You've Got Mail...Fascinating Facts of Postal Service
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MOUNTAINVIEW
NEWS AND
REVIEWS
FEBRUARY 2023
You’ve Got Mail...Fascinating Facts of Postal Service
The first post office in colonial America was established in 1639 in a Boston home that
was also a tavern that sold “stronge water.” It was a bar! The Post Office Act imposed
the harshest of penalties on mail theft. As the U.S. mail was the only official way to
send money, mail thieves could be punished by whipping or death. Until the mid-19th
century, recipients of mail typically had to pay for the letters they received. Because of
this, people often refused letters, as they could not pay for them. This put an extra
burden on the post office to return mail, so postage stamps were introduced in Amer-
ica in 1847, making sure all sent mail was paid for and thereby reducing costs. The
Pony Express did deliver mail, but it was never part of the U.S. Postal Service. While
the rugged Pony Express was a trailblazing mail service, it was a private company run
by “scrappy riders.” These riders took on the challenging task of bringing mail through
the Wild West before the U.S. Postal Service expanded. Although the image of cow-
boy mail carriers is emblazoned in our minds, the Pony Express was only in business
for a year and a half, from 1860 to 1861. Until the Civil War, all mail had to be picked
up at the post office. In 1863, “Free City Delivery,” which was free delivery of mail at
your home, was first launched in Cleveland, Ohio. Joseph Briggs, a postal clerk,
came up with the idea to deliver mail to homes after a winter of watching women shiv-
ering in long lines at the post office, waiting to receive news of their loved ones fight-
ing in the war. Home delivery was a huge success; it quickly spread to other cities and
soon became a national service. While most postal clerks in 19th-century America
tended to be male, the Dead Letter Office was run almost solely by women. Starting
in 1825, all mail that was unlabeled, mislabeled, or insufficiently labeled in America
was sent to a central Dead Letter Office in Washington, D.C. In this dedicated space,
mail could be opened without it being a crime. Because honesty and integrity were of
the utmost importance in this role, to avoid mail theft, and because women were con-
sidered more honest than men at the time, the staff primarily consisted of women.
Your mailman used to be able to bring you groceries. From 1914 to 1920, a novel ini-
tiative called the Farm-to-Table program allowed farmers to set prices with people in
urban areas and mail them their choice meats, dairy, fruits, and vegetables. For urban
dwellers, it meant greater and cheaper access to fresh goods, and for farmers, it
meant a wider consumer base and the ability to set their prices without a grocer tak-
ing a cut. During World War I, this service also helped communities share food with
ease. AND It used to be that when you threatened to ship your kids off to Timbuktu,
you could actually do it. In the early 20th century, you could send anything under 11
pounds by Parcel Post. One Ohio couple actually sent their eight-month-old baby
through the mail for only 15 cents to his grandparents’ house!
MOUNTAINVIEW RESIDENCE AND TERRACE VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2 page 2
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
TERRACE STAFF RESIDENCE
Feb 3– Rory– dietary
Feb 4– Sharon Benigno Feb 9—Rachel– nursing Feb 1– Billy Campbell
Feb 10– Eleanor Gallagher Feb 9—Gem– nursing Feb 4– Gord Inglis
Feb 13– Jessie Jacobs Feb 10 –Mirna-dietary Feb 5– Audrey Gilmer
Feb 23– Dawn Howe Feb10– Sofia– dietary
Feb 11– Chris– Kitchen*
Feb 11– Dhanyasree-nursing PLEASE WELCOME
Feb 12– Cassy– kitchen*
Feb 15– Amanda– nursing
Feb 23– Yvonne-nursing Residence: Claudette
Feb 23– Ryan– dietary Kyle and Daniel
Zahorodny
WILLOW LANE
Feb 8– Lorna Pollard Terrace: Molly Moth
Feb 24– Mervin Cook
CANDY GRAMS!
What better way to surprise someone on Valentines Day than a Candy Gram! You can
pick a prewritten note or you can write a personal note to that special someone,
whether it be your table mate, someone you wish to thank or someone with whom you
admire or respect. Or you can send it just to cheer someone up and
brighten their day! Candy Grams will be on sale starting Wednesday
February 1st for $1.00 in the activity room and Terrace Fireplace
Lounge. All proceeds from sales will be going to the Heart And Stroke
Foundation. Thank you for your support. Send your Valentine a Val-
entine! (for all staff and residents) all Candy Grams will be deliv-
ered between Feb 12-14th.
IN REMEMBRANCE
We send our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family and
friends of
Bud Hardman who passed away on January 3rd in his 90th year.
Alan Trueman who passed away on January 12 in his 90th year.
Wishing family and friends peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead,
and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts.
MOUNTAINVIEW RESIDENCE AND TERRACE VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2 page 3
SPECIAL DAYS IN FEBRUARY
Tax Packages will be distributed with this months invoices.
Black History Month
Random acts of Kindness Month– we have multiple events planned for this month,
please watch for signs to see how you can participate and help
our community.
Feb 1– Maple Ave Baptist Church 2:00 in the chapel
Feb 2– Ground Hog Day– Will there be six more weeks of winter?
Feb 2– Residence Town Hall 9:45 am in the dining room
Feb 3– Wear Red Day– help support the Heart and Stroke foun-
dation– All donation amounts are welcome and we are collecting the entire month
Feb 8– Norval united sing along—2:00 in the chapel
Feb 9– Doug & Karen Yool Gospel Hour in the chapel—10:30 am
Feb 9– Valentine's Birthday Bash with live entertainment in both dining rooms
Feb 10– Holy Cross Service 10:30 Theater/chapel
Feb 11– The SentiMentals Perform in the Activity Room. 2:00 pm
Feb 13– Snowball Olympics begin, prizes awarded 23rd!
Feb 14– Spiritual Songs with Eric 10:00 am in the Chapel
Feb 14– Happy Valentines Day– Valentines Dance in the activity room with chocolate
fountain & live entertainment
Feb 15– St Albans Church Service in the Chapel 10:00 am
Feb 16– Terrace Town Hall 9:45– in the dining room
Feb 20– FAMILY DAY HOLIDAY
Feb 21– Mardi Gras Celebration at 3:00 in the Activity Room
Feb 23– Gourmet Night– Puttin’ on the Ritz—looking forward to seeing all the beauti-
ful outfits, Special Dress up night and Olympics Awards Night!
Feb 28– Terrace Lunch outing to Milton Symposium—Sign up with Meaghan or Nicole
beforehand
GROUNDHOG DAY
The legend of Groundhog Day is based on an old Scottish couplet: "If Candlemas Day
is bright and clear, there'll be two winters in the year."Every February 2, people gather
at Gobbler's Knob, a wooded knoll just outside of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Resi-
dents contend that the groundhog has never been wrong. The ceremony in Punxsu-
tawney was held in secret until 1966, and only Phil's prediction was revealed to the
public. Since then, Phil's fearless forecast has been a national media event.
The groundhog comes out of his electrically heated burrow, looks for his shadow and
utters his prediction to a Groundhog Club representative in "groundhogese." The rep-
resentative then translates the prediction for the general public. If Punxsutawney Phil
sees his shadow, it means six more weeks of winter. If he does not see his shadow, it
means spring is just around the corner. Approximately 90% of the time, Phil sees his
shadow. Phil started making predictions in 1887, Good luck Phil! Happy Spring?
MOUNTAINVIEW RESIDENCE AND TERRACE VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2 page 4
Chinese New Year:
Year of the Rabbit
Chinese New Year 2023 is a Year of the Rabbit, more specifically, Water Rabbit, start-
ing from January 22nd, 2023, and lasting until February 9th, 2024.
The Rabbit is the fourth animal sign in the Chinese zodiac cycle. The 12 zodiac ani-
mals are, in order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey,
Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Each year has an animal sign according to the 12-year-cycle.
People born in a year of the Rabbit are called "Rabbits" and are believed
to be vigilant, witty, quick-minded, and ingenious.
Recent/upcoming years of the Rabbit are 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999,
2011, 2023, and 2035. If you were born in one of the years, then you are a Rabbit.
The sign of Rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity in Chinese cul-
ture. 2023 is predicted to be a year of hope! Happy Year of the Rabbit!
Heart Health Month
February is Heart Month, a time to bring attention to the importance of cardiovascular
health, and what we can to reduce our risk of cardiovascular disease. Heart disease
affects approximately 2.4 million Canadian adults
We can all reduce our risk of heart disease by making healthy lifestyle choices, includ-
ing quitting smoking, eating a healthy and balanced diet, getting enough sleep, exer-
cising regularly, and monitoring blood pressure and cholesterol levels. On the first Fri-
day in February, people are encouraged to wear red to raise awareness of heart dis-
ease
Some things you can start today to help your heart health include:
Lower your daily sodium intake: Too much sodium causes you to retain water.
When it does, your heart has to work harder to move the additional fluid through your
body.
Increase your dietary fiber intake: High fiber foods are generally healthier, including
beans & vegetables
Eat lots of fruits and vegetables: They are nutrient dense & lower in calories to help
you maintain a moderate weight and reduce inflammation.
Spend less time sitting: Standing, walking, and moving, in general, can be more
heart-healthy than constant sitting.
MOUNTAINVIEW RESIDENCE AND TERRACE VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2 page 5
JANUARY HIGHLIGHTS:
January brought us new years celebrations with delicious treats from Cassy, Fun and
games and a visit from a hungry hungry hippo! Make sure to keep an eye out on your
calendars for the new 2023 activities that have been added. One example, a
Friendly new knitting club, known as the Needle Knockers has been formed. There
are plans for many beautiful creations being made! If you are interested in joining, the
club meets every Friday at 3:15 in the residence fireplace cafe area. We hope to see
you there!
MOUNTAINVIEW WILLOW LANE VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2 page
The Gift That Keeps Giving.
Pictured below left to right you can see LE staff
member Calee with Mae Harley, Floria McNally,
Mervin Cook, Lorna Pollard, Doreen Davitsky,
Jean Longman, Joyce Cook, Peggy Jensen and
Nora Winterflood opening up their special gifts on
Christmas morning. We would like to send out a
huge thank you to our community for all the won-
derful thoughtful gifts. Just look at those smiles!
HAPPY NEW YEAR, WILLOW LANE !
Happy New Year, Willow Lane!
Pictured above you can see Pat
South posing with LE staff
member Charlotte on New Years
Eve. Wishing everyone a safe
and happy year. Cheers to 2023!
Happy
Valentines
Day!
Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday! We
We would like to extend Happy Birthday’s and well wishes to Willow Love
Lane residents Joyce Cook, Peggy Jensen and Nora Winterflood.
Wishing you all the best this year! You
MOUNTAINVIEW CARE WING VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2 page 7
3 times a charm x2 !
Pictured on the right,
Mrs. Laidlaw had a
fabulous day, winning 3
games of bingo and 3
games of bonanza in 1
day! What luck!
On the left is a beautiful
photo of LE staff Calee
with Edythe, Glenn and
Billy getting in the
holiday spirit!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Care Wing residents celebrated a wonderful white Christmas together. Pictured below
and are LE staff Manjit and Calee with Erika Botz, Phyllis Hauver, Gail Mackenzie,
Maizie Hay, Louise Lang, Anne Bouwman, Charles Grabner and family, and Edythe
King showing off their thoughtful gifts from the community.
MOUNTAINVIEW MEMORY LANE VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2 page 8
MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR, MEMORY LANE !
Memory Lane residents and
staff enjoyed Christmas
morning together, opening
their gifts and sharing Christ-
mas stories and memories.
We hope everyone had a
happy holiday season and
start to the New Year!
A few reasons why February is so important….
Black History Month.
Heart & Stroke Awareness Month
National 'February Fun Food' Days!
Groundhog's Day – February 2nd.
Super Bowl Sunday Feb 12
We can't forget about Valentine's Day and our special
dance!
Family Day – 3rd Monday in February.
Random Acts of Kindness Day – February 17th.
Mardi Gras Feb 21
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