Nothing says summer like a good road trip, and this week, residents at St. John’s Herr Estate in Columbia, Lancaster County, enjoyed a fun-filled “journey” around the United States!
The community celebrated a “Road Trip Week” from July 15-20, with residents experiencing different regions of the country each day. At each “stop” was a special planned event or activity on the senior living community’s campus. Residents had the opportunity to get their “E-Z Pass” signed at designated toll booths and win prizes throughout the week. Everyone enjoyed socializing, engaging in activities, playing games, and listening to live music.
“Our team felt like this would be a really fun way to explore different cities and states while spending time together,” said Heather Dennis, Senior Executive Director at St. John’s Herr Estate. “The week also coincides with our campus-wide resident picnic on Wednesday, so this year, the picnic will feature a Texas-themed cookout, with barbecue favorites for everyone to enjoy.”
For any and all of the events, residents were encouraged to dress for the occasion – think Hawaiian or floral shirts for an afternoon in Hawaii, cowboy boots for lunch in Texas, and fancy hats for bourbon tasting and horse racing in Kentucky.
“Special prizes were awarded to those who went all out and participated to the fullest, and we hope they had a great time touring the U.S. together,” Heather said.
The events began Monday, with lunch in Maine, featuring a Northeast seafood chowder, and the afternoon spent in Hawaii, where residents learned to Hula dance and enjoy coconut/pineapple spritzers.
The rest of the week included:
· Tuesday: Part of the day was spent in California, with a Napa salad lunch special followed by a wine-and-cheese mixer featuring a selection of wines from Napa Valley. Then, they headed to Denver, Colorado, for “Mile High Trivia” (road trip trivia).
· Wednesday: The all-campus picnic featured a Texas barbecue, followed by an afternoon in Nevada, with poker at the “casinos” and a lounge act, with music by St. John’s Herr Estate’s Community Enrichment Manager Matt Landis.
· Thursday: Lunch in New York with a Coney Island Hot Dog Bar, an afternoon in New Orleans, with live music from SweetLife Music at the “House of Blues,” and an evening in Alaska, with a showing of the movie “Miracle on Ice.”
· Friday: Lunch in Tennessee’s Graceland featured diner-style burgers, fries and shakes, and an afternoon in Kentucky with a bourbon tasting and horse racing game.
· Saturday: The festivities wrapped up in Philadelphia with a movie night, and a showing of the classic romantic comedy “A Philadelphia Story,” starring Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant and James Stewart.
At the end of the week, residents who had their “E-Z Pass” signed while attending at least eight out of the 13 events, were entered into a special road trip-themed prize drawing.
At St. John’s Herr Estate, located at 200 Luther Lane in Columbia, Pa., older adults enjoy the convenience of living in our maintenance-free, independent living cottages and apartments, with access to amenities and a full range of services. St. John’s Herr Estate also features on-site Personal Care for residents who need a little help and support to remain living as independently as possible.
St. John’s Herr Estate is part of Luthercare, which is a not-for-profit, faith-based, and mission-driven organization based in Lititz, Pa.
About Luthercare
Celebrating 75 years of service, Luthercare, a social ministry organization affiliated with the Lower Susquehanna Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and a member of Lutheran Services in America, is a leading provider of independent, personal care and skilled nursing care residences in Lancaster and Lebanon counties. Luthercare operates Luther Acres, a Continuing Care Retirement Community in Lititz, Pa.; Spang Crest, a rehabilitation center, skilled nursing care and personal care with memory support community in Lebanon, Pa.; and St. John’s Herr Estate, an independent living and personal care community in Columbia, Pa. Additionally, Luthercare operates PA Keystone Stars-accredited childcare and early learning centers in Annville and Reamstown. Luthercare, a pioneer in Childcare Programs, also offers a Mentoring Program that aids family childcare home providers in Lancaster and Lebanon counties.