News Center newsletter

Winneshiek County Development Incorporated has awarded Iowa's Dairy Center and Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) with the annual Sustainability Award. This award is presented to any business or organization that has gone above and beyond in employing good sustainability practices.

Waukon Veterinary Service and Brodahl Veterinary Service of Waukon partnered with Zoetis and the National FFA Organization to donate a total of $635 to the Little Switzerland FFA chapter at Waukon High School through the FFA Support Program. The donated funds are provided to chapters through the sale of cattle and equine medical products at both locations. The Zoetis Industry Support Program was pleased to announce that the participants in the program helped contribute more than $1.3 million to local FFA chapters nationwide. Their goal is to support the development of individual FFA chapters across the country. The donated funds will be used to provide contest materials and other necessities for the Waukon FFA Chapter. The support from Waukon Veterinary Service and Brodahl Veterinary Service has allowed the chapter to reach out to more students through their participation in FFA contests.

Saturday Clover Kids met January 21 at the Waukon Wellness Center, hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Ross Geerdes, Allamakee County Conservation's Naturalist, joined the meeting to share his knowledge about watersheds and the animals that live there. He brought along many furs to share and explained how each animal was different and how they lived around or in a watershed. With Waukon being close to the Mississippi River, most of these animals are common in the local area. The Clover Kids were able to touch each fur (pictured above) and note the differences in color and also how the fur felt; for example, animals that lived mainly in the water, such as otters, had fur that felt oily in order to repel the water off of them. Geerdes explained characteristics of each animal and how that helps each animal thrive in its environment. The youth also had the opportunity to meet Sally the salamander and pet her, along with a toad (pictured below).

The local Grief Support Group will hold its monthly meeting at Veterans Memorial Hospital Wednesday, February 8 at 2 p.m. 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 meets the second Wednesday of each month at Veterans Memorial Hospital.
 

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital will be holding its monthly Euchre Marathon for all individuals of the community interested  Thursday, February 16. Men and women are welcome to attend, even if not a member of the Auxiliary. The Euchre marathons are held the third Thursday of each month at the Senior Citizens Room located in the Waukon Wellness Center. 

The Auxiliary’s Euchre Marathons begin at 11:30 a.m. with dinner if chosen. Contact Northland Agency on Aging at 877-838-8077 to eat dinner. Card playing will follow at 12:30 p.m. until approximately 2:30 p.m. Anyone wishing to stay and play cards following the Senior Citizens meal is more than welcome to do so. All proceeds go toward the Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital. Prizes will be awarded.

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Evelyn Welper by Russ and Mary Jo Meyer, Jane Dietrich, Tharin and Bailey Meyer Benson, Patsy Kerndt, David and Suzanne Hahn, Rick and Cathy Larson, Jeff Mitchell and family and friends of Evelyn Welper.

Memorials were also received in memory of Donna Wiley by Marv and Marge Strike, Norb and Nola Palmer, Dave and Laurie Martin, Mae Jean Bakke, Dr. Bill and Libby Withers, Gayle Larkin, Carl and Betty Christianson and family of Donna Wiley.

Memorials and donations are greatly appreciated by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation.  The Foundation is a 501C3 organization. All donations to the Foundation are tax deductible. Memorials and donations can be sent to 40 First Street SE, Waukon, IA  52172.
 

Flu Shots are still available at the Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care. Flu shots are recommended for all those who have not yet received the vaccine and will be effective throughout the rest of the flu season.

Flu shots are available without appointment each Wednesday afternoon during the weekly immunization clinic in the Community and Home Care Department located on the upper level of Veterans Memorial Hospital, Waukon. These immunization clinics are held from 1-6 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of each month, and from 1-4 p.m. all other Wednesdays.

For more information, contact the Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care Office at 563-568-5660.
 

The upcoming Fresh Conversations program, sponsored by Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging, will be held at the Waukon Wellness Center Senior Center Tuesday, February 28 at 11:15 a.m. The program will include a discussion on how to prevent food illnesses, including tips on reading food label “use by” dates to keep your groceries safe. You’ll talk about body symptoms to be aware of that can indicate you have a food illness. And, you’ll learn about the State of Iowa’s 844-IowaSic hotline  you can call if you suspect you have a foodborne illness.

Local facilitator, Tatum Miller from  Good Samaritan Society-Waukon, will lead the conversation packed with tips on how to keep your food safe. Check out the congregate meal site and take part in a meal while you are there.

Cullen and Denise Becker of Lansing announce the engagement and upcoming wedding of their daughter, Jennifer Becker, to Austin Signor, son of Trish Signor of Clive and Tom and Vicki Signor of Norwalk. The couple plans to exchange vows April 7, 2017 in Riviera Maya, Mexico.

The bride is originally from Lansing and will be graduating from medical school May 26 of this year and will then begin her pediatric residency after returning from a two-week honeymoon in Italy.

The groom is originally from Des Moines and is a Managing Director, External Wholesaler at Destra Capital Investments.

The couple resides in Chicago IL.

Jeremy Smerud and Johanna Dunlevy of Des Moines announce the birth of their daughter, Audrey Denise Smerud, born January 9, 2017 in Des Moines. She weighed 6 lbs. 7-1/2 ozs. and measured 18-1/2 inches in length at the time of her birth.

Grandparents are John Dunlevy of Lansing, Tony and Frederica Trunkel of Mesa, AZ, and Cullen and Denise Becker of Lansing. Gerry Grant of Kansas City, MO is a great-grandfather.