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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 Bristow, IA

Home Care Bristow, 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 Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre 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 Bristow, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Bristow, 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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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.”

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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 Bristow, 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 Bristow, IA

Types of Elderly Care in Bristow, 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 Bristow, 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 Bristow, 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 Bristow 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
Home Care Bristow, 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 La Patrona Mexican Restaurant or visit Bristow Train Depot and Museum, 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.

 In-Home Care Bristow, IA

Benefits of Home Care in Bristow, 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 Bristow, 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 Bristow, 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 Bristow, 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 Bristow, 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 Bristow, 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 Bristow, 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:

  • Capitol Ridge Gracious Retirement Living
  • Heritage Village Assisted Living and Memory Care
  • The Wellington at Lake Manassas
  • Arbor Terrace Sudley Manor
  • Commonwealth Senior Living at Manassas
  • English Meadows Prince William Campus
Home Care Bristow, 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 Bristow, 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 Bristow, 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 Bristow, IA

Latest News in Bristow, IA

Cyclones praise Bristow as one of team’s potential ‘x-factors’

AMES — Coming off of a bounce-back win, in which Iowa State demolished St. Thomas on both sides of the ball, came some promise that they could keep this performance going throughout the rest of the season.One player in particular stood out in the Cyclones’ win versus the Tommies, and that would be forward Jalynn Bristow. In that game, Bristow collected 10 points off the bench, along with five rebounds and an assist.This was the first time this season Bristow had reached the double-digit mark in points, as she has ha...

AMES — Coming off of a bounce-back win, in which Iowa State demolished St. Thomas on both sides of the ball, came some promise that they could keep this performance going throughout the rest of the season.

One player in particular stood out in the Cyclones’ win versus the Tommies, and that would be forward Jalynn Bristow. In that game, Bristow collected 10 points off the bench, along with five rebounds and an assist.

This was the first time this season Bristow had reached the double-digit mark in points, as she has had some struggles early on this season of having shots fall in the few attempts she has put up each game.

But her struggles might have stemmed from being away from home as a college athlete, as it was a big difference for her to move so far away from home and be with a whole new group of people she had never met before.

Head coach Bill Fennelly noticed the struggles she faced for being away from home for the first time and saw her start to grow and get adjusted to her new life as a student-athlete.

“She struggled early,” Fennelly said. “Every kid goes through some level of homesick, but she seemed to have a whole nother level of it.”

Bristow admitted that her play faltered by the fact that she could not have her family by her side to cheer her on, but soon realized the reality of it and came to terms with what her future was going to look like.

“My play was definitely affected by it,” Bristow said. “I’ve never been this far from my mom and my brothers who usually came to my games, so talking through it with my mom and the coaches made it clear that it’s time to get going.”

Center Audi Crooks sees the potential that Bristow could bring to the team and looks forward to seeing her grow as a player who could help the team find success down the stretch.

“She’s definitely a very versatile player,” Crooks said. “She’s a matchup nightmare since she can play almost anywhere and is a really important piece to this team.”

Fennelly also sees the potential in Bristow to become the so-called ‘x-factor’ that Iowa State could use to win games throughout the rest of the season, especially when it comes to Big 12 conference play.

“She could be,” Fennelly said. “Everyone’s different in their skill sets, but she just instinctively knows how to play and find the ball which could make her a very good player.”

Iowa State women’s basketball back home for final stretch before conference play

Following the Thanksgiving trip to Las Vegas and another road game in St. Paul, Minnesota, Iowa State will be back in Ames Sunday.The last game the Cyclones played at Hilton Coliseum was nearly two weeks ago when they beat Southern. Now, Iowa State will have five straight home games to finish the non-conference portion of the schedule.Freshmen Audi Crooks and Jalynn Bristow said they are glad to be back in Ames to play in front of the home crowd.“It’s nice to be home,” Crooks said. “I’m exci...

Following the Thanksgiving trip to Las Vegas and another road game in St. Paul, Minnesota, Iowa State will be back in Ames Sunday.

The last game the Cyclones played at Hilton Coliseum was nearly two weeks ago when they beat Southern. Now, Iowa State will have five straight home games to finish the non-conference portion of the schedule.

Freshmen Audi Crooks and Jalynn Bristow said they are glad to be back in Ames to play in front of the home crowd.

“It’s nice to be home,” Crooks said. “I’m excited to see the fans and just have that energy back. Even though they brought it to Minnesota, it’s nice to be back on the home court.”

“It’s going to be great,” Bristow said. “It’s going to be better than our away game. We’ll have more fans. Our fans showed out in St. Paul, so we expect nothing less.”

Iowa State will start the home push against North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW). The Seahawks have had a rough start to the season, currently sitting at a 2-4 record, and the Cyclones will be the first Power Five team they play this season.

Adapting to the Seahawks’ play style is the main focus for head coach Bill Fennelly.

“They play a different style than we’ve seen, and that’s part of what happens in non-conference games,” Fennelly said. “Offensively, they’re gonna play a little slower and they’re gonna make you guard. They play a really good 3-2 zone, and no one really plays 3-2 zone against us.”

UNCW has had trouble with turnovers, much like Iowa State, and scoring has been an issue for UNCW as well. The Seahawks average 22.2 turnovers per game and have a shooting percentage of 34.6% from the field.

Crooks and Bristow said the St. Thomas game was viewed as a big confidence builder for the team. They expect the UNCW game to play out similarly, both confidence-wise and from a playing-time perspective for many players on the team.

Much like the St. Thomas game, Fennelly expects a lot of the Cyclones to get playing time against UNCW. Fennelly mentioned in games where players for Iowa State have fouled out, it is because they are playing for longer periods of time.

“We do not have a player, or players, that you think ‘Okay, for sure they’re going to play X amount of minutes,’” Fennelly said. “They’re all going to play, it’s just every game’s a little bit different.”

The Cyclones season will continue at 1 p.m. Sunday when UNCW comes to Ames. The game can be viewed on ESPN+.

4-star recruit Jalynn Bristow 'couldn't stop smiling' after Iowa State commitment

The Iowa State women’s basketball team is enjoying a historic season that includes a top-10 ranking and a rise to the top of the Big 12 Conference standings.That success now includes a big win on the recruiting trail.Jalynn Bristow, a 6-foot-2 forward from Wichita Falls, Texas, announced her commitment to Iowa State on Wednesday night. Bristow is ranked a four-star recruit by ESPN, which also lists her as the 48th-best prospect in the Class of 2023.“She’s just got an amazing natural shoot...

The Iowa State women’s basketball team is enjoying a historic season that includes a top-10 ranking and a rise to the top of the Big 12 Conference standings.

That success now includes a big win on the recruiting trail.

Jalynn Bristow, a 6-foot-2 forward from Wichita Falls, Texas, announced her commitment to Iowa State on Wednesday night. Bristow is ranked a four-star recruit by ESPN, which also lists her as the 48th-best prospect in the Class of 2023.

“She’s just got an amazing natural shooting touch and shoots around 40% from 3, makes 90% of her foul shots and makes everything in the lane,” said Bristow’s AAU coach, Bill Franey. “Her long arms allow her to block a lot of shots.”

More:Iowa State women's basketball team routs Kansas

Bristow, who attends Rider High School, estimates she had over 30 scholarship offers. Her pick ultimately came down to Iowa State, Gonzaga, Penn State, Oklahoma and Texas Tech. Bristow said the Cyclones managed to set themselves apart after her visit to Ames in January.

More:On a day to celebrate her, Ashley Joens puts on a show for Iowa State women's basketball

“Definitely the environment,” she said. “They just proved the family environment, the support in the gym when they played and the fan base. It was awesome.”

Bristow is the third known commitment in the class for Iowa State. The Cyclones previously landed a pair of Iowans in Arianna Jackson and Kelsey Joens. Jackson plays at Des Moines Roosevelt. Joens plays at Iowa City High.

It has turned into a big week for the sixth-ranked Cyclones, who won at Kansas Wednesday night and moved to 23-4 on the season and 12-3 in Big 12 play. Iowa State is tied with Baylor for first place in the Big 12. Bristow, who has watched the success unfold, is excited to be a part of the action.

"I am so excited," she said. "When I announced it (Wednesday) night I couldn't stop smiling."

More:A decade after scary tumor diagnosis, Johnston's Elise Lambert still part of Iowa State basketball team

Tommy Birch, the Register's sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He's the 2018 and 2020 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at [email protected] or 515-284-8468. Follow him on Twitter @TommyBirch.

High school girls basketball rankings: Texas state champion Holliday tops Small Town Top 25

Holliday leads seven teams from the state of Texas to appear in the Small Town Top 25 girls basketball rankings after winning the Class 3A state championship.Led by Iowa State signee Jalynn Bristow, Holliday notched three postseason wins over teams in the Small Town Top 25...

Holliday leads seven teams from the state of Texas to appear in the Small Town Top 25 girls basketball rankings after winning the Class 3A state championship.

Led by Iowa State signee Jalynn Bristow, Holliday notched three postseason wins over teams in the Small Town Top 25

Peaster, Jim Ned (Tuscola) and Fairfield in the title game. The state champion Eagles had early-season losses to Glen Rose, which finished No. 2, and Lipan, which won the Class 2A state championship and finished ranked No. 12.

Upperman (Baxter) comes in at No. 3 after reaching the Class 3A quarterfinals in Tennessee while South Dakota state champion Hamlin (Hayti) and Illinois state champion Okawville comes in at No. 5.

The Small Town Top 25 rankings are based on the MaxPreps computer rankings. They include only schools with an enrollment under 1,000 students from towns with a population of fewer than 10,000 people. Teams are listed with their season record, their computer rating and their postseason finish.

Small Town Top 251. Holliday (Texas)Record/Rating: 34-3, 34.7Finish: Class 3A state champion

2. Glen Rose (Texas)Record/Rating: 39-2, 34.2Finish: Class 4A state semifinalist

3. Upperman (Baxter, Tenn.)Record/Rating: 32-4, 31.7Finish: Class 3A quarterfinalist

4. Hamlin (Hayti, S.D.)Record/Rating: 25-0, 31.3Finish: Class A state champion

5. Okawville (Ill.)Record/Rating: 34-4, 31.0Finish: Class 1A state champion

6. Goodland (Kan.)Record/Rating: 26-0, 30.9Finish: Class 3A state champion

7. Averill Park (N.Y.)Record/Rating: 22-3, 30.9Finish: Class A semifinalist

8. Seiling (Okla.)Record/Rating: 29-1, 30.6Finish: Class 1A state champion

9. North Bend Central (North Bend, Neb.)Record/Rating: 28-1, 30.5Finish: Class C1 state champion

10. Hathaway (Jennings, La.)Record/Rating: 30-4, 29.9Finish: Division V Non-Select state champion

11. Jim Ned (Tuscola, Texas)Record/Rating: 35-2, 29.6Finish: Class 3A state semifinalist

12. Lipan (Texas)Record/Rating: 35-2, 29.1Finish: Class 2A state champion

13. Fairfield (Texas)Record/Rating: 39-3, 29.0Finish: Class 3A state runner-up

14. Havre (Mont.)Record/Rating: 20-4, 28.6Finish: Class A state champion

15. Twin Lakes (Monticello, Ind.)Record/Rating: 28-1, 28.5Finish: Class 3A semifinalist

16. Corydon Central (Corydon, Ind.)Record/Rating: 27-3, 28.4Finish: Class 3A state runner-up

17. Hanover (Kan.)Record/Rating: 26-0, 28.3Finish: Class 1A D2 state champion

18. Douglas (Wyo.)Record/Rating: 27-2, 27.9Finish: Class 3A state champion

19. Saco/Whitewater/Hinsdale (Saco, Mont.)Record/Rating: 26-0, 27.8Finish: Class C state champion

20. Wagner (S.D.)Record/Rating: 24-2, 27.5Finish: Class A state runner-up

21. Peaster (Texas)Record/Rating: 29-6, 27.5Finish: Regional Quarterfinalist

22. Central Lyon (Rock Rapids, Iowa)Record/Rating: 21-1, 27.3Finish: Class 2A state runner-up

23. Nooksack Valley (Everson, Wash.)Record/Rating: 28-1, 27.2Finish: Class 1A state champion

24. Gruver (Texas)Record/Rating: 26-3, 27.1Finish: Class 2A state runner-up

25. Tuttle (Okla.)Record/Rating: 26-3, 26.8 Finish: Class 4A semifinalist

UI Chi Omega chapter denied renovations to sorority house

The Iowa City Board of Adjustment denied the sorority’s request to replace its windows during its weekly meeting Wednesday night.Averi Coffee, News Reporter March 9, 2023The University of Iowa’s Chi Omega s...

The Iowa City Board of Adjustment denied the sorority’s request to replace its windows during its weekly meeting Wednesday night.

Averi Coffee

, News Reporter March 9, 2023

The University of Iowa’s Chi Omega sorority will not be installing new windows on the main level of its home.

The Iowa City Board of Adjustment unanimously voted to uphold the Historic Preservation Commission’s decision to deny the sorority’s request for window replacements on Wednesday night.

The commission previously failed to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for the project at 805 Iowa Ave. on Jan. 12, citing that the proposed changes did not align with the guidelines for protected properties in the College Hill Conservation District.

Commission staff found the windows to “be in good condition” and noted that the proposal “would remove and replace historic wood windows that are not deteriorated,” which violates section 4.13 of the Iowa City Historic Preservation Handbook.

The handbook’s guidelines state that the commission recommends the repair of historic windows before replacement is considered and requires that replaced windows have similar characteristics and appearances to the original windows.

RELATED: Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission shuts down Chi Omega house changes, sorority

“The goal of the historical preservation and design review is to retain the historical character of the neighborhoods,” Jessica Bristow, Iowa City’s historic preservation planner, said. “We do that by retaining the historical character of the individual properties, and we do that by retaining the original material.”

Bristow added that the commission works with applicants to derive solutions.

“Our applications are not just a you submit the application and then we approve or deny whatever you have,” Bristow said. “We work with the applicant to come up with something that is approvable.”

James Phelps, a senior architect from Streamline Architecture who worked with Chi Omega on the project, asked the board to consider the previous renovations to the windows completed in 2016 to the backside of the house in collaboration with Streamline architects.

“We think it’s a reasonable request here considering that over 20 windows in this area have already been replaced,” Phelps said.

Phelps said following the denied request, Chi Omega received a list of recommended window experts. But out of the three he called, only two responded. He said the two experts that returned his calls described either not wanting to do the work or preferring to remove the windows before restoring them.

Additionally, Phelps said the contractors differed in their estimates of the proposed repairs, with a range between $1,000 to $4,000 per window. He said the cost of high-quality Pella windows would be a “fifth that and more”.

While Phelps admitted cost was a concern, he noted that the largest reason for the new windows was for the ease of maintenance new windows would provide.

“One of the huge considerations was the maintenance of it, just clearing a newer window with a title sash. They want to lower the sash down, tilt it in, and wipe it clean, and put it back. Very, very easy,” Phelps said. “I believe the lower windows now have the combination storms. I have the combination storms on my own 1924 house – [it’s] an absolute nightmare to clean.”

Nevertheless, board members quickly pointed out that the Historic Preservation Commission was acting within its regulations.

“Our purview here is extremely limited. You have to show us that the board acted arbitrarily and capriciously, or that they just ignore the law,” Board of Adjustments Vice President Mark Russo said. “The law is pretty clear on this.”

Board of Adjustment member Paula Swygard agreed with Russo.

“I think the process has been followed [and] the process is clear to the applicant,” Swygard said. “The overlay was started in 2003 and the precedent that they keep referring to was prior to that.”

Russo said the Board of Adjustment’s role was to make sure the commission abided by its regulations, which it did.

“Our role isn’t to second guess the historic preservation, but only to say that they follow the guidelines as they exist today,” Russo said. “I haven’t seen any evidence that suggests that the commission of historic preservation has skirted their review process.”

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