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June is Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month. Many older adults are living with the lasting effects of trauma, often quietly. With the right support, healing is possible at any age.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Senior Life Solutions (SLS) Program offers compassionate, outpatient group therapy designed to help older adults feel understood, supported, and connected. Anyone age 65 and older, struggling with PTSD and needs support is encouraged to reach out to them at 563-568-5560 or visit www.veteransmemorialhospital.com.

Anyone under age 65 struggling with PTSD is encouraged to self-refer themselves to the Behavioral Health Clinic at either the Waukon or Postville Clinics.  To make an appointment in Waukon, call 563-568-5540 or in Postville call 563-864-7221.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Diabetes Support Group will not hold a regular meeting in June this month. They will meet again July 16.

For more information on the Diabetes Support Group, call Angie Mettille, RN, Certified Diabetes Educator at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Irv Fosaaen by Cindy Barness, Ken and Rose Beardmore, Brad and Erin Berns, Kathryn Campbell, Eaton and Kris Cote’, Mary Cunningham, Randall and Janice Ellis, Christine Engstrom, Steve and Sheryl Evanson, Frank and Patty Goltz, Randy and Lori Hover, Gil and Sherrie Hunstad, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 1115, James and Jill Kiesau, Tammy and Mary Knudtson, Ken and Gloria Krambeer, Ardys Kuhse, Lyle and Cindy Leikvold, Randy and Patricia Nordheim, Carol Paus, Patricia Pettingill, Dave and Gail Prestemon, Bill and Beth Shafer, Matt and Dawn Teslow, Susan Throndrud, Chuck and Lois Votsmier and the Waukon Economic Development in honor of Irv’s years of service to the Waukon community.

All photos on this page, along with many others from this year’s Memorial Day events in the local area, can be found by clicking on the Photos link on the Standard's website.

Pick up the Wednesday, June 3, 2026 print edition of The Standard or subscribe to our e-edition or print edition by clicking here.

The Empty Bowls event was held at East Elementary School in Waukon Thursday, April 30 from 5-7 p.m. It was hosted by the third through fifth grade art students as a service project to raise money for local food banks, using new pottery equipment generously funded by the McElroy Grant.

Elementary art teacher Emily Shannon Timm applied for the grant last fall and was chosen as a recipient this spring. Through the Empty Bowls project, students raised $513 for the Allamakee County Food Shelf and $200 for the Decorah Food Pantry (30% of the Decorah Food Pantry clientele is from Allamakee County.) Students raised $713 in all.

Empty Bowls events, held nationwide, are soup suppers with handmade bowls, filling the empty bowls of those without enough to eat in the local community. Each guest buys a ticket, chooses a handmade bowl and enjoys a variety of soups.

Robey Memorial Library in Waukon invites the community to an educational presentation featuring veteran Iditarod dog musher Karen Land Saturday, June 13 at 2 p.m. in the library’s lower level Community Room.

This special event is part of Robey Memorial Library’s Live & Learn: Enriching Lives Through Monthly Learning Series and is designed for “kids” of all ages - from preschoolers to retirees. Karen Land brings 25 years of mushing experience to the stage, offering a firsthand look at the world of long-distance sled dog racing, including the legendary Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

Audiences will meet Sophia, Land’s eight-year-old Alaskan husky and the star of the show. The presentation will also offer the unique opportunity to interact with a real sled dog.

Robey Memorial Library, in collaboration with the Oneota Valley Literary Foundation (OVLS), is inviting families to take part in the Main Street Story Walk throughout downtown Waukon this June. This year’s featured book is “I’m Trying to Love Spiders” by Bethany Barton. Families can enjoy the humorous and fact-filled story as it unfolds page by page in the windows of six participating local businesses along West Main Street. The Story Walk encourages families to spend time outdoors, read together, and explore downtown Waukon in a fun and interactive way.

Participants will visit six stops along West Main Street in downtown Waukon, with each location displaying a portion of the story. As families move from one business to the next, they’ll continue following the adventure of “I’m Trying to Love Spiders”.

Six Waukon Middle School students were honored Friday, May 21 for their qualities in citizenship observed throughout the school year. This award is voted on by teachers, administration and other staff based on a series of qualities listed below:
• An Unbeatable Attitude: They come to school focused on their goals, enthusiastic about learning, and always respectful of school policies and procedures.
• Dedication to Academics: They understand the value of hard work. While they might not get straight A’s every time, they put in 100% effort to maintain a strong grade point average (GPA) and push themselves to succeed.
• Exceptional Character: They are the students who perform random acts of kindness when no one is watching. They maintain a warm, friendly rapport with peers and teachers, serving as excellent role models for the entire student body.

Karl Peters, graduated senior from Postville High School, was recognized by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and Lt. Governor Chris Cournoyer for outstanding academic achievement at the 24th Annual Governor’s Scholar Recognition Ceremony held April 26 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. Also receiving the honor this year but unable to make the trip to Des Moines to have her photo taken is Kee High School graduated senior Addison Winters.

The statewide program, sponsored by the Iowa Governor’s Office, Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and its title sponsor the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), honored 429 high school seniors from across the state of Iowa.

The New Albin Public Library will be hosting a Meet the Author event Thursday, June 11, beginning at 3 p.m. John Haverty, a published author from Brownsville, MN, will be presenting his new book “Monkey, Bird, Frog and Me.”

The book offers a compassionate message for young readers navigating feelings of difference, loneliness, and self doubt. Through gentle storytelling and an inviting tone, the book creates a safe and encouraging space where children are reminded that they are seen, valued, and never alone.

The Meet the Author event is designed to inspire creativity and learning through fun activities, and there will also be time for little explorers. The event will also include snacks.

Pick up the Wednesday, June 3, 2026 print edition of The Standard or subscribe to our e-edition or print edition by clicking here.