Enjoy the warm sunny weather and have a great week!

It may seem easier to help healthy older adults live a Life. Embraced., but what about older adults who have physical or cognitive disabilities; how do they live a “Life. Embraced”? I think our tagline still applies, and here are some of my thoughts on this. First, we are all frail or impaired in some way, yet we find ways to embrace life. Similarly, older adults who are frail are able to embrace life in some way, even if it is small or limited. Even if the results are limited, does that mean we should not try? No, we believe that all humans have a spark of life and spirit that should be expressed, encouraged, and connected to others. Many persons who are frail or impaired still have hopes and dreams; how can we help them embrace those hopes and dreams?

Another way to think about Life. Embraced. for those who are impaired or frail is to focus on how we can embrace them. We should help them not feel forgotten or alone, regardless of their situation. So, one definition of Life. Embraced. is to embrace persons regardless of their situation, with respect, honor and love.

I am interested in your thoughts on how our tagline applies to what we do and how we do it. Please send me your thoughts at elesher@messiahvillage.org.

One of the things we value at Messiah Village is our history. Recently in an issue of Village Life was an article written by Wilma Musser about the Messiah Academy class of 1941, seven of whom now live at Messiah Village. Please enjoy the article.

front (left to right): Pauline Walters, Esther Ebersole and Ruth Zercher back (left to right): Homer Kraybill, Elbert Smith, Erla Stump, Ferne Niesley

When Homer Kraybill recently invited six members of his high school graduating class to his cottage to celebrate their seventieth anniversary, they did not have far to travel because all seven (including Homer) live at Messiah Village. Homer, president of the Messiah College Academy Class of 1941, states that of the twenty-five graduating students, thirteen are still living and, of that number, seven have chosen to retire at 100 Mt. Allen Drive!  

The first of the seven to be associated with Messiah Village is Erla Zercher Stump who grew up in Lancaster, Pa. After marriage, a family, and fifteen years as an office manager in Massilon, Ohio, she was hired by Messiah Village to develop a volunteer department. At this time she lived off campus. In 1992, she took up residence here. One of her great accomplishments is founding the Golden Mouse Club.  

The first of this group to actually move here was Esther Ebersole in 1986. Her home had been in Palmyra. She moved into the second cottage built on Aspen Ave. and still resides there. Esther spent eight years in Kentucky mission work followed by twenty one years in the secretarial field, nine years in the Brethren In Christ Missions Office and also some years in the church denominational office. After moving here, Esther continued working and retired at age 77. She still volunteers at the church and college archives and at the Village.   

Ruth Niesley Zercher from Mechanicsburg has lived and worked in four states. She served as one of the managers of the College bookstore for eighteen years. She knows a lot about Messiah Village because her husband, Ray authored the book To Have a Home, the centennial history of Messiah Village. Ruth and Ray moved here in1993. Ray passed away in 1998.

In 1996, Ferne Pfautz Niesley moved to the Village from Cleona. She and her husband had a dairy farm for many years in Mechanicsburg where they processed milk and sold it in their own store. Later Fern worked as a receptionist at Messiah College. At the Village, she joined the staff as a Home Care Companion and still serves several clients a week. She does many volunteer jobs and is known for her musical talents.

Elbert Smith, born in California and raised in Chicago, moved to Grantham when he was sixteen. He earned degrees at Goshen College and at Eastern Baptist where he also received his Doctorate. He taught Religious Education for five years at Messiah College and pastored four churches. Three were in Pennsylvania and one was in California. He and his wife Arlene have lived here since 2002.

Day student Homer Kraybill lived in Grantham most of his life. After school he got a job at the Enola Freight yards of the Pennsylvania Railroad where he worked 42 years as a switchman and then as a general yard master. He and his wife Mildred moved here in 2003. Homer is an active volunteer here and continues serving the Grantham Church in several capacities.

Another day student, Pauline Shoemaker Walters, living at that time near Dillsburg, was the last of the seven graduates to enter Messiah Village. She came in December 2010. Pauline was the class valedictorian and had the distinction of graduating at age fifteen. She later graduated from Dickinson College and taught before having a family of four children.

As the class reminisced, they all remembered their senior class trip and one amazing highlight – seeing President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s motorcade pass them on the streets of Washington, DC. As the streets were lined with people, these students were excited to get a glimpse of their president. They were, however, embarrassed at the class clown who shouted “We want Wilkie.”

The class discussed old times and expressed appreciation for Messiah Village. They departed the Kraybill home saying, “Who would have thought seventy years ago that we would live so near each other some day?” And one remarked, “Some sort of providential magnet must have drawn us together to this place.”

Surely this is a good recommendation for Messiah Village and a tribute to seven  residents who made wise choices.

Last week we also learned that Mrs. Mildred “Tiny” Osman, who died in the house fire a few doors away on Mount Allen Drive, had recently begun coming to our beauty salon. We do not have a lot of older adult community members who use the salon services, but is wonderful that salon team members are willing to reach out and serve the wider neighborhood. The salon reaching out is another example of Messiah Village enhancing the lives of older adults.

Older adults have been particularly impacted by the devastation in Japan. Nate Shields posted an article about this on the Village blog and Facebook page. Also, over the weekend the Wall Street Journal had another article about how it is impacting older adults. The article said in some of the cities/towns most impacted that 20% to 30% of the people are older adults. We continue to collect funds until Friday, March 25 if you would like to give. Please drop by or send funds to the Gift Development Office. Thanks for your generosity.

The SPACE project is finally up and out of the ground! When you drive on Messiah Circle you see the new entrance taking shape. The project is on schedule for a September completion. You can follow progress with photos on Facebook and the MessiahVillageBlog.org.

Please sign up to participate in the Wicket on the Green to be held on April 30. Last year was the first time I had played croquet in a couple of decades but still had a lot of fun. Invite your family and friends to come along and have fun, eat some great food and benefit the Endowment Fund for Benevolent Care. For more info go to WicketOnTheGreen.org.

Have a great week and thanks for living our mission of “responsibly enhancing the lives of older adults with Christ-like love.

More good news…an employee in the beauty salon recently sent this email —- I was in Palmyra at my CPA’s office, and he told me he has customers who are residents from the Village. He asked what we do to keep residents so happy. Everyone he works with from the Village can’t say enough good about the place. He said “Whatever you’re doing, keep doing.”

This is a good reminder that we never know who and where the impact of our work might be felt. I am always impressed with how far employees drive to work at the Village and how wide our impact is. Thanks to those of you who live in Cumberland and Dauphin counties, but also to those of you live in Adams, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, York and other counties. Your commitment is particularly appreciated as gas prices continue to go up.

If you would like to rate the best businesses in the 2011 “Simply the Best” program sponsored by Harrisburg Magazine you can still vote until April 1, 2011. To vote go to www.harrisburgmagazine.com.

I had a great experience last week working with Esma Grabic, who is a Caregiving Specialist on the Donegal Neighborhood. Esma is a member of the 2010 President’s Circle, and it is been fun to get to know her. I was impressed with her friendliness, energy, positive outlook, and ability to relate to team members and residents. It is obvious that she knows the personal preferences of residents and made a strong connection with them. She did a good job of putting me to work, and I appreciated spending time with other team members and residents on the Donegal Neighborhood. Thanks, Esma, and good luck to you and your family, particularly your son!

Emerson recently worked with Esma Grabic in Nursing Care

Emerson working with Kelly Herbster in the Gift Development Office

This week will be the launching of the 2nd annual Messiah Village Christmas video! It is another fun and exciting Christmas greeting produced by the Communications Team with Nate Shields being the main guy! Other members of the team include Kristen Heisey, Karin Bisbee, Kelly Herbster, Jamie Seilhamer and Kelli Murtoff. The video will be on the website after Thursday, December 16. Don’t miss seeing it!

Last week I had the privilege to work with Isabelle Williams, a member of the 2010 President’s Circle. Isabelle coordinates our transportation services. This includes our on-campus car service that takes residents wherever they need to go on campus and our transportation that takes people to medical appointments, home from the hospital, to the store, or to the airport or train station. She also coordinates the pickup and delivery of the noon meal that is transported daily to the Carlisle Adult Day Center. I was impressed with how many vehicles and items there are to track and how flexible Isabelle needs to be because things can change very quickly. This is an important service to many residents, and Isabelle has direct impact on the well-being of many people. She is also responsible to coordinate the installation of the “lifeline” alert system in client homes. Thanks, Isabelle, for helping me to learn more about your important work. Thanks for enhancing the lives of many residents.

Emerson works with Isabelle Williams in Transportation

This campaign has been significant in three specific ways:

• First – it is the largest campaign we have ever undertaken at Messiah Village. Never before have we raised this much money for a capital project.
• Second – we experienced unprecedented staff participation.  Our employees contributed $143,150 and will have the Northside Entrance elevator named in your honor.
• Finally, as you may recall, we received the largest gift in our history: $880,000 from the Norman T. Asper estate in January.

Each of these items is significant, but when you combine all three, it’s an amazing testimony to God’s providence and the hard work of many people.

A family member of a Special Care resident said, “the new addition will light up people’s lives, increase resident comfort, and provide much more happiness.” The Special Care renovations, along with the Chapel and new entrance project, are greatly needed and joyfully anticipated. We look forward to watching the progress with you!

Another interesting note — the portable peace garden has been temporarily relocated until the renovations are complete next year. The plantings are being cared for by staff and volunteers at Maintenance West. This garden was a gift from an anonymous donor who wanted to create a special place for people to gather, reflect, and pray. It was designed to be portable so that we could enjoy it before the construction. Once the project is completed, it will be moved back to its permanent home in front of the Chapel.

Have a great week and thank you for supporting Messiah Village!