Year ends with Christmas cheer

Minister Jason Collier of the Ainsworth Community Church/ United Church, of Crawfordsville, provided the weekly service to Halcyon House Sunday, Dec. 23. The title was 'Risk Joseph's Story.” Scripture from Matthew 1:18. Special guest Christina Collier read 'Silent Night Truce.” Linda McNeil shared her musical talents on the piano with those in attendance in the Epworth Chapel.

The theme for this past week's trivia was '‘Twas The Night Before Christmas.” Halcyon House always start with a word search puzzle finding words like 'nose like a cherry” and 'mouth drawn up like a bow.” A book by Clement C. Moore '‘Twas The Night Before Christmas,” The Night before Christmas is a cherished poem and storybook that perfectly captures the magic of Christmas.

The 'Sunrise Singers” 42 strong from Lincoln Elementary and directed by Julie Hill came to Halcyon House on Monday. This talented group of students brought many smiles to all who attended.

During the evening Christmas Caroling throughout all of the households was shared by the staff of Lloyd, McConnell, Davis & Lujan LLP. This group of singers wore Santa hats and there was even an elf among them singing Christmas cheer to all.

Also sharing their musical talents with the residents in the Timmins all-purpose room was the Holy Trinity Choir from Keota. Pianist Jeanne Redlinger along with a solo piano performance from Olivia Lyle, daughter of Levi and Jill Lyle of Keota, was shared. The group of singers included a surprise solo to 'Ava Maria” sung by Tom Hahn. The program ended with the theme song from a 'Charlie Brown Christmas.”

At the 'Lifelong Learning: Hobbies and collections program Mike Zahs shared his Nativity scenes. He talked about how we perceive the Nativity compared to what was likely to have happened and discussing different Nativities from different cultures. One of the Nativity sets that Mike shared with us was made from the wood of an olive tree.

In the evening Mike presented his multiple award-winning documentary on Frank Brinton. In a farmhouse basement in the Iowa Countryside, eccentric collector Mike Zahs made a remarkable discovery: the show reels of the man who brought moving pictures to America's Heartland. Among the treasures: rare footage of President Teddy Roosevelt, the first moving images from Burma and a lost relic from magical-effects godfather George Melies. These are the films that introduced movies to the world. These old nitrate reels are just some of the artifacts that belonged to William Franklin Brinton. 'Saving Briton” is a portrait of this unlikely Midwestern folk hero, at once a meditation on living simply and a celebration of dreaming big.

Volunteer Robyn Lamb came in along with lifestyle staff and helped the residents make homemade noodles to be served at the resident Christmas potluck Luncheon on Friday, Dec. 21.

We also had a poinsettia day celebrating National Poinsettia day. One lucky resident from each household won a poinsettia for their room.

Halcyon House residents baked Christmas cookies from scratch which were decorated by many residents in Arborwood on Wednesday Dec. 12. People reminisced about Christmas cookie traditions in their families.

Don Kline brought a treasure trove of vintage Christmas decorations for the residents to see, for the 'Something from the Attic ' program in Wedgewood. We are so happy and blessed to have Don share his various collections.

Christmas music was in the air throughout the month of December, as citizens were entertained in Sagewood by the 'Sunrise Singers” from the Lincoln upper elementary school, directed by music teacher Julie Hill.

Happy Birthday wishes go out to Duane Crossett, Wes Madsen, Daryl Baughman, Audrey Goldsmith, Larry Bruse, Roger Cutkomp, and Mike Wood.

Halcyon House residents and team members extend their deepest sympathies to the friends and families of Wayne Barta and Dale Buck.