Halcyon House News

The First Baptist Church shared the weekly service with Halcyon House residents this past Sunday. Lay speaker David Miller shared the sermon titled ?Gabriel Visits Mary.? He shared Scripture from Luke 1:29-33 with those in attendance. Eva Gallagher shared beautiful piano music for the worship service.

On Sunday, Dec. 11, the 4-H group Jackson Jets came to Avalon House and played bingo with the residents. Jackson Jets leaders, Julie Stout and Bob Spenner, as well as 14 of their members brought with them wonderful holiday prizes and treats for the residents. Although it was snowing outside the group shared a warm holiday cheer together.

Avalon House residents have enjoyed having Erin Riley?s Washington High School FACS (Family and Consumer Science: Gourmet foods) students create gingerbread houses with the residents. Hailee Halverson?s sophomore writing class has been coming to Avalon meeting with the residents and asking them questions and creating their life stories. On Wednesday, the residents enjoyed listening to 11 children from the Washington Kids Klub, sponsored by the Washington Methodist Church, caroling throughout the hallways and presenting the residents gift bags. The Kids Klub leader is Jeannie Edwards, and assistants Nicole Peterson, Nicole Greiner and The Rev. Jim Stiles also joined in with the singing of carols.

Ninety bears were delivered to the safety center this week. The bears were made by the Bear Hug Club with donated material. Ethel Sieren led the club and made sure each bear had a heart on its bottom to show it had been hugged by a resident. The bears will be distributed among local EMS, Fire Departments, and other emergency responders.

Halcyon House hosted a Christmas Party on Wednesday, Dec. 14, in the Applewood Bistro for Independent Living residents. Residents enjoyed chili and potato soup, a variety of appetizers, homemade Christmas goodies, eggnog, punch, tea and wine. Topping off the delightful evening, many residents hopped on the Halcyon House bus or van for a tour around town to view all of the Christmas lights.

A fantastic weekend Sybil Thornton had with her son, Mike and grandson, Will. They attended the Christmas deliverance (live animal Christmas play) which truly was superb, as well as enjoyed dinner and their usual catch-up conversation at their favorite dinner location! Nothing could be finer.

Happy birthday wishes go out to Bill Chmelar, Bill Casey, Wes Madsen, and Daryl Baughman.

Halcyon House residents and team members extend our sympathy to the families of Roy Williams and Carl Schmidt.