Poltergeist Anyone?

Posted on November 8, 2018 by Liberty Lutheran

Do you feel like the end of the year is flying by? Welcome to Throwback Thursday, as we take you back a week to Halloween:

Enter into Artman’s Haunted House. Walk through the black tunnel, as hands reach out from the walls and try to grab you. You emerge into a living room that at first glance seems somewhat normal except for the creepy pictures on the walls. Wait, who’s that creepy dude watching TV? And is Poltergeist playing or is the TV haunted?

You hurry down what can only be described as spider alley, fighting the cobwebs and avoiding the giant spider lurking from the ceiling. You stumble upon bars (a prison?), and realize that Santa is being held captive. You hear a scream and turn toward the sound to see a head on a platter served with a side of Santa’s elves.

You run to the next room and there’s a party going on, a party of skeletons drinking who knows what. You think you see the exit, but it’s too foggy to know for sure. You’ll have to brave the graveyard and the ghouls to find out.

Ah, you’re outside and the horror is over. Or is it? The band members playing music are Zombies. The food being served is: Frankenstein’s brain filled with worms (well, maybe it’s chocolate mousse with gummy worms); one-eyed Rice Krispy treats; witch lady fingers; pumpkin patch cupcakes; and apple cider.

You’re laughing and enjoying the beautiful weather and comradery of friends. And you’re ready to go through it again, because you had a blast.

Thanks to all the residents, family members and staff who volunteered their time to make this year’s haunted house a smashing success.

- Residents who made the giant spider and other props as well as those who dressed up for the occasion (and the few who joined in as characters)
- Alex’s son Simeon who helped create the prison
- LaSalle High School students for creating the graveyard and exit
- Staff for the phenomenal job of pulling it altogether: JJ, Madeleine, the FISH committee and Community Life for your leadership; Dining for the fabulous food; music therapist interns for the great music; Meriluz and Sarah for the grand entrance; Mary Ann for donating a lot of the decorations; maintenance for set design, set up and breakdown; and of course our the many wonderful staff and participants who joined as actors to bring characters to life.

Plans are already underway for next year. Artman’s plan is to make the haunted house bigger and better, and to open it up to families in our surrounding community.

Getting into the Swing of Things at The Village at Penn State

Posted on June 8, 2018 by Liberty Lutheran

Construction has begun on the highly anticipated Palmer Park at The Village at Penn State. Designed and completed by the Arnold Palmer Design Company, the first-of-its-kind fully landscaped park, gardens and beautiful walking trails will offer residents unparalleled outdoor space for year-round activities, recreation and al fresco dining.

The senior living community is dedicated to providing a wealth of healthy experiences for retired adults seeking an active and engaging lifestyle. Thanks to a suite of services, including independent living, personal care, rehabilitation and skilled nursing, residents are able to ‘age in place’ throughout all stages of their retirement.

With the addition of Palmer Park at The Village, residents seeking to continue their robust lifestyle choices can step outside to hone their golf skills on the professionally contoured synthetic grass putting green and practice area. The Park also has space for residents to delight in a game of bocce, stroll the walkway through world-class gardens, and partake in morning meditation on the multi-purpose fields.

A magnificent pergola and fire pit accent the new Creamery Terrace where residents can revel in al fresco dining with views of Palmer Park’s fields and golf putting greens. Focused on resident nutrition and using fresh, local-sourced ingredients, the Village’s exquisite restaurant-style fine dining allows for a stunning experience that rivals the region’s fine dining establishments. Penn State Berkey Creamery ice cream will also be available on-site in a variety of flavors for residents, family and friends to enjoy on the terrace, on the walking paths, or while relaxing on one of the many sitting areas throughout the Park.

Located on the doorstep of Penn State’s campus, residents of the Village enjoy a special relationship with the University and the students. The Village provides transportation to lectures, sporting and cultural events, and to downtown State College. Students also regularly visit The Village, bringing their youth and energy to an already vibrant community. With this in mind, Palmer Park is distinctly designed for residents of The Village to be active in a very unique outdoor setting.

Palmer Park at The Village at Penn State showcases how the community continues to offer unparalleled services to people who want to stay fit and active through their retirement.

Click here to schedule a tour to learn more about all the new developments happening at The Village at Penn State.

Watch a short video about our new developments below.

Update from the Village at Penn State

Posted on January 12, 2018 by Liberty Lutheran

Sally Wangness, a resident at The Village at Penn State, is the unofficial documentarian of construction of the community’s new connector hallway and community room. Since construction began in August 2017, she has been snapping photos to follow the progress. “The photos are mounted on an easel outside the main dining room with a description,” said Sally. “I love being able to keep everyone informed on the progress of these much anticipated additions.”

The brisk pace of construction on the hallway and community room means the exterior walls are complete and the interior is taking shape. Interior rooms- such as the kitchen area, restrooms, audio/visual space, and the stage- have been roughed out and wiring and plumbing are now being installed. Sally marvels at the pace of the construction. “Each time I come here with Ellen Corbin, executive director of the Village, there is something new to see. Ellen has been so gracious in letting me photograph the progress.”

With a raised stage and seating for up to 165 guests, the new community room will allow more residents to partake in the variety of activities offered at The Village. The new connector hallway will make it much easier to visit family and friends in the Atrium as it links the main residence with the personal care community.

Careful planning on account of the fickle State College weather has kept the progress on track according to Dave DeLuca, Liberty Lutheran’s director of real estate development. “The weather in late 2017 did make it a challenge,” said Dave, “To prepare for that, our team did its homework and we still expect to complete construction by early spring.”

New construction will also being soon on Palmer Park and six park-adjacent cottages. Palmer Park is a first-of-its kind fully landscaped park and gardens, featuring professionally contoured golf putting and practice areas, a village green and a multi-purpose area for many recreational activities. The luxurious cottages will include two bedrooms and two-full bathrooms, an open floor plan with 1,800 square feet of living space, vaulted ceilings, and dramatic windows that feature views of the beautiful Palmer Park.

In 2014, Sally also documented the construction of The Atrium, The Village’s personal care community. When the groundbreaking on Palmer Park and the cottages occurs, Sally plans on being there to capture that progress as well.

You can learn more about the exciting new opportunities of growth at RetireatPennState.org.

Capital campaign launched to transform Village at Penn State

Posted on June 29, 2015 by Liberty Lutheran

The first phase of construction began in November 2014.

The Village at Penn State is launching the public phase of the “Pride of Our Life,” a new, three-year, $4 million capital campaign that will help to fund an $11.6 million renovation project. It will result in a new personal care household, new community center, main entryway, new covered walkway and an additional dining venue at Liberty Lutheran’s university-based senior living community in State College. The public launch follows a quiet phase that has succeeded in raising $1.65 million.

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The Hearth at Drexel – A Perfect Solution

Posted on March 12, 2015 by Liberty Lutheran

“I wanted a place my parents would call home,” says daughter, Karen.

When Karen toured The Hearth at Drexel with the Executive Director, Betty Bebian, she believed she found a perfect solution for the care and support that her parents needed.

Karen says, “Although Mom and Dad had lived independently all their lives, their needs for care and daily support were increasing. We didn’t want a clinical environment with restrictions and call- bells, but a place they could call home.”

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iPads: Helping our Residents Connect with the World

Posted on January 21, 2015 by Liberty Lutheran

Paul’s Run started bi-weekly iPad instructional classes in the fall of 2014.

Three elderly women and a man sat around a table in Paul’s Run’s library recently, huddled over their iPads and listening intently to Community Life Director, Jeri Iacono’s directions.

“The most important thing you need to know is how to turn it on,” she told the group. “Don’t be afraid of hurting it. Be patient and when you don’t know how to get out of something, hit the home button,” she added, pointing to the large round button at the base of the iPad.

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