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Home Care In Atkins, IA

Home Care Atkins, 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.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Atkins City Park 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 Atkins, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

In-Home Care Atkins, 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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Elderly Care for DouglasJJIWF
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Caring

“Always Best is OK but doesn’t seem to make up hours very well. When the”

Always Best is OK but doesn’t seem to make up hours very well. When the caregiver is sick, nobody comes. I would think that they need a little more back up than they have right now. They give me a schedule, and billing is paid by Medicaid.
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In-home Care for Carol64210350
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“I knew a lady who works for Always Best Health Care that's why I chose”

I knew a lady who works for Always Best Health Care that's why I chose it. The caregiver is very good with a very good attitude. They were able to provide the caregiver for myself immediately. She accompanies me to shopping.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best is OK but doesn’t seem to make up hours very well. When the caregiver is sick, nobody comes. I would think that they need a little more back up than they have right now. They give me a schedule, and billing is paid by Medicaid.”

DouglasJJIWF
×
TESTIMONIALS

“I knew a lady who works for Always Best Health Care that's why I chose it. The caregiver is very good with a very good attitude. They were able to provide the caregiver for myself immediately. She accompanies me to shopping.”

Carol64210350

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Atkins, 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.

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Senior Care Atkins, IA

Types of Elderly Care in Atkins, 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
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Respite Care Atkins, 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
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Caregivers Atkins, 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. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Atkins City Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
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Home Care Atkins, 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. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Bobby T’s or visit Fort Atkinson State Historical Park, 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.

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In-Home Care Atkins, IA

Benefits of Home Care in Atkins, 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 Atkins, 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 Atkins, 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 Atkins, 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 Atkins, 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 Atkins, 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 Atkins, 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.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Atkins Nursing & Rehab Center
  • Senior Living Solutions
  • Valley Housing
Home Care Atkins, 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 Atkins, 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 Atkins, 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.

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Elderly Care Atkins, IA

Latest News in Atkins, IA

Saying yes to a dress this November means making the holidays for a local family

ATKINS, Iowa - (Iowa's News Now) — Wednesday was as busy at Hope's Bridal in Atkins as many kitchens will be come Thanksgiving. Upstairs, a bride-to-be weighed the options between two dream dresses. Another tried on her chosen gown, eyes wet with tears. A third carried out a hot pink garment bag -- but not before stopping for pictures."Ready," says the photographer. "Ok, now look at me."The picture perfect moment when the bride finds "the one." It's a perfect moment that's been delayed for so...

ATKINS, Iowa - (Iowa's News Now) — Wednesday was as busy at Hope's Bridal in Atkins as many kitchens will be come Thanksgiving. Upstairs, a bride-to-be weighed the options between two dream dresses. Another tried on her chosen gown, eyes wet with tears. A third carried out a hot pink garment bag -- but not before stopping for pictures.

"Ready," says the photographer. "Ok, now look at me."

The picture perfect moment when the bride finds "the one." It's a perfect moment that's been delayed for so many couples this year.

"Yes, I think almost every bride and groom that are...were planning a wedding for 2020 have had to make adaptations," says bridal shop owner Diane Niebuhr. "Not always easy. A lot of heartbreak, a lot of sadness."

Helping brides find the best fit has made Niebuhr happy for more than 30 years. This year has been the toughest yet; COVID closed the shop for a time due to state mandate, then the derecho shut things once again for a brief period. All hopeful couples and guests (limit of two per bride) must wear masks and there's no more sifting through racks of gowns, all precaution against coronavirus.

So this holiday season, Niebuhr wanted to bring a little more hope.

"So it's a really easy segue into 'let's provide food for families,'" she says.

For every bridal gown sold in the remaining days of November, Niebuhr's second business, Sugarfire Cedar Rapids, will donate a Christmas meal to a family in need. Those meals will be made in house from scratch, says general manager Angela Guzman.

"House smoked turkey, we do hams. Some of the traditional fixings," she says.

There's even pie for dessert.

It was sort of a pie-in-the-sky thing Guzman had been dreaming up herself, a way for Sugarfire to give back to the community. It became reality with the help of Bridgette Williams-Robinson and her husband Jovountae, founders of Bridge Under the Bridge.

"Partnering up with Bridgette and Jovountae has been like a match made in heaven from the start," Guzman says.

The couple will use their weekly meal service to find the families who need these holiday meals. So far, Hope's Bridal is set to give back 11 meals, with hopes of providing 20 or more as November 30th approaches.

It's the way a dress match made in heaven can bring even more smiles.

"Hopefully make things a little better for somebody's holiday meal," Guzman says.

"This is a way we can reach out into the community and thank our backyard, our home community," Niebuhr says.

Benton County land transactions

Recorded Aug. 17Randy L. Schmuecker, Trustee to Josie L. Schmuecker, Blairstown Keck and Herrings Addition, lot 10, block 1.Last will and testament of Mark A Schmuecker, northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 14, township 82, range 11.Recorded Aug. 21Seth Ettleman to Richard S. Ettleman and Linda Ettleman, Vinton High Point Addition, lot 20, block 5.Jeffrey L. and Suzanne M. Parsons to Jeffrey L. Parsons and Suzanne M. Parsons Revocable Trust, Belle Plaine Bl...

Recorded Aug. 17

Randy L. Schmuecker, Trustee to Josie L. Schmuecker, Blairstown Keck and Herrings Addition, lot 10, block 1.

Last will and testament of Mark A Schmuecker, northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 14, township 82, range 11.

Recorded Aug. 21

Seth Ettleman to Richard S. Ettleman and Linda Ettleman, Vinton High Point Addition, lot 20, block 5.

Jeffrey L. and Suzanne M. Parsons to Jeffrey L. Parsons and Suzanne M. Parsons Revocable Trust, Belle Plaine Blossom’s Third Addition, lot 2.

City of Belle Plaine to Delbert W. and Bonnie S. Meeks, Belle Plaine Blairs Second Addition, lot 5, block 34.

Linda H. Snider, deceased, and Charles R. Snider to Charles R. Snider, Walford Clover Ridge Addition Part Five, lot 138.

Charles R. Snider to WWI3 LLC, Walford Clover Ridge Addition Park Three, lot 138.

Lynn Selk and Brenda F. Selk to Jeffrey A. Selk, southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 27, township 84, range 12.

Jill Blank-Gualtier and John t. Gualtier, deceased to Jill Blank-Gualtier, Vinton WF Williams Addition, block 18.

Christopher and Melissa Struck to Alicia A. Sill, Keystone Hamanns Addition, lot 8, block 3.

Recorded Aug. 22

Bradley P. Holst, co-trustee, Byron F. Holst Revocable Trust, Dawn M. Ingraham, co-trustee, to Gary W. Heiser and Vera E. Jordan-Heiser, Atkins Pleasant Hill First Addition, lot 3 and Out lot C, Atkins Pleasant Hill Second Addition.

Jason L. and Jennifer A. Hummell to Keegan A. and Mackenzie M. Wright, Keystone, lots 3, 4 and 5 of block 5.

Jessica M. Lohrer to Chad E. Lohrer, Atkins Pleasant Hill First Addition, lot 14.

Richard Dean Boies, deceased, James Robert Boies, deceased, and Matthew Boies to Matthew Boies, the northeast and northwest quarters of section 15, township 84, range 12, the southwest quarter of section 10, township 84, range 12 and the northeast quarter of section 19, township 84, range 12.

William and Teresa A. Selken to MSP Properties of Minnesota LP, Part D of the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 14, township 83, range 12.

David L. and Laurie A. Lempia to Garrett T. and Mataya L. Betenbender, the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 25, township 86, range 9.

Recorded Aug. 23

River Valley Investments LLC to JAB Property Holdings LLC, Belle Plaine Wurtele’s Addition Lots 4, 14, 15 and 16 in block 1.

Thomas and Sarah Young to Travis R. Clark, Urbana Lairds First Addition, lot 12.

Nicole Renae Buck and Nicole R. Cooling to Richard Cooling, the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 23, township 83, range 9.

Linda Vileta to Phillip William and Carrie Fraley, Belle Plaine Blairs Second Addition, lot 5, block 23.

Recorded Aug. 24

Garrett T. and Mataya L. Betenbender to Cassandra J. Collins, Urbana Rich’s Eighth Addition, lot 1.

Recorded Aug. 25

Marvin Wayne Leroy to Franklin J. Peralta and Jessica Jo Susana, Parcel A of the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 6, township 86, range 12.

Eric J. and Kim M. Stenberg to Aaron Russell and Kadi Larie McVay, Southridge Estates First Addition, lot 8.

Sharon Johannsen, James Johannsen, Darwin Flickinger, Evelyn Flickinger and Denise Scott to Darwin and Evelyn Flickinger, parcel C in the northwest quarter of section 3, township 84, range 11.

Sharon Johannsen, James Johannsen, Darwin Flickinger, Evelyn Flickinger and Denise Scott to Sharon and James Johannsen, parcel A in the northwest quarter of section 3, township 84, range 11.

Sharon Johannsen, James Johannsen, Darwin Flickinger, Evelyn Flickinger and Denise Scott to Denise Scott, parcel B in the northwest quarter of section 3, township 84, range 11.

Virginia L. Deterding to Virginia L. and Troy Deterding, Vinton Tilfords Second Addition to South Vinton, lot 3, block 32.

Yvonne L. Burkhard to Bryce A. and Devon Burroughs, parcel C of the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 11, township 85, range 10.

Atkins leaders won’t say why they censured a council member

The Atkins City Council voted last week to censure a council member who opposed hiring a city administrator for $92,000, but another council member says those things are not related.The five-member council voted Dec. 21 on a resolution for a public censure of Julie DeMeulenaere, who has been on the council since March, ...

The Atkins City Council voted last week to censure a council member who opposed hiring a city administrator for $92,000, but another council member says those things are not related.

The five-member council voted Dec. 21 on a resolution for a public censure of Julie DeMeulenaere, who has been on the council since March, KCRG-TV reported last week.

The resolution was not included with the online meeting agenda and Mayor Bruce Visser declined Monday to answer questions about what caused the censure. City Attorney Ryan Tang stated at last week’s meeting the censure was related to litigation, so city officials couldn’t comment, KCRG reported.

DeMeulenaere provided The Gazette a copy of a short letter Visser sent her Dec. 21. The letter says DeMeulenaere may have violated state ethics standards for elected officials, “communicated with City employees in an inappropriate manner” and “made defamatory statements about employees”-- but then doesn’t describe her alleged action or actions.

“I think this is payback from not wanting to hire a city administrator,” DeMeulenaere told The Gazette.

The council vote Oct. 4 to approve a contract for a new city administrator at a salary of $92,000 a year for two years. The council promoted City Clerk Kelly Groskurth into the new role. DeMeulenaere was one of two council members to vote against the new position, according to minutes from the Oct. 4 meeting.

“I did not believe we need a city administrator for 2,000 people,” she said Monday. “If we start getting bigger, absolutely. Typically a town of 2,000 doesn’t have a city administrator.”

A consultant report also recommended against hiring a city administrator at this time, she said.

Three council members — Heather Rinderknecht, Robert Spading and Joey Svejda — are ending terms on the board at the end of the month. DeMeulenaere suggested they postpone the decision until the new council convenes, but she was overruled. She also proposed lowering the salary to $70,000 with a one-year contract, but other members did not agree, DeMeulenaere said.

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Svejda, who is moving to Marion and will leave the Atkins board after serving since 2018, told The Gazette on Monday the censure against DeMeulenaere is not related to her October vote.

“It’s not about hiring the city administrator,” he said. “There is some legal stuff.”

DeMeulenaere said she doesn’t know what her colleagues mean about litigation and says she’s not pursuing a lawsuit. But DeMeulenaere has been frustrated by delays in getting documents she’s requested from the city.

“Have I made a couple comments? Yes, I have,” she said. “But it comes out of frustration for not getting my documents. They talk about litigation, but the city attorney is supposed to protect them, but also protect me.”

The other council member to vote against the city administrator contract was Lana Robison, whose term was to expire in 2023 but who turned in her resignation this month. The council will meet Thursday to vote on someone to fill the remainder of Robison’s term.

Robison, reached by phone Monday, said she is resigning for health reasons and it is not connected to DeMeulenaere or any other council matter. She declined to speak further about the censure.

Svejda said he thinks Atkins needs a city administrator to help with growth and Groskurth is worth the money.

“She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to this city, I can guarantee it,” he said.

Atkins, in Benton County, was hit hard by the derecho, losing 70 percent of its trees and sustaining $2 to $3 million damage to city-owned facilities, Svejda said. Visser and Groskurth have applied for Federal Emergency Management Agency money and other grants to support recovery and to recruit new businesses, he said.

“Our mayor doesn’t get paid, but he’s been near working a full-time,” he said.

The $92,000 salary, while far higher than city administrator pay in similarly-sized Iowa towns, “is an investment,” Svejda said. “She’s got us a lot of grants we didn’t know we could get. I’m 100 percent behind my decision.”

Comments: (319) 339-3157; [email protected]

Bloomsbury Farm has grown far beyond a pumpkin patch to a year-round venue

As summer turns to fall, many people start to think about buying pumpkins and for many Corridor families, that involves a trip to Bloomsbury Farm west of Cedar Rapids.Sammy Petersen, 30, and her sister, Jess, manage Bloomsbury Farm, along with their parents, Karen and Dave Petersen, who own the property and business.Sammy Petersen is part of the sixth generation to grow up on her family's farm near Atkins.The farm is still a working farm. 'My dad farms corn and soybeans,” she said.Over the past 30 years, the...

As summer turns to fall, many people start to think about buying pumpkins and for many Corridor families, that involves a trip to Bloomsbury Farm west of Cedar Rapids.

Sammy Petersen, 30, and her sister, Jess, manage Bloomsbury Farm, along with their parents, Karen and Dave Petersen, who own the property and business.

Sammy Petersen is part of the sixth generation to grow up on her family's farm near Atkins.

The farm is still a working farm. 'My dad farms corn and soybeans,” she said.

Over the past 30 years, the family has grown a small side business into a large-scale, agri-tourism destination. After starting a greenhouse and landscaping business in the early 1990s, the Petersen family business never really slowed down - but it has evolved.

'My mom was a florist and had the greenhouse business, and it slowly morphed into more agri-tourism,” Petersen said. 'In 2004, a tornado wiped out the greenhouse business, and we decided not to rebuild that. Instead, it became Bloomsbury Farm, and we've grown every year since then. The four of us work very closely together on basically every aspect of the business. We have such a passion for it - and it's fun to work together.”

The Petersen sisters both attended Iowa State University. Upon graduation, they each moved around a bit with other professional ventures, gaining experience before returning home to help run and grow the family business.

Today, Bloomsbury Farm is a popular Eastern Iowa destination, hosting the complete outdoor farm experience. People of all ages can play games, see and pet animals, and much more, with lots of photo ops built in.

The farm hosts a wide variety of events throughout the year - the most popular is Autumn Days, which runs through the month of October. Autumn Days offers families a pick-your-own pumpkin patch, hayrack rides, a petting zoo, a super slide, a corn maze, pig races, duck races, a jumping pillow and more.

'We have 12 acres of pumpkins,” Petersen said. 'It's a fall tradition for many families in the area. They love to play around the farm and enjoy the wide-open space.”

The fun doesn't end at dusk.

Screaming Acres is open beginning at 7 p.m. each Friday and Saturday in October and features four haunted attractions. The Slaughterhouse is a two-story corn crib. The Sinister Silo, opened in 2019, is a 3-D monster-themed haunt inside a grain bin. Cell Block C is an indoor zombie apocalypse-themed haunt.

And the most popular stop - the haunted cornfield.

'It's very creepy,” Petersen said. 'And the whole night is a fun experience - you get in line for whichever attraction you want, and we have in-line entertainment, food, wine and beer. It's really an experience from the moment you step foot on the farm.”

In recent years, Bloomsbury Farm has added other seasonal events. 'Our main season is fall, but we have a lot of other great events, too,” Petersen said.

Each spring, Bloomsbury Farms holds Baby Animal Days, another popular draw.

'We have all types of baby animals on the farm to pet and feed - chicks, ducklings, pot belly pigs, calves, lambs and goats,” Petersen said. 'Who doesn't love a baby goat?”

In addition to its large community-oriented events, Bloomsbury Farm hosts a number of private corporate events, school tours, teambuilding events and even a few weddings.

The farm can provide catering and a full-service bar, with space for as few as 12 guests or as many as 700 to 800 people.

The Petersen family needs a lot of help to keep the business running. Bloomsbury Farm employs around 60 seasonal employees and around 80 ghosts and ghouls to run the haunted attractions each fall.

'We have great people who work for us,” Petersen said. 'We're a close-knit family - we take a lot of pride in our employees.”

Like many small businesses, Bloomsbury Farm has faced some challenges this year with the coronavirus pandemic and the recent derecho windstorm. But the impacts, so far, have been minimal.

'As a family, we're optimists, and we're always looking on the positive side of things,” Petersen said. 'We have always offered a safe space for our employees and customers to come and build memories together.

'With our wide-open space, we have a great opportunity to continue to welcome people out to the farm in a very safe environment.”

Bloomsbury Farm has positioned handwashing and sanitizing stations around the property.

'Just like before, we are always very intentional about keeping our farm clean and encouraging safety,” Petersen said.

As the upcoming fall season kicks into high gear, the Petersens are optimistic this season - and the years ahead - will be just as fun and entertaining as they've always been at Bloomsbury Farm - or maybe even more so.

'The sky is the limit. We're always looking for new opportunities to grow,” Petersen said. 'My parents are dreamers - they took chances and brought the business to where it is today, and with my sister and I involved, it's only going to grow from here on out. It's going to be a fun ride.”

Bloomsbury Farm

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Address: 3260 69th St., Atkins

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Phone: (319) 446-7667

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Hours/Admission: Check website

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Website: bloomsburyfarm.com

Snowfall totals for Thursday, February 9 winter storm

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - Snowfall totals in eastern Iowa generally fell in the 2 to 5 inch range that we predicted ahead of the winter storm’s arrival, though an isolated higher band of totals centered on Dubuque county occurred. There, 6 to as much as 9 inches of very wet and heavy snow accumulated.Find the total from near where you live below, sorted by county name (list updated at 4:00 p.m. on 2/9): CountyLocationStateSnow Total BENTONATKINS...

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - Snowfall totals in eastern Iowa generally fell in the 2 to 5 inch range that we predicted ahead of the winter storm’s arrival, though an isolated higher band of totals centered on Dubuque county occurred. There, 6 to as much as 9 inches of very wet and heavy snow accumulated.

Find the total from near where you live below, sorted by county name (list updated at 4:00 p.m. on 2/9):

CountyLocationStateSnow Total
BENTONATKINSIA1.5
BENTONWATKINSIA1.5
BENTONWALFORDIA1.5
CEDARLOWDENIA3.5
CEDARSTANWOODIA3.6
DUBUQUE1 NW DUBUQUE REGIONAL AIA9
DUBUQUE1 NW CENTER GROVEIA6.4
DUBUQUE2 WNW DUBUQUEIA6.8
DUBUQUE1 NW CENTER GROVEIA6.6
GRANT1 W PLATTEVILLEWI5
GRANTDICKEYVILLEWI5
GRANT4 W STITZERWI2
GRANTLANCASTERWI5
GRANTCUBA CITYWI6
JACKSON2 SW SAINT DONATUSIA4
JACKSON1 NW MAQUOKETAIA2
JO DAVIESS3 NNE STOCKTONIL1.5
JO DAVIESS2 ENE EAST DUBUQUEIL7.5
JO DAVIESS1 NW GALENAIL4
JOHNSON1 WNW COU FALLSIA2.8
JOHNSONSOLONIA2.8
JOHNSON4 ENE IOWA CITYIA3.3
JOHNSON2 NNW NORTH LIBERTYIA2.2
JONESWYOMINGIA4
LINN3 NNE CEDAR RAPIDSIA2
LINNMARIONIA3
SCOTTDAVENPORT AIRPORTIA1.1
VAN BURENCANTRILIA2
WASHINGTONWASHINGTONIA3
WASHINGTONKALONAIA1.8

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