Meals on Wheels- Programs and Services of Rockland, Inc.

Thorpe Senior Activity Center

Newsletter

March 2016

Our Fortieth Year

October 1975 - 2015Thorpe Senior Center

“Where everybody knows your name”Dominican Convent

175 Route 340

Sparkill, New York 10976

845-359-4058 or 359-5801

Vol. 8 ~ March 2016

Birthstone ~ Aquamarine

Flower ~ Narcissus

Calling all seniors …

We are looking for you

We invite you and those you know to be part of Thorpe Center. Invite a friend, tell a neighbor that they

will find a warm welcome.

Like to play cards, scrabble, take part in history, literature, exercise, yoga, art or ceramic classes?

Then we are the place for you.

Like company when you dine? Then we are the place for you. Delicious fare, transportation too. Come

join the fun. Call 359-5801 or 359-4058. We’re waiting for you!Sister Maureen

Where people come together

Meals on Wheels- Programs and Services of R.C. Inc.

Published by Thorpe Senior Activity Center, Sparkill Located at Dominican Convent ,

175 Route 340

Sparkill, New York 10976

Meals on Wheels – Programs and Services 845-359-4058 or 359-5801

845-624-6325 wwwmowrockland.org

Musings on the Last Day of the Month Sister Jude Miriam

February is the shortest month of the year, just 29 days this year. Gray skies were the order of the

days. I missed the beauty of a snow fall (only two this winter), I can hear some of you saying, “Oh sure,

you don’t have to travel or drive, or shovel, or clear snow of a car,” and that’s true. If next summer,

because of the lack of snow, we have a drought-like conditions maybe some will change their minds, but I

do miss the beauty a snow fall brings, glistening snow on each and every branch of the trees, and the

quietness and peacefulness that surrounds a snowfall.

Some say if we get through February, Spring is not far away. I call them optimists. Then there are

those who say beware of March - some of the worst winter storms have been in March. I call them

pessimists.

Last year during the frigid winter of 2015, I planted some wildflower seeds in “my piece of earth” on

my window sill. Anxiously I watched and waited for something to poke its head out of the earth. Finally,

one morning, there they were bits of soft green reaching up attracted by the sunlight. Each morning I

checked “my garden”. Slowly the plants began to grow. By mid April, the small unknown, unnamed

plants were a sign that Spring had sprung.

Spring seemed to dance quietly into my life each year. The trees start to bud and daffodils have broken

through the ground searching for sunlight. “My piece of earth” continued to give me delight all summer,

flowering into the Autumn, and then came Winter, a remarkably warm winter, and so my plants continued

to be green and bring joy to my heart. We still have March. Spring is coming! New life is right

around the corner. Keep looking for quiet signs of spring, they are there, if we would just look. Be an

optimist!

“ I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o’er vales and hills

When all at once I saw a crowd

A host of golden daffodils

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.”

William WordsworthMarch

Transportation Provided

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Activities at Thorpe

In these uncertain times …When you’d like to dine out …

HISTORY WITH SISTER MAUREEN -

Mondays at 10:00

LITERATURE GROUP WITH SISTER JUDE –

Wednesdays at 10:15

CERAMICS – Mondays 12:45

EXERCISE –

Every Friday 10:00

CARDS - SCRABBLE – BINGO – WALKING CLUB

BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING

(Check calendar for dates and times)

SHOPPING - Shop Rite Northvale

Mondays 1 PM

Orangeburg - Fridays 1 PM

Macy’s, Marshall’s, – check calendar

Thorpe Senior Center

Is waiting for you !

Lunch every day …Great food …

Warm conversation … New friends …

For a menu and to make a reservationCall 359-4058 or 359-5801

Transportation provided

Come to the place where everybody knows your name!

Thorpe Party Bella Whalen

This month we were real “party

animals”. Our first party was a celebration of

the Chinese New Year. This is the year of the

Red Monkey. Sister Maureen gave us a little

talk. On display, were some of the Chinese

books and articles of Chinese history. We had

food in keeping with a Chinese menu. Egg

Drop soup, Ribs, Egg rolls, fried rice and of

course the Fortune cookie. It was a very lovely

day.

Next was the Valentine’s Day Pizza party

for Valentine’s Day. It was a treat for everyone.

Today, we are celebrating Black History

Month. We are going to enjoy a typical

Southern menu. Fried Chicken, collard greens,

black eye peas, and of course sweet potato pie.

All good reasons to join us at Thorpe Senior

Center.Rainbows!!! Marion O’Leary

I love rainbows and “Somewhere over the

Rainbow” is my favorite song.

I have always told my grandchildren that

whenever they see a rainbow they should think

of me. We say “when do they ever listen to

us”?

Well, a few weeks ago I was driving and

WOW there was a full double rainbow. I

stopped and took a picture and at the same time

I got a text message from my grandson TJ with

a picture of that same rainbow!

So see they do hear us even if we think we

are talking to deaf ears. I was so touched that

he thought of me at that very moment and I let

him know- Love Rainbows and love my

grandchildren.

“Daffodils

That come before the swallow dares, and take

The winds of March with beauty”

The Winter’s Tale Act4,Sc 4

William Shakespeare

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Literature Group

Sister JudeHistory Group Movie the Berlin Wall

Pat O’Donnell

I’d like to share the impact this film had on me

while sharing what people went through.

Glider planes, Zip lines over roof tops, Hot air

balloons, Rubber rafts. Who would think these were

the tools used for escaping East Germany?

Listening to the stories of survival and success

of the East Germans who made it to West Germany

were astounding, amazing and incredible. We were

also shown it was not JUST A WALL but electrified

fencing, barbed wire, mini bombs inlaid in the

ground, ringing alarms and armed guards. One

would think East Germans might forego their escape

rather than face dangers like this. But their desire to

reach freedom was go great, they left

EVERYTHING behind to risk their life for freedom.

The Berlin Wall stood for 28 years and 40,000

were able to make it to West Germany. Records

claim 136 were killed trying to escape but it is felt a

lot more are dead and not recorded. The day finally

came when America and Russia would be able to

agree and President Regan flew to East Germany

and addressed Mikhail Gorbachev to “TEAR

DOWN THIS WALL”.

Imagine the progress of a Democratic Country

and a Communist Nation reaching an agreement!

What a joyous ending to such a long ugly stigma.

Look What’s Happening in March

March 1 - Dr. Robert Schelin 1pm

“How We Pick Our Candidates” – Informative

March 7 - Trip to “Jill’s” for Ceramics 10:00am

March 8 – Visit Morning Music Club 10:15

March for Meals 12:00 – 1

Meet BOULDER BIRD and Friends

March 17 Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Corned Beef Dinner Party

Music – Chris Durante

March 23 – Red Hat Luncheon

Brady’s Fox Hunt Inn

March 30 – Empire City Casino Trip $5.00

COMING IN APRIL

April 21 - $55.00

Westchester Dinner Theatre

“The Man From La Mancha”

Mardi Gras Diane McCarthyThe holiday of Mardi Gras is celebrated in

New Orleans, Louisiana although celebrations are

for about two weeks before and through Shove

Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday.

This year it was celebrated on Tuesday February

9th. We, at Thorpe also celebrated it with the making

of ice cream sundaes. There were many different

flavored ice creams from which to choose, -

pistachio, coffee, vanilla, and of course, chocolate-

toppings of flavored sauces, strawberries, bananas

and sprinkles, also whipped cream.

It was a special treat and I’m sure all enjoyed.

Thank you Sister Maureen, Sister Marie, and all

others who helped.

The Literature group most recently read a

selection of the poems of Emily Dickenson.

Before we began the poetry we watched with

delight the a wonderful DVD production of “The

Belle of Amherst” starring Julie Harris, hoping to

better understand her written word.

After having read a small collection of

Dickinson’s poetry and heard wonderful insights

into each of the poems, the group decided to write

an original anagram. Please enjoy our efforts

EnigmaticMoroseImaginativeLove of NatureYearning‘Strange

PessimisticOdd ThemesEccentricTragicRigidYouthful

Page 4

“THIS MONTH IN HISTORY” – MARCH A MONTH FULL OF HISTORY

1 Yellowstone becomes the U.S.’s first national park. (1872)2 Texas declared its independence from Mexico

(1836) 2 Wilt Chamberlain of Philadelphia Warriors

scores 100 points in a basketball game (1962) 3 The Star Spangled Banner becomes the

National Anthem (1931)4 The Constitution of the United States of America goes into effect. (1789) 5 The Boston Massacre occurred. (1770)6. Silly putty is invented (1950)6. Well known and loved Walter Cronkite signs

off as anchorman of the CBS Evening News (1981) 7. Alexander Graham Bell patents the Telephone

(1876)7 Monopoly board game is invented (1933)8 President Ronald Reagan calls USSR an “Evil

Empire” (1883)8 Baseball great Joe DiMaggio dies (1999)9 Ironclad ships Monitor and the Merrimack

battle in the Civil War.

10 The U.S. government issues paper money for the first time. (1862)4

10 Alexander Graham Bell places the world’s first telephone call, to his assistant in the next room (1876)

11 The most famous storm in American history begins…the Blizzard of 1888 (1888)

12 Girl Scouts were founded (1912)12 Baseball great Joe DiMaggio agrees to new

contract with NY Yankees, and gets a $6,250 raise13 Senate begins impeachment trial of

President Andrew Johnson (1868) 13 Greenwood patented earmuffs, originally

called the “Champion Ear Protector”. (1877)13 Harvard University is named after clergyman

John Harvard (1639) 14 Eli Whitney patents the Cotton Gin (1794)14 George Eastman, founder of Eastman Kodak

Company commits suicide rather than face ravages of cancer (1932)15 “The Ides of March – Julius Caesar is stabbed

to death by Marcus Julius Brutus (44BC)16 Professor Robert Goddard launches the first

liquid fuel rocket (1926)

16 The Mai Lai Massacre takes place in Vietnam (1968)17 On this day, everyone is a little bit Irish

17 The rubber band was invented (1845) 19 Congress approves Daylight Savings Time (1918)

20 Harriet Beecher Stowe publishes the book “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”21 The infamous Alcatraz prison is closed (1963)23 Patrick Henry declares ”Give me liberty or give me

death.”24 German scientist Robert Koch announces he has

discovered the bacillus that causes tuberculosis (1882)24 Elvis Presley joins U.S. Army (1958)26 Ludwig von Beethoven dies in Vienna (1827)

26 Dr. Jonas Salk invents a vaccine to fight polio. (1953)27 Biggest earthquake ever recorded strikes

Anchorage, Alaska. It measured 8.3 on Richter scale (1964)28 Nathaniel Briggs patents the washing machine

(1797)28 The city of Madrid falls to the forces of Francisco

Franco ending the Spanish Civil War (1939)28 Three Mile Island nuclear power plant accident

occurs in Middletown, Pa. (1979)29 Ice jams stop the flow of water over Niagara Falls.

(1848)29 Coca Cola is invented (1886)30 The 15th Amendment goes into effect, giving black

men the right to vote (1870)30 Jeopardy debuts on television (1964)

31 The Eiffel Tower opens in Paris, France (1889)

A LAUGH AT LIFE

As I was lying around, pondering the problems of the world, I realized that at my age I really don’t give a hoot anymore.…If walking is good for your health, the postman would be immortal…A whale swims all day, only eats fish, drinks water but is still fat…A rabbit runs and hops and only lives 15 years, while… A tortoise doesn’t run and does mostly nothing, yet lives for 150 years.And you tell me to exercise??? I don’t think so. Just grant me the sense to forget the people I never liked, the good fortune to remember the ones I do and the eyesight to tell the difference

Dearest Members of Thorpe Senior Center,

I just want to write a few words of how

happy I am about being a member of the

Thorpe Senior Center. This is the best gift my

daughter Georgian could have given me. I

look forward to getting here every day.

Whenever I’m with my family I’m

always taking about the Thorpe Senior Center

my daughter enrolled me in. I mention about

being picked up by bus in the morning and

how the day starts with coffee, tea or any

other drink you may want plus cake, cookies

or Danishes we want. Then about the lunches

that are like a delicious dinner. Then we start

the day with a good movie. Every day we

usually have a visitor who talks about so

many interesting subject I can’t remember

them all. There is so many other things to say

but my memory isn’t that good. I know I left

a lot out.

So I’ll finish by saying “Thank You, God”

for every day I am welcomed at the Thorpe

Senior Center.

With love and affection,

Phyllis Cammarata

comes to Thorpe

Pat O’Donnell

Kaitlin, a nutritional Intern with

Meals on Wheels came to visit us on Tuesday

and Thursday February 16th and 18th. She is

such a delight so personable. She was so

informative and taught us a lot.

On her 2nd visit she brought a

Jeopardy Board she had created. She

divided the group into two sections and asked

the 2 teams their favorite foods – that is how

we became Team Spinach and Team Ice

Cream. We had such a great time – Kaitlin

proved to also be quite imaginative.

She did not tell us total scores just that

Team Ice Cream won by 200 points. I say

celebrate your win with ice cream!

A great time was had by all.

Original Poetry Sharon McLeod

Spring Author Note: Dedicated to family and friends

Splashes of rose, lemon and carrot leaves fall

Pleasing some of our senses as we play ball

Racing, skateboarding, and playing so rough

Invites others to join us until we have enough

New friends we continually appear to make

Give us choices of playing while mothers bake

Brownies and juice, or milk and cookies are treats

Refreshing our spirits as we master our own feats

Even while we play until we are almost ready to drop

Every gentle wind recharges us before we finally plop

Zippers are open to enjoy the wind blowing inside

Early in the morning or later on in the evening tide

So this season leads into the time for water glides

Valentine’s Day Pizza Party Elaine Dealing

The party was attended by 40 people on February

12th. Everyone was dressed in something red. All

the tables were decorated appropriately.

We were served Oven Pizza slices by all the

volunteers. The dessert was strawberry shortcake and

also candy.

We were musically entertained by Jimmy

Walsh who sang and played many songs. Some of the

people attending danced especially Phyllis. It was

great.

People all over the world celebrate on the 17th of

March in honor of St. Patrick the patron saint of

Ireland.

“I am Patrick, a sinner, most uncultivated and least of

all faithful and despised in the eyes of many.”

Page 5

WE LEARNED A LOT OF THINGS ABOUT PRESIDENT KENNEDY THAT WE DIDN’T

KNOW Marcy Piper

In two History classes we saw films about Jack

Kennedy’s childhood and when he was a young man

heading toward a career in politics and the

Presidency.

His childhood was not the usual rich boy’s life.

The Kennedy children were sent to public schools

where the other students called them names because

of their Catholic faith. Their father was not liked.

During Jack’s teen years he became quite ill and

doctors diagnosed it as Addison’s disease. This

would give him trouble for the rest of his life. He

like participating in sports but was not able to do

much of that. He was an avid reader and read very

fast, sometimes completing an entire book in one

day. He was not an honor student but was accepted

at Harvard. He became close friends with a few of

them and he liked the girls.

Jack’s father was appointed by Franklin

Roosevelt as Ambassador to England and the entire

family moved to London. Jack was interested in how

countries had dealt with each other when problems

arose. He was in Germany when it was obvious that

Hitler was getting ready to go to war. The British

Prime Minister and other dignitaries met with him

and wanted appeasement. They did not want to get

involved in a war.

Jack’s father wanted appeasement also. Jack

called his father and said before the end of the week

Germany would be at war. He was right. All of this

was good preparation for someone who would one

day be president.

Jack’s older brother, Joseph, was being

groomed to go into politics and advanced to the

presidency. When the war started he enlisted in

Britain’s Royal Air Force and his plane was shot

down. He was killed. The father then began steering

Jack into the path he had wanted for the older

brother.

When America became involved in the war, Jack

enlisted in the Navy. We all know about the crash of

PT-109 and his heroic actions to save his crew. He

himself, however, suffered serious back injuries which

caused him to have disabling pain for the rest of his life.

He was elected Senator from Massachusetts. He met

and married Jacqueline Bouvier. His father was

working on seeing his son run for the Presidency.

Almost all of this information was familiar to me.

He was elected and seemed to be a strong, young man

who looked the picture of good health. During this time

so much was kept from public knowledge. It was

disturbing to learn the amount of drugs he had to take in

order to function pain-free. We knew he wore a back

brace and could not bend over to pick up his children.

He was secretly getting shots from a doctor who catered

to Hollywood stars and was given the name “Dr. Feel

Good” by the press.

He always would stride forward at a vigorous pace

and was able to function as the leader of our country in

a way that was reassuring when he dealt with leaders of

foreign countries, such as the leader of Russia who

thought Kennedy would be a push over because of his

youth. He learned differently during a crisis between

East Berlin (under Russian rule) and West Berlin.

I think Kennedy was a good President who always

took full responsibly for his actions. He was popular to

voters, some of whom had not voted for him. I think if

the public had known about the heavy load of

medications needed to allow the man to function, we

would have been very apprehensive about his ability to

lead us, and we would have been wrong.

I enjoyed both the films very much. We have seen

many films that were both informative and entertaining

in our History group on Mondays.

Page 6

Page 7

Spring is in the Air

Sharon McLeod

Dedicated to Kenny Jr. and Charlie

Gentle soft revitalizing zephyr conveys

Bouquet of sweet-smelling flowers with

Extraordinary seasonal flavor on tongue

Spring is in the air

Heavenly and delightful sunbeams of

Suntanned rivulets and cascading waterfalls

Brighten the summer fortitude ahead

Spring is in the air

Sauntering outdoors among the vibrant

Multihued leaves and glistening dew

Exhilarates and relaxes within individual

Spring is in the air

We remember those who are ill

and in need of cheery thoughts....Please keep in your prayers Sister Maureen

Bradshaw as she continues to heal.

Prayerful thoughts and wishes for healing

Sylvia Friedman, Mary Bradshaw, Anthony

Armetta, Patricia O’Donnell, Debbie Sumrall,

Anna Ely, Christopher Bradshaw, Elaine Palaia,

Connie Fedele, Tom Mooney, Sister Stephanie

Robinson, Mary Quinn, Mary Burke, Patricia

Lawler, Joseph Bradshaw, Anne Lenzinger,

Doris Bleicher, Kelly Foley, Sister Joanne Deas,

Father David Paul, Julianne Schifano, Gerry

Hershkob, Lynch Family, Lucille Sterlace, Frank

DeVito, Lisa Stevens, Lillian Lewis, Harold

Schulman, and Billy Keenan .

For all caregivers and those they care for so

lovingly and quietly. Sisters of St. Dominic

(Blauvelt) and Sparkill Dominican Sisters in

need of healing.

We offer our sympathy to Dan Smith, on the

death of his sister, Ellen.

Thinking of you and hoping you are feeling

better. Hope to see you soon.

Daylight Savings Time

begins on March 13th-

Be sure to SPRING AHEAD

NEW

MEMBERS

FOR

INFORMATION

PLEASE CALL

845-359-4058

Page 8

THORPE SENIOR CENTER

STAFF: Sr. Maureen Bradshaw, Manager

Sr. Jude Miriam, Service Coordinator

Francine Fevola, Program Coordinator

Michael Gorkowski, Custodian

Walter, our Driver

OFFICERS 2016 - 2018

Co-Presidents - Mickie Parisi and Alice Dionisio

Co - Secretaries - Patricia O'Donnell and Florence Leppert

Co-Treasurers -Lillian Maresco and Evelyn D’Angelo

SPECIAL ADVISORS: Sylvia Friedman, Nora Buckley

and Marion O’Leary

These lovely ladies will work with the Officers and Staff.

Ah, spring! This season brings

increasing daylight, warming

temperatures, and the rebirth of flora

and fauna.

The Vernal Equinox, which is also

called the Spring Equinox, falls on

March 20 at 6:45 p.m.

All over the world, days and nights

are approximately equal.

________________________________

__

Thank You, Lord, for Angels Clay Harrison

Thank you, Lord, for angels you send to us each day to comfort and to guide us when we have lost our way.

They come disguised as humans so their wings never show. But we know we have been blessed before they have to go. They may come to us as strangers or someone next door.

But we know you sent them, Lord, as you have done before sometimes we cannot see them yet we know they are there. For we can feel their presence when God answers our prayer.

Angels are older than creation they have always been there to serve God and protect us. Anytime, anywhere.

It’s nice to know we’re not alone. When troubles come our way. Thank you, Lord, for angels you send to us each day.

submitted by Jane Halleran

April’s air stirs inWillow leaves . . .A butterfly

Floats and balancesBasho

“The best and most beautiful

things in the world

cannot be seen or even touched –

they must be felt with the heart.”Helen Keller