The Decorah Public Library will begin offering curbside materials pickup on Monday June 1.

Library books, books on CD, and DVDs will be available for curbside pickup from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Friday. Beginning June 8, interlibrary loan services will also resume, so items not owned by Decorah Public Library may be borrowed from other libraries across the state.

Anyone wishing to select items for curbside pickup may do so by using the library’s online catalog (see Facebook or the library website for step-by-step instructions) or by calling the library at 382-3717. If requested, Library staff will be happy to share reading recommendations. Brand new video recommendations for children’s and young adult materials are available on Facebook as well. Library phone lines are open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and voicemail is available after hours. Ten items may be reserved at once, and ten items checked out per pickup date.

Once reserved items become available, Library staff will contact individuals to schedule a pickup date. Items will be bagged and labeled on tables near the loading dock on the south side of the building (off Winnebago St.). Parking is available, or cars may pull in and drive downhill through the lower parking lot to exit. Rain location will be in the covered parking area located underneath the library. Checkouts are for 3 weeks, with one renewal available. No late fines will accrue during this time. Both exterior library book drops are now open for returns.

Returned materials are quarantined for a minimum of 72 hours before being reintegrated with the library collection.

Call the library at 563-382-3717 for more information.

River-N-Ridge Outdoors has been announced as a semi-finalist in Main Street Iowa’s Open 4 Business competition. The business is one of twelve businesses to advance to the next round. Their next step is an online interview with the judging panel. If they advance again, they will receive $8,000 as a finalist, with the chance to win a further $20,000.

River-N-Ridge Outdoors previously won the Lansing contest, Open 4 Business: Fish Tank Edition, which awarded $2,000 (provided jointly by Kerndt Bothers Savings Bank, Kerndt Brothers Insurance Agency, Lansing Fitness Center, and Main Street Lansing).

River-N-Ridge Outdoors, owned by Mark and Amy Peterson, is a full service outdoor store in business for 4 years, providing a variety of products and services related to hunting, fishing, and boating. A small sampling of their products and services include firearms, ammunition, live bait, tackle, and gun repair. The wide variety of outdoor activities in the Lansing area allow them to capture the market of outdoor enthusiasts, both locals and visitors. Their location along the river allows for easy access from the street and from a dock, and their firearm products and services are unique to the business district.

River-N-Ridge plans to use any awarded funds to expand their services to include archery, clothing, and more boating supplies, as well as helping them reach the goal of opening a larger retail space in Lansing. They also hope to increase advertising, including the use of television. They want to draw new people into Lansing to help not only their business but all the businesses in the community.

Open 4 Business is an annual competition through Main Street Iowa that allows businesses from across Iowa to compete for the chance to win up to $28,000 in grant funds to be used for business expansion efforts. The competition is only open to designated Main Street communities, and each Main Street community can only send one business to represent them in the statewide competition. A 25% cash match is required in order to receive the state funds.

For more information about the Open 4 Business competition, reach out to Andy Kelleher, Executive Director of Main Street Lansing, at 563-538-9229 or director@lansingmatters.com

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Andy KelleherExecutive Director, Main Street Lansing563-538-9229P.O. Box 307, Lansing, IA  52151

State of Iowa announces new Test Iowa locations as testing criteria expands

Fri, 05/22/2020 – 12:00

Schedule can be found on coronavirus.iowa.gov. 

Today, the Office of Governor Kim Reynolds announced new Test Iowa locations will open next week in Marshalltown, Sioux Center, and Council Bluffs.

A schedule of sites, locations and times can be found below or on coronavirus.iowa.gov.

Test Iowa is a statewide initiative to expand COVID-19 testing. Testing criteria now allows any Iowan to be tested, regardless of symptoms or potential exposure to the virus. To be tested, Iowans must first complete an assessment at www.testiowa.com and schedule an appointment at a test site.

Test Iowa’s mobile testing model makes it possible to quickly operationalize a temporary test site in a community where virus activity is increasing or access to testing is limited. Testing is rapidly scaled up to identify positive cases, conduct contact tracing, and determine scope of the virus in the community. Over time when test volume decreases, sites are moved to other communities where there is a need.

The Test Iowa site currently in Sioux City will close when testing concludes at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 22. The site opened on May 4. Testing remains in Sioux City through local health care providers as well as the new Test Iowa Site in Sioux Center.

Test Iowa Sites/Schedule

Call Test Iowa with questions about testing: 515-575-2131 or 844-844-1561 (toll free)
Lines are open 8am – 8pm 7 days a week (except Holidays)

**** Please Note, There are two Half-Staff Events ****

1. President Trump orders flags to fly at half-staff to honor CoronaVirus victims

“I will be lowering the flags on all Federal Buildings and National Monuments to half-staff over the next three days in memory of the Americans we have lost to the CoronaVirus,” the President tweeted the evening of Thursday, May 22nd

^{*** Flags should be at Half-Staff Immediately for the Next Three Days per the President’s Tweet.}    

2. Memorial Day United States Flag Display

Memorial Day, which is observed on the last Monday of May, commemorates the men and women who died while in the military service.  In observance of Memorial Day, fly the United States flag at half staff from sunrise until NOON , and then raise it to full height from noon to sundown.

United States Flag Code

Section 7.M

The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then slowly lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. On Memorial Day the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff.
Click here to see the entire US Flag Code….

*** Flags should be at Half-Staff From Sunrise Until Noon on Monday, May 25th.

Effigy Mounds National Monument Trails Re-open Friday, May 22, 2020

[Harpers Ferry, IA] Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state and local public health authorities, Effigy Mounds National Monument is increasing recreational access, re-opening the park’s hiking trails beginning at 6:00am Friday, May 22, 2020. The National Park Service is working with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to gradually increase access on a park-by-park basis.

With public health in mind, the Effigy Mounds National Monument Visitor Center and other facilities will remain closed. Visitors are advised to come to the monument self-contained with enough water and food for safe hiking. Social distancing is highly recommended, and the public should be aware that on the North Unit trail system as well as the Yellow River boardwalks it is not always possible to maintain the recommended 6’ of social distancing, particularly when groups are moving in opposite directions along narrow, steep trail segments. Visitors are advised to seek out hiking times when visitation is low and avoid hiking during the busy afternoon hours of 1:00pm – 3:00pm if possible. Trails at Effigy Mounds National Monument are open daily from dawn to dusk.

Effigy Mounds National Monument managers are working with local, regional, and national leadership to monitor the situation and will provide updates on the park website at www.nps.gov/efmo and Facebook page whenever there are changes to the status of Effigy Mounds National Monument trails and Visitor Center operations.

The Calmar American Legion will be doing its cemetery salutes as usual on Monday May 25th, 2020 morning.  The school program is cancelled.

May 21, 2020

CONTACT:  Erin Berns at Veterans Memorial Hospital  568-3411

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 Limited Visitors Again Allowed In Veterans Memorial Hospital-Some Elective Procedures Also Now Available

Veterans Memorial Hospital is carefully beginning to loosen some hospital visitor and elective procedure restrictions.

Effective immediately, hospital visitor guidelines have been changed to the following:

• Adult patients will be permitted one visitor over the age of 18 per 24-hour period. The one identified visitor per 24-hour period must be registered daily.
• The visitor can do this by entering through the main entrance of the hospital, where they will be screened prior to entering and escorted to the patient room by a staff member.
• OB will maintain the current restriction of one support person for the entire stay.
• Visitors are asked to enter the building between 10am-2pm and asked to leave no later than 4 pm.
• Visitors are always required to cover their nose and mouth with a face covering. This is without exception. Visitors who cannot tolerate a personal face covering will not be allowed to visit.
• Visitors must respect social distancing and maintain at least six feet away from others even when wearing a face covering.
• Primary support persons, visitors and healthcare decision makers who are currently experiencing or experienced any COVID-19 symptoms within the last 14 days, such as fever, cough or shortness of breath, are not permitted.
• No visitors are permitted who have had a diagnosis of COVID-19 in the last 14 days, and visitors are not allowed to visit patients being treated for COVID-19 (except in end-of-life cases).
• Approved visitor must remain in the patient’s room and be escorted by staff out of the building when ready to leave.

During this COVID-19 pandemic, the hospital has had to limit surgeries and outpatient procedures, but is now beginning to offer a few elective surgical procedures, such as colonoscopies and mammograms.

Individuals who are interested in inquiring about having one of these preventative procedures should call their provider.  The provider can then share the order for the procedure with Veterans Memorial Hospital.  Then the appointment and instructions will be shared.

The hospital will be taking the highest precautions with each and every patient, leaving appropriate time between procedures and using all personal protective equipment and protocols.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care has also resumed immunizations on an appointment-only basis.  During COVID-19, the walk-in immunization clinics will remain on hold, but for those that want to call ahead and make an appointment, they can do so by calling 563-568-5660.   When the appointment is made, instructions will be given for the private location the immunizations will be administered.

Again, the hospital stresses that anyone coming into the hospital wear a face mask.  Also anyone not feeling well is asked to please call the hospital to reschedule their elective procedure.

For more information, please contact Veterans Memorial Hospital at 568-3411.

###

May 19, 2020

CONTACT:  Erin Berns at Veterans Memorial Hospital  568-3411

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hospital Laboratory Takes Measures When Re-Opening Waiting Room to Ensure Safety of Those Needing Regular Testing

The Veterans Memorial Hospital strives to provide the safest health care experience with compassion for all patients.  During COVID-19, the hospital has gone to even greater measures to ensure a safe environment for all patients, with the following requirements:

• Daily health screenings of employees, patients and visitors.
• Face masks required for all employees, patients and visitors.
• Physical distancing required in waiting rooms.
• Visitation limited to only essential visitors.
• Pre-procedure COVID –19 testing required prior to having a procedure at Veterans Memorial Hospital.
• More time scheduled between patients for proper, effective and thorough sanitizing.

The hospital’s Laboratory does see many repeat patients on a regular basis.  Since the onset of COVID-19, many of those patients have stayed in their cars while Laboratory personnel have come outside to draw their blood.  The lab patients are now given a choice to enter the main entrance as usual and wait in the main lobby waiting room until Lab escorts them to the lab drawing room.  Lab patients can also wait in their car until the lab drawing room is available.  If they still choose to wait in their vehicles, they must call the Lab at 563-568-5594 when they arrive to the hospital.  The Lab staff will meet them at the door and escort them inside the building, first to the screener and then directly to the Lab waiting room.

All appointments for Laboratory should be pre-scheduled.  Please call the Lab at 563-568-5594 before the next visit to Veterans Memorial Hospital to schedule an appointment.

For questions or concerns, please call Beth Fitzpatrick, Lab Supervisor at 563-568-5594.

###

Corps welcomes 101 days of summer with a water safety message

1. PAUL, Minn. –The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, is welcoming the 101 days of summer with a reminder for everyone to play it safe while on the water and to always wear a life jacket.

The 101 days of summer starts with Memorial Day Weekend and goes through Labor Day. Corps staff are reminding everyone to understand the value of wearing a life jacket. According to the National Safety Council, drowning caused 3,709 deaths in 2017. With the start of the summer recreation season upon us, let’s do our part to reduce these preventable deaths.

“As we wrap up National Safe Boating Week and look toward the summer, I want everyone to think about the importance of being smart while on the water,” said Randy Urich, St. Paul District recreation and natural resources chief. “With everything going on right now, it’s easy to get distracted, but the key is to remember that life jackets save lives. Your friends and family are counting on you coming home after being on the water so please play it safe and wear your life jacket.”

Before casting off for a day on the water, Corps staff recommend everyone should always wearing a life jacket, avoid consuming too much alcohol, let a friend or family member know where you are going and how long you plan to be gone, keep an eye on the weather and take a boating safety course.

In addition to remembering to being smart on the water, boaters should also practice good social distancing to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19.

For more information on our water safety program, please visit https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Recreation/Water-Safety/  or https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Recreation/National-Water-Safety_Program/

https://governor.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Public%20Health%20Proclamation%20-%202020.05.20.pdf

May 19, 2020

CONTACT:  Erin Berns at Veterans Memorial Hospital  568-3411

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hospital Laboratory Takes Measures When Re-Opening Waiting Room to Ensure Safety of Those Needing Regular Testing

The Veterans Memorial Hospital strives to provide the safest health care experience with compassion for all patients.  During COVID-19, the hospital has gone to even greater measures to ensure a safe environment for all patients, with the following requirements:

• Daily health screenings of employees, patients and visitors.
• Face masks required for all employees, patients and visitors.
• Physical distancing required in waiting rooms.
• Visitation limited to only essential visitors.
• Pre-procedure COVID –19 testing required prior to having a procedure at Veterans Memorial Hospital.
• More time scheduled between patients for proper, effective and thorough sanitizing.

The hospital’s Laboratory does see many repeat patients on a regular basis.  Since the onset of COVID-19, many of those patients have stayed in their cars while Laboratory personnel have come outside to draw their blood.  The Lab patients are now given the choice to enter the Lab waiting room to wait for their blood draw, or continue to wait in their car until the Lab waiting room is open.  If they still choose to wait in their vehicles, they must call the Lab at 563-568-5594 when they arrive to the hospital.  The Lab staff will meet them at the door and escort them inside the building, first to the screener and then directly to the Lab waiting room.

All appointments for Laboratory should be pre-scheduled.  Please call the Lab at 563-568-5594 before the next visit to Veterans Memorial Hospital to schedule an appointment.

For questions or concerns, please call Beth Fitzpatrick, Lab Supervisor at 563-568-5594.

###

May 19, 2020

CONTACT:  Erin Berns at Veterans Memorial Hospital  568-3411

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hospital Requests More Masks Needed in Hospital and Community

Veterans Memorial Hospital continues to be appreciative of the outpouring of community support and interest in making and donating face masks for patients and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Hospital is encouraging those that have been sewing for the hospital to please continue to do so.  In fact, with the reopening of some elective procedures, the hospital is requesting more donations of masks, if possible.

The hospital staff remains concerned and committed to the community and encourages face mask use by everyone, especially the elderly and immune-compromised, to help them stay safe when they have to leave their homes.

For this reason, the hospital is also still encouraging face masks to be donated to the area communities.  The Waukon Economic Development, Lansing City Clerk Office, Postville City Clerk Office and Monona Chamber of Commerce are all accepting homemade masks and supplying them to the grocery stores in their communities.  These masks are then being handed out to each qualifying customer to have and wear to enter the public places they need to go.

The masks are reusable and the shopper should keep and launder the mask for reuse on each shopping visit.  With the limited supply, it is asked that those receiving the masks be sure to keep the same one for reuse and not take a new one each time they enter a store.

Masks can be dropped off at the following locations:

• Waukon Chamber of Commerce/Economic Development Office (place in tote at front door between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. M-F)
• Lansing City Office (place in tote at front door between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. M-F)
• Postville City Office (Place in tote in front of police station door anytime)
• Monona Chamber of Commerce (place in drop off slot in front door anytime)

Please put any homemade masks in a bag and leave at one of these locations.  Masks will then be distributed as needed to the stores.

For more information, please call Erin Berns, Public Relations, at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.

###

CAPTION:  Veterans Memorial Hospital continues to be appreciative of the outpouring of community support in making and donating masks for patients and staff during this pandemic.  With the reopening of some elective procedures, the hospital is requesting more donations of masks, if possible.  Pictured is some hospital staff members wearing some of handmade masks that a have been sewn and donated to the hospital by many talented individuals in the community.  These masks are very effective in helping to stop the spread of COVID-19.  Mask donations are also being accepted at these city locations of Waukon Economic Development, Lansing City Clerk Office, Postville City Clerk Office and Monona Chamber of Commerce and will be given to the elderly and immune-compromised to use every time they must leave home.

May 19, 2020

CONTACT:  Erin Berns at 568-3411

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Need for Blood Does Not Stop During COVID-19

The local blood drives continue to be held during COVID-19 since the need for blood is in more demand than ever.  Life Serve team members only report to work if they are healthy and only healthy donors are eligible to give blood.   Blood drives are essential medical services and not considered mass gatherings. The number of donors is limited to ensure donor separation and staff has strict cleaning and disinfection schedules. Other measures are also in place to ensure the safety of the blood supply so these lifesaving donations can continue during COVID-19.

The next blood drive will be held on Monday, June 1, from Noon to 5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon.

Donating blood is safe, simple and it saves lives.  Blood donors have a unique opportunity to contribute to their community by making a life-saving blood donation.  Everyone who registers to donate blood goes through four simple steps during the donation process:  registration, donor history and mini-physical, blood donation and snacks.

New blood donors who are not familiar with the blood donation process are encouraged to ask questions before, during and after their blood donation.  Below are a few tips for ensuring a successful donation:

• Get a good night’s sleep before your blood donation.
• Eat a good meal before donating blood. Do not donate on an empty stomach.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Bring a photo ID or Blood Donor ID Card to your appointment.
• If you are 16 or 17 years old and you’ve never donated blood with LifeServe Blood Center, be sure to get a signed Parental/Guardian Permission Form.

LifeServe Blood Center is one of the 15^th largest blood centers in the country, and provides blood and blood products to more than 90 hospitals located across Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota.  This includes Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon.  LifeServe is committed to saving lives by providing premier service to volunteer blood donors and access to a safe, quality blood supply for hospitals and patients.

For more information or to schedule an appointment to donate blood at the next Waukon blood drive on Monday, June 1, from Noon to 5:00 p.m., please call 800-287-4903.

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Gundersen eases hospital visitor guidelines

As Gundersen Health System continues its safe, careful approach to resuming in-person procedures and appointments, new Hospital visitor guidelines reflect these changes. (Guidelines may differ for select Gundersen Critical Access Hospital locations.)

Gundersen Hospital Visitor Guidelines

• Adult patients will be allowed one (1) visitor over the age of 18 per 24-hour period.
• Nursery, Pediatric and Pediatric/Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (PNICU) patients may have one (1) support person, not to exceed two different people in 24 hours.
• Exceptions are available for end-of-life care, interpreter/communication needs and Labor and Delivery.

All Gundersen Locations

Gundersen continues to have multiple touchpoints to ensure the health and safety of patients, visitors, and staff. These policies continue to be in line with other state and national guidelines to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Visit our COVID-19 page for more information.

• Patients, support people and visitors must bring and wear a cloth face covering. These are needed for everyone, including Gundersen staff.
• Everyone entering a Gundersen facility will be asked if they are experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19 and have their temperature taken. (Symptoms include temperature of 100.0 F, new cough, shortness of breath or unexplained body aches.)
• All patients and visitors should allow at least six feet between themselves and other patients and visitors, even when wearing a face covering.
• No visitors are allowed who have had a diagnosis of COVID-19 in the last 14 days, and visitors are not allowed to visit patients being treated for COVID-19.
• Primary support people, visitors and healthcare decision makers who are currently experiencing or experienced any COVID-19 symptoms within the last 14 days, such as fever, cough or shortness of breath, are not permitted.

Entrances to Gundersen locations will continue to be limited to ensure appropriate patient and visitor screening.

Visitor guidelines regarding Gundersen Clinics, Emergency Services, Surgery and Outpatient Surgery Center are also being reviewed. Any changes will be shared once they are finalized.

Gundersen continuously evaluates visitor guidelines and may update them as the COVID-19 response continues to evolve locally, regionally, and nationally.

Spring Grove American Legion Post #249 announces the schedule for the Memorial Day observance on Mon., May 25.

At 9:45 a.m., the Legion color guard will leave from in front of the school and march to Viking Memorial Park.

At the park, there will be patriotic music, reading of the Honor Roll, decorating the crosses with wreaths, gun salute, and taps.

Becky Idstrom, Communications and Marketing Manager

bidstrom@vesterheim.org  •  563-382-9681

For Immediate Release

May 18, 2020

Vesterheim Museum Welcomes New Trustees

DECORAH, Iowa —Vesterheim, the national Norwegian-American museum and heritage center, is pleased to announce five new members to its board of trustees—Carol Birkland, Lindsay Erdman, Louise Hanson, Thomas Mannes, and Rachel Reitan. Vesterheim has a national board with 25 members from 10 states and the District of Columbia.

Carol Birkland, Decorah, served in a variety of positions with the national and international Lutheran Church. She was director of project planning, monitoring, and evaluation for the Lutheran World Federation’s Department for World Service in Geneva, Switzerland. At Luther College, she was director of church relations and at Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, she was a new business developer. A graduate of Luther College, Carol has two Masters Degrees, one in Student Personnel Administration from Pacific Lutheran University and one in Systematic Theology from Luther Seminary. Birkland has served on boards for the Minnesota Chorale, Center for Victims of Torture, Winneshiek County Habitat for Humanity, the Decorah Human Rights Commission, and Lutheran Services in Iowa. In 1992, she received Luther College’s Distinguished Service Award. She likes to be on the Decorah bike trails and volunteering with Decorah’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Program.

Lindsay Erdman is a Decorah native. A graduate of Iowa State University in Civil Engineering, Erdman is a Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor licensed in the State of Iowa. For 30 years, he has owned and operated Erdman Engineering, P.C. Some notable City of Decorah projects completed by Erdman Engineering include Trout Run Trail, reconstruction of Luther College campus street and parking lots system, Decorah Water Street reconstruction, and the development of the Decorah Business Park.

Presently Erdman serves as Chair of Good Shepherd Church Facilities Improvement Committee and led the church’s remodeling project, is Co-Chair of Oneota Golf and Country Club Grounds and Greens Committee, and is a board member of Decorah Jobs, Inc. and Winneshiek County Development, Inc.    Louise Hanson and her husband Walter own The Nordic Shop, a Scandinavian clothing and lifestyle store in downtown Rochester, Minnesota, which includes an ecommerce website www.thenordicshop.net. They are a Premier Store for Dale of Norway Sweaters, the only independent store to have that recognition. Hanson has a BA in Art and Communication Arts from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri. She has also studied industrial arts in Copenhagen, Denmark. Louise has participated on several boards in Rochester over the years. She is past president of Shops at University Square Merchants Association.

Thomas Mannes is from Aksdal in Tysvær, Norway, and also resides in Clifton, Texas. At present he is a project leader at Equinor (formerly Statoil), and he oversees operational aspects within a project upgrading Njord Bravo, a storage ship. He studied at the University of Stavanger as an engineer and has a Masters of Science degree in petroleum engineering. Mannes has led and participated in many different volunteer organizations. After a visit in 2012 to the Norse Historical District and the property where Cleng Peerson lived, Mannes helped develop a collaboration between Clifton, Texas, and Tysvær, Norway. Peerson, who emigrated from Tysvær, Norway, is known as the “Father of Norwegian Immigration to America,” and he lived on the Texas homestead beginning in 1854. Mannes and his wife Eldbjørg Djønne-Stuve became the owners of the Cleng Peerson homestead, which they had listed on the National Historic Register.

Rachel Reitan, a native of Decorah, lives in New Orleans, Louisiana. Dr. Reitan is an Assistant Clinical Professor and Director of Minimally Invasive Division at Louisiana State University Healthcare Network in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She is a Minimally Invasive Surgeon/DaVinci Surgeon. Dr. Reitan is a graduate of Luther College where she studied nursing and obtained her medical degree from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Her residency was at Johns Hopkins in Dermatology and at Louisiana State University for Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Reitan is an Emmy-award winner for on camera talent as a medical reporter with ABC News in New Orleans for her show, “Dr. Rachel: The Teaching Doctor.” Her parents are Phillip and Ruth Reitan of Decorah.

Through 33,000 objects and 12 historic buildings, Vesterheim, the national Norwegian-American museum and heritage center in Decorah, Iowa, shares the most comprehensive collection of Norwegian-American artifacts in the world. This treasure is also a center for folk-art education, offering a wide variety of classes in authentic Norwegian folk art every year. For more information on the museum’s exhibitions, classes, events, membership opportunities, and ways to donate, check Vesterheim’s website at vesterheim.org, call (563) 382-9681, or write to Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, 502 W. Water St., P.O. Box 379, Decorah, IA, 52101-0379.

-30-

For immediate release…

Voters are reminded that Friday May 22^nd is the last day to request an absentee ballot in the mail.  Voters are encouraged to use this option for the 2020 Primary to help minimize person to person contact.

In-person absentee voting will still be available in the County Auditor’s Office through Monday June 1^st.  Weekday hours are 8:00 – 4:00.  The Auditor’s Office will also be open Saturday May 30^th from 7:00 – 3:00 for early voting.

Voting on Election Day, June 2^nd, will be from 7:00am – 9:00pm.  There will be a reduced number of polling sites:

Voters that normally vote in Ossian or Calmar will be voting at the Calmar Lutheran Church.

Voters that normally vote in Ridgeway or Fort Atkinson will be voting at the Ridgeway Community Center.

All other voters will be voting at the Courthouse.

Voters using in-person voting options should practice appropriate social distancing when doing so.  For the safety of other voters and poll workers, please do not crowd the polling location and also consider bringing your own blue or black pen to use to mark your ballot.

Sample ballots, polling information, election forms, and other election information is available at www.winneshiekcounty.org. Questions can be directed to auditor@co.winneshiek.ia.us or (563) 382-5085.

Thank you,
Ben Steines
Winneshiek County Auditor

The SBA has issued guidance on calculating the forgiveness of PPP loans. The Loan Forgiveness Application includes several measures to reduce compliance burdens and simplify the process for borrowers. The biggest change is the addition of a new exemption from the loan forgiveness reduction for borrowers who have made a good-faith, written offer to rehire workers that was declined. Previously, your eligibility for PPP loan forgiveness was dependent on maintaining your pre-COVID-19 payroll, with a business losing a percentage of loan forgiveness for each employee not rehired. Now, as long as you attempt to rehire your employees by June 30, you will not suffer a loan forgiveness reduction. This exemption also applies to employees who were fired for cause, left their jobs voluntarily, or voluntarily requested a reduction in hours. (NOTE: you still have to spend the funds on eligible expenses in order to receive forgiveness; all excess funds must be repaid).

If you have a PPP loan or are looking into one (there’s still $120 Billion allocated for the program), you will need to apply for forgiveness at the conclusion of your 8-week forgiveness period, which begins once funds are disbursed to you. Speak to your lender for more details. You can view the PPP Loan Forgiveness Application here.

Also, as a reminder, the SBA is offering debt relief for current and new 7(a) and 504 loan borrowers. The SBA will automatically make payments to the lender on behalf of the borrower for 6 months, including principal, interest, and any associated fees. New loans made through September 27, 2020 will be provided the same debt relief benefits. If you have been considering starting a business or growing your business by using an SBA loan, now is a good time to explore that option since the SBA will cover 6 months of your payments. You can learn more about this here.

ArtHaus works on beautification of their new location on the corner of Washington and Broadway with the help of grants from the Iowa Arts Council.  In June ArtHaus received a Capacity Building Grant which helped with new signs from Letterwerks and marketing materials with their new address of 107 West Broadway.  This May they received a relief grant to help with the financial impact of being closed during Covid-19.  While the space is not open to the public ArtHaus continues to work on projects led by volunteers beautifying the outdoor space and is doing online orders of art supplies and virtual classes.

“Iowa is becoming known as a culturally vibrant state with world-class arts and cultural offerings, where engaging experiences revitalize communities with unique characteristics and local charm,” said Chris Kramer, director of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs.

Art, film, history and culture are vital factors that business leaders, families and millennials consider when choosing where to set up shop or settle down to live, work and play. Cultural programs help boost the quality of life and promote economic growth.

To support those efforts statewide, the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs has awarded more than 200 grants and designations that will serve as catalysts for new community initiatives, creative projects, cultural organizations and small businesses.

The $2,107,102 in grant funding was made through several programs overseen by the department’s divisions: the Iowa Arts Council, the State Historical Society of Iowa and Produce Iowa, the state office of film and media production. This year the department received a slight increase in funding from state and federal officials, a reflection of widespread support for Iowa art, film, history and culture. Grants announced in this release are funded with appropriations from the Iowa Legislature and through funding as a state arts agency from the National Endowment for the Arts.

These grant programs support community projects, artist-led initiatives, historic preservation, cultural education and more. The following summary is divided into three broad categories.

In addition ArtHaus received a relief grant to help with the substantial hit they have taken as a result of Covid-19.

The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs (IDCA) awarded $191,000 in grants to Iowa artists and small nonprofit arts organizations who are reeling from the financial impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. The first-round relief grants were limited to artists and small nonprofit arts organizations.

The list of recipients includes community theaters, choirs, youth arts groups, a documentary filmmaker and a blues musician who has entertained Iowa audiences for more than 40 years.

In all,156 Iowa artists and creative workers each received a $1,000 award to support their artistic career. In addition, 14 Iowa nonprofit arts organizations each received a $2,500 grant to support their operations. The IDCA received a total of 285 applications in this funding round.

Applicants cited a range of financial losses resulting from canceled performances, festivals, residencies, commissions, teaching opportunities and more. Organizations lost revenue from admissions and gift-shop sales, as well as canceled classes, programs and fundraising events.

“Iowa’s creative professionals and cultural organizations have been deeply impacted by the current crisis,” Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs Director Chris Kramer said. “Our industry is incredibly resourceful and resilient, but with so many revenue sources threatened at once, it’s extraordinarily challenging for the creative workforce to navigate.”

Kramer added, “The economic loss to arts organizations is estimated at over $4.5 billion nationwide. Here in Iowa in a typical year, the creative sector accounts for 2.3 percent of our economy and more than 42,000 jobs.”

This was the first round of grants from the new Iowa Arts & Culture Emergency Relief Fund, which is administered by the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. Grants awarded through this fund are intended to support the Iowa artists and nonprofits that have suffered the most, serving as a bridge between severe financial loss and other state and federal assistance.

“Artists and community arts organizations have been hit particularly hard by this emergency and are some of the most vulnerable members of our industry right now,” Iowa Arts Council Administrator David Schmitz said. “We want to help Iowa artists and these arts groups bridge the gap, so they can sustain a basic living until audiences and patrons return.”

In a recent survey conducted for Iowa by Americans for the Arts, 255 arts and cultural organizations across the state reported a total financial loss of $2.85 million as of April 7. On average, those organizations lost approximately $11,000 due to closures, cancellations and increased expenses.

Nearly all of the respondents reported that they have canceled performances and other events, affecting an estimated 100,000 audience members and participants.

Sixty-two percent of respondents expect the pandemic’s impact on their organization to be “severe” or “very severe.” A quarter of the organizations have reduced staff or payroll.

Round Two

The Iowa Arts Council will accept applications for a second round of emergency grants April 24 through May 1 from all Iowa arts and cultural organizations that have existed for at least three years, maintain a 501(c)3 nonprofit status and had an operating budget of at least $10,000 during the past fiscal year. The details and application will be posted online at iowaculture.gov.

Funding for this second round of grants comes from the National Endowment of the Arts, through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The grants are intended to help save jobs in the arts sector and keep the doors open to thousands of cultural organizations that add value to America’s economy and the creative life of its communities.

Thank you,

ArtHaus 

Connecting people through creativity. 

Shannon Dallenbach Durbin

Executive Director

Hours

ArtHaus facility is currently closed due to growing concerns over COVID-19.

ArtHaus staff will be operating remotely during this closure, but all activities, classes, and events have been canceled or postponed. Meetings will be rescheduled to remote formats.

Please get in touch if you have any questions or concerns you’d like to discuss.

107 W Broadway St.

Decorah, IA 52101

563 382 5440

arthausdecorah.org

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

ArtHaus is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

All contributions and donations to ArtHaus are tax-deductible.

Winneshiek County Development and Tourism Encourages Agricultural Producers to Check Out the New CFAP USDA Program, which will Help Producers Who Have Been Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic

DECORAH, IOWA—Winneshiek County Development and Tourism (WCDT) announced on Friday that they are encouraging all Winneshiek County agricultural producers to look into a new program that is designed to help any farmer/producer who suffered losses during the 2020 marketing year due to COVID-19. The new program administered through the local USDA FSA office is referred to as the “Coronavirus Food Assistance Program” (CFAP).

“This is a $19 million program. Unfortunately, the program name can be confusing.” noted Stephanie Fromm, Executive Director for WCDT. Fromm went on to say, “Some producers have ignored the program thinking it had to do with food distribution and they don’t need food. In reality, although the program will support the Food Box Distribution Program, it also is the program that will provide immediate and direct support to agricultural producers where prices and market supply chains have been impacted. We know dairy, beef, pork, lamb and other producers in Winneshiek County who have been impacted.”

The USDA website notes that the CFAP will provide direct support based on actual losses for agricultural producers where prices and market supply chains have been impacted. https://www.farmers.gov/cfap CFAP will assist producers with additional adjustment and marketing costs in the 2020 marketing year resulting from lost demand and short-term oversupply caused by COVID-19. The CFAP funding is administered through local Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices. Producers must register with FSA to be eligible.

There is no size limit; all agricultural operations are eligible. Applicants who have received other forms of COVID-19 business relief (PPP, EIDL, or other FSA funding) are still eligible. Fromm noted that the required forms and program details are on the website but that farms already working with FSA may already have forms on file. She encouraged producers to call the Winneshiek County FSA office once the program opens as they may be able to complete the application by phone. FSA has streamlined the process. USDA has not announced a start date for CFAP (as of release), but producers may call or email FSA for updates.

Fromm noted that WCDT will have additional guidance on CFAP on their small business directory, which details all the available programs www.winneshiekdevelopment.org. The directory offers a searchable, organized list of available local, state, federal, public and private programs, including grants. “Farm businesses are a vital part of our economy, and we want to make sure they know about this opportunity,” said Fromm. “We care about our hardworking friends, neighbors and families in agriculture and recognize how important they are to our local and regional economy.”

Vesterheim Museum Extends Temporary Closure

DECORAH, Iowa—As part of its continuing response to the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), Vesterheim, the national Norwegian-American museum and heritage center, has extended its dates of closure through June 30, 2020. The closure includes Vesterheim Folk Art School classes, on-site events, and the on-site Museum Store.

The online Museum Store is offering convenient secure shopping for mail order and store pick up. Check store.vesterheim.org or call 563-382-9682.

Everyone is invited to explore the museum’s many online resources at vesterheim.org, including engaging blog posts with folk-art features and immigrant stories. Another way to stay connected is through Vesterheim’s social media on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Electrical providers are reporting the following scams being targeted at their customers on a state wide basis:

1. Scam caller advising customer that if they are experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 they are eligible to pay a portion of their past due balance upfront and defer the balance for up to 3 months. Customer provides payment over the phone to scammer.
2. Scammer advises payment arrangements are being cancelled or revised to assist with COVID-19 and that by providing them with account information, they can take care of outstanding payments by phone.
3. When asked why the caller ID shows up as “Unavailable” or “No Caller ID” the Scammer says they are working from home and the caller ID phone number will not appear as the utility company phone number. Seemingly reasonable response, caller provides payment information or account information by phone.

From Safeguard Iowa Partnership

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, is removing the closures to its facilities near the Mississippi River locks and dams from Lock and Dam 2, near Hastings, Minnesota, to Lock and Dam 10 in Guttenberg, Iowa. The change is effective immediately.

The guide walls, loading docks and observation platforms were closed to the public April 6 to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Public restrooms at the locks and dams will continue to remain closed until further notice.

“Reopening these locations to the public is an important step in letting them view the Mississippi River up close,” said Jim Rand, St. Paul District locks and dams chief. “While we are reopening the sites, we urge everyone to continue practicing safe social distancing measures and to continue listening to local officials on the best methods to protect yourself. The safety and health of our visitors and employees is our top priority, and we want everyone to be able to experience the river for years to come.”

The St. Paul District navigation program provides a safe, reliable, cost-effective and environmentally sustainable waterborne transportation system on the Upper Mississippi River for the movement of commercial goods and for national security needs. To do this, the district maintains a 9-foot navigation channel and 13 locks and dams from Minneapolis to Guttenberg, Iowa. Keeping this system open is vital to the nation’s economy. Nearly 16 million tons of commodities passed through Lock and Dam 10 in 2018. This included nearly 8.5 million tons of farm products such as corn and soybeans. The industries making these shipments saved approximately $430 million by using the inland waterways instead of overland shipping methods.

For up-to-date information on modifications, closures or other restrictions related to St. Paul District areas visit: www.mvp.usace.army.mil.

There is a new way to bring cheer to your neighbors here in Winneshiek County. The Mail Cheer Program is a safe way for community members to send or request a positive message through the mail to combat the loneliness and isolation many people are experiencing due to the current pandemic.

“While volunteering with Meals on Wheels, I learned how prevalent social isolation is for so many in our community right now,” said Jessica Hegdahl, coordinator of the program. “People here in Decorah have been so great at stepping up to help each other, and I’m so excited for people who might be isolated to get something fun in the mail to remind them that they’re being thought of as part of our community, even when they need to remain physically distant from others.”

Volunteers with Green Iowa AmeriCorps, in partnership with the Winneshiek Energy District, and the Decorah & Winneshiek Co. Mutual Aid Network have collaborated to create the program. Additional funding support comes from the Winneshiek County Development and Tourism office.

How to participate

Letters can be sent to Mail Cheer Program, PO Box 169, Decorah IA 52101. A volunteer will forward them to people who have requested mail. Anyone wishing to receive mail for themselves or a family member can e-mail Jessica at jessica@energydistrict.org or fill out the form at https://decorahnow.com/mutual-aid-network/ Guidelines for sending mail can be found on the website.

Looking for materials?

A tote box full of artistic materials, cardstock and envelopes is located in the Little Free Craft Closet at ArtHaus. Pick up what you need, and feel free to donate extra supplies you have at home!

Gundersen Health System is adding another convenient, option for patient immunizations in La Crosse.

Beginning May 18, patients 18 and older without respiratory illness can receive routine immunizations at the Gundersen La Crosse ExpressCare Clinic in the Village Shopping Center (2500 Hwy. 33).

• If you had appointments cancelled and are overdue for immunizations, your provider may contact you.
• Contact your primary care provider to schedule a visit. (We’re sorry, but no walk-ins are available.)
• Patients should remain in their vehicle at the La Crosse ExpressCare Clinic until their appointment time to aid Gundersen’s social distancing efforts.

In the coming weeks, immunizations at the Gundersen La Crosse ExpressCare Clinic will be expanded to patients 2-years-old and older for routine immunizations and immunizations that had previously been delayed due to Gundersen’s COVID-19 response.

“We have much evidence that immunization rates are falling nationally during the COVID-19 pandemic, including in our local communities,” shares Rajiv Naik, MD, Gundersen Pediatrics. “We know that receiving routine preventive care and especially timely vaccines is as important as ever during this unprecedented time. We cannot afford to have outbreaks of other vaccine-preventable diseases on top of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are going to do everything we can to help make sure patients get vaccines safely, conveniently and on time.”

Immunizations are still available at La Crosse and Onalaska Family Medicine and Pediatrics locations. For more information, patients should contact their primary care provider or call (608) 782-7300.

Gundersen is considering other new ways and sites to provide high-priority care during the COVID-19 pandemic. More information will be shared in the coming months.

Gundersen Health System is now offering drive-up laboratory services in La Crosse as a convenience for patients and to help system efforts for safety and social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Patients and families are searching for more convenient ways to obtain care, such as video visits and more accessible lab services,” says Marilu Bintz, MD, chief population health officer, Gundersen Health System. “Drive-up lab services are one of many new offerings we’ve launched or are developing that respond to our patients’ requests for a better experience of care.”

Beginning Monday, May 18, patients ages 9 and older will have the option to use a convenient, private Gundersen La Crosse Campus location to have their labs drawn without leaving their vehicle.

• The La Crosse Campus location is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Common lab services available at the drive-up include:
  • Routine blood draws
  • Specimen drop-off
  • Limited home testing supply pick-up
• Patients are encouraged to have someone else drive them to their appointment.
• Patients who drive themselves will be required to wait 10 minutes after their appointment before leaving the drive-up lab services location.
• Patients are asked to leave pets at home.

Lab draws can be scheduled by either calling (608) 775-0950 or through a referral by a patient’s primary care provider.

Please help Iowa’s economic recovery and growth:
Take a few minutes to complete this NEW survey, developed by the University of Northern Iowa’s (UNI) Institute for Decision Making and UNI’s Strategic Marketing Services.

This survey link is for all businesses, attractions and organizations within the community.

This new survey is a follow-up to UNI’s survey of businesses in mid-March. Participation in the survey is vital to state efforts to understand the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Iowa businesses and organizations. The Iowa Economic Development Authority will use survey results to inform public policy on recovery and growth, including potential resources for businesses.

The deadline to complete this survey is Friday, May 22 at 5 p.m.

While this pandemic is changing how we do business in Iowa, we look forward to entering this new phase of recovery and growth for Iowa.

Take the Survey

ABOUT US: The nearly 700 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, employees working at more than 40 sites in five upper-Midwest states serve the American public in the areas of environmental enhancement, navigation, flood damage reduction, water and wetlands regulation, recreation sites and disaster response. Through the St. Paul District Fiscal Year 2019 $144 million budget, nearly 2,200 non-Corps jobs were added to the regional economy as well as $221 million to the national economy. Learn more at www.mvp.usace.army.mil or visit our social media sites at:

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS – ST. PAUL DISTRICT
180 5th St. E, St. Paul, MN 55101

For Immediate Release: Patrick Moes: 651.290.5202, 651.366.7539, patrick.n.moes@usace.army.mil
May 15, 2020 George Stringham: 651.290.5201, 651.262.6804, george.e.stringham@usace.army.mil
News Release No. MVP-PA-2020-043 Shannon Bauer: 651.290.5108, 612.840.9453, shannon.l.bauer@usace.army.mil
Melanie Peterson: 651.290.5679, 651.315.4537, melanie.m.peterson@usace.army.mil

Corps of Engineers urges boater safety on Mississippi River

ST. PAUL, Minn. –The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, is celebrating National Safe Boating Week by urging boaters on the Mississippi River to be smart while on the water.

National Safe Boating Week is May 16 – 22.

“The Mississippi River is an amazing place to spend your time on a boat, but you need to be smart about it,” said Jim Rand, St. Paul District locks and dams chief. “There are a lot of hazards that boaters need to be aware of to include tow boats, dangerous currents near our locks and submerged debris.”

To be safe on the river this boating season, Corps staff offer the following tips:

• Wear a life jacket;
• Avoid consuming too much alcohol;
• Tell a friend or family member where you are going and when you plan to be back;
• Keep an eye on the weather as conditions can change with little warning;
• Take a boater safety class;
• Avoid restricted areas immediately above and below a lock and dam;
• Have an anchor on board that can be quickly retrieved;
• Monitor navigation traffic on Marine Channel 14;
• If locking through a lock, listen to the lock operator at all times; and
• Practice social distancing to ensure everyone is safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information on our water safety program, please visit https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/Recreation/Water-Safety/ or http://bobber.info/ for water safety educational materials.
– 30 –
NEWS RELEASE

DES MOINES, Iowa (April 30, 2020) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has formed a Resource Coordination Center (RCC) to support Iowa livestock producers affected by the COVID-19 supply chain disruptions. COVID-19 outbreaks in the workforce are causing many meat processing facilities to run below normal operating capacity. That’s creating challenges for producers who are trying to convert livestock to food products.

“COVID-19 has disrupted every aspect of our lives, including our food supply chain,” said Secretary Naig. “This is creating numerous challenges for producers and forcing them to make unimaginable decisions. We want producers to know they’re not alone. We have assembled a team of people who are here to connect producers with information and resources as they work through this difficult time.”

The Department is collaborating with public and private partners to operate the RCC, including the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA), the Iowa Pork Industry Center and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

“We have pulled together some of the best resources in the state to help those Iowa pig farmers working through difficult circumstances. Decisions that will be made in the coming weeks must be the solution that can work best for individual farm situations. We encourage those farmers to call in with questions or go to the website to look at the resources available,” said Mike Paustian, IPPA president and a pig farmer from Walcott.

“The creation of the RCC will allow both public and private organizations to mobilize their resources efficiently and effectively to help pork producers make well-informed decisions during this extremely difficult time,” said Jay Harmon, associate dean for extension and outreach for ISU’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and director for agriculture and natural resources extension and outreach at Iowa State.

Through the RCC, livestock industry experts, state agencies and technical specialists will help producers explore every option to harvest livestock and meet the protein needs of Iowans. The RCC will also connect producers with technical resources as they work through difficult and emotional decisions, including animal welfare euthanasia and disposal.

Iowa livestock producers can call the RCC at (515) 725-1005, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., or fill out a help form anytime at iowafarmerhelp.com.

COVID-19 has caused supply chain disruptions that are forcing producers to make emotional and stressful decisions. If producers are feeling overwhelmed, they can call the Iowa Concern Hotline at 1-800-447-1985 to get free, confidential support, 24/7.

About the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
Led by Secretary Mike Naig, the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship serves the rural and urban residents that call Iowa home. Through its 12 diverse bureaus, the Department ensures animal health, food safety and consumer protection. It also promotes conservation efforts to preserve our land for the next generation. Learn more at iowaagriculture.gov.

Media Contact
Keely Coppess
(515) 326-1616
Keely.Coppess@iowaagriculture.gov

To provide better access to testing for patients, a COVID-19 drive-up testing site has been set up at Gundersen Decorah Clinic.  The testing site is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. All patients must call to be pre-screened. If they meet qualification for testing, patients will be scheduled for the drive-up testing.   If you are experiencing COVID-19-related symptoms, call Gundersen Decorah at (563) 382-3140, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or call Gundersen Telephone Nurse Advisors 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at (608) 775-4454 or (800) 858-1050.   Virtual care options are also a convenient way to connect. Visit gundersenhealth.org to experience our commitment to providing care anywhere for patients

Vesterheim Begins Work on Heritage Park

DECORAH, Iowa— Vesterheim, the national Norwegian-American museum and heritage center, is beginning work to transform its Open Air Division into Vesterheim Heritage Park—an educational, interpretative, and public outdoor space in its downtown campus.

The primary contractor for the project is 2nd Nature Landscaping, Bloomington, Minnesota, which has over 30 years of experience ranging from parks and commercial projects to complex residential landscapes. Other contractors involved in this project include Skyline Construction, Inc., Wicks Construction, Perry Novak Electric, and Stevenson Tree Care, all of Decorah.

This project has been made possible by a grant from Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies.

Vesterheim has also received funding from Winneshiek County Community Foundation for four interpretive signs. These signs will be similar in structure to the history signs already placed throughout Decorah on the Water Street Trail and the Historic District Trail.

The pathways in Vesterheim Heritage Park will be ADA-accessible and the landscape will incorporate many environmentally sensitive elements, thanks to a grant from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Water Quality Initiative (WQI) Urban Conservation Project.

The plans for Heritage Park will implement practices including permeable pavement, soil quality restoration, a bioretention cell, and native prairie plantings to transform a currently underutilized landscape with features that improve infiltration, reduce nutrient and sediment runoff, and demonstrate sustainable stormwater management. Large, open glades will provide space for leisure and gathering as well as for outdoor dining, arts education, performances and exhibitions.

The park was designed by Damon Farber, the award-winning landscape architectural firm from Minneapolis, MN, in partnership with Snøhetta, the renowned international architecture and landscape architecture firm with offices in New York City and Oslo. Heritage Park is part of an overall Master Site Plan created for Vesterheim by Snøhetta.

A virtual ground-breaking celebration for Vesterheim Heritage Park is planned for May 29. More information will be announced soon. Work on Heritage Park will continue through this summer and will be completed in the fall. Vesterheim is currently closed through May 29 as a response to COVID-19. Further schedule adjustments due to either the Heritage Park work or COVID-19 will be announced when available.

“This project includes historic preservation and interpretation, sustainability and land responsibility, and opportunities to offer space for community engagement,” Vesterheim’s President/CEO Chris Johnson said. “We’ve been so pleased to partner with so many fantastic organizations, and look forward to when Heritage Park can be enjoyed by all.”

With world-class exhibitions and 12 historic buildings in scenic Decorah, Iowa, Vesterheim, the national Norwegian-American museum and heritage center, showcases the best in historic and contemporary Norwegian folk and fine arts, and explores the American immigrant experience. This national treasure is also a center for folk-art education, offering a wide variety of classes in Norwegian folk art every year. For more information on the museum’s exhibitions, classes, events, membership opportunities, and ways to donate, check Vesterheim’s website at vesterheim.org, call (563) 382-9681, or write to Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, 502 W. Water St., P.O. Box 379, Decorah, IA, 52101-0379.

Becky Idstrom, Communications and Marketing Manager

bidstrom@vesterheim.org  •  563-382-9681

May 14, 2020

May 14, 2020

CONTACT:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Public Health STILL Strongly Encouraging Continued Practice of Personal Precautions Throughout the Entire County,

Allamakee County Public Health’s highest priority is the health and well-being of the community. Their health department strongly encourages everyone to follow all Iowa Department of Public Health and CDC guidelines to help prevent contracting or spreading the virus.

With the recent release of the Allamakee County COVID-19 statistics by zip code, many phone calls and reports have been received by Allamakee County Public Health by people concerned that  businesses and citizens in areas with few cases are no longer taking the personal protective precautions to keep themselves safe from contracting the virus.  Allamakee County Public Health strongly encourages the continuation of all safety precautions.

“We cannot stress enough how important it is to keep wearing the masks, washing your hands,   social distancing and frequent sanitizing of high touch surfaces for all local businesses and all citizens who are out in the public,” states  Lisa Moose, Director of Allamakee County Public Health/Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care.  “There are still many asymptomatic people that test positive for COVID, which means they show no symptoms of the virus whatsoever, yet they are contagious.  So it is important to take these precautions to help reduce your risk of contracting the virus from them and becoming ill, even though they are not.”

Public Health also explained that it is very important for anyone who has had the virus and their close contacts, to follow instructions given to them to decrease the spread of this disease.

“For these reasons, even though some smaller towns in our counties have had very few cases, or maybe even no cases, they still need to follow the precautions,” adds Sheryl Darling-Mooney, Public Health Supervisor.  “In addition, we are just entering our tourist season and any of those visiting our beautiful county  coming from other areas, bringing the virus with them as they visit.  So again, we are strongly urging EVERYONE to continue to take all the necessary personal precautions.”

Below is the Iowa Department of Public Heath recommendations for preventing the spread of COVID-19 and Allamakee County Public Health encourages EVERYONE to follow this protocol:

• Every-day prevention methods are very important:
  • Wash your hands frequently.
  • Stay home if you are ill.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue.
• Perform routine cleaning.
  • Routinely clean frequently touched surfaces (e.g., doorknobs, light switches, countertops) with the cleaners typically used. Use all cleaning products according to the directions on the label.
• Stay home if you have any symptoms:
  • Even people who are mildly to moderately ill need to stay home and isolate themselves from others in their house until:
    • They have had no fever for at least 72 hours (three full days of no fever without the use of medicine that reduces fevers)

AND

• Other symptoms have improved (for example, their cough or shortness of breath have improved)

AND

• At least 10 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared.

Lastly, always remember to socially distance leaving 6’ between yourself and others and keep all gathering to 10 people or less.

For more information, please call Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care/Allamakee County Public Health at 568-5660.

###

https://governor.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Public%20Health%20Proclamation%20-%202020.05.13.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Luther College to welcome students back in the fall with a modified academic calendar
The plan allows for in-person learning and flexibility to respond to the ongoing pandemic

DECORAH, Iowa – Luther College will welcome students back to campus for the 2020-21 academic school year using a phased and modular approach that is flexible and responsive to the changing conditions created by the coronavirus pandemic and directives from government agencies.
“Luther College is driven by a mission that, in part, encourages students to confront a changing society while learning in community amidst the confluence of river, woodland, and prairie. We move forward with this plan because of its potential to bring us together again in this place so that we may live out that mission,” said President Jenifer K. Ward. “While we realize that nothing is certain, we step confidently and courageously into the future, knowing that the pandemic will continue to challenge all aspects of ‘business as usual’ and that we have the ability to find innovative ways of being, learning and working in its midst.”
The proposal was crafted by the Academic Planning Group, a subgroup of the Emergency Response Team and approved by President Ward and her Cabinet in consultation with faculty governance committees and the Board of Regents. This framework has also been shared with Winneshiek County Public Health. The plan allows Luther to fulfill its educational mission while taking into consideration the possibility of a local outbreak and the health of the Decorah economy, which relies on Luther students, faculty and staff being on campus.
Luther College’s 2020-21 academic calendar will include a September Term (four weeks; one course), a First Fall Quarter (seven weeks; two courses), a Second Fall Quarter (seven weeks; two courses), a Spring Semester (15 weeks; four courses) and a June Term (four weeks; one course).
“The Board of Regents reviewed the options and preliminary plan to support a return to on-campus learning in the fall of 2020,” said Wendy Davidson, chair of the Board of Regents and 1992 Luther alumna. “We sincerely appreciate the comprehensive approach to consider multiple scenarios that retain the flexibility to evolve as the situation continues to unfold in the weeks and months ahead, and to provide first and foremost for the safety of our students, faculty and staff while also delivering on the mission and vision of a distinctive Luther College education. We fully support President Ward and her team, and the faculty leadership, for the tireless work they are doing at this unprecedented time in our history.”
During September Term, only first-year students will live on campus and participate in face-to-face learning. This plan acknowledges the importance of the first-year experience with respect to persistence and graduation rates while keeping the campus population down. Pending a decision by the American Rivers Conference, fall athletes will also return to campus but sophomore, junior and senior athletes will take classes virtually. All other students will participate in online courses, internships and potentially low-residency courses in Rochester, MN while residing off campus.
All courses in the two Fall Quarters and Spring Semester will use face-to-face instruction with students residing on campus, unless shifts to online instruction are deemed necessary by Luther College in response to directives and guidance from federal and state governments or state and local public health agencies.
The June Term will focus on study-away courses (domestic and international) that were originally scheduled for January Term 2021.
Michael Osterholm, Luther class of 1975, chairs Luther College’s Board of Regents Academic Affairs Committee and serves as the Director for the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. Having advised the executive board of the American Council on Education and the executive team at the University of Minnesota on college openings this fall, Dr. Osterholm considers Luther’s plan “thoughtful,” “aspirational yet realistic” and “doable.”
“The creative ways that Luther College has identified to provide quality student education and the means it has considered to quickly alter those plans if conditions with the pandemic suddenly change are right on the mark,” said Osterholm. “I am confident that the students, faculty, staff and administration at Luther College, as well as the Decorah community are well served by this thoughtful approach.”
Because COVID-19 presents an unprecedented infectious disease risk for all persons, the duration of the pandemic remains unclear, and the situation continues to evolve, Luther is preparing on multiple fronts to protect individual and community health. Preparations include: coordination with local and state health authorities and systems; increased cleaning routines throughout the campus; arrangement of spaces to enable social distancing and protection of frontline workers; acquiring PPE, hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, masks, and other protective items for all Luther community members who need them; investigating protocols for testing and contact-tracing methods in case of an infection on campus; establishing quarantine locations for students who may become infected; and other necessary steps.
Luther College is home to more than 1,900 undergraduates who explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Our 60+ academic programs, experiential approach to learning and welcoming community inspire students to learn actively, live purposefully and lead courageously for a lifetime of impact. Learn more at luther.edu.

Lake Meyer Campground to Open May 15

Lake Meyer Campground will open for camping on Friday, May 15th.

Changes to campground operation, rules, and regulations will be in effect during the COVID-19 health emergency. These changes include:

• Only self-contained units (those with internal water and restroom facilities) are allowed. No tents.
• Some campsites will be closed to ensure proper social distancing.
• Campsites will operate on a first-come-first-serve basis. Campers must self-register.
• All restrooms, playgrounds, and shelters remain closed until further notice.

A full list of adjusted policies is available on www.winneshiekwild.com. All policies are subject to change.

In accordance with state COVID-19 recommendations, all park visitors and campers are encouraged to practice social distancing by maintaining six feet between individuals. Campsites are to be occupied by those from an immediate family/household only. Groups should not exceed ten people. Campers are encouraged not to intermingle between campsites. These restrictions and guidelines will remain in place beyond when all campsites reopen.

Visitors are asked to stay home if you feel sick, wash your hands regularly, avoid touching your face, and bring supplies from home including disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, and other hygiene products.

Winneshiek County Conservation properties remain open for day use, including parks, trails, river/lake access points, boat ramps, shorelines, and natural areas.

For more information about Winneshiek County Conservation campgrounds and parks, please visit www.winneshiekwild.com or call 563-534-7145. Future updates and changes will also be posted on Winneshiek County Conservation’s Facebook page.

During today’s press conference, Governor Reynolds announced that effective May 15 all restrictions that were lifted in the 77 are expanded statewide (meaning restaurants and fitness centers can open at 50% capacity). Additionally, salons, spas, and barbershops are allowed to open statewide, as long as they follow certain guidelines (guidelines which I haven’t seen yet). Bars and casinos will remain closed.

The Governor’s office is typically slow to publish the relevant proclamation, so I haven’t seen the official text yet. However, I wanted to send this out to you. Reading Article 1 from the April 27th proclamation (which lifted restrictions in the 77 counties) will provide some idea of what today’s proclamation will say: https://governor.iowa.gov/press-release/gov-reynolds-signs-new-proclamation-continuing-the-state-public-health-emergency-0

Some general guidance for businesses to follow was discussed during the press conference. Some statements included:

Ensure frequent cleaning, sanitizing establishments
Ensure hand washing and sanitizing supplies are available for customers and staff
Provide visual reminders for staff and customers to stay 6-feet away from others.
Allow or require the use of masks or face coverings
Develop appropriate leave policies and allowing staff to stay home when they are ill or have been in close proximity to a confirmed case.
Ask customers not to enter if they have been in close proximity to a confirmed case in the last 14 days, or if they themselves are not feeling well.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Decorah Public Library

202 Winnebago Street

Decorah, IA 52101

CONTACT:    Kristin Torresdal, ktorresdal@decorah.lib.ia.us

563-382-3717

DATE:            12 May 2020

RE: Decorah Public Library announces next steps

The Decorah Public Library will continue to be closed to the public but will open exterior book drops and begin accepting returned library materials on Monday May 18. The move is part of a phased expansion of services unanimously approved by the Library Board of Trustees at their Monday May 11 meeting.

Library staff request that materials be returned gradually so that they are able to keep up with the processing and quarantining of items as they come back. Patrons with last names beginning A-M are asked to return items May 18-24 and patrons with last names beginning N-Z are asked to return items May 25-31. All materials will be quarantined for a minimum of 72 hours before being reintegrated with the rest of the library collection. Beginning June 1, items may be returned to the two exterior library book drops at any time.

A projected June 1 start date for curbside pickup of library materials has also been announced, with details about the procedure for requesting and picking up items to be solidified by the end of May.

Library Director Kristin Torresdal said “We are working hard to prepare appropriate procedures for material returns and curbside pickup, with the safety of patrons and staff taking top priority. With the addition of curbside pickup, we will again be performing all of the essential services outlined in our mission statement despite the necessary ongoing closure of our building. We will continue to offer online programming, tech help, expanded ebook, audiobook, and film content, plus wifi access around the perimeter of our building.”

The phased expansion of services plan includes six stages, the first three of which- preparation, returns, and curbside pickup- were approved for implementation by the Library Board, with the inclusion of additional language that allows for plan modifications based on new data, public health guidelines, and best practices according to professional library organizations. The Board will discuss progress, new developments, and implementation of additional phases at their June 8 meeting.

When curbside procedures are finalized, that information will be made available on the library’s website, social media, and in local media outlets.

Contact Torresdal at ktorresdal@decorah.lib.ia.us with questions.

Gundersen Winona Campus opens May 18

Gundersen Health System brings expanded care to thousands of people when it opens its state-of-the-art new Winona Campus on Monday, May 18.

The new 90,000-square-foot facility at 1122 W. Hwy. 61 brings specialty care closer to home for Winona area residents. The first phase of services began Dec. 2 with Urgent Care, Laboratory, Imaging and Infusion.

“It is wonderful to reach the culmination of our plans to open a new facility to better serve our patients in Winona and surrounding communities,” said Gundersen Health System Chief Executive Officer Scott Rathgaber, MD. “This facility extends Gundersen’s 30-year commitment to care in the community and delivers on our promise to bring care close to home. We are delighted to be expanding our care and making it more convenient for our patients and their families to remain healthy.”

Services opening May 18 include:

• Audiology
• Cardiology
• NEW Dermatology
• Ear, Nose and Throat
• NEW Family Medicine
• NEW Internal Medicine
• Neurology
• Occupational Health
• Oncology
• Orthopedics/Sports Medicine
• NEW Pediatrics
• Pediatric Asthma, Allergy, Immunology, Endocrinology and Gastrointestinal
• Physical and Occupational Therapy
• Podiatry
• NEW Retail Pharmacy
• Rheumatology
• Urology
• Vision Center

Services opening at later dates include:

• NEW Chiropractic
• NEW Gastroenterology
• NEW General Surgery
• NEW Mammography
• NEW Obstetrics and Gynecology
• NEW Outpatient Surgery Center
• NEW Pain Medicine
• NEW Sleep Medicine

“As the COVID-19 pandemic reaches our region, it’s more important now than ever to offer outstanding care close to home, both in our Winona facility and with local clinicians online through video visits,” said Bryan Erdmann, vice president of Gundersen Operations and Regional System. “Gundersen’s investment in Winona brings new and expanded services to meet the needs of our patients closer to where they live. A consolidated campus reduces how far Winona and surrounding area residents travel to receive outstanding care and supports our dedication to reduce the cost of care.”

Gundersen Dental Specialties, which includes orthodontics, oral surgery, dental implants and more, will remain in downtown Winona at the 111 Riverfront Building.

For more, visit gundersenhealth.org/winona