Halcyon House News

Ben Greiner from Oklahoma traveled to Iowa spending time with his mother, Lois Greiner, and other family members. He also attended the outside wrestling with friends at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday. Only in Iowa could you attend an outdoor wrestling event in November.

Carl Schmidt?s recent guests were his sister, Marie Gallagher and brother Leroy and wife Judy, from Wisconsin. They stayed in the Halcyon House guest rooms and shared sibling stories with lots of laughter.

Happy birthday to Sybil Thornton! Sybil provided an array of treats in the coffee shop on Monday for all to enjoy.

It was like a Pacha convention this week for Walt Pacha. His visitors were his brothers Merle and Morris of the Washington area along with daughter, Diana Pacha and son, Tom Pacha of Brighton.

Virginia Tschantz just returned from a five-day H.U.G.S. excursion. Virginia, her daughter-in-law, Jan Tschantz, and her mother, Darlene Rosholt, of Decorah climbed aboard the motor coach en route to Branson, Missouri. A highlight of her trip was playing the Titantic grand piano in the Museum Music Room. Virginia played the last song that was played, ?Nearer My God to Thee,? for her travel mates. Another extra special show was the ?Texas Tenors? that had competed on ?America?s Got Talent.? The trip was filled with lots of dining, pampered treatment, entertainment and friendships. Who could ask for more?

Mary Meeks enjoyed a visit from Malinda Meeks from Mountain Home, Arkansas. She arrived on Monday evening, and Tuesday morning they were on the road, stopping to tour the Stringtown Grocery north of Kalona and then on to West Liberty where they visited grandson, Aaron, Laura and their six children. It was a special visit as she got to meet her 1-month-old grandson, named Otto Staples Adam, for the first time. The entire family attended the elementary and sixth-grade orchestra concert at the George Daily Community Auditorium where three of the great-grandchildren performed. On Wednesday morning, Malinda and Mary drove back to Washington where they had breakfast at the United Presbyterian Home where Audra Williams and Wayne Brock joined them in the dining room. Mary had a full couple of days and loved every minute of it.

Betty Osincup enjoyed a special weekend with family as daughter, Janet Hurley, flew in from Miami, and they were joined by sister Donna and Bob Olson from North Liberty to attend a Shaklee convention in Chicago. They gathered late on Saturday evening along with Elyse Chapman and granddaughter, Regina Chapman to attend Shiloh Church on Sunday. They were all present in addition to the Zierke family at the matinee musical on Sunday afternoon at Mid-Prairie High School to watch grandson, Ben Chapman, in the title role of ?Bye Bye Birdie.? The family group had a birthday dinner at the Kalona Brewery following the play.

The ?5 on 4? ladies who all live at Halcyon House had their monthly coffee get-together at Darlene Flynn?s apartment home on Wednesday morning with Arlene Wheeler, Peggy Gerot, Laurilee Chalupa and Betty Osincup.

The Sunshine Girls held their November/December birthday luncheon at the Applewood Bistro, hosted by Joyce Marie, Martha Hahn, Betty Osincup and Gretta Embree. Betty Osincup was blessed once again with an eventful week and reports that she was granted her unrestricted driver?s license, in spite of her being 96 years old and still going strong!

Cowboy Joe was in the house entertaining to a large group in the Day Lounge. We always welcome Joe as he is such a courteous entertainer and we appreciate his assistance after the music program.

Joshua Beachy from the Haven Mennonite Church presided over the Sunday afternoon church service in the chapel. The sermon was titled ?Little Things? and the Scripture came from John 6:5-13.