Cottages on Willow Way Update
By Carl Ginder, Vice President of Strategic Development

Things are really moving now!  The last set of basement walls is in place and the first Washington/Jefferson is going up.  Occupancy permits have been granted for the first five cottages.  We have several occupancies set for May and June.  The open houses have been well-received, sales have improved and more people seem interested.

Willow Way has been blacktopped with the binder course.  The finish course will be done after the heavy equipment has finished running over it.  The emergency entrance from Mount Allen Drive has been installed.  This will be gated and will be available for emergency equipment only in case they cannot access the area from Messiah Circle.

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile, Oak Oval has its first duplex nearing the finish stage and utilities are being installed.  One interesting aspect of the cottages on Oak Oval is that storm water runoff will be stored underground.  In front of each house, an excavated area will be filled with stone and then covered so grass can grow.  The storm water will fill the voids between the stone and will slowly be released into the stream.  This will work just like our detention ponds – only it happens underground.

The Ministry in Motion: Enhancing Life for 30 Years on Mt. Allen Drive
By Jamie Seilhamer, Campus Events Manager

Did you know that in May 1978, Messiah Village residents and staff left their home on Paxton Street and moved here to 100 Mt. Allen Drive?  To commemorate this special event, the Village is planning a parade and cook-out on Friday, May 16.  Former Messiah Village president George Kibler is coming back as our Grand Marshall.  Additionally, our own Singing Men, who are also celebrating a 30th birthday this year, will give a short concert on the Nittany Lawn.

As we recall the friends and family members who may have “crossed the river” 30 years ago, we invite residents to participate.  Your memories and old photos are welcome!  Details are still being finalized regarding the parade route and parade participants, but if individual residents or resident clubs would like to know more, please contact Jamie Seilhamer at 790-8237 or jseilhamer@messiahvillage.org. 

John's Journal
By Dr. John Rabenstein, Chairman, 9th Annual Appeal

“Though April showers may come your way, they bring the flowers that bloom in May.”  These words were made famous by Al Jolson back in the 1930s.  As I thought of this ditty about flowers and springtime, I was reminded that the month of May has two holidays for remembering special people:  Mother’s Day and Memorial Day.

My memories immediately turned to my mother, who often told us, “If you are only going to treat me special on Mother’s Day, don’t bother!  I want your love and respect every day.  That’s the best gift you can give me.”

Memorial Day or Decoration Day, as it is sometimes called, was the time Mother visited the gravesite of her mother.  Since grandmother died when Mother was just three years old, she thought it more appropriate to make her pilgrimage coincide with the nation’s day of remembering those who died for our country.

Mother taught us that it was a solemn and respectful time to stand quietly and pay tribute to others.  Perhaps this Memorial Day should be a time to remember and make contributions to the Endowment Fund for Benevolent Care.  Won’t you consider this tangible way of remembering your loved ones while helping others at the same time?

P.S.  We are nearing $300,000 towards our $360,000 goal.  Gifts for the 9th Annual Appeal will be accepted until June 30, 2008.

Call for 4th Annual SAGE Award Nominations
By Sharon Engle, Vice President of Gift Development

Messiah Village and Harrisburg Magazine will once again honor up to six distinguished older adults who embody the principles of savvy, active, growing, and enlightened service in the community.  If you know a deserving individual who should be considered for this special award, please send a 100-200 word essay describing your nominee to Karin Bisbee in the Gift Development Office.  Nominations will be accepted through mid-June at which time a panel of judges will select winners.  The 4th Annual SAGE Awards Celebration will be hosted at Messiah Village on Sunday, November 9 at 5:30 p.m.  Questions?  Please call 591-7201.

Another Bright Forecast for Bidding for Benevolence
By Sharon Engle, Vice President of Gift Development

Plans are already underway for Fall Festival 2008, and I’m delighted to announce that abc27 meteorologist Mick O’Hearn will be joining us for the festivities! You can see Mick at Bidding for Benevolence, the auction that directly supports our Endowment Fund! Some favorite packages are back and more are on the way:

• A weekend getaway at the picturesque Bobwhite Hunting Camp, compliments of Carl Ginder;
• A decadent gourmet meal, prepared in your home, compliments of our own Sharon Engle;
• Enjoy decadent homemade desserts for 8 months, compliments of resident Erma Hoover;
• NEW FOR 2008! A day of sailing for 2-4 people with Fred & Chrylann Fons aboard a beautiful Catalina sailboat. Includes a boat tour of Inner Harbor before sailing out to the bay.

Singing Men Prepare For Busy Season
Psalm 98:1a “Oh, sing to the LORD a new song!  For He has done marvelous things.”

If you’re near the Chapel on Friday mornings around 9:30 a.m., you just might hear the familiar strains of the Singing Men as they rehearse.  After a short winter break, the men are warming up their vocal chords in preparation for trips to Linglestown, Air Hill, Camp Hill, and other nearby venues.  The men have several unique engagements on their calendar this spring including a luncheon with Widows & Widowers Indeed, a support ministry from Christ Community Church.  Another special event comes on Friday, April 4 when the men will sing at a Messiah College scholarship dinner.  Since many of our singers have connections to the college, this will surely be a great night of singing and fellowship in Grantham.  Finally, you can hear four of our Singing Men, Dave Brubaker, Harold Miller, Gerald Wingert, and Nelson Wingert who have formed a quartet and are sometimes called upon to sing at various community functions.  If you don’t hear the men at one of their official concerts, please mark your calendar for Sunday, June 8 at 7:00 p.m. when they will sing in the Chapel for residents and guests in their final event for the season.

If you’re new to the Village or want to start singing again, please call Gerald Wingert at 796-9038 for more information.  All proceeds from the Singing Men ministry benefit the Endowment Fund for Benevolent Care.

The Another Winner Chosen for Willow Way Resident Referral Program
By: Matthew Gallardo, Director of Admissions

Congratulations to Cynthia Morrow who participated in the Good Friends Make Great Neighbors referral program for the Cottages on Willow Way.  The friend she referred came and toured the Cottages on Willow Way back in January.  This earned Cynthia as well as several other residents who also referred a friend, a gift certificate to the Fireside Grille.  Subsequently, their names were entered into the quarterly drawing to receive a one-time credit off their next monthly bill and Cynthia was the winner!  Cynthia along with any other resident who has had a friend tour Willow Way are eligible for another gift certificate for the Fireside Grille, if that friend would become a 10% depositor on Willow Way.  

The Benefits of Water Walking
By: Esther Cohick, Aquatics Programmer and  Julie Aiello, Aquatics Assistant

Everyone knows that walking is one of the best forms of exercise.  It reduces your risk of heart disease and helps to reduce stress.  It helps to tone the muscles in your legs, boosts your metabolism, and builds stronger and healthier bones.  It is also one of the keys to long-term weight control.

However, some people are not able to participate in a walking exercise program.  Since it is a weight-bearing exercise, it can be painful to hips and joints.  This can be especially true for people with arthritis, or who have had hip or knee replacements.  If this applies to you, please do not give up on the idea of walking altogether.  Water walking may be the ideal exercise for you.

Water walking offers all of the benefits of land walking, as well as several more.  First of all, the buoyancy of the water assists you with any upward movements, so lifting your feet or legs might be easier in the water than on land.  Many people find that they have a greater range of motion because the buoyancy of the water assists them to lengthen their stride or lift their knees higher than they normally would.  In addition, the water acts like a cushion for your joints, which helps to reduce pain as you walk.  This cushion also protects you, so if you lose your balance in the water, it is very unlikely that you will get hurt.

While the water assists your movement, it also adds an extra challenge.  Since water is 12 times more resistant than air, it is harder to walk through water than on land.  As a result, you will have to work harder to move forward, because you are pushing against the resistance of the water.  Since you are forced to work harder, you are actually using more muscle fibers and burning more calories.  It has actually been estimated that walking in the water is equal to walking twice that distance on land.

Walking in the water also gives you a safe environment so that you can “train your brain” to practice good posture and walking techniques.  If you remind yourself to walk from heel to toe with every step, you will find that you will automatically straighten your back.  As you lift your head and swing your arms through the water, you will also be working on toning the upper body and stabilizing your abdominal muscles.  The natural massaging action of the water can also help to relax your muscles while exercising.  In addition, the water acts like a built-in air conditioner which keeps your body comfortable during exercise.  While it is still a good idea to drink plenty of fluids, you are not losing excessive amounts of water through perspiration.

There are plenty of ways to add variety to a water-walking workout.  You can try walking backwards, or walking side-to-side.  Walking in a zigzag pattern or using water steps challenges you even more.  You can also add different arm motions to exercise your upper body.  If you want to increase resistance for your arms, you can add special equipment, such as resistance gloves, cuffs, or water barbells.

The really good news is that water walking is readily available.  At the Messiah Village pool, we have started a water walking program called the “Penguin Water Walkers.”  Residents, employees and community pool members can come and walk in the pool during any pool hours that classes are not in session.  We have counters to help you keep track of your laps if you want see how far you walk.  It has become a good way for people to exercise and socialize at the same time, and we have seen many positive physical benefits.  Many pool walkers experience a decrease in arthritic pain, and some report that they have had problem-free recoveries from hip and knee surgeries after incorporating water walking into their weekly routine.  Water walking has also helped several people to lose weight, as well as lowering their blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

If you are interested in participating in our water walking program, contact Esther or Julie at ecohick@messiahvillage.org, or call (717) 697-4666, ext. 6526.  In addition to all the other benefits, you just might have fun!

See you at the pool!