After a year’s absence, the return of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament has brought back with it The Standard’s Bracket Challenge. That year’s absence hasn’t dampened the excitement of the tournament nor the support of the Bracket Challenge.
The first two rounds of the tournament this past weekend have left the following top-24 entries, with another dozen entries tied for the 25th spot, just a single point off of this list:
Dalton Dibert 45
Jeremy Engrav 43
Janessa Weymiller 42
Gene Praska 42
Jonathan Miller 42
Ron Brinkman 42
Betty Jepsen 41
Kole McCormick 41
Morgan Weymiller 41
Brad Krambeer 40
Will Robinson 40
Mason McMillan 40
Mike Kramer 40
Charlene Baxter 40
Gary Hammel 40
Jen Moose 40
Dave Martin 40
Tami Stilwell 39
Troy Gress 39
Dennis Miller 39
Duane Michael Smith, 34, of Cedar Rapids passed away unexpectedly at his home Wednesday, March 17, 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a private Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion. A private committal service will be held at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery in Springbrook. Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Marion is assisting the family.
Duane was born September 8, 1986 in eastern Iowa, the son of Sean and Sara (Eppley) Smith. He was a 2005 graduate of Marion High School. Duane worked for several years in the food service industry. He loved spending time with his friends, playing basketball and video games. Duane also loved animals, especially his cats and dogs. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Verna M. Samb, 98, of Waukon died Monday, March 15, 2021 at her home. Funeral services were held Friday, March 19 at Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church with Pastor Ken Kimball officiating and burial in the church cemetery in rural Waterville.
Verna Marcella Samb was born March 6, 1923 on the rural Waterville farm of her parents, Carl and Thorine (Anderson) Christianson. She was baptized and confirmed at Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waterville. Verna attended Dalby country school in Center Township, graduated from Waterville High School in 1940 and attended Waterloo School of Beauty in Waterloo along with her sister, Lillian. They moved back to Waukon and worked for Carl Halverson’s Mariposa Beauty and Barber Shop at the corner of Spring Avenue and East Main Street.
VMH mammography recommendation ... Veterans Memorial Hospital Radiologists are recommending mammography patients to have their mammograms performed prior to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine or to wait four to six weeks after the second vaccine due to an increase in lymph node enlargements seen on mammograms. Submitted photo.
Veterans Memorial Hospital Radiologists are recommending mammography patients to have their mammograms performed prior to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. As a result of the COVID-19 vaccination, Radiologists have noticed an increase in lymph node enlargements seen on Mammograms.
For this reason, Hospital Radiologists are recommending all mammograms are performed before receiving the vaccine, or encouraging patients to wait 4-6 weeks after the second vaccine to have the mammogram. However, it’s not a one size fits all solution, especially if there are barriers to care.
Veterans Memorial Hospital X-ray staff will be asking and recording patients’ recent vaccination history and the Radiologist will interpret their images accordingly. The primary goal is that women do not delay getting their screening mammogram, nor delay getting the COVID-19 vaccination if they are able. Ultimately, it is up to the patient to choose when they get their Mammogram.
Veterans Memorial Hospital continues to focus on the 65 and over age group for the COVID-19 vaccine and hopes to be finishing with that age group soon before they move onto the next tier.
For those age 65 years and above who want to receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, Veterans Memorial Hospital encourages them to either call the COVID-19 line at 563-568-3411 or use the online sign-up option to join a waiting list. Those online sign-up details are listed later in this article. When vaccine is available, those on the list will be called to schedule an appointment. Specific directions will be given as to the location of the vaccination clinic, as well as an appointment time.
Those waiting to receive their second vaccine will receive a phone call to schedule an appointment for their second dose approximately 2 - 7 days before it is due; they should not sign up on-line for that second dose.
Veterans Memorial Hospital will sponsor a Babysitting Seminar Saturday, April 10 for a total of 40 students. This year, the class will be broken down into two different sessions to allow for better spacing of the students. The morning session will be held from 8:30-11:30 a.m. 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 session or the other. A total of 20 students will be allowed in each session. Both will be held in the Large Conference Room located on the lower level of Veterans Memorial Hospital.
Intended participants are individuals 10 years of age and older who are responsible for their own care after school until their parents come home from work, and individuals who care for other children in or outside of their own home. Girls are not the sole babysitters in this society. Boys are also welcome and encouraged to attend.
Health Tips From the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and Veterans Memorial Hospital Wellness Committee
March is National Nutrition Month. Building a healthy plate is easy when you make half your plate fruits and vegetables. It’s also a great way to add color, flavor and texture plus vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. Make 1½ cups of fruit and 2 ½ cups of vegetables your daily goal. Try the following tips to enjoy more fruits and vegetables every day.
Memorials were received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Maureen Becker by Norb and Nola Palmer, Brian and Denise Wullner, Ron and Nancy Adam, Robert and Marilyn Bulman, Linda Flatland, Jim and Jill Kiesau, Dave and Laurie Martin, Terry and Diane Oesterle, Ernie and Donnalee Osland, Pat Pettingill, John and Sheryl Prestemon, Meg Schaller, Jerry and Linda Siegrist, Chuck and Lois Votsmier, Mary Jo Nordheim and Carl and Betty Christianson.
Memorials were also received in memory of Robert “Bobbie” Becker by Steve and Denise Duffy, Patsy Kerndt, Gladwin and Darlene Anderson, Dave and Gail Prestemon and Waukon State Bank.
In years gone by, we used to hear how bad fear was for us. There were books and motivational speakers telling us how to overcome our fears to live full and successful lives. Then came COVID-19, and the advice has changed. Suddenly it seems that living in fear is the only way to ensure that we will live at all.
What should we make of the fickle winds of man’s changing opinions? The best thing to do is compare them to the unchanging Word of God – and in the Bible we find good news, better news, and the best news of all.
The good news is that the Bible says living in fear is okay. Consider what Jesus said. “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)
Republicans claim to be the party of working-class Americans, but not a single one voted for the American Rescue Plan. This plan provides significant funding for vaccine distribution, a key to economic recovery, and is expected to reduce the number of Americans living in poverty by a third, according to the Columbia University Center on Poverty and Social Policy February 2021.
The Democratic Party is, in fact, the party for working-class Americans. They just proved that by passing the American Rescue Plan.
