December 2015 Events in State College, PA: Celebrate Little Things

This month is all about celebrations! Not only will we be celebrating holidays such as Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year’s Eve, but we will also celebrate the little things that make life worthwhile. Little things such as the reassuring touch of a friend’s hand, a kind word from an acquaintance and a warm smile from a stranger.

In our all too busy lives we sometimes forget to honor the simple things in life that bring us peace and joy. Most experts recommend that we allow 10-20 minutes of relaxation and stress relief each day. Making time for that can even be a stressful experience! During this busy month of baking, shopping, visitors and juggling tasks take time to remember what is really important.

Here are some tips to keep holiday stress in check: Acknowledge your feelings – you are not alone as holiday stress is not uncommon. Be realistic with expectations – you can only do so much, learn to say no. Ask for help when needed – everyone wants to be needed and may feel more included by being able to contribute. Plan ahead to minimize unplanned expenses and tasks. Take a breather – take a walk at night and do some stargazing, listen to soothing music, or get a massage. Above all enjoy all the holidays have to offer by sharing time with others.

Join us during the busy month of December for our annual cookie exchange and holiday celebrations. Take time to Celebrate Little Things with those you love.

Our fabulous December 2015 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Wellspring Memory Care include our:

§  Tree Lighting Ceremony in the tradition of the holiday spirit, as we open up our doors to showcase a winter wonderland in our garden courtyard with homemade hot cocoa and cookies, in a cheerful event to awaken everyone’s spirit, to bring family, friends, staff and the community together to celebrate the little things that make the holiday season such a special time on December 1^st from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

§  Holiday Decorate Your Own Cookies Referral Event as we spread some holiday cheer and adorn these holiday treats while we leave the stress of the season behind and enjoy an evening of professional networking and delicious fun on December 9^th at 6:00 pm.

§  Nittany Knights Holiday Cocktail Concert in the holiday spirit for refreshments and beautiful seasonal tunes by the Nittany Knights Barbershop Chorus at this free concert that will delight young and old on December 14^th at 7:00 pm.

We look forward to sharing our December 2015 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Wellspring Memory Care with you as we Celebrate Little Things.

The Heart of the Season

With the holiday season in full swing, we at Juniper Village at Brookline take time to celebrate the little (and big things) that make us happy. At the top of that list is, of course, family. During three consecutive Sunday afternoons, residents, families, and friends from Senior Living, Wellspring, and Rehabilitation and Skilled Care served up traditional Thanksgiving meals to nearly 800 of our closest friends.

If you've never experienced a Juniper Harvest Fest, they truly are a site to behold, with all hands on deck. Associates are on hand to greet, seat, serve and clean, all in the name of togetherness. From our family to yours... we hope that you enjoy this time of year as much as we are!

Toys for Tots at Juniper Village at Brookline

At Juniper Village, we believe not only in nurturing the spirit of life in our residents and associates, but also in those individuals with whom we share a community. We will once again be collecting new, unwrapped toys for children in need in the greater State College area.

The following are official Toys for Tots donation locations through December 13:

• The Inn Senior Living, 1930 Cliffside Drive, State College
• Brookline Rehabilitation & Skilled Care, 1950 Cliffside Drive, State College
• Wellspring Memory Care, 610 W. Whitehall Road, State College
  

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." - Aesop

Our Furry Friend

Meet Hudson, Wellspring's furry friend in residence. Okay, so maybe he doesn't exactly live here with us, but he is quickly becoming a regular visitor and favorite among residents and associates, alike! The pet of Connections Director, Kaitlin Hoover, Hudson enjoys spending time with residents and family members during scheduled pet visits, and during one-on-one social calls, where his calm demeanor, plush fur, and soothing purrs are a welcome distraction. You'd be hard pressed to see more smiles around here than on days when our grey guy's around!

Resident Veterans Honored

Juniper Village at Brookline veterans were honored during an hour-long presentation Wednesday. Most of our nearly 50 veterans were able to make the event, hosted in the Willows Dining Room. Special guest speaker, Marine Sergeant Everett Craig, a Vietnam Veteran, spoke on the importance of the bonds created during war and why it is so important for him to remember those soldiers who did not have the opportunity to return home.

Brookline favorite, Picker & Papa, provided musical entertainment, as residents, families, and community members shouted classic requests like God Bless America and You're a Grand Ole' Flag.
The nearly 90 guests snacked on pastries and mingled before calling it an afternoon.

Thank you to all who came out to support our service men and women, and thank you to those who have served!

November 2015 Events in State College, PA: Cherish The Journey

Family is a simple word, with complex meaning. To some family is the people you are related to by blood, but to some family is the people you choose to hold in high regard, and to others family isn’t people at all, but animals – our beloved pets.

Regardless of the definition, family plays an important role in our personal journey. As the saying goes, “Family is what you make it.” Whether made of blood relatives, friends, colleagues or pets, your family can offer you the support you need to thrive.

This month we celebrate family and reflect on our personal journeys while creating new memories for the future. Join us as we reminisce about these journeys through autobiographical journaling. Plan to share with those less fortunate through our annual food drive from November 1-30 with all non-perishable food items being donated to a local food bank. Also interact and share with others through our community support groups, and know that you are not alone. Throughout the month we will also be hosting several family events as we celebrate family and give thanks. We encourage you to review our calendar and join us for any or all of our events and Cherish The Journey!

Our fabulous November 2015 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Wellspring Memory Care include our:

§  Shopping For A Cause to start your holiday shopping here at Juniper Village at Brookline from various local consultants selling your favorite brands such as Pampered chef, Tastefully Simple, Silpada Jewelry, Thirty-One, Mary Kay and many more with a percentage of all sales going to benefit the local State College Food Bank, so please also bring a non-perishable food item for donation on November 6^th from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

§  Veteran’s Day Celebration to join us in honoring our resident veterans for their service to this great country with a patriotic presentation with special guests, music, and red, white, and blue deliciously-fun fare for our guests and the public is welcome with no RSVPs required on November 11^th at 2:00 pm.

§  Lantern Release Ceremony as each family at Wellspring has their own unique journey and story to be told, this event will be a great way to acknowledge the importance of remembering those who have been lost while cherishing those who are still here as we write family memories and names of those who have passed on sky lanterns, we will release them into the sky and watch as each takes a unique path yet provides a bright and beautiful light in the skies overhead with the Alzheimer’s Association also be in attendance to support and celebrate with the families who take part in the ceremony on November 18^th from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.

We look forward to sharing our November 2015 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Wellspring Memory Care with you as we Cherish The Journey.

Fall Festival FUN!

Harner Farm in State College along with Juniper associates, friends and families took to the cold on a chilly October weekend to raise money for next year's Walk to End Alzheimer's. That's right... just one day after this year's walk was a wrap, we geared up for another fantastic year of fundraising. This signature event--now in its seventh year--included  kids' games, face painting, bake sale, hot dogs and signature soups, and Harner Farm's infamous haunted corn maze!

For four hours (even through sleet and an early snow shower) people of all ages packed the farm, gobbling up goodies, trying their hand at the "haunted ghost tower" game, braving the corn maze, and helping us raise nearly $2,000 for the Alzheimer's Association. A special thanks to our friends at Harner Farm for another great year!