March 2016 An Afternoon with Tom Daley A Poet’s Journey to ... · mistaken, premature headline of the Chicago Tribune: “Dewey Defeats Truman.” Broadway Seated Dance with Phyllis

Assisted Living Residences

Week on the Market,” and “My Mother Explains Why She Threw Away All My Dolls,” the poems build on one another as they recreate the joyful, turbulent, and at times dark moments of a long, fully-lived life. Often retrospective, the voice also brims with urgency and vitality, as in “My Mother Speaks to Patsy, Her Old Partner in Raucousness.” In this poem, the mother at once recalls and entreats her long lost friend,

Weren’t we the two smoky dimples of a barnburning smile?Weren’t we a buzz of each other’s blenders

grating limeade sherry sours?

She continues a few stanzas later,

Weren’t we mutually utterlydazed at the sayingsthat would gawk

out of each other’s mouth?

As Mr. Daley himself notes, “Any persona poem is a kind of talking back . . . Writing these poems in the voice of my mother enabled me to talk back, not just to her

The “Illuminate Your Spirit” series offers residents opportunities to participate in a variety of enriching cultural experiences. Guest speakers with a particular passion or focus on the arts share their love and knowledge of that particular topic. Several residents dine with the speaker before or after the presentation.

This month, award-winning poet Tom Daley will join us for an evening focused on his career as a writer. Mr. Daley, who currently leads writing workshops at Youville House and Youville Place, will discuss and read from his most recent book of poetry, House You Cannot Reach: Poems in the Voice of My Mother and Other Poems.

Published in 2015 by FutureCycle Press, nearly all of the poems in House You Cannot Reach are dramatic monologues in the voice of Mr. Daley’s late mother. With titles like “My Mother Calls Her Portfolio Manager in the Middle of a Bad

An Afternoon with Tom DaleyA Poet’s Journey to Share

March 2016

Resident & Family Easter Party with BonaparteSaturday, March 19 at 2:00 PMBonaparte, Boston’s hottest magician, returns to Youville Place to lead us on a fun-filled journey into his whimsical world of magic.

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ArtMatters Presents...The Portrait in ArtTuesday, March 8 at 2:00 PMA great portrait can convey a stunning range of emotional and historical information. Portraits can tell private stories, reveal historical conditions, and even provide subversive social commentary. In this presentation, we will admire portraiture from the Renaissance through the Post-modern era.

Writing Workshop with Tom DaleyTuesday, March 8 & 22 at 3:15 PMAward-winning poet and local writing instructor Tom Daley returns to Youville to lead two memoir-writing workshops. Experienced and/or aspiring writers are encouraged to join! Mr. Daley will lead participants through a series of in-class prompts to help set a scene and stimulate the imagination and memory. If you were present at last month’s class, this is your opportunity to build on or add to your previous writing.

Arts & Crafts with LexFun! Wednesday, March 9 at 10:00 AMLexington’s “Five and Under Network” will be at Youville Place on Wednesday morning to participate in a winter arts and crafts project. The children always bring a smile to our faces when they visit.

History at Play with Judith KalaoraChallenger: Soaring with ChristaFriday, March 11 at 2:00 PMHistorical interpreter Judith Kalaora will portray the life of Christa McAuliffe, one of seven crew members aboard the tragic launch of The Challenger. During her short life, McAuliffe touched many lives as an educator and space enthusiast. Don’t miss this inspiring, multi-media performance.

Cabaret Artist John O’NeilBack to EnniskillenTuesday, March 15 at 2:00 PMAward-winning performer John O’Neil will embark on a delightful musical journey across the Emerald Isle. This celebration of Irish heritage will include hits from the Irish Tenors, the Clancy Brothers, the Irish Rovers and more. There’s no better way to get in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day!

Historical Lecture with Gary HylanderGive ‘Em Hell, Harry!Tuesday, March 1 at 2:00 PMPrepare to revisit one of the most exciting presidential elections in American history. The 1948 “whistle-stop” election was the first post-war election, and also the first election since Roosevelt’s death. A feisty Harry Truman ran and won a fabled upset victory over Governor Thomas Dewey. On the morning after the election, a grinning Truman held over his head for all to see the mistaken, premature headline of the Chicago Tribune: “Dewey Defeats Truman.”

Broadway Seated Dance with Phyllis RittnerWednesday, March 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 at 9:30 AMBroadway Seated Dance is a music and dance program for older adults who love the upbeat tunes from movie musicals, Broadway and the popular performers from the 1930s and 1960s. This program includes a gentle warm up, easy-to-follow body movements and a relaxing cooldown. The exercises are designed to improve cardiovascular function, range of motion, muscle tone, posture, circulation and flexibility. Be sure to join us on Wednesday mornings!

Welcome Tea for Simona Granfone Wednesday, March 2 at 2:30 PMSimona is our new Lead Programs Assistant! In her new role, Simona will be leading many of the programs at Youville Place and spending a lot of time with residents. Be sure to congratulate Simona and get to know her while enjoying tea and other treats.

Buddhism with Kusala Friday, March 4 at 2:00 PMCurrently a graduate student at Harvard Divinity School, Kusala grew up in Sri Lanka and was ordained a Buddhist monk at the age of 16. Over the past year, he has been interning with Maria Benoit, Youville’s Chaplain and Director of Spiritual Care. Don’t miss his first presentation at Youville Place on the history and teachings of Buddhism.

Monthly Highlights...Winter Concert Series Folk Music with Fiddler Armand ArominMonday, March 14 at 2:00 PMWith a hand-crafted fiddle, English concertina, ukulele and his own voice, Armand Aromin presents an exciting repertoire of lively dance tunes blended with an eclectic selection of musical varia. For Aromin, the search for good songs is endless, and endlessly satisfying. His primary influences and inspirations are voices in the English, American and Irish folk music realm, but he allows his ears a “long musical leash.” An Afternoon of Music with Pianist Nancy DayTuesday, March 22 at 2:00 PMAn accomplished pianist, singer and composer, Nancy Day consistently thrills audiences with her dynamic performances. She draws from a wide-ranging repertoire that includes jazz, country, ragtime, musical theater and enchanting love songs. Don’t miss the chance to see this engaging performer at Youville!

Getting to Know Our DirectorsWelcome Tea with Susan Snow, Director of MarketingMonday, March 7 at 2:00 PMThe newest member of the Youville marketing team, Susan previously worked as Outreach Assistant with the Lexington Senior Center. She looks forward to meeting and greeting residents, so be sure to stop by and welcome her to Youville Place!

Afternoon Tea: Share Stories of Your “Firsts”with Ginger Ellis, Director of Community LifeSaturday, March 26 at 2:30 PMDirector of Community Life, Ginger Ellis loves a good story. When she hosts tea this month, she will recount a personal milestone - one of her “firsts” in life. In keeping with the afternoon’s theme, residents are encouraged to share stories of their own “firsts” while enjoying drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Do you remember your first job? The first time you bought a home? Your first day of school? Ginger will take the lead, and residents are encouraged to follow suit.

Lunch Trip: Emerald Rose Restaurant & PubWednesday, March 16 Depart: 11:30 AMReturn: 2:30 PM Cost: $ for lunchEnjoy lunch at the Emerald Rose in Billerica to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with fellow residents.

Lunch Trip: Bellino’s TrattoriaWednesday, March 30Depart: 11:30 AMReturn: 2:30 PMBellino’s Trattoria is a small, family owned business serving the freshest and highest quality food products available. Their dining room is small and inviting, with warm colors and musical sounds of a trattoria in Italy. The menu is authentic Italian, right down to the sauce, straight from Nana’s kitchen.

Shopping Trips Lexington Stop & ShopTuesday, March 1 & 22Time: 9:30 AM Return: 11:00 AM

Burlington Market BasketTuesday, March 8Time: 9:30 AM Return: 11:00 AM

Lexington Center / Walgreen’sThursday, March 10, 24 & 31Time: 1:00 PM Return: 2:30 PM

Bedford Stop & ShopTuesday, March 15 & 29Time: 9:30 AM Return: 11:00 AM

Happy Birthday! Bea R. March 1Sr. Gladys M. March 3Helen W. March 4Alice D. March 10Mary D. March 16Theresa C. March 18Joan P. March 20Margaret M. March 21

Community Outings

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9:30 Fitness 9:30 Shopping Trip: Bedford Stop & Shop 10:30 An Hour w/ Sheila 2:00 Back to Enniskillen w/ Cabaret Artist John O’Neil 3:30 Black Jack 7:00 Movie: Godzilla

9:30 Fitness 9:30 Shopping Trip: Bedford Stop & Shop 10:30 An Hour w/ Sheila 2:00 Pianist Nancy Day 3:15 Writing Workshop 3:30 Black Jack 7:00 Movie: Being Julia

9:30 Broadway Seated Dance10:00 Centering Prayer10:30 Chaplet of Divine Mercy11:30 Lunch Trip: Emerald Rose 1:30 Documentary Movie: He Named Me Malala 3:00 Bible Study 7:00 Documentary Movie: He Named Me Malala 9:30 Broadway Seated Dance 10:00 Centering Prayer 10:30 Chaplet of Divine Mercy 1:30 Trip: Afternoon Ride 1:30 Documentary Movie: A Ballerina’s Tale 3:00 Bible Study 7:00 Documentary Movie: A Ballerina’s Tale

St. Patrick’s Day 9:30 Yoga w/ Annie Hoffman10:30 Programs Planning Meeting 1:00 Shopping Trip: Dollar Tree 2:00 Forever Fit! 4:00 Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Happy Hour 7:00 Music & Musical Film: Gaelic Spirit

9:30 Fitness10:00 Flower Arranging10:30 Stations of the Cross 2:00 Challenger: Soaring with Christa w/ Judith Kalaora 3:15 Book Club: Being Mortal by Atul Gawande 7:00 Illuminate Your Spirit A Poet’s Journey w/ Tom Daley

9:30 Fitness10:00 Flower Arranging 10:30 Stations of the Cross12:00 Birthday Luncheon 2:00 Caring Canines 3:00 Buddhism w/ Kusala Part 2 7:00 Feast of St. Joseph

Good Friday 9:30 Fitness10:00 Flower Arranging 2:00 March Jeopardy Trivia 3:00 Good Friday Service 4:30-6:30 Manicures by Appt. 7:00 Movie: Little Boy

9:30 Fitness10:30 Reading from Small Miracles 2:00 Resident & Family Easter Party w/ Bonaparte 7:00 Classic Movie Night: Mr. Deeds Goess to Town

9:30 Fitness10:30 Reading from Small Miracles 2:00 Afternoon Tea Hosted by Ginger Ellis 3:00 Classic Matinee Movie: Death in Venice 7:00 Classic Movie Night: Death in Venice

9:30 Fitness10:15 Group Crosswords10:30 Reminiscing w/ Sheila 2:00 Folk Music w/ Fiddler Armand Aromin 3:30 Bingo 7:00 Movie: The Cider House Rules

10:30 Reflections 2:30 Choral Music By: The Oriana Consort 3:30 Great Courses on DVD: From Jesus to Constantine A History of Early Christianity w/ Maria Benoit7:00 Movie: The English Patient

2:00 Great Courses on DVD: From Jesus to Constantine A History of Early Christianity w/ Maria Benoit 7:00 Movie: The Martian

10:30 Reflections 2:00 Great Courses on DVD: From Jesus to Constantine A History of Early Christianity w/ Maria Benoit 7:00 Movie: A Walk in the Woods

Country StoreHours

Monday & Friday 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Wednesday 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

9:30 Fitness 10:15 Group Crosswords10:30 Short Stories w/ Sheila 2:00 Improving Your Memory w/ Liz Kehrli, VNCH 3:30 Bingo 7:00 Movie: White Oleander

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9:30 Fitness 9:30 Shopping Trip: Burlington Market Basket 10:30 Share Your Story 2:00 ArtMatters Presents... Portraits in Art 3:15 Writing Workshop 3:30 Black Jack 7:00 Movie: Serpico

9:30 Yoga w/ Veronica Wolff10:30 Current Events w/ Pam 1:00 Trans. to Lexington Ctr. 2:00 Forever Fit! 4:00 Happy Hour 7:00 Music & Musical Film: Anchors Aweigh

9:30 Fitness 10:30 Reading from Small Miracles 2:00 Student Cello Recital 3:15 Classic Matinee Movie: Chinatown 7:00 Classic Movie Night: Chinatown

9:30 Fitness10:15 Group Crosswords10:30 Short Stories w/ Sheila 2:00 Welcome Tea Susan Snow 3:30 Bingo 7:00 Movie: The Bourne Identity

9:30 Broadway Seated Dance10:00 Arts & Crafts w/ LexFUN! 10:00 Centering Prayer10:30 Chaplet of Divine Mercy 2:00 Ice Cream Social 7:00 Documentary Movie: Iris

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9:30 Yoga w/ Veronica Wolff10:15 Nurse’s Chat 1:00 Trans. to Lexington Ctr. 4:00 Happy Hour 7:00 Music & Musical Film: Jersey Boys

2:00 Classic Matinee Movie: The Apartment 7:00 Classic Matinee Movie: The Apartment

Hair SalonHours

Thursday, Friday & Saturday8:30 AM - 12:00 PM

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9:30 Fitness10:15 Group Crosswords10:30 Reminiscing w/ Sheila 2:00 Drumming Circle w/ SoulWorks Rhythm 3:30 Bingo 7:00 Movie: Big Eyes

Happy Easter 2:00 Celebrate Easter w/ Pianist Yaz Ishibashi 3:30 Great Courses on DVD: From Jesus to Constantine A History of Early Christianity w/ Maria Benoit 7:00 Movie: Truth

9:30 Fitness10:00 Flower Arranging 1:00 Blood Pressure & Balance Clinic 2:00 Buddhism w/ Kusala Part 1 4:30-6:30 Manicures by Appt. 7:00 Movie: Woman in Gold

Manicures & Pedicures w/ Connie

Wednesday, March 16 & 30Please sign up in the Programs Dept.

Transportation HoursMonday & Friday

9:00 AM - 12:00 PMTuesday, Wednesday & Thursday

8:00 AM- 2:00 PM

9:30 Broadway Seated Dance10:00 Centering Prayer10:30 Chaplet of Divine Mercy 2:30 Welcome Tea for Simona Granfone 7:00 Documentary Movie: Blue Planet

9:30 Yoga w/ Annie Hoffman 2:30 Resident Management Mtg. 4:00 Happy Hour 7:00 Music & Musical Film: Cabaret

9:30 Fitness 9:30 Shopping Trip: Lexington Stop & Shop 10:30 An Hour w/ Sheila12:30 Trip to the Polls 2:00 “Give ‘Em Hell, Harry” w/ Gary Hylander 3:30 Black Jack 7:00 Movie: Sense & Sensibility

9:30 Yoga w/ Annie Hoffman10:15 Let’s Talk Food 2:00 Staying Between the Lines: The Adult Coloring Craze 4:00 Happy Hour 7:00 Music & Musical Film: Carousel

9:30 Broadway Seated Dance 10:30 Centering Prayer 11:30 Lunch Trip: Bellino’s 1:30 Documentary Movie: Life Itself 3:00 Bible Study 7:00 Documentary Movie: Life Itself

9:30 Fitness 9:30 Shopping Trip: Lexington Stop & Shop 10:30 An Hour w/ Sheila 1:00 Outreach Project: Brown Bag Meals 3:30 Black Jack 7:00 Movie: Jurassic World

This Month, Learn How to “Train your Brain” A Tribute to Natural LightIt’s almost Daylight Saving Time! On Sunday, March 13th, don’t forget to set your clocks one hour forward and have your biological clock thrown slightly out of whack. Then sit back and prepare to be dazzled by an extra hour of sunlight!There’s nothing like natural sunlight to give us a boost of energy. Recent studies have shown that lack of natural light during the day can disrupt sleep patterns, increase stress, and in some cases have adverse effects on blood pressure.A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that daily exposure to natural light had significant effects on sleep quality. Half of the participants in the study worked in offices with windows, while the other half worked in offices without any exposure to natural light. Those who were exposed to natural light reported an average of 46 more minutes of nightly sleep than the other group. According to Ivy Cheung, an author of the study, “light is the most important synchronizing agent for the brain and the body.” Why does light make us feel energized?Light determines our circadian rhythm, which in turn determines our sleep cycle, metabolism and even body temperature. When the circadian rhythm gets thrown off due to irregular light and dark patterns, we are likely to experience difficulty sleeping at night and inordinate fatigue during the day. A study by Cornell University found that nurses who worked long shifts late into the night were found to have lower blood pressure, more optimistic dispositions, and improved communication with patients when they had regular exposure to natural daylight. Sunlight is also great for our bones. We rely on direct sun exposure to produce vitamin D, an essential nutrient that enables us to absorb calcium. An outdoor walk in the sun is great for bone health on two counts: 1) the weight bearing exercise and 2) the vitamin D we make when our skin is exposed to sunlight. As you set your clocks forward on March 13th, remember: the hour lost today will soon translate to many hours of sunlight. Have a happy, healthy spring!

“Poet’s Journey” continued from page 1

This month, we are thrilled to host students from the University of South Carolina, as they spend their spring break volunteering at Youville Place while getting a taste of New England life. The students will help with programs, play games, have meals and exchange stories with residents.

The students are traveling through their faith-based group, Midtown Fellowship. They became aware of Youville Place after reaching out to Neighbors Who Care, the Waltham-based non-profit started by Sister Dorothy Cooper. A schedule of daily activities will be posted at the reception desk. Stay tuned for more details!

College Students Visit from South CarolinaMonday, March 7 - Wednesday, March 9Even with a lifetime of facts and impressions stored in our

brains, we always have the ability to learn new things. The brain retains what is called “neuroplasticity” in later life, the ability to make new neural pathways. In recent years, neurologists have been tapping into this unique feature to learn how to keep the brain active and healthy, using an approach that mimics physical exercise. “Brain training” makes use of mental exercises and games that target specific areas of the brain, just as different physical exercises targets different muscles. According to Olga Kotelko, the Canadian athlete who won medals in track and field as a 95-year old, “Anyone who stops learning is old. Knowledge is power. Age is but a number . . . I’m still learning every day.” When asked how she stayed in such good shape, Kotelko was always quick to describe her mental as well as physical exercises, professing an affinity for Sudoku, card games, and anything that challenged the mind. Health experts have long been in agreement that physical exercise, diet, social engagement, and a spirit of learning are all important factors in staving off age-related decline. The Brain Fit Club at Beth Israel Deaconess puts this wisdom into practice, combining computerized brain training games with a variety of intellectual, social and physical activities. Members of the club take a series of cognitive tests to determine which areas of the brain need the most work. The team of neurologists that work at the Brain Fit Club then develop a personalized brain fitness program that specifically tests and improves these areas. Interested in learning more about how to train your brain? On Monday, March 21st at 2:00 PM, Liz Kehrli from Visiting Nurse and Community Health in Arlington will give a special presentation: “How to Boost Your Memory and Brain Power.” Taking a holistic approach to cognitive health, Ms. Kerhli’s talk will incorporate physical health, nutrition, medication management and exercise, as well as specific mental exercises for improving memory. Don’t miss this informative presentation!

(and certainly some of this group of poems do that), but to have her persona give vent to my own grievances, wishes and disappointments.”

Mr. Daley writes that, ultimately, the character portrayed in House You Cannot Reach is his own literary creation. She is based on his mother but also “an invention, one neither she nor I would entirely recognize.” A pleasure to read, the poems are certain to come to life when Mr. Daley recites them at Youville.

Facilitated by Ildiko Szabo, Community Life Coordinator at Youville House in Cambridge, A Poet’s Journey will feature a conversation and reading with Tom Daley on Friday, March 11 at 7:00 PM. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to experience the life and work of a great poet.

About Tom DaleyTom Daley received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he won the Charles and Fanny Fay Wood Academy of American Poets Prize. He worked as a machinist for over two decades. He currently teaches poetry and memoir-writing courses at the Boston Center for Adult Education, Lexington Community Education, and at Youville!

Easter MealPlease remember to make meal reservations for your holiday guests. Dining Room reservation forms are available at the Reception Desk. If you are planning to enjoy your Easter meal with guests at Youville Place, please complete the form in your mailbox and we will reserve a table for you. We always welcome guests in the Dining Room, and encourage families and friends to stay for lunch or dinner when they visit. Please provide advance notice so we can accommodate all of our residents and guests.

How to Boost Your Memory and Brain Powerwith Liz Kehrli, Visiting Nurse & Community Health Monday, March 21 at 2:00 PMTaking a holistic approach to cognitive health, Ms. Kerhli’s talk will incorporate physical health, nutrition, medication management and exercise, as well as specific mental exercises for improving memory. Drumming Circle with SoulWorks RhythmMonday, March 28 at 2:00 PMExperience the exhilaration of communal drumming! Learn the basics of drumming and musically collaborate with fellow residents. SoulWorks Rhythm will provide an array of drums and guide the group through traditional drumming techniques. Staying within the LinesThe Adult Coloring CrazeThursday, March 31In just the past year, feature articles about the emergence of adult coloring books have appeared in The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Forbes, Business Insider and The Wall Street Journal. Come see what all the hype is about. We will be coloring Johanna Basford’s best-selling book, Secret Garden. For more information about the “adult coloring craze,” check out this month’s Age Well insert.

Continue from page 3...More Monthly Highlights!

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Save the Dates...Resident/Management MeetingThursday, March 3 at 2:30 PM

Blood Pressure ClinicFriday, March 4 at 1:00 PM

Manicures with Joanne by AppointmentFriday, March 4 from 4:30 PM- 6:30 PMSign up in the Community Happenings book!

Country Store Store HoursMonday 10:00 AM - 11:30 AMWednesday 10:30 AM - 12:00 PMFriday 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Store Volunteers: Sr. Theresa R., Margaret B., Sr. Dolores B., Florence K. & Judith B.

Transportation Services–– New HoursMonday and Friday 9:00 AM - 12:00 PMTuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday8:00 AM - 2:00 PMThe fee for transportation is $10.00 for Lexington and $20.00 for surrounding communities. Please see Brian King in the Programs Department with any questions. We will make every effort to accommodate your wishes, but please understand that no transportation can be guaranteed with less than 48 hours notice.

Programs / Menu Hotline...Have you ever wondered whether your favorite program is on the schedule for the day? Would you like to know in advance what the daily menu choices are? Now you can hear a recorded list of the daily programs as well as the menu for lunch and dinner at Youville Place. Simply call 781-761-1334 directly, or call the Reception Desk and the receptionist will connect you.

Youville Place Management Team

Nicole Breslin CEO & PresidentJoanne Scianna COOJohn Cooney Senior Director of FinanceDinah Olanoff Senior Director of Marketing & Communications Katie Blanchard Director of Programs Susan Snow Director of Marketing Kathryn Carlino, RN Director of WellnessBob Salamanca Director of Environmental ServicesEdith Wikina Director of Dining ServicesVirginia Ellis Director of Community Life Maria Benoit Director of Mission & Pastoral CareTom Landry Director of Human ResourcesMal Allard Director of The Courtyard at Youville Place

The Mission of Youville PlaceTo be a community of enduring hope that

celebrates God’s love through compassionate care, while fostering the individual and embracing all.

ValuesReverence - profound respect

Integrity - complete truth and justice Dedication - selfless giving

Hospitality - generosity of spirit

Spiritual

Physical

Cognitive

Nutritional

Have you heard about the “adult coloring craze”? Believe it or not, adults young and old are getting out their colored pencils and buying coloring books like never before. In the process, they have helped to fuel an emerging, multimillion dollar industry of adult coloring books.In January of 2016, five of the top 15 best-selling books on Amazon were coloring books for adults. The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and other widely distributed publications have all printed stories about adult coloring within the past year.

What, you may wonder, makes for an “adult” coloring book? According to Johanna Basford, author of the ground-breaking Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Coloring Book, the difference lies in the artwork. Adult coloring books are more “sophisticated – no images of a car or a bunny with a bow in its hair,” she says.

Basford might well be regarded as the inventor of the entire adult coloring genre. Her Secret Garden has sold two million copies since it first appeared on shelves in 2013. The follow-up, Enchanted Forest, has proven to be just as popular, selling a quarter of a million copies in its first month of publication last year.

The illustrations in Secret Garden feature highly detailed, outdoor scenes based on the artist’s expansive home garden. These intricate landscapes are inviting to the eye, and many find it hard to stop coloring them. In keeping with the book’s title, Basford has populated her scenes with “secrets” that colorists can uncover as they go. Secret Garden includes a catalogue of hidden items to be found throughout the book, lending an element of pursuit to each page.

While Basford’s designs would probably not hold the fleeting attention of a child, their intricacy is the main draw for adults. Katie Blanchard, Director of Programs at Youville Place, recently took time after a busy day to color in a page from Secret Garden. “When I first looked at the page it was a bit overwhelming,” she says. “I didn’t think I’d be able to sit still for it. But after about ten minutes my mind calmed down and I got really engaged in filling in the shapes.”

Just one page can require multiple sittings and hours of focused activity to complete. Like a jigsaw puzzle, the finished product can be a source of genuine accomplishment.

Explaining the TrendAs more adults rediscover the simple appeal of coloring, professionals are weighing in on the psychological underpinnings and health benefits of this trend. According to Scott Bea, PSYD, a clinical psychologist with the Cleveland Clinic, “Coloring draws attention away from yourself

March 2016Color Yourself Curious: Why Adults Are Turning to Coloring Books

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Get fit. Stay sharp. Age well.©

Youville House • 1573 Cambridge Street • Cambridge, MA 02138 • 617.491.1234Youville Place • 10 Pelham Road • Lexington, MA 02421 • 781.861.3535 • www.youvilleassistedliving.org

Assisted Living Residences

and helps you stay in the present moment. In this way, it is very much like a meditative exercise. When your mind is focused on a simple activity and not disturbed by thoughts and appraisals, your brain tends to relax. The fact that coloring has a predictable outcome also can be relaxing. It is hard to mess up, and, even if you do, there is no real consequence. As a result, adult coloring can be a wonderful lark, rather than an arduous test of your capacities.”

Julie Beck, associate editor of The Atlantic, believes that engaging with interesting patterns is inherently relaxing. Beck’s article, “The Zen of Adult Coloring Books,” documents her own conversion from skeptic to a full-fledged colorist. She writes that adult coloring books are part of today’s “trend of meditation and mindfulness that’s been going for some time now, one response among many to the high levels of stress many adults are living with.”

Psychologists tend to agree with this meditative take on the coloring craze. Dr. Ben Michaelis, a clinical psychologist in New York, says that “it’s the repetition that’s key to the relaxation response.” Michaelis and others have cited Carl Jung, the father of analytical psychology, in connection with adult coloring. Always ahead of his time, one of Jung’s relaxation exercises for patients was to “prescribe” them intricate mandalas to color.

The Social Aspect of ColoringIn addition to helping people relax, coloring lends itself to social interaction.A Minnesota woman named Jenny Fenlason had no trouble starting an adult coloring club. “I thought coloring would be a fun way to get together and do something that engages a little bit of your creative side, but allows you to talk,” she told Minnesota Public Radio. “I threw out the idea and a lot of people were interested.” Fueled by social media, her coloring club has since expanded, with chapters springing up in Las Vegas, New York, and even London!

Are you curious? Skeptical? Eager to get out your colored pencils? If so, join the Programs staff on Thursday, March 31 at 2:00 PM. We will supply all the necessary materials, including colored pencils and pages from Johanna Basford’s acclaimed books.

Yoga w/ Annie Hoffman Fitness Forever Fit Broadway Seated Dance w/ Phyllis Rittner

Dark leafy greens are a rich source of vitamin C, K, E, and B, as well as iron, calcium, and fiber, which are essential for good health.

Catholic Mass Centering Prayer Bible Study History of Early Christianity Series w/ Maria Benoit Book Club: Being Mortal by Atul Gawande Art Matters . . . The Portrait in Art Buddhism w/ Kusala How to Boost Memory & Brain Power w/ Liz Kehrli

Folk Fiddler Armand Aromin Drumming Circle w/ SoulWorks Rhythm Back to Enniskillen: Songs of Ireland w/ Cabaret Artist John O’Neil College Students Visit from South Carolina

Get fit. Stay sharp. Age well.©