Writing From Personal Experiences

(Recently, I wrote about Spring Village at Floral Vale for the Bucks County Courier Times Best of Bucks 2017. Since I have been there many times over the past few years on photo assignments, I decided to write from my first hand experience of the facility. A few pictures are included.)

Elizabeth Marion (L) shares a moment with her daughter Marguerite Marnien of Levittown, Pennsylvania during a Mother's Day luncheon on the grounds of Spring Village at Floral Vale for their patients and their families Saturday May 9, 2015 in Yardley, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

Elizabeth Marion (L) shares a moment with her daughter Marguerite Marnien of Levittown, Pennsylvania during a Mother’s Day luncheon on the grounds of Spring Village at Floral Vale for their patients and their families Saturday May 9, 2015 in Yardley, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

As a photojournalist, I get to see and photograph a lot of different things. When I see an assignment for any kind of event at Spring Village at Floral Vale, I get very excited. This is a great place. The staff is extraordinary with all of their residents. Every time I photograph an event here, everyone is always happy, from staff to residents this place is top notch.

As their website explains, “There is a place where the best care along with a home-like and quaint environment come together to provide memory care at its best. One visit to Spring Village at Floral Vale and you will understand why our community is the number one choice of families seeking secured memory care.”

They provide individualized care and the entire community is the resident’s home. The residents here are not confined to an area or locked behind closed doors.

The family atmosphere is also amazing.

That starts with leadership.

Spring Village at Floral Vale for the last eight years has been under the leadership of their Senior Executive Director, Deb Bodnar. Her experience in senior care, insight and insistence that this community be ever-ready to change with the needs of their residents, is the driving force of the community goals. Deb and her department head team understand the responsibility that is part of the privilege and honor given to them as a family chooses Spring Village at Floral Vale.

Participants enjoy each other's company during a Mother's Day luncheon on the grounds of Spring Village at Floral Vale for their patients and their families Saturday May 9, 2015 in Yardley, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

Participants enjoy each other’s company during a Mother’s Day luncheon on the grounds of Spring Village at Floral Vale for their patients and their families Saturday May 9, 2015 in Yardley, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

A while back I had the privilege of photographing a Mother’s Day brunch outside on a beautiful spring day. The families arrived first and were seated under an enormous tent. What I witnessed and photographed next was amazing. It was a parade of residents escorted by the staff out to the tent to meet with their loved ones. I’ve never seen so many smiling faces, or witnessed so many hugs and kisses in my 30 year career as a photojournalist.

And the hugs and kisses weren’t just for the family, but staff as well. The staff and residents at Spring Village at Floral seem to have a bond that is equal to family. The care and comfort I see there amazes me. It was an experience that actually brought a tear to my eyes as I was making pictures.

“Spring Village at Floral Vale has a commitment to actively recruit and retain staff with “Serving Hearts”. This is the key to good memory care. Anyone can give care, a “Serving Heart caregiver stands out. They are proud of their work. Each and every day they know they have made a difference for our residents.

We never stop our search for Serving Hearts.

“The disease of Dementia/Alzheimer”s is a reality in our world. We don’t apologize for it but rather work instead toward having each of our residents validated, affirmed and understood. It’s a challenging job but our staff at Spring Village regularly receive hands-on training in safety, care and progressive communication techniques that set us apart.”

Visit them and you’ll see why we they are the best of the best!

Independence Day Parade In Middletown Township, Pennsylvania

Here are some stills and a video from the Middletown Township 4th of July Independence Day Parade:

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Flag Day Ceremony

Slideshow from Flag Day ceremony.
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Philadelphia Trash Strike of 1986

While I was a student at University of the Arts in 1986, the city of Philadelphia endured one of the worst strikes in it’s history. Municipal workers walked off the job July 10, 1986 and came back 20 days later. During a 20 day strike, about 20,000 tons of trash piled up across the city. It made for one smelly mess. I decided to photograph the scene at Veterans Stadium, which was home to the Philadelphia Phillies and Philadelphia Eagles. I had never seen anything like it. Or as stinky. #tbt #throwbackthursday

A man unloads trash into piles next to Veteran's Stadium in August 1986 during a municipal worker strike in Philadelphia, Pennslyvania. During the 20 day strike, that started July 10, 1986, about 20,000 tons of trash piled up across the city. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

A man unloads trash into piles next to Veteran’s Stadium in August 1986 during a municipal worker strike in Philadelphia, Pennslyvania. During the 20 day strike, that started July 10, 1986, about 20,000 tons of trash piled up across the city. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

Trash piles up next to Veteran's Stadium in August 1986 during a municipal worker strike in Philadelphia, Pennslyvania. During the 20 day strike, that started July 10, 1986, about 20,000 tons of trash piled up across the city. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

Trash piles up next to Veteran’s Stadium in August 1986 during a municipal worker strike in Philadelphia, Pennslyvania. During the 20 day strike, that started July 10, 1986, about 20,000 tons of trash piled up across the city. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

Whitney Elizabeth Cox – Philadelphia Phillies Opening Day

The Philadelphia Phillies start their season on Monday March 31, 2014. To celebrate, Whitney is appearing on the Preston and Steve Hottie Cam for the #PhilliesHomeOpener. Here’s some pictures of Whitney in Phillies garb.

Here’s the non-flash gallery:

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!

FAIRLESS HILLS, PA -  MARCH 15: Tom Holden, of Fairless Hills, Pennylvania marches as St. Patrick during the St. Patrick's Day Parade March 15, 2014 in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

FAIRLESS HILLS, PA – MARCH 15: Tom Holden, of Fairless Hills, Pennylvania marches as St. Patrick during the St. Patrick's Day Parade March 15, 2014 in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

FAIRLESS HILLS, PA -  MARCH 15: Scott McIntosh, of Newtown, Pennsylvania marches during the St. Patrick's Day Parade March 15, 2014 in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

FAIRLESS HILLS, PA – MARCH 15: Scott McIntosh, of Newtown, Pennsylvania marches during the St. Patrick's Day Parade March 15, 2014 in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

FAIRLESS HILLS, PA -  MARCH 15: Dan Mcauliffe of Langhorne, Pennsylvania wears a green hat and shamrock sunglasses during the St. Patrick's Day Parade March 15, 2014 in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

FAIRLESS HILLS, PA – MARCH 15: Dan Mcauliffe of Langhorne, Pennsylvania wears a green hat and shamrock sunglasses during the St. Patrick's Day Parade March 15, 2014 in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)