012525_RV_Z01

EVERYTHING FOR

THE HOME

AUTOMOBILE

MAINTENANCE

PLANNING AND

INVESTING

PICKING THE

RIGHT BUSINESSES

YOUR

HOMETOWN

AUTO BODY &

TOWING EXPERTS!

• Truck Repair

• I-Car Gold Class Repair

• Full Auto Body Repair

• Glass Replacement

• Paintless Dent Removal

• Full Frame Repair

• Windshield Chip Repair

BEFORE

JAMIE & SCOTT GRIFFIOEN, OWNERS

712.722.0931

SIOUX CENTER, IOWA

SIOUXBODY.COM

AFTER

2

HOW-TO GUIDE • JANUARY 2025 • IOWA INFORMATION

HOW TO CHOOSE AN AUTO BODY SHOP

Find one that’s honest and dependable

According to the National Institute

for Automotive Service Excellence,

your chances of needing the

services of an auto body shop or collision-repair

expert are often higher than

many think.

From dents and scrapes to fender-benders

and more intense damage

resulting from an accident, repairing

your vehicle requires the services of

expert professionals from an experienced,

reputable auto body shop.

Choosing the right body shop depends

on many factors, such as the extent of

damage, whether the costs are born by

yourself or insurance, the experience of

the shop with your make and model of

vehicle and the shop’s history and reputation,

among others.

Paramount to your search is finding

an auto body shop that’s honest, trustworthy

and dependable. That choice will

ensure that your vehicle is

repaired quickly, affordably

and correctly.

The shop you choose

should be able to complete

all manner of work, from a

minor touch-up to a fullbody

repair.

Your friends, family and

colleagues might have

recommendations. After

all, auto body shops are an

unfortunate, but necessary,

part of life for most people.

Have a list of companies,

research each shop on the

Internet and read customer

reviews.

Testimonials, negative and positive,

should be considered. But keep in mind

that no business has a 100 percent satisfaction

rate. Someone will always be

displeased. Also, more people are likely

to leave a negative rather than a positive

comment.

A good source for finding an auto body

shop is your local newspaper. Local businesses

advertise and many times you can

find special deals to help save you money.

Once you have created a list of shops,

contact them on the phone and ask pertinent

questions. How long have they been

in business? What are their specialties?

How soon can you bring your vehicle in

for an inspection?

Ask to set up an appointment for a free

inspection. Then further investigate the

business. Look around their lobby. Is it

clean? Do they have their license and any

awards or certificates posted? Do they

care enough about their customers to

offer reading material, coffee or water?

Consider prices. Are they comparable

to other body shops? While you want to

find that deal, remember, cheaper is not

always better. Understand that you will

often get what you pay for when it comes

to auto body work.

Low prices may be tempting, but they

typically mean sub-par work, used parts

and paint that is incorrectly applied.

Feel free to ask the manager or owner

for references before they work on your

The shop you choose

should be able to

complete all manner

of work, from a minor

touch-up to a full-body

repair.

car.

You can also check their previous work.

When you see a car with paint drips, panels

that are misaligned or paints that don’t

match, look elsewhere. You will not save

money if you need to have the improper

work redone.

The shop should inspect your vehicle

for repairs that are not readily visible.

Often, there are hidden damages that

cannot be detected until repair work

begins on the vehicle.

Finding an auto body shop may not

be the most pleasant business because

it usually means your vehicle has suffered

some kind of damage. But finding

the right shop will make the experience

much more pleasant and you will be

happy with the repairs. Especially if you

find the right shop that knows how to

repair your vehicle so it looks the same as

before, or even better.

IOWA INFORMATION • JANUARY 2025 • HOW-TO GUIDE 3

IF IT COMES FROM PAT’S

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4


HOW TO CHOOSE A JEWELER

Find a jeweler

you trust

when making

a purchase

Jewelry can be a huge investment, particularly

when buying an engagement

ring, wedding band or a nice fashion

accessory like a necklace, diamond

bracelet or wristwatch.

So when you choose to splurge on one

of these items, you want to work with a

good jeweler.

How do you pick the best jeweler in

your area?

Finding someone with excellent skills

is the first thing to consider. Quality

jewelers offer reasonable pricing and

fantastic customer service. Do not make

the mistake of basing your decision on

cost alone.

Jewelry professionals are skilled artisans

who create beautiful pieces with

their own hands. They repair, clean and

adjust items with ease.

They may also offer other products

from off-site manufacturers. In general,

they are an excellent resource.

Jewelers and watch repair technicians

have undergone extensive training and

should have certifications to prove it.

They also attend periodic classes to

keep current on regulations within the

industry. Many jewelers travel to professional

shows featuring the latest trends.

They maintain their knowledge and

understanding of the precious metal and

gemstone markets.

Technical expertise isn’t the only

aspect to consider. Customers who

receive superior service

are likely to return for

future purchases. You’ll

want to work with

someone who sees

more than dollar signs

behind each customer.

Guarantees are

essential. It is a fundamental

factor in

establishing a longterm

relationship with

the public and a track

record of satisfied customers.

People often regard

their jewelry as a kind

of financial or sentimental

investment for

family members. A professional

understands

the emotional bonds

symbolized by a piece

of jewelry, and treats it

accordingly. Many jewelers are sensitive

to the needs of each customer.

A discount store may offer an unbelievable

price on a piece of jewelry. If it

seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Inexpensive prices are often an indicator

of lower quality gemstones and metal

components with lower purity. When

the item breaks, it might be impossible

to take it back for a repair or replacement

because the seller has moved on.

Some dealers focus solely on profit.

Doing business with a jeweler you

know and trust will make a big difference

when it is time to make a significant

investment in a ring, necklace or

watch. He or she will make every effort

to get you the best possible price without

sacrificing quality.

If you have been doing business with

the same shop for a long time, you should

expect a high level of service.

Anyone can sell jewelry. Malls across

America are filled with jewelry stores. But

a dedicated professional jeweler doesn’t

just sell precious metals or gemstones.

He or she brings a keen eye for the beautiful

and stunning quality of each piece.

It is true that price is important, but

it shouldn’t be your top consideration.

You will get better value for your money

when you do business with a jeweler

you can trust — now and 20 years from

today. High-quality workmanship starts

with the jewelry and ends with your satisfaction.


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A family tradition of personal

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OVER 50 YEARS

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FUNERAL HOMES

6

Matthew Ascherl, Ben Eldridge and Peter Eldridge - Funeral Directors


724 6th Avenue l Sheldon, IA l 712-324-3331

712 Main Street l Boyden, IA l 712-725-2101

WWW.VANDERPLOEGFUNERALS.COM

Funeral homes frequently work hand-in-hand with individuals and families to

customize pre-planning packages and facilitate the process.

HOW TO PLAN A FUNERAL

Funeral pre-planning can ease anxiety

The death of a loved one is difficult

to confront. Emotions are elevated

and grief is prominent, which can

make it hard to make important decisions.

Quite often several people need

to come together to make decisions

necessary for a family member’s funeral

arrangements. There also is a financial

component to consider.

According to Lincoln Heritage Life

Insurance Company, the average funeral

costs between $7,000 and $12,000,

which may or may not include viewing,

burial, transport, casket, and other fees.

Surviving family members responsible

for planning a funeral may be asked to

contribute a portion of these expenses

if other arrangements have not already

been made, which can exacerbate

stressful feelings during an already difficult

time.

Funeral pre-planning is a good way

for individuals to make a difficult time

a little more manageable for their survivors.

Funeral homes frequently work

hand-in-hand with individuals and families

to customize pre-planning packages

and facilitate the process. Here’s a

rundown of pre-planning as individuals

consider their options.

Explore your options

Pre-planning a funeral enables people

to consider all of the options without

the time constraints of making funeral

arrangements directly after the passing

of a loved one. A knowledgeable staff

member at a funeral home, can explain

the offerings and answer any questions.

Straightforward process

Unless an individual has planned a

funeral in the past, there could be a lot of

unknowns. Funeral homes handle these

events every day and can guide families

through the intricacies of the process

with ease. Most have pre-planning kits

that include all of the essentials of the

process, such as choosing caskets, deciding

on prayer cards and designing floral

arrangements.

Avoid confrontations

Working directly with a professional

also helps alleviate the burden on family

members, who may not agree on

arrangements or concur on what they

believe would be a loved one’s final wishes.

When pre-planning a funeral, individuals

can spell out in their own words

exactly what they desire and even finance

the funeral in advance.

Establish a payment plan

A funeral home staff member can go

over the various ways to fund funeral

expenses, and may work out a payment

schedule to spread out the expense over a

period of time. He or she also may explain

how funeral prearrangement can be a

way to “spend down” assets in a way that

protects those monies from look-back

periods when determining eligibility for

certain assisted living or nursing facilities

should that be required in the future.

Works with religious officials

Very often a funeral home is a conduit

that facilitates all facets of the funeral

process. They may reach out to a preferred

house of worship to organize a

mass or other religious service, and will

also contact the cemetery and work with

them to secure a plot and deed. This

also alleviates pressure down the line on

grieving family members who need time

to mourn.

Pre-planning a funeral merits consideration.

Working with a trusted funeral

home removes much of the pressure

during such difficult times.


CUSTOM DESIGNED & BUILT

FOR YOUR HOME OR OFFICE

See us for cabinets for your home or any purpose!

Schnepf Lumber Co.

EST. 1951

8

1117 2nd Ave, Sibley, IA • 712-754-2373 • www.schnepflumber.com


HOW TO CHOOSE KITCHEN CABINETS

Cabinets become

focal point of kitchen

Wander into any kitchen anywhere

and the elements that

first grab your eye are cabinets

and countertops. Cabinets are second

only to quality countertops when it

comes to the focal point of your kitchen.

Why spend so much money on cabinets?

Because they are the focal point

of your kitchen. They must be attractive

and useful.

If you’re planning on selling,

high-quality cabinets will appeal to a

wide selection of buyers. If you plan on

staying put, they will bring you years of

function and use.

Custom Cabinets

Custom cabinets are an excellent

choice because they allow you to choose

any style you want. You’re only limited by

imagination. Specify the color, hinges,

wood species,

stained or

painted, door

style, & special

accessories.

Check the

quality of the

materials the

builder is using.

Soft close hinges,

heavy duty

soft close slides and ¾-inch solid wood

should have a lifetime guarantee.

You may need to change the cabinets

once you have ordered them. Ask about

the consequences should this situation

arise. There may be an additional fee to

make a change after a period of time.

Meeting with a Professional

Before you schedule a meeting with

a professional, get inspiration for your

new kitchen. Go on tour of homes,

take pictures of what you like, and have

an idea in mind. Schedule an initial

consultation to select your style, wood

species, and finishes. When you meet

with a professional, they will help you

draw up a customized floor plan to create

the kitchen of your dreams. There is

usually more than one design option for

a kitchen. A good kitchen designer may

give you a design that you may not have

imagined.

Stock or Manufactured

Cabinets for the Space

When you are on a tight budget, consider

manufactured cabinets. Options

are more limited, but you can still receive

quality for a little less cost.

First, look for pieces made with real

wood. Stock board is not as durable. The

cabinets must also feature solid construction.

There should be warranties

on the hardware, slides and other components.

Choose a company that has a long

track record. You should be able to find

them if the need arises.

Quality companies will still allow you

to order sizes other than stock size. There

may be a slight upcharge, but you will

appreciate the results.

Regardless of the choices you make,

always choose to purchase cabinets from

a company that has been in business for

a long time. They should be good at what

they do. Look at their previous work and

get in touch with previous customers. Do

the initial legwork and there is no doubt

you will be happy with the results.


Friendly.

Experienced.

Effective.

Whether you are

selling your current

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find your next one,

give our team at

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10


HOW TO CHOOSE A REAL ESTATE AGENT

Do homework when finding reliable agent

Finding a reliable, reputable

real estate agent is essential

when you are considering

buying or selling a home. These

professionals can guide you

through complicated negotiations

and contracts to secure you

the best deal you can get. They’ll

also be able to inform you of the

precise steps you need to take just

before buying or selling.

It goes without saying that you

shouldn’t make any property decision

under the advisement of an

agent you don’t trust. So, do your

homework and pick an agent you

can have faith will get the job done

right.

Real Estate Agent

vs. Realtor

A real estate agent may or may

not be a realtor, but every realtor

is required to be a licensed real

estate agent.

To become a realtor, a real estate

agent has to join the National

Association of Realtors (NAR).

This allows him or her to attend industry

meetings, get NAR newsletters, and

access software and educational tools.

Realtors adhere to a strict code of ethics

and have solid knowledge of the real

estate business. These professionals have

been trained well, which means they will

provide you with the best service.

Where to Start Looking

Recommendations are one of the best

ways to find a qualified real estate agent

or realtor. Ask people in your social network

for referrals.

Sometimes agents are good at helping

clients purchase homes, but not as skilled

at selling them. Keep that in mind when

searching for the right professional.

You might also contact local brokers or

search the NAR directory online. Always

work with credible, responsible agents.

Otherwise you are wasting your time.

Comfort Level

At the initial consultation with a prospective

real estate professional, focus

on your comfort level while interacting

with them.

Do you get the feeling they are genuinely

concerned about your needs? Or are

they focused on their commission? Do

they know the current housing market?

Can they negotiate a contract?

It is important that you feel comfortable

with the agent. You must trust that

this person can behave ethically and help

you secure a good deal.

Communication and

Planning

Your agent should be an effective communicator.

If you are selling your home,

your agent should develop an effective

marketing plan, explain it to you, and

respond to any questions or concerns

you have.

The marketing plan will probably

involve placing advertisements and conducting

open houses to invite the public

for home viewings.

If you are purchasing a home, the

agent should listen to your guidelines

and price ranges.

Above all, your real estate agent needs

to provide updates on progress. Do not

work with someone who does not return

phone calls or emails.

More Resources

To get a better idea about the process

of buying and selling a home, conduct

some research on your own. Real estate

magazines contain good information

and can be a great way to start your

research.

There are also a lot of good resources

on the Internet, such as www.Realtor.

com, which is associated with NAR and

which contains free, useful information.

You may find housing statistics, market

forecasts and tips, but nothing beats the

power of networking. You need to find

people with similar interests who will

help you in your endeavor.

Upon successfully buying or selling

your home, keep your real estate agent’s

contact information on hand.

You may want to refer other people to

him or her. You may also need their services

again someday.


12


Unlike big banks, which are owned by shareholders or conglomerates, credit

unions are typically nonprofit operations owned by their members.

HOW TO CHOOSE A CREDIT UNION

Usually offer better rates on loans, savings

Credit unions are cooperatives in the

truest sense of the word. They have

existed for more than 100 years,

springing from the idea that serving a

group of unserved or underserved people

as a group could prove economically feasible

and offer an alternative to traditional

banks. Today, they rank among the best

micro-finance organizations available to

large swaths of the population.

Unlike big banks, which are owned by

shareholders or conglomerates, credit

unions are typically nonprofit operations

owned by their members. Credit

unions charge fewer and lower fees than

for-profit banks. Ans any dividends go to

the members instead of shareholders.

In short, credit unions are a good deal.

They usually offer better interest rates

on savings accounts and competitive

rates on various loans. You might get a

fantastic rate on a student loan, mortgage,

auto loan or credit card.

And, like bigger banks, the federal government

ensures credit union deposits

up to $250,000.

The first step in selecting a credit union

is to research those in your community

and their membership requirements.

Some credit unions are available to

employees of specific companies, groups

of public service or school employees.

But offers extend eligibility to anyone

willing to follow their membership

requirements. You may be asked to join a

food co-op or other organization in order

to qualify for membership.

A simple internet search is an excellent

starting point. Develop a list of credit

unions in your area. Then narrow your

possibilities by researching eligibility,

services offer and fees charged by each

credit union.

Verify the current interest rates on

their accounts. If you can’t find the rates

online, call and ask them for the percentages

Find out if there are any fees associated

with the accounts you want to open. As

with traditional savings and loan banks,

you might be required to pay a fee if you

fall below a minimum balance.

Check about other requirements. You

might need to use your debit card a certain

amount of times each month.

If you are in the market for a specific

loan, research to see if the loan is issued

by the credit union. Once you have found

several credit unions offering that type of

loan, compare interest rates and specials

to see who has the best deal.

Of course, convenience is something

to keep in mind. Check for availability of

online services, weekday and weekend

hours, where branches and ATMs are

located.

You should also understand any fees

associated with ATM or debit card usage.

If you use ATMs frequently, those charges

can add up fast.

Some credit unions belong to a nation

network of credit unions for shared services.

It might mean more access to ATMs

and other services in case you move

or go on vacation. If you have children

attending college in other cities, this can

be useful.

Once you have completed your

research, make a list of the advantages

and disadvantages of each credit union.

You can easily compare them.

Upon choosing your credit union, visit

the branch so you can understand all of

the services. Learn more about the benefits

of membership.


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HOW TO CHOOSE A NEW CAR DEALER

Good one makes

process transparent

When it comes time to purchase

a new car, circling dealerships

without engaging the often

overwhelming pressure of salespeople is

the first tactic. Most have a good idea of

the type or make vehicle they want.

But when the circling ends and the

choices have been narrowed, choosing

the right dealer becomes paramount.

Pick the wrong dealer and you could get

stuck with a lemon or unfair financing

terms. A good dealer, however, will make

the car buying process a transparent

breeze and offer excellent after purchase

support.

Here are some things to think about if

you’re in the market for a new car.

Choose the Right Car

The first thing you need to figure out is

what type of automobile you’re looking

to buy. This will help you narrow down

brands and pick your best option. Large

families may need an SUV or van to fit

everyone into the vehicle. But college

students buying their first car would

probably be happy with a compact car.

The savings on gas will help ease your

finances while you are in school.

Along with the car model, there are

numerous

options to

consider. You

might get a car

with a navigation

system,

moonroof, GPS

and satellite

radio, just to

name a few.

Many of these

amenities are now standard, but some

involve extra costs.

If you have to commute long distances,

think about purchasing a smaller car with

a good MPG (miles per gallon) rating.

Hybrid cars can help you save money on

gas. Anyone in a cold climate might look

at various vehicles with either all-wheel

or front-wheel drive.

Choose the Dealer

Once you have settled on a car model,

check into area car dealers. Finding

several dealers who sell the brand of

car you want is usually best. The competition

for your business will help you

negotiate the total cost of your car.

Make sure to look for current discounts

on the car you want. During

specific times of the year, you might be

able to get a great deal on a new car. It is

particularly true during year-end sales.

Of course, you should test-drive a car

before purchasing it.

When you begin your negotiations,

remember that price isn’t everything.

Service should play a role as well. You

are building a long-term relationship

with this dealer and manufacturer. It

is not worth getting a less-than-satisfactory

experience just to save a few

dollars.

Make sure that you feel comfortable

with the dealership. Buying a car is an

expensive, long-term commitment. It is

always better to find a car salesperson

who is informative and friendly. It will

make your transaction as simple and

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16


HOW TO CHOOSE A PROPANE COMPANY

Good ones work on customer relations

Propane is a “must-have” for gas

grills, but it’s also an almost-forgotten

option for heating your home.

Propane is cheap and cost-effective, and

it’s available almost everywhere.

So if you’re firing up your grill or seeking

a reliable alternative or back-up to

electricity, propane should be your go-to

option.

Here’s what you want to consider in

looking for a propane provider.

Reliability

Regular customers to any business

often get better service.

Establish a good relationship with your

supplier, particularly if you heat your

entire home with propane.

The best companies will work hard to

develop a strong relationship with you as

well. They will treat you with respect.

Buy tanks from a reputable company

that sells high-quality products. The

company should also provide service for

the tanks they sell.

If you use a propane-fueled

barbecue grill, exchange

your empty tank at an authorized

propane dealer for the

best service. Bringing your

tank to a convenience store

or big-box retailer may not

give you the best value for

your money.

Price

Purchase propane from

a trusted supplier to ensure

reliability and savings. Consider

contracts that allow

you to lock in a stable price,

helping you avoid market

fluctuations throughout the

year. Ask about regular delivery

options, which may offer additional

price breaks and ensure you never run

out. A quality propane dealer will also

prioritize safety and service, giving you

peace of mind with dependable supply

and support.

Proper Standards

Propane companies are subject to

government requirements and standards.

When you visit the office, look for

certifications and licenses that should be

displayed prominently.

If they are not posted, request to see

them. Salespeople are also licensed by

the government. They should be happy

to show you their licensing and certification

for your state.

Remember that you are protecting

your family, life and property by asking

for verification. Any reputable dealer will

be more than happy to show their documentation

to you.

Background

Before doing business with any propane

company, check their safety and

customer service record.

State public service commission’s usually

oversee propane supplies. Speaking

to them can be quite informative.

The Better Business Bureau is the best

source for information on customer service

complaints. Avoid a company with

too many safety infractions and too many

dissatisfied customers.

However you should not discount a

company that has responded to complaints

and resolved issues.

Family, friends and neighbors are

also great sources of information about

propane dealers in your community. Ask

them about their experiences.

Most propane dealers are safe, honest

and highly reputable. Time and research

will determine which dealer is a good fit

for you. Once you have selected the best

dealer in your community, work to establish

a relationship with them. Having a

friend in the business is a very good thing

on a cold winter’s night.


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18


HOW TO CHOOSE AN AUCTIONEER

Must have gift of

speech and humor

Planning an estate sale? Liquidating

a business? Have a large selection of

items in storage you’d like to sell? As

anyone who has worked a shift attempting

to get the best return on sales selling

them by themselves will tell you, if you’re

going to have an auction, you’ve got to

hire a good auctioneer.

The right auctioneer can be the key to

hearing that magic word: Sold! If you are

selling off an estate or raising money for a

good cause, this is especially important.

Auctions are mutually beneficial for

participants and the host. They’re also

fun and a great way to make a healthy

profit.

Choosing the right auctioneer can be

a challenge in itself. Auctioneers are specialists

and you want to be sure find the

right one to fit your needs. For example,

if you’re having an estate sell with a loved

one’s valuables and antiques, you probably

wouldn’t get the best results with a

commercial or business auctioneer.

Auctions are personality-driven events,

so be sure you

select an auctioneer

who is

gregarious and

personable.

This person

must have the

gift of speech, a

touch of humor

and the ability

to develop a

rapport with

the audience.

The success of your auction will

depend on how much the auctioneer

can establish a relationship with the

audience. The auctioneer will show your

products off in the best light and entice

participants to bid. If they have been

in business for a while, they will likely

have a following that will come to your

auction just because of the auctioneer’s

reputation.

Look for an auctioneer at your local

auction house. The best auctioneers

are independent contractors with wellhoned

skills and years of experience

getting results for clients.

Use the internet or your local newspaper

to find a qualified auctioneer. Most

newspapers have an auction section in

their advertising section. If you use the

internet, be sure to visit the website of a

certified institution. Not every site lists

credentialed auctioneers.

If you’ve exhausted these sources, contact

the National Auctioneers Association

or visit its website at www.auctioneers.

org. Many auctioneers belong to professional

organizations such as the Certified

Auctioneers Institute or CAI. Auctioneers

with this certification are held to a higher

standard of integrity.

Sometimes a well-known person can

also draw people to your event. Your

potential auctioneer should undergo

some training in the overall auction process.

There are often logistics that must

be explained beforehand.

When speaking to candidates, be sure

to ask for references and work history.

Verify licensing and check that they are

actively working auction events.

Once you have a list of finalists, attend

an auction and watch them perform. Pay

attention to how they handle attendees

and the pacing of the event. Take notes

on each auctioneer. Once you have narrowed

your list to one or two candidates,

perform a background check and obtain

reliable references.

Then sit back, relax and enjoy the

show. Know that your goods will be professionally

described and displayed, and

will go to a good home. The auctioneer

you choose will make sure of this.


20


HOW TO SELECT A FUNERAL HOME

Pre-planning

helps with

hard situation

When the time comes, and you

need a funeral home there

are many factors to consider.

Choosing a funeral home is never an

easy process. During times of loss, the

emotional pain and grief for some can be

crippling, and making arrangements for

a loved one can complicate and already

difficult time.

But there are ways to make this difficult

decision a little bit easier for you and your

family.

Here are some tips to help make

choosing the right funeral home less

stressful.

Pre-planning

Planning ahead in life may lessen a

stressful situation. The same is true for

planning a funeral. This is a service funeral

homes provide. Prearranging your

funeral can be as simple as sharing your

wishes to finalizing all of the details and

even prepaying.

What Does a Funeral Cost?

The cost of a funeral in northwest

Iowa is similar from one funeral home

to another. Of course, the cost is

important, but so is the value. The best

thing to do is select a funeral home

you trust and you have received excellent

service from in the past. Funeral

homes offer many different services

and related items. Funeral homes can

accommodate most economical needs.

That’s why it is wise to ask questions

and be specific about what services you

want from a funeral home as well as

your budget.

If you have had to make funeral

arrangements in the past, you may

be tempted to just go with the funeral

home you have experience with. If

you were served well, then that would

be the best option (value). If not, then

consider why that was. Does it warrant

choosing a different option?

You will find that not all funeral homes are created

equal, and each offers their own unique ways of

handling a service.

Navigating Your Final Wishes

Whether your deceased loved one

had a specific list for their final wishes

or you have to make these decisions for

yourself, it is important that you ask a

potential funeral home what types of

services they offer. You will find that

not all funeral homes are created equal,

and each offers their own unique ways

of handling a service. No matter what

type of requirements you have, it is

best to choose a funeral home that will

cater to your specific needs in order to

make this difficult situation a little less

daunting.

Ask For References

From Friends

Even if you have never had to choose a

funeral home in the past, you may have a

friend or two who have. Ask these friends

if they would recommend the services

provided at the funeral homes they have

used.

They may be able to share valuable

information about the staff, facility and

prices of a specific funeral home.

Caring Staff

When visiting a potential funeral

home, the funeral director can be a

major deciding factor when you choose

whether or not to use this particular firm

to handle the funeral of your loved one.

A caring and professional funeral

director and staff will take the time to

explain all your options in an empathetic

way so you can make a better choice

when choosing a funeral home.

If the director seems short or uninterested

in your needs or makes you

feel like you and your deceased loved

one aren’t important, you won’t want to

choose this facility to handle the funeral

of your loved one.

While dealing with the death of a

loved one is hard, choosing the right

funeral home can help relieve you of

some stress.

If you want your loved one to receive

the proper funeral he or she deserves,

following the above listed tips should

help you make the right choice.


22


HOW TO CHOOSE GARAGE DOORS

Provides great security option for home

It’s not often that homeowners are

faced with the issue of replacing

garage doors. But like almost every

other aspect of home maintenance,

garage doors eventually either require

replacement or need updating to match

the look of your home.

If your garage faces the front of the

house, a new door could dramatically

improve your curb appeal and change

the overall look of your home.

A garage door is also an excellent security

asset for your home, allowing you to

secure your vehicle inside.

If you’re thinking about installing a

new garage door, you may be surprised

at just how many options are on the

market — and how affordably they can

be installed.

The Look

Garage doors have seen an explosion

in styles, materials and colors that are

designed to match the architecture of

any home, from rural barns to craftsman

bungalows or sleek urban getaways. So if

you thought your choices were limited to

simple sheet metal styles, think again.

While you may already have an idea of

the exact type of garage door you want

to see installed, some homeowners seek

the advice of a designer to help make the

decision to pick the right style and color

combination. Some garage door retailers

will be able to help you visualize what the

different doors would look like — complete

with color and material samples, and

perhaps even software that will show a

picture of what your home would look like.

You should also pay close attention to

the materials. Today’s garage doors can be

made from expensive hardwoods, textured

vinyl, fiberglass or basic aluminum, all of

which will have a big impact on the look

and longevity of your door.

Pay close attention to the maintenance

needs of whatever material you choose.

Some will hold their color longer than others,

and real wood doors can require regular

staining and sealing every few years to

keep them looking spectacular.

Insulation

Depending on your climate, the

insulation of your garage door can be

an important factor to help reduce your

energy bills.

Just like windows and insulation in

your attic, garage doors come with an “R

factor” rating that tells you how well they

insulate your home from outside temperatures.

This is especially important

in heated garages. But even an insulated

door on unheated garages can make a

positive impact on your energy usage if it

can keep the hot and cold weather away

from the interior of your house.

In general, the higher the “R value,” the

better off you’ll be. It is a good idea to pay

attention to this in extreme climates.

Local Requirements

Before you make the purchase, you

should also check to see if your city, county

or homeowner’s association has any

special requirements for garage doors.

Homeowner’s associations, in particular,

may have very picky requirements

about what materials and styles can be

used in your neighborhood. Make sure

your choice meets with the approval of

any local authorities or boards that control

their use.

Safety

A garage door is typically the largest

moving object installed in any home, and

safety should be a consideration.

Ask your garage door retailer about any

special safety features on the door you

select. It should have a design that won’t

pinch your fingers or hurt small children

if they get caught under it. Make sure it

will be installed according to all applicable

safety codes in your area.

Opener

Finally, when you install a new garage

door it’s usually a good idea to install a

new opener, too. Make sure you factor

this into the cost and explore all your

options — including the latest models

that can be closed remotely via smartphones

and operate very quietly and

efficiently.

Installation & Service

Proper installation is key to ensuring

your garage door functions safely and

efficiently. It’s recommended to hire a

professional installer who can guarantee

the door is balanced, secure, and meets

all safety regulations. Regular maintenance,

such as lubricating moving parts

and checking the balance, can extend

the life of your door and prevent costly

repairs. Many garage door retailers also

offer service packages for ongoing care

and inspections.


24


HOW TO BECOME A MASTER GARDENER

Starts by taking 10-week course at Iowa State

Maybe it is best to start by asking,

who are Master Gardeners?

First and foremost is a willingness

to learn science-based gardening

techniques. Every gardener will tell you

that every season brings new lessons.

Master Gardeners learn where the

resources exist to utilize best practices in

many different circumstances.

Master Gardeners also commit to

being volunteers in their community.

They volunteer through a large range of

community-based projects.

Becoming a Master Gardener starts

with taking a 10-week course. Courses are

taught by Iowa State University college

horticulture professors and there is supplemental

reading from a professionally

prepared resource guide. MG trainees

have video assignments and have local

in-person sessions with skilled people in

a selection of horticulture topics.

Among the lessons is information on

animal ecology, botany, composting,

entomology, fruit culture, herbaceous

ornamentals, houseplants, integrated

pest management, sustainable landscape

design, pesticides, plant pathology,

plant propagation, soils, trees and

shrubs, turfgrass, vegetables and herbs,

and weed science.

“The program recognizes that you

won’t remember everything taught,” said

John Buntsma, Master Gardener coordinator

in Sioux County. “Knowing how

everything fits together and where to find

the information when you need it is the

most important part of this training.”

In the first year, the Master Gardener

trainee is considered an intern. They

must complete 40 hours of volunteer

service and additional education hours.

The university offers a discounted rate

for the training sessions in exchange for

service that will benefit communities

across the state.

After completion of the first year

requirements, Master Gardeners commit

to 20 volunteer hours and 10 education

hours annually. Not meeting those minimum

requirements mean that a person

is no longer considered an active Master

Gardener.

The Master Gardener program has

become international but it starts in the

local communities through Extension

offices. In Sioux, O’Brien, Osceola and

Lyon counties, the ISU Extension and

Outreach has a joint program. Signup

starts on July 14 and concludes on Aug.

22. Volunteers become part of the ISU

insurance program so a background

check is required.

The fall semester for the program will

start on Sept. 4 and concludes with an

open book post-test to be completed by

Nov. 23.

Master Gardeners have a willingness to learn science-based gardening

techniques and learn where the resources exist to utilize best practices in

many different circumstances


26


HOW TO SELECT THE RIGHT CATERER

Can offer info

on right food

for the event

Hosting a large party or event

comes with many challenges —

invitations, planning, decorating

and, of course, food and drink. One way

to ease the burden and ensure success is

to hire a caterer.

A great caterer will not only take

the pressure off but help you create

a memorable occasion. Caterers can

offer information about the appropriate

type and quantity of food to serve your

guests as well connect you to other

resources, including professionals who

can help turn your event into a magical

occasion.

The right caterer means you will have

time to enjoy your party instead of fretting

over minor details.

Here’s what to look for in a good

caterer.

Event information

Note everything you know about your

event before calling a caterer. Details like

date, time, location, number of guests

and budget will help prospective caterers

create a good plan for you. If you have

a theme, be sure to say so. Also, tell the

caterer about the type of event you are

planning. If this is a formal affair such as

a business party, your menu will differ

from that of a more casual gathering.

Suggest certain types of foods and get

feedback from the caterer. And if you

already have a venue, fill the caterer in

on its décor so she can focus on what will

match the surroundings.

Interview

Friends, family, and other members

of your social network may have used a

caterer in the past. You can also check

the phone book and the internet for local

caterers.

Your local newspaper will likely have

advertisements from local caterers. This

is also a good resource to find coupons

and special deals.

Compile a list of possibilities, schedule

a meeting and prepare your questions.

Be sure to ask about delivery, time frames

and budget.

If the caterer has ideas for your event,

listen with an open mind. These professionals

are in the event business and will

have ideas from their past experiences.

Scheduling

Communicate clearly about timelines

and scheduling. Caterers who have

packed schedules are a risky proposition.

Use a company that can spend time and

effort on your event.

Sample

Sample the food before your big event

to ensure it meets your expectations. If

the caterer operates a restaurant, consider

dining there to experience the quality

of their food firsthand. This allows you

to evaluate the taste, presentation, portion

sizes, and overall dining experience.

Discuss their menu options, service style,

and how they accommodate special

requests to ensure they align with your

event’s vision.


28


HOW TO CHOOSE A FAST-FOOD RESTAURANT

Look for spot that offers

consistency with each visit

When selecting a fast-food restaurant,

it’s helpful to consider the

origins and values of iconic

establishments like A&W Restaurants.

Founded in 1919 by Roy W. Allen in Lodi,

California, A&W began as a humble roadside

root beer stand. Allen’s handcrafted

root beer, made from a unique blend of

herbs, spices, and barks, quickly became

a favorite among locals.

A&W’s commitment to excellence is

evident in their delicious, made-to-order

meals and signature root beer, still served

in frosty mugs today. Their classic menu

includes favorites like juicy cheeseburgers,

hot dogs, and crispy fries, all

prepared with care and tradition. Beyond

their famous root beer, the creamy root

beer float has become a customer favorite,

combining their signature drink with

rich vanilla ice cream.

The nostalgic experience of enjoying a

meal at A&W, with its retro decor, friendly

service, and family-friendly atmosphere,

continues to delight customers of all ages.

Whether dining in or using their classic

drive-in service, A&W offers a memorable

experience centered around great food

and a welcoming environment.

This dedication to quality mirrors the

principles emphasized by early fast-food

pioneers like Walt Anderson of White

Castle. Anderson, known for standardizing

food preparation and emphasizing

safety, revolutionized the fast-food

industry with his methods. He ensured

each hamburger was cooked consistently,

allowing customers to trust the food’s

quality. A&W shares this commitment,

ensuring that every burger, hot dog, and

side dish meets the same high standards

every time.

When choosing a fast-food restaurant

today, consider establishments that prioritize:

Unique and Quality Products: Seek out

signature items, like A&W’s famous root

beer, made with care and tradition.

Consistency: Look for restaurants

where the food tastes the same with each

visit, reflecting standardized preparation

methods.

Transparency and Cleanliness: Favor

restaurants with visible preparation areas

and high standards of cleanliness, ensuring

confidence in their product.

Customer Connection: Great brands

engage with their communities, often

offering promotions, free samples, and

special events to build lasting customer

relationships.

Family-Friendly Environment: Choose

places where the dining experience is

designed to be welcoming for all ages,

making meal outings enjoyable and

memorable.

By reflecting on the histories of iconic

brands like A&W, you can make informed

choices that align with your expectations

for quality, safety, and overall dining

experience. Whether it’s a frosty mug of

root beer or a perfectly prepared meal,

the legacy of excellence lives on in today’s

top fast-food chains.


(712) 476-5299 | ROCK VALLEY, IA

30


Be confident about

your plans. Know in

detail what you want to

change. Look through

home improvement

magazines to find

designs you like.

HOW TO CHOOSE A HARDSCAPE CONTRACTOR

Find out about background before hiring

Custom building, extensive renovations

or remodeling and installing

new patios, walkways or fences are

all examples of big-ticket projects that

will require a hardscape contractor.

Because these projects can significantly

alter the appearance of your home,

it’s important to hire the best hardscape

contractor you can find.

You also need to be confident about

your plans. Know in detail what you want

to change. Look through home improvement

magazines to find designs you like.

When choosing the right hardscape

contractor, there are a few things you’ll

want to keep in mind. First, find out

more about the contractor’s background.

Look for experience in all designs, as

they will likely do the best job.

In addition to having the right knowledge

and background, the right contractors

will have suggestions on how to use

the space most effectively.

With their experience, most contractors

have likely seen many successes and

failures. So listen to your contractor’s

suggestions.

Find a flexible contractor who is also

willing to listen to your ideas and suggestions.

He may have to change his process

to fit your needs. You should feel comfortable

asking questions. Ultimately, it

is your property. You will have to live with

the results once it is finished.

You will want to check that the contractor

is precise in his work. Small

details that are incorrect can have a

terrible effect on the completed project.

For example, walls should be measured

precisely or there could be structural

problems. If something is out of place, it

could prove dangerous.

Inexperienced contractors may rush

through their jobs. It is important the

craftsman take his time while working.

During your initial meetings with contractors,

ask them about insurance. Professionals

will carry injury and potential

property damage policies.

Their insurance will protect you in the

event something happens while they

are working on your property. You could

be held liable if the contractor has no

insurance and an accident occurred on

your property.

Make certain that the contractor’s staff

is fully certified. When building large,

permanent structures such as patios and

porches, special training is necessary. All

staff should understand local building

codes and laws.

Before hiring a contractor, check with

the Better Business Bureau. Have there

been any complaints against the company?

If so, how were they resolved?

Once you have hired a hardscape

contractor, periodically check in with the

project manager about the progress of

the job. It will let him know that you care

about how the work is completed. It will

guarantee the work is on-schedule and it

will meet your expectations.

The bottom line is that you need to

find a hardscape contractor who makes

you feel completely comfortable. Since

he is working on something that will

permanently alter your home, you want

to be sure the work is done to meet your

specifications.


32


HOW TO CHOOSE A CELLULAR PHONE PROVIDER

Plan phone usage into type of contract

Almost everyone has a mobile

phone these days. It’s not unusual

now to see very young people carrying

a cellphone, and smartphones are

ubiquitous.

But talk to people about their carriers

and you’ll receive a wide variety of

responses, ranging from “no issues” to “I

hate my provider.” More often, it’s somewhere

in between.

Whether you’re just purchasing your

first cellphone or considering switching,

selecting the right provider is key to your

phone working for you instead of against

you.

Fortunately, there are several options

for cellphone service providers. And their

pricing and incentives can make picking

the best one a daunting task.

One of the biggest things many customers

have a hard time understanding

is data limits. And overages add up fast,

making it very important to find a provider

who can carefully explain your plan.

Smart phones have made cell phone

contracts more complicated than ever.

When choosing a cellular phone provider,

here are a few things to keep in

mind.

Plan your phone usage

How do you plan to use your phone?

What kind of features will you need?

Some users only talk on the phone,

others text, stream video and browse

the internet. If you plan on doing a lot

of streaming or playing video games on

your phone while waiting in a line, consider

getting a bigger data plan.

Don’t pay for technology you’re not

going to use— but keep an open mind

about upgrades. What works for you

today might change a year from now.

Technology grows by leaps and bounds

in a short time. Think of how few people

used text messaging when cellphones

first introduced the capability.

Once you’ve decided how you will use

your phone, communicate it clearly to

salespeople. Listen to their advice, but

know that the final call is yours.

Consider local carriers

Big-name national phone carriers are

known for reliable service. But you may

also want to take a good look at companies

with a local touch. Employees at

smaller carriers work and live in your

community. Ask friends, family and other

people in your social network to recommend

a local carrier. Also keep in mind

that the best companies are often the

ones involved in the community.

If you go with a national carrier, choose

a local branch with a reputation for good

customer service and cell reception. You

should feel welcome at this location. If

they listen and understand your needs,

and you receive quick service, it will

make a huge difference when you need

assistance.

Understand the contract

Contracts are can be daunting. To save

yourself some grief, read the fine print

of any cell contract. Understand the

agreement and you will save you trouble,

money and embarrassment.

Terms vary widely depending on the

service provider, the plan chosen and

even the model of phone. Take the time

you need to read the agreement carefully.

Ask questions if you don’t understand the

terminology.

Here are some important things to look

at in the contract:

■ Duration and the penalty for early

termination

■ National and international “roaming”

fees.

■ Call, text message and data limits.

Be sure to check how much it costs to go

over.

■ How often you’ll be eligible for an

upgrade and what incentives and discounts

are offered.

■ What happens if you break or lose

your phone.

Remember, what the salesperson tells

you and what’s actually in the contract

can be two different things.

Make the most of your

new phone

Reading the owner’s manual for your

phone can inform you of its valuable

features. But with today’s user-friendly

devices, you can also learn a lot by simply

playing around with your new gadget.

Modern phones are loaded with

features to make your life easier. Basic

models boast internet connectivity, can

take pictures, send messages and even

play music. But be sure to pick the right

phone, chances are you’ll never leave

home without it.


TAKE A

CLEANING BREAK

with Maria’s Cleaning

Before

After

After

Before

Call Us

We’re the best around!

Call or text us today to book your home,

office, commercial, move-ins, move-outs

and construction clean-up!

34


HOW TO SELECT A CLEANING SERVICE

Everyone’s needs vary

from home to home

In today’s busy world, people look forward

to coming home to escape the

hustle and bustle of the work day and

relax in their own sanctuary. For many,

setting aside the time and energy necessary

to keep their homes as clean as

they’d like is often a daunting thought.

That’s when many turn to a professional

cleaning service.

If you’re thinking about hiring a

cleaning service to free up your time

— letting you focus on the things in life

that matter the most to you — here are

some tips.

Customizable Service

Everyone’s cleaning needs are different.

So, the first step is finding a cleaning

service that’s a good fit for your home and

lifestyle.

Companies will usually provide a basic

maid service that includes vacuuming,

sweeping, mopping, dusting, making

beds and thoroughly cleaning your kitchen

and bathrooms.

Additional services such a carpet

cleaning, doing the laundry or washing

windows may also be available for an

extra fee. Anything special your home

requires can usually be negotiated as part

of your service package.

The schedule for cleaning is important,

too. You’ll want it to be at a convenient,

predictable time and occur frequently

enough to meet your needs and

your budget.

Give It a Try

When you find a cleaning service that

looks like a good fit, it’s smart to hire them

on a trial basis before signing any longterm

contracts. You’ll want to see if their

actual work lives up to their promises.

If the trial period meets your expectations,

find out whether the cleaning

service requires a contract or offers any

discounts for signing one. Some companies

will require you to sign a long-term

service agreement, while others will be

OK with doing one-time jobs or occasional

cleaning as needed.

Product

Selection

Ask the cleaning

company

about the products

they’ll be

using in your

home. Some

companies

have options

for products

that are natural,

chemical-free,

pet-friendly,

or designed to

help people with

allergies.

“ G r e e n ”

cleaning is a

popular trend

right now, and

for a good reason.

There are

many products

derived from

Mother Nature

that work as well, if not better than, the

traditional chemicals used by cleaning

companies years ago. If this is important

to you, ask whether the company’s products

are good for your health and for the

environment.

Trustworthy Employees

It’s smart to hire a cleaning service

on a trial basis before signing any longterm

contracts. You’ll want to see if

their work lives up to their promises.

Because you’ll be inviting the cleaning

service into your home, you need to

make sure the employees can be trusted.

The best cleaning services will do

background checks on all their employees

to give customers peace of mind. You

obviously don’t want a stranger with a

criminal background coming into your

home.

Background checks are only a start,

though, so you’ve got to rely on the cleaning

company’s reputation as well.

Good maid services will have a long

track record and lots of happy customers.

They don’t stay in business unless they’re

trustworthy and do a good job, so look for

a company with a long-term reputation

in your community.

Consistent Work

It’s important that your house is

cleaned consistently, exactly how you

expect with each visit.

One of the best ways to do this is by

making sure the company will be sending

the same person for each cleaning visit.

When you have the same person cleaning

your house every time, they’ll get to know

your home and your expectations, which

means you’ll be more likely to get consistent

results from them.

There are times when your regular

maid may not be able to show up due to

illness or scheduling conflicts, though.

Find out what the cleaning service does

in that case and whether they’ll give you

the option to reschedule the cleaning or

send a replacement maid.

Do your homework and shop carefully,

and you can find a cleaning service that

can save time from your busy schedule

and make your home look fantastic.


CUSTOM

CABINETRY

FOR EVERY BUDGET & SPACE

VISIT OUR SHOWROOM – 1969 Park Street, Sheldon, IA

CONTACT US TODAY – www.gecabinetryInc.com • 712-324-0064

36

LAUNDRY l BATH l FIREPLACE | CLOSET l WET BAR l KITCHEN


HOW TO CHOOSE KITCHEN AND BATH DESIGN

Functionality plays

major part in process

Any builder or real estate agent

will tell you that upgraded, stylish

kitchens and bathrooms are the

most in-demand areas of a home to

remodel for your own comfort and pleasure

or to sell your home.

Kitchen and bath remodeling can

improve your home’s value and increase

its charm. This is especially true if your

current kitchen and baths are dated and

showing their age. And while remodeling

can be costly, these are areas where you

don’t want to cut corners. After all, you

use your kitchen and bath every day you

are in your home.

If it’s time for some updates in your

home, here are some things to consider

with regard to kitchen and bath remodeling.

Function

Functionality is paramount. What

exactly will you be doing in this room?

Do you eat in your kitchen, or in a dining

room? Some people get dressed in their

bathroom, while others put on clothing

in their bedrooms.

Make a list of all the activities you perform

in the room. Prioritize this list from

most important to the least.

Upon finishing this list, figure out the

items you need to store in your bathroom

or kitchen. Do you really need to have

the washer and dryer near your kitchen

or bathroom? Can you create a closet

in your bathroom?

Next, create

a floor plan.

Think about

your traffic

pattern as you

complete tasks.

When you are

tired from a

hard day, you

will be glad you thought ahead.

Some people use their kitchen to

entertain guests. If that is your preference,

include it in your floor plan. You

might want to add a bar or table for

entertaining.

Everyone wishes that they had more

storage space, so be sure to build it into

your design.

Décor

Look for inspiration. Leaf through

home design magazines to find appealing

designs. Make notes on what you like

most about each design scheme.

Also consider watching home design

shows or looking on the Internet. You can

often find the most up-to-date information

from those sources.

If you are redecorating to sell your

home, keep in mind what future homeowners

may enjoy. In the kitchen, consider

using stainless steel appliances. They

usually are easy to clean.

Neutral flooring is always a

good option. These floor coverings

consist of sustainable,

low-maintenance material. They

are a good choice for any kitchen

or bathroom.

Neutral paint may open up

opportunities for a variety of

decorating options. It could

make it easier to change the

decor in the future. If you sell

your home, it allows potential

buyers to visualize their own

preferences in that space.

Of course, any room you

design must be coordinated with

the design of other rooms in

your home. If your house has a contemporary,

modern or traditional design, you

will want the kitchen and bath to blend

with that decor.

Experts suggest that you spend most of

your money on countertops. It is often a

focal point in any room.

Small accent pieces can also help

boost your design. Pick unique pieces

that display your personality.

Budget

Remodeling can be expensive. Experts

recommend you spend up to 20 percent

of your home’s value on remodeling the

kitchen, and less than that on remodeling

the bath.

You can save money by adding a coat

of fresh paint to your current kitchen

cabinets or installing energy efficient

appliances. Leave some room in your

budget to hire a professional to do electrical

and plumbing work, along with

other chores you are uncomfortable with

doing yourself. It will save you money in

the long run.


38


HOW TO BE PREPARED WHEN APPLYING FOR A MORTGAGE

Know what affordability and who will sign

Finding the home of your dreams is

only one half of the equation when

it comes to home ownership. The

other vitally important step is securing a

mortgage.

Your income and credit history will be

the basis of your application. But in addition,

be prepared in these seven areas to

simplify the process.

1. Who will be signing the mortgage?

Your lender will want pay stubs from each

buyer listed on the loan, as well as their

last two years’ tax returns. You should

expect to show your bank balances at

all institutions you do business with,

and be able to explain any unusually

large deposits or withdrawals into your

accounts.

2. Figure out what you can afford. As

a general rule of thumb, your monthly

mortgage payment should be no more

than 28 percent of your gross income.

Your total debt for the mortgage plus

any other monthly payments — say a car

loan for example — should be no more

than 36 percent of your gross income.

This will help you know how much you

can borrow.

3. Know the market. Depending on the

community or development that you are

looking to buy in, there may be stricter

standards. Ask your real estate professional

for guidance in this area.

4. Pay attention to your credit score. If

you have an account balance that could

be paid off in short term, do so. This will

raise your credit score. Avoid opening

any new accounts or doing anything

that requires a credit check, as this will

lower it.

5. Pay off debt. If you can pay off a credit

card, car loan or other loan, do so. This

will help you keep your total debt ratio

within the acceptable 36 percent ratio.

6. Be sure your taxes are current. It

goes without saying that you need to be

in good standing with Uncle Sam. Be

sure the documents share with the bank

match those filed with the IRS.

7. Avoid big purchases. It may be

tempting to make purchases for that

dream home once you’ve been approved

for a loan and had an offer accepted. This

could sabotage your loan by changing

your debt percentage. Also, don’t make

large cash purchases, as this will change

your bank account balances.

Be patient during the process and keep

your focus on the big picture goal of owning

your dream home. The rest will come

together in due time.


TOGETHER LET’S DRIVE!

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Hi-Way Chevrolet-Buick has an extensive inventory of NEW,

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40


Finding

the right

used car

dealer is

almost as

important

as buying

the best

used

vehicle.

HOW TO CHOOSE A USED CAR DEALER

Right ones provide vehicles at right price

Buying a used car can meet many

needs. It saves money and with

some effort you’ll be able to find

the right car to match both your budget

and your desires in a vehicle. If you’re a

fan of makes of older vehicles, buying a

used car is your only choice.

Unfortunately, used car dealers get a

bad rap as sleazy businesspeople looking

to take advantage of unsuspecting

customers. Sometimes the negative reputation

is deserved. Countless Americans

have left a used car lot only to learn that

they just took on unfair financing for an

unreliable car.

On the other hand, reputable used car

dealers are a godsend for millions of other

Americans. They provide reliable, used

autos at an affordable price. If you’re in

the market for a used car, you only need

to know what you want to buy and how

to spot a dishonest dealer.

Here are a few tips.

Choose Your Vehicle

Knowing what you want will help you

save time and effort. You may not know

the exact make and model, but at least

have an idea of the automobile type. Are

you searching for a sports car, SUV, pickup

truck or van? Focusing on the type of

car will help you avoid wasting time visiting

dealerships that don’t sell the type of

used car you need.

Search Guides

Figuring out your budget is essential.

How much do you want to spend? Search

the Kelly Blue Book (http://kbb.com) or

the NADA Guides (http://nada.com/) for

what you might spend on the type of car

you prefer.

Also, search the Internet and car websites

to get a firm idea of asking prices for

your type of car.

Talk to Friends and Family

Friends and family members who

enjoy cars as a hobby will have information

for you about reliable dealers. If they

have recently purchased a used car, they

will have experience with who treated

them right — as well as who didn’t. Word

of mouth is one of the best indicators of a

reliable business.

When you find a business that gets

more than one positive review, make sure

to check them out.

Make Appointments

Compile a list of dealerships you want

to visit.

Call and make appointments with

salespeople. Ask them about financing

and extended warranties. Both may figure

prominently in your decision-making

process.

Try to speak with everyone on your list.

Comparing as many people as possible

will help you avoid making a hasty, uninformed

decision.

Visit Dealerships

See each dealership in person to look

for cars that match your type. Going there

will help you feel confident about doing

business with them.

When you look at cars, ask about maintenance

and previous owner reports.

Don’t purchase a car on the first visit.

Just take a business card and move on to

the next dealership on your list.

Once you have seen everyone on

your list, research customer reviews of

the ones who impressed you the most.

You will find the best dealership by considering

who will give you the best deal

and who has received the best customer

reviews.

Finding the right used car dealer is

almost as important as buying the best

used vehicle. After all, you want to make

sure you are doing business with reputable

people who will stand behind their

sales. You don’t want to end up with a

“lemon” and end up having to start the

search for a new used car all over again.


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PEOPLE, AS THE

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42

Mark Zomer - 712-470-2526

Blake Zomer - 712-460-2552

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AGENTS

712.476.9443 • ROCK VALLEY, IA • EST. 1960


HOW TO CHOOSE A LAND REALTOR

Professional

will guide you

during process

If you’re in the market to purchase

(or sell) land for an investment or to

develop or farm on yourself, you’ll

need a real estate agent who specializes

in land purchases.

Like any real estate deal, considerations

and negotiations can be complicated

so a professional

who can guide you

through the myriad issues

is essential.

Here are some things to

consider when selecting

an agent.

Specialization

Real estate agents are

usually generalists with

experience in handling a

wide variety of properties.

But land deals are often

better served by people

who specialize in that specific kind of

transaction.

Why does it matter? It boils down to

two things: connections and experience.

Realtors who regularly work land deals

will already have deep connections in

that field, including putting you in touch

with potential buyers and sellers they’ve

worked with in the past. They’ll know the

best land attorneys, appraisers and other

professionals because they’ve worked

with them for years, giving you valuable

insights into who can help you when

needed and how to get the best deal for

your property.

And their experience in dealing with

property similar to yours is key. Whether

your land is recreational, agricultural

or commercial, finding a real estate

agent with a long background in similar

properties will give you an advantage in

negotiations.

Transacting properties intended for

a special use, like commercial land in a

city, require someone with an in-depth

knowledge of local regulations and zoning

requirements to make sure the buyer

can take full advantage of their property

as they develop it in the future. A local

agent who specializes in this can give you

more insights than one who only deals

with this type of property occasionally.

Referrals

A great way to find a good Realtor is

through referrals.

If you know someone who bought or

sold land like yours recently, ask them

about which real estate agent they used

and what they thought of their work. The

best sellers’ agents will work extremely

hard to sell properties quickly, and buyers’

agents will do everything they can

to make transactions close smoothly, on

time and at a fair price. The best ones will

have plenty of satisfied clients on both

sides of the transaction — buyers and

sellers — so ask around.

The best Realtors will also get a good

reputation in their own industry. If you’ve

worked with a real estate agent in the

past, you could ask them to refer you to

someone who specializes in completing

deals similar to yours. They may be able

to give you the inside scoop on who deals

with the most land sales.

A Good Match

Beyond having the experience and

connections to complete land deals for

you, the best land Realtors will also make

a good connection with you and be able

to communicate with you clearly.

You won’t necessarily “click” with every

real estate agent’s personality, but you

need to consider how clearly you can talk

with them. It can be an important part

of making sure your needs and wants

are accomplished in the deal so you’re

happy long after the transaction has been

completed.

If you are selling your land, your agent

should develop an effective marketing

plan, explain it to you, and respond to

any questions or concerns you have.

If you are purchasing land, the agent

should listen to your guidelines and

price ranges, showing you properties that

closely match what you ask for.

Above all, your real estate agent needs

to provide updates on progress. You’ll

want to work with someone who returns

phone calls and emails promptly.

Keep Contact

Once you find a good land Realtor,

keep their contact information on hand.

You may need their services again in the

future, and you can pass along a good

reference to anyone else you know who

needs to buy or sell property.

A great land agent can be hard to find,

but the results are very rewarding.


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Our lawn care services are top of the line! B & K Landscaping is

the local expert to call for your lawn care needs. We o!er lawn

installation, aeration, maintenance, lawn sweeping, dethatching, and

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712.476.9970 • Rock Valley, IA

Est. 1995

44


HOW TO CHOOSE A LAWN CARE SERVICE

Some offer mowing

but not other services

Your lawn makes a statement about

you and your home. But upkeep is

challenging in today’s busy world.

By the time the weekend comes around,

taking on the hard work of lawn maintenance

can lose its appeal quickly.

But if you’re willing to trade a little

money for summer leisure time, you

could get expert help keeping your lawn

in top condition.

Here are a few things to keep in mind

when enlisting the help of a professional

lawn service:

Decide What You Want

What is it that you need? Simple grass

cutting? Planting and flower bed care?

Pest control?

Understanding the different duties that

each company

offers is key.

Sometimes a

lawn care professional

will

offer quotes for

mowing but

will not have

the option to maintain any shrubs or

small trees. Make sure you know what

you need and what you’ll be getting.

Philosophy and Methods

Some chemicals are eco-friendly and

others are not, so if environmental issues

are a central concern, find a company

to keep your yard green with “green”

practices.

A good way of testing a company is

to see their methods of preparation. If

they test your soil before recommending

a fertilization plan, they’re serious and

methodical about their work.

Another deciding factor could be consultation

fees. Requesting a free estimate

of service costs will benefit you in the

long run. Beware of organizations that

offer annual pricing without seeing the

size of your yard.

Recommendations

The people you interact with every day

can help you make the best use of your

money by recommending proficient

lawn care services.

People who live near you will also be

acquainted with the services provided by

various professionals in your area. They

can recommend a service based on what

you need.

Method of Payment

There are a variety of ways to compensate

your lawn care provider. Some

companies will utilize a verbal agreement

that can be canceled by either party at

any time while others will require a yearly

contract.

Understanding what will happen if

there is an early cancellation or change

in terms halfway through your contract

is important. Accomplishing these steps

will save you from a headache down the

line.

Annual Fees or Pay

Per Treatment?

Most lawn care providers will offer two

methods of payment. The cost-effective

option will vary depending on the size

and needs of your lawn.

For the majority of providers, an

annual contract will save you money

in the long run. But compare the prices

between one-time treatments and longterm

agreements to know for sure.

Credentials

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is

here for consumer benefit.

Luckily, you have the opportunity to

check the record of any local business

with your local BBB in order to assure

yourself that your lawn will be treated

with care. The best lawn care companies

will have a clean record with the BBB.

Are They Flexible?

Last on our list is flexibility. If an organization

cannot make adjustments to

their routine based on your needs, do

they deserve your business?

If you want to exterminate the bulk of

your weeds, will the company skip the

pre-emergent crabgrass herbicide and

utilize post-emergent removal treatment?

The journey to finding a reliable

lawn care provider should not be hard.

Thankfully, there are many extraordinary

businesses right around the corner if you

shop carefully.


Where helping

you protect

what you own is more

than our business...

It is our

PRIVILEGE

J & K Insurance is an

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•HOME & AUTO•LIFE & HEALTH

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&

Insurance

Agency

Mark

Fuhrman

Stacey

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Jessica

Wimmer

127 W. Second Street, Sutherland, IA • www.thejkway.com • 712-446-2663

46


HOW TO SELECT THE RIGHT INSURANCE AGENT

Will go through various options for budget

Insurance protects your valuables —

your home, auto and other assets —

and brings peace of mind in the event

of a disaster, theft or other unexpected

event. So selecting the right insurance

agent for your needs is one of the most

important decisions you can make.

Unfortunately, not every agent is the

reliable, reputable agent professional

you’d hope. It’s important to make sure

you vet your agent prior to opting into the

coverage they offer.

An experienced agent can walk you

through various options, keeping in

mind your budget and lifestyle. Your

financial future depends on finding the

right person to help you get insurance

that will fit your needs.

Ask for Referrals

Family, friends and colleagues have

likely worked with insurance agents in

the past. Ask people you trust for referrals.

If you receive a recommendation, it

is because that person has had a positive

experience. There is a strong likelihood

that you will have similar results.

Good agents understand that offering

great service will keep them in business.

Their careers depend on word-of-mouth.

If you are happy with the service you

receive, your insurance agent will appreciate

your willingness to send business

their way.

Research

If you do not have recommendations,

begin researching your options. Begin

by looking at local companies and brokers.

As you conduct your research, be

thorough and critical. Buying a policy is

similar to purchasing a new car or home.

It truly is that important.

Select a company that is highly regarded

by consumers. Read reviews of each

company to determine who has the most

satisfied clients. Are they easy to work

with? Have there been any problems with

collecting on a policy?

Also, check that any prospective agent

has all necessary licenses and training.

Interviews

After narrowing your list of prospective

agents, make an appointment to visit

each one. Prepare a list of questions and

concerns about your personal situation.

Take notes during your meeting. Remember

that you must feel comfortable with

the answers before purchasing a policy.

If an agent tries to pressure you into

making a decision right away, inform him

that you need more time and cannot sign

anything immediately.

The right agent will let you take as

much time as you need to understand the

implications of each policy. They will give

you useful information and not subject

you to high-pressure sales techniques.

Your agent should be available. The

relationship doesn’t end once the sale is

completed. Your dialogue should be continuous.

The best agents are available in

the event you have to file a claim.

Agents who have been in business for

many years likely have a good reputation

and track record. They understand the

policies and will even take extra care that

you are properly protected.

It is essential that you choose the right

type and amount of insurance to adequately

protect yourself and your financial

future. The policy should be tailored

to fit your specific needs.

A seasoned, skilled insurance agent will

be an invaluable resource for safeguarding

your future.


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48


HOW TO CHOOSE A GOLD BUYER

Make sure to get right price for valuables

When we need quick cash,

thoughts turn to the most

valuable items in our possession.

That generally means gold. In the

past few years, interest in gold increased

sharply. And that’s created whole new

gold buying and selling markets in cities

throughout the nation.

Americans are rummaging through

their homes looking for broken gold

jewelry. Selling gold necklaces, rings and

other items has become a common way

to get quick cash.

It also comes with a huge risk: potential

dealings with unscrupulous experts who

lack experience in determining the proper

value of these items. Many pieces of

jewelry might be worth more than their

gold content or melt value.

Anyone can make a mistake, but flyby-night

operators will often offer far less

than the melt value of the gold in these

items. They are counting on your lack of

knowledge.

Infomercials have also flooded the

airwaves with ploys offering “immediate

cash for your unwanted gold.” But mailing

gold in flimsy prepaid envelopes to

these dealers is the same as dropping

cash into the mail.

Exercise caution when selling gold.

While many buyers are honest and reputable,

finding them requires research.

Here are some tips to help you get the

most money from selling your unwanted

gold.

Research

Do some research to determine the

gold content of an item. Gold is soft, so

Exercise caution when selling gold.

While many buyers are honest and reputable,

finding them requires research.

it must be alloyed with other metals to

increase its hardness and durability.

Jewelry usually has an inscription

identifying the purity of its gold content.

For instance, 24-karat gold contains 99.9

percent gold. It is measured in terms of

a troy ounce, equal to about 1.00 troy

ounce, the kind of ounce we use in measuring

butter, flour and body weight.

One troy ounce of 14-karat gold contains

14/24th troy ounce of the pure metal.

Visit Reputable

Jewelry Stores

Next, take your gold items to reputable

jewelers in your area for their opinion.

A jeweler may charge a small fee for this

service. It is the best way to establish the

gold content when the piece lacks markings.

Take it to more than one jeweler to

verify the findings.

The Better Business Bureau and the

Internet are valuable sources of information

about gold buyers. Poor dealers

usually leave a pile of complaints from

disgruntled sellers whom they’ve allegedly

cheated. Do not deal with these companies.

Also, if a gold buyer operates from their

home or business unrelated to precious

metals, be careful. They probably don’t

have enough experience to provide an

accurate evaluation of your items.

It pays to use a local business. If you

must mail your gold items, insure the

package and use registered mail available

at the United States Postal Service. You

could use a shipper that offers package

tracking and delivery verification. Do not

trust someone you don’t know and have

never met.

At Palace Jewelers in Rock Rapids, IA,

and Worthington, MN there is no limit to

the amount of items you can bring. They

offer free price quotes, friendly, honest,

professional, and fair offers with absolutely

no obligations!


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50


HOW TO CHOOSE A STORAGE BUILDING

What’s right fit for

items and property

If your garage is become less of a place

to park and protect your car and more

of a storage area, you may want to

consider adding a storage building to

your property. Storage buildings come in

all shapes and sizes and create a convenient

place to keep outdoor equipment

or items you use infrequently but need to

protect from the elements.

Small, affordable outdoor buildings

can be picked up at most home improvement

stores and assembled either by

yourself or by experienced staff at the

store. Larger buildings will likely require

some assistance in installing, especially if

you wish to add a foundation. But before

you hit the market for a new building,

keep these tips in mind.

Construction

Quality material and construction

is a must. The building might be more

expensive, but it will be worth it.

There are no standardized building

codes for outdoor storage buildings.

While many companies use solid

materials, others are out to make fast

money. Their reputation means little

since they don’t plan to be in business

for long.

High-quality storage buildings are

similar to a well-built home. The walls are

sturdy; the decking and roof trusses are

solid. A well-made roof will keep out the

elements. These buildings will not leak,

so your possessions will be safe.

Don’t overlook the flooring. It should

consist of solid joists and decking thick

enough to prevent sagging. The flooring

should meet or exceed your expectations.

Pay more to get better flooring.

Design

Another important factor is functional

design. Purchase the best-designed

building that you can afford. If you cannot

assemble the unit easily, then the

quality of your materials won’t matter.

Your unit should have plenty of room

for shelving and adequate floor space.

Think of everything you will need to

put inside the

building. People

use these

units for a variety

of reasons.

Some people

need room for

a tractor while

others might

keep small

gardening

equipment on

the shelves.

You might

need more

windows, skylight

or electrical

lighting.

Maybe you

need a wide door or one that opens in a

particular direction. If you hang things,

then look for building with space for

hooks.

Units with an attractive exterior will

complement your home. You can choose

from a wide array of siding, trim, and

roof shingles without overshooting your

budget.

While you might not think much about

the appearance of the building, it is worth

it when you consider that it could add to

the appeal of your house and property.

The Retailer

A superior retailer will help you find

a unit that offers you the best value for

your money.

Some retailers will assemble the building

for you. It is often the best option.

Misinterpreted blueprints and gouges

from a screwdriver can have an impact

on the overall appearance of the unit.

It might even make it impossible to put

together. Let a professional handle this

job.

If you are on a tight budget, you might

inquire about a payment plan. It will

likely be cheaper than the monthly rental

expense of a commercial storage facility.

Buying a unit that features quality construction

and design from a top-notch

retailer makes good sense. It is a great

way to gain a durable and functional

storage space.

Let a professional handle this job while

you admire the view from your kitchen

window.

Payment plans can be an invaluable

option when you are short on cash. By

keeping the building yourself, you save

the monthly rental expense of a commercial

storage facility. That’s money that

stays in your pocket.

Weighing the variables of construction,

design and a quality retailer against all

the other factors in choosing an outdoor

storage building makes good sense.


52


Shopping

local retailers is

more than just

a transaction

- it is crucial

for maintaining

the economic

foundation

of local

communities

HOW TO SUPPORT LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES

Why supporting small businesses matters

While online giants and big box

retailers seem to be everywhere,

offering an endless array of

products with the convenience of low

prices, small businesses provide a range

of benefits that go far beyond the ease

of a mouse click or mountains of merchandise.

Shopping local retailers is more

than just a transaction - it is crucial for

maintaining the economic foundation

of local communities. Let’s take a look

at the many ways it pays to shop small

businesses during the holidays and all

year long.

Strengthen the local

economy

A large percentage of the money

spent at small businesses stays in the

community. That’s because these businesses

often are owned and operated by

local residents who are invested in the

community themselves. Various studies

indicate that for every $100 spent at a

small business, roughly $70 stays in the

community.

Enhanced customer service

Owners and employees of small businesses

have a keen interest in keeping

customers happy. They often do so by

providing superior customer service.

Tailoring recommendations, exhibiting

a willingness to accommodate special

requests, offering a more engaging shopping

experience, and being more friendly

and connected with regular customers

sets many small businesses apart.

Support the community

Small businesses serve the community

through the products and services they

offer, and many give back in other ways

as well. Small, locally owned businesses

often sponsor schools, sports teams and

charities. This helps foster a sense of

belonging in the community.

Innovative offerings

Small businesses are not beholden to

corporate policies or franchise restrictions,

so they can more readily bring new

life to existing ideas and trends. Small

businesses can offer customers different

options that larger retailers cannot

match.

Job creation

Small businesses employ a significant

percentage of the workforce and

frequently provide jobs that might not

be available in larger corporate settings.

The U.S. Small Business Administration

Office of Advocacy says small businesses

have generated 12.9 million net new jobs

over the past 25 years, accounting for two

out of every three jobs added to the U.S.

economy. Keeping residents working

helps strengthen local communities.


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213 N. Union Street • Rock Rapids, IA 51246

SERVICING NORTHWEST IOWA SINCE 1984!

54


Roll-off containers come in a variety of shapes and volumes to suit different

jobs, making it easy to find a container fit your particular need.

HOW TO CHOOSE A ROLL-OFF CONTAINER

Location, capacity matters in picking unit

Roll-off containers are large, portable

trash and debris receptacles

often seen adjacent to construction

sites or homes where major remodeling

is under way. These large containers keep

the property clean and safe from waste

and come in all shapes and sizes, and can

be picked up and hauled away after your

job is finished.

Here are some things to consider when

shopping for a roll-off container.

Location

Deciding where to put the container is

much more complicated than it sounds.

It needs to be close to the actual work

site, if possible. If you are renovating your

house, for instance, you should have the

container as close as you can get it to the

door where workers will be carrying their

debris from the demolition. The fewer

footsteps they take, the easier it will be to

finish the job on a timely basis.

There are other things to consider too,

including:

Access: Does the vehicle have access to

where the container needs to be placed?

Big containers need big trucks to maneuver

them into position.

Elevation: Roll-off containers should

always be placed on relatively flat

ground. Properties that have too many

hills could cause difficulties.

Surface conditions: Wet or muddy

ground can make it difficult to install or

remove a roll-off container. Be sure the

ground is solid enough to hold lots of

weight.

Capacity

Choosing the right size is another

important aspect in choosing the proper

container.

The proportion of the container will

depend on the job you are doing. Estimate

how many cubic yards of waste

will be created. This task is easy for

experienced contractors to do. If you

are uncertain how to do it, a good refuse

company will help you.

It is always smart to plan on getting

a container that is a little bigger than

what you might need. Having excess

capacity is much better than having to

haul away an extra load, which will add

to your overall costs.

Do some price comparisons to

determine whether it is better to use

one giant roll-off container or several

small ones for multiple loads. Since

they come in a variety of shapes and

volumes to suit different jobs, you can

easily find a container fit your particular

need.



56

We’ve got you

COVERED

IOWA

INFORMATION

MEDIA GROUP

nwest

.com

Sheldon | Sioux Center | Hawarden | Okoboji | Moville

Sibley | Le Mars | Remsen | Carroll | Jefferson

FORCE Wi loway wi l deliver

noon meals in Pau lina

PAULLINA—The Wi loway Complex

in Sutherland is o fering meals to

Pau lina residents.

The facility is looking to see if the

community has enough interest

before commi ting.

The noon meals wi l start out being

o fered twice a week at a cost of $10

per meal.

Recipients must live in the Pau lina

city limits and must contact Wi loway

to secure meals the week before

their delivery. Meals wi l not be available

on weekends.

Cal Ke li Harms at 712-395-3040

if interested in receiving meals during

the week.

South O’Brien board to

meet Jan. 20 in Pau lina

PAULLINA—The South O’Brien

School District Board of Education’s

next regular monthly meeting is set

for 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, in the

7-12 building in Pau lina. For more

information, contact superintendent

Wade Riley at 712-949-2115 or wriley@soswolverines.org.

Food Bank distribution

on Jan. 20 in Pau lina

PAULLINA—The Food Bank of Iowa

has partnered with First Presbyterian

Church in Pau lina to fight hunger by

coordinating a mobile pantry program

in O’Brien County. The distributions

take place on the third Monday of

every odd-numbered month with

the next one scheduled for 4-6 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 20. People are encouraged

to bring bags, laundry baskets

or boxes to ca ry their food. For more

information, ca l the church at 712-

949-3487 or the Food Bank of Iowa

at 515-564-0330 or visit www.foodbankiowa.org.

Sutherland City Council

to hold Feb. 3 meeting

SUTHERLAND—The Sutherland

City Council’s next regular monthly

meeting is set for 7 p.m. Monday,

Feb. 3, a the R.L. Johannsen Center

downtown. For more information, ca l

the city o fice at 712-446-2243.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 2025 | SECTION E

SUN SPOTS

WEEKEND WEATHER SATURDAY

0% chance of precip

SUNDAY

0% chance of precip

14°/-9° 2°/-12°

FIRE CHIEF

RETIRING

Sutherland fire chief Mark Shriver

to hang up his helmet as a

longtime community firefighter.

— SEE MORE ON E3

NEXT ISSUE:

Submissions deadline:

5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27

Publication:

Saturday, Feb. 1

Submit story ideas and briefly notices to

editor@iowainformation.com

or 712-324-5347 Ext. 4.

www.nwestiowa.com

BY MIKAELA MACKEY

MMACKEY@NWESTIOWA.COM

UTHERLAND—A change to

the Sutherland Police Department

model has increased its

o ficers from one to six, plus

K-9 Oliver, over six months.

The city traditiona ly looked to

hire a sole fu l-time o ficer. However,

after going months between

o ficers being hired and stepping

down, spli ting the one job up into

multiple part-time positions seems

to have made the role more desirable.

“This a l started back in July,” said

police chief Brent Koppie. “There’s

a nationwide problem with finding

law enforcement o ficers. Most

departments are spending considerable

amounts of time recruiting

and can take months, to even a

couple of years to fi l positions. The

opportunity came up about the

concept of doing an a l-part-time

police department, and so a l of our

o ficers are a l certified o ficers and

have jobs elsewhere.”

On Koppie’s team are o ficers Jake

Dyslin, Kenny Frank, Cain Junkman,

Wi l Roder and John Se ls — and as

of Jan. 6 — K-9 Oliver, a narcotics

detection dog.

“We haven’t rea ly needed to grow

our budget,” Koppie said. “We’re

able to operate at about the same

level financia ly that we were operating

when it was just a one-person

See POLICE on page E9

BY MIKAELA MACKEY


UTHERLAND—The Sutherland Police Department

has a new face on the team — one with

fu ry ears.

K-9 Oliver is certified by the U.S. Police

Canine Association as a narcotics detection dog.

The Sutherland City Council reformed its cu rent

police policy and procedure manual to include a K-9

policy at its Jan. 6 meeting, o ficia ly adding Oliver to

the team.

Oliver is a 4-year-old purebred German shepherd.

He is trained to locate i legal substances including

methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, marijuana, and

fentanyl. in vehicles and buildings, and to track missing

persons or suspects.

“When he sme ls it, he wi l sit down,” said o ficer

and K-9 handler Cain Junkman. “He’s not a bite dog,

he’s just a drug dog. He also

does tracking and article

recovery. So, he’s a

passive dog — passive

alert.”

Oliver received

his original training

at Midwest K-9 in Des

Moines. Oliver and Junkman

then completed the

U.S. Police Canine Association

K-9 certification trials to

receive their annual narcotics

detection certification. The

See K-9 on page E8

New police dog Oliver is

introduced to the Sutherland

City Council at its Jan.

6 meeting. The K-9 is a

trained narcotics detection

dog and tracker. Photo

by Mikaela Mackey

Sutherland police chief Brent Koppie introduces his fe low part-time o ficers

who have a l joined the community law enforcement force fo lowing

a change to the department model in July. Photo by Mikaela Mackey

Narcotics detection

canine joins city’s

law enforcement

Six part-timers police

community of Sutherland

is with them

The

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Falcons wrestle at home

Grapplers see lots of action

in front of home crowd.

— READ MORE ON PAGE 04

INDEPENDENT

HAWARDEN

IRETON EXAMINER THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2025 | VOL. 147 NO. 3

712-551-1051 | $ 1.50

www.nwestiowa.com

INSIDE:

Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

For the Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Religion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Serves as finance

officer since April

BY KATIE ANDERSON

KANDERSON@NWESTIOWA.COM

Tracey Reinking has resigned as

Hawarden’s finance o ficer. Her

last day is set for Friday, Jan. 17,

ending 25 years of working with

the city.

Reinking began her career as

utility bi ling clerk in April of

1999. She was then promoted to

finance director in April.

Reinking’s resignation became

o ficial during the Wednesday,

Jan. 8, Hawarden City Council

meeting.

“Thank you for the opportunity

to work with the sta f and citizens

of the city of Hawarden,” Reinking

wrote in her resignation le ter.

“I have had the opportunity to

work with an amazin group of

people over the last 25 years. I am

grateful for the experience and

knowledge I have gained during

my time here. I am commi ted to

making the transition process as

smooth as possible.”

The council praised Reinking

during the meeting.

“Thank you Tracey for the years

that you’ve put into the city,”

council member Robert Klocke

said. “I know you’re a dedicated

soul.”

“Thank you for a l of the things

you have done over the years, I

wish you the best of luck on your

new adventures,” said council

member Kristi Warner.

“I do rea ly appreciate everything

you’ve done Tracey, you’ve

been a long-term, loyal employee

— we go back a lot of years when

you first started and I just only

wish you the best,” said council

member Pa ty Anderson.

The city has started looking for

Reinking’ successor. Interested

individuals can send a resume

and cover le ter to 1150 Central

Ave., Hawarden, 51023, or by

e-mailing mayor@cityofhawarden.com.

For more information,

visit www.cityofhawarden.com.

“I just want to say thank you

to our citizens of Hawarden

because they have made this a

home for me, I wan to say thank

you,” Reinking said.

Reinking resigns

after 25 years at city

Hawarden’s city finance o ficer thanked the citizens of Hawarden and

announced her resignation after working over 25 years for the city of

Hawarden in one capacity or another. Reinkings last day wi l be Friday,

Jan. 17. Photo by Katie Anderson

Conservation’s ‘Buy a Brick’

campaign happening now

BY JOYA BREEMS

NEWS@NWESTIOWA.COM

An outdoor amphitheater is coming to Oak

Grove Park and wi l be located nex to the Prairie

Woods Nature Center. Sioux County Conservation

broke ground in early December on a new project

north of Hawarden and it’s slated to be completed

by early summer.

“The dream of the amphitheater came when we

wanted to have an outdoor gathering space,” said

Sunday Ford, Sioux County Conservation assistant

director/environmental education coordinator.

“We needed quite a few kids to see what we wanted

to show them, and there’s not a tiered seating

area for them outdoors,”

Last year, the Prairie Woods Nature Center saw

more than 9,000 visitors and hosted more than

170 programs. It often hosted school visits of more

than 100 children.

“With most of our programs, we like to have a

live animal aspect to them, and that is where the

tiered seating comes in handy for everyone to see

and for walking through the audience,” Ford said.

She looks forward to using the amphitheater

space to host programs like a Dutch oven cooking

class, owl and falcon demonstrations, and live

music. When not used for programming, the space

wi l be open to the public as an outdoor seating

and picnic area.

“As we’ve been going through our programming,

we’re seeing more come up. This is going to be

great. We have that amphitheater now, so we can

do that there,” Ford said.

B & K Landscaping & Lawn Service of Rock Valley,

is doing the construction and the design, with

See AMPHITHEATER on page 3

Oak Grove State Park to amp up outdoor gatherings

Foundation stones outline where an outdoor amphitheater is being constructed at Oak

Grove Park north of Hawarden. It has been a dream of the Sioux County Conservation

Board to have an outdoor gathering space a the park. Photo submi ted

BY KATIE ANDERSON

KANDERSON@NWESTIOWA.COM

he Hawarden City Council voted to hire

Jacob Stoner as its city administrator during

the Wednesday, Jan. 8, meeting.

Stoner served as interim city administrator

starting in September 2023 before

answering the ca l of duty for a yearlong deployment

starting in May.

“Is there a downside to hiring Jacob to do it?”

said council member Derek A len.

A len said the city administrator spot is a tough

position to fi l and with Stoner being the only

applicant and already having the experience, he

said it makes the most sense to o fer him the

job.

“To me, that makes sense,” A len said. “I

mean we had him in that position beforehand,

maybe some things didn’t go as

we l as we wanted but I think overa l what

he was dealt he handled himself very we l

so I would like to see him in that position going

forward.”

The resolution to hire Stoner as the city administrator

passed by a 4-0 vote with council member

Monte Harvey absent from the meeting.

Mayor Larry Gregg voiced his approval of

Stoner during the mayor’s report.

“I believe we need to commit to Jacob Stoner as

city administrator,” Gregg said. “Jacob knows the

employees, citizens and the cha lenges that we

face as a city. He was the acting administrator for

the city for seven or eight months while continuing

to do the finance job and training Tracey for

the finance job.”

Gregg said Stoner

could potentia ly come

back and do both jobs

again temporarily since

city finance officer

See ADMIN on 3

Hawarden hires

Mayor looks for Stoner to ‘hit the ground

running’ following deployment

“I believe we need to commit to Jacob Stoner as city administrator. Jacob

knows the employees, citizens and the challenges that we face as a city.”

LARRY GREGG, MAYOR

Jacob Stoner wi l be Hawarden’s city

administrator when he is back from an

overseas deployment. Stoner held the

interim city administrator position as wel as

the finance director job previously. File photo

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(712) 568-3033 • Akron, IA

The Constitution is hosting a Celebration of Life

and fundraiser auction for

Adam Gabel

this Saturday, January 18 a the Akron Parish Ha l

Silent auction is from 2-7 p.m. • Live auction to begin around 8:30 p.m.

There wi l also be a gun raffle and freewi l donation meal! • Doors open at 12

July

A group of MMCRU students

stepped up to help their neighbors

in Cherokee following the flooding

in June.

The group spent Thursday, June

27, helping to clean up in the community.

They collected donations

of items which were requested and

most needed.

They had their picture taken with

Governor Kim Reynolds and the

FEMA coordinator while working

to remove sandbags from the public

library and some houses. They also

helped several residents remove

damaged items from their houses

to the curb for pick up.

Happy Siesta Care Center reported

it had received no deficiencies for

the second year in a row for their

state recertification inspection.

A new building for commercial

exhibits was constructed at the

Marcus Fairgrounds, replacing two

old quonset buildings.

A group of 28 seventh and eighth

graders from MMCRU Middle

School embarked on an educational

journey to Washington, D.C., from

June 5 to June 8.

The trip is offered every other

year for students, with the next trip

planned for 2026.

There were a number of pictures

of the MMCRU first graders field

trip to Oak Grove Park in Hawarden.

The Plymouth County Dive

Team rescued 36 people during

the flood Saturday and Sunday,

June 22-23. Those assists included

a call to assist the Hull Fire Department

with a rescue of a person from

a vehicle swept off the road; doing

search and rescue in Rock Valley for

residents affected by the high flood

waters; a rescue from a residence

north of Seney; assisted in the evaluation

of 145 people people from

a residence south of Akron; and

rescuing two people from a home

in Merrill as well as two people

trapped on a tractor.

Remsen Police and EMS personnel

participated in a training in

dealing with active shooter situations,

held at St. Mary’s School and

put on by the Plymouth County

Sheriff’s Office. Abby Phillips and

Shane Bork took part in the training.

The Tri-State Cruisers made their

annual stop in Remsen on July 3.

Car enthusiasts brought a variety of

classic vehicles to the show.

The Loutsch family held their

annual Fourth of July Tractor

Parade in Oyens.

The Remsen Pool started an

Adult Lap Swim time in July. The

swim runs from noon to 1 p.m.

Monday through Friday, giving

senior adults an opportunity to

have a swim time to themselves.

Plymouth County Fair Royalty

candidate profiles highlighted 13

queen candidates and four king

candidates for the opportunity to

represent the Plymouth County

Fair.

Deaths:

Donald Anthony Loutsch, 78, of

Le Mars, passed away Friday, June

28, 2024, at his home near Le Mars.

Richard Joseph Fredricks, 85, of

Remsen, passed away on Tuesday,

June 25, a his home in Remsen. Rich

was a cancer fighter for 10 years.

Larry Arens, 81, of Remsen,

passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday,

July 2, 2024, at the University

of Nebraska Medical Center in

Omaha.

Naomi Lynn Kappler, 87, of

Remsen, entered the kingdom of

our Lord on July 7, 2024, at Floyd

Valley Healthcare in Le Mars.

August

Jade Bunkers-Groh opened

Modified Wellness Health Spa in

the former flower shop in Main

Street in Remsen. A ribbon cutting

and launch party was held Aug. 6.

The Rev. Matt Martin was

ordained on Sunday, July 21, as

a pastor in the Lutheran Church

Missouri Synod at Christ Lutheran

Church in Remsen, where he had

been serving as vicar. He now serves

as pastor of the congregation. He is

a Moville native and spent 32 years

in law enforcement before studying

to become a pastor.

The Culpepper & Merriweather

Circus came to Remsen on July 29,

bringing with it two tigers, one lion,

two ponies, three draft horses and

one mini donkey. The tents were set

up on Remsen St. Mary’s practice

field.

Luxembourger Mark Zimer, his

wife, and two teen-age children

were guests at a dinner at which

Zimer talked about setting up a student

exchange between St. Mary’s

High School and a high school in

Luxembourg City.

Sister Mary Consolation of the

Afflicted, was in the area to raise

money for the state of a new parochial

school in the Harlem area of

New York City, where she has lived

for six years.

She was Michelle Heeren when

she graduated from St. Mary’s High

School in 2006, and is the daughter

of Doug and Vicki Heeren of Le

Mars.

There was plenty of fun and

food at the National Night Out

event hosted by the Remsen Police

Department, Remsen EMS, Remsen

Fire Department and the Remsen

Chamber of Commerce in the

downtown area. Residents were

able to meet and talk with local

first responders and see some of the

equipment they use in their work.

The Marcus Community Fair

was held Aug. 8-11, and included

a parade.

St. Mary’s Church held its 39th

Annual Parish Auction on Sunday,

Aug. 11. Many volunteers and

committee members worked hard

to make sure the St. Mary’s Parish

Auction ran smoothly and was a lot

of fun for the public to enjoy.

The Hope Angels hosted a Street

REMSEN, IOWA

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Volume 137 • Number 3 • Serving the Community Since 1887

Thursday, January 16, 2025 $1.50

Bell

ENTERPRISE

Remsen

Remsen firemen to

hold annual dance

REMSEN — The Remsen

Fire Department’s Annual

Fireman’s Dance will be held

on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025,

from 7 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. at the

Avalon Ballroom in Remsen.

Music and entertainment for

the evening will be provided

by The Johnny Holm Band,

starting at 8 p.m.

Tickets for the event can be

purchased from any Remsen

fireman and are $20 per person.

Firemen on the Remsen

Fire Department include

Chris Frederes (Chief), Doug

Owens (Assistant Chief), Josh

Gengler (Secretary/Treasurer),

Todd Tentinger (Captain), Ken

Ahlers, Jerry Braun, Chad Weiler,

Terry Maass, Lee Galles,

JT Sanow, Derek Gengler,

Michael Matgen, Mike Wurth,

Trevor Schroeder, Tyler Schiltz,

Christopher Loutsch, Joseph

Schuttpelz, Garret Schroeder,

David Grady, Brad Roling,

Andy Maass and Kyle Frericks.

Proceeds from the dance will

go towards updating fire and

rescue equipment.

RSM Old Fashioned

Oscar Cash

Breakfast Jan. 26

REMSEN — To kick off

Catholic Schools Week, the

RSM Activity Club will be hosting

an Old Fashioned Oscar

Cash Breakfast on Sunday, Jan.

26, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., at

the St. Mary’s Cafeteria.

The menu consists of egg

bake, scrambled eggs, cheesy

potatoes, sausage, ham, mixed

fruit, assorted rolls, coffee,

milk, and juice. This will be a

dine-in and carry-out breakfast.

Call the cafeteria at 786-

1433 or 712-539-2729 for

carry-outs.

A bake sale with pies, cakes,

cookies, bars, popcorn balls,

and more will also take place.

The public is invited to join

in for a great breakfast.

KC’s to hold pinochle

tournament


Knights of Columbus will be

sponsoring a pinochle tournament

on Wednesday, Jan. 22,

at the V.F.W. Hall starting at

7 p.m.

Both men and women are

invited to attend.

If you have any questions,

please call 786-2413.

Annual Bowling

Calcutta to take

place Jan. 18


Lions and Remsen Youth

Bowlers Calcutta will take place

on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025,

starting at 6:30 p.m. at Maple

Lanes Bowl.

A drawing for Sweepstakes

tickets to support the Remsen

Youth, Remsen Youth Bowling,

Royals Youth, and Remsen

Briefly

REMSEN — The Remsen Chamber of Commerce hosted their Annual Meeting and Dinner on Monday afternoon, Jan. 13, 2025, at the Golden Pheasant Steakhouse. During

the meeting, two awards were presented. The 2024 Employee/Citizen of the Year was awarded to Phil Klein of WesTel Systems. The 2024 Business of the Year was awarded

to Mrs. B’s Convenience Store. Pictured above, Phil Klein with his Employee/Citizen of the Year Award and Dee and Mike Bohnenkamp with their Business of the Year Award

for Mrs. B’s. More pictures and article about the event will be published in the Jan. 23 edition of the Remsen Bell.

(Photos by Megan Sabin)

Pictured above, Remsen’s newest full-time police officer,

Fred Landis. Fred started his first duty shift Jan. 3

and was officially sworn in at the Remsen City Council

meeting on Jan. 8.

(Photo contributed)

Remsen Police Chief Scott Allen (right) welcomes new

Remsen Police Officer Fred Landis (left).

(Photo contributed)

By: Sarah LaBrune-Jongeling

REMSEN — The city of Remsen now has two fulltime

police officers after Fred Landis was sworn in at

the Jan. 8 city council meeting. Currently, there is one

chief of police, Scott Allen, and five part-time police

officers, and Landis.

“Having another full-time officer on staff, coverage

of Remsen will be much better,” said Allen. “Fred

(Landis) and I will be able to spend more time in the

schools. I anticipate response time for emergency calls

to be faster.”

Landis is a Le Mars native, and he graduated from

Northwestern College with a sociology degree. He

previously worked for the Lyon County Sheriff’s

department as a deputy for 17 years.

And the winners are…

Landis joins

Remsen

police force

Here for you and your family. For wellness. For life.

From birthcare to urgent care ... pediatrics to

geriatrics ... screenings to surgeries … we offer

the right care at the right place at the right time.



From birthcare to urgent care ... pediatrics to

geriatrics ... screenings to surgeries … we offer

the right care at the right place at the right time.

712-737-2000 • ocHealthSystem.org

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

REMSEN BELL-ENTERPRISE

2024 YEAR IN REVIEW

BY TOM LAWRENCE

Staff writer

MERRILL — The Iowa Department

of Transportation wi l receive $540,000

to evaluate highway-rail grade crossing

safety near Merri l.

This project wi l identify ways to boost

highway safety and traffic flows, as we l as

mitigate a physical barrier posed by the

rail corridor, according to Tammy Nicholson,

the director of the Iowa DOT’s

Modal Transportation Bureau.

Nicholson told The Le Mars Sentinel

the crossing, likely the last crossing on

a four-lane highway in the state, is very

busy. It’s estimated 13,400 vehicles per

day cross it, nearly one-fifth of them

trucks.

“It’s pre ty heavily traveled, Highway

75, that corridor,” Nicholson said.

An average of 10 BNSF trains pass the

crossing per day, she said.

The DOT’s goal is to reduce congestion,

strengthen the resilience and reliability

of U.S. 75 and rail networks and

maintain safe access to Merri l. In a le ter

to the U.S. Department of Transportation,

the Iowa department said “significant

delays” occur when a train passes

the crossing or pauses there. Safety is

another major concern, since the railroad

and highway “intersect at a severe skew,

which adversely impacts drivers’ ability

to see approaching trains.”

If train and vehicle traffic are separated

by raising the highway, it would reduce

co lisions and prevent deaths, injuries

and property damage. It also would

prevent emergency vehicles from being

delayed when a train passes through or

stops on the crossing.

In January 2024, Le Mars Fire Chief

Dave Schipper said his staff has encountered

numerous issues at that crossing

while transporting critica ly i l patients

in an ambulance.

“We’ve alway said, ‘Boy, it’d be nice

if the railroad went over the highway or

under the highway at that point,’” Schipper

said after an Iowa DOT official made

JANUARY 21, 2025 • TUESDAY

MOSTLY SUNNY 17|15

PAGE 14 SPORTS

MMCRU boys win top 10 battle over RSM

Weather . 2

Record/Lifestyles .7

Classifieds . 8-9

Lighter Side . 10

Sports . 11-14

VOLUME: 159

ISSUE: 6

TO SUBSCRIBE:

CALL 712-546-7031

WWW.LEMARSSENTINEL.COM • $1.50

BY TOM LAWRENCE

Staff writer

LE MARS — Plymouth County employees do

the work, bu the state of Iowa takes in most of

the proceeds.

Recorder Jolynn Goodchild presented a

fourth-quarter report, tracking her office’s work

from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31 to the Plymouth County

Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, Jan. 14.

The report showed the office a se sed $152,117.

78 in fees during those three months. The lion’s

County auditor

and treasurer

give reports

FVH honored

for patient

experience

LE MARS — Floyd Va ley Healthcare has been

recognized as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals

for Patient Experience

by the Women’s Choice

Award.

This award signifies that

Floyd Va ley Hospital has

been ranked within the top

100 hospitals of similar size

based on number of beds,

of which there are five categories,

according to a FVH

release.

Patients today are more

involved in their care and

demand a greater experience

throughout their

entire journey of care

pu ting more pressure on

health-care providers to find ways to become

more patient centered to meet these demands,

it states.

According to the Agency for Healthcare

Research and Quality, good patient experience

Women’s Choice Award

names Le Mars hospital

one of best of its size

$152,227 collected with state

getting the majority of it

Delia Passi

SEE SUPERVISORS PAGE 6

SEE FVH PAGE 6

SEE CROSSING PAGE 6

Troublesome Merrill rail crossing to be studied

$540,000 federal grant is

intended for rail evaluation

(Sentinel File Photo)

The railroad crossing on Highway 75 on the south edge of Me ri l

has experienced problems with crossing arms down when no

train is crossing, creating traffic congestion. Then trains cross the

road daily.

Kass Family Restaurants

were presented with the

Business of the Year Award

at the Le Mars Area Chamber

of Commerce annual dinner.

Pictured are, from left, Mike

We ls, 2024 Chamber president,

Clint Kass, Nathan Kass,

and Peggy Sitzmann, 2025

Chamber president.

ANNUAL CHAMBER DINNER

LOOKS TO THE FUTURE

BY BEVERLY VAN BUSKIRK

Lifestyles Editor

LE MARS — The Garage at 800 was the

venue for the 2025 Le Mars Area Chamber

of Commerce annual dinner Thursday

evening, Jan. 16.

A crowd of 256 gathered to take a look

back at 2024, recognize accomplishments

and present special awards.

Chamber 2024 President Mike We ls

and 2025 incoming president Peggy Sitzmann

welcomed guests and kept the evening

activities on task.

We ls told the crowd, “In the past year

we have rea ly focused on evaluating where

and how we can bring the most value to

you as members as we l as aligning our

efforts to the 2045 development plan.”

With that in mind, We ls presented the

Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce Mission,

Purpose and Vision. (Sentinel Photos by Beverly Van Buskirk)

Steve Kolker, second from left, was named the Le Mars Citizen of the Year the

annual Chamber of Commerce dinner Jan. 17. Pictured with him are his two sons

and wife, from left, Mike Kolker, Janet Kolker and David Kolker.

SEE CHAMBER PAGE 4

Honors bestowed,

visions shared

Gazette-Tribune

THE OSCEOLA COUNTY

VOL. 153 NO. 30 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2025 WWW.NWESTIOWA.COM

INSIDE:

Briefly A4-5

Opinion A4

Religion A5

Sports A8-9

CHAMBER

Sibley business

group reviews

projects, progress

from past year

— See SECTION B

$ 1.50

SIBLEY, IOWA

712-324-5347

BY SANDRA JENSON

SJENSON@NWESTIOWA.COM

Ways to invest in the preservation

of county museum and

land assets took the attention

of the Osceola County Board

of Supervisors at its meeting

Tuesday, Jan. 14.

Board members received updates

from representatives of

four of the county museums,

along with funding requests for

improvements at each location

discussed.

Jan Stofferan, curator of

McCa lum Museum in Sibley,

began the reports with a funding

appeal to improve security

lighting.

“We are in the process of

looking for bids for lighting. We

are requesting $5,000,” Stofferan

said. “We have quite a few

valuable items in the museum.

We just rea ly need to do what

we can as a museum to protect

them, and I think it begins with

be ter lighting.”

Lois Marco spoke on behalf of

the Tracy House in Ocheyedan.

“We appreciate that you have

the same vision that we have to

protect the history of not only

Ocheyedan, but Osceola County

a l together,” Marco said.

She reported on a busy year,

which included finishing a barn

project, hosting the Sibley-

Ocheyedan Elementary School

fourth-graders and welcoming

former Ocheyedan resident Janene

Winters Grosz of Janene

and the Machine to perform

during Days of Olde weekend in

August.

“Our big project this year is

going to be for the Tracy House

needs,” Marco said. “We started

out with just the foundation,

but you know how that is when

you start working on that — it

just goes from one thing to the

next.”

Plans expanded to redo the

windows, doors and floors, and

replace plaster wa ls and wiring

while the wa ls are open. Foundation

work is a must as we l.

Supervisors hear museum

improvement requests

Lois Marco shares a request for county funding to help update the Tracy House

Museum in Ocheyedan during the Osceola County Board of Supervisors meeting

on Tuesday, Jan. 14. The board will determine the appropriation for the county

museums when budget discussions take place Jan. 28-29. Photo by Sandra Jenson

BY SANDRA JENSON


New Sibley City Council

member Dave Myers received a

smooth initiation into his role

with a brief council meeting on

Monday, Jan. 13.

Mayor Jerry Johnson swore

in Myers early in the meeting

after council passed a resolution

of appointment, which a lowed

him to participate in decisions on

the evening’s remaining agenda

items.

As the lone applicant for the

open Ward 2 seat, Myers replaced

Josh Tangeman, who

resigned in December.

A Downtown Community Catalyst

Remediation Program grant

application and revolving loan

request were the main items of

business discussed during the

meeting.

Amy Cuadros and her mother,

Ana Cuadros, presented a request

for the city to approve the

submission of the grant application

to help pay for updates at

Anastacia Fashion & Mexican

Grocery Store in downtown Sibley.

Accompanying the Cuadros’

appeal was a separate application

to borrow $100,000 from the

city’s revolving loan fund.

Plans for the business at 217

Ninth St. are to refresh the vibrant

orange front facade, put

in new windows and doors, and

create three apartments upstairs.

More details about the project

were discussed during the council

work session that morning.

City manager Susan Sembach

said council members needed to

Myers appointed as Sibley City Council member

Dave Myers is sworn in by mayor Jerry Johnson as the new city council member representing

Sibley Ward 2 during the Sibley City Council meeting held on Monday, Jan.

13. Myers replaces Josh Tangeman, who resigned in December. Photo by Sandra Jenson

BY SANDRA JENSON


The Sibley-Ocheyedan

Athletic Boosters strive to

spread a culture of involvement,

leadership and personal

growth throughout

the community by working

with the school district,

Osceola County Ministerial

Association and other likeminded

individuals, organizations

and businesses.

One way of promoting that

mindset is by hosting guest

speakers.

Mike O’Conne l wi l step

into that role at 6:45 p.m.

on Wednesday, Jan. 29,

at the Sibley-Ocheyedan

High School auditorium

to talk about his podcast,

Lead Different.

“As leaders, our purpose

is to create an environment

where our lives are meant

to be enjoyed, not endured,”

O’Conne l posted

on his website.

He believes the best

leaders have three types

of people in their support

system:

g Mentor/coach: Someone

above them that gives

them guidance or is who

they may be aspiring to be.

g Equivalent: Someone

they are running with, side

by side, pushing each other

to be the best versions of

themselves.

g Mentee/student:

Someone below them that

they can give guidance to

and be held accountable by

to be a positive role model.

Booster club president

Travis Ten Napel again

assisted in the selection

O’Connell to speak

on leading different

in Osceola County

Keynote speaker Mike O’Connell encourages

individuals to Lead Different during his presentations,

and will bring his message to the

Sibley-Ocheyedan School District on Jan. 29.

The free event is sponsored by the Sibley-

Ocheyedan Athletic Boosters. Photo submi ted

see SPEAKER on A7

see MUSEUM on page A3

see SIBLEY on page A2

Wednesday, January 15, 2025 Vol. 133 ~ No. 3 A Growing Newspaper for a Growing Community www.nwestiowa.com 712-722-0511

SIOUX CENTER NEWS

SPORTS

Warriors girls

basketba l 10-2

after Friday loss

See A8

DORDT

Vice president

of advancement

steps down

See A4

INDEX

Briefly .A3

Classifieds .A13

Law & Order .A7

Obituaries .A7

Opinions .A6

$1.50

Students performing

‘Beauty and the Beast’

BY ERIC SANDBULTE

ESANDBULTE@NWESTIOWA.COM

The Sioux Center Christian

School seventh- and eighth-graders

hope you’ l be their guest at

their upcoming musical, “Beauty

and the Beast.”

Scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 17

and 18 at Te Paske Theater at

Sioux Center Middle School,

550 Ninth St. NE, Sioux Center,

the musical wi l be free to attend

with donations graciously

accepted. Seating wi l be first

come, first served. Money raised

through donations help fund the

school’s drama program.

“Hopefu ly people come out

and enjoy it with us. It’ something

fun to do in the middle of

January,” director Eileen Buiter

said.

The school’s annual performance

wi l feature 41 students in

the cast with another 13 helping

in other ways, such as backstage

work and hair and makeup.

Directed by mother-and-daughter

team Eileen and

Kirsten Buiter, the production

features the characters and storyline

of Disney’s 1991 animated

classic. Belle, played by seventh-grader

Emaya DeGoei, is a

bookworm frustrated by her

sma l town life and unwanted

marriage proposals from the narcissistic,

handsome hunter Gaston,

played by Nico De Vries.

When Be le goes off to rescue

her father, sh encounters the

Beast, played by eighth-grader

Benjamin Hummel, a cursed

prince whose temper is as fierce

as his appearance. With the help

of the ensorce led servants, Be le

and the Beast begin to fa l in love

to break the curse.

The students have also been

working hard to learn the musical’s

13 songs, including such hits

as “Gaston,” “Be Our Guest” and

Be our guest at

school musical

Cogsworth, played by eighth-grader Colby Olson, and Lumiere, played by eighth-grader Aidan

Vos, try to lighten the mood for Be le, played by seventh-grader Emaya DeGoei. Sioux Center

Christian School is performing “Beauty and the Beast” at 7 p.m. Jan. 17 and 18 at Sioux Center

Middle School’s Te Paske Theater. Photo by Eric Sandbulte

Discussion starts on

new indoor range

BY ERIC SANDBULTE


Sioux County Archery

Club hosted its first gathering

of the year in a new space

Monday, the same day demolition

of the club’s former

home at Sandy Ho low Recreation

Area was completed.

About a dozen members

and newcomers brought their

bows to the Sioux County Ag

Expo grounds at the former

Sioux Center Municipal Airport

at 3028 360th Street

north of Sioux Center, for the

start of a new season at the

club. The large garage bays of

the office building wi l temporarily

serve as their indoor

archery range, with temporary

lanes set up for the occasion.

It wi l sui the club’s needs

for now, granting its people a

warm, sheltered place to keep

their archery ski ls sharp, but

it represents quite the journey

from its previous home.

Archery club

aims for future

Harlan Kruid of Sioux Center aims at a target downrange

at the Sioux County Ag Expo Monday. He’s a member of

the Sioux County Archery Club, which has had to temporarily

move from its recently demolished Sandy Ho low

Recreation Center indoor range. Photo by Eric Sandbulte

Presentation urges

employee awareness

BY ERIC SANDBULTE


A little bit of inconvenience

and a strong dose of

caution can go a long way

toward keeping a business

safe from cyberattacks.

That’s the basic message

from Josh Folkerts, who

spoke to Sioux Center Chamber

of Commerce members

during its Jan. 8 meeting at

the Sioux Center Public

Library.

Folkerts is the senior network

consultant for Premier

Network Solutions, a division

of Premier Communications

that provides information

technology consulting services

for businesses throughout

N’West Iowa. He’s been

with Premier for 11 years,

previously working as a teacher

and as a tech coordinator at

Sioux Center School District.

“Cybersecurity is a big

buzzword. When I started

work at Premier 11 years ago,

Chamber members

learn cybersecurity

Premier Network Solutions senior network consultant

Josh Folkerts presented on cybersecurity during the Jan. 8

Sioux Center Chamber of Commerce meeting a the Sioux

Center Public Library. Photo by Eric Sandbulte

Original songs available on

streaming platforms

BY JOYA BREEMS

NEWS@NWESTIOWA.COM

The House of Missions and Equipping,

a worship and prayer ministry

located in Sioux Center, wi l release its

debut album, “Foundations,” on Jan.

19.

“Foundations” features nine original

songs and 58 minutes of music written

by members of the HOME team. It wi l

be available on streaming platforms like

Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon

Music.

What began almost five years ago as

melodies and psalms in evening devotional

services ca led Ignite, morphed

into written music.

“It wa something that we began

talking about years ago, what does it

look like to explore creativity through

spiritual disciplines of music?” said

Marcus DeWeerd, one of the songwriters

for the album.

At a worship conference seven years

ago, DeWeerd and Heard met with

worship leaders and song writers from

the International House of Prayer in

Kansas City, MO, and UPPER-

ROOM, in Da las, TX.

“The worship leaders there just rea ly

encouraged us to on top of singing written

songs to the Lord to sing our own

songs, and the special aspect that can

add to a community,” said DeWeerd.

DeWeerd often found himself

recording snippets of worship in the

voice memos app on his phone, then

sending them to Heard and Tyler Mi l-

er, another HOME employee and

songwriter, as inspiration.

“Oftentimes, the Holy Spirit would

highlight a verse or bring an idea of who

He is to mind, and as we though on it

and start to write, a song came to life,”

said Mi ler.

Many of the songs on “Foundations”

are used in worship and prayer services

at HOME. Some worship attendees

went back and listened to the songs by

going to livestreamed services and

scrubbing through the recording to

re-listen to their favorite moments.

“How neat and beautiful it is that a

lot of these songs are written right here

in Sioux Center for people in Sioux

Center,” said DeWeerd.

In 2023, HOME hired Lydia Jayaputra

to help with the recording and

HOME to release its debut album

see PLAY on page A4

see ALBUM on page A3

see SECURE on page A3

see CLUB on page A4

VOL. 52 NO. 29 SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 2025 www.nwestiowa.com

BY ALEISA SCHAT

ASCHAT@NWESTIOWA.COM

AWARDEN—Andrea

Clough’s life ha shrunk

to the size of a hotel

room. After catastrophic

flooding damaged

homes across Hawarden,

her sma l rental

home just o f Central Avenue was

rendered unlivable.

“Everything I had accumulated

and worked so hard for over the

years was just gone in a ma ter

of seconds,” the 32-year-old said.

“It did a lot of damage in a sma l

amount of time.”

Clough rented a sma l historic

home in the heart of Hawarden,

one of the communities devastated

by last summer’s historic

flooding. The town is recovering,

but many remain displaced.

“A l the comforts are just

See HOUSING on A6

BY ALEISA SCHAT

ASCHAT@NWESTIOWA.COM

EGIONAL—The

commi tee heading

up the Sioux-

Lyon County

Long-Term Recovery

Group has

been quietly at

work in the communities

a fected by last summer’s

historic flooding. But

the work of rebuilding is

beginning to

accelerate.

For the

last two

weeks, representatives

from World Renew Disaster

Response Services

have been on the ground

in Rock Va ley, partnering

with the Sioux-Lyon

County LTRG to assess

unmet needs of a l kinds in

the region.

“Wha they desire, first

of a l, is to make sure that

everyone in the community

has been contacted

and that no one’s been

left out,” said Rock Va ley

See LTRG on A5

Trump to take oath

after performance

BY MIKAELA MACKEY


WASHINGTON, D.C.—Jake

Ven Huizen has lived to sing for

as long as he can remember. On

Monday, he wi l perform on the

biggest stage yet.

The University Singers from

the University of Nebraska in

Lincoln wi l open performances

for the 60th Presidential Inauguration

outside the U.S. Capitol.

The 29-year-old Sheldon native

wi l perform in a choir alongside

119 others.

“I have never performed

at something this nationa ly

viewed,” Ven Huizen said. “I’ve

performed for large crowds

before, but nothing that had

a national broadcast. So, that

is certainly the largest demographic

I hav ever performed

for, that’s for sure.”

Ven Huizen began his doctorate

in choral conducting during

the fa l semester at Nebraska

after working as the 7-12 choir

director at West Lyon High

School near Inwood for the

last six years. He auditioned for

Nebraska’s flagship group, the

See CHOIR on page A10

Grammy winner

will close out event

BY JUSTIN RUST

JRUST@NWESTIOWA.COM

SHELDON—One of the most

popular Christian worship artists

in America wi l be returning

to RiseFest.

Chris Tomlin headlined Rise-

Fest in 2016 and wi l return

Saturday, June 21, to close out

the second day of RiseFest, the

annual two-day Christian music

festival in Sheldon.

“It’s very exciting. Any time

you can end Saturday night with

amazing worship, it’s what you

hope for,” said Rise Ministries

founder and president Rob Roozeboom.

“For a worship leader,

he has a lot of high energy.

My good friend Jay Schemper

reminded me that he ended

with ‘God’s Great Dance Floor’

when he was here. I thought

Jay would love for Chris to end

RiseFest that way again.”

With Rise Ministries, the

See RISE on page A6

Sheldon native

to sing in 60th

inauguration

Tomlin returning as

RiseFest headliner

Popular Christian worship artist Chris Tomlin wi l be the secondday

headliner for RiseFest 2025, which wi l be Friday and Saturday,

June 20-21, on its ground in northeast Sheldon. Photo submi ted

Members of the University Singers from the University of Nebraska

in Lincoln rehearse for their performance to open the 60th

Presidential Inauguration on Monday. Sheldon native Jake Ven Huizen

practices in the plaid shirt on the left. Photo by Peter Eklund

Check ou the results from prep basketba l and

wrestling competitions. See SPORTS Section C

INSIDE:

Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B3-4

Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B5-7

Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A8

People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B4

Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C1-16

TV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A7

WEEKEND WEATHER:

SATURDAY SUNDAY

HIGH: 14 HIGH: 5

LOW: -9 LOW: -9

CHANCE OF PREC: 1% CHANCE OF PREC: 1%

6 0

06162 00001

$2.00

SHELDON, IOWA

E-mail us at: editor@iowainformation.com | 712-324-5347 | www.nwestiowa.com | facebook.com/nwestiareview

Long-term recovery group

seeks to assist flood victims

whose needs remain unmet

Two World Renew volunteers prepare to conduct

in-person surveys to assess unmet needs of

individuals a fected by the summer’s flooding at

Justice For A l in Rock Va ley. Photo submi ted

Hawarden resident Andrea Clough pats her golden Labrador, Zeb, in their hotel room at Hawarden

Harvest Inn. Clough is among the many who remain displaced after the flood. Photo by Aleisa Schat

June flood victims continue to deal with housing woes

to happen’

‘Nobody expects

2024 N’WEST IOWA FLOODING

VOLUME 153, NUMBER 3 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2025 WWW.NWESTIOWA.COM

Church

A5

Classifieds

A9

For the Record

A2

Obituaries

A5

Opinion

A4

Sports A7-8

Index

Kids made air-powered

vehicles out of

cardboard and balloons

at the Sheldon Public

Library Makerspace

event last Wednesday.

SEE PAGE A3

Inside

editor@iowainformation.com

facebook.com/mailsun

712-324-5347

$1.50

Family’s land about eight

miles southeast of town

The “Blizzard of the Century” hit

Sheldon and N’West Iowa 50 years

ago.

Sheldon saw more than 11 inches

of snow and wind gusts up to 90

mph on Friday, Jan. 10, 1975.

Dennis Van Roekel was 35 years

old at the time and lived on the

family farm eight miles southeast

of Sheldon. His family farmed on

the land for 70 years.

Van Roekel lives at the Sheldon

Christian Retirement Home.

Here is his recollection of the

blizzard 50 years ago on Jan. 10:

It was the worst blizzard I can

recall. Living on a farm eight miles

southeast of Sheldon, most farmers

had feeding cattle, milk cows,

young Holstein cattle, sows, butcher

hogs, laying hens and ducks. Of

course, there were two dogs and

some cats.

Having all of the animals any

farmer would, it was a lot of extra

work doing chores twice a day,

and they may have to check in the

See BLIZZARD on page A2

Selling personalized

bricks for mulch area

By JUSTIN RUST

jrust@nwestiowa.com

It’s not uncommon to see

the Sheldon Orab logo painted

on some driveways in the city,

which was part of fundraising

efforts by the Orabs Athletic

Booster Club.

The club is working on a new

campaign which will place personalized

bricks by the north and

south entrances of the home side

bleachers at the Orab football

field.

“There’s that mulched area

where we’re looking to fill those

two areas with personalized

bricks,” said school board member

and booster club member

Jessica Brink. “We have it where

you can do a custom logo, especially

for a businesses and corporations.

They can submit their

logo and have it on a brick. “If

there’s an individual who wants

a special picture that they have,

they could do that, too.”

Brink said the mulch creates

an uneven walking surface for

spectators and athletes and

See BRICK on page A2

Vote to re-up PPEL

set for November

By JUSTIN RUST

jrust@nwestiowa.com

Progress on the Sheldon

High School expansion and

renovation continues. Steel

is up, and the next step will

be enclosing the expansion

structures with walls and

roofs.

The $33 million project is

scheduled to be done on time

for the 2026-27 academic year.

With that project underway,

the school board can turn its

focus to other facility and

maintenance needs since the

high school building is not

the only area that needs some

tender love and care.

Most of the projects the

board will look at can be paid

for through the physical plant

and equipment levy fund,

which has to be approved by

a public vote every 10 years.

The voters in the district

will decide whether to renew

Sheldon’s PPEL funds in

November. The levy is set at

$1.34 per $1,000 in assessed

property valuation.

With the vote coming up

in 10 months, superintendent

Cory Myer wants to show

the voters that the district is

making good use of the PPEL

funds.

“We’re going to need to

renew that PPEL,” said Myer

during last Wednesday’s

board meeting at the high

school library. “That’s going

to be something we’re going

to want to make sure that

we can show the community

how we’re using those funds

to make sure they understand

why they are important

and why we need to support

continuing that levy in the

future.”

The item on last Wednesday’s

agenda was only for

discussion. No projects were

approved, only discussed.

Myer said he has been having

conversations with the

administration to see what

projects need to be done over

the next few years.

“We have a document

that we’re working on, and

See BOARD on page A6

An example of a personalized 4-by-8-inch brick shows some of the

messaging and clip art that can be put on the brick. The bricks are

a fundraiser by the Orabs Athletic Booster Club. ( P h o t o submitted)

Orabs Athletic Booster Club puts

together solid idea for fundraiser

Sheldon man takes look back

at notorious blizzard of 1975

Ted Dean of rural Melvin hauls canisters of milk to be picked

up after the record blizzard hit the area 50 years ago. Dennis

Van Roekel’s rural Sheldon farm got eight inches of snow during

the “Blizzard of the Century” Jan. 10, 1975.

(File photo)

Sheldon district

looks at projects

By JUSTIN RUST

jrust@nwestiowa.com

he Sheldon Police Department is losing

a veteran officer but gaining two

full-time officers, giving the department

a full staff again since former

chief Scott Burtch’s departure at the end

of August.

The city council will approve the resignation

of officer Dan Crawley during its

meeting at 4:30 p.m. today (Wednesday,

Jan. 15) in the Sheldon Community Services

Center. The council also will sign off

on hiring Ryer Dacken and Ryan Cuperus

as officers for the department.

Crawley’s resignation was submitted to

the city last Wednesday morning, about

24 hours after the Orange City council

approved Crawley as a new officer with a

start date of Wednesday, Jan. 22. Crawley

set an effective resignation date of Monday,

Jan. 20, in his letter to chief Eric

See POLICE on page A6

Sheldon Police Department officer Dan Crawley hands out Drug Abuse Resistance

Education packets to Sheldon Middle School students in November. Crawley sent in

his letter of resignation to the department last Wednesday. (Photo by Justin Rust)

Two for One

Crawley resigns, but Sheldon

will hire couple of officers

Sheldon School District superintendent Cory Myer

talks about projects that will use physical plant

and equipment levy funds during last Wednesday’s

board of education meeting. (Photo by Justin Rust)

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