Bridging generations over gardening
Seniors in retirement homes don’t necessarily get outdoors as often as they should, just as teenagers don’t always connect well with the elderly. Gardening can help bridge this generation gap and provide a common ground.
Girl Scout Elizabeth Paull of Westminster addressed this issue with her Girl Scout Gold Award project, partnering with Westminster Terrace Assisted Living Community and Stacey Middle School. For the past year, Paull has hosted monthly sessions, enticing senior residents and members of Stacey’s Gardening Club to bond over snacks and the raised gardening planters placed in the retirement home’s courtyard.
With support from the Home Depot in Westminster, Elizabeth constructed a 50-by-36-inch elevated planter. With a height of 32 inches, it was designed specifically so even residents with walkers or wheelchairs could enjoy the benefits of gardening.
The kids and seniors continued to meet in monthly sessions.
–Submitted by Elizabeth Paull
Special Olympics Orange County names 2020 OC Athlete of the Year
Special Olympics Orange County has announced that basketball player Anthony Mancillas will receive the 2020 Orange County Athlete of the Year award, and Ed Arnold will be inducted into the OC Hall of Fame on April 18 at the Paséa Hotel and Spa in Huntington Beach during the 17th annual Heart of Champions fundraising gala.
Mancillas, 38, from Huntington Beach, is a 22-year veteran on the Special Olympics Orange County Tiger’s basketball and soccer teams. He actively represents Special Olympics by competing in basketball, soccer, and volleyball tournaments, while also participating in fundraising events. Additionally, Mancillas is a Special Olympics Global Messenger and leader in the community who is responsible for sharing the organization’s message of acceptance and inclusion.
Arnold, of Fountain Valley, is best known for his 46 years as a television news and sports anchor for KABC, KTLA and KOCE. He also served as the volunteer on-air announcer for the “Hour of Power” religious program since it began in 1970. He has been involved with Special Olympics since Eunice Kennedy Shriver took the games from her backyard to the national, then international, stage in 1968.
This year, Special Olympics will also recognize Rocco Keller for his education initiatives of young athletes. The six-year-old from Laguna Beach stars in the Emmy-winning A&E series “Born This Way,” inspires several young athletes and brings awareness nationally to the Orange County chapter.
–Submitted by Special Olympics Orange County
Newport Beach resident turning 104 on April Fool’s Day
No joke, a Newport Beach resident is getting ready to celebrate her 104th birthday.
Josephine Sim was born on April 1, 1916, in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. For more than 40 years, Sim and her late husband ran a tavern in Phoenixville, a career that kept her moving nonstop. She lived independently in her own home until last year when she moved to California to be closer to her family. Sim now lives in Newport Beach with her son and daughter-in-law. For exercise, she loves to sweep floors and take walks. She is a great cook, especially Polish foods. Her memory is still sharp. She loves to tell stories from way back and doesn’t miss a detail.
Sim has one son, Richard, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
When people ask her what the secret to a long life is she says to keep moving, eat everything in moderation, have strong faith and a close-knit, supportive family.
Sim plans on celebrating her birthday with her family. Happy birthday!
Girl Scouts celebrate a milestone
All-Girl Scouts BSA Troop 7272 recently celebrated its one-year anniversary. Some of the troop’s accomplishments include: 61 ranks, 157 merit badges and 80 special awards earned, 438 nights camped, 402 service hours served and 631 miles hiked.
–Submitted by Dea Del Rosario, Troop 7272 Scoutmaster
The Bravo! section highlights achievements of our residents and groups. Send news of achievements for consideration to ocrbravo@gmail.com.