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Greetings,
The best things in life are free! Have you ever heard this expression? It’s the title of a great song that I often sing with the seniors. Without fail someone says “That’s the truth isn’t it?” I couldn’t agree more!
So this week’s message is a simple one. Spring is here and all around us the earth is beginning to wake up. Nature’s glory, especially in this beautiful part of the world we live in, is free. Time for all of us to get outside – including the seniors you serve who have probably been cooped up even more than we have!
And in case the snow they are predicting comes our way this week, see below for a few suggestions for keeping the spirit of spring alive.
Happy Earth Day, Happy Spring!
Mary Sue
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Let There Be Spring!
Here are a few simple activities to bring spring inside. 
Singing in the Rain
Show the movie Singing in the Rain with Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds.
Arranging Artificial Flowers
Everyone likes to feel productive and do things that are meaningful. Women with dementia who are used to taking care of a home often feel bored and left out when there is nothing for them to do to contribute to their new “home”. Here’s a simple idea that will provide a meaningful activity for them.
Buy some inexpensive artificial flowers and small vases and invite the residents to make flower arrangements for the tables. Arrangements can easily be taken apart at the end of the day so the activity can be repeated each day before lunch. Playing Vivaldi’s Spring Concerto (from The Four Seasons) in the background would be a nice addition to this activity. You can download it from ITunes for 99 cents.
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Music Trivia:
The Best Things in Life are Free was written in 1927 for a musical called Good News. In 1956 it was used in the film by the same name. In the film Gordon MaCrae, Earnest Borgnine and Dan Dailey play the real – life songwriting team of Buddy DeSylva, Lew Brown and Ray Hendersen – songwriters from the 1920’s and 30’s. Lew Brown co-wrote Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree and Ray Hendersen co-wrote Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue and many other huge hits. The song was recorded by many different artists including The Ink Spots, Dinah Shore, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra.
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The Best Things in Life Are Free
DeSylva, Brown, Henderson (1927)
The moon belongs to everyone
The best things in life are free
The stars belong to everyone
They gleam there for you and me
The flowers in spring
The robins that sing
The sunbeams that shine
They’re yours, they’re mine
And love can come to everyone
The best things in life are free
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Looking for more
musical activities?
Check out the Elder Song Catalog. They offer many resources, games and activities related to music.
Visit www.eldersong.com to download the catalog.
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Come visit our booth on May 20th!
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Songs You Know By Heart is a collection of 18 favorites from the Young at Heart Music program. The CD features Mary Sue’s crystal clear vocals on classics such as Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree, Let Me Call You Sweetheart,Shine On Harvest Moon, Sunny Side of the Street, You Are My Sunshine and more. Great to listen to and perfect for singing along.
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 Mary Sue Wilkinson is the founder of Singing Heart to HeartTM and the Young at Heart Music Program. She is a career educator and professional musician. And she loves to sing! Her flagship program, Young at Heart Music, is devoted to bringing the joy of music and singing to seniors with decades of life experiences and memories tied to music. Mary Sue is available as a speaker sharing her expertise about the power of music to awaken memories and bring joy. Together with Tiyi Schippers, Mary Sue also provides music experiences for young children and training for early childhood educators.
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