Host: Dale Johnson Guest: Dr. Michael Mumma, Astrobiologist Description: We welcome Dr. Michael Mumma, WV resident and renowned astrobiologist. He explores the fascinating question of intelligent life in the universe. Hear his thought-provoking insights on why other intelligent life might be expected – or why it could be rare or even non-existent. He also shares the latest technologies being used to detect life beyond Earth.

Host: Carol MacAllister Guest: Kendall Hunsicker, Senior VP for Willow Valley Health Care Description: After 25 years of service at Willow Valley and four decades of working in the Health Care world, Kendall is finally taking her well-deserved retirement. It took some effort to get Kendall away from her packed calendar to do this podcast, but we wanted all our residents to know just who it is that has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure we at Willow Valley receive the...

Host: Dale Johnson Guests: Barry Sipe, Joe & Bridget Kasinskas Description: In this episode, team member Barry Sipe, who helps new residents transition smoothly into our community, shares his top tips for settling in. We also hear from two relatively new residents, who offer their insights from a newcomer’s perspective. Host Dale Johnson, a longtime resident, adds his valuable perspective as well.

Host: Bill Adams Guest: Susan Culbertson, Teacher of all things APPLE Description: Technology is ever-evolving, and Apple has always been at the forefront of innovations, both with its computers and now especially its phones and smartwatches. It is hard to keep up with it all, but Susan does. And she has been teaching multiple classes at Willow Valley on how to take full advantage of all that APPLE has built into their IPADS, especially Apple Smart Watches. She will be continuing to offer...

Guest: Ray Loewe Host: Deborah Brandt, founder and CEO of Fig Industries Description: Deborah Brandt is the founder and CEO of Fig Industries, a company devoted to showing all who live in and near Lancaster City what a fantastic place Lancaster City is to live, work, and play. Today Deborah explains all Lancaster City has to offer, from a vibrant arts scene to ethnically diverse restaurants to Broadway-level music and theater. After creating a successful career in design with big-name...

Host: Candace O’Donnell Guest: Ronald James Scholl, Certified Nursing Assistant Description: R.J., known on the floor at Lakeside, gives exceptional care. Not only is he strong, skilled, and well-trained, but most importantly, he is CARING. R.J. is just one of the many wonderful nursing assistants throughout the WV Health Care system. Growing old is not easy, and when the body and mind begin to break down, nursing skill is needed, but more than anything, a caring, empathetic nurse at every...

Host: Carol MacAllister Guest: Tammi Brennan, Personal Trainer Description: Tammi Brennan was a featured guest speaker at a two-day seminar organized by Willow Valley resident and founder of the Life Under the Willow Tree Podcast, Ray Loewe. After retirement, Ray found he needed help reorienting and reinvigorating his life. Tammi helped him find new meaning, projects, friendships, and greater fulfillment in his life after his professional career. He asked Tammi to share her wisdom with all...

Host: Bill Adams Guest: Dr. Robert Winningham, Professor of Psychological Sciences Description: There is mounting evidence that lifestyle factors, including staying mentally and physically active, can maximize our memory ability and even delay memory loss. Dr. Willingham shares with Bill Adams the latest research including how aerobic and resistance training (weights, even light ones) positively affects your brain and can stave off memory loss.

Host: Carol MacAllister Guest: Madeleine Ortman Description: Madeleine Ortman moved to Willow Valley after a long career in education, first as a teacher, to principal, and then as head of several different private and independent schools. She then moved into consulting with Independent School Management, traveling around the world. She moved to Willow Valley in December 2021. Hereditary issues and spinal surgery necessitated moving from her Manor Apartment to Meadow Ridge. Despite using a...

Host: Candance O’Donnell Guest: Carol Church Description: Carol Church taught science and math in schools in the “hollers” of West Virginia and then began to learn to fly. Eventually, she became a full-time commercial pilot and instructor (including training the pilot that flies the PA governor around.) When she decided she'd eventually need a different career, she went to night school to become a nurse. What a versatile woman. If you see a red, convertible vintage MG zooming around the...

Host: Carol MacAllister Guests: Cori Steiner, WV Director of Resident Services Alice Pero, WV resident and retired nurse Description: Today, we are talking about suicide with two courageous people whose lives were deeply affected by the suicide of or attempts at suicide by a family member. We talked about what helped them deal with it in the immediate aftermath, what was helpful from others and what wasn’t, what help is available here at Willow Valley, and what help can be found in...

Host: Ray Loewe Guests: Don Helin, Alexandra Koys, Tammi Brannin, & Glenna Crooks Description: Our speakers for our September 18 - 19 conference tell you why you need to attend and what value you'll receive from attending.

Host: Bill Adams Guest: Al Williams, President of the WV Computer Club Description: With Computer Scams on the rise, especially targeting seniors who may not be as computer literate as they wish, Bill and Al explore how to spot these scams and how to deal with them. These scamers are so good, it is easy to click on what looks like a legitimate website or message only to be instantly pulled into a scam aimed at stealing all your money. BEWARE. Al tells us to stop and think before clicking...

Host: Ray Loewe Guest: Don Helin Description: A conference we are bringing to Willow Valley on September 18-19th is going to help you find new magic in your life. 1. What happens when things change in your life and how do you adjust and rebound from them. For example, retirement ends your work life, routine, identity. What do you do next. Or illness changes one’s mobility. Or what do you do when a spouse dies. It is natural to withdraw into oneself and become isolated. How to get...

Host: Ray Loewe Guests: Nancy Loane, Peter MeCouch, Lyra Newswanger Description: Two winners of the Team Members Scholarship, Peter MeCouch and Lyra Newswanger, and Scholarship committee member, Nancy Loane, were interviewed by Ray Loewe. Peter, who works at the Lakes dining room, will attend the Rochester Institute of Technology, in Rochester, New York, majoring in physics and mathematics. He ultimately hopes to work at the CERN Collider in Switzerland. Lyra Newswanger, who works in the...

Host: Candace McDonnell Guest: Michael Finn Description: Michael Finn, has been enthralled with the art of cinema since he watched silent movies as a child. Now in his 95th year, he continues to screen 2-4 films weekly and publishes a popular blog, https://omattm.blogspot.com/.” You’ll be astonished at his insights, his grasp of film history, and his talent with the words of this Mid-Rise Resident.

Host: Carol MacAllister Guest: Cathy Thorn Description: Cathy Thorn and her husband Jim are well known up and down the eastern seaboard as well as at Willow Valley for their numerous talks about their travels in Africa and for Cathy’s work as one of the managers of the WV Computer Club Tech Center housed at the North. But today we are learning of her experience of climbing the formidable Mt. Kilimanjaro in Kenya, not once but twice. We learn what motivated her, how she prepared for it,...

Host: Dale Johnson Guest: Fernando Garcia-Aguila Description: Today’s podcast is part of our quarterly podcast before a live audience. Our special guest is Willow Valley’s Executive Chef and team member, Fernando Garcia-Aguila. Chef Fernando has an incredible story to share. Growing up in communist Cuba, he made seven unsuccessful attempts to escape before finally succeeding on his eighth try. He will recount his early years, his family life, his dramatic escape, and his journey to the...

Host: Carol MacAllister Guest: Sandra Wilson, Manager of Volunteer Services for the WV Supportive Living Volunteer Program. Description: Supportive Living includes both Personal care (formally called Assisted Living) and Skilled Nursing both at the Glen (on the Manor campus) and at Lakeside on the Lakes Campus. Volunteers have many things they can offer from leading discussion groups, to being a friendly visitor, to crafts assisting, bingo, card games and social country rides. If you...

Host: Carol MacAllister Guest: Holly List, Master Gardener, SouthPointe Resident Description: Pollinators feed the world. Holly List, WV SouthPointe resident, and Master Gardener, gave us an update on one piece of the WV Green Master Plan—a demonstration pollinator garden, the first of several planned. This garden, located at Clifford Circle in Southpointe, was designed in a joint effort by SP neighbors, Susan and Chuck Beers, Lynda Houch, and Holly. They carefully chose native plants that...

Host: Carol MacAllister Guest: Ann Willets, Mentor, computer tech, and Single Mingles founder Description: After two years leading the WV Single Mingles Club, Ann and the other group leaders have learned a few things. Many residents thought the group was for dating. It was NOT, never was. It was a club where WV residents who were living single could make connections and find those who liked the same activities. However, in time Ann and members learned that many others, married and single,...

Host: Ray Loewe Guests: Travis Adams, Cedar Brook Manager, Mary Schneider, Memory Support Resource Coordinator Description: These leaders on the Willow Valley Person-Centered Dementia Training Team shared many different ways to connect with those who are experiencing memory loss issues. A helpful guide for all of us.

Listen to your grandchildren as they take on the role of backpack podcast experts and discuss what's in their backpack with host Ray Loewe.