Halcyon House

Wilfred and Karen McCreedy recently joined the Halcyon House family. They raised their children, Gary, Dale, Nancy and Jill on the family farm north of Ainsworth. The farm where Wilfred raised hogs and cattle has been in the family since 1868. Karen worked in the farrowing house, doing other farm jobs and promoted pork at the local, state and national levels. Moving to Halcyon is the couple?s first move in their married life. An interesting fact is that Highway 218 is located in the middle of their farm.

Sympathy is extended to the family of Opal Mercer. A memorial service was held in the Day Lounge for family and friends. Opal will certainly be missed.

Betty Osincup, her daughters and grandson, Donna Schultz, Elyse and Ben Chapman enjoyed a late dinner at Cheddars in Coralville and a special evening at the Cedar Rapids Brucemore Mansion front lawn Sunday evening. It was the first concert of Orchestra Iowa?s 2014-15 season and was well received by some 3,000 people in attendance. The concert was an ?American Salute? to 20th-century composers George Gershwin, Leonard Bernstein and Aaron Copland. Kevin Deas, a bass-baritone soloist of New York City, brought ?down the house,? so to speak. The outdoor event at Brucemore has been so well received that it has become an annual event.

Forty years ago, the Glance Back portion of the Washington Evening Journal had published the origin of the three metallic birds that can be viewed from the front entrance. The sculpture was designed by Washington lawyer, Edmund Morrison, and fabricated by Claire Keating. The figurines represent the halcyon bird, which in Greek mythology was symbolic of graceful, peaceful living.

A tremendous performance was well received by a full house in the Day Lounge recently. Darrell Lipinski is very passionate about the seniors in this country and brings an enthusiastic personality and sense of excitement to everyone he meets. He was certainly a bright spot for all who attended.

The Wellness Department sponsored a shopping trip to Coralville, and it was a treat to stop at the Von Maur store. Many had lunch in the food court and others just ?shopped till they dropped.? On the way home, both vehicles automatically turned in to the Dairy Mart where passenger Betty Osincup generously treated everyone to ice cream.

Some of the residents of the Avalon House have enjoyed the sweet summer days by having lunch outdoors, or picnics in the kitchenette or Day Lounge on rainy days.

The Washington Methodist Church led the congregation of the Epworth Chapel in Scripture from John 6: 25-35. Pastor Stiles? message was titled Gift Server.