STATE COLLEGE — Juniper Village at Brookline recently welcomed residents, community partners and book lovers to a lively and inspiring literary event: Juniper Reads Passion Project: An Afternoon with Author London Sperry.
The event was held on Sep. 17 in the Willows Dining Room and combined an engaging author discussion, community collaboration, and themed refreshments.
The highlight of the day was a moderated Zoom conversation with Passion Project author London Sperry, led by retired English teacher and Juniper resident Judy Bedford. Bedford, who also serves as a Juniper Reads ambassador, guided a thoughtful and well-researched discussion that captivated attendees and sparked a spirited Q&A session. Community members came prepared with insightful questions, eager to delve deeper into the themes and creative process behind Sperry’s novel.
Complementing the literary discussion were interactive exhibits presented by Schlow Library and the Pennsylvania Center for the Book, creating a broader context for the themes of personal growth and creativity explored in Passion Project.
Themed refreshments, including bagels and lox, cheesecake bites, pizza bites, and more, were a playful nod to the novel’s New York City setting, prepared by Juniper’s dining team.
“There was a real buzz in the air,” said Juniper Village at Brookline’s Connections Director Caitlin Rokvec. “It’s clear how much this kind of meaningful engagement matters to our residents.”
Ellysa Cahoy of the PA Center for the Book said, “This was a fun and energizing afternoon engaging with Juniper residents and London Sperry’s Passion Project. The book discussion and fabulous themed food led into a fascinating conversation between the author herself and Juniper readers. It was so interesting to hear about London’s creative process, personal passion projects, forthcoming books, and more!”
