Veterans' Day Celebration 
Residents, family, friends and dignitaries gathered at Light of Hearts Villa in Bedford on Tuesday, November 11th to honor residents and Staff members who served our nation with a Veterans' Day Pinning Ceremony.  Among the 13 men and women honored were nine residents and four staff members, who received the time-honored Veterans' pin and certificates acknowledging their service to the US Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy as well as the British Air Force. The special ceremony was hosted by Executive Director Betty Hickle and Mr. Thom Sivo of Tridia Hospice. Senator Kenny Yuko, along with Mayor Stan Koci, presented awards to our Villa veterans. Also in attendance were Bedford Councilwomen Marilyn Zolata and Sandy Spinks; former Mayor of Bedford Dan Pocek and his wife Christine Pocek (LOHV Board member) representatives from the offices of Sherrod Brown (Constituent Advocate, Meredith Turner), Congresswoman Marcia Fudge (Bill Anderson and Beverly Charles). Villa Veterans were also honored with letters from the offices of Senator Rob Portman and Governor John Kasich. Names, dates of service and special artifacts from their military careers were captured in a special Villa Veterans Album which will remain on display at LOHV indefinitely.  Sr. Regina Kusnir concluded the event with a prayer poem thanking our veterans. 
 
Karen Retires After 19 Years
On November 19th, 2014 Light of Hearts Villa staff and residents gathered to honor Karen Hixenbaugh for her 19 years of service to the Villa. As one of our receptionists, Karen has been the face of our community and a constant luminary for residents, family members, community partners and staff alike. Friends and family gathered to celebrate Karen's retirement in a surprise reception.  A few happy tears and far more hearty laughs filled the Activities Center as Karen and her beloved guests reminisced over her many years of fond memories here at the Villa. We wish her much happiness and good luck on her next adventure!  God's blessings to Karen - may you be ever light of heart. 
 

Remembrance Mass
Light of Hearts Villa held a special mass on November 12th in loving memory of resident and community members who are no longer with us. The Mass of Remembrance, held by Sr. Estelle and Sr. Regina is an opportunity for our Villa family to honor the legacies of their dear family and friends.
 

Villa Voice Choir Concert
Monday November 24th marked our Light of Hearts Villa Voice Choir's annual Thanksgiving Concert. Residents and staff members gathered in the Activities Center to hear the musical stylings of our Voice Choir, which included the fresh new faces of our most recent residents!  Residents sang touching selections" and reflected on all the many reasons our country and immediate community are blessed this season. The Voice Choir is directed by Joanne Reardon, meets every Monday to practice selections for their seasonal concerts.  Since her retirement, Joanne, who has acquired a new title:  Villa Volunteer Program Coordinator remarked that the new faces made this month's performance "sparkle more than ever," and she hopes the choir will keep growing.  Keep an eye on the activities calendar to join in on an upcoming rehearsal and catch their next performance date in December!
 

December 6th Decorate the Villa
Friends of the Villa will gather on December 6th to decorate the Villa. Will you be among them?! In normal Christmas fashion, Villa friends, family, staff and residents are invited to come turn our beautiful facility into a Winter Wonderland, complete with eighty Christmas trees, miniature villages and our famous Christmas angel display! Villa residents should also expect a special treat in celebration of St. Nick's day! Christmas is just around the corner and the Villa can't wait to see our faithful volunteers do what they do best, spread holiday cheer! See you Saturday, December 6th from 10AM to 12 PM!  Pizza lunch to follow.
 

Seton Safety Net Donations Accepted
Seton Safety Net, Light of Hearts Villa's food pantry is currently accepting donations for the holiday season. As the weather turns cold, we are blessed to have the ability, thanks to our loyal community partners, to provide temporary food resources to members of our community who need it most. Friends of the Villa interested in donating may contribute non-perishable food items to the front desk. Please direct questions or concerns about the Seton Safety Net to Sr. Regina Kusnir, Director of Pastoral Ministries at 216-232-5700 ext. 506 or Robert Evans, Social Work Director at 216-232-5700 ext. 521. 

Annual Campaign Keeps Us Glowing
This November, Friends and Family of the Villa should have received materials outlining how generous gifts to the Villa will benefit our everyday service to our residents.  The Villa is proud to announce our annual campaign. Gifts to our annual campaign allow the Villa to continue to invest in our facilities, equipment and most importantly, our people. Philanthropic support by our generous donors will have an immeasurable impact on Light of Hearts Villa for years to come. 
 

Please reply or call me at 440.232.1991 if you have anything you would like to discuss. Or stop by my office the next time you're here. You can also see more pictures and updates on our Facebook page as well as our website Light of Hearts Villa. 

In peace and light,

Betty

	Email Elizabeth