To celebrate the United States’ big birthday, The Heritage of Green Hills is preparing a series of celebrations, trips, lectures, and events 250 years in the making.
“We don’t do things by halves here,” laughs Well By Design Director Cheryl Anderson, who is adding new events for the semiquincentennial every week. “And our location here in Shillington, Pa., lends itself to amazing daytrips to historic places important to our nation’s start, and our local community is full of historians and educators who can help us explore our rich past.”
April serves as the launch point for many of the community’s 250th anniversary initiatives, with programming designed to build momentum throughout the year. “On April 22, we’re planting red, white, and blue flowers near the community entrance.”
All programming at The Heritage of Green Hills is rooted in the community’s Well By Design philosophy, which supports eight different aspects of wellness to promote health and happiness in a holistic way.
“Planting the flowers is a perfect Earth Day activity for this year,” Anderson says. “It will be festive and patriotic, yes, but it will also help us get outside and connect with nature, which fosters Environmental Wellness.”
The Well By Design program also promotes Intellectual Wellness, Social Wellness, Physical Wellness, Spiritual Wellness, Vocational Wellness, and Health Wellness.
Lifelong Learning
Intellectual engagement and social connection are central to many of the upcoming 250th events. A major component of the celebration is a series of historical outings, carefully selected to highlight significant sites throughout Berks County and the surrounding region. Destinations such as Valley Forge, Lancaster, and Hopewell Furnace allow residents to connect with history where it happened. To ensure accessibility and comfort, all trips are planned within roughly an hour’s travel time.
In April alone, residents are visiting The Berks Military & Holocaust Museum Tour with PA Rep. Mark Gillen, Allegheny Aqueduct Historical Park and Beidler House, The Conrad Weiser Homestead, Pottsgrove Manor, and Ludwig’s Grill & Oyster Bar, which has been open since 1816.
On campus, lifelong learning continues through a dynamic lineup of lectures and presentations. In partnership with the Berks History Center, historian Brian Englehardt is leading an ongoing lecture series with topics exploring both local and national history, including The Conway Cabal, 1728: Year of Fear from the Tulpehocken to the Oley Valley, and Various Problems Encountered by the First Berks County Women Jurors. Englehardt is also giving presentations on the French and Indian War and Pontiac’s Rebellion in the summer.
Knowledgeable residents will also be sharing their expertise with their neighbors this spring and summer. Walt Essig is offering two presentations this spring: The U.S. Coast Guard: Small Service, Multi-Tasked and The History of Fire Fighting in America.
Adding a unique and immersive dimension to learning, Dr. Jack Covington — an Oxford-educated historian and stage actor — will bring the Revolutionary era to life through his performance series, The Spirits of ’76. Appearing in full period costume, he will portray iconic figures such as Benjamin Franklin, Patrick Henry, and Thomas Paine in scheduled performances throughout the year.
Of course, no celebration would be complete at the “Live It Up” senior living community without a big party. To mark the milestone, The Heritage will host a lively and festive outdoor event in June, featuring the Belle Tones singing patriotic songs, historical reenactors, a barbershop quartet, exciting games, and specialty food and drinks to commemorate the occasion.
“We won’t just be celebrating America this year,” Anderson explains. “We’ll be doing what we do best here: making new memories, learning new things, making new discoveries, and making deeper connections with the world and each other every day.”
Visit The Heritage
To learn more about The Heritage’s special events, excellent food, welcoming atmosphere, and vibrant, wellness-focused lifestyle, come for a visit! Call 484-269-5100 or visit https://heritageofgreenhills.com/contact/ to schedule a tour.