Tel Hai’s Life Enrichment Committee (LEC) invites the public to an informational presentation by Secretary of Aging, Brian Duke, on Friday, September 26 at 11:00am in the campus chapel located off Beaver Dam Road, east of Route 10.

Brian Duke was nominated to his current post by Governor Tom Corbett in February 2011. The Department of Aging oversees many services and benefits for older Pennsylvania and advocates for their interests at all levels of government.

In the past, Secretary Duke served as Director of the Bucks County Area Agency on Aging and prior to that he was the Executive Director of the New Jersey Foundation for Aging—a statewide public charity dedicated to improving the quality of life of older persons. Earlier he also served as a consultant with the US Administration on Aging and the AARP Foundation in the development of statewide care-giving coalitions in 12 states. He also co-chaired the Caring Community, a coalition of over 100 organizations convened by WHYY, the public broadcasting station serving the greater Philadelphia region.

Secretary Duke will provide an update on Commonwealth initiatives including the new Alzheimer’s State Plan passed by the Governor in July. He is also working with the Secretary of Public Welfare on the Long-Term Care Commission convening public meetings in order to establish work groups by year’s end. He will also provide an update on the Governor’s commitment to older adults and his focus on pension reform legislation.

Directions to Tel Hai can be found on the website: www.telhai.org under the “Contact Us” tab. The physical address 1200 Tel Hai Circle, Honey Brook can be used to locate the community’s campus using GPS.

PHOTO: Secretary of Aging, Brian Duke, will present an informational program on senior services and new initiatives on Friday, September 26 at 11:00am in the Tel Hai Chapel, located off Beaver Dam Road in Honey Brook Township. The public is invited.

Watercolor painting classes will resume on the Tel Hai campus in September. Aspiring artists of all skill levels are welcome to join in the fun. Local artist and instructor, Loretta Gable Englerth, will begin a six-week session of instruction on Thursday, September 11, 2014 at 9:00am.  These classes meet in the Art Room located in the Hillcrest apartment building. Mrs. Englerth will lead the class with a focus on the individual artist’s point of view. Learn how to develop aesthetic insights that will help you define your own “style.” Issues of composition, contrast, color, and paint application will be emphasized.

The fee for the six-week course is $60 per person; this course will conclude on October 16. An additional five-week session will be offered beginning on October 23 and conclude on November 20 for $50 per person. Registration and payment for watercolor instruction is arranged directly with the instructor by calling 610-383-1330. Pre-registration is requested because class size is limited.

Beginners should bring the following supplies to class: a spiral drawing tablet, (B) & (H) drawing pencils and erasers. Returning or experienced students may also include paints, brushes, and other basic supplies. Students are encouraged to bring a picture of a favorite subject to use as inspiration for their own drawing and painting.

Tel Hai’s campus is located off Beaver Dam Road, east of Route 10 in Honey Brook Township. For directions please refer to 1200 Tel Hai Circle on your GPS; online, visit the website www.telhai.org and click on the “Contact Us” tab.

PHOTO: Local artist, Loretta Englerth, will offer six-weeks of watercolor painting instruction on Tel Hai’s campus beginning on Thursday, September 11 at 9:00 AM. Class size is limited so pre-registration is requested to avoid disappointment. Learn a new skill, meet new friends, and discover your inner artist!

Tel Hai’s Life Enrichment Committee (LEC) will offer a two-session discussion of this fascinating and long-debated subject. Dr. Allan Bleecker will evaluate evidences from the natural world and from Scripture. The presentations will be held in the community’s chapel on Thursday, September 11 and 18 at one o’clock. How old you think the earth is has no bearing on the actual age of the earth, of course. It can, however make a lot of difference in how you view the Biblical record. Does an honest reading of Genesis 1 and 2 confine creation to six, twenty-four hour days a few thousand years ago? Or, does it allow for an origin of much greater antiquity?

Dr. Bleecker holds a baccalaureate degree in biology and taught at Rutgers University while pursuing his Ph.D. in Aquatic Ecology. He taught biology for 26 years at The King’s College in Briarcliff Manor NY, where he taught the course on creation-evolution and lectured in schools, churches and at conferences on this topic. After retiring in 1993, Dr. Bleecker studied at Westminster Seminary to develop a stronger theological foundation and received counseling certifications enabling him to serve as a counselor with Still Waters Counseling in New Jersey.

The program is open to the public and is offered free of charge. To pre-register, please contact Judy Schweitzer, Wellness Supervisor, by calling 610.273.9333, extension 2154 or via email at jschweitzer@telhai.org. Directions to campus can be found on the website: www.telhai.org under the “Contact Us” tab on the home page. Using GPS please enter the physical address, 1200 Tel Hai Circle, Honey Brook.

PHOTO: Dr. Allan Bleecker will present a fascinating discourse on the creation/evolution topic—“How old do you think the earth is?” at Tel Hai on Thursdays in September. The sessions will begin at one o’clock in the community chapel on September 11 and 18^t

Tel Hai’s Life Enrichment Committee is pleased to begin their program year with a fascinating presentation exploring the lives of soldiers and camp followers during the 1700s. Members of the 1^st Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental Line will be in full costume during their visit on Friday, September 5 at 7:00pm in the community’s chapel. These Revolutionary re-enactors, who portray a rifleman and camp followers, look forward to sharing their keen interest in American history with the greater community as well.

The program will include a brief history of the 1^st Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental Line which is headquartered at the Daniel Boone Homestead in Birdsboro. An overview of camp life as experienced by the Revolutionary War soldier will include a display of armaments and accouterments. The camp life presentation will include camp tools, cookware and examples of military rations.

Games were a source of entertainment that occupied the soldiers and camp followers. A variety of tavern games will be on display as well as examples of 18^th century clothing worn by men and women of the period. At the conclusion of the program guests will be encouraged to ask questions and given an opportunity to more closely examine the display.

The general public is welcome to attend. Directions to Tel Hai can be found on the website: www.telhai.org under the “Contact Us” tab on the home page. With a GPS please use the physical address: 1200 Tel Hai Circle, Honey Brook. Tel Hai is a nationally accredited not-for-profit continuing care community serving seniors since 1956.

PHOTO: Revolutionary War re-enactors from the 1^st Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental Line will present a program on the life of soldiers and camp followers of the period at Tel Hai on Friday, September 4, 2014 at 7:00pm in the community’s chapel located off Beaver Dam Road, east of Route 10.

The new concert season begins at Tel Hai on Thursday, September 4 at 7:30pm with a performance by Carol Jantsch, principal tuba of the Philadelphia Orchestra. She won the position during her senior year at the University of Michigan in 2006, becoming the first female tuba player in a major symphony orchestra. The concert will be held in the campus chapel located off Beaver Dam Road, east of Route 10.

Ms. Jantsch began piano lesson at age six and began studying euphonium at the age of nine at the Interlochen Arts Camp. Switching to tuba, she attended the prestigious arts boarding high school—Interlochen Arts Academy—and graduated as salutatorian of her class. Continuing her studies at the University of Michigan she actively participated in auditions and competitions. She completed her Bachelor of Music degree in 2006, graduating summa cum laude.

Accompanied by Michael Djupstrom, composer and pianist, their program will include a wide variety of musical styles—from Debussy to Piazzolla, Koetsier and some original tuba pieces by Lebedev. Ms. Jantsch has appeared as a soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Columbus Symphony as well as the St. Petersburg Symphony in Russia, among others. She has given master classes in Europe, Asia and North America. She is on the faculty of the Curtis Institute of Music, Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and the Yale University School of Music.

Mr. Djupstrom is a graduate of the University of Michigan and the Curtis Institute of Music. His work as a composer and pianist has been recognized through numerous honors and awards; his compositions have been presented throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. He is currently a resident of Philadelphia and teaches at the Curtis Institute of Music.

The recital is open to the public and offered free of charge. Directions to the Tel Hai community can be found on the website: www.telhai.org under the “Contact Us” tab. Using a GPS, please use the physical address: 1200 Tel Hai Circle, Honey Brook.

PHOTO: The new concert season at Tel Hai will begin on Thursday, September 4 at 7:30pm in the community chapel featuring Carol Jantsch, principal tuba of the Philadelphia Orchestra.

The Heart Group of Lancaster General Health will present an educational program at Tel Hai on Wednesday, August 27 at 3:00pm in the community’s chapel located off Beaver dam Road, east of Route 10. Dr. Chris Wenger of The Heart Group at Lancaster General will present “The Bittersweet Truth” reviewing the dietary pitfalls that may undermine our health. Specifically, he will address hidden sugars in our diet and how we can make better food choices to result in improved health and well-being. Learn how our every day meal choices can have a profound effect on our enjoyment of life and health in general.

The program is offered free of change and the public is welcome to attend. To register, please contact Tel Hai’s Director of Wellness, Chasity Brown at 610.273.9333, extensions 2129 or via email at cbrown@telhai.org. Directions to the campus can be found on the Tel Hai website www.telhai.org under the “Contact Us” tab on the home page. With your GPS, please use the physical address: 1200 Tel Hai Circle, Honey Brook.

On Monday, July 21 State Representative Tim Hennessey of the 26^th Legislative District was honored for his long service and advocacy of issues important to older Pennsylvanians. Serving in the State House of Representatives since 1993, Hennessey has been a stalwart supporter of older Americans. As the Majority Chair of the Aging and Older Adult Services Committee for the past four years, Hennessey has seen growth in program support for this vulnerable population.

The tribute, held on the Tel Hai community’s campus, featured opening remarks by President & CEO, Joe Swartz and comments in support of Rep. Hennessey’s history of advocacy by Ron Barth, President of LeadingAge™ PA—the Pennsylvania based association which represents over 360 not-for-profit providers of senior housing, healthcare and community services. Hennessey was presented with a plaque by Barth congratulating the State Representative for his support of Chester County seniors. That was followed by a certificate of appreciation from Swartz on behalf of the Tel Hai Board of Directors.

Representative Hennessey commented that he usually visits Tel Hai to honor others for living well. He faithfully provides a citation from the State House to mark the milestone birthdays of centenarians on campus. “I always enjoy celebrating with friends and family when someone has lived a good, long life. It is an accomplishment to be recognized,” said Hennessey. On this day the tables were turned.

In his remarks to the group of residents, staff and family members present, Hennessey recounted many legislative achievements in recent years that have supported senior adults including the amended Family Caregiver Act, the Uniform Guardianship Jurisdiction Act, and successfully overturning the insurance companies mandate to use mail-order pharmacies for prescription medications. Work continues with the bilateral Commission responsible for developing an Alzheimer’s Treatment Plan for the Commonwealth. More and more focus on the needs of the elderly has been noted in Harrisburg, including an ongoing study on long-term care.

Refreshments were provided by Tel Hai’s Dining Services staff and dance music by resident DJs Russell and Eva Hyde.

PHOTO: State Representative Tim Hennessey was honored for his efforts in service to seniors throughout the region at a tribute ceremony held on Tel Hai’s campus in Honey Brook on July 21. From left: Ron Barth, President of LeadingAge™ PA, Representative Hennessey and Joe Swartz, President of the Tel Hai community.