GHAEA Voice

Welcome Finley Jo Elena Anson (Halverson) welcomed her second grandchild, Finley Jo, On October 19. Finley was born at 6:25 pm. At 7lbs. 5oz. and 19 3/4", this little baby has already brought immense joy to the family! "We are truly blessed," Elena says, as they have a wonderful 6 year old grandson, Carlos and another granddaughter on the way!

Tonight kicks off Halloween weekend. Below is some information on events taking place in your neighborhood. Please keep in mind that this is just a brief overview of events, and not a complete list. Atlantic RO : Atlantic   10/27-  Halloween Party               10/28- Biannual Halloween Hike               10/31- Trunk-or-Treat Avoca RO: Harlan         10/28- Murder Mystery Dinner                    10/28- Annual Harvest Fest Walnut         10/31- Trick-or-Treating Carson         10/27- Community Annual Trick-or-Treat Night Macedonia   10/31- Trick-or-Treating on Main Street CBRO: Council Bluffs    10/27-29, 31- Halloween Event at Bass Pro                          10/27-29- Henry Doorly Zoo Spooktacular                          10/28- Trick-or-Treat at the Museum                          10/28- Flashlight Tour                          10/28- YMCA Pumpkin Party                          10/31- Trunk-or-Treat Creston RO: Creston    10/28- Bright Eyes in the Park    

October is National Physical Therapy month. We would like to thank our GHAEA physical therapists for serving children in southwest Iowa from birth to 21 years old. Without your determination and drive, many students would miss out on opportunities for increased educational and future success. Andy Ruff Julie Stessman Katie Wells Mary Beth Korver Patsy Schimmel

11/1    Mary Dick 11/1    Patricia Roberts 11/2    Melissa Lassek 11/4    Mike Peters 11/10 Cynthia Redding 11/14 Laurine Price 11/15 Emily Selsor 11/17 Amanda Crees 11/22 Elena Anson 11/26 Emily Nelson

11/4    Amy Hoffman 11/7    Dorene Driver 11/7    Regina Mieska 11/10 Jennifer Foglesong 11/10   Tim Perrin 11/10 Todd Reznicek 11/11 Jennifer Bakkerud 11/11 Sarah Matulka 11/11 Sue Wagner 11/12 Nancy Lindgren 11/13 Sherry Huffman 11/13 Audrey Wheeler 11/14 Mary Korver 11/14 Karen Wessel Hesse 11/16 Vicki McGlade 11/16 Jennifer Pontefract 11/16 Susan Rensch 11/17 Ashley Denton 11/17 Denise Volker 11/23  Tim Redd 11/24 Jennifer Housman 11/24 Deb Zebill 11/26 Jenny Barnett 11/26 Marcene Marvin 11/28 Stephanie Lane 11/28 Christina Wahlert 11/29 Kelsey Nenneman 11/29 Margaret Woodruff 11/30 Joan Holmes

Halloween is creeping up on us. This season is full of fun activities and traditions. There's jack-o-lantern carving, hay-rack riding, orchard/pumpkin patching, haunted housing, and trick-or-treating. The holiday brings with it, several treats as well, including: carameled apples, apple cider, candy corn, and hot chocolate. Share your holiday traditions or recipes and have them featured in the next issue of the Voice!

Governor, Kim Reynolds and Lieutenant Governor, Adam Gregg, announced a new public safety tool for Iowans, Text-to-911. The system allows cell phone users to text 911 in an emergency. 94 of Iowa's 113 emergency call centers are already able to accept text messages. While, the other 19 centers are expected to have this capability by the end of the year. "Text-to-911 is a prime example of how we’re using technology to make Iowa a safer place for everyone,” Gov. Reynolds said. “Iowans are able to send a text to 911 when a voice call would put them in danger or when a medical condition makes it impossible for them to speak.” This has become a nationwide initiative, with the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management overseeing Iowa's 911 program. They've been working with wireless carriers and local public safety agencies to build a statewide network and make this program possible. Check with your carrier to see if Text-to-911 is available in your area. For m

After 33 years of dedication to the agency, Emily Nelson, Director of Finance, will be retiring at the end of December. We will certainly miss seeing Emily's face around the Halverson office, but are excited for her to start a new life in retirement! Make sure you work just as hard at relaxing as you have in your long career, Emily! Beginning December 1, Emily will assist in training our upcoming Director of Finance, Kris Wood. Kris currently serves Hamburg Community School District as the School Business Official and Board Secretary. We are excited to welcome her to our team!

United Way is under way... try saying that ten times fast! Our annual United Way campaign will kickoff on November 1 and run throughout the month. Check your email during the first week of November for more information. If you'd like to learn more about the organization, check out the video below.

In case you have yet to notice, today is the notorious Friday the 13th. For centuries, people have been filled with horror at the mention of this particular date, or even the number 13 itself. Hotels often opt to skip the 13th story of their buildings, many refuse to travel or undergo surgery on this date, and many airports do not have a 13th gate. Some believe that this superstition stemmed from a biblical history. The 13th is said to be the day that Eve bit into the Forbidden Fruit, the beginning of the Great Flood, and also the number of guests at the Last Supper before Jesus was killed on Friday. Although, throughout history several other tragedies including the fall of the Aztec Empire (1521), the Uganda rugby team plane crash (1972), and the death of a 13 year old boy stuck by lightning at 13:13 military time (2010) all occurred on the 13th of the month. Some believe that the number 13 got its bad rap due to number twelve's historic representation of completeness (12 hours on