Halcyon House News

The Faith Baptist Church shared the weekly service with Halcyon House residents this past Sunday. Lay Minister David Miller shared the sermon titled ?God is Love.? He read various different Scriptures to those in attendance. Eva Gallager served as the pianist.

Avalon Residents enjoyed a World Series luncheon on Tuesday. Hotdogs with all the fixings: chili, sauerkraut, pickle relish, onions, cheese, ketchup and mustard were offered. Potato chips, peanuts and Cracker Jacks rounded up the meal. We did not forget the beer. Root beer floats were enjoyed by all for dessert. World Series trivia and singing was shared as we enjoyed this playful party. Harry Caray would be proud. Go Cubs!

On Friday ?The Punches,? a bluegrass gospel group whose home is in the foothills of the Ozark Mountain will be here to entertain the residents. Mom, dad, and four children all play instruments, sing, and have been performing nationwide at churches, festivals, fairs, and special events since 2009. They are fun and uplifting and their performance has a strong spiritual undercurrent.

Halcyon House is decorated and ready for Halloween. Residents painted some ghoulish looking pumpkins this week and they will be on display in the Day Lounge on Halloween. Trick-or-treat at Halcyon House is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 7 p.m. We hope to see you and your goblins.

Halcyon House residents Carolyn Levy, Bea Johnson, Bonnie Applegate and several others listened to Laura Shoemaker, Donor Development Coordinator, Iowa Lions Bank, present information about how people can touch hundreds of lives through organ, eye, and tissue donation ? regardless of age, health status, or poor eyesight. Laura?s presentation addressed common myths surrounding donation, provided coaching on how to prepare families for what to expect at end of life, and discussed recent advancements in transplant techniques. Following Laura?s presentation residents enjoyed lemonade and cookies prepared by the Halcyon House Dietary Department.

Jeannie Verstraete, Select Rehab Physical Therapist based at Halcyon House, shared tips on ?Fall Prevention? Thursday, Oct. 20, in the Marshall Game room at Halcyon House. Residents Sybil Thornton, Mary Ann Hennigan, Loretta Gardner and many more enjoyed an educational skit regarding fall prevention performed by Jeannie. Jeannie shared tips on safe-proofing one?s home to prevent falls. She also gave out prizes, such as night lights, mini flashlights and long-handled back scrubbers. These are all items that can help make daily living routines a little easier and safer.

Halcyon residents are ?stepping it up? this month during Halcyon House?s Blue Zone NuStep challenge. Marcella Reed is leading the pack with a whopping 330 minutes, Dean Slater is close behind with 300 minutes and coming in third is Marilyn Davis with 300 minutes for the first week of the challenge! Residents are having fun tracking their progress with tiny red feet on a Blue Zones map posted in the fitness center.

Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Karen McCreedy!