Kirby Pines Retirement Community | The Pinecone

• 2 • The Pinecone | February 2023 ON THE PINECONE COVER Do you remember when celebrating Valentine’s Day meant making cut out cards and sending them to your friends? Or going to buy a whole package of cards for your school class and teacher for thirty-nine cents? Do you remember saving to buy a sampler box of candy for your mom in hopes that she would share some with you? In our youth, this was just another holi- day where we told as many friends and family members that we cared and loved them. While European countries have celebrated Valentine’s Day for centuries, British settlers most probably imported it to North America in the 19th century. The first mass-produced valentines made of embossed paper lace were produced in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1847. The creator, Ester Howland, took her inspira- tion from an English card she received and her father sold her cards in his general store. Orig- inally meant to be shared among one’s “true love”, by the early 20th century valentine cards were being exchanged among family members and soon afterward friends. The practice of ex- changing cards was extending to all manner of gifts in the second half of the 20th century. As we got older, somehow Valentine’s Day took on a different meaning, and the number of cards we sent grew smaller until there were only one or two that we purchased. Of course that was a good thing, as receiving these cards had a much deeper and stronger meaning to Remember All Your Valentines at Kirby Pines Michael Escamilla, Executive Director, Kirby Pines Celebrating Love & Laughter at Kirby Pines Kirby Pines Retirement LifeCare is managed by: BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dr. James Latimer, Chairman Mr. Rudy Herzke, President Mr. Berry Terry, Secretary/Treasurer Mr. Larry Braughton Mr. Jim Ethridge Ms. Linda Harrington Ms. Mary Ann Hodges Mr. Rusty Linkous Mr. Boyd Rhodes, Jr. RCA STAFF Charlie Trammell President, RCA Michélle Vincent Executive Vice President, RCA Tim Cox Senior Vice President of Finance, RCA Mike Kelly Vice President of Finance, RCA Stephanie Barrow Director of Sales & Marketing KIRBY PINES STAFF Michael Escamilla Executive Director, Kirby Pines Annette Marlar Director of Medical Services Mike Abutineh, M.D. Medical Director Anna Bradford Nursing Home/Assisted Living Administrator Trudy Schenkenberger Director of Human Resources Linda Huston Director of Accounting Jada Mullins Director of Environmental Services Chuck Neeley Director of Maintenance Allison Nolan Resident Programs Director Mike Rayder Director of Grounds & Landscaping Mark Simpson Director of Culinary Services Calvin Sims Director of Security 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 As we begin the month of February, one thing comes to mind, Valentine's Day. But at Kirby Pines, February also means fun! We have loads of activities planned to keep your hearts pumping and your disposition sunny. On the 12th, we have our annual Superbowl Party to show your team spirit. We have a Valentine's Meal on the 14th and everyone's favorite, Charlie Day, on the 16th featuring his fresh made biscuits and jam. The Entertainers present Love is in the Air on 17th and we celebrate Fat Tuesday with a Mardi Gras Ball on the 21st. Art Wall is on the 24th to show off how much talent is here. We are having a Health Expo on the 25th to make sure we're in good shape and Lunch Bunch is back on the 28th to get some wonderful Memphis BBQ at the Commissary. Our front cover features Jackie Gunther's cat, Artemus, as he perches on her shoulder, aware of all that is going on around him. Do you suppose he knows she's his Valentine? I'm sure he'll get a heart-shaped treat or two this month. each of us. Yet thinking back over the years, I sometimes wonder if it would not have been better had we continued the innocence of youth regarding the number of friends and family members we made time to send valentine cards to. After all, if we can make that special person in our heart smile by just reminding them how much we care about them with a simple card on Valentine’s Day, why not double, triple or even quadruple that number by simply returning to what seemed so nor- mal in our youth? Therefore, please think of this as my Val- entine’s Day Card to all of you, but more importantly, as a testament of the friend- ship we have developed over the years. Happy St Valentine’s Day! Valentines of Germantown Presbyterian; Mary Blanche Scott, Jan Thomson, Jennie Fulmer, Alma Crone, Barbara Logan and Dorothy Hartzog. Our back cover is a testament to love and happiness. Our amazing residents showed up by themselves, with spouses, friends, family and pets to celebrate Valentine's Day. They continually show us that Kirby Pines is one big happy family.