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The
Official Newspaper of Manchester and Delaware County, Iowa
Tuesday,
September 5, 2006 | |
RMC to hold open house Sept. 10 |
Regional Medical Center will host an open house on Sunday, Sept. 10 from noon to 2 p.m. Visitors can take a tour of the new and remodeled areas of the hospital, speak with staff members and enjoy some refreshments.
“The support of the community, direction from the Governing Board of Trustees and a very competent medical and personnel staff with a vision of the future healthcare needs of the community have made this $5 million addition possible,” said Dr. Lon Butikofer, CEO.
The new addition was designed so Regional Medical Center could continue to provide the quality healthcare people expect by increasing space and services for the rapidly growing outpatient departments of emergency radiology and x-ray, laboratory, same day surgery and specialty clinic at the hospital and allow for increased efficiency, confidentiality and ease in using these services.
The previous emergency department has been remolded and converted to the new lab, x-ray and radiology registration, waiting area and cardiology clinic. Space has been leased to Cardiologists P.C. of Cedar Rapids for a full service cardiology clinic.
In order to enhance the registration of patients coming into Regional Medical Center, three new and separate registration centers will allow us to increase the efficiency of flow of patient services. The Emergency and Surgical Services registration area will be operational 24 hours a day. The Lab, Radiology Services and Specialty Clinic registration desks will be open Monday through Friday during normal business hours.
Because Regional Medical Center has attracted more specialty physicians to our clinic, it also became necessary to provide additional space in the Specialty Clinic for our general surgeon Dr. Randal Messerly.
The Laboratory was totally renovated to include the new equipment and expand space to allow for future growth, enhance technology and more private patient care area.
The Surgical Services Department was remodeled and now consists of three high-tech operating suites. Our Obstetrics Department has been expanded and updated to include more family-oriented birthing suites and labor room, which are equipped with the latest technology.
To accommodate the increase demand for services, Julie Bente, vice president of human resources, indicated they have added 42 new employees during the past two years. These employees have been added to nursing, Emergency Medical Services, Laboratory, Business Services, Home Care, Counseling Center and many more.
“Prospective employees recognize this hospital as a progressive facility with a lot to offer in regard to career opportunities as well as a great community,” said Bente.
For more information on the remodeling and addition, turn to pages 11A through 14A.
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City council extends mortgage
by Brian Cook |
The Manchester City Council agreed to extend its mortgage agreement with Manchester Enterprises on the speculative building in the industrial park for another five years.
The original no-interest loan agreement on $325,000 of principal was made 10 years ago, and is due to run out in October. Many members of Manchester Enterprises were on hand for the Aug. 28 meeting to request an extension of the mortgage to have more time to market the building.
Council member Darrell Hanson recalled that the building in question was the third speculative building, with the first two selling right away. Manchester enterprises loan is to be paid off when the building is either sold or leased.
Del Steenhard of Manchester Enterprises said the building is on the Iowa Department of Economic Development list of property available across the state. He said that provides many opportunities for prospects to come to Manchester.
Currently, Manchester Enterprises has four prospects looking at the building. One prospect was to be in town again on Thursday for further evaluation of the property.
Having the speculative building has also helped in bringing other business to town. Delaware County Economic Development Director Donna Boss said Henderson Manufacturing and Bradco, both inquired about sites knowing there was a speculative building.
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West Delaware mentoring program starts - Big Brothers/Big Sisters providing the program for K-12 students
by Latisha Sand |
Big Brother/Big Sister of Northeast Iowa and the West Delaware School District have gotten together to provide a mentoring program for kindergarten through 12th grade students.
A member of the community will take one day of their workweek, usually during their lunch hour, to spend about 45 minutes with a student that has been chosen by a West Delaware Guidance Counselor.
“It’s something rewarding that both people can benefit from,” said Ellen Krogmann, the mentor coordinator for Big Brothers/Big Sisters in Manchester.
According to Dave Gaskill, a guidance counselor at West Delaware, the school district came up with the initial idea for the program and when they found out that Big Brothers/Big Sisters could set up the program the school jumped aboard.
“It’s a program that will benefit the children,” said Gaskill. “It’s a positive interaction with a positive adult that could help the student feel better about themselves.”
During the 45 minutes, the volunteer can eat lunch, play games, read a story or just sit and have a conversation with their little brother or sister.
“It’s all about being a friend,” said Krogmann, “not a parent or teacher.”
The volunteer must be 16 years old or older, make a school year commitment and go through an interview and background check before Krogmann will pair the volunteer and student together.
“We’ll try and pair them up based on personalities and things,” said Krogmann. “We just hope there are enough volunteers.”
The Big Brother/Big Sister and West Delaware goal was for 20 volunteers and one company in Manchester has already provided the program with half that number.
“I’ve interviewed several people already and about 10 volunteers have come out of Rockwell Collins,” said Krogmann.
Dave Bellendier, the human resource manager at Rockwell Collins, said that the company is happy to do it.
“I believe the Manchester plant is very community oriented,” he said. “They go out of their way to help.”
Krogmann had contacted their plant manager and the manager provided the information at a staff meeting. Some of the employees only get about a half hour lunch but Bellendier said the company will pay the employees for the other 15 or so minutes.
The interviewing process is still going on and anyone interested can contact Krogmann at 563-927-5148 or get more information on-line at www.iowabigs.org.
A person can also apply for the School-Based ‘Plus’ Mentoring Program where the volunteer can meet the child outside of school in addition to their normal 45 minutes a week. The volunteer can take the child roller skating or do other activities off school grounds. This program also requires the volunteer, child and parent to sign a one year contract and the child and mentor must spend at least six hours a month together.
“It’s just a win-win situation,” said Krogmann. “You just have to be there for them (the students).”
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Community Congregational celebrates 150th
by Brian Cook |
Community Congregational United Church of Christ in Manchester will celebrate its Sesquicentennial during the month of September.
“We encourage the community to attend any or all of the events with our Sesquicentennial Celebration,” Rev. Kurt Pasko said of activities planned for the church’s 150th anniversary.
The Worship committee has prepared an authentic 1850’s worship service, with 14 volunteers who will re-enact the worship style and traditions of the 1850’s in costume. The “1856 Traditional Service of Worship” will take place in the church sanctuary on Sunday, Sept. 10, starting at 10 a.m.
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On Sunday, Sept. 17, at 3 p.m., the Sanctuary Choir, Children’s Choir, Bell Choir and a variety of instrumental and vocal soloists and mixed vocal groups will present “Music Through the Ages,” a concert of church music from the 1850’s to the present. The concert will feature music from the 1850’s, the turn of the century, the 1930’s and 1940’s, as well as some Contemporary Praise music from the 1980’s through the present.
The concert will be in the Community Congregational Sanctuary and is free and open to the public.
A month of celebration will conclude with the “150th Anniversary Celebration Banquet” at the Community Center of the Delaware County Fairgrounds in Manchester on Sept. 24 at 5 p.m. A catered meal will be followed by a brief program and drama based on the history of the church. Past pastors, local dignitaries and visiting clergy will be acknowledged.
Reservations are needed for the meal and can be made by calling 927-4772 or stopping by the church office at 205 E. Howard Street. The cost will be $7 for adults, $4 for children 4-12 years of age, and those 3 and under are free.
“The 150th Anniversary Committee has been working on preparations for this celebration for the past 12 months and have done a wonderful job,” Rev. Pasko said of the work involved for the Sesquicentennial Celebration.
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