Halcyon House News

On Monday night at the movies the residents enjoyed the movie ?Sabrina? starring Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, and William Holden. When Sabrina the daughter of the famiy?s chauffeur returns from Paris all grown up and glamorous, the stage is set for some family fireworks as both brothers fall under the spell of Hepburn?s delightful charms.

The Keota Brass Band consisting of Tom Hahn and Roger Richardson both of Keota, Stan Knipfer of Keosauqua and Gary McCurdy of Washington. This group likes playing the old standard jazz tunes in their own unique way. There was a lot of toe-tapping during this brass band concert.

At Movers and Thinkers the trivia for one was the history of the Washington County Fair. The old fairground was just south of the present one and signs of the racetrack can still be found. Horse races were a main event in those days. In 1953, fair was still just a two day affair. A new $12,000 show barn had been built and three large tents were rented, and for the first time commercial exhibits were sought, bringing considerable money. There were 25 pens of sheep, 180 cattle, and 155 hogs at the 1953 county fair. It only cost 25 cents to get into the gates. The fairgrounds has seen many improvements throughout the years and continues to expand to meet the needs of the 4-H clubs in Washington County.

Don and Loretta Gardner went to Chicago the past weekend to visit their son, Scott. Friday evening they attended a party with Scott where they met many of his friends and neighbors. Saturday evening they ate at the Cliff Dwellers. The meal was fabulous. Desserts were the specialty at the restaurant and the cakes and pies were wonderful. The Gardners had a wonderful weekend.

Eva Gallagher enjoyed a recent visit from her son Ron and his wife Robin. They spent several days with Eva, visiting from Ranson, West Virginia.

Alice Moore received a surprise visit from her daughter, Linda. Linda stopped by to surprise Alice on her way home from a trip to Des Moines. She spent the night and they enjoyed their time together.

Carol Madsen took a five-day trip to her hometown of Prairie du Chien Wisconsin. She enjoyed her visit with her sister Jeanne and her husband Roger and son Randy from Prairie du Chien, Carol?s sister, Mary Lou and her husband Bill and daughter Pauline of Sandwich, Illinois, and with her brother Roger from Madison, Wisconsin. They enjoyed the historic buildings and museums along with all the many small novelty shops. They crossed the Mississippi River to Iowa and enjoyed the view from Pikes Peak National Park which was an awesome view of the river and the town of Prairie du Chien. They enjoyed a home-cooked fish fry with fish fresh from the river. Prairie du Chien is the second oldest city in Wisconsin. There was a re-enactment of the War of 1812 depicting the fighting that took place in Prairie du Chien back then. The town holds many historical events throughout the summer and some held in winter. Carol says it was a great vacation place.