Vitality Capital Campaign Goes Public
Back in 2017 the CKV Executive Team polled villagers and asked them to list their wishes for enhanced programming in our Harmony Ridge building. The feedback was reviewed by Village Council representatives who weighed and prioritized villagers’ preferences. Naturally, renovating and adding common space to host the new programming would come with a cost… and it was decided early on that none of this cost would result in an increase to villagers’ monthly service fees. Instead, fundraising would be an essential part of the project. ... Read More
Volunteering in 2020, a Snapshot
Cross Keys Village has been a thriving organization, supported by hundreds of volunteers for many years. When coronavirus precautions were quickly put into effect this past winter, I had no idea how much was about to change in our department. For the first time, volunteers were not permitted to perform duties in Mission Point, Brookside, Harmony Café or Campus Inn. Services like the campus shuttle, or assisting with shopping trips were abruptly halted. I found myself working from home for two months, then moving into the Harmony Ridge building. In just a few weeks, momentous change affected our department’s function and structure. ... Read More
Recognizing a Lifetime of Service
Harold Horst has had an incredible history of involvement with The Brethren Home Community, a legacy of service, and a devotion that has spanned decades. Earlier this month, we honored the villager and long-time volunteer & board member by naming a new campus road after him. ... Read More
On-time Arrival for Hearthside
The first household of new villagers in our Hearthside buildings took possession of their residence in mid-August. By mid-October, all 30 residences will be occupied, marking the completion of Phase 1… with a big sigh of relief. ... Read More
Live from Cross Keys Village!
The Senior Living universe is papered with policies and regulations, and we can honestly claim that there is a plan in place for every eventuality - from the mundane to the unexpected. Nevertheless, when we quickly went into lockdown 5 months ago, we found ourselves in unfamiliar territory. We abruptly cancelled all group gatherings with no idea when we would be able to restart. Campus Dining never stopped, of course, and after a period of takeout-service only, our Harmony Ridge restaurants have reopened to villagers, with some restrictions. ... Read More
Looking Forward to Family Visits
Cross Keys Village has always seen itself as one big family, deliberately blurring the lines between who lives here, who works here, and who visits here. The last few months have put that long tradition on hold: Strict restrictions on visitors have been hard on residents and on families alike. We have missed the warmth and familiarity of having loved ones on campus. Thankfully, family bonds stayed strong through video chatting, phone calls, and letter writing. ... Read More
The Mother of Invention
Last month in this column we described how Cross Keys Village adapted quickly to the stay-at-home orders and to the visiting restrictions that were put in place to limit the spread of coronavirus. As we write these lines, we are pleased to share that there hasn’t been a confirmed case of COVID-19 among the residents nor among the team at Cross Keys Village. This fortunate situation could change overnight, as we saw in some of the best communities in the Lancaster area. But we have a strong system of isolation in place if there should be a case on our campus. As we wrote last month, we are prepared. ... Read More
Prepared for the Unpredictable
Older adults in mid-retirement move to a village like ours for a multitude of reasons: a healthier lifestyle, renouncing homeowning chores, avoiding social isolation, or a desire to lighten any future burden on adult children. Behind such a list you can perceive a common thread: having access to solutions and to answers to the numerous “what-ifs” of age, be they the expected kind (cognitive decline, impaired mobility, facing the cost of clinical care…) or the unexpected kind. ... Read More
Running for Good Sam
Director of Community Life Mary Van Buren and Sales Coordinator Danielle Kovacs are lacing up their running shoes in preparation for the Gettysburg Blue-Grey Half Marathon & 5K set for April 26. Mary isn’t new to running—she has been running for over 40 years. Her current training regimen is taking her 30 miles per week until race day. In fact, on Super Bowl Sunday this year, Mary ran from Gettysburg to Emmitsburg, Md. “It’s always fun to cross the state line this way,” Mary said. ... Read More
More Hearthside Residences in 2021
Last January, after months of preparation, Cross Keys Village announced the start of a new expansion to be built on 15 newly-acquired acres. The Hearthside homes, as the project became known, consist of harmonious multi-unit buildings in an authentic Gettysburg farmhouse style, each holding ten generously proportioned residences. The concept was distinct from our existing Residential Living product (cottages, apartments, and larger Bridgewater Homes), and we didn't take it for granted how well this new program would be received. ... Read More