by Jeremy Leitz, Allamakee County Executive Director (563) 568-2148
Upcoming Deadlines and Important Dates
• September 1 – December 15: 2018 Margin Protection Program Sign-Up
Fall-Seeded Crops
For producers who have any fall seeded crops, such as hay and pasture, you have until December 15, 2017 to get those acres certified for the 2018 crop year. Failure to do so will result in a late file fee for each farm with hay or pasture.
Managed Haying Requests
For those who have stopped in to request managed haying on your CRP ground, make sure the bales are off that ground by September 30.
... that I don’t understand why Navy ships keep having accidents with commercial vessels at sea.
As a member of the air group aboard our carrier, I did not spend time on the bridge, but did visit a few times. Mostly it was to see how the air officer kept track of where our planes were aboard our carrier. But I was tangentially aware of radar operations.
We traveled with destroyer escorts, and they were usually visible from weather decks. But once in a while, we had to rendezvous with an oiler for transfer of fuels, and the two ships always seemed to find each other.
Yes, it finally happened. RAGBRAI XLV hit Allamakee County and Waukon, and what a sight it was with thousands of people and bicycles everywhere. Not since Dick Sparrow and Ray Sweeney brought the 40-horse hitch to Waukon have so many strangers graced our streets - only this time they stayed for a while.
It was one of those “you almost had to be there” moments. I hope many pictures were taken for sharing with locals and others years from now. I was asked by a friend in another state, “What exactly is RAGBRAI?”.
To summarize it, RAGBRAI is a combination of a big tent chautauqua, a carnival (without big rides), a traveling road show, a smaller version of the Iowa State Fair, a food extravaganza - both local and mobile, an outdoor rock concert, and the summer Olympics, all rolled into one. The only thing missing was a religious revival, and maybe some of that took place also.
I would like to make some clarifications. I am not a Democrat, I don’t think we should abolish capitalism, I have a copy of the Constitution on the bookcase next to my bed, I don’t want free stuff, and I don’t hate the military. Saying we spend too much on our military doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate everything our service men and women do for us every day.
I do believe government is a necessary part of living in a civilized society. We can’t be the greatest country in the world while letting our people die from lack of healthcare at the same time. In other countries they actually get things for the taxes they pay. The truth is capitalism (without regulation) is not bound to protecting people from corporate greed and the ability to profit off of our elderly, our sick, our vulnerable, our students, our incarcerated, and essentially everyone. Eliminating order to create more “freedom” doesn’t work.
I want to express my appreciation to all Allamakee Community School students, staff, alumni and community members past and present for the honor bestowed upon me in naming the Waukon High School outdoor athletic area the “Richard Hermeier Sports Complex”. I am so proud of all the school facilities, staff and students that represent my humble beginnings.
This school and Waukon High School athletics have had a profound influence on my entire life and I am grateful to express my love and gratitude by continuing to contribute financially to the Waukon athletic facilities and programs. I ask that all of you find it in your heart to show your allegiance to Waukon High School and keep the Waukon Indians number one. No contribution is too small.
The VMH Auxiliary and Elliott Jewelers of Waukon will be holding their 13th annual Women’s Health Day Tuesday, September 26, at the Waukon Banquet and Reception Center. This year, everyone purchasing a ticket will be entered into a drawing for a Ladies’ 14kt white and rose gold antique style pendant containing thirty round brilliant cut diamonds and five baguette cut diamonds, on a 14kt 18” Franco style neck chain. The total weight is .36ct. (Retail price $1000) compliments of Elliott Jewelers of Waukon. Tickets for this year’s event will go on sale Monday, September 11, at Veterans Memorial Hospital and Elliott Jewelers. Submitted photo.
The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital, together with Elliott Jewelers of Waukon, will be hosting the 13th annual Women’s Health Day wellness event and luncheon Tuesday, September 26 at the Waukon Banquet Center. All ages are invited to attend any part of this educational event, beginning at 11 a.m. with a wellness fair offering a variety of free health tests and information, and a salad luncheon and program held from Noon to 1 p.m.
VMH would like to invite the public to still follow these family fun 1/5 mile and/or 5K routes anytime over the next few weeks. Stop by the front entrance of the hospital to pick up a route map and follow the orange painted arrows on the streets marking these routes around town.
Over 110 people participated in the “Get Your Walk On In Waukon” annual family fun walk and 5K Saturday, August 19, in conjunction with the Waukon Corn Days celebration. The event was sponsored in part by the Healthiest State Initiative which strongly encourages everyone to walk at least 30 minutes per day. That is the reason the hospital offered a 1.5 mile walk and the optional 5K this year as well.
The hospital would like to invite the public to continue to enjoy the event routes anytime. Maps of the 1.5 mile and 5K (3.1 mile) routes are available to be picked up at the main entrance of the hospital. In addition, orange painted arrows on the streets outline the 1.5 mile course that ends at the east side of the hospital or they can choose to continue on to complete the 3.1 mile course that ends at the south side of the hospital.
For questions, call Erin Berns, Public Relations Director, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon at 563-568-3411.
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, September 11, 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 of the class, for certification or recertification, 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 for the “Health Care Provider” CPR Course, call Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.
The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital will be holding its monthly Euchre Marathon for all individuals of the community interested Thursday, September 21. Men and women are welcome to attend, even if not an Auxiliary member. The Euchre marathons are held the third Thursday of each month at the Senior Citizens Room at the Waukon Wellness Center.
The Auxiliary’s Euchre Marathons begin at 11:30 a.m. with dinner if chosen. Call Northland Agency on Aging at 877-838-8077 if choosing 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. The cost is $3.00 per person with all proceeds going towards the Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital. Prizes will be awarded.
Anyone interested in attending, but preferring to play Bridge is also welcome to join in. It is asked that they come with their own table of four players, however.
Anyone can make a difference by making a life-saving blood donation at the next Waukon Community Blood Drive. Blood donations are desperately needed right now with the recent devastation in Texas. The next blood drive will take place Thursday, September 7, from Noon to 5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon.
Below are a few tips for ensuring a successful donation:
· Get a good night’s sleep before your blood donation.
· Eat a good meal before donating blood. Do not donate on an empty stomach.
· Drink plenty of fluids.
· Bring a photo ID or Blood Donor ID Card to your appointment.
· If you are 16 or 17 years old and you’ve never donated blood with LifeServe Blood Center, be sure to get a signed Parental/Guardian Permission Form.
For more information or to schedule an appointment to donate blood at the next Waukon blood drive scheduled for Thursday, September 7, from Noon to 5 p.m., call 800-287-4903.
