Events

Pine Run Holiday Party

The splendor of the season was in full swing at Pine Run’s Community Center on Wednesday, December 13. Smiles flashed and cheeks flushed as more than 200 holiday party devotees greeted friends, blew kisses to Santa, and ate an assortment of delectable foods with abandon.

Themed as a scene of old fashioned surprises, the nostalgic sound of the Victorian carolers filled the air with anticipation for the evening’s delights while twinkling trees, a gleaming menorah, plaid linens, bountiful poinsettias, and crackling fireplaces further set the mood for a timeless event.

Doylestown Health CEO Jim Brexler and Maria Santangelo, senior director of Villager Services at Pine Run, played host to the celebrants as they circulated through the rooms full of splurge-worthy beverages, savories, and confections.

The palette of classical food included glistening shrimp nestled in ice, juicy tenderloin, roasted turkey, and rack of lamb with accompaniments of red potatoes and buttery green beans. Hot latkes with apple sauce and sour cream were a popular offering along with the colorful pasta bar. Pastries, Christmas cookies, cheesecake, and hot chocolate with a sinful selection of toppings rounded out aromatic fare while the deep dished candy bar provided even more to take home!

The antics of Santa and his elf Holly added bliss to the spirited wonderland. They indulged every request for hugs, kisses, and holiday wishes. Resident Irene Leister exclaimed to Holly, “Don’t tell your mother!” as she gleefully (and gracefully) swung a leg up from Santa’s knee to complete a playful pose for the camera.

Generous seating arrangements made it easy for guests to hobnob from table to table and to hang out enjoying conversation until the lights dimmed. “It was a beautiful spread, very well presented, and I particularly enjoyed the chocolate cheesecake,” said Marge Pettit. “Marc (Santa) is such a lovable soul and his daughter Cora (Holly) made a really cute elf!”

It seemed that our partygoers all agreed: ’Tis the season to embrace good company, indulge in fine foods, and make warm memories for years to come.

Holiday Brunch

at Lakeview

Champagne flowed as delicately as the snow wafted from the skies at Lakeview’s Holiday Brunch held on December 9. More than 200 guests of all ages seized the day to savor a bounty of goodies and a chance to appeal to a jolly Santa and his mischievous elf.

After being warmly welcomed at the door by the leadership tier of Barbara Dumas, Kate Gilbert, Elizabeth Hansen, and other big hearted hosts, the lively crowd of resident families relished a delicious feast. The ambitious buffet was topped with stellar standbys such as omelettes and waffles of all varieties, huge bowls of chilled shrimp, and sliced tenderloin of beef in bordelaise sauce along with inventive crab cakes, loaded mashed potatoes, colorful vegetables, and scrumptious pastries selected from Warrington Bakery.

Each room was festooned for the season with greenery, old fashioned toys, and handmade ornaments fashioned by the residents under the direction of Maureen Riley, Nancy Winthrop and Sharon Lohse. Some of the beautiful trinkets were gifted to guests as they visited with Santa (Marc Stine).

The Arbor halls were decked too! Resident doors were custom wrapped and decorated with all kinds of whimsical symbols. The holiday project, launched last year by CNA Teresa Sawyer, sparked collaboration between residents and caregivers to create the spirited wonderland.

Two spectacular candy houses served as centerpieces on festively laden tables. Created by Sharon Smith, her mother Mary Smith, and her daughter Jackie Stotz, the sweet structures required 10 dozen eggs, 48 pounds of 10x sugar, and abundance of candy in all shapes and sizes along with 63 hours of labor.

Strolling through the event it was easy to see that Sharon Smith, director of dining services at Lakeview, gives herself so completely to orchestrating these parties. Smith glowed as she quietly enthused, “When people celebrate, and they eat well, it makes it all worth it. I like hosting a group that enjoys food and that appreciates the planning, creativity, and organization needed to carry it out without a hitch.”

Sharon’s leadership is received with respect, if not affection, by some 35 culinary and service associates whose energies, from set up to clean up, elevate the entire customer experience.

Suffice it to say everyone in attendance felt a great sense of joy and wonder with this holiday extravaganza.

Holiday Bake Sale

at Pine Run

Health Center

The Home Life Committee of the Village Improvement Association (VIA) staged their Annual Holiday Bake Sale at Pine Run Health Center on the morning of November 16th.

The yummy treats, donated by a cadre of volunteer bakers, were festooned with ribbons and artfully arranged on tables to tempt buyers. Buttery cookies, flaky pies, crusty breads, lemony cakes, and rich chocolate brownies appealed to the eye as much as to hearty appetites. It didn’t take long for the scent of sweet pastry to lure customers to the heavily laden tables.

Proceeds from the Bake Sale will be used to purchase holiday gifts for residents in the skilled nursing center at Pine Run.

Founded in 1895 by a small, but inspired group of 14 Doylestown ladies, the VIA was the first women’s club in Bucks County. The mission of the VIA is to initiate and support programs that enhance the quality of life in our community.

Click here for more information about the VIA.

Keep On Learning!


CARL LAVO:

Remembering Bucks County’s days as the Country and Western Capital of the East Coast



Article from The Intelligencer




November 13, 2017

In the 1950s and ’60s, Philly TV’s winsome cowgirl Sally Starr rode herd in Lower Bucks, cowboy Rex Trailer welcomed visitors to his Western Valley Ranch in Central Bucks, and Hollywood cowpokes and country and western singers regularly performed at Sleepy Hollow Ranch in Upper Bucks.

It was on “Grandma’s Mountain” in Hayward, California, where I would buckle up my twin toy six-shooters, slide a black mask into place, adjust my hat, then scoot out Ivy’s door to climb her sun-bleached foothill. There I would stand atop a boulder and peer down on San Francisco Bay. In my mind, I was guarding against desperadoes who might be skulking around. I was the kid version of my TV idol, the Lone Ranger.

Back then I would have enjoyed visiting Bucks County where the Old West began in the East.

Riding herd in Lower Bucks was Philly TV’s winsome cowgirl Sally Starr riding a palomino with her platinum blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail. In Central Bucks, cowboy Rex Trailer welcomed visitors to his Western Valley Ranch. And in Upper Bucks, the Sleepy Hollow Ranch is where Hollywood cowpokes and Country/Western singers were royalty for 23 years.

Trailer arrived from Texas as Philadelphia’s first singing cowboy on Channel 3 in 1950. With money from hit shows like “Saddlebag O’ Songs”, “The Oky Doky Ranch” and “Rex Trailers’ Ranch House”, he purchased land off Ferry Road in Doylestown for a ranch to entertain visiting kids. It drew thousands on weekends. “We had a horse for every youngster and taught them about their care and how to ride them,” Rex recounted in a 1999 memoir. “We also had a herd of white face cattle, put on horse shows and I did many shows inviting the public to the ranch.”

Sally Starr, a Missouri native and nationally-known movie and recording star, spurred into Philly about the same time to become cowgirl hostess of “Popeye Theater” on Channel 6. Her familiar opening line was, “Hope you feel as good as you look, ’cause you sure look good to your gal Sal!” In Bucks, she was a vibrant personality at community events dressed in cowboy boots, white hat and crimson body suit emblazoned with large silver stars.

Long before Sally and Rex, there was the Sleepy Hollow Gang inspired by Philadelphia radio broadcasts of the 1930s. With the crash of the stock market and the beginning of the Great Depression, WFIL radio hired brothers Elmer and Pete Newman who became wildly popular as cowboy musicians Uncle Elmer and Pancake Pete. At the same time, sisters Sophie and Julie Murray were singing cowgirls on Minneapolis radio. They relocated to Philly, and Sophie married Pete, Julie married Elmer. As the Sleepy Hollow Gang, they performed daily on the ABC Radio Network’s “Hayloft Hoedown” in the mid-1940s.

With their success, Sophie, Pete, Julie and Elmer bought 23 acres west of Quakertown near the Montgomery County border in the late ’30s to build a country music theme park that opened on May 4, 1940. Sleepy Hollow Ranch featured a rodeo, live farm animals, square dancing, food vendors, pony rides, jalopy races and live music. The anchoring act was the Sleepy Hollow Ranch Gang — Sophie, Pete, Julie and Elmer. Other stars soon came calling. They included pop music icons Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Gene Autry, Tex Ritter, the Cisco Kid, Sons of the Pioneers, the Carter Family, Porter Wagner, Kitty Wells, Ray Price, Eddy Arnold, Wayne Newton, Loretta Lynn, George Jones, Jimmy Dean, Minnie Pearl, Roy Acuff, Carl Perkins, Frankie Avalon, Bill Haley, the Ink Spots, the Mills Brothers, Jan & Dean, Tommy Sands and the Everly Brothers.

In its time, Sleepy Hollow Ranch billed itself as the “Country and Western Capital of the East Coast.”

What fans really liked besides the music was the atmosphere.

“The Newmans ran a respectable place,” said one neighbor. “They didn’t even allow cuss words on the stage, and there was never any fighting.”

By 1956, cowboy heaven began to unravel. Rex Trailer sold his property in Doylestown and moved to Boston to continue his television career. Western Valley Ranch would become today’s Pine Run Retirement Community.

For Sleepy Hollow Ranch, the end came dramatically on Nov. 3, 1963. A pre-dawn fire destroyed its auditorium, dance hall, restaurant and other structures. They were never rebuilt. Robert and Linda Duck, of Bensalem, acquired the property in 1984 and hosted two Sleepy Hollow Ranch revivals in the late 1980s.

Sally Starr continued making personal appearances in her cowgirl persona throughout Bucks County until a few years before her passing in 2013 at age 90 in a nursing home in New Jersey.

Now, like a lonesome cowboy tune, all has faded into history. As Gene Autry once sang softly, perhaps about Sleepy Hollow:

“From this valley, they say you are going

“We will miss your bright eyes and sweet smile

“For they say you are taking the sunshine

“That has brightened our path for a while.”

2017 Veterans’ Breakfast

Although not everyone in attendance could stand, more than 100 veterans were in strong unison as they recited the Pledge of Allegiance during the opening moments of the Veterans’ Breakfast held on Friday, November 10, in the auditorium at the Pine Run Community Center. Emotions were quick to surface as Ceil Krajewski, director of life enrichment in the Village, honored all of the freedom fighters in her introductory
remarks and then played a video highlighting the Tour of Honor to Washington, DC. The music and images underscored the connectedness of veterans and their families across the nation being celebrated for their noble efforts to defend our country.

Mabel and Bob Billings, married 70 years, were in attendance at the spirited affair. They both served in the navy during World War II. Mabel was stationed in New York City at the Navy Armed Guard Center, and Bob was sent to the Pacific theater, so their romance flourished through letters. After the war ended, they were married at the Little Church Around the Corner in
Manhatten. They saved a seat at their table for Isabelle Ramm, another WAVE who served first at Quonset Point Naval Air Station on Rhode Island and then in Miami, Florida. “We took the Honor Tour in 2016 and we’d like to do it again,” said Mabel. “We had a wonderful couple taking care of us during the trip – a career Marine and his wife from Media – and we keep in touch via email. I’m trying to convince Isabelle to come
along for the experience in 2018.”

Larry Glass, a veteran of the Korean War, also expressed a zest for joining the Bucks County Honor Tour in 2018. “I’ve been to the memorials, but never with all of the escorts, and the clip we viewed this morning gave me chills – good memories of my four years in the Signal Corps. I was lucky to have been a skier, and my company was sent to Alaska. I’ll never forget when my Master Sergeant at Fort Lewis said, ‘Glass, have you ever worked a film library?’ I lived in a Quonset hut from
1950-1952 next to a telephone exchange. When war broke out with Korea all classified film of the action passed through me for training purposes and secure storage in Alaska. Today, Fort Greely, Alaska is a United States Army launch site for anti-ballistic missiles, and it also happens to be where my son Cliff is based.”

Jim Kain was a seaman in the Navy for six years, first aboard the U.S.S. Pennsylvania in the South Pacific from 1945-46, and then he was shipped to the North Atlantic on a mine sweeper. Jim, one of 10 children reared in Kensington, learned to work with his hands in the service. After attending Spring Garden Institute on the G.I. Bill,
he became a mechanic for the Pennsylvania Gas Company, and he built his own home. Jim, age 90, reflected on some surprising merits of his military training and discipline, adding, “My fingers learned to work well on ships, and instruments too; I spent 20 years as a Mummer, and I am currently learning to play the guitar.”

Veterans of the Vietnam War and the Gulf War were also represented at the event. A commemorative
booklet with photographs of all honorees and accompanying accolades was distributed to all guests, along with caps and scarves to add a bit of fanfare to the occasion. Several Pine Run associates were proud to join the ranks of celebrants: Brent Appel, Senior Airman E4 from 1983-87; Phil Long, Army Staff (SPEC5) from 1966-69; and Kim Ray, Army Staff (SP4) from 1978-80.

A hearty breakfast featuring the Army favorite creamed chipped beef on toast was deployed with military precision. The tasty provisions also included scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, fruit salad, and a variety of muffins. Associates from all corners of Pine Run’s campus, along with an enthusiastic contingent from Pine Run Lakeview, circulated among the tables to assist with seating arrangements and to offer pours of steaming hot coffee.

The walls of the auditorium were thoughtfully covered with youthful photographs of the veterans and their stories of courage, hope, and luck. The compelling images and a colorful display of war memorabilia served as a platform to stimulate discussions throughout the room.

“Today was a feast for the senses,” declared Ceil Krajewski. “The camaraderie and pride we celebrate at this annual event helps perpetuate the honor our veterans should feel every day.”

Veterans’ benefits are available at Pine Run for U.S. veterans or the surviving spouses of a veteran. If eligible, you could receive a federal pension of anywhere from $1,000 to over $2,000 per month to help pay for personal care monthly fees.

Pine Run

Halloween Party

Pine Run hosted a Pinterest worthy Halloween Party on October 31. As fun as the
Monster Mash
tune, the dining team served up piping hot mashed potatoes with sizzling accompaniments, sliced roast beef, a tempting pasta bar, and devilish desserts.

 

 



There were plenty of tricks-n-treats to entertain the costumed crowd in the Pine Run Community Center. Ingenious costumes ranging from
Hot Buttered Popcorn
to
Gooey S’mores
drew raves from masked partygoers. The crafty creators also spooked up traditional disguises like witches, movie stars, and historic heroes.

Spooky submissions for Pine Run’s pumpkin decorating contest came from all corners of campus. Scaring up a first place win was Cookie Monster entered by the Admin Suite followed by The Housekeeping Granny in 2nd and Nurse Millie submitted by the 3rd Floor Nurses.

Salut!

The flavors of France were perfectly captured in a magical meal served at Pine Run Retirement Village on October 18. Chef Doug Runyen delivered an idyllic dining experience at every level, from French wine and cheese selections, to a tasty grilled peach salad course, and a juicy combination plate of sliced beef tenderloin and a traditional bouillabaisse featuring generous nuggets of shrimp, scallops, and clams in a saffron broth.

These theme dinners, staged in the auditorium at the Village, are special occasions that give the dining team chance to unleash creativity while residents relish sharing a unique meal with friends and exchanging travel memories.

The splendor of the tables set with ultramarine linens, sparkling wine goblets, and fragrant floral arrangements set the tone for the elegant evening event. “It’s all about the sense of adventure,” said guest Peg Wright. “The glowing centerpiece of Eiffel Tower made us imagine we were enjoying a dinner cruise on the Seine.”

The decadent feast concluded with a tarte tropezienne, a light, creamy dessert created in St. Tropez in the 1950s. A sweet brioche, filled with a mixture of vanilla and lemon cream, was garnished with fresh berries. The treat was made famous by glamorous Brigitte Bardot when she made the film …And God Created Woman in the 1960’s.

The smell of the funnel cake was enough to draw a crowd. Add to that a surge of summer weather, and a tickle of nostalgia, to create an unbeatable day for the afternoon CARNIVAL & FAMILY PICNIC held at Lakeview on Saturday, September 16th.

All generations stepped right up to try their luck at the dunking tank, duck pond, sand art, and other traditional amusements. “It was so much fun! My daughter Nancy won a goldfish bowl when she knocked the cans down with a bean bag,” said Lakeview resident Dot Rathgeb.

“I love to see everyone give themselves over to whimsy and joy during these events,” enthused Lakeview’s Director of Life Enrichment Maureen Riley, all suited up for the dunking tank. “I was happy to be a target for the kids, and before I knew it, ‘splish-splash I was taking a bath.’”

Dick Lambert, attending with daughters Peg and Jackie, thought the picnic was a great success. “There is nothing I prefer more than a ‘Hairy Dog’ – a hotdog with sauerkraut – and that was on the menu.”

Every event at Lakeview bears the creative imprint of the associates. From costumes to decorations, and of course, the gastronomical delights and table arrangements, the team really brings everyone together under the white tent for this annual party.

“Festive food is a regular treat at Lakeview,” says Senior Administrator Barbara Dumas. “Our Dining Director Sharon Smith knows the flavors everyone craves and she delivers according to theme. Plates were heaped with fried chicken and waffles, buttered corn on the cob, shrimp on a stick, and curly fries with vinegar. If folks had room for dessert today, they could help themselves to chocolate chip ice cream sandwiches or fruit salad in a waffle cone. Could a carnival be any better than that?”

Pine Run is full of

surprising delights

and

talented residents

. Discover how their active lifestyles inspire and lead the way in a naturally beautiful setting.

Circulate with a

glass of sparkling cider

, enjoy

delicious nibbles

, and find out more about our rejuvenated community. Bring a friend, or a family member to this celebratory
tour event
!

Inspired by the pastoral charms of Bucks County, our

New Models

(in many sizes) feature handsome stone accents, generous windows, and finely crafted cabinetry and trim.

Step inside

to experience light-filled living at Pine Run.

Courtesy parking

at Pine Run Health Center.

In Doylestown, 777 Ferry Road,

across from the Shrine of Czestochowa.

Make a Wish 2017

Many of us try to make the most of the summer season. Make a Wish Day, where we grant our Villagers special requests, is one of the most celebrated and impactful events on the Ferry Road Campus every year.

On August 11, many Pine Run associate volunteers came together to make hundreds of wishes come true for our Villagers. The busy day began with delicious breakfast deliveries to every residence and ended with hearts full of mutual pride at the list of hands-on accomplishments. The interplay of kind words and good deeds were increasingly audible and visible throughout the event.

“Wow, what a day! Make a Wish 2017 is now behind us, and without the 32 volunteers who helped out, we would not have been able to complete 140 wishes and 36 car washes. The Villagers are so appreciative.  Some, with tears in their eyes, shared how much they loved the time you spent with them.  The bakers, gardeners, cleaners, organizers, painters, movers, and deliverers of breakfast bags made the day of our Villagers. We should all feel Pine Run Proud!” said Ceil Krajewski, Director of Life Enrichment at Pine Run Village.

Krajewski, coordinator of the notable details (including the bell-ringing Jack & Jill ice cream truck that circulated through the neighborhoods) added, “The whole experience shows us the way forward, affirming the quality a personal touch can bring to everyone taking part in the day. We love hearing their reactions.”

“Thank you for fulfilling my wish. I am so pleased.  And the ice cream truck was an added bonus.  I don’t think I had an ice cream cone from the truck since my mother got me one as a little girl!” – Villager Nancy Kleeman

“Thank you for the gorgeous flowers. They are beautiful.  We were in the dining room and when we returned to our apartment, there they were at our front door. They are still beautiful, and we will enjoy them for many days. Thank you again!!” – Villager Connie MacNeil

“A big thanks to YOU for creating this day!!!  It’s definitely one I can honestly say I look forward to every year! I love seeing the smiles and witnessing the way community comes alive with everyone granting wishes and truly having fun doing it!” — Associate Kristy Roddy

“I opened my door to find two ladies working in my garden! They did an amazing job and did everything I wished for. I sat on a bench with the ladies from Magnolia Cluster and Norman waiting for the ice cream truck. So many to choose from! It was delightful!” – Villager Laura Rodel

“I LOVE this place. My wreath is beautiful. Thank you for the wonderful day!” – Villager Linda Hartman

“Thank you for fulfilling my wish. I wished for the removal and washing of my bed skirt, and to have the mattress turned. When Dan from the sales department came to do my wish I asked him, ‘Can you do this?’ He said, ‘Absolutely.’ He did a fabulous job, I was surprised, as he is a man (she chuckled). It was a great day.” – Villager Nancy Monahan