Strikes and Turkeys!

“Champions keep playing until they get it right”-Billie Jean King

We are the Champions, a song by Queen, comes to mind as numerous sports activities are underway during the summer at Juniper Village at Mount Joy. On a weekly basis residents enjoy the challenge of various games such as noodle bop and volleyball.

A recent favorite is inflatable bowling, in which many bring the competition by obtaining strikes and spares. A few residents have created a goal for themselves of achieving the feat of getting three strikes in a row, also known as a turkey. While a game is in session the living room is filled with laughter, cheering, and obnoxious applause. It is a pleasure for all that attempt to join in on this new exciting game!

Shaking Up A Sweet Summer Treat

I scream. You scream. We all scream for ice cream!

Juniper Village at Mount Joy’s back porch and courtyard were packed on June 28^th as residents with their best friends came out to partner together in making homemade ice cream. The recipe was simple and required only: rock salt, ice, half and half, sugar, vanilla, and a whole lot of shaking. Everybody took part in mixing up the ice cream and passing the bundle along for the next person to jiggle, swing, and wave. Memories were shared of using ice cream machines at family reunions while others simply enjoyed chatting and the beautiful breeze blowing through the nearby trees. Summer is the season to shake up a sweet treat; plus who could refuse the opportunity to consume ice cream on a hot day? Bring on the heat mother nature, Juniper Village at Mount Joy is ready for you now that we have the secret recipe to shake up a chilling afternoon!

July 2017 Events in Mount Joy, PA: Stand In Integrity

Each summer Juniper Village begins our quarterly Alive in All Seasons focus on Staying Connected. We promote staying connected to the community, the environment and each other. In July we shed light on staying connected to our community through volunteerism. Do you know that, as a company, we receive more than 10,000 hours of precious volunteer time each year? We have many volunteers, both human and animal, who contribute to our mission of nurturing the spirit of life. Elizabeth Andrew said it best, “volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.” This month we honor all of the wonderful volunteers who make time to share a bit of their heart with us. We appreciate those who lead groups in our communities; those who share their unique skills and talents with our residents; those who provide friendly visits to our residents and give a reassuring hug or comforting puppy kiss; and the many, many other special people who enhance our lives.

This month as we focus on volunteerism we invite you to find a way that you can make a difference. Whether helping us at Juniper Village or another organization, volunteering has countless emotional and physical health benefits. Volunteering gives a boost not only to those receiving, but to those giving of their time as well.

Review our full calendar and make time to join us for any and all events.

This month we highlight our Ambassador Program and other volunteer opportunities for residents. In addition to volunteer opportunities, we invite you to join us during July for our summer celebrations and share our thanks as we honor those who Stand In Integrity with us.

Our fabulous July 2017 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy include our:

§  The “Pets on Parade” Pet Show to get out of the heat and grab a front row seat, after you run, scamper or doggie paddle over to Juniper Village at Mount Joy for this favorite long-awaited fun time featuring K-Pets therapy dogs and guests, this annual event open to the community with refreshments offered is sure to get your tail a waggin’ as our fashion show and pet talents will be highlights on July 21^st from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm. (Kindly RSVP by July 16^th by calling 717-492-9692.)

§  Elvis Is Back so grab your “Blue Suede Shoes” and head over to Juniper Village because we’re going to get “All Shook Up” for Elvis’ Birthday Bash, and Elvis will be ‘in the building’ entertaining us and enjoying birthday treats so “Don’t Be Cruel” and feel free to bring a friend or two and come see firsthand what all the buzz is about on July 27^th at 7:00 pm. (RSVP for this “Jailhouse Rock” by July 21^st by calling 717-492-9692.)

§  Family Dinner and Open House for a feast of summertime favorites as you hear the latest happenings and updates at Juniper Village and see our latest renovations while you will have the opportunity to speak with Leadership Team members, ask questions, and spend quality time with your loved ones on July 31^st at 5:00 pm. (Kindly RSVP by July 27^th by calling 717-492-9692.)

We look forward to sharing our July 2017 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy with you as you Stand In Integrity.

Venturing Far while Staying in Town

Don’t Sit, Get Fit! Juniper Village at Mount Joys’ Route 66 program was kicked off the beginning of May. This is a program in which residents and associates alike are encouraged to become more spirited and engaged in physical activity. Each associate along with their resident best friend is placed on a team, a team that is attempting to cover all 2,451 miles of Route 66. Heart rates increased and the competition got heated as individuals calculated every single mile they stepped out with hopes of surpassing their rivals on the journey across the country. Residents participated in Silverfit, the walking program, and numerous other activities in hopes of contributing many miles for their team. At the end of May two teams were neck and neck, almost traveling together. However, one team was able to pull ahead and complete the entirety of the trip (figuratively speaking) all within a little over a months’ time! Congratulations to Team Wellness and all other participants for joining us in the journey! There is no rest for the weary though, all are encouraged to make healthy living and an active lifestyle part of everyday life. Now get up and get moving!

Digging Deep to Rediscover Green Thumbs

Once the last frost has settled, everyone is anxious to get outside and enjoy the spring weather! While most individuals like to soak up the sun and observe the flowerbeds, only a select few voluntarily agree to help with planting and maintaining the landscape. Throughout the month of May people came forward that were willing to see if their thumbs are still green, and indeed they are! All one has to do is enter into our Garden area at Juniper Village at Mount Joy and see the growth and beauty of all that was planted. Early in the month tarragon, basil, rosemary, oregano, and lemon verbena were placed into the herb garden. What fun it is to rub and then smell the leaves of various delicious fresh herbs. Towards the end of May, a couple residents decided to help revive and revamp the raised bed by digging deep in the soil and planting tomatoes surrounded by a couple select flowers. Many individuals are looking forward to getting the two raspberry bushes in the ground around the beginning of June so that they can enjoy the bounty of their labor.  Happy growing season!

Reminder of a Responsibility to Serve

“Memorial Day isn’t just about honoring veterans, it’s honoring those who lost their lives. Veterans had the fortune of coming home. For us, that is a reminder of when we come home we still have a responsibility to serve. It’s a continuation of service that honors our country and those who fell defending it.”

-Peter Hegseth, former executive director of Vets for Freedom

Juniper Village at Mount Joy is proud of the many veterans that reside within the facility. Together associates, residents, family members, and volunteers set aside time on Memorial Day to celebrate and honor former servicemen and women. Veterans Visit is always the most revered hour on this set apart day. This is a time for veterans to gather in the Living Room that they may reminisce and get recognized for their committed service to our country. During the visits veterans (or a veterans’ spouse) are saluted, pinned, and applauded for defending and securing the United States of America.

Freedom does not come Free. Memorial Day was spent thanking those that served our country while also remembering those who died for our freedom.

Thank you to all United States troops and veterans!

June 2017 Events in Mount Joy, PA: Live In Wellness

“You are what you eat.” The old adage is now truer than ever. Good health is largely dependent on good nutrition, so much so that doctors trace many physical and emotional ailments back to a diet deficient in vitamins and minerals. Eating a well-balanced diet is a major part of encouraging long life, lowering the incidence of disease, and helping sick people recover. On the flip side, inadequate nutrition and poor quality foods can generally cut life span and open us up to many illnesses and disease. In effect, food is medicine per Webster's definition of medicine: "The science and art dealing with the maintenance of health and the prevention, alleviation, or cure of disease." Food acts as medicine - to maintain, prevent, and treat disease.

With this month’s Alive in All Seasons focus on food, we’d like to give you a prescription for a healthy diet: breakfast daily (do not skip); meals x3 (at least) daily; foods from each of the food groups per meal daily. The food pyramid defines the food groups as grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy and proteins. The amounts vary according to age, sex, height, weight, and physical activity level. Here’s a good guideline to start you on your way. Make half your plate fruits and vegetables. Make half your grains whole grains. Move to low-fat and fat-free dairy. Vary your protein routine and eat and drink the right amount for you.

Join us as we continue our focus on healthy aging by shedding light on our hydration program with healthy snacks and juices, and demonstrate how food and nutrition help us to Live in Wellness from a dietitian’s point of view.

Our fabulous June 2017 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy include our:

§  YO and JOE on the GO so you don’t have a case of the Mondays, let Juniper Village at Mount Joy get your week started off on the right foot with our DRIVE UP coffee and fruit & yogurt parfait station ready to serve you, just pull into Juniper and up to the station at the circle to grab your FREE “yo and joe” and be on the go because after a quick stop with us you’ll be smiling all day on June 5^th from 6:30 am to 8:30 am. (No need to RSVP; available while supplies last.)

§  Father’s Day BBQ Burgers, Beers and Quality Time as we are calling all sons, daughters, grandkids, nieces, nephews and friends to honor the men in our lives with an honest to goodness old-fashioned BBQ, so join us for all your cook out favorites to celebrate Father’s Day on June 16^th from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm. (RSVP by June 12^th to 717-492-9692.)

We look forward to sharing our June 2017 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy with you as you Live In Wellness.