The old year is coming to a close, and it will soon be time to celebrate New Year’s Day on January 1. The first month of the year, January, bears the name of the Roman god Janus. Janus is depicted with two faces, one looking forward and the ... Read more
REMEMBERING 1964 – 50 YEARS AGO
Were you one of the millions of viewers who watched the Beatles perform on The Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964? Did you tune in to the debut of the quiz game show Jeopardy! on NBC of that same year? How did you feel about paying thirty ... Read more
FIRST JOBS
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
WINTER COMFORTS – January Activity Ideas
The song says it best: “Baby, it’s cold outside.” While you may not enjoy tromping through the snow and ice or dealing with the frigid temperatures outdoors, you can still enjoy some of the comforts of winter indoors. Hot cocoa, a stack of ... 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
AUTUMN LEAVES
Autumn has arrived, and the trees are ready to put on their annual show. From maple to ash, oak, beech, poplar, birch, and hickory – the landscape is about to become draped in vibrant hues of red, yellow, and orange. “Leaf peepers” will hit ... 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
SPRINGTIME IN PARIS
If you could take the trip of your dreams, where would you go? Many tourists choose Paris, France, as a popular travel destination. The mere mention of Paris evokes images of chic fashion boutiques, lush parks and gardens, quaint sidewalk ... 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
NEW YORK – A TRIP TO THE BIG APPLE – January Activity Ideas
It’s December 31, and the countdown to midnight has begun. A very large crowd has gathered in Times Square to watch the lowering of the crystal ball. Shouts erupt and confetti fills the air. Welcome to New Year’s Eve in New York City! The ... 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
APPLE PICKING TIME
They come in shades of red, green, and yellow. They’re used in pies, crisps, cobblers, and dumplings. Eating one a day keeps the doctor away – or so the old saying goes. Apples are a favorite fall fruit. Just the mention of the word ... Read more
OLD-TIME RADIO
In the days before television, there was radio. Many of today’s generation of older adults grew up in an era in which the radio was the main source of entertainment and news. Listening to the radio was a nightly ritual for many families. ... Read more
RAINDROPS AND RAINBOWS
Have you ever marveled at the sight of a rainbow in the sky? When you see the splash of colors, what do they remind you of? Though rare, rainbows are a beautiful sight in nature. People of all ages seem to be fascinated with them. Poets and ... 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
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
HOLIDAY MUSIC MEMORIES
"Jingle Bells," "White Christmas," "Silent Night." Listen carefully, and you'll soon hear the sounds of the season. Many families have a tradition of listening to holiday music. Music enriches the meaning of the holiday in many ways. What ... 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
