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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.

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Home Care In Cumming, IA

Home Care Cumming, IA

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 Cumming, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Cumming, IA

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 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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“Always best care provided excellent caregivers to us. I am really happy with the care and support they provided to my father. Highly recommended to all!”

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“On behalf of my family, I would like to thank Always Best care for all the support your caregivers have provided to my mother. She was very pleased with the care she received. I confidently recommend Always Best Care to all.”

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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care in Cedar Valley IA realy helps me a lot. They have Reliable Caregivers who helped me to take care of my loved one for several years. They are highly trained and managed well the daily routines and activities like bathing and dressing. Caregivers of always best care is dependable and passionate to their work. I am satisfied and so glad that I chose their service. Highly recommend whoever needs their caregiving service!”

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What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Cumming, IA?

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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.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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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.

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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.

 Senior Care Cumming, IA

Types of Elderly Care in Cumming, IA

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal 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:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Cumming, IA
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

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:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Cumming, IA
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

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:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Cumming, IA
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

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.

 In-Home Care Cumming, IA

Benefits of Home Care in Cumming, IA

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:

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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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

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.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

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 Cumming, 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.

 Elderly Care Cumming, IA

Affordable 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:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your IA's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Cumming, IA

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

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 Cumming, 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.

Assisted Living Referral Services

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.


Respite Care Cumming, IA

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:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Cumming, IA

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.

Home Care Cumming, IA

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.

 In-Home Care Cumming, IA

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

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

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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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 Cumming, 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.

 Elderly Care Cumming, IA

Latest News in Cumming, IA

Iowa City's Ciderhouse Restaurant brings farm-to-table dishes to Wilson's Orchard

One of the most exciting restaurant openings seasons in Des Moines history is going on right now, with four big debuts taking place this spring. The first opening brought a beloved Iowa City orchard and farm-to-table restaurant to the Des Moines metro.Ciderhouse Restaurant opened at Wilson’s Orchard in Cumming, south of ...

One of the most exciting restaurant openings seasons in Des Moines history is going on right now, with four big debuts taking place this spring. The first opening brought a beloved Iowa City orchard and farm-to-table restaurant to the Des Moines metro.

Ciderhouse Restaurant opened at Wilson’s Orchard in Cumming, south of Des Moines and along the Great Western Trail, the 19-mile path that runs from Des Moines to Martensdale. The facility is part of the growing Middlebrook agrihood under development in Cumming.

Wilson’s Orchard includes a bakery, farm market and events center, as well as fields of tulips and the restaurant and bar.

The orchard plans to offer U-pick strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, pumpkins and Christmas trees down the line at its 125-acre field. Already, the family behind the orchard planted 15,000 apple trees. Customers can cut their own flowers or buy bouquets in the market, with hyacinths, sunflowers, zinnias and cosmos planned through the spring and summer.

In Iowa City, the orchard was planted in 1980 on two acres with more than 100 varieties of apples and grew from there. Paul Rasch and Sara Goering bought the orchard in 2009. By 2016, they opened the full-service Ciderhouse Restaurant in Iowa City.

Now the family opened a second Wilson’s Orchard in Cumming on April 10.

What’s at the market?

Find a bounty of wares from small producers as well as Wilson’s Orchard’s own hard ciders and sparking waters, frozen fruit pies and crisps, ready to take home to bake.

The center of the market is filled with Lillie’s Q barbecue sauces, Yo Mama’s sauces, tea towels, oven mitts, jams, local honey, T-shirts, and potato chips, all tidy on wooden counters.

"We really focus on Iowa products in particular," said Erin Goering, the operations director, who noted that the Cumming market is three times larger than Iowa City. "What we really found was a limited selection and that we were starting to get really homogenous with the other stores like us, so we've expanded it."

That means expanding her sourcing to Kansas City, Missouri, and Omaha, Nebraska, for more breadth.

Down the road, the market could include more grocery items for those who live in Cumming.

"What we've already heard just in this one short week is that our localized community of Cumming right here is looking for a true kind of convenience area," she said right after the orchard opened. "So we're excited to delve into what people in this area want and start to research even more products and get to know local vendors as well."

For the look and feel of the building, the family sourced old barn wood to use in the facility with peaked roofs and beautiful wood tables, chairs, booths and bar top in the restaurant. Tiny garden lights hang overhead to give the market a charming feel.

What makes Ciderhouse stand out

When Ciderhouse opened in Iowa City, the family brought on Matt Steigerwald to take on the kitchen. He also helped open the Cumming location of Ciderhouse, announcing his departure after working at the restaurant for seven years.

Steigerwald operated Lincoln Cafe and Lincoln Winebar in Mount Vernon, and earned three semifinalist nods from the James Beard Foundation for Best Chef Midwest in 2008, 2011 and 2015.

Chef Lenny Trapane will continue to lead the kitchen in Des Moines. Trapane worked at Cobble Hill from Carrie and Andy Schumacher, himself a James Beard Foundation semifinalist, and the now-closed Rodina from Chloe and Samuel Charles, another JBF semifinalist, in Cedar Rapids. Trapane helped Big Grove open its Solon location. He joined the staff in Iowa City before moving to Grimes this year to open Ciderhouse at Wilson’s Orchard.

“We just want to focus on making sure that people come out and have great experiences,” said Jacob Goering, the general manager in Cumming.

The in-house bakery specializes in fruit pies, doughnuts, bread, turnovers and pastries, all made from scratch.

What to order at the Ciderhouse Restaurant at Wilson’s Orchard

“It’s just a limited menu everywhere for now,” said Jacob Goering, who graduated from the University of Iowa, and lived in China for a while before returning to Iowa City to work at his family’s Wilson’s Orchard.

He estimates that about 80 percent of the dishes change seasonally on this farm-to-table menu. “We do four menus a year,” he said.

The hope is that most ingredients will be sourced from within 20 miles of the farm. Eventually, the orchard will include farm animals ? cattle, sheep and chickens ? as well as a garden with vegetables within the next year. Even those items not sourced locally come from smaller farms. The cheese for the Neapolitan pizzas, for example, comes from a farm in Wisconsin.

Curried deviled eggs: Sure, you've had deviled eggs, but this version adds a hint of curry for some memorable zest. A smidge of tomatoes, ginger and fried mint balance out the flavors. You'll notice that the plates are all different, adding to the charm.

Hand pies: No fruit in these flaky crusts. These hand pies come with savory chickpea shakshuka on a lemon tahini yogurt. After taking one bite, you may not want to share.

The Pepperoni: The heart of the menu at Ciderhouse, for now, is Neapolitan pizzas. This one uses Iowa-made pepperoni with shaved red onion and smoked mozzarella. The crust has a nice chew to it.

The Greens: Nary a tomato on this one. A pistachio pesto blankets the crust, with a mound of arugula and Parmigiano Reggiano added after the base is baked. Just fold it in half to contain all of the greens when you take a bite.

See the Ciderhouse Restaurant menu

Trapane plans to expand the menu with sandwiches, entrees and potentially some blue plates for specials. A brunch is on the way, as is a patio.

Did you know?

The orchard plans to have food-inspired festivals, for example, a strawberry festival when they're in season with slushies, shortcakes and pies. Right now, lavender lemonade is on the menu.

Customers are already finding Wilson’s Orchard as well.

“There have already been a lot of bikers coming through here, especially on the weekend,” Jacob Goering said. By the second weekend it was open, the restaurant served 1,200 people, with an estimated 6,500 visiting the facility.

Where to find Ciderhouse Restaurant at Wilson’s Orchard

Location: 3201 15th Ave., Cumming

Contact: 515-216-0027 or wilsonsorchard.com/des-moines/ciderhouse-dsm

Hours: Farm Market open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Ciderhouse Restaurant open from Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

With spirits in all 99 Iowa counties, Iowa Distilling Co. breaks ground on a new production site

The Cumming, Iowa, spirits manufacturer broke ground this month on a new 6,000-square-foot production facility at 4324 Alice Ave. next to its current home at 4349 Cumming Ave.“We want to be that draw to Iowa, something (visitors) want to take home and share,” Kyle Doyle, president of Iowa Distilling Co., said.The distillery currently operates out of a 100-year-old brick building that will remain open as a craft cocktail lounge, tasting room and event space. Des Moines-based construction and design company ...

The Cumming, Iowa, spirits manufacturer broke ground this month on a new 6,000-square-foot production facility at 4324 Alice Ave. next to its current home at 4349 Cumming Ave.

“We want to be that draw to Iowa, something (visitors) want to take home and share,” Kyle Doyle, president of Iowa Distilling Co., said.

The distillery currently operates out of a 100-year-old brick building that will remain open as a craft cocktail lounge, tasting room and event space. Des Moines-based construction and design company Shyft Collective heads up the project, estimated to take five to eight months for a 2022 opening.

Started in 2012 by Todd Dunkel, Iowa Distilling Co. produces nine labels ranging from vodka to bourbon to moonshine. Doyle took over the operation five years ago.

Doyle oversees Iowa Distillery Co.’s effort to sell its products in all 99 Iowa counties, and he views the growth of distillery as an investment in the state and the community of Cumming.

“We put ‘Iowa’ in our name because we’re dang proud of it,” Doyle said. “There’s not a lot of communities in the state that can say they impact all 99 counties in Iowa.”

That effort paid off with the distillery earning the title of Warren County Producer/Manufacturer of the Year in 2019 and Cityview’s Best Local Distillery in 2020. The Prairie Fire label took the top spot for whiskey, and Steel Drum Rum won Best Rum.

Consumers can find Iowa Distillery Co. spirits in all 99 counties wherever alcohol is sold and in the craft cocktail lounge in Cumming. Bartenders in the lounge are keen to answer customer questions and offer serving suggestions, Doyle said. The lounge also offers Doyle and his staff an opportunity to connect with the community and bounce ideas off clientele.

“We are working hard to go from Iowa Distilling Co. to Iowa’s distilling company,” Doyle said.

Art in Iowa: New mural towers over Cumming at 100 feet tall

Des Moines RegisterThere's a new reason to come to Cumming.In an effort to draw more visitors to the town and beautify an existing structure for residents, Warren and Cumming Hometown Pride members have spent the last eight months creating a plan that has transformed the city's old water tower into a work of art.Lorin Ditzler, community coach for Warren County Hometown Pride, said the no-long...

Des Moines Register

There's a new reason to come to Cumming.

In an effort to draw more visitors to the town and beautify an existing structure for residents, Warren and Cumming Hometown Pride members have spent the last eight months creating a plan that has transformed the city's old water tower into a work of art.

Lorin Ditzler, community coach for Warren County Hometown Pride, said the no-longer functioning water tower was last painted in the 1960s and either needed a makeover or was going to be torn down.

After receiving approval from the city council, members of the hometown committees began working on funding. Grants from the Warren County Economic Development Corporation and the Warren County Philanthropic Partnership paid for a significant amount of the project along with the City of Cumming.

The committees then put out a call for artists around January, Ditzler said. They chose Ben Schuh.

Schuh is known around Des Moines for art including the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines' mural on the corner of 5th Avenue and Locust Street in Des Moines and the Cheers from Des Moines mural on the wall of Exile Brewing Company.

Schuh has painted buildings and walls, but never a water tower, he said. When he heard Hometown Pride committees were looking for artists, he was intrigued by the challenge the project presented. The tower is the highest mural he has ever painted.

For more than a week, Schuh has spent hours each day on a lift propelling him into the air to paint the mural, which he said is 100 feet tall, including background painting, and 12 feet across. He plans to finish the mural this week.

Schuh said his vision for the project was to capture the city's history in a way that both visitors and residents could enjoy.

"The overall goal for me was to be true to the history of Cumming and to do so in a way that anybody riding a bike by could interact with it or any of the residents living here can interact with it," he said.

He worked on the design with the hometown pride committees for several months.

Down the length of the water tower is the town's name followed by the depiction of a train that calls back to the town's history when a railroad ran through where a portion of the Great Western Trail now exists. An homage to the trail also has a place on the tower, where a square scene shows two bikers high-fiving. Another square honors the town's one-room schoolhouse, and a third depicts farmland.

The farm scene was added late in the process, Ditzler said.

"That came from the idea of that connection to agriculture and the natural environment even though you’re in a more urban or suburban living environment," she said.

The mural also thanks veterans and features prairie flowers "to reflect that feeling of being close to nature," Ditzler said.

She said while she plans to publicize the mural as an attraction to draw visitors to Cumming, she also hopes residents feel it captures the spirit of the town.

"I hope that the people who live in Cumming see it and feel proud of the community and feel a stronger connection to the community and that sense of place and sense of identity," she said.

Cumming Hometown Pride member Patrick Whalan said the water tower mural gives color to the small town.

"If you drive around Iowa and see small towns, every once in a while you’ll see something that really catches your eye as a cool art project or something they’ve done in the town that really makes it pop or stand out," he said. "I think that is what this will do for Cumming."

The mural is just the start of more public art in Warren County, Ditzler said. Other public art projects are already in the works.

Visitors can find the water tower mural in City Park.

Sarah LeBlanc covers trending news for the Register. Reach her at 515-284-8161 or [email protected].

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