News Center newsletter

by Dick Schilling, "Editor Emeritus"

... that the handwriting seems to be on the wall in regard to the future of the Waterville attendance center of the Allamakee Community School District.

Not on the walls of that almost 100 year old building, but in the information publication put out by the district’s board for consideration prior to the board meeting in November and the December meeting to announce a decision.

It isn’t anyone’s fault if the decision is to close the school. It is a victim of changing population densities. The information shows an average of about 20 students per grade just 20 years ago to about ten projected for next year. Rural populations have declined everywhere as farmers have faced the same problem as many mom and pop businesses, either get big or get out.

To the Editor:

Stigma is the greatest barrier to helping individuals with mental illness. Many people mistakenly think that people with mental illness are dangerous or that people with substance abuse disorders have a moral failing. In fact, the majority of people with mental illness pose no threat to others. And regardless of moral beliefs, addiction is a disease that impairs a person’s health, social function, and ability to control substance use.

This misunderstanding causes feelings of shame and fear among people with co-occurring disorders. Many people isolate themselves to avoid embarrassment, or deny that they need mental health treatment. Stigma in our society also prevents people in need from receiving help. Cultural rejection can prevent individuals with addiction from finding work, maintaining stable housing and providing for themselves.

To the Editor:

One of the most serious threats to our youth may be lurking in your medicine cabinet. October 28 you have an opportunity to clean out those cabinets and reduce prescription drug and opioid abuse in our community.

The Police Department, along with the Drug Enforcement Agency, will be hosting a National Drug Take-Back Day for all community members to bring unused or expired pills and patches. This is a free event and completely confidential: No questions will be asked.

Allamakee County pick-up sites will be at the Waukon Police Department, Postville City Hall, Lansing City Hall and the Lansing Fire Department. The drop-off times will be October 28 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Reservations are being taken now for the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation’s 26th  Annual Christmas Fantasy to be held Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, November 10, 11, 12 and 13 at the Allamakee Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon. The theme for this year’s event will be “A Christmas To Remember.”

Reservations are now being taken for the popular Saturday and Monday Noon luncheons and the Saturday evening Wine, Cheese and Dessert Event.

The luncheons are sponsored by the Allamakee County Cattlemen’s Association and will be held Saturday, November 11 at Noon, and again Monday, November 13 at Noon. A full meal will be served plus entertainment will be provided at both events. All guests will have ample time to view all of the displays.

Reservations can be made by calling 563-568-6262.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care is offering flu shots every Wednesday afternoon during regular immunization clinics. The next flu shot clinics will be held Wednesday, October 25 from 1-4 p.m. and again Wednesday, November 1 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.

Medicare does cover the costs for a flu shot. Billing for Medicare will be completed by the Community and Home Care staff, but participants will need to bring their physician’s name and their Medicare number with them.  Pneumonia shots and Tdap shots are also available.

Veterans Memorial Hospital will be offering a course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for health care providers (those working in health related fields such as physicians, nurses, EMTs etc.), Monday, November 13, beginning at 5:30 p.m. This “Health Care Professional” CPR class will be held in the Large Conference Room located on the lower level of the hospital.

The cost for all CPR classes, for certification or recertification, at Veterans Memorial Hospital is the same and all registrants should bring along their own pocket mask. The card received with the course does certify attendants in CPR for two years.

Pre-registration plus a minimum of three participants is required. For more information and to register, call Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon at 563-568-3411.
 

The next LifeServe Blood Center Blood Drive will be held Thursday, November 2, from 12-5 p.m., at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon. Blood drives are held once per month. The LifeServe Blood Center supplies Veterans Memorial Hospital with its blood and blood products.

The LifeServe Blood Center is seeking 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.

Over half of the United States population is eligible to donate blood, yet less than four percent donate on a regular basis. A single donation of blood can be used to save up to three lives and help in treatment of cancer patients, accident victims, hemophiliacs and surgery patients. The LifeServe Blood Center is committed to serving the needs of Iowans by saving lives through volunteer blood donation.

Veterans Memorial Hospital’s Diabetes Self-Management Education Program will be offering another free educational program on “Diabetes Prevention” out in the area communities served by Veterans Memorial Hospital.  This time the diabetes staff will be hosting a program in the community of Monona,  Monday, October 30, at the Monona Community Center from 6-7:30 p.m. Teresa Myers, RN, Certified Diabetes Educator, and Angie Mettille, RN, will be teaching all those attending how to reduce the risk of getting Type 2 diabetes.

Pre-Diabetes is a condition that comes before Type 2 diabetes when the blood glucose (sugar) levels are higher than normal, but aren’t high enough to be called diabetes. It is a silent disease, meaning someone can have it without even knowing it. Cutting back on calories and fat, being physically active and losing weight can reverse pre-diabetes and therefore delay or prevent Type 2 diabetes.

St. Patrick’s High School Class of 1967 held its 50th-year reunion Saturday, October 7 at Green Valley Getaway in Waukon. Special guests at the event were Monsignor Joseph Slepicka and Father Mark Osterhaus. Reunion committee members were: Kate (Tierney) Tooke, Bonnie (Blake) Sweeney, Margaret (Doubek) Hammell and Greg Waldron.

The celebration began with Mass at St. Patrick’s Church followed by a tour of the school. Dinner and a program followed at Green Valley Getaway. A highlight of the evening was a trip down memory lane led by a lively group of St. Pat’s grade school girls dressed as cheerleaders. They led several cheers from the 1960s and sang the school song. A silent auction was held with donations going to St. Patrick’s School.

Owen (Ole) and Carol Thorson of Spring Grove, MN are celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary. They were married October 23, 1952 in New Albin.

The couple has four children, Jan (Bob) Klug of Caledonia, MN, Greg (Terri) of Decorah, Gary of New Albin and Joel (Janice) of Dorchester, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, with one on the way.

Cards and well wishes may be sent to: 123 Fourth Avenue NE, Spring Grove, MN 55974.