JOSLYN CENTER WILL BE CLOSED WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY THIS WEEK

December 22-28, 2025

NATIONAL CANDY CANE DAY

Friday, December 26, 2025

National Candy Cane Day is on December 26, and while that doesn’t mean it’ll keep us from munching on the sugary sticks as early as Thanksgiving, it does give us a chance to indulge as much as we can before New Year’s. With beginnings in 17th-century Germany, these sweet treats were curved to represent the shepherds’ crooks. They later made their way to the states in the mid-19th century. Now we see them everywhere, even on trees.

National Candy Cane Day Timeline

1670

The sweet start

The story of candy canes began in the Cologne Cathedral in Germany, where the choirmaster handed out the bent sweet sticks to his youngest singers to keep them quiet during the long Living Creche ceremony.

1847

Candy cane decor

August Imgard, a German-Swedish immigrant, decorated a small blue spruce with paper ornaments and candy canes in Wooster, Ohio.

In Albany, Georgia in the 1920s, Candymaker Bob McCormack began making candy canes by hand as special Christmas treats for his children and friends and his company became famous for them.

In the 1950s, candy canes began being made for the masses. Gregory Keller, a Catholic priest, invented a machine to automate the production of candy canes.

Since candy canes can be mass-produced, and in honor of National Candy Cane Day, Joslyn Center will have candy canes for you on Monday and Tuesday, December 22 and 23. Please come by and grab one of these tasty treats!

REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTION

Are you 73 or older?

Do you have an IRA or 401(k)?

Did you know that you can support Joslyn Center programs and services by donating some or all of your Required Minimum Distribution from your tax-deferred retirement account?

Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are mandatory annual withdrawals from most tax-deferred retirement accounts such as a Traditional IRA or 401(k) that start when you reach age 73. This is designed to ensure that the IRS collects taxes, with the first RMD due by April 1st of the year after you turn 73, and subsequent years by December 31st, incurring hefty penalties (25%) if missed.

You can claim a tax deduction on your Required Minimum Distribution or portion thereof if you donate it to a nonprofit organization. The contribution must be made directly from your retirement account to the Cove Communities Senior Assocation DBA The Joslyn Center (Tax ID #95-3622332) to be eligible for the deduction.

Please contact Greg Murphy at 790-895-4651 or GregM@JoslynCenter.org for additional information.

CLICK TO EMAIL GREG

THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITIES AND HIGHLIGHTS

Thursday, December 25, 1:15pm

Please bring an interesting story about something that is new, exciting, outrageous, funny, etc. Share it with your seatmates so we can keep our gatherings interesting for one and all.

Meet at

Breakfast Republic

Yummy breakfast and lunch entrees, a great cup of coffee

and a full bar.

44491 Town Center Way, Palm Desert

Click image for restaurant information.

Arrive at 1:15pm for Mix & Mingle

Meal order at 1:45pm.

Please do not arrive early as restaurant does not take reservations

and will be busy early on.

Happy Hour / special pricing may apply.

CASH ONLY PER SINGLES GROUP POLICY

Please call John at 760-989-7031 for reservations.

UPCOMING DATES & RESTAURANTS

January 1 - Islands, Palm Desert - 11:00am

January 8 - Backstreet Bistro, Palm Desert - 1:15pm

January 15 - Dragon Sushi, Palm Desert - 1:15pm

January 22 - Guillermo's Restaurante, Palm Desert - 1:15pm

January 29 - Monsoon Indian Cuisine, Palm Desert - 1:15pm

JANUARY VIRTUAL BOOK CLUB

WITH SHARYN

Friday, January 23, 10:30am

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is about a grumpy, widowed bookstore owner on a small island whose life changes dramatically when a toddler is left in his store, forcing him to confront his grief and isolation, find new love with a sales rep named Amelia, and build an unexpected family, ultimately discovering the transformative power of books and human connection. The story follows A.J. Fikry's journey from a cynical recluse, mourning his late wife and facing financial ruin, to a man who embraces parenthood and community, finding redemption and meaning through his relationship with his adopted daughter Maya and Amelia, all set within the literary world of his struggling bookstore, Island Books.

Storied Life of A.J. Fikry

by Gabrielle Zevin

SAVE THE DATES!

SUNDAY CABARET SERIES

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE FOLLOWING WEEKS!

VISIT THE CABARET WEBSITE

SOCIAL SERVICES

CLICK TO SIGN UP

CONTACT JUDY TO VOLUNTEER

JOSLYN CENTER GOLD BUSINESS PARTNERS

The Business Partner program is one of the reasons Joslyn Center is able to keep membership dues and activities low fee or free. Our business partners also sponsor events and social programs, helping to defray costs. To learn more about Gold Business Partner services, please click their logos below.

For a full list of Joslyn Center Business Partners, please click below.

For information on becoming a Business Partner,

please contact Alex at AlexG@JoslynCenter.org or 760-895-4652.

JOSLYN CENTER BUSINESS PARTNERS

The Joslyn Center provides extensive programs and services for older adults in Indian Wells, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and surrounding Coachella Valley communities.

Thank you to the Cities of Indian Wells, Palm Desert and

Rancho Mirage for their ongoing support.