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The members of the Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital are actively recruiting new and returning members throughout this month during an annual membership drive.
For those unfamiliar with the auxiliary, the organization is devoted to providing the hospital and its patients and visitors with many services. The auxiliary also holds annual fundraisers, such as the April Pillow-Perk and the June bake sale, to help raise funds for the purchase of hospital equipment.

There are things that I believe in; then, there are things that I truly believe in, and I write these words from the bottom of my soul. I am going to attempt to educate you on an issue that, for reasons you will soon know, hits me harder than most anything else in this world. Let the story begin.

It's that time of year again when parents take their kids shopping for back-to-school clothes. Whether they are in preschool and need Pokemon designer training pants, or in college and need Tommy Hilfiger designer everything, buying back-to-school clothes is a financial event worthy of mention on Wall Street.
Many moms run into each other at the bank this time of year, like some organized social event. They smile at one another and nod, knowing they are all there for the same purpose: to finance their kids' back-to-school shopping sprees.

. . . that it was almost 40 years ago (1961) when then Federal Communications Commission Chairman Newton Minnow made the following critique of the fledgling television industry: "Sit down in front of your television set and you will observe a vast wasteland . . .a procession of game shows, violence, audience participation shows, and formula comedies about totally unbelievable families."
With Regis Philbin and his "Millionaire" show and the "Survivor" show leading the viewership in recent weeks, nothing much seems to have changed, has it?

It's time to face the fact that there's no longer a typical American family.
I'm talking about the mom at home, dad at work, married, one household unit. Or even the mom and dad both employed outside the home sort of arrangement.
Living in a rural culture, we don't see quite as many non-nuclear family units. And that's OK, fortunate even, because, speaking first-hand, those making it in other ways don't have the easiest shot at things.

45th anniversary celebrated

Mr. and Mrs. Ray Burke celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary with their family on Sun., Aug. 14. The couple married Aug. 23, 1955, at St. John the Baptist Church, West Ridge, rural Waukon.
They are the parents of Randy (Deb) Burke, Garner; Cindy (Steve) Iverson, Waukon; Rick (Katie) Burke, Forest City; and Reggie (Amy) Burke, Wapello. They have been blessed with eight grandchildren and two step-grandchildren.

Couple exchanges vows in Old West Paint Creek service

Beverly Beardmore and Allan Bakkum were united in marriage by Pastor Ken Kimball Sept. 24, 1999, at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church in Waukon. Beverly is the daughter of Sandy and Juan Cvenca of Kissimmee, FL. Allan's mother is Ann-Elise Bakkum of Waukon.
Organist for the 4:30 p.m. service was Daryl Hansmeier. Candlelighter was David Vowell, son of the bride. The altar was decorated with vases of white gladiolus and plum carnations.

September marriage planned

Kelly Wels and Mark Cooper, Coon Rapids, MN, are pleased to announce their engagement and upcoming marriage. Kelly's parents are Dale and Diana Wels of Dubuque. Mark is the son of Glenn and Janice Cooper of Waukon.
Kelly is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls. She is employed as a WRAP trading associate at American Express Financial. Mark, also a UNI graduate, works as a web developer for Neovation, Inc.
The ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 30 at Resurrection Catholic Church in Dubuque.

Cameron Jones and Holly Smith were crowned this year's Junior King and Queen of Waukon Days in a pageant held Friday, Aug. 4. The newly-crowned royalty made an appearance in the Sunday, Aug. 6 parade, which also featured grand marshals James and Eleanor Klenske and Waukon Days King and Queen Dan and Sarah Welsh.
The annual Waukon Days event was kicked off with the Corn Days celebration in downtown Waukon Thursday, Aug. 3, sponsored by the Waukon Chamber of Commerce. This year's feast of sweet corn and beef sandwiches was enjoyed by over 1,250 people.

School board elections, planned Tues., Sept. 12, will provide an invaluable opportunity for parents and other interested community members to take an active role in assuring high educational standards and advocacy for student development within Allamakee County's three school districts.
If not by seeking to represent their respective districts, voters can exercise an active role in education by participating in the election process.
Following is a list of board of education candidates and polling sites for each district:

Allamakee CSD