Life Under The Willow Tree

Host: Candace O'Donnell Guest: Bill Hawes Description: In this segment, Bill Hawes, the director of the Willow Valley Chorale, reflects on his career in directing chorales and musicals. Additionally, he offers a sneak peek into the upcoming 20th-anniversary Chorale presentation, scheduled for this May. Bill also sheds light on the behind-the-scenes efforts involved in organizing a chorale performa...

Host: Tina Anderson Guests: Chuck Powers & Elaine Eichner Description: In this episode, George Burns and Gracie Allen are conversing with Alexa and discussing Mother's Day plans at Willow Valley.

Host: Carol MacAllister Guest: Carol Still During our conversation with Carol Still, a tap dance teacher and resident, we delve into her enduring passion for dance and teaching. With a remarkable 18-year tenure teaching tap dancing at Willow Valley Communities, Carol shares details about her diverse range of classes, her memorable students from years past, and what continues to drive her love for...

Host: Don Helin Guest: Jean Mitchell, Dick Narvett & Jim Comey Description: We welcomed three members of the Willow Valley Writers Group who each discussed his/her memoir and the Tipping Point for their story (the narrative event that launched the main action). We hope this may help our listeners begin their own memoirs. Please feel free to contact resident Don Helin with any questions.

Host: Candace O'Donnell Guest: Linda Dobbin Our guest Linda Dobbin was the force behind designing and building a labyrinth at the Manor Courtyard at Willow Valley Communities. A labyrinth is made of a group of paths, often curved, with a singular path leading to a center. Linda also tells us some of the history and mystery of the labyrinth and how it is used. Labyrinths were designed and used in t...

Host: Bill Adams Guest: Kristen Loose Description: In today's podcast interview, Kristen Loose, VP of Healthcare Operations, discusses her role in helping design innovative programs for the upcoming Memory Care Center. Some of these programs have already been initiated in our existing facilities, and Ms. Loose also explores the use of technology to enhance operations. Additionally, the estimated o...

Guest: Dan Cooper Host: Don Helin Admiral Dan Cooper opened the Podcast by summarizing his navy career, rising to the position of commander, Submarine Force, US Atlantic Fleet. After almost ten years of retirement, Dan was nominated and selected as the Under Secretary for Benefits for the Veterans Administration and discussed his role in improving the disability rating systems. Dan confirmed the s...

Host: Ray Loewe Guest: Gene Witiak In our interview with Gene Witiak, a resident of Spring Run, we delve into his 56-year career as a veterinarian, including his approach to dealing with pets in their later years as their health declines. Throughout our discussion, Gene's empathy and kindness shine through as he recounts stories from his years in practice. Books: The Hug: A Veterinarian's Secret P...

Guests: Shane Garcia, Tina Anderson, Dick Narvette & Dale Johnson The Willow Valley Podcast Group presents a rendition of a radio show episode from the comedy series "Baby Snooks and Daddy", originally aired in 1938. The mischievous character Baby Snooks is a six-year-old girl who excels at exasperating her father. In the episode, Daddy takes Snooks to the doctor, resulting in inevitable pandemoni...

Host: Ray Loewe Guests: Tina Anderson, Ellen Haas Next week, the Willow Valley Podcast Group will release their recreation of an Old Time Radio comedy. In anticipation of the broadcast, the podcasting team offers a sneak peek and delves into the behind-the-scenes work that went into producing the episode.

Host: Ray Loewe Guest: Theresa Strange Theresa Strange, Willow Valley's recently appointed travel coordinator, shares her experience transitioning into her new position. She sheds light on the selection process for Willow Valley's trips, her approach to catering to different travel preferences, and gives a sneak peek of new upcoming travel opportunities.

Host: Don Helin Guest: Brian Giersch Join us in welcoming Willow Valley Resident and barbershop singer, Brian Giersch, as he shares his musical background and path to becoming a successful member of the Red Rose Chorus here in Lancaster, PA. Brian discusses the challenges of singing in a barbershop chorus as well as the special challenges with singing in a barbershop quartet. He sheds light on his...

Host: Ray Loewe Guest: Mary Ann Steinhauer Join us in welcoming back Willow Valley team member and hot air balloon pilot, Mary Ann Steinhauer, as she shares her thrilling hot air balloon adventures in Spain and Japan. Mary Ann not only discusses the camaraderie among pilots, but also highlights how ballooning fosters valuable relationships with the locals on the ground. Furthermore, she sheds ligh...

Host: Ray Loewe Guest: Bill Adams In their conversation, Ray Loewe and Bill Adams delve into the latest developments in the field of artificial intelligence, with a particular focus on the revolutionary technology known as ChatGPT. Released to much fanfare in November 2022, this cutting-edge system has stirred up significant interest. The duo explores the transformative potential of this groundbre...

People in powerchair wheelchairs want to be more active. For these people, dancing in their wheelchairs might be a rewarding way of being more active and having fun. Joan Sommar, our guest, calls this the Powerchair Movement. Joan describes forming a Powerchair Movement group at Willow Valley. Volunteers are encouraged to learn how to dance in their wheelchairs, to dance with wheelchair-bound peop...

At Willow Valley, as we begin the gardening season, we welcome Keith Yoder, one of our community garden coordinators. Keith not only shares insights about how the community gardens operate, but also introduces several new initiatives, such as updates on our pollinator garden at Spring Run, fresh classes for gardeners, and sustainability plans that encompass the entire campus.

Host: Dale Johnson Guests: Debbie Mink & John Murphy An episode about how technology is changing the lives of the visually Impaired. The podcast provides significant value to residents and family members who may have acquaintances or loved ones with visual impairment. While we do offer a broad outline of the relevant technology, it is worth noting that there are organizations such as the Veterans...

Host: Ray Loewe Guests: Jen Rynier, Susan Kenkelen, Sue and Dan O'Neill, and grandchildren Asher, Noah and Elijah. Camp Willow is finally back on the calendar and Jen Rynier talks about plans for the upcoming camp and its history. We also bring grandparents and grandchildren into the podcasts to talk about the wonderful benefits and memories of Camp Willow.

Click on the link below to watch the “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute Sanctified Symphony.” https://youtu.be/tL0dLNajqeo

Host: Ray Loewe Guests: Jim Comey, Dick Narvett, & Lucy Painter Description: For over 16 years, the WVC Writers Group has produced original fiction, non-fiction, personal essays, poems, and memoirs. In their first podcast, Jim Comey describes this supportive cohort of writers. Dick Narvett introduces us to the fascinating genre of flash fiction. Jim, Dick, and Lucy Painter then read published samp...

Host: Ray Loewe Guest: Don Helin Description: Don Helin shares his Vietnam experiences. He shares his experiences including getting troops home from Vietnam, calling home, and the day Bob Hope arrived.

Don Helin interviews Dick Narvett about a comedic play reading that residents will perform later this month at Spring Run and North. It involves robots, the police, an unusual wedding, and much more.

Bill Adams, co-chairman of our Memory Care Project, unveils his thoughts, passions, and hopes for our new Memory Care Center. Bill discusses the extraordinary opportunities that this new center gives to Willow Valley residents and what we must do to capitalize on them.

Candace O'Donnell interviews Bridget Kasinskas, an extraordinary violinist, musician, and more. Many of us saw Bridget's magnificent performance recently at the Cultural Center. but now we get some insights into her childhood, her journey to Willow Valley, and what it takes to become an extraordinary performer.

Ray Loewe interviews Isaac Maier on his journey from the North Dining Room through the beginning of college. Isaac parleyed his flexible work schedule and Willow Valley scholarship to be able to afford to attend his dream school and start on the path to a career he designed for himself.