Spring 2019
A WILLOW VALLEY COMMUNITIES PUBLICATION
Lancaster: A City Authentic “Come Take a Walk” page 2
Contents
Willow is a publication of Willow Valley Communities
7
2
10
12
For nearly 35 years, Willow Valley Communities has embraced a spirit of innovation and ongoing renewal, dedicated to being on the cutting edge in senior living. We’ve done this while being ever-anchored in our hospitality roots — never forgetting our important heritage. We believe that this combination of history plus vision for the future has allowed us to offer our Residents a unique senior living experience. When we look just beyond our community to our hometown of Lancaster, we observe these same complements at work: a richly evolving city leveraging its place in history. We are truly fortunate to be located in close proximity to Lancaster City; the heart of downtown is just three miles from Willow Valley Communities. Many of our Residents, who come from 37 states across the nation, agree: Today’s Lancaster is a special place to live, explore, and enjoy. The rest of the world is learning this also. In recent months, well known publications and other entities have featured Lancaster and bestowed upon it a number of accolades. U.S. News & World Report recently designated Lancaster as the Best Place to Retire. Forbes Magazine named Lancaster One of the Ten Coolest Cities to Visit. The New York Post has called Lancaster “The New Brooklyn.” And, the New York Daily News says, “Lancaster is Much Cooler than You Think.” Lancaster’s restaurants have also received accolades from world renowned food critics. In an interview
Spring 2019
in this issue of Willow, Lancaster’s Mayor Danene Sorace offers insight as to why the momentum to learn and report about Lancaster’s uniqueness is growing nationwide. Our Residents exemplify a Life Lived Forward philosophy as they are fully engaged at Willow Valley Communities, in Lancaster City, and beyond. They inspire me every day. As you pore over this issue of Willow, I believe you’ll see why. We are proud to call Lancaster our hometown. The city’s rich offerings, including art galleries, theatre, top notch restaurants, cultural organizations, shopping, and more, provide robust opportunities for our Residents to pursue their passions. It’s a wonderful small city that’s continually growing and evolving. And, like Lancaster, Willow Valley Communities also continues to look to the future with exciting new plans on the horizon for 2019 and beyond. Kind regards,
2 Lancaster:
7 Modeling a
Life Lived Forward
A City Authentic
The rest of the world has been learning lately what those of us who enjoy Lancaster have known for a very long time: Lancaster, Pennsylvania is a very special place.
Resident Armand Weller turns professional model in retirement.
10 Willow Valley
Communities Family of Brands
Our family is here to serve your family.
12
Easing Transition
18
16 Awards and
“Everyone experiences the world a little differently.”
Recognition Willow Valley Communities’ Team Members work together every day to make Willow Valley Communities the premier 55-plus senior living community.
18 The Heroes
Ad Campaign Willow Valley Communities’ special ad campaign featured in FiG magazine celebrating the “Unsung Heroes of Lancaster City.”
New Resident Discussion Series: Making your new community your home.
John G. Swanson Chief Executive Officer Willow Valley Living
WillowValleyCommunities.org
1
Lancaster A City Authentic:
“Come Take a Walk”
Lately, the rest of the world has been learning what those of us who enjoy Lancaster have known for a very long time: Lancaster, Pennsylvania is a very special place.
Lancaster’s Mayor, Danene Sorace
A
ccolades of this great little city abound. U.S. News & World Report recently designated Lancaster as the Best Place to Retire. Forbes Magazine named Lancaster One of the Ten Coolest Cities to Visit. The New York Post has called Lancaster “The New Brooklyn.” And, the New York Daily News says, “Lancaster is Much Cooler than You Think.”
Downtown Lancaster is no stranger to Willow Valley Communities or our Residents. For over three decades, the Residents of Willow Valley Communities — located just three miles outside of downtown Lancaster — have been very familiar with and have enjoyed all that the city has to offer. Our Residents have also given back to the city by getting involved in events and projects and by volunteering. But still, we were curious: Exactly just what is it about the new, current Lancaster that has made it so deserving of these many recent accolades in the national news? We decided to go straight to the source, Lancaster’s Mayor, Danene Sorace, to have her tell the Lancaster story, in her own words. Mayor Sorace was sworn in January of 2018 as the head of Lancaster City’s executive branch. Before becoming mayor, Sorace served three years on City Council, 2
Spring 2019
chairing the finance committee and serving on the public works, economic development, and neighborhood revitalization committees. She previously worked as a self-employed health education consultant and was the former executive director of environmental advocacy group, LIVE Green. She was born in northeastern Pennsylvania, and remained in Pennsylvania for part of her childhood before moving to mid-state New Jersey. She moved to Lancaster in 2007. She and her husband, Christian Recknagel, have a 12-year-old daughter, Aurelia. Mayor Sorace is passionate about Lancaster and all it has to offer. She’s also excited about its future. We wanted to get her thoughts on the city’s uniqueness, its recent renaissance, and why, lately, there’s been so much about Lancaster in the national news. So, this past December, she welcomed Willow Valley Communities’ chief marketing officer, Brian T. Rutter, to her office for a conversation about these topics – and more. Her explanation was straightforward. Mayor Sorace explained, “There’s this historical charm that meets the kind of attributes people are looking for in a city environment. That’s why we’ve been popping up. People come here and say, ‘Wow – what’s this?!’” WillowValleyCommunities.org
3
BR: What else attracts visitors to Lancaster? MS: Lancaster is just easy. We are a small city. It’s not complicated to come here. You can get on a train and there are multiple ways you can get from the train station to downtown in less than ten minutes. It’s affordable and you can have the experience of exploring on foot or on a bike. This is a very walkable city. But, at the same time, Lancaster also meets all the things that people look for in a city environment. For example, Lancaster’s unique arts scene and the many cultural opportunities are reasons why Lancaster receives the attention that it gets. There is a recent heightened curiosity about urban environments and that’s why a little bit of buzz around the city has increased. I think people are surprised. Lancaster is comfortable. It’s a little bit unexpected and it’s very affordable in contrast to New York, Philly (Philadelphia), and Baltimore. It’s also an easy place for a getaway weekend. Plus, food goes with beverages, and the beer scene is burgeoning. There are a lot of local beer and spirits being made here as well. We have a lot of independently owned stores and there’s a unique flavor about what is curated in our retail (shops). BR: What progress are we making in changing people’s perception that Lancaster is only about the Amish? MS: When I talk to people about Lancaster, they all have memories. They all recall coming to Lancaster and coming to Dutch Wonderland and the outlets as a kid. That’s their version of Lancaster.
BR: Mayor Sorace, what is the “What’s this?” of Lancaster? MS: I think it’s a confluence of the historical nature of our city and the fact that we have preserved so much of the historical place of our city. I think it’s also because of some of the core values of what Lancaster is. There are more connections to the agricultural community now — before there were five or six public markets throughout the city. There was just an article that said there are some 90 restaurants in Lancaster. I see that new iteration of that food focus as being our restaurants. If you go to these restaurants you will see that they are locally sourced. They will list on the blackboard or in the menu where their fruits, vegetables, meats, and cheeses are coming from. I think that’s a pretty unique ecosystem to be living and working in because it has a connection to our history and it’s an updated version of our food system. Also, what’s happening at Southern Market — the idea that it’s becoming a food incubator space with a commercial kitchen and a way to utilize and reconnect that building to its (19th century) past.
4
Spring 2019
Now people come here and they still have connections to Dutch Wonderland and the outlets and they still want to bring their families here for that. We still get that draw, but I honestly think now people’s appetite is for exploring an urban environment and that’s what the little bit of buzz about Lancaster has been about: exploring the city. I think that is also reflected in some of the demographics shifts that we are seeing nationally in terms of the growth in the urban centers. BR: What are the signs of growth that you are seeing in Lancaster? MS: We have seen a sustained number of building permits in both residential and commercial over the last decade increasing; we have seen an increase in the number of employers moving their operations into downtown Lancaster. The Fulton Bank expansion, Cargas — now moving into the heart of downtown, Woodstream relocating its corporate headquarters from Lititz to Lancaster. There are others as well. We’ve also had Baby Boomers who are downsizing and moving back into the city; those who may have lived here
WillowValleyCommunities.org
5
when they were younger, or have grown up here are moving back. Armand Weller’s first photo session with professional models at the Willow Valley Communities Welcome Center.
We have the age-friendly designation from the World Health Organization. That is something we continue to be committed to. People are thinking about urban living and the many benefits and amenities of urban life. BR: What do you see in the arts scene in Lancaster? MS: The arts will continue to be a core component of our downtown. I think that will continue unbridled, especially when I see what is happening at the Fulton Theatre and PRiMA now having its own space (once nomadic, PRiMA Theatre recently moved to a new home at Wheatland Place on the northwest side of the city). I think there is a commitment to the arts in this community that runs very deep and that certainly was part of our city’s new renaissance. The new city, if you will. BR: What is your vision for tomorrow’s Lancaster? MS: For me, tomorrow’s Lancaster is about creating a much more equitable community. The way that we do that is really working in our neighborhoods. There was a lot of effort in getting downtown to what we know it as now; it didn’t happen magically. But there are so many other stories to tell about our city. And for me those stories exist in our neighborhoods. How are we telling the story of our neighborhoods? Especially as the new waves of people are coming to live in our city. We have this story and I would like us to tell that story better as a city. And for us to be thinking and working toward both the people in our neighborhoods, as well as the infrastructure. The homes that are in our neighborhoods, the street-scape; we have done a lot of park improvements already — we are continuing to move the needle on that.
MODELING a Life Lived Forward W
When I think about the city — even from the 1730s — there have been decades of decline and decades of success. Historically, it’s been this ebb and flow. You can walk around the city and see that first wave in the Fulton Theatre and (Franklin & Marshall College’s) Old Main that were constructed at about the same period. Many houses — beautiful homes that were constructed in the late 1800’s — including mine. I think about those periods of time of boom and I recognize that those times don’t last forever. We recede, we move forward. But the infrastructure that we’re building today and the intention about connecting it to our history makes us relevant for the future and sustainable as a community.
Senior life and retirement can be one of the most exciting and fulfilling times of life. The time after retiring from paid work does not mean retiring from life. Retirement is really one of the few times in your life when you are free to pursue your passions — either by discovering new ones or by delving back into passions that you’ve had to put on hold because of family or work obligations. It’s one of the few times of life where you can do exactly what you want to do, when you want to do it.
BR: And finally, Mayor Sorace, if you were talking to someone who doesn’t really know today’s Lancaster — whether they are in Lancaster County’s Manheim Township or downtown Manhattan, what would you say? MS: Come take a walk. Lancaster is not what you think it is. It’s much more. 6
Spring 2019
hat does Willow Valley Communities mean when we say “Life Lived Forward”? Put simply, it’s our philosophy about senior living and retirement. But what, exactly, does a life lived forward look like?
Resident Armand Weller knows exactly what this is about and has enthusiastically adopted the philosophy of Life Lived Forward at Willow Valley Communities. Armand, originally from Boyertown, PA, attended the Lancaster Seminary. In 1994, he and his wife, Barb, a constitutional law attorney, moved to Florida because Armand had become a pastor at a church near Clearwater. The Wellers have three grown daughters.
After a fulfilling career in Florida, Armand retired in 2012. It was then that he and Barb decided to move to Willow Valley Communities. The Wellers were ready to leave the Florida heat, as well as the threat of hurricanes that was often looming. They also missed the seasons; Barb especially missed snow. The Wellers say that another part of their decision to move to Lancaster County was simply because of how beautiful it is. However, Armand was a little apprehensive about his retirement. He recalls going on two week-long vacations with his wife and recalling that after those two weeks he was, in his words, “going crazy.” “My big fear,” he said, “was what was going to happen once I retire? Am I going to go crazy after two weeks?” Armand was afraid if he didn’t have job responsibilities that he had to return to, then he would have nothing to do. But Armand needn’t have worried. He discovered something about himself once he retired and moved to Willow Valley Communities. Once the pre-retirement pressure of having to be somewhere or having to do something was removed, he felt he could pick and choose whatever he wanted to do. It was very freeing. Armand, who loves meeting new people, decided to become a regular volunteer at the Willow Valley
WillowValleyCommunities.org
7
Armand, in a commercial for the game, Fleet Battle. (Photos courtesy of MAKE Films, Lancaster)
Communities Welcome Center, where there is a steady stream of visitors whom he warmly greets on their way to meet with sales counselors or tour the campus. And it was during one of his Welcome Center shifts when Armand was asked to join a photo shoot session that was taking place for Willow Valley Communities’ advertising materials. As he joined the group of professional models waiting for the next shot, he struck up a conversation with them and they asked him which modeling agency he was from. “Oh no,” Armand said. “I’m a Willow Valley Communities Resident.” When Armand returned home that evening, he and Barb chuckled about the misunderstanding. They also laughed with one of their daughters, who happened to call that evening, that her father was mistaken for a professional model.
Armand’s modeling agency sends his professional head shot to clients to consider him for their marketing campaigns.
8
Spring 2019
After they finished laughing, Barb and her daughter thought about it and they challenged Armand. “Why don’t you try it? Why don’t you just see what happens? Just for the fun of it,” they said. And so, Armand called the modeling agency, made an appointment for an audition, and two months later he was at his first professional modeling job shooting a commercial at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Since then, Armand has appeared in other commercials, a documentary, brochures, and advertisements. He picks and chooses which jobs he wants to audition for and regularly travels to Philadelphia, Baltimore, and the Washington, D.C. area because they are so easy to get to from Willow Valley Communities. Armand enjoys seeing the production process. And as he did on that first photo
session, he still enjoys meeting the other models and getting to know them in between takes. But now, when they ask him what agency he is from, he has an answer. Armand reflects, “The nice thing about retirement for me is that you have so much time to do stuff that you couldn’t do before.” Armand had always enjoyed acting in plays and drama through school and during his pastoral career. He’s also written plays and musicals and looks forward to possibly seeing his latest musical, “The Shepherd King,” a musical about King David, produced at a local theater.
Above: Armand and his wife, Barb (on his right) enjoy a meal out with Bob and Shirley Cressman at Local Table at The Clubhouse at Willow Valley Communities.
Armand’s philosophy about retirement is simple: “Just enjoy it. You have to be open to whatever opportunity might come up. Don’t ever think, ‘Well, I’ve already done stuff. I’m finished doing stuff.’ You’re never finished doing stuff.” He mentions that living at Willow Valley Communities has provided him with the opportunities, as well as the peace of mind, to be able to be open to new pursuits that come his way. The rest of the Weller family is very proud of Armand and enjoy watching his commercials on YouTube. Barb Weller gets a kick out of casually bringing up his new ‘vocation’ in conversations, “Oh by the way, my husband’s a model.” “She just loves saying that,” says Armand. But when Barb talks about her husband’s modeling career, what she’s really describing is a life of trying new things, exploring new passions, and being open to new possibilities. A Life Lived Forward at Willow Valley Communities.
WillowValleyCommunities.org
9
THE WILLOW VALLEY COMMUNITIES
Family of Brands OUR FAMILY IS HERE TO SERVE YOUR FAMILY.
For 35 years, Willow Valley Communities has been a trusted name in senior living. A 55-plus senior living community to over 2,500 Residents, Willow Valley Communities offers close to 100 different floor plans, award-winning amenities, and stunning homes throughout its more than 210 acres. Willow Valley Communities is also the only exclusively Lifecare community in Lancaster County. There won’t be an increase to monthly fees if personal care, skilled nursing care, or memory support is needed later. Willow Valley Communities offers peace of mind and greater long-term security for a family’s assets. Willow Valley Communities serves as the “umbrella” of a comprehensive family of brands.
Willow Valley Communities SmartLife VIA Willow Valley Integrity Hearing Solutions VIA Willow Valley Connections at Home VIA Willow Valley All share the same reputation for excellence as Willow Valley Communities.
10
Spring 2019
SmartLife VIA Willow Valley Lancaster, Dauphin, Cumberland, and Lebanon County’s leading Lifecare at-home program provides the security of a continuing care senior living community in the member’s own home. SmartLife arranges for care, when it’s needed, while safeguarding a family’s assets from rising costs.
Integrity Hearing Solutions VIA Willow Valley provides professional, individualized, and honest guidance in the choice of an appropriate hearing solution. Integrity Hearing Solutions VIA Willow Valley has pricing similar to what is offered at typical “big box” stores.
Connections at Home VIA Willow Valley is a non-medical home-care agency that arranges for needed care at home. Connections at Home VIA Willow Valley is here to help. Connections at Home offers compassionate support when you, or the one you care about, need it most. WillowValleyCommunities.org
11
New Resident Discussion Series
Making your new community your home.
12
Spring 2019
E
ven under the best of circumstances, moving can be a challenge. A seemingly endless number of details in planning and in packing can seem a bit daunting. And no matter how much help we have during the move, we often feel anxious about getting it all done. Everyone living at Willow Valley Communities has moved and everyone does get through it. The boxes get unpacked, the pictures get hung, and a new routine is established.
WillowValleyCommunities.org
13
Residents who join the group appreciate meeting others in similar situations, providing support, and gaining a fresh sense of community. Participants of the group share discoveries and help each other — and at the same time help themselves. “People thrive on helping others,” notes Tyler. With a different topic each week, the group discusses the transition to a new way of life at Willow Valley Communities. Tips on downsizing, adapting to a new community and lifestyle, staying connected to family and friends, exploring the city of Lancaster, health and wellness, and more are shared throughout the series.
INSPIR
ING M I N D,
AND S PIRIT
SPRING
The group bonds over time, and experience has shown that even after the six weeks are over, they find they still enjoy getting together socially to continue the conversations. Tyler has found after working with several groups that Residents succeed when they keep an open mind, suggesting that participating Residents, “be willing to put yourself out there and find your own niche.”
INS
PIR
ING
MIN
D, B O
D Y,
AN
D S PI
2019
RIT
SPR
He relates a story about a particular Resident that is a good example of how the New Resident Discussion Series works: The Resident’s turning point in the transition process was when he stopped doing things he “had” to do and started doing things he “wanted” to do. “When he opened up the Renaissance magazine and started listing the things he wanted to attend, instead of a to-do list, that’s when he knew Willow Valley Communities was home.”
B O DY,
ING
201
9
Great The Sidew Photographers: alks of Ne w York APRIL 23
A PUB LI
A P U
BLI
CA
TIO
C AT I O
N O F
N OF W ILLO
| PAGE 49
The Great P Side h walk otograp s of N hers ew Y : ork
WI
LLO
W VA L LE
Y COM M
UNITI
ES
A PR
W V AL
LEY
CO
MM
UN
ITI
IL 2
3 | PAG E4
9
ES
“People thrive on helping others” – Tyler Heidelbaugh, Willow Valley Communities’ Resident Life and Wellness Coach Moving to a community like Willow Valley Communities can be a little unique. As enjoyable as it is, community living is a change in routine for most people that can take some getting used to. As liberating as purging clutter and unneeded items can be, the process can be intimidating. Sometimes just finding a new hair stylist, grocery store, church, or dentist in a new city can also feel overwhelming. For each individual, wellbeing is multi-dimensional and complex. To share experiences, ideas, and tips, Willow Valley Communities has organized its New Resident Discussion Series. Each group is made up of about 10 new Residents from as new as two weeks to about a year, who meet once a week for six consecutive weeks sharing their experiences, trials, and triumphs, as they navigate their new life at Willow Valley Communities. Tyler Heidelbaugh, Willow Valley Communities’ Resident Life and Wellness Coach, facilitates the discussions, along with Manor Resident, Charlotte Smith. The initial idea to begin such a group came from Charlotte, who draws from her experience and education in both psychology and social work to help to facilitate the group. Residents meet at The Clubhouse in a casual group setting, and talk about their experiences transitioning to their new home and community.
14
Spring 2019
WillowValleyCommunities.org
15
Awards and Recognition
I
t’s a very special atmosphere at which you work hard, enjoy the people you work with, and enjoy the people you work for. Our many teams: Culinary, Maintenance, Grounds, Fitness, Resident Life and Wellness — just to name a few — work together every day to make Willow Valley Communities the premier 55-plus senior living community that it is. Excellence is commonplace here. And though we work hard, we also have a lot of fun as lifelong friendships have grown along with our developing careers. There really is a special camaraderie among Willow Valley Communities’ Team Members working together to deliver on our mission. We also have a special camaraderie with our Residents and their families. The dayto-day interactions we have with them are a gift, and truly one of the best benefits of working at Willow Valley Communities. They inspire us every day to be our very best. And when they show appreciation and compliment us on a job well done, that’s the most meaningful praise we can receive. It’s why we come to work each and every day. However, we are always honored to receive recognition and awards from outside organizations, publications, and associations within the senior living industry, as well as from the greater community. We still come to work every day; we still work with our fellow team members in getting the job done for our Residents. And our Residents will always be our first priority. But we humbly share some of the accolades we received in 2018:
16
Spring 2019
• Best Senior Living Community – Willow Valley Communities Lancaster County Magazine • Favorite Retirement Community – Willow Valley Communities LNP Readers’ Choice Awards — Lancaster Newspapers • Favorite 55+ Community – Willow Valley Communities LNP Readers’ Choice Awards — Lancaster Newspapers • Favorite Physical Rehab Center – Willow Valley Communities LNP Readers’ Choice Awards — Lancaster Newspapers • Favorite Apartment Community – Willow Valley Communities LNP Readers’ Choice Awards — Lancaster Newspapers • Favorite Personal Care/Assisted Living – Willow Valley Communities LNP Readers’ Choice Awards — Lancaster Newspapers • Best Senior Living Community – Willow Valley Communities Susquehanna Style Magazine • Best 55+ Community – Willow Valley Communities Central Penn Business Journal • Innovation of the Year – Camp Willow LeadingAge PA • Award of Merit – Vistas Apartments and Chautauqua Hall Environments for Aging • Gold: Best 55+ Lifestyle Program – The Vietnam Project National Association of Home Builders
WillowValleyCommunities.org
17
the
H EROES AD CAMPAIGN
teach them a song, m a note, before I y matter.” “Before I teach the them to know the t wan I g, thin any before I teach them elko —Matt Pav
oes Lancaster City Her Pavelko are Matt and Jessica ities in Lancaster awakening possibil time, one coat at a at City one note a time. time, one child at passionate about The Pavelkos are ic instruction for the benefits of mus ol children, as scho Lancaster City’s r educational well as nurturing thei ren to know child t wan y journey. The e than simply there’s so much mor
tes those munities celebra Willow Valley Com . a better community making Lancaster
melodies. They learning words and things in us that say music awakens had, and they we w kno ’t didn we w their lives kno want children to ning. matter and have mea engaging It’s not just Matt’s er and Macrae music class at Cart It’s not just Elementary School. e. Matt teaches driv coat ica’s Jess p, embrace dee dig his students to
express them in their feelings, and s the children a song. Jessica give joy of giving their new coat—and the e else. Matt and old coat to someon n the spirit of ghte Jessica gently enli t, instilling in every child they mee ef their future beli the them hope and want. can be anything they
Willow Valley Communities celebrates those making Lancaster a better community.
LOW VAL LEY L STO RY AT WIL REA D THE FUL
COM MUN ITIE
S.OR G/H ERO ES
a trembling hand, Tammy’s heart is keenly in tune with her students. She instinctively knows how to meet each child’s individual needs. Tammy naturally understands that everyone is experiencing the world a little differently. Says teacher Deb about Tammy, “She brings a different perspective. She has a patience for what someone needs and what it’s like to be in their shoes. It’s never ever about Tammy—it’s always about everyone else.”
Willow Valley Communities celebrates those making Lancaster a better community.
“Everyone experiences the world a little differently.”
The 550 students who attend Lancaster’s Lafayette Elementary School gather outside every morning as a school family before beginning their day. And they look at that wall.
Volunteer tutor Sally Jarvis also noticed that wall and said the children deserved better. She led the way and three years later $40,000 was raised—sometimes pennies at a time—for that wall to be repaired, primed, and ready to accept the first beautiful mural created
To watch Tammy Shertzer complete her tasks as a full-time volunteer with the School District of Lancaster, you might think she’s simply getting things done. Organizing books, escorting students to recess, and keeping children safe are part of every school day. But spend a little time watching her more closely, and you’ll soon observe that something very special is happening. Tammy, who has Down syndrome, volunteers alongside teacher Deb Glenn, whose classroom serves children with special needs. It’s not your typical classroom. While Tammy effectively performs her work every day, it’s the way she does it that makes all the difference. Whether it’s redirecting a child with a favorite toy, tenderly feeding them, or just holding
Lancaster City Heroes
That wall, with its cracks, holes, dents, and divots. That wall, showing graffiti of things no child should ever see, was what the Lafayette Elementary School family looked at each morning as they lined up together.
Lancaster City Heroes
Tammy brings a pure, selfless spirit to everything she does, every day. A spirit that adds a deeper, more meaningful connection to the students she serves in Lancaster city. It’s that spirit that enables those students to accomplish so much and to know and feel just how loved they are.
READ THE FULL STORY AT WILLOWVALLEYCOMMUNITIES.ORG/HEROES
I
by the students. That was in 2015 and each year after, teacher Wes Blymire’s Advanced Art class of 9 and 10 year olds has taken over and has worked together to create another vibrant panel to add to the mural on that wall.
n 2018 Willow Valley Communities embarked on a very special advertising campaign for FiG Lancaster magazine. FiG magazine celebrates local independent businesses in the city of Lancaster with a beautifully created, full-color magazine. FiG celebrates Lancaster by connecting people with local shopping, dining, arts and entertainment, organizations, services, and events. FiG believes in energizing a thriving, sustainable local economy and revitalizing the community.
In 2017, Sally Jarvis passed away, but her enduring love for Lancaster city was steadfast on the hearts of the children of Lafayette. They were inspired to continue her vision for the future generations of Lancaster city school students who would attend their school. Unselfishly, graciously, and heroically, the children in Mr. Blymire’s Advanced Art class chose to paint a mural of a beautiful flower garden on that wall. This is what they wanted for future Lancaster city students to reflect upon as they, too, started their day by lining up outside Lafayette Elementary School. These students—heroes— decided to call it Sally’s Garden.
“Can We Call It Sally’s Garden?”
Downtown Lancaster is just three miles north of Willow Valley Communities, and is a huge part of our Residents’ lives — whether they are from the area or not. Residents are in Lancaster City enjoying every aspect of all it has to offer, from trying a new restaurant, to shopping at a unique boutique or enjoying live music and theater. But also, Willow Valley Communities’ Residents give back by volunteering countless hours in the city’s schools and other organizations to help ensure that the city they love has a vibrant future.
READ THE FULL STORY AT WILLOWVALLEYCOMMUNITIES.ORG/HEROES
Willow Valley Communities thought about this wonderful relationship our Residents have with Lancaster. How important Lancaster City is to our Residents and their way of life at Willow Valley Communities. How could we join FiG magazine in the celebration of all that makes Lancaster so amazing? “It’s a joy to help gui de the future. I giv ea lot, but I also get a lot. It’s one of the perks.” —Dr. Clark McSparr en
18
Spring 2019
We decided to identify and celebrate those we called, the “Unsung Heroes of Lancaster City.” Those who give of their time and efforts to make Lancaster City a better place. They are “unsung” because, perhaps, they are not very well known – and don’t seek to be. So, we dedicated our year-long advertising campaign in FiG, not to talk about ourselves, but to showcase and celebrate the city’s unsung heroes. These are their stories . . .
WillowValleyCommunities.org
19
Matt Pavelko is a K-5 music teacher at Lancaster City’s Carter and Macrae Elementary School. He and his wife, Jessica, are passionate about music education and what it can do for a child in academics, and in life. They want to ensure that Matt’s students have everything they need in order to get everything they can out of his music lessons. So the Pavelkos do extra things like provide transportation and meals during field trips, help parents fill out permission slips, and host Christmas parties for families. Jessica also started a used instrument drive — which quickly expanded to include other items like coats, hats, toiletries, and more. She has helped provide over 1,000 items for Lancaster children.
Tammy Shertzer is a full-time volunteer with the School District of Lancaster. Tammy, who has Down syndrome, volunteers alongside teacher Deb Glenn, whose classroom serves children with special needs. The gift that Tammy brings to the students isn’t just about the tasks she happily performs every day; it goes much deeper than that. Tammy sets up learning centers, escorts students to class, or holds a trembling hand, all with a selfless heart that she shares with every child she serves.
The Students of Lafayette Elementary School worked together to beautify an ugly, defaced wall that was the backdrop to their playground. They knew they deserved something better to look at each morning as they gathered outside as a school family before beginning their day. They also knew Lancaster deserved something better to look at, as well. The students raised the money, got the wall repaired, and painted murals one panel at a time, to create an art gallery effect for the wall. The latest, called Sally’s Garden, features a beautiful, colorful flower garden named after Sally Jarvis, a volunteer tutor and former Resident of Willow Valley Communities, who gave them the inspiration for the project.
Dr. Clark McSparren has been a pediatrician in Lancaster for 56 years. Two mornings every week, he walks from his downtown residence to Lancaster City’s Carter and Macrae Elementary School to volunteer in the school’s health clinic. In addition to putting BandAids on the occasional scraped knee, he also performs yearly check-ups, treats chronic conditions, meets with parents, and teaches children about their health. 20
Spring 2019
For Willow Valley Communities, the advertisements in FiG magazine were so much more than an advertising campaign. Most organizations — Willow Valley Communities included — use their advertising budgets to talk about themselves. However, in 2018 we wanted to use our advertising dollars in FiG to tell the stories of the unsung heroes of our city. The FiG ad campaign really became our love letters to the people who unselfishly, quietly, and yes, heroically, help Lancaster to be the amazing place that it is.
WillowValleyCommunities.org
21
Life Lived Forward
600 Willow Valley Square Lancaster, PA 17602
The VUE Rooftop Terrace
The Willow Valley Way For 35 years, Willow Valley Communities has been dedicated to helping people pursue exceptional lives. Our mission is simple: to inspire each person to embrace the possibilities of a Life Lived Forward. We are committed to innovative programming, operational excellence, and prudent financial practices.
Our communities provide the security of Lifecare, which includes short- and long-term care should you need it later — with no change to your monthly service fee due to the increased level of care. And we are grateful to have been affirmed for our efforts. In addition to the many awards and recognitions
we receive every year from various organizations, we consistently receive an “A” rating from Fitch Ratings, affirming our proven financial stability. Our most important recognition, though, comes from the people who live here.
Phone 866.642.7330 | www.WillowValleyCommunities.org | www.LifeLivedForward.org | info@willowvalley.org