandchildren I love you, again and again
It’s not too late to tell my son and daughters
in-law of loving thoughts, I do retain
It’s not too late to regret my faults and
pledge to rectify it, and them, to now revise
It’s not too late to regret exaggerations to
make myself larger, I am the same size
It’s not too late to regret having spoken in
anger, a fault that calls for my being fair
It’s not to late to regret if one was reaching
for a friend, somehow, I wasn’t there
It’s not too late to recognize the sacrifices
made by both my parents to get me here
Installing honesty, love of country and love
for learning, built a construct. of tiers
It’s not too late for me to learn I relish
learning from this community, it’s a blast
It’s not late to thank Paul’s Run letting me
share my future, my present, my past
Some things I said, or even things that were
left unsaid, give me pause to meditate
I wish I had told my first wife Claire the
good of being as one, the bad was of fate
I did at her request often sing to Rhoda and
she loved it, seemed to be entranced
I wish I told her how I felt more often, ruing
times missed for us to have danced
I wish I had stayed in touch with boyhood
friends so much a part of who I became
And co-workers, clients I lived and learned
with 40-years of a social works game
And lastly in the last eight years at Paul’s
Run The apex of learning and experience
I worried of losing touch after Rhoda died,
but friends, Charlie made for relevance
We, six other residents, sat together for
three years, a festival of being always glad
Our meals were filled with conversation,
jokes, wisdom and song, never being sad
And so, without realizing it I have
constructed a rhapsody on becoming one of
age
With use of poetry as my voice, I have
registered my views of time and being sage
I am privileged to continue it for however
long, in company of, sisters and brothers
There is no reason not to buy green
bananas when ripe to be used, eaten by
others
HALLOWEEN CONTINUED BY: ARNOLD ESCOURT
They say it started with the Gaelic festival called Samhain.
Then the Church called it All Hallows Eve, but it was not the same.
Halloween’s night of fright falls on the last day of October
And parents cannot drink, they have to stay sober.
Now we think of it as the night we dress up and say, “Trick or
Treat!”
When we see all the candy they collect, it is pretty neat.
The kids dress up some pretty and some mean
Parents take lots of pictures and think it is mighty keen.
So many costumes, bright colors or black
Some wear pretty dresses and others throw on a sack.
It is a holiday full of pumpkin fun, a special event of joy
They celebrate it till they get too old, depends on each girl and boy.
MAN, AN ACTOR ON TIMES STAGE
BY JACK BIRNBAUM
Time measurements are absolute yet there’s no
surprise enjoyment makes time fly
Conversely when under duress the time drags on
till one thinks they soon will die
Even in the most elegant society there is seldom
concern about people, killing time
And lastly you seldom if ever see wringing hands
on announcing they have no time
Truth is time doesn’t change speeds though when
fun, it then it only ends too soon
When something is annoying, you’d rather be
somewhere else, like, on the moon
I don’t hold to killing time and I feel rebuke as no
time says, I don’t like this tune
Perception of the pace of time is varied as one
passes amongst the levels of aging
During infancy a lot of sleep, not aware of
calendar or clock, time.is not your thing
Grade school and homework, if loved it’s fast, not,
it lags, afterschool is very fast
High School reflects either mood learning slow or
fast, socially its a drag, or a blast
College and Grad school admixture of social is for
most, rapid, to some, it is vapid
Young adulthood, mating, career, a time of
discovery, era of ego, super ego, and id
Middle age for most family, friends, career
respected, growth, for a few frustration
Senior citizenry an age for reflection, fraternity as
time is significant at this station
Into this stage of wisdom and empathy time
becomes a thief amongst the functions
It removes partial abilities of speech, hearing and
sight as tariffs without unction’s
It steals ability to ambulate, affects memory to
some impairs reason, time and date
These impediments limit not our ability or
commitment to adjusting to such a state
Imbibe the milk of human kindness, care for each
other yet, do we master our fate
MEMORY LANE-BERNIE HALKIN- A WORD
PORTRAIT # 2
BY JACK BIRNBAUM
This month presents one of the first word
portraits in the Paul’s Run resident gallery
I hope you will enjoy it
In his youth Bermie Halkin’ s fingers flew lightly
over a keyboard, as in a caress
Making sounds of melody, be it songs or Jazz
riffs, all pleasure for ears, to assess
Whilst his gift of putting words together birthed
many a short story for us, to read
As he made use of keen observations of human
behavior very interesting, indeed
His skill, evident with graphic arts as, with
collage and paintings, and he did excel
Blending colors amongst the shapes and
employing some different fabrics as well
By the time, he came to Paul’s Run Bernie’s,
skills, while retained, were a bit less
In playing the piano the melodies still
pleasurable, were played in a tempo, slower
And his stories some new, but often rerun
story’s, yet valid and yet, with power
And in the art shows Bernie would exhibit those
items painted in the days of yore
Although, Bernie brought qualities that enriched
our community, that much more
Since Bernie in life never sought greatness, he
was committed to learning in place
And the fruit of wisdom were evident by manner,
and the deep furrows on his face
He related to others with compassion sharing the
milk of human kindness with all
Though when seeing injustices or inequities, he
was not reluctant to raising the call
His presence for me was inspiring, and his
memory created, a warming sensation
I think that I, and others who knew him, we can
all raise our voices, in celebration
MEMORY LANE-LANE –
THE SEASONS- SPRING 6/ 17 III
BY JACK BIRNBAUM
Green footprints amidst the snow, is the first
harbinger that spring, is near
As the cold surly winds mutate their violence,
warmer gusts do now appear
And as the dark menacing clouds subtly emit
nigh dark a light-colored hue
The Earth in rebirth, hears a crescendo as
disperse voices on branches accrue
As both birds and voice sing aloud, horns a
blowing and the traffics roar
And branches on the trees reaching out for the
warmth of the sun, once more
People discarding layers of clothing exposing
pale body parts to the air
Whilst the heat of the sun fuels in them a
longing to tanning skin, now so fair
The warmer winds caress melting snow making
room for the new green grass
While encouraging the tree boughs in the
production of green leaves In mass
Followed by the multi colored blooming of
springs glorious many flowers
Raising spirits not dampened by the gentle
intrusion of those spring showers
If all this is not convincing to one that spring in
