News Center newsletter

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, April 20 at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held at Veterans Memorial Hospital in the Large Conference Room, located on the lower level of the hospital.
This diabetes class is open to everyone who has diabetes or has a friend or loved one with diabetes. For more information on the Diabetes Support Group, call Teresa Myers, RN, C.D.E., Diabetes Educator, or Angie Mettille, RN, at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.
 

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Keith Fahey by Dan and Traci Byrnes, Dave and Rita Newton, Randy and Lori Hesse, Bob and Marilyn Bulman, Cyril and Shirley Larkin, John and Lorna Kerndt, Bernard Welsh, Jerry and Linda Siegrist and Bob and Kristi Campbell.

Memorials were also received in memory of Kurt Rathbun by Ernie and Donnalee Osland, in memory of Curtis “CD” Kruger by Pat and Kathy McMillan, in memory of Owen Myhle by Jane Dietrich, and in memory of Glen Thorson by Rodney and Evonne Bloxham and Jerry and Linda Siegrist.

Memorials and donations are 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.

Nine out of ten older Americans have high blood pressure. It’s so common, some people think it’s a normal part of aging. The problem - high blood pressure can contribute to conditions like strokes and heart attacks. The solution - simple lifestyle habits that can lower risk and keep blood pressure in check. The result – better energy and wellbeing.

Experts are finding that including more potassium-rich foods in one’s diet (like avocado, spinach, squash, apricots and more) can help lower blood pressure. In fact, combined with using the saltshaker and processed foods less often, potassium may be an overlooked nutrient. Eating more delicious, whole foods containing potassium might help protect against stroke and high blood pressure risks.

Caregivers for an older family member or friend may not consider what they do as caregiving. Those who help with their parents’ household chores and finances, mow their neighbor’s yard or drive an elderly friend to a doctor appointment are among approximately 34.2 million Americans who provide informal care each year. The care these individuals provide allows their friend or loved one to stay independent and in their home for as long as they desire.

Many caregivers are providing care for an older adult while also working and caring for their own families. While caregiving can be rewarding, it can also be stressful. Unfortunately, many caregivers will forego their own needs to care for others.

Tony and Deb (Mettille) Schulte of Spring Grove, MN are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. The couple was married April 16, 1977 at St. Pius Church Cherry Mound in rural Harpers Ferry.

Their children include Shelly (Jesse) of Spring Grove, MN, Corey (Naomi) of Oranoco, MN and Erick of Rochester, MN. They also have five grandchildren, including Dalton, Baihly, Keegan, Ethan and Ellie.

In honor of the occasion, cards and well wishes may be sent to 115 Goodview Drive, Spring Grove, MN 55974. The couple requests no gifts.
 

Janette Ryder-Blong will be celebrating her 80th birthday with an open house Sunday, April 23 from 1-4 p.m. at the Waukon City Club’s Party Room. Friends, family and acquaintances are invited to join her in celebrating the occasion.

Cards and well wishes may be sent to: 22 Fifth Avenue SW, Waukon, IA 52172.
 

Elliott and Amy Evanson of Waterville announce the birth of their daughter, Myla Grace Evanson, born March 30, 2017 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. She weighed 7 lbs. and measured 21 inches in length at the time of her birth. She joins a sister, Claire (2).

Grandparents are Steve and Sheryl Evanson of Waterville, Lori and Larry Soukup of Ridgeway and Michael Pfiffner of Lansing. Great-grandparents are Tony and Terry Link of Waukon and Leonard Soukup of Cresco.
 

Cole Welch and Brea Benjegerdes of Waukon announce the birth of their daughter, Brynn Vivian Welch, born March 30, 2017 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. She weighed 6 lbs. 11.2 ozs. and measured 22 inches in length at the time of her birth.

Grandparents are Terry and Laurie Welch, Pam Benjegerdes, Greg Benjegerdes and Becky Underbakke, all of Waukon. Great-grandparents are Janet and the late David Snitker, JoAnn and the late Ralph Welch, Gene and Joyce Knox and David and Vivian Benjegerdes, all of Waukon.

Bryce and McKayla Dahlstrom of Lansing announce the birth of their son, Bradley Neil Dahlstrom, born April 4, 2017 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. He weighed 7 lbs. 10 ozs. and measured 21 inches in length at the time of his birth. He joins a brother, Brayden (2).

Grandparents are Brad O’Hare and Christy Stone of Waukon, Patty Dahlstrom and Al Peterson of Lansing and Bruce Dahlstrom, Sr. of Waukon. Great-grandparents are Ray and Karen O’Hare of Waukon and Dave and Charlotte Fish of Waterville. Dolores Fish of Waukon is a great-great-grandmother.
 

by Dick Schilling, "Editor Emeritus"

... that I noticed that in the news this Monday morning of the week of the Masters golf tournament at Augusta, GA, there were severe weather warnings for that area.

That’s always an event held in beautiful surroundings, if not always beautiful weather.

Yesterday, one of the dailies did a story about Iowan Zach Johnson, who won that event ten years ago. The story noted that he has won 11 other tournaments, including the British Open in 2015. Last year seemed to be not a very good year for Zach, but the story says he won over $1.7 million in 2016, which would be a pretty good year for any businessman. His lifetime earnings in prize money top $40.8 million, at age 41.

Key words in that final sentence are prize money.