Kirby Pines Retirement Community | The Pinecone

• 2 • The Pinecone | February 2020 ON THE PINECONE COVER Happy Valentine’s Day! This is the month for all of us to let those special persons in our lives know just how much they mean to us. As well as to reminisce about receiving something spe- cial from a “secret” valentine and how wonder- ful that may have made us feel. Well, this tradi- tion goes back for centuries. February 14 was originally dedicated to two ancient martyrs named Valentine. Valentine of Rome, who suffered martyrdom about AD 269. He was a priest and doctor who is said to have treated patients even if they could not pay. The other was Valentine of Terni, who in AD 197 was named bishop of Interamna (modern Terni), and suffered martyrdom during the per- secution of Emperor Aurelian. However, far more prominent historically is Valentinius of Alexandria, an influential Gnostic teacher and a candidate for Bishop of Rome. In his teach- ings, the marriage bed assumed a central place in Christian love. While European countries celebrated Valentine’s Day for centuries, Brit- ish settlers most probably imported it to North America in the 19th century. The first mass-produced valentines of em- bossed paper lace were produced in the United States in 1847, in Worcester, Massachusetts. Their creator was Ester Howland who took her It's All About The Love a t K i r b y P i n e s Michael Escamilla, Executive Director, Kirby Pines Puppy Love Has Taken Over Kirby Pines Kirby Pines Retirement Community is managed by: BOARD OF D I R ECTOR S Dr. James Latimer, Chairman Mr. Rudy Herzke, President Mr. Berry Terry, Secretary/Treasurer Mr. Larry Braughton Rev. Richard Coons Mr. Jim Ethridge Dr. Fred Grogan Ms. Linda Harrington Ms. Mary Ann Hodges Mr. Rusty Linkous Mr. Boyd Rhodes, Jr. RCA S TA F F Charlie Trammell President, RCA Michélle Vincent Senior Vice President, RCA Tim Cox Senior Vice President of Finance, RCA Laura Cornwell Vice President of Finance, RCA Stephanie Barrow Director of Sales & Marketing K I RBY P I NE S S TA F F Michael Escamilla Executive Director, Kirby Pines Annette Marlar Director of Medical Services and HR Mike Abutineh, M.D. Medical Director Anna Bradford Nursing Home/Assisted Living Administrator Linda Huston Director of Accounting Don Johnson Chaplain Cheryl Moore Director of Life Enhancement Chuck Neeley Director of Maintenance Mike Rayder Director of Grounds & Landscaping Jada Mullins Director of Environmental Services Calvin Sims Director of Security Alisa Stokes Director of Transportation This magazine is produced by RCA 6465 N. Quail Hollow Rd., Suite 400 Memphis, TN 38120, 901-794-2598 Electronic version of The Pinecone is available at www.kirbypines.com It is now February, and with all of our wonderful couples at Kirby Pines, Valentine's Day is very special. A time for love. But what is love? It is a noun meaning, "an intense feeling of deep affection". Or "a great interest and pleasure in something". It can also mean, "a person or thing that one loves". There are so many forms of the word, that every day we can find something to love. You can love football, and for those who do, check out our Superbowl Bash on the 2nd, especially if you also love hot dogs! You may love country music, if so, head to the Movie Theater every Thursday at 1:30 pm for Ken Burns' eight part documentary, A story of America, One Song at a Time . If you love to dance, kick up your heels on the 14th with The Jim Mahannah Band. If you love history, join the Travelers as they visit the historic Cedar Hall in Bartlett. And if you love entertainment, make sure you attend the Ham- ateur program on the 28th, titled, Leap Year.... Anything Goes. The best kind of love, however, is shared by people - even furry, four-legged people. Our inspiration from an English valentine she received, and her father sold her creations in his book and stationery store. Her val- entines were meant to be given to “one’s true love”, and for many years in the United States these were the only indi- viduals that exchanged valentines. By the early 20th century, valentine cards were being exchanged among family members and soon to friends. The practice of ex- changing cards was extended to all man- ners of gifts in the Untied States in the second half of the 20th century. On this Valentine’s Day, whether you are giving or receiving a Valentine, I hope this little gesture makes you feel wonder- ful all year long. Happy Valentine’s Day! Bob Field, Sherron Ward, Jeanette Martin, Dennis Renick and Rosebud, who is available for adoption. front cover features Jeanette Martin, a huge animal lover, snuggled up with Libby, one of the many dogs available for adoption at the Humane Society of Memphis. Our back is an adorable kitten cozying up to Dennis Renick. We hope you enjoy this special issue from the bottomof our hearts.