Halcyon House

Dick and Melinda Meeks from Mountain Home, Ark., came to assist Mary Meeks while she was recuperating from foot surgery. While here, they visited grandson Joe and Melissa, and grandchildren Jackson, Austin and Andrew at North Liberty. The next trip took them to Oskaloosa to attend church with grandson Aaron and Laura, and Mary?s five great-grandchildren, Sage, Elliott, Evelyn, Josephine and Hazel. They enjoyed dinner and an afternoon of visiting in Aaron?s home. Mary was so pleased to spend time with the families that she doesn?t see really often. Mary had a glorious week with her son, Dick and Melinda.

Bess Edwards hosted a recent get-together in her home for her sisters, Ruth Lowe and Dorothy See, along with sister-in-law Martha Lowe. It was a reunion long overdue with lots of hugs and visiting. The sisters enjoyed cupcakes.

Marcella Reed, Audrey Stark, Betty Osincup and Lois Greiner were escorted by Glenys Elwood to the Washington Community Theater to attend the concert presented by Amit Peled, who plays cello, on Monday evening.

Gary Conrad from Arizona is enjoying the convenience of Halcyon?s guest room while visiting with his father, Fritz Conrad, and other relatives. Fritz was joined by sons Gary and Doug in Timmins Dining Room on Wednesday for lunch.

Residents gathered in Timmins Dining Room on Tuesday in honor of Veterans Day. A photo board was on display honoring Halycon's veteran residents. The American Legion presented the program which made everyone proud to be an American. Freedom should never be taken lightly and all are grateful to all veterans and those serving this great country. Gene and Lori Hoyle provided the music. Refreshments were served and a time of visiting was appreciated.

The Punches are a bluegrass and gospel family band that brought the house down with their many talents. The family consisted of a father, three daughters and a son who harmonized beautifully and played guitars, banjos, mandolin, and bass fiddle. Residents hope they will return soon!

The cold and wind did not damper the spirits of the goblins, ghouls, Elsa princesses and other costumed characters from their trick-or-treat quests. Halcyon residents received some 250 children accompanied along with 225 adults who bedecked the hallways on Halloween evening. It was a fun evening for all.

CLASSICS Et CETERA was presented by Dick Colby in the Epworth Chapel on Thursday. Selections by Ludwig van Beethoven, Luigi Boccherini, Harry Lillie ?Bing? Crosby Jr., Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky and John Philip Sousa were played.

?Let?s Talk Turkey? was the program theme led by Ethel. A word search titled "Gobble, Gobble" kicked off the afternoon with everyone studiously working on their puzzle. Cupcakes were decorated with turkey sprinkles and were shared to everyone?s delight. Fun facts were shared such as Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin?s first meal on the moon was roast turkey in foil packets. If Benjamin Franklin had his way, the turkey would have been the national bird instead of the eagle. There is an estimated 45 million turkeys cooked and consumed in the United States for Thanksgiving dinner. Congress passed an official proclamation in 1941 and declared that Thanksgiving with is observed as a legal holiday on the fourth Thursday of November of every year. Only half of the pilgrims who sailed on the Mayflower survived as they celebrated a Thanksgiving feast in the fall of 1621. A poem titled ?Tis the Night Before Thanksgiving? concluded the turkey program.

Steve Morris from Illinois shared with residents his singing and drum-playing talents. His music selections included some oldie toe-tapping selections that had everyone smiling.

Pastor Dean Elmore of the Washington Church of God delivered his message ?Divine Appointment? in the Epworth Chapel on Sunday afternoon. The Scripture was from John 4: 1-5. Pastor Elmore played the guitar and was accompanied by his wife, Marie Elmore.