All Aboard With Conductor Colton!

Connections associate Dave Colton has been volunteering and working with the senior living community at Juniper Village at Brookline for as long as anyone can recall. Colton gives 100% of himself each and every day at JVB, but perhaps one of the very best things that he shares is his love of model trains. Collecting train tracks, structures and figures for more than 60 years, he says that it was his parents, grandparents, and some aunts and uncles who inspired his hobby. “I started getting pieces when I was around 10,” he shared, noting that some of his collection dates back to around 1900.

For years, Dave and his wife Dottie (also a valued JVB volunteer) opened the doors of their State College home to neighbors and friends, including past Brookline residents whom Dave would bring to the house himself. When some folks mentioned that bending down to see the trains was hard on their backs, Colton had a special elevated platform built for easier viewing of the display. For the past four years, he has been showing his magical holiday village in the Willows Dining Room for residents, guests and associates to enjoy. “I love it and the people love it!” Colton said. “I get more and more request to run the trains. I have a resident bringing her grandchildren over today at 4:30.” And with that, he was gone… off to deliver packages to Willows residents and spread more holiday cheer. The next time you’re at Juniper Village in December, be sure and stop by to see this enchanted exhibit; Dave will be happy to show you around!

The Giving Season

This holiday season Juniper Village at Brookline residents and associates were busy spreading cheer throughout the State College community. All JVB communities were official Toys for Tots collections sites, helping to collect three large boxes of toys this year for more than 3,000 less fortunate Centre County children. Since 1987, The Nittany Leathernecks Detachment, a community service organization composed of active, retired and former Marines, has headed the Toys for Tots mission in Centre County—considered one of the area’s premier charity events. The Centre County Toys for Tots campaign accommodates all religious protocols—in concert with economic eligibility—for Christmas, Hanukkah, Ramadan, and Kwanza during the December-January holiday seasons.

But that’s not all! Additionally, nearly 1,000 pounds of food and more than $200 in donations were collected for the State College Food Bank this year. Large grocery carts donated by Weis Market on South Atherton Street in State College (as well as $25 worth of groceries) were placed in three main lobbies at JVB, where they were quickly filled to the brim. Carol Pioli, executive director of the food bank—which serves over 300 area households per month—said that “offering a simple ‘thank you’ doesn’t feel enough, because [Juniper Village at Brookline is] helping to provide a basic need to those that are less fortunate.”

With monetary totals not yet in, JVB was one of 10 State College area businesses that teamed up for the “We Are The Kettles” Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign. Local companies and organizations spend a day ringing that famous bell around State College, and Red Kettles are decked with company logos, while associates bundle up for a good cause. This year, 10 JVB associates volunteered their time to the campaign. We even had one very special volunteer who commuted all the way from the North Pole!

Guten Appetit!

Residents of Juniper Village Senior Living at Brookline were treated to some delicious Austrian cuisine at the restaurant of one of their own. Inn resident Herwig “Brandy” Brandstatter played host to a dozen of his neighbors and a few Juniper associates at the downtown State College restaurant he opened with his son Bernd more than a dozen years ago. Herwig’s Austrian Bistro serves up authentic, homemade dishes including gulasch, wienerschnitzel, and apfelstrudel (perfected by Brandy’s late wife, Gundi).

Brandy began cooking with his father at the age of five and later attended culinary school in Salzburg, Austria; the same school where Bernd would attend years later. After leaving their hometown of Igls, Austria and first visiting State College in 1982, the Brandstatter family fell in love with the area, eventually moving here. For the next four years, Brandy ran Herwig’s Edelweiss, his restaurant just outside of State College. After dabbling in the travel industry for a while, Herwig’s Austrian Bistro opened downtown, moving to its current location on College Avenue in 2006.

Residents and associates alike enjoyed their recent visit to their friend’s family restaurant and look forward to returning soon!

Juniper Communities Appoints New Regional Director of Wellness and Wellbeing

Juniper Communities announces that Melissa “Missy” Ebner has joined Juniper as Regional Director of Wellness and Wellbeing. Missy brings a wealth of experience in nursing care, especially with seniors to her position. From a clinical perspective, her role will be to oversee the entire portfolio of clinical care and support for the residents, provide clinical oversight, and staff training. She is a licensed Registered Nurse (RN) in every state where Juniper currently has communities.

“We are very excited to have Missy join the Juniper family,” expressed Lynne Katzmann, CEO of Juniper Communities. “She comes to Juniper with a wonderful background and deep experience in the clinical complainants of senior living. She will be a great resource for our community wellness teams and to the home office team in this changing healthcare environment.”

Missy’s interest in working with senior living communities is that they offer residents more freedom than skilled nursing settings. “The seniors can be taken care of in a homelike environment and you can become a friend, not seen as a nurse or caregiver,” she explained. “Juniper’s staff is wonderful at treating the residents as a parent or grandparent, this doesn’t always happen in institutional settings.”

Juniper Communities owns and operates Personal Care, Assisted Living, Memory-Care, Skilled Nursing and Independent Living communities in NJ, FL, CO and PA.

“Nobody is as forward thinking as Juniper. They are far ahead of the curve in the industry and where healthcare is going. The staff I’ve observed go above and beyond, always doing more even though no one is looking,” Missy described of her building level observations.

Missy Ebner has worked in the healthcare industry since 1987. She received her LPN from the James Martin School of Nursing in 1987 and her RN from Excelsior College in 2005. She is a resident of Willow Grove, PA and born and raised in Pennsylvania. She has been married to Henry Ebner for 26 years and has three children, Corey, Shane and Cassidy.  Something her family and friends know about her is that she loves to shop the Outlets, and loves a good bargain!

Happiest Place on Earth

Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living is always a happy place to be… but this Halloween it became the Happiest Place on Earth! Associates chose their favorite Disney characters and magically transformed themselves into a scene right from a story book. There were princesses and villains, Toy Story and Finding Nemo characters, and even Mickey himself. Residents fashioned their own Mickey Mouse ears and joined in on the fun, too!

There was a public safe trick-or-treat evening for local kids and those in our very own Juniper family. We also dressed on Halloween itself, complete with a party and costume contest where residents crowned associate winners in the categories of best princess, best villain, and most magical. A spooktacular time was had by all!

Celebrate Little Things: December Events

This month is all about celebrations! Not only will we be celebrating holidays such as Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year’s Eve, but we will also celebrate the little things that make life worthwhile. Little things such as the reassuring touch of a friend’s hand, a kind word from an acquaintance and a warm smile from a stranger.

In our all too busy lives we sometimes forget to honor the simple things in life that bring us peace and joy. Most experts recommend that we allow 10-20 minutes of relaxation and stress relief each day. Making time for that can even be a stressful experience! During this busy month of baking, shopping, visitors and juggling tasks take time to remember what is really important.

Here are some tips to keep holiday stress in check: Acknowledge your feelings - you are not alone as holiday stress is not uncommon. Be realistic with expectations - you can only do so much, learn to say no. Ask for help when needed - everyone wants to be needed and may feel more included by being able to contribute. Plan ahead to minimize unplanned expenses and tasks. Take a breather - take a walk at night and do some stargazing, listen to soothing music, or get a massage. Above all enjoy all the holidays have to offer by sharing time with others.

Our fabulous activity offerings this month include our Wellness Seminar: Ask the Therapist where you can chat with one of our specialists to get more information on topics of concern to you on December 11^th at 9:30 am; our Dinner and Lights on the Lake at Cracker Barrel and Lakemont Park outing to share a meal with friends and enjoy the beautiful sights of the season on December 16^th at 3:30 pm; our Traditional Carols by the Nittany Knights Chorus performance featuring holiday music accompanied by light refreshments on December 22^nd at 7:00 pm; or our New Year’s Champagne Toast featuring cocktails and reminiscence with those dear to us on December 31^st at 4:00 pm!

Look through our calendar and join us during the busy month of December for our annual cookie exchange and holiday celebrations. Take time to Celebrate Little Things with those you love!