"SENIOR TIMES" APRIL 2026

THE SENIOR TIMESTM

A publication of The Senior Network

April 2026

GOLDEN NUGGETS

“Rain, rain go away. We want to go out and play. Please come back another day!” The words in this children’s nursery rhyme express how the young view rain in a very narrow sense. They see rain as a deterrent to being able to go outside and play. As

these youngsters grow up, they are taught a new rhyme. “April showers bring May flowers.” Their perception of wet days has changed. They acknowledge that showers are necessary to water the earth so that gardens can produce flowers and crops. It refreshes our world. Just like this month’s theme, they now feel like “singing in the rain”. Every good shower has numerous raindrops falling to the ground. This concept of a “shower” can be

used without a drop of water as well. You can be “showered” with happiness, compliments and gifts. The Bible states in Ezekiel 34:26  “I will make them and the places all around my hill a blessing, and I will send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing.” Imagine how refreshing these “showers” from a loving heavenly Father will be!

REMEMBER WHEN

People started bopping in the middle of the family room in 1957 when ABC began airing American Band-stand, hosted by Dick Clark. Teens danced to the hits of the day, and each week a different band performed. After each song, Clark would interview the teens and have them rate the song for its danceability. The

first nationwide audience poll ranked Patti Page as American Bandstand’s favorite female vocalist of the year. The show went off the air in 1989.

Brain Teaser

(answer at the end of newsletter)

You are driving a bus. When you begin your route, there is an old woman named Mrs. Smith and a young boy named Raymond  on the bus. At the first stop, the old woman leaves, and a salesman, named Ed, enters. At the next stop, Jack and his sister Jill get on, as well as three women with shopping bags. The bus travels fifteen minutes, then stops and Raymond gets off and a man and his wife get on. Next, a woman with a bird in a cage gets on the bus. What is the name of the bus driver?

Who’d A Thunk

The first commercial, human-blood heat exchanger was developed in 1957, it permitted a patient’s body temperature to be safely and rapidly lowered during open heart surgery to any desired and precisely controlled hypothermic level, then during the conclusion of the operation rapidly rewarmed to normal. Prior to this, hypothermic surgery required hours of preoperative, hard-to-control, external emersion cooling and postoperative rewarming. Its design was a cooperative development between researchers at the Duke University Medical Center led by Dr. Ivan W. Brown, Jr., and research engineers of the Harrison Radiator Division of the General Motors Corporation led by W.D. Emmons.

GRANDMA’S COOKING CORNER

Andy Griffin’s Coconut Easter Cake

Ingredients:

 5 large eggs, separated

 2 cups sugar

 1/2 cup butter, softened

 1/2 cup canola oil

 2-1/4 cups cake flour

 1 teaspoon baking powder

 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

 1/4 teaspoon salt

 1 cup buttermilk

 2 cups sweetened shredded coconut, chopped

 1 teaspoon coconut extract

 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

 1/4 teaspoon almond extract

 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

Frosting:

o 11 ounces cream cheese, softened

o 2/3 cup butter, softened

o 4-1/3 cups confectioners’ sugar

o 1-1/4 teaspoons coconut extract

o 2 cups sweetened shredded coconut, toasted

Directions:

1. Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.

2. Preheat oven to 325°. In another large bowl, beat sugar, butter and oil until well blended. Add egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.

3. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well

after each addition. Stir in coconut and extracts..

4. Add cream of tartar to egg whites; with clean beaters, beat on medium until stiff peaks form. Fold a fourth of the egg whites into batter, then fold in remaining whites.

5. Transfer to 3 greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans.

Bake 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center

comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes before removing from

pans to wire racks to cool completely.

6. For frosting, in a small bowl, beat cream cheese and butter

until fluffy. Add confectioners’ sugar and extract; beat until

smooth.

7. Place 1 cake layer on a serving plate; spread with 1/2 cup

frosting and sprinkle with 1/3 cup coconut. Repeat. Top with

remaining cake layer. Spread remaining frosting over top

and side of cake; sprinkle with remaining 1 cup coconut.

Refrigerate for 2 hours before cutting. Store in the

refrigerator.

Humor Me

I was on a very crowded bus and an old woman with a walker gets on. All the other passengers proceed to file on and take up the remaining standing places but she stands close to me, staring me in the eyes. After 5 minutes of this, I kindly ask, “May I help you?” She replies, “Yes, I have been waiting here for 5 minutes now and you have not offered to give me your seat.” “Can you give me a good reason why I should?” ”I can give you 5. I am an old woman of 86. I have near paralysis in my left hip, a hip that has been replaced twice, my husband died 3 days ago and every second I stand up is pure agony. Can you give me many reasons why you deserve the seat more?” “Sadly, only one. I’m the bus driver.”

MILITARY SALUTE

Born and raised in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Fredrick (Rick) Carrier was drafted into the U.S. Army shortly his 18 th birthday. Twelve months later, Rick hit Urah Beach in Normandy, France, in the First Wave on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Following Normandy, Rick participated on the front lines of five major European battles including the Battle of the Bulge, the Remagen Bridge and Central Hermany. On his 20 th birthday, April 10, 1945 while scouting for military supplies abandoned by the Germans, he accidentally discovered the Buchenwald concentration camp. The following day, Rick was with Patton’s Third Army when they liberated Camp Buchenwald and brought freedom to thousands of prisoners including 750 orphaned boys.

Non Profit of the Month

In 1907, Ohio businessman Edgar Allen lost his son in a streetcar

accident. The inadequate medical services available to save his son prompted Allen to sell his business and launch a fundraising campaign to build a hospital in his hometown of Elyria, Ohio.

Once the hospital was established, Allen was surprised to discover that the staff would often conceal children with disabilities from public view. Motivated to make a difference, Allen founded the National Society for Crippled Children in 1919, which

became the first organization of its kind.  In the spring of 1934, the organization launched its first Easter seals campaign to raise

funds for its services. Donors showed their support by placing these seals on envelopes and letters. Cartoonist J.H. Donahey from the Cleveland Plain Dealer designed the first seal, inspired

by the right to live a “normal” life.  Following World War II, the organization recognized the growing needs of returning veterans and their families. The National Society for Crippled Children expanded its mission to provide comprehensive services tailored specifically to adults and veterans re-entering civilian life. These programs addressed employment opportunities, physical rehabilitation, and community reintegration, offering critical support to people who had dedicated themselves to the nation’s service. This expansion not only highlighted the organization’s adaptability but also underscored its commitment to fostering independence and dignity for all individuals during a pivotal moment in American history. By 1952, the lily, symbolizing new life and beginnings, was adopted as the logo of the National Society for Crippled Children, reflecting the organization’s broader focus. Public enthusiasm for the Easter seals campaign spurred grassroots efforts nationwide, significantly enhancing its reach. By 1967, the Easter  seals had become so iconic that the organization formally adopted the name Easter Seals. In the years leading up to the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, Easter Seals played a pivotal role as a leading advocate for this landmark legislation. The organization actively lobbied in Washington and across the country for its adoption, raising awareness and support for the rights of people with disabilities. Easter Seals also spearheaded some of the most impactful pro-ADA public service campaigns, delivering powerful messages that supported the law and its implementation. After the ADA’s passage, the organization continued its advocacy, ensuring that individuals across the nation could fully access their rights under the law.  In 2019, it became Easterseals, united in one name as it celebrated 100 years of transformative impact on the lives of people with disabilities, their families, and communities across America. This milestone was an opportunity to reflect on a century of advocating for independence while embracing a future where everyone also has greater opportunity.  Today, Easterseals continues its mission to empower people to live full, independent lives.

Grandpa’s Sports Stories

On April 19, 1956, the first Major League Baseball game was played in New Jersey, marking a significant moment in the states sports history. The game featured the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs, drawing a large crowd and setting the stage for future baseball events in the state.

	Words of Wisdom

“Any kid will run any errand for you, if you ask at bedtime.” RED SKELTON

Summer is right around the corner and many will be traveling

DVT (or deep vein thrombosis is a condition where blood clots occur in a deep vein – often in the legs.

The clot can travel to the lungs and cause a deadly pulmonary embolism. Sitting still for long periods of time can cause this clotting.

         If you are traveling by plane or train, you need to get up frequently and walk around. If traveling by car, stop at as many rest areas as possible to get out and stretch your legs.

         Your doctor may advise wearing compressive stockings.

        Taking aspirin during your trip can also help prevent blood clots. Check with your doctor before traveling to make sure aspirin will not conflict with any other medications you may be taking.

SENIOR OF THE MONTH 

April 2026

DAISY ASHFROD

Born and raised in New Bern, North Carolina, Daisy moved to the Raleigh area in 2015 after her husband died.

Daisy has always loved to perform and started singing in church at age 5, where she first sang “Jesus Loves Me”. At 13, she had learned to play the piano and could be found performing at several different churches.

Daisy accepted Christ as her Savior when she was 12; and church has always been an important part of her life. She currently attends Baptist Grove Church in Raleigh.

She attended Central University in Durham and Shaw University in Raleigh.  She worked in International Operations at the IRS in Washington, DC and then worked as a stenographer at Andrews Air Force Base until her mother became very ill and Daisy left her job to help care for her mother. Her mother didn’t want her to give up her job; but Daisy insisted, saying that, I can get another job, but I can’t get another mother.”

Besides singing, Daisy enjoys arts and crafts, puzzles and any kind of word games.

Watch out for scammers! They may pose as lawyers often targeting seniors to steal money or sensitive information. They might even impersonate a government official!

Answer to Brain Teaser

It’s YOU!