The Saturday, April 11 Waukon High School play “Launch Day” was out of this world! This story was set in the year 2108 on a planet colonized by young people looking to start their lives and loves. Do they take the shuttle back to earth or do they stick it out and find someone to share their experience?
Nine connections of boy and girl showed us that maybe the “meet cute” will not be so different in the future. The pairings of actors was fun to watch as they navigated sharing “too much info” or not enough.
Love and ambition, friendship, first dates, chance meetings, passion and rejection, unrequited love all got treatment in a most human way despite living in an AI environment.
I can finally feel the impact of Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill that his party’s senators and representatives so proudly passed last year. I got a $1000 tax refund. However, it wasn’t the many thousands that Trump and his party promised.
In fact, my household seems to be losing money. Even on Medicare our health insurance climbed by $1400. Our car and home insurance increased $700. Gas prices are up, food prices have skyrocketed, and inflation is up. I’m further in the hole than I was a year ago. The USA is further in the hole thanks to Trump and his party’s Big Beautiful Bill adding $4 trillion to the national debt.
I would like to think our Legislators are doing the job of finding ways to improve our lives, and that includes decreasing the risk of cancer. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas released from soil and rock that can enter buildings through foundations and accumulate indoors.
The EPA and CDC identify radon as the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, responsible for approximately 21,000 deaths each year. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among people who have never smoked, and exposure combined with smoking significantly increases risk.
Iowa experiences some of the highest radon levels in the nation, approximately 71.6 percent of Iowa homes have radon concentrations at or above the EPA action, the highest proportion of any state. The EPA has designated all of Iowa as Zone 1, meaning the state has a high potential for elevated indoor radon levels due to underlying geology.
Deadlines/Dates
April 30: Deadline to apply for SDRP Stage 1, SDRP Stage 1 Quality Loss, and SDRP Stage 2
May 1: Deadline to submit a Continuous CRP Offer for Second Batching
May 14 - August 2: Primary Nesting Season
June 1: The final day to apply for a Marketing Assistance Loan (MAL) for Corn or Soybeans
June 19: Office closed in observance of Juneteenth
“Family Wellness Fair” returns to VMH in Waukon ... The annual “Family Wellness Fair” will be held at Veterans Memorial Hospital and Clinics Wednesday, May 6, from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Again this year, all those attending are welcome to enter the fair through either the Veterans Memorial Hospital Medical Clinic, the Emplify Gundersen Medical Clinic, or the main entrance to the hospital. Parking will be available at any of those locations for great accessibility to the fair. Many new vendors will be on site this year including free child care seat checks. Free health testing, wellness information, entertainment and community meal will be offered for families of all ages at this community event. Submitted photo.
The Veterans Memorial Hospital’s “Family Wellness Fair” will be held Wednesday, May 6, from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Free health testing, exhibits, education and interactive activities will all be providing a complete evening of entertainment and education for families of all ages. This year a community meal will also be served to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) and the 5 year anniversary of the VMH Clinics.
Again this year, all those attending are welcome to enter the fair through either the Veterans Memorial Hospital Medical Clinic or the Emplify Gundersen Medical Clinic, or the main entrance to the hospital. Parking will be readily available at any of those entrances allowing for greater accessibility to the fair.
Stress Awaress Month recognized at VMH ... April is Stress Awareness Month. Many older adults experience loneliness even when they have family, friends, or caregivers nearby. Emotional connection plays an important role in mental health. The new Senior Life Solutions (SLS) program at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) provides a safe place to talk and feel understood, making a meaningful difference in overall well-being. Pictured above, left to right, is the Senior Life Solutions staff including Katherine Osmonson, Office and Patient Coordinator; Mandy Pettit, RN Program Director; and Kayla Baxter, Therapist. Call them at 563-568-5560 for more information or to make a referral. Submitted photo.
April is Stress Awareness Month. Feeling lonely and being alone are not the same thing. Many older adults experience loneliness even when they have family, friends, or caregivers nearby. Emotional connection plays an important role in mental health. Having a safe place to talk and feel understood can make a meaningful difference in overall well-being.
Veterans Memorial Hospital’s Senior Life Solutions (SLS) supports older adults experiencing depression, anxiety, or loneliness. These outpatient services are designed to meet the unique needs of individuals, typically 65 and older, experiencing depression and/or anxiety related to life changes often associated with aging. Services include group and individual therapy, medication management, and after-care planning. This group-based mental health support program offers connection, understanding, and a sense of belonging.
Dr. Kristina Thompson, Podiatrist... Submitted photo.
by Dr. Kristina Thompson, Podiatrist
Dr. Kristina Thompson, Podiatrist, provides specialty foot care at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon. With April observed as National Diabetes and Foot Health Month, she recommends the following for “de-feeting” diabetes.
• Avoid soaking feet, this causes excessive dryness and can lead to cracks.
• Check feet daily for any new blisters, wounds, etc.
• Avoid going barefoot, especially if you have neuropathy/diabetic nerve damage.
• Ask your provider about diabetic shoes!
• Work with your providers and/or diabetes educator to keep your glucose within target range. This decreases risk of complications.
• If you notice a blister or wound, don’t delay treatment. Get in with a provider with a knowledge on wound care.
• Exercise if you are able. This increases blood flow circulation.
• Don’t remove callus or corns yourself, see your doctor!
Occupational Therapy at VMH ... April is National Occupational Therapy Month. Pictured above, left to right, is Rose Abbott of rural Waukon and Occupational Therapist, Tami Gebel. After having surgery 25 years ago, Rose has been provided valuable information during therapy sessions on methods to manage her lymphedema symptoms. Submitted photo.
Lymphedema is the chronic or persistent swelling of a body part due to an obstruction of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system lies underneath the skin and works closely with the blood circulation system as it transports fluids throughout the body to lymph nodes. While in the lymph nodes, the fluid is “cleaned” of bacteria, viruses, and other unwanted materials called cellular debris. The “clean” fluid is then sent to the blood and re-circulated throughout the body.
Lymphedema occurs when the lymphatic system is damaged and unable to move the fluid, therefore the fluid collects in the body part and swelling develops. Damage to the lymphatic systems occurs when there is surgery, mastectomy, lymph node removal, radiation, or injury to skin tissue (such as a burn).
National Public Health Week observed at VMH ... Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care, in its role as Allamakee County Public Health, holds the responsibility of preventing epidemics and the spread of disease, protecting against environmental hazards, promoting healthy behaviors and teaching everyone how to prepare for, respond to and recover from public health emergencies. Pictured above, left to right, are the Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care Public Health Supervisors Sheryl Darling-Mooney, RN; Lisa Moose, RN; and Cindy Johnson, RN. Submitted photo.
by Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care and the Iowa Department of Public Health
Public health plays an important role in Iowa’s high standard of living. The goal of public health is helping to create an environment where people can live in good health. Public health helps make good health happen in Iowa’s homes, neighborhoods, schools and workplace.
Public health is more than just state and local government agencies. The public health community works together to fight disease and promote healthy lifestyles through the use of nutrition education, physical activity, immunization clinics, disease surveillance and home nursing and home care aide visits.
The new Senior Life Solutions (SLS) department at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) will be hosting a Wellness Chat and Bingo Tuesday, May 12, in Lansing at the Meehan Memorial Library from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Any seniors, age 65 and over, are invited to attend and enjoy playing bingo while sharing some social time together. Prizes will also be awarded.
This bingo opportunity is made possible by Senior Life Solutions which is a new department of Veterans Memorial Hospital.
