Halcyon House News

The Washington Reformed Presbyterian Church led our weekly service on Sunday. Pastor Dan Drost presented the sermon titled, ?Crying Out to God? to Halcyon House residents. The service included Scripture readings from Jonah 2:7-9.

On Monday the residents went to the Timmins Dining Room to listen to the African Drumming program. It was very interesting hearing about how the people live in Africa and how they can create musical instruments with what they have on hand. After we watched a movie about the lives of the African people the residents got to learn how to play a song on the drums. Each person had a drum and the instructor showed them how to hit the drum for different sounds. There were lots of smiles and laughter for this thumping good time.

Halcyon House residents welcomed the Washington High School Homecoming court on Wednesday. Nine students along with Principal Erik Buchholz and the director of student affairs Brent Van Weelden took the time to answer all of the many questions that we had. Brent talked about the new changes this year for Spirit Night. They are having Spirit Night in the evening this year. They are hoping that this will be handier for parents, grandparents, and the community, to have the chance to join in on the homecoming festivities. Some of our residents went over to the high school to enjoy the festivities as one of our Halcyon House team members, Andrea Pingol, is a member of the homecoming court. One of the questions asked to each of the students was ?Can you see yourself coming back to live in Washington after your education?? Most of them said yes, because they love the small- town feeling and how nice it is to know everyone. One student said he will be coming back for sure to help out on the family farm. Another question was, ?If you had a chance to meet someone living or someone in the past who would it be and why?? One young man said that he would like to meet George Washington since he started this country. After the homecoming court was done answering questions they went around the room shaking hands and talking with the residents.

Over 60 Independent Living and Assisted Living residents enjoyed an appreciation dinner on Wednesday. The meal included: salad, green beans with almonds, twice-baked potatoes, prime rib, and was topped off with dessert. Jim Jewell shared a blessing prior to the meal.

Carl Schmidt enjoyed a visit from his sister, Marie Gallagher, over the past week.

Mary Meeks accompanied Richard and Malinda Meeks to North Liberty last Sunday. They joined grandson, Joe and wife Melissa and sons, Jackson, Austin, and Andrew to the Grace Community Church in North Liberty. After the service they all went out for a delicious lunch. They went to Liberty Park where the adults visited in the pavilion while the great-grandsons played with some stuffed toys that Mary had given them. They arrived back home at 2 p.m. It was a nice outing for Mary. Sisters, Donna Waddell of Jeffersonville, Indiana and Raberta Shafer from Fairfield called on Mary Meeks Tuesday afternoon. They are the daughters of Mary?s sister, Alma Batterson. A lot of memories were discussed. Richard and Malinda Meeks joined the group also. Richard and Malinda Meeks left Thursday morning for their home in Mountain Home, Arkansas, after spending 14 days helping his mother, Mary Meeks, make a move from her apartment in building 3 to her room in Arbor House.

We hosted Rotary at Halcyon House on Thursday at noon. Over 30 members and their guests enjoyed a tour of new buildings.

The family of residents and team members at Halcyon House extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Donna Yoder.