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 Historic New Bridge Landing 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 Dumont, 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 McGaw 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 La Taberna Steak & Tapas Bar or visit Memorial Field- Dumont, 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 Dumont, 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 Dumont, 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 Dumont, 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.
IOWA CITY — This was talked about ahead of time.If and when Marv Cook stepped down as Iowa City Regina’s head football coach, what would happen? It was decided that one of his top assistants would take over the best small school program in the state.That’d be either defensive coordinator Jason Dumont or offensive coordinator Ed Hinkel. Dumont’s officially the guy....
IOWA CITY — This was talked about ahead of time.
If and when Marv Cook stepped down as Iowa City Regina’s head football coach, what would happen? It was decided that one of his top assistants would take over the best small school program in the state.
That’d be either defensive coordinator Jason Dumont or offensive coordinator Ed Hinkel. Dumont’s officially the guy.
Regina announced Wednesday he is Cook’s interim replacement at the school. Hinkel is associate head coach.
“Once Marv made the announcement, Ed and I sat down and talked and said ‘Hey, you know, I would work for Ed tomorrow, and Ed would work for me,’” Dumont said. “And I hate to even phrase it that way because it’s really not working for somebody. We’ve always been a team.”
Dumont and Hinkel spent 14 seasons with Cook, helping lead Regina to an incredible seven state championships and a 159-20 record. The trio all played football at the University of Iowa.
Dumont’s son, Gentry, is a sophomore at Regina, and that played a part in who officially is head coach. Hinkel’s kids are younger, and it’s very possible he could take over for Dumont someday.
That’s called coaching continuity.
“We were surprised and not surprised that Marv stepped down. We thought maybe we would have him around for one more year,” Dumont said. “To be honest with you, Ed and I would prefer that he sticks around for the next 10 years, and we can just go out and be assistant coaches. But I don’t blame him.”
Cook announced his decision two weeks ago. His children all have graduated, and his youngest son, Ashton, will be a walk-on freshman this fall at Iowa State.
“Once all my children are done, I’m not sure I’ll stick around and be coaching, either,” Dumont said. “At the end of the day, I’ve got a son coming through, and Ed has a couple of younger boys, and we wanted to keep the staff together. Keep things as consistent as they are. It just made sense that one of us step into that role. Ed’s kids are a couple years younger, so I’ll be doing this for awhile, and then at some point, I’ll probably step away. If Ed wants to come in and take over, he can do it, and I’ll step back into an assistant’s role or I’ll be done.”
Regina went 11-1 in 2020, winning the Class A state championship via a 52-28 victory over Grundy Center. The Regals’ lone loss was in an impromptu season-opening game to 4A semifinalist Pleasant Valley that was set up after both schools’ original opponents had to cancel because of COVID-19.
Dumont said that kind of attitude, never to be afraid to play the “big boys” is part of what has made Regina’s program what it has become. He also noted the emphasis on strength and conditioning.
Regina will be a 1A team this fall.
“As far as roles, Ed is going to continue as offensive coordinator, I’ll continue to be defensive coordinator,” Dumont said. “We’ll have to rely on some defensive assistants a little bit more than we have in the past. But we’ve got some good guys in place. I’m sure it’ll be a smooth transition.”
Comments: (319)-398-8258, jeff.johnson@thegazette.com
Follow: @Jacob_BornYesterday kicked off free agency in the hockey world, which officially starts the 2019-20 season. Players found new homes and coupled with the NHL Entry Draft just a couple weeks ago, rosters both at the NHL and AHL level are quickly beginning to take shape.Four new players were welcomed into the Minnesota Wild organization yesterday, as forwards Mats Zuccarello and Ryan Hartman signed one-way contracts while forwards Gabriel Dumont ...
Follow: @Jacob_Born
Yesterday kicked off free agency in the hockey world, which officially starts the 2019-20 season. Players found new homes and coupled with the NHL Entry Draft just a couple weeks ago, rosters both at the NHL and AHL level are quickly beginning to take shape.
Four new players were welcomed into the Minnesota Wild organization yesterday, as forwards Mats Zuccarello and Ryan Hartman signed one-way contracts while forwards Gabriel Dumont and Luke Johnson each signed two-way deals. With the number of forwards in the Wild organization, both Johnson and Dumont project to spend significant time in Iowa, barring an impressive showing in training camp.
Heading into the new season, the biggest hole to fill was at center. Former captain Cal O’Reilly signed with Lehigh Valley and Luke Kunin is destined for a full season in Minnesota, the only player who played meaningful minutes at the pivot was Colton Beck, who still played more at wing during last season. Now, with the signings of Johnson and Dumont, the Wild have a strong amount of depth down the middle and any rookie who enters the lineup has the ability to ease into the role rather than have a trial by fire.
Wild fans should be familiar with Johnson, as the 24-year-old spent his first three professional seasons in the Chicago Blackhawks organization, suiting up for 199 games with the Rockford IceHogs and an additional 15 in the NHL. Of those 199 games, 27 came against the Wild, where he notched 12 points (4g, 8a).
What Iowa fans can expect is some balanced scoring from the center. Johnson has 78 points at the AHL level, splitting those points evenly with 39 goals and 39 assists. He also increased his scoring every season he’s played in the AHL, initially starting his career with 17 points in 2016-17, when he also was named Rockford’s Rookie of the Year, and posted 30 points (13g, 17a) in 2017-18.
Another key aspect to Johnson’s game is that when it matters most, he steps up. Johnson played three seasons at the University of North Dakota, where he recorded 66 points (30g, 36a) in 127 games and in each of those three years, Johnson helped bring the Fighting Hawks to the playoffs. He was named to the NCAA All-Regional Team twice in those three seasons and won the NCAA Frozen Four with North Dakota in 2016. He continued strong postseason play with the IceHogs in 2018, when he netted four goals and four assists for eight points in 13 Calder Cup Playoffs games.
At 24 years old, Johnson gives the Wild a young player with plenty of experience at the NCAA and AHL levels and could be a valuable depth piece for Minnesota in the future.
As for Dumont, he comes in and will be a very valuable part of the leadership core for Iowa. Dumont signs with Iowa after playing for Syracuse, where he was the captain last season after being named an alternate captain in 2017-18. It was the second time he earned the captaincy, as he wore a C with Hamilton as well.
Dumont is a veteran center who will be a critical part of helping the young prospects in the Wild’s system to grow. So far in his 10-year career, Dumont has suited up for 486 games in the AHL and another 87 in the NHL. He leads not just in experience but also on the scoresheet, amassing 277 points (117g, 160a) in the AHL and nine points (4g, 9a) in the NHL. He’s notched at least 40 points in each of his last three full AHL seasons and is primed to be an immediate contributor for Iowa.
Much like Johnson, Dumont has also performed well in the postseason. Twice in his career Dumont has been a part of an extended playoff run, playing 20 games with Hamilton in 2011 and 22 with Syracuse in 2017. When he was a member of the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the QMJHL, he won the league championship in 2009 and finished runner-up in the Memorial Cup that season.
Both players, should they end up with Iowa, will be an important part of the team and should make immediate impacts on the ice and in the locker room. The seeds of the 2019-20 season have been watered. Now it’s time to watch them bloom.
DES MOINES, Iowa – For a third straight year, teams from Hampton-Dumont-Cal High School are the kings of Iowa’s culinary mountain.The students were crowned champions for culinary and restaurant management at the 2024 Iowa ProStart® Invitational. They will now represent Iowa at the National ProStart Invitational in Baltimore, MD, where 400 students from across the country will compete for millions of scholarship dollars and a national championship title.The names of students from Hampton-Dumont-CAL High School ar...
DES MOINES, Iowa – For a third straight year, teams from Hampton-Dumont-Cal High School are the kings of Iowa’s culinary mountain.
The students were crowned champions for culinary and restaurant management at the 2024 Iowa ProStart® Invitational. They will now represent Iowa at the National ProStart Invitational in Baltimore, MD, where 400 students from across the country will compete for millions of scholarship dollars and a national championship title.
The names of students from Hampton-Dumont-CAL High School are:
Culinary Team Members:
Thalia Hernandez
Tucker Schmitt
Kasey Nolte
Kenzie Moorehead
Jaxson Rew
Management Team Members:
Rylee Keehn
Jade Johnson
Zoe Erdman
Abby Drier
Danny Mayer
February 28, 2024 – Des Moines, IA – For the third year in a row, teams from Hampton-Dumont-CAL High School have once again been crowned the state’s culinary and restaurant management champions at the 2024 Iowa ProStart® Invitational hosted yesterday at the Iowa Events Center by the Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation (IRAEF). The student teams will represent Iowa at the National ProStart Invitational in Baltimore, MD, where 400 students from across the country will compete for millions of scholarship dollars and a national championship title.
In the competition at the Iowa Events Center, 11 competing Culinary Arts teams were given 60 minutes to prepare a three-course meal using only two table-top butane burners and no access to electricity. Teams then presented their dishes to a panel of industry professional judges from across the state to taste and critique. Their cooking techniques, knife skills, sanitation, and teamwork were also evaluated.
Runners-up in the culinary competition included Davenport Community Schools (2nd Place) and Waukee Northwest High School (3rd Place).
Eight Restaurant Management teams were also challenged to create an original restaurant concept, create business proposals, and pitch their ideas to a panel of Iowa restaurant industry professionals who posed as potential investors and judged their business plans, teamwork, presentation skills, and critical thinking abilities.
Other schools that placed in the management competition included Davenport Community Schools (2nd Place) and Sergeant Bluff-Luton High School (3rd Place).
The event was put on by the Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation and ProStart®, a nationwide, two-year high school program that reaches nearly 150,000 students in more than 1,900 high schools across 50 states, Guam, and Department of Defense Education Activity schools in Europe and the Pacific. Over 1,500 Iowa students participate in the program.
The mission statement of the school “is to create a safe, caring culture of high expectations where all reach their greatest potential”; however, Akers may disagree after more than two years of failed attempts to start a pro-life club. Akers is a high school senior who has been fighting for a school-recognized pro-life club since she was a sophomore.Thomas More Society, the legal group defending Akers, calls the decision by school officials an act of “discrimination”:“After a series of ...
The mission statement of the school “is to create a safe, caring culture of high expectations where all reach their greatest potential”; however, Akers may disagree after more than two years of failed attempts to start a pro-life club. Akers is a high school senior who has been fighting for a school-recognized pro-life club since she was a sophomore.
Thomas More Society, the legal group defending Akers, calls the decision by school officials an act of “discrimination”:
“After a series of delays and denials, the school eventually allowed Isabell’s club to meet periodically in the spring and fall of 2014, but not to advertise or host events. As Isabell will soon graduate, she tried once again in February to acquire school club status for her Students for Life club, to leave an established club in place for future high school leaders. However, the principal once again denied Isabell’s application, claiming that the Students for Life club is too ‘controversial.’”
Thomas More Society issued a demand letter to Principal Steve Madson of Hampton-Dumont High School on behalf of Akers and Students for Life of America. The letter says the principal has “unconstitutionally discriminated against Isabell by denying her the right to form a Students for Life club at Hampton-Dumont High School.”
The school said that a pro-life club doesn’t tie in with the school’s curriculum; however, the school has allowed groups such as a Character Counts club and a Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) club.
As the Thomas More Society notes, “By law, Hampton-Dumont High School administrators must give their pro-life students the same opportunities as they give all these other school clubs.”
Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America, has joined in the complaint:
“High school administrators have no right to discriminate against pro-life students,” Hawkins said. “On the contrary, high school students have the right to form Students for Life clubs to educate and inform their peers on the tragedy of abortion and to help those facing unplanned, crisis pregnancies.”
Though Akers is graduating next month, she doesn’t want to give up the fight for a pro-life club.
“I wanted to spend my high school career educating my fellow students on the beauty of human life and providing resources to girls at my school, but instead I have been fighting for my First Amendment rights,” Akers said. “By forbidding our Students for Life club from putting up posters and not letting us be included in the yearbook with other clubs, the school administration has been treating us like second-class citizens.”
And the Thomas More Society says that’s unacceptable because “the District’s refusal to officially recognize the Students for Life club as a proper student organization constitutes a violation of the students’ rights under both the federal Equal Access Act and the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. All students who wish to form non-curricular clubs must be treated equally, even if the clubs they wish to form are religious or political.”
A demand letter issued to the principal asks for an immediate reversal.
Unfortunately for pro-life students, the Thomas More Society has been exceptionally busy lately because of principals denying them the right to form pro-life clubs (the same issue arose in North Dakota). These conflicts are a reminder that young people see the value of life and are willing to fight for their constitutional rights so they can speak out for those who cannot.
IOWA CITY, Ia. — In his all-encompassing send-off as Iowa City Regina's head football coach, Marv Cook wrapped up his final thoughts with one forward-looking line."Please know," Cook wrote to current and future Regals, "that I believe in you and I have high expectations that you can and will accomplish great things!"It's been roughly three months since arguably the most noteworthy offseason Iowa high school football coaching change. The shock of ...
IOWA CITY, Ia. — In his all-encompassing send-off as Iowa City Regina's head football coach, Marv Cook wrapped up his final thoughts with one forward-looking line.
"Please know," Cook wrote to current and future Regals, "that I believe in you and I have high expectations that you can and will accomplish great things!"
It's been roughly three months since arguably the most noteworthy offseason Iowa high school football coaching change. The shock of Cook's departure has worn off, as has the chatter that Regina will no longer be a championship-caliber program. The standard is undoubtedly high after winning seven state titles in 14 seasons, but the current Regals are determined to keep meeting those lofty expectations Cook spoke of above.
Two games into this new era piloted by former defensive coordinator-turned program leader Jason Dumont, Regina (2-0) has delivered a promising product that should age well as the 2021 campaign progresses.
"On the Xs and Os side and the way the operation runs on the sidelines and in practice, nothing's changed. And that's nice," Dumont said. "The one thing I did learn from Marv and we're continuing here is I let my coaches coach. Bottom line is I've got a great staff, and they were a great staff when Marv was the head coach. And we're still a great staff. I'd be crazy not to step back and let them do their thing."
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Although Dumont is a familiar and respected voice inside the Regina program, there are certain elements that made this transition more than just an easy handoff.
For one, the defending Class A champion Regals had to replace almost all of their top offensive weapons who carried Regina to its first title since 2015. Gone is southpaw quarterback Ashton Cook, now a walk-on at Iowa State. Out the door is leading wide receiver Alec Wick, now a walk-on at Iowa. All-Iowa running back Theo Kolie graduated as well following a dominant senior year.
Those three piled up more than 6,700 yards and 86 touchdowns last season, en route to a menacing run through Class A's toughest foes. Not an easy situation for any new coach to walk into, even one familiar with Regina's unwavering expectations.
Compounding the offensive conundrum is a situation Dumont watched unfold in front of him twice during his assistant tenure. Under center now is sophomore Gentry Dumont — Jason's son — who continues the Regina dynamic that Marv Cook had to navigate twice. Drew Cook was the Regals' starting quarterback from 2011-14, then younger brother Ashton took over from 2018-20.
Similar to what his predecessor said countless times, Jason Dumont is thrilled to have such a scenario — even if he's still learning how best to conquer it.
"Gentry is handling it great. I'm not doing so well," Jason said with a laugh. "That's usually how it goes, right?"
Take last Friday's 34-6 win over West Liberty, for example. After a first-quarter interception telegraphed right to a West Liberty defender, Jason pulled Gentry for a series in favor of junior Jack Tierney. The ensuing sideline conversation between father and son mixed teaching, critiquing and re-assuring all at once. Longtime offensive coordinator Ed Hinkel finished the talk as the elder Dumont returned to coaching duties.
Gentry came back under center one series later, finishing out a strong night with his father proudly watching. The sophomore quarterback went 13-for-23 for 168 yards and a touchdown, with the scoring hookup coming on a beautiful bomb down the sideline to Blake Chambliss amid heavy pressure.
"I got in Gentry's grill a little bit (Friday), and then Ed came over and said, 'Hey, I got it,'" Jason said. "That's what I need to do, is let coach Hinkel have it. The more I can do that, the better player Gentry will be. I want to make sure it's a great experience for both of us. I'm getting better (at managing the dynamic)."
Aiding the offensive development is a defense that mirrors many of Dumont's most elite units. There's size up front and ball-hawking talent on the back end. Through two weeks against two 2A foes, Regina's defense has surrendered just 333 total yards and 20 total points. The West Liberty rout marked the first time Regina snagged four interceptions in a game since Sept. 29, 2017, against Wilton. Future Division I prospect Jahsiah Galvan cracked the century mark but didn't have a run longer than 16 yards.
Flipping forward reveals a favorable route. An undefeated boost into district play — where Regina gets five winnable games against Mediapolis, Wilton, Louisa-Muscatine, West Branch and Durant — is the best start to a program reset Dumont could ask for.
Whether Regina ends this season the way it did last season, championship trophy in hand amid a midfield UNI-Dome celebration, remains to be seen. But it's clear the robust standard Marv Cook set, and expected to continue, isn't going anywhere.
Dargan Southard covers Iowa and UNI athletics, recruiting and preps for the Des Moines Register, HawkCentral.com and the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Email him at msouthard@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.
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