Life Enrichment offers a variety of events and programs
The Village at Gettysburg Life Enrichment team offers many programs and events throughout the week. Scroll through the image slideshow to see what has been offered so far.
Celebrating the Kentucky Derby! It is Kentucky Derby time! Recently, residents of the skilled care & rehabilitation center celebrated the Kentucky Derby by wearing fashionable hats and enjoying mint julep mocktails and cookies!
The residents even participated in their own “derby” by crafting horse game pieces and moving their “horses” across the track! The residents named their horses Spirit, Ginger, Daisy and Rainbow. Winners received patriotic wreaths and a big cheer from their competitors! A big thank you to the Life Enrichment team for orchestrating this event!
To honor and observe Earth Day, a group of residential living residents, along with Life Enrichment director Jess Sheahan, participated in The Village at Gettysburg Campus Cleanup! Residents gathered branches, removed weeds and swept drifted mulch from the walking trail. Everyone worked together to pick up trash and debris, too! A big thank you to everyone who participated in the Campus Cleanup. It is always important to take care of our Earth!
To honor and observe Earth Day, a group of residential living residents, along with Life Enrichment director Jess Sheahan, participated in The Village at Gettysburg Campus Cleanup! Residents gathered branches, removed weeds and swept drifted mulch from the walking trail. Everyone worked together to pick up trash and debris, too! A big thank you to everyone who participated in the Campus Cleanup. It is always important to take care of our Earth!
To honor and observe Earth Day, a group of residential living residents, along with Life Enrichment director Jess Sheahan, participated in The Village at Gettysburg Campus Cleanup! Residents gathered branches, removed weeds and swept drifted mulch from the walking trail. Everyone worked together to pick up trash and debris, too! A big thank you to everyone who participated in the Campus Cleanup. It is always important to take care of our Earth!
Resident volunteers were honored during the April Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. Volunteers enjoyed a delicious meal and great conversation with their fellow volunteers. A big thank you to Teresa Lawyer, Volunteer Services coordinator, for orchestrating this event. Also, thank you, volunteers for faithfully and unselfishly sharing your time, talents and gifts to benefit residents at The Village at Gettysburg!
Congratulations to the 32 residents at The Village at Gettysburg who participated in the “Passport to Wellness” program! Led by the Life Enrichment team, the "Passport to Wellness" program strives to keep residents active in both body and mind during the winter months.
This year's virtual trip took residents on the Orient Express across many beautiful European countries. From beginning in Paris and “traveling” to Munich, Vienna, Budapest, Bucharest and Istanbul, residents enjoyed learning about the stops and the original history of the Orient Express. Residents tasted authentic foods from each city and listened to their fellow program participants share personal travel stories during the weekly destinations!
Throughout the six-week program, 19 residents participated in the program's optional exercise component. Collectively, they exercised 21,915 minutes by walking, biking, lifting, stretching and attending organized fitness classes on campus. Their "passport" was stamped weekly as they journeyed to new destinations by exercising 30 minutes a day, six days a week. To conclude their journey, residents enjoyed a delicious luncheon of items served on the very first Orient Express: Chicken Chausser, homemade chocolate pudding and petit fours with champagne and coffee. Residents dressed up and took pictures with fancy hats and enjoyed the wonderful meal and delightful company!
Feeling the luck of the Irish! Residential living residents gathered together to celebrate St. Patrick's Day! The green-themed Happy Hour was one for the books, and HR Coordinator, Rosie Ullrich, even dressed up as a dino-leprechaun and performed an Irish jig with the Fit Medley class.
Residents of the skilled care center smiled for the camera during their Valentine’s Day glamour photo shoot! Maria McCauslin, beautician, made sure the residents had their hair done, and Pennie Gilbert, Skilled Care Center Life Enrichment leader, accessorized the residents with scarves, hats and floral bouquets. Once the residents were ready to go, Linda Cooper, Skilled Care Center Life Enrichment leader, took the photos! A big thank you to those who assisted with this event.
Did you hear the scoop? Residential living residents love celebrating National Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day! Residents joined together and enjoyed fresh Belgian waffles, made by the Life Enrichment team! The residents had the opportunity to top their waffles with ice cream, whipped cream, chocolate syrup and many other delicious add-ons. Throughout the morning, the Life Enrichment team took donations for The Longest Day event in June and raised $150 from 8:00 – 10:30 a.m. The Longest Day event raises funds for the Alzheimer’s Association. A few team members stopped by for this sweet delight, too! A big thank you to the Life Enrichment team for sponsoring and orchestrating this event.
Lights, camera, action! Residential living residents put on their leather jackets and poodle skirts for a 1950s murder mystery at The Village at Gettysburg! The residents enjoyed being actors and actresses for the afternoon and the audience thoroughly enjoyed guessing the suspect! At intermission, everyone gathered together for burgers and milkshakes, while also learning the Hand Jive taught by director of Life Enrichment, Jess Sheahan. Our Life Enrichment coordinator, Nikki Richwine, served as director of the murder mystery and kept the mystery alive throughout the entire show. It was a real whodunit at our community!
Lights, camera, action! Residential living residents put on their leather jackets and poodle skirts for a 1950s murder mystery at The Village at Gettysburg! The residents enjoyed being actors and actresses for the afternoon and the audience thoroughly enjoyed guessing the suspect! At intermission, everyone gathered together for burgers and milkshakes, while also learning the Hand Jive taught by director of Life Enrichment, Jess Sheahan. Our Life Enrichment coordinator, Nikki Richwine, served as director of the murder mystery and kept the mystery alive throughout the entire show. It was a real whodunit at our community!
Participants in the Fit Medley class, taught by Jess Sheahan, director of Life Enrichment, completed their annual “12 Days of Christmas” workout. Just like the song, this workout continues to build on itself each round until reaching the 12th day. “I pair an exercise with each day of Christmas starting with ‘one big back stretch’ going up to ‘12 drummers drumming,’” Sheahan said. “The fifth day is always ‘five biiiiiiiig squats!’ We repeat each day just like the song and keep adding a new exercise until we get to the 12th day. That means 40 squats by the end, but we are having so much fun you hardly notice!” 
On December 14, retired pastor Edward Gobrecht, a resident at The Village at Gettysburg, led The Village at Gettysburg in an Advent service on Saint Lucia.
To showcase Saint Lucia’s dress and crown, Chaplain Amy Wagner planned on displaying an American Girl doll dressed as Saint Lucia. When she could not locate the doll, Gobrecht suggested she dress like Saint Lucia, and she did! This display put a smile on many faces and made Chaplain Wagner a few inches taller!
Saint Lucia Day honors the martyr Saint Lucia, who is said to have delivered food and water to hidden Christians in the ancient catacombs of Rome. To light her path, Saint Lucia wore a crown adorned with candles. Saint Lucia is remembered for her good deeds and strong faith.
A small but enthusiastic flock of “turkeys” came out for the Seventh Annual Turkey Trot and Family Waddle at The Village at Gettysburg! The temperatures may have been in the 20s, but residents bundled up and got their miles in for a good cause – to stock the food pantry at South Central Community Action Programs. Happy Thanksgiving!
Residents at The Village at Gettysburg had a blast participating in this year's Halloween festivities! Residential living residents gathered together for a Halloween Happy Hour where they enjoyed good company and a “witches brew” with sweet treats! Happy Halloween from The Village at Gettysburg!
Here's the scoop! Residential living residents at The Village at Gettysburg learned how to make ice cream. By using two electric ice cream makers and a blender for a dairy-free peach sorbet, as well as relying upon several methods and techniques, residents successfully made five different flavors of ice cream and even whipped two flavors with crushed cookies. Thankfully, nobody had to use the old-fashioned hand crank ice cream maker! They enjoyed their ice cream with friends and neighbors at an ice cream social. The dairy-free peach sorbet and banana were two popular flavors!
With Jess Sheahan, director of Life Enrichment, as their personal instructor, residential living residents at The Village at Gettysburg recently went to school on how to arrange flowers. Jess used flowers and filler from her cutting garden at Terra Farms and Fields and shared her expertise on design elements like space, line, heigh and shape. Once they had the technical aspects of flower arranging down, residents filled their vases with their own creative masterpieces!
With Jess Sheahan, director of Life Enrichment, as their personal instructor, residential living residents at The Village at Gettysburg recently went to school on how to arrange flowers. Jess used flowers and filler from her cutting garden at Terra Farms and Fields and shared her expertise on design elements like space, line, heigh and shape. Once they had the technical aspects of flower arranging down, residents filled their vases with their own creative masterpieces!
Led by Andrew Kronmeyer, clinical dietician, residential living residents at The Village at Gettysburg learned why garlic is sometimes referred to as “The Allicin Wonderland Drug" during Tasty Tips. When garlic is chopped, minced, sliced or mashed, it produces a phytochemical called allicin, which has been shown to have many cardiovascular benefits as well as prebiotic, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer properties. Kronmeyer then provided step-by-step instructions while preparing garlic honey, pickled garlic, broccoli and garlic ricotta toast, and marinated green beans for residents to sample. Residents delighted in expanding their cooking knowledge while enjoying a few tasty and healthy dishes!
The Village at Gettysburg held its annual Summer Fun and Games Week in July! Residents enjoyed a variety of games with friends and neighbors. Whether playing corn hole and fast-paced "Minute to Win-It" games or taking part in a fun obstacle course, the camaraderie, as well as some friendly competition, remained strong throughout the week.
Celebrating National Eat Ice Cream For Breakfast Day! Residents at The Village at Gettysburg were happy to help prove that ice cream is a sweet treat you can enjoy any time of year and any time of day! In celebration of National Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day, residents created their own morning desserts with an ice cream buffet featuring hot Belgian waffles. After indulging, several health-conscious residents were off to the gym to work off those extra calories!
Celebrating National Eat Ice Cream For Breakfast Day! Residents at The Village at Gettysburg were happy to help prove that ice cream is a sweet treat you can enjoy any time of year and any time of day! In celebration of National Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day, residents created their own morning desserts with an ice cream buffet featuring hot Belgian waffles. After indulging, several health-conscious residents were off to the gym to work off those extra calories!
Celebrating National Eat Ice Cream For Breakfast Day! Residents at The Village at Gettysburg were happy to help prove that ice cream is a sweet treat you can enjoy any time of year and any time of day! In celebration of National Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day, residents created their own morning desserts with an ice cream buffet featuring hot Belgian waffles. After indulging, several health-conscious residents were off to the gym to work off those extra calories!
Residents at The Village at Gettysburg celebrated “It Takes a Village Week” – a celebration of appreciation for team members and residents for their contributions to making the community a great place to work and live. The celebration featured four distinctly themed days: Decade Day, Take Me Out to the Ballgame, Pink Flamingo Day and Beach Day. Residents and team members were encouraged to “dress for the beach” as they enjoyed a delicious picnic lunch on Beach Day. Pink flamingo hair clips adorned some residents on Pink Flamingo Day adding another festive touch. One resident exclaimed, “It’s just like old times!”, as she gathered with friends on the back patio to enjoy a meal together.
Residents at The Village at Gettysburg celebrated “It Takes a Village Week” – a celebration of appreciation for team members and residents for their contributions to making the community a great place to work and live. The celebration featured four distinctly themed days: Decade Day, Take Me Out to the Ballgame, Pink Flamingo Day and Beach Day. Residents and team members were encouraged to “dress for the beach” as they enjoyed a delicious picnic lunch on Beach Day. Pink flamingo hair clips adorned some residents on Pink Flamingo Day adding another festive touch. One resident exclaimed, “It’s just like old times!”, as she gathered with friends on the back patio to enjoy a meal together.
Transportation team members spread joy on “Fun Friday” at The Village at Gettysburg by generously donating tulips to residents of the personal care residence and skilled care center. Vickie Howery, driver, and Melissa King, administrative assistant (pictured together below), along with Vanessa Wagner-Lee, receptionist, purchased the colorful assortment of flowers from a local tulip farm. They were delivered to residents with help from members of the life enrichment team and beautician Maria McCauslin. Resident Janice Decker loved adding the splash of color to her room!
Transportation team members spread joy on “Fun Friday” at The Village at Gettysburg by generously donating tulips to residents of the personal care residence and skilled care center. Vickie Howery, driver, and Melissa King, administrative assistant (pictured together below), along with Vanessa Wagner-Lee, receptionist, purchased the colorful assortment of flowers from a local tulip farm. They were delivered to residents with help from members of the life enrichment team and beautician Maria McCauslin. Resident Wanda Redding loved adding the splash of color to her room!
Residents at The Village at Gettysburg woke up to an “eggstra” special surprise Easter morning. Residential living and personal care residents found that the Easter bunny had hopped through the community leaving a trail of candy-filled eggs behind. Skilled care residents received fun activity-filled bags generously donated by Kirsten Engelbert, niece of physical therapist, Katie Engelbert. It was an “eggcelent” Easter at The Village at Gettysburg!
Residents at The Village at Gettysburg woke up to an “eggstra” special surprise Easter morning. Residential living and personal care residents found that the Easter bunny had hopped through the community leaving a trail of candy-filled eggs behind. Skilled care residents received fun activity-filled bags generously donated by Kirsten Engelbert, niece of physical therapist, Katie Engelbert. It was an “eggcelent” Easter at The Village at Gettysburg!
Sixteen residents of The Village at Gettysburg virtually celebrated their completion of the Passport to Wellness program. The six-week program was created to help keep residents involved and active over the cold winter months. Each week, residents met with Jess Sheahan, director of Life Enrichment, and Nikki Richwine, Life Enrichment coordinator, to study and discuss famous cities and the types of music that made them famous. They learned about classical, Motown, blue grass, country, jazz, gospel, rock and roll and The Beatles! The residents were delivered foods related to the cities that they studied each week and tracked their exercise with a goal of exercising 150 minutes a week. The group collectively exercised for 16,152 minutes over the six weeks, which exceeded their goals! This was the fifth year that Gettysburg has hosted the Passport to Wellness program, with a different theme each year.
Sixteen residents of The Village at Gettysburg virtually celebrated their completion of the Passport to Wellness program. The six-week program was created to help keep residents involved and active over the cold winter months. Each week, residents met with Jess Sheahan, director of Life Enrichment, and Nikki Richwine, Life Enrichment coordinator, to study and discuss famous cities and the types of music that made them famous. They learned about classical, Motown, blue grass, country, jazz, gospel, rock and roll and The Beatles! The residents were delivered foods related to the cities that they studied each week and tracked their exercise with a goal of exercising 150 minutes a week. The group collectively exercised for 16,152 minutes over the six weeks, which exceeded their goals! This was the fifth year that Gettysburg has hosted the Passport to Wellness program, with a different theme each year.
Sixteen residents of The Village at Gettysburg virtually celebrated their completion of the Passport to Wellness program. The six-week program was created to help keep residents involved and active over the cold winter months. Each week, residents met with Jess Sheahan, director of Life Enrichment, and Nikki Richwine, Life Enrichment coordinator, to study and discuss famous cities and the types of music that made them famous. They learned about classical, Motown, blue grass, country, jazz, gospel, rock and roll and The Beatles! The residents were delivered foods related to the cities that they studied each week and tracked their exercise with a goal of exercising 150 minutes a week. The group collectively exercised for 16,152 minutes over the six weeks, which exceeded their goals! This was the fifth year that Gettysburg has hosted the Passport to Wellness program, with a different theme each year.
