Singing is Good For You-The THD Chorale

Singing creates a neurochemical profile in the human brain that's hard to get any other way. When we raise our voices, the brain releases endorphins, oxytocin, and dopamine all at the same time. This combination lifts mood, cuts pain, and builds social connection. Most activities trigger one or two of these chemicals. Singing hits all three, turning the vocal cords into a natural pharmacy.

From ancient rituals to modern labs

Long before modern science could map neural pathways, ancient civilizations already knew that song could heal. Healers across many cultures used chanting and melody to treat conditions from melancholy to physical injury. Researchers today are confirming what those cultures practiced. Studies show that even a short bout of singing can drop cortisol, the main stress hormone, and boost antibody production to strengthen immune function.

The collective resonance

Group singing, in a choir or any communal gathering, makes these effects much stronger. Something called physiological synchrony kicks in, and the heart rates and breathing patterns of the singers start to fall into step.

* Oxytocin spikes during group singing, building trust and lowering social anxiety.

* Matching voices creates a strong sense of shared identity and belonging.

* Participants often describe a natural high that outlasts the song itself.

A workout for the mind

Singing also works the body and the brain in ways most people overlook. It takes tight coordination between the lungs, the vocal cords, and several brain regions that handle memory and motor control. That kind of mental exercise pays off as people get older. Regular singing has been tied to sharper concentration, stronger memory, and a lower risk of depression. Cheap, accessible, and surprisingly thorough, singing works as a real tool for staying well over a lifetime.

Sources:

Imperfect Harmony by Stacy Horn

The Journal of Behavioral Medicine

University of Oxford Social and Evolutionary Neuroscience Research Group

Singing together doesn't just feel good. It synchronizes your heartbeat with everyone around you.

A 2022 study in Hormones and Behavior confirmed oxytocin levels were significantly higher after group singing than group speaking, creating deeper biological connection than conversation alone. Research consistently shows choral singing reduces cortisol, strengthens immunity, and relieves depression and grief. Ancient cultures worldwide built communal life around song. They understood the medicine of it long before science named it

Meanwhile, Our THD Choral Group leader, Fred Lezak and our singing group here at THD has decided we will present a 40-minute concert and sing along on December 10, Thursday, at 3:30PM. There will be a few Christmas songs for sing along, one Hanukah song and a few other popular songs. Mark the date in your Calendar. We are soliciting for name and suggestion for our small singing Group. 

I am suggesting the "The THD Youngster Chorale"... Any more suggestions?  

Finally, here's a copy of our Dinner Menu for the week of September 14 to 19

Note the Spanish Paella in the Entrees. I suggested this dish to Joel, several weeks ago. My suggestion has been heard and acted. Kudos to the Joel and His Kitchen Crew and to All Management who makes the decision of what is served to us

for Dinner, Lunch and Breakfast.

Today is National Grandparents Day - A Little History

Today is National Grandparents Day - A Little History

Do You Know that Today, September 13th, is National Grandparents Day ?

If you did not have it on your calendar, you are not alone. It is one of the quieter holidays, but it has a wonderful history, and one that means a lot to me at 91. I am not only a grand father of six accomplished adults, but also a great grand father of Graham and Beau. 

It started in West Virginia

The holiday was the idea of Marian McQuade. Marian was born Marian Lucille Herndon in 1917 in Caperton, West Virginia. Like Mother's Day founder Anna Jarvis, she was also a native West Virginian.

In 1956 she organized an event honoring octogenarians in the state, and later spent years serving on the West Virginia Commission on Aging and helping with the annual "Past 80 Party" in Richwood. 

Her purpose was very simple. After her youngest of 15 children finished high school, she focused on helping the elderly and she wanted nursing care patients to have a special time to connect with their families. 

From a state day to a national day

In 1970, Marian began a campaign to establish a day to honor grandparents. In 1973, West Virginia became the first state to proclaim it, when Governor Arch Moore proclaimed May 27, 1973 as Grandparents Day. 

She continued, with volunteers from her church, to push other states.

Then in September 1978, the White House called her to tell her that President Jimmy Carter had signed a federal proclamation designating the Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day beginning in 1979. It has been celebrated every year since in honor of our nation's grandparents. 

What she wanted it to be

What I admire most about Marian is what she insisted the day not be.

Throughout her campaigning, she remained adamant that the day be focused on homemade gifts and family time, rather than commercialism; at one point, she turned down royalties from a company selling Grandparents Day cards. 

The official statute lists three purposes: to honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their grandchildren, and to help children become aware of the strength, information and guidance older people can offer.

In 1989, the Postal Service even issued a 10th anniversary commemorative envelope bearing her likeness. Marian lived to 91, with 15 children and 43 grandchildren. 

Why it matters now

I have been thinking about this today. We have Mother's Day and Father's Day, but Grandparents Day reminds us of something different. It is not only about honoring age. It is about honoring continuity. The stories, the recipes, the wartime memories, the family names, the advice that only comes after you have lived long enough to make mistakes and learn from them.

At my age, I think about my grandchildren and great-grandchildren a lot. I want them to know where they came from, not just to keep the family tree alive, but to understand that they are part of a longer story.

So today is a good day to make a phone call, to write a short note, or to invite a grandparent to share a meal. A homemade card, just as Marian wanted.

Happy Grandparents Day to all the grandparents reading this, and to those who are remembering theirs. Have a sunny and beautiful early Autumn Day in the Northern Hemisphere!

Related Topic:

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2026/07/accomplishments-of-my-six-grand-children.html

Resin Coasters Making -Another Enjoyable THD Activity

Yesterday's Afternoon, Resin Coasters making Activity is another activity I enjoyed. Kudos to Alexis, Our Activity Director for a well-organized, well-planned and executed activity. I used  my two pictures as well as shells, dried flowers and  small decorative stones as follows:    

1970 Photo of me and Macrine (RIP)

My Recent Photo, 2026 Luau- Photo Credit: Jenny Shively  

 Preparing for the resin molding 

I made 3 resin coasters, 2 are my own photos and one with a shell, stone and dried flowers arrangement. Here are some photos I took during our resin coasters making activity. Our creation will be baked for 3 days and looking forward to see my three finished products.

Partial molding

Capable Alexis Jones, Our Activity Director 

Materials Galore-shells, Dried  Flowers and Decorative Small stones 

Finished Molding- Just waiting to Bake and Dry -My Mother of Pearl Creation 

Completed Molding- Waiting to be Baked for 3 Days for the finished Product 

Additional Photos: Courtesy of Jenny:

Finally, Good News from Joel  

In our next week Dinner Menu, we will have Paella. I suggested this dish several weeks ago.

I am so happy, my wish will be granted next week. If you are not familiar with Paella, here's what Wikipedia says:     

  The essential ingredients for a traditional Paella include short-grain Spanish rice, saffron, olive oil, and a choice of meats or seafood.

The Base and Aromatics

Rice: Short-grain Spanish rice like Bomba or Calasparra absorbs liquid well without getting mushy.
Saffron: Gives the dish its signature yellow color and earthy flavor.
Sofrito base: Grated or crushed tomatoes, garlic, and onions cooked down in olive oil.
Broth: Chicken stock, vegetable stock, or rich seafood/clam stock depending on the recipe style.
Spices & herbs: Smoked Spanish paprika (pimentón), salt, and a sprig of fresh rosemary.

Traditional Add-Ins (Valencian Style)

Meats: Chicken and rabbit.
Vegetables: Flat green beans (such as bajoqueta or romano beans) and white lima beans (garrofó). 

Popular Seafood and Mixed Variations

Seafood: Jumbo shrimp, mussels, clams, and calamari (squid).
Other additions: Artichoke hearts, green peas, or Spanish chorizo (though chorizo is controversial in traditional Valencian recipes).

Seafood Paella is one of my favorite Pinoy Dishes- we called it Arroz Valenciana

 

The Magic of Ballroom Dancing: Memories of My Youth and the Timeless Tango

https://fb.watch/IzlVLOdhYd/

Macrine (RIP) and I Dancing the Tango, 1991

Every now and then, a familiar melody transports us back to another place and another time. For me, all it takes are the opening notes of El Choclo or La Cumparsita, and suddenly I am a teenager again in Iloilo, Philippines, during the early 1950s.

Music has a remarkable ability to preserve memories far better than photographs. It awakens emotions that have been quietly resting in our hearts for decades.

My late father was an excellent ballroom dancer. Like many fathers of his generation, he believed that dancing was not merely entertainment but an important social skill. One of the greatest gifts he gave me was teaching me how to dance the Tango. Looking back now, I realize he was teaching me much more than dance steps. He was teaching me confidence, poise, respect for one's partner, and the joy of expressing oneself through music.

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-tango-and-memories-of-my-father.html

Those were wonderful years.

In those days, ballroom dancing was a major part of Filipino social life. School dances, town fiestas, weddings, anniversaries, and community celebrations almost always featured live orchestras. Young men polished their shoes, young ladies wore their best dresses, and everyone eagerly anticipated an evening of music and dancing.

There were no smartphones competing for our attention. Conversations were face to face. Courtship happened on the dance floor. A graceful Tango or a smooth Waltz often spoke louder than words.

Among all the ballroom dances, the Tango has always fascinated me. Born in the working-class neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Tango combines elegance, passion, precision, and emotion. Every movement tells a story. Unlike faster dances, the Tango demands concentration, discipline, and close partnership between two people moving as one.

Whenever I hear El Choclo, one of the most famous Tangos ever written, memories come rushing back. The same is true with La Cumparsita, often called the most recognizable Tango in the world. Their melodies possess a haunting beauty that has survived generations.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1914991612531651 El Choclo

It is amazing that music composed over a century ago continues to touch listeners today.

Recently I read that Turkish Tango has been experiencing renewed popularity in Istanbul. At first, I found that surprising. Then I realized perhaps it should not be. Great music knows no borders. The Tango began in Argentina, became beloved in Europe, found enthusiastic dancers in the Philippines during my youth, and is now enjoying new life in Turkey.

That is the universal language of music.

Ballroom dancing itself has also enjoyed a resurgence in many parts of the world. Television competitions have introduced younger audiences to dances like the Waltz, Foxtrot, Quickstep, Viennese Waltz, Cha-Cha, Rumba, Samba, Jive, and of course, the Tango. Dance studios continue to welcome students ranging from teenagers to senior citizens.

In fact, ballroom dancing may be one of the healthiest hobbies anyone can pursue. It provides gentle aerobic exercise, improves balance, strengthens muscles, enhances memory by learning choreography, and encourages social interaction. For older adults especially, dancing keeps both the body and the mind active.

But beyond the health benefits lies something even more meaningful.

Ballroom dancing teaches courtesy. It teaches patience. It teaches trust between partners. It reminds us that life is often more enjoyable when we move in harmony with another person.

As I reflect upon my own life at ninety-one years of age, I realize how fortunate I was to have learned the Tango from my father. The lessons stayed with me long after the music ended. Although the dance floors of my youth exist now only in memory, the joy they brought remains fresh.

Whenever I hear El Choclo or La Cumparsita, I smile.

https://fb.watch/Im9tJ9N0Ve/

For a few precious minutes, I am no longer a retired scientist or a senior citizen living in Walnut Creek. I am once again that young Filipino boy in Iloilo, carefully counting the steps my father patiently taught me so many years ago.

Some memories never grow old. Neither does beautiful music.

And perhaps that is why the Tango continues to capture hearts around the world, because every dance, like every life, tells a story worth remembering.

AI Overview: 

The above article is inspired from my recent readings on Turkish Tango(NYT). 

Turkish tango is a beloved genre combining the rhythm of Ballroom tango with the rich melodies of Turkish music. It emerged in the 1920s when founders like Atatürk embraced the dance, evolving into a nostalgic style full of unique Turkish Tango characteristics.

History and Origins

Tango arrived in Turkey soon after the republic was formed in 1924. At first, Turkish musicians wrote local lyrics to Argentinian tango songs. Soon after, local composers created original Turkish tangos. 

The first Turkish-language tango was recorded in 1932 by singer Seyyan Hanım, who sang Necip Celal’s song Mazi (The Past). Other notable composers and singers of this era include Necdet Koyutürk, Fehmi Ege, and İbrahim Özgür.

Musical Style

Unlike Argentinian tango, which relies heavily on improvisation, Turkish tango follows a steady ballroom rhythm. It is known for being highly nostalgic, simpler in its beat, and deeply rooted in the emotion of traditional Turkish musical culture. 

Global Tango Capital

Today, Istanbul is recognized as a major global hub for the dance, often holding more milongas (tango dance events) than any city outside Buenos Aires. According to a consensus among users on the Reddit Tango Forum, Istanbul's tango schools, daily milongas, and active festivals draw dancers from all over the world

My Reel of the Day: Tango in the Philippines

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1716154839525999

Finally, Dance can indeed improve health in various ways. Here are some benefits:

Physical Health Benefits:*

Improves cardiovascular health: Dancing can help lower blood pressure, increase blood flow, and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Weight management: Dancing can help burn calories, maintain weight loss, and improve overall physical fitness.
Strengthens bones: Weight-bearing dances can help improve bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
Improves flexibility and balance: Dancing can increase flexibility, range of motion, and balance, reducing the risk of falls.

Mental Health Benefits:

Reduces stress and anxiety: Dancing can help release endorphins, also known as "feel-good" hormones, which can improve mood and reduce stress.
Improves cognitive function: Dancing has been shown to improve memory, concentration, and cognitive flexibility.
Boosts self-esteem: Dancing can enhance self-confidence, body awareness, and overall mental well-being.

Social Benefits:

Social connections: Dancing can help meet new people, build relationships, and reduce feelings of loneliness.
Community engagement: Joining a dance class or group can provide a sense of belonging and community.

Overall, dancing can be a fun and effective way to improve physical and mental health, while also providing social benefits.