Resident Leroy Felty Still on the Move After Sprint Car Career

He blazed around area speedways for nearly four decades as one of Lebanon County's most celebrated and accomplished race-car drivers ever. Today, at age 86, Leroy Felty is still on the move. Only now, he's usually on foot.

"I just had a physical and passed with flying colors," Felty said proudly last month while sitting in the living room of his home at Juniper Village in South Lebanon Township. "I don't take any medications -- nothing."

If you live in South Lebanon or are driving along Route 422 east of the city, you might see Felty and his wife of 61 years, Betty, on one of their mega-walks.

"We walk to Home Depot," Felty said with a smile, "then we go to the bank, then we cross (Route 422) and go to CVS and Giant. And then we walk home."

Felty says he has another walking route in South Lebanon that covers 2 1/2 miles. As you might have guessed, he loves to walk. He also rides a bicycle and owns a moped that he occasionally takes out for a spin.

He credits his excellent health to staying active, steady exercise and avoiding "sitting around the house." He shovels his own sidewalk in the winter and helps neighbors with their snow removal. He volunteers at Juniper Village, calling bingo games twice a week. He and Betty also enjoy working on puzzles and playing cards with friends.

Mementos of his 37-year racing career are tucked away in a corner of his garage. Painted on a large mirror are images of more than a dozen race cars he drove at speedways on the East Coast. Surrounding the mirror are photos, plaques and trophies from his career -- although most of his trophies are gone, thanks to an act of generosity and humility.

"I had 110 trophies, and we moved from the big house we had in Jonestown," Felty recalled. "We didn't have any place to put them. I loaded them up on a truck and took them to Port Royal and told the PA announcer, 'Tell the kids to come down and get a free trophy.' We gave 110 trophies away to kids that day."

Read the full story from Lebanon Daily News.

May 2015 Events in Lebanon, PA: Grow Strong Daily

Fitness is on our mind during our May 2015 events in Lebanon, PA at Juniper Village at Lebanon with our Alive In All Seasons theme “Grow Strong Daily”. As you know, physical activity is good for you both physically and mentally. Regular physical activity can help you to continue to do the things you love and stay independent as you age. Exercise can reduce the risk of developing some diseases and reduce symptoms of some chronic conditions such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and balance issues.

But, if exercise has not been a part of your daily routine how do you take that first step? Start by making it fun! Turn a walk around the block into a scavenger hunt – search for daffodils, birds, squirrels or lucky pennies. Instead of a dip in the pool, create an adventure as you pretend to swim with the dolphins. Rather than send your co-worker an email, walk to her office and communicate face to face, double the benefit with a smile! What’s important is to make it fun and just start – today!

Join us for our May 2015 events in Lebanon, PA at Juniper Village at Lebanon as we will Grow Strong Daily with Fitness Five, and walk “cross country” with our Route 66 Walking Program and learn more about keeping our hearts fit at our Healthy Heart Luncheon. We look forward to sharing these and many other activities with you this month. Peruse this month’s calendar, and we will see you soon!

Our fabulous May 2015 events in Lebanon, PA at Juniper Village at Lebanon include our:

§  National Senior Health and Fitness Day as during this fun-filled event, seniors will have the opportunity watch a healthy cooking demonstration, learn how to line dance, take a walking tour, learn yoga and so much more on May 27^th from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm.

§  Community Yard Sale and Book Sale with all proceeds, including the food sales, will support the American Heart Association on May 30^th from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm.

We hope to see you at one or more of our May 2015 events in Lebanon, PA at Juniper Village at Lebanon!

Juniper Village at Lebanon Resident Creates Items to Ease Children's Fears

At the age of 92, Katie Faiola's seamstress skills are still being called upon to help.

A resident of Juniper Village in South Lebanon Township, Faiola sews colorful pillowcases to be given to young patients at the Hershey Medical Center. When the kids leave the hospital, they can take their cheery pillowcases with them.

Patterns of bears and dolls, dogs and cats on their pillows help to make the kids' stay a little less threatening.

A Lebanon resident all her life, last year, after the passing of her husband, Herman, Katie moved to Juniper Village, an assisted living facility.

The pillowcases are a project of the Lebanon Quilter's Guild, and in 2013, the crafters of the Guild sent more than 4,000 pillowcases to children at HMC.

Faiola has created hundreds of the cheery pillowcases, usually making one or two a day.

"When I have something to sew, I'm happy," Faiola said. "I try to keep after with making them, because I have a lot of time on my hands, instead of just sitting in my room. Although, I do read, too."

Rebecca Duke, public relations manager for Juniper Village, said Katie's work is very much appreciated.

"The quilters' guild is such a dynamic organization," Duke said. "They give about 100 pillowcases a month (to HMC), and Katie can crank these out a couple a day. She makes bags for residents' walkers and table runners, too. It gives Katie something meaningful to do."

As Faiola sits before her Sears sewing machine in an activity room at the Village, she carefully inserts straight pins into the cuff of a lavender pillowcase before she turns to sew it by machine.

"I'm doing this for the sick kids; that's why I like doing this," Faiola said.

Read the rest of the story from the Lebanon Daily News. 

Photo credit Jeremy Long of the Lebanon Daily News.

April 2015 Events in Lebanon, PA: Believe in Yourself

Welcome to April - the name derived from the Latin word Aperire meaning “to open”; the month when everything starts to bloom and come alive. What better time to really put forth your best efforts and see the true beauty inside than the month in which everything begins anew! Diana Ross, in the Wiz, advises “believe in yourself, right from the start. You'll have brains; you’ll have a heart; you’ll have courage to last your whole life through if you believe in yourself.” So let’s put our best foot forward, believe in ourselves and we can move mountains!

Join us for our April 2015 events in Lebanon, PA at Juniper Village at Lebanon as we pull pranks on April Fool’s Day; honor Jesus Christ on Good Friday, followed by hiding Easter eggs; celebrate the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery on Passover; and celebrate mother earth on Earth Day and Arbor Day. Peruse this month’s calendar as we focus on the brain through our Daily Brain Builders, Wii tournaments and our Healthy Brain Luncheon. Plan to join us for any and all events. Also, check out our Healthy Aging Resource Library to learn more about the brain or any number of health related topics. We look forward to seeing you during this fun filled month.

Our fabulous April 2015 events in Lebanon, PA at Juniper Village at Lebanon include our:

Ø  Understanding and Coping with Stroke presentation by Amanda Mae Marbarger, stroke coordinator for the Good Samaritan Health System, who will provide insight into stroke including the signs and symptoms, early intervention, treatment options, as well as support groups on April 7^th from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Ø  “Sweet & Sassy Seniors” Line Dancing performance lead by Peggy Confair, followed by interactive participation as Juniper Village has partnered with the Maple Street Senior Center to provide dancing for fitness on April 14^th from 10:30 am to 11:30 am.

Ø  Juniper Village Open House where throughout the afternoon you’ll have the opportunity to tour our beautiful campus and participate in various workshops such as information on our new Theralink program, end of life and estate planning and real estate options, while light refreshments are served and everyone will go home with a “goody” bag on April 30^th from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

We hope to see you at one or more of our April 2015 events in Lebanon, PA at Juniper Village at Lebanon!

Talent Among Us

Juniper Village Residents showcase their talents during the month of March in celebration of "Performance." 

Katherine Hoopes, Resident and wife of Juniper Village's Chaplain, is a gifted violinist.  She shares her talents by offering private violin lessons in her Cottage. Katherine and her students performed for the Juniper Residents during a violin recital titled "Fun with Fiddles."

Kit Nitrauer, currently our most senior Resident at 102 years old, shares her musical skills while providing piano accompaniment to our Joyful Noise singers.

Some Juniper Village Residents and Staff participate in a musical group called, One Achord, which performs at local healthcare communities.

When one comes to visit us at Juniper Village, Nancy Moyer can be found sitting at the piano in the lobby playing a beautiful collection of hymns to her friends who gather around her at the piano.

Juniper Village at Lebanon is blessed to have such talented individuals among us.

Juniper Communities Introduces Theralink for Onsite Integrated Therapy at Juniper Village at Lebanon

Juniper Communities, a national owner-operator of Juniper Village senior living communities, is rolling out Theralink in all its facilities, and locally at Juniper Village at Lebanon. Theralink is an on-site program designed to help residents regain and maintain independence, fitness and overall wellbeing. It is being implemented through a newly established partnership between Juniper Communities and Genesis Rehab Services.

“Rehabilitation, restorative services, and fitness are vital to healthy aging and whole person wellness,” explains Lynne Katzmann, CEO and Founder of Juniper Communities. “Coordinated with other clinical services permits, Juniper will be able to provide integrated post-acute care onsite at the communities through Theralink. This is especially important for Juniper’s residents who want and need more intensive rehabilitation services in their ‘home’.”

Grant Welson, Area Director for Genesis Rehab Services states, “Juniper is taking an industry lead by creating Theralink to offer onsite therapy services where they are integrated into everyday patient care. Feedback from preliminary implementation from Juniper’s residents has been overwhelmingly positive.”

The Theralink program will provide physical, occupational, speech, and when needed respiratory therapy that is integrated into the care Juniper currently delivers. Elements of Theralink include special balance and strength training, and fall prevention programs; technology and apps that facilitate and record personal fitness training; dementia management programs that integrate cognitive and occupational therapies; cardiopulmonary management; and monthly assessment reports.

March 2015 Events in Lebanon, PA: Your Treasure Is Within

Treasure hunting has been around forever! The search for riches has evolved from archaeological digs revealing lost treasure to present day treasure hunts such as television’s “The Amazing Race”. Much has been written about the allure of treasure, but one thing that we’ve come to realize is that the treasure within is the most valuable of all. Each one of us has a treasure within and through our March 2015 events in Lebanon, PA we will be exploring that treasure at Juniper Village at Lebanon - be it your ability to sing, play a musical instrument, recite dramatic prose or balance a spoon at the end of your nose. No treasure is too small! In the immortal words of Captain Jack Sparrow, “Not all treasure’s silver and gold, mate.”

With our March 2015 events in Lebanon, PA at Juniper Village at Lebanon we end our Creative Expressions Series with a focus on Performance. Please join us during our March 2015 events in Lebanon, PA while we recognize “Your Treasure is Within” as we provide opportunities to express yourself through our weekly drama clubs and by attending theatrical performances. If step dancing and corned beef and cabbage is more your thing, sample all that is Irish with our annual St. Patrick’s Day party or walk the red carpet and share your movie trivia skills at our Oscar Party.

Our fabulous March 2015 events in Lebanon, PA include our Estate Planning Basics special complimentary informational session on understanding wills, living wills and power of attorneys (POA) with Michele Calvert, an attorney with Reilly, Wolfson, Sheffy, Schrum and Lundberg LLP, while a light lunch is served on March 5^th at noon; or our St. Patrick’s Day Party with Irish tunes featuring traditional instrumentations and harmonious melodies performed by Bonnie Koons on March 17^th at 3:00 pm; our Spring Fling Business Reception complimentary to individuals in business, nursing, hospital care, rehab facilities, et cetera to build business connections while enjoying light refreshments on March 19^th from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm; or our Spring Egg Hunt as all little ones up to age 10 are invited to hunt for colorful eggs in our charming courtyards on March 28^th at 10:30 pm.

We hope to see you at one or more of our March 2015 events in Lebanon, PA, so check out our calendar for more!