Host: Carol MacAllister

Guest: Cheryl McClune, WV Admissions Review Counselor

Description: Hidden away in her Welcome Center office is Cheryl McClune, who, it turns out, is the pivotal person in determining if an applicant is admitted to Willow Valley. Because WV is offering a Life Care Contract, the applicant (s) must be a good fit, not only financially, but also physically and mentally. Most are, but some are not, and it is up to Cheryl, with the support of the Sales, Nursing, and Admissions Review Committees, to make that final determination. This comprehensive evaluation of the whole person is done immediately following the financial acceptance, so no one gets heavily involved in the touring/sales process and then is told, Sorry, this is not the place for you. Here, we learn just how much Cheryl does for new residents, including providing community resources for everything, especially new medical care and emotional support, as the transition begins to our last home. Turns out, Cheryl is much more than “that woman who gives us our cognitive test!”

Host: Ray Loewe,

Guest: Lisa Hawthorne,

Description: What is the real Lisa Hawthorne all about? In this podcast, we get a close-up view of the person who will lead Willow Valley Communities through its next phase of development.

Host: Carol MacAllister

Guest: Joel Schock, Manager of Willow Valley Grounds

Description: Today, Joel provided us with a brief overview of the progress made over the last two years, since he and his team began implementing the Green Master Plan in 2023. Without habitats for our many pollinators, which include more than just honeybees, we will not have one-third of the food that we enjoy and that keeps us healthy.

Host: Carol MacAllister

Guest: Ko Molenaar, WV resident of 20 years

Description: At breakfast one morning, host Carol MacAllister overheard this story of a painting that traveled from New Jersey to Spain and then to Lancaster over the span of at least two decades. In learning about the painting, this poignant story of a Dutch boy’s life during WWII and then his career as an International Accountant was discovered. Though now 92 years old, Ko Molenaar still remembers his childhood in sharp detail, and the years of hardship all those who remained in Europe suffered throughout WWII.

Host: Candee O'Donnell

Guest: Debbie Mink

Description: This podcast episode, from the Willow Valley Podcasting Channel, features an interview with Debbie Mink, a "Renaissance woman" and former teacher, who discusses several of her collaborative literary projects. The primary focus is on "Choices," a book she co-wrote with fourth-grade students at Cambridge Springs and Maplewood Elementary Schools, which tackles the issue of bullying and features a character based on her experiences helping a visually impaired husband. The conversation also touches upon "Adapting Vision Challenges Together," a book offering tips for those assisting visually impaired household members, and another project where students interviewed seniors about historical changes, incorporating these narratives into historical fiction stories. Throughout the discussion, Mink highlights the importance of student involvement, the real-world impact of her books, and the broader topic of empathy and understanding.

Host: Carol MacAllister, resident and Podcast Club member

Guests: Ray Loewe, founder of Life Under the Willow Tree Podcast Club

Dale Johnson, founding member

Ellen Haas, Sound Engineer

Description: We often interview Willow Valley Staff to discover the “behind the scenes” of their particular job here at Willow Valley. We call it “Behind the Scenes at….” So today, we are doing the same thing about this podcast: who started it, where we record our interviews, where the logo and introductory music came from, and what equipment is needed.

And then, we discuss how we find our guests as we celebrate our residents, staff, and the surrounding community of Lancaster County.

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Host: Dale Johnson

Guests: Ryan Hardy and Wyatt Oerman

Description: This podcast episode from "Life Under the Willow Tree" features an interview with Ryan Hardy and Wyatt Oerman, members of the Willow Valley audiovisual technical crew, discussing their roles in supporting various events and performances. They describe the theater pre-show preparations, including reviewing technical riders and setting up equipment, as well as their responsibilities during performances, such as managing sound levels and lighting. The conversation also highlights the challenges of audio mixing in different venues and the decision to implement two daily theater performances due to increased demand. Finally, the technicians mention their involvement in special campus events and the ongoing need for volunteer assistance with video production and auditorium operations.

Host: Carol MacAllister

Guest: Joel Schock, Manager of Willow Valley Grounds

This Podcast is a repeat from June 2023. Joel Schock, WV Grounds Manager, tells us about WV’s Green Master Plan. That means how WV plans to create areas in our highly manicured landscape that will nurture pollinator habitats, sequester more carbon, and promote natural fauna for our Central Pennsylvania environment. Water gardens, wildflower gardens, and the culling of invasive species are all in the plans. Joel has welcomed the input of WV residents, many of whom are Master Gardeners, while balancing our organizational branding as exquisitely maintained properties. This versatile, highly experienced individual is the ideal candidate for this complex job.

This is an opportunity to review Phase I of the Green Master Plan, as Joel will update us on July 8, 2025, on the progress and challenges of WV's efforts to support Mother Nature.

Host: Carol MacAllister

Guest: Richard Masayoshi Ikeda

Description: On 2/21/1934, it was Richard’s 8th birthday when his father was taken away by the FBI. In the wake of the attack on Pearl Harbor, 12/7/1941, the emotional hysteria that followed led the government to label all citizens of Japanese ancestry “enemy aliens.” Most lived on the West Coast and were American citizens. With no due process, they were incarcerated in 10 “relocation” centers throughout the West. In all, 110,000 people lost everything and were housed in horse stables and tarpaper shacks on land unfit for human habitation. Richard’s father went to Santa Fe, NM, while the rest of the family joined 9,000 others in Jerome, Arkansas. Richard recounts his life there and the mindset that enabled them all to make the best of their circumstances, all the while proving their loyalty to America by excelling in all they did. From picking beans for $ 0.35 a bushel to an illustrious 40-year career as a polymer physicist at DuPont, Richard’s tale is one of pragmatic intelligence, resilience, and determination.

Host: Carol MacAllister

Guest: Carolyn Mellinger, former WV staff, now Resident

Description: Carolyn Mellinger was a former staff member and is now a current resident of Willow Valley. The conversation centers on Mellinger's foundational role in establishing numerous programs and services at Willow Valley from its inception. She recounts her journey from a waitress to the first activities director, detailing how she initiated key offerings, such as mail delivery, resident handbooks, and activity programs, by actively listening to and collaborating with residents, thereby fostering a strong volunteer culture. The discussion also explores the evolution of the community's organizational structure and its prudent financial management, offering valuable historical context and a unique insider's perspective on Willow Valley's development.