The next LifeServe Blood Center blood drive will be held Monday, August 6 from 12-5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church located in south Waukon. Blood drives are held once a month in Waukon, to allow for more donors to give. The LifeServe Blood Center supplies Veterans Memorial Hospital with its blood and blood products.
The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital will be hosting this blood drive.
Blood centers across the United States see a decrease in blood donations during the busy summer months. During the summer, people become more active, have busier schedules, spend more time outdoors and take vacations. While donations decline, hospitals see an increase in the need for blood. More driving can mean more automobile accidents. A person who has suffered severe injuries from an automobile accident can need up to 50 units of blood.
Summer can be the perfect time for a family road trip - no school, nice weather and plenty of places to visit. But what if your child is prone to car sickness, a common type of motion sickness? Does this mean you have to stay home?
“Car sickness occurs when the brain receives mismatching information from the ears, eyes and nerves in the extremities,” says Sara Winters, physician assistant at Mayo Clinic Health System - Franciscan Healthcare in Waukon. “The results of this sensation are upset stomach, fatigue, and of course, vomiting.” In children ages two to 12, this experience is fairly common.
Although the reasons for why children are so prone are still unexplained, Winters offers some suggestions that may help you keep your child from getting car sick on your next trip:
Exercise lowers blood sugar. That’s the topic theme for this month’s local Fresh Conversations health and wellness program.
From dancing to housework to an evening stroll, activity helps keep people healthy. This is especially true for persons with diabetes. Exercise helps sugars (or carbohydrates) move more easily in and out of blood vessels and muscles. This keeps blood sugar levels from getting too high and makes one feel more vibrant and energetic.
Activities of all types can keep us fit and well. For example, dancing has been shown to improve endurance, balance and memory as well as heart health. So, turn on some favorite tunes and dance like no one is watching.
Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Shirleen “Sam” Rosendahl by Carol Moe, in memory of James Connor by Dennis and Sherri Lyons and Dan and Traci Byrnes, and in memory of Daniel Klees by Janice Shogren.
Memorials were also received in memory of Joe Jenkins by Dr. Arlen and Karlene Wonderlich, Don and Donelle Sherman, Mae Jean Bakke, Ray and Mary Ann Burke, Mary Fink and the family and friends of Joe Jenkins.
In addition, a grant fund was received by the Allamakee Community Foundation for new “Annies” for CPR training in the Veterans Memorial Hospital service area.
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.
The local Grief Support Group will hold its monthly meeting at Veterans Memorial Hospital Tuesday, August 14 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.
Paul and Kathy Howes of Waukon are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this Saturday, August 4 with a casual reception at the Empty Nest Winery, 1352 Apple Road, Waukon. All friends and relatives are encouraged to join them for a celebration of their marriage from 3-6 p.m. No gifts are requested.
The couple exchanged vows November 23, 1968. Due to the unpredictable weather conditions in November and the proximity to Thanksgiving, the August date was chosen as an alternative time for their anniversary celebration. Their children are Jennifer (John) Kuzma of Clearwater, FL and Jason and Laurie (Maxwell) Howes of Dorchester.
The descendants of Elmer and Emma (Bechtel) Snitker will be holding a family reunion Saturday, August 4, 2018. Elmer and Emma were the parents of 11 children and 48 grandchildren.
The reunion will be held at Zalmona Presbyterian Church on Highway 9, Waukon, beginning with a potluck meal at noon.
Nick and Carlyn Lechtenberg of Waukon announce the birth of their son, Teff James Lechtenberg, born July 12, 2018 at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, WI. He weighed 5 lbs. 15 ozs. and measured 18-3/4 inches in length at the time of his birth. He was welcomed home by his big brother, Stirn (1-1/2 years old).
Grandparents are Ray and Kerry Wacker of Waukon, Craig and Jane Rood of Elgin and the late Joe Lechtenberg of Postville. Great-grandparents are Micki Connor of Waukon, Ray and Shirley Wacker of Boscobel, WI, Sylvia Loftsgard of Clermont, Edna Lechtenberg of Postville and Dale Rood of Viroqua, WI.
Jason and Laurie Howes of Dorchester announce the birth of their daughter, Elizabeth Kay Howes, born July 17, 2018 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. She weighed 6 lbs. 7 ozs. and measured 21 inches in length at the time of her birth. She joins a brother, Michael (2-1/2).
Grandparents are Paul and Kathy Howes of Waukon and John and Kathy Maxwell of Iowa City. Virginia Buchanan of Algona is a great-grandparent.
Shane and Liz Murphy of Waukon announce the birth of their daughter, Mila Catherine Murphy, born July 24, 2018 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. She weighed 7 lbs. 10 ozs. and measured 20-1/4 inches in length at the time of her birth. She joins a brother, Miles (2).
Grandparents are Tom and Angela Weighner of Dorchester and Randy and Lisa Murphy of Waukon. Great-grandparents are Clair and Cathy Wagner of Lansing and Grace Murphy of Waukon.
