An Old Fashioned Christmas

The historic Riverside Inn was one of many resorts built in the late 1880’s at the height of the mineral springs craze in the United States. It was operated as a resort for vacationers heading to the nearby springs that gave Cambridge Springs its name.

Today it is the only resort still standing in the area and is operated as a hotel and dinner theater. With the exceptional cuisine, marvelous plays and beautiful Christmas décor of days gone by, it is a favorite stop to take a step back in time for many people. For residents at Juniper Village in Meadville, it is a preferred choice for an old fashioned Christmas lunch.

Christmas Spirit

With sparkling eyes, rosy red cheeks and Mrs. Claus at his side, residents at Meadville Juniper Village were excited to have a visit from the big man in red during our holiday celebration. Everyone had a jolly good time and Santa actually chuckled until his belly jiggled when one of our ladies requested that rather than she sit on his lap that he sit on her lap! He did so with glee, taking note that she must be one on the “naughty” list. It was a wonderful, magical night filled with family, friends and much holiday spirit. 

December 2016 Events in Meadville, 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 Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville include our:

§  Culinary Class Nutter Butter Reindeer for a fun time with Chef Erin to learn how to make festive and delicious creations for all of your holiday parties and cookie exchanges on December 15^th at 1:00 pm.

§  Lunch and Learn Beating the Winter Blues please join us for a complimentary lunch and presentation by Dennis Chludzinski of Lakeland Area Hospice, will focus on how the effects of winter can affect how we feel, think and behave because more than noting the effects of winter upon us, the presentation hopes to show ways of dealing with this seasonal time by positive and constructive ways of thinking and acting on December 21^st at noon.

We look forward to sharing our December 2016 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville with you as you Celebrate Little Things.

It’s All Worth It

Art, son of a former resident here at Juniper Village in Meadville gave us what we all strive for every day. He sent a letter commending us on what great care we took of his mother. A couple of statements taken directly from his letter were “All of the staff from top to bottom were so kind, considerate, caring and professional that we could of never asked for more.” Another quote from his letter was “My mother was treated with dignity and respect far exceeding our expectations , and that is something we will never, ever forget”. We have these goals at Juniper Village for every resident every day but nothing is more encouraging than when family recognizes and acknowledges it. As a special thank you Art and his wife, Kathy, treated the entire staff to subs, pop and cake, far exceeding a simple thank you and reminding us that all we do is worth every effort.

Honoring Great Men

Veterans Day was extra emotional this year as Lakeland Hospice social worker, Mary MacIntosh presented a heartfelt speech thanking the Veterans for the great sacrifices they made for our freedoms. Lakeland also brought some Veterans from the local Meadville VFW to pin our gentlemen and present them with a certificate of recognition.  It was very touching to listen to the men talk, especially when two of them realized they were actually in battle together! We will forever be indebted to these hero’s and it is our privilege to honor them.

Trick or Treat on Chestnut St

On Thursday, October 27, residents, family, and best friends dressed up to pass out a few tricks but mostly treats to goblins and ghouls of all ages. From witches to dominoes, every character had a frighteningly good time during this much anticipated annual event.

November 2016 Events in Meadville, PA: Show Your Colors

Each November we turn our attention to Family with our Alive In All Seasons Theme: Cherish the Journey. We have always enjoyed helping our residents chronical their individual life journeys through journaling. In addition to keeping track of the daily happenings in our lives, journaling has surprising health benefits as well. University of Texas at Austin psychologist and researcher James Pennebaker contends that regular journaling strengthens immune cells, called T-lymphocytes. He also believes that writing about stressful events helps you come to terms with them, thus reducing the impact of stress on your health. Other research indicates that journaling decreases the symptoms of asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. Scientific evidence also shows that writing your thoughts down can help clarify your thoughts and feelings, help you to know yourself better, reduce stress, and problem solve more effectively. An additional benefit of journaling is that you are leaving a legacy for future generations. Review your journal together! Reminiscing about the events in one’s life is a way to affirm who they are, what they’ve accomplished in life and relive happy times. So, pick up a pen and Cherish the Journey, the benefits are endless!

Join our journey through November as we honor and celebrate family and the journey of life with our autobiographical journaling. Help us support our greater community with our annual Food Drive and our on-site support groups. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Our fabulous November 2016 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville include our:

§  Veterans Day Luncheon for a complimentary lunch to help us cherish and thank our Veterans, we will be holding a Veterans service with special guests from Lakeland Area Hospice on November 8^th at 11:30 am. (RSVP by November 4^th to 814-333-4400.)

§  Alive In All Seasons Thanksgiving Dinner as we give thanks with family and friends a $5 donation, but kids 5 and under eat free on November 10^th at 4:30 pm. (RSVP by November 4^th to 814-333-4400.)

§  Cherish the Journey Tracing Your Roots Lunch and Learn with Mary MacIntosh, who has been a genealogist for over 35 years, and she will share how to find and get more information about your ancestors through various resources in a presentation that will support both beginners and intermediate genealogists on November 16^th at noon. (RSVP by November 13^th to 814-333-4400.)

We look forward to sharing our November 2016 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville with you as you Show Your Colors.

Fall Festivities

Residents at Juniper Village in Meadville always enjoy the festivities of fall and although colors of autumn in Northwestern Pennsylvania are always a beautiful sight to behold, this year the colors were extra vibrant and alive with color.

We had an exquisite summer like day this October to take in the sights of the stunning colors on our country drive as well as at the annual Conneaut Lake Pumpkin Festival. Resident’s enjoy going to the Pumpkin Fest and having the opportunity to look at hundreds of craft displays, eat yummy festival food, listen to live music and act like kids.

Whether it’s pumpkin painting, a trip out, or making creepy crawly pops for the anticipated trick or treaters this crew loves all the hustle and bustle of the fall festivities.

Calling All Grandparents

Whether they go by Grandma and Grandpa, Nana and Pap or Meme and Papa, Calvary Baptist Christian Academy called all grandparent’s to a celebration put on just for them. Preschool through sixth grade went all out for their quests.  They had practiced very hard for a special program that included lots of singing, sharing of quotes and musical talent. A cup and clapping hands were the musical instruments used by the sixth graders to produce an amusing song that delighted everyone. There were also yummy homemade cookies and it was an extra special time for our resident, Greta Hawkins, who had the opportunity to see two of her granddaughters perform.

There were many wonderful heartwarming quotes that were shared but it was unanimous the one that summed it up the best was “Grandparents are there to help you get into mischief that you haven’t thought of yourself!”

Juniper Village at Meadville Receives High Marks From State

Juniper Village at Meadville has received a perfect, deficiency free survey from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services for its personal care home license.

“This is such a tremendous affirmation of the good work we do here,” said Monica Blood, executive director. “It is very difficult to receive this rating, and it means we are taking exceptional care of our residents as well as our own operations.”

The review by the state examines medication administration, regulatory compliance, resident care, day to day operations, staffing and more. Also, the department reviews records to confirm that each resident is obtaining the proper level of individual care. To achieve this perfect survey, the staff and leadership at Juniper engage in constant follow-up on residents and procedures, according to a press release.

“It truly does take a village to ensure each resident is being provided exceptional care and receiving a deficiency free survey is proof of the great job our team is doing," Blood said. "What it means to residents and families is that they can expect nothing less than exemplary care at our Meadville community."

Juniper Village has a detailed matrix that tracks quality measures, most importantly falls, medication errors and re-hospitalizations that is continually monitored to identify areas in need of improvement.

Forever Friends

Two of our very special ladies were extremely excited when they heard their longtime friend’s name. Could it be that after more than seventy years these two friends would be reunited? Indeed, Lou and Faye were!

They met over ice cream in a store by the name of “The Newsroom” over seventy years ago. The ladies struck up a conversation and came to realize that both of their husbands were gone in the Merchant Marines. Lou invited Faye and her infant daughter to move in with her while the men were gone, and Faye took her up on the offer. They have many wonderful memories of late night talks, listening to music and writing letters to their husbands.

After the men returned, Faye and her husband moved away and the ladies lost touch. That is until Faye moved into Juniper Village where Lou was already living! They are once again enjoying one another’s company, and just like old times it is often over ice cream.

October 2016 Events in Meadville, PA: Show Your Colors

As we say good bye to Indian summer, we welcome the cooler air and slower pace of the autumn season. From warm apple cider, everything pumpkin and end of season hiking trips, there are so many reasons to enjoy autumn. William Cullen Bryant says it best, “Autumn, the year’s last, loveliest smile.” With the seasonal changes now in full swing we see fall flowers appearing where summer blooms once stood and leaves changing into vibrant shades of yellow, orange and red. The evening air has a slight chill and carries the scent of campfires, leaves and cinnamon spice. Our activities turn from swimming and baseball to raking leaves and football. Not only is Mother Nature showing her colors, but we begin to show our team colors with a focus on sports! Join us throughout the month as we bond over sporting events while cheering on our favorite teams, complete with tailgate parties and snacks.

Throughout October we will show our colors as we sponsor and support local sports teams. We will honor our associates who show their colors by “nurturing the spirit of life” with The Juniper Spirit awards. Alas, October would not be complete without celebrating the season with our annual Halloween Costume Party, which is open to ghosts and goblins of all ages. Join us this month and Show Your Colors!

Our fabulous October 2016 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville include our:

§  Aging with Knowledge, planning your future and knowing your options, to join us for hors d'oeuvres and an interactive panel discussion where you will learn and be able to ask questions about the options available to us as we age, featuring speakers from SouthernCare Hospice, Rolling Fields, Interim Healthcare, Waid Funeral Home, Home Instead, Elder Law Attorney, and of course, Juniper Village, co-sponsored by Juniper Village at Meadville and SouthernCare Hospice on October 6^th at 6:00 pm. (RSVP by September 31^st at 814-333-4400.)

§  AIAS Oktoberfest to celebrate Oktoberfest with the oompah sounds of the German Group, Keystone Bavarians, so join your friends and colleagues for traditional German fare and beer; take a tour of Juniper Village and register for giveaway on October 16^th at 4:30 pm. (RSVP by October 8^th at 814-333-4400.)

§  Lunch & Learn: Sports News with Katie Gauss who blazed a trail in Erie, PA as the first full-time female sports reporter, adding a woman’s touch to a role traditionally filled by men; Katie is eager to come and share her passion for sports and the excitement of reporting on them on channel WSEE on  October 19^th at noon. (RSVP by October 15^th at 814-333-4400.)

§  Trick or Treat on Chestnut Street so bring your goblins and ghouls for a frighteningly good time at this much anticipated annual event with no RSVP necessary on October 27^th at 6:00 pm.

We look forward to sharing our October 2016 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville with you as you Show Your Colors.

A Wing and a Prayer

Residents and family members at Juniper Village in Meadville are always ready to welcome Tamarack Wildlife and their feathery friends that owe their lives to the dedicated staff and volunteers of the Wildlife Rehab Center. Their goal is to rehabilitate injured wildlife and release them back into the wild, however sometimes even with all the TLC they receive it is not possible for them to survive on their own and so they care for and use these birds of prey for education.  

They brought three different species of rescued birds to share with us. First we met Lady Hawk, a red tailed hawk that came to them with a wing injury when she was less than one year old and this year is celebrating 25 years at Tamarack!

Next we met a barred owl named Sophia who was brought to Tamarack to be treated for a broken wing. Although she has healed, due to the location of the break she has limited flight so she now calls Tamarack home. Barred Owls are one of only two Pennsylvania owl species that have dark eyes (other owls have a yellow iris) and they are the most vocal variations of any Pennsylvania owl. It was interesting to watch our hunters identify recordings of the different owl’s hoots and screeches and do a little educating of their own, informing us that the sound of a Barred owl, that was quickly identified by resident, Jon McNutt is used to call out turkeys.

Lastly we were delighted with two screech owls, Willow and Jasper. Willow and her three babies were found when a tree limb containing their nest was cut down. All of her owlets were able to be released at Presque Isle but due to Willow’s wing fracture she has remained at Tamarack and has done a wonderful job mothering other injured owlets that have come and gone. Then along came Jasper, a male screech owl who came with damage to one of his eyes and one of his ears. Now that he is healed he is a marvelous companion to Willow and a great foster father to other rescued owlets.

Tamarack is happy to customize a program just for any audience and we highly recommend taking them up on the offer for an up close and personal encounter with these birds of prey your spectators will never forget.

September 2016 Events in Meadville, PA: Spread Your Joy

As the air begins to cool and summer wanes, Juniper Village ends our “Stay Connected” series by recognizing Friendship and Joy. What is it that brings you joy? Is it the wet nose of a newborn pup? The smile of your first grandchild? The taste of a triple chocolate ice cream cone? Whatever it is we invite you to share that joy with others at Juniper Village this month.

Much attention has been paid to studies regarding the effects of stress on your health, but what about the effects of joy? The landmark “Nun Study,” as it's often known, revealed that positive emotion is correlated with longevity: 90% of the most cheerful quarter of nuns was alive at the age of eighty-five, whereas only 34% of the least cheerful quarter lived to that age. Similarly, 54% of the most cheerful fourth was alive at age ninety-four, versus 11% of the least cheerful. Of the 678 sisters in the original study about four dozen are still living. So go ahead, grab that triple chocolate cone it might just extend your life!

Join us this month as we celebrate friendship and staying connected with calendar events such as our annual daffodil planting and our home warming, birthday party and Best Friend initiatives.

Our fabulous September 2016 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville include our:

§  AIAS Friends & Family Dinner and Recycling Presentation by Meadville Waste who offers curbside collection of recyclables to their residents, but there is so much more to be learned and we hope to see you here on September 8^th at 4:30 pm. (Please RSVP to 814-333-4400 by September 2^nd.)

§  Hospice Myth Busters because choosing hospice care can be a difficult decision for individuals and their families and there are a lot of misconceptions about the service, and as a result, many who need quality pain and symptom control, along with social and emotional care, do not take advantage of hospice, so join Juniper Village and SouthernCare Hospice to “bust the myths about hospice” on September 15^th at 6:00 pm. (No RSVP required.)

§  Lunch & Learn where we practice “Spreading the Joy” with the talented speaker Meg Maly who has been speaking at various locations throughout the community and we are very excited to have her join us for smiles, laughs and a generally good time on September 21^st at noon. (Please RSVP to 814-333-4400 by September 16^th.)

We look forward to sharing our September 2016 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville with you as you Spread Your Joy.

A Trip to the Isle

Many residents grew up going to Presque Isle on Lake Erie biking, fishing, and camping or just to have a day at the beach with their family. Some things never seem to change, as residents enjoyed the day as much today as in years gone by. We along with over 4 million other people love and visit Presque Isle every year and we are blessed to have it almost in our back yard! Although it’s a peninsula, not an island, the name given to it by the French is very fitting as it means “almost an island”. Being one of the five Great Lakes, Lake Erie is 57 miles wide (north to south), with Canada being on the other side, and 241 miles long (east to west). It is on average 62 feet deep with the deepest point being a whopping 210 feet!

This is one of our favorite summer outings with an extra highlight this year of having lunch at iconic Sara’s, an old fashion diner with good old hamburgers, hot dogs and root beer floats.  As much as we love our food though the pinnacle of the trip was getting out on the beach, feeling the sand between our toes and the warm breeze off the water, smelling the sunscreen & barbecue, listening to squealing children playing on the beach and looking out over the tranquil lake. Nothing better for a good night’s sleep than a trip to the Isle.

August 2016 Events in Meadville, PA: Breathe in Life

Each August we turn our focus to the environment by offering social events and educational opportunities on living a more environmentally sustainable life. By making caring choices and creating helpful habits we can all make a difference to our planet.

Did you know that an aluminum can may remain in its current condition in a landfill for up to 500 years? That same can, when recycled, can end up back on your grocer’s shelf in as little as two months. Recycling that aluminum can also saves energy. Enough energy, in fact, to power your television for three hours! Aluminum can be recycled over, and over and over again – without limit. Americans will use about 2.5 million plastic bottles every thirty minutes. If that bottle is not recycled it can spend the next 450 years or more in a landfill. A modern glass bottle will take about 4,000 years to biodegrade. Glass is 100% recyclable and can be recycled again, and again and again. So, the next time you are enjoying a delicious beverage, be conscious of the packaging and make the choice to recycle.

Join us this month as we promote the environment with a focus on our recycling programs – from annual rummage sales to shredding and more; our educational offerings will help you to support our environment and Breathe in Life!

Our fabulous August 2016 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville include our:

§  Alive in All Seasons Friends & Family Picnic as we are excited to bring back old traditions and have a picnic style dinner on our front lawn with the upbeat, fun filled music of the Lamberts on August 11^th at 4:30. (RSVP by August 6^th to 814-333-4400.)

§  Go Green Workshop Lunch & Learn to find out more about “Going Green” and the benefits not only for our mind and body, but also for our environment, because it’s never too late to be more environmentally conscious on August 17^th at noon. (RSVP by August 12^th to 814-333-4400.)

§  Wild Animals Presentation on wild birds and other wild creatures by Tamarack Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Center, Inc. founded in 1989 by Harriet Wilson, that upon first opening, treated all types of injured wildlife, but due to the high demand, now specializes in birds of prey of all ages, adult seed-eating songbirds, turtles and opossums, though they do care for other species of wildlife when they have enough staffing, room and funding on August 26^th at 2:30 pm. (No RSVP required.)

We look forward to sharing our August 2016 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville with you as you Breathe in Life.

Good Food, Good Friends, Great Life

What better way to bring people together than over good food? For our theme of “Food: Live in Wellness” residents at Juniper Village in Meadville have been enjoying getting out, sharing cooking experiences, and laughs with others while slicing  and dicing up some yummy treats. One of our favorites being a unique but incredibly tasty blend of sweet peppers, corn, onion, black beans and a couple of secret ingredients to make a healthy snack of salsa. Another healthy favorite was our Nigerian inspired fruit salad which also inspired a lot of laughs during the making of yet another succulent snack.

As important as it is to eat a healthy diet it is believed that perhaps the greatest aid to digestion is the company of others. Sharing these experiences offers the  perfect opportunity to enrich our lives with the company of good friends, conversation and healthy food.

July 2016 Events in Meadville, PA: Stand in Integrity

Ah...the good old summer time filled with lazy, sunny days, ice cold treats, Independence Day celebrations, and get-togethers at the beach. Another sure indication of summer is our Alive in All Seasons theme of Volunteerism.

July is the perfect month to honor all of the many volunteers who contribute thousands of hours of time in service to our communities. From our four-legged volunteers to those of the two legged variety we are proud to say we receive more than 10,000 hours of precious time each year. We simply could not do it without all of your help, and this month we honor you. We will also be promoting the spirit of volunteerism by volunteering our time to help others. If you have some spare time on your hands consider joining us for a volunteer activity or better yet volunteer your time with us, we’d love to have you. What qualities make a good volunteer? Energy, passion, flexibility, creativity, reliability, commitment and perhaps most important of all – integrity.

Volunteerism benefits all parties involved. In addition to making new friends, volunteering also helps increase your self-confidence, provides a sense of purpose, combats depression and helps you stay physically healthy. Helping others also kindles happiness, as the London School of Economics found the more people volunteered, the happier they were.

In addition to volunteering opportunities, plan to join us during July for our summer celebrations and share our thanks as we honor those who Stand In Integrity with us.

Our fabulous July 2016 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville include our:

§  Fourth of July Celebration with upbeat music by Empty Pockets, and during our celebration we would like to invite you to help us thank our many veterans who have served our country and now call Juniper home on July 2^nd at 2:00 pm. (RSVP to 814-333-4400 by May 27^th.)

§  AIAS Dinner and Presentation as we are excited to learn more about the RSVP program which has several truly wonderful benefits to our residents and our community as a whole on July 14^th at 4:30 pm. (RSVP to 814-333-4400 by July 8^th.)

§  Lunch and Learn: Recycling as we learn about recycling and the way it affects our environment, presented by Meadville Waste on July 20^th at noon. (RSVP to 814-333-4400 by July 15^th.)

We look forward to sharing our July 2016 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville with you as you Stand in Integrity.

A Civil War Fashion Show

Our ladies & gentlemen at Juniper Village in Meadville were captivated by some original articles of clothing and other adornments dating back as far as 1861 brought in by civil war re-enactor, Jan Lauer. She shared a lot of history about the many items she brought like the well-known favorite of the southern belle’s, the hoop skirt. As she dressed up our connections assistant, Sue Ellen, she shared how they normally dressed in several layers of clothes, as many as 7! She also dressed Sue Ellen up in a practical dress of that time period and explained that it was not an original as they are very scarce due to the ladies wearing them out and having to discard them. She also shared that ladies kept up with fashions primarily through “Godey’s” magazine and how they always wore gloves and a bonnet when outside because to have color on any part of your skin was a sign that you were a peasant.

Jan is also a part of Pennsylvania’s 150^th Volunteers, better known as the Bucktails. They do reenactments in Gettysburg, Ohio, New York, Meadville, Pennsylvania, and you can be sure we plan to be in Diamond Park to see them. The reenactment that is the most special to Jan is in Washington D.C. in September at Lincoln’s “Cottage”. It is by invitation only and the Bucktails are the only re-enactors invited to this beautiful Victorian house that President Lincoln once spent summers at and is currently an Armed Forces Retirement Home. The Meadville Bucktails were Lincoln’s personal guards so they are rightfully invited to the one day living history event where they have an encampment, do a firing demo, and fashion show. There are many other festivities as well, such as Civil War Era music, picnics and tours of the cottage.

When asked why she became a Bucktail  Jan said “Because 600,000 of our own country men died and I want people to remember that freedom does not come free”. Well said Jan!

June 2016 Events in Meadville, PA: Live in Wellness

What is wellness? The National Wellness Institute defines wellness as "a conscious, self-directed and evolving process of achieving full potential." At Juniper we believe in fostering this definition of wellness everyday by offering programs and services that help our residents achieve their full potential. As we wind down our Healthy Aging series, this month we focus on Food by highlighting our H’Art and Soul of Dining Signature Program.

Throughout our lives the most important discussions, revelations, decisions and announcements have transpired around the dinner table. When company came over we caught up on the latest gossip over coffee and fresh baked goods. If you needed advice from your parents, it was often given while enjoying Mom’s delicious pot roast on a Sunday evening. Why should that be any different when you enter your retirement years in one of our communities?

With the kitchen often being the heart of the home, we have developed H’Art and Soul of Dining with this in mind. This program strives to impart spirited service, companionship and nourishment through sharing the joy of good food – just like home! Our dining program is designed to not only meet resident’s physical needs, but their emotional and social needs as well. We believe this program provides a perfect balance of nutritious and delicious food choices, comfortable atmosphere and ambiance, social interaction, cleanliness and a spirit of service.

Indulge with us this month as we focus on the “heart” of the home with program offerings centered on food and nutrition such as our hydration program with healthy snacks and juices and educational presentations by a dietitian. Join us in June as we Live in Wellness.

Our fabulous June 2016 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville include our:

§  AIAS Dinner & Presentation by Dietician Diane Grieshaber as we learn about new and improved eating habits that will be beneficial to our overall health while enjoying a delicious meal on June 9th at 4:30 pm. (RSVP to 814-333-4400 by June 3rd.)

§  Lunch & Learn: Presentation by Penn State Master Gardeners on therapeutic gardening with a complimentary lunch as we are excited to learn of the many benefits gardening can have for our physical and emotional health on June 17th at noon. (RSVP to 814-333-4400 by June 11th.)

§  Walk on Ernst Trail as we brave the elements on the beautiful Ernst Natural Trail, and each participant who mentions this announcement will be given a ticket for a FREE gift, so tie up those shoes and be prepared to have a great time as we look forward to seeing you all there on June 23rd at 10:00 am. (No RSVP required.)

We look forward to sharing our June 2016 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville with you as you Live in Wellness.

Nathan Reed from Juniper Village at Shenango Wins The 2016 Juniper Communities “ Best Chef” Competition!

On Sunday, April 24 the Dietary Managers from the three Western Pennsylvania Juniper Communities gathered for their annual “Best Chefs” Competition.  This year, the competition was held in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Forest Hills 9^th Annual Chili Cook Off.  The three Juniper Communities Dietary Managers competing for the “Best Chili” and the Juniper Communities title of “Best Chef for 2016” was Ken Miller, Dietary Manager for Juniper Village at Forest Hills.  Nathan Reed, Dietary Manager for  Juniper Village at Shenango, and Erin Bringredler, Dietary Manager from our Juniper Village at Meadville community. 

The Rotary Club of Forest Hills’s Chili Cook Off had 15 Contestants and over 250 visitors from the local area tasting and voting for their favorite Chili entry.  Also selecting a winner, was the Celebrity Judge for the event Chris Fennimore. TV Celebrity from WQED TV and host of QED Cooks.

After much tasting, Nathan Reed from Juniper Village at Shenango was crowned the “Best Business Entry” Award and received $200.00 from the Rotary judges. Surprisingly, his entry was also selected as the Best Juniper Communities entry.  Congratulations Nathan!!  You are Juniper Communities “ 2016 Best Chef’s” Award winner!   Your “Cowboy Chili” entry really won the hearts, and the taste buds, of these city slickers!! 

May 2016 Events in Meadville, PA: Grow Strong Daily

We all know that regular physical activity is great for overall health. But do we all understand the dangers in being inactive? Studies indicate that sedentary lifestyles are risky. For the most part, when older people lose their ability to do things on their own, it doesn't happen just because they've aged. It's usually because they're not active. Lack of physical activity also can lead to more visits to the doctor, more hospitalizations, and more use of medicines for a variety of illnesses. In recognition of those facts, Juniper nurtures wellbeing by encouraging an active body, an engaged mind and a fulfilled spirit through our innovative Signature Programs such as Connect4Life, Connections and H’Art and Soul of Dining.

We continue our Healthy Aging Series with a focus on Fitness. In the wise words of J.R.R., Tolkien, "All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost." This month we will Grow Strong Daily so as to not wither, but to thrive as we develop strength in bodies, minds and spirits.

This month we invite you to join us as we Grow Strong Daily with activities such as our Daily Brain Builders, Wii, and our Brain Healthy Luncheon. We also invite you to expand your knowledge in our Healthy Aging Library.

Our fabulous May 2016 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville include our:

§  Music & Memory Seminar informative presentation by Dr. Lisa May on the benefits of our upcoming release of the Music & Memory program that will help enrich the lives of our residents with dementia with light refreshments provided on May 9^th at 6:00 pm.

§  Alive Inside Dinner and a Movie where we will be presenting our Music & Memory Movie: Alive Inside, a 2014 documentary following social worker Dan Cohen, through his nonprofit organization Music & Memory that advocates for the use of music therapy for dementia patients on May 12^th at 4:30 pm. (RSVP by May 6^th to 814-333-4400.)

§  Fitness for Life Lunch and Learn presented by Carla Moss who will talk about the benefits of staying physically active even in our later years on May 18^th at noon. (RSVP by May 13^th to 814-333-4400.)

We look forward to sharing our May 2016 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville with you as you Grow Strong Daily.

Toonspire

For a combination of inspiration, entertainment, 100% engagement, and a loud and clear message about trying and never giving up on your dreams, Duane M. Abel can't be beat!"

With a unique blend of drawing, acting and storytelling Duane tops himself by picking up a pen and presenting an astonishing cartooning demonstration. At any given time our residents were educated, encouraged and entertained. I highly recommend him as Duane ignites passion!

What’s All the Buzz About?

Residents at Juniper Village at Meadville had a great time and were intrigued  by Kathy Vorisek, a local honey bee farmer, and all that she had to teach them about the Queen Bee, the drones, the worker bees, how her honey bee hive operates, and the fact that it takes an average worker bee a lifetime to make about 1/12  teaspoon of honey!

Being that we focus on the brain during the month of April the biggest buzz about honey is the scientific studies showing it to benefit the brain and memory through the polyphenol properties it contains. However, there are many other exciting things about honey like that it is a great immune booster, the darker the better, it has more antioxidants in it, and of great interest is the long list of home remedies that using honey, a natural cure, can be used for example to boost energy, treat, burns, and insomnia,  to mention a few.

We were so fascinated that we visited her again for an Earth Day celebration to get more unBEElievable , buzzing facts and fun about honey and the bees that work so hard to make it.

2015 Successful Outcomes

April 2016 Events in Meadville, PA: Believe in Yourself

Do you know that embracing a healthy lifestyle promotes brain health as well? This month we embark on our quarterly Alive in All Season theme of Healthy Aging: Let Wellbeing Thrive. Throughout April we will focus on brain health and encouraging you to Believe in Yourself. We will learn more about how physical health and exercise, diet and nutrition, cognitive activity, and social engagement can help keep both your body and brain healthy and potentially reduce your risk of cognitive decline. At the 2014 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, results of a two-year clinical trial of older adults at risk for cognitive impairment showed that a combination of physical activity, nutritional guidance, cognitive training, social activities and management of heart health risk factors slowed cognitive decline. It’s never too late to make changes to achieve a healthier lifestyle.

Join us this month as we expand our knowledge of brain health and take steps to boost our brain health through our Healthy Brain series featuring our Daily Brain Builders and Wii Games designed to promote cognitive activity. Continue your research by perusing our Healthy Aging Resource Library, filled with volumes of information to help you and your loved ones age well. And, don’t forget to join us for our Brain Healthy Luncheon where we will nourish mind, body and soul. We look forward to sharing this month of healthful thinking and encouragement to Believe in Yourself – you can do this!

Our fabulous April 2016 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville include our:

§  Men’s Luncheon featuring Ralph Gomora from Lilac Springs who will present on PTSD while a complimentary lunch is served on April 6^th at 11:30 am. (RSVP to 814-333-4400 by March 30^th.)

§  Alive In All Seasons Dinner for a complimentary meal and presentation All About Honey Bees by Kathy Vorisek on April 14^th at 4:30 pm. (RSVP to 814-333-4400 by April 7^th.)

§  Lunch and Learn for  a complimentary brain-building meal and a presentation on Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body presented by the Alzheimer’s Association on April 22^nd at noon. (RSVP to 814-333-4400 by April 15^th.)

We look forward to sharing our April 2016 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville with you as you Believe in Yourself.

Breakfast Road Trip

Juniper Village at Meadville is always looking for a different reason for a road trip…  Why not BREAKFAST??

This week our connections department took a group of residents down to the Market House for breakfast.  The smiles on their faces is a representation of how much they enjoyed themselves!  The food was amazing and the requests to return another day were plentiful!

March 2016 Events in Meadville, PA: Your Treasure is Within

As we bring down the curtain on our Creative Expressions series we focus this month on Drama. Juliette Binoche said, “I think acting is about forgetting yourself in order to give the best of yourself. It's passing through you more than you're creating it. You're not the flower, but the vase which holds the flower.”

Through dramatic performance we are able to forget about ourselves while becoming someone else, if only for a moment. We can be transported to another time, another place and another way of thinking. With all of our inhibitions set aside we focus this month on breaking out of our shells to share a bit of ourselves with wild abandon through our weekly drama clubs which will culminate in a fantastic performance or reading of dramatic prose. We invite you to join us in this enlightening journey of self-discovery through the magic of theater this month. We will also be attending theatrical performances around town, where we can let our inner critic loose. One last opportunity to become someone else is offered during our Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations, where everyone can be Irish for the day. Join us as we feast on traditional Irish foods such as corned beef and cabbage, soda bread, shepherd’s pie and more! Lastly, March would not be complete without honoring the dramatic achievements of others with our own Oscar Party. This month we invite you to let your inner star shine at Juniper Village.

Our fabulous March 2016 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville include our:

§  Alive In All Seasons Dinner Oscar Awards for our annual Best Friends Oscar Awards to celebrate Juniper’s best friends program that allows our associates to truly become like family to our beloved residents on March 10^th at 4:30 pm. (RSVP by March 4^th to 814-333-4400.)

§  Acoustic Music with Mike and Kathy as we enjoy intimate acoustical performances of some of our favorite tunes on March 14^th at 5:00 pm. (No RSVP required.)

§  Lunch and Learn The Art of Performance by Marcie Williamson as we discuss the beauty exhibited in live recitals while enjoying a nutritious and tasty meal on March 16^th at noon. (RSVP by March 9^th to 814-333-4400.)

§  St. Patty’s Day Celebration with music from Rick Bruening in tribute to Irish heritage along with delectable refreshments on March 17^th at 6:00 pm. (No RSVP required.)

We look forward to sharing our March 2016 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville with you as Your Treasure is Within.

Meadville Learns to Paint

Juniper Village at Meadville is fortunate to have a resident art instructor in house!!!  Our resident Nancy J just so happens to be an experienced art instructor and has given several lessons over the years.  We put Nancy “to work” with instructing her fellow residents in the art of watercolors.  This art project was a huge success and the residents look forward to future classes being put on by their friend, Nancy!

Roses are Red, Violets are Blue

Roses are Red

Violets are Blue

King and Queen Sweetheart announced…

Guess WHO????

Juniper Village at Meadville celebrated Valentine’s Day with a Alive in All Season’s Sweetheart Dinner!  The residents and staff are given a chance to vote for the King and Queen.  The crown is awarded to the couple that most exemplifies true Valentine Sweethearts.  Of course no sweetheart dinner is complete without a yummy prime rib feast which was enjoyed by all!!!

The 2016 Sweetheart couple is, Mr. & Mrs. Roy and Mary Schweitzer

Juniper Village at Meadville "Goes Red"

Juniper Village at Meadville helps to celebrate the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women! 

February 2016 Events in Meadville, PA: Awaken Your Passion

In February we turn our Alive In All Seasons focus to art and invite you to awaken your passion with us. Leo Tolstoy defines the activity of art as “To evoke in oneself a feeling one has experienced, and... then, by means of movements, lines, colors, sounds or forms expressed in words, so to transmit that feeling.”

This month we will transmit our feelings using many different mediums to let other share in our experiences, feelings and passions. We will travel through art around the world and experience art as it is meant to be – inspirational and transformative. We will feel the cool breeze and smell the fragrant blossoms of Monet’s gardens in Giverny, France as we gaze upon In the Garden and the Water Lilies series. We will feel the angst of Vincent Van Gogh as we admire his passionate works such as Vase with Twelve Sunflowers and The Starry Night. We will also pour our passion into our own creations evoking memories of the past to share with the future.

Please join us on this journey as we visit local art museums and create our own art through weekly craft programs. Celebrate with us as we recognize Valentine’s Day with sweets for the sweet and Fat Tuesday foods and fun at our Mardi Gras party.

Our fabulous February 2016 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville include our:

§  Sweetheart Dinner for a delicious meal as we celebrate our sweethearts and name our annual Sweetheart King and Queen on February 11^th at 4:30 pm. (Please RSVP to 814-333-4400 by February 5^th.)

§  Lunch and Learn featuring a presentation on the Art of Meadville Churches by the Crawford County Historical Society as a light lunch is served on February 19^th at noon. (Please RSVP to 814-333-4400 by February 12^th.)

§  Sip and Paint event for an evening of relaxation, painting, and wine tasting, with all supplies provided on February 19^th at 6:00 pm. (Please RSVP to 814-333-4400 by February 12^th. Cost is $30/person.)

§  Awaken Your Passion For Art  lesson with Tami Hritzay for those with a creative mind and fun spirit on February 27^th at 2:00 pm. (Please RSVP to 814-333-4400 by February 19^th.)

We look forward to sharing our February 2016 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville with you as we Awaken Your Passion.

Juniper Village at Meadville Wins 2016 Best of Assisted Living Award

Juniper Village at Meadville, a personal care community, was presented with a 2016 Best of Assisted Living Award for receiving consistently high ratings from residents and their families this past year on SeniorAdvisor.com, a premier ratings and reviews site for senior care and services nationwide.

Winners of the SeniorAdvisor.com Best of 2016 Awards represent the top tier of in-home care, personal care, assisted living, and other senior living providers, based on the online reviews written by seniors and their families. This exclusive designation places the winners in the top one percent of senior care providers according to those who matter most - the consumers.

Of the nearly 100,000 providers currently listed on SeniorAdvisor.com, about 1,000 have been recognized with this award.

Juniper Village at Meadville regularly receives highly positive reviews from their families like this one posted by Angela Perone. “I knew the moment I stepped foot into Juniper that my Dad would be taken care of. Upon meeting the staff, I felt immediately comfortable. The rooms are beautiful, the food very good and there is always an event happening to keep everyone busy!”

Kathy Freeman stated, “Excellent care! Wonderful atmosphere, delicious food. Very, very pleased with everyone and everything.”

"Families are increasingly looking to online reviews to find out who truly delivers great care for our

seniors, not just who claims to deliver great care," said Eric Seifert, President of SeniorAdvisor.com.

"Our SeniorAdvisor.com Awards program is all about celebrating the exceptional people who do just

that. We're honored to spread the word about these organizations whom families can entrust with the

care of their senior loved ones."

To qualify for inclusion in the Best of 2016 Awards, providers must have maintained an average overall rating of at least 4.5 stars while receiving three or more new reviews in 2015.