Renaissance - Fall 2025

A publication of Willow Valley Communities

An Inspiring Afternoon with Stephen Watson, President & CEO of The National WWII Museum pg. 17

SPIRIT MIND BODY

Inspiring Mind, Body & Spirit RENAISSANCE

ENTERTAINER’S SERIES

OTHER PERFORMANCE EVENTS

GENERAL ADMISSION

WILLOW VALLEY WEBCAST

SPECIAL EVENTS

ART GALLERY 3-9 10-11 12 13-16 17-21 22-25

ART CLASSES

LUNCH & LEARN

MOVIES THAT INSPIRE

LIFE OF THE MIND

ONE DAY UNIVERSITY

LIFE REFLECTIONS

EDUCATION

WELLNESS SPECIAL EVENTS

EDUCATIONAL WALKS & HIKES

WELLNESS EDUCATION CLASSES

SUPPORT GROUPS

FITNESS CLASSES

AQUATICS CLASSES

Entertainer’s Series

Enjoy four performances for just $96 when you subscribe to the Entertainer’s Series, or purchase tickets at individual prices as listed below. To make your reservation, complete the Reservation Request Form.

Pianomania!

Known for playing Jerry Lee Lewis on Broadway, Jared Freiburg brings the 1950s to life in this electrifying display of piano virtuosity that transcends the boundaries of music and leaves audiences spellbound.

Tuesday, October 21 at 2:00 p.m.

Tuesday, October 21 at 7:00 p.m.

Ticket price: $27

The Waddington Brothers

The Waddington Brothers skillfully blend traditional bluegrass with classic Western music, creating a unique style and sound that appeals to fans of all types of music.

Wednesday, November 12 at 2:00 p.m.

Wednesday, November 12 at 7:00 p.m.

Ticket price: $21

How Sweet It Is!

Steve Leslie’s warm baritone, exceptional guitar technique, and uncanny resemblance combine to create this truly one-of-a-kind tribute to the American music icon James Taylor.

Thursday, November 20 at 7:00 p.m.

Friday, November 21 at 2:00 p.m.

Ticket price: $20

Candlelight: Christmas

Candlelight concerts are the perfect way to kindle the excitement of the holiday season, taking you on a musical journey by the light of thousands of candles.

Monday, December 22 at 2:00 p.m.

Monday, December 22 at 7:00 p.m.

Ticket price: $33

Other Performance Events

(Not included as part of the Entertainer's Series.)

Sixtiesmania

Sixtiesmania’s A Journey Through the Sixties is a true celebration of the music of the ’60s. From the British Invasion to Woodstock and everything in between, come and relive the greatest musical decade of all time. The look… the sounds… the songs!

Thursday, October 9 at 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, October 9 at 7:00 p.m.

Ticket price: $25

Catapult

Featured on season 8 of America’s Got Talent, Catapult is a nationally touring group of artists whose interpretive dance and amazing acrobatics create visual stories through light and shadows.

Wednesday, October 29 at 2:00 p.m.

Wednesday, October 29 at 7:00 p.m.

Ticket price: $34

Pianomania!

Cultural Center Theater

Reservation Request Form

Fall 2025

NAME:

COMMUNITY (check one): MANOR LAKES NORTH SPRING RUN SMARTLIFE

RESIDENCE (apt.):

SEATING PREFERENCE:

PHONE NUMBER:

All seating requests are subject to availability. Please refer to the seating chart on the reverse side of this page.

If you would like to sit with someone from a residence different from your own, please use this portion for their reservation. Each party will be billed separately.

NAME:

COMMUNITY (check one): MANOR LAKES NORTH SPRING RUN SMARTLIFE

RESIDENCE (apt.): PHONE NUMBER:

SUBSCRIPTION

ENTERTAINER’S SERIES

INDIVIDUAL TICKETS

Pianomania!

Tuesday, October 21 at 2:00 p.m.

Tuesday, October 21 at 7:00 p.m.

The Waddington Brothers

Wednesday, November 12 at 2:00 p.m.

Wednesday, November 12 at 7:00 p.m.

How Sweet It Is!

Thursday, November 20 at 7:00 p.m.

Friday, November 21 at 2:00 p.m.

Candlelight: Christmas

Monday, December 22 at 2:00 p.m.

Monday, December 22 at 7:00 p.m.

OTHER PERFORMANCE EVENTS

Sixtiesmania

Thursday, October 9 at 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, October 9 at 7:00 p.m.

Catapult

Wednesday, October 29 at 2:00 p.m.

Wednesday, October 29 at 7:00 p.m.

Series Price Sets of Series

$96

Ticket Price

$27

$21

$20

$33

Number of Tickets

(Not included as part of the Entertainer's Series.)

$25

$34

Mail your completed RESERVATION REQUEST FORM to the Cultural Center Theater Box Office by September 5, 2025. Please do not cut, fold, staple, tape, or enclose this form in an envelope; just send it as is using in-house mail.

STAGE

Cultural Center Theater Guidelines

• To make a reservation, please fill out the Reservation Request Form on the reverse side of this page. It is not necessary to cut, fold, staple, tape, or put it into an envelope; simply put it into the in-house mail as is.

• If you would like to sit with someone, please include their reservation information on your form in the appropriate location. Each party will be billed separately unless instructed otherwise.

• Transportation will be provided for all shows. For evening shows, the shuttle will make continuous runs on each campus beginning at 5:40 p.m. (Manor Campus) and 5:45 p.m. (Lakes Campus). At the end of the program, buses will run until all Residents have returned to their drop-off location.

• For matinees, on-demand transportation will be available until after the show is over.

• If you would like to attend a show but do not have a ticket, call the box office at 717.464.6433 to check availability.

• Arrive early enough to be seated before the lights dim. Walking into the darkened theater, down the aisle, and into your seat is not safe. It disturbs not only the audience, but the performer as well. Late seating will not be permitted.

• Seat locations printed on your tickets are not guaranteed after the start of the performance.

• Kindly keep colognes and perfumes to a minimum. Some people are highly allergic to aromas.

• Turn off all cell phones and other electronic devices.

• No flash photography.

• No food or beverages allowed in theater.

Pianomania!

Take a rock ’n’ roll roller coaster ride through one of the most explosive and influential eras of 20th century music! Pianomania! Rockin’ the 1950s with Jared Freiburg is a high-energy celebration of music made famous by the most prolific piano entertainers of the era, including Little Richard, Ray Charles, and others. Since playing the role of Jerry Lee Lewis in the Broadway show Million Dollar Quartet, Freiburg has channeled his talents into a hugely successful career as a touring musician, playing in venues around the world. Pianomania! showcases his electrifying piano mastery and a nonstop parade of golden oldies, like Real Wild Child, Pretty Woman, Blue Suede Shoes, and many more.

Tuesday, October 21 at 2:00 p.m.

Tuesday, October 21 at 7:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Ticket price: $27

Register: Reservation Request Form

The Waddington Brothers

Seth, Ethan, Jacob, and Job Waddington, a band of four brothers from rural North Dakota, take listeners on a journey through the heart of the American West. With rich, stirring vocal harmonies and instrumental versatility that ranges from hard-driving bluegrass to more mellow acoustic tones, this quartet’s sound is truly special, a style that’s timelessly classic, yet refreshingly new and unique. Whether they’re singing about cowboys or cabins, hunting or horseback riding, ranches or Indian reservations, The Waddington Brothers’ heartfelt songs evoke feelings of warmth, appreciation, and a genuine connection to the way life was lived by our country’s pioneers.

Wednesday, November 12 at 2:00 p.m.

Wednesday, November 12 at 7:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Ticket price: $21

Register: Reservation Request Form

How Sweet It Is!

Grammy Award-winning songwriter and recording artist Steve Leslie performs the music of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer-songwriter James Taylor in this spellbinding concert event. In addition to his uncanny resemblance, Leslie’s warm baritone and guitar technique provide an authentic tribute to this American music icon. Joined by Nashville multi-instrumentalist, singer, and producer Kyle Tupper on piano and keyboards, they’ll have you singing along to such classics as Carolina in My Mind, Shower the People, You’ve Got a Friend, Fire and Rain, and many more.

Thursday, November 20 at 7:00 p.m.

Friday, November 21 at 2:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Ticket price: $20

Register: Reservation Request Form

Candlelight: Christmas

Get into the Christmas spirit with this one-of-a-kind event! Candlelight brings talented musicians to stages around the world, illuminating them with thousands of candles to enhance the listening experience. Come hear your favorite Christmas carols played on strings under the warm glow of candlelight, and immerse yourself in the serene, intimate atmosphere. You’ll feel the magic of the season like never before!

Monday, December 22 at 2:00 p.m.

Monday, December 22 at 7:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Ticket price: $33

Register: Reservation Request Form

Other Performance Events

To make your reservation, complete the Reservation Request Form. (These events are not part of the Entertainer's Series.)

Sixtiesmania

Sixtiesmania’s A Journey Through the Sixties truly celebrates all the great groups and songs that became an iconic backdrop to that turbulent decade. The show is a musical roller coaster, ranging from The Beatles to The Beach Boys with everything in between, including the British Invasion, California sounds, Flower Power, Woodstock, and so much more. Each song is lovingly performed to sound exactly like those amazing recordings you know and love. With authentic tailored suits from England, a full multimedia backdrop, multiple costume changes, vintage instruments, and incredible musicianship and vocals, this is the premier sixties concert experience.

Thursday, October 9 at 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, October 9 at 7:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Ticket price: $25

Register: Reservation Request Form

Catapult

Contemporary shadow dance is a new riff on a very old art form. It is a storytelling medium that includes dance, theater, and techniques for sculpting with light. Catapult, a shadow-illusion performance company, was first propelled into the limelight and into the homes of millions of people by the television show America’s Got Talent. The group now tours the world eight months out of the year, offering a new way to tell stories and inspiring the next generation of storytellers. Their stunning visuals coupled with whimsy, heart, and athleticism create a spellbinding show.

Wednesday, October 29 at 2:00 p.m.

Wednesday, October 29 at 7:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Ticket price: $34

Register: Reservation Request Form

General Admission

Register using Event Registration.

Cultural Center Chorale

The Cultural Center Chorale’s stirring spring concert raised the bar for its winter follow-up. Under the direction of Jim Casler, Chorale members, as well as those planning to join, hope to inspire and delight audiences this December with two performances of their winter concert. Reserve your spot early!

Wednesday, December 10 at 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, December 11 at 2:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Cost: No charge

Willow Valley Webcast

Webcast and On-Demand programming treats music and art lovers to one-of-a-kind experiences around the world, broadcast directly to the Cultural Center Theater.

Tickets are just $5. Register using Event Registration.

Marin Alsop Conducts Beethoven & Shostakovich — With Khatia Buniatishvili

Watch one of the world’s foremost conductors work her magic with the Orchestra of Paris! This electrifying program begins with Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1, featuring the dizzyingly talented Khatia Buniatishvili. The piece’s virtuosic melodic lines perfectly complement its harmonic structure, carrying an almost Mozartian atmosphere while also showing signs of the innovation to come in Beethoven’s later work.

The second half is dedicated to Shostakovich’s monumental Fifth Symphony, a sonic testament to the charged atmosphere in the Soviet Union in the interwar period. Through tumult and triumph, this work never fails to move and excite. Its jubilant conclusion is the perfect punctuation mark on an epic night of music!

Tuesday, September 9 at 1:30 p.m.

Length: 1 hour, 32 minutes

Delibes’s Lakmé

Léo Delibes’s legendary opera as you’ve never seen it before. Marvel at the sublimely beautiful Flower Duet performed by soprano Jodie Devos as Lakmé and Marion Lebègue as Mallika, and the iconic Bell Song, set against vividly colorful staging by Davide Garattini Raimondi. Frédéric Chaslin leads the house orchestra and chorus, while Devos and Lebègue join an all-star vocal cast including baritone Lionel Lhote and tenor Philippe Talbot. Though Delibes has been criticized for trafficking in exoticism, his score is as lush and irresistible as ever — and this 2022 staging grapples with the legacy of colonialism in India through striking imagery and excerpts from speeches by Mahatma Gandhi.

Sung in French with English subtitles.

Thursday, October 16 at 1:30 p.m.

Length: 2 hours, 30 minutes

Pre-Webcast Talk

Monday, October 6 at 10:00 a.m.

See pg. 52 for details.

Exhibition On Screen: Lucian Freud — A Self-Portrait

Lucian Freud’s self-portraits provide fascinating insight into his psyche and his development as a painter, from his earliest portrait painted in 1939 to the final one 64 years later. His intense and unflinching gaze produced a powerful body of work that places him at the forefront of great British painting. Featuring interviews with past sitters, friends, and leading art experts (such as Tim Marlow, Artistic Director of London’s Royal Academy of Arts, and Martin Gayford, art critic and writer), this compelling documentary reveals a life’s work that represents an engrossing study of the dynamic of aging and the process of self-representation.

Monday, September 22 at 10:00 a.m.

Length: 1 hour, 26 minutes

Conrad

van Alphen Conducts Verdi, Shor & Schubert — With Giuseppe Gibboni

In this symphonic concert from the 2025 InClassica International Music Festival, acclaimed violinist Giuseppe Gibboni joins the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra under the masterful baton of Conrad van Alphen. The program opens with the overture to Verdi’s operatic masterpiece, Nabucco. Gibboni then takes center stage to lead the world premiere of Alexey Shor’s Violin Concerto No. 7, which seamlessly blends contemporary and traditional musical elements while showcasing the composer’s evocative writing style. Concluding the performance is Franz Schubert’s last major orchestral work, Symphony No. 9 in C Major, considered one of his most innovative compositions.

Thursday, October 30 at 1:30 p.m.

Length: 1 hour, 38 minutes

Exhibition On Screen: Caravaggio

Mystery, intrigue, beauty, passion, murder — in this dramatic biography, award-winning filmmakers Phil Grabsky and David Bickerstaff delve into the hidden narratives of Caravaggio’s life, piecing together clues embedded within his incredible art. His signature blend of dramatic light, intense naturalism, and bold, striking figures has captivated audiences for centuries. But what do his paintings reveal about the man behind the brush? The intriguing selfdepictions within his works — sometimes disguised, sometimes in plain sight — offer a rare window into his psyche and personal struggles.

Featuring masterpiece after masterpiece and testimony from Caravaggio himself on the eve of his mysterious death, this beautiful film unravels the story of one of history’s most brilliant, complex, and controversial figures.

Tuesday, November 18 at 1:30 p.m.

Length: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Ragazzo con canestra di frutta

Ballet: The Nutcracker by Vainonen After Petipa & Ivanov, Music by Tchaikovsky

Tchaikovsky’s fantastical masterpiece is presented here with Vasili Vainonen’s choreography, the version most popular in Russia, and Marius Petipa’s libretto, inspired by Alexandre Dumas’s French version of E.T.A. Hoffmann’s The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. In 1934, Vainonen created this new choreography, which has come to be considered the epitome of classical ballet. Étoile dancers Alina Somova and Vladimir Shklyarov light up the stage, accompanied by the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra led by legendary maestro Valery Gergiev. Mariinsky productions of The Nutcracker are very traditional and more faithful to the spirit of the Hoffmann story than the George Balanchine version familiar to most in the United States.

Wednesday, December 17 at 1:30 p.m.

Length: 1 hour, 43 minutes

Pre-Webcast Talk

Tuesday, December 9 at 10:00 a.m.

See pg. 52 for details.

Special Events

Register using Event Registration.

An Inspiring Afternoon with Stephen Watson, President & CEO of The National WWII Museum

Willow Valley Communities is honored to welcome Stephen Watson, President & CEO of The National WWII Museum in New Orleans, for a compelling presentation in the Cultural Center Performing Arts Theater. Mr. Watson will share insights into the Museum’s mission to preserve and honor the legacy of the WWII Generation and offer a behind-the-scenes look at how the Museum brings to life the stories of courage, sacrifice, and resilience from the war.

His talk will explore powerful stories of individual heroism, the impact of the war on both the Home Front and the battlefield, and how the Museum uses immersive exhibits to educate and inspire visitors from around the world. Following the presentation, Residents are invited to a reception in the Cultural Center Art Gallery, where Mr. Watson will be available to mingle and continue the conversation in a more personal setting. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from one of the leading voices in WWII historic preservation and education.

Thursday, September 18

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenter: Stephen Watson, President & CEO of The National WWII Museum

Cost: No charge

Stephen Watson, President & CEO of The National WWII Museum

Presentation: The Last Independent Automaker

At half the size of its Big Three competitors, American Motors Corporation continually innovated just to survive — but after 30 years, the perfect storm of economics, mismanagement, and betrayal brought everything crashing down. The PBS series The Last Independent Automaker features more than 30 former AMC employees, including designers, engineers, assembly line workers, salespeople, and two CEOs. Their memories, along with rare archival footage and historical photos, bring to life the story of this iconic company during a period of rapid industry change. Before the Classy & Jazzy Car Show, join the director and producer of The Last Independent Automaker as he shows clips and discusses the making of the series.

Friday, September 26

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenter: Joe Ligo, Producer & Director

Cost: No charge

Classy & Jazzy Car Show

Grab a bite to eat from local food trucks, move to the music of The Josh Squared Band, and best of all, walk around and chat with the owners of some pretty amazing cars! At this show, hosted by the Willow Valley Communities Classy & Jazzy Automobile Club, you’ll be able to feast your eyes on a 1907 Cadillac, 1914 Ford Model T, 1934 Ford Deluxe fourdoor sedan, 1942 Ford Jeep GPW, 1956 Chevrolet Corvette, 1956 Oldsmobile Super 88, 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe, 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1, 2016 Volkswagen Eos, 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster GTS, 2022 Toyota GR86, 2022 and 2024 Kia EV6, and a 2025 Tesla Model S, to name just a few. Keep your fingers crossed for great weather because these treasures do not come out in the rain.

“She’s my rockin’ little roadster, I wouldn’t trade her for the world.” —Jan & Dean, 1964

Parking will not be available in the upper level parking lot; transportation details will be announced in the Weekly Insider (week of September 22-28).

Friday, September 26

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Upper Level Parking Area

Cost: No charge

Registration not necessary for this event.

The Friends Connection Forum: It's Magic A

Gathering of “The Luckiest People in the World”

Join us for a vibrant, one-of-a-kind gathering of individuals dedicated to living fully, recovering from challenges, and forming meaningful connections. This event is inspired by the spirit of Changing the Rules, the podcast that celebrates resilience and reinvention. Enjoy two inspiring guest speakers and a lunch where you can connect with like-minded people.

Wednesday, October 8

10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Cost: $17 (includes speakers and lunch)

Your Retirement DNA

What does your life story tell you about your unique Personality DNA? And how can you use that information to ensure your retirement years are “on purpose”? Being “on purpose” is a sure way to feel happy, fulfilled, and less stressed. Learn how to decipher your unique Retirement DNA with Dr. Sarah Brown, who empowers people to find clarity, build confidence, and crush pursuing their purpose in life.

Presenter: Dr. Sarah Brown, Psychologist, Executive Coach, Author & Podcaster

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

A Journey into Iconic America: An Americana Junkie’s Perspective

Explore the creativity and quirkiness that unite us as Americans. Margaret’s dynamic presentation is a timely and hopeful reminder of our shared culture and the joy of rediscovery — perfect for those seeking unity in divided times. Margaret will introduce us to “The Society for Commercial Archaeology,” “Baseball Vacations,” “Food Finds: America's Best,” and more.

Presenter: Margaret (Peggy) Engel, Director of the Alicia Patterson Foundation, Playwright & Former Washington Post Reporter

11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Lunch & Networking

After the presentations, enjoy lunch in the Ballroom with the speakers and fellow attendees. Share stories, ideas, and inspiration and connect with our amazing community — people who refuse to let life’s events get in the way of truly living life.

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Dr. Sarah Brown

Margaret (Peggy) Engel

Shadows of the Night Dinner

Step into an evening where lively lights and stunning shadows are the main event as you transport yourself into a world of luminous storytelling. Begin with a delectable dinner crafted by Willow Valley Communities' Chef Katie. Afterward, move to the theater for an evening of interpretive dance and amazing entertainment from Catapult, whose acrobatics create visual stories through light and shadows.

Wednesday, October 29

4:30 p.m. (Hors d’Oeuvres)

Cultural Center Art Gallery

5:00 p.m. (Dinner)

Cultural Center Ballroom

7:00 p.m. (Catapult)

Cultural Center Theater

Cost: $89/person (includes dinner and show)

Please note: If you register for the dinner, you do not need to register for the show. You will automatically get your ticket to the show when you arrive to the dinner.

Dinner Menu

Hors d’Oeuvres

Bruschetta Crostini

Beet-Horseradish Deviled Egg with Poppy Seeds

Roasted Purple Fingerling Potato with Crème Fraiche, Dill & Flying Fish Roe

Soup

Butternut Squash with Maple Cream, Fried Sage & Candied Pumpkin Seeds

Salad

Port-Poached Pear with Baby Arugula, Blue Cheese, Toasted Pecans & Orange Vinaigrette

Entrée

Choice of:

Flounder with Shrimp Mousseline & Tarragon Beurre Blanc

Sliced Beef with Mushroom Demi-Glace

Both served with:

Rosemary-Garlic Duchess Potato

Broccoli Rabe & Oven-Roasted Tomatoes

Dessert

Vanilla Crème Brûlée

Holiday Bazaar & Artisan Showcase

You won’t want to miss this carefully curated array of artisans! With over 65 vendors — offering everything from Resident quilts and woodwork pieces to local treats and handmade crafts and gifts — there is sure to be something for everyone, just in time for the holidays.

A shuttle bus (one per campus) will make continuous runs throughout this event. Parking will be very limited.

Friday, November 7

10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Upper Level

Registration is not necessary for this event.

Celebrating Our Veterans

In World War II, women joined the US workforce by the millions to replace men who had gone off to fight. The Veterans Council of Willow Valley Communities will host a unique recognition of these women through the historical and educational story of Rosie the Riveter, theatrically portrayed by Mary Ann Jung. An award-winning actress and Smithsonian scholar, Jung performs delightful and inspiring shows about amazing women in history.

Just who was the real Rosie? The answer is fun and riveting and an inspiring tribute to the men and women of WWII. Come learn about the war bonds, the rationing, the posters… and above all, the real women who helped America win the war.

Join us, too, as we ask Willow Valley Communities veterans to stand and be recognized, also as we award Quilts of Valor to veterans who have been touched by war.

Tuesday, November 11

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Cost: No charge

Tickets will be issued for this event. You must have a ticket to attend.

Christiane David, Oils

From the artist: I started painting as a small girl in Belgium and later studied architecture. But because I have always felt the need to express myself on canvas, I continued my studies in watercolors and oils at the Academy of Art in Brussels, where I was influenced by many of the European Impressionists.

While my style is free and spontaneous, technique is the tool I always keep in the back of my mind. I like to take advantage of the fact that when I paint without fear and follow my instincts, magical things happen. I love to experiment and go deeper into the world of color and often push it to the point where there are no rules to follow. I feel that color has a strong effect on our minds. Whether it is uplifting and happy or serene and relaxing, color can have a powerful impact on all of us.

For me, painting is a very emotional process, and I am inspired to paint whatever is happening in my life at that moment. I strongly believe that painting can be the path to meeting your real self. But this process is only complete for me if I have been able to give the viewer a glimpse into the very soul of the subject.

ChristianeDavid.com

August 8 – October 6

Cultural Center Art Gallery

Watercolor Painting Demonstration

Wednesday, September 24

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Art Gallery

Geraldine Cosgrave, Pastels

Dot Stepenaski, Pastels

Geraldine Cosgrave: Geraldine was born and raised in Ireland. Following graduation from Trinity College Dublin, she immigrated to Canada and then to New Jersey in 1976. Drawing and painting have always been a part of her life, but marriage and family came first. Art played a minor role until her family was grown.

As an artist, Geraldine has always sought the best educational opportunities. Attending classes with teachers such as Christina Debarry and Frank Zuccarelli, as well as workshops with Elizabeth Mowry, increased her love and knowledge of the pastel medium. Working with pastels gives Geraldine infinite pleasure — the chance to develop the wonderful shadows and light she sees in the world; to express her feelings about a special place, object, or person; and to have people enjoy and appreciate whatever it is they see in her work.

Geraldine has won more than 20 awards in juried shows throughout the area. She has also received two pastel scholarships and is a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America.

All paintings by Geraldine Cosgrave

Dot Stepenaski: Originally from Conshohocken, Dot always had an interest in how things worked and was an avid tomboy growing up, preferring the outdoors. She developed an interest in drawing at an early age.

Today, Dot resides in Willow Street. She embraces pastels because she likes the immediacy and expressiveness of the medium. She has studied with a number of master pastelists, including Maggie Price, Richard McKinley, Albert Handell, and others. Her work is expressive, with exciting use of color and mark making.

A member of the Lancaster County Art Association, Dot is also an active Signature Member of the Maryland Pastel Society and is featured in two of their videos on YouTube. She enjoys teaching pastels at all levels, guiding her students to do their personal best.

Dot’s pastel painting of White Chimneys (pictured above), an historic landmark in Lancaster, is featured in the Lafayette 200 commemorative book Marquis de Lafayette Visits Lancaster. The painting was on display at the Millersville University Ware Center during the month of July 2025.

Pastel Peregrinations

October 7 – November 17

Cultural Center Art Gallery

Artists Reception

Thursday, October 9

3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Art Gallery

All paintings by Dot Stepenaski

Keith Mountford, Watercolors

Bucks County painter Keith Mountford’s style can best be described as “watercolor realism.” Unlike many watercolor artists, he chooses to tightly control the medium, producing exacting landscape and architectural renderings with the subtle tones that are unique to the medium. Through a methodical technique of layering and blending, he uses a broad palette to bring mood and atmosphere to his paintings, which act as a complement to the technical drawing employed in this creative style.

Born and raised in industrial North Staffordshire, England, Keith came to the US in 1993. He was inspired by the new culture and began to teach himself the complex medium of watercolor through textbooks and “how-tos.” He believes having no one looking over his shoulder was a benefit, as there was only himself to please. Critical to his improvement was the ability to step back and critique his own work, learned during his years as a sales trainer for Procter & Gamble.

Keith experienced a setback in 2003, when he was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor that affected his balance and hearing. While undergoing radiation therapy, he buried himself in his art, which, along with his family’s support, helped him through those dark days.

Since 1996, Keith’s work has been collected by a loyal clientele and appears in private and corporate collections locally, nationally, and around the world.

KeithMountford.com

November 17 – January 6

Cultural Center Art Gallery

Art Classes

All classes are held in the Cultural Center Art Studio. Register using Event Registration.

Open Studio Hours

The Cultural Center Art Studio is available during non-class hours for anyone wishing to work on individual projects, or to arrange small groups. For more information, call 717.464.6438.

Class Cancellation Policy

Please cancel prior to the start of the class. Those registered who do not attend the session and do not cancel will be charged. An exception will be made for illness, but students must call to cancel: 717.464.6438.

Mixed-Media Open Studio

Work at your own pace, in your own medium, with guidance from the instructor. Beginner or advanced levels are welcome. Instructor has experience working with acrylics, oils, pastels, watercolors, and drawing. Work from photos you bring or a still-life provided by the instructor.

Session 1: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, September 2, 3, 9, 10

Session 2: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, October 7, 8, 14, 15

Session 3: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, November 11, 12, 18 19

Session 4: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, December 16, 17, 18, 19

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Instructor: Tammy Teets, Professional Artist

Cost: $55/session

Beginner & Beyond Acrylic Class

Designed with the beginner in mind, but a beginner that already has some painting experience and wants to learn more. The instructor will teach early painting skills that go beyond the basics, including shading, blending, texture, and perspective. Paint from a still-life or reference photos supplied by the instructor.

Fridays, September 12, 19; October 3, 10 (no class September 26)

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Instructor: Tammy Teets, Professional Artist

Cost: $75/4 classes (supplies included)

Mandala Mosaics

Learn how to create your own mosaic mandala! You will be introduced to the basic skills of mosaic making, then make your own 4" round mandala mosaic with glass and tiles. Enjoy the colorful materials and challenge yourself to use wheeled nippers to break the glass pieces into different shapes. A mandala is an art to symbolize the universe, and nipping the glass and placing it in circles is a meditative activity. Let’s have fun and relax together!

Tuesday, September 16

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Instructor: Aya Kinoshita, Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen

Cost: $75 (supplies included)

Beginner Watercolor Class

Whether you’re a beginner, have taken other beginner watercolor classes with Linda, or just want to begin again, this class is perfect for you. Each week features different skills, like brush handling, painting various washes, mixing colors, and creating textures. You’ll paint along with Linda and make a simple painting to take home each week. Enjoy learning new things, painting with friends, and creating beautiful watercolor art!

Thursdays, September 18; October 2, 16, 30

1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Instructor: Linda Luke, Professional Artist

Cost: $75/4 classes (supplies included)

Reversible Pumpkin & Snowman Wood Slice Workshop

Make a reversible wood slice decoration with pumpkins on one side and a snowman on the other. Each wood slice is 3"–4" in diameter. This fun holiday craft is a great way to decorate your home for both the fall and winter seasons.

Tuesday, September 30

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Instructor: Tammy Teets, Professional Artist

Cost: $25 (supplies included)

3-Day Fall Wreath Quilling Workshop

Create a beautiful 10" fall wreath adorned with quilled leaves and flowers in this fun workshop. The instructor will walk you through all the steps to create this beautiful wreath great for a wall or a door.

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, September 23, 24, 25

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Instructor: Tammy Teets, Professional Artist Cost: $50/3 classes (supplies included)

Gelatin Plate Monoprinting

In monoprinting, acrylic paints are rolled onto a plate of commercial gelatin using a brayer. Objects are carefully placed or stamped on the plate, and then a sheet of paper is laid down to cover it. After applying light pressure, the paper is pulled up, resulting in the transfer of a textured image. Gelli printing is easy to do and fun for everyone. No experience is needed. Just arrive ready to play!

Colorful Fall Leaf Gelli Prints

Create unlimited monoprints using your favorite fall leaves and acrylic paint colors on a variety of papers, including printed and colored. Use your prints to frame later or to give as gifts.

Wednesday, October 1

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Instructor: Lisa Stuckey, Professional Artist

Cost: $40 (supplies included)

Gelli Plate Magazine Transfers

Learn how to transfer images and textures from magazines onto paper using a gelatin plate, as well as how to make collages from images. Textural elements such as stencils, fabric, and stamps will be incorporated into this experimental and whimsical class. Take home as many prints as you create.

Wednesday, October 15

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Instructor: Lisa Stuckey, Professional Artist

Cost: $40 (supplies included)

Gelli Printed Holiday Cards & Gift Tags

Get into the holiday spirit with this hands-on workshop where you will make one-of-a-kind notecards and colorful tags for gift giving. This printing technique uses stamps and stencils and is fun for all. Included are five notecards and unlimited gift tags for each participant.

Wednesday, November 19

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Instructor: Lisa Stuckey, Professional Artist

Cost: $40 (supplies included)

Intermediate Colored Pencil Class

This class builds on the techniques learned in the Basic Colored Pencil Class. Learn advanced blending, layering, textures, and special effects while honing colored pencil techniques learned earlier to finish full drawings.

Thursdays, October 2, 9, 16, 23

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Instructor: Tammy Teets, Professional Artist Cost: $75/4 classes (supplies included)

Needle Felted Winter Snowman

Join this fun-filled workshop where you’ll learn a new skill and leave with a delightful handmade creation — an adorable needle felted winter snowman that will become a cherished decoration for years to come! No prior experience is required. All supplies will be provided, and Lisa will guide you every step of the way. Just bring your enthusiasm!

Thursday, October 9

1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Instructor: Lisa Haldeman, Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen Cost: $50 (supplies included)

Stained Glass Zentangle

Create a beautiful piece using the colorful stained glass technique. You will learn Zentangle fragments to include on your spiral. This is art for everyone! It’s fun!

Tuesday, October 21

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Instructor: Barb Mavraganis, Certified Zentangle Teacher Cost: $28 (supplies included)

Ceramic Soup Bowl & Salad Plate

Hand build a soup bowl and salad or snack plate with clay! Add texture and design, then select a glaze color. The instructor will bisque fire your pieces, apply the glaze, and glaze fire them in her home studio before returning them to Willow Valley for pickup. All glaze is food safe. If desired, you may choose to make a berry bowl and saucer instead of the soup and salad set.

Wednesday, October 22

1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Instructor: Kathleen Forney, Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen

Cost: $70 (supplies included)

Zentangle: The Dove of Peace

Make this beautiful 3D bird. It is easy to assemble and fun to decorate with our Zentangle designs, which you will learn. You will love your artistic design.

Tuesday, October 28

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Instructor: Barb Mavraganis, Certified Zentangle Teacher

Cost: $28 (supplies included)

Mixed-Media Fun: Mason Jar & Sunflowers

Begin with an original line drawing by Ange of a Mason jar and sunflowers. The art print is collaged on a 9" x 12" canvas board ready to paint with acrylics. This is an easy, fun way to create a beautiful art piece, suitable for any wall or table, that makes a perfect keepsake or gift.

Friday, October 24

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Instructor: Ange Bentivegna, Professional Artist

Cost: $35 (supplies included)

Paint Like a Master Artist: Emil Nolde

Learn to paint like a master artist! One of the first Expressionists of the early 20th century, Emil Nolde was a German Danish painter and printmaker known for his brushwork and expressive choice of colors. You’ll learn simple steps to capture his essence and create your own version of his purple and yellow flowers in a 16" x 20" acrylic painting. It’s easy and fun, and no prior experience is needed!

Wednesday, October 29

9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Instructor: Ange Bentivegna, Professional Artist

Cost: $45 (supplies included)

Fused Glass Mosaic Bowl

Create a vivid deep-dish bowl with fused glass! You will cut pieces of glass in various sizes to assemble on a palette of black glass in a pattern of your choice. The bowl will then be fired at the instructor’s studio and returned to Willow Valley for pickup.

Thursday, October 30

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Instructor: Kathleen Forney, Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen

Cost: $95 (supplies included)

Alcohol Ink Balls

Learn how to make these beautiful, one-of-a-kind alcohol ink ornaments that resemble blown glass. Featuring abstract patterns, they add a contemporary touch to holiday decor. They are so easy to make and are great to decorate a tree, hang in a window, or give to someone special as a gift. You will make a box of nine ornaments. If you would like to purchase another box, you can do so for $8.

Choose one.

Session 1: Monday, November 3

Session 2: Tuesday, November 4

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Instructor: Tammy Teets, Professional Artist Cost: $30 (supplies included)

Zentangle in the Round

Join us for this easy-to-learn, step-by-step drawing with pen and paper. Let the creative flow inspire you and create this beautiful design suitable for framing!

Tuesday, November 11

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Instructor: Barb Mavraganis, Certified Zentangle Teacher Cost: $28 (supplies included)

Watercolor Holiday Card Workshop

A fun one-day watercolor workshop to create a beautiful painting to use as a holiday card! The instructor will provide a reference photo and all the high-quality art supplies needed. Once you are done, you can mail your painting, or you can print copies at a local printer.

Thursday, November 13

1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Instructor: Linda Luke, Professional Artist Cost: $30 (supplies included)

Stained Glass 3D Painting

Create a beautiful holiday poinsettia using acrylic paint and hot glue on an 11" x 14" wooden canvas. This festive painting makes a wonderful gift or a cheerful decoration for your own home — no watering required!

Monday, Tuesday, November 24, 25

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Instructor: Tammy Teets, Professional Artist

Cost: $55/2 classes (supplies included)

3-Day Watercolor Workshop

Paint this stunning rural landscape! Perfect for watercolor artists with experience, you’ll have fun learning new techniques, painting with others, and creating beautiful art. Linda will guide you through the washes, textures, and all the painting details. Once registered, you will get a photo reference and sketch for class. Supplies are included, but feel free to bring your own if you have favorites you like to use.

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, December 10, 11, 12 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Instructor: Linda Luke, Professional Artist

Cost: $77/3 classes (supplies included)

Lunch & Learn

Each session begins at 10:30 a.m. in the Cultural Center Theater, with a lecture followed by a question-and-answer session, then lunch in the Ballroom.

Each session is $14, billed to your monthly statement. Register using Event Registration.

A Pennsylvania Treasure: Milton Hershey

Milton Hershey’s life story is one of determination, courage, and hard work. Although we associate him with the famous chocolate bar, his introduction to the candy industry began in Lancaster and Philadelphia with caramels. The World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893 turned his attention to chocolate, and the rest is history. But starting a chocolate company was only a precursor to his main goal: establishing the Hershey Industrial School in 1909. Come hear the entire Milton Hershey story.

Note: Instead of the traditional lunch after the lecture, you’ll enjoy a reception featuring a variety of sweet and savory treats inspired by chocolate.

Friday, September 12

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenter: Dr. Don Koones, PhD

Cost: $14 (includes lecture and reception)

Grand Ole Opry Turns 100

We’re shining a spotlight on a true American institution: the Grand Ole Opry. For 100 years, the Opry has been the heart and soul of country music, where legends are born and traditions live on. It’s where Hank Williams brought the crowd to tears, where Dolly Parton first dazzled the world, and where countless artists have stepped into the circle to carry the legacy forward. Join us for a celebration of sound, storytelling, and southern spirit as we explore how the Grand Ole Opry became the stage that built Nashville, defined a genre, and earned its place in music history.

Friday, October 17

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenter: Jill Graybill, Adjunct Music & Foundational Studies, HACC

Sally Hemings: An Enslaved Legacy

Monticello, the home Thomas Jefferson designed and built, included 5,000 acres. It was the home of the president, his family, and enslaved African Americans. Those slaves numbered 400, living in groups of cabins and nearby farms. Among them was a young woman named Sally Hemings, who was favored by the president, resulting in six children. Her story is a source of discussion and controversy. Come and learn more about the affair that resulted in many descendants who are still living today.

Monday, November 3

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenter: Dr. Don Koones, PhD

The Man Behind the Mouse: The Life & Legacy of Walt Disney

In the 1920s, a shy but determined cartoonist emerged from the Midwestern heartland: Walt Disney. From Mickey Mouse onward, the characters he and his team created gave the young, and the young at heart, a welcome escape into a world of narrative fantasy and visual delight. This program explores Disney’s pioneering work in the field of animation; his later innovations in television, theme parks, and live-action movies; and his lasting fame as an artistic genius and icon of American popular culture.

Thursday, November 13

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenter: John Maietta, US Army Retired

Classic Toys & the Fascinating Stories Behind Them

Get a jump on the holiday spirit as we explore the origins of many of the popular toys and games that brightened our childhood years (and those of our grandkids too). From Barbie dolls and teddy bears to Legos and Lionel trains, they serve as wonderful emblems of creative inspiration and marketing genius — and they continue to evoke fond memories today! You’re encouraged to bring your own favorite toys to the program. Afterward, you’ll have an opportunity to share them with fellow Residents as we set up an informal display in the ballroom during the luncheon.

Tuesday, December 2

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenter: John Maietta, US Army Retired

Movies That Inspire

This lecture/film series explores some of Hollywood’s top movies of all time. Begin with an overview of the movie, cast, and trivia, then enjoy the film with lunch afterward. All sessions begin at 9:30 a.m. in the Theater and conclude with lunch in the Ballroom. The cost of $14 is billed to your monthly statement. Register using Event Registration.

Movie: The Patriot Celebrating 250 Years of America!

After Benjamin Martin (played by Mel Gibson) fought in the French and Indian War, his life took a new direction. He settled with his family in South Carolina and became a confirmed conscientious objector. His life soon changed again during the Revolutionary War, when his son Thomas was killed by a British officer and his home was burned to the ground. As the head of a militia, Benjamin went on to devise a brilliant colonial victory and a crushing British defeat.

This movie was a great financial success in the year 2000 and is included in the list of the most patriotic films ever produced in the United States. It’s a perfect movie leading up to our 250th birthday in 2026.

Note: Rated R due to graphic depiction of war.

Thursday, October 23 at 9:30 a.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenter: Dr. Don Koones, PhD

Life of the Mind

Socrates Café

“Let him who would move the world first move himself.”

— Socrates

“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.”

— Aristotle

Socrates Café, a project of the Life of the Mind Consortium, provides a forum for open and collaborative inquiry. We think about a topic, develop ideas we want to share, and have an open discussion. What we hope to attain is a clearer idea on that topic and a suggestion of where we could inquire further. Join us and share a community that supports “the examined life”!

Socrates Café meets in the Cultural Center Education Room on the second Monday of each month from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Registration is not necessary.

Dignity

“Dignity really means that I deserve the best treatment I can receive. And that I have the responsibility to give the best treatment I can to other people.”

— Maya Angelou

How has dignity changed in the past two centuries?

Monday, September 8

Beyond Right & Wrong: Shades of Grey

“We are all somewhere or the other a little grey, not black and white. We have our imperfections.”

— Kriti Sanon

What are “shades of grey” regarding right and wrong?

Monday, October 13

Humans’ Relationship to the Earth

“This we know: All things are connected like the blood that unites us. We did not weave the web of life; we are merely a strand in it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.” — Chief Seattle

To what extent are we “custodians of the earth”?

Monday, November 10

Self-Awareness

“The unexamined life is not worth living.” — Socrates

What are your values; what motivates you?

Monday, December 8

Great Decisions

At Great Decisions, we discuss and debate current world issues. These discussions are supported by materials prepared by the Foreign Policy Association. A background book may be ordered from their website, and a DVD concerning the topic will be shown at each meeting. The coordinators invite Residents of all Willow Valley Communities to attend and expand their understanding of important issues that impact our world.

The Great Decisions Group meets at 2:00 p.m. in the Spring Run Auditorium. Registration is not necessary.

AI & American National Security

The AI revolution is the leading edge of a larger hightech revolution promising to transform the world. Experts argue that international cooperation is needed to expand the opportunities these technologies hold while also protecting societies from their dangers. What are the key policy debates, and what are the opportunities and limits on global AI rules? How will the AI revolution impact American national security? What are the country’s policy options to secure the benefits of AI and guard against its dangers?

Tuesday, October 14

India: Between China, the West & the Global South

An emerging power in world affairs, India occupies a pivotal position between China, the US, and the Global South. Its population, economy, and geopolitical location ensure it will be an influential voice in debates and political struggles over global order. What are India’s choices and opportunities for regional and global leadership? How will it maneuver between China and the US, and what is its role as a voice of the Global South? What opportunities exist for Washington to work with India?

Tuesday, September 9

After Gaza: American Policy in the Middle East

The war in Gaza has brought the region to a crossroads. What are the possible outcomes of the war, and how might the United States use its influence to shape a long-term settlement that leaves both Palestinians and Israel in a better position? How might Arab states in the wider region be brought into a settlement? What are American interests in the Middle East, and how can it advance them?

Tuesday, November 11

One Day University

One Day University handpicks professors from the world’s top schools to present their best lectures on history, politics, philosophy, art, literature, music, and more. These engaging talks are designed to inform and inspire “students for a day,” intellectually curious people who believe that learning is a fun, rewarding lifelong process.

All events take place in the Cultural Center Theater. The cost of $5 is billed to your monthly statement. Register using Event Registration.

Picking Popes: Secrets of the Conclave

Why do the cardinals pick the popes, and how can some say it’s democratic when only a few more than 100 men vote? When did the white smoke announcing an election come into play? How did the shady Renaissance Medicis get picked?

During the earliest period of church history, local leaders simply recognized the next obvious choice of pope. In early medieval centuries, Rome’s powerful families schemed to get on the papal throne, whether they were worthy or not. In the 11th century, church leaders realized an independent process was needed and put the key rules in place: Only cardinals can elect, and a two-thirds majority vote would do the trick — in a sealed room called the conclave. Those rules stood until the late 20th century, when Pope John Paul II and then Benedict XVI made changes.

This presentation explores the history of the conclaves, with anecdotes and analysis from a church historian who works with the media during papal transitions.

Presented by: Christopher M. Bellitto Kean University

Dr. Bellitto teaches courses in ancient and medieval history at Kean University. A specialist in church history and reform, he is the author of 10 books, including Ageless Wisdom: Lifetime Lessons from the Bible. He also serves as Editor in Chief of Brill’s Companions to the Christian Tradition and as Academic Editor at Large for Paulist Press.

Monday, September 15 at 10:00 a.m. Length: 52 minutes

The Sensational Trial of Lizzie Borden

In August 1892, Andrew and Abigail Borden were murdered in their home in Fall River, Massachusetts. Substantial evidence pointed to Andrew’s daughter Lizzie as the likely murderer, and yet, many simply refused to believe she could have done it. How could Lizzie Borden have been acquitted despite the lack of any credible alternative to the prosecution’s theory of her guilt? More than 130 years later, the question remains puzzling. This presentation looks again at the evidence and tries to pose some answers.

Presented by:

Daniel Breen Brandeis University

A recipient of the Louis Brandeis Award for Excellence, Dr. Breen is Senior Lecturer in Legal Studies at Brandeis University. His primary academic interests lie in the law and politics of the Early Republic, and he is currently working on an article about the secession movement in New England during the Jefferson and Madison administrations.

Friday, October 3 at 10:00 a.m.

Length: 48 minutes

Shakespeare’s Greatest Hits: Words & Phrases We Still Use Today

Shakespeare gave us some of the most memorable phrases in the English language, including “It was Greek to me,” “The most unkindest cut of all,” “To be or not to be,” “Sound and fury,” and “To thine own self be true.” Why do these, and many others, stay with us? What was it about his verbal art that makes these sayings last?

This lecture explores the ways in which Shakespeare developed his most unforgettable lines by looking at the traditions of rhetoric and performance in his time. His works are more than just a compendium of familiar phrases; they are also a source of rich verbal energy — as meaningful today as they were 400 years ago. Shakespeare wrote to be remembered, and his words of advice, insult, affection, and wit continue to inspire us to be creative with our language and reveal the impact of Renaissance imagination to this day.

Presented

by: Seth Lerer

University of California San Diego

A Distinguished Professor of Literature and former Dean of Arts and Humanities at the University of California San Diego, Lerer has also published widely on literature and language. Among his many publications, he wrote the books Tradition: A Feeling for the Literary Past, Inventing English: A Portable History of the Language, and Shakespeare’s Lyric Stage.

Wednesday, October 22 at 10:00 a.m.

Length: 49 minutes

Three Timeless Comedies from Almost 100 Years Ago

After sound was introduced to American films in the late 1920s, new forms of comedy quickly emerged. This presentation examines three classic 1930s comedies that fall into what is often called the “screwball” genre, characterized by fast, witty banter and unconventional romantic plots.

However, these films also dealt with major social questions, such as women’s freedom to choose their own partners (It Happened One Night), the increasing presence of women in traditionally male professions (His Girl Friday), and class antagonism (My Man Godfrey). In each, the story’s resolution holds broader, often metaphorical, social implications, and the romantic couplings function as down-to-earth fairy tales for a modern world.

Presented by: Michael Cramer

Sarah Lawrence College

Michael Cramer is a Professor of Film History at Sarah Lawrence College. Focused on the relationship between film and wider-scale historical and economic changes, he is the author of the book Utopian Television: Rossellini, Watkins, and Godard Beyond Cinema and a co-editor and contributor to a collection of essays, Fredric Jameson and Film Theory.

Monday, November 24 at 10:00 a.m.

Length: 49 minutes

How World War II Changed America

Until about 1940, most Americans believed they could avoid direct involvement in the ongoing wars in Asia and Europe. By the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, however, they concluded that to protect democracy, they would have to vanquish tyranny abroad.

In three years, the United States transformed itself into the world’s largest industrial economy, capable of supplying air, naval, and ground forces to fight simultaneously on two immense fronts on opposite sides of the world. This transformation had longlasting consequences for American society, politics, and economic strength, as well as the country’s perception of itself as a global power. This lecture examines some of the major changes in America as it fought and won the world’s most costly war.

Presented by:

William Hitchcock University of Virginia

William I. Hitchcock is the William W. Corcoran Professor of History at the University of Virginia. He’s written numerous books, including The Bitter Road to Freedom: A New History of the Liberation of Europe — a finalist for the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction — and the New York Times bestseller Age of Eisenhower: America and the World in the 1950s.

Wednesday, December 3 at 10:00 a.m.

Length: 50 minutes

Norman Rockwell: Painting America’s Stories

“America’s favorite artist,” Norman Rockwell, chronicled middle-class life in the 20th century. His commercial paintings — produced for calendars, cards, and magazines, including The Saturday Evening Post — portray the heartwarming and humorous aspects of American life. Focused on shared experiences and relatable themes like childhood, family life, holidays, work, sports, and patriotism, his works helped to shape the way people understood the American experience. This program introduces the artist, his life, and many of his popular paintings that tell America’s stories.

Presented by:

Jane Oneail

Southern New Hampshire University

Jane Oneail holds a master’s in art history from Boston University and a master’s in education from Harvard. She currently lectures at Southern New Hampshire University and has served as Executive Director for the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen and Senior Educator at the Currier Museum of Art.

Monday, December 15 at 1:30 p.m.

Length: 52 minutes

Life Reflections

Life Reflections is a monthly series in which presenters share stories about an unusual event, an exciting vacation, a place they lived or visited, a career, or a favorite hobby or pastime. There is no charge to attend, but you must register using Event Registration.

A Tale of Two Dogs

Marty Rhodes Figley’s professional writing career really began at age 40, proving that it’s never too late to forge a new path in life. A graduate of Mount Holyoke College with a degree in American studies, she has enjoyed bringing history to life for young readers in numerous books. Serendipity played a part in the creation of her picture book about the poet Emily Dickinson and her Newfoundland, Carlo, followed by her book about Jim the Wonder Dog, a Depression-era Llewellin Setter in Missouri who gained fame for his supposedly clairvoyant powers.

Tuesday, September 16

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenter: Marty Rhodes Figley, Providence Park Resident

High Energy for High Adventure

When it comes to participating in adventure, few can match the escapades of Cathy and Jim Thorn. Cathy successfully climbed Kilimanjaro, the tallest freestanding mountain in the world, not once but twice. She and Jim climbed Machu Picchu in Peru. They’ve made numerous safari trips to East and South Africa and taken several bicycle trips, up to 200 miles each, in Europe. Join the Thorns as they share stories of their accomplishments.

Thursday, September 25

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenter: Cathy & Jim Thorn, Gables Residents

The Art of Ventriloquism

As a young mother and educator, Jane Armstrong mastered the art of ventriloquism to enhance her teaching skills and connect with others in a fun and engaging way. She created puppet ministry for homeschooled kids and attended seminars, which expanded her talents and puppets, including her firefighting Dalmatian, Tops.

Monday, October 6

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenter: Jane Armstrong, SouthPointe Resident

From Marine Corps to Extraordinary Career

Why would any woman take on the challenge of serving our country in the US Armed Forces and as a civilian government official for more than 40 years? Come hear her story.

Karen Laino-Giannuzzi, Captain USN and a senior executive in the Department of Defense, now retired, will talk about entering the Marine Corps when it had fewer than 200 female officers, as well as a separate chain of command and restricted specialties for women. She served in the Corps for 10 years, becoming its first Electronic Warfare/Signals Intelligence Officer and helping to break down barriers so that women could do some of the extraordinary work you see today. Karen will talk about the challenges she faced and tell stories of living in a “man’s” world and thriving with humor, leadership, and a great respect for all those who touched her life.

Thursday, November 13

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenter: Karen Laino-Giannuzzi, Garden Apartments Resident

Education Classes

Register using Event Registration.

Unraveling the Mysteries of Revocable Trusts:

Fact vs. Fiction

This seminar will convey the facts and fictions of revocable trusts. It will address the issues of privacy, avoidance of Pennsylvania probate, timeliness of distributions, pitfalls, and where using revocable trusts is advantageous and not advantageous. We will also discuss the process of probate in Pennsylvania and what is involved. The process is specific to each state, and what is advantageous in one state may not be as useful here.

Tuesday, September 9

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenters: Christopher Kull, Senior Trust Advisor, Security National Trust Company; Stephen Gibble, Esquire, Gibble Law Offices

Cost: No charge

Poker Class

Learn and play a wide variety of poker games. Covering the basics and beyond.

Thursdays, September 11, 18, 25; October 2

9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

The Clubhouse Poker Room

Instructors: Bob Renzi, Providence Park Resident; Tom Gregory, Manor Resident Cost: No charge

Bridge in the 21st Century, Part 3

We will continue our look into modern bridge, including the topics new minor forcing, fourth suit forcing, negative doubles, and the Law of Total Tricks. Each class will feature 40 minutes of lecture time followed by an hour and 20 minutes of play. If you want to improve your bridge, join us.

Fridays, September 12, 19, 26; October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Cultural Center Education Room (September 26 session at North)

Instructor: Ben Hawn, North Resident Cost: $5/8 classes

American History 101

Celebrating 250 Years of America!

To prepare for America’s 250th birthday, refresh your memory on its basic history. Sessions include the Age of Discovery, Colonization, the American Revolution, the Establishment of a New Government, and more. Enjoy education with no homework or exams!

Tuesdays, September 16, 23, 30; October 7

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenter: Dr. Don Koones, PhD

Cost: $13/4 classes

Tree Treasures of Willow Valley, Part 3

Celebrate three more community tree treasures: the sugar maple, with its rich indigenous and colonial history; the Chinese yellowwood, a symbol of resilience and inner strength; and the white mulberry, a reminder of a Lancaster, and glorious silk industry, that once was.

Wednesday, September 17

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenter: Len Eiserer, PhD, Spring Run Resident

Cost: No charge

Tin Pan Alley Goes to Tinseltown: Songs by the Greatest American Songwriters in Hollywood Musicals

This course will focus on two of America’s greatest artistic contributions to the world: the songs that emerged from the publishing houses of Tin Pan Alley and the glorious Hollywood movie musicals that featured them in the 1930s, ’40s, and beyond.

We’ll watch scenes from RKO musicals featuring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, beautiful MGM musicals, working-class musicals from Warner Bros., and 20th Century Fox musicals with Tyrone Power and Alice Faye. We’ll hear songs like Irving Berlin’s White Christmas and Cole Porter’s I’ve Got You Under My Skin, as well as tunes from Porgy and Bess (George Gershwin), The Wizard of Oz (Harold Arlen), Show Boat (Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein), and, of course, all of the great Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, including Oklahoma, Carousel, South Pacific, and The Sound of Music.

Come revel in some of the greatest songs ever written by American songwriters, many of which are standards still being recorded today.

Wednesdays, September 17, 24; October 1, 8; November 19; December 3

1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenter: Dr. Roger Godin, Franklin & Marshall College Cost: $15/6 classes

Sprechen Sie Deutsch II

This class is for those who have a basic German vocabulary and some grammar. Verb structures and sentence formation will be expanded into the accusative case, with a vocabulary emphasizing practical necessities like shopping and dining out.

Thursdays, September 18, 25; Oct 2, 9, 16, 30 (no class October 23)

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Instructor: Sally Goodhart, Former Educator, North Resident

Cost: $5/6 classes

Sprechen Sie Deutsch IV

This class is for those who have a solid foundation in German vocabulary and grammar. We will expand our knowledge of the accusative case and verb formation while beginning to read German material.

Thursdays, September 18, 25; Oct 2, 9, 16, 30 (no class October 23)

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Instructor: Sally Goodhart, Former Educator, North Resident

Cost: $5/6 classes

Baby Boomers Take the Presidency:

The Lives & Presidencies of Bill Clinton & George W. Bush

Their lives and presidencies had similarities: Both were born in summer 1946, were elected to two terms, and put two justices on the Supreme Court. But there were differences too: One reduced the federal deficit and had a presidency marked by scandals. The other had the worst recession in history and 3,000 Americans died while he was in office. Join us as we look at the first two baby boomers to become president.

Tuesday, September 23

1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, September 24

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenter: Dr. Greg Ferro, Former Educator

Cost: $5/2 classes

C. Emlen Urban by the Letter: Urban Alphabet

In his book Urban Alphabet, Gregory J. Scott, FAIA, connects each letter of the alphabet to the architectural term for a detail or style common to the buildings of C. Emlen Urban. This illustrated dictionary is the second book in a series detailing the work of Urban, the architectural legend who left an indelible and distinctive mark on Lancaster more than a century ago. Learn about these different architectural details and come away from the presentation with a better understanding and appreciation for the artistry of Urban’s work.

Books will be available for purchase.

Thursday, September 25

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenter: Gregory J. Scott, Partner Emeritus, Co-Founder, RLPS Architects

Cost: No charge

1902 Holman Row house with terra cotta floral motif. Photo courtesy of Matthew Tennison.

Three Divergently Unique American Artists: Cassatt, Grandma Moses, O’Keeffe

Over the span of 102 years, three American women brought their individualized, enchanting efforts to the world of art. They marched to drumbeats only they could hear and gifted us with amazing works… never studying the art of one another. Learn about their fascinating, multifaceted lives and the specialness each of them brought to the world.

Tuesdays, September 30; October 7, 14

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenter: Elaine Wilson, Founder, Susquehanna Art Museum

Cost: $10/3 classes

Mary Stevenson Cassatt: An Expatriate Impressionist

Feisty, fiery Mary Cassatt (1844–1926) grew up in the Victorian era, her prominent family’s refined lifestyle coming with myriad social restrictions. They moved from Allegheny City (today’s North Side in Pittsburgh) to Lancaster and then to Philadelphia, where they permanently settled. Determined to pursue a career in art, she eventually moved to Paris. However, even there, as a woman, she was rejected from serious art studies.

Working through these societal constraints, Cassatt sharpened her style with the support of a friend, Edgar Degas, and by studying works in the Louvre. She depicted the world of women and children, bringing women’s private and social lives, their labors, and their friendships to the level of high art. In this program, we will explore the tragedies and triumphs of this liberated woman, now recognized as a leading Impressionist artist.

The Boating Party

The Kiss

In the Loge

“Grandma” Anna Mary Robertson Moses:

America’s Sweetheart

Raised on a dairy farm in rural New York, Anna Mary Robertson (1860–1961) started working as a hired girl at the age of 12. At 27, she met her husband, Tom Moses, when they served as hired help on a farm in Virginia. They eventually moved to their own farm, and in her 70s, when she became too arthritic to continue housework, she began painting “to keep busy.” Unschooled in art’s technicalities, she portrayed scenes as she recalled them — nostalgic, hopeful, abounding with togetherness and happy times.

Moses continued painting until the age of 101. Her work is classified as primitive due to the absence of mechanical perspective, figure proportions, and shading. To explore her naïve art is to drop in on life in a safer, less complicated time. Spend an hour enjoying the imaginational remembrances of America’s Sweetheart, Grandma Moses.

Georgia Totto O’Keeffe: Eye-Opening Modernism

Georgia O’Keeffe (1887–1986) grew up in a household that offered little comfort. Her alcoholic mother had tuberculosis, and her father continuously pursued “get rich quick” schemes that led to despair. In spite of this, she acquired formal art training, held several teaching positions, and finally settled in New York City with her husband.

O’Keeffe’s images come from her surroundings, her subjects inviting viewers to notice more than they’d previously seen. For example, she would enlarge the interiors of flowers to many times their sizes so “people would really look at them.” She spent her last 30 years living in New Mexico, loving its sunrises, sunsets, empty landscapes, and mighty mountain ranges. To study her work is to delight in her brilliant colors and captivating images.

Today, O’Keeffe is known as the Mother of American Modernism. Come to this “eye-opening” program and you will understand why.

Mountain Reflections

Blue Flower

Plow Boy

Arts in the Morning

Bringing new meaning to displays of visual art, writings inspired by these pieces of art, and readings by individual writers. The art may be a painting, drawing, photograph, or sculpture — all created by Residents. The writers will be inspired to create a poem or a short story, fiction or nonfiction. The artist will have a chance to describe the motivation for her or his art. This will be an opportunity to showcase just a few of the talents, passions, and proficiencies of our Residents.

Mondays, September 29; October 27; November 24; December 22

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Presenters: WVC Artistic Community

(artists, musicians, photographers, writers)

Cost: No charge

Solanco Neighborhood Ministries

With their mission of “Engaging families. Meeting needs. Giving hope.”, Solanco Neighborhood Ministries builds meaningful relationships that provide a support network, promote personal and spiritual growth, and break the cycle of poverty within the Solanco community, our own backyard. Come learn about how this organization began, the programs and services they provide, trends they see in the community, and their vision for the future.

Wednesday, October 1

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Presenter: Teresa Dolan, Executive Director, Solanco Neighborhood Ministries

Cost: No charge

Life Is a Highway

Classic rock has always had a love affair with cars and journeys — whether it’s hitting the highway to escape, to find yourself, or just for the sheer thrill of the ride. From the thunder of engines to the poetry of the pavement, we’ll explore how legendary bands turned asphalt into art, and created the soundtrack for generations of road trips, dreams, and wild adventures, with songs like Little Deuce Coupe (The Beach Boys), Mustang Sally (Wilson Pickett), Drive My Car (The Beatles), No Particular Place to Go (Chuck Berry), Mercedes Benz (Janis Joplin), and Route 66 (Nat King Cole).

Thursday, October 2

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenter: Jill Graybill, Adjunct Music & Foundational Studies, HACC

Cost: $5

Pre-Webcast Talks: How to Enjoy Ballet,

Opera & Classical Music

How are we to make sense of these art forms? They come in so many styles, traditions, languages, and nationalities, it can be difficult to understand all their facets. These talks will help you watch and listen in a whole new way!

Ballets and operas have a story — but opera is often sung in a language foreign to the audience, ballet features no singing or speaking at all, and these works are staged in different times and settings than their original stories. A cursory understanding of the stories usually overcomes these issues.

In these talks, focused on works featured in Willow Valley Webcasts, the stories of Lakmé and The Nutcracker will be outlined in video clips and incidental tidbits about the composers and the works’ origins. Everyone can enjoy and learn from these talks, whether or not you plan to attend the corresponding webcasts.

Delibes’s Lakmé

Pre-Webcast Talk

Monday, October 6 at 10:00 a.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Presenter: Warren Herbst, Gables Resident Cost: No charge

Webcast: Thursday, October 16 at 1:30 p.m.

See pg.14 for full details.

Facebook 101

Whether you’re new to Facebook or a frequent user, there’s always something new to discover. We’ll begin with the basics: how to create your account and set up your profile. More advanced topics will include sharing photos, tagging friends, messaging, and account security. Half of the class time will be used for individualized attention, so please bring your questions and your device.

Wednesday, October 8

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Presenter: Anna Middleton, Social & Multimedia Specialist

Cost: No charge

Pre-Webcast Talk

Tuesday, December 9 at 10:00 a.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Presenter: Yvonne Herbst, Gables Resident Cost: No charge

Webcast: Wednesday, December 17 at 1:30 p.m.

See pg.16 for full details.

Ballet: The Nutcracker by Vainonen After Petipa & Ivanov, Music by Tchaikovsky

Modern Olympic Games

The modern Olympics are replete with intense world-class competition, featuring stunning athletic deeds that lift the spirit and thrill audiences. This two-part series reflects such occasions by individuals as well as teams.

Part I, Breakthrough Feats focuses on Olympic champions from the early 1900s to 1980, athletes who overcame odds and circumstances to become gold medalists. Among them are Billy Mills and Nadia Comaneci, relative unknowns at the time, and record holders Ray Ewry, Johnny Weissmuller, and Emil Zátopek, mostly forgotten now.

Part II, Inspirational Performances features moments that captured the public’s attention and hearts, when competitors rose beyond what seemed possible to create indelible memories. These include the 1980 Miracle on Ice, when the US hockey team defeated the Soviet Union, and the 1936 rowing championship stylized in the movie Boys in the Boat. We’ll also discuss emotionally charged performances by Wilma Rudolph.

Mondays, October 13, 27

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenter: Dr. Conrad Stanitski, Visiting Scholar, Franklin & Marshall College

Cost: No charge

Saluting America with Patriotic Music Celebrating 250 Years of America!

In honor of the upcoming celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday, come experience the music that expresses our pride in being Americans. Patriotic music will fill the air as we draw upon our nation’s history and honor famous Americans such as Irving Berlin, Francis Scott Key, George M. Cohan, Julia Ward Howe, and Woody Guthrie for their celebrated songs.

Tuesday, October 14

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenter: Dr. Don Koones, PhD

Cost: $5

Video

Documentary: Journey to Tahiti & French Polynesia

Travel to the enchanted land made famous by James Michener’s Tales of the South Pacific. Experience French Polynesian culture while sailing in a four-mast schooner to the Society and Tuamotu Islands. Explore rich ecosystems while snorkeling in clear turquoise lagoons with colorful fish, stingrays, and sharks. Enjoy the sunsets of Bora Bora, and discover Moorea, the inspiration for the South Pacific’s mystical Bali Hai, all set to the music of the islands.

Wednesday, October 15

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenter: Rob Fischer, Spring Run Resident

Cost: No charge

Understanding Islam

A faith, a culture, a political movement — Islam has represented all of these throughout history. Many Americans find the subject of Islam mysterious, even worrisome. This two-part program seeks to promote a broad, objective understanding of the world’s secondlargest religion. Among the topics to be covered are the life of its charismatic founder, the Prophet Muhammad; its core rituals and beliefs; its sectarian diversity; the rise and fall of Muslim power and influence from the 7th through the 19th centuries; and the issues posed by a reinvigorated Islam today.

Thursday, October 16; Monday, October 20

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenter: John Maietta, US Army Retired

Cost: $5/2 classes

Mah-Jongg Marathon

There is no better way to spend the day than playing mah-jongg with other mah-jongg players! Get your tiles and racks ready and join us for a fun-filled day (or even just a few hours) of play. Participants are asked to register ahead of time and to bring your equipment. This event is designed for those who know how to play mah-jongg. If you are interested but do not know how to play, contact Susan Kenkelen in Providence Park for details.

Monday, October 20

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Leader: Mah-Jongg Club

Cost: No charge

Origins of Convenience Stores

Convenience stores — they abound, seemingly present along almost every intersection and highway, beckoning us with huge signs, displays, and promotions. However, such was not always the case. We’ll explore the humble origins of four of these establishments: Wawa, Turkey Hill, Sheetz, and 7-Eleven. Three of them started in Pennsylvania: two near Willow Valley, one about 170 miles away, all launched from a dairy farm. Another one, the largest by far, began with sales from an icehouse.

Over the years, convenience stores have evolved from their original offerings to their current wide-ranging choices. So, get ready to “grab and go.”

Monday, November 10

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenter: Dr. Conrad Stanitski, Visiting Scholar, Franklin & Marshall College

Cost: No charge

Instagram 101

Welcome to Instagram 101, a beginner’s guide to understanding the social media app. If you’re interested in creating an account, or already have one but aren’t sure how to use it, you’re in luck. We’ll begin with the basics: creating an account and getting to know the layout of Instagram. More advanced topics will include messaging, posting, and account security. At the end of the presentation, we’ll break off into groups for individualized attention, so please bring your questions and your device.

Thursday, November 13

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Presenter: Anna Middleton, Social & Multimedia Specialist

Cost: No charge

Iconic Breakfast Cereals & Pastries

Grocery stores have a slew of breakfast cereals, selections that cater to all tastes, from super sugary to healthful. We’ll explore the origins of four of them: Cheerios, Frosted Flakes, Rice Krispies, and Wheaties. As a child, maybe you were mainly after the “prizes” that came in cereal boxes. Those small tokens have their own history as well. For those who don’t eat cold cereal, other tasty options — many with ancient origins — will also be featured, including bagels, croissants, scones, and hot cross buns.

Monday, November 17

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenter: Dr. Conrad Stanitski, Visiting Scholar, Franklin & Marshall College

Cost: No charge

America’s Historian: Ken Burns

Celebrating 250 Years of America!

In September 1990, Americans witnessed the release of The Civil War, a documentary television series that ran for five consecutive nights. It was an overwhelming success, winning 40 awards and making Ken Burns a household name. He had already produced six television specials and was on his way to making 36 documentaries. His latest production, The American Revolution, will premier this fall. As we prepare to celebrate the 250th birthday of our nation, come hear about the life and amazing accomplishments of America’s most creative historian.

Wednesday, November 19

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenter: Dr. Don Koones, PhD

Cost: $5

Your Chance to See a Podcast

Many of you may have heard one or more episodes of our podcast, Life Under the Willow Tree, and wondered how a podcast is created or what it is like to participate in making one. You now have an opportunity to see a live podcast being made! While there, consider submitting a question you’d like to be asked as part of the podcast. The subject will be listed in the Weekly Insider at least two weeks before.

Tuesday, December 2

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Presenters: Life Under the Willow Tree Podcast Group

Cost: No charge

Woodstock: How Three Days of Peace & Music Changed the World

For three days, the world watched as the young generation came together in peace, harmony, and love at Woodstock. The festival touched on politics, drugs, youth, love, and war, and it created the soundtrack of the counterculture youth movement, providing a stage for some of the most iconic musicians of the time. Embrace your inner hippie and relive the music and message of the Woodstock Music and Art Fair!

Thursday, December 4

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenter: Jill Graybill, Adjunct Music & Foundational Studies, HACC

Cost: $5

Video Documentary: An Amusement Park Fantasy in N-Scale

Trolley parks were built on streetcar lines as picnic and recreation areas in the late 19th century. Amusement parks were then added as a source of fantasy and escape. In this video, see a working N-scale model version of a classic amusement park, based on Waldameer Park in Erie, Pennsylvania. It opened in 1896 and today is one of the oldest still-operating trolley parks.

Also featured is Welcome to My N-Scale World. This model train project began as a traditional N-scale layout, but evolved into something more personally meaningful and autobiographical. At birth, we hop on “The Train of Life,” which leads us to significant places/ stations that define who we become. This is a video of that personal journey.

Friday, December 5

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenter: Rob Fischer, Spring Run Resident

Cost: No charge

Getting Your Just “Desserts”: Origins of Some Icy Treats

Fond summer memories: eating a Popsicle or sharing a “Twinsicle” on a hot afternoon, collecting Popsicle bags to redeem prizes, or sitting at a soda fountain and enjoying an ice cream soda or sundae. Popsicles seem to have no contentious origin. They are attributed singularly to Frank Epperson, an 11-year-old Californian. In contrast, heated debate surrounds the origins of the ice cream sundae. At least four locales claim to be first to create that treat. Even the more mundane ice cream soda has contested beginnings. Come learn more about the origins — and related disputes — surrounding these simple summertime pleasures.

Monday, December 8

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenter: Dr. Conrad Stanitski, Visiting Scholar, Franklin & Marshall College

Cost: No charge

Overview of Pennsylvania History

Whether you’re a native or a newcomer, Pennsylvania’s history offers a rich smorgasbord of people, events, and ideas. This two-part program hits all the highlights of the Keystone story — from William Penn’s “Holy Experiment” and the Revolutionary War, through the political turmoil and industrial growth of the 1800s, to the perils and progress that shared the spotlight in the 20th century. Along the way, we’ll explore some icons of Pennsylvania culture, including the Amish, the polka, and the pretzel.

Tuesdays, December 9, 16

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenter: John Maietta, US Army Retired

Cost: $5/2 classes

Pushing the Boundaries of Impressionism:

Berthe Marie Pauline Morisot

Like her contemporary Mary Cassatt, French-born Berthe Morisot (1841–1895) enjoyed social prestige. Young women of her station received private piano and art lessons, but were banned from formal art training in academies and schools. Therefore, like Cassatt, her paintings centered around her available subjects… women and children.

It is difficult to trace Morisot’s early years of art. An extreme perfectionist, she destroyed any efforts that fell short of her goals. Her finished works resulted from many hours of examining and sketching her subjects — by the time she painted a face, she knew it so well, a single brushstroke created a nose or a brow. The most innovative of the Impressionists, Morisot exhibited with the men. After her untimely death, however, she went largely unnoticed until modern times. Today she is considered an Impressionist founder.

Tuesday, December 16

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenter: Elaine Wilson, Founder, Susquehanna Art Museum

Cost: $5

The Real Scrooge

A Christmas Carol, the 1843 novel by Charles Dickens, has become a seasonal favorite both in readings and stage productions. Featuring coldhearted miser Ebenezer Scrooge, who changes from a hated villain to a respected hero in the course of just one night, the story is indeed a classic. However, where did Dickens get the idea for Scrooge? Was he a real person in the author’s life? Learn more about this treasured novel through lecture and film, adding more meaning to a very special time of the year.

Thursday, December 18

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenter: Dr. Don Koones, PhD

Cost: $5

Berthe Morisot, Portrait de Mme Morisot et de sa fille Mme Pontillon, or La lecture

Computer & Technology Classes

There is no cost to attend Computer & Technology Classes, but please register using Event Registration. This allows instructors to provide handouts and other class materials.

Apple Users Club at Willow Valley: Stay Connected. Keep Learning.

The Apple Users Club at Willow Valley is a welcoming space for Apple enthusiasts. In this presentation, we’ll share the ways we collaborate with you to make the most of Apple’s hardware, software, and services. We offer informative meetings, Q&A sessions, hands-on workshops, one-on-one help, newsletters, technical troubleshooting support, and more. Plus, our website, AppleUsersWVC.club, provides a wealth of resources. Come join our friendly community and learn from one another!

Tuesday, September 9

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Presenter: Susan Culbertson, SouthPointe Resident

Cost: No charge

The Apple Health App

Essential information for iPhone and iPad users interested in utilizing the Apple Health app on their devices. This presentation covers various topics, including the Health Details and Medical ID screens, the Health Checklist review, health data and trends, educational articles, data privacy, and recent iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 updates.

Note: The health data collected by the Apple Watch is covered in a separate workshop.

Tuesday, September 9

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Presenter: Susan Culbertson, SouthPointe Resident

Cost: No charge

Privacy & Security Protections Built Into

macOS 15 (Sequoia)

Discover how macOS 15 (Sequoia) keeps your digital life safer with built-in privacy and security tools. From app tracking transparency to on-device encryption and advanced system safeguards, this session will walk you through the key features designed to protect your data, identity, and peace of mind — effortlessly. Bring your MacBook. Class size is limited.

Choose one session.

Session 1: Monday, September 15

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Session 2: Thursday, December 11

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Conference Room

Presenter: Susan Culbertson, SouthPointe Resident

Cost: No charge

How to Use an Apple Watch: A Beginner’s Guide

Learn more about your new Apple Watch, including its key parts, essential features, gestures, charging, updating, and care. Health and Fitness features are covered in separate workshops. Bring your iPhone and Apple Watch. Class size is limited.

Choose one session.

Session 1: Tuesday, September 16

Session 2: Wednesday, September 24

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Conference Room

Presenter: Susan Culbertson, SouthPointe Resident

Cost: No charge

Are You Ready for Windows 11?

Microsoft is encouraging Windows 10 users to make the transition to Windows 11. However, PCs built before 2019 likely cannot be upgraded to Windows 11. This presentation will explain what this means, what your options are, and how the Willow Valley Computer Club may be able to assist you in this transition. There will also be an opportunity for attendees to ask questions related to their own PC situations.

Tuesday, September 16

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 pm

Cultural Center Education Room

Presenter: John Santora, Lakes Resident

Cost: No charge

Project Upskill II | Cybersecurity Series

Protecting yourself online is increasingly important, and this cybersecurity series is specifically designed to make it easy to understand. We’ll focus on the real dangers and provide straightforward solutions, empowering you to make confident choices about your digital security.

Do You Really Know What You’re

Agreeing To? Unpacking Privacy Policies

How many privacy policies do you think you’ve agreed to in your lifetime? It’s likely more than you can count. But do we truly understand the implications of those agreements? This presentation will explore the hidden world of privacy policies and shed light on the surprising amount of personal data that can be collected.

Wednesday, September 17

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Instructor: Al Williams, Garden Apartments Resident

Cost: No charge

Basic Cybersecurity for Personal Computers & Mobile Devices

Our digital devices are indispensable, but they also hold a wealth of personal information that needs safeguarding. This presentation will help you assess your basic cybersecurity risks and empower you with actionable strategies to improve your device’s defenses and protect your privacy, finances, and health data.

Wednesday, September 24

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Instructor: Al Williams, Garden Apartments Resident

Cost: No charge

Protecting Your Accounts from Compromise

Think about all the online accounts you use daily. Using the same password for convenience can be tempting, but this makes it easier for cybercriminals to gain access. This presentation will provide practical strategies to protect your accounts, including creating robust passwords, utilizing password managers, and setting up multifactor authentication for an extra layer of security.

Wednesday, October 8

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Instructor: Al Williams,

Garden Apartments Resident Cost: No charge

Protecting Data Stored on Your Devices

Losing your valuable digital data can happen in many ways, from accidental deletion to a cybercriminal gaining unauthorized access. This presentation emphasizes the vital role of data backup in protecting against both scenarios. Discover practical strategies to create reliable backups, ensuring your important information is safe and recoverable, no matter the cause of the data loss.

Wednesday, October 15

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Instructor: Cathy Thorn, Gables Resident Cost: No charge

Protecting Data in Transit

Have you ever wondered what happens to your messages, emails, or online searches after you hit “Send” or “Enter”? This session will demystify how your data travels across the internet and, more importantly, teach you how to protect it from being intercepted and accessed by cybercriminals while it’s in transit.

Wednesday, October 22

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Instructor: Al Williams, Garden Apartments Resident Cost: No charge

Securing Your Home Router

Your Wi-Fi router is the gateway to your entire online life. Securing it is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your privacy and cybersecurity. This session will guide you through the essential, easy-tounderstand settings you need to adjust to reduce risks and safeguard your home network.

Wednesday, November 19

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Presenter: Mike Pancione, SouthPointe Resident Cost: No charge

How Cybercriminals Intrude on Your Devices & How to Stop Them

Cybercriminals’ intrusions can be completely invisible, allowing them to track your location, view your communications, and access your device’s features without your knowledge. This presentation will discuss these threats and provide strategies to minimize your personal information available online and defend your devices against these privacy and security violations.

Wednesday, December 10

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Instructor: Al Williams, Garden Apartments Resident Cost: No charge

Virtual Private Networks

Your online activity can be monitored whether you’re using public Wi-Fi at a coffee shop or your internet at home. A virtual private network (VPN) acts like a secure tunnel for your connection, shielding your passwords, financial details, and other information from eavesdroppers. This presentation will help you select and use a VPN to enhance your security, especially when using less secure networks.

Wednesday, December 17

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Instructor: Al Williams, Garden Apartments Resident Cost: No charge

Overview: Privacy & Security Protections Built Into iPhones & iPads

The iPhone and iPad are built to keep your data and privacy safe. Built-in privacy features ensure not too much of your info is shared with anyone but you — you can control what you share and where. The security features help keep the data on your iPhone and in iCloud safe from anyone but you. You’ll learn about the best practices Apple recommends to make the most of these features. In the weeks afterward, we’ll have hands-on workshops where you can put them into action. Each workshop is on its own, so you can choose the ones that interest you.

Thursday, September 18

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Presenter: Susan Culbertson, SouthPointe Resident

Cost: No charge

Accessing Lancaster Public Library’s Resources & Services

Through the Lancaster Public Library, you can access a host of free resources just by being a patron. The library’s collection has over 100,000 physical items and hundreds of e-resources, including print titles, courses, local yearbooks, movies, TV shows, games, and so much more! Through its digital resources, you can access books, movies, magazines, and databases, all from the comfort of your home. This session is designed to inform you of the many resources the library has and how to access them. You will also have an opportunity to secure a library card if you need one. This is a repeat of the spring 2025 presentation.

Monday, September 22

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Presenters: Theodore Griffiths, Matt Bushong & Amanda Leckrone, Lancaster Public Library Staff

Cost: No charge

Lancaster Public Library Hands-On Tech Help

Join Lancaster Public Library staff for one-on-one help with all your library-related tech needs. Having trouble with Hoopla or Libby on your Kindle? We can sort that out for you. Want to learn how to use specific Power Library or business databases? We can instruct you. We can even help with issues on your tablet, phone, or computer beyond basic library services. Bring your devices along. You will also have an opportunity to secure a library card if you need one. This is a repeat of the hands-on workshop from spring 2025.

Tuesday, October 7

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Presenters: Theodore Griffiths, Matt Bushong & Amanda Leckrone, Lancaster Public Library Staff

Cost: No charge

Apple Privacy & Security: Protect Access to Your iPhone & iPad

In this workshop, we’ll examine some of Apple’s built-in security features and learn how to set them up. We’ll cover topics like Strong Passcode, Face ID/Touch ID, Find My iPhone/iPad, Lock Screen access, and Stolen Device Protection (iPhone only). Bring your iPhone or iPad. Class size is limited.

Choose one session.

Session 1: Thursday, September 25

Session 2: Thursday, November 20

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Conference Room

Presenter: Susan Culbertson, SouthPointe Resident

Cost: No charge

Health & Safety Features of the Apple Watch

Learn to use the many health and safety features of the Apple Watch. Bring your iPhone and Apple Watch to the workshop. Class size is limited.

Prerequisite: Basic familiarity with the iPhone/iPad Health app and how your Apple Watch works.

Choose one session.

Session 1: Tuesday, September 30

Session 2: Monday, October 6

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Conference Room

Presenter: Susan Culbertson, SouthPointe Resident

Cost: No charge

Apple Privacy & Security: Protect Your Apple Account & Password

Your Apple Account is your primary login for Apple services like the App Store, iCloud, Apple Music, Messages, and FaceTime. It includes your contact info, payment details, and security settings. Securing your Apple Account is crucial. Your Apple device’s built-in privacy and security features can enhance your security. This workshop will teach you how to secure your Apple Account, including how to use multifactor authentication, trusted phone numbers and devices, account recovery contacts, and physical security keys. Bring your iPhone or iPad. Class size is limited.

Choose one session.

Session 1: Thursday, October 2

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Session 2: Monday, November 24

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Conference Room

Presenter: Susan Culbertson, SouthPointe Resident

Cost: No charge

Computer Basics: Files & Folders

Have you always wanted to know how to organize your computer pictures, documents, and music? Or how to copy (or move) data and files? Come to this hands-on class for PC users and find out. These are great skills to know, and you will find that they have many important uses. Class size is limited to seven students.

Tuesday, October 7

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

North Computer Room, First Floor, M-Building

Presenter: Cathy Thorn, Gables Resident

Cost: No charge

Apple Intelligence: Writing Tools

Writing Tools can be used to proofread your work, create different versions of the same text to find the right wording and tone, summarize text, and compose content from scratch. This feature is available on compatible devices running the latest versions of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS with Apple Intelligence turned on, as well as third-party apps and websites you use to write. Enabling ChatGPT is not required for this class. Bring your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Class size is limited.

Tuesday, October 7

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Conference Room

Presenter: Susan Culbertson, SouthPointe Resident

Cost: No charge

Apple Privacy & Security: Make Account Sign-Ins Safer & Easier

Apple’s privacy and security features can make sign-in on participating websites and apps more secure and convenient. This workshop covers creating strong passwords and replacing weak or compromised ones, using passkeys, the pros and cons of using your Apple Account for sign-in, sharing passkeys and passwords securely, and more. Safari and the Apple Passwords app will be used for demonstration. Bring your iPhone or iPad. Class size is limited.

Choose one session.

Session 1: Wednesday, October 8

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Session 2: Wednesday, December 3

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Cultural Center Conference Room

Presenter: Susan Culbertson, SouthPointe Resident

Cost: No charge

Activity & Workout Apps on the Apple Watch

Learn to use the Apple Watch’s Activity and Workout apps. Track how much you move and stand, and learn how to start, end, and customize your workouts. Check your day’s progress on your Apple Watch, or check your entire history in the iPhone’s Fitness app. Bring your iPhone and Apple Watch. Class size is limited.

Prerequisite: Familiarity with how your Apple Watch works.

Monday, October 13

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Conference Room

Presenter: Susan Culbertson, SouthPointe Resident

Cost: No charge

Artificial Intelligence: It Is All Around Us!

Come to this repeat, but revised, presentation that was offered in the spring and summer of 2025. A fast-paced, high-level overview of AI, it will focus on generative AI and include words you have likely heard, like ChatGPT, Claude, DeepSeek, Copilot, and more. Learn about what AI is and the various generative AI tools now being used. You may discover ones to use in your everyday life to get actionable information and creative new ideas.

Monday, October 13

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Presenter: Jay Shah, North Resident

Cost: No charge

Apple Privacy & Security: Control Data Access by People & Apps

Using your Apple devices’ privacy and security features, you can manage your data shared with people and apps. This class focuses on safeguarding app access to your data, controlling app tracking and data sharing, reviewing apps’ privacy practices, and analyzing the App Privacy Report. Bring your iPhone or iPad. Class size is limited.

Choose one session.

Session 1: Tuesday, October 14

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Session 2: Monday, December 8

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Conference Room

Presenter: Susan Culbertson, SouthPointe Resident

Cost: No charge

Apple Intelligence: Image Playground

In the Image Playground app, you can combine concepts, text descriptions, and people from your photo library to create images in seconds. You can also create images in Messages, Freeform, and more. Image Playground is available on compatible devices running the latest versions of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS with Apple Intelligence turned on. Enabling ChatGPT is not required for this workshop. Bring your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Class size is limited.

Friday, October 17

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Cultural Center Conference Room

Presenter: Susan Culbertson, SouthPointe Resident

Cost: No charge

Apple Privacy & Security: Protect Your Email Activity & Safari Web Browsing

Apple’s Protect Mail Activity and Safari’s privacy and security settings create a secure email and browsing environment, giving you more control of your personal information and digital footprint. Protect Mail Activity hides IP addresses and prevents email senders from learning about your Mail activity. Safari offers settings to block tracking and protect sensitive data while browsing. Bring your iPhone or iPad. Class size is limited.

Choose one session.

Session 1: Monday, October 20

Session 2: Monday, December 15

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Cultural Center Conference Room

Presenter: Susan Culbertson, SouthPointe Resident

Cost: No charge

Understanding TiVo

Learn basic features of the TiVo digital recorder, like using the program guide, recording programs, replaying dialogue, and skipping commercials. If you already have a TiVo, learn more advanced features like skipping through the guide, displaying only your favorite channels, and playing recorded programs 30% faster. You’ll receive a handout covering basic installation, setup, and use; several intermediate and advanced features; and troubleshooting suggestions.

Tuesday, October 21

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Presenter: Tony Poulos, Spring Run Resident

Cost: No charge

Creating Effective Prompts in AI

Prompts are conversation starters you use to tell an AI system what you need. This presentation will show you how to create effective prompts, and follow-up prompts, to get useful responses from generative AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, DeepSeek, and others. Learn how to plan a vacation or party, write a book, and create a painting, video, or music. Bring ideas of what you want to ask the AI chatbots!

Tuesday, October 21

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Presenter: Jay Shah, North Resident

Cost: No charge

How to Tweak Your Windows & Browser Settings

Most Residents don’t change the default settings of their apps, including the Windows OS itself. However, doing so can improve a PC’s security and performance. Come learn the basic settings of Windows 11 and the Google Chrome and Firefox browsers. Also, ask questions on your individual situation regarding these topics.

Thursday, October 30

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Presenter: Jay Shah, North Resident

Cost: No charge

Digital Storytelling

Do you have a story to tell? Digital tools can bring out your creativity. Learn to create a digital short story about an event like a vacation, or even a long story like your autobiography! Sharing these with friends and family will be a cathartic experience — and a wonderful legacy to leave for your heirs!

Monday, November 3

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Presenter: Jay Shah, North Resident

Cost: No charge

Apple Accessibility Workshop:

Vision Features

Learn to customize your Apple device to support your vision preferences and challenges. Topics include using an iPhone or iPad’s camera as a magnifying glass; increasing text legibility and visibility; detecting people, objects, and scenes around you with your iPhone; having your device read text aloud; using dictation; and more, as time permits. Bring your iPhone. Class size is limited.

Mondays, November 17, 24

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Cultural Center Conference Room

Presenter: Susan Culbertson, SouthPointe Resident

Cost: No charge

Apple Intelligence: Image Wand

For iPhone and iPad only. You can use Image Wand in the Notes app to create images based on your rough sketches. Or, you can select empty space to make an image from words and images surrounding it. Image Wand is available on compatible devices running the latest versions of iOS and iPadOS with Apple Intelligence turned on. Enabling ChatGPT is not required. Bring your iPhone or iPad. Class size is limited.

Wednesday, November 19

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Conference Room

Presenter: Susan Culbertson, SouthPointe Resident

Cost: No charge

Apple Intelligence: The Photos App

With Apple Intelligence, you can find almost anything in the photos and videos you capture, create Memory Movies from them, and remove distracting objects from photos. These features are available on devices running the latest versions of iOS and iPadOS with Apple Intelligence turned on. Enabling ChatGPT is not required. Bring your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Class size is limited.

Monday, December 1

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Cultural Center Conference Room

Presenter: Susan Culbertson, SouthPointe Resident

Cost: No charge

Apple Accessibility Workshop: Hearing Features

Learn to use Apple features that support your hearing preferences and challenges. Topics include turning speech (e.g., FaceTime, live conversations) into text that displays on your iPhone or iPad; setting visual or vibrating alerts for incoming calls and texts, new and sent mail, and calendar events; being notified when your iPhone or iPad recognizes certain sounds (e.g., a doorbell or barking dog); customizing video subtitles and captions; and more, as time permits. Bring your iPhone. Class size is limited.

Tuesday, December 2

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Conference Room

Presenter: Susan Culbertson, SouthPointe Resident

Cost: No charge

Basic Android Follow-Up

Welcome to this hands-on follow-up session that builds upon our foundational Android presentation from summer 2024. We’ll cover key topics like when to replace your Android phone and the critical importance of regular system updates. We’ll also dive into practical features like checking Wi-Fi settings, changing default apps, and navigating the Play Store. Bring your devices and ask questions in real time to make the most of this interactive experience. To ensure ample support for all attendees, registration is limited to 15 participants.

Wednesday, December 3

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Presenter: Kiet Hong, Willow Valley

IT Project Manager

Cost: No charge

Learning Opportunities

The Apple Users Club at Willow Valley and the Willow Valley Computer Club offer Residents ongoing learning opportunities in the area of computers and technology. In addition to Renaissance offerings, they have informative monthly presentations, hands-on workshops, newsletters, and websites for Willow Valley Residents. For more information, visit each club’s listing on the Resident Intranet > Clubs & Activity Groups.

Need Computer Help?

Visit the Resident Intranet > Clubs & Activity Groups > Computer Club. Then click the top link for Resident Help.

Teaching Opportunities

Would you like to teach a class as part of our clubs’ continuing education? If so, please contact:

Apple Topics

Susan Culbertson (susan.culbertson@me.com)

All Other Computer & Technology Topics

Bill Skelly (whskelly@aol.com)

Considerations for Managing your Digital Legacy

“Digital legacy” refers to the collection of digital assets a person leaves behind after they pass away. It encompasses various aspects of their digital life, including social media and email accounts, online subscriptions, and digital photos, videos, documents, and other content. Just as individuals make plans for the distribution of their physical assets and belongings, it has become necessary to address the management and transfer of digital assets and accounts as part of the estate planning process. A checklist to help you navigate and organize your digital presence and assets will be provided. For users of any type of computer, smartphone, or tablet.

Wednesday, December 10

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Presenter: Susan Culbertson, SouthPointe Resident

Cost: No charge

Camera Club Classes

Register using Event Registration.

Great Photographers, Part 9: Wacky, Weird & Wonderful

In this program, we will look at the lives and work of three photographers who brought a unique personal slant to the world of photography: Weegee (Arthur Fellig, 1899–1957), Diane Arbus (1923–1971), and Cindy Sherman (b. 1954). A famous police and emergency services photographer of the 1930s and 1940s, Weegee managed to make photos of crime and street scenes into art. Diane Arbus looked for the strange and unusual in the world around us and worked to normalize groups on the fringes of society. Cindy Sherman might be called the queen of the selfie. She transforms herself as the central subject of her work, reinventing herself in every role from clown to society matron — making her incredibly different from photographers who photographed but did not intrude on their subjects. All three are recognized as among the most important and influential artists of the 20th century.

Wednesday, October 22

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Presenter: Carolyn Bausinger, Lakes Resident

Cost: No charge

Cell Phone Photography Tips

Modern cell phones have very capable cameras that can delight you with wonderful photos. This class will describe ways to get better photos and videos, including lighting considerations, composition principles, hidden camera features, menu options, and accessories. You’ll also learn about the amazing camera features of the latest top-of-the-line cell phones.

Monday, November 17

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Instructor: Ron Dillon, Spring Run Resident

Cost: No charge

Diane Arbus, Triplets in Their Bedroom, NJ, 1963

Wellness Special Events

2025 Health & Fitness Expo

2025 HEALTH & FITNESS EXPO

The focus of this fun-filled event is to encourage adults to engage in activities that improve and maintain their health. Residents will have the opportunity to visit vendors and explore the latest health and wellness information, services, and products they have to offer. The day will also include a diverse selection of food from local food trucks and two engaging presentations.

Thursday, September 11

9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Cultural Center Upper Level

Schedule of Events

9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Informational Booths (Art Gallery, Ballroom, Education Room)

9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Eagle Road Produce (Upper Level)

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Food Trucks: Grappling Crab Shack, The Pretzel Place (Upper Level)

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Live Your Dream Life Now! (Theater)

Presenter: Mary Ellen Clark

Learn the truth and the behind-the-scenes moments of an Olympic medalist’s journey to her dreams. Through a 26-year quest constantly facing fears, self-doubt, and obstacles, her path was set in motion. Positive support systems, goal setting, perseverance, faith, mentorship, hard work, and the willingness to show up are some of the ingredients in achieving your dreams. As Clark shares her own story of serendipitous moments and crossroads, she will deliver key wellness tips coupled with a positive mindset to ignite the inner potential in you. Anything is possible!

11:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. WVC Tappers: 42 nd Street, Singing in the Rain, Anything Goes, and One: A Musical (Theater)

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Living with Purpose & Gratitude (Theater)

Presenter: Tucker Haas

Embracing gratitude and living with purpose can transform your everyday life, helping you create a deeper sense of fulfillment. By focusing on what truly matters, this talk will encourage you to prioritize mental well-being, cultivate joy, and lead a more meaningful existence.

1:40 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Celebration of Athletes (Theater)

2:10 p.m.

Door Prizes (Theater)

You do not have to be present to win.

Fall Pumpkin Patch Scavenger Hunt

The Fitness Team invites and challenges Residents and Team Members to venture outdoors on a two-week quest to locate 12 hidden pumpkins around the Manor and Lakes Campuses. Each pumpkin will have a letter displayed on it. You will record the letter on your clue sheet.

The Fitness Team is partnering with the Environmental Interest Group of Residents. So, you will find a large-text placard with each pumpkin to help you discover and learn about sustainability features, including some implemented as part of our Green Master Plan established in 2023 and others related to infrastructure.

Completed clue sheets must be submitted by Wednesday, the day after each hunt ends. Participants will be entered in a random drawing for a prize!

Pick-Up & Drop-Off Locations for Clue Sheets

Manor | North | Lakes | Spring Run Main Lobbies

The Clubhouse | Cultural Center Fitness Center

Week 1: Thursday, October 9 – Tuesday, October 14

Manor Campus

Week 2: Thursday, October 16 – Tuesday, October 21

Lakes Campus

Educational Walks & Hikes

Register using Event Registration.

Campfire Picnic in the Park

Relish a crisp fall evening around the campfire. We will enjoy our time together watching the fire burn, cooking hot dogs, s’mores, and other picnic sides, sharing stories, learning about the natural world, and listening to the nighttime sounds of nature around us. Bring along a chair. Park at the loop beyond the Environmental Center parking area.

Tuesday, September 16

5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Meet at the Environmental Center (1 Nature’s Way, Lancaster, PA 17602)

Presenter: Lisa Sanchez, Senior Park Naturalist, Lancaster County Parks

Cost: $14

Autumn Hikes

As autumn begins, let’s say goodbye to summer and see the natural change of the season up close. We will walk through the fields, woods, and gardens to see the flowers turning to seed, the birds flocking together to migrate, and other seasonal happenings.

Choose one.

Monday, September 29

Hike 1: 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Hike 2: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Meet at 580 E Farm View Dr, Lancaster, PA 17602

(Park in the gravel lot at the intersection with City View Dr)

Presenter: Lisa Sanchez, Senior Park Naturalist, Lancaster County Parks

Cost: No charge

The colorful fall foliage and the cooler temperatures will make for a beautiful morning walk. We will visit the overlook as we walk and enjoy everything the trees have to offer us at this time of year.

Choose one.

Wednesday, October 15

Hike 1: 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Hike 2: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Meet at Pavilion 11

(733 Williamson Rd, Lancaster, PA 17602)

Presenter: Lisa Sanchez, Senior Park Naturalist, Lancaster County Parks

Cost: No charge

The leaves are on the ground, and the flowers have gone to seed. Join us for a walk along the creek and wildflower meadow to explore the flora and fauna that are still visible before winter arrives.

Choose one.

Tuesday, November 25

Hike 1: 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Hike 2: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Meet at 539 Golf Rd, Lancaster, PA 17602

Presenter: Lisa Sanchez, Senior Park Naturalist, Lancaster County Parks

Cost: No charge

Campfire, Carols & Cookies

Start the holiday season off with a little cheer around the campfire, sipping hot chocolate, munching on a few Christmas cookies, and singing your favorite Christmas carols.

Tuesday, December 2

3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Meet at the Environmental Center (1 Nature’s Way, Lancaster, PA 17602)

Presenter: Lisa Sanchez, Senior Park Naturalist, Lancaster County Parks

Cost: No charge

Owl Prowl

Take a walk in the park after dark to go looking and listening for owls. We will safely walk through their habitat in the woods and fields. Hopefully they will talk to us and let us see them. If not, there will be other animals and the night sky to learn about and enjoy.

Monday, December 15

6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Meet at the Environmental Center (1 Nature’s Way, Lancaster, PA 17602)

Presenter: Lisa Sanchez, Senior Park Naturalist, Lancaster County Parks

Cost: No charge

Welcoming Winter Hike

On this, the first full day of winter, come out for a hike and enjoy the beauty of the season in Buchmiller County Park. Our walk will explore the variety of pine trees, animal signs, and the changes in nature that happen at this time of the year.

Choose one.

Monday, December 22

Hike 1: 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Hike 2: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Meet at Buchmiller Park Pavilion 32 (51 N Ledwith Dr, Lancaster, PA 17602)

Presenter: Lisa Sanchez, Senior Park Naturalist, Lancaster County Parks

Cost: No charge

Wellness Education Classes

Register using Event Registration.

The Human Brain & Dementia

The anticipation of the Marlin and Doris Thomas Memory Center has sparked increased awareness of and interest in brain health. In response, Resident Todd McIntyre will be offering two classes to help Residents become more familiar with the functions of the brain and the pathologies of common types of dementia. The classes will review (1) the basic functions of the human brain and the pathologies of dementia (Alzheimer’s, frontotemporal, Lewy body, and vascular), and (2) current and future treatments, both symptomatic and disease modifying.

The classes will be held on back-to-back days in the Cultural Center Conference Room. To facilitate discussion and the ability to ask follow-up questions, attendance for each session is limited to 16.

Todd received his doctorate in neuroscience from the University of Colorado Boulder, was a Staff Fellow in neuropharmacology at the US National Institutes of Health, and worked in the biopharmaceutical industry, where his research focused on psychiatric and neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s.

Choose one.

Session 1: Tuesday, Wednesday, September 9, 10

9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Session 2: Tuesday, Wednesday, September 23, 24

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Session 3: Tuesday, Wednesday, October 7, 8

9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Session 4: Wednesday, Thursday, October 22, 23

1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Session 5: Monday, Tuesday, November 3, 4

1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Session 6: Tuesday, Wednesday, December 16, 17

1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Cultural Center Conference Room

Presenter: Todd McIntyre, PhD (Retired)

Cost: No charge

Trees in Autumn

As the leaves begin to change colors, it is a great time to learn about how important trees are. We will explore how valuable they are to wildlife, humans, and the whole environment. Discover ways to identify trees through the seasons and the colors they show us at this time of the year.

Monday, September 22

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Presenter: Lisa Sanchez, Senior Park Naturalist, Lancaster County Parks

Cost: No charge

Total Hip Replacement

Don’t let chronic hip pain from conditions like arthritis limit your ability to lead a full life. Total hip replacement is a safe and reliable surgery that has made recovery following surgery much easier for patients. During this procedure, the surgeon replaces a worn-out or damaged hip with an artificial joint. The goal is to relieve day-to-day pain to return patients to an active life.

Dr. Christopher Cooke earned his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College. He completed his internship and residency at the University of Miami and Jackson Memorial Hospital and then finished his fellowship training in total joint reconstruction at the Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

Wednesday, October 15

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenter: Dr. Christopher Cooke, Orthopedic Associates of Lancaster

Cost: No charge

Better Conversations Despite Hearing Loss

Conversations are a cornerstone in connecting with people in our lives. When we communicate, we share ideas, feelings, and information with others. Sharing is a two-way street that requires focus, energy, and patience. Hearing loss makes the communication process complicated and challenging, and sometimes even the best, well-managed hearing aids seem to let us down. Success depends on more than hearing aids, however. Making even subtle changes to the way we converse can really improve our interactions.

Wednesday, October 22

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenters: Dr. Heather Eck & Dr. Kerry Herrmann, WVC Audiologists

Cost: No charge

The Eagle or the Turkey

Which is the more respectful bird? We will explore the life cycle and behaviors of the bald eagle and the wild turkey. Both birds play an important role in their habitats. After this program, you will be able to decide which one makes the best national symbol.

Monday, November 10

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Presenter: Lisa Sanchez, Senior Park Naturalist, Lancaster County Parks

Cost: No charge

Owls of Lancaster County

As winter approaches, the owls begin their courtship rituals. They will be extra vocal, establishing territory, finding a nest, and making sure they can provide food for each other and the owlets. Discover the sounds and beauty of owls, and learn about the different species living throughout Lancaster County.

Tuesday, December 9

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Cultural Center Theater

Presenter: Lisa Sanchez, Senior Park Naturalist, Lancaster County Parks

Cost: No charge

Discover the Art of Fencing: A Sport of Strategy & Skill

Have you ever watched competitive fencing and wondered what was happening? Curious about how this fast-paced Olympic sport works? This class is your chance to step into the world of fencing!

We’ll explore the three types of fencing weapons — foil, épée, and sabre — and their unique rules and target areas. You’ll learn the essentials, from the on-guard stance to movements like the advance, retreat, lunge, and the fundamental attacks and parries. We’ll also uncover how fencing differs from theatrical sword fighting and why it’s often called physical chess.

In this interactive session, you’ll get hands-on experience with footwork drills and learn how to hold a foil, extend your arm to strike a target, parry to block attacks, and counterattack with precision. Whether you’re looking for a fun challenge or a deeper appreciation for this elegant sport, you’re in for an engaging and informative experience!

Tuesday, October 14

12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

The Clubhouse Sports Center

Instructors: Tony Poulos, Spring Run Resident; Bryan Huber, Lead Clubhouse Attendant

Cost: No charge

AARP Safe Driving Refresher

This refresher course is for people who have completed the eight-hour class, or have taken a Refresher course within the past three years. The course fulfills the requirements for a continuing auto insurance discount. Participants MUST bring evidence of previous course completion and a driver’s license to receive the certificate.

Thursday, October 16

9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Instructor: Art Rettew, AARP Instructor

Cost: $25 ($20 with valid AARP card)

AARP Safe Driving

This is the largest driving refresher course for those 50 and older, helping millions of drivers remain safe on today’s roads. This eight-hour course (divided into two sessions) covers the changes of the normal aging process in vision, hearing, and reaction time and gives you practical techniques to compensate for these changes. After taking this course, you may be eligible for an auto insurance discount (check with your insurance carrier for details).

Tuesday, Wednesday, November 11, 12

9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Education Room

Instructor: Art Rettew, AARP Instructor

Cost: $25 ($20 with valid AARP card)

Support Groups

LGBTQ+ Family & Friends

A safe place to provide support and exchange ideas for the LGBTQ+ community and those who want to learn more. All Residents are welcome.

For more information, contact Lynn Andrews at lynn.andrews62@gmail.com or Taylor Blackwell at 717.464.8421.

Loss Support Group

Provides support for those who are coping with the loss of a spouse, companion, child, neighbor, friend, or other loved one.

For more information, contact Stephanie Savitch at 717.464.6788.

Low Vision Support Group

Provides an opportunity for discussion with others who have vision impairment.

For more information, contact Hannah Kreider at 717.464.7608.

Memory Care Support Group

Provides support to care partners and family members whose loved ones have memory loss.

For more information, contact Mary Schreiber at 717.314.4105.

New Resident Discussion Group

New Residents share, listen, and gain perspective about their transition to Willow Valley Communities. Five weekly sessions are open to any new Resident arriving within the past 12 months.

For more information, contact Barry Sipe at 717.464.8482.

Parkinson’s Support Group

Provides support to those diagnosed with Parkinson’s, their caregivers, and loved ones.

For more information, contact Rhiannon Ippolito at 717.299.5673.

Fitness Classes

Register using Event Registration.

Sit And Tap Class

S.A.T.-isfy your exercise needs as you learn the basic tap steps while seated in a chair. Those who use a walker or wheelchair may also participate. Tap shoes are recommended but not necessary. If you do not have tap shoes, a hard-soled shoe is recommended. All exercises are done to music.

Mondays

September 22 – December 8

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Cultural Center Aerobics Studio

Instructor: Carol Still, Professional Instructor

Cost: No charge

Beginner Tap Class

Designed for those who have never tapped before or have not danced for several years. Learn the basics.

Mondays

September 22 – December 8

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Aerobics Studio

Instructor: Carol Still, Professional Instructor

Cost: No charge

Tap Classes

All tap classes are progressive classes. It is important to attend the classes from the beginning to be able to learn the steps of the dances. Registration is required, and walk-ins are not encouraged.

Questions? Contact Carol Still at 717.872.7811.

Advanced Performing Tap Class

Learn steps to combine in dance routines. This group prepares dances for various performances throughout the year. It’s great for the mind and body.

Tuesdays

September 23 – December 9

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Aerobics Studio

Instructor: Carol Still, Professional Instructor

Cost: No charge

Advanced Beginner Tap Class

Designed for the beginner who has the basics down but wants to improve their skills. Learn new steps!

Wednesdays

September 24 – December 10

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Cultural Center Aerobics Studio

Instructor: Carol Still, Professional Instructor

Cost: No charge

Intermediate Tap Class

Designed for the advanced beginner who has the basics down but wants to be challenged and learn more intricate steps.

Wednesdays

September 24 – December 10

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Cultural Center Aerobics Studio

Instructor: Carol Still, Professional Instructor

Cost: No charge

Fitness Specialty Classes

The Fitness Team provides special classes throughout the year that give Residents and Team Members the opportunity to try innovative new activities that appeal to their abilities and desires.

More information may be found on the Resident Intranet, bulletin boards, and the Weekly Insider.

Spinning

Take a ride from the shoreline to the hills in this journey that is designed to provide you with the optimum in fat burning and strength building. This ride will simulate varied terrain as you tackle rolling hills, sprints, and other drills to give you a great interval workout.

Tuesdays & Thursdays

Session 1: September 2 – September 30

Session 2: October 2 – October 30

Session 3: November 4 – November 27

Session 4: December 2 – December 30

8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.

Cultural Center Aerobics Studio

Cost: $40/4-week session | $50/5-week session

Registration: Call the Fitness Center at 717.464.6434.

Zumba

Zumba is an interval-style dance fitness party that combines low-intensity and high-intensity moves. You’ll burn lots of calories as you move to the rhythm with Latin-inspired dance moves. Zumba isn’t just great for cardiovascular health; you’ll also tone your muscles and improve balance and flexibility. Healthy intermediate exercisers are welcome.

Wednesdays

July 2 – September 24

9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.

Cultural Center Aerobics Studio

Les Mills BODYPUMP

Willow Valley is excited to partner with Les Mills! These classes fuse science, movement, and music with the latest exercise trends and technology to deliver an experience that will change your outlook on exercise. BODYPUMP is a scientifically backed barbell workout using light-to-moderate weights and high reps to build strength and get you fit — fast. Using a Les Mills SMARTBAR and STEP, you’ll work all your major muscles as you increase aerobic fitness and build strength. The encouragement, motivation, and great music you get in a BODYPUMP class will leave you feeling energized, confident, and powerful.

Wednesdays & Fridays

Session 1: September 3 – September 26

Session 2: October 1 – October 31

Session 3: November 5 – November 28

Session 4: December 3 – December 19

4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Cultural Center Aerobics Studio

Cost: $40/4-week session | $50/5-week session

Registration: Call the Fitness Center at 717.464.6434.

Les Mills BODYCOMBAT

Inspired by mixed martial arts, BODYCOMBAT is a noncontact workout that fuels cardio fitness and conditions your whole body. Define and strengthen your upper and lower body while increasing your overall speed and fitness. Feel empowered and in control as you punch out stress, kick down goals, and build phenomenal core strength.

Fridays

Session 1: September 5 – September 26

Session 2: October 3 – October 31

Session 3: November 7 – November 28

Session 4: December 5 – December 26

10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Cultural Center Aerobics Studio

Cost: $40/4-week session | $50/5-week session

Registration: Call the Fitness Center at 717.464.6434.

RESET: Deep Breathing & Meditation

Join the class for deep breathing exercises and meditation, which will help to improve your overall well-being and mind. Exercises will be performed seated.

Fridays

September 5 - October 10

8:15 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.

Cultural Center Aerobics Studio

Targeted Toning

This is a moderate-intensity class geared for healthy and intermediate exercisers. Each class tones a specific muscle group and guarantees you will see and feel results.

Wednesdays

October 1 – December 31

9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.

Cultural Center Aerobics Studio

RESET: Strength & Meditation

A 30-minute class consisting of a light warmup, strength-training exercises for posture, and meditation to improve your well-being and mind.

Fridays

November 7 – December 12

8:15 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.

Cultural Center Aerobics Studio

Ongoing Classes

These ongoing classes are free, and you do not need to register. A variety of classes are also available at our Manor and North Communities. Call the Cultural Center Fitness Center for details at 717.464.6434.

ExerStretch

Start your day with this low-impact class designed to improve flexibility, strength, balance, and aerobic fitness. Relaxation and breathing techniques may be incorporated. This 45-minute class includes both standing and seated exercises. We especially welcome beginners.

Mondays & Fridays

8:15 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. North Auditorium

Fitness Fusion

Keep your workout fun and interesting with this class that fuses two exercise formats into one. Move through aerobic and strength-training exercises to achieve maximum fitness results. Healthy beginners and intermediate-level exercisers are encouraged to participate.

Mondays

9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.

The Clubhouse Sports Center

Yoga

This class uses movement in the form of static and dynamic poses to increase energy, improve flexibility, and strengthen and create balance throughout the entire body. Regular yoga practice increases body awareness, relaxes the mind, and improves stamina. Poses are performed lying, kneeling, sitting, and standing. Previous yoga experience is not required.

Mondays & Wednesdays

12:30 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.

Cultural Center Aerobics Studio

Chair Yoga

Gentle movement with the breath. This 45-minute session aims to calm the mind and will increase strength and range of motion. Based on Vinyasa Yoga, where breath is in service to movement, we will move into poses similar to what has been practiced for many generations to help maintain good health and well-being. Please note: The second Wednesday of each month, class will be held in the Cultural Center Ballroom.

Mondays & Wednesdays

1:45 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Manor Auditorium

Muscle Moves

Use free weights, bands, core balls, and/or body bars to strengthen your muscles. Focusing on the upper body, lower body, and muscles of the core, this class will challenge your muscular strength and endurance.

Tuesdays

9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.

The Clubhouse Sports Center

Basic Tai Chi

Basic Tai Chi skills will be covered, including philosophical concepts and specific strategies for improving balance and mastering “relaxation.” The goal of this introductory class is to give you the confidence to continue your studies in our ongoing Tai Chi class.

Tuesdays

9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.

Cultural Center Aerobics Studio

Tai Chi

The smooth, graceful movements of Tai Chi are achieved through relaxation and mindfulness. This class includes a set of gentle Qigong movements for warm-up, and you will learn a Tai Chi “form” consisting of choreographed movements. Benefits include better balance, an improved immune system, and a calmer state of mind.

Tuesdays & Thursdays

10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Cultural Center Aerobics Studio

Qigong for Wellness

Come experience an ancient movement therapy called Qigong. Therapeutic Qigong has been proven to help balance, flexibility, and strength. Classes include energy exercises, self-acupressure, and mindfulness.

Tuesdays & Thursdays

1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Cultural Center Aerobics Studio

TRX Functional Flexibility Training

TRX is a form of suspension training that uses body weight exercises to develop strength, balance, flexibility, and core stability simultaneously. This class welcomes all fitness levels.

Thursdays

9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.

The Clubhouse Sports Center

Core Power

This class focuses on improving the strength and flexibility of your core. Core muscles include the abdominals, lower back, glutes, and hips. Exercises will be performed lying, kneeling, and standing. This class is appropriate for healthy beginners and intermediate-level exercisers.

Fridays

9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.

The Clubhouse Sports Center

Aquatics Classes

Water Volleyball

This class is perfect for those looking for an energized, fun, competitive game of water volleyball.

Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays

8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

North Pool

Aquacize

Treat yourself to a workout for the whole body. Exercising in the water decreases stress on your joints. Improve your cardiovascular fitness and strength with this moderate-to-high intensity workout.

Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays

8:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Cultural Center Main Pool

Deep Water Volleyball

Enjoy a great game of water volleyball — using a beach ball — with the extra challenge of the deep water pool. Flotation belts are provided.

Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays

9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Cultural Center Main Pool

Arthritis Aquatics

In this aquatics exercise class, participants are led through a series of exercises specifically designed to help improve joint mobility. This class is open to people with all forms of arthritis and all levels of fitness. Enjoy the warm water of the Therapy Pool.

Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays

10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Tuesdays & Thursdays

1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

Cultural Center Therapy Pool

Joints in Motion

This low-impact, low-to-medium-intensity aquatic class will provide aerobic fitness, overall body toning, and a stretching workout to keep your body strong and limber. This is a great class for healthy beginners.

Tuesdays & Thursdays

9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Cultural Center Main Pool

Deep Water Aerobics

Enjoy this moderate-to-high-intensity workout using a flotation belt. Improve cardiovascular and muscular endurance by using the resistance of the water to enhance the intensity of your workout.

Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays

8:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Cultural Center Main Pool

Rehabilitation Services in your community

Willow Valley Communities offers a full range of outpatient rehabilitation services on the Manor and Lakes Campuses.

Our team of physical, occupational, and speech therapists work closely with your physician to develop tailored treatment plans to reach your goals.

Caring, trusted rehabilitation services. Visit or call either location to learn more.

Hearing Solutions

Dr. Heather Eck & Dr. Kerry Herrmann

“Our heartfelt appreciation is extended to all who have supported the Foundation — especially in this unique way.”

—Marlin and Doris Thomas, Founders

Fall 2025 Events Listed by

Event Registration Instructions

Please follow the steps below to register electronically.

To Log In from Your Home Computer

 Go to Resident.WillowValley.org

 Click on Event Registration (ERS).

 Type username and password. (Do not use spaces or punctuation.)

 Click on Login.

 Click on the Renaissance tab at the top of the page.

To Log In from a Kiosk

 If kiosk Home page (the screen with images) is not showing, double-click on the WVC Event Registration icon in the upper-left corner of the Willow Valley logo screen OR on the little house icon near the top of the browser screen.

 Click on Event Registration (ERS).

 Type username and password. (Do not use spaces or punctuation.)

 Click on Login.

 Click on the Renaissance tab at the top of the page.

Need Computer Help?

Refer to the Get Help section of the Computer Club’s website (WVComputerClub.org).

Need Help with Event Registration?

The Computer Club’s website (WVComputerClub.org) has a Get Help link for the names of contacts in each community for assistance.

Where Music Meets Community

The Lancaster Symphony Orchestra’s 2025-2026 Season

The 2025–2026 Season of the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra promises meaningful collaborations, unforgettable performances, and world-class guest artists. All Masterworks concerts will now feature four performances—Friday & Saturday evenings, Saturday & Sunday matinees—giving you more ways to experience the LSO at the Gardner Theatre.

PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION

October 3—5 | Gardner Theatre

Carlos Simon’s The Block, Hindemith’s Mathis der Maler, and Mussorgsky’s iconic Pictures at an Exhibition (orchestrated by Ravel) come together in a visually inspired program that celebrates the connection between visual and musical arts.

MENDELSSOHN VIOLIN & BEETHOVEN 8

November 21—23 | Gardner Theatre

Beloved violinist William Hagen returns to perform Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, alongside Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8 and Haydn’s delightful Sinfonia Concertante, featuring four LSO musicians.

HANDEL’S MESSIAH

December 4—6 | First Presbyterian Church of Lancaster

The tradition continues! Join the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra & Chorus at the beautiful First Presbyterian Church for their fourth annual performance of Handel’s cherished masterpiece.

BEST OF BROADWAY

December 27 & 28 | Gardner Theatre

Celebrate the golden age and modern favorites of Broadway with the brightest musical theatre stars from the Fulton Theatre stage and the full Lancaster Symphony Orchestra.

ALL PROKOFIEV

January 16—18 | Gardner Theatre

Pianist Natasha Paremski brings electrifying brilliance to Prokofiev’s Third Piano Concerto. Also featured are two dazzling suites: Lieutenant Kijé and Romeo and Juliet

STEVENS & SMITH

March 13—15 | Gardner Theatre

Celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States and the grand opening of the Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy with Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait, William L. Dawson’s Negro Folk Symphony, and a powerful new work celebrating the lives of Stevens & Smith by Lancaster’s own D. Michael Wege.

THE PLANETS

May 15—17 | Gardner Theatre

A breathtaking season finale featuring the Lancaster Symphony Chorus in Lauridsen’s luminous Lux Aeterna, followed by Holst’s cosmic masterpiece The Planets, set to stunning NASA imagery.

We invite you to explore PURSUITS, Willow Valley Communities’ newest retail space on the third floor of North.

Featuring :

• Over-the-Counter Medications

• Greeting Cards

• Fresh Flowers

• Jewelry

• Snacks

• Beverages

• Willow Valley Branded Merchandise

• And More!

MONDAY – FRIDAY 9:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. | THIRD FLOOR OF NORTH BY OVERLOOK CAFÉ