Community News Stories

Telephone Update: Winneshiek Medical Center continues to experience telephone issues that will not be resolved when business hours open on Monday, 11/11.  To manage the large volume of calls we typically receive on Monday, we ask the following:

1. Emergency: Call 911
2. Billing questions: Please call our toll-free number: 844-617-6990
3. To make a clinic appointment for Monday: Please call our main phone number 563-382-2911. We are only able to receive limited calls at a time, so you may hear a busy signal.  There is no menu of options, and no ability to leave a message.  If you receive a busy signal, please hang up and call again.
4. Future appointments: Please wait to call until later in the day on Monday when call volumes generally decrease.
5. Other inquiries: If your need is not immediate, please wait to call until later in the day on Monday, or until we have found a resolution to the telephone issue and the system is working normally again.  We will put out a notice when the system is fixed.
6. Business communication: Email is working.  Please consider emailing instead of calling for business needs.

We truly appreciate your continued patience with this situation.  We know it has caused inconveniences in reaching us.  We are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible.

Could you spot a vaping device? Do you understand the chemicals involved in vaping? Have you heard how dangerous vaping can be? These are a few of the questions that will be answered at an upcoming training on Tuesday, November 12 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Notre Dame School in Cresco.

The training is being hosted by Youth Mentoring at Helping Services for Youth & Families. This topic was selected by mentors as they want to learn more about this dangerous trend. The training is open to everyone that would like to learn more about the dangers, health consequences, and statistics related to vaping.

The presenter is Tessa Willie, Director of Prevention Services at Helping Services. Tessa shares, “We will be discussing local statistics about the heavy use of vaping by area youth. I am excited to give tips for talking with youth and sharing resources to help them quit.”

Youth Mentoring in Allamakee, Howard, and Winneshiek Counties provides an adult mentor who spends a minimum of four hours a month with a youth, ages 6–16. Currently, 50 youth are enjoying time with a mentor, and 19 youth are waiting for a mentor. For information on how you can be part of the excitement of mentoring at Helping Services, contact Kathy or Colinne at (563) 387-1720, mentoring@helpingservices.org, or online at www.helpingservices.org/mentoring.

Winneshiek Medical Center Auxiliary holds Collective Goods & Bake Sale— Nov. 19

The Winneshiek Medical Center Auxiliary will hold their annual Collective Goods Book and Bake Sale on Tuesday, November 19 from 7 am – 3 pm in the Winneshiek Medical Center lower level conference rooms.  The sale will feature unique books and gifts from Collective Goods as well as homemade treats from WMC Auxiliary members.

Proceeds from all Auxiliary fund raisers, including profits from the WMC Gift Shop, benefit Winneshiek Medical Center by supporting program and equipment needs, as well as the Auxiliary Health Career Scholarship.

To learn more about Auxiliary events, contact the Winneshiek Medical Center Volunteer Services department at 563-387-3036.

National Philanthropy Day is quickly approaching on Friday, November 15, 2019.

This is a day to recognize and pay tribute to the contributions that people and organizations have made to our lives, community, and our world.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals, Upper Mississippi Valley Chapter will be honoring the following individuals and organizations on November 15, 2019 at a luncheon to be held at the Lunda Center on the campus of Western Technical College from 11:30am to 1pm.

Honorees this year include:

• Outstanding Philanthropists: Marilyn and Jeff Roverud of Decorah, IA
• Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser: Kevin O’Reilly of Winona, MN
• Outstanding Philanthropic Organization: Dahl Automotive
• President’s Award: Rotary Works Foundation

See more information on the four recipients in the following pages.

The public is welcome to attend. Tickets for the luncheon are just $30, or a full table for eight can be purchased for $240 online.

Contacting Mary Kay Wolf (see below).

Outstanding Philanthropists
2019 NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY DAY AWARDS LUNCHEON
Jeff & Marilyn Roverud

“Service” and “community” have been constants in the lives of Jeff and Marilyn Roverud. They have shared their gifts and talents through individual efforts and as a team. Highlights of leadership for Jeff include serving on the Iowa Limestone Association Board of Directors for 14 years including service as president. He also served on the National Stone Association Board of Directors and was elected chair of that board, traveling the U.S. representing the stone industry. A two-time Paul Harris Fellow of the Decorah Rotary Club, Jeff joined other club members on a mission trip to Panama working on a clean water project for indigenous people.

Marilyn has served on the boards of Humanities Iowa, Lutheran Services of Iowa,  Decorah Community Schools Foundation, and the Greater Decorah Community Foundation, and on the candidacy committee of the Northeastern Iowa Synod of the ELCA. Serving Luther College as a member of the Board of Regents for 12 years, including eight years as secretary, has been a lifetime privilege.

Together the Roveruds have shared their philanthropic giving with their alma mater, Luther College, by establishing endowed student scholarships, endowed faculty fellowships, and sharing their leadership in numerous campaigns along with participation in the Luther College Annual Fund. Multiple community organizations and initiatives have been recipients of their support including Vesterheim NorwegianAmerican Museum, where they have sponsored the Syttende Mai celebration for 17 continuous years.

The Roveruds are the parents of two daughters—Kirsten Roverud Heine of Decorah, Iowa, and Suzanne Roverud Mineck of Waukee, Iowa. They are active, long-time members of First Lutheran Church in Decorah.

Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser
2019 NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY DAY AWARDS LUNCHEON
Kevin O’Reilly

Kevin O’Reilly from Winona, Minn., Vice President of Strategic Sourcing at Peerless Chain volunteers as an organizer for Winona ORC’s Annual Sponsorship drive.

He raises between $50K and $60K each year for those with disabilities seeking employment. Not only does Kevin volunteer to lead the sponsorship drive, he also manages the annual golf tournament committee, making sure the event is not only fun but rewarding as well. Kevin also volunteers his time coordinating and delivering meals to those in need through a partnership between Peerless Chain and Volunteer Services.

Kevin is a graduate of the Blandin Community Leadership Program; he was volunteer of the year in 2011 for the Winona Area United Way, and also served several years on the Winona ORC board as a member and President beginning in 2008. The hours of volunteer time spent by Kevin raising funds for Winona ORC is immeasurable. Winona ORC staff reflected on a recent conversation they had with Kevin’s wife, Sue. After complimenting her family on the outstanding volunteer work they do in the Winona Community, Sue shared their belief “to whom much is given, much is expected.” To this Winona ORC staff, that was a perfect way to describe Kevin and his commitment to Winona ORC and the community it serves.

Outstanding Philanthropic Organization
2019 NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY DAY AWARDS LUNCHEON
Dahl Automotive

Philanthropy has always been important to the Dahl Family, dating all the way back to 1911. In fact, one of Dahl Automotive’s Core Values is “Promote Giving Back to our Community”. Over the past 15 years the Dahl Family Foundation has awarded almost 70 grants totaling over $4.5 million.

One of the major fundraising events Dahl Automotive conducts occurs in September; the Dahl Automotive Lube-a-Thon. Through this fundraiser and other annual support, the company showed their dedication to a local non-profit. The event is run completely by volunteers; including Dahl team members, representatives from the benefiting charity, and family members of both organizations. With all of the supplies donated by many generous sponsors, 100% of the money raised goes directly to the non-profit.

Since the event’s inception over $150,000 has been raised.

President’s Award
2019 NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY DAY AWARDS LUNCHEON
Rotary Works Foundation, Inc.

The Rotary Works Foundation, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 organization sponsored by area Rotary Clubs that encourages Rotarians to enact the Rotary Four Way Test by financially supporting local and international charitable and educational activities. The Foundation grants over $25,000 per year to organizations in need.

The Rotary Club of La Crosse founded the Rotary Foundation in 1982 to provide a separate agency to award grants for local and international activities which fall under the criteria established.

In 2008, the foundation became a regional foundation and changed its name. Rotary Works Foundation is made up of the nine Rotary Clubs in the area — La Crosse Downtown, La Crosse East, La Crosse After Hours, Valley View, Onalaska, Onalaska Hilltopper, Holmen, Caledonia and La Crescent and is governed by a board made up of members from each of the clubs.

The efforts of the Rotary Works Foundation are supported in large part by the nine Rotary clubs and individual members of those clubs. Because of the large scope of many of the activities, the Foundation enthusiastically welcomes contributions and memorial gifts from people who share its commitment to improving the quality of life in the La Crosse area and the world.

AFP – Upper Mississippi Valley Chapter President, Rose Dobbs, selected The Rotary Works Foundation for the President’s Award because of her personal connection to Rotary. Rose was a Rotary Youth Exchange Student in 1996, sponsored by La Crosse Downtown Club. Since that time she has held a special place in her heart for the work that Rotary does for the community and the world. Rose’s late father, Tom Reinert, was also very active in the La Crosse Downtown Club serving as president, a Paul Harris Fellow, and as an outbound coordinator for the Rotary Youth Exchange.

Winneshiek Medical Center is pleased to welcome Jennifer Becker, ARNP, to the medical practice.  Jennifer recently joined the ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialty at Winneshiek Medical Center, led by Mayo Clinic Health System physician William Remington, M.D.

Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and her Master of Science in Nursing, specializing as a family nurse practitioner, from Walden University.  Prior to receiving her advanced degree, she worked as a home health and hospice nurse.

“The Ear, Nose and Throat practice at WMC provides such a wide breadth of care with many unique cases.  I look forward to specializing in this area and help provide greater access to ENT services for our patients,” says Jennifer.

ENT specialists treat conditions of the ear, nose, throat, head and neck, including:  hearing loss, dizziness, sinus problems, voice problems, and skin cancer.  At Winneshiek Medical Center, Dr. Remington performs minimally invasive sinus surgeries (Balloon Sinuplasty), ear tube insertion, tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy and many other surgical procedures.  The ENT specialty also works alongside full time Mayo Clinic Health System audiologist Cynthia See, Au.D.

To make an appointment at Winneshiek Medical Center, call 563-382-2911 or request an appointment online at www.winmedical.org/mychart.

Cutline: Jennifer Becker, ARNP, recently joined the Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT) practice at Winneshiek Medical Center Decorah Clinic.  Becker (seated) is pictured with Mayo Clinic Health System physicians William Remington, M.D. and Cynthia See, Au.D.

Winneshiek County Public Health is offering an Early Bird walk-in flu clinic to the public at the Winneshiek County Public Health office at 305 Montgomery St., Decorah this Friday, October 11, 2019 from 7-10 a.m. Cost of the vaccine is $30 and is for everyone ages 6 mos. and older. Currently, we do not have the high dose flu for ages 65 and older and are expecting another shipment later next week, BUT have sufficient amounts of the quadrivalent (4) strain available and will help to get you covered. It takes 2 weeks for you to be fully covered against the influenza with the vaccination so please don’t delay and get yourself protected.

Please be aware that water line repair is occurring outside the west entrance. That entrance is still open and you may also enter the south side of the building.

If you have questions regarding possible insurance coverage, please call 563-382-4662 for answers. Don’t delay, get your flu shot now. No appointments necessary.

The Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) Board of Directors announced WW Homestead Dairy as the 2019 Cloy Kuhse Positive Impact Award winner at the ACED Annual Meeting hosted in Harpers Ferry on Thursday, October 10. This annual award was created to highlight and recognize a business that is making a positive impact in Allamakee County, as well as, to honor the memory of Cloy Kuhse and his vision. WW Homestead Dairy now joins the list of annual award recipients including Growing Bear Daycare & PreSchool of Waukon, New Albin Savings Bank, Waukon Dental, Mike Ferring Construction of Waukon, TASC of Waukon, Wuennecke’s Meat Market of New Albin, and NorplexMicarta of Postville.

WW Homestead Dairy includes the families of Tom & Angie Weighner, Paul Weighner, and Tom & Janet Walleser. The dairy has 10 full time employees and 8-10 part time employees making and delivering dairy products throughout Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

ACED Board President Christina Drahos shared the following comment from the nomination, “WW Homestead Dairy embodies all that is good with our American Spirit. Three families looking for a new way to market their own dairy products teamed up to start a new business, take the leap of faith, and pour their heart and soul into the adventure.”

Val Reinke, Allamakee County Economic Development, Executive Director shared with audience, “The dairy offers really fun events such as the drive in mooovies, Friday Night Cruisin’, Corn Days car show, opportunities for organizations to fundraise, social media fun – name that calf, create the next ice cream flavor, photos of farm livin’ and so much more.”

Thank you to Kyle & Bobbie Goetzinger and Andy & Erica Wagner for taking the time to nominate this deserving business for the Cloy Kuhse Positive Impact Award.

The Oneota Valley Community Orchestra (OVCO) celebrates its 6th season in 2019-2020 under the leadership of Music Director, Matthew Cody. The first concert is on Sunday, October 27, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. in the Decorah High School Auditorium. Musique Française! will feature French music of the late romantic period and will include music by Jaques Offenbach, Georges Bizet, and César Franck.

The season continues on January 10th thru January 11th when the OVCO presents a fully staged production of the opera Amahl and the Night Visitors by Gian Carlo Menotti. “A family friendly opera originally written for NBC to broadcast live in the 1950’s, it is a beautiful score and we’re thrilled to be able to present it to our audience!” said OVCO director Matthew Cody. Both performances will take place at 7:00 p.m. in the Decorah High School Auditorium. Ticket information will be available on the website.

The third performance of the season will take place on Sunday, February 23 at 3:00 p.m. at the Decorah High School Auditorium. This concert includes Beethoven’s violin concerto with violinist Rebecca Corruccini of the Minnesota Orchestra and a North American premiere, by local composer Ben Hippen, American Nocturne. Also on the program is Rossini’s Overture to The Barber of Seville and Tchaikovsky’s Marche Slav.

The orchestra’s season finale is on April 26th at 3:00 p.m. when OVCO will once again have an opportunity to collaborate with the Decorah Chorale and director Jason Rausch. The orchestra and chorale will perform Carl Orff’s famous Carmina Burana in the Decorah High School Auditorium. “Carmina is one of those pieces from classical music that has filtered itself into pop culture and parts of it are recognizable by almost everyone. It has remained immensely popular in concert halls since it’s premiere 82 years ago. This is going to be awesome!” said Cody.

The Oneota Valley Community Orchestra was founded in 2014 and has grown to be one of the leading orchestras in the area providing Oneota Valley with rich cultural and educational opportunities. The OVCO is sponsored by the Marion E. Jerome Foundation and the Depot Outlet.

You, like many others, may have training in CPR to stabilize those who are not breathing or in cardiac arrest until emergency responders arrive. CPR (short for cardiopulmonary resuscitation) has saved countless lives of those we love in their time of need. But what about the times when people are in a mental health crisis? Do you have the skills and training to perform life-saving mental health intervention?

QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — the three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Bridgette Hensley, Psy.D., Mayo Clinic Health System psychologist and QPR certified trainer at Winneshiek Medical Center says, “Everyone should be trained in QPR. Suicide is one of the most preventable kinds of death. QPR provides hope and empowers people to help by teaching them how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help.”

The QPR mission is to reduce suicidal behaviors and save lives by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention training. QPR training is for anyone: parents, friends, neighbors, teachers, ministers, doctors, nurses, office supervisors, foremen, advisors, caseworkers, law enforcement, and many others who are strategically positioned to recognize and refer someone at risk of suicide.

Dr. Hensley says, “In CPR the general public is educated about the classic signs of a heart attack, and then taught how to respond. In QPR participants are educated about the known warning signs of a suicide crisis: expressions of hopelessness, depression, giving away prized possessions, talking of suicide, securing lethal means, and then taught how to respond.”

Dr. Hensley adds, “The more people trained in QPR in our community, the more lives will be saved.”

Free QPR Training at WMC
Winneshiek Medical Center is holding a free QPR training in the WMC lower level conference rooms on Thursday, November 14 from 6:30 – 8 pm.

The training is appropriate for teens and older, and is led by Dr. Hensley. Space is limited and registration is appreciated by Friday, November 8. Register online at www.winmedical.org/QPR-training or call WMC at 563-382-2911 and ask for Behavioral Health.

-30-

Photo Cutline:
Bridgette Hensley, Psy.D., Mayo Clinic Health System psychologist and QPR certified trainer at Winneshiek Medical Center.

Cresco, IA | Rushford, MN (8 a.m. Oct. 23, 2019)— MiEnergy Cooperative’s Operation Round Up Trust Board met in September and elected to donate $5,300 to the following local organizations:

• $1,000, St. Lucas Fire Association, Iowa, to support the building of a new fire station.
• $750, Fillmore Central Public Schools, Preston, Minn., for a take home science experiment backpack program.
• $750, St. Charles Public Library, Minn., to help purchase a speaker system.
• $750, Winona County Emergency Management, Winona, Minn., for a winter survival kits for children program.
• $500, Lawler Lions Club, Iowa to support building a new shelter and Croell Park improvements.
• $500, Wykoff Fire Department, Minn., to help purchase road safety equipment.
• $300, Empty Bowls of Harmony, Minn., to purchase event supplies that support Fillmore County food shelves.
• $300, Peace Lutheran Church, Ridgeway, Iowa, to purchase an automatic external defibrillator.
• $250, Mobile Mamma, Cresco, Iowa., to support educational materials for online safety program.
• $200, Decorah Quilts of Valor, Iowa, to purchase fabric for quilts for veterans.

Operation Round Up is funded by donations made by members of MiEnergy Cooperative who voluntarily have their electric bill round up to the next dollar. About 1,800 members currently participate with the average donation being $6 a year per member.

The program is based on the idea that small change adds up. Currently, the program gives away about $10,000 each year to local organizations.

The Operation Round Up Trust Board chooses where the funds get donated and the amount of the donation based on an application process. The trust board members include: John Bronk, of Winona, Minn., president; Janelle Mahr, of Lime Springs, Iowa, vice president; Margaret Knutson, of Houston, Minn., secretary/treasurer; Larry Hafner, of La Crescent, Minn.; Allen Hanson, of Preston, Minn.; Arlene Hegge, of La Crescent, Minn.; Shannon Schmelzer, of Cresco, Iowa; and PerryO Sliwa, Decorah, Iowa.

Donations to Operation Round Up are tax deductible. Organizations receive grants through an application process. The next application deadline is February 15. To learn more about Operation Round Up or to round up your electric bill, visit www.MiEnergy.coop or call 1-800-432-2285.

MiEnergy Cooperative is a member-owned electric distribution cooperative and is the result of a merger between Hawkeye REC, of Cresco, Iowa and Tri-County Electric Cooperative, of Rushford, Minn. in 2017. It maintains 5,500 miles of power lines covering most of Fillmore, Houston and Winona counties in Minnesota and Chickasaw, Howard and Winneshiek counties in Iowa. The cooperative also serves small pockets bordering those counties. It provides electricity to more than 18,700 members in northeastern Iowa and southeastern Minnesota. MiEnergy is a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.