On a monthly basis, United States Military Veterans who are also neighbors at Luther Oaks come together. In doing so, an active club has formed as veterans take turns sharing stories of service, experiences, their comrades and the places they served, also inviting friends and guests to do the same. On Friday, July 16th, the Veteran’s Club took to a trip to visit the traveling Vietnam War Memorial in Leroy, Illinois, followed by lunch at Jack’s Restaurant, a Luther Oaks resident favorite.

On Sunday, April 11th, Junior High students from Trinity Lutheran School, Bloomington Junior High School, and St. Mary’s Catholic School participated in a Student Art Show. John Disco, Education Coordinator and Rob Fifield, Preparator, from the McLean County Arts Center judged the student art work in the following categories: painting, drawing, block prints, three dimensional, and mixed media.

Luther Oaks, a Lutheran life Community participated in Bloomington, Illinois’ second annual Chefs for PATH Gala at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts ballroom. Chefs for PATH is a fundraising event for the agency that provides 24/7 crisis information and referral. For the event, chefs from local restaurants like Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano, Central Station Cafe, Destihl Restaurant & Brew Works were invited to showcase their cuisine for Bloomington by competing in a cook-off. Using ingredients basket of ingredients, they created and served a dish in 10 minutes to 5 judges.

Luther Oaks provided a Cherries jubilee dessert to go with the Cherry Blossoms theme. Servers presented the fiery dishes at each table.

Karen Zangerle, Executive Director for PATH, invited Luther Oaks to sponsor desert after enjoying a few meals in the dining room with her parents. She felt that her dining experience was on par with the top restaurants in the area.

“She thought the food we were providing to our residents was on the level of local fine-dining – Medici, Swingers –high end restaurants in Bloomington-Normal – the same time of service and cuisine,” Said Ken Jenzen, Director of Dining Services at Luther Oaks.

Luther Oaks features restaurant style dining for residents and their guests and Jenzen loves the challenge that cooking for the Luther Oaks community brings: how to wow regular customers every day.

“We have the hardest challenge – we see our customers every day (2 or three times) and we try to exceed their expectations each time. To bring in products that are new to residents is one of the most exciting things that we do,” said Jenzen. The menu at Luther Oaks offers a variety of home-style comfort favorites to more exotic dishes.

“At Luther Oaks, we believe in proving the best possible service 100% of the time, whether the customer wants beef wellington or country fried steak,” said Jenzen. “It was exciting to be asked to do this – it’s great to be involved with the Bloomington community and sponsoring the dessert gives us a shot at entering the competition next year.”

Spring is here and Luther Oaks residents in Bloomington, Illinois are ready to enjoy the beautiful weather with their friends and neighbors. Clubs and groups at Luther Oaks are a popular way to satisfy any interest or hobby. According to Life Enrichment Director, Davy Badorek, there are over 10 active clubs, and the number of groups continues to grow as residents bond over their mutual

hobbies and interests. Garden Club, Creative Arts Club, game clubs like Bunco and cards, Sewing Club, and Book Club are just a few favorites. Luther Oaks residents are largely responsible for the functions and running of their groups. They meet in their inviting community rooms or in a host-resident’s suite. Badorek is always available to help neighbors kick-start a club.

Book Club finished their first book this Spring. In March, members were able to “meet-the-author” and were treated to a question and answer session and book signing. “Book Club is one of our newer clubs, and we’d like members to have the opportunity to meet all the authors they read,” said Badorek.

Garden Club is one of the more visible clubs on the Luther Oaks campus. Members tend their own personal plants, and they also care for potted plants around the Luther Oaks community. They plant, then maintain by watering and weeding. All Luther Oaks residents are able to enjoy the gifts of its resident green thumbs.

Friends are also discovering new ways to get involved with the extended community through their clubs. Many residents are making a difference while having fun with their neighbors. Sewing Club worked on a project with the American Cancer Society, sewing tote bags for wigs to be donated to cancer patients. Members also knitted dog scarves that are donated to animal shelters, which the shelters sell for profits to benefit the animals. Creative Arts Club has a large outreach aspect. At Valentine’s Day, members put together sachet bags for women at a local shelter for domestic abuse.

As the weather warms and the Garden Clubs plants are in full bloom, Luther Oaks club members are looking forward to being out and about in the Bloomington community, taking field trips with their group or just appreciating the sunshine at an outdoor meeting. These are the spoils of zero-maintenance living, neighbors and friends have more time to invest in, not what they have to do, but what they want to do.

Luther Oaks residents recently discovered a new way to exercise, and while the art of tai chi may be new to the Lutheran Life Communities residents, the exercise itself is thousands of years old. The Chinese martial art of tai chi is a self-paced system of exercise and stretching done in a slow, continuous flow of movement. The deliberate, drawn-out actions may look almost relaxed and easy (tai chi is sometimes called meditation in motion), but these compact, flowing movements are integral in building strength. This gentle exercise is particularly suited to older adults – studies show it reduces the risk of falls and improves mobility. Therapeutic benefits also include improved strength, coordination and balance, pain and stress management, and more stable joint structure.

Many studies have been conducted to examine the positive correlation between tai chi and improved health and wellness. According to ScienceDaily.com, “In the July 2008 issue of the American Journal of Public Health, Oregon Research Institute (ORI) senior scientist Fuzhong Li, Ph.D., describes how senior community centers in Lane County, Oregon successfully adopted an evidence-based tai chi program to prevent falls among older adults. Program participants showed significant improvements in health-related outcome measures such as balance, reduction in falls, and increased functional independence.”

There are around 100 different tai chi positions or postures, and many can be modified to fit an individual’s ability level. Those with heart conditions or other medical concerns will find there are optional movements that maintain the benefits of the original exercises. Tai chi can even be done sitting down with motions executed in a very small amount of space. Tai chi instructor Wayne Winders, calls this “airplane tai chi” because it can be done in a space as small as an airplane seat. Winders recently visited Luther Oaks residents and led a tai chi class. Winders has been an instructor for 4 years, taking up tai chi himself while looking for a way manage stress. “It’s (tai chi) relaxing. People do it, and they find it is very calming.”

Many studies have been conducted to examine the positive correlation between tai chi and improved health and wellness. According to ScienceDaily.com, “In the July 2008 issue of the American Journal of Public Health, Oregon Research Institute (ORI) senior scientist Fuzhong Li, Ph.D., describes how senior community centers in Lane County, Oregon successfully adopted an evidence-based tai chi program to prevent falls among older adults. Program participants showed significant improvements in health-related outcome measures such as balance, reduction in falls, and increased functional independence.”

Yang Yang, Ph.D, performed several studies at the University of Illinois in Champagne- Urbana to examine the effects tai chi has on older adults. Results indicated better balance and mobility, as well as a more positive sense of being. One study participant commented, “I think this is just grand! To learn something when you are in your late 70s that you can use for a lifetime…This has made me feel so much younger…”

People of all ages can practice and enjoy the benefits of tai chi. Winders has had students from ages 7-89. Of his 89-year-old student, he says “She walks with a cane and she does the tai chi with no problem – she says she can move better. This exercise is great for improving stiffness in joints, it warms up the muscles and gets peoples movements flowing.” This calming exercise can be practiced for a lifetime of healthy living.