Halcyon House news

Jason Collier provided the weekly church services, representing the Ainsworth Community Church/United Church of Crawfordsville, on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020. The sermon was titled 'Jesus' Ministry Began,” with Scripture from Mark 1:21-45. Linda McNiel served as pianist.

What a year – another great year at Halcyon. Ringing out the old year and ringing in the New Year was celebrated in the households. The tables were decorated. Hats, horns, and streamers, along with a cheese, meat, and cracker tray were enjoyed by everyone. The bubbly was flowing (sparkling grape juice), and a toast to the new year with singing 'Auld Lang Syne” ended this festive party.

At Monday's trivia, the program was titled 'St. Jude's Hospital/Danny Thomas.” Danny Thomas was born as Amos Muzyad Yakhoob Kairouz. He was one of nine children. Danny Thomas was a struggling actor and was wondering if this was the path he was to take.

One night in a Detroit church he prayed to St. Jude Thaddeus to 'Show me my way in life.” He vowed to the saint 'and I will build you a shrine.” That prayer to St. Jude marked a pivotal moment in his life. By 1955 Danny and a group of Memphis businessmen he'd rallied to build the hospital decided it should be more than a general children's hospital. The logo for St. Jude is 'No child should die in the dawn of life.”

St. Jude opened its doors on Feb. 4, 1962. St. Jude has improved the survival rate of childhood cancer from 20 percent to 80 percent. And all the disease with a virtual death sentence in 1962 now has a survival rate of 94 percent. The motto for St. Jude is that families should never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all they should worry about is helping their children live

At Lending Hands, the holiday week activities began with Carol Greiner and participants making birdseed ornaments to be hung outdoors to feed our feathered friends this winter. Holiday trivia, games, puzzles and music kept the festive spirit going. Mr. Russ brought his karaoke equipment, and we entertained one another, singing our favorite music. New Year's Eve was celebrated with a party, 'champagne” and snacks, favors and fun. January word puzzles and classical music shared by Dick Colby took us into the New Year at Lending Hands.

2019 has quickly come and gone. As we ring in the New Year, the residents and staff of Rosewood wish many blessings upon you and yours! May you have a healthy and happy 2020! We have a lot planned for the New Year!

Happy Birthday wishes go out to Enid Tweeton, Dolores Siegle, and Paul Kuhlman. Halcyon House residents and team members wish to extend their deepest sympathies to the friends and family of Emil Ropp.