Remember scooping ice cream, delivering newspapers, bagging groceries, collecting movie tickets, manning the elevator, or pumping gas? Many in your group can wax nostalgic about their first jobs. Summertime elicits memories of early work ... Read more
YOUNG AT HEART – February Activity Ideas
If you’re celebrating another birthday soon, you might hear this cliché: You’re only as old as you feel. Age is just a number, and despite what the calendar might indicate, you can still stay “young at heart.” This month’s newsletter will ... Read more
MIND YOUR MANNERS – January Activity Ideas
If you grew up saying “please,” “thank you,” “yes, ma’am,” “no, sir,” and “excuse me,” chances are that someone in your family was a stickler for good manners! Grandma may have taught you basic manners that have stood the test of time, but ... Read more
ROAD TRIP MEMORIES
All across America, parents are hearing a familiar refrain: “Are we there yet?” The summer vacation season is in full swing, and many families are heading off for a road trip in the family car. Whether it’s a short day excursion, an ... Read more
JULY 4TH – RED, WHITE, & BLUE
Soon we’ll be enjoying an old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration with parades, picnics, concerts, and fireworks. Red, white, and blue will be the colors of the day. Whether you attend a special family gathering or a community event, there ... Read more
MARCH: LION AND LAMB DAYS
March is notorious for its fickle weather. From cold, blustery winds to warm, gentle breezes, the third month of the year has its share of yo-yo days. An old weather proverb says, “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.” The ... Read more
COLOR RED – February Activity Ideas
Attention-grabbing and eye-popping - that’s the way some people would describe the color red. The bold hue conjures up strong feelings such as passion, courage, and anger. Red is often called the color of love. You’re likely to see a lot of ... Read more
THANKSGIVING MEMORIES
Family, football, parades, and lots of turkey and pumpkin pie have become synonymous with Thanksgiving, the fourth Thursday in November every year. Thanksgiving Day is special for many senior adults who savor memories of family gatherings ... Read more
SUMMER SUN AND FUN
Bright sunshine, clear blue skies, and an occasional white puffy cloud are the ingredients for a perfect summer day. A new season officially starts on June 21, and most people are eager to enjoy the warm, sunny days ahead. Summertime is ... Read more
COINS
What do you do with your spare change at the end of the day? Some people throw their coins in an old glass jar. You might remember seeing such a jar on your grandparents' or parents' dresser. Generations of Americans have used the coin jar ... Read more
STARS – February Activity Ideas
Whether you're gazing at the night sky, saluting the American flag, or watching the annual Academy Awards, you will be seeing "stars." Stars capture our imagination and are often a source of inspiration. The painter Vincent van Gogh covered ... Read more
WINTER WARMTH – January Activity Ideas
Old Man Winter has officially arrived. In many parts of the country, the winter landscape is full of snow, ice, and sleet. (Remember that "big" snow from your childhood?) Many people are thinking about ways to stay warm and toasty during ... 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
SUMMER GOOD-BYES
Kids seem to relish summer as a time to explore, read, play, or just daydream. What comes to mind when you recall summers as a carefree youngster? Some of summer's simple pleasures (through kids' eyes) are highlighted below. Share them with ... Read more
NAMES
Each person has a name. Your name is an important part of who you are. For instance, a name can tell you about your family and where you originated. Celebrate Your Name Week, observed in early March, is a fun way to show appreciation for ... Read more
AUTUMN: SIGHTS, SCENTS, AND SOUNDS
Which simple autumn pleasures do you enjoy: gazing at the vibrant orange colors in a pumpkin patch, catching the scent of a burning wood stove, tasting the first apple pie of the season, hearing the rustle of dried leaves, or tending a fall ... Read more
WORKING PEOPLE
As summer comes to an end, Americans get ready to celebrate Labor Day, the first Monday in September. As you plan the last picnic of the season, it’s a good time to ponder the importance of work and jobs. Adults spend much of their life at ... Read more
INVENTIONS
Can you imagine a world without cell phones, DVD players, and the Internet? Most older adults can! Inventions have a great impact on our everyday lives. From the telephone, to toothpaste, to computers, inventions often make our lives easier ... Read more
SCHOOL DAYS
School bells will be ringing again soon. A new generation of school children will be learning the 3Rs, just like their parents and grandparents. August often brings back nostalgic memories of the "good old school days." Many of today’s ... Read more
FAIR TIME MEMORIES
The lazy, hazy days of summer are here. If you ask your group members to name favorite summer activities as a child, many would mention going to the county or state fair with their family. Fairgoers of all ages flock to this annual event to ... Read more
