Assisted Living Residences

the arteries to narrow, slowing the flow of blood and sometimes resulting in total blockage. A lack of adequate blood flow to the heart can result in a myocardial infarction, or heart attack. You can eliminate or reduce the main risk factors of heart disease through targeted lifestyle changes. Here are some of the most commonly prescribed remedies:

• Stop smoking: smoking has been associated with 54% of heart disease cases.• Limit alcohol intake: men, no more than two drinks per day; women, no more than one drink per day.• Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week.• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. These contain antioxidants that are good for your heart.• Eat foods high in Omega 3 fatty acids, such as fatty fish, avocadoes, and olive oil. These are great for your cardiovascular system. Omega 3 supplements are also available at most pharmacies (consult your doctor before beginning supplements). continued on page 3

Following years of tradition, President Obama will soon declare the month of February American Heart Month. It’s a time to take renewed interest in your cardiovascular health and to consider the ways in which you might adopt a more “heart-healthy” lifestyle. In last year’s address, President Obama summed up some important points about heart disease:

“While anyone can develop heart disease, those with high blood pressure or high cholesterol and those who smoke are at greater risk. Risk factors like diabetes, obesity, poor diet, physical inactivity, and excessive alcohol use can also increase the likelihood of developing heart disease. By adopting a few healthy habits –– getting regular exercise, not smoking, eating diets rich in fruits and vegetables and low in salt, saturated fat, and cholesterol –– each of us can reduce our risk.”

The most common form of heart disease is known as coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease occurs when the arteries that feed blood to the heart become clogged with a substance called plaque. Plaque causes

February is American Heart MonthFebruary 2015

Super Bowl XLIXNew England Patriots vs Seattle SeahawksSunday, February 1 at 6:30 PMWatch the Super Bowl game with friends in the Community Room.

Community OutingsLunch Trip: The Chateau Wednesday, February 11Depart: 11:30 AMReturn: 2:30 PM Cost: $ for lunchOwned and operated by the Nocera Family, the Chateau of Waltham opened in 1933 and set the standard for providing the tradition of Italian family dining, friendly service and quality food at reasonable prices for its customers. Enjoy a wide variety of Italian cuisine with traditional favorites such as pasta served with our homemade sauce and meatballs to some of our finer seafood and sauté entrees. Start every meal off right with a basket of our famous Chateau bread.

Winter Wonderland RideWednesday, February 18 Depart: 1:30 PMReturn: 4:00 PM Cost: FreeJoin Brian and Debra for a winter wonderland ride through Lexington and Concord.

Isabella Stewart Gardner MuseumWednesday, February 25Depart: 1:00 PMReturn: 4:30 PM Cost: $12.00The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum boasts an intimate, highly original collection of fine and decorative artworks collected from all corners of the world, in accordance with Ms. Gardner’s personal motto: “C’est mon plaisir.” The building is a stunning 15th-century Venetian-style palace, with three stories of galleries containing more than 2,500 paintings, sculptures, tapestries, furniture, manuscripts, rare books and decorative arts. The galleries house works by some of the most recognized artists in the world including Titian, Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Raphael, Botticelli, Manet, Degas, Whistler and Sargent. The Gardner Museum has long been a popular venue for contemporary artists, musicians and scholars, and continues to host events to this day.

Tai Chi for ArthritisWednesday, February 11 at 2:00 PMYouville Place will host a special presentation introducing the Tai Chi for Arthritis program. Led by Phyllis Rittner, a certified Tai Chi for Arthritis instruc-tor, this presentation will introduce the basic concepts of Tai Chi, Qigong, and the application of these ancient disciplines in treating the joint pain and stiffness associated with arthritis. Developed in 1998 by Dr. Philip Lam and a team of medical experts, Tai Chi for Arthritis uses a 12-step “Sun Style” Tai Chi, along with modified Qigong based exercises. This method has been recommended by the Center for Disease Control as an alternative therapy for arthritis that may reduce chronic pain, improve balance and increase flexibility. According to Rittner, this program “caters to a wide range of physical abilities. No one is ever excluded due to physical limitations as everone participates according to their own comfort level through individual modifications.”A free, weekly Tai Chi for Arthritis course may be offered at Youville following this presentation, based on the level of interest expressed by residents. If you are interested in what Tai Chi can do to alleviate or reduce your arthritis, don’t miss this presentation. About Arthritis Arthritis affects joints throughout the body, in a variety of ways. Symptoms can range from slight joint pain and stiffness to severe physical disability. Approximately one in five U.S. adults live with some form of arthritis. The most common forms are osteoarthritis and rheu-matoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs when the protec-tive cartilage in a joint wears away causing the bones to deteriorate. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks the lining surrounding the joint, known as the synovial membrane. The resulting inflammation of this lining causes pain, bone erosion and in some cases joint deformity.Other than age, a variety of risk factors have been linked to arthritis, including family history, obesity, and repeti-tive physical strain on a joint. While there is no cure, there are many different ideas about how to alleviate the painful symptoms.

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Arts & Crafts with LexFun! Wednesday, February 11 at 10:00 AMLexFUN!, Lexington’s Five and Under Network will be at Youville Place on Wednesday morning to participate in a winter arts and crafts project. The children always bring a smile to our faces when they visit.

Songs of Love with Jack CraigThursday, February 12 at 1:30 PMIrving Berlin once said, “Songs do well if they are based on one of these ideas: home, love, self-pity, or happiness.” Celebrate Cupid’s favorite time of the year by singing some of the greatest songs about love.

Cabaret Artist–– Andrea LymanBroadway LadyFriday, February 13 at 2:00 PMAndrea Lyman sings like Julie Andrews with a touch of soul. Andrea’s musical show, Broadway Lady is filled with favorite show tunes and standards along with amusing stories and tidbits. Hear song and stories from My Fair Lady, The King and I, and standards by composers such as Cole Porter, Eubie Blake, Rodgers and Hart. Andrea Lyman graduated from Boston Conservatory of Music and has performed in several shows at Radio City Music Hall, off-Broadway and locally. She can be seen in quite a few films, TV shows, web series and commercials. Andrea loves singing and encouraging audiences to join her in song.

The Jewelry Box with Patricia PerryTuesday, February 17 at 1:30 PMThe Victorians loved their jewelry, both men and women. Jewelry was used to send secret messages through the use of carefully selected stones and symbols, mourn for the departed using jet stones and human hair, and of course, display wealth, and status.

Caring CaninesFriday, February 20 at 2:00 PMIf you haven’t stopped by the Community Room when Caring Canines comes to visit, you are missing out! Spend the afternoon with adorable, affectionate dogs from the neighborhood.

Ellis Island with Tom BrownChanging Attitudes About Immigration Over TimeThursday, February 5 at 2:30 PMMention the word “immigration” today and stand by for a discussion from someone within earshot. As the current “foreign-born” percentage of the United States population creeps closer to the all-time high of nearly 15% (1914), discussions over national immigration and naturalization policies seemingly become more and more polarized. In this lecture, we will examine immigration trends and policies and the differing roles played by Ellis Island from the time of its construction up to its emergence as an icon celebrating American diversity. Delicious and Divine––A Chocolate and Wine AffairFriday, February 6 at 2:30 PMWhat does Casanova, Montezuma, and Mozart all have in common? A love of Chocolate! And what goes best with chocolate? Wine! Join History At Play historical interpreter Judith Kalaora for an hour-long extravaganza, exploring the history of romance and chocolate and why this decadent treat makes your heart flutter and your spirits fly. Learn how to match your favorite chocolates with the correct varietals and sample some delicious wine and chocolate pairings from around the world.

Art Matters Presents... Ancient CivilizationsTuesday, February 10 at 2:00 PMPlease join us to examine art from the four great ancient civilizations; Mesopotamia (present day Iraq), Egypt, Greece and the Roman Empire. Each culture in turn contributed to the foundation of our own civilization. From these great cultures we get; writing, government, law & order, institutionalized religion, advanced culture, and the spread of information and ideas.Each developed new and greater achievements, adding to the quality of life of all men.

Monthly Highlights...

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9:30 Fitness10:15 Shopping Trip: Lexington Stop & Shop 10:30 An Hour w/ Sheila 1:30 The Jewelry Box w/ Patricia Perry 3:30 Black Jack

9:30 Fitness10:15 Shopping Trip: Bedford Stop & Shop10:30 An Hour w/ Sheila 2:00 Illuminate Your Spirit Embracing Compassion w/ Sacred Threads 3:30 Black Jack

Ash Wednesday 9:30 Fitness 10:30 Scrabble 1:30 Documentary Movie: Inside the Vatican 1:30 Trip: Winter Wonderland Ride 7:00 Documentary Movie: Inside the Vatican

9:30 Fitness 10:30 Scrabble 1:00 Trip: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum 1:00 Documentary Movie: Stonehenge Decoded 7:00 Documentary Film: Stonehenge Decoded

Chinese New Year10:00 Music & Movement w/ Barbara Lyon 1:00 Trans. to Lexington Ctr. 2:00 Forever Fit 4:00-5:30 Happy Hour 7:00 Music & Musical Film: High Society

9:30 Fitness10:15 Flower Arranging10:30 Centering Prayer 2:00 Cabaret Artist Andrea Lyman Broadway Lady 3:15 Bible Study 4:30-6:30 Manicures by Appt. 7:00 Movie: The Maltese Falcon

9:30 Fitness10:15 Flower Arranging 10:30 Centering Prayer11:00 Stations of the Cross 2:00 Caring Canines 3:00 Bible Study 5:00 Dinner w/ Gerhardt 7:00 Movie: Rebel Without a Cause

9:30 Fitness10:15 Flower Arranging10:30 Centering Prayer11:00 Stations of the Cross12:00 Birthday Luncheon 1:30 February Jeopardy Trivia 3:00 Bible Study 4:30-6:30 Manicures by Appt. 7:00 Movie: On the Waterfront

1:30 Bingo w/ Christine 3:00 Classic Matinee Movie: The Road to Bali 7:00 Classic Movie Night: The Road to Bali

1:30 Bingo w/ Christine 3:00 Classic Movie Matinee: Shall We Dance 7:00 Classic Movie Night: Shall We Dance

Presidents’ Day 9:30 Fitness10:15 Group Crosswords10:30 Reminscing w/ Sheila 1:30 Poetry Seminar w/ Stephen Collins 3:00 Bingo

10:00 Sunday Mass on TV 2:00 Reflections w/ Maria Benoit 3:00 Lexington Camarata 7:00 Movie: Modern Times

10:00 Sunday Mass on TV 2:00 Reflections w/ Maria Benoit 3:00 Dead Sea Scrolls Lecture Series w/ Maria Benoit 7:00 Movie: She Done Him Wrong

10:00 Sunday Mass on TV 2:00 Reflections w/ Maria Benoit 3:15 Dead Sea Scrolls Lecture Series w/ Maria Benoit 7:00 Movie: To Catch a Thief

Country StoreHours

Monday & Friday 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Wednesday 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

9:30 Fitness 10:15 Group Crosswords10:30 Short Stories w/ Sheila 1:30 Poetry Seminar w/ Stephen Collins 3:00 Bingo

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9:30 Fitness10:15 Shopping Trip: Burlington Market Basket10:30 An Hour w/ Sheila 2:00 ArtMatters Presents.... Ancient Civilizations 3:30 Black Jack

9:30 Yoga w/ Annie Hoffman10:30 Current Events w/ Pam 2:00 Forever Fit 4:00-5:30 Happy Hour 7:00 Music & Musical Film: The Tender Trap

Valentine’s Day 1:30 Bingo w/ Christine 3:00 Classic Matinee Movie: Kiss Me Kate 7:00 Classic Movie Night: Kiss Me Kate

9:30 Fitness10:15 Group Crosswords10:30 Short Stories w/ Sheila 1:30 Poetry Seminar w/ Stephen Collins 3:00 Bingo

9:30 Fitness 10:00 LexFun visits...11:30 Lunch Trip: Chateau 2:00 Tai Chi for Arthritis w/ Phyllis 7:00 Documentary Movie: March of the Penguins

9:30 Yoga w/ Annie Hoffman 1:30 Songs of Love w/ Jack Craig 3:00 Creative Writing Workshop 4:00 - 5:30 Happy Hour w/ Adam on the Mandolin 7:00 Music & Musical Film: The Swingtime Collection

2:00 Student Piano Recital 3:30 Classic Matinee Movie: Royal Wedding 7:00 Classic Movie Night: Royal Wedding

Hair SalonHours

Thursday, Friday & Saturday8:30 AM - 12:00 PM

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10:00 Music & Movement w/ Barbara Lyon 1:00 Trans. to Lexington Ctr. 2:30 Ellis Island: Changing Attitudes w/ Tom Brown 4:00-5:30 Happy Hour 7:00 Music & Musical Film: Music in My Heart

9:30 Fitness10:15 Flower Arranging10:30 Centering Prayer 1:00 Blood Pressure Clinic 2:30 Delicious & Devine–– A Chocolate & Wine Affair w/ Judith Kalaora 7:00 Movie: Roman Holiday

10:00 Sunday Mass on TV 2:00 Reflections w/ Maria Benoit 3:00 Dead Sea Scrolls Lecture Series w/ Maria Benoit 6:30 Super Bowl XLIX New England Patriots vs Seattle Seahawks

9:30 Fitness10:15 Group Crosswords10:30 Short Stories w/ Sheila 1:30 Poetry Seminar w/ Stephen Collins 3:00 Bingo

9:30 Fitness10:15 Shopping Trip: Bedford Stop & Shop10:30 An Hour w/ Sheila 2:00 Food Forum 3:30 Black Jack

9:30 Fitness 11:30 Lunch Trip: The 99 2:30 Resident Management Mtg. 3:30 Documentary Movie: Tigers in the Snow 7:00 Documentary Movie: Tigers in the Snow

A Romantic Survey of U.S. PresidentsPresidents are more than just public officials. They are deeply human, and they are also prone to an intensity of passion that is worthy of consideration. At this time of year, with Valentine’s Day (February 14th) occurring just two days before Presidents’ Day (February 16th), it is fitting to honor the most intimate sides of our presidents –– their love lives. We hope you enjoy these romantic presidential highlights!

Grover Cleveland –– Cleveland was still a bachelor when he assumed the office of the Presidency in 1885. His sister, Rose Cleveland, took on the role of First Lady until Cleveland’s marriage a year later, to Frances Folsom. The couple had their wedding ceremony in the Blue Room of the White House. To date, they are the only presidential couple to get married in the White House. Warren G. Harding –– Since the 2014 unsealing of Harding’s “steamy” love letters to Carrie Fulton Philips, the American public has had the chance to see the 29th President in a brand new light. Stuck in a loveless mar-riage, Harding found in Philips an outlet for his most ardent passions. Their amorous activities were graphi-cally referenced in 1,000 pages of love letters. For better or worse (probably for better), those letters, sealed by a probate judge at the request of Philips’ relatives, are now available from the Library of Congress. John F. Kennedy –– History has paid a great deal of attention to JFK’s extramarital affairs. But his courtship and marriage to Jacqueline Kennedy is interesting too, even if it lacks the familiar appeal of scandal. Jackie was a photojournalist when they met, and Kennedy was an ambitious congressman. Their wedding, held in Newport, Rhode Island, featured 800 guests! The reception following the ceremony was even larger, with 1,200 guests and a 4-foot tall wedding cake. Ronald Reagan –– Sometimes love is best when kept simple. Consider Ronald Reagan’s proposal to Nancy, at a restaurant in West Hollywood: “Let’s get married,” he suggested, after a year of dating, from the red leather seat of their booth. Nancy replied, “Let’s.” Simple does it. Their wedding consisted of just two guests, making it 1/400th the size of JFK’s.

Barack Obama –– Work and romance don’t have to be mutually exclusive. President Obama met Michelle, then a young lawyer, in the Chicago law office where he was interning for the summer. In spite of Michelle’s initial resistance to dating a coworker, Barack convinced her to spend the day with him later in the summer. This first date included a trip to the Chicago Art Institute and a drink on the 99th floor of the John Hancock building. Three years later, they were married.

Shopping TripsBedford Stop & Shop/Great Roads Shopping CenterTuesday, February 3 & 24Time: 9:30 AM Return: 11:00 AM Lexington Center / Walgreen’sThursday, February 5 & 19Time: 1:00 PM Return: 2:30 PM Burlington Market BasketTuesday, February 10Time: 9:30 AM Return: 11:00 AM Lexington Stop & ShopTuesday, February 17Time: 9:30 AM Return: 11:00 AM

Happy Birthday Ann H. February 1Helene J. February 1Maria B. February 2Sr. Suzanne F. February 2Helen S. February 2Residents born in February are invited to lunch in the Private Dining Room to celebrate on Friday, February 27 at 12:00 PM.

Visit Our Blog, Like Us On FacebookInterested in connecting with us more often? Then visit our blog any time for the latest news and additional ar-ticles. To access the blog, visit the Youville website atwww.youvilleassistedliving.org and click on the “Visit our Blog” button. Or, “like” us on Facebook. When you “like” us on Facebook, we will send you updates and links to the most recent items posted on the blog. Just search for Youville Assisted Living on Facebook and click “like.” See you on the web! 6

A Charioteer Lost in a MarshBy Margaret D’EvelynThis article first appeared in the Christian Science Monitor on April 15th, 1988. It tells the true story of how Florence Wolsky, a resident of Youville House, recovered an ancient earring that was stolen from the Museum of Fine Arts in 1963. Enjoy!

One fall afternoon, 25 years ago, a guard at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston was horrified to discover that a beautiful treasure had been stolen. The treasure was a small, gold earring, a sculpted charioteer driven by two horses. Made 2,300 years ago, it was called Nike (NEE-kay) after the Greek winged goddess of victory. All over the country and abroad, newspapers described the little treasure. The police, at first, had no clues to lead them to the thief. But several months later a 25-year-old man confessed that he had stolen the earring. The problem was that he couldn’t remember exactly where he had hidden it. He led the police to a marshy area behind the museum. There, he said, in an old egg carton inside a tin can, he had buried the earring somewhere near a tree and “hidden from the road.’’ But as hard as he tried he couldn’t remember exactly where it was.

Why was the earring so valuable? If you melted it into a puddle of gold, the little bit of metal was worth less than $20 in 1963.

The little earring was valuable because it showed the ex-tremely fine skill of a sculptor in depicting natural motion in the 4th century BC. At this time, Alexander the Great was spreading Greek culture into India and through the Persian Empire to Egypt. With only the simplest of tools and no magnifying glass, the artist who made the earring carefully formed each of the 130 pieces, then melted the edges to join them.

The sculpture is valued as art, too. All the pieces fit to-gether beautifully. The graceful lift of the wings and the downward beat of the horse’s front legs become a composition, or arrangement, that suggests a circle.

The Nike controls the horses as the wind seems to blow her dress, or chiton (CHEE-ton).

Even though the earring is only two inches high, it looks as beautiful as a big statue. It’s a wonder that so much motion and vitality can be found in a thing so small. The face of the woman is clear, sharp and looks like faces you might see today.

But where was the earring hidden?

Two archaeologists, Professors Emily and Cornelius Vermeule, had an idea. They took Mrs. Vermeule’s students from a Boston University class to the marsh to look for the earring. (Archaeologists are scientists who are trained to look carefully in the earth for buried objects from times past.) They dug up an area around the tree, but found nothing.

One student, Florence Wolsky, kept looking. She looked for a more “hidden spot’’ and came upon some eight-foot tall reeds. In the fall they had been leafy. Now there were bare. Two had been broken off and stuck in the ground. Maybe they pointed in the direction of the buried earring.

She walked in that direction. Just a little farther, where the slope of the riverbank ended, and down from the tree, she dug gently in the earth with a screwdriver. She struck a rusty tin can.

Florence took the can to the museum laboratory, where it was opened carefully. Everybody held their breath. The delicate sculpture was lifted out of the soggy cardboard egg carton inside the can. One of the little wheels looked damaged, but when Mrs. Vermeule touched it lightly, it sprang back into place. It spun freely on its axis, just as it had for 2,300 years. Everybody cheered.

Now Nike drives her shining horses safely in a new case in the museum. Nearby is an ancient Greek victory wreath of golden olive leaves. Together they remind us that beautiful objects, tiny or big, are put in a museum for everyone to enjoy.

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Save the Dates...Resident/Management Meeting*Wednesday, February 4 at 2:30 PM

Blood Pressure ClinicFriday, February 6 at 1:00 PM

Manicures with Joanne by AppointmentFriday, February 13 & 27 from 4:30 PM- 6:30 PMSign up in the Community Happenings book!

Dinner with GerhardtFriday, February 20 at 5:00 PM

Country Store Store HoursMonday 10:00 AM - 11:30 AMWednesday 10:00 AM - 12:00 PMFriday 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Store Volunteers: Sr. Theresa R., Margart B., Sr. Dolores B., Judith B.& Alice G.

Transportation ServicesMonday,Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday8:00 AM - 2:00 PMThe fee for transportation is $10.00 for Lexington and $20.00 for surrounding communities. Please see Brian King in the Programs Department with any questions. We will make every effort to accommodate your wishes, but please understand that no transportation can be guaranteed with less than 48 hours notice.

Programs / Menu Hotline...Have you ever wondered whether your favorite program is on the schedule for the day? Would you like to know in advance what the daily menu choices are? Now you can hear a recorded list of the daily programs as well as the menu for lunch and dinner at Youville Place. Simply call 781-761-1334 directly, or call the Reception Desk and the receptionist will connect you.

Youville Place Mannagement Team

Joanne Parsons CEO & PresidentJoanne Scianna COOJohn Cooney Senior Director of FinanceDinah Olanoff Senior Director of Marketing & Communications Katie Blanchard Director of Programs Claudia Wilson Director of Marketing Joyce R. Looney, RN Director of WellnessBob Salamanca Director of Environmental ServicesMike Dickerson Director of Dining ServicesVirginia Ellis Director of Community Life Maria Benoit Director of Mission & Pastoral CareTom Landry Director of Human Resources

The Mission of Youville PlaceTo be a community of enduring hope that

celebrates God’s love through compassionate care, while fostering the individual and embracing all.

ValuesReverence - profound respect

Integrity - complete truth and justice Dedication - selfless giving

Hospitality - generosity of spirit

Spiritual

Physical

Cognitive

Nutritional

Valentine’s Day may have begun with a letter. According to one popular legend, this letter was passed on in the secrecy of a prison cell, where a Roman priest, later to be canonized as St. Valentine, was awaiting execution. His letter would have been addressed to the jailor’s daughter, a blind girl who Valentine had cured and with whom he began a close friendship and correspondence. The friendship ended with Valentine’s final letter before his martyrdom, signed, “From Your Valentine.”

The Valentine’s Day we celebrate today has changed considerably since the days of St. Valentine. In many ways it is a public event, marked by highly visible expressions of sentiment — hefty bouquets, elaborate fruit arrangements, other creative displays of affection. But do people still write letters?

Like the legendary notes exchanged between St. Valentine and his friend, handwritten letters are by nature private and hard to trace. Who knows whether people still write them, or how frequently? And isn’t this mystery part of what makes letters so special? The intimacy of a handwritten letter is an essential part of its charm — only those who write and receive them can attest to their value.

For those who grew up in more technologically modest times, before email and universal online sharing, letter writing was the primary form of long-distance communication. Writing letters, posting them, and waiting weeks for a reply was part of life, necessary for maintaining social connections, expressing affection, and making a good impression. Schools devoted considerable time to teaching penmanship and placed a special emphasis on cursive writing versus printing. Ask anyone over the age of 65, especially those who went to a Catholic school, and they will likely have a story about learning Palmer Method cursive in grade school.

In more recent times, emphasis on handwriting has dwindled in public education, leading some to fear that traditional letter writing may soon become an art of the past. Schools in 43 states have adopted the Common Core curriculum, which no longer mandates that students learn cursive or spend time perfecting their penmanship. While a small handful of states, including Massachusetts, have restored cursive to the curriculum, the debate continues: should practical computer skills take precedence over a skill that may no longer be necessary in our electronic age? Does it matter that children may not be able to exchange heartfelt notes when they get older?

February 2015For Valentine’s Day, Handwritten Letters Strike at the Heart

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Get fit. Stay sharp. Age well.©

Youville House • 1573 Cambridge Street • Cambridge, MA 02138 • 617.491.1234Youville Place • 10 Pelham Road • Lexington, MA 02421 • 781.861.3535 • www.youvilleassistedliving.org

Assisted Living Residences

As handwritten letters become more rare, they will likely become more endearing and valuable in ways that are hard to quantify. A handwritten thank you note can still be the perfect touch for a job seeker wishing to thank an employer for an interview, or a college applicant wishing to thank a teacher for a recommendation. In these cases, handwritten notes are wonderful vehicles for expressing our warmest, most human sentiments — sentiments like gratitude, friendship and love. Research suggests that letter writing may also have health benefits. A study conducted at the University of Pennsylvania found that people who wrote and delivered letters of gratitude to people they had not properly thanked for past services experienced a significant increase in happiness that lasted up to a month.

With Valentine’s Day upon us, it is worth noting that letters make the stories of our closest relationships accessible and tangible in a way that electronic media cannot quite replicate. We know exactly which closet or drawer to find the letters we’ve saved and reread over the years; letters containing important details about our early romances, our parents, our close friends and loved ones. Simply holding the paper that a lost loved one wrote on years ago can inspire a powerful sense of connection. Squinting into the sea of electrons on a computer screen? Not so much. Handwritten letters open up windows to the past with the inimitable touch of the person who sat down for a few moments and wrote directly to us.

Barring an unforeseen global catastrophe, email and social networking are likely here to stay. Technological innovation will continue to evolve and influence the way we communicate. Computer skills will become more important in schools and in the workforce. While the handwritten letter may seem to be fading against the relentless rise of technology, it remains one of the most endearing ways to communicate personal sentiments. A handwritten letter from a loved one will always be worth saving, and this, at least, is not likely to change.

Yoga w/ Annie Hoffman Music & Movement w/ Barbara Lyon Fitness Forever Fit Tai Chi for Arthritis

Dark leafy greens are a rich source of vitamin C, K, E, and B, as well as iron, calcium, and fiber, which are essential for good health.

Catholic Mass Dead Sea Scrolls w/ Maria Benoit Reflections

ArtMatters presents... Ancient Civilizations Poetry Seminar w/ Stephen Collins The Jewelry Box w/ Patricia Perry Ellis Island w/ Tom Brown

Celebrate Valentine’s Day Cabaret Artist Andrea Lyman Delicious & Devine w/ Judith Kalaora A Chocolate & Wine Affair

Get fit. Stay sharp. Age well.©