APRIL 2021

13716 New Hampshire Ave • Silver Spring, MD 20904 • Phone 240-257-3601 • www.seniorlivinginstyle.com

Message From Debra and RichTo our residents, families and new friends who read our newsletter,It is an understatement to say that we are coming off a full year of uncertainty, testing patience and frustrations as well as overall unprecedented global health scare. We are at the light at the end of the tunnel. As Managers, we are thrilled to announce that 99.9% of our residents have had the second dose of the Covid vaccine. As well as to let you know that all of our new gracious living residents who are moving in have had their vaccine before move in. We will still follow protocol based on guidelines of the CDC as well as Montgomery County and of course, our Hawthorn company policies. As each touchstone is met, we will see more and more opening up of our beautiful community so that families and friends can enjoy visiting with their loved ones. Please call if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing all of you again! In the meantime, enjoy the beautiful breezes of spring!

Stay well.Debra Shonka-Barta

Rich Barta Wilshire Estates Community Managers

WILSHIRE ESTATES

TRANSPORTATIONMonday, 10 a.m.: Shopping

Tuesday, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.: AppointmentsWednesday, Times vary week

to week: OutingsThursday, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.: Appointments

Friday, 10 a.m.: Shopping

Managers .......................DEBRA SHONKA-BARTA & RICH BARTA

Assistant Managers ....... JOHN & ANNIE HOLLEYExecutive Chef ..........................SETH CONNOLLYSous Chef ........................................ ALEX MARSHActivity Coordinator ..................... LEORA RASKASBus Driver .....................................ERIK ROBERTS

Spotlight on Milton and Ella PittsElla Ruth Campbell left her home in Como, Mississippi the fall of 1965 to earn a college degree at Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. She soon met a tall, handsome sophomore student named Milton Pitts of Mansfield, Ohio. Ella was impressed. “It was love at first sight,” Milton recalled. Ella concurred. The couple agreed to take leave from Murray College and eloped. Milton later enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and during his four-year tour served one year in Thailand.

Milton and Ella moved to the Washington, D.C. area in 1970. Milton was hired by the District of Columbia Superior Court where he was employed for 34 years. Ella was hired by the Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine where she was employed for 13 years. She later transitioned to The American Speedy Printing Company where she was employed for 17 years.

Prior to his employment by the DC Superior Court, Milton enrolled in Federal City College (now the University of the District of Columbia) to major in political science. But again, he stepped away from academia, as the couple’s family unit began to expand.

Hence, the Pitts are the proud parents of three accomplished daughters, all of whom have a college graduate degree. Their oldest daughter, Jody Thurmond, is employed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in Arlington, Virginia; Maggie Lewis, their second daughter is a social worker employed by the Washington, D.C. Veterans Medical Center; and their third daughter, Octavia Johnson, is an Air Force First Sergeant stationed at Beale Air Force Base north of Sacramento, California. They have six granddaughters.

Milton and Ella lived in nearby Prince Georges County, Maryland for more than 40 years. They learned of Wilshire Estates online while searching for a nearby retirement community. Wilshire Estates impressed them and their on-site visit deepened their desire to become residents.

So, today, 56 years later, Milton and Ella say of one another, “The best partner I could have.” And with good reason. It was, after all, “love at first sight.”

Gracious Residents of Wilshire Estates

Gene, Milton and Ella (shown from right to left) sit by the fireplace, while Gene, a former UDC professor,

interviews the couple for the newsletter.

Sam, a lifelong civil servant, enjoys the natural light in our Dining Room.

Larry, another former attorney, proudly displays an award he received from

U.S. Customs and Border Protections.

Five Reasons We Love Loom KnittingClaire has got us all hooked on loom knitting! Here’s why:

1. It’s easy to learn. One 11 minute YouTube video and you will be ready to get started!

2. It’s light and portable. All you need is a round loom, a knitting loom hook, a yarn needle, and a ball of yarn. If you’re making a hat for a baby, you will only need a 24 peg round loom — which can easily slide into a purse or small backpack — perfect for killing some time in the waiting room at a doctor’s appointment!

3. There’s no need to count stitches in each row. You can always advance to more complicated stitches, but with the basic knit stitch, there’s no reason to spend your time counting.

4. It’s quick. If you are really dedicated, you could make a hat in one afternoon.

5. Makes for an awesome gift for the grandkids.

The National ArboretumWe couldn’t have asked for better weather (okay, maybe we could have), but it was nice to get out and about after such a long winter. Though the National Arboretum had yet to be in bloom, residents enjoyed strolling through the wide pathways and seeing the Corinthian columns, which were originally built in 1828 to hold up the Capitol dome but were eventually deemed inadequate. The columns were moved to the Arboretum, where they stand as a testament to the strength of our democracy. The residents enjoyed taking in the fresh air and look forward to returning to the Arboretum in the spring, when the flowers are in full bloom.

Janet, from the Housekeeping

Department, proudly displaying the hat that

Claire made for her

Ruth Ann was so excited to model her matching

sweater and hat.

APRIL 2021

BirthdaysAdjoa Aiyetoro, 1stJohn Holley, 5th (Employee)

LocationsActivities Room, ARAtrium, ATChapel, CHDining Room, DRFitness Room, FRGame Room, GRLibrary, LILobby, LOMovie Theater, MT

10:00 Aerobics, AR 11:30 Yoga, AR 1:45 Retail Store, AR 2:00 Jazz Music Share, AR 3:00 Pianist Wynona Wang

(Virtual), AR 3:00 Writer’s Club, AR 4:00 Knitting and

Crocheting Club, AR 6:30 Ice Cream Social, AR 7:00 The Stanford Prison

Experiment 50 Years Later (V), AR

10:00 Cedar Ridge Community Church (Online), AR

10:00 19th Street Baptist Church (Online), MT

11:00 Church of the Redeemer Service (Online), AR

4:00 Musical Performance by Garrett

10:00 Blood Pressure Readings (By Appointment)

10:00 Trader Joe’s Outing 11:00 Scrabble, GR 11:30 Dollar Bingo, AR 2:00 Dyna band resistance

band exercise class, AR 3:00 Link Generations, AR 3:00 Sudoku: All Levels, AR 4:00 American Sign

Language with Shanna, AR

10:00 Cedar Ridge Community Church (Online), AR

10:00 19th Street Baptist Church (Online), MT

11:00 Church of the Redeemer Service (Online), AR

3:00 Abraham Lincoln Assassination Livestream Program, AR

10:00 Blood Pressure Readings (By Appointment)

10:00 CVS Run, LO 11:30 Bingo for a cause, AR 2:00 Dyna band

resistance band exercise class, AR

3:00 Rummikub, GR 6:30 Ice Cream Social, AR

10:00 Aerobics, AR 11:30 Resident Meeting, AR 1:45 Retail Store, AR 1:45 Analyze This

(1999), MT 2:00 Balloon Tennis, AR 3:00 Writer’s Club, AR 4:00 Knitting and

Crocheting Club, AR

10:00 Cedar Ridge Community Church (Online), AR

10:00 19th Street Baptist Church (Online), MT

11:00 Church of the Redeemer Service (Online), AR

10:00 Blood Pressure Readings (By Appointment)

10:00 Dollar Tree Outing 11:00 Scrabble, GR 11:30 Chocolate Bingo, AR 2:00 Dyna band resistance

band exercise class, AR 3:00 Sudoku: All Levels, AR 4:00 Ticket to Ride, GR

10:00 Aerobics, AR 11:30 Yoga, AR 1:45 Retail Store, AR 3:00 Writer’s Club, AR 4:00 Health Talk with

Legacy, AR 6:30 Ice Cream Social, AR

10:00 Cedar Ridge Community Church (Online), AR

10:00 19th Street Baptist Church (Online), MT

11:00 Church of the Redeemer Service (Online), AR

4:00 Musical Performance by Dave and Juliet

10:00 Blood Pressure Readings (By Appointment)

10:00 CVS Run, LO 11:30 Bingo, AR 2:00 Dyna band resistance

band exercise class, AR 3:00 Rummikub, GR 4:00 Exercise Your Mind, AR 6:30 Ice Cream Social, AR

10:00 Aerobics, AR 11:30 Resident Meeting, AR 1:45 Retail Store, AR 2:00 Balloon Tennis, AR 3:00 Writer’s Club, AR 4:00 Knitting and

Crocheting Club, AR 6:30 The Sisters Blackwell

(Virtual), AR

“Try to leave the Earth a better place than when you arrived.”

—Sidney Sheldon

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY

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EASTER

APRIL 2021

10:00 Hedbanz Game, AR 11:00 Balloon Volleyball, AR 12:00 Meditation and

Mindfulness (Virtual), AR 1:45 Cherry Blossom

Outing, LO 2:00 “The Sound of

Music” (1965), MT 6:30 “Coming to America”

(1988), MT

10:00 Get Moving, AR 11:30 Billiards, GR 2:00 Cooking Demo, AR 3:00 Book Club, AR 4:00 Mexican Train

Dominoes, AR 6:30 “G.I. Blues”

(Starring Elvis!) (1960), MT

10:00 Balance Training with Legacy, AR

10:30 Fresh Squeezed Lemonade by the Fire Pit

11:30 Maundy Thursday and the Last Supper, AR

1:45 Hot Cross Buns, AR 2:00 Jesus Christ

Superstar (1973), MT

3:00 Book Club, AR

9:00 Walking Club, AR 10:00 Target Run, LO 11:30 Yoga, AR 1:45 Sign Language with

Ruth Ann, AR 2:30 Root Beer Floats, AR 3:00 Practice your Spanish!

Intermediate games, AR 4:00 Poker, GR 6:30 The Enduring Appeal

of the Great Gatsby (virtual), AR

9:00 Walking Club, AR 10:00 Giant Outing 11:00 Estate Planning with

the Griffin Firm, AR 11:30 Yoga, AR 1:45 Ben Hur (1959), MT 1:45 Sign Language with

Ruth Ann, AR 4:00 Poker, GR 5:30 Shabbat Dinner, AR

9:15 Congregation Beth El Service (Online), AR

10:00 Word Searches, DR 2:00 Our Planet

Season 1, MT

9:15 Congregation Beth El Service (Online), AR

10:00 Word Searches, DR 2:00 Our Planet

Season 1, MT 3:00 Lilies of the Field

(1963), MT

9:30 Lincoln’s Cottage Group Tour Outing, LO

1:45 Word Games, AR 1:45 “All the President’s

Men” (1976), MT 3:30 Strength Training, AR 4:30 Happy Hour, AR 6:30 “Breakfast at

Tiffany’s,” MT

9:30 Giant Crossword Puzzle, AT

10:00 Balance Training with Legacy, AR

10:30 Fresh Squeezed Lemonade by the Fire Pit

11:30 Crafting Club, AR 1:45 Pawn Sacrifice

(2015), AR 1:45 The Match Game

(Live), AR 3:00 Book Club, AR

9:00 Walking Club, AR 10:00 Giant Outing 11:30 Yoga, AR 1:45 Sign Language

with Ruth Ann, AR 3:00 S’mores by

the Fire Pit 4:00 Poker, GR 6:30 “Singin’ In the

Rain,” MT

9:15 Congregation Beth El Service (Online), AR

10:00 Word Searches, DR 2:00 Our Planet

Season 1, MT

10:00 Tea Tasting, AR 10:30 Driving Miss

Daisy (1989), MT 11:00 Patapsco Valley

State Park Picnic 1:30 Black British Civil

Rights, Behind the Scenes (V), AR

3:00 History with Rich, MT 6:45 “My Big Fat Greek

Wedding” (2002), MT

10:00 Get Moving, AR 11:30 Puzzles and

Punch, AR 1:45 Bring and Brag, AR 1:45 Earth Day Recycling

Presentation, AR 3:00 Book Club, AR 4:00 Rummikub, GR

9:00 Walking Club, AR 10:00 Target Run, LO 11:30 Yoga, AR 1:45 Sign Language with

Ruth Ann, AR 2:30 Love & Basketball

(2000), MT 3:00 Practice your Spanish!

Intermediate games, AR 4:00 Poker, GR

9:15 Congregation Beth El Service (Online), AR

10:00 Word Searches, DR 2:00 Our Planet

Season 1, MT

9:30 Downs Park Outing, LO

2:00 Montgomery Mall Outing, LO

3:30 Strength Training, AR

4:30 Happy Hour, AR 5:30 Winner’s Circle:

Salad in a Mason Jar, AR

11:30 Crafting Club, AR 12:30 Winner’s Circle

Chinese Dinner, AR 1:45 “Glory” (1989), MT 2:00 Cooking Demo:

Chicken with Za’atar, DR

3:00 Book Club, AR 4:00 Trivia, (Root) Beer

and Pretzels, DR 6:30 “Moneyball” (2011), MT

9:00 Walking Club, AR 11:30 Yoga, AR 1:45 Sign Language

with Ruth Ann, AR 1:45 “My Fair Lady”

(1964) 4:00 Poker, GR

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

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GOOD FRIDAY

EARTH DAY

Recipe for a Happy RetirementStart with a generous amount of belongings. Downsize until every object brings you an abundance of joy. Move to the apartment of your dreams. Mix with friends, both old and new. Add in beautiful afternoons spent with family. Carve time out of your day for exercise. Pour in laughter, wisdom, self-determination and self-compassion. Top with our signature soft serve ice cream.

Fay chops up the butter into small pieces, places them in a bowl, and then mixes in the other dry ingredients.

Diana works on her technique, pinching the dough to create raspberry and chocolate filled cookies.

Keely’s KornerSummer, winter and fall may have their fans, but spring is clearly the most lovable of the four seasons that we experience here in Maryland.

Reasons why: Temperatures are moderate. There is more daylight. All of our birds return. You can be outside with the warmer but not too hot temperature. Trees are leaving out, flowers start to bloom again. You can walk more outside! You can open your windows and let the fresh spring air in — natural vitamins from the sunshine. So join me in welcoming the beautiful month of April.

So do what I do — take a longer walk outside, and watch the squirrels and rabbits play. Or sit on the bench and watch the world go by. Either way — go out and feel renewed again.

Until next month — Keely

Our Sunshine State Happy Hour, featuring orange creamsicle drinks, orange slices, and

an assortment of cheese and crackersPG-13 “Singapore Sling” complemented our array of Asian snacks

including seaweed crackers, egg rolls, and fortune cookies.

Soft pretzels and root beer fueled Larry, Fay, Teri and

Jeanne to trivia victory.Fay and her daughter, Debbie, all bundled up for

our first S’mores by the fire pit of the season

Freshly baked hamentaschen, a traditional triangular cookie filled with preserves

for the Jewish holiday of PurimErma kneads the dough and then places the dough in the oven to rise for several hours.

Bon Appétit!We know that good food has the power to bring back great memories, and the power to create new unforgettable moments, so we make sure to bring out the best flavors during our socials. Whether it be our Sunshine State Happy Hour, our Chinese Happy Hour, Trivia (Root) Beer and Pretzels, or S’mores by the Fire Pit, you just need to bring yourself and we will take care of the rest!

13716 New Hampshire AveSilver Spring, MD 20904

240-257-3601