Who's Who at Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living: Staff Spotlight: Concierge

Justine McLarren joined the Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living team just this month as the Concierge. Justine, originally from Philipsburg, moved to North Carolina as a young teen and feels as if she has "returned home." While in North Carolina, Justine received multiple degrees from Eastern Carolina University, all in the study of English. Justine continues this area of interest by teaching a Writing & Composition course through the on-line campus of Bryant & Stratton College. As if that were not enough, Justine is also furthering her education by pursuing a degree in teaching. When not busy with school or work, Justine enjoys a new passion, karaoke. Having spent twelve years singing opera, she enjoys the free-spirited singing environment where she can fulfill her love of song without the burden of large crowds.  Justine was encouraged to join us here at Juniper Village at Brookline from one of our other employees here at Juniper, who felt Justine would "love it" as much as the rest of us.

The Concierge role at Juniper Village is part of the First Impressions Signature Program. First Impressions highlights the importance of providing a life-affirming environment for all customers.  Justine's role as concierge, with her infectious bright smile and warm demeanor, will allow her to serve as the first smiling face that most will see as they enter The Inn. During your next visit, please take a moment to welcome Justine to Juniper Village.

Mackenzie Rearick Honored with Spirit Award

One of our favorite things we get to do at Juniper Village at Brookline is celebrate outstanding staff. Recently, a special ceremony was held to honor Mackenzie Rearick, Resident Assistant at Juniper Village at Brookline’s Wellspring Memory Care building, with the Juniper Spirit Award.  This bi-annual honor is awarded to associates who consistently go above and beyond in their work duties and facilitate positive team work, exemplifying the true spirit of the Juniper mission. Nominations for this award are taken from Juniper associates and family members of residents, and the recipient is chosen by the leadership team.

Mackenzie has been a member of the Juniper Village at Brookline team for just over a year. In that short time frame, she has demonstrated herself to be someone her team and our residents can count on to go the extra mile. Her colleagues described her as having special relationships with our residents. They said, “Makenzie will go above and beyond to help her team and nurture our residents… She is always willing to lend an extra hand!”

Congratulations, Mackenzie, and thank you for all you do to support Juniper’s mission of “nurturing the spirit of life” for our residents!

Happy Hearts Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Wellspring

Valentine’s Day was extra sweet for residents at Juniper Village at Brookline. This year, head chef Penny Jefferies and her culinary crew collaborated with our Connections Department to surprise residents and their guests with a special “Sweetheart Dinner”. The Italian-themed meal featured spaghetti and meatballs, salad, and sparkling pink spritzer. For dessert, everyone enjoyed homemade heart cookies and colorful Valentine candies.

Following dinner, friends shared laughs in our Valentine photo booth, donning colorful hats, glasses, and props. Wellspring crowned the King and Queen of Hearts to preside over the festivities of the day. Singer/songwriter KJ Wagner provided music for the occasion with her smooth vocals and guitar. KJ is an extraordinary musician whose upbeat and engaging style make her a favorite for our residents, and they occasionally join her at the microphone. Hearts were light and full on this Valentine’s Day, which was one for the memory books!

The Purr-fect Pair

Sigmund Freud once said, "Time spent with cats is never wasted." Jean, a resident of Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living, agrees whole-heartedly with this statement. Jean is a cat-lover. When given the choice of theme, Jean chooses cats, every time. From clothes, to wall art, to pets. Her most recent companion, Daffodil, aka "Daffy," fits the bill for what makes a perfect partnership. Daffy the rescue cat, moved in with Jean less than a year ago and is "very well trained" according to Jean. Daffy "yearns for adventure" but settles for gazing out of the window while sitting on her very own window ledge bed. On occasion, Daffy has ventured outside of Jean's suite, into the common area but excursions are often short lived as "others are there to catch her" before she ventures too far.

Daffy is just one of several feline family members that residents at Juniper Village at Brookline have welcomed into their homes. Being able to have a furry friend is beneficial to not only the resident owner, but also the staff and community as a whole. Jill McKenrick, Director of Connections at Juniper Village at Brookline shares that, "Pets can serve as a great companions to our residents. They not only lift their spirits but provide comfort and reduce stress and depression." While not all of us may be as lucky as Daffy, basking his days away in his window-side bed, we certainly can come close, due in no small part to our faithful, furry friends.

Rhinestone Cowboy

On an unusually warm winter evening, Juniper Village at Brookline and the Alzheimer's Association partnered to sponsor a free viewing of the emotional and heartwarming documentary, I'll Be Me. Nearly forty attendees gathered to watch the story of Glen Campbell, who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease just weeks before the events of the film, during his final country music tour. The Farewell Tour depicts the journey of Campbell and his family, not only through tour highlights which included visits to The Tonight Show featuring Jay Leno and receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammy Awards, but it also depicted the new challenges encountered following his diagnoses. Learning song lyrics and following stage directions, and reading from Teleprompters were simply a few of the recognizable challenges depicted in the film. Throughout the documentary, Campbell's sense of humor and musical talents formed the foundations of his message of the importance of music, hope, and acceptance.

Programs like this are one way in which Juniper Village at Brookline works with community organizations to provide enjoyable educational programs for residents, families, and community members. "I'm very thankful for the partnership with Juniper Village on the fight to end Alzheimer's," said Lisa Wise, the Constituent Events Manager at Alzheimer's Association Great Pennsylvania Chapter. The State College office of the Alzheimer's Association will celebrate its one year anniversary being back in the area in March.

For a schedule of upcoming events at Juniper Village at Brookline, please visit www.junipercommunities.com.

February 2017 Events in State College, PA: Awaken Your Passion

This month, our focus on creative expression continues with a focus on art. Art, as with beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. It is understandable that some have great artistic ability and others do not. But, at Juniper we know that everyone has a passion for creative expression, regardless of ability or age. Pablo Picasso once said, “All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” He is speaking about becoming inhibited as adults. With our various art programs we encourage uninhibited creativity as a form of therapy. Creating art affords the opportunity of self-exploration and self-expression leading to both physical and mental benefits. Creating art in any of its various forms, is also about sharing a bit of ourselves with each other. Art is one way to express ourselves, and the creations are honest and true representations of our experiences. In sharing our stories through art with others we invite communication and create lasting bonds.

Art typically encompasses painting, sculpting, and drawing. But, the act of creating art can be as simple as doodling. Art is simply the creation of something outside one’s self that often mirrors what is going on within their mind, soul, and body. We use creative arts as a way to nurture the spirit of life. Join us throughout February as we focus on great varieties of art such as photography, needlework, handicrafts, painting, sculpture and more. Please join us as we share a bit of ourselves with our weekly craft classes, experience art on an outing to an art museum, and embrace our celebratory spirit with Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day parties. We look forward to helping you Awaken Your Passion this month!

Our fabulous February 2017 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Wellspring Memory Care include our:

§  Paint Your Art Out Professional Networking Event as we celebrate the arts in February with an evening of professional networking and creative fun when guests will chase away winter blues as they are led in painting a spring-themed wine bottle while enjoying decadent chocolate and wine, so be sure to watch for your personal invitation for what is certain to be a night of fun on February 15^th at 6:00 pm.

§  3^rd Annual Resident Art Auction as Family, friends, and the community at large are invited to view and purchase original artwork, from paintings, to jewelry, to personalized clothing items, this year’s auction has expanded its offerings, and sample a wide spread of hors d'oeuvres and refreshments, so please join us to celebrate the artistic passion and creativity of our residents while benefiting a great cause because all proceeds will benefit the Greater Pennsylvania Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and the Music and Memory program at Wellspring on February 22^nd at 6:30 pm. (No reservations required.)

§  The H’art and Soul of Mardi Gras Executive Chef Demonstration with Juniper Village at Brookline chefs as they provide educational food and plate demonstrations to celebrate Mardi Gras, plus a traditional King Cake and celebration beads will also be provided to attendees on February 28^th at 5:30 pm. (RSVP to 814-235-2041 for this special event!)

We look forward to sharing our February 2017 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Wellspring Memory Care with you as you Awaken Your Passion.