Rebel Heart Irish Dancers

Despite wintry weather keeping them away in March for St. Patrick's, the Rebel Heart Irish Dancers lit up the Living Room with their interpretation of classic Irish dance. The dancers performed jigs and reels, all while teaching us the history of the dances, explaining the various steps, and even the meanings behind the different costumes.

Flowers were in bloom outside and inside Juniper Village at Mount Joy as our residents took part in flower arranging. Fresh cut flowers looked and smelled beautiful, and they were a welcome addition to our Living Room.

Easter Eggstravaganza

It was an Easter Eggstravaganza this weekend at Juniper Village of Mount Joy. Saturday was absolutely beautiful outside as we invited children to search for Easter eggs that residents helped fill and have their picture taken with the Easter Bunny! We even had a petting zoo that was a hit with children and residents alike. While for many, just seeing the children's faces light up was more than enough to brighten their day, it was also great fun to see and pet little piglets, chicks, and bunnies. So many residents had something to say about a duck that chased the pigs-- and what they would have done about it. Treats and refreshments were served after the children hunted eggs, and it was a wonderful time for all.

In preparation for Palm Sunday, we read the story behind the holy day, and residents received palms and communion Sunday from either the Catholic or nondenominational services in celebration. Later in the afternoon, residents gathered on the front porch to talk about Spring and the gardens they've had over the years.

Believe in Yourself: April Events

April, the month where we play innocent pranks on April Fool’s Day; celebrate Springtime and Easter with egg hunts, brunches, and church; pay homage to mother earth on Earth Day; and welcome the return of America’s favorite pastime – Baseball. This month we embark on a new quarter in our Alive in All Seasons calendar where we celebrate Healthy Aging and will “Let Wellbeing Thrive”. Throughout April our focus is on the brain and honoring the theme “Believe in Yourself”. Did you know that activities that are good for your heart are also good for your brain? The American Heart Association tells us that protecting memory and brain health is a matter of keeping your heart and blood vessels healthy. Regular cardio exercise and a healthy diet not only keep your heart happy, but your brain too.

This month’s offerings include activities and events that will keep our bodies and brains healthy and renew our faith in ourselves. Educational opportunities will cover brain health topics such as brain booster activities and ways to keep fit. We will rejoice in our individuality and celebrate ourselves through life affirming reminiscent and creative activities while reminding each other to “Believe in Yourself”.

Please join us here at Juniper Village at Mount Joy for our Easter Egg-stravaganza on April 12^th from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm; our Learning Lecture with Rehabcare on April 16^th at 1:30 pm; our “Spring Into Prosperity” Wellness Fair on April 22^nd from noon to 3:00 pm; and our Brain Food Luncheon on April 25^th at 11:30 am. See our newsletter calendar for a complete listing of events and come visit us during any that suit your fancy!

H'Art and Soul of Dining - New Menus with Delicious Recipes!

We are proud to announce that on April 5th our revitalized spring/summer menus will begin for our H’Art and Soul of Dining Signature Program at all of our communities.  This new signature program will help us improve quality of life and whole person wellness for the individuals that call Juniper Village home.  We are very excited this season since the offerings will feature a delicious 5-week entrée select option featuring fabulous new choices using some of the fresh products available through our food vendors. Also, on our updated menus, we have added many lighter alternatives as well as recipes specific to each community that take into account special diets, regional tastes, food committee requests and our resident’s special needs and personal requests.  These changes to our meal plans significantly increase the variety of selections provided for our residents while focusing upon scratch made offerings and heart-healthy meals.  Furthermore, in celebration of our AIAS spring quarter “Healthy Aging,” our Grill Menus will be re-vamped to highlight healthier offerings throughout the season. In addition we will be implementing an innovative hydration assurance program served from our “Oasis Carts,” featuring a variety of flavored waters using citrus or mint or cucumbers, fresh brewed iced tea, lemonade, punch, smoothies and juices as well as nutritious snacks.

Below are some of the recipes featured on our new menu:

Carrot-Currant Muffins

2 cups all-purpose flour (to measure, spoon into a cup and level)
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
1 large egg
1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup carrot juice
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup shredded carrots

1/2 cup dried currants
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a 12 cup muffin tin with paper liners. In a large bowl whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In another bowl whisk together butter, egg, milk, carrot juice and vanilla. Pour the egg mixture over the dry ingredients and gently fold just until moistened. Fold carrots and dried currants into the mix. Scoop batter into the muffin pan and bake until golden brown and firm to the touch, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from pan (cool on a wire rack if you have one).

Yellow Squash Soup

Cooking Spray

1/2 cup diced yellow onion

1 cup diced zucchini

1 cup diced yellow squash

3 cups low-sodium vegetable stock

1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasonings

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1 (15 ounce) can Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed

1 (15 ounce) can diced no-salt-added tomatoes

Coat a large saucepan with cooking spray. Heat over medium-high heat. Add onion; sauté 3 minutes. Add zucchini and yellow squash; sauté 3 minutes. Add all other ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes.

Memories in the Making!

Church bells could be heard faintly ringing as we looked back upon our wedding days and the memories we shared with loved ones.  Just like our residents, no two weddings are alike and we shared a variety of stories and photographs. The highlight for the ladies was comparing dresses—and grooms, and in the end, it was agreed that everyone looked beautiful and had made quite a good catch.

While March was busy blowing in like a lion outdoors, we kept cozy and comfortable as we settled into the Brookside lounge for some Coffee and Crooners. Residents enjoyed a film highlighting performances and clips of variety shows from Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, and Nat King Cole. The coffee was hot, as were the jokes and dance numbers. Perry Como was very funny, and Old Blue Eyes was just as captivating as ever.

We had a touch of the luck of the Irish with warmer weather and peeks of green popping up. In our Garden Spot lounge, residents watched a film that took them on an Imagination Vacation of historic Ireland, showcasing the country that brought us leprechauns and pots of gold at the end of rainbows.

Shakespeare said, “God has given you one face, and you make yourself another.” Residents decorated masks in the style of Comedy or Tragedy. Because we’re a lighthearted bunch here, most ended up leaning towards Comedy, although one did go for a romantic Tragedy, with our heroine wearing a smile despite her tears.

Your Treasure is Within: March Events

Our Alive in All Seasons program is alive and well at Juniper Village. This quarter’s seasonal theme is on Creative Expression: “Explore Your Creativity” and serves to promote our philosophy of encouraging an active body, an engaged mind and a fulfilled spirit. For March, we will turn our focus to Performance: “Your Treasure is Within”.

This month on March 2, 2014 we look forward to the 86^th celebration of the Academy Awards. As we watch popular comedian and talk show host, Ellen DeGeneres host the festivities while the beautiful stars dressed in their finery walk the red carpet we can’t help to stop, to pause and reminisce of all of the great performances of past years. Katherine Hepburn, Bette Davis, Marlon Brando, Robert DeNiro, Tom Hanks, Jack Nicholson, Vivien Leigh, Meryl Streep, Peter Ustinov and Dustin Hoffman; the list goes on! In addition to guessing who might win the Oscars for 2014, this month we will be learning about and experiencing all different types of great performance art, enjoying cultural events and trying our hand at acting in drama club.

It’s going to be a theatrical month at Juniper Village at the Mount Joy filled with creativity, great experiences and memorable performances! You are cordially invited to attend our Mad Crafters Mardi Gras Masks activity on March 3^rd at 10:30 am, our performance by Character Juggler Chris Ivey on March 11^th at 6:00 pm, our Irish Happy Hour and bagpipe performance by Michael D. Luckenbill on March 17^th at 3:00 pm, our Floral Arranging activity on March 30^th at 3:00 pm, or any of our other activities (see our Newsletter for a complete listing).

So come in, and join in on the act to find that “Your Treasure is Within”.

Stained Glass and Crooning

Valentine's love was in the air the other day as our residents were treated to a performance by Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Dean Martin Tribute Singer, Lou Dottoli. Songs of love and romance charmed the ladies and had our gentlemen swaying along.

Earlier, we had an activity featuring Texture Painting, where we looked at the different textures brushstrokes can create with wet paint.

The featured artist another day was James Pollock, and while our stained glass project wasn't quite as abstract, we did embrace the use of saturated colors and geometric patterns. Splatters were avoided at all costs, though.