THE VILLAGE TIMES
Meet Betty Best
(and her dog Cutie Pie)
–by Pat Simpson (Volunteer Editor of the Village Times)
Hello, my name is Betty Best. Just call me Betty. When my family passed, I came here a year ago (2023) to live with my dog (and best friend) Cutie Pie. Cutie Pie is not only a small Bichon Shih Tzu, she’s a good friend. When a twenty-pound mammal licks your tears away, then tries to sit on your lap, it’s hard to feel 
sad. I couldn’t just move here and leave my dear friend behind. I don’t drive anymore but Cutie Pie has her little pink stroller and rides around in it like royalty.
As for me, I was born as Betty Morris in 1943 in a little home on Palm Avenue in Savannah, Georgia. I grew up both there and in Gainesville, Florida. The thing I remember most in my early life is my loving family and doing for others. I began my early education at the Bull Street Baptist Church in Savannah where I first learned how to live life as a Christian. I also went to the Independent Presbyterian Church School in Savannah where my favorite teachers were Mrs. Brown and all the other teachers who not only cared for my academic success but also for my well-being.
I decided I wanted to be a nurse 
when I grew up. After high school, I went on to Anderson College in South Carolina for top-notch training. Later, as a fledgling nurse, I tried to face life’s challenges by being kind and loving and doing for others as I would like them to do for me. I even learned to sew for others. There were indeed many challenges and I believe I faced them with integrity and courage. I hope I will be remembered for always being kind and loving to others. I really dislike it when I see people lying to others. It may surprise you to know that you don’t have to be ugly and hateful to others. Being a nurse is serving others as I would like them to do for me.
Along the way I met George Best. He was loving, kind, giving – and a Christian! We both believed in Christ and in living the Christian life so we fell in love and got married in Gainesville long ago. George has passed but I want to continue our faith in any way I can in my new home here at Independence Village.
We had a daughter, Lynda Lee Schaffer, and a son, George Best, Jr. I pray that my children and their children continue to learn how to take care of themselves and mature. I would like them to know that It’s not difficult to be a Christian; Christ will help you with the challenges you face in life – like loving and getting along with others.
Eevee’s Story – by Phyllis Woolley
Good morning peoples! Last night was a stormy night. God was showing us some of his fireworks and I loved it. Mom was in bed and didn’t want to watch, but I didn’t mind. Mom has been running around a lot. She’s been going downstairs to eat two times a day and playing 
Pokeno and Bingo. Mom said she is on a winning streak! I am a little nervous about that because I don’t want my mom streaking down the hall. I believe she can win, but a group of senior citizens streaking may not be a pretty sight. I may have to give her nickels to Aunt Laura and Uncle Tony. She said she is staying home with me today. I am a happy girl! I will have a long talk with her about keeping her clothes on. Cats are lucky. We don’t have to wear clothes. God covered most of us with hair. No way would I put on people clothes! That would be worse than having my nails clipped!! Not gonna happen!
Have a wonderful day. I love all me peoples!! Toodles! 💕💕🐈
Thirteen Tips for First-Time Dog Owners – by Margie Lewin
- Do your research– you may have a life, work and friends but your dog has nothing but you.
- Know your budget
- Prep your house
- Train consistently,
- Choose the right food
- Find a good vet
- Consider a microchip
- Learn how to communicate
- Know your dog’s needs
- Get back-up support
- Be ready for a setbacks
- Be responsible
- Relax If you are stressed your dog will know it. So take a deep breath and know that if you give your dog love and care he will return it tenfold
Rainy September Days – by Frank Howes
It’s September 19, and we’ve had rain three out of the last four days. This makes me happy. I love rainy days in the fall. You know those days, the ones that portend winter’s cold.
Do you remember the old television commercial; life’s simple pleasures are the best? I think in some cases this is true. The simplest pleasure that I know is to be able to get out of the rain on a chilly day. Right now, I’m sitting dry and warm in my lounge chair now watching the rain.
When I think of rainy fall days, I think of times when I crawled into hay drying under my grandfather ‘s tobacco shed. The rain beat a rat-a-tat-a-tat on the tin roof. I had just finished a good breakfast of country sausage, eggs, grandma ‘s wonderful biscuits, and homemade strawberry jam. I was feeling lazy, and I had a good excuse for doing nothing as I watched the world go by.
The good book says to everything there is a season, and this is true. Undoubtedly, the season of chilly fall rains is one of my favorites.
The Cambrian Shield – by Richard Smalto
It was about 4 o’clock in the afternoon when I boarded the train at the railroad station in St Johnsbury, Vermont. I was about to take one of the most spectacular trips across Canada; the trans-Canada National Railway scenic journey between Toronto and Vancouver. Before I could make that journey however, we had to go through Montreal and the northeastern portion of the Cambrian Shield. It is a remarkable place; unlike any place I had ever seen before and a place I will never forget. One of the world’s largest continental shields covering an area of more than three million square miles, it occupies more than half of the nation and is centered on Hudson Bay. It is a part of North America that is so foreboding at times, most of the train ride through it occurs at night when you are encouraged to sleep to avoid the depression begot by the vast desolate snow-covered terrain. Scattered throughout large snowfields, huge black rock formations and gigantic frozen lakes, without end, present a portrait of a land so menacing, you wonder what would happen if you had to get off the train.
POINT –
by Phil Anderson (c)1985 (brother of resident Carol Desena)
“Take the point,” he said, and so I did.
I moved quietly from cover to cover,
and as I stepped behind a bush,
I met myself.
It was me all right, lean and strong,
camo fatigues, assault rifle,
grenades, and all.
Rounder in the face, and eyes shaped
different, but me nonetheless.
Our eyes met and I saw fear in them,
and my courage too,
and love of family, home, and country,
and knew he saw it too.
My ‘sixeen broke the silence then with
its staccato roar.
I saw each bullet pluck his shirt,
and seemed to feel it punch my breast,
and felt the mortal sickness
that it brought.
And as he died
I learned a new meaning of war.
Fear of Falling *
The fear of falling is widespread among older people. While normal caution is beneficial, the fear of falling can actually lead to harm. For example, some people pull back entirely from a range of activities that are still well within their abilities, precipitating a downward spiral in which reduced activity leads to physical deconditioning and worse balance, along with a poorer quality of life in general. Other people continue their activities but stiffen their bodies when doing something they perceive as risky, such as walking on an uneven path. By stiffening up, they may diminish their ability to respond quickly to a stumble. Moreover, the cognitive demands of dealing with this fear can take away from brain resources that are needed to preserve balance.
– What can help ease the fear of falling?
There are a couple of practices that appear to help. At the top of the list is tai chi, a form of exercise that involves moving gently through a series of poses in a controlled fashion. Multiple clinical trials have shown that it can significantly lower the risk of falling when practiced regularly. And in a randomized clinical trial of 60 adults ages 60 and older, participants who did tai chi three times a week for eight weeks decreased their fear of falling. With such encouraging findings, researchers at the Oregon Research Institute, under a grant from the federal government, developed a program called Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance. The program has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing fall risk and improving balance and physical performance among people ages 70 and older. Importantly, it has also been shown to help reduce the fear of falling. The program is available in communities across the country. Check with your local Y.
Similarly, yoga in a group setting has been shown in small studies to help reduce the fear of falling, but it’s important to go to classes that are appropriate to your age and ability level so you don’t feel overwhelmed or get injured.
* excerpted from Harvard Medical School’s Special Health Report on Better Balance
Save these dates on your Calendar:
- Flu Vaccine – Oct. 7that 10a.m.
- COVID Vaccine – Oct. 15that 10a.m.
- Town Hall Meeting – Oct 16th at 10a.m.
- All paperwork must be completed before the date of the vaccine, this includes a copy of your insurance card.
Dining Room Courtesy
- Tables along the windows are for 2 people only.
- Tables for 4 chairs are for 4 people only.
- The staff is not able to work around a crowded table with walkers and wheelchairs, please be respectful to follow this rule otherwise we will ask for someone to move before we serve.