Juniper Village Heart Walk Team Reaches Goal!!!

Juniper Village at Lebanon co-worker Patty Spancake had a dream of reaching $1,000.00 for our team to be able to turn in at the annual Heart Walk that we have been participating in for the past four years. Even though we have been working all year long having various fund raising events such as The Big Yard Sale in May, bake sales, book sales and quarter raffles, it is doubtful that anyone thought we would ever reach Patty's goal for us.  But then WE DID!!!  Resident Mary Behney did the final count of the money, and she came up with around $850.00, well short of our goal.  That was our total even as we began to pick people up on our bus, which was full of residents ready to walk;  however, our Environmental Services Director, Jon Davies, pulled into the parking lot while we were still loading up our picnic lunch and gave us the rest of the money to reach our goal and even beat it by $1.00!  So we were able to turn in $1,001.00, truly a Juniper Village miracle!  Thanks for dreaming big for us, Patty!  And thanks so much to everyone who participated in one way or another throughout the year--every quarter and every dollar plus all of the many donated items helped us to reach our goal!  Get ready--we'll be starting in November with another quarter raffle to reach our goal for next year:$1,002.00!!!!!

The Joyful Noise Singers "Summer Tour"!

The Joyful Noise Singers were on the road a lot this summer bringing their singing talents to several area facilities.  First, they sang patriotic songs at the VA Hospital in Lebanon, which had some of the veterans in tears by the end!  Then they sang a complete set of familiar hymns at Countryside Christian Community in Annville.  Those residents commented that they were so happy to hear hymns that they could sing along with.  Then, just three days after that concert, the Joyful Noise Singers provided special music for Grace U.C.C., the home church for two of our choir members.  Later that same week, they did an encore presentation of the hymns concert for the residents at Juniper Village.  One resident in the audience commented that she thought it was their best performance ever!  They do seem to improve with each performance, and they always seem to do better in the actual concert than they sound at practice!  One singer was asked to put her autograph on the program when it was noted that she is a direct descendant of the famous hymn writer Fanny Crosby, who wrote one of the hymns that we sang.  We are all looking forward to our next concert in November at Juniper Village:  a Comedy Revue!  We have also been asked to do a Christmas program at The Lebanon Senior Center in December, so we have a lot of practicing ahead of us, which this group seems to enjoy as much as the show!

October 2016 Events in Lebanon, PA: Show Your Colors

As we say good bye to Indian summer, we welcome the cooler air and slower pace of the autumn season. From warm apple cider, everything pumpkin and end of season hiking trips, there are so many reasons to enjoy autumn. William Cullen Bryant says it best, “Autumn, the year’s last, loveliest smile.” With the seasonal changes now in full swing we see fall flowers appearing where summer blooms once stood and leaves changing into vibrant shades of yellow, orange and red. The evening air has a slight chill and carries the scent of campfires, leaves and cinnamon spice. Our activities turn from swimming and baseball to raking leaves and football. Not only is Mother Nature showing her colors, but we begin to show our team colors with a focus on sports! Join us throughout the month as we bond over sporting events while cheering on our favorite teams, complete with tailgate parties and snacks.

Throughout October we will show our colors as we sponsor and support local sports teams. We will honor our associates who show their colors by “nurturing the spirit of life” with The Juniper Spirit awards. Alas, October would not be complete without celebrating the season with our annual Halloween Costume Party, which is open to ghosts and goblins of all ages. Join us this month and Show Your Colors!

Our fabulous October 2016 events in Lebanon, PA at Juniper Village at Lebanon include our:

§  Kidney Smart®... Learn How to Manage Your Kidney Health during this program, you’ll learn what causes kidney disease, diet resources that can help keep you healthy, and how to manage other related conditions, including diabetes and high blood pressure because a kidney disease diagnosis may feel overwhelming, but early education can help you feel more prepared, and there is no cost to attend and a light lunch will be provided; this event will be held in The Club of the Community House on October 19^th from noon to 2:00 pm. (RSVP by October 17^th to 717-272-8782.)

§  Shoulder Pain Relief is Within Your Reach so don’t let chronic pain stop you from enjoying the activities you love; join Dr. Anthony Helwig of WellSpan Orthopedics to learn about current treatment options to help you find relief; there is no cost to attend this informational session and a light lunch will be provided; this event will be held in The Club of the Community House on October 28^th from noon to 1:30 pm. (RSVP by October 26^th to 717-272-8782.)

§  4^th Annual Family Halloween Carnival as all young children and pets are invited to participate in our Halloween costume party and trick-or-treat event; Juniper Village will transform into an old fashion carnival complete with fun carnival games and snacks; Juniper Village Residents will be handing out candy for the children and biscuits for the dogs; we look forward to seeing everyone there on October 29^th from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm.

We look forward to sharing our October 2016 events in Lebanon, PA at Juniper Village at Lebanon with you as you Show Your Colors.

Making Upcycled No Sew T-shirt Tote Bags

Recently the crafters at Juniper Village learned how to make tote bags out of old t-shirts.  It was fun choosing which shirt to use, and it was amazing how quickly a shirt could be turned into a tote bag!

Every bag was unique, depending on the use of beads, the size of the shirt, and any other embellishments that were added.  The pictures tell the story:  everyone was thrilled with their final results, thanks to Tanya's expert instructions and ideas!

More S'mores Please!

On Labor Day, the residents of Juniper Village at Lebanon decided to have an impromptu S'mores Party on the patio, led by Connections Director Tanya Flemming.  There is nothing quite like the combination of toasted marshmallows, Hershey's chocolate bars, and graham crackers to bring back memories of gathering around a campfire.  Perhaps some residents learned how to make these when they were in Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts.  It looks like some staff members need to have private lessons on how to not burn their marshmallows!  It is an artform to get just the right amount of toastiness without catching the marshmallow totally on fire!  Yummmmmm!

A Trip To The Islands

August 17th was our Trip To The Islands at Juniper Village at Lebanon. We started out the day with making our own Tropical Paper Leis in craft class - followed by a limbo contest, where staff and residents participated.  Then we invited families and friends to join us for a Tropical Luncheon.  But the main event was a musical trip to the Islands by Jamie and Henry.  They sang and used many types of instruments to make us feel that we were in Hawaii.  The day ended with a beach movie.  With the heat wave we have had all during August, we really felt as if we were in Hawaii!  Aloha!

September 2016 Events in Lebanon, PA: Spread Your Joy

As the air begins to cool and summer wanes, Juniper Village ends our “Stay Connected” series by recognizing Friendship and Joy. What is it that brings you joy? Is it the wet nose of a newborn pup? The smile of your first grandchild? The taste of a triple chocolate ice cream cone? Whatever it is we invite you to share that joy with others at Juniper Village this month.

Much attention has been paid to studies regarding the effects of stress on your health, but what about the effects of joy? The landmark “Nun Study,” as it's often known, revealed that positive emotion is correlated with longevity: 90% of the most cheerful quarter of nuns was alive at the age of eighty-five, whereas only 34% of the least cheerful quarter lived to that age. Similarly, 54% of the most cheerful fourth was alive at age ninety-four, versus 11% of the least cheerful. Of the 678 sisters in the original study about four dozen are still living. So go ahead, grab that triple chocolate cone it might just extend your life!

Join us this month as we celebrate friendship and staying connected with calendar events such as our annual daffodil planting and our home warming, birthday party and Best Friend initiatives.

Our fabulous September 2016 events in Lebanon, PA at Juniper Village at Lebanon include our:

§  The Power of Pet Therapy because it’s no secret that animals seem to lift our spirit and soothe our soul, and pet therapy can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, increase self-esteem and improve social skills, so join us at Juniper Village as K-Pets shares the benefits of pet therapy and their personal experiences during this complimentary program that is open to anyone who would like to know more about the healing power of pets with no cost to attend and a light lunch provided on September 14^th from noon to 1:00 pm. (Please RSVP by September 12^th to 717-272-8782.)

§  “Care of the Caregiver” - Time to Rejuvenate presentation by Michele DeVore, RN, Licensed Massage Therapist and Certified Medical Support Hypnotherapist from Hospice for All Seasons, who will create a space to explore with an experiential opportunity to learn about and discuss the barriers and benefits of taking time to rejuvenate self, because in keeping with the theme of FRIENDSHIP – we must be our own best friend first, so you will be encouraged to participate in activities such as meditation techniques, use of music, aroma and massage, so come and enjoy some time just for you, as there’s no cost to attend this interactive session and a complimentary light lunch will be provided on September 21^st from noon to 1:30 pm. (Please RSVP by September 19^th to 717-272-8782.)

§  Havin’ Fun Beatin’ the Drum with Wendy and Scott Gilbert of Drum2B1, who will share their passion and the therapeutic benefits of “beating the drum” at this hands-on Drum Circle session that will lift your spirit and soothe your soul, free to all attendees on September 29^th from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. (Please RSVP to 717-272-8782.)

We look forward to sharing our September 2016 events in Lebanon, PA at Juniper Village at Lebanon with you as you Spread Your Joy.