Halcyon House

There was a group of ladies in the Marshall Game Room playing some sort of game called canasta with six players divided into two teams. It was reported that Ione Burham, Audrey Stark, Sybil Thornton, Jean Rietz, Phyllis Lyle and Reta Beemblossom thoroughly enjoyed themselves with the ?when, what and wild bunch.?

Wanita and Ed Zieglowsky had the best time on Tuesday when her sister, Joyce Campbell of Cedar Falls, and her daughter, Diane of Tacoma, Wash., along with her daughter Stephanie and children Natalie and Evelyn came for a family visit. They felt right at home in the Sitler Lounge as the family reminisced about their annual visits to the farm where they stayed with Aunt Wanita and Uncle Ed. The memories seemed endless as one would share an incident and that would evolve into another reminder of all the great time shared on the farm.

Virginia Tschantz enjoyed Easter dinner in Timmins Dining Room with her three sons; Rusty and Denise, Kendall and Heather Lucas along with Mike from Iowa City. They had attended Easter services at the Methodist Church where Mike played the trumpet with the choir.

Martha Chabal was entertained this week with a visit from her daughter, Sheila Corey from Columbia, Mo. They did the mom-daughter thing ? eating out, going through old photos, appointments, and Martha accompanied Sheila to Missouri to attend a bridal shower for her granddaughter, Amy, and visit with other relatives in the area.

Isy Flander?s Easter guests were sons, Murray, Randy and Cindy Flander of Keota. They had a delicious meal in the Timmins Dining Room. Daughter, Melinda and Tim Holden from Manley, were here recently for a three-day visit with Isy and other family members. It?s always fun times when the family gets together.

Bob and Peg Gerot hosted their family in the Timmins Dining Room on Easter Sunday. Laurie and Scott Pemberton with Matthew and Taryn, husband Kyle and baby Emery Collins along with Nancy and Jay Greene and daughters, Bradie and Kiley had a great meal. They returned to their apartment home for visiting with Emery who was the star attraction.

April church services were provided by Herb Yoder of the United Presbyterian Church titled ?Good Friday? with the Scripture from Matthew 21: 1-11. Dorothy Koehler Yoder provided the piano music. Pastor Stiles from the Washington United Methodist Church delivered his message, ?He is Risen? with Scripture from John 20: 19-31. Everyone thanks the local clergy for the weekly services that are provided to Halcyon residents in the Epworth Chapel.

Neighbors, friends and staff extend our heartfelt sympathy to Gladys Ferguson for the recent loss of her son. She is surrounded by prayers and hugs.

Marlie Greiner supplied the pie for a social gathering following the final Stations of the Cross held in the Epworth Chapel. Thank you, Marlie, for your time and kindness.

Kim Brandstadt of Keota has been volunteering in the Activity Department this spring. It is always nice to have an extra helping hand.

April Fools' was the program theme with some research that states the history of April Fools' Day is uncertain but it is "guesstimated' that it began in France in 1582. A positive view of this day is that it can be good for one?s health as it encourages belly laughs, which is a stress reliever. Some view April Fools' hoaxes as rude and deceitful. In England, jokes are played only in the morning. In Ireland it was traditional to entrust the victim with an important letter to be given to a named person. The person would ask the victim to take the letter to someone else and so on. When the letter was finally opened it contained the words, ?send the fool further.? There were lots of pranks at Halcyon such as ?you left your car lights on," "is that a hole in the seat of your pants," "there?s a bug in your coffee," and a favorite that was played on a new employee at GTE Phone years ago, ?a lineman called up to order a bucket of dial tone,? and she called the supplier in Grinnell as she couldn?t find it on the supply list. Needless to say, that prank got a lot of mileage as it trickled throughout the company areas.

Steve Morris from Illinois gave an outstanding performance in the Day Lounge on Tuesday morning. The captivated audience was entertained for a strong hour with familiar songs and his many talents playing the drums.