Read the latest edition of our community newsletter to learn more about news and activities at Victorian Village Senior Community!
Life Style VICTORIAN VILLAGE
MAY 2026
Life at Victorian Village
A Message from Jamie Krieps Mother’s Day arrives each year in the heart of spring, a season that feels perfectly suited for honoring the quiet, steady
Spring reminds us of this truth. Buds push through the soil, and trees that once stood bare fill again with life. These changes do not happen overnight, but they come faithfully, year after year. In this way, spring becomes a symbol of hope—a quiet assurance that life returns, even after the longest winters. On Mother’s Day, we reflect on the women who embody that same hope. Whether by birth or by choice, mothers often serve as steady anchors in uncertain times. Their strength may not always be loud, but it is deeply rooted. Through their actions, they teach us that faith is not about perfection, but about persistence— continuing to believe in growth, goodness, and meaning. There is something sacred in the everyday moments we share with them—a conversation, a reassuring hug, a quiet presence when it is needed most. These moments, though simple, carry lasting significance. Mother’s Day, set against the backdrop of spring, reminds us of a deeper truth: life continues, love endures, and hope is always worth holding onto.
love of mothers. As the world awakens—trees budding, flowers blooming, sunlight lingering longer—there is something fitting about celebrating motherhood in a time defined by renewal, growth, and life. Like spring, a mother’s love unfolds gently over time, revealing itself in meaningful and lasting ways. There is also a natural connection between spring and faith. Both require patience and trust in what cannot yet be seen. Even when the ground feels cold and uncertain, life is already stirring beneath the surface. Seeds take root long before they bloom. Faith works in much the same way—growing quietly in moments when we choose hope despite doubt. Mothers live out this kind of faith every day. From the beginning, motherhood is an act of trust—in growth, in possibility, and in a future that cannot be fully controlled. A mother nurtures not only what is, but what could be. She encourages, protects, and believes, even when the path ahead is unclear.
Warm Thoughts, Jamie Krieps Executive Director
www.VictorianVillage.com (708) 301-0800 | vv@provlife.com | 12600 Renaissance Circle | Homer Glen, IL 60491
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May Life Enrichment Activities
Ladies Luncheon (Residents Only) 12:00 p.m. — Grand Dining Room All Victorian Village campus ladies are invited to a special Mother’s Day luncheon with entertainment by Peter Oprisko. Musical Recital and Worship service with the Grutzius Family and students 3:00 p.m. — Grand Piano Lounge
11 th Entertainment: Liz Goss
1 st
1:30 p.m. — Victorian Inn 1st Floor Lobby
12 th Shopping Trip:
Jewel Osco and Dollar Tree 9:30 a.m. Bus Departure Sign up in the What’s Happening Book
3 rd
12 th Skilled Nursing Week:
Moments in Bloom Planting Craft • 10:30 a.m. — Faith House • 1:00 p.m. — Hope House
4 th
Homer Glen Rolling Library 10:30 a.m. — Inn Living Room
12 th Happy Hour
5 th
Cinco De Mayo Celebrations • 11:00 a.m. — Memory Care • 12:00 p.m. — Grand Dining Room • 12:30 p.m. — Assisted Living • 10:30 a.m. — Faith House • 1:00 p.m. — Hope House Shopping Trip: CVS and Walgreens Senior Discount Day 9:30 a.m. Bus Departure Sign up in the What’s Happening Book
3:00 p.m. — Grand Fireside Lounge
13 th Card-Making Craft
1:30 p.m. — Grand Activity Center Join volunteers Linda & Ellen for a card- making craft. Everything is provided, just bring yourself.
5 th
15 th Entertainment: Dan Mugavero 11:00 a.m. 1st Floor Health & Wellness Rehab
18 th Homer Glen Rolling Library 10:30 a.m. — Inn Living Room
Lutheran Service with Pastor Rick 1:00 p.m. — Grand Activity Room
8 th
www.VictorianVillage.com (708) 301-0800 | vv@provlife.com | 12600 Renaissance Circle | Homer Glen, IL 60491
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18 th Crazy Bunco
25 th Memorial Day BBQ
1:30 p.m. — Grand Activity Center
12:00 p.m. — Grand Victorian
18 th Worship Service with Communion 3:00 p.m. — Grand Activity Room
25 th Memorial Day Performance: Dennis Motyka 1:30 p.m. — Grand Fireside Lobby
18 th Happy Hour
3:00 p.m. — Inn Living Room
26 th Shopping Trip: Walmart 9:30 a.m. Bus Departure
19 th Shopping Trip: Meijer and Aldi 9:30 a.m. Bus Departure
Sign up in the What’s Happening Book
Sign up in the What’s Happening Book
26 th Memory Support Joy Ride 1:45 p.m. Bus Departure
19 th Assisted Living Joy Ride
1:45 p.m. — Victorian Inn Bus Departure
26 th Happy Hour
3:00 p.m. — Grand Fireside Lounge
20 th Hot Breakfast
9:00 a.m. — Grand Victorian Dining Room
29 th May Birthday Party
• 1:45 p.m. — Inn Living Room • 3:00 p.m. — Grand Fireside Lobby
20 th Bingo with Bethshan Residents 6:00 p.m. — Grand Activity Room
30 th Entertainment: Knights of Harmony Chorus Performance 2:00 p.m. — Grand Fireside Lobby
Bill Schepel, will bring residents from the group CILA homes to visit and play bingo with our Victorian Village residents.
22 nd General Store Bingo Coupon Redemption 3:00 p.m. — Grand Activity Room
www.VictorianVillage.com (708) 301-0800 | vv@provlife.com | 12600 Renaissance Circle | Homer Glen, IL 60491
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Book Club Sisters Under the Rising Sun by Heather Morris Friday, May 22 1:00 p.m. — Grand Private Dining Room In the midst of World War II, Norah Chambers places her eight-year-old daughter on a ship leaving Singapore, desperate to keep her safe from the Japanese army as they move down through the Pacific. Norah remains to care for her husband and elderly parents, knowing she may never see her child again. Nesta James has enlisted to tend to Allied troops. But as Singapore falls to the Japanese she joins the terrified cargo of people, including the heartbroken Norah, crammed aboard the Vyner Brooke merchant ship. Only two days later, they are bombarded from the air and in a matter of hours, the Vyner Brooke lies broken on the seabed. Nesta and Norah reach the beaches of a remote island, only to be captured by the Japanese and held in one of their notorious POW camps. Sisters in arms,
News from the Courts Courts Happy Hour (Held the 3 rd Tuesday of each month) Tuesday, May 19 th 4:30 p.m. Courts Community Center
Courts Potluck Thursday, May 28 th 11:45 a.m. Courts Community Center
Marquette Bank Full-Service Banking Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. Private Dining Room at the Grand We offer on-site banking with Marquette Bank to provide services to our residents. Banking services are set up in our private dining room at the Grand and is available every Thursday: • May 7 th • May 14 th • May 21 st • May 28 th
Norah and Nesta fight side by side every day, helping whoever they can, and discovering in themselves and each other extraordinary reserves of courage, resourcefulness and determination.
www.VictorianVillage.com (708) 301-0800 | vv@provlife.com | 12600 Renaissance Circle | Homer Glen, IL 60491
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Chaplain’s Corner: Jesus as the Good Shepherd The "door," in this sentence, must evidently
"I tell you the solemn truth, the one who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs
mean something far more than outward calling and commission. The Jewish teachers, at any rate, were not deficient in this point--they could probably trace up their orders in direct succession to Aaron himself. Ordination is no proof whatever that a man is fit to show others the way to heaven. He may have been regularly set apart by those who have authority to call ministers, and yet all his life may never come near the door, and at last may die nothing better than "a thief and a robber." The true sense of the "door" must be sought in our Lord's own interpretation. It is Christ Himself who is "the door." The true shepherd of souls is he who enters the ministry with a single eye to Christ, desiring to glorify Christ, doing all in the strength of Christ, preaching Christ's doctrine, walking in Christ's steps, and laboring to bring men and women to Christ. The false shepherd of souls is he who enters the ministerial office with little or no thought about Christ, from worldly and self-exalting motives, but from no desire to exalt Jesus, and the great salvation that is in Him. Christ, in one word, is the grand touchstone of the minister of religion. The man who makes much of Christ is a pastor after God's own heart, whom God delights to honor. The minister who makes little of Christ is one whom God regards as an impostor--as one who has climbed up to his holy office not by the door, but by "some other way." The sentence before us is a sorrowful and humbling one. That it condemns the Jewish
in some other way, is a thief
and a robber. The one who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. The doorkeeper opens the door for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought all his own sheep out, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they recognize his voice. They will never follow a stranger, but will run away from him, because they do not recognize the stranger’s voice." Jesus told them this parable, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So Jesus said to them again, "I tell you the solemn truth, I am the door for the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters through me, he will be saved, and will come in and go out, and find pasture. We have, for one thing, in these verses, a vivid picture of a false teacher of religion. Our Lord says that he is one who "enters not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way."
www.VictorianVillage.com (708) 301-0800 | vv@provlife.com | 12600 Renaissance Circle | Homer Glen, IL 60491
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which responds, "This is right." The careless man of the world may see no difference whatever between minister and minister, sermon and sermon. The poorest sheep of Christ, as a general rule, will "distinguish things that differ," though he may sometimes be unable to explain why. Let us beware of despising this spiritual instinct. Whatever a sneering world may please to say, it is one of the peculiar marks of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. As such, it is specially mentioned by John, when he says, "You have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things." (1 John 2:20.) Let us rather pray for it daily, in order that we may be kept from the influence of false shepherds. To lose all power of distinguishing between bitter and sweet is one of the worst symptoms of bodily disease. To be unable to see any difference between law and gospel, truth and error, Protestantism and Popery, the doctrine of Christ and the doctrine of man, is a sure proof that we are yet dead in heart, and need conversion. We have, lastly, in these verses, a most instructive picture of Christ Himself. He utters one of those golden sayings which ought to be dear to all true Christians. They apply to people as well as to ministers. "I am the door--by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." We are all by nature separate and far off from God. Sin, like a great barrier-wall, rises between us and our Maker. The sense of guilt makes us afraid of Him. The sense of His holiness keeps us at a distance from Him. Commentary by J.C. Ryle
teachers of our Lord's time all men can see. There was no "door" in their ministry. They taught nothing rightly about Messiah. They rejected Christ Himself when He appeared- -but all men do not see that the sentence condemns thousands of so-called Christian teachers, quite as much as the leaders and teachers of the Jews. Thousands of ordained men in the present day know nothing whatever about Christ, except His name. They have not entered "the door" themselves, and they are unable to show it to others. Well would it be for Christendom if this were more widely known, and more seriously considered! Unconverted ministers are the dry-rot of the Church. "When the blind lead the blind" both must fall into the ditch. If we would know the value of a man's ministry, we must never fail to ask, Where is the Lamb? Where is the Door? Does he bring forward Christ, and give Him his rightful place? We have, for another thing, in these verses, a peculiar picture of true Christians. Our Lord describes them as sheep who "hear the voice of a true Shepherd, and know His voice;" and as "sheep who will not follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they know not the voice of strangers." The thing taught in these words is a very curious one, and may seem "foolishness" to the world. There is a spiritual instinct in most true believers, which generally enables them to distinguish between true and false teaching. When they hear unsound religious instruction, there is something within them that says, "This is wrong." When they hear the real truth as it is in Jesus, there is something in their hearts
www.VictorianVillage.com (708) 301-0800 | vv@provlife.com | 12600 Renaissance Circle | Homer Glen, IL 60491
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Senior Fitness with Symbria EXERCISE HELPS EASE ARTHRITIS PAIN AND STIFFNESS
When starting an arthritis exercise program know what to do and how much to do for best results. Everyone needs exercise, but it's especially important for people with arthritis. Exercise increases strength and makes moving easier. Exercise reduces joint pain and helps fight tiredness. Of course, when joints are stiff and painful, the thought of walking around the block or swimming a few laps might seem like too much. There's no need to run a marathon or swim for miles. Even moderate exercise can ease pain and help you stay at a healthy weight. In short, when arthritis tries to slow you down,
Bones need strong muscles for support. Not exercising weakens those supporting
muscles. Weak muscles put more stress on joints.
Check with your health care provider first
Talk to your care provider about making exercise a part of your treatment. The best exercises depend on the type of arthritis and which joints the arthritis is in. A member of your health care team, such as a physical therapist, can work with you to find the exercise plan that's best for you. Exercises for arthritis might include : y Exercises that put joints through their full range of motion y Strengthening exercises y Exercise that raises heart rate, known as
exercise can keep you moving. Why exercise is needed
The right kinds of exercise can improve health and fitness without hurting joints. Combined with a treatment program, exercise can add to quality of life. And it can: y Strengthen muscles around joints. y Help maintain bone strength. y Increase energy. y Make it easier to sleep well. y Help control weight. y Improve balance. y Improve mood.
aerobic exercise, is also important. RANGE-OF-MOTION EXERCISES
These exercises lessen stiffness and put joints through their full range of motion. Examples of these exercises are stretching arms up high or rolling shoulders forward and backward. Most of these exercises can be done every day.
www.VictorianVillage.com (708) 301-0800 | vv@provlife.com | 12600 Renaissance Circle | Homer Glen, IL 60491
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It's best to do moderate aerobic activity most days of the week. But even a couple of days a week can help. Exercise at a rate at which breathing is harder than usual while still being able to talk. If you're in an exercise class, tell your teacher about your arthritis. Listen to your body. Don't do anything that causes pain. Tips to protect your joints If you haven't exercised in a while, start slowly. Don't push yourself too hard — that can overwork muscles and make joint pain worse. Consider these tips: y Keep the impact low. Low-impact exercises help keep joint stress low while you move. Examples include stationary or recumbent bicycling, elliptical trainer workouts, or exercise in the water. y Use heat. Heat can relax joints and muscles and lessen pain before exercise. Deliver the heat with warm towels, hot packs or a shower. The temperature should be warm, not painfully hot. Use for about 20 minutes. y Move gently. Move joints gently at first to warm up. You might begin with range-of- motion exercises for 5 to 10 minutes before you move on to strengthening or aerobic exercises. y Go slowly. Exercise with slow and easy movements. If you feel pain, take a break. Sharp pain and pain that's worse than the
STRENGTHENING EXERCISES These exercises help build strong muscles that can support and protect the joints. Weight training is an example of exercise that can help build and keep muscle strength. Using resistance bands, hand weights or machines can help build strength. Weight training should be done every other day for at least two days a week. It should include all the major muscles in the body. AEROBIC EXERCISE Exercises that raise heart rate, known as aerobic exercises, help with overall fitness. They can improve heart and lung health, help control weight, and increase energy. Examples of aerobic exercises that are easy on joints include walking, bicycling, swimming and water aerobics. Try to work up to 150 minutes of somewhat hard aerobic exercise every week. You can exercise 10 minutes at a time if that's easier on your joints.
www.VictorianVillage.com (708) 301-0800 | vv@provlife.com | 12600 Renaissance Circle | Homer Glen, IL 60491
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usual joint pain might mean something is wrong. Slow down if you see swelling or redness in your joints. y Ice afterward. Use ice on your joints for up to 20 minutes as needed after activity. This is even more important if your joints are swollen. Listen to your body. Don't push too hard. Build up slowly. Add more and harder exercise as you get stronger. Don't overdo You might feel some pain and stiffness after exercise if you haven't been active for a while. In general, if pain lasts more than two hours after exercise, you might be pushing too hard. You might need to exercise less often or for less time. Talk to your health care provider about how to know when pain is a sign of something more serious.
Live & Learn Joint Mobility: Living with Arthritis Thursday, May 14th 10:00 a.m. — Grand Activity Center Are you someone like millions who is impacted by some form of arthritis? Then this presentation is for you. Learn more about how to manage this chronic condition through lifestyle tactics and more importantly which exercise techniques will improve endurance and mobility while reducing pain. Join Stacy for this engaging and educational presentation. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, ask your provider if you should exercise during flares. You might work through your joint flares by doing only range-of-motion exercises. Or you might exercise in water. Even during a flare, it's good to keep your body moving. To learn more about exercise programs for people with arthritis, contact your senior community wellbeing specialist at (708) 645-2082.
www.VictorianVillage.com (708) 301-0800 | vv@provlife.com | 12600 Renaissance Circle | Homer Glen, IL 60491
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April brought a wonderful mix of energy, creativity, and connection to Victorian Village. From celebrating National Walking Day and decorating Easter eggs to enjoying lively moments like prom night and beach ball volleyball, the month was filled with opportunities to laugh, create, and come together. Residents also enjoyed sweet treats at our root beer float social, special visits from therapy dogs, time in the baking club, and a joyful birthday celebration. Take a look back at some of the moments that made April so memorable. Sharing Life & Making Memories
www.VictorianVillage.com (708) 301-0800 | vv@provlife.com | 12600 Renaissance Circle | Homer Glen, IL 60491
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www.VictorianVillage.com (708) 301-0800 | vv@provlife.com | 12600 Renaissance Circle | Homer Glen, IL 60491
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www.VictorianVillage.com (708) 301-0800 | vv@provlife.com | 12600 Renaissance Circle | Homer Glen, IL 60491
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www.VictorianVillage.com (708) 301-0800 | vv@provlife.com | 12600 Renaissance Circle | Homer Glen, IL 60491
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www.VictorianVillage.com (708) 301-0800 | vv@provlife.com | 12600 Renaissance Circle | Homer Glen, IL 60491
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www.VictorianVillage.com (708) 301-0800 | vv@provlife.com | 12600 Renaissance Circle | Homer Glen, IL 60491
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Victorian Village Announcements
A Message from Tammy As we enter the month of May, we are reminded of our responsibility to honor the fallen service members of the military— those who gave their lives to protect our nation and the freedoms we enjoy every day. While we mourn their loss, we also recognize that their sacrifice was not in vain. Through their courage and selflessness, they helped preserve the values and liberties that define our country. These men and women placed something greater than themselves first, serving with a deep sense of duty and commitment to a nation under God. Originally known as Decoration Day, this time of remembrance began as a way to honor those who died in military service by decorating their graves. Today, many continue this tradition by visiting cemeteries, placing flowers, offering prayers, and observing moments of silence. We pray for peace and give thanks for the freedom we continue to experience. At Victorian Village, we will once again show our gratitude by lining the walkways with American flags. It is truly a privilege to remember and honor the lives of those who gave everything to protect and defend our nation.
The Victorian Village family extends heartfelt May birthday greetings to all of our residents celebrating this month.
Sunday, May 10th
MONDAY, MAY 25TH
www.VictorianVillage.com (708) 301-0800 | vv@provlife.com | 12600 Renaissance Circle | Homer Glen, IL 60491
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