Ione P. Thorson, 90, of Chatfield, died Friday, April 24, 2026 at the Chosen Valley Care Center. Ione “Onie” was born August 23, 1935, in Ossian, Iowa to Hiller and Elsie (Wiedow) Holien. On November 10, 1958, she married Carl Thorson. They settled in Chatfield where they raised their family. She worked as an Avon representative for 40 years, at Mayo Clinic for 27 years … [Read more...]
Ardis LeAnn Copeman
On Wednesday, April 22, 2026, Ardis LeAnn Copeman, age 89, of Spring Valley, was welcomed into Heaven, where she was reunited with the love of her life, Roger, and her beloved sons Scott and Todd. Ardis was born on April 1, 1937, in Lake Mills, Iowa, to Oscar and Laura Olson. She was a twin, sharing a special lifelong bond with her brother Arden LeRoy. On October 24, … [Read more...]
Spring Time Toxicities in Pets
While spring time brings vibrant colors, sunshine, and happiness, it also poses many risks to our pets both inside and outside the home. Easter basket candy, flowers, and pest prevention all can have serious, and potentially deadly, effects if ingested by our pets. The following are the most common toxic substances to keep away from your pets: Lilly flowers and … [Read more...]
What can I do to give my home curb appeal when listing it for sale?
Great question — curb appeal can literally influence whether buyers decide to schedule a viewing or keep driving. Here’s a few tips to ensure your home makes a good first impression! Freshen up the landscaping - mow, remove weeds, trim shrubs, and add fresh mulch. Update your entry door and trim with fresh paint, replace outdated hardware and exterior lighting. Clean … [Read more...]
Why does my car’s heater controls have recirculation mode and what does it do?
Many vehicles have one button on the heater controls that looks like a car with a “U” shaped arrow on it which is recirculation mode and another with an arrow going through an outline of a car which is fresh air mode. When in recirculation mode the air used for the heat or A/C comes from inside the cabin of your vehicle. When in fresh air mode, the air will be drawn in from … [Read more...]
What is the best kind of air purifier to buy?
There are five types of purifiers: HEPA, Carbon Filtration, UV lights, Ionization and PCO technology. HEPA, Carbon and UV lights are all passive and require capture of the allergens, smoke, odor, bacteria or germ. Capture means the pathogen has to find its way to the element, and if it does, it is trapped but not neutralized. This is inefficient at best and it is alive in … [Read more...]
Which retirement plan is right for your business?
If you’re a local business owner, a workplace retirement plan can be a powerful tool – helping you manage taxes, support employee retention and build long-term financial security. Despite common misconceptions, these plans aren’t just for large companies. Today’s options work for businesses of every size. If you’re self-employed or don’t have employees, there are three … [Read more...]
How long does it take to train your dog?
This is a bit like asking how long it takes to get in shape—it depends on the dog, the goals, and your consistency. Basic obedience skills can start to take shape in a few weeks with daily practice. However, real reliability—especially around distractions—often takes a few months. Behavior issues like reactivity, anxiety, or aggression can take longer and require a … [Read more...]
With so much health advice, how do I know what I actually need to do?
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed right now. Everywhere you turn, there are promises about health—if you just focus on this one thing, everything will get better. Supplements. Therapies. Exercise regimens. Diets. Resolutions. Medications. Each matters and offers part of the picture, but none stand on their own. Health is not meant to be addressed in pieces. Often, the clearest … [Read more...]
How do I handle grief and how come somedays it just sneaks up on me?
Great questions. Grief is a tough thing to navigate. We often refer to it as the “grief journey” as it seems when it comes to grief there really isn’t a set path with specific instructions, but a shared path that can vary from person to person. It’s interesting how grief can sneak up, it could be a sight, a sound, even a smell (flowers, cookies, etc.) can trigger grief – it … [Read more...]