ElderSong Publications, Inc. Newsletter

OCTOBER 2008

October Printable

Autumn is in full splendor, with its striking colors. Many people are outdoors, enjoying the crisp, cool days. Whether you delight in gazing at fields of ripe grain, vibrant fall foliage, or drooping sunflower stalks, autumn’s gold is a feast for the eyes.

Golden Highlights

The fall season is a good time to present some activities with a gold theme. The color gold is full of rich symbolism. Here are a few shining examples for your golden friends.

Celebrate the fall harvest with some golden decorations: yellow mums, wheat stalks, Indian corn, gourds and pumpkins.
pass around fabric swatches in shades of yellow/gold and ask participants to suggest a name for each different shade (e.g., cornsilk, lemon, mustard, canary, goldenrod).
Listen to some radio comedy from the "Golden Age of Radio," the 1930s and 1940s. Ask participants to name some of their favorite comedians on old-time radio - Jack Benny, Fred Allen, Jimmy Durante, Bob Hope, Red Skelton.
Enjoy some slapstick comedy by watching The Gold Rush, starring Charlie Chaplin. Ask: Did you ever try to "strike it rich"? Did you ever "strike gold"? Tell us about the experience.
Listen to Ginger Rogers sing "The Gold Diggers’ Song (We’re in the Money)" from the musical film Gold Diggers of 1933. Ask participants to recall other Depression-era songs, such as "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?"
Explain the principle of the Golden Rule - Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Ask: How would you teach the concept to children?
Display some vintage gold jewelry, such as a brooch, ring, or locket. Ask: Did your family have any heirloom jewelry that was passed from generation to generation?
Define "golden." Relate the meaning to the following terms: golden opportunity, golden egg, golden years, golden arm, golden anniversary, golden girl/boy.
Reminisce about the late 1930s fad on college campuses - swallowing live goldfish. Ask: What fads did you enjoy as a young adult? What do you remember about stuffing people in phone booths? About panty raids?
Display a bouquet of yellow/golden sunflowers, dahlias, mums, and gerbera daisies. Ask participants to describe how the sunny mix makes them feel - cheerful, warm, happy.
Sample some of autumn’s tasty produce, Yellow Delicious apples. Make a batch of cinnamon apple muffins with golden honey.
Listen to Neil Diamond sing "Heart of Gold." Ask: Did you ever know or love a person who had a "heart of gold"? Describe his or her personality.
Read some autumn poetry and note any "golden" images. Suggestions: "The Huskers" by John Greenleaf Whittier, "Ode to Autumn" by John Keats, or poetry by Robert Frost.
Spray paint some pebbles metallic gold and display them in a small basket. Ask participants to discuss the meaning of the proverb "All that glitters is not gold." Ask your group to share a real-life experience that illustrates the meaning of the proverb.
Name some gold medal awards and prizes, such as the Congressional Gold Medal, Olympic Gold Medal, and Nobel Prize medal. Ask: Have you ever won first place in a competition? What was the occasion or event? Did you ever receive a trophy or medal?

Check out the resources highlighted below for more ideas on the topic of gold. You’ll find other resources in the latest ElderSong catalog.

Continue to look for upcoming editions of this newsletter the last week of the month. Our newsletter contains useful information to make your job of working with older adults more fulfilling. In this issue:

Golden Resources
Golden Trivia Quiz
Featured Products for October
Thought for the Month

GOLDEN RESOURCES

The golden days of autumn are a sight to behold. Relish the beauty of nature as you view Wood Star Videos: Memories of the Zoo, A View of the Ocean, Autumn’s Walk - three relaxing programs on one DVD. In "Autumn’s Walk," you’ll experience a beautiful fall day from dusk to dawn. See sun-kissed ponds and mountain streams. Gaze at colorful trees - glistening gold and orange - across a quieted landscape. Enjoy the sight of migrating geese and squirrels, all to the accompaniment of soothing background music.

You’ll find a gold mine of "heartwarming stories about people 60 and over" in Chicken Soup for the Golden Soul. Enjoy 90 uplifting stories with themes such as Staying Young at Heart, Sharing with Others, Across the Generations, On Love, Living Your Dream, Reminiscing, and Ageless Wisdom. Insightful and humorous, this collection of stories will help your seniors celebrate the season of their golden years with dignity. Add a glow with stories such as "Red Shoes with Gold Laces" and "The Golden Gift."

Older adults fondly remember the golden age of Hollywood film musicals, from 1935-1965. Who can forget favorites such as The Wizard of Oz, Brigadoon, Annie Get Your Gun, and Show Boat? The songs from these and other classic Hollywood musicals boosted morale and carried the American public through events such as the Great Depression and World War II. Some of the film songs even reached the top of the pop charts. The two-CD set Somewhere Over the Rainbow is a compilation of 42 selections from 42 films. Your seniors can enjoy legendary singers and their songs, including "Singin’ in the Rain" by Gene Kelly; "Easter Parade" by Judy Garland and Fred Astaire; "True Love" by Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly; "The Lady is a Tramp" by Lena Horne; "Cheek to Cheek" by Fred Astaire, and lots more!

GOLDEN TRIVIA QUIZ

Munch on milk chocolate wrapped in gold foil - gold coins - as your group enjoys the following trivia quiz.

Which state is nicknamed "The Golden State"? California
Goldfinger is one of many novels written by Ian Fleming. Which famous character did Fleming create? (Hint: 007) James Bond
Which wedding anniversary is celebrated with a gold theme? 50^th
Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty starred in this popular TV sitcom. The Golden Girls
Yellow minerals often mistaken for real gold are referred to as what? Fool’s gold
Finish the song title: "Silver Threads Among..." The Gold
Pure gold is measured in how many karats? 24
Most of the U.S. gold reserves are kept in which location? Fort Knox, Kentucky
According to Irish legend, you can find a pot of gold at the end of what? Rainbow
In which city can you find the Golden Gate Bridge? San Francisco

FEATURED PRODUCTS OCTOBER - 15% off

Wood Star Videos: Memories of the Zoo, A View of the Ocean, Autumn’s Walk

Chicken Soup for the Golden Soul

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

"Autumn, the year’s last, loveliest smile."

Send your comments or requests about this page just [Click Here] .

		My Account Shopping Cart 0 item(s)
		Toll Free 1-800-397-0533