Halcyon House News

The United Methodist Church shared the weekly service with Halcyon House residents this past Sunday. Pastor Ben Blanchard shared the sermon titled, ?Thumbprint of God.? He shared Scripture from 1 Timothy 4:14-15 with those in attendance. Virginia Tschantz shared piano music for the worship service.

Cowboy Jim came to Halcyon House to entertain the residents. Cowboy Jim (aka James Bergstrom) is from Minnesota and travels to six upper Midwest states sharing his love of music. This toe tapping music program is always enjoyed by everyone. Jim brings along props and gets everyone involved with his music program.

Lonny Milligan of American Legion and F-Troop presented the Veterans Day program Thursday morning to a full house of residents. Entertainment was provided Mike Jewell and Mike Orris. Homemade rolls, coffee and juiced were served.

Margret Steinbeck had a surprise visit from her daughter, Kourtney Graybill. She traveled from Washington State. Kourtney is here for the week to spend time with her mother and to catch up on things that her mom wants done.

Mary Meeks enjoyed a visit recently from her cousin, Larry O?Connor and wife, Ruth from Altoona.

Donna Seawell was in Washington from Arizona to spend time visiting with her Grandmother Mabel Lenz.

Bea Johnson was recently surprised with a visit from relatives from South Bend, Indiana. Betty Carson and her daughter, Sharon, visited on Sunday. Bea?s husband, Dwain and Betty were cousins.

Carolyn Levy celebrated her 90th birthday over the weekend with all six of her children gathering for dinner. They spent the weekend having fun and eating a lot! Her six children came from all across the country: Mike and Mary Levy, Washington; Deb and Steve Larson, Winona, Minnesota; David Levy, Georgetown, Texas; Marty and Chris Levy, Colorado Springs, Colorado; Jennifer Levy, San Francisco, California; and Becky Levy, Decatur, Georgia. Lots of laughter could be heard in Carolyn?s apartment throughout the weekend.

Betty Osincup had two weeks of celebrating her 97th birthday with her Iowa family and friends. Because it was Halloween weekend she wore a costume to the Living Word Community Church in North Liberty and to an Orchestra Iowa matinee concert at the Paramount Theater that day. Betty?s Iowa family met at church the following Sunday and then had a birthday party and shared a buffet with extended family at the North Liberty home of Betty?s daughter and husband, Donna and Bob Olson. Others attending were: Elyse and son, Ben Chapman, Regina, Roselind, Karen Johnson and son Chad Tack and the Borge and Shaun Zierke family, James, Eric, and Susana from Amana, Iowa. Karen Johnson?s daughter, Donna, is a nurse at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and Karen escorted Betty, the Olson?s and Elyse and Ben to the open house for new Children?s Hospital that Sunday afternoon. Betty got her picture taken with several of the greeters. The greeters included: Herky the Hawk, the Iowa cheerleaders, Disney characters, Ghost Busters, and Minions. On her actual 97th birthday, Betty was co-hostess with three other November and December Sunshine Girls ladies at a local restaurant. That was the official end of the birthday activities. ?Icing on the Cake? was to have the Chicago Cubs win the World Series, as Betty was born and raised in Chicago.

Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Alice Radamaker, Ted Griffith, Betty Osincup, and Pauline Skarda.

We welcomed two new residents to Halcyon House this past week. Lea Smothers joined us from her home in Washington. Shirley Canfield joined us from her home in Des Moines.