News Center newsletter

To the Editor:

Iowa was on display tonight at Waukon High. The best fair in the nation was the backdrop for family drama, high competition, forbidden love, and adventure in Des Moines. “State Fair,” the musical came to life after an 18-year hiatus educating a new generation to the delights of mincemeat and midway mischief.

Nathan Smith and Katelyn Leiran were perfectly parently as Abel and Melissa Frakes. Carley Sweeney had a sweet sway as Margy and Micah Treptau strutted confidence as young Wayne.  Oonagh Ahouse had great presence as the sassy torch singer Emily and Denzel Decker was fun to watch as the conflicted correspondent.  Special mention must be made of Ryan VanderVelden mugging and careening through his various characters.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Radiology staff recently received a donation toward its new 3D Mammography machine by the Postville High School volleyball team, which hosted a “pink out” night October 5 at its home volleyball match. The money raised was presented by Lakken Cox, Captain of the Postville Pirates volleyball team. Pictured above during the check presentation, left to right, are Rachel Wagner, Ultrasonographer; Lakken Cox; Renee Stokman, X-ray Technician and Kelly Baxter, X-ray Technician. The new 3D mammography machine pictured with the group above is the first of its kind in northeast Iowa. Submitted photo.
 

By Teresa Myers RN/CDE
Veterans Memorial Hospital

We all feel stress at various times in our lives. The stress you experience may include worrying about paying bills and/or having money to buy essential items such as food, clothing and medications. It may be feeling anxious or emotional as a result of a new job, a new home or the birth of a child. Stress has many forms and comes from multiple contributing factors; it can be defined as sad stress or happy stress. Regardless of the source of the stress - stress is stress.

Learning you have diabetes can be hard, and living with diabetes is not simple. Emotions have a profound effect on managing blood sugar levels and following a diabetes treatment plan. Our bodies make and release “stress hormones” when we are “feeling stress”. The release of these hormones into our body system can make your blood sugars levels go up or even go down.

For parents, it can be hard to tell whether your child’s illness requires antibiotics or if there are other ways to effectively treat their symptoms. In order to prevent over-use of these drugs, it’s important to know which situations can use home remedies instead of antibiotics.

“If your child has an ear infection, consider using over-the-counter pain relievers in place of antibiotics,” says Steven Perkins, D.O., family physician at Mayo Clinic Health System - Franciscan Healthcare in Waukon. Children’s ear infections usually improve within two to three days, especially for kids who are two years or older. If your child’s health does not improve within a few days, it would be wise to take them in to see their provider.

Congratulations to the numerous students who completed the recent Veterans Memorial Hospital Baby-sitting class. The class, which was held Saturday, October 21, consisted of teaching the qualities of being a good baby-sitter including basic child care, accident prevention and first aid. These new baby-sitters learned CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and the Heimlach Maneuver, to be used in the case of a choking infant or child, and also learned about fire safety.

The students who completed the Veterans Memorial Hospital Baby-sitting seminar included Ava Johnson, Jayden Knox, Mallory Mohn, Kaylee Hawes, Ethan Palmer, Blake Bresnahan, Dylan Christensen, Caleb Helgerson, Bethany Colsch, Max Howe, Mason Howe, Taylor Kiel, Alyssa Connelly, Mallory Berns, Molly Peake, Elle Wilkins, Faith Cooper, Madilyn McNamara, Caydence Lloyd, Mariana Hager, Logan Troendle, Ryland Egan, John Blake, Lauryn Howard, Brianna Bedore, Aleandra Koozer and Millie Koozer.

There has been a lot of talk recently about the opioid and addiction crisis, both in the Midwest and throughout the country. The impact of these crises can be devastating to individuals struggling with addiction; they can also be deadly. The impact also goes deeper, affecting family, friends and loved ones.

As awareness of the opioid epidemic spreads, the need for services to address substance abuse treatment and recovery will also increase. There may already be agencies in the area that can offer assistance with these concerns.

To find out more about substance abuse resources in the tri-state area, including assessment, counseling, treatment and community support, contact Great Rivers 2-1-1 to speak to an Information & Referral Specialist.

Gary and Marlene Houg of Waukon will be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary November 12. The couple was married November 12, 1957 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Luana.

A celebration and dance at the Vet’s Club in Waukon will be held with the Buck Hollow Band performing Sunday, November 12 from 2-5 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.

They are the parents of Wade (Barb) Houg of Plymouth, MN, Lori (Mark) Farley of Cedar Falls, Scott (Brenda) Houg of Waukon and Jeff Houg (deceased, 1989). The couple also has 10 grandchildren.

Anne and Brett Scheetz of Spring Grove, MN announce the birth of their daughter, Luka Rose Scheetz, born October 29, 2017 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. She weighed 7 lbs. 15 ozs. and measured 21 inches in length at the time of her birth. She joins siblings, Emmett (4) and Audrey (2).

Grandparents are Chuck and Audrey Ellingson of Caledonia, MN and Dan and Patty Scheetz of Cosgrove.

Emily Byrnes and Josh Waters of Waukon announce the birth of their daughter, Kaylie Louise Waters, born October 30, 2017 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. She weighed 8 lbs. 11 ozs. and measured 23-1/2 inches in length at the time of her birth. She joins siblings, James Waters (3) and Jorden Funk (4).

Grandparents are Breigha Funk of Colesburg, Loran Waters of Waukon and the late Kelly Deeney. Great-grandparents are the late Earl Waters, Iris Waters and Sandy and Bob McCoy, all of Waukon.

Gretta (Mohwinkle) Fiet, 73, of Rockford, IL passed away November 1, 2017 after a long battle with dementia. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 11 at Riverside Community Church with Pastor Bobby Sheets officiating. Visitation will be prior to the service from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the church.

Gretta loved flowers, but should you choose to leave a charitable gift, memorials may be made to Anam Care, 8104 Sayer Road, Rockford, IL 61108 or Northern Illinois Hospice, 4215 Newburg Road, Rockford, IL 61108.

Gretta was born September 13, 1944 in Waukon, the daughter of Delton and Helen (Beardmore) Mohwinkle.  She graduated from Waukon High School and married David Fiet June 8, 1963.  Gretta did administrative and clerical work for Sears Optical, and worked in the office with her husband at P&L Auto Body.