News Center newsletter

From the American Cancer Society and Veterans Memorial Hospital

Breast cancer is the leading cancer diagnosed in women in America. This year, more than 250,000 women will learn for the first time that they have this disease and more than 40,000 women will lose their lives. However, when breast cancer is detected early and treated promptly, suffering and ultimately the loss of life can be significantly reduced.

Women are encouraged to ask their doctors and other health care providers about mammography screening. Mammography (an x-ray picture of the breast) is the single most effective method to detect breast changes that may be cancer, long before physical symptoms can be seen or felt. Early detection, followed by up-to-date treatment, provides women with better chances for long-term freedom from the disease. But mammography screening must be done routinely.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care is offering flu shots every Wednesday afternoon during its regular immunization clinics. The next flu shot clinics will be held Wednesday, October 31 from 1-4 p.m. and again Wednesday, November 7 from 1-6 p.m. The Community and Home Care Immunization Clinic is located on the upper level of Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Immunization clinics are held from 1-6 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of the month, and from 1-4 p.m. all other Wednesdays. Flu vaccine, pneumonia vaccine, and a combination of flu and pneumonia vaccine will all be available. Tetanus shots will be offered as well.

The local Grief Support Group will hold its monthly meeting at Veterans Memorial Hospital Tuesday, November 13 at 5 p.m. in the Education Conference Room. This informal meeting is open to anyone suffering from any type of loss, whether it be death, divorce, illness or some other grief. Feel free to attend and bring a friend. This grief support group now meets the second Tuesday of each month at Veterans Memorial Hospital.
 

The local Caregiver Support Group meets monthly at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. The meetings will take place the third Monday of each month at 1:30 p.m. The next meeting will be held Monday, November 19 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. in the ICN Conference Room, located on the lower level of Veterans Memorial Hospital.

This informal meeting is open to anyone who provides care and support for a family member or friend. Feel free to attend and bring a friend.  This new Caregiver Support Group meets the third Monday of each month at Veterans Memorial Hospital.
 

The LifeServe Blood Center will not be holding a blood drive in Waukon in November. The next Waukon blood drive will be held Monday, December 10 from 12-5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon. The LifeServe Blood Center supplies Veterans Memorial Hospital with its blood and blood products.

The LifeServe Blood Center seeks donors to ensure a safe and plentiful blood supply in Iowa. Because there is no substitute for human blood, the need for donors is continuous.

The blood that is collected is tested carefully. In fact, all blood that is collected by any blood collection center is tested the same, according to the federal regulations.

Eligible donors must be at least 17 years of age, be in general good health and weigh at least 120 pounds. Appointments are encouraged and walk-ins can only be accepted as the schedule permits. To schedule an appointment, call the LifeServe Blood Center at 800-287-4903.
 

An open house birthday celebration in honor of Rita Severson’s 90th birthday is scheduled for Saturday, November 3 from 1-4 p.m. at the Farmers and Merchants Savings Bank community room, 201 West Main in Waukon. Everyone is invited to attend. No gifts are requested.
 

by Dick Schilling, "Editor Emeritus"

... that one of the adages I have found helpful in life is the one that says to always expect the worst, because that way you will never be disappointed.

So a week ago today, just after my printer turned out a rather unsatisfactory print of my column, my attempt at ordering a reprint was rejected, with a rather puzzling message which I did not understand at all. But then, I don’t speak computerese.

When I turned in that messy column to the editor, I said not to be surprised if I did not have a column the next week, because I did not know where to go to seek professional help, which appears to be very scarce if it exists at all in Waukon.

My call for help to a cousin who is sort of my unofficial techie for the laptop brought the suggestion that maybe all I needed was to replace the color toner unit.

For your meditation: Deuteronomy 6: 2-6, Hebrews 7:23-28, Mark 12:28-34

“Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! Therefore, you shall Love the Lord your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today.”

The words come from Moses, the greatest of all the Old Testament leaders. It’s the main point of the reading from Deuteronomy.

Take a look at the gospel by Mark. One of the scribes (apparently one of the few sincere ones) came to Jesus and asked Him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied, “This is the first,” and he quotes from Moses, “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! Therefore, you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.” And Jesus adds that this is the second, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.”

To the Editor:

Senator John McCain was a true patriot and hero. What he endured during his five years of imprisonment and torture is beyond what any of us can imagine.

Hearing Donald Trump degrade McCain because he had gotten captured degraded not only John McCain but also all prisoners of war.  Through his torture, McCain emerged with a broken body but an extremely strong moral compass.

As senator, John McCain had the courage to do what was right and decent for his fellow countrymen/countrywomen. This was on full display when his one vote stopped his party from repealing the Affordable Care Act. McCain understood that millions have been provided health insurance because of the Affordable Care Act. He understood the importance of insurance companies not being allowed to deny coverage to people who have pre-existing health conditions and the importance of women not being charged more for insurance just because of their gender.

by Jeremy Leitz, Allamakee County Executive Director (563) 568-2148

Upcoming Deadlines and Important Dates
• November 12: Office closed in recognition of Veteran’s Day

County Committee Election
During the week of November 5 producers in Iowa, Lansing, Center, LaFayette, Paint Creek, and Taylor Townships will receive county committee voting ballots.  The last day to return completed ballots to the FSA office is December 3. If you’re an eligible producer in one of these townships, please be on the lookout for your ballot.  Committee members are a critical component of the day-to-day operations of FSA. They work to make FSA agricultural programs serve the needs of local producers.
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