Home on the Range...

The Third Annual Friends and Family Picnic was attended by a crowd of over 300 this year!  Every year the picnic grows in popularity, fun, and friends.  Guests were "Home on the Range" as they were greeted by a covered chuck wagon where the Ox Roast and Smoked Turkey was served! 

Pam, Jennifer, and Darlene posed full of Juniper Spirit and await the crowds of guests as they arrived. 

14 gift baskets were assembled and raffled in order to raise money for the Veteran's Wall of Honor in the Hallway at Juniper Village.  The proceeds will go towards a Recognition Plaque for the Wall of Honor.  Each Veteran living at Juniper Village is recognized for their service to our Country.

 

As the afternoon progressed, Ted Mallick played the banjo for guests as Residents and Families gathered near the "horses" and "cowboys" for a fun portrait.

Focusing on Staying Connected, is a part of our goal each month as we plan our Connections events for our Residents.  As you receive your Newsletters each month, please take special note to all of the interactive opportunities Juniper provides for families and friends. From our campfire nights on special Fridays  to support groups throughout the month, we want you to feel at home.  Don't forget about our Alive in All Seasons Friends and Family Nights the Second Thursday of Every month!  We welcome you join us.  If you have any special interests or talents that you would like to share with our community, please contact our Connections Director, Pam Mitchell, to inquire about participating and volunteering in your own Connections program. 

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!

Fruitful First Year!

Wilma Walker chooses wisely and holds proudly her pickings of the day. 

The Garden Project has added a level of spiritual and vocational fulfillment that we all had hoped and  imagined it would.  Residents have dug in and have found purpose in connecting with mother earth.  It isn't uncommon to see Residents steer their families outside to show off "their garden."  To be able to garden again has meant so much to so many, and we thank all those involved along the way.

Soon, we will be pickling the veggies to preserve natures bounty.  Samplings will be available on September 24th at Friday afternoon Happy Hour at 2:30pm.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Who's having more fun?

The Residents of Juniper Village cozied up with a good book and some great company.  Day Care Attendants from the YMCA walked over to enjoy the companionship, and I am not sure who ended up having more fun!

Lucy Echnoz entertains not only the kiddos, but casts a smile to her own face.  Michael Maruska shows the children how reading can be fun.  Hazel McLaughlin, who can usually be found surfing the internet and challenging herself to online puzzles and games to "maintain her brain" in her spare time, is found today engulfed in a colorful story.

The Little Ones continue on their Journey, back to the YMCA down the street, leaving us all a bit more joyful.  Intergenerational Programs are many of our Resident favorites.  Juniper Village encourages connections with our greater Meadville Community.  Perhaps we will see the children again in September as our Residents head over to the YMCA for their "Water Walking" classes each Friday!

Jammin' at Juniper

As the sun peeked out of those looming storm clouds for the day last Sunday, passers by Juniper Village did a "Double Take" as they heard the second annual Jammin' at Juniper Concert.  "It was a perfect evening" stated Connections Director, Pam Mitchell, as the breeze swept in and cooled the crowd.  Lillian and Joe take the lead and move to the groove!  Lillian quickly spots her son in the crowd and heads onto the dance floor for another set!

Jenny waves to the camera as she smiles in delight of the musical selections.  Resident Beverly Moles stated "if you closed your eyes, you would think that the original artists were right there on stage!" Lou and his Daughter take a spot under a shade tree to take in the festivities.  The concert was described by many as "phenominal!"  The band delighted both young and old, from toddlers to folks in their 90's, as Double Take played into the evening.  Rick Croy lead singer, performed music from the 60's through today, with a bit of country music, to balance out a perfectly delightful show.  Associates, Residents, Children, Grandchildren and friends and neighbors gathered on the front lawn and enjoyed freshly popped popcorn.  Delicious Ice Cream treats from the North Pole Express ice cream truck were grand hit.  Walgreen's provided Alex's lemonade stand to benefit pediatric cancer research.  As you could feel the energy growing with the crowd, Connections Director, Pam Mitchell swings in to try some toe tapping with Joe!

"We would highly recommend the band to anyone who is looking for great music, astounding entertainment and a professional presentation!" said Executive Director, Jennifer Musone. "The band was spectacular!"


We hope to see you all next year.  

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!

From Afghanistan, With Love

As promised, Sargent First Class David Gredler stopped in while home on leave from Afghanistan to give a great big thank you to our Residents for their Sweets for the Soldiers project.  The Sweets for the Soldiers project will continue through the summer.  As an added thank you to our Veterans living at Juniper Village, a Veteran's Photo Project was initiated earlier this summer.  With the help of Victoria's Photography, Van Tuil's and our entire staff, we are pleased to announce the unveiling of our Project at our Friday Afternoon Happy Hour on Friday, August 6th at 2:30pm.  We hope to see you all in the Lafayette Tavern!