News Center newsletter

To the Editor:

1. According to the U.S. government, there is no historical evidence that Betsy Ross made the first Stars and Stripes. The story of Mrs. Ross and the first Stars and Stripes is based on Ross family oral history from 1870 - nearly a century after the War for Independence. Although Mrs. Ross made flags for 50 years, she made flags for Pennsylvania’s Navy during the War. (Source: “Our Flag.” Joint Committee on Printing. United States Congress. H. Doc. 100-247. Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office. 1989. p. 2.)

2. The so-called “Betsy Ross Flag” dates from the early 1790s - not from the War for Independence. (Source: “Our Flag.” p. 2.)

To the Editor:

June 24, history was made. Roe vs. Wade, a mainstay of the law of the land for over half a century, was overturned.

I was born in 1957, six years before Roe vs. Wade was enacted. My mother chose not to abort me, and even if she wanted to, it may not have been easy at that time. But, what if?

What if I were about to be born in 1963 and my mother wanted to use the Roe vs. Wade law to its fullest benefit? I would now be up in heaven talking to my mom, asking, “Why, Mom? Why did you choose to abort me? God’s plan for me was to live 60-plus years on earth, but now because of your choice I have missed out.”

Thankfully, in real life, that has not been the case. It was never an option for my dear mother to ever even consider abortion, either for me or my seven other siblings. My mom was smart, but she was never quite able to learn to say the words, “my body, my choice.” Thank you, Mom.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Medical Clinic-Postville opened Tuesday, July 5 at 124 West Green Street in the same location of the former Postville Medical Clinic in downtown Postville. The clinic will follow a consistent schedule Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The clinic will remain open over the lunch hour, then close from 1-2 p.m. each afternoon.

Minor renovations have been completed to the clinic building which mostly consisted of new flooring, paint and furniture.

This will be the second clinic to be opened and managed by Veterans Memorial Hospital in just over a year. The Waukon Clinic opened May 3, 2021, with three full-time providers and one part-time provider. The Postville Clinic will open with one full-time provider and one part-time provider. Both locations will work closely, sharing many services and staff, ensuring patients are seen by a medical provider at one location or the other as soon as possible with great continuity of care.

Veterans Memorial Hospital will be offering a variety of free health tests and education at the 2022 Allamakee County Fair. Testing and educational materials will change daily.

Thursday, July 21, opening night of the commercial business exhibits located in the Pavilion, free blood sugar and diabetes tests will be offered by Angie Mettille, R.N., Certified Diabetes Educator, of the Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Department. These tests will run from 3-7 p.m.

The hospital’s diabetes staff often reach out at a variety of local events and offer these free tests because the national guidelines continue to change, lowering the blood sugar’s normal range, so they feel it is very important to reach out to the community to continue to offer these screenings to try to catch anyone with a borderline or high blood sugar as early as possible.

As of Friday, July 8, Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon is temporarily closing its Urgent Care department, which has been available evenings and weekends for walk-in, non-emergent cases. The hospital does plan to reopen the Urgent Care again in the fall. During this time, patients seeking immediate or emergency care should visit the VMH Emergency Department (ER).

For all other needs, patients should utilize either of the Veterans Memorial Hospital Medical Clinics located in Waukon at 105 East Main Street, or in Postville at 124 West Green Street.

The Waukon Medical Clinic is open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition, Mondays, this clinic offers early access hours beginning at 7 a.m., and evening appointments are available Thursdays until 7 p.m. Starting July 5, the Postville Medical Clinic will be open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care/Allamakee County Public Health continues to offer all doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, plus the additional booster dose, at their weekly immunization clinics each Wednesday throughout the month of July. These vaccinations are by appointment only and are held each Wednesday afternoon, with extended hours available the first and third Wednesdays of each month.

These vaccinations are available at the main entrance of the hospital in the Meditation Healing Center.  To make an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccination, in July and beyond, call Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care at 563-568-5660.

by Sheryl Darling Mooney, RN, Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care

It’s great to get out and enjoy the outdoors here in Allamakee and Clayton Counties, but remember to be vigilant about checking yourself and others with you for ticks. Examine your skin as best you can and use a hand-held mirror if available. Fine-toothed combs can also be used in helping to check your scalp. “I’d Like to Check You for Ticks”, isn’t just the catchy title to a country song, but a good idea to have someone else check the areas you can’t easily see. There are ways to help decrease the likelihood of a tick bite or attachment:

- Treat dogs and cats for ticks
- Wear insect repellent containing the ingredient DEET (not recommended for children under two months of age)
- Wear permethrin-treated clothing
- Check yourself for ticks after being outdoors, especially after being out in the woods
- Shower soon after coming indoors

Veterans Memorial Hospital will hold a Prepared Childbirth Education class (formerly called Lamaze) Saturday, July 9, from 8 a.m. to Noon in the Large Conference Room.  

The Prepared Childbirth Education classes at Veterans Memorial Hospital are offered in one half-day session. Tours of the Obstetrics (OB) Department are available with these sessions as well.  These Prepared Childbirth Education classes are available for a small fee per session and are offered every three months at Veterans Memorial Hospital.  

Preregistration is necessary, as seats are limited. To register for the class, email childbirth@vmhospital.com or contact Jayne McCormick, RN, Nursing and OB Manager at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.
 

For anyone who feels like their balance is not as good as it used to be, or who may be concerned about falling, one way to help prevent falls is to keep moving. A Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention class offers a gentle exercise option that can help reduce the risk of falling by improving strength, balance, coordination and flexibility.

Tai Chi focuses on the mental and spiritual aspects of Chinese martial arts integrated into movement. This low-impact, relaxing form of exercise is ideal for older individuals.

Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging (NEI3A) is offering Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention classes in Waukon July 11 through September 1. Classes will be held at the Waukon Wellness Center, which is located at 1220 3rd Avenue NW in Waukon, each Monday and Thursday during that timeframe from 11-11:45 a.m.

Ron and Linda Dahlstrom of Waukon are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. The couple exchanged vows July 8, 1972. The public is welcome to attend a celebration Saturday, July 9 from 5-8 p.m. at the Sweeney Pavilion in the Waukon City Park.

In honor of the occasion, cards and well wishes may be sent to 402 West Main Street, Waukon, IA 52172.