Halcyon House partners with chamber to honor previous business owners

For Halcyon House staff and residents, connecting is an important part of maintaining and enhancing health and well-being. As a way to encourage community connection, Halcyon House partnered with the Washington Chamber of Commerce to provide the food for a reception honoring previous Washington business owners as a part of the 75th Annual Ridiculous Day celebration.

Halcyon House resident Betty Jensen Osincup was among those honored during this reception. Betty, who is 102 years young, owned Osincup Drug with her husband Herb on the downtown square for many years, and she participated in the very first Ridiculous Day celebration 75 years ago. Betty and her three daughters rode the parade route in a red convertible following an SUV including four Halcyon House “clowns” as passengers and driver.

A painted Hawkeye-themed tractor traveled through the Halcyon campus in the Ridiculous Days tractor parade. It was formerly owned and restored to its current glory by resident Lauren Cory, and is now owned by his nephew-in-law Mark Knupp.

Students in the Washington Schools ELP program used paint and 12”x12” boards to recreate the well-known and often-seen barn quilts that are scattered throughout Washington County. These mini-quilt reproductions can be seen in the city of Washington. Of the four loops for viewing, the Liberty loop runs through the Halcyon campus. Interested viewers are invited to take a walk and view the quilts on the campus through the remainder of June and into July.

Bingo competition and camaraderie continues as Sitler and Arborwood residents enjoy new prizes and ongoing fun.

Independent Living Seated Strength and Gentle Stretch exercise classes met outdoors this week during pleasant weather and on Voting Day as the indoor exercise studio was occupied by Ward 4 voters, volunteers and equipment.

Tech lab sessions were offered on Wednesday and Friday of the week to assist residents in learning the use of Halcyon’s resident Tech Lounge equipment that includes two desktop computers and a printer. Figuring out smartphones was a significant part of the tech lab, and many residents took advantage of this opportunity.

Residents in the Arborwood household enjoyed the outdoors as Gentle Strength exercise classes were held on the patio among the fresh air and the scent of flowers. A volunteer read short stories to the residents in the afternoon of that day. Residents watched the film “Encanto” and enjoyed the humor of the story of a personified house and characters with special powers.

In the Rosewood household, front porch sitting included listening to the sounds of lawn mowers, garbage trucks, and the abundance of birds. The music of Gene Autry, including “Sioux City Sue” and “Deep in the Heart of Texas” brought pleasure and memories of days gone by. New Koi fish were added to the large fish tank in the living room. The slow movement of fish, the colors, and the sound of the water were calming to those who viewed them.

Sagewood residents took a short trip to the Reflecting Waters outdoor pond, where old friends caught up on shared memories and residents watched staff catch tadpoles. “Farmer John,” a Sagewood resident, planted tomatoes in the raised gardens beds outdoors as residents observed and enjoyed root beer floats. Staff member Maria Canchola hand-crocheted butterflies to give to residents to don as barrettes and corsages. Pink and fuschia-colored peonies were picked and used to decorate the dining room tables.

During the Wedgewood Artist with HeArt, residents painted individual quilt square patterns on small canvases. The paintings will be put together and displayed as a large quilt.

Residents celebrating past birthdays in June include Chuck Atwood, Isy Flander, Rita Greiner, Pat Havel, Carol Bell, Mike Sauser, Carol Madsen, Tish Cory and Laura Sheetz. Those with birthdays this week are Bonny Bonnell, Don Gardner, Betty Quinn and Connie Sorrell. Happy birthday to all!