News Center newsletter

Every two seconds someone needs blood. The next LifeServe Blood Center blood drive will be held Monday, June 5, 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 their blood and blood products.

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.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Speech-Language Pathologist, Steven Mazzafield, is now offering a Stroke Support Group for individuals who have experienced a stroke, as well as caregivers and family members affected by stroke. Monthly meetings are held the first Thursday of every month at 2 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hospital. The next Stroke Support Group meeting will be held Thursday, June 1, at 2 p.m. in the ICN Conference Room.

The Stoke Support Group provides opportunities to share tips, tricks, or trials among participants, offer support for caregivers, and provide an opportunity for socialization.

While strokes can happen at any age, risk of stroke is greatest as we get older with the majority of strokes occurring after the age of 70. Risk factors for stroke include obesity, sedentary lifestyle, binge drinking, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

Helping Services for Youth & Families’ Domestic Abuse Resource Center has implemented a Domestic Abuse survivor chat line, which can be reached at HelpingServices.org/chat. There is also the option to call a 24/7 resource phone line at 800-383-2988, but during the time of social distancing Helping Services advocates noticed a decline in calls.

The agency responded by implementing a secure chat option for anyone in need of reaching a local advocate. Whether chatting or calling, a trained Advocate will be available to respond 24 hours a day.

All services provided are at no cost to the survivor and are confidential. For more info about Helping Services’ Domestic Abuse Resource Center call 800-383-2988 to chat with someone or go online to HelpingServices.org/chat to reach out to an advocate.
 

Terry and Jan (Snyder) Palmer of Gilbert, AZ are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. The couple married May 23, 1973 at Second Reformed Church in Pella. Their family includes a son, Nathan Palmer of Lincoln, NE.

In honor of the occasion, cards and well wishes may be sent to 650 West Oxford Lane, Gilbert, AZ 85233.

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 15 - August 1: Primary Nesting Season
June 2: ERP Phase 2
June 2: PARP
July 15: Spring Crop Reporting

CRP Reminders
The primary nesting season runs from May 15 – August 1. Be sure to contact the FSA office if you need to perform spot maintenance activities on your CRP acres during this time. Cosmetic mowing of your CRP acres is always prohibited, but you can spot treat areas that are threatened by undesirable vegetation throughout the year. A written request must be made before the County Committee grants approval to conduct maintenance during the nesting season. As a reminder, volunteer trees and woody vegetation must be controlled and removed from CRP acres. Failure to control undesirable vegetation on CRP can result in financial penalties.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig encourages eligible Iowa farm owners to apply for the 2023 Century and Heritage Farm Program now through June 1.

The program was created by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation to recognize families who have owned their farms for 100 years - for the Century Farm designation - and for 150 years - for the Heritage Farm designation, respectively.

“Iowa’s multi-generational farm families are the backbone of our state and the Century and Heritage Farm Program recognizes their hard work, strength, resilience and perseverance,” said Secretary Naig. “Each year I look forward to recognizing these families, hearing their stories, and celebrating their legacies at the Iowa State Fair.”

To the Editor:

Trump and his supporters in attendance exhibited a new low at the New Hampshire town hall telecast by CNN this past week.  Trump was found guilty of sexual abuse and defamation by a New York district judge and jury of his peers, per the requirements of the U.S. Constitution. Trump lied to millions of people on the telecast stating he didn’t know E. Jean Carroll, called her a “wack job”, the verdict a disgrace and a continuing “witch hunt”.

To the Editor:

Recently my wife and I went to Waukon to renew our drivers licenses. I had heard appointments were no longer needed. Not true in Waukon. We were told we couldn’t be served without an appointment, and they are going to keep it that way.

To me, it feels like more power over the people. I thought our county officials were there to serve the people. In my opinion, the time spent taking phone reservations and keeping a log could be better spent just doing the job.

I called the Elkader drivers license office and they said welcome, walk right in. They were the nicest people and the service was quick. We left feeling great. The Elkader office is on Gunder Road in the Supervisors building across from the Elkader Golf Course.

Leigh Rekow
Postville
 

To the Editor:

The saying “old is often considered obsolete” bears little fruit and is not only costly to the environment but also to the taxpayer. A prime example of contradicting that saying was an excellent event and showcase of young people in action in the production of the classic musical “Grease” held in the old Waterville High School gym a couple weekends ago.

It not only was entertaining with great, enthusiastic energy and drive, but it was performed under the same roof as the famed Waterville High School girls basketball team played under 60-70 years ago. This was an excellent example of how repurposing is supposed to work.

The old Waterville School District, the mayor, the city council and involved area residents should all be commended and applauded for their work and foresight in preserving and repurposing such a fine, solid rural facility. This may well be another hidden gem in the driftless area of tourist attractions.

Donald Stanley Straka, 89, of Dorchester passed away peacefully Sunday, May 21, 2023 at Gundersen Hospital in La Crosse, WI surrounded by family. His funeral service was held at Waterloo Ridge Lutheran Church Friday, May 26 with Pastor James Glesne officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. Roble Funeral Home of Spring Grove, MN assisted the family with arrangements.

Don is survived by his wife, Judy (Haugse); his daughters, Ana (Kevan) Larive of Grimes, Stacy (Luther) Linderbaum of Dorchester and Amy (Brian) Lenning of Ogden; his grandchildren, Jayme Lenning of Perry, Jacob Lenning of Boone and Lily Lenning of Ogden; and one sibling, Darlene Lerch of Marion; along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Emily; his parents, Paul and Libbie (Vojt) Straka; his sister, Vera Kucera; and his brothers, Clyde and Joseph Straka.