Our Hometown • July 2022 by Newspaper

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OURhometown Daily Freeman-Journal

HAMILTON COUNTY

The

July 2022

City Scene pg. 12

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V.8 ISSUE 10 | JULY 2022

Rachel Clagett, manager of the Cat Hut, plays with Sam

EVERY ISSUE : 12 City Scene 14 Let’s Eat 16 Landmarks 18 Savvy Senior 23 Parting Shot

OUR hometown

PUBLICATION INFORMATION

CONTRIBUTORS INTERIM EDITOR

JANE CURTIS

PUBLISHER

TERRY CHRISTENSEN

ADVERTISING

TREVOR CHRISTENSEN

GRAPHIC DESIGN

MICHELLE COLSHAN

WRITING AND PHOTOS

HANS MADSEN

FLOWER CART “Your Complete Florist” www.flocart.net

1-800-286-4630 832-4630 800 Second Street • Webster City, IA

JULY 2022 | OUR HOMETOWN

No Pepperoni,

Just cats. Story & Photos By HANS MADSEN 4 OUR HOMETOWN | JULY 2022

The Cat Hut, the Hamilton County Animal AdvoCATes group’s new cat shelter, is set up inside the former Pizza Hut building at 1118 Second St. in Webster City.

Rachel Clagett, manager of the Cat Hut, plays with Sam, a cat available for adoption from the Hamilton Country Animal AdvoCATes group. The new cat shelter is in the old Pizza Hut building at 1118 Second St. in Webster City.

Rachel Clagett, the manager of the Cat Hut, the Hamilton County Animal AdvoCATes’ new shelter at 1118 Second St. in Webster City, used to visit the building when she was growing up in the area. Back then, it was still serving its original purpose. “I remember it as a Pizza Hut,” she said. JULY 2022 | OUR HOMETOWN

While in her wildest dreams she would never have imagined it becoming a cat shelter, that’s exactly what the group is in the process of turning it into. The group, led by Monica Becker, of Stratford, has been trapping, spaying and returning cats for several years already. They’ve been working out of Becker’s home, which is less than ideal for both those who might wish to adopt a cat and certainly for Becker. “The board wanted to have a place that was open to the public,” Clagett said. Clagett said the stray cat problem in Webster City is on par with most other places. The goal of the trap/ spay/release program is to reduce the number of fertile cats loose in the community. “It reduces the population over time with the reduction in reproduction,” she said.

Rachel Clagett, the manager of the Cat Hut, poses with Sully at the Hamilton County Animal AdvoCATes group’s new cat shelter. Suly has been adopted and will be an emotional support cat for a college bound human.

For cats that are not for release, the group has been busy finding them permanent homes through their adoption process. “Our process has had as few roadblocks as possible to find them a good home,” she said. “Once the building is completed we can do same-day adoptions.” They won’t just be handing cats out though. They still check to make sure the new owners are responsible. That includes things like checking with their landlord to make sure cats are actually allowed and calling their veterinary provider. They’ve been able to adopt out about 100 cats a year, that includes the cats that are trapped, neutered,

6 OUR HOMETOWN | JULY 2022

and returned (TNR); and owned cats that are able to be their feline companion. fixed through its CatSNAP program for families that are “Every cat has their own personality,” she said. “They’re low-income and receive some type of financial aid. playful, curious, cute and sometimes lazy. There’s a cat Over the five-year history of the organization, for everybody.” approximately 179 adoption applications have been Clagett said they hope to be open towards the end of submitted. July or early August. The hours will be Monday through The Cat Hut not only has room for the adoptable cats, but there’s also a meet and greet room as well as a retail space where they’ll offer cat toys, collars and a host of other cat accessories, including one that many consider very important. “Yes,” she said. “We’ll have catnip.”

Friday from 2 to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The group can be reached at 515-667-2759. There is one thing, though, that cat adopters won’t find at the Cat Hut, in spite of heritage and still obvious architecture.

The AdvoCATes group works closely with the Webster “No pepperoni,” Clagett said. City Vet Clinic, a relationship that will continue, she said. Clagett hopes that lots of humans will come in to find

Rachel Clagett, the manager of the Cat Hut, puts Sam back in his kennel after some playtime recently. Sam is one of the adoptable cats at the Hamilton County Animal AdvoCATes group’s new cat shelter. JULY 2022 | OUR HOMETOWN

Roger and Polly Hayes pose in front of Polly’s Garden Center at 720 Parker St. in Stanhope. Polly owns the greenhouse part of the business. Roger sells his Hayes Woodcrafting products there as well.

8 OUR HOMETOWN | JULY 2022

Green, Green Things

Photos and Story By HANS MADSEN

Polly Hayes, the owner of Polly’s Garden Center in Stanhope, had been looking at the site for several years before she was able to open Roger and Polly Hayes in April of 2020. look over their crop of The master gardener and former mums recently. library director in Stanhope, kind The plants, of got surprised with it when in various colors, her husband, Roger Hayes Jr., will be available in the came home one day with an fall at announcement. Polly’s Garden Center “Hey I bought the garden center,” in Stanhope. he told her. While she owns and runs the garden center, he retails his finely crafted custom signs, rustic American flags, wood plaques and wood burning art there as Hayes Woodcrafting. Their location on Parker Street is pretty visible; once In addition to flowers and other plants sourced out of the city limits it’s Iowa Highway 17. from within Iowa, she also offers seasonal fruits and “The trucks come by and beep their horns,” she said vegetables that are sourced close to home. smiling before her words were drowned out by a The summer season’s offerings are from Watered large piece of farm equipment being driven through Garden Produce, owned by Robert and Brianna town. Johnson of Stanhope. The fall selection is from It also features an open air sales area. Behind it is Steve Carlson’s gardens, also located in Stanhope. a small fenced area where she grows seedlings and They like the idea of being able to pay it forward transfers plants into pots. It’s her own little secret and help out the local economy. garden. “It gives us something else to sell,” she said. “It adds Her husband has found success selling his handto the season.” crafted woodwork.

JULY 2022 | OUR HOMETOWN

Polly Hayes, owner of Polly’s Garden Center in Stanhope, shows off a basket of miniature butterflies.she keeps by the counter. Each customer gets to pick one out with their purchase.

Roger and Polly Hayes look over their crop of mums recently. The plants, in various colors, will be available in the fall at Polly’s Garden Center in Stanhope. The frame will be part of a future greenhouse expansion.

10 OUR HOMETOWN | JULY 2022

“People will say ‘I like that sign, can you make it for me?’” He said. “Not all of it is patriotic.” “Roger’s work is out the door faster than he can put it up,” she said proudly. “It’s a good problem to have.” While she retired, he’s still in the workforce. The couple said the garden center and woodwork will keep them busy once they’re both retired. “We’ll be busier after retirement,” he said. “I don’t want to sit around and do nothing.” He’s already working on that “busy” part. He’s currently installing light transparent doors that will let the interior be enclosed during colder weather but still retain the open air feeling that the sales area has now. There’s also a couple of chairs for customers. “I have a lot of people just stop to visit,” she said. “We just have fun; that’s what it’s all about.” For customers, there’s a little bonus when they check out too. A life-sized butterfly on a stick that can be placed in a potted plant. “People spend more time picking out a free butterfly than they do picking out their plants,” she said. In addition to the plants and woodwork, Polly’s also has greeting cards by Stanhope artist Jill Sneed for sale. One of them features the town’s old depot and the sales of that card help support the effort to move the depot back into town and restore the building. The Hayes’ take the idea of being green seriously; it’s not just the plants. Except for their water service, “this whole business is off the grid,” he said. Electricity is provided by solar panels and two wind turbines. They charge up batteries that then supply a converter to run the cash register and some of the lights. “Roger even has a battery-operated lawn mower,” she said. Polly’s is a seasonal business. The spring season ended on July 9 and they’ll reopen for their fall season on Aug. 10. “With full service,” she said.

Polly Hayes, owner of Polly’s Garden Center in Stanhope, shows off a pair of decorative bottles she’s created that are available in the center.

Polly and Roger Hayes Jr. relax at Polly’s Garden Center in Stanhope. Customer’s will often stop in a sit for a chat.

Roger Hayes Jr. adjusts a door he’s installing at his wife’s business, Polly’s Garden Center, in Stanhope. The doors will allow her to serve customers during incliment weather.

JULY 2022 | OUR HOMETOWN

CITY SCENE SCENE CITY

Return of the K-9 Program As most folks know, the Webster City Police Department K9 program was reinstated this year. In December, 2021, our city council voted to approve fundraising efforts to cover year one expenses of the program. The PD acquired a used K9 kennel insert from a neighboring agency, and assigned the 2013 Chevy Tahoe from the current fleet of police vehicles as the K9 Unit in order to keep the cost of program start-up low. K9 Moab was selected, and donated to the program by Dogs for Law Enforcement (DLE). Officer Luft was then selected as the K9 handler. Luft and Moab attended a four-week basic handler training course during the month of March at Tree Town Kennels in Forest City, Iowa. The K9 Unit of Luft and Moab hold current DLE certifications in narcotics and patrol. Although they achieved certification, the team is constantly training and improving. The team works closely with other area agencies, and trains with them as well.

Officer Luft & Moab 12 OUR HOMETOWN | JULY 2022

Moab is a Begian Malinois/German Shepherd mix, is two and a half years old, and a fearless addition to the department. Moab excels at tracking, suspect apprehension and narcotics work. According to Officer Luft, Moab is a unique dog in many ways. He is very serious when in the car, and on the job, but at the same time, he loves daily visits to dispatch to get much needed attention. Moab lives with Officer Luft and his family of five. He spends time with the family both inside, and outside. He enjoys obedience training and hanging out with the family in the backyard.

CITY SCENE

The K9 Unit has spent the first three months since certification, meeting the public, patrolling and of course, training. Moab has located narcotics and paraphernalia on multiple deployments. His presence alone has helped deter otherwise violent individuals from acting aggressive toward officers. The K9 Unit has also been called out to assist other agencies on multiple occasions. Officer Luft has also offered the K9 Unit’s support to our community schools. One of the top benefits of having a local K9 is the availability for our schools to utilize the dog’s narcotics searching capabilities. The K9 Unit is looking forward to working with the schools when classes resume this fall. The K9 program is still in its early stages. The team will only improve as time moves forward. The Webster City Police Department would like to thank all the local individuals and businesses that donated the K9 program both financially, and otherwise. We appreciate your support, and are here to serve you. We have greatly exceeded our fundraising goal of $14,434 for year one. We, at the Webster City Police Department, are humbled by this. Being funded entirely by the community through donations, without the support of our community the K9 program wouldn’t exist. The support of our community is unbelievable, and we can’t express our gratitude enough!

Moab on duty

JULY 2022 | OUR HOMETOWN

LET’S EAT

Our Hometown Recipe Corner

Enjoy delicious, heart-healthy Alaskan cod

Fish can provide a host of flavors and make for a healthy addition to one’s diet. Alaskan cod, for example, is easy to find and, because it’s high in certain omega-3 fatty acids, packs quite a heart-healthy punch. In fact, the U.S. Department of Agriculture notes that wild Alaskan cod contains the same levels of the beneficial omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, as salmon. Men and women who want to improve their diets but not sacrifice flavor can try the following recipe for “Roasted Wild Alaskan Black Cod with Kambu Dashi, Kale and Sage,” courtesy of Jill Lightner’s “Edible Seattle: The Cookbook” (Sterling Epicure).

14 OUR HOMETOWN | JULY 2022

Roasted Wild Alaskan Black Cod with Kambu Dashi, Kale and Sage Serves 4 1 5 2 1 2 2 1 2 3 4 1⁄2 4 2 1 1 1 1 1

tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons kosher salt dried porcini mushrooms tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil yellow onion, thinly sliced cloves garlic, smashed inches peeled fresh ginger, thinly sliced stalk celery, thinly sliced bay leaves pounds fish bones and scraps sheets dry kombu or 1 pound fresh Pacific kelp cup dry white wine 6-ounce Wild Alaskan Black Cod fillets tablespoons butter tablespoon finely chopped shallots leek, roughly chopped teaspoon kosher salt cup stemmed, thinly sliced kale tablespoon chopped fresh sage

1. In a spice or coffee grinder, grind 1 tablespoon of the salt and the porcini mushrooms together until very fine (roughly 1 minute); then sift the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve. Cover and set aside. 2. Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic, ginger, celery, bay leaves, and 1 teaspoon salt and cook until the vegetables are fragrant and sweating, about 5 minutes. Add the fish bones and scraps, kombu and wine and simmer for 10 minutes. Add 3 quarts water and simmer slowly over medium heat for 11⁄4 hours, skimming off any impurities, gray matter and excess ingredients that float to the surface of the broth. Strain the broth through a finemesh strainer, discard the solids and simmer the broth again for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and keep warm.

3. Preheat the oven to 185 F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Place the cod fillets on the pan and season liberally with the porcini salt. Place the pan in the oven for 38 minutes. 4. While the fish is baking, place a sauté pan over medium heat and add the butter, shallots, leek, and remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Sauté until tender but not browned. If the vegetables start to brown, add a couple of tablespoons of the broth. When the leek is tender, add the kale and sage and sauté until the kale is soft. 5. Divide the kale among 4 serving bowls. Using a spatula, place the black cod on the kale, pour the broth on and around the fish, and serve.

JULY 2022 | OUR HOMETOWN

LANDMARKS

DO YOU

How well know Hamilton County?

Look at these photos and see if you can identify these local landmarks. Photo #1

WINNER-WINNER: June Answers:

Helene Silverstein

Photo No. 1 — is West foundation wall of Elks Building Photo No. 2 — is 815 Des Moines Street 16 OUR HOMETOWN | JULY 2022

Submit

your entry Correct answers will be entered into a drawing for

2 FREE MOVIE PASSES to the Webster Theater Photo #2 Please include the name of the building icon on which the Landmark is located, your name & phone number. Submit your entry to lifestyles@freemanjournal.net or deliver to The Daily Freeman-Journal at 720 Second St., Webster City, IA JULY 2022 | OUR HOMETOWN

SAVVY SENIOR by Jim Miller

Electric Trikes Provide Older Riders Fun, Fitness and Safety

Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about electric trikes for semi-seniors? I used to cycle a lot in my younger years but have some balance problems and don’t trust myself on a two-wheeler anymore. I’ve read that electric powered trikes are a good option for older riders but could use some help choosing one. 18 OUR HOMETOWN | JULY 2022

Unsteady Eddie

Dear Eddie,

How to Choose

Electric powered adult tricycles – also known as e-trikes – are a great cycling option for older adults with balance or stamina issues because they’re safe and super fun to ride, and easy on an aging body. Here’s what you should know, along with some tips to help you shop for one.

To help you figure out the right kind of e-trike for you, ask yourself how and where you plan to ride it. If you’re primarily interested in a leisurely ride around the neighborhood for pleasure, fitness or running errands, an upright cruiser e-trike that has a rear cargo basket would be a nice choice.

Safer Cycling

Some popular options in this category include: Addmotor’s M-340 Electric Fat Trike and M-360 Semi-Recumbent Trike (both $3,000, addmotor.com);

If you’re interested in cycling, but worry about falling or injuring yourself, e-trikes are a great choice because of the three-wheeled stability they provide. With a trike you can ride as slow as you want without ever losing your balance, which is very reassuring for most older riders. E-trikes also come with a small electric powered motor to enhance the riding experience, so when you saddle up and apply the throttle the motor will give you a boost when pedaling, or it will do all the work for you. This makes it much easier to whiz up hills and ride into headwinds without gassing yourself or taxing your knee joints.

Emojo Caddy Pro ($2,900, emojobike.com); Sixthreezero EVRYjourney 250W Tricycle ($2,200, sixthreezero.com); EWheels EW-29 ($2,000, ewheelsdealers.com); and Buzz Cerana T ($1,700, buzzbicycles.com).

In addition, most adult e-trikes are also made with a low “step through” design making mounting and dismounting easier; they typically come with big tires that ensure a smooth ride; have ergonomic handlebars that are easy to reach and grip; and offer oversize seats (some even have backrests) for comfort and support.

Or, if you’re looking to take longer road rides a recumbent e-trike may be a better option. These are aerodynamic, low-to-the-ground stretched-out frame trikes that allow you to recline with your legs positioned in front of you. Catrike (catrike.com) and TerraTrikes (terratrike.com) are two of the biggest U.S. companies that make recumbent tadpole-style trikes (the two wheels are in front) and they both offer electric assist options at prices ranging from $5,000 to $7,000.

There are many different types of adult e-trikes to choose from with prices ranging anywhere from around $2,000 up to $7,000. To shop for one, contact some bike shops in your area to see what they offer, or you may need to order one online.

There are also folding e-trikes, which are practical if you have limited home storage space or would like to take your trike with you when traveling. Some good options here include the Liberty Trike ($1,600, libertytrike.com) and Eunorau New-Trike ($2,500, eunorau-ebike.com).

When shopping for an e-trike, pay special attention to the motor, which determines how fast it will go, and the battery, which determines how far it will go between charges. Most e-trikes can reach speeds of anywhere between 15 and 28 miles per hour, and typically go somewhere between 20 and 55 miles on a single charge, depending on how much pedaling you do. Battery charge times will vary too, ranging anywhere from 3 to 8 hours.

Sendr you or seni ions t questo

Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

JULY 2022 | OUR HOMETOWN

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PeT pix

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JULY 2022 | OUR HOMETOWN

PeT pix

22 OUR HOMETOWN | JULY 2022

Parting SHOT JULY 2022 | OUR HOMETOWN