FOCUSING ON OUR NATIVE PLANTS: SOME OF SUSAN SMITH’S FAVORITES…BROUGHT TO YOU BY LCC'S NATIVE PLANT GROUP The purple coneflower, Echinacea purpurea, has large daisy- like flowers with swept-back petal-like rays. The center of each flower is a dark spiked cone. Although the common name is “purple”, the flowers range in color from dull purple to a fairly bright pink. These bloom in July and August, many lasting into September and beyond. When planting this species in a garden, be sure to leave plen- ty of room around the plant for it to expand, and be careful not to put any smaller plants too close, or they may get shad- ed out. Coneflowers get to be two to four feet high. They require less moisture than a lot of other plants, and do well with moderate to full sun and relatively dry conditions. The common ironweed, Vernonia noveboracensis. This is a tall (3-5 feet) plant that requires a steady amount of mois- ture. In the wild, it occurs along the banks of streams and lakes. The buds, before they open, appear rather berry- like. Once opened, they are lavender to deep rich purple, each individual flower being about a half inch in diameter, but since they occur in clumps, the effect is lovely. These iron- weed flowers are rather similar to some of the taller late sum- mer asters. Ironweeds self seed, and, although native here, can some- times threaten to take over an area unless you are careful. The good(?) news is that their seedlings are slow to develop, and usually do not bloom until they are at least four years old. Aug. 22, 2021 — Aug. 28, 2021 COMMUNITY LIFE
Transcript
FOCUSING ON OUR NATIVE PLANTS:
SOME OF SUSAN SMITH’S FAVORITES…BROUGHT TO YOU BY LCC'S NATIVE PLANT GROUP
The purple coneflower, Echinacea purpurea, has large daisy-like flowers with swept-back petal-like rays. The center of each flower is a dark spiked cone. Although the common name is “purple”, the flowers range in color from dull purple to a fairly bright pink. These bloom in July and August, many lasting into September and beyond.
When planting this species in a garden, be sure to leave plen-ty of room around the plant for it to expand, and be careful not to put any smaller plants too close, or they may get shad-ed out. Coneflowers get to be two to four feet high. They
require less moisture than a lot of other plants, and do well with moderate to full sun and relatively dry conditions.
The common ironweed, Vernonia noveboracensis. This is a tall (3-5 feet) plant that requires a steady amount of mois-ture. In the wild, it occurs along the banks of streams and lakes. The buds, before they open, appear rather berry-like. Once opened, they are lavender to deep rich purple, each individual flower being about a half inch in diameter, but since they occur in clumps, the effect is lovely. These iron-weed flowers are rather similar to some of the taller late sum-mer asters.
Ironweeds self seed, and, although native here, can some-times threaten to take over an area unless you are careful. The good(?) news is that their seedlings are slow to develop, and usually do not bloom until they are at least four years old.
Thursday, August 26th Soup: Tortellini Sausage Soup
Salad: Summer Asian Slaw
Entrée 1: Beef Bolognese (V)
Entrée 2: Stuffed Pork Loin
Side Dishes: Penne Pasta, French cut beans/roasted Pine Nuts and Harvard Beets
Dessert: Blueberry Pie
Friday, August 27th Soup: New England Clam Chowder
Salad: Creamy Classic Potato Salad
Entrée 1: Roasted Chicken Thighs Shawarma
Entrée 2: Shrimp Jambalaya
Side Dishes: Red Rice, Asparagus, and Roasted Cau-liflower
Dessert: Beignets (think donuts & Fried Dough
Saturday, August 28th Soup: Tomato Florentine
Salad: Caprese Salad
Entrée 1: Stuffed Shells
Entrée 2: Braised Short Ribs
Side Dishes: Mashed Parsnips, Sautéed Spinach and Butternut Squash
Dessert: Chocolate Chip Cookie Sundae
Townhome Residents can make reservations for dinner in the Dining Room. 24 hour notice
is required. Those with a meal plan are still receiving delivery unless otherwise specified.
Vegetarian Option Available (V) / Protein: Tofu or Tempeh
DINING DELIGHTS
RIDING THE DELTA WAVE- COMMUNITY AND SELF-CARE
CONSIDERATIONS
I assume most of us are disappointed about the continued concern expressed everywhere about this much more infectious variant. Lathrop management is committed to daily monitoring of what public health and state sources are sharing, as well as the layers of opinion and insights that can help us all navi-gate. In hopes of providing a basic summary update, I will share more here. Some of what follows may have already arrived in your in-box.
The data confirms that vaccination is very effective at reducing the risk of serious illness. There are an increasing numbers of the expected post vaccine (breakthrough) infections, which underscores the ability of this virus to overwhelm the upper respiratory tract and possibly be spread before our primary immune response can engage and moderate the development of symptoms. A recent NY Times data assessment from 7 states (including MA and VT) showed a range from 12-24% of COVID hospitalizations were in vaccinated individuals. And yet, reflecting the national statistics, the numbers from California show that of 22 million vaccinated there, only .007% are ending up hospitalized with COVID. We do also know that older people are at greater risk. The CDC reports that 74% of post immunization infections occur in people over the age of 65%. Nonetheless, it re-mains true that the rising general infection numbers both locally and nationally far and away occur in the unvaccinated, and skew heavily toward younger people.
We see the spread of indoor mask mandates for all and proof of vaccination or negative test re-sults for entrance to venues and events. The simplest way to lower your risk is to avoid settings where there may be a higher proportion of the unvaccinated or where you are not sure of the level of vac-cination, to wear a mask whenever you are indoors in public settings or with people outside of your household and to schedule gatherings outdoors. The risk to the vaccinated is very much decreased from a year ago, but each individual must determine the level of risk they feel they can tolerate and balance that with an ability to pursue activities important to living a fulfilling life.
For perspective and for those who want to follow the data:
State COVID homepage – daily dashboard with case incidence rates, hospitalizations, vaccina-tion #’s etc. - https://www.mass.gov/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19
A third shot has already been approved for those who qualify as immunocompromised. If you be-lieve that is you, check with your doctor first. A few members of our community have already re-ceived a third shot, in this case on a walk-in basis at Walgreens after completing a simple regis-tration. It is advised to get the same type of vaccine you already received (Pfizer for most of us.) Bring your vaccine card and a record of this dose will be added. Contact me if you want to learn more.
We also heard just yesterday that Americans will be able to get a booster dose 8 months after their second dose, which in our case was either February 8 or March 1. This program will begin on September 20. Lathrop has already reached out to our pharmacy partner to explore bringing a booster clinic to our campus, but it is too early to know how this program will roll-out. Our flu clinics are schedule for mid- October, and there may need to be adjustments based on clinical is-sues of spacing the two vaccines.
Testing Considerations:
Some may continue to travel or join larger social gatherings. Insurance will not cover asymptomat-ic tests but there are easily accessible test centers in the area. Information can be found from the links below. Again, call if you need more information. (These are PCR tests with a quick reporting turn-around.)
UMASS - https://www.umass.edu/coronavirus/communitycovidtest Holyoke Community College (Drive through) - https://app.transformativehealthsite.com/app/CC%20-%20Patient%20Login/Login?$activepanel=Left Greenfield Community College - https://www.cic-health.com/stopthespread
You can also purchase over the counter Antigen tests from pharmacies which can help you feel more confident before going and after your return to your community/household (CVS has the Binax kit for $24). The CDC does not direct the vaccinated to get tested after exposure to a pos-itive case, but to mask in shared settings for 14 days and to monitor for symptoms. But you might want to do so after 3-5 days from exposure. (Lathrop staff are required to isolate and pursue testing in case of close contact to positive cases)
The continued expectation is that if you have symptoms you should pursue testing and then isolate accordingly if positive. You can qualify for a free test in that case from CVS or Walgreens, en-rolled online, or of course from your physician (Cooley Dickinson drive thru is the best approach there).
If you have symptoms and a positive test, the CDC return to work (community) protocol is to iso-late until
10 days from the onset of symptoms, and You have no fever x 24hrs (without fever reducing medication), and All symptoms are improving
If you have a positive, asymptomatic test, the standard remains 10 days isolation from the date of the test (assuming no symptoms develop.)
To end, I share a now possibly dated NY time article. It is full of straightforward practical advice, including how to buy real N95 masks. If you feel you or your partner are “high risk,” you proba-bly want to ratchet up the recommendations a couple of notches.
Should I Mask? Can I Travel? What About Hugs? How Delta Is Changing Advice for the Vaccinat-ed https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/03/well/live/covid-delta-variant-vaccine-symptoms.html?referringSource=articleShare
Sunday, August 29, 2pm, at the Inn The Wranglers The Wranglers draw from such traditions as “trad” jazz, swing, cabaret, country, blues, and folk. Their lively sound features vocals with instruments from fiddle, guitar, banjo and mandolin to harmonica, trombone, bass, and drums. They’re a local treasure—six times the “Favorite Swing Band” of Valley Advocate readers—with 4 CDs and multiple appearances beyond the Pioneer Valley. Where and when? 2pm under the portico and tent outside the Inn. Northampton residents can sign up in the mail room for a ride to Easthampton, leaving North at 1:30pm.
ONLINE LEARNING AT THE INN ~ ONE DAY UNIVERSITY Don’t miss out on these fascinating talks scheduled weekly. Here's this week's selection:
Tuesday, August 24 @ 10:15: What’s so great about Opera? Thursday, August 26 @ 10:15: George H.W. Bush – What we know now that we didn’t know then Friday, August 27 @ 10:15: Money Talks – How the Rockefellers Re-Defined America Saturday, August 28 @ 1:45: The Genius of Beethoven’s Symphonies
Open to all residents. Shown in the Life Enrichment Center.
EAST COMMUNITY CHANNEL 901 PROGRAM LINE-UP (Changes Weekly on Tuesday)
7:30am – Documentary, History of the Presidents
8:30am – Documentary – Glory of the Bolshoi
10:00am – Healthy Bones and Balance
11:00am – Chair Yoga with Matt
11:30am – Documentary – Northern Forests with David Attenborough
12:30pm – Documentary – Glory of the Bolshoi
2:00pm – Documentary - History of the Presidents
3:00pm – Documentary – PBS Special: The Industrial Revolution
4:00pm – Travel Programming (coinciding with Julie’s weekly program)
5:15pm – BBC Proms: Hooray for Hollywood!
7:15pm – Movie of the Week: The Absent Minded Professor (1961)
MT. TOM MOVIES Saturday, 8/21: Queen Bees—While her house undergoes repairs, fiercely independent senior Hel-en (Ellen Burstyn) temporarily moves into a nearby retirement community, where she encounters lusty widows, cutthroat bridge tournaments and a hotbed of bullying "mean girls." Wednesday, 8/25: Cool Hand Luke—When petty criminal Luke Jackson (Paul Newman) is sentenced
to two years in a Florida prison farm, he doesn't play by the rules of either the sadistic warden (Strother Martin) or the yard's resident heavy, Dragline (George Kennedy), who ends up admiring the new guy's unbreakable will. Luke's bravado, even in the face of repeated stints in the prison's dreaded solitary confinement cell, "the box," make him a rebel hero to his fellow convicts and a thorn in the side of the prison officers.
COMMUNITY LIFE
NATIONAL FOOD BANK DAY
In recognition of September 3, National Food Bank Day, Lathrop is sponsoring a week long food drive. Between Monday 8/23 and Thursday 9/2 donations can be left in the container found in the mailroom.
NORTH EAST BOOK CLUB The next meeting of the NorthEast Book Club will be Sept. 14th on Zoom. The book is The Premonition by Michael Lewis. The New York Times says “Lewis brings a welcome gimlet eye to the Trump era… the lessons of the “The Premonition” apply to more than just the C.D.C. ― they tell us why government bureaucracies fail." Get reading, join the discussion!
CREATIVITY FAIR On September 15th a Creativity Fair for Lathrop residents will be held on the Northampton Cam-pus between 11 am and 3 pm. Over 25 people will display, illustrate, perform, or sell their crea-tions with contributions by authors, photographers, bakers, musicians, choreographers, knitters,
painters and many more.
This week spotlights our participating weavers. Hans will share how he computer designs the napkins, placemats and towels he will offer for sale. Of her ‘work in progress’ photograph below, weaver Bev Bow-man writes “One warp: from plain weave to twill with different trea-
dling. Come see the difference!” Indeed! Come see and enjoy!
ACCESSING THE INN As we continue to ride this current wave of viral infection and mitigation we ask all residents, staff and guests to enter through the front door for sign-in. After hours entry when the doors are locked can now be done using the mounted key pad. To keep that door secure, we ask that you come to
the front desk to receive the code and to not share it with nonresidents.
Further, the Safety Committee is committed to keeping the building secure beyond the pandem-ic. To that end we will keep the back doors locked at all times. Once the pandemic sign-in de-mands are lifted, we want to make it possible for residents and staff to access the building from the back-parking lot. Our current “key card” system is fast becoming obsolete, with no capacity for us to replace the key cards for the great number of residents and staff without them. The plan is to upgrade that system as soon as our vendors and the budget allows. Thank you for your pa-
tience and understanding.
TRIP ANNOUNCEMENT! On Thursday, September 2 enjoy an evening cruise on the Lady Bea with Freddie Marion. Sign
up in the mailroom/lobby.
Riddle: Why is a drunken man like
a windmill?
COMMUNITY LIFE
MEETING HOUSE SCHEDULE: AUGUST 22— AUGUST 28
Sat. August 21 10:00 Guided Meditation—Gathering Room 2:00 Walk Around. Go Right!
Mon. August 23 Trash pick up 2:00 Healthy Bones and Balance on ZOOM 3:15 Mahjong—library
Tues. August 24 1:00 Chris Hague Office Hours 10:00—2:00 Fitness with Jen—Cancelled—Jen is on vacation. 3:30 English Country Dancing—taking a break—Check back in September!
Wed. August 25 10:30 Caregiver’s Support Group on Zoom 1:00 Rob Olmsted Office Hours 1:30 Handicraft group in the Gathering Room
3:30 Walk Around. Go Left! 4:00 Welcome Liz Wine and Cheese Social
Thurs. August 26 10:30 Men’s Group— Gathering Room 10:00-2:00 Fitness with Jen Cancelled—Jen is on vacation. 1:00 Holly Smith-Bove office hours 2:00 Healthy Bones and Balance on ZOOM
Sat. August 27 10:00 Guided Meditation—Gathering Room 2:00 Walk Around. Go Right!
EXCITING EVENTS COMING UP!
Join fellow residents at a Wine and Cheese Reception to welcome interim Executive Director Liz Weissbach. Wednesday, August 25th at 3:30 pm
Afternoon of Sharing in memory of Andy Walsh will be held on Saturday, Aug. 28. This will feature performances by residents.
Mark your calendars for a cookout celebrating our New Residents and Labor Day on Friday, September 3, at 12:00. The Residents Association will supply burgers. Residents will supply cold salads and desserts. Look for sign-up sheets in the Meeting House entry next week! Get ready to celebrate!
