New Year's Traditions - Amarillo Senior Citizens Association

[Pages:8]Civilizations around the world have been celebrating the start of each new year for at least four millennia. Today, most New Year's festivities begin on December 31 (New Year's Eve), the last day of the Gregorian calendar, and continue into the early hours of January 1 (New Year's Day). Common traditions include attending parties, eating special New Year's foods, making resolutions for the new

year and watching fireworks displays.

New Year's Traditions

In many countries, New Year's celebrations begin on the evening of December 31--New Year's Eve--and continue into the early hours of January 1. Revelers often enjoy meals and snacks thought to bestow good luck for the coming year. In Spain and several other Spanish-speaking countries, people bolt down a dozen

grapes-symbolizing their hopes for the months ahead-right before midnight. In many parts of the world, traditional New Year's dishes feature legumes, which are thought to resemble coins and herald future financial success; examples include lentils in Italy and black-eyed peas in the southern United States. Because pigs represent progress and prosperity in some cultures, pork appears on the New Year's Eve table in Cuba, Austria, Hungary, Portugal and other countries. Ringshaped cakes and pastries, a sign that the year has come full circle, round out the feast in the Netherlands, Mexico, Greece and elsewhere. In Sweden and Norway, meanwhile, rice pudding with an almond hidden inside is served on New Year's Eve; it is said that whoever finds the nut can expect 12 months of good fortune.

Other customs that are common worldwide include watching fireworks and singing songs to welcome the new year, including the ever-popular "Auld Lang Syne" in many English-speaking countries. The practice of making resolutions for the new year is thought to have first caught on among the ancient Babylonians, who made promises in order to earn the favor of the gods and start the year off on the right foot. (They would reportedly vow to pay off debts and return borrowed farm equipment.)

In the United States, the most iconic New Year's tradition is the dropping of a giant ball in New York City's Times Square at the stroke of midnight. Millions of people around the world watch the event, which has taken place almost every year since 1907. Over time, the ball itself has ballooned from a 700-pound ironand-wood orb to a brightly patterned sphere 12 feet in diameter and weighing in at nearly 12,000 pounds. Various towns and cities across America have developed their own versions of the Times Square ritual, organizing public drops of items ranging from pickles (Dillsburg, Pennsylvania) to possums (Tallapoosa, Georgia) at midnight on New Year's Eve.

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Swinging Seniors

The Swinging Seniors line dancing group meets every Tuesday and Friday in the ASCA Main Hall, from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Please come by and join the fun!

Pictured: Emilie Batson and Susan Statser

ASCA Quilters

We are busy quilting inside, where it is nice and warm during these cold and windy days, we have quite the unique weather days here in Texas. Come by and visit us, we're always looking for more quilters. We meet on Tuesdays and Fridays at 9:00 AM. We would love to have you stop by and visit, or join our group.

Games and More

Games & More has lots of games each day. We start at 11:45 AM on Tuesday and Friday. Tuesday is Mexican Train dominoes, Friday is Samba, Canasta, Joker, Pinochle, 2500, and 3-13. This is free to newcomers for the first three times, then the cost is $1.00 each day you play.

Lou Ann Hall, Games & More President

ASCA Pool/Billiards Club

Come join the ASCA Pool Club, and see all the fun we have! The membership fee is $35.00/year. The pool room is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

ASCA Bridge Club

HIGH SCORES FOR DECEMBER 12/7--Mary Crow / Fran Baland (7330)

12/11--Karren Clugy / Carolyn Laursen (5180) NO SLAMS

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Bobbie Alexander, Carolyn Laursen, and Elaine Bush for renewed strength and health.

We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

- Donna Barbee

Table Tennis

Table Tennis is now 3 times a week at 1:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Beginners and advanced players alike everyone is welcome, so come join us!

Clogging

Clogging is a percussive dance like tap dancing which originated in the Appalachian Mountains. Although Bluegrass is the traditional music for clogging, today we clog to many styles of music. Not sure what clogging is? Come over and watch us!

Beginning Clogging is regularly on Tuesday afternoons at 2:00 PM.

The first three times there is no cost. After that you must join Amarillo Senior Citizens Association at $50.00 per year. There is no class attendance fee. You can wear any comfortable shoes to clog in. If you want to clog with taps (more fun), cloggers use a different tap than tap dancers. You can clog in tap dance shoes if you already have them. For new cloggers I recommend you supply shoes you want to clog in, and I can install clogging taps on shoes.

"42" CLUB

President, Ann Woodruff: (806) 337-5606 Meets every Tuesday and Thursday 12:30PM - 3:00PM.

Cost: $.50 each time.

"88" CLUB

Meets every Wednesday 12:00PM - 3:00PM. Cost: $2.00 per month.

ASCA BRIDGE

Contact, Donna Barbee: (806) 420-9747 Meets Monday and Saturday 12:30PM - 3:30PM. Cost: $1.10 each

time.

BINGO

Join us on Wednesdays at 10:00AM. Everyone is welcome! No dues or fees.

CLOGGING

Contact, Brian Vick: (806) 681-8361 Meets Tuesday at 2:00 PM. No cost.

DUPLICATE BRIDGE

Meets Wednesday 1:00PM. Cost: $.50 each time.

EXERCISE

NOT CURRENTLY MEETING Meets Monday and Thursday 10:00AM - 11:00AM.

Cost: $1.00 each time.

GAMES AND MORE

President, Lou Ann Cagle: (806) 316-9684 Meets Tuesday and Friday.

Monday: 11:45 AM - Mexican Train; Tuesday: 11:45 AM - Back Alley; Friday: 11:45 AM - Samba, Joker's Wild, Pinochle. Cost: $1.00 each time.

HI-NOON WEDNESDAY BRIDGE

President, Gerry Davidson: (806) 345-2311 Meets Wednesday 12:15PM - 4:00PM

POKER CLUB

President, Ken Worsham: (806) 418-4497 Wednesday: 2:00PM - 4:00PM. Cost: $1.00 each time. (Awards on

Point System)

POOL/BILLIARDS

President, Richard Bailey: (806) 654-3216 Open to play any day and hours ASCA is open. Monthly tournaments scheduled. Cost: $3.50 per month (3-Month Min.), or $35

per year.

PUZZLE CORNER

Everyone is invited to stop by and put in a piece of the puzzle. No dues or fees.

QUILTERS

President, Geri Lindsey: (806) 676-3046 Meets Tuesday and Friday 8:30AM - 2:30PM.

SWINGING SENIORS

President, Donna Schwab: (806) 355-2031 Meets every Tuesday and Friday 9:30AM - 11:00AM. Cost: $1.00

each time. First 2 times in attendance are free.

TABLE TENNIS

Meets every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 1:00 PM. Beginners and Advanced - Everyone is welcome.

TAI CHI

Monday and Wednesday at Sam Houston Park at 10:00 AM. Everyone is welcome! No dues or fees. Instructed by Wayne Woodward.

Membership Renewals

If your membership expires in January, your $50-a-year dues are due no later than the last day of the month. If there are any changes to your information, please let the office know in order to update our records. Be sure to check on your renewal date so you can keep enjoying the fellowship, and all the exciting activities ASCA has to offer. Please consider being a lifetime member of ASCA. It's a onetime membership fee of $1,000

that can be paid out over several months.

Winter Weather Closure Policy

ASCA closes or delays for inclement weather when the Amarillo Independent School District closes, or delays, and any

other time weather is too inclement to be open. In the event of snow, please watch the local weather and if AISD is

closed or delayed, ASCA will be as well.

ASCA MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Due to the rising covid cases and the covid restrictions in place, the membership meeting originally scheduled for January will be postponed until the summer. We do not have a set date yet, but we will update the newsletter and

send out an email when this is finalized. The regular monthly board meetings are always the third Wednesday of each month at 4:00 PM in the fellowship

hall, and are open to anyone.

News from

the Board

1. The financial report was given by Treasurer Neil Feichtner. Total in checking and savings, and certificates of deposit, was $226,435.52 at the end of November. We ended the month in the red $17,725.68, and were at -$11,266.02 YTD.

2. Jennifer Jones gave the membership report. The total membership at the end of November was 312, with 21 renewals, 17 non-renewals, and no new members for the month.

3. The board voted unanimously to change ASCA's covid exposure quarantine period from 14 days to 10 days, per CDC guidelines.

4. The Potter County Commissioners' Court met on Monday, December 14 and approved closing on the building located at 2404 SW 6th. No date has been set as of yet. ASCA has secured $352,500 in donations, grants, and pledges for the building fund toward renovations.

Thank You

On November 30 ASCA mailed out contribution letters to ASCA members for our Annual Appeal. As of December 23, $5,140 has been donated! The Amarillo Senior Citizens Association would like to take this opportunity to thank all of these wonderful donors!!!

Barbara and John Noah Bonna and Robert Muscianese

Darlene McAllister Darrell McAdams

Dennis Tolbert Doris Rutter Dreka Roark Jean Chunn

Jim and Suzanne Van Pelt Joanne Norrid Joe Connell John Slaton Karen Abbott

Memorial Donations

Mary Crow in Memory of Leonard Nichol Mary Crow in Memory of Janey Hopson Mary Crow in Memory of Nita Albright

Margaret and Bill Harmon Mary Crow Mary North

Neil Feichtner Nell Patchin Paula Rhoton Rayma Watson RosaMartha Sinclair Sandra Huneke Terrie and David Stroud Terry and John Wagoner Terry Sherby Virginia Bailey Yvonne Sober

ASCA 2021 Fundraising

ASCA is currently working on several fundraisers for the upcoming year. Fundraising is one of the main sources of our operating budget. If you have any fundraising ideas, or would like to serve on the fundraising committee, please

contact the ASCA office. All ideas are welcome!

MILLER'S CLEANERS

Quality Cleaning At Reasonable Prices

1100 S. Taylor, Amarillo, Texas

HOW TO STOP PRE-APPROVED CREDIT CARD OFFERS

Every day thousands of consumers receive pre-approved credit card offers in the mail. Offers they don't ask for and many don't want. In addition, in order to protect your identity, you must shred these offers. Pre-approved credit card offers are offers to receive a credit card you have been preapproved for based on your credit history. If they get in the wrong hands your credit could be jeopardized.

A thief can steal them, sign your name and then steal the card when it arrives in your mailbox. The thieves don't pay the bill and it shows up on your credit report--the card is in your name and your credit was used to obtain it.

To stop these offers, you can choose to opt out of receiving the consumer credit reporting companies' (Equifax, Experian, Innovis, and TransUnion) pre-approved credit card and insurance offers. If you opt out you can always opt back in if you want to start receiving offers again.

To stop receiving pre-approved credit card offers in the mail follow these steps:

? Call 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688) or go to . This number is set up by major credit reporting companies and uses an auto mated system to process your request. ? Provide the information they request over the phone. You will be asked for your SSN. ? Do this for everyone in your home wishing to stop these offers. ? You can request to opt out for 5 years or forever. ? It may take some time to stop receiving offers from all sources and some companies may continue to send you offers if they do not use credit reporting companies to collect information for their lists.

A separate form must be completed for everyone in your home wishing to stop these offers. On the form you may be asked for the same information that was requested on the telephone system, including your social security number.

Janna Kiehl, President & CEO, BBB Amarillo

Happy Birthday to our ASCA Members in January!

Barbara Caldwell, Denese Carrington, Karen Cates, Jean Chunn, Joyce Clayton, Barbara Crump, Tim Crump, Nelda Florence, Betty Higgins, Janice Hubbard, Sharon Jelinek, Molly Jones, Gloria LeVeque, Darlene McAllister,

Robert Muscianese, Shirley Nichols, Billy Phillips, Roxie Poindexter, William Pool, Bob Snow, Eldon Stapp.

Our COVID-19 policy states that a face covering will be required AT ALL TIMES while in the building. You may wear a mask or a face shield. If you wear a mask, your mouth and nose will have to remain covered. This rule will be strictly enforced.

Since we are not currently serving meals there will be no reason to have your face uncovered. No food of any kind will be allowed, including snacks. Drinks will be allowed if they are in an individual container, and if they have a straw.

You will not be allowed to sit at a table and socialize without a face covering. All tables will also be required to be 6 feet apart for social distancing, and no more than 4 people at a square table or 8 people at a round table. If you test positive for COVID-19, you will be required to show one negative test result or a doctor's release before returning to any ASCA activities. IF YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED, we ask that you please quarantine away from ASCA for 10 days, per CDC guidelines.

This policy is in place to keep members, guests, and staff as healthy as possible by our Board of Directors. Thank you for helping keep ASCA safe for everyone!

Health Benefits of Brussel Sprouts

These cruciferous veggies are packed with antioxidants, fiber, vitamin C, and more. Brussels sprouts are named after the veggie's history of cultivation in Belgium. Part of the cruciferous vegetable family, the sprouts' cousins include cauliflower, kale, broccoli, cabbage, collard greens, and bok choy.

Low in calories, at less than 40 per cup, Brussels sprouts are also low-carb, packing just 8 grams per cup raw, including 3 grams as fiber. And they're nutrient powerhouses, providing a range of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and a little bonus plant protein. Here are some more impressive reasons to incorporate them into your regular eating routine.

Brussels sprouts are rich in antioxidants

Brussels sprouts are antioxidant powerhouses. One study found that when volunteers ate about two cups of Brussels sprouts per day, damage at the cell level was slashed by nearly 30%.

They're high in fiber

The fiber in Brussels sprouts (about 4 grams per cooked cup) helps regulate blood sugar levels, supports digestive health, and helps feed the beneficial gut bacteria tied to positive mood, immunity, and anti-inflammation.

They pack a vitamin C punch

One cup of cooked Brussels sprouts packs over 150% of the minimum daily vitamin C target. This important nutrient acts as an antioxidant, supports immunity, vision, and iron absorption, and is needed for collagen production.

They may reduce inflammation

The anti-inflammatory power of Brussels sprouts is tied to a reduced risk of chronic diseases, including heart disease and cancer. Their antiinflammatory compounds, which protect cells from DNA damage, also fend off aging and may help manage inflammatory conditions, including type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and obesity. In one study, women who consumed more cruciferous veggies had lower levels of certain marketers of inflammation in their blood and urine.

Brussels sprouts provide disease protection

Compounds in Brussels sprouts act like natural detoxifiers, meaning they help deactivate potentially damaging chemicals or shuttle them out of the body more quickly.

In addition, the sulfur compounds in Brussels sprouts are known to reduce ulcer risk by limiting Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) overgrowth and preventing bacteria from clinging to the stomach wall.

How to prepare Brussels sprouts in a tasty way

Brussels sprouts often appear on the most loathed veggie list. I find that's often the case when they've only been consumed boiled, which can result in a somewhat slimy, stinky experience.

One of the most delicious ways to enjoy Brussels sprouts is oven roasted. Simply slice or quarter, lightly toss in extra virgin olive (EVOO) or avocado oil, sea salt, and black pepper, and cook 30 to 40 minutes at 400 degrees until the outer leaves are golden and slightly crisp. They can also be shaved and added to garden salads or skewered whole and grilled. Use EVOO saut?ed shaved Brussels sprouts as a bed for lean protein, like salmon or lentils. Or add them to omelets, stir-fries, and soups.

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Happy New Year!

Countdown Confetti Midnight Balloons

Celebration Fireworks January Happy

New Year Clock Cheers Goals

Party Poppers Noisemaker Resolution Sparklers

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