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.
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 Lone Tree, 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.
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. 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 Lone Tree, 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 Lone Tree, 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.
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 Lone Tree, 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 CITYLone Tree and Hills are emerging as potential housing destinations in Johnson County.Preliminary findings by the consultant group CommunityScale on a housing study of unincorporated areas and small cities in Johnson County indicated that 950 housing units will be needed in those areas over the next 10 years at the same time that larger cities in the country grow rapidly.“The number one thing is water, the number two thing is sewer,” longtime Supervisor Rod Sullivan said during the Board of Supervisor...
IOWA CITY
Lone Tree and Hills are emerging as potential housing destinations in Johnson County.
Preliminary findings by the consultant group CommunityScale on a housing study of unincorporated areas and small cities in Johnson County indicated that 950 housing units will be needed in those areas over the next 10 years at the same time that larger cities in the country grow rapidly.
“The number one thing is water, the number two thing is sewer,” longtime Supervisor Rod Sullivan said during the Board of Supervisors June 25 work session. “Lone Tree has invested water and sewer. I’d love to see Lone Tree grow.
“Hills put in millions of dollars into having public utilities,” Sullivan said. “I’d love to see Hills grow.”
Lone Tree has positioned itself for growth, said Jeff Sauser, a consultant with CommunityScale.
“Lone Tree has water, so that’s one less thing the developer has to provide,” Sauser said. “That helps Lone Tree compete. It can’t quite command the same prices as other places, but the cost of development is lower there, too, so it allows it to level the playing field a little bit.”
CommunityScale hosted a public meeting last Thursday night in Hills to discuss the study.
“We’re going to give them the help that they ask for,” said Josh Busard, Director, Johnson County Department of Planning, Development and Sustainability.
Statistics show that the number of housing units that are owned is far bigger than rentals in non-metro areas in Johnson County. Rentals total about 1,500 with nearly 10,000 homes that are owned. The quickest rising population is 65-and-over.
To get more younger residents, the study shows, there would have to be more available rentals.
As the Board considers recommendations for future growth, it may also update its current plan that is used to guide zoning and building.
“Josh (Busard) needs direction, policy wise, in terms of what we do,” Sullivan said. “Policies are built around where we want to go and then they just implement them.”
Grants & Programs
During its June 27 formal session, the Board approved Hunger Relief Grant agreements of nearly $100,000, including $62,000 with CommUnity Crisis Services.
The Board also approved more than $300,000 in Juvenile Justice Youth Development Program contracts, including $70,229 with Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County and $70,000 with United Action for Youth.
Strategic Planning
Eleven were appointed to the Strategic Plan Committee, including Supervisors Rod Sullivan and Lisa Green-Douglass.
The project will also include hiring a consultant and is expected to be completed by early 2026.
Joining Sullivan and Green-Douglass on the working committee are Rachel Zimmermann Smith, County Attorney; Brad Kunkel, County Sheriff; Julie Persons, County Auditor; Lindsey Jones, HR; Josh Busard, Planning, Development and Sustainability; Lynette Jacoby, County Social Services; Fiona Johnson, County Ambulance; Paola Jaramillo Guayara and Adam Finken, County staff.
Board Action
The Board approved a $449,225 change order with Avaap for Workday Implementation Services (digital software) at county offices.
The Board approved a job description for Health Promotion Specialist in Public Health.
Next meeting:
The Board’s next formal session is at 9 a.m. July 3.
Lone Tree, Hills, housing, CommunityScale, Johnson County, Rod Sullivan
The Sigourney Savages are closing in on a conference championship in baseball after a 5-0 win over BGM last night. Despite getting a run in the second inning to take the early lead, Sigourney only scored twice more in the third inning and two more runs in the fifth. Fortunately, starting pitcher Landon Conrad only needed that much offense.The sophomore threw five-and-a-third innings of no-hit baseball, allowing only two walks and racking up nine strikeouts. Chase Clarahan got the final out in the sixth to wrap up a combined no-hitter ...
The Sigourney Savages are closing in on a conference championship in baseball after a 5-0 win over BGM last night. Despite getting a run in the second inning to take the early lead, Sigourney only scored twice more in the third inning and two more runs in the fifth. Fortunately, starting pitcher Landon Conrad only needed that much offense.
The sophomore threw five-and-a-third innings of no-hit baseball, allowing only two walks and racking up nine strikeouts. Chase Clarahan got the final out in the sixth to wrap up a combined no-hitter for the Savages.
Offensively, junior Solon Yates had two runs batted in on one hit for Sigourney and sophomore Lincoln Power cracked a double. Power and seniors Chase Clarahan, Cole McKay and Isaac Bruns each finished with one hit and one run scored.
The Savages, ranked second in the state in Class 1A, now have a record of 18-1 and are a perfect 14-0 in the South Iowa Cedar League, with two more wins next week against Iowa Valley and HLV wrapping up a league title. Up first is their next game tonight against Wilton.
The Lone Tree Lions would not have the same luck Wednesday evening, dropping both games of a doubleheader against Calamus-Wheatland at Duane Banks Stadium on the campus of the University of Iowa.
Lone Tree dropped Game One 13-6 despite two hits and two runs scored from junior Emmett Burke out of the middle of the lineup. Brody Magruder hit a double and had two runs batted in, while fellow senior Jack Patterson smacked a triple, joining sophomore teammates Brock Nebergall and Owen Eden with one hit and one run scored each.
The Lions would fall behind in the second game after Calamus-Wheatland scored 12 times in the second inning alone, and they would end the game early after five frames with a 15-2 victory.
Burke, Patterson and senior Maddox Jondle had the only three hits in the game for Lone Tree, who has a four-game win streak come to an end with the pair of losses and is now 7-10 ahead of facing conference rival Hillcrest Academy this evening.
Photos: Lone Tree softball vs Hillcrest Previous Next Posted Monday, June 30, 2025 12:16 pm Lone Tree (15-6) completed the season sweep over Hillcrest (10-13) with a 11-1 home conference victory in fou...
Posted Monday, June 30, 2025 12:16 pm
Lone Tree (15-6) completed the season sweep over Hillcrest (10-13) with a 11-1 home conference victory in four innings on June 27.
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LONE TREEThe City of Lone Tree is now a fireworks city, whether it’s wanted or not.But The Tree isn’t alone.New state legislation is requiring municipalities to allow fireworks over the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve, and that’s why the Lone Tree City Council approved a change to its fireworks ordinance during its regularly scheduled meeting June 2.Fireworks can be used in the city July 3 and 4, and December 31. Outside of those dates, the city prohibits the use of fireworks. For consume...
LONE TREE
The City of Lone Tree is now a fireworks city, whether it’s wanted or not.
But The Tree isn’t alone.
New state legislation is requiring municipalities to allow fireworks over the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve, and that’s why the Lone Tree City Council approved a change to its fireworks ordinance during its regularly scheduled meeting June 2.
Fireworks can be used in the city July 3 and 4, and December 31. Outside of those dates, the city prohibits the use of fireworks. For consumer fireworks, permits are not needed.
Outside of the city, Johnson County fireworks regulations are in place, but the county’s ordinance is also likely to be changed.
JoCo Visitors
Rachel Zimmermann Smith, Johnson County Attorney, was among three county elected officials who appeared in front of the Council on Monday night.
Joining Zimmermann Smith were Auditor Julie Persons, former mayor of Swisher, and Treasurer Scott Finlayson.
“I’m happy to be here,” Zimmermann Smith said. “I love Lone Tree.”
“I want to make sure that you guys feel heard,” Persons said.
All three provided updates on county activities.
Johnson County’s elected officials are visiting cities around the county.
Brad Kunkel, County Sheriff, previously visited the City Council when discussions about the Fiscal Year 2026 sheriff contract were held.
Pay Raises
The Council approved a number of pay increases for city staffers, beginning with the start of Fiscal Year 2026 on July 1.
Stephanie Dautremont, City Clerk and Treasurer, received a 10% increase, to $25.89 per hour.
Others were: Josh Forbes, public works, 4% increase to $23.97 per hour; Diane Fellows, Senior Dining cook, 4% increase to $15.65 per hour; Elainia Amundson, Senior Dining Room, 5% increase to $14.23 per hour.
Council Actions
The Council approved the amendment of an ordinance to update garbage and recycling rates, which will increase 4% in July 2026, 2028 and 2030. Water rates will go up 2% July 1.
The Council approved matching funds of $2,000 to Lone Tree Economic Development.
The Council approved a proposal of $7,314.50 from Ace Electric of North Liberty for work on a transfer switch on the water plant’s generator.
The Council approved a proposal of $1,695 from Mr. Gutter of Eastern Iowa for new gutters at the city shop.
Next board meeting: The City Council’s next regularly scheduled meeting is at 6 p.m. July 7.
Lone Tree, fireworks, Fourth of July
LONE TREEA lot of us play a short game. We’re looking for the quick craft, the instant purchase, the two-minute meal. And in economic world that favors efficiency and speed, you can’t really fault that.The world of model aeronautics can be a short game. You can buy an airplane that can be assembled in minutes, click it together, and run outside and fly it. That’s remarkable.But flying remote controlled aircraft can be a long game too, and that’s the one that the Lone Tree Flyers are playing....
LONE TREE
A lot of us play a short game. We’re looking for the quick craft, the instant purchase, the two-minute meal. And in economic world that favors efficiency and speed, you can’t really fault that.
The world of model aeronautics can be a short game. You can buy an airplane that can be assembled in minutes, click it together, and run outside and fly it. That’s remarkable.
But flying remote controlled aircraft can be a long game too, and that’s the one that the Lone Tree Flyers are playing.
The RC club will host their fifth Fun Fly on June 13-14, where some 35 pilots from across the region, from Colorado to Ohio, will gather with their fleets, camp out, picnic, and enjoy socializing with others of like minds. Oh, and also fly as much as they want.
“The objective of this is to attract pilots,” club President John Biondo says. “It’s known as a fun fly, which means there aren’t any regulations or judging or things like that. It’s basically, bring your airplane, fly, and enjoy yourself.”
An interesting thing happens when you do that year after year. You get to see people improve their flight skills, refine their craftsmanship, and grow as people. You get to make progress on your own journey.
Take Luke, for example, Biondo says. He was 11 years old when he and his dad first came out to Lone Tree from Colorado to the Fun Fly. This will be their third year at the event, and Luke has “grown up, and he’s become quite an incredible pilot.”
Or look at Roger Weber. A member of the Lone Tree Flyers, he’s been an RC airplane pilot for a long time, but only last year decided to spice things up by trying a helicopter, and his flight skills continue to improve.
And how about Biondo himself: a flight instructor, he sees personal progress and achievement in devoting time and attention to crafting an airplane in tribute to a dear friend and WWII vet.
“I lost count at 3,600 hours,” he says. “I could have built a real airplane.”
That’s part of what’s neat about model aeronautics: there’s something in it for everyone. Whatever your goals or focus, you can pursue or express that through participation in this activity, this adventure.
The Lone Tree Flyers are especially interested in attracting youth to their sport. Biondo sees it as a gateway to career exploration, perhaps specifically in aviation, but not necessarily so.
“You go through the journey, so to speak, of learning about model airplanes, flying them. And then some of the youngsters end up growing up and going into the military, either flying drones in the military or full-scale aircraft. And who knows, they may become an astronaut someday,” he says. “So, it’s this journey that you go through, and we are a small part of the journey, but the really foundational part of the journey, if you will, in model aviation, which is really cool if you think about it from that standpoint.”
For Biondo himself, learning to fly model airplanes with his dad at age six was a “huge influence” on his own career path. Although he didn’t go into professional aviation, he “merged my engineering and model making background and artistic background into a career” in industrial and product design, eventually designing medical devices, security products, and office furniture.
An exciting development for the group this year is the receipt of a Take Off & Grow (TAG) grant from the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), the nonprofit advocacy group for model aviation enthusiasts. The funds they receive will go toward developing more outreach programs to area schools, something they stared doing last year with the Muscatine school district.
“We provided four half-hour programs,” Weber says, where he and fellow Lone Tree Flyer Phil Eason brought model planes into the classroom and showed a video about helicopter flight. “We’re trying to maybe expand that or build on that a little bit.”
Pilots and spectators who come out to this year’s Fun Fly will appreciate another improvement for the club this year: a new safety fence at the Lone Tree airfield, which is located behind the American Legion. Gone is the orange snow fence, and in its place is a cyclone fence that “looks gorgeous,” Biondo says. It also allows the club to put up advertising for RC aircraft companies and hobby shops, representatives of which plan to attend the event.
All of this growth was made possible by Gary Kleinmeyer, Biondo notes, the “Godfather” of the Lone Tree Flyers and airfield. It was Kleinmeyer who had the vision and put in the work to transform a plot of land that served as a post-derecho dump site into a “really, really beautiful flying site.”
It was to Kleinmeyer’s shop the club members headed one recent windy day when conditions were unfavorable for flying. Instead, they decided to work on “some mechanical things,” and “it ended up being a full day of five guys, I think we were there a total of eight hours just working on airplanes, and we had a blast doing it,” Biondo says. “It was just fun.”
Get a taste of that fun on Friday, June 13 and Saturday, June 14 at the Lone Tree Fun Fly, which takes place at the airfield located at 300 N. Devoe St., Lone Tree. Spectators are welcome; expect a range of aircraft, dazzling mid-air acrobatics, and plenty of smoke trails.
Lone Tree Flyers, RC planes, Lone Tree Fun Fly, Academy of Model Aeronautics, AMA, Iowa
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