November 2011
Thanksgiving History
Thanksgiving was first celebrated in America by the Pilgrims who landed in Cape Cod, Massachusetts on November 11, 1620. There, Governor William Bradford and the other leaders on the Mayflower signed the Mayflower Compact before ever setting foot on dry land. This was the first great constitutional document of America and established the purposes of the new colony and recorded why they had undertaken such a perilous journey. This group of courageous people had left England for Holland in 1607 as a result of terrible religious persecution. In 1620, they returned to England to board the ship bound for America. Of the 102 pilgrims who sailed to the New World, 51 died that first terrible winter. On November 29, 1623, three years after landing and two years after their first Thanksgiving , Governor Bradford made an official Thanksgiving day proclamation: “To all ye Pilgrims: In as much as the great Father has given us this year an abundant harvest of Indian corn, wheat, peas, beans, squashes, and garden vegetable, and has made the forests to abound with game and the sea with fish and clams, and inasmuch as he has protected us from the ravages of the savages, has spared us from pestilence and disease, has granted us freedom to worship God according to the dictates of our own conscience; now, I, your magistrate, do proclaim that all ye Pilgrims…render thanksgiving to ye Almighty God for all His blessings.” What do you have to be thankful for this year? Celebrate the holiday with thankfulness. It’s part of our great American Heritage! Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Veteran’s Day….Thank You For Your Service!
World War I ended on June 28, 1919 with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. Fighting between the Allies and Germany had ended several months before with the Armistice, which went into effect on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month of 1918. After that, November 11th became known as Armistice Day and became a holiday in the United States in 1926. On June 1st, 1954 the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor all who have served our country, past and present. All of us owe a debt of gratitude to the ones who made—and continue to make—freedom a reality in our lives.
Neighbor News
Resident Referrals are working!! We continue to have new neighbors join our community as a result of resident referrals and we like it! Eva Basquez gets to keep her rent for November and Charles and Phyllis Grim will enjoy free rent in December, just in time for Christmas! Welcome to all our new neighbors and thanks to all who have referred us!
Thanksgiving Cook’s Corner
Sour Cream Scalloped Potatoes
Ingredients:
32-oz pkg. frozen, cubed hash brown potatoes
2 cups sour cream
1 can (10-3/4 oz) cream of chicken soup
1 cup (4 oz) shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup French-fried onions
Directions:
Thaw the potatoes and mix with all ingredients except the French-fried onions. Pour into an ungreased 2-1/2 quart baking dish and bake uncovered at 350º for 1 hour. Remove from the oven, sprinkle onions on top and return to the oven and bake for 10 minutes. Yields 8 servings and sounds good!
Thanksgiving Dinner—For Johanna Woods Only!
In keeping with our Thanksgiving tradition, we want to help provide the holiday dinner for some of our residents. To do this, we will be giving away 10, $15.00 Reasor’s gift certificates to help with the holiday meal and trimmings! All you need to do to be entered for this drawing is to have your rent paid on time. That’s it! We will be drawing on the 15th and will get the gift certificates out right after that, so be sure and get your payment in on time. You just never know…it could mean a few more dollars in your pocket when you do that holiday grocery shopping this month.
Baby Boomer’s Dollar Stretcher
Here are more restaurant discounts for those of us who are in – or approaching – our golden years! Denny’s: 10% off, 20% for AARP members (55+), Dunkin’ Donuts: 10% off or free coffee (55+), Fuddrucker’s: 10% off any Senior Platter (55+), Golden Corral: 10% off (60+), Hardee’s: $.33 beverages everyday (65+), IHOP: 10% off (55+), Jack in the Box: up to 20% off (55+), KFC: free small drink with any meal (55+), Krispy Kreme: 10% off (50+), Long John Silver’s: Various discounts at participating locations (55+), McDonald’s: Discounts on coffee everyday (55+). These discounts are available based on your age, but if you look younger than your age, don’t hesitate to ask for your discount!
OUR AMERICAN HERITAGE
Located across the street from Plymouth Rock and the Mayflower II, in Plymouth, MA is a memorial to the women of the Mayflower who made the arduous journey across the ocean in 1620. The inscription on the memorial reads, “They brought up their families in sturdy virtue and a living faith in God without which nations perish.”
Community Calendar
November 1st—Rent is due.
November 5th—Rent is late and subject to $25 fee.
November 6th—Daylight Saving Time Ends. Set your clocks back one hour Saturday night.
November 24th—26th Thanksgiving Holiday. The office will be closed. We hope everyone has a wonderful time with friends and family over the Thanksgiving holiday.