The Harmony & Grace Garden: One Year Later—Where Friendships Blossom

BOOK NOOK & MOVIE CORNER

    BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:

Don't Let Her Stay by Nicola Sanders - Just when Joanne Atkinson thinks she has found happiness with her husband Richard and their new baby daughter, an unexpected visitor arrives at their doorstep—Richard's estranged daughter, Chloe. Eager to welcome her into the family, Joanne hopes this will be a chance to heal old wounds and build a relationship. Instead, Chloe's arrival turns Joanne's peaceful life into a waking nightmare.

At first, Chloe's unsettling behavior is easy to dismiss. A cold glance here, a strange comment there. But soon Joanne begins to suspect something far more sinister is happening. Every time she tries to voice her concerns, Richard refuses to believe her. As Chloe's manipulations grow more calculated, Joanne finds herself questioning her own memory, her sanity, and even the safety of her infant daughter.

Trapped in a house where no one seems to believe her, Joanne uncovers dark secrets buried in Chloe's past—secrets connected to tragedy, deception, and death. With each shocking revelation, the line between truth and lies becomes increasingly blurred. Who is the real threat? And can Joanne trust her instincts before it's too late?

Filled with relentless suspense, psychological mind games, and twist after twist, Don't Let Her Stay is a gripping thriller that keeps readers guessing until the final pages. Just when you think you've figured everything out, the story delivers one last chilling surprise that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew.

Perfect for readers who enjoy: The Housemaid, The Wife Between Us, and other fast-paced psychological thrillers packed with gaslighting, family secrets, and jaw-dropping twists.

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd- Set in the summer of 1964 in South Carolina, The Secret Life of Bees is a heartfelt and unforgettable coming-of-age story about love, loss, family, and the search for belonging. Fourteen-year-old Lily Owens has spent most of her life haunted by the memory of her mother's mysterious death and struggling under the care of her harsh and often unkind father.

When tensions rise in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement, Lily runs away with Rosaleen, the woman who has cared for her since infancy. Guided by a clue connected to her late mother, they journey to a small town where they find refuge with three remarkable beekeeping sisters—August, June, and May Boatwright.

As Lily becomes immersed in the sisters' world of honey, friendship, and faith, she begins to uncover long-buried secrets about her mother's past. Along the way, she discovers the power of forgiveness, the importance of family—both the ones we are born into and the ones we create—and the courage it takes to find one's place in the world.

Warm, inspiring, and rich with unforgettable characters, The Secret Life of Bees is a moving novel that explores the bonds between women, the healing power of love, and the sweetness that can be found even in life's most difficult moments.

Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks-  When a mysterious young woman named Katie arrives in the small coastal town of Southport, she is determined to leave her troubled past behind and start over. Keeping to herself at first, she slowly begins to build a new life and forms a connection with Alex, a widowed store owner raising two children.

As their relationship grows, Katie finds herself embracing the possibility of love, friendship, and a fresh start. But the secrets she has been running from refuse to stay buried, and her past soon threatens the peaceful life she has worked so hard to create.

Filled with romance, suspense, and heartfelt emotion, Safe Haven is a touching story about healing, second chances, and discovering that sometimes the safest place to be is surrounded by the people who love you.

    Just as every garden path leads to a new discovery, every great book can lead to a memorable movie. Let's continue the journey in this month's Movie Corner.

MOVIE RECOMMENDATIONS:

Independence Day(1996)- What begins as an ordinary Fourth of July weekend quickly turns into a fight for humanity's survival when enormous alien spacecraft suddenly appear over major cities around the world. As panic spreads, the mysterious visitors launch a devastating attack that leaves much of the planet in ruins.

With Earth facing extinction, an unlikely group of heroes—including a determined fighter pilot, a brilliant scientist, and the President of the United States—must work together to find a way to stop the alien invasion. Racing against time, they develop a daring plan to unite the world and strike back against the powerful extraterrestrial force.

Packed with action, suspense, humor, and spectacular special effects, Independence Day is an exciting science-fiction adventure that celebrates courage, teamwork, and the resilience of the human spirit. Its thrilling battle scenes and memorable characters have made it a summer blockbuster favorite for generations.

The Great Outdoors (1998)- The Great Outdoors is a hilarious family comedy starring John Candy and Dan Aykroyd. The film follows Chet Ripley, a devoted family man looking forward to a peaceful summer vacation with his wife and children at a rustic lakeside cabin in the woods.

Just as the family begins to relax and enjoy fishing, swimming, and campfires, their plans are turned upside down when Chet's wealthy and flashy brother-in-law, Roman Craig, unexpectedly arrives with his family. What follows is a series of hilarious misadventures, sibling rivalry, and unforgettable encounters with wildlife—including a mischievous bear that seems determined to join the vacation.

Filled with laugh-out-loud moments, heartwarming family themes, and plenty of outdoor fun, The Great Outdoors is a classic summer comedy that celebrates family, friendship, and making the best of life's unexpected surprises.

Stand By Me(1986)-  Set during the summer of 1962, The Sandlot is a heartwarming coming-of-age comedy about friendship, adventure, and America's favorite pastime—baseball. When shy newcomer Scotty Smalls moves to a new neighborhood, he struggles to fit in until he is welcomed by a group of boys who spend their days playing baseball on a local sandlot.

Under the guidance of the talented and confident Benny Rodriguez, Scotty learns the game and quickly becomes part of the team. Together, the boys experience an unforgettable summer filled with laughter, mischief, backyard adventures, and plenty of baseball.

Their biggest challenge comes when Scotty accidentally hits a prized baseball—signed by baseball legend Babe Ruth—over a fence and into a yard guarded by a legendary dog known only as "The Beast." Determined to retrieve the ball, the boys embark on a series of hilarious and daring rescue attempts.

Filled with memorable characters, nostalgic charm, and timeless lessons about friendship and growing up, The Sandlot is a beloved family classic that captures the magic of summer and the memories that last a lifetime.

   As the final page is turned and the credits begin to roll, we hope this month's books and movies have brought you moments of laughter, inspiration, adventure, and reflection. Stories have a special way of connecting us, reminding us of cherished memories and creating new ones along the way.

    Now, it's time to turn our attention from the characters we've met on the page and screen to the wonderful people who make our community so special. Join us as we celebrate the residents who are adding another chapter to their life stories this month. Let's gather together to honor birthdays, milestones, and the joyful moments that make each day worth celebrating!

We would love to hear any book or movie recommendations you may have.

RESIDENT OF THE MONTH

  The Wisdom Circle!

We are pleased to announce that our long-running reflection and discussion group, formerly known as The Long Straw Club, has a new name that better reflects its purpose and spirit.

Beginning this month, the group will be known as The Wisdom Circle.

For over two decades, this gathering has provided residents with a space to share their experiences, explore meaningful topics, and support one another through honest and thoughtful conversations. In recent years, we have taken a meaningful step toward deepening the emotional, spiritual, and psychological well-being of our community.

To that end, Lloppön Rinpoche has been entrusted with promoting and nurturing the emotional, spiritual, and psychological well-being of our residents. Under his guidance, The Wisdom Circle continues this tradition with a renewed sense of purpose, offering a calm and respectful environment where every voice is valued and every story is honored.

The circle symbolizes equality, community, and connection; the word wisdom speaks to the insight each person carries from a life fully lived. Together, they represent what this gathering has always been: a place of reflection, companionship, and meaning.

We invite residents, families, and staff to join us as we begin this new chapter.
The Wisdom Circle meets monthly in the Activity Room. Please encourage residents to participate. All are welcome.

“A Circle of Connection, A Gathering of Meaning.”

INTRODUCING:  The  Hearth Gathering !!

     The goal of The Hearth Gathering is to complement the Wisdom Circle. While the Wisdom Circle explores teachings, reflection, and contemplative practice, the Hearth Gathering is intended to provide a more informal space centered on storytelling, reminiscing, friendship, laughter, and the sharing of life experiences.

     We envision it as a welcoming gathering around the "hearth" of our community—a place where memories are honored, stories are exchanged, and connections are strengthened. Residents will be encouraged to share meaningful experiences, favorite memories, lessons learned, and moments of humor and gratitude from their lives.

     Our hope is that the two programs work together: Wisdom Circle offering deeper reflection and spiritual insight, and Hearth Gathering celebrating the warmth, humanity, and lived experiences that bring our community together.

     It also provides an opportunity for ownership to remain actively engaged with residents and families. We believe there is value in maintaining those personal connections, hearing residents' stories firsthand, and ensuring that leadership remains visible and accessible within the community. As a side benefit, these authentic relationships help communicate the culture and spirit of The Retreat to prospective residents and families.

We are excited to launch our first Hearth Gathering on July 8th at 10:30 a.m. and look forward to seeing how it evolves.