Vol. 7 No.1

Happiness is • • •The true meaning of Christmas joy was

shared by all who attended the Chapter 1775AARP Christmas party on a Saturday afternoonduring the holiday season when special AARPguests were more than 30 residents of two areanursing homes.

President Carl Curtis and his AARP helpersplanned a festive luncheon party for the guests.

Dear Friends,I want to thank you for the nice

time we had at your Christmas partySaturday. Also Mr. Johnson forcoming and getting me. Your hallwas so pretty. I want to thank youfor all the things you do for Medic-Home.

I hope you have a MerryChristmas and a healthy New Year.May the Lord bless each one of you.

Athelia Willman-and all that were there

Two of the more than 30 special guests at Hawthorne during theholidays were these women from local nursing homes who were hosted byAARP. With them are (left to right) Sara Harris of Medic-Home HealthCenter, Carl Curtis, president of Hawthorne's AARP Chapter, and HattieClark of Lake Memorial Nursing Home.

January 1980

Sharing & CaringMembers had volunteered to go to the nursinghomes in private cars to drive the men andwomen to and from the party. Colonial Pennhad individual gifts for each guest to add to theoccasion.

Sharing and caring made this Christmasactivity a special time for AARP members andfor their special guests from Lake MemorialNursing Home and Medic-Home Health Center.

Resolutions"But this is for your own good." How often

have we heard this expression and immediatelystiffened in resistance? But read on. Thisresolution could save your life. If you haven'thad your blood pressure measured in the past sixmonths to a year, will you resolve to sign up atthe Triangle for the next opening at one of ourtesting sessions?

Did you know that this program has been inexistence for almost three years? We feel surethat there are some residents at Hawthorne whohave not yet taken advantage of it, some whomay not see a physician regularly and some whomay have high blood pressure and don't know it.It could be dangerously high with no symptom orwith symptoms attributed to something else, sowhy not have your blood pressure checked atintervals and know how it is?

Blood-pressure testing sessions were startedin 1977. On February 23 a small group of sixretired nurses (all Hawthorne residents) met todiscuss the need for a blood-pressure screeningprogram. Mildred Bremer was the first chairman,

Mildred set up the program under theauspices of the Health Education Committee.The objectives are to find the persons who havehigh blood pressure; to refer for medical carewhen indicated; to counsel regarding dietary,exercise, and weight precautions in accordance

SERENDIPITYEnglish, more than any other language, has

been receptive down through the centuries towords and phrases from sources and in waysthat will prove surprising to anyone who has notyet experienced the sheer intellectual fun oftracing the origin and development of the wordsand phrases we use and often abuse.

From the Far East comes, albeit indirectly, aword of increasing currency now on the way tobecoming prestigious, even though for manyoften vaguely clear in its meaning. In the fairytale The Three Princes of Serendip (Serendipbeing the former name of Ceylon), Saul setsforth to look for his father's lost donkey and findsa kingdom. This happy circumstance of comingupon something exceptionally good whilesearching for something of relatively little or novalue, has given rise to "serendipity" (not relatedto serene!) . This word we owe to HoraceWalpole, noted English writer (1717 - 1797).

C.M.

Resolutionswith the Heart Association recommendations; toencourage following through on physician'sadvice; to recheck blood pressure at necessaryintervals; and to continue encouragement of amore healthful life-style.

It has been necessary to ask people to signfor these sessions in order to have a number wecan care for properly, leaving a little leeway tomeet emergency needs. Usually there are twosessions per month.

In 1978 there were 19 sessions with a totalattendance of 1662. Usually there are threenurses at each session, two testing and onecounseling. In addition there are usually threeassistants who admit patients, prepare records,help with traffic flow. Jo Elder and EdwinaSachtleben have been co-chairmen of this group,and their help has been greatly appreciated.Sixteen nurses (14 RN's and two LPN's) and 18clerical assistants participated in this program lastyear. Each year there have been more nursesmoving into the park and participating in theprogram. Some who have taken part in the pastare now inactive.

After Mildred Bremer was chairman for ayear and a half, Jean Weston agreed to take itfor a 6 month stretch which elongated into ayear and a half. One of the difficulties in gettinga successor is that one is almost obligated to bepresent at each session for uniformity andcontinuity of the program. At the latest meetingof the nurses and assistants it was decided tohave co-chairmen sharing equally in the variousresponsibilities so that they would not be so tieddown (since all of us are "retired"). The presentco-chairmen are Shirley Erb and Evelyn Matthes,both very capable and friendly people.

If you have one more New Year'sResolution left, do make it this -- to sign up tohave your blood pressure checked on the nextavailable date if you haven't had it done in thepast six months. Jean Weston

Penn Notes StaffEditor Nona McKinneyAssociate Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Earl KauffmanPhotographers. . . . . . . . John Tienken,

Don ComunaleStaff Margaret Albro, Elnora Bolan,

Mary Elizabeth Caldwell, Joe Feol,Clifford Hollister, Anna K. Merlino

Roland Mernitz, Marie Richardson, Edith Schipper

Key West,Land of the Conchs

four bus loads from Hawthorne recentlytoured Key West under the expert guidance ofDick Ray, chairman of the Hawthorne TravelClub. On the way home everyone discussedtheir adventures in that picturesque city. Weoverheard comments such as these.

Janet and AI Bakeman said that visiting KeyWest was like looking 400 years into the past.On the other hand, Charlotte and FrankBrennan liked the Conch train for the scenic tourof the entire island.

Belle and Bob Clendenning recalled thespectacular Polynesian show and the succulentappetizers at the Mai Kai in Fort Lauderdale. Inthe same city Rose and Paul Garrick enjoyed theresort atmosphere of the Bahia Mar Motel andYacht Club.

The farms around Belle Glade impressedHoward and Janet Humbert, with their miles oflettuce and celery. The mechanization used toproduce huge crops of sugar cane amazed AIand Gladys Casano.

The Coral Grill buffet, piled high withsumptuous food, lingered in the memories ofBruno and Sophie Marlega. Dot and BillWilkinson also mentioned this as well as thebrilliant Parrot Jungle and the orchid show.

It seems there was a con census that one ofthe most enjoyable things about the visit to KeyWest was the companionship of friends andneighbors from Hawthorne.

As for us, we liked all of it, especially theConch Train, conch chowder, the Conchs (thenatives), and just being konked out from thelong ride back.

Elnora Bolan

A SabalChristmas

Tree?A Sabal Palm could be Florida's Christmas

tree. The Florida palms and the Florida climateare very much like those of the Holy Land. TheSabal Palm is Florida's official state tree thus thepalm is a natural for its Christmas tree.

Florida has 12 native palms, with manyimported palms living happily throughout thestate, including some here at Hawthorne.

Dewhirst W. Wade

Think HappyThoughts

If you are inclined to rememberthe unfortunate, unhappy events in)Jour life, consider the only functionyou leave for your mind to perform.Failing to remember and to magnify thehappy events, while not really wantingto think about the unhappy ones, whatchoice has your mind but to beforgetful?

Grandma Moses & You'Tis the season to be getting Christmas cards

from distant friends. At least one may be areproduction of a picture by Grandma Moses -- asnowy farmyard, snow-covered hills and tree~with a house, sleigh, horses and rompingchildren in the foreground. .

You all know about Grandma Moses' life.After 75 years of hard work on her New Yorkfarm, 10 children (five died in childhood), andher husband's death, she could no longer do thefarm chores. In her own words, "I had neuritisand arthritis so bad I could do but little work, buthad to keep busy to pass the time away. I triedworsted pictures, then oil, and now I paint agood deal of the time."

She devoted her entire energy to painting,heightening her natural feeling for color andcomposition, until she developed a style of herown, beyond the purely "primitive" one of herearly paintings (done in the seventies!). Beforeher death, at the age of 101, she had enjoyedfame based on hundreds of paintings mostly ofthe upper New York country she loved.

She is an inspiration to us in our later years.She reminds us of the many available activitiesopen to us after the business of our youth isover. There is so much besides work. We, too,can realize values, not only of the arts includingmusic, literature, and drama but also offriendship and understanding.

So, if you got a Christmas card of one ofGrandma Moses' paintings, think of what youcan discover in your future.

Edith Schipper

30 Days Hath --Are you always sure which months of the

year have 30 days and which 31? Withoutrecourse to what is possibly the best knownmnemonic device in the English language?Come now, what about August? June? October?If you never have to go over that little verse inyour mind, congratulations. Some of us are notquite so bright.

In any case, wouldn't life be easier if we had13 months of 28 days each? Everything wouldbe nice and neat. There would be four weeks inevery month and every day of the month wouldalways come on the same day of the week. If westarted with Monday, January 1, we wouldknow that all the firsts of the months would beon Monday and all the twenty-eighths onSunday.

Under this system Thanksgiving wouldalways fall on the same date, November 25, andChristmas would be on Thursday. Oh, dear, Idon't think I like that idea; I'd rather haveChristmas on Friday, Saturday, or Monday, sothat there would be a long holiday weekend.

A good thing about this scheme is that wewould instantly know on which day other annualevents occurred, such as wedding anniversaries,our spouses' birthdays, and the Fourth of July.Oops. If we are taking three days away fromJanuary, March, and May and two days fromApril and June, the Fourth of July actuallywould fall on July 17.

When could we insert our thirteenth monthinto the year's calendar? My suggestion is to putit after December and call it Remember, to give asatisfying rhyme with September, November andDecember. During Remember we could reviewand assess the past year's activities, pay up ourbills, make plans (resolutions?) to recoup ourlosses and share our gains, and generallyprepare ourselves for a bright future in a shiningNew Year.

Incidentally, it would be necessary to add anextra day to Remember and two days everyfourth year, thus accommodating our 365lj4-daysolar year. These extra days could be called OnePlus and Two Plus and of course they would bespecial holidays. Then January would begin ourregular 28-day months again.

How do you like the idea? Preposterous,you say. Of course. So a very happy New Year(present calendar style) to each and everyone 'ofyou. And in the second month of 1980 be sureto remember: "February has 28 days clear and29 each leap year.~' Marie L. Richardson

Our Last 3 ConcertsFrom folk songs to intricately structured

symphonies, music has always been humanity'ssolace and delight, expressing the feelings forwhich we can find no words. In the remainingthree concerts of our series, there will be musicwhich appeals to all of us

The next two concerts are given by youngpeople who bring their enthusiasm to theirperformances. On January 13, the StetsonUniversity Percussion Ensemble will playa variedprogram, a mixture of classical and popularmusic. Come and listen to them!

The following concert, on February 10, is tobe played by the Florida Southern College Con-cert Band. Some of you remember this 60-piecebrass band from its concert here three years ago.If you like the lively marches and other classicaland contemporary concert band music, comeand enjoy the varied program.

The last concert of the season features vocalmusic sung by the Orange Blossom Chorus, theOrlando chapter of the SPEBSQSA, of nationalcompetition quality. The chorus includes twomale quartets and a Sweet Adeline (female)quartet, 35 voices in all. They will sing many ofthe favorites we all remember very well, songswhich will "vibrate in the memory," brighteningour days.

Take advantage of the unique opportunityto hear these three fine remaining concerts inHawthorne's own music series.

Edith Schipper

Small WorldAt the first Illinois Club meeting, Wallace

and I, not knowing any others, were met bypetite, trim Myrle Padden who asked us in whatsection of Illinois we had lived.

Then and later we learned that otherHawthorne residents had lived within a radius offive or six blocks in Irving Park, a section ofChicago. The fortunate 14: Melva Boughton,Wallace and Hazel Buffmire, Myrna Cochran,Viola Hennig, Arthur Leary, Rachel Johnsonand her brother, the late Vernon Johnson,Edgar and Nona McKinney, Myrle and the lateLester Padden, Florence Wiegand and WinnieWinandy.

It is unbelievable that 14 of us, having livedyears ago in a small area within Chicago, met forthe first time here at Hawthorne.

Hazel Buffmire

Felice Navidad for NidyaFelice Navidad, the Spanish version of

Merry Christmas, was heard frequently atHawthorne during the holiday season. It helpedNidya Rojas, a 16-year-old from Bogota,Columbia, and guest of John and Rita Moulden,to feel a little more at home while visitingHawthorne.

Nidya has been sponsored by the Mouldens,through Mexican Childrens Care, for the pastfive years. After visiting her home in Bogota in1974, John and Rita resolved that she shouldreturn the visit to their home in the UnitedStates. It took the intervention of the twosenators from Florida, Mr. Stone and Mr. Chiles,to get the cherished visa.

At the last minute Nidya was detained at theBogota airport by the immigration servicebecause she was a minor traveling alone.

She arrived unexpectedly in the middle ofthe night 12 hours later and found no one to

A dream come true was Nidya's visit with theMouldens who had to overcome many stumbling blocks tomake her visit a reality.

Christmas presents were just part of the fun for NidyaRojas during her holiday visit with John and Rita Moulden.

meet her at the Miami airport. Nidya was finallyput in touch with the Mouldens through toekindness of a Spanish-speaking "GoodSamaritan." She arrived at Hawthorne Friday,December 7, very tired after much frustration,but now a very happy teenager.

Her father serves a small Protestantcongregation as part-time pastor. She lives withher parents and often sees her married sister.

Visiting the Mouldens exposed Nidya tomany facets of Florida life, especially mobile-home living. Besides visiting some of the nearbytourist attractions, Nidya participated as much aspossible in a variety of Hawthorne activities -"-the Hawthorne Chorus concert, the Christmasservice, a potluck dinner, and a Channel 4interview.

Her new-found friends in Hawthorneshowered her with Christmas cards and a varietyof other material ways. Nidya hopes to continueher education in Bogota. After becoming moreproficient in English she would like to prepareherself for a career in medicine.

As she returned to her home, her schoolmates, and her friends, her goodbyes weretinged with joy and affection, and a deep senseof gratitude and devotion to John and RitaMoulden and all others who made her visitpossible. All of us at Hawthorne, bid her a fondHASTA LA VISTA.

Roland (Pop) Mernitz

Newcomers' WelcomeImportant among the many social amenities

at Hawthorne is the cordial welcome accorded toour new arrivals. The moving van has hardly leftand here we are sitting amid crates and cartonswhen our genial Abby Lacy knocks on the doorwith a cheery "Hello-glad-you-are-here"handshake. Before you know it you are tellingher where you came from, what brought you toHawthorne, your interests and hobbies. Shecarefully takes notes and pronto you arebuttonholed into a TV appearance on Channel4. So you are off to a good start in your newsurroundings.

The Newcomers' Teas are the highlights ofthe welcome-to-Hawthorne program. VirginiaSimpkins started these friendly occasions early in1975. Assisted by an able committee these ladiesin the early years used to send out 75 - 80invitations a month. Neighbors come tointroduce guests around and to look fornewcomers from their old home states. Thiscould be a reason for the formation of state clubswhich followed. The Singles Club memberslooked for singles to add to their number and toshepherd people into various hobby and activitygroups.

A vote of thanks goes to Virginia who waschairman for three years, planning refreshments,organizing hostesses, and attending to the manydetails that ensure a successful party. Proof ofthis was the average attendance of between 300and 350 people each month.

When Fun With Music was organized, andchose Monday afternoons to perform, it added amelodic measure of gayety to the party. Withsuch a varied program the Newcomers' Teasbecame a focal point of enjoyment. GraceRamsden was chairman the following year.

Now that the park is nearing completion,not so many invitations need to be sent, and theattendance has dropped to about 150. TheHospitality Committee is currently in charge withRosamond Braddock doing the Newcomers'Teas, thereby continuing this gracious traditionstarted so auspiciously nearly five years ago.

All those connected with this programdeserve a round of applause and appreciationfor all the work involved. Long may they carryon!

Anna K. Merlino

Interest, not effort, will improve your memory.

'Twas The Season ...It all started at Hawthorne when the

community Christmas card was unveiled on aChannel 4 program early in December. Over1,200 signatures followed that of Mr. Henley, aswe greeted each other and placed our money forcards and postage in a contribution box for theOPEN DOOR. Christmas festivities atHawthorne were indeed underway.

After this, party followed party as the manystate clubs, zone and activity groups held theirseasonal holiday gatherings.

The Fun With Music group, Ensemble, andCombo Corner furnished Christmas music andentertainment for many of these occasions.

An outstanding event of the season was the"Christmas Pudding," planned and arranged byBob Lenox. The 80 voice Hawthorne chorusclimaxed this program with the "HallelujahChorus" accompanied by the Ensemble. The"Pudding" was spiced with other numbers by theEnsemble, by the Barbershoppers, a quartet, avocal solo, and reading of Dicken's "ChristmasCarol. "

Special events were planned for all visitinggrandchildren - shuffleboard tournament andluncheon, swimming, and especially the PeanutCarnival. Starting out with five peanuts, all could"gamble" at 25 different carnival-type games.The unlucky ones could continue playing bybuying additional peanuts. More than 75residents were involved in preparing andoperating these many fun games. To top it offSecurity offered free rides on the fire engine.

Hawthorne showed its Christmas spirit inmany ways. Instead of gift exchanges, moneyand gifts were contributed to local charities.Christmas cards and other material expressionsof love showered Nidva Rojas, a teenage visitorfrom Bogota, Columbia. Residents alsoparticipated in many ways in the Christmasprograms of local churches and organizations.

Our own Hawthorne service emphasized theglory and joy of Christmas. We also joined withour friends in a recognition of Hanukkah.

Round, square, and social dancing werean intregal part of the season, and it seemedappropriate to close out Holiday Happeningswith a gala ball on New Year's Eve.

May these Happy Days continue as wemove into 1980.

Roland (Pop) Mernitz

A Golden Event!The annual 50-80 reception held in our

Great Hall in December, hosted by ColonialPenn Communities, is but one of the gleamingfacets which touch our lives and transformsHawthorne into a unique way of life. This specialevent honoring residents who have achieved ahalf century of marriage, or the 80th birthday,was a fitting opening of the Chistmas seasonhere.

Approximately 200 guests attended. Morethan a dozen present celebrated both goldenwedding anniversaries and the 80th birthday. Allthese guests are special people for they havesurvived the stresses of wars, economicdepression, good times and bad. They haveadapted to the most remarkable scientific,medical, and industrial advances of all times;and best of all, they found their way toHawthorne to round out the glowing years.

Amos Henley, President of Colonial PennCommunities and Dr. Earl Kauffman, formerProgram Director, personally greeted the guestsas they entered the hall.

Many joined to make the affair a success.There were the hostesses who helped servepunch and canapes. Our own Fun with Musicgroup entertained with music for dancing and

Happy New YearOn facing the Eighties I'm filled with good

cheerI plan to be perfect each day of the yearI'm already finding some good deeds to doAnd with your permission I'll mention a few;I gave myoid clothes to a family of driftersAfter removing the buttons and zippers,On Christmas I strived to be helpful and kindAnd gave my friends books on improving

their minds.I'm urging more mileage for gas-guzzling carsI want to give cat burglars free trips to Mars,Although I'll admit the Khomeini's not brightI think it's the turban that's tied on too tight.For manners too lax and for morals too easyThe Seventies no doubt will go down as

sleazyBut barring wild radicals, hippies and craziesThis decade might well be The Elegant

Eighties.Ethel McQUillan

Edna and Paul Gleason who celebrated their 62ndwedding anniversary on Christmas day, were recognizedby Colonial Penn Communities President Amos Henley asthe couple married the longest period of time, at theGolden 50180 Plus Club reception recently. They werepresented a commemorative lucite objet d'art inrecognition of their surpassing a golden weddinganniversary, as were more than 80 other couples inHawthorne.

community singing. Henry Willner, himself anhonoree, was master of ceremonies leading thesinging, telling jokes, and in serious moments,introducing speakers.

The Rev. Henry Bucher gave theinvocation. Earl Kauffman gave a welcomingspeech; and the Hawthorne Barbershoppers, ledand directed by Helen Edger, led us downmemory lane and the nostalgia of halcyon dayswhen we sang "In the Moonlight" from porchesand backyard swings. "Let me Call youSweetheart," "Down by the Old Mill Stream,""Love's Old Sweet Song," "Moonlight andRoses" -- these were the songs that gave us joywhen we were young and in the days beforeradio or TV.

The reception concluded with a speech byMr. Henley in which he congratulated all theguests and thanked Earl and Mary Kauffman andall other who helped to make this party asuccess.

Mr. Henley presented Paul and EdnaGleason a special gift honoring their 62 years ofmarriage. Then each golden anniversary couplewas given a similar brick-sized lucite block inwhich was embedded a Golden WeddingCertificate. A surface inscription gave the nameof the recipients and the date of their 50thAnniversary.

Joe Feol

Pop's Parodies Prove PopularOur "Hawthorne Way of Life" lyrics by

resident Dee Zarch, sung to the "Small World"melody of Disney World fame, are growingverse by verse as Pop Mernitz writes suitableverses for various occasions. Each premiere sofar has been a surprise to the group so honored,and their smiles are proof of appreciation. Deeoriginally wrote:1. It's a great, great life in so many ways

As we share our joys and our active days.We have time to relax and have things we

enjoy;

The Floridian ClubFrom its inception three years ago, the

Floridian Club has been the subject of muchcomment and speculation, as to the reason forits organization and its requirements formembership. Since it is not a "state" club, assuch, who can belong to it? Why is it called theFloridian Club?

Obviously, it cannot be called the FloridaClub, because every resident of Hawthornewould then be eligible. In this illogicalcircumstance, even if only a percentage joinedthe club, a monstrous, unwieldy conglomerationwould result.

Is the Floridian Club restricted to peopleborn in Florida? Of course not. If that were thecase, the club would, conversely, have a sparceenrollment. How many residents of Hawthornecan claim the distinction of being real, honest-to-goodness Florida "Crackers?"

Consequently, the only requirement formembership is residence in Florida for at least 10years. In the case of husband and wife, eitherspouse may qualify, and both are eligible.

What is the purpose and objective of theFloridian Club? To maintain contact with eachother on a friendly, convivial basis, throughperiodic, informal gatherings. Four dinnermeetings per year, spaced quarterly, arescheduled; and taboo are long, time-consumingspeeches and irrelevant discussions.

A typical Floridian Club meeting consists ofa "happy hour," a good meal, and a few laughs.Business? Only when it's absolutely necessary,and of very short duration.

So, all ye faithful Floridians are welcomeaboard.

George C. Maloof

It's a great life we have found.It's a new life every day, new to all who come

to stay.This is why we all can say "It's a great life!"

2. You will never find that your life's a boreFor your interests grow as each day adds

more,And the folks you may meet bring you joy

and a smileIt's the Hawthorne way of life.It's a new life every day; new to all who come

to stay.This is why we all can say "It's a great, great

life."Pop, as bass player and vocalist for Combo

Corner, wound up the music before the VodvilShow by singing Dee's lyrics. But he didn't stopthere when the Combo played for theHawthorne Players production of "Harvey" inOctober. Did you catch this verse, sung by Pop,just before the curtain went up?

Now let's all join in and enjoy some laughsAs the Hawthorne Players present their stuff.Keep your eyes wide open for the big white

rabbit;He's a part of Hawthorne life.Then the Combo played for the New Jersey

Club in November, and we heard:Here's a group come down from New Jersey

state.Where the fishing's poor but the gambling's

great,And they live happily in their new estateIt's the Hawthorne way of life.And the latest (and perhaps greatest?) lyrics

for the Wisconsin Club Christmas party:Now Wisconsin's known for its beer and

cheeseAnd its deep snowdrifts and its icy breeze.So the cream of the crop has come to a stopAt this Hawthorne way of life.What is the future of these lilting lyrics? Can

Pop top that one?Poetical Pop tells me he creates these

rhymes as he hikes his daily four miles aroundHawthorne. Thanks, Pop, for these whimsicalgifts from your tremendous storehouse ofthoughtfulness and love. You really light up ourlives. Keep 'em coming!

Louise Paquette