Love and Sweets for Valentine's Day in Chatham

What a fabulous Valentine’s Day at Juniper Village at Chatham! The mood was set by the beautiful decorations throughout the building. 5^th graders from Layfette School started us off with some handmade Valentine’s cards and elegant melodies as they sang. After, they shared cookies along with good cheer and wishes of love. That evening, Kris Phipany, a Marilyn Monroe impersonator, wowed the crowd with her stunning performance as chocolates and strawberries were served. A wonderful time was had by all!

A Very Happy Lunar New Year at Chatham

Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year) was a joyful celebration here at Juniper Village at Chatham.  The staff dressed for the occasion in Asian-inspired attire, and the dining room was decorated with paper lanterns and festive umbrellas, fans, and confetti.   However, the true credit goes to our food service staff, who made an outstanding menu with spring rolls, mandarin chicken, fried rice, and a delicious beef and shrimp stir-fry.  For fun, each resident was given an article explaining the personality traits that are characteristic of the animal year that they were born.  The year of the rooster begins!!!

February 2017 Events in Chatham, NJ: Awaken Your Passion

This month, our focus on creative expression continues with a focus on art. Art, as with beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. It is understandable that some have great artistic ability and others do not. But, at Juniper we know that everyone has a passion for creative expression, regardless of ability or age. Pablo Picasso once said, “All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” He is speaking about becoming inhibited as adults. With our various art programs we encourage uninhibited creativity as a form of therapy. Creating art affords the opportunity of self-exploration and self-expression leading to both physical and mental benefits. Creating art in any of its various forms, is also about sharing a bit of ourselves with each other. Art is one way to express ourselves, and the creations are honest and true representations of our experiences. In sharing our stories through art with others we invite communication and create lasting bonds.

Art typically encompasses painting, sculpting, and drawing. But, the act of creating art can be as simple as doodling. Art is simply the creation of something outside one’s self that often mirrors what is going on within their mind, soul, and body. We use creative arts as a way to nurture the spirit of life. Join us throughout February as we focus on great varieties of art such as photography, needlework, handicrafts, painting, sculpture and more. Please join us as we share a bit of ourselves with our weekly craft classes, experience art on an outing to an art museum, and embrace our celebratory spirit with Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day parties. We look forward to helping you Awaken Your Passion this month!

Our fabulous February 2017 events in Chatham, NJ at Juniper Village at Chatham include our:

§   Watercolor Series that is once again brought back by popular demand, as Ed Schuh teaches us how to visualize and paint beautiful flower arrangements with all supplies provided at no cost, so don’t miss out on getting in touch with the artist within you every Saturday in February at 10:30 am.

§  Art, Lines & Curves with Gregory Quinn, who is a dynamic and engaging speaker, as he delivers an unforgettable interactive event that is both uplifting and inspiring; he makes people laugh or cry; he makes them think; he galvanizes, energizes... and so much more, so please join us for this wonderful program on February 9^th at 1:30 pm.

§  Brushstrokes as Judith Ebright, an art expert, focuses on some of the greatest artists in the  18^th century, so join her while she paints a story of this colorful period in time on February 10^th at 10:30 am.

§  Valentine’s Day Special because there’s no better sweetheart than Marilyn Monroe to put you in the mood for Valentine’s Day, so come see why Marilyn captivated thousands including movie stars, sports legends and even Presidents with strawberries and chocolates to accompany the performance on February 14^th at 6:30 pm.

We look forward to sharing our February 2017 events in Chatham, NJ at Juniper Village at Chatham with you as you Awaken Your Passion.

A Musical Afternoon at JV-Chatham

There was a special musical performance by the David Aaron Trio here at Juniper on Saturday, and it was a standing room only crowd.  The trio was made up of a clarinet, piano and a drummer, and they played the standards that everyone loves so much.  They also showcased a game much like Name That Tune that was a fun way of jogging our memories, but we're pleased to say that they were not able to stump our residents!!!

Music is in the air at Juniper Village at Chatham!!!

The month of January is all about music here, and it's incredible how music touches so many of us.  Our community is so proud of our music lovers, from the amateur to the professionals.  We have residents who love to listen, were regular choir members, accomplished musicians, self-taught instrumentalists, and those who were at the top of their craft.  One new resident played piano as a youth, played in his high school marching band, but had felt all along he wanted to learn the drums.  Later in life, he had an encounter with a professional jazz musician who took him under his wing.  He eventually became a local player in many small groups in the area.  Another resident is a famous composer and arranger who continues his work from Juniper Village.  As a recording artist and through his collaborations with other artists, he has had 31 GRAMMY nominations (3 times a winner), 3 TONY nominations (winner, 2000 for Kiss Me Kate), 2 drama desk awards, 3 EMMY nominations and 4 CLIO awards.  Of course, no one can mistake our little French lady who bursts into song on all occasions!  Music does make our world go round!

January 2017 Events in Chatham, NJ: Welcome New Beginnings

Welcome to 2017! What a wonderful time for us to reflect on the past year and forge ahead with new beginnings. January is a time to begin again; a time when we make (and sometimes break) our New Year’s resolutions and focus on how we want to improve in the coming year.

January is also the month that Juniper Village begins our Winter Alive In All Seasons theme of Creative Expressions: “Explore Your Creativity” where in January we will focus on music! Do you know that research shows that music can help us physically by easing pain, helping us sleep better, eat less and enhance our blood vessel function? It is also suggested that music can help us mentally by reducing stress, relieving symptoms of depression, elevating mood, decreasing anxiety and improving cognitive performance. Because of this, Juniper Communities has adopted the Music & Memory program.

Through the use of MP3 players and headphones our teams download personalized music for each resident. These musical favorites tap deep memories and can bring participants back to life, enabling them to feel like themselves again, to converse, socialize and stay present. Learn more about our Music & Memory program by talking with our Connections Director and consider making a donation to this worthwhile program. We accept donations of new or used iPods, new over the ear headphones and iTunes gift cards.

Join us this month as we explore our creativity through music with outings to local musical performances, Elvis’ birthday celebrations and concerts by our Joyful Noise Choirs. We invite you to Welcome New Beginnings at Juniper Village and make a resolution to join us for activities and events throughout the year!

Our fabulous January 2017 events in Chatham, NJ at Juniper Village at Chatham include our:

§  Elvis is in the House so put on your blue suede shoes and let’s Rock n’ Roll down memory lane with Elvis, to join Vince Giaquinto during our happy hour session for this Hunk of Burning Love performance on January 6^th at 3:30 pm.

§  Dance Innovations as glitz, glamour and a whole lot of fun are what we are going to experience at this live performance of young ladies who really know how to strut their stuff and get us inspired with refreshments served on January 11^th at 6:15 pm.

§  Live Concert with David Arron Orchestra as they present a live trio consisting of keyboard, drums and clarinet performing a wide variety of standard music, both vocally and instrumentally, so don’t miss this truly spectacular show, with dancing allowed and encouraged on January 21^st at 2:00 pm.

§  Celebrate Chinese New Year, a grand traditional festival with many legends, traditions, taboos and food, so be our guests and enjoy a traditional Chinese meal as we celebrate the Year of the Rooster on January 27^th at 4:30 pm.

We look forward to sharing our January 2017 events in Chatham, NJ at Juniper Village at Chatham with you as you Welcome New Beginnings.

"You're Never Too Old to Cook" Recipes from the Juniper Villagers at Chatham

No need to fret over what to give to someone for the holidays.  Our "You're Never Too Old to Cook" cookbook is the perfect gift!  The connections department asked residents, staff and family members to contribute their favorite recipes, and what a great response we have gotten.  Both old fashioned generational recipes as well more modern, healthy alternatives were represented.  It has been so successful that we are already into our second printing.  To make this project even better, we asked for a $5.00 donation, and all proceeds will benefit St. Huberts Animal Shelter--happy holidays for all!!!