From the Desk of the CEO Rod Burkett

Checking in early in the new year on one of my goals

concerning positive thinking and inner happiness, I’m

grading it as a mixed bag - some good outcomes, some not

so good. Most of us carry on an ongoing inner dialogue

within our minds. Often, these thoughts are aimed

internally, as we critique our appearance, judge ourselves on something that

didn’t go quite right at work or second guess ourselves regarding a decision

we made on one of life’s challenges that recently cropped up. If we were to

track all of this self-talk and categorize it, many of us would find that very

little of it is positive in nature or supportive. We often serve as our own

worst critics, which dilutes self-confidence.

Determination to change our inner thoughts is our first step to creating

greater peace and happiness. We are under no one’s control other than our

own thoughts, and if we have chosen negative thinking, we must realize we

have the power to switch such thinking. Experience and time illustrate to us

that the payoff from positive thinking is far better! We project to become the

person that our thoughts prepare us to be. If you find your inner

conversations trending along negative lines, you have the power to change

the direction, to think along different lines. We should all celebrate the

personal power of our mind’s thoughts and commit to use such to bolster our

own well being.

4882 N. Convent Street

Bourbonnais, IL 60914

815-935-1992

www.gardant.com

At A Glance

Managed by

FEBRUARY 2020

Message From the President JoEllen Bleavins

Our company was built on our foundational values of love, compassion and

dignity.

Throughout the year, and especially during February—a month dedicated to

love—our emphasis on LOVE shines through in all that we do.

Love is shown in the care and compassion our staff gives to the men and

women who call our communities home. Residents show that same love to

our employees, many of whom become like family to them.

What an honor it is for us to build these relationships and live out our mission

in a way that touches so many lives. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE.

Prevent the Spread of Germs

Love, Compassion & Dignity

110 Nicolette Road, Parkersburg, WV 26104

304-424-6023 | https://www.gardant.com/cedargrove/

CEDAR GROVE NEWS

IN THE NEWS

Your Heart Matters

Rick Banas

February is National Heart Month. Your heart is the hardest working muscle in your body. It is also a universal

symbol of love. Did you know that . . .

The average size of the human heart is about the size of an adult’s fist. A man’s heart, on average, weighs two

ounces more than a woman’s heart, while a woman’s heart beats slightly faster than a man’s heart.

If you were to stretch out your blood vessel system, it would extend more than 60,000 miles, which is nearly

2.5 times the circumference of planet earth.

The first open heart surgery reportedly occurred in 1893. Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, who was one of the few

black cardiologists in the United States at that time, performed the surgery. The patient lived for another 50

years.

The frequency of heart attacks is highest on Mondays.

Controlling your weight, cholesterol and blood pressure; quitting smoking and avoiding second-hand smoke;

eating healthy; staying active; exercising on a regular basis; and drinking alcohol in moderation, if you drink,

are among the things you can do to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Also, if you want a healthy heart, laugh more, says the Cleveland Clinic. The benefits of laughter appear to be

similar to aerobic exercise or the use of cholesterol-lowering medications.

As for how the heart became a symbol of love and affection, nobody knows for certain, but some theories date

back many centuries.

For Gardant, love has a special place in our approach to serving residents. Our focus is on providing residents

with the Love, Compassion and Dignity residents deserve as well as the help and assistance they need.

Message From the President (CONTINUED)

It is not how much you do, but how much love you put into the doing. – Mother Teresa

Too often, we underestimate the power of - a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest

compliment or the smallest act of caring - all of which have the potential to turn a life around. – Leo

Buscaglia, author

Please take an opportunity each day to find ways to make kind gestures – and know how important you are to

those surrounding you.

PAGE 2

WELLNESS Recipe Corner

Easy Salad

Ingredients:

3/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup lemon juice

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 pounds lettuce, any kind

1 cup croutons

8 bacon strips

1/2 cup grated parmesan

cheese

2/3 slivered almonds, toasted

2 cups chopped tomatoes

1 cup swiss cheese

Salt, pepper

Directions:

In a jar, add the oil, lemon

juice, garlic, salt and pepper

and shake.

In a large bowl, place your

cleaned salad mix.

Top with tomatoes, cheese,

bacon, almonds and the

dressing. Mix.

Stop the Spread of Germs

The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the influenza viruses that

research indicates will be most common during the upcoming

season.

1The tips and resources below will help you learn about steps you

can take to protect yourself and others from the flu and help stop the

spread of germs.

1. Avoid close contact.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are

sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting

sick too.

2. Stay home when you are sick.

If possible, stay home, and avoid visiting when you are sick. This

will help prevent spreading your illness to others.

3. Cover your mouth and nose.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or

sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Flu

and other serious respiratory illnesses, like respiratory syncytial

virus (RSV), whooping cough, and severe acute respiratory

syndrome (SARS), are spread by cough, sneezing, or unclean

hands.

4. Clean your hands.

Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If

soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is

contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose,

or mouth.

6. Practice other good health habits.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or

school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be

physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and

eat nutritious food.

PAGE 3

LIFESTYLE

Event You Don’t Want To Miss!!

Event Name: Mardi Gras Social

Date: 2-25 Time: 2:30pm

Details: Come and do the pancake toss, eat, drink, and enjoy trivia!

Reminders

Please Do Not Visit If You Have Symptoms Of The Flu. Signs of

the flu include fever, cough, sneezing, runny nose and/or sore

throat.

Birthdays Justine E 2-3

Edna S 2-11

Pat R 2-13

Rodney 2-24

A Note from the Administrator

Jodi Curry

“May this Valentine’s Day be filed with love, understanding and

contentment as you journey through life with those you hold dear.”

Happy Valentine’s Day!!

I enjoy working with each and every one of you. Thank you for all

the kindness you continue to show everyone at Cedar Grove.

The New Year is off to a great start! I would like to thank all the

residents, families, and staff who have donated their time for the

betterment of our community. Whether it’s making crafts, hanging

decorations, or providing a helping hand when there is a need. We

want you to know we appreciate you!

PAGE 4

Horoscope

Aquarius (1/20-2/18)

Toxic attitudes are contagious. Be

careful not to get sucked in to the

negativity

Pisces (2/19-3/20)

Find comfort in renewed stability

Aries (3/21-4/19)

Friends will be a blessing in disguise

Taurus (4/20-5/20)

It may be a rough winter, but

approach it with renewed energy

Gemini (5/21-6/20)

Seize opportunities. Be ready to make

some changes.

Cancer (6/21-7/22)

Your competitive spirit is stimulated

Leo (7/23-8/22)

Take time for yourself to determine

your goals and ambitions

Virgo (8/23-9/22)

Your service to others is the clue to

achieving success in your own life.

Set goals and follow through.

Libra (9/23-10/21)

Take time for you. Explore your

optimism and creativity.

Scorpio (10/22-11/21)

Let go of inhibitions and seek the

pleasure you had as a child

Sagittarius (11/22-12/21)

Be careful not to overreact. Take a

breath before communicating.

Capricorn (12/22-1/19)

Don’t push yourself or others too

hard. To satisfy goals, encourage

others. See yourself as a leader.

PAGE 5

LIFESTYLE

What do we do when we get

cabin fever? We get ELVIS to

entertain us.

In January we made snowflakes for the

doors out of hangers.

Hat DAY! All the ladies showing off their

hats.

Betty trying to finish her

picture but Amber thinks

Betty needs to pay her

some attention.

SUKOKU PUZZLE

PAGE 6

SUDOKU ANSWERS

PAGE 7