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Live Healthy Iowa challenge comes to Hancock County BRIEFLY. By Rebecca Peter Hancock County – it’s time to get fit. John Stevens, Live Healthy Iowa Outreach Coordinator for the State of Iowa, extended a challenge to join the Live Healthy Iowa initiative to make Iowa the healthiest state in the nation. Stevens recently met with the Hancock County Wellness Coalition at the Garner Education Center. “I have a five-year program to go to all 99 counties to organize county wellness coalitions,� he said. What are you doing to address the number one health crisis in our state - the epidemic of obesity?� he asked. Stevens said obesity has been identified as a top critical health concern in Iowa. Iowa was ranked as the 12th most obese state in the U.S. A 2010 Public Health Needs assessment survey also identified obesity and related chronic illness as Hancock County’s number 1 health concern. In Hancock County, the adult obesity rate is 29 percent, diabetes – 9 percent, and pre-kindergarten obesity – 17.5 percent.
Since 1991 obesity rates in the U.S. have risen 60 percent. There are at least 20 diseases directly attributed to being overweight including Type II diabetes and stroke. “If obesity is a disease, then 80 million adults and 12 million kids in America have this disease,� he said. According to the Center for Disease Control, 80 percent of dollars spent on health care could be saved if Americans exercised and established healthy diets. Obesity and related illnesses costs American businesses in terms of missed days from work by employees, and more in medical costs each year. “You want people to be more active and eat more healthily. You want that obesity rate to go down.� The Live Healthy Program is here to try to find a solution, he said. Live Healthy Iowa Core membership for the Hancock County Wellness Coalition comes from businesses, ISU Extension and outreach, schools, the medical profession, parks and recreation departments, fitness centers, various
service groups, public health departments and other groups. Live Healthy Iowa brings together friends, families, businesses and communities in team-based wellness challenges designed to promote positive lifestyle change. The Hancock County Wellness Coalition plans to promote the 10week wellness challenge. In this challenge, teams of 2 to 10 persons track activity minutes and/or weight loss through the Live Healthy Iowa website. Each team members has a personal online dashboard to report progress, monitor progress and access resources. “Except for smoking, obesity is now the number one preventable cause of death in this country,� said Kelly Hutcheson, Community Health grant coordinator for Hancock County Health Systems. “Three hundred thousand people die of obesity every year, that is a scary thought. They say our children’s life expectancy will be shorter than ours, that is even scarier.� “I think our Hancock County Wellness coalition and the Live
Veterans Day programs planned for Nov. 11 By Rebecca Peter November 11, 2013 will mark the 95th anniversary of the signing of the armistice between the Allied nations and Germany, ending World War I, then known as “the Great War.� November 11 became a federal holiday in the United States in 1938. Today, Veterans Day honors veterans from all branches of the military. Veterans Day programs are Monday, Nov. 11 at Kanawha and Britt. The public is invited to attend these observances. Kanawha Veteran’s Day program at West Hancock Middle School, Kanawha, will be Monday, Nov. 11 at 10 a.m. in the school gum. The program will feature Joan Gouge from Garner. Gouge is a retired Colonel Army Nurse of the Iowa Army National Guard. Pastor Lorraine Hartman will give the invocation and benediction. While Karl Anderson of the American Legion Severson Post 77 will be the emcee. The middle school choir and band will perform throughout the ceremony, while leading a sing-a-
long of patriotic tunes with the audience. Britt Veterans Day program at Britt will be held Monday, Nov. 11 at 2:30 p.m. at West Hancock High School. The Britt American Legion and VFW will serve as the Color Guard. The Rev. Bob Dodge will give the invocation and benediction, while Boy’s State participants, Hunter Hiscocks and Jacob Hejlik will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. The high school band and choir will perform pieces throughout the program. High school speakers will present “Thank You� by Cathy Maxwell read by Victor Martinez and an undecided speaker, and “I’m Putting Up the Flag� by Curt Cloninger will be read by Brice Kudej. Goodell At Goodell, the American Auxiliary Unit Post 420 has invited the Legion Post to a veteran family potluck with a mini skit on Sunday, Nov. 10, 1 p.m. at the basement of the United Methodist Church. The invitation is open to any veterans and their families.
Healthy Iowa 10-week challenge is a great way to help fight this disease and make a difference in the lives of our communities.� Hancock County Community Health is also participating in a Community Transformation Grant through the Iowa Department of Public Health and funded through the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The grant’s purpose is to reduce risk factors responsible for the leading causes of death and disability by creating healthier communities. “The Community Transformation Grant (CTG) reminds us that it all starts in a community. Communities shape people and influence all areas of their life, including their health. The CTG creates links between the individual, their community, and the state of Iowa. When an individual has the option and makes the healthy choice, it not only improves their health, but their choices also affect the entire community,� said Hutcheson. To become a part of the Live Healthy Iowa initiative, contact
Kelly Hutcheson at hutchesk@ mercyhealth.com. The Hancock County Wellness Coalition will next meet Tuesday, Nov. 12, 7:30 a.m. in the Educational Conference room of the Hancock County Memorial Hospital, Britt. More information about Live Healthy Iowa is on the website: www.livehealthyiowa.org.
Due to the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, Nov. 28, The Kanawha Reporter will arrive in subscriber mailboxes on Friday, Nov. 29, that week.
John Stevens
same for their families,� says Jim Fisk, General Manager for Kiefer Manufacturing. “By investing in our employees’ health, we create an atmosphere of productivity for Kiefer.� Fisk concludes, “We are confident that this program will continue to grow and serve our employees even better in the future.� Stellar Industries, Inc., of Garner, also announced an unprecedented medical insurance dividend with an average over $2,000, with variation being dependent on tenure in both the Stellar Wellness Program and the medical insurance program, to be paid out to 190 eligible employees immediately. “Our wellness program is continually evolving and definitely improving, as this dividend proves,� says David Backus, Stellar Industries CFO. “We strongly feel that investing in the well being of our employees not only benefits them in so many different ways, but also increases productivity and profitability for Stellar, which we also share with employees.� He continues, “At Stellar, we are committed to offering a comprehensive benefit program that helps our employees and their families stay healthy, feel secure and help maintain a work/life balance.� Backus concludes, “Everybody wins on so many levels.�
Mid-America Publishing acquires the Calmar Courier After nearly eight years of ownership by the Hageman family, the Calmar Courier, has been sold as of Oct. 30. Mid-America Publishing, based in Hampton, Iowa, has agreed to purchase the Calmar Courier from Tina Hageman. Terms of the purchase have not been released. “We are honored that Tina selected us to carry on the strong tradition of the Courier,� said Ryan Harvey, President and CEO of Mid-America Publishing. “Tina and the staff have done a remarkable job of creating a strong and vibrant newspaper. We also share the belief a strong newspaper is a very important part of the local community.� The Courier joins a portfolio of 20 other Iowa weekly newspapers proudly published by Mid-America Publishing Corp. Mid-America also owns other newspapers in north Iowa including; The Graphic-Advocate, with offices in Lake City and Rockwell City; the Ogden Reporter; The Leader, with offices in Garner and Britt; the Kanawha Reporter, the Wright County Monitor, in Clarion and Dows; the Eagle Grove Eagle; the Buffalo Center Tribune, The Pioneer Enterprise (Rockwell-Thornton), The Grundy Register (Grundy Center), The Record (Conrad), The Sheffield Press; The Hampton Chronicle;
The Butler County Tribune-Journal (Allison); and the Clarksville Star. The company additionally operates newspapers in Sigourney (Sigourney News-Review,) Keota (the Keota Eagle,) New Sharon (The New Sharon Sun,) and Fremont (The Fremont-What Cheer Vine.) The company also produces two weekly political newspapers, the Conservative Chronicle and the Liberal Opinion Week; as well as non-duplicating shoppers in Lake City, Clarion, Hampton, and Garner. A weekly advertising supplement, the Mid-America Marketplace, is also offered, along with monthly shoppers, the Dual County Leader, based in Eagle Grove, and the Chief, based in Sigourney. “As a publisher of weekly newspapers, we believe the Courier is a natural fit in our company,� Harvey said. “We believe strongly in the tradition of weekly newspapers.� Harvey will serve as the publisher of the Calmar Courier. “We want to thank Tina for all of her hard work over the years,� Harvey added. “We hope the community believes the newspaper will be in trusted hands. We pride ourselves as being a corporation of rural community weekly newspapers.� Harvey said Calmar is attractive for the company because of the good
mix of businesses including both new and established industries and also employers which bring people to the area. “A newspaper is only as healthy as the community it serves,� Harvey added. “It is encouraging to see the long term commitment to a vibrant economy in Calmar and Winneshiek County.� The Courier will stay in its current location at 109 N. Maryville St. in Calmar, and will retain its mailing address, email addresses, and phone number. Readers of the Courier will notice some minor changes immediately. — Office hours will be held from 8:30-5 Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. — The newspaper’s billing and circulation will be handled by the company’s home office staff in Hampton. — Newsstand prices will increase from 50 cents to 75 cents beginning next week. — Customers will also have an opportunity to order and purchase commercial printing items as well, such as business cards, letterheads, custom Christmas cards and calendars, as well. — More information on the changeover will be provided
Mid-America Publishing assumed ownership of the Calmar Courier on Oct. 30. Tina Hageman of the Courier is shown above with MAP President & CEO, Ryan Harvey. inside next week’s Courier. The Courier staff will be able to assist walk-in customers with
The Commission of Veterans Affairs will meet on Tuesday, November 12, at 9:30 a.m. in the LEC Basement of the Hancock County Courthouse in Garner.
Thanksgiving week paper to arrive on Friday
Kiefer & Stellar Pay Out Insurance Dividends KANAWHA – Kiefer Manufacturing is proud to announce an unprecedented medical insurance dividend with an average of nearly $1000, with variation being dependent on tenure in both the Kiefer Wellness Program and the medical insurance program within the qualifying 12-month period. It is to be paid out to 30 eligible employees immediately. Kiefer has a self-insured medical plan. In recognition of employees making wise choices regarding their health, and participation in the Kiefer Wellness Program, the incoming medical claims for the 20122013 plan period has netted well below the medical benefit budget. The Kiefer Manufacturing medical plan has a dividend program established to share a predetermined portion of that amount under budget with the plan participants. The Kiefer Wellness Program, in part, requires participants to have a full blood workup performed, conduct an annual physical with their physician that includes mammograms and colonoscopies for employees over the age of 50, and meet with a wellness coach or their own physician. These activities are all 100% covered under the Kiefer medical plan. “It is very important for us to provide benefits that help our employees live healthy lives at work and at home, and provide the
Veterans to meet Nov. 12
payment on accounts or subscription renewals.
Silent Auction this weekend The Klemme United Church of Christ will hold its Silent Auction and Soup Supper on Saturday, Nov. 9 with the luncheon beginning at 11 a.m. and the auction at 1 p.m.
Homemade soups in Britt There will also be a soup supper at the Britt Christian Reformed Church on Saturday, Nov. 9 from 5-7 p.m. The event is a free-will offering featuring homemade soups, dinner rolls, desserts and pies.
Nashua’s Little Brown Church featured in film The historic Windsor Theatre in Hampton, Iowa will be one of the few locations in Iowa to showcase the new film “The Little Brown Church in the Vale: The Movie�. The movie is produced and directed by Oskaloosa, Iowa native Brian Hanson, now of Franklin, Tenn. The Little Brown Church in the Vale: The Movie is the delightful story of the The Little Brown Church, the “Church in the Wildwood� song that made it famous, and the people whose lives have been touched by this “little brown church� in Nashua. To date, it has been the home to nearly 74,000 weddings in the last 100 years. It is truly a national treasure. Share the laughter, the tears and the heart warming stories of people that have made the church the destination for their wedding and left with a memory to last forever. The film will be shown one night only, Monday, Nov. 11, at the Windsor Theatre, 103 North Federal Street, Hampton, IA. The show starts at 7 p.m. Brian Hanson will be there to talk about his new film. Seating is limited. For further information, contact Jim Davies via email at jim@coachdavies.net or call the Windsor Theatre at 641-456-4389 and leave a message.