Marian Atcheson: A Long Legacy in San Mateo
November 9, 2018
On a sunny afternoon, I met Marian Atcheson and her daughter, Catherine, and we had a wonderful time walking down memory lane spanning several generations. Marian first joined Sterling Court a year ago, but only became a full-time resident 2 months ago. She has been an active community member of San Mateo for almost 6 decades!
Our conversation began with her sharing that her great-grandfather had emigrated from Germany and became a rancher in Mertzon, Texas. Her dad, one of three children, graduated from MIT and then returned to Mertzon to run the family ranch – and this is where Marian’s story starts. From a young age, she was raised to be an independent girl. At just 5 years old, she told me the story of how she would walk a mile every day to a bus stop, then ride 16 miles to school, and then have to wait with the janitor in the basement for school to open. Early on she learned how to ride horses, and relayed a story about a time she was riding bareback with a friend and her horse was bitten by a rattlesnake and took off at a full gallop. She hung on for dear life and somehow managed to stay aboard and uninjured, although the horse later died.
After graduating from the Hockaday School in Dallas, Marian went to Pine Manor College in Boston to study art. There, she went on a blind date with a Stanford graduate who was attending Harvard Law School, and although subsequent dating interrupted her studies, it turned into a 30-year marriage. Dave and Marian moved to California, and she has been here ever since. They had 3 wonderful children – Catherine, whom I had the pleasure of meeting, is a scientist living in Alameda; Jim, an engineer who went back to the Texas family ranch and still runs it today; and Carol, a 6-foot-tall fashion model who lives in Paris. Together there are 4 grandchildren, 2 close-by in Alameda and 2 in Paris. Marian is 5’11” and her husband was 6’7”, and Marian was quick to share that not only is her younger daughter 6’ tall, but her son is 6’4” and her two grandsons are over 6’8”!
When Marian first came to San Mateo she was a stay-at-home mom, and then got into the travel business, working at Town & Country Travel in San Mateo for 30 years. She specialized in honeymoon travel and traveled all around the world – with a particular love of Europe. “You name it, I was there,” was Marian’s response to my question of where she went.
Marian was also a pivotal force behind the Decorators’ Show House, a much anticipated annual event designed to raise money for the Coyote Point Museum in San Mateo. For several years, Marian served as the president and chairman of the board of the Coyote Point Auxiliary, which hosts this prestigious event. Marian has deep roots here and still has her lovely home just a few blocks away in San Mateo Park.
After her 30-year marriage, she had a 31-year relationship with a wonderful man, Dick Seward, who passed away two years ago. Recently, she decided that taking care of the San Mateo Park property was just too much. When asked why she selected Sterling Court for the next chapter in her life, location was clearly a factor – having spent the past 60 years in this great town. She also expressed how important it is being with other like-minded people and living a life with a sense of community.
You may find Marian hovering over a crossword puzzle, playing bridge or dominoes, or at one of the lectures. And, if you have a favorite book, do let her know, as reading is a favorite pastime.
Keep Your Brain Fit: The Benefits of Exercising Your Mental Dexterity
October 22, 2018
Keeping your body in shape is important. Everyone from your neighbor to your doctor can tell you that physical fitness is key to a long, healthy life. But what about your mental fitness? Are you keeping your brain in shape?
While good physical health can help prevent diabetes and heart problems, it doesn’t account for other diseases common in the elderly like Alzheimer’s and dementia. Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States, with 1 in 10 Americans over the age of 65 suffering from it. While there is no cure for the debilitating disease, there are ways to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s and/or dementia as you age.
This is where mental dexterity comes into play. Over the years, studies have suggested that having a greater cognitive reserve correlates with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia. So, how do you keep your brain in shape?
Enjoy the simple things
Being mentally fit isn’t the same as hitting the gym to achieve physical fitness. You don’t have to take a bunch of intelligence tests or study calculus to keep your brain sharp. Much like walking can help get the blood pumping, there are plenty of simple activities you can do every day to ensure you don’t neglect your mind.
1. Read a book: Especially with the temperature starting to drop, you may want to skip sitting out in the courtyard and opt to stay inside. You can get your mind working by simply reading a book or a newspaper. Enjoy from the comfort of your own home or check something out from Sterling Court’s own library.
2. Hang out with your neighbors: The mind-body connection isn’t a myth. A great way to exercise both your mind and body is by socializing with your peers – take a walk with the Sterling Walkers or with some friends around the courtyard.
3. Play some games: Whether you’re figuring out the crossword in the Sunday newspaper or playing dominoes with your next door neighbor, you’re keeping your mind sharp by playing games. Sterling Court offers so many game times with classics like Bingo and Rummikub that you’ll never be bored. You can even play some Wii to exercise not only your wit, but your body!
4. Try out some new recipes: With Sterling Court’s gorgeous rental apartments being equipped with kitchens, it’s easy to release your inner Julia Child and whip up something new. Studies show that trying out new foods can help increase your brain’s vitality. In fact, just doing something new in general goes a long way for mental dexterity.
5. Be positive: You’ve likely already heard this one, but it’s still worth repeating. A nice positive attitude can increase your mental proficiency. So breathe, smile, and focus on the good things in life.
A healthy brain leads to a healthier life. While it’s not a cure, ensuring that you keep an active mind can only benefit you.
Flamingoes
October 17, 2018
It is thought that flamingos, along with other long-legged wading birds like herons and storks, originated about 30 million years ago before many other avian orders had evolved. Fossils show that flamingos have not had any significant changes in their evolution since then. The earliest flamingo fossils were found in Sweden, which predated the fossils of herons found in England and North America as well as storks in England and France by five million years. Fossilized flamingo footprints, estimated to be seven million years old, were also found in the Andes Mountains. There are five species of flamingos. All the species live in tropical and subtropical climates. There are two subspecies of the greater flamingo (the largest of the flamingo that has deep, pink-colored wings) and the Caribbean flamingo (slightly smaller than the greater flamingo and is crimson or vermilion). The lesser flamingo is the smallest of flamingos with color that is brighter than greater flamingos. The Chilean flamingo is slightly smaller than the Caribbean flamingo and has gray legs with pink at the joints. The Andean flamingo has yellow legs and feet and a red spot between the nostrils. The James’s flamingo has all black feathers, including the secondary feathers that are usually red in other species. The word flamingo comes from the Latin word flama for flame and is based on the Portuguese word flamengo for “flame-colored.” The color in their feathers is due to eating carotenoid pigments in their food such as the shells of crustaceans and algae. A flamingo that is pale pink or nearly white may be ill.
Mary Minderman: The Joys of Family — and that Little ’63 Corvette
August 9, 2018
Several paintings lean against the wall of Mary Minderman’s apartment. Among them, a painting of Half Dome, the well-known Yosemite landmark topping the bucket lists of many outdoor enthusiasts.
These days, those hoping to climb Half Dome are required to secure a permit. But, at a time when the regulations were a little less strict, an adventurous 18-year-old Mary Minderman set about tackling the 8-hour trek.
“It was the highlight of my life,” Mary says, half joking. She shares with me her funny anecdotes, infusing her narrative with a blend of humor and honesty. Her father wasn’t happy when she told him of her Half Dome climb, she recalls, but she still considers it one of her biggest accomplishments. “I don’t remember any girls climbing it either—I just went up with a bunch of guys!”
Born in the foggy city of San Francisco, Mary spent her early childhood in the then-very-Italian neighborhood of Excelsior. Her family was, in Mary’s own words, “the kind when you see grandparents every day.”
Mary recalls a childhood filled with family traditions. She recounts the time she briefly lived with her grandmother—or “Nanny”—as she affectionately called her. She shares with me a memory of how Nanny and a then 7-year-old Mary would take their once weekly early morning trip to the market.
Another of Mary’s memories takes us to Camp Mather, a place that made an indelible mark on Mary’s life. “I knew that place since I was a baby,” Mary says, flipping through her notes, detailing everything she wants to share. Without looking up, she continues, “that’s where I met my husband.”
Richard Minderman was working as a camp assistant at Mather when they met. But it wasn’t love at first sight for Mary. “I didn’t like him that first year,” she grimaces. “He kept teasing me—called August 2018 me ‘Smiley’ because I never smiled.” Of course, this didn’t last. Mary’s family spent every summer at Camp Mather; the following year, she and Richard became friends. And the year after that, they got married.
Mary and Richard went on to buy a bungalow in Burlingame, expanding it over the years as their family expanded. Along with their two sons, Wes and Erik, they spent every summer at Camp Mather, where Richard worked as a manager until retiring in 1992. “He really was a great guy. He could do everything.” Richard passed away in 2006.
Last September, Mary moved into Sterling Court, just a few minutes from Burlingame. While she’s still getting used to the routine, she’s settling into her new life. Along with her paintings, Mary’s apartment is filled with photos of her children, grandchildren, and the rest of her still-growing family.
Mary had finished going over her notes, but there was still a question that I wanted to ask: what finally made her change her mind about Richard after their initial encounter all those years ago? Without hesitation, Mary reveals that it was the 1963 Corvette that Richard drove. “It had a split window!” she says.
Cultivating a Social Life as a Senior
July 26, 2018
We hear it throughout our lives: maintaining relationships is paramount to a healthy lifestyle. As children, our classmates automatically become our friends, while, as adults, we are surrounded by coworkers or families of our own. But, how do we cultivate a social life as we grow older?
The Importance of Support Systems
Having a support system provides many benefits for both physical and mental health. Numerous studies show that social isolation is one of the leading causes of depression in seniors. Loneliness can materialize at any age but can be especially challenging as we grow older, leading to feelings of self-doubt and being forgotten. An emotional support system allows seniors to participate in activities and conversations together, helping them feel loved and needed by those around them.
Without regular interaction, seniors risk developing sedentary routines, resulting in physical health issues. Many seniors who don’t have regular social plans choose to stay indoors, reducing not only their physical activity, but also their exposure to sunlight, introducing them to a plethora of health risks. Regular participation in physical activities can help prevent hypertension and reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems, among others.
Maintaining a Social Life
Though it may seem like a challenge, finding ways to maintain an active social life might be easier than we think. A short exchange with a friend can boost mood and brain health. Arranging a time to meet up with neighbors can promote physical activity, whether it’s a short walk in the park or a weekend trip together. Here are some other ideas:
- Join a book club: Regular reading promotes brain health and intellectual discussion.
- Golf: Many seniors love to play golf. It improves flexibility and strength, while also providing an opportunity to socialize with fellow golfers.
- Play some games: Bingo, Bridge, Scrabble, Rummikub – just some of our Sterling Court favorites. You can even play the Nintendo Wii, making exercise a lot more fun!
- Listen to music: Music is the universal language and it’s even better when it’s live. Attend Sterling Court’s many Social Hours, where you can enjoy live music plus snacks and refreshments with your social circle.
- Gardening: Not many things can beat the therapeutic benefits of gardening. Being outdoors and maintaining plant life does wonders for mental and physical health. Why not ask a friend to help!
At Sterling Court, health is our number one priority. With a calendar full of activities ranging from chair yoga to art classes to floristry demonstrations, our community will help you cultivate your life day in and day out. Enjoy everything we have to offer and turn your neighbors into new friends!
