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Wed
15
Nov

Letter to the Editor: My friend, Jeannie Hegeman

To the Editor:

I met Jeannie Hegeman when I was a young campaign staffer wandering the roads of Waukon. Far from my home in southern California, I was assigned to work in Allamakee County for then-Senator Barack Obama’s underdog campaign in the Iowa Caucus.

With Hillary Clinton expected to dominate the upcoming election, my boss said we had no chance of winning Allamakee and that I should focus instead on simply holding the line. Our campaign diverted many of its valuable resources to other counties where our prospects were stronger. As a result, I spent much of my time commuting alone from our nearest office in Clayton County, spending long hours driving and calling voters from the car.

Wed
15
Nov

Letter to the Editor: Endowment funds build greater good for nonprofits

To the Editor:

Allamakee Scholarship Fund, Inc., one of the first nonprofit organizations to establish an endowment within the Allamakee County Community Foundation, received its first endowment gift of $3,300 in 2008.

Since then, donors have helped grow the fund to promote area education. The nonprofit receives an annual payout of five percent of the average fund balance to help sustain its important mission. These annual payouts will continue and be a source of support it can rely on forever.

Allamakee Scholarship Fund, Inc. is not alone. In Allamakee County, dedicated forward-focused board members have established permanent funds which preserve area history, education and health. This year, these funds paid out more than $17,000 to provide long-term support for local organizations.

Wed
15
Nov

Letter to the Editor: An open letter to the residents of the Driftless Area

To the Editor:

Our home is under yet another major environmental threat. A huge cattle feedlot operation is being enlarged just east of Monona adjacent to U.S. Highway 18.

This factory farm will be constructed on 48 acres, will house 10,000 head of cattle at one time - 20,000 per year, will house a lagoon of 39 million gallons of manure, will have two 620-foot deep wells pumping 22 million gallons of water out of our precious aquifer, annually.

This massive feedlot will be built in the watershed of our beautiful cold water trout stream of Bloody Run. The air pollution could be unfathomable. From the history of these size manure lagoons, it’s not if it will spill, but when it will spill. There are many sinkholes in this watershed, which are direct conduits to our aquifer.

Waltz Energy Limited Liability Company of West Des Moines is a big ag-industry corporate player who has our politicians and government bureaucrats in their back pocket.

Wed
15
Nov

Letter to the Editor: Concerns with Republican tax plan

To the Editor:

I am concerned about Representative Rod Blum and the Republican/Trump tax plan. Rep. Blum supports the tax plan, stating it will “lower taxes for hardworking American families.” Whom is he talking about?

While the tax plan claims to benefit the middle class, the truth is it will provide massive cuts to wealthy individuals and corporations. The top 20% of the U.S. taxpayers will receive 86% of all tax cuts.

How many in Allamakee County are earning more than $149,400 in 2017? In addition, 12.5% of Iowans will get a tax increase.

And what about “everyman” Rod Blum? He is one of the 50 wealthiest congressmen, worth 15.4 million. He will benefit the most!

Sincerely,
Ann Hart
Waukon

 

Wed
15
Nov

Letter to the Editor: Prediction

To the Editor:

Tuesday, November 7 we had our elections. The Democrats won the governorship of New Jersey and Virginia. I will predict that at the end of their four-year term both states will be a mess, like all the states that have Democrats as governors. Crime will go up and they will plunge into big debt.

Now that being said, the Republican party is in deep doodoo - and until they drain the swamps completely, why would you ever support the National Republican party?

Trump is the best thing that happened to the USA in years - if he was to run today for the presidency, he would win by an even bigger margin. The abuse that he is taking from the fake media is terrible. He needs our prayers and support now.

Wed
15
Nov

Surgery Services updates at Veterans Memorial Hospital


Some of the Surgical Staff members at Veterans Memorial Hospital are pictured with the new microscope purchased by the hospital for use by Dr. Cindy Calderon during cataract surgeries. Pictured in the front row, left to right, are William Loebig, CRNA; Breanne Bernau, RN; Tara Reisinger, RN; Brooke Weighner, RN; and Suzette Mahoney, RN, Surgery Supervisor. Back row, left to right, are Jessica Jones, RN; Rachel Berns, RN; Heidi Whalen, RN; and Juli Viet, RN. Submitted photo.

The Surgery Department at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) has seen some changes over the last few months. Long-time orthopedic provider Dr. Val Lyons is currently on medical leave from Veterans Memorial Hospital, with his return anticipated sometime in January. Dr. Lyons has arranged for coverage during his absence, so orthopedic services continue to be available at VMH provided by Dr. Lee Merritt and Dr. Thomas Distefano.

Winneshiek Medical Center and the Decorah Mayo surgeons have decided they will no longer have a presence at Veterans Memorial Hospital. Gundersen surgeons, who have served VMH since 1992, continue their strong support covering both scheduled procedures and emergency cases.

Wed
15
Nov

November is Diabetes Awareness Month: Support systems are an important part of diabetes self-management

By Teresa Myers RN/CDE
Veterans Memorial Hospital

Diabetes mellitus affects over 24 million individuals in the United States alone. Diabetes is considered the leading cause of heart disease, kidney failure, lower limb amputations and blindness among adults with diabetes. Persons with diabetes must learn to manage their diabetes, which includes dietary and food restrictions, physical activity goals, monitoring blood sugar levels with finger sticks and medication management (for some this may include injections of medicines) to lower their blood sugar levels. Living with this structured lifestyle on a day-to-day basis can be very stressful for the person with diabetes.

Wed
15
Nov

Flu shots at VMH Community and Home Care

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care is still offering flu shots every Wednesday afternoon during its regular immunization clinics. The next flu shot clinics will be held Wednesday, November 15 from 1-6 p.m. and again Wednesday, November 22 from 1-4 p.m. The Community and Home Care Immunization Clinic is located on the upper level of Veterans Memorial Hospital.  

Immunization clinics are held from 1-6 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of the month, and from 1-4 p.m. all other Wednesdays. Flu vaccine, pneumonia vaccine, and a combination of flu and pneumonia vaccine will all be available. Tetanus shots will be offered as well.

Medicare does cover the costs of a flu shot. Billing for Medicare will be completed by the Community and Home Care staff, but participants will need to bring their physician’s name and their Medicare number with them. Pneumonia and Tdap shots are also available.

Wed
15
Nov

VMH Diabetes support group to meet November 10

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, November 16 at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held at Veterans Memorial Hospital in the Large Conference Room, located on the lower level of the hospital.

This diabetes class is open to everyone who has diabetes or who has a friend or loved one with diabetes. For more information on the Diabetes Support Group, call Teresa Myers, RN, C.D.E., Diabetes Educator, or Angie Mettille, RN, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon at 563-568-3411.
 

Wed
15
Nov

VMH Auxiliary Euchre Marathon

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital will be holding its monthly Euchre Marathon for all individuals of the community interested Thursday, November 16.  Men and women are welcome to attend, even if not an Auxiliary member. The Euchre marathons are held the third Thursday of each month at the Senior Citizens Room at the Waukon Wellness Center.

The Auxiliary’s Euchre Marathons begin at 11:30 a.m. with dinner, if chosen.  Call Northland Agency on Aging at 877-838-8077 if choosing to eat dinner. Card playing will follow at 12:30 p.m. until approximately 2:30 p.m. Anyone wishing to stay and play cards following the Senior Citizens meal is more than welcome to do so. All proceeds go towards the Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital. Prizes will be awarded.

Anyone interested in attending, but preferring to play Bridge is also welcome to join in. It is asked that they come with their own table of four players, however.

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