Samuel Morse (born April 27, 1791) was inspired to explore a means of

rapid long distance communication after suffering a personal tragedy in

1825. While at Washington DC, Morse had received a letter from his father

about his ailing wife's sudden death. By the time he reached his hometown

New Haven she was already buried. He, therefore, resolved to devote

himself to find a means of immediate communication after this incident.

Morse developed the concept of a single-wire telegraph after witnessing

various experiments with Charles Thomas Jackson's electromagnet, after

meeting the fellow American in 1832 while in Europe.

Beginning in 1836, Samuel Morse, physicist Joseph Henry, and Alfred Vail

developed a system that sent pulses of electric current along wires which

controlled an electromagnet that was located at the receiving end of the

telegraph system. A code was needed to transmit natural language using

only these pulses and the silence between them. Morse, therefore, devel-

oped the forerunner to modern International Morse code.

Morse code has been employed as an assistive technology, helping people

with a variety of disabilities to communicate. Morse code can be translated

by computer and used in a speaking communication aid. People with severe

motion disabilities, in addition to sensory disabilities, can receive Morse

through a skin buzzer.

Morse code was vital during World War II, especially in carrying messages

between warships and naval bases. A well-known Morse code rhythm from

that period derives from Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, the opening phrase

of which was regularly played at the beginning of BBC broadcasts.

Morse code can be sent by improvised methods that can be easily "keyed"

on and off during an emergency. The most common distress signal is SOS

or three dots, three dashes and three dots, internationally recognized by

treaty.

Although the traditional telegraph key (straight key) is still used by some

amateurs, the use of mechanical semi-automatic keyers (known as "bugs")

and of fully automatic electronic keyers is prevalent today. Software is also

frequently employed to produce and decode Morse code radio signals.

Morse code is now most popular among amateur radio operators. Pilots

and air traffic controllers usually need only a cursory understanding.

Aeronautical navigational aids, such as VORs and NDBs, constantly iden-

tify in Morse code. FACEBOOK

April 2017

In This Issue: Health Rx

Program Highlights

April Calendar

Book Ends

Behind the Scenes

In Memoriam

Birthdays

Welcome New Residents

Welcome New Employees

Page 1

Robert Young

President - B Wing

Pat Wilson

Vice President - Village

Steve Bollinger

Secretary - Village

Priscilla Sensabaugh

B Wing

Paula Swansey and

Ann Spain– C and D Wing

Resident Advisory

Council

News MAHOVA

Facts about Samuel Morse’s Great Invention

Page 2

The tradition of decorating eggs and then hiding and hunting for them may be related to the belief

that early Christians were not allowed to eat eggs during Lent. As a result, the Easter feast,

signifying the end of Lent, would include huge portions of eggs and egg dishes. The story of the

Easter Bunny may have originated in Egypt. Egyptians saw the rabbit, or hare, as a symbol of

springtime renewal and fertility. The birthstone for April is the Diamond and symbolizes balance,

clarity, and abundance. The flower is the sweet pea or daisy.

Program Highlights

Resident Council Meeting

Monday, April 3

9:30 AM

Dining Room

Resident Advisory Meeting

Tuesday, April 18

10:00 AM

Private Dining Room

Food Committee Meeting

Tuesday, April 18

1:00 PM

Private Dining Room

Activities Committee Meeting

Thursday, April 20

3:45 PM

Library

Have You Heard?

Health

Here’s To Your Good Health!

Can’t stop snacking when you’re under stress? Do you munch on “comfort foods”-mostly sweet

items such as chocolate or cookies that you tend to eat more of when under stress? Eating to relieve

tension or stress can spell nutritional disaster. The high-fat sweets you crave under these conditions

are slow to digest and will sap your energy when you need it most. They may also pile on the

pounds-causing more stress-and are skimpy in key nutrients such as calcium and vitamins A and C.

Eating poorly leaves you vulnerable to illness. The good news is that you don’t have to give up

comfort foods; you just need to pick the right ones. Here are some suggestions:

Try devil’s food cookies instead of brownies or angel food cake instead of the other kinds.

Select low-fat yogurt or sorbet instead of ice cream.

Reach for a fizzy juice-seltzer mix instead of a regular soda.

Eat pretzels or graham crackers instead of chips.

Choose a low-fat bran muffin instead of a donut.

Try one of the new varieties of low-fat tortilla chips with salsa instead of “nachos.”

Avoid alcohol. It usually depresses mood and clouds judgment. Alcohol may also interfere with

the amount or quality of sleep.

Stress and Food

Page 3

Friday, April 7 10:30 AM Gallery Jewelry Sale with Shannon

Friday, April 7 2:30 PM TV Room Exercise with Susan

Monday, April 10 10:00 AM D Recreation

Room Women’s Bible Study Group

Monday, April 10 2:30 PM TV Room Tea and Coffee with a representative

from Mary Kay

Tuesday, April 11 3:00 PM REB Communion

Thursday, April 13 10:00AM Gallery Coffee and Donuts from Country Style

Monday, April 17 1:00 PM Gallery Easter Egg Hunt with

Kids and Us Daycare

Friday, April 21 2:30 PM D Recreation

Room Jewelry Making Group

Saturday, April 22 10:00 AM TV Room Talent Show with Job’s Daughters

Saturday, April 22 1:30 PM Dining Room Ice Cream Social with

Job’s Daughters

Monday, April 24 10:00 AM D Recreation

Room Women’s Bible Study Group

Monday, April 24 6:00 PM TV Room Card Social

Tuesday, April 25 1:30 PM Dining Room Cooking Class with Jason

Tuesday, April 25 6:30 PM TV Room Bingo with Calvary United Methodist

Church

Thursday, April 27 2:30 PM TV Room Let’s Walk Day. Join the group and

enjoy some exercise.

Friday, April 28 11:00 AM Gallery Shopping for jewelry with Bonita

Program Highlights

Page 4

Entertainment

Monday, April 3

6:30 PM

TV Room

Golden oldies vocal performance by Billy Mitchell

Tuesday, April 4

2:30 PM

TV Room

Magic performance by Mickey Moore

Thursday, April 6

2:30 PM

TV Room

Saints Alive group performs

Saturday, April 8

2:30 PM

TV Room

Performance by Dave McKenny– New Performer

Thursday, April 13

2:30 PM

TV Room

Accordion and vocal performance by Matthew O’Donnell

Friday, April 14

2:30 PM

TV Room

Easter Celebration with Megan

Friday, April 14

6:30 PM

TV Room

Karaoke with Leon and Nancy Lee

Saturday, April 15

2:30 PM

TV Room

Bluegrass performance by Homeward Bound

Tuesday, April 18

10:00 AM

TV Room

Vocal performance by the Hardy Central Ramblers

Thursday, April 20

2:30 PM

TV Room

Performance by the Fabulous Flutes

Saturday, April 29

2:30 PM

TV Room

Spiritual performance by 4 the Lord

Page 5

Channel 2 and TV Room

6:00 PM

Movies

Friday, April 7

“The Light Between Oceans”

A young couple is devastated to learn that they are unable

to have children themselves. One day, a drifting boat washes

ashore with a crying baby. The couple is faced with a

tough decision in this story about love and hope.

A young Irish immigrant moves to Brooklyn, NY, and

finds romance. Disruptive news brings her back to her

hometown and she is forced to choose between

New York and Ireland.

Based on the true story of a high school filled with racism and hate

that leads to one of the biggest high school football games ever

played in Birmingham, Alabama

Monday, April 10

“Brooklyn”

Friday, April 28

“Woodlawn”

Page 6

Shopping

Schedule

Saturday, April 1

1:00 PM Fairmount Christian Church to see “Steel Magnolias”

Monday, April 3

11:15 AM Lunch at McDonalds

Tuesday, April 4

Time to be determined Movie Matinee to see “The Shack”

Friday, April 7

10:30 AM Trip to the Virginia Museum

Monday, April 10

10:00 AM Shopping at Mixie’s Antiques and Collectibles

Tuesday, April 11

2:00 PM Trip to your neighborhood bank

Friday, April 14

11:00 AM Lunch at Peking Restaurant

Monday, April 17

10:00 AM Shopping at Goodwill

Monday, April 17

4:45 PM Dinner at Calabash Seafood Restaurant

Wednesday, April 19

10:30 AM Riverside Dinner Theater in Fredericksburg, VA

Friday, April 21

1:00 PM Shopping at the Russell Stover Store

Tuesday, April 25

11:00 AM Lunch at Coopers Hawk Winery and Restaurant

Thursday, April 27

11:00 AM Lunch at Seafarers Restaurant

Trips and Outings

April 5 Kmart

April 12 White Oak Village

April 18 Kmart (Tuesday)

April 26 Walmart

Page 7

Book Ends By Richard Neiswander

For 2016, the person whose CD’s outsold all others - even Beyonce’s was - - - - - - - - - MOZART!

Just a few statistics to keep you up on the contents of the library. There are plenty of books to

keep almost anyone occupied. [Even me!]

There are 2783 standard print books.

In addition 940 large print books for those who have trouble with standard size print.

There are 136 audio books for those who would rather listen than read.

And for those who hate reading, there are 1802 movies on DVD!

These last now include ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’,

not an award winner but one of my all time favorite movies.

Cat in a Quicksilver Caper by Carole Nelson Douglas

This is number eighteen in Ms. Douglas’ series of novels about a black cat. My complaint

about it is that she relies on too many things tied to previous novels in the series. Also the story is not

completely finished. If at all possible, I would recommend reading all of them in order starting with

‘Catnap.’ With eighteen I would have to read one or two and then go to another author. At that rate, I

might never complete the series!

But enough of me. On to the story and the main character, Midnight Louie, who is a black cat

living in Las Vegas, rooming with Temple Barr. Temple has her job of independent Public Relations

and two suitors: Matt, a former priest and Max, a magician and an undercover agent. Of course, Louie

has his friends too: Midnight Louise, a daughter who helps Louie in his job as ‘Private Investigator cat’

and Ma Barker who heads a group of feral cats. This is the world of Las Vegas - - - SHOWS! In the

middle of a new aerial and magical show there occurs a murder that was made to look like an accident,

the theft of the main show piece, the Russian scepter and the resulting need for positive publicity by

Temple. Most of it gets straightened out before the end but enough is left unfinished to lead me to be-

lieve it is the start of the next novel.

Twice Upon a Time by Donald McCall

Subtitled ‘Aesop’s Fables for 20th Century Christians’ the title sounded interesting. Twenty-

five familiar stories are told and then followed by presenting the same lesson as it is found in the Bible.

The only problem I had with it was that the Bible lessons read too much like a sermon, not a lesson. I

enjoyed finding twenty-five of the fables I learned as a child are also taught in the Bible. As an adult I

found the lessons very much in line with Biblical teaching - even if somewhat less flamboyant and/or

memorable.

For next month I am reading one of the coffee table books, ‘The Grand Ole Opry.’ It is subtitled

‘A History of Country Music’ and indeed gives a history of the music which we know as ‘Country’

from its beginnings to today where the Grand Ole Opry is still the foundation.

TIME magazine’s man of the year for 1938 was . . . . . . . . . Adolph Hitler! [Remember him?]

Page 8

Anniversaries

Notifications

4/17/1944 Harold and Elizabeth Bohannon

4/19/1958 Robert and Jean Colby

4/22/1950 Joseph and Barbara Hogge

4/24/1948 Bunion and Myrtle Bussey

4/27/1946 Robert and Gloria Hall

In Memoriam

Carol Friis

Barbara Thornton

Dementia Support Group for Families

For information, please contact John Zacharias at extension 77309.

The group meets 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month at 10:30 AM.

Forever in Our Hearts

Village Model Key

Should you wish to enter the Village Model home after hours or on the

weekend, the key is located at the Care Center Nurses’ Station.

Notifications

Page 9

Save the Date

Subject to Change

Monthly Meeting with Meridian Lodge No. 284

Meridian Lodge No. 284 Monthly Meeting will be held on the

4th Monday of each month in the Multipurpose Room at 12:00 PM.

Meeting is open to ALL Master Masons.

Please come and join us!

Weight and Blood Pressure Checks Please bring your pendants with you.

B– Wing

Tuesday, April 4

8:00 AM to 1:00 PM

D Wing Recreation Room

C and D – Wing

Wednesday, April 5

8:00 AM to 1:00 PM

D Wing Recreation Room

Royal Arch School Meeting

Wednesday, April 5

4:00 PM

Multipurpose Room

Summer Solstice Dinner

Tree Lighting Ceremony

Candlelight Dinner

June 21, 2017

November 27, 2017

December 6, 2017

Page 10

Notifications

Easter Celebration With music by Megan Martin

Friday, April 14

2:30 PM

TV Room

Jobs Daughters Visit

Saturday, April 22

Talent Show

10:00 AM

TV Room

Ice Cream Social

1:30 PM

Dining Room

Easter Egg Hunt

with Kids and Us Day Care

Monday, April 17

1:00 PM

Gallery

With Shannon

Friday, April 7

10:30 AM

Gallery

With Bonita

Friday, April 28

11:00 AM

Gallery

Jewelry Sale

Page 11

Brain Fitness

Word Scramble

Unscramble these words associated with Spring

Answers on page 12

1. SENOAS

2. SBEAKT

3. ATEESR

4. ACHCEOLOT

5. RPSGIN

6. UBLMARLE

7. ESWRHSO

8. WOELRF

9. SSHNEUNI

10. LUPIT

11. OOMLB

12. GEG

13. NYUBN

14. FFLADDIO

15. ACRMH

Happy Birthday to the following

residents who celebrate their birthdays:

Masonic Home Census -- 197

Page 12

MAHOVA Editor Robyn Nakamoto

804-222-1694

Extension 77268

The MAHOVA News

A monthly publication of the Masonic Home of Virginia 500 Masonic Lane

Henrico, VA 23223

804-222-1694

800-262-4644

The MAHOVA News is published monthly for the residents of the Masonic Home of Virginia. Articles in this

publication may not be reproduced without permission.

James D. Cole, CPA

Chief Executive Officer

Anne Hagen, CPA

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

Robert Adkins, LNHA

Senior Administrator

Kathy Bryant, LALA

Assistant Administrator

Dr. Danny Felty

Medical Director

Eric Flynn

Director of Dining Services

Gail Henshaw, CPA

Director of Finance

Nuala McCauley, RN

Care Center Director of Nursing

Regina Pettaway, RN

Residential and Assisted Living Director of Nursing

Barbara Ramirez

Human Resources Director

Jon Truett

Director of Facility Management

Lais Diaz Pereira Human Resources FT

Sade Taylor Nursing PRN

Happy Birthday to You!

Employee Birthdays

4/13 Miriam Bew

4/16 William Holliday

4/17 Judy Burton

4/17 Jean McCuiston

4/18 Lillie Sykes

4/24 Mary Colgin

4/26 Shirley Roberts

4/27 Craig Sykes

4/28 Helen Payne

Welcome New Employees

4/5 Tammy Walker

4/8 Vickie Jones

4/8 Wendy Connor

4/9 Ashanti Whitaker

4/9 Juanita Walker

4/14 Yvonne Green

4/14 Theresa Brown

4/15 Latoya Daniels

4/16 Cathy Boulware

4/18 Gloria Simms

4/22 Jamika Wood

4/26 Anne Hagen

Scan this QR image to go

to the Masonic Home

Website.

Don and Emily Carver

Welcome New Residents

Word Scramble

Answer Key

MAHOVA Copy Editor Mildred Ammons

1. Season

2. Basket

3. Easter

4. Chocolate

5. Spring

6. Umbrella

7. Showers

8. Flower

9. Sunshine

10. Tulip

11. Bloom

12. Egg

13. Bunny

14. Daffodil

15. march

4/1 Frances Gillie

4/1 Nancy Lee Martin

4/4 John Carpenter

4/4 James Mitchell

4/4 Elizabeth Payne

4/6 Philip Godwin

4/7 Frances Bailey

4/8 Clifford Grotz

4/8 Thomas Kaufman