Time for Spaghetti

September is Friendship Month at Juniper Communities and what better way to celebrate friendship than with a brother or sister. Juniper Village at Brookline hosted a Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser to benefit the Big Brother/Big Sister program through the Youth Service Bureau (YSB) in Centre County. This national program provides local children an opportunity to connect with others while developing positive relationships. "One caring adult can make a significant difference in the life of a child" (ccysb.com).

Juniper Village dished up more than 60 dinners to community members, Juniper staff, and residents throughout the evening with dine in and take out options. Guests enjoyed spaghetti with freshly made meatballs, salad, baked dinner rolls, and house made cupcakes. All attendees were also entered into a raffle to win a fall-themed gift basket. At the end of the evening all money raised was given to the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program for a grand total of $659.25. "Thank you so much for this event. This is wonderful!" said Zach Barton, Centre County Big Brother/Big Sister Program Coordinator who was present for the event and to receive the check.

Be sure to check out the Juniper Village at Brookline monthly calendars for more information on other fundraisers throughout the year.

For more information on the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program through the Centre County Youth Service Bureau, please visit www.ccysb.com.

Sip and Paint

This week the residents of Juniper Village  at Brookline Rehab and Skilled Nursing participated in their very own “Sip and Paint”. Juniper Village has a mascot of a giraffe named “Miles”, “because we stick our necks out and go the extra mile”. So residents and staff are working together to fill a display case with assorted giraffes. For residents - canvases were set out, paints were squeezed onto palettes, brushes were in hand, and favorite drinks were poured for sipping, as the instructor showed step by step how to paint a sunset with a giraffe silhouette. Even those who never had a brush in hand before laughed and smiled as their creative juices flowed. One resident expressed that his granddaughter talks of these classes that she attends regularly, and how he couldn’t wait to tell her he did one of his very own. For staff - adult coloring pages have been put in their break room with assorted colored pencils and the challenge to give their hand a try at creating a masterpiece. And together - staff are invited to bring a resident to the Connections REC room at any time to create together, a giraffe craft for the display. What started out as a simple art project for residents turned into a celebration of community and friendship through the expression of art! Tune in later for a picture of the final project!  

September 2016 Events in State College, 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 State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Rehab and Skilled Care include our:

§  Sip and Paint Night Fundraiser with Benchmark Therapies as we enjoy an evening of networking with fellow healthcare professionals while Amanda Kunkle, owner of Happy Valley Sip & Paint, guides the class through one-of-a-kind masterpieces on September 8^th from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. (Please RSVP to Jill at 814-235-2041. Tickets are $35; proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.)

§  Pennsylvania Clash of the Sandwiches for a friendly East vs. West “Battle of the Buns” in preparation for the upcoming Penn State vs. Temple football game, as we enjoy samples of both Philadelphia and Pittsburgh style cheesesteak sandwiches, so cast your vote for your favorite, and may the best sandwich win on September 15^th at noon.

§  Weekend Winedown to taste for a cause at this annual fundraiser event and silent auction to benefit bound to get your taste buds going wild, featuring signature dishes from local eateries alongside Seven Mountains wine at the winery on September 23^rd at 6:30 pm. (Please RSVP to Liz at 814-234-3135. Tickets are $40 each or $70 per couple; proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.)

We look forward to sharing our September 2016 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Rehab and Skilled Care with you as you Spread Your Joy.