Halcyon House News

The Marion Avenue Baptist Church led our weekly service on Sunday. Howard Dantuma presented the sermon titled ?Jesus: The Priest? to 11 Halcyon House residents. The service included scripture readings from Leviticus 8. Howard shared music on the accordion. Those present stated the music was unique and very pleasant.

Avalon residents joined together for a tailgate last Friday with Grasshopper Trivia. The residents also enjoyed a grasshopper ice cream drink. The baking class made apple crisp and shared apple facts and trivia at Movers and Thinkers this week.

Skip Clarquist, who is a talented pianist/vocalist with over 38 years of experience in musical performance, came to Halcyon House to share his musical talent with the residents. His repertoire includes music from the golden era (1920s ? 1950s), as well as contemporary standards and pop music. One of his songs by Elvis Presley saw many of the residents tapping their feet, clapping their hands, and even singing along to the music.

On Wednesday afternoon ?The Keota Brass Band? came to entertain the residents with their toe-tapping and high-energy music program. The Keota band consists of Tom Hahn and Roger Richardson of Keota, Stan Knipfer from Keosauqua and Gary McCurdy of Washington. The group enjoys playing the old standard jazz tunes in their own unique way for everyone to enjoy.

Glenys Elwood served as the chauffer on the Halcyon House bus for several residents who traveled to the Washington Community Center this week. The group enjoyed the Washington Concert Association presentation by Joel Brown and Heidi Riepe. They have been piano partners for 25 years and deliver moving performances. Their concert included classical music.

Phyllis Lyle enjoyed a two-night visit with her daughter, Patty Treimer of Okoboji. They really enjoyed the music of the Keota Brass Band at Halcyon House this past week.

Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer?s Association Walk to End Alzheimer?s® is the world?s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer?s care, support and research. WesleyLife team members Kim Ecklor, Mary Jo Kohler, Becky Carter joined by Sadie Carter, and Don and Marge Kline helped raise awareness and funds by participating in the Iowa City Walk to End Alzheimer?s at Lower City Park. A total of 61 teams, 504 participants and $59,078.80 was raised for research and education.

Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Gert Jones, Jeanette Vittetoe, and Ken Crone.

Ione Burham submitted the following tribute. A former Halcyon House resident, Carol Pilcher, has completed her earthly journey. A woman of faith with a spunky spirit, she will be missed by many friends, especially those with whom these past few years she has met for lunch on Mondays: Carla Carter, Virginia Tschantz, Bess Lewellyn, Marilyn Mangold, Karen McCreedy, Helen Reschley, Jane Evanovich, and Ione Burham. May she rest in peace.