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Making Duncombe a Better Place

Trent serves as mayor, volunteer firefighter

By Brandon Brueschke

— Submitted photos

DUNCOMBE — Zachary Trent is a father and volunteer firefighter who works hard to help others in his community.

He was elected mayor of Duncombe last November, and since then he has worked to help the Duncombe and greater Webster County community become a better place.

“I grew up in Webster City,” Trent said. “I moved to Duncombe about 14 years ago. Then I met my wife, and joined the Fire Department right when I moved here. I just became captain a couple of years ago. I have two kids, one boy and one girl. They are 7 and 4.”

Going from a firefighter to an elected official is not as big of a leap as one may assume, according to Trent.

Both, he said, are here to help the community and serve the people to the best of their abilities.

He has been involved in some infrastructure projects for the city of Duncombe.

“We’ve got a couple things in motion that basically help the town out,” he said. “We pushed to get the water treatment plant fixed. We got that all done for the citizens of Duncombe to have better water service, pushed to get the water tower done.

“The lagoon came from the old mayor, so I’m just kind of overseeing that and

we’re pushing that through, getting that redone. And there are a couple roads in town that we’re planning on picking up and redoing, re-asphalting them and everything on that end. It’s been a bunch of stuff going on these last five or six months now.”

Trent’s advice to other people looking to make an impact in their communities is simple: doing it is extremely rewarding.

“I would say that it’s a very, very, very good experience,” he said. “Being a firefighter, you meet a lot of people. I know a lot of people in town, you know, through the Fire Department and all that stuff, and I’ve had a lot of interactions with people as mayor also.”

He said keeping up with the new faces in town can be overwhelming at times.

Zach Trent and son

Karson go hunting near Duncombe.

“There’s new people that move in all the time,” Trent said. “You meet them through here and there, and it’s awesome. It’s a very good experience.”

Trent said he’s mainly here to serve.

“I’m just here for the people ... kind of trying to get everybody on the same page,” he said.

“I’m trying to make a good community for everyone. I know it’s not going to be easy, but there is a lot of work to be done and we’re just going to do the best we can.”

Zachary Trent, who serves as a volunteer firefighter for Duncombe, greets his son, Karson, after a firefighter training session.

O’Neill

finds her calling at

By LORI BERGLUND

— Photo by Lori Berglund

Brushy Creek State Recreation Area

Manager Amber O’Neill oversees more than 6,000 acres of woodland, lake, campgrounds, and a multitude of public use areas at Brushy Creek State Recreation Area.

LEHIGH — It was a summer job, a good chance to earn some money and spend time in the great outdoors.

Amber O’Neill spent two summers at Brushy Creek State Recreation Area in 1999 and 2000, gaining valuable experience as a summer intern while finishing her degree in animal ecology at Iowa State University in Ames.

She would move on, learning from part-time jobs working in county conservation departments in Cerro Gordo, Louisa, and Ida counties before returning as full-time manager at Brushy Creek more than 20 years ago.

“It’s such a unique area,” O’Neill said. “It was an exciting first job.”

After all these years, O’Neill still finds her work at Brushy Creek to be interesting and never without a challenge.

“Being outdoors, and the variety of each day throughout the seasons makes this job interesting and never boring,” she said.

Originally from Shell Rock, O’Neill spent a lot of time outdoors when she was growing up.

“I grew up on an acreage, just outside of town, and we had a five-acre woods to play in or just read a book in,” she said. “I was always outside a lot, hiking or canoeing. Kayaking wasn’t such a big thing back then, but we did a lot of canoeing.”

Back in her high school days, O’Neill thought of becoming a journalist, but a class in conservation sent her in another direction.

“I took a class in conservation, natural resources and environmental studies, and I had a great teacher who really opened me up to what’s out there,” she said.

O’Neill has never looked back, satisfied with a career that keeps her outside and constantly adding different skill sets to her resume. Not only is Brushy

Creek a unique ecosystem, it’s a small community within itself.

“Something we talk about amongst ourselves is how we are basically running small towns in our state parks and recreation areas,” O’Neill said. “You really have to be a jack of all trades.”

She isn’t just the manager at Brushy Creek, she is a hands-on person keeping the park and its 6,400 acres in top shape for the public. While Brushy once had three people in her position, she is now the sole manager, along with three certified peace officers to patrol the large and diverse area.

“I have to be a plumber, electrician, mechanic,” she said. “I am a certified wastewater operator for the lagoons we have here. We do a lot of prescribed burns here, and I’m a certified wildland firefighter.”

With the heavy equipment required of her job, she also has a Class A CDL. Her tools of the trade on any given day can range from a chainsaw for clearing dead trees to running a skid steer to reshape a trail damaged by heavy rain.

“Maintaining trails is a never-ending job, and it’s one of my favorite things to do,” she said.

Answering distress calls is another part of the job.

We’re not a park; we’re a recreation area. “ “ Amber O’Neill

photo by Jody Chansler

Injured hikers, lost horses — all of these things are not uncommon and come with the diverse territory at Brushy Creek. Just like a small town, where everyone helps one another, other horse riders helped out recently in finding a horse that went missing after throwing its rider. Thankfully, the rider was not injured.

Managing public grounds also means she spends a lot of time meeting with and educating the public. She serves as a naturalist and can offer the history of Brushy Creek State Recreation Area, ranging from its modern dam to three pioneer cemeteries that still dot the landscape here. Finding time to offer more public education is difficult, but always one of her goals.

“I did a solar eclipse hike this year and had over 20 people come out,” she said. “A lot of them said it was their first time visiting Brushy and they were really excited about it.”

A good place to start is the difference between Brushy Creek as a recreation area and state parks, such as nearby Dolliver Memorial State Park.

“We’re not a park; we’re a recreation area,” O’Neill said.

The chief differences between a park and recreation area include the hours available for public use and the different ways in which the public can use the land.

“We allow public hunting and we’re open 24 hours a day, that’s the biggest difference,” O’Neill said. “There are many parks, but only a handful of recreation areas.”

With a public shooting range, hunters can sight in their guns before going off on a hunt. Popular species to hunt include deer, pheasant, coyote, and even squirrels.

“We get groups that come every year for squirrel hunting,” she said.

That summer job back in 1999 worked out well for O’Neill. She not only found her career, but her future husband. Ryan O’Neill was also working as an intern at Brushy Creek that summer. He was also a student at Iowa State University, but they had never met on campus.

The couple married a few years later. Today, they and their three children enjoy camping and kayaking and all sorts of outdoor activities together. Ryan O’Neill is park manager at Black Hawk State Park and the family makes their home in Calhoun County, midway between their two jobs.

“I enjoy protecting and improving our natural areas here at Brushy Creek and offering quality outdoor recreation experiences for the public to enjoy,” O’Neill said.

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Back to School Safety

The Fourth of July has come and gone and the Iowa State Fair is in progress. That only means that a new school year is right around the corner!

The start of the school year often means a noticeable increase in traffic around our schools. Whether it is school buses making their rounds, parents dropping and picking up their students, students walking and riding their bikes to and from school, the roads will be much busier than they have been for the last couple of months. The police department urges everyone to be extra cautious and pay attention to the traffic laws so everyone has a safe start to the new school year.

Key safety tips include:

Pay attention to School Zones, be aware of reduced speed limits and increased pedestrians.

Stopping for school buses, remember when a school bus has its Stop Sign extended and its red lights are flashing, you must come to a complete stop! Never go around a stopped school bus, regardless of whether or not it looks safe. Violating this results in your driver’s license being suspended and a large fine.

As the new school year begins, let’s all do our part to make the roads safer for our children. By staying alert and following traffic regulations, we can help ensure a smooth and safe start of the new school year for everyone!

Stopping at crosswalks, always yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, especially when children are present. Likewise, when using a crosswalk, never assume the driver of the vehicle sees you, always stop and look both ways before crossing the street!

Avoid distractions, keep your focus on the road and stay off your phone! Make sure everyone in your vehicle is wearing their seatbelts. In addition to the safety concerns when on your phone while driving, it is against the law.

Our Hometown Recipe Corner

Turn your grill into a pizza maker

Some say an outdoor kitchen isn’t complete without a pizza oven. A delicious pie straight out of a blazing hot oven can be delectable when dining al fresco, but pizza also can be made right on the grill.

This recipe for “The Chicagoan” from Craig W. Priebe’s “Grilled Pizzas & Piadinas” (DK) utilizes grilled beef and sliced potatoes to give this grilled pizza a steakhouse flavor. Use a homemade dough or your favorite premade variety available at your local grocery store.

The Chicagoan

Makes a 12-inch pizza

1 russet potato, peeled and sliced about 1⁄4-inch thick

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

1⁄2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

8 ounces top sirloin or strip steak

1⁄2 teaspoon salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1 grilled pizza crust

1 tablespoon grated Parmesan

1 cup shredded mozzarella

1⁄2 cup shredded cheddar

1 cup chunky tomato sauce

1⁄2 cup thinly sliced red onions

1⁄4 cup sour cream

2 tablespoons minced fresh chives

Grilling the crust

To grill a pizza crust for this recipe, roll out to a 12inch circle and place on a cookie sheet. Adjust the grill to reach a temperature of 400 F.

Slide the dough onto the grill. The dough should take about 3 minutes to cook. Watch for bubbles. The crust will be soft at first and tear easily. To check doneness, lift the underside. It should be an even light brown with brown grill marks.

1. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Place the sliced potato in a large bowl and toss with two tablespoons olive oil, salt and pepper. Line a baking sheet with foil and spread the slices in a single layer. Bake for about 15 minutes, until the potato is golden and tender. While still hot, loosen the slices with a spatula so they don’t stick.

2. Prepare a grill for direct cooking over high heat. Season the steak liberally on both sides with the salt and pepper. Grill the steak over the hottest part of the fire for 4 minutes. Turn and grill for 4 minutes longer, until the steak is medium-rare and well charred. Remove and let sit for 5 minutes. Slice thinly.

3. Brush the grilled side of the pizza crust with the remaining one tablespoon olive oil and dust with the Parmesan. Sprinkle the mozzarella and cheddar on top. Drop spoonfuls of the chunky tomato sauce onto the pizza. Top with the potato, red onion and the steak.

4. Grill the pizza with indirect heat. If your grill is still hot, move coals to one side or turn off one burner and allow the pizza to cook on the side without a direct flame. Grill the pizza for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the crust is crisp and brown. The bottom may have a few black spots from charring. Optional: Broil the cooked pizza in the oven for 1 to 2 minutes more to caramelize the top.

5. Before serving, drop teaspoons of the sour cream onto the pizza, and garnish with the fresh chives.

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Pick up the crust using tongs and place it on your cookie sheet. Flip it over so the grilled side is face up. This browned side becomes the top of your pizza. AUTHORIZED INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR Ag Force Inc. Jay Barquist Jewell Oﬃce: 515-827-9030 | Wayland Oﬃce: 319-254-4445

LANDMARKS

How well DO YOU know Hamilton County?

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

NO WINNER in July

Photo #1

SAVVY SENIOR

by Jim Miller

Best Walk-In Bathtubs for 2024

Dear Savvy Senior ,

Because of my back pain and mobility problems, I’m interested in getting a walk-in bathtub that’s safe and easy to get in and out of. What all can you tell me about walk-in tubs, and can you recommend some top options?

Old and Achy

Dear Old,

For mobility challenged seniors, a walk-in bathtub can be a terrific option to consider because they’re much easier to get into and out of than a standard tub, which also helps prevent falls. Here’s what you should know, along with a reliable resource to help you choose one.

Age-Friendly Tubs

Walk-in bathtubs are uniquely designed tubs that have a watertight, hinged door built into the side of the tub that provides a much lower threshold to step over (usually 3 to 7 inches) versus a standard tub that’s around 15 inches.

Most walk-in tubs have high sidewalls, usually between three and four feet high, and are between 28 and 32 inches wide, but will fit into the same 60-inch-long space as your standard tub without having to reconfigure the room.

In addition to the low threshold, most walk-in tubs also have a built-in seat, grab bars, anti-slip floors and anti-scald valves. Some tubs also come with handheld showerheads and quick drains (that drain the tub in under a minute), and many higher-end models offer therapeutic spa-like features that are great for seniors with arthritis and other ailments. The best kind of tub for you will depend on your needs, preferences and budget, and the size and layout of your bathroom. But be aware that walk-in bathtubs are not cheap. Prices range anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000 or more for the tub and installation costs.

Insurance and Aid

Because walk-in tubs are not considered durable medical equipment, original Medicare does not typically cover them nor do Medicare supplemental (Medigap) policies, but some Medicare Advantage plans may help pay.

If you’re receiving Medicaid, many states have Home and Community Based Services that may provide some assistance. Or, if you’re a disabled veteran, the VA has some home modification grants that may help pay.

There are also grants and loans available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture that help elderly, low-income residents of rural areas make home modifications, which may be used to pay for a walk-in bathtub. And, depending on where you live, there may be local programs that can help like Habitat for Humanity or Rebuilding Together.

To find out if these options are available in your area, contact your Area Aging Agency (call 800-677-1116) or nearby center for independent living (see ilru.org).

If, however, you can’t locate any financial assistance and you can’t afford to pay upfront for a walk-in tub, most manufacturers offer financing so you can make monthly payments. You should also know that if you’re using a walkin tub for a specific medical condition, you may also be able to deduct the costs of the tub from your taxes as a medical expense (see irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p502.pdf).

Best Walk-In Bathtubs

To help you choose a walk-in bathtub the National Council on Aging, which is a national nonprofit organization that advocates for older Americans, put together a review team to research the different companies and tubs. Their list of best walk-in bathtubs of 2024 includes:

Best Walk-in Tub Overall: Ella Ultimate Walk-In Tub

Best Walk-in Tub with Shower: Kohler Walk-In Tub with Shower Package

Most Affordable Walk-in Tub: Ariel Walkin 3052 Soaker

Best Soaking Tub: American Standard Gelcoat Entry Series

Best Wheelchair-Accessible Tub: Ella Transfer

Best Walk-in Tub for Small Spaces: AmeriGlide Sanctuary 2646 WIT

See NCOA.org/adviser/walk-in-tubs/best-walk-in-tubs for detailed reviews and product links.

To get started, you should contact a few walk-in bathtub retailers who can send a professional to your home to assess your bathroom and give you product options and estimates. Lowe’s and Home Depot also offer free evaluations and a wide range of walk-in tub options.