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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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22 episodes
weekly
Avg 23 min
English

Episodes 22

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#230
Friday · 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
September 10 · 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.
#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
#217
June 11 · 34 min
E217: LUWT The Power of Storytelling and Building a Legacy
E217: The Power of Storytelling and Building a Legacy. This podcast episode features Ray Loewe, the founder of the "Changing the Rules" podcast, and Jim Rose, an engineer who steps into the hosting role to explore the evolution of the show. Originally started as a marketing tool for Ray’s business, the project transitioned from an internet TV show to a successful podcasting community at Willow Valley after the pandemic hit. The discussion highlights how the initiative grew into a collaborative
#218
June 4 · 35 min
E218: Supportive Living
E218: Supportive Living. Dale Johnson and Maggie Stauffer have a discussion at Meadow Ridge, a supportive living community at Willow Valley Communities, focusing on the emotional and logistical transition from independent living. A social worker and two residents share personal stories regarding the decision-making process, the challenges of downsizing possessions, and the initial shift in mindset required to embrace a smaller living space. The participants emphasize that moving to supportive l
#216
May 28 · 28 min
E216: John Murphy Interviews the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper
E216: In this podcast interview, John Murphy interviews Ted Evgeriadis, the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper. Ted discusses his organization’s mission to protect and restore the massive Lower Susquehanna watershed spanning Pennsylvania and Maryland. He explains that his role involves advocacy, legal action, and water quality monitoring to combat pollution from industrial sources, hydroelectric dams, and agricultural runoff. Ted emphasizes that clean water is a fundamental right and highlights the
#215
May 21 · 25 min
E215: LUWT Changing the Rules of Photography
E215: Drones: Changing the Rules of Photography Host: Ray Loewe Guest: Dale Johnson In this episode of Life Under the Willow Tree, Ray Loewe interviews neighbor Dale Johnson about his long-standing passion for aerial photography and drone technology. Johnson explains how he transitioned from using kites to carry-cameras to piloting sophisticated drones that allow him to capture unique perspectives of his community. He specifically discusses his multi-year project documenting construction prog
#214
May 14 · 15 min
E214: LUWT Candace O'Donnel and Carol Still Tap Dancing
E214: Candace O'Donnell and Carol Still: Tap Dancing This podcast features Candace O'Donnell interviewing Carol Still, a veteran dance instructor at Willow Valley, who discusses an upcoming tap-dancing production titled "Stepping Back in Time." The show, scheduled for May 21st, highlights the talents of resident performers across several decades of music while honoring the history of the art form. Still shares her personal journey, explaining how she began dancing at age three to recover from a
#213
May 7 · 26 min
E213: LUWT Travel Suggestions for Lancaster County
E213: Travel Suggestions for Lancaster County Hosts: Ray Loewe and Don Helin In this podcast episode from Willow Valley, host Ray Loewe introduces listeners to local travel opportunities within Lancaster County to encourage residents to explore beyond their campus. Former travel writer Don Helin highlights the historical significance of Columbia, Pennsylvania, specifically recommending the Wrights Ferry Museum, the National Watch and Clock Museum, and local eateries like Hinkle's Ice Cream. Th
#212
April 30 · 21 min
E212: LUWT Mary Donaldson-Evans
Host: Don Helin Guest: Mary Donaldson-Evans Description: This podcast transcript features an interview with Mary Donaldson-Evans, a resident of Willow Valley and a former French professor. She shares her life story, beginning with her childhood in Minnesota and her formative year working as a nanny in Paris. The conversation highlights a significant discovery of hundreds of wartime letters exchanged between her parents during World War II. These letters inspired her to research her father’s

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