Laurel Lake Retirement Community

12/26/2025

CONVIVIAL MERRIMENT
One of the nice things about being part of a community is being able to share special occasions and celebrate together. Christmas is no exception. Residents came all out for this year’s Laurel Lake Convivial! Thanks to the wonderful spread put out by our Dining Department, everyone enjoyed drinks, a wide selection of hors d’oeuvres, and delicious dinner. The Little Dickens group strolled throughout the gathering singing Christmas carols and a harpist provided music for our diners. Here are some shots the evening.

12/24/2025

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU!

12/19/2025

LAUREL LAKE CONCERTS CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAY SEASON
Holiday music has a special place in everyone’s heart. We’re lucky to have so many great musical people from Laurel Lake and the surrounding area involved in The Laurel Lake Chorale, Laurel Lake Chime Choir and Laurel Lake Hand Bell Choir. All groups are open to Laurel lake residents and non-residents. The groups performed two concerts Monday and Tuesday to over 200 people in the Community Room.

Each concert featured “Sounds of the Season” - with traditional English carols and spirituals like “Wassail!” and “Amen! Tell It On the Mountain,” a Spanish carol “A La Nanita Nana,” and more modern favorites like “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” from the Chorale as well as pieces like “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,” “Hanukkah,” and “The Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth” by the Chime and Handbell Choirs.

The Laurel Lake Chorale is now celebrating its 22nd season as an ensemble dedicated to keeping choral singing accessible and enjoyable for older adults. Participation is free, no audition required! Singers may sit or stand for performances. Rehearsals for our 2026 Spring Season will begin Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 3:00 PM. New singers can register by calling Donna Anderson at 330-655-1436.

The Laurel Lake Hand Chime Choir is in its second season under the direction of Karen Bennett and the Hand Bell Choir in its inaugural season under the direction of Sue Chamberlin. For more information, please send an email to info@laurellake.org.

12/17/2025

DID YOU KNOW? Older adults can move DIRECTLY into Greenwood, Laurel Lake’s assisted living neighborhood. Benefit from all of the health and wellness services available on campus.

12/15/2025

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Please join us in congratulating Laurel Lake resident Bill Wooldredge for receiving a Senate Commendation! Senator Casey Weinstein and his wife Councilwoman Amanda Weinstein presented the award for Bill’s outstanding achievements and service within the community. Also present were Bill’s wife Jo and Laurel Lake CEO Tony Berardi.

Amanda and I had the privilege and joy of recognizing our friend and former Hudson City Council President Bill Wooldredge with a Senate Commendation.

Bill was recently presented with the prestigious William Booth Award by the Salvation Army - only the third person in Summit County to ever receive it. Bill co-founded the Hudson Community Foundation and the Hudson City Schools Foundation. He was also Chairman of the Board of Akron Children’s Hospital for many years – and always tells me that his goal is to see every child given world-class care, regardless of their family’s ability to pay.

He is also my mentor, friend and role model. I served with him on Council and saw him lead us with dignity and grace and in bipartisanship to deliver for our shared constituents. It’s an honor to recognize his lifetime of service to our community and beyond.

He’s been going through some health challenges but is on the upswing. Please join me in congratulating Bill!

12/15/2025

...wishing you light and joy this Hanukkah!

12/12/2025

DECEMBER EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH - Stephanie Fellenstein, Programming Team
Congratulations to Stephanie Fellenstein of our Programming Team for being named December’s Employee of the Month! Stephanie has been very instrumental in the onboarding our new community resident engagement system, nicknamed UNICE, that allows our residents and staff to communicate. She has worked hard to develop icons that resembled the former system, so that features would be easily recognizable.

Stephanie is patient and kind to residents who need some extra care with technology. We are also lucky to have her creative talents and inspiration for crafting many of our events throughout the year as well as her journalistic talents in producing the Friday Flash, our weekly community newsletter. Stephanie is an invaluable member of the programming department and of the Laurel Lake team.

Thank you for all your hard work and dedication Stephanie!

12/11/2025

RECOGNIZING THOSE WHO HAVE ENRICHED LAUREL LAKE
Last Thursday, The Laurel Lake Foundation held their 31st Annual Recognition Reception to recognize those who have generously contributed to The Laurel Lake Foundation and enhanced residents’ quality of life. Nine residents were inducted as Laurel Benefactors for 2025.

Because of everyone’s generosity, this year, the Foundation’s projects or programs included: Portable Sound Systems & Podium Microphones, a Storage Area for Laurel Lake Cyclists, Campus-wide Landscape and Irrigation Renewal, staff education scholarships, and a Life Care Subsidy Program to help those in financial need.

After the Reception, the Laurel Lake Foundation also held a Tree Lighting Ceremony in continuation of their Annual Campaign.

Here are some of the inductees and night’s activities. Thank you to everyone for their generous support!

11/26/2025

HAPPY THANKSGIVING..to you and your families!

11/26/2025

THANKFUL FOR OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE DEPARTMENT
This week, as we reflect on all the things we’re thankful for, we need to acknowledge our Spiritual Life Department led by Chaplains Jon Dodson and Lynn Anderson and their team. Together they minister to Laurel Lake’s residents, families and staff.

Chaplains Lynn and Jon provide one-on-one spiritual comfort, guidance, and counseling. They organize and lead religious services and assist with all types of celebrations. Chaplains Lynn and Jon enrich and support our community with support groups for hearing loss, low vision, care giving, cognitive changes, Parkinson’s disease, and loss. They provide opportunities for growth through discussion groups, Bible studies, and prayer meetings. Chaplain Lynn is also trained in Reiki.

Their team is rounded out by resident volunteers through the Stephen Ministry Program, SandPlay Therapy, as well as representatives from local Hudson churches. Stephen Ministers are lay volunteers trained to provide one-to-one care to those experiencing a difficult time in life, such as grief, divorce, family concerns, chronic or terminal illness, or relocation. SandPlay is a therapeutic technique that facilitates spiritual healing.

We thank everyone in this great department for their wonderful support!

11/21/2025

OUR LAUREL LAKE ELVES HAVE BEEN VERY BUSY!
As you go through our front entrance and the Fireside Lounge, you’ll see a display of all the wonderful items Laurel Lake’s residents have been creating all year long. Both groups work have gone all out to help brighten children’s holidays. All items are donated to Summit County Children Services and Akron Children’s Hospital.

Resident knitters and crocheters have been making all sorts of colorful hats and headbands for Caps for Kids. We don’t have a final count yet, but the hats are completely decorating two 9 foot Christmas trees!

The Wood Shop has made a variety of handmade toys. There are always annual favorites as well as a variety of new toys, puzzles, and games. Our rocking horses have been joined by some rocking zebras and giraffes. The crayon trucks have come out in a variety of models - cement mixers, dump trucks, haulers and semis - while some sweet crayon kitties have been added for the girls.

All items will be distributed to their new homes before the holidays.

11/17/2025

NOVEMBER EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH - Mark DiCenzi, Groundskeeping Coordinator
Mark DiCenzi, Laurel Lake’s Groundskeeping Coordinator, does an awesome job of keeping our grounds so beautiful here at Laurel Lake! He and his team maintain our wonderful outdoor areas by performing landscaping and upkeep duties, such as mowing lawns, planting, trimming trees, and keeping grounds clean and safe. You’ll see him all about campus throughout the year power washing balconies, repairing gutters, doing snow removal, and supervising all sorts of activities. Mark is always so pleasant, listens to suggestions and has a wonderful response to the residents. We appreciate his hard work and congratulate him for being November’s Employee of the Month!