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Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Nahra reports to county on weeds Local hospice celebrates volunteerism Norovirus confirmed at West Delaware 19th annual window walk to be held Dec. 7

Nahra reports to county on weeds by Jamie Smith

The Delaware County Board of Supervisors acknowledged and accepted the Delaware County Weed Commission-er’s Report at their meeting on Monday, Nov. 20. Weed commissioner Mark Nahra stated in his annual report the total weed spray for the county was slightly more than the past two years. “I can’t say we’re gaining ground though,” Nahra said. “We had probably a record problem with thistles this year.” Also this year, there were more notices sent to property owners to destroy weeds. In addition, Nahra noted this year was the first time in the seven years he has been weed commissioner that the county had to enter onto private property to spray for weeds. The county had to destroy weeds on approximately 12 acres; the property owners were billed for the counties work. Looking ahead, Nahra hopes to be more aggressive with reseeding in the ditches after there has been new construction. He has noticed the best stand of permanent grasses and fewest weeds in ditches when volunteers have mowed ditches after reseeding. Nahra said he is considering the possibility of new equipment for next year in order to help contain weeds. He also said the past year weeds were sprayed mostly on a complaint basis. Nahra would like to find a way next year to patrol areas in mid-summer and check for weeds and spray before they become a problem.

Local hospice celebrates volunteerism by Latisha Sand

November is National Hospice/Palliative Care Month, a time when professionals and volunteers work to raise awareness for a system that serves the needs of terminally ill patients and their grieving families. Hospice and palliative care puts a ‘face’ on quality end-of-life care. “Currently 31 Hospice of Comfort volunteers assist staff in providing quality compassionate care at the end of life,” said Mary Twomey, Hospice of Comfort volunteer coordinator. Five of those volunteers were recently recognized as Honored Volunteers at the Iowa Hospice Organization Fall Conference in Ames.

PHOTO SUBMITTED Five Hospice of Comfort volunteers were honored at the Iowa Hospice Organization Fall Conference in Ames as Honored Volunteers. Pictured are the volunteers (front row, left to right) Reva Nieman, JoEllen Holtorf, Janice Gillihan and Helen Warden. Also in attendance were (second row, left to right) Helen Schwietert, RN and Hospice of Comfort Client Care Coordinator; Mary Twomey, Hospice of Comfort Volunteer Coordinator; Marilyn Cunningham, RN; Jane Wanger, RN and Marge Pasker, LBSW. One other volunteer, not pictured, that was honored was Phyllis Fenchel.

“It’s so rewarding and it makes you feel so good,” said Janice Gillihan, one of the volunteers recognized. “Volunteering gives you such a good feeling.” Other volunteers recognized were Reva Nieman, JoEllen Holtorf, Helen Warden and Phyllis Fenchel. Most hospice patients are cared for in their own home, where a person can be surrounded by family and familiar settings. “We just sit there a talk,” said volunteer Helen Warden, who started to volunteer with Hospice of Comfort because three of her family members used hospice. “If they helped my family, I can help someone else’s.” Her client is 90 years old, was married for 60 years and “her eyes just light up when she talks about her life.” Volunteers, which are an essential part of hospice care, contribute their different skills for the benefits of clients and their families. Volunteer duties might include visiting with the client, like Warden does, reading to the client, running errands, providing transportation or helping with light housekeeping and meal preparations. Warden visits with the same lady once a week and says she has “a blast” volunteering. “I have fun,” she said. “It makes my life fun.” Gillihan’s volunteer work is a little different than Warden’s as Gillihan is a grievance volunteer. “I’m there to help the families cope with the death,” said Gillihan. As soon as she hears of a death, Gillihan sends pre-written articles to the families of the deceased. These articles, which are supplied by Hospice of Comfort, are sent out one month, two months, three months, six months, nine months and a year after the death. “I also send a little note to the caregiver on the clients birthday or anniversary,” said Gillihan. She has even been sent letters from the caregivers thanking Gillihan for the articles and the notes. “The families are so appreciative,” said Gillihan. “It’s a great, great organization and I’ve never had a bad experience.” The hospice philosophy focuses on patient and family-centered care that addresses physical, spiritual, emotional and practical needs of the patient. “When families think of the care their loved one received in hospice, they think of the concern on the face of a nurse as she made their loved one more comfortable or the smile on the face of the volunteer listening to an old family story or joke,” said Helen Schwietert, RN, Hospice of Comfort Client Care Coordinator. “National Hospice/Palliative Care Month provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate these ‘faces of caring’ who serve our community.”

Norovirus confirmed at West Delaware

Delaware County Public Health in collaboration with Iowa Department of Public Health has completed their investigation of the gastrointestinal illness that had nearly one-third of the Lambert Elementary absent from school Friday, Nov. 17. Laboratory results officially confirmed Norovirus on Wednesday, Nov. 22. Following the release of school on Nov. 17, extra measures were taken to clean both the school and buses using the guidelines provided by Iowa Department of Public Health. West Delaware School officials reported additional staff was used to complete the cleaning. Attendance levels returned to normal on Monday, Nov. 20. A Public Health inspection of food services at Lambert found no correlation between the outbreak and food preparation and handling. Noroviruses are very contagious and spread easily from person to person by fecal-oral route. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and some stomach cramping. The illness often begins suddenly, with the infected person feeling very sick. Symptoms are brief, lasting only one to two days. In general children experience more vomiting than adults. During the past several weeks, the Iowa Department of Public Health reports, there have been at least seven outbreaks in Iowa caused by norovirus. The outbreaks have no common link, but are spread by people failing to use good hand washing hygiene. The single most important thing you can do to prevent the spread of the virus is to wash your hands frequently. Delma Hardin, Delaware County Public Health Coordinator, reminds you to wash your hands after going to the bathroom and before you eat or prepare food, “and if you are ill with diarrhea, fever, or vomiting you should not work with the elderly, child care or prepare food.”

19th annual window walk to be held Dec. 7 by Latisha Sand

It’s that time of year again – time to get in the Christmas spirit and time to Christmas shop. What better way to check both things off your list than attend the Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce’s 19th annual Holiday Window Walk. This year’s window walk will take place on Dec. 7 from 6-9 p.m. And more than 15 store fronts will have live action scenes including a live nativity, cookie decorating, Santa and other “Christmas Stories” themes. Windows will be judged at 6:30 p.m. There are a couple of new things for families to look forward to during this year’s walk. For example, there will be a free trolley ride through town so residents and customers can see local Christmas decorations. And fireworks – yes fireworks – will be set off at 8 p.m. at Riverside Park, South Franklin Street, by the Gazebo. As always, there will be free refreshments and the chamber’s door prizes. Every half hour, 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., Chamber Director Jack Klaus will draw a name and have it announced on KMCH, who will be providing a live telecast throughout the event. The winner will have 10 minutes to find a merchant and identify themselves or the $50 Chamber Bucks will be rolled over for the next drawing. Customers can sign up once at each store and can only sign up the night of the window walk. Klaus wants everyone to know that people of all ages can win. Prizes will be available for pick-up that night at the window walk headquarters F&M Bank, which will also be a ‘warming house.’ This is also a good time to rack up the points for area schools. The chamber is also holding a holiday promotion called “Give your school a Christmas gift” that runs until Dec. 31. West Delaware, St. Mary’s, Ed-Co, Starmont, East Buchanan, Maquoketa Valley and North Linn will win this season when customers buy items at participating locations. They will be allowed to designate the points they have earned (one point per dollar) towards the school of their choice. In the end, the points that each school earns will be turned into a percentage of the total and each school will be rewarded with a check reflecting that portion of the $2,500 prize. For question or additional information on the Holiday Window Walk or the Christmas promotion, contact the chamber office at 563-927-4141.

109 E. Delaware - P.O. Box 245 - Manchester, Iowa 52057
563-927-2020 / FAX 563-927-4945

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