August 2023 Men’s Activity Calendar

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1

• Birthday: Francis Scott Key, American poet who wrote "The Star-Spangled Banner" (1779)
• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was established (1916)
• National Minority Donor Awareness Week (August 1-7)
• Spider-Man debuted (1962)

Tactile: Paper Spiderwebs

In recognition of this day that Spider-Man debuted, assist the men with crafting paper spiderwebs using paper and scissors. (Scroll to the bottom of the page to view the instructions and diagrams.) Save the finished spiderwebs for your Halloween decorations this autumn.

One-on-One: Grill Tray Game

On this birthday of American anthem author Francis Scott Key, recruit your resident to help you assemble an American flag marble game using a grill tray from your local dollar store. For the craft, first have your resident use a pencil to mark the lines of the American flag on the grill tray. Then use a sponge brush to fill in the lines with red, white, and blue paint. After the paint dries, fill the tray with red, white, and blue marbles to see how long it takes your resident to fill the grill tray holes with the matching-colored marble.

Discussion: Should Organ Donation Be Compulsory?

Start a debate among the men about organ donation on this first day of National Minority Donor Awareness Week. Encourage the men to discuss the pros and cons of donating organs. Afterwards, ask the men whether healthy organs should automatically be donated when a person dies.

Special Event: Hawaiian Spelling Bee

Have fun with the men to see how well they can spell Hawaiian words on this day that the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was established. After a participant attempts to spell the Hawaiian word, give the correct spelling and the meaning of the word.

2

• Birthday: Lamar Hunt, American Hall of Fame sports executive in football, soccer and tennis (1932)
• First U.S. census began (1790)
• National Coloring Book Day

Tactile: Three Color Challenge

Challenge the men to a coloring game to see who can color the best summer picture on this National Coloring Book Day. Instead of allowing the men to use whatever colors they want, require the men to use a spinner to pick the three colors that they are allowed to use in their picture. Then provide the men with their three colored pencils to fill in their picture. Once the coloring is complete, recruit staff members to vote on the best summer picture.

One-on-One: Counting Quiz

On this day that the first U.S. census began, quiz your resident on his counting skills by playing an online math game. (Click the red "Play" button to begin.)

Discussion: Senior Sports

Begin a discussion with the men about sports on this birthday of Hall of Fame sports executive Lamar Hunt. Encourage the men to discuss whether senior citizens should be involved in sports. Afterwards, ask the men to list the best sports for seniors.

Special Event: Can You Color the State?

For this National Coloring Book Day, pass out coloring pages of a map of the United States to play a fun coloring game with the men. Provide each of the men with colored pencils. Then during the game, name a state and have the men color in where they think the state is. Have the men show you where they colored, and if they're correct, award them a point. Continue naming states for the men to fill in, and award a fun prize to the person who collects the most points at the end of the game.

3

• Birthday: Ernie Pyle, American Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist (1900)
• Birthday: Maggie Kuhn, American activist against age discrimination after she was forced into retirement at 65 (1905)

Tactile: Newspaper Birds

Invite the men to make newspaper bird art on this birthday of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ernie Pyle. To make the art, first have the men use colorful tissue paper to dye plain white construction paper. (To dye the paper, first place colorful tissue paper onto white paper and then using a paintbrush to apply water so that the tissue paper is wet. After the paper has dried, remove the tissue paper and discard.) Use the dyed white paper as the background for the art. Next, use a pen to draw bird shapes on newspaper to cut out and glue to the dyed paper.

One-on-One: Ice Tie-Dye

Recruit your resident to help you try a fun tie-dyeing activity this summer using ice. To create the tie-dye, first wet a piece of cotton fabric and roll it like a snake and set it on a wire rack that is placed over a tray. Then add ice cubes on top of the fabric. Next, sprinkle powdered dye onto the ice, and let the ice melt. Once the ice has melted, wash the fabric in a sink and let it air-dry. Use the finished fabric as fabric napkins for an upcoming summer event.

Discussion: Retiring at 65

Start a discussion with the men about retirement on this birthday of age discrimination activist Maggie Kuhn, who was forced into retirement at 65. Ask the men whether they are in favor of mandatory retirement. Afterwards, ask the men to share a few of the pros and cons of early retirement.

Special Event: Newspaper Word Hunt

On this birthday of journalist Ernie Pyle, play a fun newspaper word hunt game with the men. To play, pass out sheets of your newspaper to each of the men. Then use a letter generator to pick the first letter and the last letter of the word that the men are to try to find in their sheet of newspaper. Award a point to the first person who finds a word that starts and ends with the two letters picked.

4

• Coast Guard Day
• International Beer Day
• National White Wine Day
• Single Working Women's Day

Tactile: Yarn-Wrapped Bottles

Gather empty wine bottles from Dining Services for the men to create yarn-wrapped bottles on this National White Wine Day. For the activity, have the men use sponge brushes to apply Mod Podge to the exterior of the bottle before wrapping colorful yarn around the bottle. Place the finished bottles as vases throughout your facility for the season.

One-on-One: Beer Bottle Art

On this International Beer Day, teach your resident how to use beer bottles to make abstract art. For the artwork, simply apply a variety of paints to wax paper. Then have your resident place the bottom of a beer bottle in one of the paints and stamp onto paper. Encourage your resident to use a mix of colors to create a unique abstract art.

Discussion: Gender Differences in the Workplace

Begin a discussion with the men about gender differences in the workplace on this Single Working Women's Day. Share a few of the differences with the men to see if they agree.

Special Event: Military Trivia

Challenge the men to see who can answer military trivia questions correctly on this Coast Guard Day. (More military trivia)

5

• Birthday: Joseph Justus Scaliger, French scholar who founded scientific chronology (1540)
• International Hangover Day (National Hangover Day is January 1)
• League of NH Craftsmen Annual Craftsmen's Fair, America's oldest crafts fair in Newbury, New Hampshire (August 5-13)
• Spanish-language variety show Sábado Gigante originated (1962)

Tactile: Clothespin Butterflies

For this first day of the League of NH Craftsmen Annual Craftsmen's Fair, America's oldest crafts fair in Newbury, New Hampshire, invite the men to create clothespin butterflies crafts, using paint and wooden clothespins. To create the butterflies, first remove the spring from the wooden clothespins. Then use tacky glue to attach the wooden clothespins together to form the butterfly's wings. Next, paint the clothespins in fun, vibrant colors before attaching to the butterfly body that is painted black. Finally, attach pipe cleaners as the antennae. Hang the finished butterflies as decoration for the season.

One-on-One: Spanish Number Bingo

On this day that the Spanish-language variety show Sábado Gigante originated, test your resident's knowledge of Spanish as you play a fun Spanish numbers bingo game with him. To play, first give him a bingo card that has the Spanish numbers written out. (Click the green "Download FREE Bingo Cards" button to print out a bingo card for your resident to use.) Then say a number in English, and have your resident try to find the Spanish equivalent on his card.

Discussion: Which Came First – The Chicken or the Egg?

In recognition of this birthday of Joseph Justus Scaliger, the French scholar who founded scientific chronology that places events in order of occurrence, invite the men to try to answer the age-old question of which came first – the chicken or the egg. Afterwards, share an answer to the question to see if the men agree.

Special Event: Summer Mocktail Tasting

Host a fun summer mocktail tasting for the men on this International Hangover Day. Simply turn your Activity Room into a bar, where you make a variety of tasty mocktails for the men to sample and judge their favorites. (Beforehand, download drink-tasting placemats for the men to use to sample their mocktails.)

6

• Birthday: Louella Parsons, Hollywood gossip columnist (1881)
• National Doll Day
• Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed to end discrimination against minorities at the voting polls (1965)

Tactile: Pipe Cleaner Dolls

Assist the men with assembling pipe cleaner dolls on this National Doll Day that they can give to their grandchildren as gifts. To create the dolls, first create loops with yarn, and tie a pipe cleaner around the middle and thread through a wooden bead. Next, add more pipe cleaners to create the arms and legs and thread smaller beads for the body and small beads and straws for the arms and legs.

One-on-One: Doll Hangers

Invite your resident to use needle-nose pliers and colorful craft wire to create tiny doll hangers for a granddaughter's Barbie clothes on this National Doll Day.

Discussion: Are Voter I.D. Laws Beneficial or Discriminatory?

Start a debate among the men about voter identification laws on this day that the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed by President Lyndon Johnson to end discrimination against minorities at the voting polls. Encourage the men to list the pros and cons of enacting voter identification laws.

Special Event: Good Gossip

Encourage the men to play a game of Good Gossip on this birthday of gossip columnist Louella Parsons. To play, pick a resident, and have them stand outside of the room. Then provide the other men with paper and pen to write down a nice or complimentary thing about the person before collecting the paper. Finally, invite the resident back in, and have him try to guess who wrote each of the nice things that were written about him. Award a point for each correct answer.

7

• Hatfield-McCoy Feud began (August 7-9, 1882)
• Particularly Preposterous Packaging Day
• Professional Speakers Day

Tactile: Summer Wrapping Paper

Show the men how to make summer wrapping paper on this Particularly Preposterous Packaging Day by using paint, craft foam, and markers to add watermelon to white craft paper. Once the paper has dried, have the men use the paper to wrap empty boxes to use as decoration throughout your facility for summer.

One-on-One: Ten Things in Common

Get your resident talking to you on this Professional Speakers Day as the two of you try to find ten things that you both have in common.

Discussion: Historical Feuds

Chit chat with the men about whether they were ever a part of a family feud on this day that the Hatfield-McCoy Feud began. Afterwards, share a list of historical feuds and the winners of each.

Special Event: Hot Debate Topics

Invite the men to participate in a debate on this Professional Speakers Day. For the activity, cut out several debate statements and place in a hat. Next, have one of the men pick out a debate topic, read it, and make an argument for it. Then have another participant make an argument against it. Once the arguments are done, have the rest of the men vote on the most persuasive argument. Award a point to the person who made the most persuasive argument.

8

• Birthday: Florence August Merriam Bailey, American ornithologist and nature writer (1863)
• Farmers' Day in Tanzania
• International Cat Day
• National Dollar Day

Tactile: Cat Finger Puppets

On this International Cat Day, show the men how to make cat finger puppets using newspaper strips, balloons, paste (flour and water), paint, felt, tacky glue, pipe cleaners, and glue. Place the finished cat puppets in a community chest in your facility for visiting children to take as gifts for being good while visiting your facility.

One-on-One: Edible Birdhouse

Assist your resident with creating an edible birdhouse on this birthday of ornithologist Florence August Merriam Bailey. Use a wooden birdhouse, glue (unflavored gelatin, flour, water, corn syrup), birdseed, nuts, and dried fruits for the craft.

Discussion: Will We Become a Cashless Society?

Start a debate among the men about cash on this National Dollar Day. Ask the men whether they think that it's inevitable that we will become a society that no longer uses cash.

Special Event: What's a...?

For this Farmers' Day in Tanzania, quiz the men on their knowledge of farm terminology. For the activity, read a farm term and award a point to the first person who gives the correct definition.

9

• Birthday: Izaak Walton, English author of fishing treatises (1593)
• Book Lovers Day
• National Rice Pudding Day
• Veep Day, the day Vice President Gerald Ford became president because of President Nixon's resignation in 1974

Tactile: Rock Fish

Supply the men with rocks and paint to see who can make the best rock fish on this birthday of fishing treatise author Izaak Walton.

One-on-One: Literature Trivia

Quiz your resident with literature trivia on this Book Lovers Day.

Discussion: American Veeps

On this Veep Day, the day Vice President Gerald Ford became president because of President Nixon's resignation in 1974, reminisce with the men about their favorite vice presidents. Afterwards, share a few fun facts about vice presidents, and ask the men to try to guess the vice presidents who have become president.

Special Event: Needle in a Haystack

Encourage the men to compete in a fun Minute-to-Win-It game using rice on this National Rice Pudding Day. To play, provide each resident with a bowl of dried rice, with five grains colored with a marker. Then have each resident use their hands to find the five colored grains without knocking any of the rice out of the bowl. If any of the rice falls out of the bowl, then the player must stop and gather the fallen rice and place it back in the bowl before continuing his search.

10

• National Lazy Day
• State Fair of West Virginia in Lewisburg, West Virginia (August 10-19)
• Television's first reality show Candid Camera premiered (1948)

Tactile: Watercolor Landscapes

In recognition of this first day of the State Fair of West Virginia in Lewisburg, West Virginia, invite the men to make colorful landscape art. For the activity, first have the men use watercolors to paint white watercolor paper. Then once the paper has dried, have the men rip the paper and glue as a landscape picture to cardstock.

One-on-One: Playing a Few Pranks

Borrow a tablet to share a few funny pranks with your resident on this day that television's first reality show Candid Camera premiered. Afterwards, plan a few pranks for you and your resident to play on some of your co-workers.

Discussion: Best Jobs for Lazy People

Recognize this National Lazy Day with the men by hosting a discussion about being lazy. Ask the men whether they can name the best jobs for lazy people. After sharing the list, ask the men to reveal which jobs they would have liked to have during their careers.

Special Event: Sit-Down Bowling

Invite the men to play a game of sit-down bowling on this National Lazy Day. To play, set up the bowling pins in your Activity Room, and have each participant bowl while seated. Encourage the men to keep score on a bowling scoring sheet.

11

• Birthday: David Rice Atchison, Missouri legislator who became president of the United States for the day pending the swearing in of President-elect Zachary Taylor in 1849 (1807)
• Mountain Day in Japan
• Streetscene, an annual car show in Covington, Virginia

Tactile: Pit Crew

On this day of Streetscene, an annual car show in Covington, Virginia, provide the men with toilet paper rolls, paint, straws, bottle caps, and glue to see who can assemble the best race car. Encourage the men to have fun being creative with the car design.

One-on-One: Geometric Mountains

Show your resident how to paint geometric mountains on canvas using paint and painter's tape in recognition of this Mountain Day in Japan.

Discussion: Careers Before Politics

For this birthday of David Rice Atchison, the Missouri legislator who became president of the United States for the day pending the swearing in of President-elect Zachary Taylor in 1849, start a discussion with the men about the people in politics. Ask the men whether there are certain jobs that they think are better suited for those who want a career in politics. Afterwards, share a list of politicians who had odd jobs before running for office.

Special Event: Election Quiz

In recognition of this birthday of David Rice Atchison, the Missouri legislator who became president of the United States for the day, quiz the men on election trivia.

12

• Birthday: Jane Wyatt, American actress known for her role in Father Knows Best (1910)
• Hungry Ghost Festival in China and Taiwan
• World Elephant Day

Tactile: Elephant Pom-Poms

Show the men how to make elephant pom-poms on this World Elephant Day using gray yarn and felt. Instead of using needle and thread when forming the trunk, as mentioned on the website, have the men use tacky glue or hot glue. Save the finished pom-poms as gifts for the visiting children to your facility.

One-on-One: Ghost Rocks

On this day of the Hungry Ghost Festival in China and Taiwan, invite your resident to help you paint ghost rocks that can be used for your upcoming Halloween decorations. For the activity, simply paint smooth rocks with paint. Then once the paint has dried, use black markers to add facial details to the ghosts.

Discussion: 1950s Translation

For this birthday of actress Jane Wyatt, the American actress known for her role in 1950s show Father Knows Best, chit chat with the men about their favorite terminology from the 1950s. Afterwards, share a few slang words from the 1950s to see if they can remember what they mean.

Special Event: Memory Matching Relay

Pay tribute to elephants and their remarkable memories on this World Elephant Day by inviting the men to participate in a memory matching relay game. To play, divide the men into two teams, and set out a memory matching card game on each of two tables on the other side of the room. (Before the activity, print out two copies of the first sheet of the card game onto cardstock for each team, and cut out. Using just the first sheet of the game provides for 20 matches or 40 cards.) When ready, have the first member from each team walk across the room to their table to begin matching the cards. Allow the men to only turn over two cards at a time. Once they have successfully matched all the cards, then they can return to their team and tag the next person to come to the table to complete the match. (As the player leaves the table to return to their team, reshuffle the cards and place them face down for the next player to play.)

13

• Berlin Wall was erected (1961)
• Birthday: Alfred Hitchcock, English film director (1899)
• Birthday: Anders Jonas Angström, Swedish astronomer who founded the science of light (1814)
• Birthday: Annie Oakley, American markswomen (1860)

Tactile: Shadow Puppets

For this birthday of Anders Jonas Angström, the Swedish astronomer who founded the science of light, teach the men how to use light to make several different shadow puppets.

One-on-One: Haunted Birdhouse

Assist your resident with creating a haunted birdhouse on this birthday of suspenseful film director Alfred Hitchcock. (On the website, click "Instructions" to view how to assemble the haunted house.) Save the finished birdhouse as decoration for your upcoming Halloween festivities.

Discussion: Achieving World Peace

In recognition of this day that the Berlin Wall was erected, start a debate among the men about world peace. Ask the men to brainstorm ways that world peace can be achieved.

Special Event: Aerial Archery

On this birthday of markswoman Annie Oakley, introduce the men to the sport of aerial archery, in which they try to hit targets that are moving through the air. For the activity, hang a hula hoop from a tree in the backyard. Then swing the hoop so that it moves from side to side. Next, provide each of the men with a balloon cup shooter to try to shoot ping pong balls through the hoop as it moves.

14

• Birthday: Ernest Thayer, American writer of the baseball ballad "Casey at the Bat" (1863)
• Navajo Code Talkers Day, recognizing the achievements of the Code Talkers who translated military messages in the Navajo language during World War II
• President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act (1935)
• U.S. Amateur (Golf) Championship in Parker, Colorado (August 14-20)

Tactile: Origami Baseball Jerseys

Teach the men how to make origami baseball jerseys on this birthday of Ernest Thayer, the American writer of the baseball ballad "Casey at the Bat."

One-on-One: Faux-Leather Teepee

Assist your resident with assembling a faux leather teepee using a brown paper bag and oil pastels on this Navajo Code Talkers Day, recognizing the achievements of the Code Talkers who translated military messages in the Navajo language during World War II.

Discussion: Will Social Security Be Around for the Grandkids?

In recognition of this day that President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act, host a discussion with the men about Social Security. Ask the men whether they believe that Social Security will be available for their grandchildren when they are ready to retire. Afterwards, ask the men to debate the pros and cons of privatizing Social Security.

Special Event: Pitching Hoops

Set out several sized hoops on the ground in the backyard for the men to play a fun golf pitching game on this first day of the U.S. Amateur (Golf) Championship in Parker, Colorado. Assign a different point value to each sized hoop, with larger point values awarded for smaller hoops. Then have the men use a pitching wedge golf club to hit the ball so that it lands in the hoops. For each round, give each of the men three balls to try to pitch into the hoops to accumulate points.

15

• Birthday: Napoleon Bonaparte, French emperor (1769)
• Birthday: Paul Rand, American designer known as the "Father of Modern American Graphic Design" (1914)
• Check the Chip Day, a day to remind pet owners to update their pets' microchip information
• Independence Day in South Korea

Tactile: South Korean Lotus Flowers

Show the men how to make lotus flowers, popular in southeast Asia, on this Independence Day in South Korea. For the activity, use tissue paper, cups, glue sticks, and craft wire.

One-on-One: Layered Art

In recognition of this birthday of the "Father of Modern American Graphic Design" Paul Rand, use cardstock and paint to show your resident how to create layered abstract paintings, in which you allow the art to dry in between paintings.

Discussion: High-Tech Ways to Find Fido

For this Check the Chip Day, a day to remind pet owners to update their pets' microchip information, reminisce with the men about how they used to find a lost pet. Afterwards, share a few high-tech ways to find a lost pet today.

Special Event: Can You Pick Him Out of a Lineup?

On this birthday of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, use a tablet and enlarge the photo of popular people in history to see if the men can identify the people by their photo.

16

• American baseball legend Babe Ruth died (1948)
• Gold was discovered in the Klondike region of the Yukon (1896)
• National Roller Coaster Day
• National Tell a Joke Day

Tactile: Baseball Cookies

Invite the men to practice their piping skills as they pipe red icing onto Golden Oreo cookies to make baseball Oreos in recognition of this day that American baseball legend Babe Ruth died.

One-on-One: Joke's On You!

Recruit your resident to help you pass out printable jokes to passersby as the two of you walk the halls on this National Tell a Joke Day. Before the activity, print and cut out printable jokes to pass out during the activity.

Discussion: Exploration in Alaska

On this day that gold was discovered in the Klondike region of the Yukon, host a debate among the men about natural resources in Alaska. Ask the men to argue the pros and cons of drilling in Alaska.

Special Event: Marble Run Stem Challenge

In recognition of this National Roller Coaster Day, divide the men into teams to assemble marble runs using the rim of rimmed paper plates, paper cups, paper towel rolls, toilet paper rolls, marbles, scissors, and tape. Give the teams of men 30 minutes to construct a fun roller coaster. When time is up, encourage all the teams to show off their roller coaster using their marbles.

17

• Birthday: Francis Powers, American aviator and CIA agent (1929)
• Black Cat Appreciation Day
• National Nonprofit Day
• National Thrift Shop Day

Tactile: Trash to Treasure

Recognize this National Thrift Shop Day by helping the men turn trash into treasure by collecting empty pizza boxes for the men to turn into wall art. Provide the men with paint and oil pastels to decorate the outside of the box. (Have the men decorate the underside of the pizza box to avoid having to cover any pizza logos.)

One-on-One: CIA Secrets

Chit chat with your resident about CIA secrets on this birthday of American aviator and CIA agent Francis Powers.

Discussion: Do You Believe in Superstitions?

For this Black Cat Appreciation Day, chit chat with the men about whether they believe in superstitions. Afterwards, read a list of the most common superstitions to see if the men believe them.

Special Event: Homeless Care Kits

On this National Nonprofit Day, assist the men with assembling homeless care kits to donate to a local homeless shelter.

18

• Birthday: Buck Weaver, Major League Baseball player banned from the league for conspiring to fix the 1919 World Series (1890)
• First mail-order catalog was published by Montgomery Ward (1872)
• Kool-Aid Days in Hastings, Nebraska (August 18-20)
• Serendipity Day

Tactile: Kool-Aid Pickles

Put the men to work to help you make several batches of Kool-Aid pickles on this first of the Kool-Aid Days in Hastings, Nebraska.

One-on-One: Tabletop Dice Baseball

In recognition of this birthday of Major League Baseball player Buck Weaver, invite your resident to play a fun tabletop dice baseball game. (PDF)

Discussion: Retail Stores – Mall or Main Street?

For this anniversary of the first mail-order catalog being published (Montgomery Ward), invite the men to discuss retail businesses. Ask the men whether in today's society retail businesses should open up shop in a shopping mall or on main street. Encourage the men to discuss the pros and cons of each.

Special Event: Playing Three-of-a-Kind

Invite the men to play the chance dice game Three of a Kind on this Serendipity Day. To play, seat the men at a table, and have them take turns rolling five dice in a cup to try to get three-of-a-kind (three of the same number on the dice). If a player rolls two-of-a-kind, then they can place the remaining three dice back in the cup for one more roll to try to get the third matching die. During a player's roll, they win 3 points if they have three-of-a-kind, 6 points for four-of-a-kind, and 12 points for five-of-a-kind.

19

• Birthday: Coco Chanel, French fashion designer (1883)
• National Aviation Day
• World Humanitarian Day
• World Photography Day

Tactile: Twig Frames

Invite the men to gather twigs from the backyard to use with twine to assemble twig frames on this World Photography Day.

One-on-One: Chanel Shoes

For this birthday of fashion designer Coco Chanel, invite your resident to design his own "Chanel shoes" by making-over white canvas shoes to create poured paint shoes. To decorate the shoes, simply use painter's tape to cover the rubber soles of the shoes before dripping different colors of paint onto each shoe. Allow the shoes to dry before removing the tape.

Discussion: How to Help Others

On this World Humanitarian Day, chit chat with the men about any past humanitarian efforts that they have donated to or been a part of. Afterwards, read off a few ways that people can help others without the use of money, and ask the men to chime if they have a story to share regarding any of the ways.

Special Event: Airplane Landing Contest

Use masking tape to create a landing strip in your Activity Room for the men to use to see who can toss a paper airplane so that it lands within the strip on this National Aviation Day. Before the activity, remind the men how to make paper airplanes, showing them a few different versions to try out. Then during the activity, have each of the men take turns tossing their planes. Award a point for each plane that lands within the landing strip.

20

• Birthday: Eero Saarinen, Finnish-American architect and furniture designer (1910)
• Birthday: Eliel Saarinen, Finnish architect (1873)
• International Congress of Industrial and Applied Mathematics 2023 in Tokyo, Japan (August 20-25)

Tactile: Furniture Makers

Show the men how to make doll furniture using pipe cleaners on this birthday of furniture designer and architect Eero Saarinen.

One-on-One: Summer Camp Cabin

In recognition of this birthday of Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen, recruit your resident to assist you with creating a kid-size summer cardboard cabin to place in your facility for visiting kids to play with this summer.

Discussion: What's the Point?

Recognize this first day of the International Congress of Industrial and Applied Mathematics 2023 in Tokyo, Japan by starting a debate among the men about math and other subjects that children study in school. Ask the men whether there are any subjects that are unnecessary to learn in school.

Special Event: Math Riddles

Quiz the men with math riddles on this first day of the International Congress of Industrial and Applied Mathematics 2023 in Tokyo, Japan.

21

• Hawaii became the 50th state (1959)
• World Senior Citizen's Day

Tactile: Making Hawaiian Waves

Invite the men to create blue wave art to celebrate this anniversary of Hawaii's statehood. For the activity, supply the men with a coloring page of the famous 1831 Japanese woodblock print The Great Wave off Kanagawa to fill in with drops of blue food coloring and water.

One-on-One: My Little Hula Girl

Encourage your resident to help you decorate your facility to celebrate Hawaii's statehood by turning a few butternut squashes into fun hula girls. To make a hula girl, first cut out a skirt from green tissue paper and attach to the bottom of the squash. Then cut out a coconut bikini top from brown paper before gluing to the squash. Next, add yarn and felt for the flower and hair. Finally, use markers to draw a face on the squash. Set the fun hula girls throughout your facility for the festivities.

Discussion: Should the Retirement Age Be Raised?

Host a discussion among the men about the retirement age on this World Senior Citizen's Day. Ask the men whether the retirement age should be lifted.

Special Event: Playing Dominoes

In recognition of this World Senior Citizen's Day, invite the men to play the fun game lots of seniors enjoy playing – Dominoes. Set out several dominoes sets on your Activity Room tables for the men to play.

22

• Be an Angel Day, a day to serve someone else with one small act
• Birthday: Samuel Langley, American astronomer (1834)
• Double Seven Festival in China, similar to Valentine's Day
• National Bring Your Cat to the Vet Day

Tactile: Angel Ornaments

For this Be an Angel Day, a day to serve someone else with one small act, invite the men to make angel ornaments featuring pictures of their grandchildren. To assemble the angels, first paint craft sticks with white paint. Then use hot glue to assemble the sticks as an angel, as shown on the video. Next, attach a cardstock circle for the head, a pipe cleaner halo, paper hair, and doily wings. Then use a marker to create a face for the angel. Finally, glue a picture of the grandchild to the back of the frame. Encourage the men to display their angels in their rooms. (Video)

One-on-One: Evening Sky Watch

Encourage your resident to keep watch on the evening sky for summer constellations (pages 2 and 3 of the PDF) on this birthday of astronomer Samuel Langley.

Discussion: The Great Pet Debate

On this National Bring Your Cat to the Vet Day, chit chat with the men about their past pets. Afterwards, invite the men to begin debating certain controversial animal topics.

Special Event: Playing Hearts

Invite the men to play the card game Hearts on this day of the Double Seven Festival in China, similar to Valentine's Day.

23

• Birthday: Kobe Bryant, NBA star (1978)
• Birthday: Oliver Hazard Perry, American naval hero (1785)
• Find Your Inner Nerd Day

Tactile: How to Draw a Navy Ship

Supply the men with sketch pads and colored pencils as you teach them how to draw a naval ship on this birthday of American naval hero Oliver Hazard Perry.

One-on-One: Playing Math Dice

Challenge your resident to a math dice game on this Find Your Inner Nerd Day. To play, use two dice to see who is first to get to the sum of 100. A player can keep rolling as long as he wants, making sure to add the total of their rolls to his sum. However, if a player rolls a 1 on one of the dice, then he has to record 0 points for that turn, and he keeps the score of his previous turn. If a player rolls double 1 (a 1 on both dice), then that player loses all his points.

Discussion: Should Sports Prize Money Be Equal?

On this birthday of sports star Kobe Bryant, start a discussion with the men about sports equality. Ask the men whether prize money in sports should be equal for men and women.

Special Event: Can You Solve a Rubik's Cube?

Invite the men to bring their phones to your Activity Room (or set up multiple tablets for them to use) to see who can solve a Rubik's Cube on this Find Your Inner Nerd Day. (On the website, click "Scramble" to scramble the cube and then have the men touch the parts of the cube to move to try to solve the puzzle.)

24

• Birthday: Duke Kahanamoku, Hawaiian Olympic gold medal swimmer known as the "Father of International Surfing" (1890)
• Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul, Minnesota (August 24 - September 4)
• Pluto was demoted to dwarf planet status (2006)
• U.S. Senior Women's Open (Golf) Championship in Portland, Oregon (August 24-27)

Tactile: Craft Stick Lake Cabin

For this first day of the Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul, Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes, invite the men to construct their own lake cabin using craft sticks.

One-on-One: Learning Hawaiian Words

Teach your resident how to speak a few Hawaiian words on this birthday of Duke Kahanamoku, the Hawaiian Olympic gold medal swimmer known as the "Father of International Surfing."

Discussion: Pros and Cons of Space Exploration

On this day that Pluto was demoted to dwarf planet status, invite the men to discuss space exploration. Ask the men to debate the pros and cons of space exploration.

Special Event: Golf Bocce

Invite the men to use golf clubs to play a game of golf bocce on this first day of the U.S. Senior Women's Open (Golf) Championship in Portland, Oregon. To play, place a white ball on the ground in the backyard. Then have the men use a pitching wedge golf club to try to pitch their golf ball so that it lands closest to the white ball.

25

• Movie The Wizard of Oz was released (1939)
• National Banana Split Day
• National Whiskey Sour Day
• U.S. National Park Service was founded (1916)

Tactile: Banana Split Bites

Encourage the men to assemble banana split bites to enjoy on this National Banana Split Day. Supply the men with bananas, melted chocolate, peanuts, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, and maraschino cherries for their desserts.

One-on-One: The Wizard of Oz Trivia

Quiz your resident with trivia about the movie The Wizard of Oz on this day that the film was released.

Discussion: Pros and Cons of Nature

Invite the men to discuss nature on this day that the U.S. National Park Service was founded. Afterwards, ask the men to debate the pros and cons of spending time in nature.

Special Event: Alcohol Trivia Q & A

In recognition of this National Whiskey Sour Day, quiz the men with trivia about alcohol.

26

• Birthday: Albert Sabin, American medical researcher who is credited for his oral vaccine for polio (1906)
• Birthday: Benjamin Bradlee, American newspaper editor (1921)
• Corvette Crossroads Auto Show in Mackinaw City, Michigan (August 26-27)
• National Toilet Paper Day

Tactile: Apple Pull

For this National Toilet Paper Day, invite the men to compete in an Apple Pull game using toilet paper. To play, unwrap some toilet paper on a roll and place an apple on the last square. Then have the men try to be the first to wind up the toilet paper to get to the apple without tearing the tissue paper.

One-on-One: Newspaper Pencil Holder

Invite your resident to assist you with making a pencil holder using newspaper on this birthday of newspaper editor Benjamin Bradlee.

Discussion: Is Science a Threat to Society?

Host a discussion among the men about science on this birthday of scientist Albert Sabin, who is credited for his oral vaccine for polio. Ask the men whether they believe that science is a threat to society.

Special Event: Can You Guess the Car?

Use a tablet to share the photos of cars from the 1950s for the men to try to identify on this first day of the Corvette Crossroads Auto Show in Mackinaw City, Michigan.

27

• Birthday: Lyndon B. Johnson, American president (1908)
• Burning Man 2023, a community arts and self-expression festival in Black Rock Desert, Nevada (August 27 - September 4)
• The Duchess Who Wasn't Day, honoring the works of author Margaret Wolfe Hungerford whose pen name was The Duchess

Tactile: Beach Paintings

On this first day of Burning Man 2023, a community arts and self-expression festival in Black Rock Desert, Nevada, teach the men how to create a beach painting on canvas. (Video with instructions) Hang the finished paintings as summer decoration on an empty wall in your facility.

One-on-One: Royal Family Trivia

In recognition of this The Duchess Who Wasn't Day, honoring the works of author Margaret Wolfe Hungerford whose pen name was The Duchess, share a bit of royal trivia with your resident.

Discussion: Tired of the Royals, Yet?

Start a debate among the men about the Royals on this The Duchess Who Wasn't Day, honoring the works of author Margaret Wolfe Hungerford whose pen name was The Duchess. Ask the men whether Britain should eliminate the monarchy. Encourage the men to share a list of the pros and cons of the monarchy.

Special Event: Which President Did It?

Name an action or law signed by an American president to see if the men can identify which president you are describing on this birthday of American President Lyndon B. Johnson.

28

• National Bow Tie Day
• National Red Wine Day

Tactile: Making Bow Ties

Supply the men with fun fabrics as you show them how to assemble no-sew bow ties on this National Bow Tie Day. Provide the men with pin backs or alligator clips to attach to their bow ties so that they can wear them for the upcoming Bow Tie Dinner activity.

One-on-One: What to Pair With Wine

Recognize this National Red Wine Day by chit chatting with your wine-enthusiast-resident about what wine and food pairings he likes best.

Discussion: Should the Drinking Age Be Lowered?

Begin a debate with the men about drinking on this National Red Wine Day. Ask the men whether the drinking age should be lowered, and if so, at what age.

Special Event: Bow Tie Dinner

Coordinate with Dining Services to provide a special dinner menu in your Dining Room as you encourage residents to dress up in their finest on this National Bow Tie Day. Encourage the men to wear the bow ties that they made earlier during the Tactile activity.

29

• According to Hoyle Day, a day promoting games to be played according to the rules
• International Day Against Nuclear Tests
• National Lemon Juice Day

Tactile: Lemon Balloons

Show the men the trick of inflating balloons using lemon juice and baking soda on this National Lemon Juice Day.

One-on-One: Lemonade Stand

Recruit your resident to help you assemble a cardboard lemonade stand to set up as a display in one of the common areas of your facility to pass out lemonade on this National Lemon Juice Day.

Discussion: Should We Be a World Without Nuclear Weapons?

Start a debate among the men about nuclear weapons on this International Day Against Nuclear Tests. Ask the men whether all countries should give up their nuclear weapons.

Special Event: Oh Snap!

Teach the men how to play the card game Snap on this According to Hoyle Day, a day promoting games to be played according to the rules.

30

• Birthday: Kitty Wells, American country singer who was the first woman to have a number one hit on the country charts (1919)
• First White House presidential baby was born to President Grover Cleveland (1893)
• La Tomatina, the world's biggest food fight (tomatoes) in Spain

Tactile: Baby Dolls

In recognition of this day that the first White House presidential baby was born to President Grover Cleveland, invite the men to assemble no-sew sock babies using white socks, markers, rubber bands, and stuffing. (Video)

One-on-One: Remember These Country Songs

See if your resident who loves country music can remember some of the country songs from the 1930s and 1940s as you play them on this birthday of country singer Kitty Wells.

Discussion: Is It a Waste of Food?

Host a discussion among the men about La Tomatina, the world's biggest food fight (tomatoes) in Spain, on this day of the event. Ask the men whether they see the event as a waste of food. Afterwards, ask whether celebrating the event is ethical since there are so many tomatoes that are wasted.

Special Event: Splatters of Paint

On this day of La Tomatina, a messy food fight using tomatoes in Spain, invite the men to try a mess-free painting technique to make abstract art by placing the canvas and the splatters of paint inside of a Ziploc bag. Be sure to use vivid summer colors for the artwork, and hang the finished canvases as artwork for the season in your Activity Room.

31

• Birthday: Pádraig Harrington, Irish professional golfer (1971)
• International Overdose Awareness Day
• Love Litigating Lawyers Day
• Sunset Bonfires in Stearns Park Beach, Michigan

Tactile: Sunset Mosaics

Invite the men to assemble their own sunset mosaics on this day of the Sunset Bonfires in Stearns Park Beach, Michigan. To make the mosaics, first have the men go through old magazines and tear out pages that have red, yellow, blue, and orange colors and then tear the pages into small pieces. Next, have the men use pencil to sketch a sunset onto cardstock. Then provide the men with glue sticks to begin attaching the small pieces onto the cardstock to create the mosaics.

One-on-One: Legal Bloopers

Share a few funny legal bloopers with your resident on this Love Litigating Lawyers Day.

Discussion: Should There Be Safe Injection Sites?

For this International Overdose Awareness Day, start a discussion among the men about overdoses in the United States. Ask the men to share their thoughts about the presence of safe injection facilities, sites where medical supervision is available for those who use intravenous drugs. Encourage the men to discuss the pros and cons of having such sites.

Special Event: Marshmallow Tee-Off

On this birthday of Irish professional golfer Pádraig Harrington, invite the men to compete in a backyard marshmallow tee-off to see who can hit a jumbo marshmallow the farthest off their golf tee. Supply the men with a golf club to hit the marshmallow.