Life Enrichment Programs & Events
Scroll through the image slideshow to view a variety of events and programs offered by Life Enrichment.
Cottage residents gathered together for some New Year’s Eve fun! Participants brought various dishes and everyone took turns having their photos taken in front of the New Year’s Eve sign. Happy New Year to all!
Residents at The Village at Luther Ridge personal care residence and skilled care center greeted the children of staff members with smiles and Halloween treats for their candy containers! 
Residents at The Village at Luther Ridge personal care residence and skilled care center greeted the children of staff members with smiles and Halloween treats for their candy containers! 
The Luther Ridge Players, a theatrical troupe made up entirely of residential living residents, delivered an incredible fall performance! Some participants read poems, sang songs, played instruments and told short stories. Others participated in the "Thriller" dance video. A job well done to The Luther Ridge Players for their incredible performance!
Cottage residents visited the Tuscarora Wildlife Education Project (TWEP) in Mercersburg, PA. Beginning in 1987 by a group of residents and educators within the Tuscarora School District, TWEP has educated students, older adults and visitors on the importance of understanding environment, animals, plans and natural resources. The TWEP offers a hands-on learning experience for its visitors and is equipped with a petting zoo, numerous displays and collections, as well as a classroom and lab area. Residents enjoyed observing the displays and learning about various animals and artifacts!
On a beautiful, sun-splashed morning, a group of residential living residents kayaked on Laurel Lake at Pine Grove Furnace State Park. The group learned the basics of kayaking before setting off across the water. While they were on the lake, a park ranger kindly provided information about local wildlife, flora and the history of the lake. This is a fun and low-impact way to enjoy the outdoors and get great exercise!
On a beautiful, sun-splashed morning, a group of residential living residents kayaked on Laurel Lake at Pine Grove Furnace State Park. The group learned the basics of kayaking before setting off across the water. While they were on the lake, a park ranger kindly provided information about local wildlife, flora and the history of the lake. This is a fun and low-impact way to enjoy the outdoors and get great exercise!
Residential living residents at The Village at Luther Ridge enjoyed their hands-on experience at Bent Pine Alpaca Farm in Carlisle, PA! They had the opportunity to feed and pet alpacas and learn about the things that can be made using alpaca wool. In addition to making new alpaca pals, residents shopped at the on-site store that sells alpaca-wool fashions and gifts such as sweaters, shawls, gloves, glittens, hats, scarves, socks, teddy bears and other products. The visit to Bent Pine Alpaca Farm was both enjoyable and educational for all!
To celebrate Mother's Day, residents of the personal care residence and the skilled care center had a Mother's Day tea party! Residents sipped tea from ornate teacups and enjoyed a variety of tea cakes, cookies and fresh fruit. Many residents wore springtime hats, too! Each resident received a Mother's Day pocket card and a tea assortment. This was a relaxing and fun way to celebrate Mother's Day together!
To celebrate Mother's Day, residents of the personal care residence and the skilled care center had a Mother's Day tea party! Residents sipped tea from ornate teacups and enjoyed a variety of tea cakes, cookies and fresh fruit. Many residents wore springtime hats, too! Each resident received a Mother's Day pocket card and a tea assortment. This was a relaxing and fun way to celebrate Mother's Day together!
Residents of the personal care residence and skilled care center had a blast on their annual fishing trip to Mercersburg Sportsman Association! Residents sat by the water's edge and waited patiently with their fishing poles and nets. One lucky fisherman even caught a giant rainbow trout!
Both residential living residents and community members a part of the AKC FIT DOG program planned on participating in a 1-mile dog walk around The Village at Luther Ridge. Unfortunately, the walk was rained out; however, everyone, including the pups, kept a paws-itive attitude! Program participants took their dogs into the PC and SCC lobby areas, where many residents had the opportunity to see, pet and socialize with a few furry visitors. Golden doodles, golden retrievers, papillons and various other dog breeds said "woof" to the residents! A big thank you to residential living resident Diane Munch for bringing this event to life. Diane and her papillon, James, are associated with the AKC FIT DOG program.
Also, the residents and Life Enrichment team planned a bake sale to support the Alzheimer's Association. Kudos to those who baked many treats and supported the cause!
Both residential living residents and community members a part of the AKC FIT DOG program planned on participating in a 1-mile dog walk around The Village at Luther Ridge. Unfortunately, the walk was rained out; however, everyone, including the pups, kept a paws-itive attitude! Program participants took their dogs into the PC and SCC lobby areas, where many residents had the opportunity to see, pet and socialize with a few furry visitors. Golden doodles, golden retrievers, papillons and various other dog breeds said "woof" to the residents! A big thank you to residential living resident Diane Munch for bringing this event to life. Diane and her papillon, James, are associated with the AKC FIT DOG program.
Also, the residents and Life Enrichment team planned a bake sale to support the Alzheimer's Association. Kudos to those who baked many treats and supported the cause!
Resident gardeners at The Village at Luther Ridge are working hard to prepare their garden plots for a new garden season! Enjoying the sunny days and blue skies, gardeners have already spent many hours prepping and planting in their plots.
Vegetables like garlic, onions and rhubarb are currently in the ground, but the tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers and many beautiful flowers will come later! After all that hard work, let's hope the bunnies stay out of the residents' plots! The next time you are out and about, stop by and see the many vegetables and soon-to-be flowers in the community garden!
Resident volunteers were honored during the April Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. Volunteers enjoyed a delicious meal and great conversation with their fellow volunteers. A big thank you to Linda Beaver, Volunteer Services coordinator, for orchestrating this event. Also, thank you, volunteers for faithfully and unselfishly sharing your time, talents and gifts to benefit residents at The Village at Luther Ridge! 
The new chapel at The Village at Luther Ridge was dedicated during a worship service on Tuesday, April 11. The Rev. James Dunlop, Bishop of the Lower Susquehanna Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, joined the Rev. Amy Wagner, chaplain at The Village at Luther Ridge, in presiding over the service. Second Lutheran Church of Chambersburg donated money to construct the chapel and purchase the beautiful stained glass doors that welcome worshippers. This gift of gratitude honors Rev. Robert McEllroy and his wife, Patricia, for their service to the congregation. Thank you to everyone who helped bring to life this new worship space, which will help enrich the spiritual lives of residents, families and team members for years to come!
Residents of the skilled care center decorated the dining room tables with lovely centerpieces. This is one of the many ways residents stay creative at The Village at Luther Ridge!
As part of their Valentine’s Day celebration, residential living residents enjoyed a delicious Italian-inspired lunch and musical performance by the Shippensburg Swing Band. The residents danced with their sweethearts as they listened to the beautiful music. The Shippensburg Swing Band focuses on music from the 1930s through the 1950s! 
An afternoon of hugs and kisses from a few pawsome pups! Residents of the personal care residence and the skilled care center met a few friendly dogs at the kissing booth! The cute canines were delighted to spend the afternoon with the residents. At the kissing booth, the furry visitors were adorned with Valentine’s Day accessories: scarves, heart-shaped glasses and heart headbands! The pups enjoyed greeting the residents and giving a few hugs and kisses! A big round of a-paws for the Life Enrichment team for orchestrating this event.
An afternoon of hugs and kisses from a few pawsome pups! Residents of the personal care residence and the skilled care center met a few friendly dogs at the kissing booth! The cute canines were delighted to spend the afternoon with the residents. At the kissing booth, the furry visitors were adorned with Valentine’s Day accessories: scarves, heart-shaped glasses and heart headbands! The pups enjoyed greeting the residents and giving a few hugs and kisses! A big round of a-paws for the Life Enrichment team for orchestrating this event.
An afternoon of hugs and kisses from a few pawsome pups! Residents of the personal care residence and the skilled care center met a few friendly dogs at the kissing booth! The cute canines were delighted to spend the afternoon with the residents. At the kissing booth, the furry visitors were adorned with Valentine’s Day accessories: scarves, heart-shaped glasses and heart headbands! The pups enjoyed greeting the residents and giving a few hugs and kisses! A big round of a-paws for the Life Enrichment team for orchestrating this event.
To celebrate National Chocolate Cake Day, residents of the personal care residence tapped into their creative sides and decorated chocolate cupcakes!
Inspired by her mother’s gift for making something wonderful out of items lying around the house, Melanie Ader, Life Enrichment leader at The Village at Luther Ridge personal care residence, dreamed of one day creating handmade Christmas stockings for residents. To make this dream come true, she knew she would need help. More than 25 volunteers stepped up to contribute more than 200 hours to help create 100 unique Christmas stockings for residents of both the personal care residence and the skilled care center. Thanks to generous donations from the Auxiliary to SpiriTrust Lutheran® Chambersburg Chapter, Thrivent and Dr. Bob Zimmerman of Covenant Family Dentistry, volunteers were able to fill each stocking with items that reminded residents of their childhood.
During the November Craft Corner, residents at The Village at Luther Ridge used a seasonal dishcloth, tea towel, potholder and ribbon to make heavenly kitchen angels to give as a present for Christmas or put in their own kitchen windows. This craft was brought back by popular demand after a highly successful June Craft Corner.
During the November Craft Corner, residents at The Village at Luther Ridge used a seasonal dishcloth, tea towel, potholder and ribbon to make heavenly kitchen angels to give as a present for Christmas or put in their own kitchen windows. This craft was brought back by popular demand after a highly successful June Craft Corner.
Residential living residents at The Village at Luther Ridge enjoyed their two-hour-long guided tour of the Pennsylvania State Capitol! Residents toured the Capitol, learned its history and viewed the architecture and artwork in the complex.
Residents at The Village at Luther Ridge spent an afternoon putting together care kits for Mission Central in Mechanicsburg. Each kit contained a washcloth, hand towel, comb, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste and nail clippers. The kits are sent all over the world wherever there is a need. On average, Mission Central serves 2-3 million people each year.
Christmas doesn’t have to come just once a year. Residents at the skilled care center proved that by enjoying a festive Christmas in July celebration with a week of games, carols, cookies, ice cream and a scenic “party bus” ride through the countryside. Despite the heatwave, they had no trouble getting into the holiday spirit! 
Lights, camera, action! The Luther Ridge Players, a theatrical troupe made up entirely of residential living residents, returned to the stage with a few new members and reprised some of their greatest hits. Created in 2016, The Luther Ridge Players put on an incredible show for their friends and neighbors. The program targeted the “funny bone” of the audience, and included "The Bobby Soxx Special," a 1950s musical interlude performed by Chuck Porter; "Sisters," performed by Mary Louise Lucas and Joy Shinn; “There’s a Hole in My Bucket,” performed by Bill and Susan Pekari; and “The Injured Bricklayer,” performed by Herb Spomer.
Lights, camera, action! The Luther Ridge Players, a theatrical troupe made up entirely of residential living residents, returned to the stage with a few new members and reprised some of their greatest hits. Created in 2016, The Luther Ridge Players put on an incredible show for their friends and neighbors. The program targeted the “funny bone” of the audience, and included "The Bobby Soxx Special," a 1950s musical interlude performed by Chuck Porter; "Sisters," performed by Mary Louise Lucas and Joy Shinn; “There’s a Hole in My Bucket,” performed by Bill and Susan Pekari; and “The Injured Bricklayer,” performed by Herb Spomer.
Lights, camera, action! The Luther Ridge Players, a theatrical troupe made up entirely of residential living residents, returned to the stage with a few new members and reprised some of their greatest hits. Created in 2016, The Luther Ridge Players put on an incredible show for their friends and neighbors. The program targeted the “funny bone” of the audience, and included "The Bobby Soxx Special," a 1950s musical interlude performed by Chuck Porter; "Sisters," performed by Mary Louise Lucas and Joy Shinn; “There’s a Hole in My Bucket,” performed by Bill and Susan Pekari; and “The Injured Bricklayer,” performed by Herb Spomer.
Lights, camera, action! The Luther Ridge Players, a theatrical troupe made up entirely of residential living residents, returned to the stage with a few new members and reprised some of their greatest hits. Created in 2016, The Luther Ridge Players put on an incredible show for their friends and neighbors. The program targeted the “funny bone” of the audience, and included "The Bobby Soxx Special," a 1950s musical interlude performed by Chuck Porter; "Sisters," performed by Mary Louise Lucas and Joy Shinn; “There’s a Hole in My Bucket,” performed by Bill and Susan Pekari; and “The Injured Bricklayer,” performed by Herb Spomer.
A giant guest appeared to celebrate Valentine's Day with residents at the skilled care center. The huggable, life-sized teddy bear provided abundant affection as residents happily posed for photos in the Valentine’s Day photo booth.
A giant guest appeared to celebrate Valentine's Day with residents at the skilled care center. The huggable, life-sized teddy bear provided abundant affection as residents happily posed for photos in the Valentine’s Day photo booth.
Residents gratefully received a visit from an adorable duo of lambs! The wooly guests, Snoopy and Elliot, were from a sheep farm in Gettysburg owned by Carolyn Lindsey, LPN, a charge nurse at The Village at Sprenkle Drive. Everyone was so glad she did and Martha was absolutely delighted!
Residents enjoyed the beautiful fall foliage while walking and biking along the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail, which rolls 13.7 miles through the farmlands of western Cumberland County, hemmed in by the Blue and South Mountains of southcentral Pennsylvania.
Residents enjoyed the beautiful fall foliage while walking and biking along the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail, which rolls 13.7 miles through the farmlands of western Cumberland County, hemmed in by the Blue and South Mountains of southcentral Pennsylvania.
Jeff Arentz, a resident of the skilled care center showed off his colorful and creative Turkey handprint painting. The project was just one of the fun and meaningful Thanksgiving-themed activities for residents in November. They also enjoyed delicious mini pumpkin pies and creating a “Grateful Pumpkin” comprised of rings listing things for which residents are grateful.
