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, avocados, 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

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

February 2015February is American Heart Month

Museum of ScienceOmni Film: Pandas–– The Journey HomeFriday, February 5Depart: 1:15 PMReturn: 3:30 PM Cost: $10.50Pandas are a lovable, iconic, and — unfortunately — highly endangered species. In Pandas: The Journey Home, meet the dedicated team working tirelessly to save these captivating creatures from extinction.Filmmakers were granted unprecedented access to the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda to tell the story of our furry friends. The pandas’ fascinating habits and unique personalities will leave you with a huge appreciation for the animals and the individuals working to protect them.Witness an incredible story of survival and fall in love with these black and white gentle giants on the IMAX Dome screen!

Isabella Stewart Gardner MuseumFriday, February 20 Depart: 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.

Community OutingsTai Chi for ArthritisFriday, February 13 at 2:00 PMYouville House will host a special presentation introducing the Tai Chi for Arthritis program. Led by Phyllis Rittner, a certified Tai Chi for Arthritis instructor, 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 everyone 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 rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs when the protective 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 repetitive 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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Caring CaninesSaturday, February 14 at 2:00 PMIf you haven’t stopped by the All Day Café when Caring Canines comes to visit, you are missing out! Spend the afternoon with adorable dogs from the neighborhood and enjoy their affection. History at Play with Judith KalaoraDelicious and Divine––A Chocolate and Wine AffairThursday, February 19 at 3:00 PMWhat do Casanova, Montezuma, and Mozart all have in common? A love of chocolate! And what goes best with chocolate? Wine! Join 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 wine varietals and sample some delicious pairings from around the world.The Jewelry Box with Patricia PerryTuesday, February 24 at 2:00 PMThe Victorians had a special affinity for jewelry. They used jewels to send secret messages, to mourn for the departed and, of course, to display wealth and status. Patricia Perry will guide you through this sparkling Victorian world in her historical presentation, The Jewelry Box.

continued from page 1Almost all of the risk factors for heart disease stem from habits we’ve established throughout our lifetime: an affinity for cheeseburgers, tobacco, or one too many cocktails. Habits are easier to break when you’re not alone. Let your friends, family and doctor know about your goals. Join an exercise group or a singing group (there is evidence that singing and socialization may be good for your heart). Most importantly, don’t get discouraged. Take it a step at a time, and realize that even small steps in the right direction are likely to have a positive impact on your health.

Art Matters Presents... Animals in Art–– Beasts of Fame & FableThursday, February 5 at 2:00 PM Humans are the only beings who communicate with art. But we love animals, and we especially love art about animals. As long as humans have been making art, they have imbued animals with mythical powers and abilities. This fanciful tradition has had an enduring impact on cultural and religious aspects of human life. Come learn how certain iconic “beasts of fame and fable” have inspired generations of artists and influenced civilizations.

Ellis Island with Tom BrownChanging Attitudes About Immigration Over TimeTuesday, February 10 at 2:00 PMJust mention the word “immigration” today and you will most likely draw anyone within earshot into a discussion. 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 seem to becomemore and more polarized. In this lecture, we will examine immigration trends and policies, as well as the differing roles played by Ellis Island from the time of its construction up to its emergence as the icon of American diversity.

Cabaret Artist–– Andrea LymanBroadway LadyThursday, February 12 at 2:00 PMDon’t miss the talented Andrea Lyman as she performs her acclaimed solo cabaret show, Broadway Lady. Lyman will deliver songs and stories from Broadway hits such as My Fair Lady, The King and I, and a variety of standards by Cole Porter, Eubie Blake, and Rogers & Hart. Andrea Lyman sings like Julie Andrews with a touch of soul. She 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. Lyman loves singing and encouraging audiences to join her!

Monthly Highlights...

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9:30 Stretch & Flex 10:00 Flower Arranging10:30 Chat & Crafts w/ Jamie 2:00 Illuminate Your Spirit: Embracing Compassion w/ Sacred Threads 3:30 Youvillagers Chorale 4:00 Rosary 7:00 Movie: Ratatouille 9:30 Stretch & Flex10:00 Flower Arranging10:30 Chat & Crafts w/ Jamie 2:00 The Jewelry Box w/ Patricia Perry 3:30 Youvillagers Chorale 4:00 Rosary 7:00 Movie: Smiles of a Summer Night

Ash Wednesday 9:30 Balance Challenge 2:00 Forever Fit 3:00 Nurturing Room 3:00 Poetry Seminar w/ Stephen Collins 4:00 Happy Hour 7:00 Movie: Rebel Without A Cause

9:30 Balance Challenge 2:00 Famous Dancing Duos 3:00 Nurturing Room 3:00 Poetry Seminar w/ Stephen Collins 4:00 Happy Hour w/ Adam on the Mandolin 7:00 Movie: The Maltese Falcon

9:30 Yoga w/ Annie Hoffman10:15 Reflections & Poetry 2:00 Resident Management Mtg. 3:00 Delicious and Divine–– A Chocolate and Wine Affair w/ Judith Kalaora 7:00 Movie: Roman Holiday

9:30 Balance Challenge10:15 Shopping Trip: Porter Sq. 2:00 Tai Chi for Arthritis w/ Phyllis 3:30 Celebrate Valentine’s Day Great Love Stories in History & Enjoy a Valentine’s Treat 7:00 Movie: Rear Window 7:00 Bonus Bingo w/ Carol

9:30 Balance Challenge 1:00 Trip: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum 3:30 Drama Club 7:00 Movie: Rome Open City

9:30 Balance Challenge 10:15 Shopping Trip: Porter Sq. 2:00 Classical Pianist Rick Scalise 3:15 A Look Inside the MFA w/ Anita 7:00 Movie: My Fair Lady 7:00 Bonus Bingo w/ Carol

9:30 Stretch & Flex10:15 Manicures 1:30 -4:00 Double woodwind Quintet Open Rehearsals 2:00 Matinee Movie 2:00 Bingo w/ Yanira 3:00 Afternoon Treat 7:00 Movie: Russian Ark

9:30 Stretch & Flex10:15 Manicures 2:00 Matinee Movie 2:00 Bingo w/ Yanira 3:00 Afternoon Treat 7:00 Movie: Duck Soup

Presidents’ Day 9:30 Balance Challenge 12:45 Shopping Trip: Star Market 2:00 Luther: A Reformation Series w/ Maria Benoit 3:15 Bingo 7:00 Movie: On The Waterfront

1:15 Trip: Central Sq. Theater 2:00 Bridge Club 2:00 British TV Series: Downton Abbey: Season 1, Part 1 7:00 Movie: Top Hat

2:00 Bridge Club 2:00 British TV Series: Downton Abbey: Season 1, Part 2 7:00 Movie: Mister Hulot’s Holiday

2:00 Bridge Club 2:00 British TV Series: Downton Abbey: Season 1, Part 3 7:00 Movie: She Done Him Wrong

Catholic Mass Sunday –– Saturday

at 10:45 AM

Bare Essentials StoreHours

Monday & Friday9:45 AM - 10:45 AM

Beauty SalonHoursFriday

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

9:30 Balance Challenge10:15 Programs Planning Mtg.12:45 Shopping Trip: Trader Joe’s 2:00 Luther: A Reformation Series w/ Maria Benoit 3:15 Bingo 7:00 Songs w/ Roy P.

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9:30 Stretch & Flex10:00 Flower Arranging10:30 Chat & Crafts w/ Jamie 2:00 Ellis Island: Changing Attitudes w/ Tom Brown 3:30 Youvillagers Chorale 4:00 Rosary 7:00 Movie: Annie Hall

9:30 Music & Movement w/ Barbara Lyon10:15 Reflections & Poetry 2:00 Grab your Passport: Venice, Italy 3:15 Afternoon Tea 7:00 Movie: Modern Times

Valentine’s Day 2:00 Matinee Movie 2:00 Caring Canines 3:00 Bingo w/ Carol 7:00 Movie: The Front

9:30 Balance Challenge12:45 Shopping Trip: Whole Foods 2:00 Luther: A Reformation Series w/ Maria Benoit 3:15 Bingo 7:00 Songs w/ Roy P.

9:30 Balance Challenge 2:00 Presidents & Their First Ladies 3:00 Nurturing Room 3:00 Poetry Seminar w/ Stephen Collins 4:00 Happy Hour 7:00 Movie: Paths of Glory

9:30 Music & Movement w/ Barbara Lyon 2:00 Cabaret Artist Andrea Lyman Broadway Lady 3:15 Afternoon Tea 7:00 Movie: Goldfinger

2:00 Matinee Movie 2:00 Bingo w/ Carol 7:00 Movie: The Petrified Forrest

9:30 Yoga w/ Annie Hoffman10:15 Food Forum 2:00 ArtMatters Presents... Animal in Art: Beasts of Fame & Fable 3:15 Afternoon Tea 7:00 Movie: 12 Years a Slave

9:30 Balance Challenge 1:15 Trip: Omni Film at the Museum of Science 3:30 Drama Club 7:00 Movie: Big Night

2:00 Bridge Club 2:00 British TV Series: Downton Abbey: Season 1, Part 1 6:30 Super Bowl XLIX New England Patriots vs Seattle Seahawks

Groundhog Day 9:30 Balance Challenge12:45 Shopping Trip: Star Market 2:00 Luther: A Reformation Series w/ Maria Benoit 3:15 Bingo 7:00 What’s Happening... w/ Richard Griffin

9:30 Stretch & Flex10:00 Flower Arranging10:30 Chat & Crafts w/ Jamie 2:00 Creative Writing Workshop 3:30 Youvillagers Chorale 4:00 Rosary 7:00 Movie: Dr. Strangelove

9:30 Balance Challenge 2:00 Forever Fit 3:00 Nurturing Room 3:00 Poetry Seminar w/ Stephen Collins 4:00 Happy Hour 7:00 Movie: Oklahoma!

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 marriage, Harding found in Philips an outlet for his most ardent passions. Their amorous activities were graphically 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 four-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 TripsWhole FoodsMonday, February 9Time: 12:45 PM Return: 2:00 PM

Porter SquareFriday, February 13 & 27Time: 10:15 AM Return: 12:00 PM

Star MarketMonday, February 2 & 16Time: 12:45 PM Return: 2:00 PM

Trader Joe’sMonday, February 23Time: 12:45 PM Return: 2:00 PM

Visit Our Blog, Like Us On FacebookThis newsletter comes out once a month. Interested in connecting with us more often? Then visit our blog any time for the latest news and additional articles. To access the blog, visit the Youville website at www.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!

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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 “hid-den 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 extremely 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 together 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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February MeetingsFood Forumw/ Dining Services Director, Mike DickersonThursday, February 5 at 10:15 AM

Resident Management MeetingThursday, February 19 at 2:00 PM

Programs Planning Meetingw/ Director of Programs, Katie BlanchardMonday, February 23 at 10:15 AM

Meal TimesBreakfast7:00 AM - 9:00 AMMain Dining RoomLunchFirst Seating - 11:30 AMSecond Seating - 12:45 PMMain Dining RoomDinnerFirst Seating - 4:30 PMSecond Seating - 5:45 PMMain Dining Room

Bare Essentials Store Store HoursMonday & Friday9:45 AM - 10:45 AM

Store Managers: Mary Ann P. & Lay Lee O.

Catholic Mass Sunday –– Saturday at 10:45 AM

Youville House Management Team

Joanne Parsons CEO/President Joanne Scianna COOJohn Cooney Senior Director of FinanceDinah Olanoff Senior Director of Marketing & CommunicationsJoan Landers, RN Senior Director of WellnessBruce Jordan Director of Environmental ServicesKatie Blanchard Director of Programs Virginia Ellis Director of Community LifeLisa Yarin Director of MarketingMaria Benoit Director of Mission & Pastoral CareTom Landry Director of Human ResourcesMike Dickerson Director of Dining ServicesIldiko Szabo Community Life Coordinator

Programs / Menu Hotline...Hear a recorded list of the daily programs and the menu for lunch and dinner at Youville House. Simply call (857) 253-2024 directly or call the Reception Desk and the receptionist will connect you.

Car/Van Transportation Monday through Friday8:00 AM - 2:00 PMPlease submit your requests for transportation to the Reception Desk forty-eight hours before the date of your appointment. Requests with less than forty-eight hours notice will be accommodated whenever possible, but not guaranteed. The fee for transportation is $8.00 each way for one to five miles and $1.00 for each additional mile. The fee for transportation to the Cambridge Hospital and the Cambridge Harvard Vanguard is $4.00 each way. As always, we will do our best to meet your needs. If you have any questions, feel free to stop by or call.

Katie Blanchard, Director of Programs

Spiritual

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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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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 Balance Challenge Tai Chi for Arthritis Stretch & Flex

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 Bible Study

ArtMatters presents... Animals in Art Ellis Island w/ Tom Brown The Jewelry Box w/ Patricia Perry Poetry Seminar w/ Stephen Collins

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

Get fit. Stay sharp. Age well.©