Friends and Family Night~

Our Sports themed Alive in All Seasons Friends and Family Night was a touchdown!  Mark Matlack, Meadville Native, Meadville Rotarian and Allegheny Football coach took a "time out" from his busy schedule to join the Residents and Family of Juniper Village.  I often hear people say about Mark, "I don't know what Mark does if he is not working or involved in the community somehow!  He is always giving back!"

Buddies Lou and Dick sit with Lou's Daughter while they await Mark's arrival.  The living room was alive with Sports trivia and signing up for the sports prize.  The Cleveland browns dueled the Pittsburgh Steelers in the basket give away!

   

Paul and Anna share a chuckle during the trivia. 

Jeanette calls her family to share that she was one of the winners of the sports basket give away!

Thank you Mark for the great evening.  We look forward to seeing you soon!  I hear your team will be joining us for lunch!  Allegheny College has always been a large supporter of Juniper Village with volunteer efforts.  Thank you for giving back and joining our Juniper Village Family for the evening.

polka

Conneaut Lake Park hosted a Polka Fest on August 20th that a few of our Residents were sure to not miss!  Sophie Korn and Alvin Mesarch were spotted dancing all night long!  The Residents enjoyed sodas, smiles and the new friend ships they made.

Bill Smith, Bettie Hipple, Hazel McLaughlin, Alvin Mesarch, and Sophie Korn enjoyed a quick break and a review of the Polka Times.

Sophie and Alvin joined a neighboring group of folks for a few laughs and Sophie braved the dance floor with her new friend!

Hazel and Alvin show off their moves.  Marcy, Connections assistant, and Hazel later give "Cheers" to the fun night!  Thanks to Pam Mitchell, Connections Director (the evenings Photographer) for capturing the excitement on film.  We look forward to reading up on the next outing!  Cheers!

Meadville Women's Club Garden Division

Mary Wilber from the Meadville Women's Club Garden Division (GFWC) paid a visit to Juniper Village last week with many of her GFWC friends!  The Meadville Women's club has been instrumental in Juniper's completion of the beautiful garden boxes that now grace our courtyard.  The generous $200 donation enabled the remaining flower boxes to be constructed.  When asked where the money comes from, Mary Wilber explained how at each meeting money is donated by the clubs members.  At the end of the year, the Club decides who to give support to in our local community.  Juniper is on the list now of the nearly 30 organizations to benefit from the support of the GFWC Meadville Women's Club.  Pictured above, the group takes notice of the fruit and vegetables that are bursting by their kind donation.  Cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, beets, green tomatoes, peppers and many beautiful blooming flowers.

Mary joins residents, associates and her fellow Club members in the Reynold's Dining Room for an informative session on gardening.  Pictured to the right are the the colorful Irises from Mary's own garden.  As they proudly display their heritage, it is clear to see how the Iris is named after the Greek word for Rainbow.


Countless hours of Volunteer work have been put into the garden project by the Students of Allegheny College, associates and local churches, in addition to the donations from the Meadville Women's Club and the Meadville High School Students in their Quarter Wars. Our Residents have found nurturance in the gardens and are encouraged to cultivate their growth in the Juniper Village Garden Club by our Connections Director, Pam Mitchell.

It was over a year ago when Jennifer Musone, Executive Director, presented the proposal from Allegheny College to create the gardens in the location of the former David Mead Inn pool site.  The area was recognized as a part of our beautification initiative.

Please stop in for a look at what is sprouting this summer.
Bloom where you are planted!

We Kicked off July with a Bang!

Ok, well maybe not a bang, literally, but Mr. Bangs joined some of the ladies today to beat the heat with a water balloon toss and popsicle treat on the front lawn.  We just can't let go of food month here from June as we slide into Volunteer Month this July.

Joan and Lucy were our last 2 Residents out on the Lawn tossing the balloons like they were bowling.  Hey, what ever technique works!  The rest of the gang headed down for Friday afternoon happy hour in the Tavern.

Since I am not used to being on the other side of the camera, Lucy thought it clever to snap a photo of Joan and I in the sun, sporting our Jeans for our "Casual for a Cause" Fundraiser for the Alzheimer's Association.  On Fridays, employees can wear Jeans, make a donation, and support a good cause at the same time!  So far, Juniper has collected over $60 to donate to the Alzheimer's Association. 

Throughout the month of July, our Juniper Calendar is full of out door fun and Volunteerism.  Any one interesteed in becoming a Juniper Village Volunteer, please contact Pam Mitchell, Connections Director.

Sweets for the Soldiers

Juniper Village is home to 26 Veterans of War, several surviving spouses of Veterans and friends and families of those deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.  As food month approached, and the June connections calendar was being planned, the soldiers were on our minds.  The brainstorming began... Food... Soldiers... Memories...Volunteerism... Hmmmm.  What could one possibly create to capture the essence of how we appreciate what all the Soldiers are doing for the greater good of our world?  We all remember the smell of sweet fresh baked cookies and how that felt to be with family.  Since smell is the sense closest linked to memory and emotion, the Sweets for the Soldiers cookie baking project was top on our list!   Imagine a life of MRE's (Meals Ready to Eat), re hydrated food and that complimentary miniature bottle of Tabasco sauce to spice up the nutrition.  Then imagine being in South-Central Asia, in what seems like worlds away from your family, and receiving 22 dozen home-made chocolate chip cookies made in the USA especially for you!  Imagine opening that box, not expecting the wafting of delicious cookies in the air.  Soon, one of our local police officers, David Gredler, who is serving in Afghanistan with the Provincial Reconstruction Team out of the Army's Bravo Battery in Oil City, will be opening just that! 

The Residents of Juniper Village are Baking cookies each Monday this summer to send to the soldiers in David Gredler's Outfit.  The Provincial Reconstruction Team is part of the effort to rebuild the schools and hospitals in Afghanistan.  The soldiers will soon be receiving the next batch of peanut butter cookies that are being packaged and prepared for shipment. 

David Gredler is the husband of our very own Chef Erin Gredler and a member of our Juniper Family.  The Residents of Juniper Village are delighted knowing they are Nurturing his Spirit of Life and bringing a smile to the faces of the Soldiers.  We all look forward to a visit from David upon his return, to which we plan to add some ice cold milk to some freshly baked cookies for him!  If you are interested in volunteering to assist in this project, please contact Connections Director, Pam Mitchell at 333.4400.  The Residents gather in the Colonel Walker room at Juniper on Mondays at 1PM. 

Memorial Day

Memorial Day was celebrated today at Juniper Village.  The Residents enjoyed delicious BBQ ribs, hamburgers, hotdogs and traditional sides such as potato salad, macaroni salad, baked beans and of course, watermelon for dessert.

Jeanette Williams chuckles at the thought of her photograph being put on a "blogspot"...because technology is just so different these days!  Residents could be heard in the background reminiscing about picnics and family gatherings from their youth.    Pam Mitchell, Connections Director ensured all of the Veterans received special recognition and a carnation during the picnic celebration.    When asked what was the best food choice, it was unanimous...EVERYTHING!  Great Job Chef Erin, Clay Erford and the entire culinary team.  A special thanks goes out to all of our resident associates who helped make the picnic a success!

Kung Fu with Cootie!

Cootie Harris works with Lucy Echnoz explaining the elements of breathing, balance and fighting the aging process. The Residents learned the importance of focus and control in your breathing as Cootie demonstrated Kung Fu. To learn more about what Tai Chi is and what it looks like, please join Cootie at the Get Fit Fair next Wednesday from 2pm to 4pm at Juniper Village.

Below Mr. Anderson and the ladies practice loosening the arms while working on controlled breathing. Juniper Village believes Maintaining an Active Body, Engaged Mind, and Fulfilled Spirit are keys to healthy aging. Thank you Cootie, for showing us how fun and fulfilling Healthy Aging can be!

Mother's Day Victorian Tea Celebration

Mothers come in different forms, Birth mothers, In-Laws, Step Mothers, and even "adopted" mothers grace our lives in many ways. This Mother's Day, all of our ladies were treated like Queen Mothers during the Victorian Tea. Wellness Associate, Luella Seley takes a moment to serve Sally James, in appreciation.


Pam Mitchell, Connections Director, prepared the beautiful accouterments and embellished the ballroom in true Victorian Fashion.



Jennifer Musone, Executive Director, recalls the festivities of the day:

"The Victorian Tea on Friday was decorated with elegant Victorian Antiques and table centerpieces that included antique tea pots, hurricane vases, and flower petals. The flavored teas, cucumber sandwiches and hand dipped chocolate strawberries were a hit! Our ladies were all "Queens" for the day and were photographed with Tiara's underneath a beautiful lighted archway decorated with Begonia's. "

Monday morning, the ladies were still reminiscing in the family room, smiles beaming on their faces. Since a picture says a thousand words...Enjoy the photos...

...So while the ladies were being pampered, what were all of the gentleman up to? The Gentleman still enjoyed the Friday Afternoon Happy Hour, each other's company, and the fact that all of the ladies were so happy! Life in perfect balance.