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Part 1:

By DARLENE DINGMAN

Editor’s note: This is a four-part series leading up to the September 17 celebration of both the Jane Young House and the Webster City Women’s Club, which meets at and maintains that historic former residence in Webster City.

Webster City Women’s Club honors Jane Young’s legacy

Jane Underdown was born in County Kent, England, on August 23, 1834, and died at Battle Creek, Michigan, on September 7, 1903.

You’ve heard the name, but what do you know about her?

In order to find out, we must rely on newspaper notices in the digital archives of the Kendall Young Library, the writings of people who knew her, or historians who wrote about her.

Nine-year-old Jane immigrated to New York with her parents and six siblings in 1843. Older brother Daniel Underdown set out on his own and eventually immigrated to Webster City where he made a living raising hogs on a hog lot near Willson Avenue. In June of 1857, Dan purchased the Willson House with partner Mr. Tryon. It was located on the spot where The McFarland Clinic parking lot is now.

It was known as one of the best hotels for the traveling public in this part of Iowa. Although no liquor was sold, its food was considered first-class.

Jane moved to Webster City to help her brother in his hotel endeavor. What her position was we do not know. But we do know that a fine hotel of its kind would have had at least 15 positions in order to perform all the tasks. Since Jane was young and pretty she might have worked the day desk to register boarders and she may have met Kendall Young as he stayed overnight on his many trips from Irvington to Iowa City.

In fact, Charles Aldrich, founder of the first newspaper in Webster City, stated at the dedication of the Kendall Young Library in 1905, the following:“My wife and I were boarders for a few weeks at the Willson House and while we were there pretty Jane Underdown arrived. In those days she was a very attractive young woman. Two or three young men fell in love with her and it was said in the gossip of the day, that her brother insisted that she should marry one of them who was reported to own a little property. But Jane had an eye to her own interests and would not listen to what was almost a command. Later on, Mr. Young sought her hand in marriage and was not refused.”

Thirty-eight-year-old Kendall married 24-year-old Jane at the Willson House on September 23, 1858. Charles Aldrich, editor of the Webster City Freeman, noted that Kendall sent the marriage notice to the newspaper along with “two gold dollars.”

The Youngs’’ first home was in Irvington, Iowa, where Kendall and L.L. Treat had real estate holdings and tried to establish the town as the county seat of Kossuth County. L.L. Treat boarded with the Youngs and later stated that “Jane kept an immaculate house and her floor was clean enough to eat on.” After one year, Kendall and L.L. sold all their real estate and moved to Webster City with a population of just 400 people.

The Youngs resided in a simple frame home in the area on south Willson Avenue called “Yankee Town;” it was called that because many of the New England families lived there.

What did Jane do while Kendall tended to his farmland, operated his store on Seneca Street called “Old Reliable,” and opened the first bank called Young and Estes Bank on “Bank Street”? Reportedly, she was fond of social organizations, entertained, and both she and Kendall enjoyed traveling, gardening and flowers.

In fact, in 1867 Kendall and Jane took a vacation of over four months. They visited relatives in Maine, old friends in New England, sailed to England to visit Jane’s people, and on to the Paris Exposition. It was the largest and grandest of all world’s fairs up to that time. Kendall kept a diary and itemized all their expenses. During the trip he bought a silk paisley shawl for $20 U.S. dollars, which may have been Jane’s 33rd birthday present. Returning home, Kendall and Jane built their fine home on Willson Avenue. They had both a fruit garden and flower garden which Kendall carefully tended. The Youngs never had any children, but were very fond of the L.L. Treat children, Teresa and Carl, who lived south across the street.

In 1888 Jane’s health began to decline from Bright’s Disease, a chronic disease of the kidneys. Kendall took her to see doctors in Maine who recommended that she find relief in a sanitarium in Battle Creek, Michigan.

Jane and Kendall were married for 30 years with the last 15 years of her life living at the sanitarium. She was 69 years old when she died of heart disease. Her body was brought back to Webster City by train by J.W. Young, a nephew of Kendall.

Her funeral was held in the Youngs’ home — now referred to as the Jane Young House — which then served as a temporary library until the new library which Kendall provided for in his will was built. That is the Kendall Young Library of today.

A letter was read by the rector at Battle Creek which said: “Jane was a God-fearing woman and did many alms not known to men and if by chance, discovery were made of her alms doings, she blushed to find that she had been discovered. She was very retiring, loved simplicity, and shrank from publicity.”

The mourners followed her body to the cemetery through the rain where she was interred next to her husband Kendall Young, who died in 1896.

By DONNA FOSTER

Part 2: Happy 100th Birthday, Webster City Women’s Club

“About one hundred and twenty-five club women of the city — members of nine federated clubs — gathered at the Jane Young House last night for a formal acceptance of the Jane and Kendall Young residence, to be used as a club house. The Kendall Young Library Board gifted the beautiful fourteen room home, rent free, so that any group of women or girls (in Webster City) can meet for the purpose of study and for civic or self improvement.” — Effie McKinley Kantor, Webster City Daily News, November 22, 1923.

This was the beginning of the Webster City Women’s Club. Previously, several small groups of women belonging to the Federated Clubs of America were meeting in club members’ homes. One of the earliest clubs was called the Wednesday Club, which was established in 1889. There was also the Six O’clock Club, whose records date back to 1892, and the Seven O’clock Club with an established date of 1903.

According to the constitution of the Seven O’clock Club, as stated in its secretary’s record book, “the society shall be to study intellectual improvement and development of literary tastes. Membership shall be limited to ten. Meetings shall be held at the homes of members every Monday evening of each week.”

Its program book lists weekly topics such as The Making of Holland, The Age of Feudalism, and Early Flemish Painters. These areas of study demonstrate their desire to stretch their intellectual minds.

Other clubs that became part of the Women’s Club, described as departments, were the Home Club and the Travel Club, Literature Group, The Nature Study Club, and the Civic, Drama, and Music Departments — some of which were developed later in the existence of the Women’s Club.

Citywide organizations that were not federated were also encouraged to use the Jane Young House for their meetings, such as the Campfire Girls and Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)

At the time the Jane Young House was gifted to the women of Webster City in 1923, the house had four rooms, in addition to the kitchen, in the lower level. The thought was that several clubs could meet at the same time in these separate rooms. Once a month all of the departments would gather for a “general” meeting. This group would be called the Webster City Women’s Club. However, it wasn’t long before the women discovered it did not work for several departments to meet at the same time — not enough privacy — and there was not enough seating room for the number of women that attended the general meetings.

Several of the clubs, such as the Wednesday Club and 7 O’clock Club, returned to meeting in members’ homes.

During the year of 1924, the home’s main floor walls were removed to create one large meeting room. It was at this time the Webster City Women’s Club reorganized and three departments were established: Civic, Nature, and Fine Arts.

Mrs. R. E. Heywood was the first Women’s Club president.

By 1950, membership of the Women’s Club stood at 250. Dues were $3.50.

There were Women’s Clubs in several towns in Hamilton County, including Kamrar, Stratford and Williams. Members found themselves representing their club at the local, county, district, state and national level meetings of the Federated Women’s Clubs of America.

The Webster City Club is presently not a part of the Federated Clubs of America.

With the acceptance of the Jane Young House in 1923, the Women’s Club had many responsibilities. It was required, and still is, to furnish the home, provide a caretaker (which is no longer necessary), maintain structurally the inside and outside of the home, and pay all bills incurred.

Many fundraisers have occurred throughout the years: putting on the Women’s Club Spring Style Show by the Junior Women’s Department, selling Christmas greens, inviting women of the community to brunches and salad luncheons, entertaining at The June Tea, sponsoring the annual fall Community Holiday Fair, and, recently, the Women’s Club established the Vintage Clothing Exhibit which also includes a tour of the Jane Young House.

It also has planned and developed The Festival of Trees during Christmas in the City.

The Jane Young House is also available for rent by groups or individuals.

Today, membership of the Webster City Women’s Club stands at 56. Dues run $25 a year. The club members meet the second Monday of each month, February through December at 1:30 p.m., at the Jane Young House.

Currently there are three departments: The Vintage Clothing Department, Writers’ Club that meets the third Thursday of each month at 10:30 a.m., and Wednesday Afternoon Social Group that meets the third Wednesday of each month at 1:30 p.m.

Any woman in Hamilton County is welcome to join the Women’s Club. One can learn more about the club by looking at its Facebook page: Women’s Club of Webster City, Iowa or the website: http:/janeyounghouse.com/

The Webster City Women’s Club continues to strive to offer programs “for study, and for civic and self-improvement” along with a social component that transcends into a fun, enjoyable and interesting community organization.

Part 3:

By LOWEEN GETTER

The Historic Jane Young home was Webster City’s first library

With the original business district just a block east on Seneca Street, Willson Avenue became the ideal location for the wellto-do businessmen of Webster City to build their fine homes in the latter decades of the 1800s.

It was there that Kendall Young, the richest man in town, designed a Victorian-era home for his wife Jane. His nephew T.D. Young came from Maine to build it. The ground was broken in May 1874 and the home completed a year later.

The site, a former hog lot, was purchased from Jane’s brother Dan Underdown, proprietor of the nearby Willson House. The site was large enough for the home, a barn, woodshed, trees, shrubs, and bountiful gardens, all enclosed by an ornate iron fence.

The Youngs moved into a simple dwelling in “Yankee Town” when they arrived in Webster City (population 400) in 1859. They lived there for 16 years before moving to Willson Avenue. Jane spent only 13 years in the beautiful home that now bears her name before health issues related to Bright’s Disease led to her admittance to Battle Creek Sanitarium in Michigan. She spent her last 15 years there, never to return to her beautiful home until her funeral in 1903.

Kendall lived in their home until he joined Jane at the sanitarium six months before he passed away in 1896. His body was also returned to Webster City for the funeral in the parlor of his home.

His will gave his entire estate to the city to build a public library. It was determined that the Kendall Young Library should be built where the house stood. But until Mrs. Young passed, the house served as Webster City’s first library from 1898 to 1904. Then the house had to be moved to make way for the new library.

There were no bidders for the property, so the library board had it moved to the southwest corner of the lot and turned to face Elm Street. Mr. C.H. Roberts of Rolfe, Iowa, was trusted with the task. It took just five days in April 1904 to set it on its new foundation. There is no knowledge of how that was done with only horsepower.

The house was rented for $25 per month to the Harvey Pettibone family for about 20 years. He was a traveling salesman for Carson, Pierre, Scott Co. in Chicago; Mrs. Pettibone was a member of the 6 O’Clock Club and the Home Club.

According to an earlier account in this series, Mrs. Zitterell, wife of the man who built the Kendall Young Library, was responsible for organizing the Webster City Women’s Club for the civic and educational betterment of the ladies of the town.

As a member of the library board, it was she who turned over the keys to the club in November 1923. The Webster City Women’s Club meetings and social events have been held at the Jane Young House for 100 years in exchange for its care.

Library Expansion forces second move of Jane Young House

It was the efforts of the Women’s Club and the Jane Young House Foundation that raised more than $45,000 to save the house in 1997. The house had to be moved 58 feet to the west to make way for the People’s Project expansion of the Kendall Young Library. The house would have been demolished had the community not supported the project.

That March, the 120-ton house was moved the second time by the Holland Moving Company of Forest City. The company poked holes in the foundation with a hydraulic jack, built six wooden cribs in the basement and rolled in iron beams. Then cross beams were placed under the home, and it was lifted. Cribs were built in the new basement awaiting its new occupant by the week’s end. It was back-filled and the furnace installed.

But that wasn’t the end of the enormous task. More money was required to replace sidewalks, build a stairway to the basement, add air conditioning, rebuild the front entry, and add a handicap accessible ramp. Further renovations would include a wraparound porch, a wrought iron fence, and a wider parking area.

In 2000, hail forced the replacement of the roof and siding. One hundred and twenty-six years of paint was removed from living room and dining room woodwork, repairs were made to windows and lacy curtains added. New carpet was installed on the main floor and stairway and the bathroom received new wallpaper.

A fresh look for the second floor would occur later.

Recent upgrades to the house include newly painted exterior trim, a new roof, and fresh landscaping. Nancy Tjaden, Chad Eells and crew were up for the intricate task of removing, cleaning and replacing Plexiglass window covering, scraping and painting the front door, porches, ramp, corbels, dentil trim, gingerbread, and windows with the colonial blue, raspberry and cream color palette. That meant 41 windows, 260 poles and balusters, and a power lift to reach the highest gables.

These latest improvements were made possible through generous gifts from Adele Bowden and the Maxine Packard estate.

Part 4:

By LOWEEN GETTER

Women’s Club to Host Ice Cream Social to Celebrate 100th Anniversary

Members of the Webster City Women’s Club will celebrate their 100th Anniversary with an ice cream social on Sunday, September 17, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Jane Young House, 629 Elm St., Webster City.

Join us for homemade ice cream and cookies indoors or on the veranda. Visit with friends. Look at the current exhibits upstairs. Grab a mallet for a game of croquet. Freewill donations will be appreciated and will go toward new carpet in the Jane Young House.

Join Us at the Jane Young House on September 17

As you climb the stairs to the veranda at 629 Elm Street, pause before the double front door and glance up to see the initials “KY” etched into the transom. Upon entering, visitors are greeted with a graceful, winding stairway. But before venturing upstairs, let’s take a turn around the main floor.

Images of Kendall and Jane Young gaze down from above the marble fireplace — the only one left of the original seven that heated the large home.

The original floor plan included a front parlor, sitting room, bedroom, dining room, butler’s pantry, and kitchen. Several walls were removed in 1924 to create the large meeting area. Note the 11-foot ceilings, crown molding, and floor-to-ceiling windows with new shades, and the large-print floral wallpaper. Furniture pieces that belonged to the Youngs include the elegantly carved breakfront, large secretary, pump organ, settee, and two marble-top tables. Other antiques in the house were donations to the Jane Young House.

The graceful staircase leads you to the second floor. (Or use the chair lift installed on the back stairway for easier access.) You will pass the “coffin corner” — one of only two such niches in Webster City.

In the past, if a family member passed away in an upstairs bedroom, the undertaker would bring the coffin to the home for preparation of the body. The niche in the wall made it easy to carry the heavy coffin down the curved stairway to the parlor for lying in-state.

When you reach the second floor you will find beautiful curved walls and woodwork in the hall and front bedroom. This is a sure sign of wealth that you can hire true craftsmen.

In 2018 the white oak solid wood floors were refinished and the original light fixtures rewired. The tube and knob electrical system was upgraded to allow for the installation of five mini splits to heat and cool the second floor. Those expenses were paid with Jane Young House Foundation and Hotel Motel and Enhance Hamilton County Foundation grants.

The large window in the room to the right was once a door that opened to the original balcony above the front door. It was a great way to ventilate the second floor in the days before air conditioning.

The three large bedrooms each have different floor designs, large closets, eleven-foot ceilings, tall windows with new shades, paneled doors, and heavy woodwork. Former locations of fireplaces are obvious. Only the wallpaper border in the East Room has been replaced.

At the end of the hallway, you will step down into the servant’s area. Here the rooms and windows are smaller, the ceilings are lower, the woodwork is plain, and plank floors are underfoot. The three rooms provided a simple living space for the Irish housekeeper, Susan Dougherty, who served the Youngs from 1883-1896. She took the backstairs to the kitchen.

Vintage Clothing Exhibit Introduced in 2019

When several Women’s Club members discovered the treasures hanging on two long clothes racks and a room full of hats, they discussed how best to let the public enjoy them. The idea of a Vintage Clothing Exhibit was born.

Donna Foster, JoAnn Robb, Loween Getter and Darlene Dingman started by taking photos and creating an inventory of each item. They visited the Textile and Clothing Museum at ISU and Heartland Museum in Clarion.

After the rooms were ready, the committee set about creating the first five exhibits for the February 2019 open house. Ever eager to show off the collection, 10 new displays were created that same year. Four more exhibits were opened just prior to the pandemic in 2020. The exhibit reopened twenty months later.

To date, there have been a total of 28 different displays. Several Women’s Club members have assisted the committee which is always looking for more helpers to create the displays and serve as tour guides during open hours.

The house is open to the public on the fourth Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and for small groups by special arrangement.

CITY SCENE CITY SCENE CITYCITYSCENE SCENE

AMI Advanced Metering Infrastructure

AMI Advanced Metering Infrastructure

The City is in the process of installing new water meters to our service territory. Advanced Metering Infrastructure is an integrated system of equipment, communication, and information management systems for water utilities to remotely collect customers water usage data in real time. This new equipment (smart meters) will allow us to provide improved service, operational savings, and better billing information to our customers. HydroCorp is a subcontractor for Municipal Supply who will handle the mass water meter changeout that is anticipated to begin in January 2024. HydroCorp will be reaching out to customers between November and December 2023 with detailed scheduling information.

Department by calling 515-832-9139. If your shutoff valve next to the water meter is not in working order, HydroCorp will be required to shut your water service off at the curb box. It is important that the homeowner understands that the curb stop on their property is the owner’s responsibility for it to be in good working order. If the curb stop is broke or damaged while attempting to close the valve it is your responsibility to make the necessary repairs. HydroCorp shall not be responsible for damages due to faulty control valves, leaks or plumbing. All necessary plumbing repairs and costs are the responsibility of homeowner.

• Water service lines are typically 4-7 feet deep

Due to the age and lack of documentation of these service lines, most property owners are not in position to know the location, material type, and condition of their service lines. Here are some quick facts regarding your private water service line:

• If you are repairing a water service line for whatever reason and find out it’s le ad, the entire service line from home/business to the water main must be replaced. The homeowner is responsible for replacing City Street, Right of Way, and sidewalk if the service line connects to the water main in the roadway.

• If you are repairing a water service line for whatever reason and find out it’s lead, the entire service line from home/business to the water main must be replaced. The homeowner is responsible for replacing City Street, Right of Way, and sidewalk if the service line connects to the water main in the roadway.

1. Is my water shut off valve in good working order?

2. Where is my curb stop located?

3. Is my curb stop in good working order?

The City is in the process of installing new water meters to our service territory. Advanced Metering Infrastructure is an integrated system of equipment, communication, and information management systems for water utilities to remotely collect customers water usage data in real time. This new equipment (smart meters) will allow us to provide improved service, operational savings, and better billing information to our customers. HydroCorp is a subcontractor for Municipal Supply who will handle the mass water meter changeout that is anticipated to begin in January 2024. HydroCorp will be reaching out to customers between November and December 2023 with detailed scheduling information.

• It is the property owner’s responsibility to maintain and repair the water service line from the corporation stop to the home or building.

• If you are wanting your curb stop shut off or your curb stop located to make repairs inside or outside the home, contact the Utility Office. For $30 City staff will come out and try to locate or shut the curb stop off.

Each postal notification indicates a unique nine-character reference code that is specific to the account or water customer. This allows the customers to access the HydroSoft I/O online scheduling portal and ensures appointments are set for specific customers or addresses. This unique reference code populates the customer information when input, which ensures and mitigates human error when scheduling. Examples of this would be transposed, missing and/or too many numbers within addresses house/business number or deviations between Dr., Cir., Ct., St., etc.

Smart metering is going to be a great asset to our community however it is very important that you the homeowner understand what is required of you.

4. If I have an issue with my water shut off or curb stop, what plumber will I contact.

• In the event there is a failure to maintain the water service line (including pipe, corporation and curb stop) the City may discontinue service or make necessary repairs and assess the cost to the property owner.

• If you are wanting your curb stop shut off or your curb stop located to make repairs inside or outside the home, contact the Utility Office. For $30 City staff will come out and try to locate or shut the curb stop off.

• Not all curb stops are documented, meaning not all curb stops are guaranteed to be found

• Not all curb stops can by shut off. Curb stop extensions to ground level can become full of dirt, bent, broke or frozen during winter months

• Not all curb stops are documented, meaning not all curb stops are guaranteed to be found.

Property Owner Responsibility for Water Service Lines

1. Is my water shut off valve in good working order?

2. Where is my curb stop located?

• Water service lines/curb stops can be damaged in varies ways including but not limited to, root damage, settling, rust, decomposition, rust, landscaping, and/or intrusion by surrounding soil content.

• Not all water service lines can be traced out by a locating devise. Not all water service lines have tracer wire.

• Not all curb stops can by shut off. Curb stop extensions to ground level can become full of dirt, bent, broke or frozen during winter months.

• All water service rules and regulations can be found in the Service rules of the Webster City Water System Section 2.3

HydroCorp will make 2 attempts to establish an appointment for meter replacement at each address. If email addresses are provided as part of the original account listing, HydroCorp will make additional attempts to contact water customers for appointment setting. Definition of attempts:

3. Is my curb stop in good working order?

4. If I have an issue with my water shut off or curb stop, what plumber will I contact.

Property Owner Responsibility for Water Service Lines

Water customers can be unaware that they are responsible for private water service lines that supply water to their homes from the City’s water distribution system. This uncertainty can be confusing to most for the simple fact that private water service lines run four to seven feet underground and enter your home beneath the basement floor. Private water service lines are connected to the water main via a corporation stop, from

• Installation of a new water service line shall be made by a licensed plumber in accordance with the “Plumbing Rules and Regulations of the Iowa State Building Code”.

Each postal notification indicates a unique nine -character reference code that is specific to the account or water customer. This allows the customers to access the HydroSoft I/O online scheduling portal and ensures appointments are set for specific customers or addresses. This unique reference code populates the customer information when input, which ensures and mitigates human error when scheduling. Examples of this would be transposed, missing and/or too many numbers within addresses house/business number or deviations between Dr., Cir., Ct., St., etc.

Water customers can be unaware that they are responsible for private water service lines that supply water to their homes from the Cit y’s water distribution system. This uncertainty can be confusing to most for the simple fact that private water service lines run four to seven feet underground and enter your home beneath the basement floor. Private water service lines are connected to the water main via a corporation stop, from there the water line is ran towards the home where a curb stop is installed in the public right of way. A curb stop is a n on/off valve that allows contractors and City staff to control the water supply from the City main to inside a home or building. The water service line is then run under the home and up through the basement floor where a shutoff valve is installed and then the City water meter.

• Water service line material found in Webster City include: copper, plastic, galvanized, and lead.

• Water service lines are typically 4-7 feet deep.

HydroCorp will make 2 attempts to establish an appointment for meter replacement at each address. If email addresses are provided as part of the original account listing, HydroCorp will make additional attempts to contact water customers for appointment setting. Defini tion of attempts:

a. 1st Postal Notice

a. 1st Postal Notice

b. 2nd Postal Notice

c. 3rd City

b. 2nd Postal Notice

c. 3rd City

HydroCorp Field Technicians will provide each customer with a toll-free emergency business card. This card contains the phone number to our 24/7 emergency call center. The emergency call center will contact project personnel to resolve any customer issue, concern, question, or leak, after installation, that is a result of HydroCorp’s workmanship. HydroCorp’s response to any call or any item, is well within the 24hr response time, between first report and resolution.

In order to replace your water meter with a new smart meter it is crucial that your shut off valves are in good working order. HydroCorp will first attempt to isolate your water service at the shutoff valve in the basement near the water meter. If you are unsure if your shutoff valve is in good working order, please schedule a FREE appointment with the City’s Inspections

HydroCorp Field Technicians will provide each customer with a toll -free emergency business card. This card contains the phone number to our 24/7 emergency call center. The emergenc y call center will contact project personnel to resolve any customer issue, concern, question, or leak, after installation, that is a result of HydroCorp’s workmanship. HydroCorp’s response to any call or any item, is well within the 24hr response time, be tween first report and resolution.

there the water line is ran towards the home where a curb stop is installed in the public right of way. A curb stop is an on/off valve that allows contractors and City staff to control the water supply from the City main to inside a home or building. The water service line is then run under the home and up through the basement floor where a shutoff valve is installed and then the City water meter.

Due to the age and lack of documentation of these service lines, most property owners are not in position to know the location, material type, and condition of their service lines.

In order to replace your water meter with a new smart meter it is crucial that your shut off valves are in good working order. HydroCorp will first attempt to isolate your water service at the shutoff valve in the basement near the water meter. If you are unsure if your shutoff valve is in good working order, please schedule a FREE appointment with the City’s Inspections Department by calling 515-832 -9139. If your shutoff valve next to the water meter is not in working order, HydroCorp will be required to shut your water service off at the curb box. It is important that the homeowner understand s that the curb stop on their property is the owner’s responsibility for it to be in good working order. If the curb stop is broke or

Here are some quick facts regarding your private water servi ce line:

• It is the property owner’s responsibility to maintain and repair the water service line from the corporation stop to the home or building.

• In the event there is a failure to maintain the water service line (including pipe, corporation and curb stop) the City may discontinue service or make necessary repairs and assess the cost to the

• Not all water service lines can be traced out by a locating devise. Not all water service lines have tracer wire.

• All water service rules and regulations can be found in the Service rules of the Webster City Water System Section 2.3.

LET’S EAT

Our Hometown Recipe Corner

This whimsical fall treat ideal for special gatherings

Pumpkin spice may be all the rage in October and November, but it’s all about apples in the early weeks of fall. Visiting a local orchard to hand-pick apples is an entertaining way to spend an afternoon with young or old, and it’s a great opportunity to gather ingredients for apple pie.

For fall birthdays or other special occasions, skip the celebratory cake for something even more eye-catching: an elaborately decorated pie! Not too many people can resist the tart flavor of fresh apples and the buttery, flaky appeal of a delicious pie crust. Turn a store-bought or homemade pie into an artistic masterpiece with these directions for “Flying Unicorn Pie” from “Pies are Awesome: The Definitive Pie Art Book” (Quarto) by Jessica Leigh Clark-Bojin.

Flying Unicorn Pie

Makes 1 pie

Ingredients:

Egg wash (or almond milk if making a vegan pie)

Brown gel food color

Vanilla extract

Assortment of sanding sugar, sprinkles, and small Sixlets or dragées

Gold and pearl luster dust

Vodka or any clear alcohol or extract to mix with the luster dust

Supplies:

The pie pan of your choice

Baking sheet

Parchment paper

Food-safe precision knife

Pastry brush

Food-safe artist brushes

Ramekins or small containers to mix color and hold egg wash

Fondant sculpting tool (or toothpick)

1. Roll out the dough of your choice onto parchment and cut out all the Flying Unicorn template pieces with a sharp knife. Cut out as many “rays” as you like. Don’t worry if they look long; they’ll shrink in the oven! (Purchase the cookbook for the template or use clip art to create your own template.)

2. Coat all the pieces in the egg wash using a pastry brush.

3. Paste the pieces together using the egg wash as “glue.” Smooth out the joints with the back of your fingernail or a fondant sculpting tool. If you have any trouble lifting the pieces, just pop your work in the freezer for 2 minutes, then use a spatula to lift the bits. Score some feather lines in the wings with a fondant sculpting tool.

4. You can either paint the unicorn now with gel colors, or just give it a quick vanilla wash. Make sure you choose colors that will stand out from your background. Bake the pieces at 400 F (200 C) for about 8 minutes, or until golden brown. Every oven is slightly different so keep an eye on it. Set the baked pieces aside to cool while you make the base pie. If you are making your base pie, add a decorative crimped edge of some sort to fancy it up.

5. Once the base pie has baked, place your cooled “ray” pieces evenly around the top of the base pie with a spatula. Let the pie fully cool and then add the edible bling of your choice (this is the fun part!).

6. For the final step, place a dab of jam, chocolate, sugar glue, or leftover filling in the center as glue, and place your unicorn with a spatula. You can add some luster dust mixed with a bit of vodka now if you feel like it needs a bit more fabulousness.

Tip: Since you are going to be coating the top of this pie in sanding sugars, select a filling that is not overly sweet — maybe even something tart — and don’t put any sugar in the crust. You can use any flavor of filling you like and the dough of your choice. You can also use a storebought pie.

LANDMARKS

WINNER-WINNER:

Photo #1

Photo No. 1 “Ralph Moose” sculpture at West Twin Park

Photo No. 2 “Oculus” sculpture at West Twin Park

Helene Silverstein

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SAVVY SENIOR

by Jim Miller

How Seniors Can Save on Prescription Drug Costs

Dear Savvy Senior

, I take several medications for multiple health conditions and the prices keep going up, even with my Medicare prescription drug insurance. Can you recommend any tips that can help cut my costs?

Dear Tina,

The high cost of prescription drugs is an ongoing problem that stings everyone, but it usually affects seniors more because they have a greater need for medications and because Medicare doesn’t cover all their drug costs.

While the Inflation Reduction Act, that was signed into law last year, will help seniors save on their medications by negotiating lower drug prices and caping out-of-pocket spending at $2,000, it will be a few years before the law is fully enacted. In the meantime, here are some different strategies that can help reduce your costs so you can afford what you need.

Talk to your doctor: A good first step is to review your medications once a year with your doctor to find out if any of them can be stopped or reduced. If you’re taking any brand-name drugs check to see if they are available in a cheaper generic form. Also, for any drugs you’re taking long-term ask your doctor for a cheaper three or six-month prescription, versus a one month. And find out if any of the pills you’re taking can be cut in half. Pill splitting allows you to get two months’ worth of medicine for the price of one. If you do this, you’ll need to get a prescription for twice the dosage you need.

Review your insurance: Carefully review your drug coverage during the open enrollment period, which runs Oct. 15 – Dec. 7 for Medicare beneficiaries. Make sure all your regular medications are covered in the plan’s formulary; that your current pharmacy is in the plan’s network; and that your plan covers additional medication coverage in the gap. To shop and compare Medicare prescription drug plans go to Medicare.gov/plan-compare.

Pay cash: Not using insurance for prescriptions seems counterintuitive, but in some cases, it may save you money. For example, many chain pharmacies and big-box stores like Walmart and Costco have their own prescription savings programs that may be lower than your insurance copayment. Or you can use coupons through GoodRx.com or RxSaver.com that can save you up to 80 percent off the list price of generic and some brand-name drugs in certain pharmacies.

Shop online: You can also save on regularly used medications by having them sent to you from a mailorder pharmacy. Check with your health insurer or regular pharmacy to see whether it will get you a better deal. If not, check online pharmacies like CostPlusDrugs.com or HoneybeeHealth.com. With these, you may spend less in some cases than you might with insurance.

Buy from Canada: Because prescription drugs are often much cheaper north of the border, many Americans have chosen this option for years. While this is technically illegal in most states, the Food and Drug Administration generally does not stop people from doing it. If you want to explore this option use PharmacyChecker.com, an online tool that will help you identify reputable Canadian and international online pharmacies.

Get more help: If your income is limited, you may also be able to get help through Medicare’s Extra Help program (Medicare.gov/basics/costs/help/drug-costs), your state pharmaceutical assistance program (Medicare.gov/plancompare/#/pharmaceutical-assistance-program/states) or patient assistance programs (Medicare.gov/pharmaceuticalassistance-program). Visit each website to see if you’re eligible and to apply.

Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

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