News Archives - Page 3 of 5 - John Knox Village

Ceremonies Formally Open Three JKV Master Vision Plan Projects

July 27, 2021/in News

Over a span of two days in May, three important projects were formally checked off the John Knox Village Master Vision Plan list.

With oversized gold-painted ceremonial scissors—courtesy of the Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce— formal ribbon cuttings were held for JKV’s Welcome & Innovation Center, its Aquatic Complex and Center For Healthy Living.

JKV Administrative Staff, Board Members, Local Government and Business Leaders and Residents cut the ribbon, officially opening the new John Knox Village Aquatic Complex.

In respective order, the 7,200-square-foot Welcome & Innovation Center now houses the Sales and Marketing teams, along with Discovery Rooms where prospective residents learn more about life and lifestyle at JKV, a video production area, two large conference rooms, a demonstration kitchen and a 2,500-square-foot open air space for on-campus events and gatherings with the greater community.

JKV Aquatic Complex Opens

Not quite in the center of JKV’s 70-acre botanical campus, the new Aquatic Complex has in short order become the heart of the Village, with its resort-style and lap pools, the indoor and poolside dining venue The Glades Grill, bocce and Pickleball courts, fire pits and Stryker’s Poolside Sports Pub, with live entertainment space and high-definition TVs throughout.

Center for Healthy Living

In a market-disrupting partnership with Everside Health, Johns Hopkins Healthcare Solutions and Holy Cross Health, the Center For Healthy Living (CFHL) at JKV combines the Village’s excellence in managing healthcare with top-tier research, clinical discoveries and advancements in achieving mind and body health.

Conveniently located on campus, the CFHL offers sick- and well-care for JKV’s nearly 1,000 residents and 800-plus employees currently, with near-future plans to open the CFHL to the greater community.

“What an exciting time to be involved with John Knox Village and our invaluable partners,” JKV President & CEO Gerry Stryker told the crowd during the CFHL ribbon cutting. “We can check off these three big projects from our Master Vision Plan, but we’re not done—not by a long shot.”

Stryker was referring to Westlake, the most ambitious project in JKV’s 53-year history. This $100-million-plus plan begins with the currently under construction Westlake Pavilion, which remains right on schedule for its first quarter 2022 grand opening. The Pavilion will feature a 350-plus-seat performing arts center, casual and finer dining venues, a nautically themed bar and pre- and post-performance gallery and gathering spaces.

Two New Residential Towers

Next on the construction timeline will be work on two new apartment buildings—The Vue and The Terrace. At 15 stories high, The Vue will provide new Westlakers (as they are affectionately being called) light-filled rooms and enviable views of the campus. The one- and two-bedroom floorplans range from 1,231 to 2,259 square feet.

The first-floor common area of The Vue will boast many new amenities, including a high-tech projection theater, technology hub, business center, art studio, Sacred space, club room, library, the French

Press—a bakery, coffee and wine bar, and Westlake Eatery—a fast-casual restaurant serving freshly prepared food all day.

The Vue and The Terrace residential towers will soon rise above JKV’s Lake Maggie.

Standing at 11 stories with spacious two-bedroom designs, The Terrace will feature boutique-style living along with a stunning rooftop terrace and up to 1,845 square feet of luxury living.

Get In On The Ground Floor

The JKV Sales Team is currently accepting $1,500 priority deposits, as well as taking 10 percent down payments from people anxious to select their new apartment home, its location and a floorplan that best fits their desires.

Not only does a fully refundable $1,500 Priority Deposit get you in the queue for your new apartment home, but automatically enrolls you as a Gold Level JKV Westlake Village Club Member, affording you access to the Aquatic Complex, the Fitness Studio, Life Enrichment events, JKV Home Health services and much more.

An important consideration during planning of the Westlake project was to maintain the Village’s award-winning grounds, while enhancing JKV’s current dramatic water views.

“John Knox Village is embarking on this tremendous project to provide and enrich the lifestyles of its current and future residents,” Stryker told The Gazette. “A Master Vision and Site Plan of this magnitude and complexity, has taken a team of innovative professionals, guided by our residents, management team and Board of Directors to reach this point in our journey.”

To learn more about Westlake in particular, and JKV in general, call (954) 871-2655 or visit www.JKVGrows.com or www.JohnKnoxVillage.com.

If At First You Succeed, Tri Again: JKV Resident Competing in Second Triathlon

July 12, 2021/in News

Dr. Paul Loree, a resident at John Knox Village, is in his eighties. He’s also training for his second triathlon. Excerpts of Paul’s story are reprinted with permission from the Winter 2021 Edition of LeadingAge® Florida Senior Living, as written by Nick Fortuna.

“It wasn’t quite as iconic as Rocky Balboa running through the streets of Philadelphia, but back in 2016, John Knox Village in Pompano Beach served as the training grounds for its own inspirational athlete: A longtime resident who’s still defying Father Time and redefining what it means to be active in retirement.

“To celebrate his 80th birthday, Paul Loree participated in the Summer Sizzler “sprint” triathlon in Grand Island, NY, a grueling contest featuring a quarter-mile swim in the Niagara River, a 10-mile bicycle race, and a 1.9-mile run. Organizers expect some competitors to wither in the oppressive August heat; during the final section, athletes run past a first-aid station not once but twice, getting access to water, electrolytes and, if need be, medical care.

Paul Loree bike training on the streets of John Knox Village.

“Loree was the oldest athlete in the field of 105, but he showed up primed for his best effort. Howard, his oldest son who had run in the Boston Marathon many times, had urged him to mark his milestone birthday by participating in his first triathlon. Howard would be there too, going in the “Formula I” triathlon, comprised of two sprint triathlons back to back.

“Orthopedic problems with Loree’s feet mean that he would have to race-walk instead of run, which obviously would hurt his final time. Nevertheless, he felt fit and spry on race day, having trained hard for many months at John Knox Village.

“Loree had calculated that 22 lengths of the community’s swimming pool equaled a quarter-mile, and he gradually worked his way up from one length a day to 30. He also spent each day touring the community’s 70-acre campus on bike or on foot. Leading up to the race, Loree and wife Sally visited their summer home in Franklinville, NY, where he completed his training, using the region’s rolling hills to build his stamina.

Sally and Paul Loree with their dog Pumpkin.

“In the end, Loree certainly held his own, hitting the wire in 1:36.38 and beating two younger competitors. His time of 44:41 for the bike race beat out 24 competitors.“My son gave me about nine months’ notice, so I went into training and did a lot of it right here at John Knox Village,” Loree said. “The triathlon was a good experience, but I was pooped at the end of it. It was pretty tiring.

“My wife said to me, ‘I don’t think you should do this anymore; I think it’ll kill you,’” he added with a laugh. “But I was really pleased that I succeeded in doing that with my son.” “Now 85, Loree is as busy as ever. A typical morning on the 70-acre life-plan retirement community campus includes several hours of tai chi, weight training, advanced aerobics, bicycling, walking or kayaking. Despite all that exercise, he’s rarely too tired to volunteer or be civically engaged.

“Loree represents his floor of Heritage Tower in his community’s Resident Senate, having previously served as the group’s president, and chairs its Health Care committee. He also serves on the board of the John Knox Village chapter of the Florida Life Care Residents Association, a nonprofit that advocates for residents of continuing-care retirement communities before the same legislature and regulatory agencies.”

Not satisfied to rest on his 2016 laurels, Paul is following his five-year plan. He is training for another triathlon and has circled the Cranberry Triathlon in Lakeville, MA on Saturday, Aug. 21. His quest will be the Sprint Triathlon consisting of: 1⁄2-mile swim, 14-mile bike and 3.1-mile run.

Paul’s son Howard, a biomedical engineer in the Boston area, will compete alongside dad as his “angel,”overseeing Paul’s progress along the route. Howard will compete again the next day in the

Olympic-length triathlon, while Paul cheers him on. When asked why he continues on his triathlon challenges, Paul said, “I did one at 80 to prove I could do it. It’s the same reason for doing it at 85. And I hope to be able to do it again at 90.”

Good luck Paul.

Stanford University Chooses John Knox Village as Nation’s First Site for Participation in Virtual Human Interaction Lab

June 18, 2021/in News

John Knox Village of Florida, Inc. was selected to collaborate with The Virtual Human Interaction Lab at Stanford University, the pioneering lab focused on the psychological and behavioral effects of virtual reality, and MyndVR, the leading provider of VR solutions for older adults. The study will examine how older adults’ use of VR affects their psychological well-being and their attitudes toward new technologies.

JKV team members Nick Sconiers and Gloria Gantes help fit MyndVR headpieces on residents as part of a recent on-campus press conference and demonstration that provided country-wide and international media attention to JKV’s cutting-edge partnership in researching the effect of virtual reality with seniors. Participating residents (L-R) were: Hugh Root, Terry Colli, Mark Levey and Anne Selby.

A recent press conference in the John Knox Village Centre Auditorium featured keynote speakers Monica McAfee, Chief Marketing & Innovation Officer, Chris Brickler, MyndVR CEO and Scott Carter, AT&T Principal Architect for Extended Reality.

Residents who have started participating in the study were Anne Selby, Terry Colli, Mark Levey and Hugh Root. Reporters from the Associated Press, South Florida Sun-Sentinel and more, were eager to interview them, as well as other residents who attended the press conference.

Stanford University’s Influence

Researchers at Stanford’s VHIL have been building immersive VR content and testing its effects on people for nearly two decades. Members of the Lab have published hundreds of scientific articles detailing the psychological and behavioral impacts of VR experiences. The Lab’s founding director, Jeremy Bailenson, is considered one of the world’s leading experts on the topic.

page5image1239463072 page5image1239463664 page5image1239463952 page5image1239464304

“Virtual Reality adoption has been growing significantly, and we’re interested in both the immediate and lasting benefits it can provide,” said Bailenson. “Working with MyndVR gives us access to a crucial population of older adults that were hit particularly hard by the isolation of the past year.”

“Our goal since day one has always been to improve the quality of life for older adults,” Brickler, of MyndVR told The Gazette. “We are excited to be part of this study with such a prestigious team at Stanford and to provide this opportunity to the senior living communities within our network.”

The Power Of MyndVR

MyndVR has brought together a powerful consortium of industry collaborators to support this research, including AT&T and some of the world’s most innovative senior living communities. By combining the MyndVR platform with AT&T 5G technology, the resident experience is further enhanced.

“We are honored and thrilled to be one of the first senior communities to participate in the Virtual Human Interaction Lab at Stanford University with MyndVR, with whom we’ve experienced tremendous success with our residents for the past two years,” stated McAfee.

By participating in this research, communities and health care providers will help conduct one of the largest-scale studies to date of how VR affects this vitally important population and the role that technology could play in their overall health and wellness.

Stanford studies life plan community residents to see how virtual reality affects older adults

June 10, 2021/in News

John Knox Village is partnering with the California educational institution’s Virtual Human Interaction Lab and MyndVR on one of the largest scale studies to date on how virtual reality affects older adults. The study also will examine older adults’ attitudes about new technologies.

Read the article in McKnight’s Senior Living News for more information!

Life-Changing Healthcare for Residents Now Available through Center for Healthy Living at JKV

June 7, 2021/in News

John Knox Village celebrated the grand opening of the Center for Healthy Living on May 19, 2021. This initiative was the brainchild of our CEO Gerry Stryker, who reached out to me as a JKV Board of Director, asking for my involvement.

Dr. Sal Barbera, who teaches Health Administration Management courses at Florida Atlantic University, is also a long-time JKV Board of Director. He is shown here at the CFHL ribbon cutting with fellow Board member Kelley Babcock.

I quickly realized that this concept was one that could have a long-term impact on the residents, employees, and the community at-large by providing a partnership-driven proactive approach to promoting wellness. The mission of this center (CFHL) is to create strategic partnerships that have been established with Everside Health, Johns Hopkins Healthcare Solutions and Holy Cross Health.

Combining JKV’s excellence in managing healthcare, with top-tier research, clinical discoveries, and advancements in achieving mind and body health will consistently promote positive outcomes. JKV will continue to push the market and solidify itself as an organization that is the undisputed leader in providing proactive healthcare, while also encouraging and representing innovative thinking.

The CFHL embodies Gerry’s vision. He strongly believes that establishing a platform for integrative, complimentary wellness programming, with the overall objective to improve the lives of those within John Knox Village, and eventually the greater community at large, is paramount to long-term success.

The CFHL is positioned to offer a balance of health and wellness services geared to complement an individualized dynamic plan created by participants and various providers and educators. It is the goal of the CFHL, and its partners, to maintain an active research component that will continuously bring forward the latest thinking and service opportunities directed at proactively seeking and maintaining wellness.

The CFHL is a $1.5 million, contemporary medical center that will serve JKV’s 800+ staff and 1,000 residents right on its campus. This convenience factor will be instrumental in promoting the variousservices available and when coupled with the ongoing research agenda, the center will remain current and practicable.

The center is pleased to have Dr. Howard S. Koch serving as the on-site physician, and Myrlene Ismael-Allyne, a board-certified physician assistant, working with Dr. Koch. Dr. Koch has 40 years’ experience in medicine, specializing in older adult wellness. The scope of services that the Center for Healthy Living will provide include:

● Routine physicals

● Wellness counseling

● Immunizations and vaccinations.

● Chronic condition management (diabetes, asthma, high cholesterol, hypertension, depression,

and more)

● Diagnosis and treatment of routine ailments or medical conditions such as colds, flu, etc.

● Office-based lab work, including urinalysis and blood draws

● Office-based diagnostic testing (i.e., EKG)

● Lab services for bloodwork, strep, pregnancy, mononucleosis, and glucose rapid testing

● Preventative care services

● Health, disease prevention and wellness

● Education programs and activities

● The Seven Dimensions of Wellness

and much more!

The CFHL is located at 550 SW 3rd St, Pompano Beach, in the former Professional Center Building. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (954) 788-2260 for more information or make an appointment.

As a Board member, I am honored to have been part of the development of this program and look forward to witnessing its guaranteed success.

–Salvatore Barbera, DHA, MSM, FACHE

Enjoy An Economical Life-Plan Lifestyle In The Featured Flamingo Apartment Home

November 24, 2020/in News

Glades Grill Heats Up Food Scene At JKV’s New $6.9 Million Aquatic Complex

November 17, 2020/in News

Westlake Projects, Restaurants, More Jewels In The Making

By Rob Seitz, contributor

Residents, new and current, can almost smell the aroma of hardwood smoked chicken wings, blackened grouper and more wafting from the Glades Grill—John Knox Village’s newest dining venue.

The Glades Grill is part of JKV’s new $6.9 million Aquatic Complex. It is the latest jewel on the 70-acre campus and includes a resort-style pool, a four-lane 75-foot-long lap pool, Stryker’s Poolside Sports Pub, a Jacuzzi, fire pit and two each Pickleball and bocce ball courts. Sun sails are installed over the resort pool to provide a shady alternative.

John Knox Village Aquatic Complex

“As our premier dining venue, Glades Grill will showcase fresh, seasonal, organic and more healthful menu choices than we’ve previously offered,” Director of Dining Services, Joe Mallen, said. The Glades Grill will serve 60 indoor guests and more than 90 guests at Stryker’s Poolside Pub with dining overlooking all the action at the Aquatic Complex.

Residents, family and guests can enjoy cocktails at Stryker’s, a poolside pub named after JKV President Gerry Stryker, who provided a sizable gift to the Aquatic Complex project.

“Once construction is completed and final inspections are approved, the Aquatic Complex will be open for business,” said Thom Price, Director of Plant Operations. “Besides relaxing, dining and drinking, residents and guests will be able to swim in our saline pools either on their own or by participating in many of the water programs offered by our Fitness Professionals.”

Performing Arts Center And Restaurants

Price will not have long to bask in the success of the Aquatic Complex’s completion, though. Construction of the Westlake Pavilion is underway. The 24,637-square foot project includes a 400-seat Performing Arts Center, two new indoor and lakeside restaurants—the Pearl and Seaglass—a Nautilus Bar and a pre- and post-event Gallery Space.

Running concurrently with the Pavilion project will be a redesign of the Village’s water system. The campus’ two current lakes—Rex Foster and Lake Maggie—will be rerouted to provide everyone on campus with more expansive and enhanced water views.

Westlake Project Now Underway

John Knox Village westlake

The Pavilion is part of JKV’s most ambitious project in its 53-year history—Westlake at John Knox Village. The project’s crown jewels will be the two independent living residential buildings—The Vue and The Terrace—adding 150 new, customizable state-of-the-art apartments, featuring seven open-air floorplans ranging in size from 1,231 to 2,259 square feet, and covered parking.

“Now is ‘literally’ the time to get in on the ground floor of the Westlake at John Knox Village project,” said JKV Chief Marketing & Innovation Officer Monica McAfee. She added that people interested in becoming one of the priority depositors, affectionately referred to as Westlakers, need only to put down a $100 fully refundable deposit. Call the JKV Marketing Department at (954) 783-4040 to learn more.

First-floor common areas of the Vue will boast many new amenities, including a high-tech production theater, technology hub, business center, art studio, sacred space, club room, library, a bakery, a coffee and wine bar shop called the French Press and the Westlake Eatery, a fast-casual restaurant serving freshly made fare all day.

“As we open additional dining venues, we want each one to differentiate itself and have its own character and personality,” said Mallen. “The Glades Grill is next in this exciting journey.”

Exceptional Life-Plan Opportunity

JKV is home to more than 1,000 residents in coastal Pompano Beach, FL. Independent Living residents enjoy their times in gorgeous Garden Villas, as well as four apartment buildings—Heritage Tower, East Lake, Village Towers and Cassels Tower.

The Village also offers the peace of mind for residents that comes from knowing all future, higher-levels of health careare taken care of at its on-campus assisted living facility, Gardens West, and two skilled nursing centers—The Woodlands and Seaside Cove, both of which also provide award-winning short-term rehabilitation care to members of the greater community.

To learn more about John Knox Village, the Westlake projects or short-term rehab care, call the Marketing Department at (954) 783-4040, or click here.

JKV HONORS RESIDENT-VETERANS TODAY, NOV. 11

November 11, 2020/in News

We Don’t Know Them All, But We Owe Them All

In honor of Veterans Day, here is a list of all known John Knox Village resident-veterans as of deadline for this issue of the November- December Village Voice.

If you are not included but wish to be added to a follow-up listing in the January-February 2021 Village Voice, please email or call Rob Seitz, JKV Communications Manager with your name, military branch and rank.

He can be reached at [email protected] or (954) 784-4741.

Thank you…We are free because you were brave.

John P. “Jack” Adams U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant
William Allison U.S. Navy
Robert Aron U.S. Army Corporal
Emerson Allsworth U.S. Navy Seaman
Christian Aubanel U.S. Army
Non-commissioned Officer
Pierre “Pete” Audet U.S. Army Captain
Ronald Ault U.S. Army Captain
Stanley Bagush U.S. Air Force
Robert Banks U.S. Navy Fireman
Charles Barrette U.S. Air Force A 1C
John Barron U.S. Army 1st Lieutenant
Thomas Barrows U.S. Navy Sailor
David Bayer U.S. Navy Captain
Frederic J. Bednarek U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class PH2
Carl Boomhower U.S. Army Corporal
Russell Brandon U.S. Navy
Milbrey “Otto” Burgett U.S. Marine Corps Corporal
Ross Claiborne U.S. Army
Earl Clark U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant
Peter Cole U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer
Robert Collier U.S. Army 1st Special Forces
Medical Corps
Larry Culler U.S. Air Force Captain
Bill Davidson U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander
Ron Davis U.S. Army Specialist 1st Class
George Dewell U.S. Navy Seaman Apprentice
Ted Dolinski U.S. Navy Electronics Maint. Officer
Dustin Dunn U.S. Coast Guard E5, 2nd Class Petty Officer
Russell O. Eckert U.S. Army Corporal
Roy Evans U.S. Navy Lieutentant
Paul Fasana U.S. Army
Dr. Michael Featherstone U.S. Army Specialist 4th Class
Charles Fick U.S. Army
Samuel Fulwood U.S. Air Force Airman First Class
John Furlano U.S. Army Corporal
Ray Gambino U.S. Navy
Howard “Gil” Gilman U.S. Air Force Airman
John “Jack” Halligan U.S Army E5 – Specialist
Dana Hardy U.S. Army Specialist E-5
Donald Harris
Emmerson Harris U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class
Thomas Holm U.S. Navy Electrician’s Tech 3C
Robert Hubbard U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant
Murray Hunter Canadian Navy Engineering Technician
Charles Hunziker U.S. Navy YNT3 – ‘Yeoman (typist)
Petty Officer 3rd Class
K.Denny Inouye U.S. Army Staff Sergeant
Curtis Iverson U.S. Army Specialist 1st Class
Frank Jaeger U.S. Navy Seaman 1st Class
Alexander Jenkins U.S. Navy Lieutenant JG
Herbert Johnson U.S. Air Force
Thomas Johnston British Army – 2nd Lieutenant
3rd Carbiniers
Clyde W. “Bill” Jones U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander
Faye Kartrude U.S. Air Force 1st Lieutenant
Nurse Corps
Murray Kaufman
Robert “Bob” Kauth U.S. Army Sargeant 1st Class
Thomas Keenan U.S. Army Corporal
Robert Kelly U.S. Air Force
Samuel Kessell U.S. Coast Guard
Nelson Kilmer U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class
Elmer “Fred” Kleingartner U.S. Navy Lt. Commander
Dr. George Kling U.S. Army Captain
Medical Corp.
Chris Lamberton U.S. Marine Corps Corporal
Donald Lampe U.S. Navy Seaman 1st Class
Eddie Lawrence U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer
Norm Liedtke U.S. Navy Lieutenant JG
Dr.Paul Loree U.S. Army Captain Medical Corps
Mack MacVicar U.S. Army Master Sergeant
John Mandt U.S. Marine Corps Corporal
June Maurer U.S. Army Air Forces Corporal
Charles McDermid U.S. Army Corporal
William McDougald U.S. Air Force Private First Class
Thomas McDowell U.S. Navy Lieutenant
Ben McKinney U.S. Navy Lieutenant JG
Stephen McMillan U.S. Army Captain
Howard E. McPherson U.S. Army Sergeant
Richard Mellett U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lt. Colonel
Charles Mennes U.S. Navy Ensign
Martin Menter U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class, Weather
James Meyer U.S. Army Corporal Medical Corps
August Miller U.S. Navy Lt. Commander
Kenneth Moore U.S. Army
Abigail “Gail” Morrison U.S. Air Force Lieutenant
James “Russ” Murphy, Jr. U.S. Air Force Captain
John Murphy U.S. Air Force Captain
Patrick Noon U.S. Navy
Emerson Oberlin U.S. Army Specialis 4th Class
Robert Owens U.S. Army Private First Class
James Onoprienko U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel
William Pace U.S. Army 2nd Lieutenant
Nels “Ray” Pearson U.S. Army Sergeant
George Percival U.S. Army Sergeant E-6
Frank Perkins U.S. Army Corporal
Ronald Poggio U.S. Army Specialist 4th Class
Sidney W. Porter U.S. Army Sergeant E-5
Joe Rahll U.S. Army Air Force 1st Lieutenant
Liebert “Lee” Robin U.S. Army
Jorge Rodriguez U.S. Army Corporal
Hugh E. Root U.S. Army Signal Corps Corporal
Mae Schweter U.S. Army WAC Sergeant
David R. Seibert U.S. Army 1st Lieutenant
Frank Shulman U.S. Army Private First Class
Dave Slack U.S. Air Force
Mary Snedeker U.S. Naval Reserve Commander
David Somers U.S. Army Corporal
Leroy Sparks U.S. Army
William Spears U.S. Army
Edward Speirs U.S. Navy Lt. Commander
Jed Sprague U.S. Air Force Staff Sargeant
Edwin Stevens U.S. Navy
Robert Talley U.S. Army
Joel Terzich U.S. Army Corporal
David Thomson U.S. Army Private First Class
John Thompson U.S. Army Secialist 6 Security Agency
James Tilbrook U.S. Army
Sam Townsend U.S. Navy Hopital Corpsman
John Vaughn U.S. Army Corporal
Harry Vordermeier U.S. Air Force Lietenant Colonel
Joe Wakeman U.S. Navy Seaman 2nd Class
Anthony (Tony) Walk U.S. Air Force Major
Harold Young U.S. Navy
William A. Zeiher U.S. Army 1st Lieutenant
Charles E. Zilly U.S. Navy Yeoman 2nd Class

JKV’s 5th Annual Active Aging Week Was A ‘Virtual’ Success

November 6, 2020/in News

By Jamisyn Becker, contributor and John Knox Village Life Enrichment Manager

The Life Enrichment team at John Knox Village was so excited to be able to plan this year’s 5th Annual Active Aging Week.

As many know, this year has presented all of us with new challenges, but that did not stop the team from delivering the same high-caliber, robust activity schedule for residents to enjoy during the week.

There was a combination of live in-person events, and others offered “virtually” on Zoom. This “new way of doing things” has pushed many of us to go outside of our previous comfort zones and grow in ways we never knew we could.

Some of us have stretched ourselves to learn new technology. That, in itself, is Active Aging at its best.

This year’s Active Aging Week brought many events from which to choose. Some favorites from the week were our virtual cooking classes with Carol Green, our in-person cooking demo with our very own Executive Chef Mark Gullusci, while others enjoyed the Fitness Challenge and Dance Around the Clock events.

We were also fortunate to have a variety of lectures, notably, “Boosting your Immune System” with regular Gazette contributor and Medical Director of Advent Health, The Center for Whole Person Health, Dr. Tereza Hubkova and “Making SENSE of Brain Health” with Dr. Linda Sasser.

The week concluded with a “Soiree Under the Stars” – an outdoor celebration at our new Welcome and Innovation Center, where residents and the team were able to safely gather and celebrate the week and the opportunity to be together again.

JKV residents, family and friends gather together at the new Welcome and Innovation Center
during Active Aging Week.

Residents Embraced Active Aging Week

Heritage Tower resident Liz Lycke has enjoyed the lifestyle and events at JKV for four years. She actively participated in many events during this year’s COVID-careful Active Aging Week. Liz said she was “absolutely amazed at the imagination of the events and how we were all kept entertained.”

Liz feels safe and comfortable during these pandemic times at JKV. “The management took action early on and were ahead of the curve. Everything is under control, and I take advantage of the home delivery of meals. I’ve tried all the dishes and appreciate the tremendous selection.”

She gives the Life Enrichment team high praise for its perseverance and adaptation in bringing events to the residents. “We have so many choices, and I appreciate the aerobics opportunities, the music and dance events outside.”

During Active Aging Week, Liz participated in the brain training classes and the lecture on improving the immune system, but one live event brought a bit more normalcy to life at JKV.

“My favorite event was the Friday night soiree,” she said. “It was wonderful to have a great time while social distancing and meeting in-person with fellow residents and staff.”

Fellow resident Andrea Hipskind is one of the most active members of the JKV community. She is a frequent attendee to a variety of on-campus events. Active Aging Week gave Andrea the opportunity to expand her horizons.

“I signed up for everything that I could attend in person,” Andrea said. “I loved Carol Green’s Zoom cooking sessions. I always enjoy Mitch the Magician and I liked the decluttering class on Zoom.”

Mitch the Magician entertained in the Village Centre Auditorium with COVID-careful shows during Active Aging Week.

“The week of events was outstanding. Lots of kudos to the Life Enrichment team in figuring out how to do all this. It could not have been easy.”

“For example, Carol Green’s cooking sessions were Zoomed, so rather than watching Carol live in front of me, she was Zoomed right to the big screen in the Auditorium, where I could actually see her working even closer than if she were here in person.

“I loved the closing night’s soiree. It was a terrific time, meeting with each other again while social distancing. It was almost like being back to normal. It’s so great to laugh and engage, even while masked and at a distance of six feet. Laughter is the whole reason for my being right now, so Active Aging Week was the elixir that brought me joy and laughter.”

—

A message from Jamisyn Becker, JKV’s Life Enrichment Manager

“I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone for participating in this week of events, whether in person or in the comfort of your homes on Zoom. I am especially proud and thankful to the Life Enrichment team—Yael Fishman, Bea St. Pierre, Jacquee Thompson and Nicholas Sconiers, and our Production and Events Manager, Teddy Tennie, who worked tirelessly to continue to think outside of the box and provide innovative programming during this unprecedented time. Thanks also to our Marketing team: Kim Morgan, Rob Seitz, Thomas Rodriguez, Mark Lewkowicz and Marty Lee working behind the scenes to create our collateral and capture the moments throughout the week on video and camera. It has been so great to be able to see each other in-person again and enjoy these moments together. Let us all raise our glass and toast to continuing to age actively together.”

—

To learn more about how John Knox Village is keeping members of our community safe, engaged and inspired during COVID-19, feel free to contact us. And if this resort-like lifestyle interests you, we invite you for a personalized, private, COVID-19-careful tour of our campus! Call 954-783-4040 today or click here to schedule your visit.

JKV on WTVJ: Adapting to Virtual Communication

October 28, 2020/in News

In this quick clip that aired on WTVJ 6 (NBC Miami) recently, JKV resident Doreen Haynie, who lives in Village Towers, was interviewed by co-anchor Roxanne Vargas on using technology during the pandemic. Check it out to see how she has learned new tech tools like InstaCart and Zoom, and how she has maintained a positive attitude so she can just “go with the flow.”