News Center newsletter

The Waukon boys golf team played in a pair of multi-team events this past week and came out on top of both of those competitions, leaving all five of the teams they competed against behind to play to an undefeated week. The Indians won a four-team quadrangular of nine-hole competition at New Hampton Tuesday, May 6 before doing likewise against two other teams in 18 holes of play at the Turkey Valley triangular Thursday, May 8.

The Waukon boys were next scheduled to wrap up their regular season playing in the Northeast Iowa Conference Golf Tournament hosted by New Hampton Monday, May 12. They will then prepare for their Class 2A Sectional Tournament being played Wednesday, May 14 at North Fayette Valley.

For more complete coverage, pick up this week's print edition or subscribe to our e-edition or print edition by clicking here.

The Kee boys track and field team brought its regular season schedule to a close this past week with a pair of final meets, both of them hosted by MFL/MarMac in Monona. The Hawks finished sixth at the MFL/MarMac Invitational Monday, May 5 before claiming a seventh-place finish at the annual Upper Iowa Conference Meet held Thursday, May 8.

The Hawks are next scheduled to try and extend their season as much as they can when they compete in their Class 1A State Qualifying Meet scheduled for Thursday, May 15 at Edgewood-Colesburg.

For more complete coverage, pick up this week's print edition or subscribe to our e-edition or print edition by clicking here.

Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) will be hosting the Safety Day Camp for children ages 6 to 14 Wednesday, June 4, at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds in Waukon from 8:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. The camp is open to all children in the area. It is a true safety camp that instructs on many areas of safety that address every child’s life.

During the camp, children participate in interactive activities that reinforce the importance of taking responsibility for their own safety, respecting parents’ safety rules and sharing safety tips with their family and friends. Hands-on demonstrations teach lifesaving first aid techniques and reveal the hidden hazards of children’s surroundings. Camp demonstrations also focus on farm hazards associated with various safety topics.

by Steven Mazzafield, Speech-Language Pathologist at Veterans Memorial Hospital

During National Stroke Awareness Month, I want to shine a spotlight on the importance of awareness, prevention, and rehabilitation for stroke survivors. Among the many healthcare professionals dedicated to supporting recovery, speech therapists play a crucial role in helping individuals regain their communication and swallowing abilities after a stroke.

A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted, leading to brain damage. Depending on the area affected, survivors may experience speech, language, or swallowing difficulties - collectively known as dysarthria, aphasia, and dysphagia.

These challenges can significantly impact a person’s ability to express themselves, understand others, and enjoy meals safely. Such impairments can also affect emotional well-being, social participation, and overall quality of life.

The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation’s Annual Three-Person Best-Shot Golf Tournament is set this year for Monday, June 16 at the Waukon Golf and Country Club.

Teams of three will begin the day with a shot gun start at 9:30 a.m. and play 18 holes of golf. Breakfast rolls, lunch, dinner and prizes for everyone will all be provided for a $75 donation.

All those interested in joining the event are asked to pre-register their team by calling the Waukon Golf and Country Club at 563-568-9939. For more information about the golf tournament, call Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) at 563-568-3411.
 

The Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, May 15, 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 month’s topic will be severe weather awareness and how to be prepared for that. Corey Snitker, Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator, will be sharing information about how to stay safe during natural disasters and will also focus on how this relates to diabetes.

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 Angie Mettille, RN, Diabetes Educator, at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.

Gerald and Linda (McCormick) Henkes of McGregor are celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary. The couple married May 21, 1955 at St. Pius Catholic Church, Cherry Mound in rural Harpers Ferry.

Their children are Marci (David) Strutt of West Des Moines, Kim (Deborah) Henkes of McGregor, Kari (Don) Ruff of McGregor, Kevin (Amy) Henkes of Gouldsboro, PA and Randy (Ruth) Henkes of San Antonio, TX. Their family also includes 12 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren.

In honor of the occasion, cards and well wishes may be sent to 427 Main Street, P.O. Box 93, McGregor, IA 52157. The couple requests no gifts.

Joan (Palmer) Leiran of Waukon will be celebrating her 90th birthday May 14. In honor of the occasion, cards and well wishes may be sent to 507 5th Street SE, Waukon, IA 52172.

Members of the Waukon High School Class of 1965 will celebrate their 60-year reunion Thursday, May 22 at Empty Nest Winery, located at 1352 Apple Road in rural Waukon. The event will begin with a gathering at 10:30 a.m. followed by lunch at 12:30 p.m.

Those in the Waukon High School Class of 1965, as well as faculty and staff from that era, are invited to attend. For additional information or to register for the reunion, contact the reunion committee at kcmathis@msn.com.

Tyler and Mandy Halverson of Waukon announce the birth of their daughter, Harra Abigail Halverson, born April 28, 2025 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. She weighed 8 lbs. 1 oz. and measured 20 inches in length at the time of her birth. She joins siblings, Harper (13), Havanna (11), Hadalyn (9) and Huxley (8).

Grandparents are Al and Sandy Halverson of Waukon, Lori and Marty Hemann of Waukon, and Brian and Jenn McCarthy of Ohio.