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.

What's Cooking?

The Pines senior living community at Brookline recently was host to a feast of Asian fare during an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Penn State (OLLI) cooking class. "Guys' Gourmet: Asian Influences” was led by instructors Steve Gentry, Hodge Barton and John Stevens, and featured foods from the Far East like potstickers, barbecued beef, and amazing almond cookies.

Juniper Village at Brookline is an official satellite site of OLLI, which offers year-round continuing education courses for the State College area community. Subjects range from history and science, to art, music, and dance. Brookline residents are offered discounted annual dues and course fees, which normally range between $10 and $30. “Asian Influences” brought in around 20 area community members, all of whom raved about their experience. Said one, “I just love these opportunities… I attend an OLLI class at least twice a month!” And we at JVB love the opportunity to have you here!

P.S. The potstickers were delicious!

Happy 100th Oliver!

There was great cause for celebration this week at Juniper Village Senior Living at Brookline, as Pines resident Oliver Runde turned 100 years young! Oliver’s daughter, Debrah, joined her father and a room full of his Juniper friends to partake in cake & ice cream, and a spirited sing-a-long led by local entertainment legend, pianist Ray Fortunato. Oliver told tales of his service in the US Army, and his work as an industrial engineer, and his time as President of Federal Glass in Columbus, Ohio. He fondly recalled his life in Florida with his late wife, Martha, and affectionately paid tribute to his three children, six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. At the end of the celebration, he was presented with special centenarian commemorative certificate from the Pennsylvania Senate.

When asked his advice for living a long and healthy life, his daughter sighted his unwavering positive attitude. Oliver said that we should all “live life the way it’s meant to be”, adding that we “be honest and take care of [ourselves].” Simply put, he shared, “I always just did what they told me!”

Happy birthday, Oliver, from your Juniper Village family!

Welcome New Beginnings: January Events

Welcome to 2015! What a wonderful time for us to reflect on the past year and forge ahead with new beginnings. January is a time for change when we make and sometimes break our New Year’s resolutions and focus on what we want to make better in the coming year.

January is also the month that Juniper Village begins our Winter Alive In All Seasons theme of Creative Expressions: “Explore Your Creativity” where in January we will focus on music! Research shows that music can help us physically by easing pain, helping us sleep better, eat less and enhance our blood vessel function. It is also suggested that music can help us mentally by reducing stress, relieving symptoms of depression, elevating mood, decreasing anxiety and improving cognitive performance. Hospitals are using music to help cancer patients manage stress and anxiety and to ease recovery in stroke patients.

Our fabulous activity offerings this month include our Harp Therapy as part of New Year, New You Day of Wellness with  the heavenly sounds of Certified Harp Therapist Ellen Slingerland who showcases how her music can have a soothing and comforting effect on listeners in the Second Floor Dining Room at Brookline Rehabilitation and Skilled Care (1950 Cliffside Drive) on January 5^th from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm; our ReMarkable Music with Grace Between Us to dazzle and inspire you with traditional hymns that are sure to impress in the Gathering Room at Wellspring (610 Whitehall Drive) on January 12^th from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm; our Winter Warm-Up Happy Hour with JT Thompson  for an evening of drinks and hot tunes by this Bellefonte native who is  a regular on the State College music scene in the Pines Piano Lounge at Brookline Senior Living (1940 Cliffside Drive) on January 14^th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm; our Alive Inside Screening of the inspirational and emotional film dramatically portraying the power of music and memory that left the audience humming and cheering at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival where it won the Audience Award in the Willows Dining Room (1900 Cliffside Drive) on January 22^nd from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm; or our Virtual Dementia Tour and Create Your Playlist Event an interactive, experiential journey into the realities of dementia that allows you to “walk in the shoes” of your loved one, enabling you to better understand their needs and behaviors, at the end of which you can create your own personalized music playlist and participate in an iPod and MP3 player donation drive for musical tools to utilize throughout the community in the First Floor Lobby at Brookline Rehabilitation and Skilled Care (1950 Cliffside Drive) on January 28^th from 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm!

Look through our calendar and join us this month as we explore our creativity through music with outings to local musical performances, Elvis’ birthday celebrations and concerts by our Joyful Noise Choirs. We invite you to Welcome New Beginnings at Juniper Village and make a habit of joining us for activities and events throughout the year!