Palm Garden in the SunPalm Garden of Jacksonville 5725 Spring Park Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32216 (904)733-6954

Celebrating African American History Month

Every February, we set aside time to remember and honor African Americans, past and present, who have done so much to shape our country and the world. African American History Month (also known as Black History Month) is celebrated during the month of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (February 12, 1809) and Frederick Douglass’ birthday (February 14, 1818).

Can You Name These Historical Figures?

February BirthdaysIn astrology, those born between February 1–18 are the Water Bearers of Aquarius. As the water of life heals

the land, so Aquarians are the humanitarians of the zodiac. Free-spirited, nonconformist, compassionate,

and visionary, they support giving “power to the people.”

Those born between February 19 and 29 are the Fish of Pisces. Fish feel things deeply, as

in under-the-sea deep. These intuitive, creative, and intelligent people have strong feelings of right and

wrong and also love to help others.

Butler Priester Birthday – Feb. 4

Jean Curzio Birthday – Feb. 13

Martha Evans Birthday - February 13

Howell Smith – Feb. 15

Lovenia Jackson Birthday February - 27

From the Chaplain’s CornerHow is your love quotient? We live in a world when it is said that what the world needs now is love sweet love! However, do we really understand what love really means/does/is? The Bible tells us that God is love. 1 John 4:7,8: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” We have been commanded to love God with all our hearts and our neighbor as ourselves. Are you willing to take up the challenge, and show what love really is as we continue to manifest kindness to the unlovable and the lovable? Here is what 1 Corinthians (Message Translation) 13: 4-7 says: “Love never gives up, Love cares more for others than for self……Love isn’t always, “me first”, and love always look for the best, ….” By God’s grace, let us really love from this day forward and forever more!

- Wilbert Thompson, Chaplain

History of Mardi GrasThe phrase Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday.” The term recalls the tradition of feasting on rich, fatty foods for one final night before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the ritual fasting of the Lenten season. When Rome began to embrace Christianity, it was decided by the early Church fathers that incorporating some of the pagan rituals into the current set of Christian traditions would be best. This way, the transition would be easier and more agreeable for the newest members of their faith. Thus, the ancient Roman tradition of Lupercalia, a carnival-like festival, became a time of celebration before the penitent Christian tradition of Lent.

On March 3, 1699, a French explorer by the name of Pierre Le Moyne d’Urberville set up a camp about 60 miles south of where New Orleans is today. Back in his home country, Mardi Gras was celebrated in Paris, and so in honor of this tradition, Iberville named his site Point du Mardi Gras. His brother, Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, went on to found Mobile, Alabama in 1702, which became the first capital of French Louisiana. By 1703, French settlers in Mobile began celebrating in the Mardi Gras tradition in their new land. In 1723, New Orleans became the new capital of Louisiana, and the Mardi Gras rituals followed.

When the city of New Orleans was still under French rule, Mardi Gras consisted of elegant, masked society balls and festivals. However, the custom was banned when the Spanish began their rule in 1763. Mardi Gras’s hiatus continued even after Napoleon had sold the territory to the United States in the 1813 Louisiana Purchase. In 1823, masked balls were reinstated, and the masked street celebrations returned in 1827.

February 2020

Celebrating February

Library Lovers Month

Mend a Broken Heart Month

Black History Month

Groundhog DayFebruary 2

Make a Friend DayFebruary 11

Valentine’s DayFebruary 14

Presidents’ Day: U.S.February 17

Mardi GrasFebruary 25

Leap Year DayFebruary 29

February 2020

1): Frederick Douglass 2): Harriett Tubman

3): Martin Luther King Jr.

4): Barack Obama

5): Rosa Parks 6): Medgar Evers