Meet Summer!

Summer and her brother Noah had entered some fantastic works into our annual “Awaken Your Passion” Art Show.  What a talented family!  Between the two, they had entered 6 items.  Truly exquisite was Summer’s Ukranian Egg.

Summer has been making Pysanky Eggs for the past 3 years.  A pysanka is a Ukrainian Easter egg, decorated with traditional Ukrainian folk designs using a wax-resist (batik) method. The word pysanka comes from the verb pysaty, "to write", as the designs are not painted on, but written with beeswax. She discovered how to create these true works of art by attending a demonstration at Campbell’s Pottery in Cambridge Springs, PA.  We and the community were impressed with the detail and patience that is put into each one!

Along with her recently found talent in these creations, Summer enjoys other forms of art and crafts including: watercolor, needle felting, sewing, miniature work, along with many others.  She also enjoys Tae Kwon Do, professional clowning and babysitting.  She gives credit to her creativity because she has been homeschooled all of her life, and that allows her to “go at her own pace.”  She and her brother, Noah, enjoy a fun and exciting schedule and they try many new adventures.

From Juniper Village at Meadville and Summer's family…HAPPY EASTER!

Art Show at Juniper Village at Meadville by Our Talented Friend Doris

by Doris (an email from our friend)

My eyes were immediately focused on the announcement in the newspaper of the upcoming Art Show to be held at Juniper Village at Meadville and seeing the words “AWAKEN YOUR PASSION.” This is my story and perhaps I will have enough courage and inner strength to enter my paintings to be judged.

My name is Doris and I am 78 years of age. After retiring, my husband Bob and I moved to Meadville in 2001; we are proud and very happy to call this wonderful community our permanent home.

And so, my story begins: I am laying in a hospital bed recovering from a stroke and experiencing difficulty speaking or moving. My eyes were closed and I began to see bold, brilliant flashes of color that were immediately overwhelming and fearful. After a time, I began to see the beauty and wonderment of all this and a beautiful peace and calm over me. With time and patience I recovered enough to function at a lesser level and feel quite Blessed by God to be living and able to enjoy the love and encouragement of my Family.

Over the next year, I began to feel a strong desire to try to paint a picture; I began with a watercolor of a seascape and moved on to oil painting of landscapes. I learned by practice, reading books and watching videos regarding the art of painting.

So, to complete my story, I must tell you that my firm faith in God and with the assurance that He has “Awakened My Passion” with the gift of creativity and perception of beauty that comes from within. God has given me so much, but I must continue to do the work.

It is with a humble and grateful heart that I would like to thank Brenton Steiger and the staff at Juniper Village at Meadville for hosting this Art Show and giving me this remarkable and uplifting moment in time to make my dream to become reality: “NURTURE THE SPIRIT OF LIFE.”

Oh, let me mention that I did win a Blue Ribbon for one painting and Honorable Mention for another one at the Art Show.

Sixty Years of Everlasting Love

After meeting at a Square Dance Hall and then the  final proposal at the Ice Capades, Twila and Jim Dodson, recently celebrated sixty years of marriage.    The "love at first sight" look still gleams in their eyes and is noticeable by all of those who come in contact with them each day.  The lovely couple was named Juniper's King and Queen for 2015 at the Annual Valentine's Dinner.  Their daughter and son-in-law joined in on the surprise and celebrated the evening with the new reigning "King and Queen". 

Juniper Communities Introduces Theralink for Onsite Integrated Therapy at Juniper Village at Meadville

Juniper Communities, a national owner-operator of Juniper Village senior living communities, is rolling out Theralink in all its facilities, and locally at Juniper Village at Meadville. Theralink is an on-site program designed to help residents regain and maintain independence, fitness and overall wellbeing. It is being implemented through a newly established partnership between Juniper Communities and Genesis Rehab Services.

“Rehabilitation, restorative services, and fitness are vital to healthy aging and whole person wellness,” explains Lynne Katzmann, CEO and Founder of Juniper Communities. “Coordinated with other clinical services permits, Juniper will be able to provide integrated post-acute care onsite at the communities through Theralink. This is especially important for Juniper’s residents who want and need more intensive rehabilitation services in their ‘home’.”

Grant Welson, Area Director for Genesis Rehab Services states, “Juniper is taking an industry lead by creating Theralink to offer onsite therapy services where they are integrated into everyday patient care. Feedback from preliminary implementation from Juniper’s residents has been overwhelmingly positive.”

The Theralink program will provide physical, occupational, speech, and when needed respiratory therapy that is integrated into the care Juniper currently delivers. Elements of Theralink include special balance and strength training, and fall prevention programs; technology and apps that facilitate and record personal fitness training; dementia management programs that integrate cognitive and occupational therapies; cardiopulmonary management; and monthly assessment reports.

March 2015 Events in Meadville, PA: Your Treasure Is Within

Treasure hunting has been around forever! The search for riches has evolved from archaeological digs revealing lost treasure to present day treasure hunts such as television’s “The Amazing Race”. Much has been written about the allure of treasure, but one thing that we’ve come to realize is that the treasure within is the most valuable of all. Each one of us has a treasure within and through our March 2015 events in Meadville, PA we will be exploring that treasure at Juniper Village at Meadville - be it your ability to sing, play a musical instrument, recite dramatic prose or balance a spoon at the end of your nose. No treasure is too small! In the immortal words of Captain Jack Sparrow, “Not all treasure’s silver and gold, mate.”

With our March 2015 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville we end our Creative Expressions Series with a focus on Performance. Please join us during our March 2015 events in Meadville, PA while we recognize “Your Treasure is Within” as we provide opportunities to express yourself through our weekly drama clubs and by attending theatrical performances. If step dancing and corned beef and cabbage is more your thing, sample all that is Irish with our annual St. Patrick’s Day party or walk the red carpet and share your movie trivia skills at our Oscar Party.

Our fabulous March 2015 events in Meadville, PA include our The OSCARS at Juniper Dinner for friends and family because each resident has a treasure that lies within them and we will be recognizing each person for what they bring to the community OSCARS style on March 12^th at 4:30 pm; our Hidden Treasures Candle Making activity as we create candles that have a hidden surprise inside on March 14^th at 10:00 am; our Historic Treasures of Crawford County Lunch and Learn as the Crawford County Historic Society will present facts and information about these true gems and the stories that describe their history accompanied by a complimentary lunch on March 20^th at noon; or our Easter Egg Hunt with family fun for all as we search for eggs hidden throughout the community with refreshments and activities on March 28^th at 10:00 am. Please RSVP for these events by calling 814-333-4400.

We hope to see you at one or more of our March 2015 events in Meadville, PA, so check out our calendar for more!