It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Lincoln Highway gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Mt Vernon, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Mt. Vernon Dog Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Lincoln Wine Bar or visit Villa Louis Historic Site, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Mt Vernon, IA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Mt Vernon, IA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Mt Vernon, IA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
The transition of ownership will begin with the Feb. 8 editions. Sabine Martin, Executive EditorJanuary 29, 2024The Daily Iowan has purchased two weekly newspapers near Iowa City — the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun and Solon Economist.The acquisition from Dubuque-based Woodward Communications marks the first newspaper purchase for the DI. Publishing of these newspapers is effective with the Fe...
The transition of ownership will begin with the Feb. 8 editions.
Sabine Martin, Executive Editor
January 29, 2024
The Daily Iowan has purchased two weekly newspapers near Iowa City — the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun and Solon Economist.
The acquisition from Dubuque-based Woodward Communications marks the first newspaper purchase for the DI. Publishing of these newspapers is effective with the Feb. 8 editions.
“We are excited for this opportunity and it’s a great fit for our organization,” said DI Publisher Jason Brummond, who will manage and serve as publisher of each publication. “Community newspapers play an important and integral role in their communities, and we believe strongly in quality local journalism.”
The Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun and Solon Economist’s current staff members will continue operations of serving the readers and advertisers in those communities. Print subscriptions will be uninterrupted by the acquisition, as well as the weekly print publications distributed by mail on Thursdays.
The Sun will retain its office in downtown Mount Vernon.
The Daily Iowan, a part of the Iowa City-based non-profit corporation Student Publications, Inc., is the nationally recognized and award-winning student newspaper housed on the University of Iowa’s campus.
The UI’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication will jointly operate the Mount Vernon and Solon newspapers to provide student journalists with opportunities to contribute to the publications and gain local reporting experience. The papers’ local editors will continue to lead the editorial direction.
“News-academic partnerships like this one are more important now than ever before as community newspapers reduce staff or close,” said Melissa Tully, professor and director of the UI School of Journalism and Mass Communication. “Investing in local journalism and working with nearby communities offers students a chance to produce meaningful work and gain professional experience while working alongside veteran journalists at the newspapers. I’m thrilled about the opportunity to collaborate with the Daily Iowan and the teams in Mount Vernon and Solon on this exciting venture.”
The DI’s professional staff will handle some business processes for the newly acquired newspapers.
The independent, student-run newsroom at the DI covers the University of Iowa and local community to keep you informed. Your support helps provide the necessary resources and training to continue our mission.
Quarterback Joey Rhomberg has 5 touchdowns (2 rushing, 3 passing) as No. 4 Mustangs handily win their Class 3A first-round playoff football gameJeff Johnson MOUNT VERNON — It was the mother of all drives to start a football game. It really was, and really was impressive.Mount Vernon watched the opening kickoff of its Class 3A state pla...
Quarterback Joey Rhomberg has 5 touchdowns (2 rushing, 3 passing) as No. 4 Mustangs handily win their Class 3A first-round playoff football game
MOUNT VERNON — It was the mother of all drives to start a football game. It really was, and really was impressive.
Mount Vernon watched the opening kickoff of its Class 3A state playoff first-rounder against Independence sail into the end zone for a touchback. The Mustangs took over possession of the ball at their own 20.
A whopping 19 offensive plays ensued, with a couple more not started or started and called back because of penalties. An equally whopping 10 minutes and 22 seconds went off the clock, as Mount Vernon played an expert game of keep away.
The only bad thing here?
This killer drive for MV took up almost the entire first quarter but only went 76 yards. And for no points.
A fourth-and-3 pass from the Independence 4 went incomplete for MV, and Indee took over, finally, still in a scoreless game.
“We had some good stuff going in the first drive,” said Mount Vernon quarterback Joey Rhomberg after the 50-6 win. “But we’ve got to finish that off. We struggled with that early in the year, but we really worked on it and got better ... That one, I’ll put the blame on me. I’m just happy that our guys kept battling.”
“Yeah, it gave us some confidence,” MV wide receiver-defensive back Evan Brase said. “We weren’t able to finish the drive, obviously, but we were able to move the ball.”
Mount Vernon’s defense produced a three-and-out from Independence on its first offensive possession, forcing a punt that was short and set up MV back deep in Indee terrirtory. Rhomberg eventually pushed over from the 1 on a quarterback sneak for the first of his five touchdowns in this game.
A blocked punt then went for a Mustangs TD: Tyler Williams with the actual block and teammate Kael Riniker picking it up and running it to the end zone 15 yards. Mount Vernon went on to pile up 29 points and a 29-0 lead by halftime.
Ballgame over.
“I was really proud of our team effort,” said Rhomberg, who ran for two touchdowns and was 18-for-24 passing for 214 yards and three TDs. “Offensively, defensively, we just really played well. Special teams made some big plays, too, so I’m just really proud of our guys. Our coaches set us up for success.”
Read More: Photos: Mount Vernon vs. Independence in Class 3A playoffs
“That first drive, it took the wind out of them,” said Mount Vernon Coach Lance Pedersen. “A 22, 23-play drive there, but we couldn’t put it in, turned it over at the 4-yard line. But our defense did a great job and held them. Next thing you know we have a blocked punt for touchdown after that, we get the ball back at, like our 23, start flipping the field on them. We had short fields for us on offense all night, and just a really good football game for us.”
Brase caught eight Rhomberg passes for 101 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Wide receiver Jase Jaspers had five catches for 80 yards.
Rhomberg’s other TD pass was a 1-yarder to back Jackson Hird late in the third quarter. Cooper Hird’s 3-yard touchdown run in the fourth was Mount Vernon’s seventh and final touchdown.
Trey Weber had a 15-yard touchdown run for Independence (7-3).
Now it’s a much-anticipated 3A quarterfinal matchup next Friday night for Mount Vernon (9-1) and third-ranked Williamsburg (9-1) at Williamsburg. Seems a little early for two of the top four teams in the class to be meeting, but it is what it is.
“We’re excited. Hey, we’re in the final eight,” Pedersen said. “You’re in the final eight, and everybody is good. So we’re excited that we get a chance to play again next week. I know my coaching staff will have the guys ready to play.”
“Williamsburg is a very good team, has some really good athletes, are really well coached,” Rhomberg said. “But our coaches are going to set us up for success. Our guys are going to battle to the end, so I’m really excited about that game.”
(At Mount Vernon)
Independence 0 0 6 0-6
Mount Vernon 0 29 14 7-50
Team Statistics
First Downs - Mount Vernon 18, Independence 8. Rushes-Yards - Independence 25-100, Mount Vernon 32-136. Passing (Completions-Attempts-Interceptions-Yards) - Independence 8-18-1-51, Mount Vernon 18-24-1-214. Total Yards - Independence 151, Mount Vernon 350. Punts-Average - Independence 5-16.4, Mount Vernon 0-0. Penalties-Yards - Independence 3-15, Mount Vernon 6-40. Fumbles-Lost - Independence 0-0, Mount Vernon 0-0.
Individual Statistics
Rushing - Indee: Trey Weber 11-51, Brady Kurt 2-40, E.J. Miller 10-19, Brady McDonald 1-1, Team 1-(minus) 1. Mount Vernon: Jackson Hird 19-66, Joey Rhomberg 6-45, Cooper Hird 5-28, Team 2-(minus) 3.
Passing - Indee: E.J. Miller 8-17-1-51, Christopher Meyer 0-1-1-0. Mount Vernon: Joey Rhomberg 23-39-1-214.
Receiving - Indee: Brady McDonald 3-23, Brady Kurt 2-19, Bryce Christian 1-14, Josh Beatty 1-3, Trey Weber 1-(minus) 2. Mount Vernon: Evan Brase 8-101, Jase Jaspers 5-80, Jackson Hird 4-25, Ethan Wood 1-8.
Comments: (319)-398-8258, jeff.johnson@thegazette.com
Pumped and prepared (but not overprepared), the Mustangs bounce back after dropping Game 1Jeff Linder CORALVILLE — There’s prepared. And there’s overprepared.Maggie Willems accused the younger version of herself of the latter.“Sometimes you question yourself as a coach,” said Willems, leader of the Mount Verno...
Pumped and prepared (but not overprepared), the Mustangs bounce back after dropping Game 1
CORALVILLE — There’s prepared. And there’s overprepared.
Maggie Willems accused the younger version of herself of the latter.
“Sometimes you question yourself as a coach,” said Willems, leader of the Mount Vernon volleyball program. “I did change some things this year, focusing more on our side of the net.”
The former routine, according to Chloe Meester, was “film, scout, practice.”
And now?
“We don’t spend hours watching film any more,” Meester said. “We focus more on what we need to do to make ourselves better.”
Let everybody else wonder and worry about the Mustangs might do next.
Top-ranked Mount Vernon spotted No. 4 Davenport Assumption the first set, then roared back to win Wednesday’s Class 3A state semifinal in four (23-25, 25-16, 25-15, 25-20) at Xtream Arena.
The outcome reversed last year’s semifinal loss to Assumption, which went on to win the state championship.
“This means a lot,” Brooke Ellyson said. “This win was a goal of ours. Now we have one step left.”
Mount Vernon (35-4) will face No. 3 Western Christian (31-13) — a straight-set winner over No. 8 Union Community — in the 3A final at 2:30 Thursday afternoon.
It will be a matchup of two of the state’s most storied programs. Western Christian has won 18 state titles, including the 2A crown last year. Mount Vernon has four championship trophies in its case, from 1984, 2009, 2010 and 2019.
“We really have nothing to lose,” Ellyson said. “This is one more chance for everyone to fight for their teammates.”
Read More: State volleyball photos: Mount Vernon vs. Davenport Assumption
Ellyson was one of three Mustangs to join Willems to the press room.
When they smiled — and why wouldn’t they? — each was sporting something sparkly called a “tooth gem.”
What in the world?
“It goes with our motto,” Ellyson said. “Shine bright like a diamond.”
Rumor has it that Willems will apply some bling to one of her chompers for the championship match, too.
After dropping Game 1, the Mustangs countered quickly. They led 5-1, 7-2 and 12-4 in the second set. Then, after Assumption worked within 13-11, they zoomed away again.
Mount Vernon didn’t trail in Game 3. With the issue still somewhat in doubt at 12-9, Eryn Jackson served three aces in a six-point run to bust it open.
After a 6-6 deadlock in the fourth set, the Mustangs led the rest of the way. Meester’s block was the final dagger.
Huber was a reserve on Cedar Rapids Xavier’s 4A championship team last year. It didn’t take long after her transfer to learn how bad her new teammates wanted another crack at the Knights, who retired 28-8.
“Really bad,” said Huber, who distributed 42 assists. “We all wanted it.”
The only starting senior, Ellyson added 12 kills and a team-high 13 digs. Paige Schurbon supplied eight kills.
Ellah Derrer had 11 kills to lead a balanced Assumption squad.
Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com
Glyn Mawr Winery-The Local in Mount Vernon is a finalist in Iowa's 2023 Open 4 Business Contest competing for a $20,000 grant to support business expansion.Dreams were planted when Anna Wilson and her mother converted 2.5 acres of land into a grape vineyard on the family acreage in Eastern Iowa in 2009.They have a passion for promoting all things Iowa – including its grapes. “We are super dedicated to only putting Iowa grapes in our wine,” Anna said. “Our wine industry in Iowa is still relativel...
Glyn Mawr Winery-The Local in Mount Vernon is a finalist in Iowa's 2023 Open 4 Business Contest competing for a $20,000 grant to support business expansion.
Dreams were planted when Anna Wilson and her mother converted 2.5 acres of land into a grape vineyard on the family acreage in Eastern Iowa in 2009.
They have a passion for promoting all things Iowa – including its grapes. “We are super dedicated to only putting Iowa grapes in our wine,” Anna said. “Our wine industry in Iowa is still relatively new compared to other parts of the world, but there’s still a lot of people who don’t know who don’t know what grapes grow here and continue to support our local wine industry.”
Glyn Mawr Winery got its commercial winery license in 2015 and debuted their inaugural wine in Spring 2016. “And so we built our business going around to tastings and markets and county fairs and to the Quad Cities and Des Moines,” Anna said. “We sold our wine with samples.”
They embarked on a two-year building renovation in Mount Vernon after winning a Main Street Iowa Challenge Grant in 2017. In February 2019 they opened their brick-and-mortar local hangout, Glyn Mawr Winery-The Local.
“That was always the goal,” Anna said. “Once we got open in Mount Vernon, we started running with all of the different ways to bring in multiple streams of income.”
They rent out the lower level for celebratory events, including birthdays, retirements, graduations, and rehearsal dinners. They hosted over 50 private events in 2022 alone.
“We have become a hub for social experiences in our community,” Anna said. That includes monthly bingo night, trivia night, book club and other special events that often coincide with Mount Vernon festivals and celebrations. Mount Vernon’s Magical Night, for example.
“We put our best foot forward and dive in,” Anna said. They pulled out all the stops for their Christmas movie theme, Elf.
They’ve also added retail space for selling local goods, T-shirts, home décor, candles and functional gift items.
“We are changing out our space a lot and changing retail displays to make it a whole experience when you walk in,” she added.
Competing in Iowa's Open 4 Business Pitch Contest Glyn Mawr Winery-The Local is among five finalists competing for a $20,000 grant in the 2023 Open 4 Business Pitch Contest. The Open 4 Business contest, hosted by Main Street Iowa, is a statewide entrepreneurial contest that provides funding for business expansion projects to small businesses located within a designated main street district in Iowa. The winner will be named after the pitch contest, taking place in Sioux City on August 1 and held in conjunction with the Iowa Downtown Conference. The event is a celebration of small businesses and includes short business pitches, business videos and check presentations to the winners. The five finalists were selected in June by a panel of judges after interviews with all applicants.
If named winner of the 2023 Open 4 Business contest, The Local would purchase a custom 12-foot food truck to be permanently located on their new patio, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner options almost year-round. Anna would also use the funds for a pager system to alert customers when their food is ready.
With steady growth, the future of the city’s only bakery is heating upElijah Decious MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon’s latest bakery opening has rather limited hours in its unconventional storefront. Most of White Tree Bakery’s customers end up becoming repeat customers, anyway.Thanks to a couple of pocket doors, a curtain and a small table for assorted goods, the foyer of the proprietor’s 1900 home has beco...
With steady growth, the future of the city’s only bakery is heating up
MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon’s latest bakery opening has rather limited hours in its unconventional storefront. Most of White Tree Bakery’s customers end up becoming repeat customers, anyway.
Thanks to a couple of pocket doors, a curtain and a small table for assorted goods, the foyer of the proprietor’s 1900 home has become what is currently Mount Vernon’s only bona fide casual shop for a wide variety of cakes, cookies, scones and more — all made in-house.
For owner Jen Juhl, baking has been a lifelong occupation. But only recently did she realize she could make a business out of it.
It started last Thanksgiving — the time of year when those with a talent for baking and cooking tend to shine. Last holiday season, a heavy sprinkle of encouragement and a little dash of pressure prompted her to start taking pie orders.
“I’ve always loved baking, but my friends and husband had been after me for a while to do something about it,” Juhl said. “They said ‘you’re so good at it, you should do something about it.’ ”
A quick Facebook post and 17 pie orders later, she realized they were onto something.
“I said wow, I can actually do something with this and make this a business,” Juhl said. “It kind of blossomed from there.”
This year, she’s planning for about 40 pie orders.
What: White Tree Bakery
Where: 217 First Ave. NW, Mount Vernon.
Hours: Residential storefront open from 2 to 6 p.m. every Friday. Expanded hours on Thursdays anticipated in the future.
Phone: (319) 855-8663
Email: whitetreebakery@gmail.com
Details: Friday storefronts offer a variety of coffee cakes, bars, cookies and cakes for purchase. Custom and advance orders can be placed via email or phone.
Cost: A dozen cookies starts at $17, pies start at $25 and cakes start at $40.
After quick success last Thanksgiving, Juhl opened her business in earnest after New Year’s. With steady growth through the year, she later started vending an ad hoc farmers market at Morning Glory farm over the summer. By August, she had enough demand to open the storefront in her home’s foyer for four hours every Friday.
“The community support has been amazing,” she said. “Your friends always tell you that you can do things, but you’re always your worst critic. I realized yes, people would buy pies from me and yes, I could do this.”
Juhl grew up in a family where cooking was a way of life. Her mother was a catering manager for Cornell College. Family activities were cooking-based, and gardening and butchering were just as much a part of life as baking in the kitchen.
Juhl, 37, served as an assistant pastry chef at Molly’s Cupcakes in Iowa City over nine years ago. She even catered her own wedding.
She knew she was good at baking. But it wasn’t until a few elements in her life came to a head that she realized she could make a living from it, too. After having two children, now 4 and 6, the clerk at the neonatal intensive care unit in the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics started to reassess what she wanted to do with life.
The pandemic made it clear that her job in health care, where she continues to work weekends, wasn’t necessarily what she wanted to do for a long-term career.
Starting an at-home bakery business isn’t exactly a productive path for a working mom who wants more free time. But to Juhl, it’s an investment in the future that’s becoming clearer with time.
“As a working mom, this has made life more challenging in ways,” she said. “But I feel like it’s a way to set up my future so I won’t have to work weekends forever.”
With strong sales that continue to grow, she’s considering adding an extra day to her home storefront. The growth has forced her to think about the business’ future.
And while she’s not sure exactly where that will be located or what it will look like, she has a dream.
“I want to own a storefront, have some place you can go and get a cookie if you want, or a piece of pie — anything,” the business owner said. “In the big grand scheme of dreams, I’d like to make it a bakery and deli where you can get a really nice sandwich and a cup of soup.”
In the town of about 4,500, White Tree Bakery’s home storefront is one the only place for confections in town. The bakery niche is one with potential for a broad swath of clients with a sweet tooth in Mount Vernon.
White Tree Bakery is not a “specific bakery,” Juhl explained — it’s a jack of all trades. With everything hand made, White Tree has a focus on being fresh and artisan through a comforting simplicity reminiscent of home.
“I don’t do just cakes. I don’t just do sugar cookies. I do a little bit of everything,” she said.
Pie crust is rolled with half butter and half shortening, and seasonal ingredients are incorporated as much as possible. This fall, pumpkin pie customers will be getting a slice with pumpkin she roasted herself.
“If I’m going to get a pie, I want it handmade start to finish,” Juhl said.
With some experience from Molly’s Cupcakes, Juhl has taught herself a lot through online research and trial and error.
Cakes are frosted using her Swiss-style buttercream, where hot sugar water is poured into a meringue before being cooled and mixed with butter. The frosting gives cakes a unique, fluffy feel that seals the deal.
“It doesn’t contain a bunch of powdered sugar. I feel like it’s a lighter frosting, it doesn’t feel as heavy,” Juhl said. “That’s my personal favorite.”
Chocolate frosting is made with literal melted down chocolate, rather than cocoa powder.
Juhl’s from-scratch approach makes it easy for her to work with clients who have dietary limitations, broadening her offerings to include gluten-free, dairy-free and allergy-free baked goods like pumpkin bars, coffee cakes, scones and more.
At first, Juhl wasn’t quite sure why her customers kept coming back. But then she figured it out.
“There’s nothing like it around here,” she said.
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