Life Style DECEMBER 2025 PARK PLACE OF ST. JOHN
Life at Park Place of St. John We have once again entered the Christmas Season and the end of yet another year here A Message from Melissa
at Park Place of St John. I believe it is no coincidence that we end our years focused on the birth of a long-awaited savior. Jesus’ birth fulfilled the promise of our Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem still resonates with us today as it did for him on December 25, 1864. No matter the circumstances, God is not dead nor asleep. The right will prevail with peace on Earth and goodwill to men. God has been faithful through this past year, and you can depend on him to remain faithful in the year to come. I wish all our Residents and their families a beautiful Christmas full of hope, and may you have the Peace of our Savior throughout the coming year. Genuinely, Melissa Augustson, Life Enrichment Director
I heard the bells on Christmas day Their old familiar carols play, And wild and sweet the words repeat, Of peace on earth, good will to men. I thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along th’ unbroken song Of peace on earth, good will to men. And in despair I bowed my head: “There is no peace on earth,” I said, “For hate is strong, and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good will to men.” Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: “God is not dead, nor does He sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth, good will to men.” Till, ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day A voice, a chime, a chant sublime, Of peace on earth, good will to men.
www.ParkPlaceStJohn.com (219) 351-5200 | ppsj@provlife.com | 10700 Park Place | St. John, IN 46373
Life Style PARK PLACE OF ST. JOHN
December Activity Highlights 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.
Res ide nt's December Birthday Party Friday, December 5 12:30 p.m. — Main Dining Room E nte rtainment: Hanover High School Choir Friday, December 5 2:00 p.m. — Café
Great Harvest Bread Company Great Harvest Bread Company orders are
due on the following dates: • Tuesday, December 2 nd • Tuesday, December 16 th • Tuesday, December 30 th
S t Nic holas Day Saturday, December 6
En tert ainment: The Noteables Saturday, December 6 2:30 p.m. — Café
Entert a inment: Dune Country Band Monday, December 1 1:00 p.m. — Café
En te rt a inment: Alan & Patty Southern Gospel Sunday, December 7 2:00 p.m. — Café Ent er tainment: Highland Christian Concert Monday, December 8 6:00 p.m. — Café E n t er tainment: Heritage Christian Concert and Resident Carols Tuesday, December 9 1:00 p.m. — Café P ark P l ace of St John Christmas Sing-along Wednesday, December 10 11:00 a.m. — Main Dining Room
Shopping Trip: Walgreens Senior Discount and Rise ‘n Roll Bakery Tuesday, December 2 9:00 a.m. Bus Departure Sign Up Required Ent e rtainment: Lake Central High School Choir Tuesday, December 2 6:00 p.m. — Café
Na ti onal Cookie Day: Christmas Cookie Decorating Thursday, December 4 1:00 p.m. — Creation Studio
www.ParkPlaceStJohn.com (219) 351-5200 | ppsj@provlife.com | 10700 Park Place | St. John, IN 46373
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C hristm as Craft Thursday, December 11 1:00 p.m. — Creation Studio
Entertain m ent: Music Bingo w/ John Rokosz (Lillian Blastick’s grandson) Sunday, December 21 2:00 p.m. — Café
E n t ert ainment: Brother & Sister, Gabriel & Layla Graal on Piano Saturday, December 13 2:00 p.m. — Café Enter tainment: United Reformed Church Teen Group Caroling Sunday, December 14 6:30 p.m. — Café
Inc redi ble Eats Wednesday, December 24 1:00 p.m. — Creation Studio Brea k fast Outing: IHOP Tuesday, December 30 9:30 a.m. Bus Departure N e w Year’s Eve Happy Hour Wednesday, December 31 1:00 p.m. — Café E nte rtainment: Mary Beabout Wednesday, December 31 6:00 p.m. — Café
V ete ran Coffee Klatch Monday, December 15 10:00 a.m. — Club Room
M e n ’s Breakfast with Pastor Mark Tuesday December 16 9:00 a.m. — Main Dining Room
St. John Shopping 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Bus Departures Sign up required
P h il’s F ri ends Center of Hope in Crown Point Tuesday, December 16 1:00 p.m. Bus Departure
E n tertainment: Frank Rossi Thursday, December 18 12:30 p.m. — Café
• Thursday, December 4 • Thursday, December 11 • Thursday, December 18 9:00 a.m. — St. John 11:00 a.m. — Jewel, Dyer • Tuesday, December 23 9:30 a.m. — St. John
En tert ainment: Adam Gawlikowski Friday, December 19 12:30 p.m. — Café R esid ent Christmas Dinner Buffet Friday, December 19 2:00 p.m. — Main Dining Room
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 December Activities
Entertainment: Dune Country Band Monday, December 1st 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. — Café Photo Shoot with Santa Thursday, December 4th 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. — The Study
Entertainment: Heritage Christian Choir Tuesday, December 9th 12:40 p.m. – 1:40 p.m. — Café
Baking Club: Christmas Cookies Tuesday, December 9th 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. — The Study
Arts and Crafts: Christmas Card Creations Friday, December 5th 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. — The Study Entertainment: Hanover High School Carolers Friday, December 5th 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. — Café
Christmas Sing-along Wednesday, December 10th 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. — Main Dining Room Arts & Crafts: Paint Brush Door Decoration Thursday, December 11th 1:30 p.m. -2:30 p.m. — The Study
Entertainment: Noteables Saturday, December 6th 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. — Café
Arts & Crafts: Dwarf Wall Hanger Thursday, December 11th
Entertainment: Music Duo Friday, December 12th 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. — Café
Entertainment: Alan and Patty Southern Gospel Sunday, December 7th 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. — Café` Christmas Tree Decorating Monday, December 8th 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. — The Study
Christmas Pie Social Friday, December 12th 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
www.ParkPlaceStJohn.com (219) 351-5200 | ppsj@provlife.com | 10700 Park Place | St. John, IN 46373
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Veterans Coffee Klatch Monday, December 15th 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. — Club Room
Christmas Fun Facts 1. The first Christmas trees: Germans in the 16th century first introduced the idea of decorating trees. Back then, trees were adorned with fruits and nuts. Soon after, ornaments began to include paper cutouts and candles. 2. One big tree: The tallest Christmas tree ever erected was a 221 foot Douglas fir. The tree was displayed in downtown Seattle in 1950 and cost $19,000 at the time. 3. Baby Claus: In many Latin countries children don’t receive gifts from Santa Claus. Instead, their presents are from the baby Jesus himself! 4. Traditional Christmas drink: The first eggnog was made in medieval England from a mixture of spices, curdled milk and ale. The drink known as posset would eventually become the eggnog we know today when egg was added to the mixture. 5. Happy and merry: Did you know It used to be more common to say Happy Christmas? It wasn’t until Charles Dickens published his much-loved novel, A Christmas Carol, that Merry Christmas became the standard holiday greeting.
Arts & Crafts: Christmas Wreath Watercolor Tuesday, December 16th 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. — The Study
Entertainment: Frank Rossi Thursday, December 18th 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. — Café Baking Club: Fruit Cakes Thursday, December 18th 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. — The Study Entertainment: Adam Gawlikowski Friday, December 19th 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. — Café Fruit Cake Social Friday, December 19th 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. — The Study The Santa Claus Movie and Social Thursday, December 25th 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. — The Study
New Years Eve Gathering Wednesday, December 31st 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. — The Study
www.ParkPlaceStJohn.com (219) 351-5200 | ppsj@provlife.com | 10700 Park Place | St. John, IN 46373
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Chaplain’s Corner Under the Starlight of Christmas
In Psalm 8:3, he declares, “When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you set in place—what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?” In Romans 1:19-20, the apostle Paul used the cosmos as a reason for God’s existence that leaves people without excuses to believe: “They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the Earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” In our celestial neighborhood, our sun (a relatively small star) has about eight planets that revolve around it. “We live on an insignificant planet of a humdrum star… tucked away in some forgotten corner” of the universe, astronomer Carl Sagan once wrote. But smallness should never be equated with insignificance. This Christmas, the second greatest miracle in the Bible took place (next to creation itself). The coming of Jesus Christ gives a powerful answer to the question of human significance, for if the heavens are unfathomable in their greatness. This truth is even more stunning: the Creator of the cosmos chose to become incarnate HERE .
I had a telescope as a teen. I loved watching the heavens all the time. It was also a period where we were
sending up manned spacecraft on our journey to fulfill President John Kennedy’s proclamation that we would put humans on the moon. That occurred in July 1969. Much has been learned about the “heavens” since then. Through much stronger telescopes and other technologies, we can now “see” further into the universe than ever. And the sight is beyond astonishing. We now know there are hundreds of thousands of galaxies, each containing trillions of stars. People who study the starry cosmos are known as astrophysicists. While it’s true that a majority of them are atheists, there is a growing number who are coming to believe in the Lord God. The vastness, beauty, and the laws that govern the cosmos should lead one to believe in a personal God, so that astrophysicists who have become Christians state that the reason their colleagues remain atheists is because of a willful refusal to believe. Of course, the Bible has a great deal to say about the cosmos. The psalmist declared, “The heavens declare the glory of God. The skies display His craftsmanship” (Psalm 19:1 NLT).
Continued
www.ParkPlaceStJohn.com (219) 351-5200 | ppsj@provlife.com | 10700 Park Place | St. John, IN 46373
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So, while Earth may be a tiny little planet in a vast cosmos, it is here that God created a biosphere of life with humanity made in His image. That the Lord of the cosmos would leave glory and take on our flesh and blood and become human is a miracle of amazing significance. Furthermore, Jesus came to give His life as a sacrifice of love to win back a humanity that had rejected and rebelled against Him. It was love that created the cosmos in all its overwhelming splendor, and love that caused the Lord Jesus to be incarnate among us and to be born that Christmas day. Of this overwhelming and wondrous love, the apostle Paul prayed, “And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God” (Ephesians 3:18-19). This is my prayer for you personally this Christmas season that you commit yourself entirely and embrace Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. And that any members of your family or friends would do so as well. After all, no love in this world can compare with Jesus’ love. And that’s what Christmas is really all about.
Wonder Worth Pausing For
Sometimes faith doesn’t grow louder. It grows deeper. It begins in quiet moments. In a still room. Beneath a dark sky scattered with light. In the kind of silence where wonder has room to breathe. Christmas invites us into that kind of stillness. It asks us to slow down long enough to notice more than the noise of the season. To look again with childlike awe. To remember that hope did not arrive with trumpets and parades, but softly through a humble birth that changed everything. This season, allow yourself space to wonder. Wonder at goodness. Wonder at mercy. Wonder at grace that meets us where we are. Let this be more than a season of activity. Let it be a season of renewal, where hearts are softened, gratitude is stirred, and faith is quietly strengthened in ways that last far beyond December. And in the middle of the celebrations, the shopping, the schedules, and the stress, make room for holy quiet. Because sometimes the most powerful truths are not shouted from the rooftops. They are whispered to the listening heart.
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 Winter Fitness Tips To stay fit, safe, and well during the winter, try these tips:
WALK INDOORS Walking is a great exercise anytime, but to avoid icy sidewalks, find someplace to walk inside including a shopping mall, indoor track, museum, or around the dining room table. LIFT WEIGHTS Follow along with a home exercise DVD, with small weights or bands to keep muscles strong. SWIM It may be cold outside, but the water can be delightful, and the benefits of aquatic exercise are substantial. From buoyancy, which is joint protective, to fully surrounding resistance which builds strength, the water is a great place to be. EXERCISE OUTDOORS If you decide to exercise outdoors, it would be helpful to dress in layers, wear a hat and gloves to prevent heat loss, wear proper footwear with traction, check the forecast to eliminate surprises, and consider a hiking pole for extra stability and safety. FRESH AIR AND SUNSHINE Sunshine and the Vitamin D it provides are key to battling winter blues. Try to get a little fresh air and sunshine every day to give your body a boost. Can’t get outside? Sit by a sunny window to allow the sun to boost your energy and mood.
COMMUNICATE INTENTIONS If you are heading out for some exercise, let someone know your plan. Share your route and anticipated time of return in case the unexpected might happen. People will know where to find you. HYDRATE Water is particularly important in the dry winter air. Don’t forget to drink plenty of H2O and consider a warm drink when you are done to help stave off the cold. Herbal tea is a great way to rehydrate since it does not contain any caffeine. FIND A BUDDY For both safety and companionship, exercise with a buddy. It makes the time pass quickly, offers fellowship and accountability, and helps beat the winter weather blues.
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 November was a month full of connection, creativity, and celebration in our community. From special programs and festive gatherings to everyday moments of laughter and friendship, our residents filled the season with warmth and joy. Take a look at the highlights of a memorable month as we gathered to celebrate, stay active, and enjoy time together. We hope these photos bring a smile and remind you of the heart and spirit that make our community so special.
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
Fall brought crisp air, colorful leaves, and plenty of fun for our Catered Living residents at Park Place of St. John! From festive gatherings and a spirited Halloween party to making art, enjoying seasonal treats, and connecting with friends, our residents made the most of every moment. Take a look at the highlights from a wonderful month filled with laughter, friendship, and autumn spirit.
www.ParkPlaceStJohn.com (219) 351-5200 | ppsj@provlife.com | 10700 Park Place | St. John, IN 46373
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Park Place Announcements
Wishing you a Christmas filled with blessings, love, peace, and happiness. May you have a wonderfully blessed New Year. Best Wishes, All of Us at Park Place of St. John
The Park Place family extends heartfelt December birthday greetings to all of our residents who are celebrating this month!
WeCare Connect Survey Please watch for your WeCare Connect customer satisfaction survey via email, text, or phone. We are grateful that you chose Park Place of St. John and we need to hear from you so we can ensure your satisfaction.
www.ParkPlaceStJohn.com (219) 351-5200 | ppsj@provlife.com | 10700 Park Place | St. John, IN 46373
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PARK PLACE OF ST. JOHN 10700 Park Place | St. John, IN 46373 | (219) 351-5200
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