Halcyon’s ‘Mystery Suitcase’ program focuses on school days

Rev. Erin Kaye from the Washington U.P. Church led worship in Epworth Chapel on Aug. 14 at Halcyon House in Washington. The message was based on a scripture reading from Hebrews 11:1-3 and 8-16 entitled, “Seeking a Homeland.” Dorothy Koehler was accompanist.

In the Wedgewood household, the theme for the “Mystery Suitcase” program for this month focused on school days past and present. The event began with a school-themed word search puzzle. Antique school books, an old Disney lunch box, a 70-year-old pencil box, a working 70-year-old Royal typewriter, old worksheet books, and modern-day school supplies were a part of this walk down memory lane. Each resident had a story to share about walking to the country school. One resident remembered walking four miles to school through deep snow and very cold weather. Celeste Woltering shared her Keota High School pep club jacket with homecoming buttons. The oldest button dated back to 1955. A snack of cookies and milk continued the theme, and a reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance finished the program.

A young visitor, Lucy, came to the Sagewood household on Wednesday, Aug. 11 and assisted in distributing samples of drinks from JT’s Sips for the Soul, a mobile beverage trailer serving many varieties of coffee and colorful boba (bubble) teas. JT’s Sips parked their trailer in a Halcyon lot for all residents and team members to imbibe and satisfy their thirst. That same day, Sagewood residents gathered outdoors at lunchtime with Lucy and shared reflections from the reading of the book, “Wisdom Across the Ages: Young and Old Learning from Each Other.” The following day residents gathered to enjoy lemonade, fruit, cheese, crackers and vegetables from the Sagewood garden during the “Thirsty Thursday” event.

Rosewood residents can now be seen craning their necks to view the top of the field cornstalks that are growing in their outdoor garden. The tomato plants contain an abundance of fruit which the residents look forward to enjoying as they ripen.

Arborwood residents listened to some of their favorite tunes from the 50s and 60s while they sang along to the lyrics provided by YouTube videos shown on their large-screen TV. One resident has a fond connection to her favorite artist, Perry Como. Colored sharpies and adult coloring pages provided an afternoon’s worth of creativity and satisfying conversation. Residents enjoyed playing catch in a circle of residents and got a special “kick” out of sending their team member assistant around the room to retrieve the ball.

Halcyon House wishes to invite our friends in the area to attend and/or set up as a vendor in the Farmers Market on Tuesday, Sept. 13 from 4-7 p.m. Those interested should call 319-653-7264 for more information. The Wellness department at Halcyon also welcomes all who are interested in joining a Line Dancing group on Mondays and Fridays from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. in the Morrison Center.