News & Announcements

an excerpt from our recent Community Connections email newsletter…

A Walk in the Woods By John Lofy

Professor Rachel Kaplan’s office at U-M’s School of Natural Resources and Environment looks out over a large oak tree. Potted plants crowd her window sill. Beyond these small patches of nature loom the buildings of central campus. But, she says, a little bit of nature goes a long way.

She would know. Kaplan and her husband, professor Stephen Kaplan, were among the first academics to study the psychological benefits of nature. Colleagues and collaborators for decades, they have shown that natural settings-trees, grass, gardens, and the like-have a profound, positive impact on both mental and physical health.

Both Kaplans hold joint appointments: Rachel in SNRE and Psychology, Stephen in Psychology and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. They both take particular pride in graduate students they have mentored over the years. Students working with the Kaplans have made some striking discoveries…
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Well, here we are, knee-deep in June (Riley). Who can argue that this is a special month; with everything blooming, hatching, and growing all around us.

Those of us who love the water are back on it with paddle, sail or board. Those of us who love the garden are plotting and potting with soil, seeds and a glad heart.

People say that in the hardest of times “Life pulls you forward”. June is a 30 day example of that. You can’t deny the sounds, smells and sights of life happening and asking if not begging you to join it.

“Gladness” may be a lot to ask if you’re grieving, but peace can be found out there too. It’s worth opening the door.  -MR

“I only went out for a walk and finally

concluded to stay out till sundown,

for going out, I found, was really going in.”

~John Muir, 1913

Tonight is our Memory Gardens class with Chaves Gardens, and it draws to an end the calendar of events for Community Connections.  While Chaves has  several classes like this through the spring and summer, our class is specifically for those who have particpated in one of our grief support groups, such as the 6 week program Building Bridges.   The Mem0ry Gardens seminar will guide a group of people who have lost a loved one through the process of creating a special tribute.  The flowers and plants that are created and arranged in the class are intended to be therapeutic in the gardening process itself, but also to create a living memorial for the loved one who has died.

Just a few weeks ago the funeral home also extended a special invitation to many of the families we have helped through our funeral home and our support groups over the last few years.  Jane Pickens was host to Michael Dutra, a singer and performer who provided an evening of Frank Sinatra classics.  More than 40 people accepted our complimentary ticket to “Simply Sinatra” and enjoyed a great evening of memories, camaraderie, and fun.  We hope to find more events like this to give people a good reason to get out again, meet some new friends, and enjoy the memories of their loved ones.

Keep an eye out through the summer for our emails, click here to sign up if you haven’t already, and we look forward to seeing many of you at next years events.