What do the Easter bunny, Santa Clause, Christmas trees, and hamburgers all have in common? They all are rooted in German tradition. Since the first Germans settled in Pennsylvania in 1683, German Americans have contributed greatly to ... Read more
FALL HARVEST – October Activity Ideas
The air is cooler, the leaves are changing colors, and the days are growing shorter, it’s fall. William Cullen Bryant said it best when he wrote, “Autumn, the year’s last, loveliest smile.” Before the colder temperatures arrive and your ... Read more
SPOOKTACULAR OCTOBER – Activity Ideas
There’s something ghoulish in the air of October. The cooler winds blow summer away and yield to winter’s beginnings. October culminates with Halloween, a holiday that’s eerie, spooky, and full of treats. Build anticipation with your group ... Read more
OCTOBER IS THE APPLE OF MY EYE – October Activity Ideas
Vibrant colors, crisp air, pumpkin spice everything – fall is here. After a hot, humid summer, the change of the seasons is nourishment for the soul. While Halloween festivities and hayrides are on your mind, October is also National Apple ... Read more
A SENSE-SATIONAL MONTH – October Activity Ideas
While September marks the official beginning of fall, October stimulates our senses. Dive into all that autumn has to offer, giving group members the opportunity to benefit from sensory stimulation. Our ideas this month can easily stand ... Read more
LET’S HEAR IT FOR THE HOME TEAM – Activity Ideas for October
October ushers in autumn colors, smells, and experiences in full force. What better month to take some time to cozy up with reminiscing about home, along with highlighting some fun sporting events (local and national) that give everyone a ... Read more
AUTUMN: NATURE’S WAY – Activity Ideas for October
The apples are ripe for the picking, the chrysanthemums are blooming, the acorns are falling, the leaves are beginning to show a hint of color – yes, autumn is in the air. The fall season is a good time for your group to share some of their ... Read more
BASEBALL’S FALL CLASSIC
Baseball season is almost over. Die-hard fans are looking forward to the coming weeks when the division pennant races begin, and the winners face off in a best-of-seven championship series. Major League Baseball’s World Series – played for ... Read more
HARVEST TIME
Fall is the season of harvest. Whether you take a trip to the pumpkin patch, go to the local farmers’ market for produce, pluck grapes from the vineyard, or enjoy a family outing to the apple orchard, you’ll find bountiful crops – pumpkins, ... Read more
BOOKS AND NOOKS
Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, Tom Swift, the Bobbsey Twins. As a youngster, did you ever stay up past your bedtime reading a mystery under the covers? Generations of readers know how easy it is to become totally engrossed in a new book. ... Read more
ATTIC TREASURES
Did you ever go hunting for family treasures from bygone days? Grandma’s attic is a great place to search. You might find an old wooden trunk full of relics from the past – a lace wedding gown, an old Christmas stocking, embroidered ... Read more
DOWN MEMORY LANE ANNIVERSARY – 2010
ElderSong Publications celebrated its 25th anniversary year in 2010. The company was started with the publication of the original first edition of Down Memory Lane in September 1985. The popular resource was revised and updated in 2005. In ... Read more
WILDLIFE
Frogs croak, eagles soar, monkeys jump, skunks smell - are you fascinated with wild animals and their behavior? Many people enjoy the pastime of watching wildlife in their natural habitat. Do you enjoy spending time outdoors? Do you like to ... Read more
ELECTION DAY
On the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, every four years, Americans head to the polls to elect the president of the United States. As Election Day nears, voters ponder whom to choose for the nation’s highest political ... Read more
FIFTIES FAMILY FUN
Remember when hula-hoops, sock hops, drive-in movies, and fins were all the craze? Ah, the good ol’ Fifties! Today’s senior adults were busy raising young families during the decade, but they still managed to find time for some good ... Read more
FARM LIFE
The growing season is winding down, and soon it will be time to celebrate the bountiful harvest of autumn. The fall season often evokes memories of life on the family farm. Many senior adults who grew up in the early 20th century come from ... Read more
GERMAN OKTOBERFEST
The end of summer is near and autumn is right around the corner. There is a bounty of activities to enjoy in the beauty of nature. Try this seasonal exercise: Brainstorm a list of outdoor fall activities with your group (e.g., enjoy a ... Read more
