Hawarden emergency medical service departments hosted chamber coffee last Thursday at the Hawarden fire station. About 25 people gathered for the meeting and EMS served taverns, chips and cake to celebrate National EMS Week.
Later that evening, Hawarden EMS hosted an open house where the public could stop up and meet those who serve on the squad and see the different equipment they use to help keep Hawarden and the surrounding communities safe.
“The red trailer that you see out there, we just got a big grant for it. It’s our rehab trailer and we are going to use that when we have a big fire, for our fireman to rehab instead of using our ambulances, that we don’t have to decontaminate the ambulances when we are done with those kinds of calls,” said ambulance director Jeff Nohava.
Special guests for the chamber coffee were Kolby DeWit, outreach director for Sen. Joni Ernst, Sioux County sheriff Jamie Van Voorst and Wesley Fopma with U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra’s office.
“I just want to thank the EMS folks, we appreciate all that you guys do here in the community,” Fopma said. “Not only emergency management, but the fire folks and police chief and sheriff, for all that you guys do. Rep. Feenstra was an EMT in Hull before so he knows all of the things that you guys are going through and the challenges that you face, so again, thank you for all that you do.”
Chamber director Julie Coyle asked for a round of applause for all those serving in emergency services.
Mayor Larry Gregg said city staff is working hard to get the pool open and added the basketball court surface has been ordered. Gregg added construction for the West Sioux School District elementary schools is underway.
Coyle is also a children’s librarian at Hawarden Public Library reminded parents the summer reading program is underway and kids can sign up for it.
Tom Cook with Youth for Christ said the number of students coming to the facility 3:30-6 p.m. Thursday has been great and the center is always in need of volunteers.
Hawarden Parks & Rec department member Amanda Wiggins said they are planning the first of many pickleball tournaments starting at 9 a.m., Saturday, June 7. To register for the tournament, e-mail hawardenparksandrec@gmail.com. The Hawarden chamber will also be hosting the ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. on June 7 for the pickleball court. The pickleball courts are on the north side of Central Park in Hawarden.
Barb Waterman from Hawarden Community Food Pantry said a chicken dinner fundraiser is being planned for 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, June 8, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Waterman said the pantry continues to serve several families with their food insecurities.
For the chamber, Coyle said the One Crazy Night Block Party is slated for Thursday, July 27. Coyle added the Hawarden Chamber Retail Community Events group is working on making a Falconpoly game, a play off Monopoly that will feature Hawarden. The proceeds from the game will go to the chamber.
“We’re going to feature all of our community businesses,” Coyle said. “We are looking at communities or businesses purchasing a space. If interested you can buy a space and you will be on our board. The goal is to get the spots sold, boards ordered by the holiday season and I am hoping it is the present of the season. It’s a great way to support the chamber.”
The Hawarden chamber golf tournament will be Friday, June 6. Hole sponsors and teams are still being accepted by the chamber.
Coyle said the development committee has just completed the purchase that will kick-start a larger development. Coyle couldn’t share the full details as the meeting.
She also said the Hawarden Community Foundation grants will be announced at a community event on Thursday, June 19. The evening will include a meal, a community worship service led by Centerpoint Church worship team, free community swimming and slushies, an outdoor movie and a donation to attend the West Sioux High School baseball and softball games that evening.
“We would love to see everyone coming out and just spending time together,” Coyle said.
