Trick or Treat

Curly and his little pumpkin-lings sneaked down the steps just after dinner tonight. They got a head start on the festivities...just in time before the hundreds of children showed up to Trick or Treat on Chestnut Street. The residents had a spooktacular time!
All the usual suspects attended!

Moms brought their little ones to carry on tradition and roles are reversed as family attended to return the favor of all those years mom led the way Trick or Treating. It seems the Ladies at Juniper Village took a special interest in this event!

As Dick hands out one of the last pieces of candy for the evening, Curly's parents eagerly await her return. Proud smiles grow as they see Curly turn the corner, kids in tow, bursting at the seams with candy! Happy Halloween, from our family to yours.

The Great Pumpkin Escape!

Was it friend or foe? Who helped Tammy's Pumpkin escape into the night?!

Or...was it her lonely Pumpkin himself, donning his cape of glory and flying out into the crisp Autumn air to celebrate Halloween with a deserving family of children? We may never know!

Celebrating Sports and Best Friends!

Greetings friends! Early morning started off a bit chilly during our popular Breakfast in a Bag event, but the coffee kept me warm as did the smiles on the faces of those enjoying their healthy breakfasts. As late morning approached, I was eager to deliver a few final bags to the friendly volunteers at the Meadville Medical Center.


I returned to find Scarecrow standing guard and the sun peeking through the clouds to warm the bellies of our pumpkins lounging on the steps of Juniper Village. A chorus of pumpkins waiting to participate in a little friendly competition. Let the games begin! Residents, Associates and Pumpkins gathered together to celebrate Sports month in a Pumpkin Carving Contest. Juniper Village's Best Friends Program celebrates fellowship and friendship between associates and residents. Chef Erin may have had an advantage with her Best Friends, the Culbertson's, and thier communication experience after their many years of marriage. However, I'm pretty sure friends, Betty and Mary gave them a run for their money!

Jessica and Jean spun out of control with their crazy curly haired pumpkin. Great job J & J! You girls make a great team. I, perhaps, may have had the advantage with one of my Best Friends Lucy; she being an artist and all. But we will see as the judging progresses!


Darlene and Edith took chase with their cat-like reflexes and produced a meow-tastic pumpkin! Lillian displays her creative toothy grin on her pumpkin, and Mary Alice looks on as Rita and I display our goofy grimace!






The festivities will continue this weekend as our Best Friends connect and finish carving the remaining pumpkins. We are all geared up for the great Pumpkin Carving Contest...may the best...well...Best Friends, win!

YOGA for a healthier you!

Juniper Village welcomes Joan Smallenberger in with a warm yoga embrace. Joan (pictured on the left) wasn't in the door more than a few minutes before she was invited to her first Juniper Village Cultural experience. She observes fellow resident Lucy Echnoz as she demonstrates getting into proper position for the pose. Leslie Blake provided a beautiful yoga presentation to the Residents at Juniper Village this morning. Leslie put focus on proper breathing and listening to your body to recognize any limitations you may have with a pose. Each student of Leslies benefits from her personal attention to any current body pains or issues. Mary Tokarcik takes a moment to focus on her breathing. Residents learned today the technique of yoga breathing. Although the presentation was on Yin Yoga, a great practice for full breathing indicative of Hatha Yoga, another type of Yoga Leslie teaches, is the following technique: It is a rhythmic movement of breath that can be easily practiced laying on your back. Begin the 3 part phase by emptying your lungs entirely. Draw your breath in through your nose, slowly allowing your breath to fill your abdomen (diaphragmatic breathing). When your abdomen is swollen and full, then you allow air to fill the bottom of your lungs. Allow your lungs to fill completely by expanding your ribs (Intercostal breathing) and raising your collar bones (Clavicular breathing). Exhale through your nose. This is a silent breath completed in one continuous movement. Allow time in the morning, evening before bed and during any anxious or stressful moments to "Breathe in Life!" This action can become a part of your daily breathing, and with time and practice, you will soon experience the complete breath. Leslie tailored her class to the needs of the Residents at Juniper Village by addressing day to day concerns of the aging individual. Pose modifications were offered for those seated in chairs. She focused on poses to assist with back pains in the morning, moments of anticipation of a loved one visiting, fatigue and general poses to enhance whole person wellness. Overall, there were giggles of happiness from trying something new and moments of peace as we gathered on a Wednesday morning to connect with ourselves and enter the day in a more relaxed state. Thank you Leslie Blake, for introducing us to a holistic approach to our day. We look forward to learning more about mindful yoga for our mind, body and spirit. To learn more about Leslie Blake's Yoga practice, you may call 814-967-3010.

7th Annual Friends and Family Picnic

A cool and rainy Saturday afternoon emerged and one could sense there was something cooking by the aroma traveling down Chestnut Street. Even our friendly Mailman was curious enough to take a peek at the source! The wafting of delicious barbecued chicken, roasted corn and other summer fare welcomed family and friends as they gathered in the courtyard at Juniper Village. Families began arriving early for the event, with their sweet offerings in hand. Cookies, brownies, cakes, pies, and many other home made family recipes were proudly represented. Children’s laughter could be heard between the pattering of their feet as they joyfully played tag in the yard. Fellowship was shared among over 180 friends, family, staff, and residents who attended the 7th Annual Picnic.
There was much excitement and comedy surrounding the buttering of the corn. The theory was to dip the ears in a jar that was filled with hot water and butter floating on the top. Apparently, this has been known to make the buttering easier, however, the concoction became somewhat of a game to see who was making the biggest mess! It was a delightfully engaging memory making experience, and we wouldn’t have it any other way!
The rain was kind enough to hold off until the festivities outside were winding down. But as the rain drops slowly fell, the families gathered in the living room and dining room reminiscent of any other family holiday gathering at Grandma’s. Cheers of accomplishment beamed from the winner’s of the gift baskets at the Chinese auction. Nearly 30 vendors donated baskets in order to support the Juniper Village Garden project. Proceeds totaling over $150 will be enough to build another 2 raised garden beds! Thank you to all who participated and supported this effort. We hope to see you next year at the 8th annual Friends and Family picnic, or at one of our monthly Friends and Family nights the second Thursday of the month. We welcome you to celebrate with our Juniper Family as we "Cherish the Journey".

Full of Spirit...

We talk a lot about Spirit at Juniper Village. Juniper Spirit is evident the moment family and friends enter our community. As residents are making the move to Juniper, settling in before Mother Nature brings her blanket of snow, families comment on our warm home environment. We are a home, a family and an experience. We focus on Nurturing the Spirit of Life and one of those ways is by offering continued education opportunities.

The residents of Juniper Village have created their own "Spirit" in the form of Strawberry Merlot. The wine making class, which started about 6 weeks ago, has come to a sweet ending. Residents gathered last evening around Rich Pittner, for one final class, in which they corked 30 bottles of wine. It was unanimous! Paired with Apple Smoked Mozzarella, Vermont Cheddar, and Muenster atop an organic stone ground flax seed cracker, the combination was a succulent success!

Thank you again, Rich Pittner, from Windy Hill Wine making. Not only have we enjoyed learning something fun and new these past several weeks, but we have truly found a new friend. We appreciate you!