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Like most events held in 2020, the 29th annual Christmas Fantasy will also change considerably this year due to COVID-19.   The sponsor of this annual event, the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation, reports this was not an easy decision since the annual Christmas Fantasy is always such a popular event, and they look forward to holding the extensive event again next year.

For 2020, the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation will still have a Christmas Fantasy presence through a “Big C” Silent Auction.  They will be promoting “shopping locally” by offering silent auction items within area Waukon businesses.  These auction items will not only offer a variety of Christmas gifts for sale locally, but encourage shoppers to do more local holiday shopping in safe settings, hopefully decreasing the amount of out-of-town shopping and creating more local store traffic, helping the local businesses.

Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon has announced that Tuesday, November 3 the hospital Board of Trustees approved the plans to proceed with establishing a family medical clinic in Waukon. The former Mayo Clinic building, which is adjoined to and is now owned by Veterans Memorial Hospital, will be the site for this clinic.

“The Gundersen Waukon Clinic has done an amazing job trying to pick up as many patients as they possibly can following the closing of the Mayo Clinic last fall, but the truth is, there is just such a great demand for local primary care, they just can’t do it all,” states Michael Coyle, Chief Executive Officer of Veterans Memorial Hospital. “We see so many patients every day in our Urgent Care who just need to see a primary care provider for non-emergent care that could have been handled in a clinic setting. But because there is no other option, they come to urgent care, which does not make for good continuity of care.”

For those who are living with diabetes, taking insulin, and have Medicare, participating in the Medicare Open Enrollment Period is important every year. It is especially important this year as you prepare for 2021, as there have been some positive changes made within Medicare that could impact how much you pay for your insulin, without necessarily increasing the monthly premium you currently pay.

Open enrollment is the annual period when enrollees can make changes to their health insurance and medication part D plans. To make changes to your 2021 plan, you must do so during a specific timeframe. This is taking place now until December 7, 2020.

Medicare health and drug plan costs and covered benefits can change from year to year, so people with Medicare should look at their coverage choices and decide on the options that best meet their health needs.

The Caregiver Support Group meetings that were held monthly at Veterans Memorial Hospital continue to be held through conference calls during COVID-19.  Northeast Iowa Agency on Aging is offering weekly Caregiver Support Group conference calls every Monday from 10-11 a.m.

To join a call, just dial 1-800-264-8432 and then enter the participant code 961847# to be connected to the support group conference call, joining other caregivers.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care is still offering flu shots on an appointment-only basis. The Hi Dose flu vaccine is also still available.  Appointments can be made by calling 563-568-5660.   When the appointment is made, instructions are given for the private location the immunizations will be administered.

Those with an appointment to receive their flu shot should remain in their vehicle until the nurse comes to get them and should bring along their insurance or Medicare card.

Influenza, also called “the flu”, can cause fever, chills, headache, cough, sore throat and muscle aches to people of any age, and can lead to pneumonia and even death. Most deaths caused by influenza occur in the elderly, the very young or people who have a compromised immune system.

Memorials were received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of  Leon Schoh by Jan Brandsmeier, Dennis and Sandy Deal, Chuck and Lois Votsmier, Dave and Laurie Martin, Ernie and Donnalee Osland, Ralph and Marie Plein, Kay Zimmerman, Marlys Leiran, Carol Paus, Jane Deitrich, Wendy and Paul Ebner, James Moritz,  Donald and Joyce Bakke, Ken and Rose Beardmore, Jerry and Linda Siegrist and Brad and Judy Herman.

Memorials were also received in memory of Marjean Fahey by Mary Ann Hager, Patricia Pettingill, Marv and Marjorie Strike, Dave and Laurie Martin, Dave and Sandy Lyons, Chuck and Lois Votsmier, Steve and Sheryl Evanson, Elaine Knuppe, Dacia Johnson, James and Jill Kiesau, Brad and Judy Herman, Kathy Tobin, David and Dawn Clark, Nancy Schoh, Cheryl Bollman, Ken and Rose Beardmore, Bev Larson-Needham, Mary Fink, Jane Dietrich, Sheila Snitker, Charles and Marcella Fritz, Debra Heldt and Becky Hoffman.

Ashley Pomeroy and Cameron Jones of Waukon announce the birth of their daughter, Kinslee-Grace Danette Jones, born October 30, 2020 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. She weighed 8 lbs. 6 ozs. and measured 21 inches in length at the time of her birth. She joins a sister, Evelynn-Rose Pomeroy (4).

Grandparents are Dwight and Danette Jones of Waukon. Great-grandparents are Betty Welsh of Lansing and Katey and Dayton Jones of Waukon Junction.

Emily Hammel of Dorchester and Mitchell Drey of Gretna, NE announce their engagement and upcoming wedding scheduled to take place Saturday, June 26, 2021 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon. A reception in Calmar will follow the ceremony.

The bride-elect is the daughter of Charles and Deborah Hammel of Dorchester and is a 2016 graduate of Waukon High School and a 2020 graduate of Iowa Wesleyan University. She is employed at Truman Elementary School in Cedar Rapids as a K-5th grade P.E. teacher.

The groom-elect is the son of Charles and Amy Drey of Gretna, NE and is a 2013 graduate of Gretna High School and also graduated from Iowa Wesleyan University with a Bachelor degree in 2018 and a Masters degree in 2020. He is employed at St. James Elementary School in Washington as a Pre-K-5th grade P.E. teacher and at Hillcrest Academy, Kalona as a Health/P.E. teacher and as Assistant Athletic Director.

Bill and Kathy (Wiedenmann) Campbell of Waukon are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. The couple married November 14, 1970 at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon.

Their family includes daughter Kari (Michael) O’Hara and grandchildren, Mason, Kylie, Kade and Kyra, and son Ryan (Kristen) Campbell and grandchildren Ella, Laney and Greta.
 

Darlene Leas of Waukon will be celebrating her 95th birthday November 13.

Cards and well wishes may be sent to 771 Autumn Road, Waukon, IA 52172.