Special Days In March

March Recognition Dates

Music Involvement Month
National Professional Social Work Month

13	Employees Appreciation Day
16	LTC Administrators’ Week
30	Doctor’s Day

Providing Food for Hungry Marylanders
During the Holiday seasons, Lauren Bird and the therapy team organized a food drive. Lauren contacted the Maryland Food Bank and spoke with George “Butch” Langernfelder. Together they were on a mission to lead the movement and nurture the belief that together we can improve the lives of Marylanders by ending hunger. Lauren and the therapy team placed a box out in the lobby for food donations and set a goal of 300 food items to be raised for people in needed. Everyone was very receptive. Families, staff, visitors, and residents donated 345 food products to feed hungry Marylanders. We are very grateful to everyone for their contributions. If you or someone you know would like to start a food drive, please contact Butch from the Maryland Food Bank at (410) 737-8282, ext. 228. Any time is a good time to help the hungry.  

Eastern Orthodox Lent
Great Lent is an Eastern Orthodox holiday which always begins on a Monday between February 15 and March 21. The beginning date, Clean Monday, is set at seven weeks before Pascha, or Easter, in the Orthodox church. Great Lent is so named to differentiate it from the Advent fasting period which is known as Little Lent.
 
Great Lent is a period of self-denial and is observed with strict abstinence from meat, dairy products, wine, and olive oil. Orthodox Christians also make a sacrifice during this period, such as giving up a favorite food or other pleasure. 

Just a Reminder.....
Daylight Savings Time begins this month on March 8, 2009. So don't forget to set your clocks forward one hour the night before!

50s Theme Day
On Thursday, March 12, wear your 50s clothes because we are going to rock the day away with hula hoop contest, guess that old 50s song, 50s trivia and a sock hop. Be there or be square!

St. Patrick’s Day History Celtic tribes invaded the island of Ireland about the 4th century B.C. Their Gaelic culture and literature flourished and spread to Scotland and elsewhere in the 5th century A.D. The people were Druids, a form of religion that was based on sun worship and belief of the immortality of the soul. St. Patrick was born in Wales as Maewyn Succat sometime between 373 and 395 A.D. (birth year varies depending on the source). When he was sixteen, he was captured by Irish marauders and sent to Ireland where he spent six years in captivity tending sheep. During this time, he had visions which guided his life and assisted his escape from slavery, and he fled to France. For the next 18 years, he studied at a monastery in France and entered the priesthood. Later, he became a bishop and was named Patrick by Pope Celestine 1 and sent to Ireland as a missionary. Over thirty years, St. Patrick converted the people from Druidism to Christianity. He also established monasteries, schools, and churches around Ireland. He died on March 17, 461 A.D. (death year varies depending on the source). St. Patrick became the patron saint of Ireland, and March 17 is celebrated as his feast day. Help us celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day by prticipating in our activities on March 17: 10:00 a.m. St. Patrick's Punch 10:15 a.m. St. Patrick Trivia 10:30 a.m. St. Patrick's Day Craft 2:00 p.m. St. Patrick’s Day Party 6:15 p.m. St. Patrick’s Day Jeopardy

Spring Spring has come at last; winter has finally passed. The blossoms cover the trees as the petals flutter in the breeze.   The sun's rays warm the earth making the flowers dance in mirth, while the birds return from their winter sojourn.