Dance, dance, dance!

Penn State student and Juniper Village at Brookline dietary associate Kaylee Macko doesn't have a lot of free time, but this member of PSU's Student Nutrition Association uses what time she has nurturing the spirit of life in others. This past weekend, Kaylee participated as one of 700 dancers at THON, the University's annual dance marathon/year-long effort to raise money to fight pediatric cancer. This year was Kaylee's second time participating in the nation's largest student-run philanthropy, but her first time as a dancer.

When the junior--majoring in nutrition and dietetics, and minoring in gerontology and human development and family studies--was asked what drove her to participate in the event, she shared the following: " Last year, I came to THON to support my best friend while she danced for her organization. The second I walked into the stands at the BJC, I was completely overwhelmed and inspired by everything that was going on. I knew then and there that I had to find a way to contribute to this amazing cause. One month later, my club was having elections for the executive board positions for the following year. I decided to run for THON Family Relations Chair and to my surprise I won! My job was to be the person who directly contacts our THON family and be the one in charge of setting up events and activities for my club and I to do with the family. After meeting the Potters (our THON family) and getting to know Corban (our THON child) and his journey with Pediatric Cancer, I really wanted to try and run for the chance to dance on their behalf and be able to represent this amazing and courageous family on the floor during THON weekend. I was so ecstatic when I won. It was by far the hardest thing I ever had to do emotionally and physically, but definitely the most memorable and rewarding experience of my life. Words really cannot explain the things us dancers go through in those 46 hours; Laughter, tears, aches and pains. I wouldn't change or take back a single second of that weekend for anything! At the end, when we were able to FINALLY sit down, I just sat there and cried like a baby. Not because I was tired or in pain, but because it was all over. I could not (and still cannot) believe that the BEST weekend of my life was actually over."

This year's THON raised $13,026,563.23.

Painting Their Hearts Out

Outside things may be frozen, but creative juices were flowing inside during “Ceramic Masterpiece Creation” night on February 12. As we work all month to awaken our passions through artistic expression at Juniper Village at Brookline, residents and family members tried their hand at pre-fired pottery painting. Each participant chose from a variety of ready-to-decorate pieces including vases and planters, and got to work designing one-of-a-kind works of art. “It was a lot of fun for everyone,” said Connections Director, Jill McKenrick, adding that “it was great to see everyone working together, laughing, and enjoying one another’s company so much.” The event was such a hit that McKenrick says she plans on hosting a similar event in the near future.

You Gotta Have Heart!

February is American Heart Month, and Janie Provan and Anissa Rupert Ilie from Juniper Village at Brookline are pleased to be serving on the Executive Leadership Committee for the Central PA chapter of the American Heart Association’s 2015 Heart Walk, set for Sunday, September 27, 2015 at Millbrook Marsh in State College.

The Heart Walk exists to make healthier, longer lives possible for everyone, by raising funds to help reduce cardiovascular diseases and strokes. To join or support Team Juniper Village at Brookline, or for more information on the walk visit our team page HERE.

Awaken Your Passion: February Events

This month at Juniper Village we continue our Creative Expressions Series with a focus on Art.

Creating art for many of our seniors has been a lifelong passion, for others it may have been a casual hobby or serious vocation. Whatever the reason, art has substantial benefits to our bodies, minds and spirits! In Successful Aging, John W. Rowe, MD, and Robert L. Kahn, PhD, discuss key aspects of successful aging: low risk of disease, high mental and physical functioning, and being actively engaged in life. Expressive art activities promote active engagement in life in positive, healthy, and fulfilling ways - in other words, nurturing the spirit of life. Recent studies further indicate that older adults who participate in art programs have fewer doctor visits, use less medication, and experience a lower rate of depression – all resulting in lower healthcare costs.

Our fabulous activity offerings this month include our Print Making with Annie Swincinski, a Local Artist/ Arts Fest Winner, who will demonstrate the printmaking process and showcase some of her creations as she uses her art as a therapeutic outlet to express her emotions and facilitate her personal transformations on February 2^nd at 2:00 pm (1950 Cliffside Drive Rehab and Skilled Care); our Paint Your Art Out Wine and Chocolate Event extending a special invitation to those in our community who help us to help others including those who work in the fields of senior living and healthcare to join us and local artist Susan Robb for a fun-filled evening as we sip Seven Mountains Wine Cellars wine and sample some delectable chocolate creations while you paint your own wine glass to take home as a reminder of how much we appreciate all you do on February 16^th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm (1900 Cliffside Drive Willows Senior Living Dining Room); or our Resident Art Gallery Open House where you can delight in the artworks of Juniper Village Senior Living residents on display—and up for sale—including original watercolor and acrylics on canvas paintings, with proceeds to benefit the Art Alliance of Central PA, while enjoying delectable finger foods and beverages on February 25^th at 6:00 pm (1930-1940 Cliffside Drive The Inn & The Pines Senior Living).

Look through our calendar and plan to join us this month and “Awaken Your Passion” as we explore various mediums to expression through weekly art programs and visits to local art museums. Or, if art isn’t your thing, tailgate with us during the Super Bowl, await the Ground Hog’s prediction, our join in one of our festive celebrations on Valentine’s Day, Presidents Day or Mardi Gras.