Community Donation, Keith Moon, Ukrainian Fundraiser, Final Call

In just a few days, Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog prognosticator who has been predicting the arrival of spring since 1887, will let us know whether spring 2023 is around the corner...or not! Records kept by the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club show Phil has predicted 105 continued winters and only 20 early springs, which according to the Stormfax Almanac, works out to a 39% accuracy rate for Phil. The takeaway, of course, is that an early spring is far more likely than a late spring! Yay!

Noble traditionally welcomes February by planting seeds that will germinate in the greenhouse and eventually be transplanted into the resident gardens and raised garden boxes. By May, freshly harvested lettuce will accompany the homemade meals residents help prepare as will herbs, tomatoes, beans, radishes, and other delectables. While temperatures are expected to dip below 0 next weekend, every gardener is itching to get their hands in the dirt!

To replicate the color, creativity, and joy of gardening Noble residents have been enjoying our Art and Soul program (pictured above). In addition, several Noble artists are contributing to Housatonic Valley Regional High School's Art Garage Envelope Project which is a fundraiser for three Ukrainian non-profits. The project invites artists to create art out of envelopes which will be displayed and sold to raise money for medical care and military aid.

Pictured here are Souper Supper volunteers packing 130 delicious servings of butternut squash soup, freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, and other savory ingredients that the Noble Horizons kitchen team prepared and donated for the group's free January community meal. Souper Suppers began during the pandemic when several community members "wondered what we could do to bring a little ease into the lives" of others. Their solution was a free monthly meal delivered to community members "who needed a little help". Noble is proud to support these dedicated volunteers and their treasured community initiative about which you may read more here.

We hope your world is similarly filled with rewarding counterpoints to the slog of winter!

Hidden History

Don't miss Local Secrets, featuring Salisbury School teacher Rhonan Mokriski and his students whose research has reframed the area's history. Their 2021 partnership with the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and the Upper Housatonic Heritage Area revealed 200 years of hidden Black and indigenous history. Their latest discoveries tell the story of an altruistic country doctor's stately Salisbury home, his ambitious son who helped develop the study of eugenics, the landmark US Supreme Court Griswold v. Connecticut decision governing birth control, and the Free Britney movement. Please click here for the January 31, 7 pm program's Zoom link.

Reclaim Your Life

Over 25 million adult Americans experience temporary or chronic urinary incontinence and on February 2 at noon, you can learn how to manage this condition which is not an inevitable consequence of aging. Enjoy a free light lunch with therapists Kaitlyn Johnson and Hope Gallagher who will explain how interventions like exercises, behavioral modifications, and minor lifestyle changes can relieve the symptoms and restore comfort and wellness. Registration is required at www.noblehorizons.org.

Meet Andrea Gamble, Noble Horizons' New Full-Time Speech Therapist

We are thrilled to announce that Andrea Gamble MA CCC-SLP has joined Noble's Rehab Department as a full-time speech therapist. Gamble has worked for the past 18 years in skilled nursing, outpatient, and home care and will be serving community clients through Noble's outpatient rehabilitation center in addition to supporting Noble Horizons' in-patient and short-term rehabilitation residents.

Gamble earned undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Connecticut where her studies focused on the disorders affecting the adult population, specifically aphasia (loss of ability to understand or express speech), dysphagia (swallowing disorders), cognitive-linguistic function and dysarthria (slowed or slurred speech). She is certified in SPEAK OUT!© to address hypokinetic dysarthria related to Parkinson’s disease, the McNeil Dysphagia Therapy Program, and VitalStim therapy to treat dysphagia.

Community members seeking support for Parkinson's symptoms or those related to Alzheimer's are especially encouraged to contact Andrea who is available Monday-Saturday by appointment at 860-435-9851.

Keith Moon is Back!

Please forgive the very early announcement, but we aren't able to contain our excitement over Keith Moon's return to Noble Horizons this spring. As he has for a full decade (!), Keith will offer a course about Russia, this year with the recently published The Story of Russia, by Orlando Figes. Those who are interested in previewing the book can learn more here. Registration for the course, which will begin in late March, will be offered soon, but in the meantime, please mark your calendars!

ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES

Don't Miss the Area's Best Photographers

You don't want to miss the Housatonic Camera Club's colorful exhibit and sale in the Learning Center Gallery. You'll be transported to foreign lands, charmed by remarkable wildlife, and find enchantment in the natural wonders expertly photographed by Tom Blagden, Lazlo Gyorosk (photo herein), Brian Wilcox, Heidi Hoeller, and other talented Housatonic Camera Club members. The gallery is open on weekends, 11 am-4 pm through February 26.

11 Reasons!

Why join Noble's free weekly balance and fall prevention class?

Fitness improves senior health
Exercise helps manage body weight
Working out increases bone health & strength
Staying active promotes heart & cardiovascular health
Exercise builds positive mental health
Building strength prevents falls
Staying active promotes sleep
Aerobic exercise reduces hypertension
Exercise improves social wellness
Working out keeps you focused and gives you more energy...and...
It's FUN!

Please register here.

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