The Season of Giving More

Juniper Village at Brookline hosted their 2nd Annual Trail of Trees event during the month of December.  The Trail of Trees showcases a glittering array of trees which were painstakingly decorated by community businesses, organizations, and Juniper staff. Twenty-five trees in total filled the Senior Living buildings walking path, creating a festive holiday atmosphere.

Throughout December, residents, family, friends, and community members were invited to stroll the Juniper Campus and vote on their favorite trees. On the evening of December 21st, a cocktail reception was held in which all in attendance were welcome to make their final votes prior to the winners being announced. The Board members of the Centre County Geriatric Interest Network were the guest judges and decided the first through third places, and the tree with the most overall votes was announced as the Grand Prize People's Choice Winner. All winners received donations made to the charity of their choices.

*       Grand Prize People's Choice Winner: Good Shepherd Preschool
                Donation of $250.00 made to: Good Shepherd Preschool
*       People Choice for a Juniper Department: Juniper Village Housekeeping
                Donation made to: Centre County PAWS
*       1st Place: Juniper Village Directors of Community Relations
                Donation made to: Bob Ott Seed Grant through the Centre County Council of Human Services
*       2nd Place: Juniper Village Business Office
                Donation made to: Centre County PAWS
*       3rd Place: Adult Transitional Care
                Donation made to: The State College Food Bank

All trees will continue to be on display for the duration of the holiday season for all to enjoy. The Trail of Trees Event at Juniper Village at Brookline is just one more way that Juniper continues to Keep the Spirit throughout the holiday season by providing fun filled opportunities to support those community members most in need.

The Sounds of Music

Anyone visiting us here at Juniper Village at Brookline would be hard-pressed not to feel the Holiday spirit, as the campus starts to come alive with abundant decorations and festive holiday dress. We recognize the importance of also focusing on spreading good cheer through song and fellowship as well.  On December 5th the hills and halls of Juniper Village at Brookline were filled with the sound of (holiday) music provided by the Nittany Knights Barbershop chorus. The Nittany Knights are a thirty-person auditioned men's a Capella chorus which specialize in a barbershop style, four-part harmony.  This harmonious group has been entertaining the Centre region for over fifty years and is always a crowd pleaser when they pay their special visits to our Community. Joining our festive residents in attendance of this special concert were local community members, family, friends, and anyone looking for help in finding their own holiday cheer.  All in attendance were treated to an evening of seasonal favorites in a toe tapping and finger snapping program.

A holiday celebration of music would not be complete without a proper seasonal spread of holiday delights.  Not wanting to be outdone by the wonderful sounds of the season our very own Dining Services Director, Kris Kishbaugh, joined in the festivities by providing a traditionally themed assortments of cheeses, pickled vegetables, house made chips and crab dip, cheesecake bites, and a sampling of local wines. Certainly a pairing of our favorite things to help remind all of us of the joy of the Holiday season.


So long, farewell, and the very merriest of holidays from your friends at Juniper Village at Brookline.

The Season of Giving

The fall season is winding down at the Juniper Village at Brookline campus. On the outside, daylight is becoming shorter, the cold air is blowing in, and on occasion a snow flake flutters past the evergreens. However, on the inside, residents and staff are bustling around transforming rooms and halls into a winter wonderland. Among the winter decorations of snowflakes, figurines, and ornaments, are grocery carts. Yes, that's right...grocery carts. Inside these grocery carts, located at the main entrances of each building, are items being collected for the State College Food Bank.

Each year Juniper Communities holds a Food Drive through the month of November to support the local Food Banks, and community members that benefit from their services. The State College Food Bank serves as the main collection site that services the numerous other smaller sites in Centre County. In 2015, the State College Food Bank alone, served nearly 2, 000 community members, with 11% being older adults.

On November 30th, Juniper Village at Brookline campus delivered the donations collected throughout the month to the State College Food Bank. Items were boxed and weighed, and the results were impressive; in total the collection weighed 668 pounds!

This collection is one of many services that Juniper Communities hold to support local community members. For more information on the State College Food Bank, and to learn how you can help fight hunger, please visit www.scfoodbank.org. To learn how Juniper Communities supports their local community members, please visit their website at www.junipercommunities.com

"If you can't feed a hundred people, than just feed one." ~ Mother Teresa.

December 2016 Events in State College, PA: Celebrate Little Things

Juniper Village nurtures wellbeing by encouraging an active body, an engaged mind and a fulfilled spirit. This month this custom is more evident than ever as we share our celebratory spirit - mind, body and soul. December is a month filled with holidays and celebrations, but at Juniper we like to kick it up a notch! All around the community all of your senses will be stimulated as you see traditional holiday décor, hear joyous laughter and singing, smell heavenly treats baking and taste them as well. We will celebrate all the joyous little things that make this time of year so special. Traditions both old and new will be honored. And through sharing our numerous cultures and traditions with each other we will learn more about each other, opening the door to deeper understanding.

This month take a moment to reflect on the little things that bring joy to your life. Reminisce about the traditions from your past and the new traditions you have started with your family. Celebrate the holiday season with us as we share a bit of ourselves with our annual cookie exchange and ethnic holiday celebrations. December is always an eventful month and we look forward to sharing it with you.

Our fabulous December 2016 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living include our:

§  Nittany Knights Holiday Knights Holiday Concert Cocktail Concert to enjoy an evening of seasonal favorites by the Nittany Knights Barbershop Chorus at this free concert is sure to get your toes tapping and fingers snapping – you won’t want to miss it – and festive fare will be provided for this family fun event on December 5^th from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.

§  Steak Night as family members are invited to enjoy a themed meal with their loved ones and friends as we delight in the annual fun-filled fellowship event, served restaurant style by our Juniper associates on December 12^th from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. (Reservations required to 814-235-2041.)

§  Gingerbread Village as residents, families, and staff will be working together to create, house-by-house, a Gingerbread Village to be unveiled for your enjoyment, so please come to vote on your favorite creation, sing carols, and enjoy freshly baked gingerbread cookies and winter wonderland punch on December 15^th from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

§  Trail of Trees our 2nd Annual event, where a glittering array of trees decorated by community businesses and organizations will be on display, so stroll through the Juniper campus to vote for your favorite tree and make sure you stay for the Dash Away Soiree, where the winning trees will be announced, and our top trees will win a donation to the charity of their choice on December 21^st from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. (Trees available for viewing from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm daily until January 7th.)

We look forward to sharing our December 2016 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living with you as you Celebrate Little Things.