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THE SENIOR TIMES MAY 2025
- Melanie Crippen
- Apr 30
- 11 min read
GOLDEN NUGGETS
Lily of the valley is a delicate, fragrant flower that is associated with the month of May. It is a perennial plant that blooms in the early spring and produces small, bell-shaped flowers that are white or pink. The flower is native to Europe and is often found growing in shaded areas, such as woodland and hedgerows. In many cultures, lily of the valley is a symbol of spring and renewal, making it a popular flower for May Day celebrations. In addition, lily of the valley is the birth flower for those born in May, which further strengthens its association with the month. The flower has been used in a variety of ways throughout history. In medieval times, lily of the valley was believed to ward off evil spirits and was often used in religious ceremonies. It was also used as a medicinal herb and was believed to have several healing properties, including the ability to strengthen the memory and improve eyesight. Today, lily of the valley is still valued for its beauty and fragrance. It is often used in perfumes, as well as in cosmetics and other beauty products. In addition, the flower is sometimes used in wedding bouquets and other floral arrangements, as it is considered a symbol of purity, humility, and sweetness. Overall, lily of the valley is a beloved flower that is closely associated with the month of May and the joys of springtime.
If you look at the Bible verse Song of Solomon 2:1 it says, “I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.” Here is Jesus being compared to this unique, one-of-a kind fragrant flower of early spring. Think about how He is pure, humble and brings to us a special sweetness that fills us with joy. The good news is that His presence never dies or fades like the fragile springtime flowers. It lasts FOREVER!\
Remember When
The 1950s prom dress was the most important dress the 1950s high-school girl was going to wear. It all came down to the perfect poof — and with popular colors ranging from one shade of pastel to another, it’s not hard to tell that femininity was all the rage. Going to prom was like going to the grand ball, and not just any dress would do.
The popularity of Prom skyrocketed in the fifties, and American high school juniors and seniors were eager to get their fill of dance halls and rock music that the 1950s youth was sponsoring. Yearly proms were inspired by more formal debutante balls – including their style. Again, a tradition started 100 years earlier!
Brain Teaser (Answer at end)
There are five sisters in the house.
Ann is reading.
Rose is cooking.
Katie is playing chess.
Jennifer is gardening.
What is the fifth sister doing?
Grandma’s Cooking Corner:
Donald Trump’s Mother’s Meatloaf:
INGREDIENTS:
· 2 lbs. fresh ground beef
· 1 Spanish onion, diced finely
· 1 red bell pepper, diced finely
· 1 green bell pepper, diced finely
· 2 cloves garlic, minced
· 1 large beefsteak tomato, seeds removed, diced finely
· 2 extra large eggs
· 2/3 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
· 1/4 cup chopped parsley
· 2/3 cup tomato puree
· 1/2 tbsp salt and pepper
DIRECTIONS:
In a large saucepan, cook peppers, onion, garlic, and tomato until onions turn translucent. Let cool. Add ground beef, cooked cool vegetables, eggs, breadcrumbs, parsley, salt, and pepper to a large mixing bowl and mix well. Remove mixture from bowl and place in ceramic baking dish, forming mixture into a loaf. Top loaf with tomato puree. Bake at 350 degrees until brown, approximately 45-55 minutes. Allow meatloaf to rest for 10 minutes before slicing, then serve with mushroom gravy and mashed potatoes.
WORDS OF WISDOM
MILITARY SALUTE
Robin Olds joined the military through the U.S. military academy at West Point. Olds was an all-star linebacker for the football team and was anxious to get into the fight raging in World War II in Europe. His legacy was larger than life. He was a triple-ace fighter pilot with 16 kills in WWII; and he married Hollywood actress Ella Raines. He stayed in the Air Force when it became independent from the U.S. Army and then commanded a fighter wing during the Vietnam War. He is remembered by the Air Force today during "Mustache March," for the distinctive mustache he wore in Vietnam, sported as a way to boost morale among his men and thumb his nose at the media.
HUMOR ME
A farmer had five female pigs. Times were hard, so he decided to take them to the county fair and sell them.
At the fair, he met another farmer who owned five male pigs
After talking a bit, they decided to mate the pigs and split everything 50/50.
The farmers lived sixty miles apart. So, they agreed to drive thirty miles each and find a field in which to let the pigs mate.
The first morning, the farmer with the female pigs got up at 5 A.M., loaded the pigs into the family station wagon, (which was the only vehicle he had) and drove the thirty miles
While the pigs were mating, he asked the other farmer, “How will I know if they are pregnant?”
The other farmer replied, “If they're lying in the grass tomorrow morning, they're pregnant. If they're in the mud, they're not.”
The next morning the pigs were rolling in the mud.
So, he hosed them off, loaded them into the family station wagon again and proceeded to try again. This continued each morning for more than a week. Both farmers were worn out.
The next morning, the first farmer was too tired to get out of bed. He called to his wife, “Honey, please look outside and tell me whether the pigs are in the mud or in the grass.”
“Neither.” Yelled his wife. “They're in the station wagon and one of them is honking the horn.”
Who’d A Thunk
The Electronic Music Synthesizer manufactured by Radio Corporation of America (RCA) in 1951-52 was much different from the synthesizers in use now, the major difference being the fact that the earliest model did not produce sounds in real time! It was used more as a composition machine. The 1957 model, however, was largely used by many famous composers.
SENIOR-FRIENDLY HALL OF FAME
If you know an individual, a business, a group, an organization, or a municipality that is “senior-friendly”, you may nominate them for the “Senior-Friendly” Hall of Fame. Submit their name, contact information and why you think they should be considered.
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Although based in northern Wake County, North Carolina, we are receiving numerous requests from around the country and are now partnering with churches and other organizations in many states to fulfill needs of seniors. If you need a ride to the doctor, or dentist, or grocery store, contact us. If you need a meal brought to you after surgery, contact us. If you are lonely and need ro talk to someone, contact us. We will try to find someone to accommodate you.
Nonprofit of the Month
World Vision is an international partnership of Christians whose mission is to follow the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in working with the poor and oppressed to promote human transformation, seek justice, and bear witness to the good news of the Kingdom of God. They pursue this mission through integrated, holistic commitment to: Transformational development that is community-based and sustainable, focused especially on the needs of children. They provide mergency relief that assists people afflicted by conflict or disaster and promotion justice that seeks to change unjust structures affecting the poor among whom we work. They partner with churches to contribute to spiritual and social transformation and provide public awareness that leads to informed understanding, giving, involvement, and prayer. They witness to Jesus Christ by life, deed, word, and sign that encourages people to respond to the Gospel.
Grandpa’s Sports Stories
In the second game of the 1951 World Series, Giants rookie Willie Mays hit a fly ball to right center field. Mickey Mantle, playing right field, raced for the ball together with center fielder Joe DiMaggio. At the last moment, the latter called for the ball. In attempting to stay out of DiMaggio's way, Mantle's spikes got caught over an exposed drainpipe. His knee twisted awkwardly, and he fell instantly, his right knee injured severely. Mantle had to be carried off the field on a stretcher. This was the first of numerous injuries that were to plague his eighteen-year career with the Yankees. He was to play the rest of his career with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Accompanying his son to the hospital after the game, Mantle's father collapsed onto the sidewalk while trying to help his son into a taxi. The two were given hospital beds in the same room and watched the remainder of the World Series together. Mutt Mantle was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease; he died a few months later at the age of 40, on May 7, 1952. Mickey, at the time, away with the Yankees, was informed by manager Stengel of his father's death and was inconsolable.
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Hearing problems can lead to difficulties in speech comprehension and poor engagement in social activities. People with hearing impairment are more likely to experience social isolation, psychological distress, anxiety and depression than people without hearing impairment.
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SENIOR OF THE MONTH
May 2025
Victoria Turner Powers
Victoria is a Multimedia Visual Artist. This includes Impressionistic oil on canvas, realistic water color, abstract acrylics on canvas, black and white photography, recycled art, fiber arts, mixed media, foil relief etchings, alcohol ink paintings, and handmade paper collages and vessels. Victoria ran her own private art gallery featuring the diversity of her work from December 2010- January 2015 at the Blake Street Studios in downtown Raleigh City Market. Her professional exhibits include juried shows, display venues, and galleries, locally, regionally & nationally, including, the Visual Art Exchange Gallery, ArtSpace, the Sawtooth Center, Imurj gallery, Raleigh, NC, and the North Carolina State Fair, and the Rand Gallery; and solo shows at Town Hall in Cary, NC, the Carter Building Galleries, Hager Smith Design Firm, Blake Street Shops and Studios Commons Area, Sun Flower Gallery, Raleigh Little Theater Green Room Gallery, the Pullen Crafts Center, Sertoma Arts Center, the Women’s Center, and Simple Pleasures Café, Garner Performing Arts Center, The Oxford Restaurant, Bella Monica Restaurant, North Street Beer Factory. Victoria's work has won numerous awards in art exhibitions.
Victoria received a B.A. from UNC in Chapel Hill. Her art education includes a major in painting. She has continued her education at Penland School of Crafts, Savannah School of Art and Design, Meredith College Art Department, Sertoma and Pullen Arts Centers, Raleigh, North Carolina, NC State University Craft Center, and the North Carolina Art Education Association.As an Art Specialist, Victoria retired Wake County Public School System, Wiley International Studies Magnet Elementary School 1988-2014. She was on the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), Certified Teacher 2002 and renewed in 2012, and North Carolina Art Educator’s Association Elementary Teacher of the Year 2009. Victoria's students have also won awards at the local, county, state and national levels. She currently teaches private and small group art classes in her Raleigh, North Carolina home studio.Her professional memberships include Artspace Inc. Artist Member, Visual Art Exchange Artist Member, Imurj Gallery Artist Member, North Carolina Museum of Art Member, the North Carolina Art Educators Association, the National Art Educators Association, and UNC Alumni Association.
You can read more of Victoria’s story in a blog on our website under “The Boomers Story”. She and her “Boomer” partner, Jonathan Wakely, finally married in 2024 after performing as “The Boomers” for many years.
“The Boomers” are a duo band featuring acoustic guitar player Jonathan and vocalist and percussionist Victoria. They entertain at many of our events; and we thank them. They realize how much music means to seniors! Everyone loves them and their performance!
DID YOU KNOW?
Pets (cats and dogs) could make you just as happy as a spouse or best friend.
Having a furry friend may boost your life satisfaction as much as being married or regularly spending time with loved ones.
TIDBITS FROM OUR PARTNERS, MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
As of 2024, nearly 7.6 million Americans receive some form of home care, a number that's steadily rising due to an aging population and a growing preference for aging in place. About 90% of adults aged 65+ say they would prefer to stay in their own homes as they age, according to AARP.
Despite its benefits, home care presents risks such as falls (accounting for 60% of injury-related ER visits for older adults), medication errors, and social isolation. The CDC estimates that 1 in 4 older adults falls each year, often leading to serious injury or hospitalization.
Risk Mitigation Measures:
1.Home Safety Assessments - Remove tripping hazards, install grab bars, and improve lighting to reduce fall risks.
2.Medication Management - Use pill organizers, alarms, or digital apps to ensure medications are taken correctly.
3.Social Engagement - Encourage regular interaction through community programs, family visits, or virtual meetups to reduce loneliness and mental health decline.
“By taking proactive measures, home care can remain a safe and supportive option for aging individuals.”
Weston Moore
GRISWOLD HOME CARE
I believe that eating certain fruits before bedtime can significantly improve sleep quality. Cherries, bananas, pineapples, and grapes contain natural compounds that help regulate sleep patterns.
Joshua Perry
Philadelphia, PA
Salt serves as an effective anti-clogging solution for your sinks. Blend half a cup of salt with one cup of baking soda. Allow it to sit for 4-6 hours, making it convenient to pour the mixture down the sink before bedtime. After letting it sit for several hours, or overnight, flush the sink with hot water to remove the mixture. Repeat as necessary.
Submitted by Rosemary Reeves
Remember when the two biggest “frauds” in your lives were the dreaded chain letter and the 12-cassettes-for-a-penny club from Columbia House? That innocent penny hooked us into buying recorded music for the rest of our lives if we didn’t frantically run to the post office and mail back the month’s music choice that was sooo not your style.
Don’t lie, your first penny order included at least one of these: Meat Loaf, The Police, Toto or Fleetwood Mac, right? Can you still hear your mother’s voice in your head when you ask her for an envelope and stamp to mail in your order form from the newspaper ad? “If it’s too good to be true, it ain’t, honey.”Anyone born after 1990 right now is wondering what we’re talking about and what the heck is a stamp and a newspaper ad?The stakes have certainly gotten higher in the fraud department, haven’t they? Just this week, I’ve noted a fake email from my bank, the Internal Revenue Service and a bogus DocuSign that looked so incredibly like the system used at work that it nearly fooled me. What’s a person to do and who can they trust? Sometimes it takes the deductive reasoning skills of a detective just to read the day’s emails.
The Federal Trade Commission reports that consumers lost more than $10 billion to fraud in 2023 alone. This was an increase of 21% over the previous year. While the 2024 statistics have yet to be released, an increase wouldn’t be a surprise. The scams are getting more sophisticated every year. Even FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson has recently been the victim of scammers trying to impersonate him. It’s safe to say that no one is immune to this deceptive and dishonest shadow industry.
It’s tax season, so we should all be on our toes for fraudsters working to help us part with our hard-earned money. Caution and a bit of detective skills will suit us well going forward. It really can be elementary with a few careful steps added before clicking that next email or text link.
Lora Felger
FIRST CAROLINA CARE
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“I think people are getting stronger these days. Twenty years ago, it took several people to carry $50 worth of groceries to the car, now my 3-year-old grandson can easily carry them.”
Submitted by Larry Barnhill
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I recently read that certain medications can have adverse interactions when taken at the same time you drink coffee or caffeinated beverages — blood pressure spikes, reduced efficacy, racing heart, headache, and more. The potential interactions involve drugs prescribed for a wide range of conditions, from diabetes and depression to asthma and Alzheimer’s. Ask your doctor if caffeine could affect your medication.
J.R., St. Louis, Missouri
We (humans) are social creatures. When we isolate ourselves, we miss out on essential social interactions that provide support, comfort, and a sense of belonging. Isolation can lead to feelings of loneliness, which are closely linked to depression and anxiety. Moreover, being alone often deprives us of opportunities for sharing experiences, learning from others, and receiving emotional validation, all of which contribute to overall well-being and happiness. Building and maintaining meaningful connections with friends, family, and community is crucial for a fulfilling and joyful life.
Submitted by Dr. Mac
Answer to Brain Teaser:
She is playing chess since it takes two to play the game.
THE SENIOR NETWORK, INC.
3650 Rogers Road, Suite #323
Wake Forest, North Carolina 27587
954-666-2040
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