It Takes a Village Week
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.
Life Enrichment offers a variety of socially distanced activities
The Village at Gettysburg Life Enrichment team is offering a modified socially distanced life enrichment schedule. Check out what activities have been offered so far.
Every second, 350 slices of pizza are sold in the United States! It is a comfort food favorite worth celebrating, as residents and team members at The Village at Gettysburg did on National Pizza Party Day. Tables were covered with checkered red-and-white cloths, Italian music played and the Cura dining team made delicious homemade pizza and salad for residential living residents to take home and enjoy.
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. Residents loved adding the splash of color to their rooms!
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.
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.
Love permeated The Village at Gettysburg this Valentine’s Day! Nikki Richwine, life enrichment coordinator, taught a fun Zoom class on how to make Oreo truffles. Handmade cards generously donated by a Gettysburg family were delivered to residents of the personal care residence and the skilled care center. Sweet treat bags were delivered to residential living residents. In addition, the dining services team prepared an early Valentine’s Day lunch on Friday consisting of lobster ravioli and beef Wellington accompanied by love songs streaming through the hallways.
Love permeated The Village at Gettysburg this Valentine’s Day! Nikki Richwine, life enrichment coordinator, taught a fun Zoom class on how to make Oreo truffles. Handmade cards generously donated by a Gettysburg family were delivered to residents of the personal care residence and the skilled care center. Sweet treat bags were delivered to residential living residents. In addition, the dining services team prepared an early Valentine’s Day lunch on Friday consisting of lobster ravioli and beef Wellington accompanied by love songs streaming through the hallways.
The Gettysburg Walking Club celebrated former member and resident of The Village at Gettysburg, Mary Lincoln's 100 birthday with a parade through campus. Mary was a member of the group for 37 years. The club drove through campus honking their horns and delivered balloons and gifts to Mary in honor of this milestone.
With their “can do” attitude represented by their “Rosie the Riveter” attire, team members at The Village at Gettysburg did their part to help win the war against COVID-19 by receiving the vaccine at the community’s second vaccine clinic on Thursday. Some residents and team members received their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the clinic while others received their first. After getting their shot, residents of the skilled care center were treated to milkshakes by members of the life enrichment team dressed as Patty and Penelope Penguin for National Penguin Day!
Over the holidays, residents and team members at The Village at Gettysburg donated non-perishable food items to the South Central Community Action Programs
Gettysburg food pantry. Jess Sheahan, life enrichment director, filled her entire car twice with donations to deliver to the food pantry – at Thanksgiving and again at Christmas! At a time when many are visiting food banks for the first time due to the impact of the pandemic, residents and team members were grateful to be able to help.
Team members helped make this Christmas a little more special for residents at The Village at Gettysburg. Residential living residents were treated to a festive holiday meal that was delivered to their doorsteps! The delicious lunch included flank steak with demi glace, a roasted tomato and basil shrimp skewer, au gratin potatoes, Prince William blend vegetables and a brownie with peppermint icing. At the skilled care center, Santa (generously played by Benay Bair, life enrichment partner) delivered gift bags to joyful and appreciative residents.
Team members helped make this Christmas a little more special for residents at The Village at Gettysburg. Residential living residents were treated to a festive holiday meal that was delivered to their doorsteps! The delicious lunch included flank steak with demi glace, a roasted tomato and basil shrimp skewer, au gratin potatoes, Prince William blend vegetables and a brownie with peppermint icing. At the skilled care center, Santa (generously played by Benay Bair, life enrichment partner) delivered gift bags to joyful and appreciative residents.
Residents and team members walked their turkey tail feathers off in a socially distanced Turkey Trot around the village’s 1.5 mile walking trail the day before Thanksgiving. In 2016, the village began hosting a 5K Turkey Trot for residents, team members and the greater community, but due to COVID-19 this year’s event was carved for residents and team members only. To everyone who participated – great job moving those feet before the feast!
This year, residents at The Village at Gettysburg celebrated Active Aging Week a bit differently than normal due to the pandemic, but they were still able to enjoy several wellness activities and exercise in a safe, supportive environment. To engage the body, Jess Sheahan, life enrichment director, led a virtual balance and coordination class and Zoomed to the beat with a drumming class. To engage the mind and spirit, residents accessed a diverse selection of free lectures offered on the International Council on Active Aging website. Our residents and team members are proving that, even during a pandemic, there are no barriers to getting active!
How great it is have an artist around like Nikki Richwine, life enrichment coordinator at The Village at Gettysburg, to teach cottage residents how to draw Mickey Mouse starting with just a circle! The virtual art class is the latest addition to Wednesday Zoom activities, which are a fun way for the life enrichment team to not only see residents but also provide some exercise for the brain. Other activities include trivia, Name That Tune, Family Feud and riddle competitions.
How great it is have an artist around like Nikki Richwine, life enrichment coordinator at The Village at Gettysburg, to teach cottage residents how to draw Mickey Mouse starting with just a circle! The virtual art class is the latest addition to Wednesday Zoom activities, which are a fun way for the life enrichment team to not only see residents but also provide some exercise for the brain. Other activities include trivia, Name That Tune, Family Feud and riddle competitions.
Residents at The Village at Gettysburg are utilizing technology to connect with fellow residents and continue to remain active. Jess Sheahan, life enrichment director, has been using Zoom to teach Chair Yoga and Fit Medley. “I usually ‘show up’ to class 10 minutes early to greet, catch up and have coffee with the residents,” said Jess. She also has produced chair exercise videos that can be viewed on iPads by residents of the personal care residence and skilled care center. “I am really happy with how residents have embraced technology to get together and remain physically active,” said Jess.
Residents and team members in the skilled care center at The Village at Gettysburg avoided the “Christmas in July” rush by celebrating “Christmas in August!” The life enrichment team made sure the summer holiday bash was just as merry by providing gift bags for residents and team members, playing Christmas music in the halls and holding a socially distant meet-and-greet with Santa, aka, Benay Bair, skilled care activities assistant. It was a great pick-me-up on a hot August day!
Champions Support Champions
Team members at The Village at Gettysburg show their fighting stances against COVID-19 in support of their colleagues who are being honored with a recognition video set to the tune of the Theme from Rocky.
Tammi Alban, unit secretary, The Village at Gettysburg
Erin Naylor, director of social services, The Village at Gettysburg
Jess Sheahan, director of life enrichment, The Village at Gettysburg
Jodi Lyons, nursing home administrator, The Village at Gettysburg
Jody Evans, nursing secretary, The Village at Gettysburg
Penny Kilmon, guest services coordinator, The Village at Gettysburg
Parades to Lift Spirits
Team members across our life plan communities help lift the spirits of residents with parades through their respective villages!
The Village at Shrewsbury hosted a parade at the community, providing an opportunity for team members to greet residents who they have missed seeing since this unprecedented health crisis began in early March. Residents clapped, waved flags, banged buckets with wooden spoons and held signs thanking staff. Team members laughed, honked their car horns, danced and waved. There is something special about a parade that lifts people’s spirits! 
The Village at Shrewsbury hosted a parade at the community, providing an opportunity for team members to greet residents who they have missed seeing since this unprecedented health crisis began in early March. Residents clapped, waved flags, banged buckets with wooden spoons and held signs thanking staff. Team members laughed, honked their car horns, danced and waved. There is something special about a parade that lifts people’s spirits! 
The Village at Shrewsbury hosted a parade at the community, providing an opportunity for team members to greet residents who they have missed seeing since this unprecedented health crisis began in early March. Residents clapped, waved flags, banged buckets with wooden spoons and held signs thanking staff. Team members laughed, honked their car horns, danced and waved. There is something special about a parade that lifts people’s spirits! 
The Village at Shrewsbury hosted a parade at the community, providing an opportunity for team members to greet residents who they have missed seeing since this unprecedented health crisis began in early March. Residents clapped, waved flags, banged buckets with wooden spoons and held signs thanking staff. Team members laughed, honked their car horns, danced and waved. There is something special about a parade that lifts people’s spirits! 
The Village at Shrewsbury hosted a parade at the community, providing an opportunity for team members to greet residents who they have missed seeing since this unprecedented health crisis began in early March. Residents clapped, waved flags, banged buckets with wooden spoons and held signs thanking staff. Team members laughed, honked their car horns, danced and waved. There is something special about a parade that lifts people’s spirits! 
Team members at SpiriTrust Lutheran®, The Village at Luther Ridge helped lift the spirits of residents with a parade through the village! Team members spread cheer as residents came out to wave, say hello and display signs of prayer, thanks and encouragement.
Team members at SpiriTrust Lutheran®, The Village at Luther Ridge helped lift the spirits of residents with a parade through the village! Team members spread cheer as residents came out to wave, say hello and display signs of prayer, thanks and encouragement.
Team members at SpiriTrust Lutheran®, The Village at Luther Ridge helped lift the spirits of residents with a parade through the village! Team members spread cheer as residents came out to wave, say hello and display signs of prayer, thanks and encouragement.
Team members at SpiriTrust Lutheran®, The Village at Luther Ridge helped lift the spirits of residents with a parade through the village! Team members spread cheer as residents came out to wave, say hello and display signs of prayer, thanks and encouragement.
Team members at SpiriTrust Lutheran®, The Village at Luther Ridge helped lift the spirits of residents with a parade through the village! Team members spread cheer as residents came out to wave, say hello and display signs of prayer, thanks and encouragement.
Team members at SpiriTrust Lutheran®, The Village at Luther Ridge helped lift the spirits of residents with a parade through the village! Team members spread cheer as residents came out to wave, say hello and display signs of prayer, thanks and encouragement.
Champions Recognition
We recognized the champions of SpiriTrust Lutheran®, through photos and videos set to songs about champions.
- The week of May 11 we recognized direct care team members with the song, "The Champion", by Carrie Underwood.
- Our celebration continued the week of May 18 as we recognized non-direct care team members with the song, "I'm Still Standing", by Elton John.
- The week of May 25, Counseling Services, Domestic Abuse Solutions, Senior Companion, Touch-a-Life, Stephen Ministry & VITA team members were celebrated with the "Gonna Fly Now (Theme from Rocky)" by Bill Conti.
- The week of June 1 HOC, Home Care & Hospice and LIFE office team members along with our LPC sales and marketing team were recognized as champions to the song "We are the Champions" by Queen.
