Life Style JULY 2025 PARK PLACE OF ST. JOHN
Life at Park Place of St. John The Story Behind America’s Independence Day
While Americans across the country celebrate
To mark the formal adoption of the Declaration, bells rang out in celebration on July 4. Among them was the now-famous Liberty Bell at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Though the Liberty Bell hasn’t been rung since 1846 due to concerns over cracking, it continues to play a symbolic role in modern celebrations. Each year on July 4, the bell is gently tapped 13 times— once for each of the original colonies. As the years passed, Americans found new and exciting ways to celebrate their hard- won freedom. The tradition of fireworks, for instance, can be traced back to the very first organized Independence Day celebration in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777. That evening, a dazzling display lit up the skies with thirteen rockets, symbolizing the unity and pride of the newly independent colonies. The Pennsylvania Evening Post described the festivities: “At night, there was a grand exhibition of fireworks (which began and concluded with thirteen rockets) on the Commons, and the city was beautifully illuminated.” Across the country in Boston, the Sons of Liberty mirrored the celebration with fireworks over Boston Common. While fireworks may have originated in ancient China around 200 BC, they have become a hallmark of patriotic celebration in the United States. Today, these brilliant displays continue to awe crowds across the country every Fourth of July, honoring the past and celebrating the enduring spirit of freedom. So, whether you’re waving a flag, watching fireworks, or reflecting on the courage of those who fought for liberty, take a moment to remember the remarkable journey that led to this day. Happy Birthday, America—and may God bless the United States of America!
Independence Day on July 4, Founding Father John Adams had a different idea. Adams firmly believed that July 2 was the true birthday of American independence. After all, it was
on that day in 1776 that the Second Continental Congress voted in favor of the Lee Resolution, proposed by Virginian Richard Henry Lee. This resolution was a bold, three-part proposal: it called for the formal severance from the British Crown, encouraged the establishment of foreign alliances, and laid the groundwork for a national confederation. The approval of this resolution marked the true legal birth of the United States, setting in motion the creation of a nation built on democratic ideals and officially declaring the colonies free and independent from British rule. Interestingly, Adams and fellow Founding Father Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826—exactly 50 years after the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Their passing on this historic date added a poetic layer to the legacy of America’s birth. Although independence was declared on July 2, the document we now associate with the occasion—the Declaration of Independence— was not officially adopted until July 4, 1776. This is the date that appeared on the printed copies distributed to the public, and thus it became the one etched into national memory. The declaration captured the spirit of the revolution and the aspirations of a new nation. However, contrary to popular belief, the document was not signed on July 4. It wasn’t until August 2, 1776, that most of the delegates gathered to place their signatures on the now-iconic parchment, officially finalizing America’s break from British rule.
www.ParkPlaceStJohn.com (219) 351-5200 | ppsj@provlife.com | 10700 Park Place | St. John, IN 46373
Life Style PARK PLACE OF ST. JOHN
Life Enrichment Activities for July All activities are subject to change – watch the weekly calendar for changes to this newsletter. Some of the following Activities will require Sign Up and you will see that noted next to the Event.
Entertainment: Jakob Delich 6:00 p.m. — Café
1 st
Shopping Trip: Walgreens and Rise ‘n Roll Bakery 9:00 a.m. Bus Departure Sign-up required
9 th
10 th St. John Shopping
9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Bus Departures Sign up required
Entertainment: Mary Beabout 12:30 p.m. — Café
1 st
10 th Pina Coladas (non-alcoholic available) 1:30 p.m. — Café
2 nd Park Place of St. John Assisted Living Visit 9:15 a.m. — Assisted Living Building Sign up required
11 th Resident Birthday Party
12:30 p.m. — Main Dining Room
3 rd
St. John Shopping 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Bus Departures Sign up required
14 th Veteran Coffee Klatch 10:00 a.m. — Club Room
14 th Mary Dugan Birthday Cake 12:00 p.m. — Main Dining Room
Arts & Crafts: 4th of July Craft 1:30 p.m. — Creation Studio Sign up required
3 rd
15 th Men’s Breakfast with Pastor Mark 9:00 a.m. — Main Dining Room
16 th Park Place of St. John Assisted Living Visit 9:15 a.m. — Assisted Living Building Sign up required
17 th St. John Shopping Trip: St John and Jewel in Schererville
9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Bus Departures Sign up required
17 th Entertainment: Kristi Alsip 1:30 p.m. — Café
7 th
National Strawberry Sundae Day 1:00 p.m. — Café
18 th Resident Pizza Lunch
Shopping Trip: Shops on Main (Talbots, Anne Taylor, Barnes & Noble) 9:30 a.m. Bus Departure Sign up required Park Place of St. John Assisted Living Visit 9:15 a.m. — Assisted Living Building Sign up required
8 th
12:00 p.m. — Main Dining Room Sign up required
21 st Coffee & Donuts 9:00 a.m. — Patio
9 th
www.ParkPlaceStJohn.com (219) 351-5200 | ppsj@provlife.com | 10700 Park Place | St. John, IN 46373
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Life Style PARK PLACE OF ST. JOHN
Life Enrichment Activities for July All activities are subject to change – watch the weekly calendar for changes to this newsletter. Some of the following Activities will require Sign Up and you will see that noted next to the Event.
22 nd Phil’s Friends Center of Hope 1:00 p.m. Bus Departure Sign up required
Great Harvest Bread Company The Great Harvest Bread Company in Crown Point is taking orders for their bread on the following dates:
23 rd Park Place of St. John Assisted Living Visit 9:15 a.m. — Assisted Living Building Sign up required
• Tuesday, July 1 • Tuesday, July 15 • Tuesday, July 29 Order forms can be found at the front desk. Any questions, please contact Melissa at ext. 1023.
24 th St. John Shopping
9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Bus Departures Sign up required
24 th Incredible Eats
1:00 p.m. Creation Studio Sign up required
25 th National Wine & Cheese Day 12:30 p.m. — Café
July
25 th Wii Bowling: Thursday vs. Tuesday Teams 2:00 p.m. — Café
28 th Bus Outing: Kal-Bro Farmstand, Lowell 9:00 a.m. Bus Departure Sign up required 29 th Bus Outing: Northwest Indiana Symphony in the Park, Munster 6:15 p.m. Bus Departure Sign up required 30 th Park Place of St. John Assisted Living Visit 9:15 a.m. — Assisted Living Building Sign up required
Do you have a request or announcement for our community? Contact Melissa at ext. 1031. Submissions must be in by the 15th of the month for the next newsletter, otherwise, it will be on the weekly calendar. When a resident or family member wishes to celebrate birthdays or anniversaries with food or dessert for all of our residents, they should contact Melissa at ext. 1031 to discuss. If arrangements are made in advance, we can add it to our newsletter; otherwise, it will be on the weekly calendar.
31 st St. John Shopping
9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Bus Departures Sign up required
31 st Entertainment: Bill Frudakis 12:30 p.m. — Café
www.ParkPlaceStJohn.com (219) 351-5200 | ppsj@provlife.com | 10700 Park Place | St. John, IN 46373
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Life Style PARK PLACE OF ST. JOHN
Chaplain’s Corner Freedom
Furthermore, Jesus wasn’t referring to freedom in politics, social areas, or material property or possessions (which the Bible says anyone can become enslaved to!). The initial area Jesus addressed in the statement was His ability to set people free from enslavement to sin. It’s sin that enslaves people. But this 3-letter word has become lost in our culture these days. What exactly is “sin”? It can be summed up as “A spiritual disease every person is born with.” All ideas, beliefs, actions, words, or behaviors that oppose God, harm or injure yourself or anyone else are at the core of sin. Sin is a lack of committed God-centered love for God , others, and self (a healthy self as opposed to selfishness). And Jesus came to set us free from what is truly the scourge of humanity. How does this work? Well, it’s not just believing in Jesus since belief in someone does not necessarily change our souls. The Bible’s teaching on belief goes far deeper than this. It’s about commitment and then obedience. A person must commit their entire lives (and all they have) to Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior and then begin obeying His teachings in Scripture to experience spiritual freedom.
Freedom. Here in July, we as Americans once again celebrate our freedom as a nation. But freedom isn’t free. It’s costly. The United States was born out of struggle, strife, and war. While those early
residents of the 13 original colonies didn’t want to separate from England, the policies of England at the time weren’t just a burden, but more importantly, unjust. Delegates from the colonies met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and drafted the well-known Declaration of Independence. Here is the initial famous excerpt of this amazing document: “We hold these truths to be self- evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness…” Officially documented on July 4, 1776, the War of Independence would last seven long years. However, the colonists ultimately prevailed and humiliated the British. Freedom was won, although it came at an immense cost. A large percentage of Americans today view freedom in strictly political, social, and material terms. But the greatest freedom is greater than these (and sometimes is just the opposite of these things). It is spiritual freedom. While the founders of our country included “freedom of religion” and its practice in the third article of the Bill of Rights, this did not guarantee spiritual freedom. Indeed, no “religion” per se can grant spiritual freedom, although many religions in the world claim to do so. Indeed, Jesus Christ did not teach that spiritual freedom could be found in religion. Yep, this sounds strange! But here is what He said in the gospel of John 8:36: “If the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” Spiritual freedom is not found in religion—it’s found in a Person: Jesus Christ!
Interestingly, July 4th is deemed “Independence Day.” And that is what Jesus offers: true independence . An independence that is soul-deep and life- transforming. While we are all thankful to be living in an America that, thus far, grants us
many freedoms that other nations do not have, there’s no true freedom unless we experience spiritual freedom in Jesus. That’s my prayer for you this Fourth of July. As Jesus said, “If the Son sets you free, then you are truly free” !
www.ParkPlaceStJohn.com (219) 351-5200 | ppsj@provlife.com | 10700 Park Place | St. John, IN 46373
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Life Style PARK PLACE OF ST. JOHN
Senior Fitness with Symbria Ways to Make Your Home Safer
4. Light your way Install bright lights, have switches at both ends of the stairways, and use night lights to light the path from your bedroom to the bathroom. 5. Add supports in the bathroom Bathrooms can be dangerous, especially when things are wet. Put grab bars near the toilet and in the shower. Non-skid strips in the bathtub can keep you from slipping. 6. Stay safe on the stairs Consider handrails on both sides of the stairs. If you already have handrails, check that they are properly installed and not loose. Additional Tips: � Keep electrical cords near walls and away from walking paths. � Make sure your sofas and chairs are the right height for you to get in and out of easily. � Don’t stand on a chair or table to reach something that’s too high — use a “reach stick” instead or ask for help. Reach sticks are special grabbing tools that you can buy at many hardware or medical-supply stores. If you use a step stool, make sure it’s steady and has a handrail on top. Have someone stand next to you. � Keep a list of emergency numbers in large print near each landline phone and save them under “favorites” on your mobile phone
Making changes to your home, also known as home modifications, can make activities easier, improve your health and wellness, and reduce your chances of falling. These changes can include removing hazards, adding supports such as handrails, or modifying how or where activities are performed. Below are some suggestions to make your home safer. 1. Keep pathways clear Keep stairs and walkways clear by removing objects that you could trip over. Add storage for items that are typically kept on the floor, such as shoes or paper. 2. Be aware of uneven surfaces Look out for changes in the level of flooring, such as those near doorways or between carpet and tile. Remove throw rugs. If you can easily move a rug with your foot, you could slip on it. 3. Keep frequently used items close by Keep items you use often at waist level or within easy reach. Reaching up high or bending down low can cause you to lose balance. For example, in the kitchen, make sure that cooking supplies and other items that you use often are easy to reach.
We're Here to Help! If you need any advice on home
modifications, please contact the therapy department. Our Occupational Therapy team would be happy to help!
Sources: Fall prevention coalition- Los Angeles, www.stopfalls.org and www.nia.nih.gov
www.ParkPlaceStJohn.com (219) 351-5200 | ppsj@provlife.com | 10700 Park Place | St. John, IN 46373
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Life Style PARK PLACE OF ST. JOHN
Sharing Life & Making Memories June was a month of creativity, connection, and community spirit—and we’ve got the photos to prove it! From toe-tapping musical performances and friendly competition during Wii bowling, to delicious wine and appetizer tastings, every moment was filled with fun and fellowship. We celebrated the dads of Park Place with a special Father’s Day meal—an afternoon filled with good food, warm company, and well-deserved appreciation. Residents also embraced the island spirit at our festive Hawaiian-themed lunch, complete with tropical flavors and colorful décor. And in our Cooking Club and arts & crafts sessions, creativity was on full display. Each snapshot captures the energy and joy that make life at Park Place of St. John so vibrant. Take a look back and relive the laughter, the learning, and the meaningful memories that made this month truly shine. Thanks for being part of what made June so joyful!
www.ParkPlaceStJohn.com (219) 351-5200 | ppsj@provlife.com | 10700 Park Place | St. John, IN 46373
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Life Style PARK PLACE OF ST. JOHN
Catered Living July Activities
Ice Cream Social: Make your own Sundae! Thursday, July 3 1:30 p.m. in The Study Cooking Club: Strawberry Shortcake Thursday July 10 1:30 p.m. in The Study
Happy Hour: Pretzel Bites with Cheese Thursday, July 31 1:30 p.m. in The Study
Come join us for Chair Exercise Tuesday – Saturday at 9:30 a.m. In The Study
Stay active and energized with our Chair Exercise Class—designed to improve strength, flexibility, and balance in a safe, supportive environment. Whether you're new to fitness or looking to maintain mobility, this gentle, low-impact workout is a fun and social way to keep moving and feel your best. No experience needed— just bring yourself and a smile!
Cooking Club: Sherbet Floats Thursday, July 17 1:30 p.m. in The Study
Arts & Crafts: Friendship Bracelet Thursday, July 24 1:30 p.m. in The Study
www.ParkPlaceStJohn.com (219) 351-5200 | ppsj@provlife.com | 10700 Park Place | St. John, IN 46373
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Life Style PARK PLACE OF ST. JOHN
Sharing Life & Making Memories June was bursting with color, creativity, and community spirit! Our Strawberry Shortcake Social brought everyone together for an afternoon of sunshine and sweetness, while the Live, Love, Laugh artwork activity added heartfelt touches to our shared spaces. From festive flavors to meaningful moments, June was all about enjoying life together. Take a peek at the highlights—we hope they brighten your day!
www.ParkPlaceStJohn.com (219) 351-5200 | ppsj@provlife.com | 10700 Park Place | St. John, IN 46373
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Life Style PARK PLACE OF ST. JOHN
Park Place Announcements
Card Games We have Bridge, Uker, and Poker players looking to enlarge their groups. Please contact Melissa if you are interested in joining. Roll into Fun— Join Our Thursday Wii Bowling Team! Do you enjoy a little friendly competition, laughter, and the thrill of a perfect strike? Then come be part of the action—we're looking for more players to join our Thursday Wii Bowling Team! Whether you're a seasoned pro or just curious to try something new, everyone is welcome. No bowling shoes required—just bring your spirit and get ready for good times, high-fives, and maybe even a few lucky turkeys! It’s a great way to stay active, meet new friends, and enjoy the excitement of league-style play right from the comfort of our community. Please call Melissa if you are interested in joining the Park Place of St. John Pinheads— Sign up today and let the good times roll!
The Park Place family extends heartfelt July birthday greetings to all of our residents celebrating this month!
We wish blessings to all of the couples who are celebrating their wedding anniversary in the month of July!
Extend joyful greetings to all of our new residents that joined our community in the month of June and give them a warm Providence welcome!
www.ParkPlaceStJohn.com (219) 351-5200 | ppsj@provlife.com | 10700 Park Place | St. John, IN 46373
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Coming This August: Help Us Shine in the U.S. News & World Report Survey
SENIOR LIVING
We’re proud to share that Park Place of St. John is once again participating in an important nationwide initiative—and we need your voice to help us stand out. This August, our residents and their families will receive a satisfaction survey from U.S. News & World Report . This survey plays a key role in determining national rankings for senior living communities across the country, including ours. It gives those who know us best—our residents and their loved ones—the opportunity to share honest feedback about their experiences at Park Place. The survey will ask questions about everything from the quality of care and services, to staff responsiveness, communication, safety, and overall satisfaction with daily life here. These insights are essential not only for U.S. News' annual rankings, but also for helping prospective residents make confident, informed decisions about their future home. We deeply value the trust you place in us every day, and we’re committed to continuous improvement. Your feedback doesn’t just influence rankings—it helps shape the future of Park Place. By taking just a few moments to complete the survey, you're helping us grow, improve, and continue delivering the exceptional standard of living our community is known for. So when the survey arrives in your inbox or mailbox, please take a moment to complete it. We appreciate your time, your insights, and most of all—your continued support. Together, let’s show the country what makes Park Place of St. John such a special place to call home.
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