Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

Snow is exactly what happened at Juniper Village at Brookline on Saturday, January 21st! With a forecast predicting anywhere from one to four inches, associates prepared accordingly by treating sidewalks and parking areas. However, when the storm passed, it brought nearly eight inches of flakes, making the Brookline campus a winter wonderland. State College residents are used to snow during the winter, though this year has been abnormally warm, with late December temperatures reaching nearly 60 degrees.

Residents at Juniper Village enjoyed watching the falling snow from many beautiful indoor sitting areas, including a walking bridge connecting The Inn & The Pines. Also on the campus are two indoor porches, a fireside room, and a four-seasons sitting area that overlooks one of several ponds, perfect for a game of cards or a warm cup of tea. Come and join us, won't you? We'd love to have you!

Move Over Miles...

Move over Miles... there are some new giraffes in town, and Greta O’Toole, one of the newest members to the Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living family, is the reason! Upon touring Juniper Village, Greta was informed that Miles the Giraffe is a mascot for Juniper. She felt right at home then, as she has loved giraffes “for years.” She remembers as a child going to the local zoos and thinking that giraffes were “beautiful.” She has acquired giraffe statues, stickers, photographs, drawings, and even a key chain from friends, colleagues, and family members over the years. One of her favorite places to purchase ‘a giraffe or two’ is at the annual 10,000 Villages shopping event in State College, where unique gifts are sold from around the world. Greta plans to keep giraffes as part of her décor always.

Greta was born and raised in Florida, but spent much of her professional career working at Penn State as the Budget Administrator at the Institute of Policy Research through the Intercollege Research Program. Since her move in last November, she has become acquainted with many other residents and associates and feels that “the people who live here and work here are some of the friendliest people I have ever met.” Welcome to Juniper Village at Brookline, Greta! We are so lucky to have you!

Toast of the Town

Copyright 2016 - Town&Gown Magazine

Irma Schlow Zipser is, at 95, one of Centre County's oldest residents. She is also a beloved, long-time resident of Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living. Irma recently sat down with another local legend--Mimi Barash Coppersmith, Town&Gown magazine founder--to talk about life as a State College native, surviving breast cancer, and the library that bears her family's name.

Continue reading, here.

Dinner & Discussion with the PA Centre Orchestra

Karen Blair Brand, board vice president for the Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra, recently joined us for an evening of euphonious education, exploring the history of orchestral music and the Centre Orchestra. Accompanied by the trio of James Lyon, Kurt Kroeker and James Nackley, Blair Brand captivated the audience with everything from little known musical facts to the orchestra's upcoming season. During the presentation guests dined on a delightful chicken scaloppini dish prepared by senior living chef, Kris Kishbaugh.

The Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra is the only professional orchestra in Centre County. They perform an average of six concerts per season.

January 2016 Events in State College, PA: Welcome New Beginnings

Happy New Year! January is the time when we all welcome new beginnings and set resolutions to make this year better than the last. But how does one keep those resolutions throughout the year ahead? The New York Times offers four suggestions: First, make a concrete plan, something visual to embed it to memory. Second, put something you value on the line – is it your health or your pocketbook – keep that in mind when you are tempted to break your resolution. Third, bundle your temptations. For instance, you want to exercise more, but struggle getting to the gym and you also have a fondness for gossip magazines but feel they are a waste of time. Combine the two – read the magazines only at the gym! And fourth, seek social support. You can achieve more by pursuing goals with the help of a mentor.

Still haven’t made any resolutions? Resolve to join us every month for a wide variety of events and activities. This month we explore our creativity through music with outings to local musical performances, Elvis’ birthday celebrations and concerts by our Joyful Noise Choir. We invite you to Welcome New Beginnings and make regular visits to Juniper Village part of your new year’s goals!

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

§  Warm Up with JT Thompson as we enjoy pub-style refreshments and warm beverages while listening to the upbeat piano music by the popular pianist at this fun evening for the whole family on January 7^th at 6:30 pm. (No reservations required.)

§  Dinner and Discussion with PA Centre Orchestra to meet Board Vice President, Karen Blair Brand and members of the Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra for an evening of euphonious education as they explore the history of orchestral music and the Centre Orchestra with a dinner performance to accompany a delightful dinner of chicken scaloppini, red-skinned mashed potatoes, and green beans on January 13^th at 6:00 pm. (Reservations required and please inform us of any special dietary restrictions at 814-235-2041.)

§  Alive Inside: A Story of Music and Memory to view the 2014 documentary film chronicling Dan Cohen’s remarkable journey to bring the healing powers of the Music and Memory program to those suffering with dementia, and learn about the dramatically positive impact that personalized music can have on common dementia-related behaviors, and how Juniper Village at Brookline Wellspring Memory Care was the first to bring this groundbreaking practice to the area, so join us as we introduce the program into our skilled nursing population, and learn how you can help to make a difference on January 19^th at 6:00 pm. (Reservations required at 814-235-2041.)

We look forward to sharing our January 2016 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living with you as we Welcome New Beginnings.

Holiday Trail of Trees

This season, Brookline senior living held its first-annual Holiday Trail of Trees event to raise money for area non-profit agencies. More than 30 local businesses and organizations decorated evergreens that were beautifully-displayed throughout The Inn, Pines, and Willows communities, creating a festive holiday atmosphere. Trees were on view throughout December, and were voted on by ballot. On December 22, at a cocktail reception, votes were tallied for first through third places, and members of the Centre County Geriatric Interest Network named the Grand Prize People's Choice Winner.

And the winners and their charities are...

• Third-place: Douty Chalfa Automotive, $50 donation prize to the Alzheimer's Association
• Second-place: Juniper Village Senior Living Connections Department, $75 donation for the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center
• First-place: B Events & Best Events, $150 donation for the Centre County Women's Resource Center
• People's Choice: National Penn Bank, $250 donation prize to the Cancer Survivors' Association
  

Thank you to all who participated; we look forward to next year!

The Giving Season

The elves at Juniper Village at Brookline have been extra busy this month! After we wrapped up our November food drive, which collected more than 400 pounds of food for the State College Area Food Bank, collection for Toys for Tots was in full swing! Earlier this week we were able to send a car full of surprises for some very deserving State College-area children.

Additionally, associates--and the jolliest of all the elves, Santa himself--manned the corner of College Avenue and S. Allen Street on behalf of the Salvation Army. Bells were ringing and a choir was singing (just across the street), as the Red Kettle quickly filled to the brim. Nurturing the spirit of life in our residents and associates is a big part of what we do every day here at Juniper Village, and nurturing that same spirit in our greater community is equally as important. Wishing you all a very happy holiday season, from our family to yours.