Life Under The Willow Tree

Hosted by The Podcast Group at Willow Valley Communities

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Episodes

247

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

Podcasts designed by Willow Valley residents, for Willow Valley residents, their friends & families. These podcasts are about Willow Valley residents and the people and events that surround them.

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60 recent

October 14, 202623 min

E233: Lancaster Science Factory

E233: Ray Loewe Interviews Rob Reed, Development Director of the Lancaster Science Factory. The Lancaster Science Factory is an interactive nonprofit children's museum in Pennsylvania dedicated to fostering curiosity in science, technology, engineering, and math for youths ranging from preschool age through the eighth grade. Mr. Reed explains that the facility features roughly 80 hands-on exhibits designed to promote open-ended exploration, alongside seasonal camps, live demonstrations, and specialized learning clubs. Operating out of a former industrial plant, the organization emphasizes accessibility by dedicating a significant portion of its budget to community outreach, including free admission programs and need-based scholarships. Through continuous physical expansions and engaging interactive displays, the center successfully inspires young visitors to pursue future careers in STEM fields.

October 6, 202626 min

E232: Willow Valley Memory Center and Brain HQ

E232: Don Helin, Lauren Renehan, and Dr. Henry Mahncke. This Podcast features a discussion with neuroscientist Dr. Henry Mahncke to explore the science of cognitive fitness and introduce Brain HQ at the Willow Valley Memory Center as a complimentary community resource. The conversation emphasized that the adult brain exhibits neuroplasticity, meaning it can continually reorganize, strengthen, and adapt through targeted exercises rather than deteriorating with age. Drawing from extensive National Institutes of Health studies, the experts highlighted how brief, regular engagement with digital cognitive tasks can significantly sharpen processing speed, lower the risk of dementia, and improve overall functional health. Furthermore, Willow Valley community leaders explained that local volunteers are readily available to assist residents with setup at the memory center, making cognitive wellness as accessible and routine as physical exercise.

October 1, 202626 min

Teaching in an Amish One-Room School House- Part II-Replay

Host: Dale Johnson Guest: Tom Gehr Tom Gehr talks about his experience of teaching for five years in one-room Amish schoolhouses in Lancaster County. He discusses his work and relates anecdotes from this experience.

September 24, 202626 min

E231: Volunteerism: Who Says That You Have to Retire Your Talents

Volunteerism: Who Says You Have to Retire Your Talents? Host: Dale Johnson Guests: Bridget and Joe Kasinskas This podcast episode of Life Under the Willow Tree highlights the vibrant culture of resident-led volunteerism at the Willow Valley community. Host Dale Johnson interviews Joe and Bridget Kasinskas, a musically gifted couple who have established various concert series and performance groups to showcase local talent. The discussion emphasizes how residents utilize their professional backgrounds and personal passions to launch new initiatives, ranging from astronomy clubs and painting circles to environmental sustainability projects. By sharing these stories, the program aims to inspire others to contribute their unique expertise to enhance the collective quality of life. The narrative illustrates that the community thrives through a diverse array of educational, artistic, and social programs created by the residents themselves. Ultimately, the source serves as a testament to the impact of active engagement and the fulfillment found in serving one's neighbors

September 18, 202621 min

E230: LUWT Connie Metzler and the Alzheimers and Memory Center

This episode highlights the opening of the new Alzheimers and Memory Clinic at the Willow Valley Memory Center. The Alzheimers and Memory Clinic is in partnership with Penn Medicine. Host Don Healin and co-host Lauren Renehan interview Connie Metzler, who explains that the clinic offers early diagnosis, specialized teamwork, and cutting-edge anti-amyloid therapies to slow disease progression. The discussion emphasizes the importance of brain health. Listeners are encouraged to seek medical referrals for cognitive concerns and to utilize the clinic's comprehensive assessments, which include imaging and lab work.

September 5, 202619 min

E229 LUWT Among Friends: Adult Day Social Club at the Memory Center

This podcast episode from Willow Valley Communities discusses the Marlin and Doris Thomas Memory Center, a specialized facility dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with dementia. Host Don Healin speaks with staff members Lauren Renehan and Travis Adams about the upcoming grand opening and the social model of care that prioritizes holistic well-being over traditional clinical methods. At our Podcast, Travis Adams highlighted the new “Among Friends” Program. Among Friends is a Social Club that is licensed as an Adult Day Center. The program will benefit those with varying stages of dementia who live at Willow Valley or within the greater community, through socialization, opportunities for engagement, and building connections. This program will also benefit family and friends caring for these individuals by giving the opportunity for education and respite. Among Friends can involve up to 25 Members per day and we are optimistic it will open later this year. If you have questions about the Among Friends program, please call 717-464-6331 or email amongfriends@willowvalley.org

August 27, 202627 min

E228: How Animals Learned to Live With Us

Host: Dale Johnson Guest: Dr. Larry Katz In this educational podcast episode, host Dale Johnson interviews Spring Run resident Dr. Larry Katz, an expert in animal behavior and former Rutgers University professor. The discussion explores the evolutionary history of domestication, highlighting how the bond between humans and animals was essential for mutual survival. Dr. Katz explains that while dogs and cats are our most familiar companions, the process of taming livestock relied on different triggers, such as the strategic use of salt. The conversation clarifies the scientific distinction between domestication and taming, noting that true domestication involves long-term genetic changes within a population. Finally, Dr. Katz examines why certain species possess biological pre-adaptations for living with humans while others remain inherently wild.

August 20, 202618 min

E222: Stories with a Brass Band, A Circus Pig, and Kindness

E222: Stories with a brass band, a circus pig,c and kindness features a Willow Valley resident podcast titled "Life Under the Willow Tree," which promotes an upcoming community storytelling event called "Coffee and a Story." Host Ray Loewe introduces three neighbors who share personal anecdotes to demonstrate that meaningful stories can be found in any life experience. Mary Ann Steinhauer recounts a serendipitous encounter in New Mexico with an Austrian brass band she had previously met while hot air ballooning in Europe. Former educator Susie Davis shares a moving lesson on kindness and inclusion observed during a youth field hockey game involving a student with cerebral palsy. Finally, resident Terry Lieb describes his unique background as a professional circus clown and tells a humorous tale about how his pet pig helped resolve a misunderstanding at a bank. These diverse narratives serve as an invitation for other residents to participate in summer sessions designed to foster neighborly connection through the art of sharing personal history.

August 14, 202622 min

E227:Willow Valley Memory Center: A Holistic Model of Assisted Living

1 source · Aug 13, 2026 The Willow Valley podcast highlights the upcoming September 15th opening of a new Memory Center designed to revolutionize dementia care. Hosted by Don Healin, the discussion features Mission Director Lauren Renehan and Home Life Administrator Julie Waters, who explain a holistic social model of assisted living. This innovative approach focuses on small households of ten residents supported by care partners who prioritize companionship and engagement over purely clinical tasks. The center aims to reduce the stigma surrounding cognitive decline by offering extensive educational resources and support groups for both families and the community. By shifting away from archaic medical regulations, the facility provides a supportive environment that emphasizes brain health and social connection through every stage of the disease.

August 6, 202622 min

E224: LUWT: Stories with Mortenson and Armstrong

E224: LUWT: Stories with Mortenson and Armstrong. This podcast captures a session from the Willow Valley podcast titled "Life Under the Willow Tree," hosted by Ray Loewe. The episode features two residents, Pat Mortenson and Jane Armstrong, sharing personal anecdotes to demonstrate how simple triggers can resurface long-forgotten memories. Featured stories include a humorous misunderstanding from a woman's college years, and a family’s encounter with a motorcycle group that provided unexpected roadside assistance. The host also discusses how modern technology helped him reconstruct a detailed narrative about his past travels in Romania. Throughout the program, the participants emphasize that everyone possesses compelling stories worth documenting and sharing with their neighbors. Ultimately, the session serves as an invitation for community members to participate in upcoming storytelling events to foster deeper social connections.