In a recent episode of the Small Farm Sustainability Podcast, Yuko Sato, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach poultry veterinarian and associate professor in Iowa State’s College of Veterinary Medicine, discusses avian influenza and how good biosecurity practices can help prevent outbreaks in poultry.
Avian influenza, explains Sato, is a viral disease of poultry and other birds caused by type A influenza virus. There are two primary types of the virus, distinguished by their capacity to cause disease. The first, Low-Pathogenic Avian Influenza, results in mild respiratory symptoms. The second, and more concerning, is Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, which spreads rapidly through chicken and turkey populations and has a high fatality rate.
Kyler and Anna (Sweeney) Jones of Waterloo announce the birth of their son, Weston Dean Jones, born March 4, 2022 at Allen Hospital in Waterloo. He weighed 6 lbs. 14 ozs. and measured 20-1/2 inches in length at the time of his birth.
Grandparents are Brian and Denise Sweeney of Waukon and Kris and Donna Jones of Ankeny.
Kelly and Cade Holub of Buckingham announce the birth of their daughter, Kayce Nancy Holub, born February 7, 2022 at MercyOne Medical Center in Waterloo. She weighed 7 lbs. 10 ozs. and measured 21 inches in length at the time of her birth.
Grandparents are Robert and the late Nancy Wirkler of Waukon, Andrea Woehlk of Dysart, and Craig and Jeanne Holub of Buckingham.
RN/EMT Tyler O’Neill ... Now is the time to become an EMT! Classes start March 28 and are held in-person, in Waukon at a reduced rate of only $400, which are all advantages to previous classes. Tyler O’Neill, RN/EMT took the EMT class during college to help his medical career and earn money at the same time. “I took the EMT class through NICC the summer after my first year of college. I decided I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field, and I figured this would be a good way for me to get experience and make a little money while going through college. This experience set me up really well for my career as a nurse. I really love working in EMS. It is a great way to give back to the community and help others in their time of need. Working as an EMT is a great part-time job as well because most small services are paid on-call. This means you can be at home and working on other things while also getting paid an on-call wage. I encourage everyone to take the EMT class as you never know when someone may need your expertise to help save a life.” Submitted photo.
EMT Ben Ghelf ... After becoming a dad, Ben Ghelf of Lansing decided to take the EMT course and has been an active EMT for almost five years. “I had done very minimal babysitting when I was younger and realized that I really wasn’t sure what to do if he would choke or get injured. After taking the course, it sure has helped with raising both boys. I would recommend anyone to take the class. Becoming an EMT isn’t about a paycheck, it’s about making a difference in people’s lives, no matter how small. I know it will make a difference in your own life. It has in mine.” Submitted photo.
EMTs are greatly needed in every community. Northeast Iowa Community College Business and Community Solutions will be offering an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course in Waukon beginning March 28. This 138-hour course will conclude the end of July.
This will be an in-person class held right here locally in Waukon, which is a huge advantage to students attending versus taking an online class. NICC has received a grant to cover 70 percent of the tuition for this course so generous tuition assistance is available, keeping the class costs under $400, which is another huge advantage.
The next LifeServe Blood Center blood drive will be held Monday, April 4 from 12-5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon. The LifeServe Blood Center supplies Veterans Memorial Hospital with its blood and blood products.
Here are some interesting blood facts from the Blood Center of Iowa:
Veterans Memorial Hospital will sponsor a Babysitting Seminar Saturday, April 9. This class will be broken down into two different sessions to allow for better spacing of the students. The morning session will be held from 9 a.m. to Noon and the afternoon session from 1-4 p.m. The same information will be taught at both sessions, so students can sign-up for one or the other. A total of 20 students will be allowed in each session.
Both classes will be held in the Large Conference Room located on the lower level of Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. The entrance for the class will be the hospital shipping/receiving entrance located on the east side of the building near the MRI truck, across from the golf course. Signs will be posted.
Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) will be offering the Grandparenting Classes again this Spring. Corinne Cook, RN, Babysitting Class instructor, will be instructing the next Grandparenting Class Saturday, April 2 from 9:30 a.m. until Noon. The class will be held in the hospital’s ICN Conference Room on the east side of the hospital, next to Gundersen Clinic. Signs will be posted.
In these classes, new or soon-to-be grandparents will learn all the new protocols to use when caring for their new grandchild. Some topics covered will include basic baby care, car seat safety, Tylenol/Ibuprofen dosing charts, home safety, poison control information, infant/child CPR, choking and other emergency medical information, as well as tips to support parents such as handling the baby blues and postpartum depression. Free-will donations will be accepted to cover the costs of the class.
Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care/Allamakee County Public Health will offer one more walk-in clinic for all doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, Friday, March 25, from 1:30-3:45 p.m. in the ICN Conference Room located on the southeast side of the hospital. Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will be available.
Parking is available by the orange cones along the golf course for easy access to the vaccine location. Flu shots will also be available and can be safely administered at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Be sure to wear a mask and bring your insurance card and vaccination card if you are coming for your second or booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Vaccination clinics will continue in April, by appointment only. To make an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccination, in April and beyond, call Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care at 563-568-5660.
by Jill Fleming, MS, RD
Veterans Memorial Hospital
Do you have a sweet-tooth? Most of us do. How you choose to satisfy your sweet tooth can either be a healthy choice or an unhealthy choice. When your body is craving sugar, it is because glucose is the fuel your body uses to function. Your body will convert all nutrients into glucose to be used for energy.
When you crave sugar, it feels like your body desires table sugar or candy. When you give into this simple-sugar craving, your body quickly uses the sugar and then wants more. This is a cycle that sends your blood sugar level higher, then your insulin (a fat-storage hormone) level surges. You then end up with a low blood-sugar level.
Area residents invited to learn how to clarify values, set goals, and tips for persevering through setbacks
shared by
Melissa R. Collum
Editor - Postville Herald
Mental Health Today (MHT - a Matt Howe Tribute) and Worldmaker International are sponsoring a “What’s Your Word?” event for all Allamakee County residents Wednesday, March 30. Co-hosts Rachelle Howe and Dr. Mollie Marti, who is originally from Waukon, will use the THRIVE Resilience model to train participants on how to clarify personal values, set goals, and learn tips for persevering through setbacks.
