Halcyon House News

The Brighton United Church shared the weekly service with Halcyon House residents this past Sunday. Pastor Rick Zickefoose, shared the sermon titled ?God?s Love.? He shared Scripture from John 3:16 with those in attendance. Eva Gallagher shared beautiful piano music for the worship service.

Avalon residents have enjoyed the holidays with festivities filled with food, fun, friendship and lots of musical entertainment. The week brought the conclusion of two Washington high school classes creating projects with residents. Hailee Halverson?s sophomore writing class consisting of 24 students presented the ?Lost Stories? biographies created for the residents. Wonderful friendships were developed and lots of stories shared. Another class lead by Erin Riley and her 18 FACS Gourmet cooking class finished the homemade ?gingerbread houses? and made candy cane reindeers. The activity was wrapped up with punch and decorated cookies.

Dec. 15, residents were entertained by musician Mike McElroy ?Just M? of Muscatine. He delighted the audience with vocal and guitar music. On the 16th, the Washington High School Jazz Choir, lead by director John Runaas, presented a wonderful performance. From the same talented family, John?s wife Margie Runaas (J.M.R. Piano Music) brought her piano students on Sunday to Timmins Dining room and entertained residents there. Monday, Dec. 19, local attorneys, staff and families walked through the facility and spread Christmas cheer while caroling. A short time later, Holy Trinity Parish choir consisting of 14 members sang Christmas carols to the enjoyment of the large crowd.

Tuesday, the 20th, Tom Hahn sang holiday music and was accompanied by Diane Sheets to an enthusiastic crowd. Later, Kaylee Wenger brought 19 students from sixth to eighth grades to sing to the residents. And to top off a fun, musicfilled day, the Clover Kids 4-H group sang to the residents and passed out cookies and pouches of hot chocolate mix.

Wednesday, the 21st, the Avalon residents were treated to a staff-sponsored potluck lunch. Santa made a surprise visit and passed out presents to each of the residents. He even had time to take some ?selfies? with the residents. That evening, 25 members of the Zion Christian Fellowship sang beautifully to a large crowd in the Day Lounge.

Thursday, the 22nd, residents enjoyed the duet of Gary McCurdy and Nicholas Todd playing Christmas tunes on their tubas.

Assisted living residents had a Christmas party Monday night with 20 residents and 19 guests in attendance. We played Christmas bingo and enjoyed a nice visit. Presents were distributed to the residents by Santa. The residents gave their guests treats that they had made themselves. Virginia Tschantz accompanied us on the piano as we sang Christmas carols. We finished the evening with dessert. Merry Christmas from Arbor House and Sitler assisted living!

A new session of exercise classes for residents and a new session for staff and community members only begins Jan 9. Classes include: Strength and Stability for residents and patrons who prefer a little more advanced workout and can stand during most of the class, Seated Strength for those who prefer to stay seated through most of the class, Cardio Fusion- over 30 minutes of cardio plus weight training and floor work included, Fusion Flow.-A fusion of Pilates, yoga and strength training, and Line Dancing for everyone is held on Tuesday and Thursdays at 3:30 pm. All classes (exception Line Dancing) are held in the newly remodeled group exercise room and are open to the public for a nominal fee.

Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Audrey Goldsmith.

Halcyon House welcomes the following new residents: Don and Becky Patterson moved into Independent Living from their home in Washington, Chick Lyle moved to Independent Living from his home in Keota, Dolores Wood joined us in an Independent Living apartment from her home in Washington, and Don and Dolores Siegle moved into Independent Living from their home in Washington.