Episodes

  • E135: Smooth Transitions: Essential Tips for New Residents
    Nov 7 2024
    Host: Dale Johnson Guests: Barry Sipe, Joe & Bridget Kasinskas Description: In this episode, team member Barry Sipe, who helps new residents transition smoothly into our community, shares his top tips for settling in. We also hear from two relatively new residents, who offer their insights from a newcomer’s perspective. Host Dale Johnson, a longtime resident, adds his valuable perspective as well.
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    25 mins
  • E134: Jen White, WV Catering Magic
    Oct 30 2024

    Host: Carol MacAllister

    Guest, Jen White, WV Manager of Catering & Retail Services

    Description: In 1992, Jen White was fresh out of Quarryville, PA, high school when her mother insisted she find a job. As they drove to Willow Valley, Jen cried all the way, but by the end of the day, she called her mother to say she had made a friend and would not need to be picked up. And so, a lifelong friendship with that girlfriend and with Willow Valley began and continues to this day. Jen started in culinary services as a “bus person,” wearing a short white dress with a starched black apron and white shoes. The dress code in those days was much more formal for staff and residents. After that, she became a clerical assistant and rose through the ranks under the guidance of Stacy Musser, who also started in culinary and is now VP of Resident Services. Proof positive that WV is a great place to work (and eat!) and advance in your career. Jen, along with Chef Fernando Garcia-Aguila, presently oversees the Guest Suites Breakfast room, Local Table, and her catering team for the Cultural Center and Chautauqua Hall. It is a big job considering all that goes on at Willow Valley, a “happening place.”

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    14 mins
  • E133: The APPLE Computer Club
    Oct 24 2024
    Host: Bill Adams Guest: Susan Culbertson, Teacher of all things APPLE Description: Technology is ever-evolving, and Apple has always been at the forefront of innovations, both with its computers and now especially its phones and smartwatches. It is hard to keep up with it all, but Susan does. And she has been teaching multiple classes at Willow Valley on how to take full advantage of all that APPLE has built into their IPADS, especially Apple Smart Watches. She will be continuing to offer these classes in the spring as we. If you own an APPLE anything, you should take advantage of Susan’s knowledge and calm teaching style. She says there are no stupid questions.
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    21 mins
  • E132: Loving Lancaster City, PA
    Oct 17 2024
    Guest: Ray Loewe Host: Deborah Brandt, founder and CEO of Fig Industries Description: Deborah Brandt is the founder and CEO of Fig Industries, a company devoted to showing all who live in and near Lancaster City what a fantastic place Lancaster City is to live, work, and play. Today Deborah explains all Lancaster City has to offer, from a vibrant arts scene to ethnically diverse restaurants to Broadway-level music and theater. After creating a successful career in design with big-name brands of New York City, she returned home to Manheim and Lancaster City to use her expertise and talents to make positive changes in her hometown through the creation of Fig—an enthusiast’s guide to living and loving local.
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    17 mins
  • E131: Willow Valley’s Caring Nursing Assistants
    Oct 10 2024
    Host: Candace O’Donnell Guest: Ronald James Scholl, Certified Nursing Assistant Description: R.J., known on the floor at Lakeside, gives exceptional care. Not only is he strong, skilled, and well-trained, but most importantly, he is CARING. R.J. is just one of the many wonderful nursing assistants throughout the WV Health Care system. Growing old is not easy, and when the body and mind begin to break down, nursing skill is needed, but more than anything, a caring, empathetic nurse at every level of care is what matters most to the patient and their families. R. J. is an example of just that. Candace knows firsthand as she watches R.J. work with her husband, who has had a debilitating stroke.
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    18 mins
  • E130: Finding Your Significance Within Yourself
    Oct 3 2024
    Host: Carol MacAllister Guest: Tammi Brennan, Personal Trainer Description: Tammi Brennan was a featured guest speaker at a two-day seminar organized by Willow Valley resident and founder of the Life Under the Willow Tree Podcast, Ray Loewe. After retirement, Ray found he needed help reorienting and reinvigorating his life. Tammi helped him find new meaning, projects, friendships, and greater fulfillment in his life after his professional career. He asked Tammi to share her wisdom with all of Willow Valley. Following the seminar, we sat down with Tammi to share more of her insights and how she found her own significance and her new path in life.
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    16 mins
  • E129: Optimal Brain Health-Dr. Robert Winningham
    Sep 26 2024
    Host: Bill Adams Guest: Dr. Robert Winningham, Professor of Psychological Sciences Description: There is mounting evidence that lifestyle factors, including staying mentally and physically active, can maximize our memory ability and even delay memory loss. Dr. Willingham shares with Bill Adams the latest research including how aerobic and resistance training (weights, even light ones) positively affects your brain and can stave off memory loss.
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    22 mins
  • E128: The Will and Ways of Madeleine Ortman
    Sep 20 2024
    Host: Carol MacAllister Guest: Madeleine Ortman Description: Madeleine Ortman moved to Willow Valley after a long career in education, first as a teacher, to principal, and then as head of several different private and independent schools. She then moved into consulting with Independent School Management, traveling around the world. She moved to Willow Valley in December 2021. Hereditary issues and spinal surgery necessitated moving from her Manor Apartment to Meadow Ridge. Despite using a walker with great effort and leg supports, Madeleine nevertheless entered the annual bike challenge between the Manor and Lakes campus and came in SECOND achieving 558 miles, losing out only to Dale Johnson who clocked in at 712 miles as he was training for a big bike ride across NYS. WHERE THERE IS A WILL THERE IS A WAY. Madeleine says if you don’t use it you will lose it, and living in Meadow Ridge, a personal care facility, does not stop you from living an active and interesting life.
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    16 mins