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Life Under The Willow Tree

The Podcast Group at Willow Valley Communities

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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29 episodes
weekly
Avg 23 min
English

Episodes 29

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#227
Thursday · 20 min
E227: The Amish of Lancaster County Replay
Replay: Hosted by Dale Johnson, Lifelong Lancaster resident and Lancaster City tour guide, Tom Gehr discusses the Amish community in Lancaster. You may be surprised to learn that not all of the Amish are farmers. The Amish community in Lancaster County is the largest in the nation, and their lifestyle and farming practices therefore impact tourism here and are an influence on the area.
#236
November 5 · 23 min
E236:LUWT Resident John Gardner Interviews Ray Loewe
E236 This episode of the "Life Under the Willow Tree" podcast features host John Gardner interviewing Ray Lowe—alongside contributions from Ray's wife Sandy and resident Maryanne—about the storytelling initiative they established for residents of the Willow Valley community. Ray was originally inspired by storytelling dinners at Hearst Castle (where guests were required to bring two anecdotes) and publisher dinners at the Four Seasons in New York City; Ray and Sandy began to host their first s
#235
October 31 · 22 min
E235: Lauren Renehan and Eddie Murray at the Memory Center
This Podcast episode was hosted by Don Helin. In this episode, Don interviewed Lauren Renehan (Mission Director of the Memory Center) and Eddie Murray (Movement Manager for the Memory Center NeuroFit Studio) to discuss brain health, memory care, and specialized wellness programs for older adults living in the Willow Valley community. Eddie Murray explained how applied neurology and physical/cognitive skill training are used to help improve or maintain neurological function, movement, and reactio
#234
October 22 · 18 min
E234: Eerie Expeditions in Gettysburg
E234: Eerie Expeditions Gettysburg. Interviewer: Don Helin. Guest: Jim Rada In a podcast interview on Life Under the Willow Tree, host and author Jim Rada shares his writing journey and highlights several fascinating locations featured in his book, Eerie Expeditions. Rada explains how his background in historical writing and ghost tours led him to explore local paranormal sites, noting that Gettysburg offers an abundance of rich, spooky stories. Throughout the conversation, he details haunt
#233
October 14 · 23 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 spe
#232
October 6 · 26 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 Nationa
October 1 · 26 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.
#231
September 24 · 26 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 backgr
#230
September 18 · 21 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 refe
#229
September 5 · 19 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
#228
August 27 · 27 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 t
#222
August 20 · 18 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 ho
#227
August 14 · 22 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 t
#224
August 6 · 22 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 r
#226
July 30 · 34 min
E226: LUWT From Near Death to a Life Well Lived
In this podcast, Maggie Stauffer interviews Willow Valley resident Ken Smith, whose life story illustrates the power of resilience, tenacity, and compassion. After a rocky start in higher education and missing out on his dream of attending the Naval Academy, Smith eventually found success as a distinguished naval aviator. During his military career, he survived a near-death ejection and unknowingly transported Oliver North during the Iran-Contra affair. Transitioning to the private sector, he be
#223
July 23 · 18 min
E223: LUWT Don Helin and Travel: Eating Around Lancaster
E223: Don Helin and Travel: Eating Around Lancaster. This Willow Valley podcast episode features host Ray Loewe and travel expert Don Helin discussing a curated culinary tour of the Lancaster, Pennsylvania area. Helin suggests starting the day at Rachel’s for unique, oversized crepes before heading to McCleary’s in Marietta for renowned Irish-style fish and chips. For an upscale dinner, the group highlights The Brasserie, a local favorite known for its outdoor seating and diverse menu featuring
#225
July 16 · 13 min
E225: LUWT: The Willow Valley Memory Center and Mission Director Lauren Renehan
E225: The Willow Valley Memory Center: with Mission Director Lauren Renehan Jul 16, 2026 This podcast introduces the Marlon and Doris Thomas Memory Center at Willow Valley, a project developed over nine years using global best practices in dementia care. Host Don Helin and Mission Director Lauren Renahan discuss the personal nature of dementia, emphasizing the importance of recognizing a person’s remaining strengths rather than focusing solely on their losses. The conversation highlights a shift
#221
July 10 · 17 min
E 221: Odd Jobs Part 2: Dale Johnson and Elaine Kurceba
The podcast Life Under the Willow Tree features residents of the Willow Valley community sharing the unusual and unexpected jobs they held throughout their lives. The hosts, Dale Johnson and Elaine Kurceba, interview various individuals who recount roles ranging from a movie theater attendant and a deodorant factory worker to a hypnotist's assistant and a secret spy. Some stories highlight dramatic life shifts, such as a civil engineer who once paddled a kayak to escape East Berlin or a music pr
#220
June 27 · 29 min
E220: Having Fun in Lancaster County-replay
Host: Dale Johnson Guests: Ann Willets and Tom Gehr In this lively episode, we explore a variety of exciting activities to enjoy in Lancaster County, featuring attractions in both Lancaster City and the surrounding areas. The podcast highlights the first 21 items from the list below, with even more recommendations available in our show notes.
#219
June 18 · 16 min
E219: LUWT Odd Jobs: Dale Johnson and Elaine Kurceba
E219: The provided text is a transcript from the Willow Valley podcast, "Life Under the Willow Tree," where hosts Dale Johnson and Elaine Kurceba explore the unconventional previous jobs held by community residents. The episode highlights a diverse range of early employment experiences, such as working as a car hop on roller skates, assembling body bags, and even caretaking for a rabbit colony. Each story transitions from these eccentric or labor-intensive roles to the person's eventual professi

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