United Zion Retirement Community (UZRC) is excited to bring on Sue Verdegem as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective July 1, 2018.

Verdegem comes to United Zion Retirement Community with over three decades of experience in the non-profit, faith-based, senior-living sector. She previously served as Senior Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration at Tel Hai Retirement Community and is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator. Verdegem has a Masters in Business Administration from Alvernia College, and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Accounting from Franklin and Marshall College.

Verdegem is a recognized leader in the senior living industry and was the 2014 recipient of the Professional Development Award by LeadingAge PA (the industry’s state trade association). She has served on numerous Boards of Directors in senior care including CARE and FTH Services.

Verdegem states “I’m delighted to be part of an organization with a long history of outstanding retirement living service and to be part of creating a dynamic future for United Zion. We are thrilled to be opening our new wing this fall.”

The construction and expansion project Verdegem alluded to includes ten independent living apartments over two floors and twelve private rooms for short-term rehabilitation and long-term care in a state of the art skilled nursing area. Scheduled for occupancy this fall, these enhancements support United Zion’s person-centered approach to services. For those interested in learning more about these or other areas within the community, United Zion will be holding an open house on October 20, 2018.

You’re invited to share great food and conversation with friends and neighbors in a cozy and casual setting while experiencing delicious offerings focused on a featured theme.

Sunday April 8th, 2018                    10am – 2pm

Sunday August 12th, 2018                    10am – 2pm

Sunday December 9th, 2018                    10am – 2pm

Location:

Community Room, in the lower level of the main building

Cost:

$15 / person All You Can Eat

$10 / person Single Serving

*Tickets must be pre-purchased no later than one week before the event.

Call 717-626-2071 or stop by the Front Desk to purchase.

In the event of extreme weather, the event may be cancelled.

United Zion Art Gallery Features Artist of the Month

The Art Gallery at United Zion Retirement Community, Lititz, is pleased to feature Melanie Glass as July’s Artist of the Month.

Glass currently resides in Fresno, CA, but is a native of Harrisburg, PA. “I’m always trying to unmask my phenomenal self through art, writing and all things creative” Glass stated. Her natural talents, gifts and skills were honed through art classes taken at Harrisburg Area Community College.

The most challenging part of creating a piece, according to Glass, is “…first understanding its purpose and what positive meaning it may convey to viewers”. Glass identified her next step is to then express that purpose on paper or canvas using a combination of techniques including water color, acrylics, oils, and collaging for texture. Her ultimate goal is to capture an emotion, jar a memory, and or share an experience.

Glass has been fortunate to share her artwork with The Greater Harrisburg YWCA Programs, Harrisburg Super Heroes Weekend, Blues City Culture Center Homeless Woman and Summer Arts Programs (Memphis, TN), Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center Restaurant & Gallery, Moon Dancer Winery (Wrightsville), Messiah College, and her own community. Glass has also found great reward in volunteering and teaching art classes at the Susquehanna Arts Museum in downtown Harrisburg. With this exhibit, Glass hopes to have people experience the pieces, to find an escape, and to have fun and celebrate life.

Glass’s artwork will be on display and available for purchase throughout the month of July. For more information on the Art Gallery, please contact Alyssa Wojcik at awojcik@uzrc.org.

United Zion Retirement Community is located at 722 Furnace Hills Pike, one and a half miles north of the square in Lititz. The Art Gallery is free and open to the public daily 8am-8pm. For other news and events, be sure to follow our Facebook page – United Zion Retirement Community.