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Baby Jesus stolen from church lawn in Wauzeka 
Members of the Wauzeka United Methodist Church made a sad discovery on Dec. 15 when they arrived for Sunday services - someone had stolen baby Jesus from the nativity scene. "We just want it back - no questions asked," said one of the church members. The church member who called the Courier had no animosity toward the person who took it, but they would really like it returned since it is not possible to purchase just a new baby Jesus - they would need to get a whole new lighted nativity set. To make matters worse, the children's Sunday school classes will be holding their holiday activities this weekend, without the "reason for the season" outside on the lawn. The are hopeful baby Jesus will return for Christmas. The church is located on Main Street in the village.

County Board authorizes bonds for building projects 
The Crawford County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously at its regular meeting Tuesday to authorize the borrowing of up to $2,025,000 in general obligation bonds for the construction of the new highway building facilities. The board also voted unanimously to authorize up to $5.9 million in general obligation bonds to go towards the construction of the new County Administration Building at the 3M Plant 1 site. After authorizing the borrowing for the two projects, the county board voted unanimously for the issuance and sale of bond anticipation notes for county capital projects. The notes will provide funding for both the highway department project and a portion of the county administration building. During 2003, the county will issue the remaining funds needed for the county administration building project. The highway department project consists of four buildings, land acquisition, equipment acquisition, site improvements and demolition. The total cost of the project is approximately $2.8 million, however, Highway Department funds on hand and state of Wisconsin funds are being applied to this project. In addition, the county expects to receive a grant for flood mitigation from the state for approximately $625,000, which would be paid to the county in 2004-05. The project is expected to be bid in January 2003, with completion by the end of 2003. The new administration building project includes land acquisition, demolition of existing buildings on the 3M site, constructing the new administration building, purchasing furnishings and equipment and site improvements. Demolition is expected to begin in spring of 2003 with construction to be bid in summer of 2003. Prior to the votes authorizing the general obligation bonds and the issuance and sale of the bond anticipation notes, Carol Wirth of Griffin, Kubik, Stephens and Thompson gave a presentation to the board explaining the financial strategy. Wirth started out by saying that Crawford County has a spot reserved with the State Trust Fund Loan if the county would want to borrow from the state, but, as was discussed at last month's meeting, general obligation bonds will save the county approximately $330,000. Wirth explained that the best procedure would be for the county to authorize the issuance and sale of $5 million in bond anticipation notes. The county will have the $5 million in hand on Dec. 30, 2002. This financing is a short-term note which will be refinanced with long-term bonds at the Feb. 18 county board meeting. Wirth said that the reason for financing a short-term note is to allow the county time to get information prepared for a presentation to Moody's Investors Service in order to obtain a bond rating for long-term bonds, as well as apply for municipal bond insurance, which will save the county significant dollars in interest costs if the long-term bonds can be rated and insured. Also, since this debt is tax-exempt, the county is subject to federal arbitrage rules. Under the rules, the county can borrow up to $5 million in a calendar year and be designated a "small issuer." As a small issuer, the county does not have to comply with "spenddown" rules and has three years to spend the money without any restrictions. By authorizing the $5 million in bond anticipation notes now, the county will be locked in at a final interest rate of 2.35 percent, which is considered favorable. Wirth explained that the notes will be refinanced with 20-year refunding bonds on Feb. 18, 2003 and will require the adoption of a resolution authorizing the sale of the bonds at the interest rates available in the municipal bond market at that time. The interest on the $5 million notes will be paid at the maturity date of May 1, 2003 in the amount of $39,493.06 out of the investment income earned from the funds on deposit in the construction account, and/or, from the debt service amount levied in the 2003 budget. After the financial issues concerning the county's building projects had been acted upon, Blair Dillman of Prairie du Chien gave a presentation in which he told the board that he would like to have 30-60 days to get a plan in place which would show the remodeling costs for the smaller of the two buildings on the 3M Plant 1 site. Dillman said that he would like to save the building, which had been slated for demolition according to a plan by Jewell and Associates that the board had been favoring at past meetings. Dillman said that he would like to either buy the building or lease it from the county. In turn, Dillman said that the remodeled building could then be leased to a business in Prairie du Chien. County Board supervisor Ron Leys agreed that the building should be saved, saying, "We ask citizens to recycle pop cans, we should recycle a building if we can." Supervisor Art Conley disagreed, and said that there would be no room for expansion of the new administrative building if the smaller 3M building were left standing. "At this late date, the County Board should follow through with what we have started," Conley said.
The board then voted 9-6 to continue with the plan by which the building would be demolished and a new administrative building constructed. County Board Chairman Robert Dillman and supervisor Charles Elvert abstained.

Therapeutic reflexology helps keep the body in 'balance'
This is the second in a multi-part series about non-invasive ways to enhance your wellness. None of the treatments featured are a replacement for qualified care for serious medical conditions, but rather we encourage our readers to learn more about their health care alternatives.
Dianna Berry of Luana has an interesting story to tell of how she got involved with reflexology and massage. About a year and a half ago her son had meningitis and the drugs he was given to fight the illness wiped out his immune system. She started to research ways to help him - he could not even fight off a common cold - and everything lead her to lymphatic-drainage massage. She was referred to Body Wisdom in Ankeny, Iowa, where she took a class to learn the technique. "Something happened. It was crystal clear to me. I knew this is where I had to be," she recalls. After that first class, she chose another in reflexology, and she chose to pursue a practice offering the technique. She opened, "Mind Your Body," located at 258 Main Street, McGregor, in October of this year. Her main focus is therapeutic reflexology. Reflexology is based on the belief that each part of the foot corresponds to a specific part of the body. When we are stressed or after illness the body is in a state of "imbalance.'' Reflexology is a relaxation therapy using gentle pressure to small areas, or "reflex points' on the feet. A reflexologist can feel what areas of the body need work by simply feeling different points on the hands and feet. During each session of reflexology, more than 70,000 nerves are stimulated. Stress and tension are reduced and you become more relaxed. Crystals deposits which block the body's natural pathways are broken down, allowing energy to flow more freely. The body responds by increased energy, improved concentration and overall feeling of wholeness, says Dianna. Reflexology may be beneficial in treating back pain, circulatory problems, high blood pressure, hormonal imbalances, constipation, insomnia, tension, migraine headaches, anxiety, stress, asthma, hormonal imbalances, fibromyalgia and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). During a session, the client's feet are soaked in a soothing foot bath using therapeutic essential oils. Gentle pressing is applied to your hands and feet, increasing circulation and the body's ability to heal itself, says Dianna. She said part of the reason she chose reflexology as her focus instead of massage is that at first she wasn't completely comfortable with the disrobing required for massage, and she doesn't want others to feel that way. She says reflexology is a good way for clients, especially older folks, to become comfortable with her. "This is a place for everyone to feel comfortable," she says. She does warn clients that the reflexology may induce "deep relaxation." Her office is comforting, with a decor (which has representation from the Chinese elements) that most would find calming. Some of her favorite words - such as peace, harmony, spirit and faith, are painted in flowing script along the top of one wall. She does plan on offering therapeutic massage herself later this winter, as well as having licensed massage therapist Victoria Oestmann join her practice in January. She also recently made arrangements for an acupuncturist to offer services at her practice "It is incredible what can be healed. We all have the innate ability to heal ourselves," she says. She admits that she has a different mindset than many when it comes to healing, but she invites others to "step outside of the box" as she did. Two years ago she managed a local restaurant. Since then she has taken a variety of healing classes, many in Eastern healing arts, and opened her own therapeutic practice. And, her son is doing very well. "He didn't have any of the possible negative side effect he could have experienced," she said. "What we can offer here is so exciting," she says, noting nuero-muscular and trigger point therapy, shiatsu (accupressure), lymphatic drainage massage and therapeutic massage. "Mind Your Body" will be holding a grand opening celebration sometime after the first of the year. For more information about reflexology and the other services at Mind Your Body, call (608)873-3563. Gift certificates can be purchased at Country Clippers, 258 Main Street, McGregor. See Dec.18 Courier Press for a coupon for reduced price services.

Support group offers much for visually impaired
Blindness need not be "darkness," say a pair of Prairie du Chien women who have started up a countywide organization designed to support the blind and visually impaired. "There is so much out there for people who are visually impaired that they don't know about," said Ethelyn Boardman, one of the leaders of the support group. "There is help." Boardman and Elthear Rieck, who are both visually impaired, helped organize the support group in an effort to get information and equipment to visually impaired people in order to make their lives easier, better and more independent. The group meets at Blackhawk Apartments the last Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m., although there will be no meeting in December. The group meets in conjunction with Jane Charlton, a rehabilitation specialist for the blind from the state Department of Health and Family Services. Along with her expertise, Charlton brings along a host of catalogs and other information concerning equipment and devices such as a wide array of magnifying glasses, lighting, wide-spaced paper and envelopes, large-print books, "read-along" books and monitor-projection-type devices to make reading possible. Charlton the group also discuss vision problems concerning diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts and others. There is also information about schools and courses visually impaired people can attend in order to learn easier ways to do kitchen work and the self-care aspects of their daily lives, as well as crafts and other activities. The group is also getting political, and with the help of Lighthouse International, is pushing for federal and state lawmakers to pass the Rehabilitation Service Act, by which Medicare would help pay for equipment that blind and visually impaired people need. The Rehabilitation Service Act is designed to promote independence, prevent injuries and other disabilities, and to reduce health care and dependency costs for Americans with impaired vision. Boardman and Rieck said that interested persons can call their legislators concerning the Rehabilitation Services Act at the toll free number (866) 727-7726, or they can log onto www.medicarenow.org . Boardman and Rieck said that the group is trying to expand from its 12-15 members in order to get members from throughout Crawford County so that more people can benefit. "This organization is for the whole county," said Rieck, who noted that along with offering support and discussing information about medical care, schools and visually aiding devices, the group investigates many financial options available by which persons can afford the schools and devices. "There is financial help available," she said. Rieck said that one roadblock to gaining more countywide members is a lack of transportation for the visually impaired, although she said the county does offer a bus through the Department of Senior Resources. Boardman said that if there are people in Crawford County who are experiencing vision problems to get help now. "Don't let anything wrong with vision go," she said. "Get treatment soon."

Craniosacral therapist offers gentle healing
This is the first in a multi-part series about non-invasive ways to enhance your wellness. None of the treatments featured are a replacement for qualified care for serious medical conditions, but rather we encourage our readers to learn more about their health care alternatives.
"It's so gentle, but it does so much. It's hard to comprehend," says Craniosacral Therapist Julie Wachter. Julie offers craniosacral therapy (CST) and myofascial release (MFR) to area patients at her practice, located at Lund Family Chiropractic, 112 S. Ohio Street, Prairie du Chien. The craniosacral system involves all of the bones of the skull, face, and mouth which make up the cranium. This system extends to the lower end of the spine or the "sacrum." Your craniosacral system is it's own system, like you cardiovascular or digestive systems. Within this system is our spinal cord which carries our spinal fluid - you could call it the "hydraulics" of our spine. Restrictions within this system can cause a blockage of the movement of the spinal fluid, which, in effect, causes pain and stress in other areas of our bodies. Once the restriction is located by the practitioner and "released'' then your body can begin to heal itself. CST was developed over the past 30 years by John Upledger, D.O., O.M.M. He was the first to discover that the craniosacral system has a rhythm which is separate from our other body rhythms. Myofascial Release is a technique where the practitioner locates and releases restrictions within your fascial system. Fascia is the filmy covering over our muscles (it is comparable to having our muscles wrapped in plastic wrap - all connected throughout our bodies). It is a continuous connective tissue that extends from the top of our head down to our toes. Anytime there is stress, accidents or illness these can all cause a "twist' in the fascia and pain in any area of the body. When the practitioner releases these areas of restriction the body can then begin to heal itself. * CST and MFR may help the following: headaches, migraines, chronic pain, chronic jaw, neck and back pain, sports injuries, scoliosis, autism, fibromyalgia learning disabilities, orthopedic problems, brain and spinal injuries, stress, tension, asthma, sinusitis, bronchitis, tinnitus, hormonal imbalances, cerebral palsy, and more. In infants and children these techniques may help colic, failure to grow, failure to thrive and other conditions. Julie became interested in these techniques because one of her daughters had a medical condition which could not be helped by traditional medicine. "I grew up in the realm that traditional medicine was the only answer, but it was just not right for my daughter," she says. She learned about CST and MFR from her chiropractor, Dr. Kari Lund. "The more I learned the more I wanted to know," she said, adding that she plans on attending more seminars soon. CRT is not something you can go to college for, but instead it is learned from others with the skill. She received her first certificate in Craniosacral therapist offers gentle healing CRT in 2000, and she opened her practice in June of 2001. She has seen more than 200 patients in the past years and a half, and has had great successes with some patients. She recalled an older gentleman she worked with who had a stroke and was unable to move his arm for about three years. After just two sessions, he was able to move his fingers and lift his arm. "I have also seen a lot of good things happen with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactive disorder) kids," says Julie. But she warns new patients not to expect miracles. "This is about getting the body to a point that it can heal itself naturally." She says the treatments are very beneficial for infants as well. "It gives them a good start in life," Julie says. "Working on infant's craniosacral system to relieve restrictions can save them a lifetime of health problems." What Julie does is not a massage or acupressure, in fact if often seems that she is simply resting her hands on areas of the face, head or body. What craniosacral therapists do is very subtle. Their light touch allows the patient's tissues to relax, and release. People are learning more and more about CRT, and are apparently pleased about the results. Julie has patients who travel to her practice from Milwaukee, Rochester, La Crosse, and all over Iowa.
Julie, who also does work on the chakras (the body's energy centers) says she has always wanted to help people. "When I learned about this it was a perfect fit. I am making a difference in people's lives," she says. "Working with my hands in such a gentle, healing way is amazing."
For more information about CST or MFR or to make an appointment, call (608)326-8422.