Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care/Allamakee County Public Health will be offering all doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, plus the additional booster dose, at their weekly immunization clinics each Wednesday throughout the month of April. 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 will be available at the main entrance of the hospital in the Meditation Healing Center. To make an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccination in April and beyond, call Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care at 563-568-5660.
The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, April 21, 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. Face masks will be required to be worn.
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, at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.
Memorials were received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Margaret Ferring by Chuck and Lois Votsmier and Brad and Erin Berns; in memory of Richard “Lee” Hinkel by Corey and Trish Shelton, Chuck and Lois Votsmier and Brad and Erin Berns; and in memory of Philip Dehli by Mr. and Mrs. Arlyn Fossum, Dave and Laurie Martin, Grace Sorenson and Betty Troendle.
Memorials were also received in memory of Jim Sweeney by Margo Sweeney; in memory of Micki Connor by Dave and Laurie Martin; in memory of Donna Gaunitz by Grace Sorenson; in memory of Loren Paus by Dave and Laurie Martin; in memory of Karlton Gresl by Betty Troendle and in memory of Donald Kuennen by Arlen and Karlene Wonderlich.
Special donations were also received in honor of Rhonda Snitker by Jill Cameron and Christi and John Regan.
Laen and Regan Folsom of Waukon announce the birth of their son, Sutton Brently Folsom, born March 31, 2022 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. He weighed 8 lbs. 13 ozs. and measured 19-3/4 inches in length at his birth.
Grandparents are Ron Leas and Rebecca Hackett-Leas of Letts and Marcy Folsom and Travis Phillips of Waukon. Great-grandparents are Donald and Trudy Hackett of Marquette, Frank and Sandy McMillin of McGregor, Lynn Folsom of Waukon, Linda Kerndt of Waukon, and Roger and Marsha Phillips of Bluffton.
Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
April 15: Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program
May 15 – August 1: Primary Nesting Season
July 15: Spring Crop Reporting
What’s New and Improved for Specialty Crop Producers?
Does your operation include specialty crops? Whether you grow fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, or nursery crops - USDA is here for you.
Over the past year, USDA has stepped up our support of specialty crop producers and local and regional food systems. USDA believes specialty crop producers are integral to the food system of the future, and we are working to improve available options for specialty crop producers as well as ensure equity in program delivery.
Being aware and taking prevention measures are keys to safety
Unloading grain bins and delivering corn to local elevators, feed mills and ethanol plants has been in full swing for several weeks across the Midwest. In this article, Dirk Maier, professor of agriculture and biosystems engineering with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, provides some basic safety guidance.
Ideally, corn will gravity flow into the center floor outlet (sump), is transferred with an under-floor conveyor out of the bin and from there to another conveyor that fills a truck or to an overhead load-out bin to gravity-fill a truck.
Many Iowa farmers hire some custom machine work in their farm business or perform custom work for others. Others rent machinery or perform other services.
This year’s survey, published in March, includes 122 responses and nearly 3,400 custom rates for tasks related to tillage, planting and seeding, spraying, harvesting, farm labor and more. Most custom rates saw an increase of 3-10%, according to Alejandro Plastina, associate professor in economics and extension economist at Iowa State, and one of the authors of the report. The cost for labor increased almost 14%, reflecting the challenges of a tight labor market nationwide.
Diabetes affects about 37 million Americans, and an estimated seven million use insulin to control their blood sugar. However, a recent study found that over 25% of diabetic patients have had to skip this necessary medication due to the unduly high costs the pharmaceutical companies have charged - in some cases as much as $1,000 a month.
Led by its current majority party, the U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a bill that would cap the monthly cost of insulin at $35 for insured patients. Guess who voted against the measure - all three Representatives from the state of Iowa not of that majority party. Which party truly cares about the healthcare of everyday Iowans?
Duane Weston Calvert, affectionately known as “Coach”, 88, of Apache Junction, AZ peacefully passed away March 7, 2022 at a Queen Creek, AZ hospital surrounded by his family. Duane donated his body to science. Services to celebrate his life will be held later this year.
Duane was born December 1, 1933 in Sioux City to Earl and Helen Calvert. He attended East High School in Sioux City and graduated from Westmar College in LeMars. He then served in the U.S. Army.
He married Julia Annette Ullrich in Salix December 28, 1957. They were blessed with seven children.
Larry Whittle, 74, of rural Decorah died Thursday, March 17, 2022 at his home. Memorial services will be held Monday, May 2 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. John Moser officiating. Burial will be held at a later date at St. Benedict’s Cemetery in Decorah.
Friends may greet the family from 3-6 p.m. Sunday, May 1 at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon, where there will be a 2:30 p.m. scripture service.
Lawrence Paul Whittle was born September 17, 1947 in Dubuque, the son of Virgil and Claire (Heatley) Whittle. He graduated from St. George High School in Lansing in 1965 and then worked on the family farm and bought his first pick-up. Larry started hauling cattle to area sales barns, attending local livestock auctions, and was a livestock buyer for many years; he loved taking care of his cattle.
