Spencer, Iowa · Friday, March 19, 2010
[Spencer Daily Reporter nameplate] Overcast and Breezy ~ 28°F  

Brain And Nervous System

Rowlands making a difference, offering hope to those affected by MS (05/06/09)
The front of Katie Rowlands T-shirt -- which avows "Team Rowly 2009 MS Walk" -- lets you know what she and her teammates will be doing this Saturday in Des Moines. But it's the back of her T-shirt that truly offers a glimpse into the 22-year-old woman's disposition. It declares, "Rowly: Instead of giving myself reasons why I can't, I give myself reasons why I can."
State officials: Pork won't spread 'swine flu' (05/01/09)
Concerns about the swine flu's impact on the state's robust pork industry prompted official comment from the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture's office Thursday. Iowa Sec. of Agriculture Bill Northey and the State Veterinarian for Iowa, Dr. David Schmitt, reiterated that consumers cannot get the H1N1 flu strain, or "swine flu" by eating pork and there is no evidence of this flu in the pig population of Iowa or any state...
Spencer Hospital adds Breast Health Navigator cert to health services (04/24/09)
Women who have breast health concerns have another ally at Spencer Hospital. Women's Health Coordinator Mindy Sylvester recently became certified as a Breast Health Navigator. By doing so, she is among the first professionals across the country to receive this new certification which signifies she is trained in providing support to breast cancer patients throughout the journey of diagnosis, treatment and recovery...
Thyroid Test offered during Comprehensive Wellness Screening (04/10/09)
Spencer Hospital Community Health Services will offer a comprehensive wellness screening to the public on Tuesday, April 14 from 6-8 a.m. in the lower level of the hospital. The fee for the screening is $65. The screening includes a fasting laboratory blood screen for diabetes, anemia, immunity, heart, liver, and kidney function tests; body composition analysis, blood pressure; pulse check and for women a heel bone mineral density screening. ...
Briefs 3-12-09 (03/12/09)
Spencer City Councilman George Kruger will host a Ward 1 meeting at 7 p.m. tonight at the Spencer Public Library. Bob Fagen, Spencer's city manager, will be the featured guest speaker. --- Spencer Hospital will be holding classes for individuals considered to have "pre-diabetes" -- those with blood sugar levels higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be considered a diabetic. ...
East Milwaukee gets to stretch (03/11/09)
The city of Spencer is seeing the first drops of a $789 billion economic stimulus bill signed by President Barack Obama in February. The money was funneled through the Iowa Department of Transportation, to Spencer on Tuesday. The city will receive $422,500 for an extension of East Milwaukee Street through a Revitalize Iowa's Sound Economy (RISE) grant...
One case in state Iowa officials: Tainted peanut butter not found here (01/14/09)
The Iowa Department of Public Health is collaborating with the Centers for Disease Control and public health officials in many states to investigate an ongoing multi-state salmonella outbreak. One case in Iowa is being investigated as part of this cluster. The investigation has identified peanut butter as a potential source of infection, with Minnesota identifying a particular brand of peanut butter...
No more pets at Spencer Public Library (01/09/09)
Even though Spencer Public Library representatives have received numerous "offers, requests and inquiries" about hosting another potential resident library cat -- all of which have been turned down -- board members voted unanimously Thursday night to establish a "permanent prohibition against having pets in residence at the library."...
Bhutan woman tells of transition from monarchy to democracy (12/17/08)
She may miss the mountains and her national dress of Bhutan, but Tashi Ongmo, a 20-year-old visitor at the Dr. Rick and Barb Wilkerson home in rural Spencer, is still a relatively happy person. But Ongmo should be happy. Like the approximately 700,000 other residents of Bhutan, she believes in the pursuit of Gross National Happiness, the country's overarching political philosophy which seeks to balance material progress with spiritual well-being...
Bo celebrating successful transplant anniversary (12/11/08)
Bohdan "Bo" Kiyanchuk is marking the one-year anniversary of his successful kidney transplant today. After news came last May that the 17-year-old, who hails from the village of Sadki in Ukraine, was critically ill and his remaining kidney would not last much longer, Dr. Ken and Karen Hunziker, who have served as Bo's local proxy parents over the last few years as he's undergone various hospitalizations and treatments, began working to ensure that a transplant could happen...
Spencer Hospital achieves high rate for flu immunization (11/26/08)
Spencer Hospital held a comprehensive influenza vaccination program which has yielded an exceptional 97 percent of the hospital's workforce to receive a flu vaccination or be determined exempt from receiving the vaccine. "Achieving a vaccination rate of 97 percent is phenomenal," commented Jason Harrington, interim president and CEO of Spencer Hospital. ...
Briefs 10-1-08 (10/01/08)
Join us at MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) from 9-11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2 at Hope Reformed Church in the Fellowship Hall. This year's theme "Adventure" will be featured at the meeting. Come find out what it is all about. There will be an abundance of fun and fellowship, with food and drinks provided by the Steering Committee. If you have any questions, please contact one of the MOPS co-coordinators, Cassie McCreary 240-0298 or Andrea Crew. Childcare is provided starting at 8:45 a.m...
Memory Walk 2008: Step up to the challenge (09/04/08)
While the 2008 Iowa Lakes Memory Walk is fast approaching, there's still time to put your best foot forward and get involved -- whether by yourself or as part of a team. Memory Walk, coming Sunday, Sept. 21 to Spencer's East Leach Park, is the largest nationwide fundraising event that benefits research and support programs for individuals and families fighting Alzheimer's disease -- over 2,000 older adults in Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Palo Alto and Buena Vista counties. ...
Briefs 8-20-08 (08/20/08)
The Iowa Great Lakes Region Antique Automobile Club will be on display through Sunday, Aug. 24 at the Southpark Mall in south Spencer. Car enthusiasts and history buffs will enjoy this display. On Aug. 24 The Hands of Harmony Swinging Seniors will be entertaining us at 2:30 p.m. Come enjoy the display and entertainment...
Briefs 8-19-08 (08/19/08)
The Iowa Great Lakes Region Antique Automobile Club will be on display through Sunday, Aug. 24 at the Southpark Mall in south Spencer. Car enthusiasts and history buffs will enjoy this display. On Aug. 24 The Hands of Harmony Swinging Seniors will be entertaining us at 2:30 p.m. Come enjoy the display and entertainment...
Briefs 8-15-08 (08/15/08)
The YMCA Summer Dance Party for students entering seventh and eighth grade will be held on the Spencer YMCA Tennis Courts with a live DJ from 8-10 p.m., tonight . Refreshments will be for sale. Admissions is $3 for members and $5 for non-members. A dress code will be enforced. YMCA membership cards are required to receive discount. If there is severe weather, the dance will be held inside the YMCA...
Briefs 8-06-08 (08/06/08)
Losing a loved one is indescribable to someone who has not felt the loss of death. Hospice of Northwest Iowa's professional team understands the tragedy of losing a loved one and they identify with the difficult decisions and emotions that the person left behind faces. To help people cope with the death of a loved one, Hospice of Northwest Iowa is offering an 8-week Understanding Grief Support Group. The group will meet each Wednesday evening through Sept. 24 from 6:30-8 p.m...
Celebrate and remember cancer survivors at the 5th annual Relay for Life (07/10/08)
When a doctor mentions "cancer" the world seems to come to an abrupt halt. Cancer, the second leading cause of death in this country, affects individuals at all ages and has no remorse. On July 12-13, the fifth annual Dickinson County Relay for Life will join cancer survivors with supporters and community members at the Okoboji High School Track. ...
Health dangers for women who do not sleep well (05/20/08)
Most Women know that nothing kills a good complexion like a bad night's slumber; there's a reason, after all, that it's called beauty sleep. If that's not motivation enough to keep up with your nightly shut-eye, here's another: doctors are learning that poor sleep habits may make women more vulnerable than men to heart disease and diabetes...
Helpful tips on how you can lose weight and keep it off (05/20/08)
Losing weight seems to be everybody's goal. We all want to look better, feel healthier and ward off illness. However, for most people losing weight is a huge struggle and keeping it off is an even bigger problem. Research shows that almost 95 percent of repeat dieters fail and ultimately regain any weight they initially lost...
Hospital to unveil Women's Center (05/06/08)
Susan Zulk, Public Relations and Marketing Director...
Briefs 04-26 (04/26/08)
Lutheran World Relief Rummage Sale Bethany Lutheran Church will host a rummage sale to benefit Lutheran World Relief from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. today in the church basement dining room. Celiac Sprue group to meet today The Northwest Iowa Celiac Sprue support group will have a general meeting from 2-4 p.m. today in the Cedar Room at Spencer Hospital...