News Center newsletter

First Baptist Church of Waukon held its 2021 AWANA Grand Prix Car Race earlier this spring at the Church. Pastor Duane Smith gave the AWANA Challenge, and the evening was opened with the pledges to the American flag, the AWANA flag and the Bible. Grand Prix Chairman was Larry Gelo, and he also announced the race.

Jeff Goettel was the Starter Chairman and Chris Kerndt was the Chart Keeper. Judging the cars on Design were Pam Kerndt, Paul Promnitz and Kari Roney. Finish line monitors were Cole Kruse and Gabe Goettel, and weigh-in judges were Dale Roney and Craig Schrick. JoAnn Gelo was in charge of decorations, and refreshments were served by Brenda Schmidt and Jean Buntrock.

Rob and Julie Goddard of Chicago, IL, parents of the bride-to-be, and Larry and JoAnn Gelo of Waukon, parents of the groom-to-be, announce the engagement and upcoming wedding of their children, Emily Goddard and Shawn Gelo.

The bride-to-be is a graduate of the University of Iowa in Iowa City with a degree in French and Anthropology, in addition to achieving a Masters degree in Elementary Education. She is employed as a fourth grade teacher at Mendota Elementary in Madison, WI.

The groom-to-be is a graduate of the University of Iowa in Iowa City with a degree in Management Information Systems (MIS). He is employed as the Information Technology (IT) Director for the University of Wisconsin - Madison School of Nursing.

The couple will exchange vows Saturday, July 23, 2022 near Madison, WI.
 

The family of Rod and Evonne (Odegard) Bloxham is celebrating the couple’s 60th wedding anniversary with a card shower. Rod Bloxham and Evonne Odegard were united in marriage July 8, 1961 at Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church, Waterville.

The couple has three children, Julie (Mike), Sheri (Jeff) and Jodi, as well as six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Due to illness, a private renewal of vows and celebration with immediate family will take place July 10, 2021.

Cards and well wishes may be sent to 1203 Mallard Street, Lansing, IA 52151.
 

Mike and Kaley McKee of Waukon announce the birth of their twin daughters, Fern Margaret McKee and Mabel Lynn McKee, born June 7, 2021 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Fern weighed 4 lbs. and measured 18 inches in length and Mabel weighed 4 lbs. 11 ozs. and measured 18-1/2 inches in length at the time of their births.

Grandparents are Jack and Cindy Heffern of Harpers Ferry, Diane McKee of Waukon and Dean McKee of Lansing. Great-grandparents are Don and Joan Ewing of Lansing, Carol Schaefer of Lansing and Ron and Carol Opfer of Waukon.

Kyle and Ashley Mara of Waukon announce the birth of their son, Landen Mara, born June 23, 2021 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. He weighed 4 lbs. 14 ozs. and measured 17-3/4 inches in length at the time of his birth. He joins siblings, Jayden (13), Bradley (10), Riley (9) and Hayley (3).

Julie Mooney of Waukon is a grandparent. Audrey Mara of Prairie du Chien, WI is a great-grandparent.

The 28th annual Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation Golf Tournament was held Monday, June 21 at the Waukon Golf and Country Club. Twenty-nine teams of three participated in this tournament. Each team enjoyed 18 holes of golf plus lunch and dinner prepared by Rich Schulte, Marge, Bud and Rich Strike, Jim and Linda Ryan, and the Foundation Directors.

The Foundation gives credit for the success of this tournament to the many local businesses that provide great prizes so everyone participating wins. Plus many businesses serving this area contribute as hole sponsors to the tournament making it an enjoyable, community-wide event.

The new Veterans Memorial Hospital Waukon Clinic recently received another park bench donation for outside the clinic building for patients and family members who choose to wait outdoors. This bench is donated by the Tom Baxter family, in his memory. Tom passed away a year ago and believed in the need for Rural Healthcare. Beth Baxter, Tom’s wife, states, “He understood the importance of specialized care but firmly believed in the importance of rural healthcare at every level, whether it was routine care or in an emergency situation. Tom loved and enjoyed the Waukon community and always had time to sit and have a visit.

The COVID-19 virus is still on the move through unvaccinated individuals in the county, but those who are vaccinated can continue normal lifestyles without wearing masks, according to health officials offering guidance on the matter.

In May, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) declared that anyone vaccinated for COVID-19 can gather indoors without masks with others who are fully vaccinated, and limit social distancing, and that still remains true. For those not yet vaccinated, Allamakee County Public Health does have a good supply of vaccine and is highly encouraging everyone to receive it.

Vaccine clinics are readily available every Friday afternoon for both prime and boost doses for Moderna. Currently, Johnson and Johnson one-dose vaccine is also available. These are held at the main entrance to Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Call 563-568-5660 to schedule.

The Test Iowa location in Decorah, facilitated by Winneshiek Medical Center, will close Thursday, July 15.  This closure aligns with the State of Iowa’s announcement that it is discontinuing the service.

Last fall, Test Iowa, a statewide initiative to expand the availability of COVID-19 testing, collaborated with Winneshiek Medical Center to open a testing site for northeast Iowa. The site opened October 12, 2020. Since the onset of the local service, Test Iowa, staffed by Winneshiek Medical Center employees, has provided 6,272 COVID-19 tests to people of the region.

“Welcome to Medicare” is a free, two-hour seminar offered by the Veterans Memorial Hospital Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) counselors.  This program will be held Monday, July 12 from 5-7 p.m. in the Large Conference Room located on the lower level of Veterans Memorial Hospital.

“Welcome to Medicare” will cover Medicare Part A and Part B benefits, the prescription drug benefit (Part D), Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare supplement insurance. SHIIP, the Senior Health Insurance Information Program, is a service of the State of Iowa. Local SHIIP counselor Russ Hagen is trained by the State and does not sell or promote any insurance companies, policies or agents. Veterans Memorial Hospital is a local sponsor for SHIIP in Allamakee County.