News Center newsletter

Veterans Memorial Hospital will begin the next Prepared Childbirth Education classes (formerly called Lamaze) Monday, January 13, and they will continue for two more consecutive Monday evenings beginning at 6 p.m. in the Large Conference Room. The Prepared Childbirth Education classes at Veterans Memorial Hospital are offered in three sessions that allow the expectant parents to choose which topics they wish to learn more on.

These Prepared Childbirth Education classes are free to any expectant parents delivering at Veterans Memorial Hospital, and available for a small fee per session for those delivering at another facility. Preregistration is necessary. Contact Machelle Bulman, RN at 563-568-3411, or register at www.veteransmemorialhospital.com.
 

Memorials were received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Ardis Klepper by Chuck and Lois Votsmier, Dave and Rita Newton, Fred and Geralyn Smith, Rick and Cathy Larson and Dennis and Sandy Deal.

Memorials were also received in memory of James Howes by Angie Schulte, Mary Beth Regan, Chuck and Lois Votsmier, J.C. and Natalie Kelly, Don and DiAnne Haler, Stephanie and Eric Palmer, Diane Regan, Dave and Rita Newton, Jim and Jill Kiesau and Dave and Sandy Lyons.

In addition, memorials were received in memory of Lois Langland by John and Charlene Loven, in memory of Bob Rush by Jack and Sally Hagensick, in memory of Eugene Mork by Joan Bieber, in memory of Jim Pickett by Jim and Sue Bieber and in memory of Bob McCoy by Brian and Denise Wullner.

Ernie Lubahn of Waukon will be celebrating his 90th birthday December 26 from 2-5 p.m. at the FreedomBank Community Room, 201 West Main Street in Waukon. Coffee and cake will be served. No gifts are requested.

For those not able to attend the celebration, cards and well wishes can be sent to: 208 Fifth Avenue NW, Waukon, IA 52172.
 

Thomas and Susan (Pettingill) Counters recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with family at an event hosted by their children, Dr. Jeff Counters and Nancy Keith. They exchanged vows at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon December 27, 1969 with Rev. William Tjaden officiating.

They are both retired and reside in La Crescent, MN.
 

Amber and Andrew Sandvick of Navarre, FL announce the birth of their daughter, Ivy Dawn Sandvick, born October 30, 2019 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, FL. She weighed 9 lbs. 5 ozs. and measured 20-1/2 inches in length at the time of her birth. She joins a brother, Oliver (2).

Grandparents are Dean and Mary Jackson of Waukon, John and Mollie Wetherill of Norwalk, OH and Jerry and Karen Sandvick of Navarre, FL.

Jen and Tony D’Alessandro of Cedar Falls announce the birth of their son, Daniel David D’Alessandro, born November 5, 2019 at UnityPoint Health - Allen Hospital in Waterloo. He weighed 7 lbs. 13.6 ozs. and measured 21-1/4 inches in length at the time of his birth. He joins a sister, Kylie (1).

Grandparents are Dave and Cheryl Brandt of Waukon and Dan and Pat D’Alessandro of LeClaire. Great-grandparents are Yvonne Brandt of Waukon and Eileen Lembke of Monona.
 

To the Editor:

Saturday, December 14 proved to be a day of unusual activity for me, and one I won’t forget.

About 7 a.m. I was admitted to the emergency room at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) here in Waukon; by 10 a.m. I was being wheeled into surgery to remove my gall bladder; and by 5 p.m. I was out of recovery and Sheryl was driving me home. Not long after, I had my feet up watching RFD TV.

I’m not writing to whine about my big day but to offer praise and thanksgiving for the wonderful facility and staff at VMH. From the time we entered the doors, until we left, we encountered nothing but kindness, caring, efficiency and professionalism. The exceptionally competent nurses, doctors, technicians and surgeons could not have been more attentive and skilled. What a blessing for me to have all that available right here, when I needed it most.

To the Editor:

In the spirit of the New Year, we suggest the following New Year’s Resolutions:
• Practice gratitude daily
• Notice needs of others
• Use kindness to help lift up a discouraged heart
• Understand that not all struggles are consequence-based
• Be an example of integrity, compassion and service to others
• Care for the innocent and those who can’t speak for themselves
• Become a child advocate as a CASA or FCRB volunteer in your community
• Visit childadvocacy.iowa.gov to apply

Iowa Court Appointed
Special Advocates (CASA) for Children
 

To the Editor:

Wow! We Iowans are going to California for a bowl game. Tons of Iowans will be going there to spend their money. Included in this bunch are hundreds of people, including the team, the band and lots of staff - all being paid for by the State of Iowa.

We are doing this in spite of the fact that just a few months ago we were scolded by the State of California because we had the temerity to not compel all sellers of health insurance companies in our state to cover sex change surgeries. Because Iowa gave that option to these companies, California also stated they would not pay for any of its State-paid employees to attend any functions in Iowa.

To the Editor:

When I learned that the City wanted to hire a City Manager, I thought, “yes,” they could use one. I think they could use some help managing the budget and cut back on wasteful spending. For example, cutting down perfectly good trees, replacing of downtown plaza, replacing street lights with “prettier” ones, roofing of the former JCPenney building they don’t own, etc., etc. etc.

Now, I read in the council minutes the City Manager (hired to help eliminate wasteful spending) and council are discussing new furniture for City offices and comfy chairs in the council chambers. Where does putting tax dollars to good use fit into that one?

Brenda A’Hearn
Waukon