Episodes

  • E170: A Japanesse-American's WWII Experience

    E170: A Japanesse-American's WWII Experience
    Jul 3 2025
    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.
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    26 mins
  • E169: Staff to Resident: Carolyn Mellinger’s Enduring Impact on Willow Valley

    E169: Staff to Resident: Carolyn Mellinger’s Enduring Impact on Willow Valley
    Jun 26 2025
    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.
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    27 mins
  • E168: The Importance of Memory Books: Linda Morley

    E168: The Importance of Memory Books: Linda Morley
    Jun 19 2025
    Host: Candee O'Donnell Guest: Linda Morley Description: This podcast episode from "Life Under the Willow Tree" features an interview with Linda Morley, a Willow Valley resident. Morley discusses her extensive career in education, highlighting how her organizational skills and experience presenting to large groups are now applied to her current volunteer work. The main focus of the interview is her initiative to create "memory books" and "five facts" displays for residents in memory care facilities like Lakeside and Cedarbrook. These personalized items, filled with annotated photos and key life facts, aim to stimulate conversation, provide comfort, and help residents with memory issues connect with their past and present. Morley also shares insights into the development of Willow Valley's new memory center, drawing inspiration from innovative European facilities, and passionately advocates for increased visitor engagement and family participation in supporting residents who may lack frequent visitors.
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    22 mins
  • E167: A Navy Story: From Plane Mechanic to Plane Captain During the War in Vietnam

    E167: A Navy Story: From Plane Mechanic to Plane Captain During the War in Vietnam
    Jun 13 2025
    Host: Don Helin Guest: Bill Bastian Description: This episode features an interview with Bill Bastian, a veteran who shares his experiences as a jet engine mechanic and plane captain in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, specifically working on F-8 Crusaders. He recounts details of training, serving on aircraft carriers like the USS Kittyhawk and USS Midway, and the dangers and losses faced by pilots and crew. The discussion also touches upon his post-military career in pipeline construction and crane mechanics, and his retirement at Willow Valley.
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    24 mins
  • E166: From WV Busboy to Healthcare Administrator: Francisco Rivera

    E166: From WV Busboy to Healthcare Administrator: Francisco Rivera
    Jun 5 2025
    Host: Candee O'Donnell Guest: Francisco Rivera Description: This podcast episode from "Life Under the Willow Tree" features an interview with Francisco Rivera, an employee at Willow Valley for nearly 24 years. The discussion highlights his career progression from a 16-year-old busboy to a healthcare administrator, emphasizing Willow Valley's support for employee growth and education, including on-site training and tuition assistance. The interview also touches upon the three generations of Rivera men working at Willow Valley, showcasing a strong family connection to the organization. Additionally, the conversation briefly mentions the diverse and internationally renowned JP McCaskey High School in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and Francisco's personal life, including his triplet daughters.
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    22 mins
  • E165: Combining Adventure with Volunteerism: Living Boldly at Any Age

    E165: Combining Adventure with Volunteerism: Living Boldly at Any Age
    May 29 2025
    Host: Carol MacAllister Guest: Dale Johnson Description: This episode features an interview with Dale Johnson, a resident known for his volunteerism and adventurous spirit. Dale discusses his unconventional childhood, which he credits with shaping his perspective and resilience. He shares how a misunderstanding led to his college education, making him the first in his family to attend. The conversation also highlights his extensive travels and unique adventures, from hitchhiking across the country to biking long distances for charity and volunteering internationally, often finding creative ways to combine his passions with helping others. Finally, Dale reflects on his various volunteer roles at Willow Valley and in the broader community, emphasizing the importance of giving back and embracing new experiences as he ages.
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    25 mins
  • E:164: Mugsy, Fatty McFatty, and the Parsley Project

    E:164: Mugsy, Fatty McFatty, and the Parsley Project
    May 23 2025
    Host: Ray Loewe Guest: Margaret (Muggs) Frentz Description: For this latest episode in Life Under the Willow Tree, Ray Loewe interviews Willow Valley resident Margaret "Mugs" Frenz,, discussing her discovery of a black swallowtail caterpillar she named Fatty McFatty. This encounter inspired Mugs to learn about butterflies and their host plants, leading to the formation of the Parsley Project. This project aims to engage fellow residents in raising swallowtail butterflies from eggs, with support from the Willow Valley community and environmental groups, encouraging residents to become citizen scientists and contribute to local butterfly populations. The podcast highlights a photo exhibit and upcoming presentation to further promote the project and educate residents on the butterfly life cycle.
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    19 mins
  • E163: Sneakers, Scholastic Aid, and Santa: Supporting Lancaster's Kids

    E163: Sneakers, Scholastic Aid, and Santa: Supporting Lancaster's Kids
    May 15 2025
    Sneakers, Scholastic Aid, and Santa: Supporting Lancaster’s Kids Host: Dale Johnson Guest: Cori Steiner Description: The focus of the podcast is the Willow Valley Community Outreach Program, which was established in 1998 to assist children in need in the greater Lancaster community. They discuss three main annual initiatives: a cornhole tournament supporting high school seniors' post-graduation plans, a "Sneakers for School" project providing new shoes, and a holiday gift-giving program, including an annual event at Dutch Wonderland. The podcast highlights the impact of resident and team member involvement in these programs through volunteering, donations, and providing support, with a strong emphasis on the intergenerational connections fostered and the significant accomplishments over the years.
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    16 mins