Halcyon House

Catherine Mattes was the guest of honor at her 100th birthday party held in the Day Lounge on Monday afternoon. Her children hosted the event and those attending were daughters, Nancy Westphal, Kathleen and Ron Coleman, Shirley and Butch Streb, and son Ed and Joyce Mattes. Catherine was so pleased to receive so many cards and speak with each guest.

Mary Meeks was gone for several days visiting in Missouri and Arkansas. She was with Mary and Tom in Republic, Mo., for a few days and on to Mountain Home, Ark., where she stayed with Dick and Malinda. The weather was perfect and she had a grand time with family.

Larry and Maria Hysell of Melbourne Beach, Fla., spent the week with Anna Hysell. Daughters Trudy of Des Moines and Marcia of Ames joined them for a family get-together. They had a belated birthday celebration in honor of Anna?s 93rd birthday and did a lot of fun things.

Don and Loretta Gardner enjoyed the recent visit from Mrs. Virginia Strohman of Sigourney. They had lunch in the Applewood Bistro. On Wednesday, Ann Britton from Kalona visited the Gardners. Ann and Loretta attended to the Christopher Banks Trunk Show at Halcyon.

Martha Chabal and her daughter, Sheila of Columbia, Mo., have been busy this week running errands, spending time in the Iowa City area with granddaughter/niece Rachel and dining out.

Louie Jones traveled from his home in Panama to spend time with his mother, Gertrude Jones.

Ken Crone, Mona Paul, Anna Hysell, Martha Chabal, Marcella Reed, Walter Pacha, Virginia Tschantz, Don and Ethel Hendrickson recently went on a road trip to Kalona and surrounding areas where they dined at the Tuscan Moon, and visited the Cheese Factory, Country Store and the Bakery.

A program titled ?Let?s go to the Fair? was all about the history of the Washington County Fair. The treat served to the audience was homemade funnel cakes with cherry topping. The aroma of the funnel cakes brought back many memories that were shared. The fair began in 1853 and struggled with limited facilities, the Civil War and financial troubles and in 1897, the last fair was held. The growth of 4-H work was paramount in 1923 and further efforts to secure a permanent place began in 1949 and has grown to the fair experience that it has become today.

The Keota Brass Band entertained to a large crowd on the front patio. Members of the four-piece band are Tom Hahn, Gary McCurdy, Roger Richardson and Stan Knipfer. It was a great day to be outdoors and listen to this talented band of gentlemen.

Recent movies on Monday night have been well attended as they viewed the comedy ?Move over Darlin'? with Doris Day and James Garner. A historical drama film of the 1853 slave narrative memoir titled "Twelve Years a Slave? was also shown in the Day Lounge.

The Arbor House residents were pleased to have Lori and Gene Hoyle sing their songs of gospel music. Chris Marshall provided selections of piano music on Monday afternoon. The Tuesday entertainment with Steve Delaney brought mandolin music for everyone?s listening pleasure.

Lela Garton treated her ?Topic of the Day? group to an outing of ice cream. Everyone enjoyed the bus ride, tour of the countryside, a stop to get an ice cream cone, and Marr Park.

Pastor Colton Clay from the First Christian Church of Washington delivered the sermon ?Identity? with the Scripture 1 Peter 2:9. Special music was provided by Pastor Clay on the guitar and Katherine Anderson sang.