It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Main Street Bridge 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 Charles City, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Always Best is OK but doesn’t seem to make up hours very well. When the”
“I knew a lady who works for Always Best Health Care that's why I chose”
“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.”
“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.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Charles City Memorial Park Fountain with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Daves Restaurant or visit Frank Lloyd Wright Alvin Miller House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Charles City, IA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Charles City, IA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Charles City, 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.
After receiving an emergency court order, the Iowa Department of Agriculture has taken over the care of 1.3 million chickens owned by Pure Prairie Poultry, a Minnesota company that filed for bankruptcy last month after trying to restart a Charles City poultry processing plant.Pure Prairie Poultry notified Iowa ag officials Sept. 30 it could no longer buy feed for chickens on 14 farms, mostly in northwest Iowa's Sioux County. Under contract with Pure Prairie Poultry, the farmers feed, house and care for the chickens dest...
After receiving an emergency court order, the Iowa Department of Agriculture has taken over the care of 1.3 million chickens owned by Pure Prairie Poultry, a Minnesota company that filed for bankruptcy last month after trying to restart a Charles City poultry processing plant.
Pure Prairie Poultry notified Iowa ag officials Sept. 30 it could no longer buy feed for chickens on 14 farms, mostly in northwest Iowa's Sioux County. Under contract with Pure Prairie Poultry, the farmers feed, house and care for the chickens destined for the company's processing plant in Charles City.
In an Oct. 2 affidavit, state Veterinarian Jeff Kaisand said he or other state ag officials visited all contract chicken operators and found they were either out of feed or close to it. He also contacted local feed mills and found they hadn't been paid and couldn't provide additional feed to the operations.
With the court order, the state agency said it's working with farmers to feed and care for the birds.
Fairfax-based Pure Prairie Poultry announced two years ago it would restart the Charles City plant, thanks to $46 million in financial support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The federal agency said Pure Prairie would receive a $38.7 million loan guarantee and a nearly $7 million grant to reopen and expand the northeast Iowa operation, which was partly owned by independent chicken producers.
On Sept. 20, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Minnesota, saying it owed $100 million to $500 million to between 200 and 999 creditors. The company said it had $50 million to $100 million in assets.
The company warned the bankruptcy court it would have to destroy up to 2 million chickens if not allowed to seek $15 million in financing from a New York investment fund.
The company, however, struggled to get large creditors to agree to taking a subordinate position on the existing debt. It owed about $36.3 million to Community Bank & Trust of La Grange, Georgia, which provided its loan to the company through the USDA guarantee, and about $8.4 million to Bremer Bank of Lake Elmo, Minnesota, court documents show.
A Minnesota bankruptcy court dismissed the case Sept. 27, saying Pure Prairie Poultry lacked the financial ability to fund its immediate operating requirements. The company anticipated $10.8 million in "negative cash flow" over the next six weeks, court documents show.
Pure Prairie Poultry told Iowa ag officials at least one group was interested in purchasing the company, but it was unclear if that would include the chickens.
"Or even if there was interest, whether the various financial institutions with security interests … would approve of the purchase," according to the state's petition for an emergency order.
The state agency said it would seek reimbursement of the taxpayers’ costs, and it had "notified relevant local law enforcement of the situation." The ag department declined to answer additional questions, given possible legal action.
Before the Minnesota company sought to restart the Charles City poultry plant, it had been idle for three years. Pure Prairie Poultry was among about 30 companies or groups nationally in 2022 to receive $223 million in loans, guarantees and grants.
The initiative seeks to lower prices for consumers by creating added meat processing capacity and increasing competition for the nation's pigs, cattle, chickens and other livestock in an industry dominated by four giant processors.
Donnelle Eller covers agriculture, the environment and energy for the Register. Reach her at [email protected] or 515-284-8457.
Community Conversations are sponsored by Floyd County Medical CenterTues. Nov. 12 @ 8:07am – Conservation Connection w/ Floyd County Naturalist Heidi ReamsWed. Nov. 13 @ 8:07am – PAWS Pet of the Week w/ Jacie PeichelThurs. Nov. 14 @ 8:07am – Charles City Community SchoolsFri. Nov. 15 @ 8:07am – Charles City Community FundFri. Nov. 15 @ 8:15am – Charles City Update w/ City Admin. Steve Diers...
Community Conversations are sponsored by Floyd County Medical Center
Tues. Nov. 12 @ 8:07am – Conservation Connection w/ Floyd County Naturalist Heidi Reams
Wed. Nov. 13 @ 8:07am – PAWS Pet of the Week w/ Jacie Peichel
Thurs. Nov. 14 @ 8:07am – Charles City Community Schools
Fri. Nov. 15 @ 8:07am – Charles City Community Fund
Fri. Nov. 15 @ 8:15am – Charles City Update w/ City Admin. Steve Diers
The area of Northeast Iowa rated in moderate drought continues to expand, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor Map for Iowa.
Based on precipitation through 7 am Tuesday, October 1st, all of Bremer County is now rated D1 for moderate drought after only the eastern half of the county was in drought the week before. Moderate drought has also expanded in Chickasaw County, going from the southeast third of the county last week to covering the southeast half this week.
All of Black Hawk County and virtually all of Fayette County, plus over three-quarters of Buchanan County, southern half of Winneshiek County, southwest third of Allamakee County, northwest third of Clayton County, and the extreme eastern section of Butler county are also in moderate drought.
Remaining sections of Chickasaw, Winneshiek, Allamakee, Butler and Clayton counties, plus all of Floyd, Howard, Mitchell, Worth, Cerro Gordo, and Franklin counties are rated D0 for abnormally dry.
Charles City native Lilly Luft is getting ready for her sophomore season wrestling for the University of Iowa.
The three-time state champion for the Comets says her adjustment from high school to collegiate wrestling had a lot to do with attitude.
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Luft adds that one of her biggest lessons in her first season with the Hawkeyes is being open to bettering her wrestling craft.
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Luft earned All-America honors her freshman season at Iowa and is ranked nationally in the Top Ten at 138 pounds heading into the new season. Still, she couldn’t imagine being among the clinicians who led a youth wrestling clinic in Mason City this past weekend. That lineup included Kennedy Blades and Adam Coon, who both competed in the Paris Olympics, Olympic head coach Bill Zadick, and David Carr, two-time nationals champ and five-time All-American at Iowa State.
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Luft and her Iowa Women’s Wrestling teammates open the ’24-25 season November 4th in Pennsylvania against East Stroudsburg University.
Traffic and parking on North Main Street in Charles City could be fully restored by the end of this week.
Bill Ries with Veenstra & Kimm, the project managers, says crews from Heartland Asphalt applied the base layer of 1.5 inches of asphalt to the east lanes of Main Street on Friday (10.04). Monday (10.07) morning, contractors began paving the intermediate layer of another 1.5 inches of new asphalt on the east half of Main Street.
Following this, one final surface layer of 1.5 inches of asphalt will be paved on both the east and west halves of Main Street, with work anticipated to be performed mid-week. If things go well, paint crews will begin striping the pavement later in the week.
Ries adds that, after the striping of the new pavement is complete, traffic and parking access on both sides of Main Street will be restored.
Until then, all parking on Main Street will be closed, and most side streets will have limited access. The two roads open to cross Main Street in downtown Charles City remain Clark Sand Hulin streets.
Businesses and organizations are invited to join a long standing community tradition in Charles City.
SpookWalk 2024 is a free event on from 4 to 6:30 pm Monday, October 28th, along the Riverfront Park trail. There is no fee to participate with a treat station and promote your company/group, but pre-registration is required through the Main Street Charles City office.
Participating treat stations will be responsible for their own decorated stations and for providing treats for an estimated 1,200 children.
This year’s theme is “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charles City,” which can be a spin on the famous Charlie Brown/Peanuts story, or have anything to do with pumpkins or jack-o-lanterns. Booths can decorate however they like, but the judging will be based on the theme.
Your station needs to be set up and ready to go by 4 p.m. October 28th for judging and an early bird start for youth with disabilities or issues being in a large crowd, with the general public coming through from 4:30-6:30 p.m. If necessary, the rain date for this event will be Tuesday, Oct. 29th.
For more information or to register, contact Main Street Charles City at (641) 228-2335 or email [email protected] prior to October 11th.
CHARLES CITY, IOWA — Court documents confirmed that Pure Prairie Poultry Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Minnesota.Pure Prairie Poultry purchased the Charles City poultry processing facility in 2021. The plant was previously operated by Simply Essentials ...
CHARLES CITY, IOWA — Court documents confirmed that Pure Prairie Poultry Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Minnesota.
Pure Prairie Poultry purchased the Charles City poultry processing facility in 2021. The plant was previously operated by Simply Essentials until 2019. Under Pure Prairie Poultry the operation began again in November 2022.
George Peichel, chief financial officer for Pure Prairie, stated in court documents that in November 2023, Pure Prairie completed refurbishing the plant and capacity engaged in “secondary processing” capabilities which gave them a chance to manufacture a larger variety of poultry products.
However, the company said it experienced an operating loss of approximately $38 million from November 2023 until the present day. Court documents also show that the company’s estimated assets stood between $50 and 100 million, and its estimated liabilities were between $100 and $500 million.
The bankruptcy filing also listed the estimated number of creditors at 200-999. The court filing also lists debtors in Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Pure Prairie currently has 138 full-time employees.
"The court's protections will enable the company to manage the sale process on an expedited basis while protecting the interest of employees, partners and other shareholders," Pure Prairie said in a statement to MEAT+POULTRY. "The company has received indications of interest in a going-concern sale and expects to solicit bits and soon reach a preliminary agreement.
"The company will conduct normal business operations during the period of its restructuring. Employee pay will continue to arrive in full, benefits will remain in place, retirement accounts are intact and protected."
A separate motion to the court provided more details about the factors that led to the current financial situation.
“Despite lacking the financial wherewithal to achieve full capacity, Pure Prairie sought to capitalize market forces and planned to roll-out the sale of whole chickens in November (2022),” Peichel said. “The hope was this staged rollout would provide a source of short-term bridge revenue while the company awaited the loan proceeds that would help it grow and refurbish the plant to full capacity.
“Unfortunately, however, there was a substantial drop in poultry prices starting in the second week of October 2022. Prices remained depressed for approximately one year. This development did not stop Pure Prairie from beginning to sell whole chickens in November 2022. However, revenues derived from such initial sales efforts were disappointing.”
Pure Prairie Poultry received a $6.9 million grant from USDA’s Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) that same month. The company also received a USDA loan for $38.7 million from the Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program (FSCGL).
The USDA Rural Development marked the expansion of the Pure Poultry facility in July 2024.
The company confirmed that it obtained a committed debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing facility underwritten by Sandton Capital Partners.
The company has obtained a committed debtor-in-possession (“DIP”) financing facility underwritten by Sandton Capital Partners. Subject to court approval, this DIP financing, combined with cash from operations, is expected to provide sufficient liquidity to support the company’s continuing business operations and to minimize any disruption during the reorganization process.
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A North Iowa store specializing in all things creepy opened last week, just in time for spooky season.John Miller, who collects horror memorabilia, said he and his fiancée, Laura Morse, opened Nightmare Authentics at 205 N. Main St. in Charles City because "I ran out of room in my house."Miller reached out to suppliers he trusts to stock the store, including Trick or Treat Studios, which he says makes the best latex face masks in the business.Nightmare Authentics also carries makeup sets that help custom...
A North Iowa store specializing in all things creepy opened last week, just in time for spooky season.
John Miller, who collects horror memorabilia, said he and his fiancée, Laura Morse, opened Nightmare Authentics at 205 N. Main St. in Charles City because "I ran out of room in my house."
Miller reached out to suppliers he trusts to stock the store, including Trick or Treat Studios, which he says makes the best latex face masks in the business.
Nightmare Authentics also carries makeup sets that help customers transform themselves into characters from classic horror films such as "Friday the 13th," "Scream" and "Child's Play." Some of these kits are limited editions, so "once they're gone, they're gone," Miller said.
In addition, the store sells Funko Pops, horror comics, posters, and locally made T-shirts.
Some of the items in the store are autographed. For example, an actor who played Leatherface in one of the "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" films signed a Leatherface mask.
Miller gets signatures on his memorabilia by attending conventions such as Days of the Dead in Chicago. He has been attending such shows for years.
"I've always been into horror movies, and then I noticed they have whole conventions dedicated to these things, so I decided to go to one to meet some of the people from the movies, and I loved it," he said.
Miller began collecting horror movie props, but it cost a lot of money. Several years ago, he began doing autograph consignments.
Collectors from all over the world reach out to him on Facebook and ask if he is planning to attend an upcoming convention they can't go to themselves. If Miller is going, collectors send him items they want signed by actors who are going to be at that convention. Miller then sends the signed memorabilia back to the collectors, who pay him a commission.
"It now pays for my habit," he said.
So far this year, Miller has been to horror conventions in Chicago, Minneapolis, Cincinnati and Kentucky. He also plans to attend upcoming conventions in Des Moines and Denver.
North Iowans who want to get their own horror comics, Funko Pops, posters or any other items signed can bring them to Nightmare Authentics so Miller can take them to a convention. If he isn't going to a show where a particular actor will be appearing, he has a network of friends who also go to conventions that he can call on to see if they are attending a specific event.
Hours for the store vary. It is currently open from 5 to 8 p.m. on weekdays.
"We've had a good amount of foot traffic in here thus far," Miller said, noting he's been selling some masks and had to put in two orders for replacements last week.
Miller believes Nightmare Authentics will do well because there is nothing else like it in the region.
Spirit Halloween has a store in Waterloo. Although that shop is larger and has a bigger inventory, Miller said Spirit Halloween stores don't have rare and autographed items like Nightmare Authentics.
There are a lot of potential customers for his store's merchandise, according to Miller. "I think people underestimate the love of horror movies," he said.
"Since I'm a collector myself, I know what people want," Miller said.
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MASON CITY- Homecoming was nothing short of a success for the Mason City Riverhawks.The Riverhawks dominated previously undefeated Charles City, 49-14, Friday.Javel Lee dominated the night rushing for five touchdowns and more than 200 rushing yards for Mason City.Mason City scored within the first two minutes of play and never looked back as the Riverhawks banded together to overcome what looked like an impossible obstacle in the form of the Comets.“We have a ton of respect for Charles City when they come in...
MASON CITY- Homecoming was nothing short of a success for the Mason City Riverhawks.
The Riverhawks dominated previously undefeated Charles City, 49-14, Friday.
Javel Lee dominated the night rushing for five touchdowns and more than 200 rushing yards for Mason City.
Mason City scored within the first two minutes of play and never looked back as the Riverhawks banded together to overcome what looked like an impossible obstacle in the form of the Comets.
“We have a ton of respect for Charles City when they come in 3-0,” Mason City head coach Josh Reuter said. “They played some good football leading up to this matchup. Our kids were highly motivated to play well for their homecoming game. We have been getting guys back healthy and we’re pretty close to being at full strength. They were excited to play together, for what feels like the first time this season.”
Here are key takeaways from Friday’s game.
Mason City starts off with a bang
The Riverhawks started firing down the field from the moment they caught the kick return to start the game.
It took only four plays and 1 minute and 51 seconds for Mason City to get on the scoreboard on a 38-yard throw from Jameer Falls to Drew Hobart. The Riverhawks missed the two-point conversion but were up 6-0.
After a quick stop from the defense, the Mason City offense was back on the attack. This time Lee was the focal point of their offense before Falls connected with TyAndre Sanchez-Evans for a 21-yard touchdown pass and Falls 2-point conversion pass to Drayden Witt made it 14-0 less than eight minutes into the contest.
“Something we have been trying to do is start fast and play fast the whole night,” Reuter said. “We haven’t been able to put together four quarters yet, but tonight we were able to do that for the first time. That’s just something that we have been preaching is trying to get going right away and keeping our foot on the gas as we go.”
Javel Lee steals the show
Lee had himself a day. He took the home the crown of Homecoming King earlier in the day and finished the night with one of the best performances of the entire game. Going into tonight’s game, Lee had 88 yards and one touchdown over the course of the first three games of the season.
Those numbers changed dramatically against the Comets.
Lee’s second touchdown came on his biggest play of the night when he broke free from a tackle and sprinted 53 yards to the house for the Riverhawks’ third touchdown of the night. He had two touchdowns before the clock hit eight minutes remaining in the second quarter and his night was far from over.
“Putting up stats like that, you can’t only rely on yourself, and you can’t just congratulate yourself,” Lee said. “You have to put your team first. I couldn’t do a lot of the things that I did tonight without my O-Line.”
Lee hit the end zone yet again with 0:23 remaining in the first half with a two-yard run after an 11-yard pass to Drew Hobart and an eight-yard rush from Lee himself to get the Riverhawks in the red zone for the 28-0 edge.
Lee was temporarily relieved of his scoring duties in the third quarter when Falls buried a three-yard pass to Lincoln Berding after a successful drive highlighted by a 26-yard rush from Lee to make the game 35-0.
Comets battle back
Charles City did not go down without a fight.
After the Riverhawks’ fifth touchdown of the night, they knew that they needed to be meticulous about how they moved the ball down the field.
Throughout the night, the Riverhawks were able to subdue the explosive power of running back Deacon Caspers, but he became uncontrollable in the third quarter. He marched the ball down the field and the Riverhawks were not able to stop him. He had seven consecutive carries in a late third quarter drive by the Comets capped off by a nine-yard touchdown run and a two-point conversion to match to make the game 35-8.
The Riverhawks responded instantly with a three-play drive after recovering the Comets’ onside kick at their own 40-yard line. Berding caught a catch from Falls for nine yards and Hobart followed him with a 37-yard reception. Lee capped it off with a 14-yard touchdown to make the score 42-8.
Charles City had yet another meticulous drive highlighted by explosive runs from Caspers. Caspers helped the Comets move from their own 25-yard line to the Riverhawks’ 18-yard line. Caspers had one rush for 13 yards and another for five to score his second touchdown of the night. The extra-point was blocked giving the Riverhawks the lead of 42-14.
Capping off the night
The Riverhawks concluded the game with yet another monster play by Lee to extend their lead. After a 23-yard pass from Falls to Witt, Lee rushed to the house from the 32-yard line for a touchdown. After it was called back due to a penalty from the Riverhawks, Lee pulled a case of déjà vu and repeated his touchdown performance to score his fifth touchdown of the night.
“It’s good to have Javel back,” Reuter said. “He’s been back for a couple of games, and he ran so hard, and the line did a great job blocking for him. When you have a young quarterback who has done well, having a good running game around him makes a huge difference. Javel did a great job of taking care of the ball and got tough yards when we needed them.”
The Riverhawks improved their record to 2-2 on the season while the Comets move to 3-1.
Up Next: The Riverhawks host Decorah on Friday while the Comets host the undefeated Algona Bulldogs.
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