Mark McCurdy World War II Veterans Honor Flight

Mark McCurdy cherished his opportunity to accompany the West Texas (Abilene) World War II Veterans Honor Flight to Washington D.C. on April 12.

Years Gone By

30 Years Ago April 28 1981- Steve Mathias, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Mathias, was selected by the Russell American Legion Charlie Clark Post to attend Boys State at Camp Dodge.
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50 Years Ago April 28 1961 - It was three years and $675,000 since Lucas County residents attended a promotion dinner at the high school gym concerning a finance appeal for the Lucas County Memorial Hospital.  Monday at 7am, the hospital was open to admit its first patient.  But, Sunday there was an open house.  Applications by 18 physicians to practice were approved by the hospital Board of Trustees.  Local Doctors were Dr. Dean Curtis, Dr. J.G. Garton, Dr. R.C. Gutch, Dr. L.C. Hermann, Dr. James Egly, Dr. Lazear Throckmorton, Dr. Dwight Jarvis, Dr. Robert E. Anderson and Dr. Albert L.Yocom.  Administrator of the hospital was Robert Sherman.

Russell Native Joins Grinnell Regional Medical Center

Ronald "Pete" Collins, Jr., MD, will join Grinnell Regional Medical Center and the GRMC Medical Staff on April 25.  Collins specializes in internal medicine and will provide inpatient care as a hospitalist at GRMC initially.  Dr. Collins grew up in Russell, the son of Ron and Sandi Collins.

A hospitalist is a physician who provides care to individuals upon admission to the hospital, including the intensive care unit.  Doctors of internal medicine focus on the prevention and treatment of adult diseases.  At least three of their seven or more years of medical school and postgraduate training are dedicated to learning how to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases that affect adults.  Because their patients are often seriously ill or require complex investigations, internists do much of their work in hospitals and then follow up care in an outpatient clinic.

Dr. Collins comes to Grinnell after serving as a hospitalist at Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Ill.  He completed his residency at the same hospital, with the University of Illinois College of Medicine in the Peoria program.  While there, he also served as an Associate Professor of Medicine.  He earned his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine.

"I wanted to get into internal medicine for the diversity in patient base and illnesses.  I really like the spectrum of cases."  Collins says.  "Areas that I especially enjoy are pre-operative care - that being prior to a surgical procedure - as well as diabetes and cardiac care."

"Dr. Collins brings excellent experience and skills.  With his rural upbringing, he will relate well with our patients," says Christine Lindgren, DO, PhD, internal medicine physician at GRMC.  "I'm looking forward to having Dr. Collins join us at GRMC.  He understands rural values and our patients will connect well to him."

Prior to attending medical school, Collins was a paramedic for both Delta and Medic Ambulance companies in Maine.  He earned an undergraduate degree from Norwich University Military College of Vermont.  He also served six years in the United States Army Reserves as a combat medic.

Dr. Collins and his wife Jennifer have two children Victoria, 15 and Broden, 3.

Congratulations Lucas County Health Center for 50 years of Service

The April 26, 2011 Chariton Leader Newspaper had a large article about the 50 year anniversary of the Lucas County Health Center with pictures.  Pictures showed the inside of the new health center with its modern state-of-the-art nurses station, lobby, patient rooms, new-born incubators; original hospital board of trustees, officers of the Memorial Hospital Foundation, hospital supporters and the present day staff.  There were several articles about patients and the wonderful care they have received through the years from the doctors and the staff at this modern day medical facility. 

The first baby (girl) born in this facility was delivered by Dr. Loren Hermann to Mrs. Raymond Nelson.  She was the 8th child for the Nelson family.  To the Nelsons went an array of gifts sponsored by Chariton and area merchants.  More than 60 merchants participated in the "First Baby Contest" and the gifts ranged from discounts on home appliances to supplies of baby foods, formula, baby blankets and other articles.  In addition to the first baby gifts, a six-months supply of baby food and a $5 gift was given the second child born at the new hospital.  An example of the fine equipment available for the care of the new-born was this nursery incubator, one of two in the hospital.  A second  became available later in the surgical suite.

In the picture to the left, officers of the Memorial Hospital Foundation inspected the contributor's book.  Simple memorial plaques provided a background.  Left to right are: John Woodman of Russell, 1st Vice-president, H.V. Levis, President, F.B. Ryan, 2nd Vice-president, John D. Baldridge, Secretary-Treasurer, all of Chariton.  The Foundation is a non-profit organization founded to give financial support to the hospital.  Annual meetings, election of officers and financial needs will be its continuing purpose.

Members of the memorial hospital Board of Trustees, pictured to the right, met in the dining-meeting room in the basement of the hospital and they managed construction and equipping of the 35 bed unit.  Clockwise at the table, beginning at the front left, are Fred Curtis, Walter Coop, of Russell, chairman Delbert James, secretary Oliver Kent, Oran Garrett, Lloyd Cottingham and Troy Irving.  On the original board, in addition to James, Curtis, Kent and Garett, were Dean Ferguson, Earl Wright and Arthur Keller.

Chili Cook Off

From left Shantel Dow and Jill Kerns share a happy moment while eating some chili at the Chili Bowl Cook off.

Stork News

Ruth Barrow of Russell is the proud grandmother of Danica Rosemary McReynolds, born April 5.  She weighed seven pounds, two ounces and was 20 inches long.

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Kaylyn Clarissa Peterson was born on April 12 at Mercy Medical Center to Justin and Tara Peterson of Chariton.  She weighed six pounds 11 ounces and was 20 inches long.  Grandparents are Ken and Judy Mumford and Joyce Schumann all of Russell.

Appreciates Local Firemen

My wife and I would like to thank the firemen from Russell and Chariton for their help with our fire.  We don't have words to thank you for your quick response, tireless work and bravery fighting the fire here.

I couldn't believe they got it out the first time with no more damage than there was.  I thought, just as they did, that it was completely out when they left.  When it restarted between 3 and 4 a.m. we weren't so lucky as all they could do was contain it.

Local people do not realize how good our firefighters are until they watch them work.  They are as good as professionals and still hold regular jobs.  Thankfully none of them were hurt.  Thanks again.  We won't forget your help.   Two very lucky Chariton residents.

Almost Bamboozled

This is a warning.  Don't be scammed.  We were so gullible.  We almost sent a chunk of money to an International Bail Bondsman in Haiti.  It was by request of a granddaughter to get out of jail as a result of no visa to return from Canada to the U.S.

It was needed in two hours.  We were even told to go to Western Union at Hy-Vee on Court Ave. to send it and not to a bank.  The assistant store director was suspicious enough to question it, did some checking on line for us and then volunteered to go to the police station with us.

I hope they checked the phone numbers and names that we had written down.  It needs to be stopped.  Lucas County doesn't need this kind of harassment.  By the way, granddaughter was home, safe, we found out later.  A Russell Resident wrote this to the newspaper.

April declared Child Abuse Prevention Month

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Chariton Mayor, Roger Manser (far left), signs the proclamation declaring April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Lucas County.  Also pictured are some members of Parents and Children first of Lucas County.  They are from left:  Deb Storm, Connie Guffey, Ashley Bedford, Shannon James and Marcus Kios (behind James).  (Bill Howes Photo).

Parents and Children First Child Abuse Prevention Luncheon

Pictured is the $500 check donation that the Hy-Vee Distribution Center made to Parents and Children First at the Child Abuse Prevention Luncheon April 7.  Presenting the check in front is Hy-Vee Vice President of Distribution, Tod Hockenson, and accepting it on behalf of Parents and Children First of Lucas County is Patti Scleszinski.  Also pictured in the front at the far left is Chariton Mayor Roger Manser.  Parents and Children First members pictured in back from left are Deb Storm, Connie Guffey, Ashley Bedford, Shannon James, Marcus Kios (Behind James), Cheryl Downard (partly hidden behind Hockenson), Max Willadson, Melissa Bingham and Dolores Carroll. 

American Legion Auxilliary County Officers

American Legion Auxiliary County Officers pictured front row left to right are: Vice-President Hazel Clanin, Past Secretary/Chaplin Ginger Sellers and past President Betty Cross.  Back row left to right are: Treasurer Martha McCollum, Secretary/Chaplin Betty Grismore and President Irene Strait. (Photo by Mert Jones).

The American Legion Auxilary meeting was held March 16, President Lois Fogle opened the meeting in form.  There was a business meeting and election of new county officers.

Shantel Dow, New Member of Rotary

Wilma Reynolds Celebrates 93rd Birthday

March for Meals

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David Hoover and Charlene Simmerman Engagement

Cassie Simmerman, Donna Hunter and Destinie and Skyler Hoover are proud to announce the engagement and upcoming marriage of their parents, Charlene Simmerman of Leon, Iowa to David Hoover of Russell, Iowa.  Charlene is the daughter of Robert and Ruby Smith of Leon, Iowa and David is the son of Ronald and Barbara Hoover of Russell, Iowa.  A wedding is planned for April 23, 2011 at Calvary Baptist Church in Leon, Iowa.