1. Art and Diseño

THE TIDINGS
MONTE VISTA GROVE HOMES
2889 SAN PASQUAL STREET
PASADENA, CA 91107
February 2015
(626) 796-6135
www.mvgh.org
“All the news that fits”
“MINISTRY”
FEBRUARY CONVOCATIONS Thursdays at 4:00 pm in Marwick
Feb. 5 – What's Happening at the Huntington Rose Garden? Tom Carruth, Curator
Tom Carruth is the new Curator of the Rose Collection at the Huntington Library, Art
Collection and Botanical Gardens. He is the inventor of over 85 plant patents and
has accumulated 11 AARS Awards in just 14 years, including the 2011 Winner Dick
Clark, Cinco de Mayo (2009), Strike it Rich (2007), Julia Child (2006), and Wild
Blue Yonder (2006). With stunning visuals and humorous and insightful narration,
Tom will bring us an unforgettable program.
Feb. 12 – America’s Greatest Speech – Nat Read
Nat Read presents an inspirational program on the greatest speeches in American
history, including our founders, Presidents Lincoln, Roosevelt, Kennedy and others.
Our special guest today is an author, Civil Rights activist, cartoonist, stand-up comic,
undercover policeman, cab driver, PR strategist, and popular speaker. He gave
earlier convocation programs on Martin Luther King, Jr. and pioneer Don Benito
Wilson.
Feb. 19 – African-American Spirituality – The Rev. Dr. Charles Marks
The Rev. Dr. Charles Marks is our speaker for our observance of African American
History Month. His presentation will examine the content of African American
Spirituality and how the faith of African Americans has been impacted, shaped and
sustained over the long pilgrimage from Africa to America. We will explore with him
the journey from African folk religion to the Christian faith and institutional worship.
Of vital importance is the question: “Given the oppression experienced by slaves,
and later generations of African Americans, what were the ingredients of their faith
and spirituality and what role did and does it play in sustaining them today?”
Feb. 26 – A Renaissance Experience with Vox Feminae
Vox Feminae presents a concert of Medieval and Renaissance music. Dressed in
period costumes, the women of Vox Feminae take us back to the beginnings of
modern Western music. This program will include secular and religious music. 2 MVGH Men’s Prayer Fellowship
When: Monday Mornings
9:00 am – 9:30 am
Where: The Hearth Lounge
(All MVGH men are welcome)
February Leaders:
2 – Norm Thomas
16 – Gene Terpstra
9 – Larry Ballenger
23 – Martin Miller-Hessel
Come share this time for thanksgiving, intercession and fellowship
with one another as brothers in Christ.
For more information, contact Cecil Hoffman, Facilitator
MVGH Women’s Prayer Group
When: Wednesday Mornings
9:00 am – 9:30 am
Where: The Hearth Family Room
(All MVGH women are welcome)
We read the day’s passage from the Mission Yearbook of Prayer
and pray for our world, our MVGH family, our families and friends.
Both silent and spoken prayers are welcome.
For more information, contact Evelyn at (626) 316-1586.
PRAY FOR AFRICA
We continue praying for Africa on the first Tuesday of the month after lunch in the Gamble
Room. Come join us Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. in the Gamble Room.
-- Jim Morrison
PRAYER
Wondrous God, thank you for blessing us with hearts and minds to serve one
another. Let us always be mindful that we love each other because you first loved
us. We rejoice in that by serving one another, we are able to show that love for each
other and for you, Lord. Help us continue in that spirit, that your will may be done
and your kingdom may come. We ask that you continue to bless us and strengthen
us as we try to be more like you. In your holy name we pray, Amen.
3 Your Healthy Heart
Many Americans tend to develop high blood pressure or hypertension as they get older.
About 60% of all Americans age 60 and older have high blood pressure. "Blood pressure"
signifies the resistance produced each time the heart beats and sends blood coursing
through the arteries. Between beats, the heart relaxes, and blood pressure drops. The
lowest pressure is referred to as the diastolic pressure. The peak pressure exerted by this
contraction is the systolic pressure.
High blood pressure is dangerous because it makes the heart work too hard. It also makes
the walls of the arteries hard. High blood pressure increases the risk for heart disease and
stroke, the first- and third-leading causes of death for Americans. High blood pressure can
also cause other problems, such as heart failure, kidney disease, and blindness.
Although high blood pressure usually cannot be cured, in most cases it can be prevented
and controlled. Your doctor will work with you to find the proper diagnosis and treatment
plan. Treating and preventing high blood pressure rely on the adoption of a healthy lifestyle
and the judicious use of anti-hypertensive medications.
The best way to prevent or manage high blood pressure is by adopting a healthy lifestyle:
• Following healthy eating patterns
• Reducing salt and sodium in your diet
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Being physically active
• Limiting alcohol intake
• Quitting smoking
Your doctor may prescribe treatment with prescription drugs.
o
o
Making healthy life choices can be an important, easy and enjoyable step towards
maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. Your Physician, Nurse, and Therapy Specialists
STRIVE! therapy team in your community are available to help you find resources to make
those changes in a safe and sound way.
-- Therapy Specialists
“Christian life is not a life divided between times for action and times for contemplation. No.
Real social action is a way of contemplation, and real contemplation is the core of social action.”
-- Henri J. M. Nouwen
Women Christian Mystics: A Class in February
“Women Christian Mystics” taught by Dr. Janna Gosselin is a course offered by the New
Theological Seminary of the West to be held at San Marino Community Church on
Mondays 7-9 P.M., beginning Feb. 2. Students may enroll as audits, for 1 or 2 credits
according to their preference.
See the website, NTSW.org for details or talk to Jane Vásquez.
4 (AD) “MINISTRATION”
PRESIDENTIAL PONDERINGS
I wanted to list all the past presidents of the Resident’s Council to give some glimpse to
those who, for the past 90 years, have given strong leadership to Monte Vista Grove. But
unfortunately, I ran out of time trying to locate each person.
We have just enjoyed celebrating our 90th year as a residential home for retired clergy,
mission personnel and those who have served in other service areas of the Presbyterian
Church. We also open the Hearth and Health Center to members of the larger community.
Now we look forward to the celebration of the 95th year and 100th year not that far away.
This is my 14th year of being a resident and so welcome the opportunity of being president
for one year.
Thank you staff, residents and loyal benefactors from the community for all you have done
and will continue to do in the next years.
I wish you a wonder-filled 2015 as God continues to bless us all
Sincerely,
Don Maddox
PHILANTHROPY CORNER
Philanthropy is in the process of compiling all the 2014 numbers for the year-end.
Stay tuned for the next Tidings article.
Monte Vista Grove Homes 2015 Events
Monte Vista MUSINGS with Margy Wentz as speaker, previously scheduled for Monday,
January 26th has been cancelled due to illness.
Volunteer Appreciation Week: April 13-17th
Possible Cornerstone Society Event in April TBA
Annual Pancake Breakfast: Saturday, May 2nd
Monte Vista MUSINGS: Norm Thomas
Monday, May 11th from 6-7:30pm in Marwick Place
Annual Fall Event: Saturday, October 3rd
5th Annual Gala: Saturday, November 14th at Descanso Gardens honoring: the Gamble family,
Dr. Dawn Malcolm (former MVGH trustee) and Trinity Presbyterian Church in Pasadena
-- Meagan McClellan
5 Ask the Executive Director…
I welcome your questions in any format: in
writing (signed or unsigned), email,
voicemail, or, just in passing…
How much does The Grove pay in
credit card fees on an annual basis?
we need to call someone to come in
during their “off time” and MVGH has a
policy that commits to paying a minimum
of two hours of overtime for their
inconvenience. So, it is important that they
are only called if it is a true emergency.
Some examples include: leaking roof, gas
smell, no electricity, no heat/air, clogged
toilet (in a 1 bathroom unit only), alarms
sounding, etc. In other words, it should be
next to impossible to wait until the next
regular maintenance shift.
In 2014, credit card fees were over
$25,000.
There are many things that may be urgent
but do not constitute an emergency.
What other options are available to pay
our monthly fees?
But if I would have such an emergency,
how do I report it?
Some of us like to use our credit card
to pay our monthly fees. How much
does this cost The Grove?
Credit card fees average between 2.5 – 3%
of the amount being charged.
•
•
•
•
Residents should call the Health Center
Charge Nurse and she/he will contact the
maintenance person who is “on call.”
Residents should NOT call maintenance
directly on their personal cell phones. The
“on call” person rotates and we want to
make sure we are not disturbing staff who
are not “on call”.
Pay directly with your online banking
account.
Set up an “ACH” payment with
accounting and the amount will be
automatically transferred from your
designated account to The Grove.
Write a check.
Those who enjoy the benefits of using
a credit card for airline miles, etc. can
make a donation to help cover credit
cards fees. [For more information call
Kim Houser at ext. #436.]
vvvv
How many grandchildren do you have?
I actually get this question a lot! I have
eight fabulous grandchildren! Teo (6 yr),
Molly (5 yr), Stella (4 yr), Ellie (3 yr), Kyria
(2 yr), Zoey (2 yr), Grace (18 mo), Samuel
(10 mo)…Boys 2, Girls 6!
vvvv
In regards to calling in a maintenance
person in the evenings and on
weekends, what constitutes an
emergency?
What do your grandkids call you?
They call me “Gammie,” which is what I
called my great-grandmother…my all-time
favorite person growing up!
A maintenance person is on site 6 days a
week, Monday – Saturday. When there is
an emergency after hours or on Sundays,
-- Deborah Herbert
Tuesday, February 17 2:00 pm – Tea & Cookies with the Executive Director
Tuesday, February 24 11:00 am – Tea & Cookies with the Executive Director
6 “MISCELLANY”
THANK YOU, NOREEN!
Noreen Nazarian designed and led the Disaster Preparedness Program at Monte Vista
Grove Homes for the last 15 years. “Everyone should be on the team,” she says, “because
when an earthquake occurs, everyone will be affected. The more aware we are, the more
we can take positive action rather than waiting for someone else to take care of us.”
Noreen became involved with disaster preparedness while she and her late husband,
Richard, served as executive directors of camping ministry in Northern California for more
than 20 years. Calvin Crest and Westminster Woods welcomed a new group of campers
each week. Campers had to learn what to do in case of fire, one of greatest dangers in the
forest. Noreen organized the fire drills, instructing the staff and reporting on the results,
which made for safe camping.
The camping experience helped Noreen establish a program to involve residents and staff
in disaster preparedness at Monte Vista Grove. The goal is to respond quickly, account for
the safety of every person, and survive the aftermath of an earthquake or other emergency.
The Pasadena Fire Department and the Los Angeles County’s Emergency Survival
Program have commended Monte Vista for the way we respond to a simulated disaster.
We have Noreen to thank for this commendation.
Water, Food and Fending for Ourselves
To be ready for the unexpected -- that’s the goal of our disaster preparedness training.
We need water and food to carry us through 14 days without outside help.
x 8 cups per day = 1/2 gallon x 14 days = 7 gallons of water per person
+
+
x 3 meals per day = pantry full
and don’t forget the Emergency Chocolate!
-- Jane Atkins Vásquez
7 CYBER SECURITY
Richard Valenzuela recently made a Cyber
Security presentation to the San Gabriel
Rotary Club. He has given permission to
print this excerpt.
The Do's
Do have strong passwords
Do lock your screen when not being used
Do secure your home network
Do protect your mobile phone
Do keep anti-virus tools current
Do keep computer software current
Do dispose of hardware properly
Do call if you have questions: 626-999-4609
The Don'ts
Don't use short-easy passwords
Don't use the same password for all accounts
Don't use default passwords for your network
Don't click on questionable website links
Don't click on email links until verified
Don't use obsolete computer operating
systems
Don't E-waste your hard drives & USB drives
Don't use your computer without anti-virus,
spyware, or malware protection
-- Cheryl Prentice
FILM LIBRARY
Our MVGH Film Library received a
generous Christmas gift. A family of one of
our residents gave 232 Hollywood movies.
Donations build the Library.
-- Warren McClain
FAITH MATTERS
Lesser-known heroes
by M. Craig Barnes, Princeton Seminary President
He has an unpretentious name—Ralph Hamburger.
If you heard him say it at a party, you would be
tempted to smile and look over his shoulder for
someone else to greet. But the name fits him well.
There’s nothing about Ralph that pretends.
He grew up in Holland, where his family was part of
the resistance movement. They hid Jews. After the
war he came to America, received a college
education, and attended Princeton Seminary. He
was ordained as a Presbyterian pastor and served a
congregation here until he could return to Europe,
where he spent the rest of his ministry pastoring
underground congregations behind the iron curtain.
There were very few days when he was not an
outlaw, always in danger of being thrown in jail.
His life sounds similar to that of Dietrich Bonhoeffer,
who also left this country to enter the fray of a
culture dangerous to his convictions. Everyone is
ready to bow a knee at the mention of Bonhoeffer’s
name, but precious few of us have heard of Ralph.
I learned about him when his daughter nominated
him to receive our seminary’s Distinguished
Alumni/ae Award, which we bestowed upon him in
October. I will never forget the high honor of
surprising the audience with his story. Then I
watched this 91-year-old man walk to the podium
under thunderous applause to receive our
inadequate award for a life of unpretentious
heroism. At the podium, hunched over toward the
microphone, Ralph said a few tender words about
his wife, who is confined to an assisted living facility.
(Continued on page 10)
Marriage Enrichment
We recently participated in the Silicon Valley
Marriage Enrichment Retreat at Monterey,
California. After this most inspiring and
encouraging experience we look forward to
becoming aware of any Marriage Enrichment
Groups, Retreats or Seminars in the
Pasadena area. If you know of any special
events or on-going groups that would
welcome any new participants, please let us
know. Thanks.
-- Rachel and Huw Christopher
8 FROM THE TREASURE CHEST James Marwick was our quintessential Founder in 1924. It was his powerful
vision that gave birth to Monte Vista Grove, but it was our second Founder,
Dr. Robert Freeman, Pastor of PPC, who continued to fulfill Marwick’s vision.
Both young men were Scots who immigrated to America at the turn of the 20th century.
Freeman was 17 and Marwick was 21. Both were born in the city of Edinburgh but the
similarities between the two Scots end there. Marwick was born to privilege. His father was
knighted as Lord Robert Marwick. On the other hand Freeman was born in a slum tenement
to impoverished, illiterate parents. The boy was forced to work 12 hours a day for 50 cents
a week. At age12 his mother died of malnutrition.
Freeman’s salvation came through an Edinburgh bookseller named Ben Barbour. Barbour
was a devout Christian who befriended street boys and introduced them to sports and
taught them about Jesus. Robert Freeman surrendered his heart to Jesus and vowed in the
footsteps of David Livingston to become a missionary to Africa.
At age 17 Freeman sailed steerage class for America to study at the New York Bible
Academy. Marwick at age 21 sailed by luxury liner to pursue business in America. Several
decades later in 1924 the two men met in Pasadena and became Founders of Monte Vista
Grove Homes. By that time, Marwick had become the head of the largest accounting firm in
the world and Freeman became renowned as pastor of one of the most prestigious
Presbyterian Churches in America.
-- Bill Hansen
STAMPS
Thanks for all the stamps from your Christmas cards! It finally occurred
to me to check out Japan Overseas Christian Medical Cooperative
Service (JOCS) on-line! Please continue to put your canceled stamps in
either the Ballenger or Froede cubby, or in the manila envelope on the
bulletin board around the corner from the cubbies.
Here is a short paragraph about how they use the stamps we have been sending:
“At JOCS, we have been collecting used stamps since 1964 to fund the overseas health
care projects. During this time, over 10 billion used stamps from more than 2 million
supporters have been collected, enabling us to dispatch many medical staffs to nations in
Asia and Africa. The used stamps sent from all over the country, membership fees, and
donations support JOCS activities. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!! We are
also collecting foreign coins and notes.” (You can check their website, JOCS, for details.)
-- Judy Ballenger
9 (Continued from page 8)
Then he made us all want to take off our shoes as
he described the holiness he found in the
dangerous ground upon which he lived his life.
How did we miss such heroism along the way?
One of the things about Ralph’s life that makes him
distinguished is the reminder that there are many
unpretentious, undistinguished pastors in the world
who are quietly doing heroic things. Most of my
Sundays are spent on the road as the guest
preacher for a congregation. When the worship
service is over, the host pastor accompanies me to
the doors of the church where people greet us
before leaving. For some reason I am always
placed ahead of the pastor. When the parishioners
get to me they typically say, “Thank you for being
with us today,” or maybe “That was a lovely sermon.”
kind words of appreciation. Someone presents a gift
and plaque. After the receiving line runs out and the
tablecloths are being taken away, the old pastor’s
spouse whispers that it’s time to go.
There were so many middle-of-the-night phone calls
that sent the pastor to an emergency room, so many
heartbreaking funerals, so many babies held in the
pastor’s arms as the waters of covenant were
placed on another tiny forehead. There were fancy
weddings where the pastor fought through anxieties
about the dog and pony show to proclaim something
about holy covenants, and there were harsh words
and conflicts offered as a reward for every effort at
leadership. So many times the pastor climbed
behind the pulpit to try again to reveal the holiness
on the other side of the curtain.
Through all of those unspectacular days the pastor
was always a subversive outlaw to a secular society.
But for Ralph it ends by quietly heading off to an
unimpressive retirement home.
But then they move past me to their pastor and say
things like, “Marge’s surgery is scheduled for
Thursday. I hope you can stop by the hospital to pray Where is the distinction in such a life? Only heaven
for her.” They need to believe their pastor believes God knows. That’s the good news. Heaven knows. *
_______________________________
is with us.
The
above
article
“Lesser-known
Heroes” by
Pastors spend every day of their ministries behind an
Dr.
Craig
Barnes
was
published
in
CHRISTIAN
iron curtain that is determined to separate us from
CENTURY Magazine, January 2, 2015 and was
the splendors of holiness. Those in the pews on
Sunday morning have been bullied by the screaming provided in honor of Ralph Hamburger.
call to succeed in a futile exercise of self-constructing Recognizing that Dr. Barnes is unfamiliar with
a life that will be fulfilling, whole, or at least not hurt so The Tidings’ new half-page guideline, a special
much. And all the pastor has is a still small voice that allowance has been made to include this article.
_______________________________
suggests there’s another way.
Into this dangerous terrain the pastor subversively
claims that self-construction only leads to selfdestruction. “We have a Creator for our lives who is
not done,” the pastor keeps saying. “We have a
Redeemer for all of the tragedy we have created by
acting as if we were gods. We have a Spirit who will
not abandon us to the mess we’ve made of
ourselves and the world.”
The pastors who say this are mostly just as ordinary
as they can be. They are unheralded, ordinary Ralphs
who sacrificed the comfortable options to live on the
other side of the secular curtain. Instead, they live in
beat-up parsonages their churches cannot afford to
repair—for the sole purpose of using their lives to say,
“Behold.”
At the end of long years of service there’s a small
reception in a church fellowship hall adorned with a
few balloons and a hastily hung banner with “Goodbye” scrawled across it. A couple of people say
We need your help!
Your Church Relations Committee is looking for
residents who would be willing to join a Speaker’s
Bureau to get the word out about MVGH. We are
reaching out to service clubs, informing them of the
possibilities of having one of our speakers for one
of their weekly meetings.
Would you be willing to share from your experience
some topic of interest to them and a little about
MVGH? Your presentation will be no more than
twenty minutes, including questions. Knowing their
need to leave, at the end of their scheduled
meeting, time is critical.
Some of you have written excellent stories that
could be shared, followed by a time of questions
and answers. Others have hobbies or special
ministries/projects to share.
You will soon receive a form in which to respond.
Thank you in advance, Your Church Relations Committee.
10 In Memory of ANNABELLE DIRKS
Please join the Family
for a
Memorial Service
Here at Monte Vista Grove
on
st
Saturday, February 21 at 2pm in Marwick Place
(In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to:
Monte Vista Grove Homes Quality of Life Endowment, Attention: Meagan McClellan)
THANK YOU NOTES
Dear Grove Neighbors,
We would like to thank everyone who has helped us in so many different ways to feel welcome
and at home here at Monte Vista Grove. We look forward to getting better acquainted with
everyone and to many years of fellowship, service, joy and happiness together.
Thanking you once again,
Rachel and Huw Christopher
Dear Grove Friends,
I wish to thank you all for your care. It was certainly a surprise to me. I knew I needed home
healthcare, which would have begun 12 hours after I left the campus. I want to thank Debbie,
Nancy, Anni, Kathya and the Health Center staff – an absolutely great group of helping people.
The Campus worship services were first class and helped me to reorient myself. The Christmas
Eve service with Mark and Agnes and Bruce’s homily, the hymn sing with Larry and Judy, the New
Year’s Eve service and the holiday meal. You were all special to me in a very meaningful way.
May the love of our Lord be with each one and health restored here to everyone.
Love and Care, Millie Van Ness
11 AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH
The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for
the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United
States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of African Americans
who struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society.
As a Harvard-trained historian, Carter G. Woodson, like W. E. B. Du Bois before him, believed that
truth could not be denied and that reason would prevail over prejudice. His hopes to raise
awareness of African Americans’ contributions to civilization were realized when he and the
organization he founded, the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH),
conceived and announced Negro History Week in 1925. The event was first celebrated during a
week in February 1926 that encompassed the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick
Douglass. The response was overwhelming: Black history clubs sprang up; teachers demanded
materials to instruct their pupils; and progressive whites, not simply white scholars and
philanthropists, stepped forward to endorse the effort.
By the time of Woodson's death in 1950, Negro History Week had become a central part of African
American life and substantial progress had been made in bringing more Americans to appreciate the
celebration. At mid–century, mayors of cities nationwide issued proclamations noting Negro History Week.
The Black Awakening of the 1960s dramatically expanded the consciousness of African Americans about
the importance of black history, and the Civil Rights movement focused Americans of all color on the
subject of the contributions of African Americans to our history and culture.
The celebration was expanded to a month in 1976, the nation's bicentennial. President Gerald R.
Ford urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments
of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” That year, fifty years after the
first celebration, the association held the first African American History Month.
(Excerpt from an essay by Daryl Michael Scott, Howard University, of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.)
GROUNDHOG DAY HISTORY
European Roots
(Adapted from "Groundhog Day: 1886 to 1992" by Bill Anderson)
Groundhog Day, February 2nd, is a popular tradition in the United
States. It is also a legend that traverses centuries, its origins
clouded in the mists of time with ethnic cultures and animals
awakening on specific dates. Myths such as this tie our present to
the distant past when nature did, indeed, influence our lives. It is
the day that the Groundhog comes out of his hole after a long
winter sleep to look for his shadow. If he sees it, he regards it as
an omen of six more weeks of bad weather and returns to his hole.
If the day is cloudy and; hence, shadowless, he takes it as a sign
of spring and stays above ground.
The groundhog tradition stems from similar beliefs associated with
Candlemas Day and the days of early Christians in Europe, and
for centuries the custom was to have the clergy bless candles and
distribute them to the people. Even then, it marked a milestone in
the winter and the weather that day was important.
12 THE LEGEND OF ST. VALENTINE
The history of Valentine’s Day–and the story of its patron saint–is shrouded in
mystery. We do know that February has long been celebrated as a month of
romance, and that St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges
of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. But who was Saint Valentine,
and how did he become associated with this ancient rite?
One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome.
When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives
and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the
decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When
Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.
Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians
escape harsh Roman prisons, where they were often beaten and tortured. According to one
legend, an imprisoned Valentine actually sent the first “valentine” greeting himself after he fell in
love with a young girl–possibly his jailor’s daughter–who visited him during his confinement.
Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter signed “From your Valentine,” an
expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky,
the stories all emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic and–most importantly–romantic
figure. By the Middle Ages, perhaps thanks to this reputation, Valentine would become one of
the most popular saints in England and France.
PRESIDENTS’ DAY COMMEMORATION
Back in our school days, February was an important month — not just because it included the
eagerly anticipated Valentine's Day, but because even though it was the shortest month of the
year, it contained two holidays, which schools were closed: Lincoln's Birthday (February 12) and
Washington's Birthday (February 22).
What are we commemorating on "Presidents' Day?” Some think we're observing George
Washington's Birthday (perpetually moved to more convenient Monday dates since 1971).
Some think we're celebrating the combined birthdays of George Washington and Abraham
Lincoln (two formerly separate holidays combined into one), and some think we're honoring the
memory of all U.S. presidents past and present. Which is it?
Throughout the 19th century, George Washington was the towering figure of U.S. history to the
American public. In honor of the man who commanded the Continental Army and led the
American colonies to victory in the Revolutionary War, served as first President of the United
States of America, and earned the sobriquet "The Father of Our Country," Washington's Birthday,
February 22, was celebrated with more patriotic fervor than any holiday save the Fourth of July.
Accordingly, the observance of Washington's Birthday was made official in 1885 when President
Chester Alan Arthur signed a bill establishing it as a federal holiday. However, the seeds of
confusion were sown in 1968 with the passage of a piece of legislation known as Uniform
Holidays Bill, intended to create more three-day weekends for federal employees. Although
Lincoln's Birthday had never been designated as a federal holiday, it was observed as a state
holiday in many parts of the country. An attempt to clear up some of this confusion at the federal
level was made through the introduction of the 'Washington-Lincoln Recognition Act of 2001.”
13 FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS
Mary Ann Froede. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Feb. 03
Dudley Woodberry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Feb. 05
Dee Jarvis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Feb. 06
Karlene Cunningham. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Feb. 07
Phyllis Cozad. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Feb. 09
Joseph Kang. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Feb. 09
Judy Post . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Feb. 11
Kathie Jacobsen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Feb. 12
Paul Pierson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Feb. 13
Loretta Tang . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Feb. 16
Carol Tracy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Feb. 16
Jessie Coates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Feb. 17
Jim Morrison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Feb. 20
Sarah Morrison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Feb. 21
Charles Castles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Feb. 23
Peter Hintzoglou . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Feb. 25
Thelma Appleton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Feb. 26
Alyse Fung . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Feb. 28
14 HOW TO ATTACH AN ARTICLE OR DOCUMENT
TO AN EMAIL
. STEP 1 - Address and type e-mail. Address and type your e-mail content. Then…
. STEP 2 - Click Attach button. Click the Attach button in the toolbar of your e-mail
program. This button is usually indicated by a paper clip or the words Attach File.
.
You may also go to the menu bar and select Insert and then File if you can't find an
Attach button.
. STEP 3 - Find the file. Find the file location using the dialog box that popped up on your
screen.
. STEP 4 - Select file. Select the document file or files and click “OK” or “Insert”.
. STEP 5 - Continue or send. Continue writing your e-mail and click “Send” to shoot your
document into cyberspace.
You are encouraged to type and send your Tidings’ articles by email attachment. If you are unsure
how to do that, we suggest you ask the San Marino High School volunteers or one of our computer
volunteers for a tutorial. The San Marino High School “CONNECT CLUB” will be at MGVH on
Saturday, February 7th from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. Please sign up on the Commons’ bulletin board.
THE TIDINGS 2015 GUIDELINES
•
•
•
•
•
•
Articles to be 235 words or less
Articles to be submitted in Arial - 12 point type
Articles to be to the point with content and information
Personal experiences, ponderings, thank you notes, other news are wanted
Informational news, ideas and stories from committees and individuals
Articles due on the 15th of month prior to publication
NOTE: All submissions will be reviewed for inclusion by the Tidings Team.
THANK YOU FOR HELPING TO MAKE OUR NEWSLETTER INVITING TO READ.
THE TIDINGS
MONTE VISTA GROVE HOMES
Executive Director: Deborah Herbert
President of the Residents’ Association: Don Maddox
Publisher: Marilyn Manning
Editor: The Tidings Team
(Carole Bos, Joyce DeGraaff, Jim Hinch, Cheryl Prentice)
Consultant: Jack Lorimer
Printing and Distribution: Nancy Lain
15