December 2011 • Issue 09 - Heritage Senior Communities

Heritage Senior Communities
“Your Home for today…and for Tomorrow”
December 2011 • Issue 09
Happy
Holidays
Management
Staff
Rob Kamp
Administrator
Deb Howe, LPN
Resident Services Coordinator
Sandi Stephans
Life Enrichment Coordinator
Chef Aaron Shapiro
Food Service Manager
Michael Goldman
Maintenance Supervisor
Luke Bourne
Housekeeping Supervisor
1410 South Ferry, Grand Haven, MI 49417 • Phone: 616-850-2150
Email: grandpines@heritageseniorcommunities.com

Grand Pines Living Center
DECEMBER
SPECIAL EVENTS
Monday, December 5............................................2:30 pm
A Bit of History with Nancy
Tuesday, December 6 ..........................................10:30 am
Armchair Travel with Reini
Wednesday, December 7.......................................2:30 pm
Men’s Club in the Billiards Room
Thursday, December 8..........................................2:00 pm
Field Trip to the Museum for a Christmas Social
Friday, December 9....................................6:00 – 8:00 pm
Christmas Open House – Family Event
Tuesday, December 13 ........................................10:00 am
Balloon Toss Volleyball Style with “Ref” Luke
Thursday, December 15........................................3:00 pm
Decorate Christmas Cookies with White Pines Students
Friday, December 16...........................................12:00 pm
Men’s & Ladies Lunch
Wednesday, December 21.....................................2:30 pm
Men’s Club in the Billiards Room
Thursday, December 22 ......................................11:30 am
Out to lunch at Red Lobster
Friday, December 23.............................................2:30 pm
Christmas Sing-a-long
Monday, December 26..........................................2:30 pm
Slideshow with Tom
Tuesday, December 27 ........................................10:00 am
Resident Council
Thursday, December 29 ......................................10:00 am
Balloon Toss Volleyball Style with “Ref” Luke
Friday, December 30.............................................2:30 pm
Cooking Demo and Taste Test with Chef Aaron
Saturday, December 31.......................................12:00 pm
New Year’s Eve Toast
Happy Birthday
Ernie Mousseau 12/1
Clay Reeves 12/6
Ted Husted 12/6
Ruth Toxopeus 12/8
Rita Erickson 12/10
Les Ennenga 12/17
Joan McCarthy 12/22
Helen VanOordt 12/23
Welcome
Ruth Toxopeus I-2
Faye Reeves J-3
Clay Reeves J-3
David Kots F-15
Samuel Brinker Beck I-6
George Smith F-20
Marilyn Smith F-20
Jeanne Fortino C-1
Gladys Pfaff I-3
Eleanor Getsch G-5
Lois Cook F-19
Al Cook F-19
Marie Ream J-6
Margaret Purcell E-4
Bob Purcell E-4
Mae Buron E-3
Bettye Cannon H-7
Marjorie Twa H-6
Bob Twa H-6
Dorothy Smeenge F-26
Deepest
Sympathy
Our thoughts and prayers are
extended to the families of
Margaret Mellema, Robert
Sluiter, Douwina Duinkerken
and Kathryn “Kitty”
VanOordt. Thank you for
sharing their lives with us.

Crystal Lyn Fynaardt, certified massage
therapist, works for Great Lakes Health &
Wellness located at 15 South Seventh St. in
Grand Haven, MI. She also participates in the
well being and care (through massage therapy)
of the many residents at the Grand Pines
Assisted Living Center, in Grand Haven, MI.
Crystal abilities include working with a variety of conditions (but not
limited to) edema, arthritis, poor circulation, headaches, sinus problems,
hip pain, sciatica, carpal tunnel, just to list a few. She has experience
working with elderly patients as a Certified Nurse’s Aid in the years
following up to her career as a massage therapist. Crystal’s history has
given her a greater love and understanding for the residents she now cares
for as a massage therapist.
After graduating from Everest Institute in 2010 with a diploma in massage
therapy Crystal has begun her pursuit of a career in nursing at Baker
College of Muskegon.
Crystal has been employed by the following facilities:
Robbinswood Assisted Living, Grand Haven, MI
Vriendschap Village & Assisted Living, Pella, Iowa

Christmas Crossword
Make all the words fit into this crossword.
Each word is only used once.

The Japanese Attacked Pearl Harbor
December 7, 1941
President Franklin Roosevelt called
December 7, 1941, "a date which will live in
infamy." On that day, Japanese planes
attacked the United States Naval Base at
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Territory. The
bombing killed more than 2,300 Americans.
It completely destroyed the American
battleship U.S.S. Arizona and capsized the
U.S.S. Oklahoma. The attack sank or
beached a total of twelve ships and damaged
nine others. 160 aircraft were destroyed and
150 others damaged. The attack took the
country by surprise, especially the illprepared
Pearl Harbor base.
The ranking United States naval officer in
Pearl Harbor, known as the Commander-in-
Chief Pacific, sent this hurried dispatch to all
major navy commands and fleet units. Radio
stations receiving the news interrupted
regular broadcasts to announce the tragic
news to the American public. Most people
knew what the attack meant for the U.S.
even before Roosevelt's official announcement
the next day. The U.S. would declare
war on Japan.
The U.S. was already close to joining the
war, but in an attempt to preserve its stance
of isolation and neutrality, it had only
committed to sending war supplies on loan
to the Allied forces, mainly Great Britain,
France, and Russia. Within days, Japan's
allies, Germany and Italy (known collectively
as the Axis powers), declared war on the
United States. December 7, the "date which
will live in infamy," brought the United
States into World War II. Do you know
anyone who fought in the war?

Virginia enjoyed painting pumpkins with White
Pines Student Council Members
Aaron and his family getting ready to
trick or treat
David shows off his pumpkin with two of the
White Pines Student Volunteers
Mary and Chef Aaron
Roger “hamming it up” during our pumpkin
painting event with White Pines Students

Gloria’s finished “work of art”
Rita is all “dolled up” for Halloween
A Halloween visit from our First Grade
Buddies at Rosy Mound
Verna getting ready for the trick or
treaters
Mae, Irene and Jean enjoying our Rosy Mound
First Grade Buddies

Christmas Traditions
Gift Giving
Gift giving is probably the most
well known of all Christmas
traditions in both Eastern and
Western cultures. Moms and
Dads have the opportunity to
share with their children important truths about giving
during their family’s Christmas celebration. While a
good deal of focus will be placed upon purchasing safe,
fun, and educational children’s toys, parents may also
take this time to let children experience the joy of
giving to others.
Santa Claus
Santa Claus, that jolly, rotund bringer of
presents, is a controversial Christmas
tradition for mothers and fathers.
Though he is clearly a character from
folklore, many parents go through great
lengths to keep alive their child’s belief in Santa Claus.
Instead of taking credit for the expense and effort of
producing gifts for their children, parents lead children
to believe that their toys are a result of a Christmas Eve
visit from Santa. The character of Santa Claus, as he is
depicted today, is derived from two very old legends:
Saint Nicholas, a bishop who gave generous gifts to the
poor and was considered to be the patron saint of
sailors and children and Father Christmas, who was
considered to be the spirit of good cheer.
Celebrating Jesus’ birth
Parents can redirect the festivities
of the Christmas holidays to
reflect the true meaning of the
day – Jesus birth in Bethlehem.
Families can attend worship
services, singing Christmas songs
and listening to the recitation of
the Christmas story.
Read the Christmas story together as a family. The
story can be found in Luke 2:1-18.
Christmas Day
Christmas Day is traditionally celebrated on December
25 in most of the Western world. Theologians have
not agreed on the actual date of Jesus’ birth;
calculations based alternately on the reign of Herod
and the time of the census as recorded in the New
Testament book of Luke have created discrepancies.
The ancient celebrations of the day have their origins
in neo-paganism. Despite its godless origins, parents
are encouraged to celebrate the greatest gift of all --
Jesus Christ.
Holiday Fun Facts: Did You Know?
Christmas was declared a national holiday in 1870.
President Franklin Pierce was the first President to
decorate the White House Christmas tree.
Since the 1970’s, the Kennedy Space Center has made
their shuttle landing facility available for emergency
landing by Santa Claus should problems develop
during his annual visit to children around the world!
Each year, Florida Christmas tree growers produce
over 120,000 freshly cut quality trees for the holiday
season.
Hanukkah is celebrated every year between the end of
November and the end of December. It begins on the
25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, which varies
from year to year on the Western calendar. The eight
day celebration commemorates the rededication of the
Jerusalem temple, and the miracle of the sacred lamp
that burned for eight days on a single day’s oil.
Kwanzaa is a seven day celebration of African culture
begun by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor at
California State University. Celebrated from
December 26th to January 1st, Kwanzaa (which
means “first fruits of the harvest”) is meant to honor
African heritage and present day life in America. The
holiday ends with a large feast on the final evening
called Karamu.
More than one million lights decorate the landmark
Fort Myers winter estates of Thomas Edison and
Henry Ford during the holiday season.

Top 10 Must Watch Christmas Movies!
Do you love Christmas but
you just can't seem to get in
that Christmas mood? I've got
your solution! Here are the 10
best Christmas movies that are
guaranteed to fill your heart
with Christmas cheer!
10. Home Alone - This is a story about a young kid
who was accidentally left at home by his family and
must battles with some not-so smart burglars! This
1990 box office hit starring Macaulay Culkin, Joe
Pesci, and Daniel Stern has warmed the hearts of
millions and is a must watch!
9. The Santa Clause - Tim Allen becomes Santa
Clause in this 1994 hit. Him and his son fight the
unbelievers and successfully deliver presents to all
the children around the world.
8. Frosty the Snowman - This 1969 animation tells
the tale of a snowman and has been a family favorite
for generations now. Nothing does a better job of
getting you in the Christmas spirit than this movie!
7. Miracle on 34th Street -Okay,Okay!Iknow
some of you are asking why this movie is so low on
the list! All of these movies are so great that it is hard
to rank them; but this one is slightly out of my era
and hasn't quite influenced me as much as the
others! However, if you haven't seen this movie you
absolutely must. It is a Christmas classic and goes
great with a cup of hot chocolate and some
popcorn.
6. How The Grinch Stole Christmas -Justa
magnificent made for television movie. The Jim
• Angels We Have Heard On High
• Away in a Manger
• Deck the Halls
• Go Tell it on the Mountain
• Hark the Herald Angels Sing
• I heard the Bells on Christmas Day
• It came upon a Midnight Clear
• Jingle Bells
• Joy to the World
Carrey version is amazing, but,
the classic cartoon takes the
cake.
5. A Charlie Brown Christmas
- You can never go wrong
with Charlie Brown. Charlie
has become a symbol of
American culture and the movie is just wonderful.
4. A Christmas Carol - If it wasn't for this movie
we wouldn't have the phrase "don't be such a
Scrooge!" This movie has been made over several
times and I have yet to see a bad version. Jim Carrey
just did a 3D version of this movie and it is bound
to be a classic as well! Since the 1938 original to the
new 2009 release, this Charles Dickens classic is sure
to be a great watch.
3. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation -Not
only is this one of the best Christmas movies of all
time, it is one of the greatest comedies of all time!
Every family can relate to the Griswold's and this is
sure to bring a lot of laughter on movie night!
2. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer! -Wow.
Just... Wow. This movie defines the Christmas spirit
and documents the story of Rudolph! This is a great
movie for children and adults alike!
1. A Christmas Story - Here it is! The number one
Christmas movie! A Christmas story was an instant
classic and mad the line "You'll shoot your eye out!"
famous.
Honestly, you cannot go wrong with any of these
movies and if you love movies you should make it a
priority to watch all of these!
Favorite Christmas Songs –
Which is your favorite?
• Oh Come all Ye Faithful
• Oh Holy Night
• Oh Little Town of Bethlehem
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
• Silent Night
• The First Noel
• We Wish You a Merry Christmas
• What Child is This?

History of Christm
1510 – The first written record of a
decorated Christmas Tree comes from Riga,
Latvia. Men of the local merchants’ guild
decorated a tree with artificial roses, danced
around it in the marketplace and then set fire
to it. The rose was used for many year and is
considered to be a symbol for the Virgin
Mary.
1530 – There is record from Alsace, France
(then Germany territory) that trees were sold
in the marketplace and brought home and
set up undecorated. Laws limited the size to
“8 shoe lengths” (slightly over 4 feet).
1600s – By the 17th century, it was
common in Germany to decorate Christmas
Trees with apples. This practice was a
holdover from the 14th and 15th centuries
when evergreen boughs hung with apples
were the only prop used in the “miracle
plays” that were performed at the churches
on December 24. December 24 was Adam
& Eve’s Day in the early Christian calendar,
and the plays were used as ways of teaching
the Bible to a largely illiterate population.
1700s – In parts of Austria and Germany,
evergreen tips were brought into the home
and hung top down from the ceiling. They
were often decorated with apples, gilded nuts
and red paper strips. Edible ornaments
became so popular on Christmas Trees that
they were often called “sugartrees.” The first
accounts of using lighted candles as
decorations on Christmas Trees come from
France in the 18th century.
1800s – The Christmas Tree was introduced
in the United States by German settlers. It
rapidly grew from tabletop size to floor-toceiling.
1851 – Christmas Trees began to be sold
commercially in the United States. They
were taken at random from the forests.
1853 – Franklin Pierce is credited with
bringing the first Christmas Tree to the
White House.
Late 1800s – The first glass ornaments were
introduced into the United States, again
from Germany. The first ones were mostly
balls, but later chains of balls, toys and
figures became more common.
Around 1883 – Sears, Roebuck &
Company began offering the first artificial

as Trees
Christmas trees – 33 limbs for $.50 and 55
limbs for $1.00.
1900s – Due to overharvesting, the natural
supply of evergreens began to be decimated.
Conservationists became alarmed, and many
magazines began to encourage people to
substitute an artificial “snow” covered tree,
consisting of a branch of a deciduous tree
wrapped in cotton.
1901 – The first Christmas Tree farm was
started in 1901 when W.V. McGalliard
planted 25,000 Norway spruce on his farm
in New Jersey. Also in 1901, Theodore
Roosevelt tried to stop the practice of having
Christmas Trees out of concern about the
destruction of forests. His two sons didn’t
agree and enlisted the help of conservationist
Gifford Pinchot to persuade the president
that, done properly, the practice was not
harmful to the forests.
1930s – President Franklin D. Roosevelt
started a Christmas Tree farm on his estate
in Hyde Park, New York.
1966 – The National Christmas Tree
Association began its time-honored tradition
of having the Grand Champion grower
present a Christmas Tree to the First Lady for
display in the Blue Room of the White
House. That year, Howard Pierce of Black
River Falls, Wisconsin, presented a tree to
President Lyndon Johnson and First Lady
Lady Bird Johnson.
Today – Approximately 25-30 million Real
Christmas Trees are sold each year in the
United States. Almost all of these come from
Christmas Tree plantations.
Timeline provided by The Rocks Christmas
Tree Farm, Bethlehem, NH.
ANSWERS TO
CHRISTMAS CROSSWORD:

Grand Pines Living Center
1410 South Ferry
Grand Haven, MI 49417
Heritage Senior Communities
“Your Home for today…and for Tomorrow”
OUTINGS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please join us Friday, December 9th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm for our
Annual Christmas Open House Family Event
Thursday, December 8th – We will be going to the Christmas
Social at the Tri-Cities Museum. The bus will begin loading at 2:00
pm. Please sign up with Sandi if you would like to go.
Thursday, December 22nd – We will be going out to lunch at Red
Lobster. The bus will begin loading at 11:30 am. Please sign up
with Sandi if you would like to go.