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April 9, 2013
Traditions of Hershey introduces New Personal Care Services
Traditions of Hershey, a 120-unit senior living community in Palmyra, has announced the expansion of its independent living community to include 20 new, licensed Personal Care apartments.
Residents of the new Personal Care apartments will receive assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing and medication management, available 24 hours a day by licensed and trained staff members. The inclusive, month-to-month rent also includes three delicious meals per day, activities, weekly housekeeping and linen service, utilities, maintenance services, and much more.
“Our vision has been to provide seniors with affordable retirement options – independent living, personal care, and home care – all on one campus with month-to-month rent and no buy-in fees,” said Kevin McCollum, vice president of Heritage Senior Living. “The addition of licensed Personal Care services will offer even greater opportunities for seniors to experience what the residents of Traditions of Hershey already enjoy.”
“We are excited about the addition of Personal Care services and are looking forward to welcoming new residents into our community," said Denise Krizan, executive director of Traditions of Hershey. “With the addition of Personal Care, Traditions of Hershey will have more of the options seniors are looking for in one community.”
For more information about the new Personal Care services, please call Mitzi Dye, marketing manager at 717-838-2330.
March 4, 2013
Residents help raise funds in Annual Soup Cook-Off
Traditions of Hershey Independent Living residents recently entered the 3rd Annual Soup Cook-Off to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and helped in raising money for the cause. David Merrell and Rick O’Lear, residents at Traditions of Hershey made their own delicious soups for guests to enjoy and vote on to win a trophy!
The cook-off raised more than $4,000 to assist in finding a cure for cystic fibrosis. Over 40 local amateur and professional chefs prepared soups for the public to taste and vote for a favorite. Traditions of Hershey supported Merrell and O’Lear, who were both full-time chefs before retiring and living at Traditions of Hershey. Merrell made “Chef Dave's Beef Vegetable Soup," and O'Lear made “Chef Rick’s Traditions of Hershey Clam Chowder.”
There were two competitions at the cook-off; one was for professional chefs, which included Merrell and O’Lear, the other was for amateur chefs. Winners received a trophy in the shape of a soup bowl with a spoon.
Although Merrell and O’Lear did not place for a trophy, they had a great time sharing their specialty soups with guests and helping to raise funds for cystic fibrosis. All proceeds from the day benefited the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and their mission to find a cure.
February 13, 2013
Traditions of Hershey Celebrates 5th Anniversary
Traditions of Hershey Independent Living celebrated its 5th anniversary on Friday, January 18, as residents were thrilled to open their doors to the public and let others help celebrate the place they’ve called home since opening in 2008.
“I can’t believe five years has flown by so fast,” said Helene Hess, who has been a resident since Traditions of Hershey first opened. “It feels like yesterday I was walking through the building before there was even furniture here.”
The Traditions of Hershey residents were honored guests for the evening and were able to celebrate this milestone with their families, friends and community members, who all enjoyed an evening filled with great food and entertainment.
The celebration began with a harpist to serenade the guests during happy hour. As the residents of Traditions of Hershey went to their tables, which had shrimp cocktail and fruit waiting for them, they were pinned with a five-year anniversary pin and had their picture taken with the ice sculpture that was in the shape of the number five.
Vice President of Heritage Senior Living, Kevin McCollum, made a toast to start the celebration, wishing everyone good health, happiness and many more years of great memories.
Guests enjoyed delicious a delicious dinner of prime rib, crab cakes and chicken, twice-baked potato and vegetables. After dinner, the residents, as well as 80 community members, celebrated Traditions of Hershey’s 5th anniversary with entertainment provided by “The Cat’s Pajamas,” a Lancaster-based Dixieland/jazz band that had the whole crowd clapping and dancing.
“The party, food and music were great! I loved dancing to my old-time favorites,” said resident Trudy Troutman.
While the entertainment was hopping, an array of tasty hors d’oeuvres, including marinated chicken skewers, vegetable spring rolls, crab cake bites and beef tenderloin, were served around the party. David and Kylie Deimler (the new owners of what was known as “The Ice House” restaurant in Palmyra), bartended, offering guests their signature drink of the night—a Blueberry Mojito. Guests also enjoyed beer and champagne with their hors d’oeuvres.
Door prizes were given out during the evening to some lucky guests, including a $100 gift card to the Hershey Theatre, a 5-pound Hershey bar, and fruit basket with candy. As the evening began to come to a close, a three-tiered anniversary cake was brought out, topped with celebratory sparklers, and each guest was offered a slice.
“No wonder the residents are always happy here–you keep their bellies full and their spirits high!” said Larry Troutman, son of two Traditions of Hershey residents.
February 5, 2013
Residents enjoy Football Stadium-Sized Feast for Super Bowl
Have you ever been so hungry that you felt as if you could eat an entire football stadium full of food? Although it wasn't the size of a real football stadium, the residents at Traditions of Hershey enjoyed a feast on Super Bowl Sunday that looked like a stadium, measured eight feet in length, and was filled with delicious appetizers to snack on during the Super Bowl!
Dave Merrell, a resident at Traditions of Hershey, and former full-time chef, made his fellow residents his infamous Edible Super Bowl Stadium for the Traditions of Hershey Super Bowl party on February 3.
Merrell used 46 loaves of bread, 10 lbs. of wings, 100 "yards" of dip and two football posts made of Slim Jims, and it turned out to be quite the feast! The outside of the stadium was made of assorted sandwiches, and around the inside of the stadium there was a variety of chips, wings, wrapped hotdog weenies and chicken taquito rolls. The whole 100 yards of the field was filled with different dips for the variety of chips and appetizers, and the football players were Slim Jims with olives as their helmets.
"The smoked wings were phenomenal; they were so good they were gone in minutes," said resident Sherry Robinson.
It took Merrell four and a half hours to build the stadium. He wants to thank his son and daughter in law, Tim and Sabrina Merrell, who helped him with purchasing the food supplies and setting everything up, as well as his wife, Millie Merrell, and great friends who helped with the clean up!
"The super bowl party was fabulous and the food was great!" said residents Hazel and John Smoluk. "We really enjoyed the bistro sandwiches."
Merrell has made the edible stadium in the past and was thrilled to have made it for his family and friends at Traditions of Hershey. This was Hershey's first time experiencing the edible Super Bowl Stadium, and the residents all enjoyed it!
"This edible stadium was outstanding!" said Louis Schwartz, an employee at Traditions of Hershey. "Watching Dave build it with his family was so enjoyable."
February 1, 2013
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser
Traditions of Hershey Independent Living and local community members recently came together in support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) and were able to raise $358 during a breakfast fundraiser.
On January 31, family, friends and residents came together in the morning for an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast at Traditions of Hershey. Breakfast included pancakes, sausage, coffee, juice and milk.
"It was a fantastic breakfast for a great cause! There were over 60 friends, family, residents and people from the local community who joined us in supporting this cause," said Tina Zanetti, director of marketing.
All of the proceeds went to Lebanon County survivor Leslie Hedge and her LLS fundraising team.
"I cannot tell you how excited and truly grateful I am that Traditions of Hershey donated their earnings from this event to the LLS through our team," said Hedge. "We have been working so hard to really raise a lot of money this year and it feel so good for our efforts to be recognized like this. My 7-year-old son, Daxton, is really hoping our team earns the most this year for the cause and when I told Traditions of Hershey was going to host a breakfast he was so thrilled!"
With the help of the breakfast at Traditions of Hershey, the fundraising total for Leslie's team for all their combined fundraising efforts this year should make it over the $12,000 mark. Traditions of Hershey is thrilled to have been part of this fundraiser and donate their breakfast earnings to such a great cause.(Top photo from left to right: Wendy Tice (sister of Leslie Hedge), Tina Zanetti (marketing director at Traditions of Hershey) Leslie Hedge (Leukemia survivor), and her son Daxton.)
January 9, 2013
Knowledge tested at "The Brain Show" Trivia Game Show
Traditions of Hershey residents and members of the community recently put their brains to the test during the interactive "The Brain Show" trivia game show! On Friday, January 4, Traditions of Hershey welcomed the public to the Traditions community to participate in this game show, where they had to put on their thinking caps and answer trivia questions.
"Questions were asked about Broadway shows, TV shows, random knowledge, history and music," said Tina Zanetti, director of marketing. "If they got the answer correct, in order to lock in the points they would have to dance to a song for 15 seconds. It was a great game to keep your brain working and your body moving."
Tickets were given to attendees each time they participated for a chance to win prizes. The trivia rounds changed people every 10-15 minutes in order to get as many people to participate as possible. The more they participated, the higher their chance was of winning. Five lucky participants were chosen at the end of the game to each receive one $100 bill.
"This was an absolutely amazing event to have! I had so much fun participating in 'The Brain Show' trivia game show and hope that Traditions brings this back in the future," said the Rev. William E. Stoffel, community member and local reverend. "Thank you so much for bringing something new to the area!"
November 30, 2012
Traditions of Hershey Resident Turns 100 Years Old
One resident at Traditions of Hershey is living life to the fullest! Raymond (Ray) Fields recently turned 100 years old and the entire community and some of his family members celebrated by throwing him a surprise party!
Ray was born on November 30, 1912. He has nine children, 16 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. He is a retired toll collector from the Pennsylvania Turnpike. He has been a resident at Traditions of Hershey since opening year of 2008. He loves to play pool in the game room and attends all the entertainment events Traditions offers because he loves music--he even used to play the violin and tuba!
His surprise party was held at Traditions of Hershey on November 28, where his family members and residents came together to celebrate. Ray was brought to tears when his family and friends joined in singing "Happy Birthday" to him, as he sat in front of his cake shaped like the number "100," glowing with giant sparklers. After singing, they all indulged in the homemade cake, which was half-chocolate—Ray's favorite!
The residents at Traditions presented Ray with a T-shirt that said: "I'm 100 years old." During the celebration, Lee Moyer, an old friend of Ray's, played music from the 1920s and 30s as Ray and other residents reminisced on their lives and teenage years. "Lee's music was great! It was fun listening to music from the 20s and 30s because it was so upbeat and brought back a lot of memories," said resident Arlene Eckles.
Lee also read one of Ray's favorite quotes, by Wes Blomster, a longtime classical music critic: "We would like to think that in life's most exalted moments, when the boundaries of language restrict us in the expression of our feelings, it's music that takes over and says the unsayable."
"This was an extraordinary birthday celebration! It was great to see Ray have such a great time," said resident Walt Hauser.
Ray appreciates everything that the Traditions of Hershey staff and residents, and his family members have done for him over the years. He was overwhelmed with happiness over the whole party and had a great day, surrounded by his family and friends. Ray has experienced many things in his 100 years and is looking forward to more in the years to come!
November 6, 2012
Traditions of Hershey Honors Veterans
Traditions of Hershey is the proud home of over 30 area Veterans and they'd like to honor them and thank them for their service to our country.
Veterans at Traditions of Hershey include Charlie Ancharski, Jim Armour, Howard Barber, Orfeo "Ike" Corsetti, Sam DeAngelis, Dan English, Skip Forbus, Jack Hand, Walt Hauser, Bud Lane, Dave Merrell, Mac Mead, Paul Miller, John Moslak, Jack Newborn, Rick O'Lear, Daniel Perna, Dick Pierce, Matt Prang, Allen Rhine, Gery Roinestad, Irv Sanders, Bud Schuler, Mel Siegrist, Buzz Snyder, Ralph Trautman, George Werner, Jerry Yeager, and John Zieder. (Photo includes veterans Snyder, Barber and Corsetti, all Veterans who fought on D-Day).
Traditions of Hershey is having patriotic entertainment, and they are dedicating a wall to their Veterans so others can honor and appreciate them for all they have done.
For more information on a carefree independent lifestyle at Traditions of Hershey and the benefits available to Veterans, please call Tina at 717-838-2330.
November 5, 2012
Masquerade Gala for Residents
Traditions of Hershey Independent Living recently held their quarterly gala, where the residents got together for a good time with friends, food and entertainment. The gala this quarter was a Masquerade Ball, which took place on October 19, and the residents were able to dress up in their best outfits—including masks!
"Our galas are a step up from any of our other events," said Tina Zanetti, director of marketing at Traditions of Hershey. "It's a night filled with laughter, food and spirits! The residents will dress up and come down for happy hour, while enjoying the lively entertainment before entering the dining room for an exquisite dinner. We really try to make them as memorable as possible and capture as much as we can on film!"
The Masquerade brought many of the residents together for conversation, company, food, and fun. Marino Gaspari provided live entertainment as he sang and danced. "Marino had us clapping and dancing to all our favorite tunes; it was such great entertainment," said resident Violet Mesarick.
The dinner included roasted prime rib and salmon stuffed with lobster, baked potato, roasted corn, squash soup, and pumpkin desserts. "The prime rib and salmon stuffed with lobster was fantastic!" exclaimed resident Rick O'Lear, as many other residents agreed.
"The managers put so much time and effort into making these galas wonderful for us," said resident Barb Shields. "It was a fabulous evening of making memories with friends, eating delicious food and enjoying up-beat entertainment."
