Many visitors received at Halcyon House this week

Visitors over the weekend at Mary Ann Hennigan?s home were daughter Sue and granddaughter Ariel from North Carolina; also, Mike Hennigan traveled from Texas and son Denny and wife Joan came from Eldridge. They also attended the high school graduation and celebration for Jacob Hennigan, son of Matt and Missy Hennigan. One might say, ?A fabulous time was had by all the Hennigans.?

Sybil Thornton and son, Mike ventured into Pella on the way to Des Moines taking in the thrills of Pella, the windmill tour and of course purchased some Dutch pastries for Will. Grandson Will?s birthday was celebrated with Grandma Sybil and dad Mike at Hessen Haus in Des Moines. The location was chosen by Will and what a time they had! Barefoot Becky was even there doing the polka with anyone and even danced by herself. This is ?central Iowa?s only German Bier Hall??. Will speaks fluent German, spent a semester in Germany and so his longing for GREAT German cuisine was satisfied. Oh, to be 21 AGAIN!!

Walter Pacha?s guests on Tuesday afternoon were his brother, Don and wife Geri from Fairfield. There is always lots of laughter when the Pacha brothers get together. Tom and Miriam Pacha from Brighton visited Walter on Wednesday morning. Prior neighbor and friend, George stopped by to catch up on the news with Walter. After Walt and his late wife, Helen moved to Halcyon House, George purchased their country home.

Mike and Sybil Thornton took in the square on Ridiculous Day, and ate outside at Dodici?s listening to the music on the bandstand, as well as strolling around the square. They met up with a gentleman near the old J.C. Penney and Mike asked what the name of the grocery store (in the '60s) was on the corner where Washington Title is located now. He couldn?t recall the name, but assured a grocery store use to be housed there. Guess what ? two of Sybil?s friends at Halcyon knew the answer, Fuhr and Cochran?s Jack and Jill, where Mike use to bicycle to get a loaf of Hillbilly bread.

Isy Flander?s daughter Melinda and her daughters, Emily and Rachel, traveled from Manley to spend the weekend. They were joined by Randy, Cindy, Murray and Jane Flander as well as friends Denny and Connie Sorrell and Alice Edgin at Unc and Neph's for supper on Friday evening for Isy?s birthday. The family gathered again in the home of Randy and Cindy Flander on Saturday for a shower in honor of Shaun?s fianceé and the celebration continued for Isy with more birthday wishes.

Logan Graber accompanies his grandparents, Tim and Lisa from Wayland when they make trips to Halcyon House to visit Dwight and Mary Graber. Four-year-olds Logan is always a source of entertainment for the grandparents and great-grandparents.

Jim Jewell and Mary Ellen Saforek were in the height of glory on Wednesday as granddaughters Morgan Rechkemmer from Germany and Shelly Cubik, along with her sons, Gibson and Foster from Madrid, Iowa were in Washington to visit. Rose Ellen Stelton joined them in the Timmins Dining Room for lunch. Morgan and her military husband will be stationed in Connecticut now. The girls' parents are Leland and Mary (Jewell) Saforek.

A memorial service was held for Mary Sue Woods in the Day Lounge on Wednesday afternoon. Mary Sue will be missed and was known for her humorous ways. Friends, neighbors and staff extend their sympathy to the family.

?The Legend of the Cranes? was the topic of discussion led by Lela Garton on Tuesday afternoon in the Day Lounge. The crane may be conceivably the oldest bird on earth. There is fossil proof that they existed over 60 million years ago. They have long been a symbol of happiness and eternal youth, wisdom, good fortune and longevity. The crane has also evolved as a favorite subject of traditional paper folding.

Residents of Halcyon House are so grateful to Jerome Vittetoe and all the drivers of the tractors that included Halcyon House in the parade route. This event included around 150 tractors of all makes driving in and out of several entrances in grand fashion with the finale exiting on the front yard. Many were able to view the parade without leaving the comfort of their apartment or townhomes.

Ed and Joyce Mattes stopped by to share smiles and hugs with residents and staff. The Mattes family continues to provide goodies in a basket in honor of their late mother and Halcyon's longtime friend, Catherine Mattes.