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!

Spring Equinox

Went to photograph a spring equinox presentation at Pebble Hill Church. While driving, I recalled my last experience making pictures at this church. I had a very negative experience that time, and was wary of going there again. It was 1989 and I was on assignment for the Philadelphia Inquirer. We were doing a feature on the church during a musical performance. I was able to make pictures of the performer without incident, but every time I raised my camera to my eye to photograph the audience, I met with resistance. After a few times of this, I was asked not to photograph the audience because the camera may take away their essence. WHAT!? Are you kidding me? No, they were serious. I left.

This time was a bit different. Everyone was very welcoming and it was a much more pleasant experience.
Only thing I couldn’t figure out was, if the woman giving the performance was a psychic, why didn’t she know I was coming?

DOYLESTOWN, PA - MARCH 26:   Lady Haight-Ashton, sacred dance teacher and Gardnerian High Priestess is reflected in artwork as she presents a program honoring the Spring Equinox and and the rebirth of the Earth into new life and fertility at Pebble Hill Church March 26, 2014 in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Haight-Ashton spoke about the origins of dance as sacred ritual and how these sacred rituals honored Mother Earth (the sacred Feminine principle) by honoring the four seasons and their cycles, which she terms the “dance of the planet”.  (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

DOYLESTOWN, PA – MARCH 26: Lady Haight-Ashton, sacred dance teacher and Gardnerian High Priestess is reflected in artwork as she presents a program honoring the Spring Equinox and and the rebirth of the Earth into new life and fertility at Pebble Hill Church March 26, 2014 in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Haight-Ashton spoke about the origins of dance as sacred ritual and how these sacred rituals honored Mother Earth (the sacred Feminine principle) by honoring the four seasons and their cycles, which she terms the “dance of the planet”. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

DOYLESTOWN, PA - MARCH 26:   Lady Haight-Ashton, sacred dance teacher and Gardnerian High Priestess presents a program honoring the Spring Equinox and and the rebirth of the Earth into new life and fertility at Pebble Hill Church March 26, 2014 in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Haight-Ashton spoke about the origins of dance as sacred ritual and how these sacred rituals honored Mother Earth (the sacred Feminine principle) by honoring the four seasons and their cycles, which she terms the “dance of the planet”.  (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

DOYLESTOWN, PA – MARCH 26: Lady Haight-Ashton, sacred dance teacher and Gardnerian High Priestess presents a program honoring the Spring Equinox and and the rebirth of the Earth into new life and fertility at Pebble Hill Church March 26, 2014 in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Haight-Ashton spoke about the origins of dance as sacred ritual and how these sacred rituals honored Mother Earth (the sacred Feminine principle) by honoring the four seasons and their cycles, which she terms the “dance of the planet”. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

21st Annual YWCA Breakfast with Friends