MAKING MAPLE SYRUP OFFERS SWEET REWARDS

Mar 11, 2026 | Business

Heather Isom explains the various steps of maple syrup finishing and bottling, during a morning seminar at their farm offered through the Iowa Arborist Association.

 

Larry and Heather Isom’s journey to maple syrup production began with Larry’s father. 

By Susan Thompson | Lake Panorama Times

Larry Isom explains to a group of arborists how the woodburning cooker boils off water from the maple sap.

Larry and Heather Isom have busy lives, but this time of year, they get even busier. That’s because for six to eight weeks each spring, they are taking the many steps needed to turn tree sap into maple syrup. 

The Isom family has lived in a home on Lake Panorama’s Burchfield Cove since 2005, when Larry was hired by Power Lift in Jefferson as director of engineering.

Their journey to maple syrup production began with Larry’s father. 

 

The beginnings

Larry’s parents, Roland and Laura Isom, lived in California, where Roland worked at a chemical processing plant. As the couple planned their retirement, they decided to move to Iowa. 

They purchased a house and large metal building on 13 acres along Highway 25 north of Guthrie Center near Springbrook State Park. One part of Roland Isom’s retirement plan was to make maple syrup. 

In 2010, Roland and Larry planted 1,200 sugar maple trees on the land where the previous owner had grazed cattle. 

During a presentation Feb. 27, Larry Isom explained the reverse osmosis system he built to run sap through before cooking it. The system reduces the sap’s water content and removes impurities.

“Dad said he wouldn’t live long enough to draw sap from those trees, but he wanted the next generation to be able to,” Larry says. “Only half of the trees survived. It was a dry fall, and we didn’t have a way to irrigate.” 

Another problem was the deer that came from wooded areas on all sides of the farm to take what they wanted.   

“If you look at an aerial map, you can see this is probably the worst place in Iowa for a tree farm,” Larry Isom jokes. “With the Springbrook wildlife area to the east and a church camp wildlife area to the west, the deer pressure is tremendous. Plus, the Middle Raccoon River runs along the south and east borders of the property, which sometimes floods a few acres.”

One good thing about the property, in Roland’s mind, was the huge silver maple trees that line the banks of the Middle Raccoon River. In 2011, he tapped some of those trees to draw sap, then learned the process to turn sap into syrup. For the next five years, he tapped the silver maples each spring and made maple syrup. 

Roland retired in 2017 and moved to the farm full-time, joining Laura who had already made the move. He passed away one year later. Larry and Heather purchased the farm from Laura, who still lives in the house. They committed themselves to carrying on the maple syrup family tradition while operating a productive tree farm. 

When conditions are right

Sap from any maple tree can be turned into maple syrup. Some people tap maples in the fall, others in the spring. 

“You can’t do both,” Heather Isom says. “We always tap in the spring. It’s best to have a hard freeze, then three to five days of temperatures above freezing. That helps the trees start to wake up. We keep our eyes on the 10-day forecast.” 

Isom Tree Farm maple syrup is sold in traditional 8-ounce and 12-ounce syrup jars. Pint jars also are available on request.

For a few years, the Isoms waited until Valentine’s Day to tap their silver maples. Now they tap as soon as they think conditions are right. This year, they tapped their first trees Jan. 27. Once it’s “go” time, they tap all the trees they plan to use as quickly as possible and start collecting sap. 

“When the ground is frozen, moisture is trapped in the tree roots,” Heather says. “As temperatures rise, the sap moves up into the tree during the day, and back down toward the ground at night. We want to catch the sap as it’s going up and down.” 

Trees must have a diameter of at least 12 inches at chest height for one tap. Larry Isom uses a drill to make a small hole in the tree. 

“Some people do more than just one tap in their trees,” he says. “We tried that, and it seemed we got just about as much sap whether we had one tap or more. We decided the result wasn’t worth the damage to the tree.” 

Isom spreads his taps out year to year, rotating around each tree. The hole from a year earlier still can be seen, so he drills the new year’s tap 4 inches to the right. After he has made a full circle around the tree, he will start a new circle 18 inches higher and follow the same pattern. 

A plastic tap is inserted into the hole and gently “tapped” in with a small rubber hammer. A tube is connected to the tap on one end and the lid of a five-gallon, food-grade bucket on the other end. Soon, sap is flowing into the bucket. 

Sap is collected any day the temperature is above freezing for 24 hours. Heather does most of the sap collection, which takes her about two hours. 

“It’s best to collect in the mornings when the sap is cold, for easier storage,” she says. “Sap has yeast in it and can turn cloudy if it gets too warm. We can’t store sap more than three days if temperatures exceed 50 degrees.”

 

Complicated steps

In general, 150 gallons of sap yields about three gallons of syrup. The steps between collecting sap and pouring maple syrup on a warm waffle are complicated, and precision is required. 

First, the Isoms run the sap through a series of paper filters, then through a reverse osmosis system. These steps reduce water content and remove impurities. The sap then is run through another filter before being placed in large pans on an outdoor, wood-fired cooker. 

The cooker stands in the middle of a three-wall enclosure. Larry Isom builds a fire in the bottom section of the cooker using wood he cuts, splits and stacks in a nearby shed. Once the cooker is hot, buckets of sap are poured in. 

“The wood fire is great,” Larry says. “I pour buckets of sap in as the water level drops. We ladle the sap from the back pan to the front, and eventually end up with about one-quarter inch of sap in the bottom of the front pan. That gets poured into a clean bucket and carried into the building for finishing and bottling.”  

“Maple tree sap generally has a sugar content of 1.5%,” Heather says. “We need to get the sugar content to about 66% before bottling.” 

The sap pulled from the cooker is filtered again before being poured into a large pan on a propane stove. While Larry manages the outside cooking, Heather handles getting the syrup to the right sugar content, then bottling it. 

“The first four years we bottled, we did it in the kitchen,” Heather says. “Since then, we’ve added new equipment that takes much of the guesswork out of the finishing and bottling. We learn something new every year.” 

Heather keeps a record book on all aspects of the sap-to-syrup operation, including how many days taps are in trees, temperature ranges for those days, and how many buckets of sap were collected. 

“The season for drawing sap ends when tree buds burst and flower,” she says. “Some years we’ve had trees tapped for 11 days, others for 45 days. It all depends on the weather, but 45 days is most common.”

The Isoms usually tap about 180 maple trees, then collect and cook enough sap to fill about 100 jars with maple syrup. 

“Some people blend all their syrup together so they have a consistent color in their bottles,” Heather says. “We bottle our syrup in batches as we have it ready. Syrup in bottles filled earlier in the season is lighter and has more vanilla undertones. Later in the season, the syrup is darker and more robust.”  

 

The family business

While the Isoms enjoy the maple syrup part of their family business, other aspects of the Isom Tree Farm are more profitable. In 2018, they planted additional sugar maple trees and a few other varieties. They have a tree spade, which is used to transplant large trees from the farm, plus move existing trees for customers. 

They purchase nursery trees each year for resale, which Larry will plant and stake for customers. 

Eight years ago, they planted 2,000 pine trees. Last year was their second season offering choose-and-cut Christmas trees from their fields. They also sold Balsam and Fraser pine trees, which don’t grow in Iowa. Heather creates and sells fresh green wreaths, porch and table pots, grave blankets and other items made from fresh greenery.   

Right now, Larry and Heather are busy making maple syrup. The Isom Tree Farm maple syrup is offered in three sizes and has a loyal following.   

“I usually just post on Facebook when the syrup is ready,” Heather says. “We have a regular list of family and friends who always want some, and we get new people every year. We always sell out pretty quickly.” 

 

Grandpa’s Tree

One of the huge silver maples the Isom family taps has been dubbed “Grandpa’s Tree.” 

“It’s on the southwest end of the property and gets the most sun,” Larry says. “It will produce five gallons of sap each day and is one of the trees Dad always tapped in the five years he was able to make maple syrup.” 

“Larry’s dad, Roland, got us hooked on making syrup. He started with tubes and orange juice jugs,” Heather says. “It’s been nine years doing it without him, and we have learned so much. It’s amazing what a love of trees does for the soul.”

These are the four steps Larry Isom uses to tap a maple tree. A drill makes a small hole in the tree. A rubber hammer sets the tap in the tree. Sap starts to drip from the tap. A plastic tube is connected to the tap and the bucket, where sap is collected.

SUNSET REALTY CONTINUES TO GROW

Mar 11, 2026 | Business, Recipes

Laura Kemble, standing, and Angie Worth, seated, are co-owners of Sunset Realty. Kemble opened Sunset Realty in February 2019 with then-partner, Dave Wagler. They hired Worth as office administrator in March 2019. In October 2023, Worth bought out Wagler’s half of the business.

Owners Laura Kemble and Angie Worth have combined their business experience and community ties to shape the real estate firm.

By Susan Thompson | Lake Panorama Times

Leslie Anderson joined the Sunset Realty team as office administrator and transaction coordinator in October 2023. She earned her real estate license in January 2024.

Since the company’s beginnings seven years ago, Sunset Realty in Panora has become a familiar name in the local real estate market. Owners Laura Kemble and Angie Worth have combined their business experience and community ties to shape the real estate firm’s growth. 

Kemble opened Sunset Realty in February 2019 with then-partner, Dave Wagler. They hired Worth as office administrator in March 2019. In October 2023, Worth bought out Wagler’s half of the business and became a full partner and owner with Kemble. Now, Wagler works with the company as an independent contractor Realtor. 

Leslie Anderson was hired as office administrator and transaction coordinator in October 2023 and earned her real estate license in January 2024. At the same time, Ben Hayes was added to the team as an independent contractor Realtor, specializing in acreages, land and farms. Wagler and Hayes both have broker associate licenses, along with Worth.

Wagler’s real estate career began in 2012, and he spent seven years as a salesperson and broker at Lake Panorama Realty. Kemble started her real estate career at Berkshire Hathaway in January 2014 and moved to join Wagler at Lake Panorama Realty in Panora in September that year. 

The five members of the Sunset Realty team include, seated, Dave Wagler, Laura Kemble and Leslie Anderson. Standing, Angie Worth and Ben Hayes. Kemble and Worth own the business. Wagler and Hayes are independent contractor Realtors. Anderson is office administrator and transaction coordinator, also a licensed real estate agent.

“A bonus was getting to work with real estate icon, Patrick Moylan, for six months before he retired,” Kemble says. “It was a great opportunity to tap into Pat’s expertise. I was able to take that knowledge and, with the help of Dave, who became the broker when Pat retired, I was really set up for success.”   

Prior to entering real estate, Worth worked for Panorama Schools for two years. 

“I was honored to have the opportunity to work and learn the world of real estate side by side with Laura and Dave,” Worth says. “Transitioning into the ownership role in 2023 allowed me to grow professionally and to continue to help people achieve their dreams.”

Kemble says with five licensed agents on board, Sunset Realty is able to cover more properties and provide better customer service. 

“Real estate is unpredictable, and every day is different,” she says. “It is such a great feeling to help people with something as huge as buying or selling a home. It can be as rewarding to help a first-time home buyer as it is to find the perfect lake home for someone. The average person only buys or sells a home a couple of times in their lifetime, and it’s an honor to be trusted with that process.” 

Kemble, Worth and Anderson all live at Lake Panorama. Kemble and her husband, Scott, who is a Panora native, have lived on the west side of the lake since 1987. Worth and her husband, John, moved to a home on Burchfield Cove in 2016. Anderson and her husband, Derek, moved to a home on the east side of Lake Panorama in 2021. 

“It’s safe to say we know Lake Panorama,” Worth says. “We proudly represent this unique community. We live here, we work here and we play here.” 

The focus market for Sunset Realty is mainly Lake Panorama, Panora and the surrounding communities. 

“Farms and acreages can take us out a little further, but we like to stay close to focus on this area so we can give our sellers and buyers the best customer experience possible. More than 50% of our total sales are at the lake. The rest are equal parts Panora, surrounding towns, land and acreages,” Kemble says. 

In 2025, there were 56 realtor-involved sales at Lake Panorama, with Sunset Realty involved in 37 of those for 66% of the Lake Panorama market share. 

What expectations does the Sunset Realty team have for the 2026 real estate market?

“Overall, 2026 looks like a steady, balanced real estate year for Guthrie County. Not fast growth, but predictable and mostly stable conditions,” Kemble says. “We have been in a seller’s market for a few years. Now, we are starting to see a more balanced market. This will mean a little longer listing times for sellers, but Lake Panorama is in its own economic bubble, so pricing may level out but should stay fairly even.” 

Both Worth and Kemble say as an independent and locally owned company, they like the freedom to make their own choices and decisions. And, that being local means being committed and involved in the community. 

“Sunset Realty is deeply committed to this community, and we are so grateful for all of the wonderful people we have been able to help,” Worth says. “Volunteering and giving back to the area’s charities and organizations is important to us and will continue to be a key part of our company’s mission. We also strive to give our clients the best return in the shortest amount of time, with clear and proactive communication.” 

The Sunset Realty office is west of the Panora town square at 218 West Main. Office hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Evenings and weekends are by appointment, and one team member is always on call. More information is online at www.sunsetrealtyia.com. n

FOUNDRY BUSINESS IN PERRY HAS BEEN FAMILY-OWNED SINCE 1981

Feb 11, 2026 | Business

Pictured left to right, Darek VanKirk, Progressive Foundry president; Jackson VanKirk, vice president of sales; and Kirk VanKirk, president.

The VanKirk name and family is well-known in Perry, and the same is true at Lake Panorama. 

By Susan Thompson | Lake Panorama Times

Progressive Foundry in Perry has had someone with the last name of VanKirk at its helm since 1981. Today, the second and third generations of VanKirks own and operate the business. The foundry has 193,000 square feet of building space across three blocks just north of Perry’s downtown area. 

Progressive Foundry occupies 193,000 square feet of building space across three blocks just north of Perry’s downtown area.

Dallas “Pete” VanKirk attended high school in Moville, then continued his education at Wayne State in Wayne, Nebraska, and Yankton College in Yankton, South Dakota. In 1963, VanKirk began work as a core maker in Decatur, Illinois. Two years later, he moved to Perry to work as plant manager at Progressive Foundry. 

The beginnings of Progressive Foundry can be traced to 1916 when it was built as a captive cast iron supplier for the At Last Washing Machine Company. A.S. Kibby, founder and owner of the washing machine company, built At Last Foundry as an addition to the south side of the washing machine assembly plant to solve the dilemma of getting expensive castings from the East Coast.

When sales at the washing machine company slowed, the foundry was sold in 1919 and reopened as the Perry Foundry. In the early 1920s, another person started Progressive Foundry in the basement of the At Last Washing Machine assembly plant. Progressive Foundry ownership changed several times over the next several decades.

A production employee uses a ladle to fill sand molds with iron that is 2,750 degrees. The iron in the sand mold needs to cool to below 1,200 degrees. Then the sand is separated from the iron casting, processed and reused, while the casting is transported to the finishing department.

Safetran Systems, a manufacturer of railroad traffic signals, bought the company in 1966. Safetran operated the foundry until 1981 when management decided to relocate its foundry operations. Pete VanKirk, the foundry’s plant manager, and Mike Hodges, lead accountant, bought Progressive Foundry from Safetran. In 1985, Hodges sold his shares of the foundry to VanKirk. 

Pete’s two sons, Kirk and Darek VanKirk, both joined the company fulltime in the 1980s.

“The 1980s were very tough years to keep the business afloat because of the farm crisis, but it was good for the long term because it forced us into other markets besides agriculture,” Darek VanKirk says. “The foundry poured about 20 ton of iron each day in the 1980s, and now we pour 75 tons daily with a one-shift operation.”

While the two brothers started at Progressive Foundry fulltime in the 1980s, both had worked there part-time for many years.

“Our dad was a hard-working, blue-collar guy who started in a foundry in Illinois and worked his way up,” says Darek. “He believed Kirk and I should learn the foundry from a hands-on approach, so we each worked there from the time we were 12 years old. I started as a janitor and then as an hourly production employee. We both worked there summers through high school and college.”

After high school graduation, Kirk attended Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, majoring in business. He joined Progressive Foundry fulltime in 1981, the same year his father purchased the business. Darek earned a degree in finance from Simpson College. He graduated in 1986, then started with the family business fulltime.

A Progressive Foundry employee makes a sand mold with an automatic molding machine. A mold is made by squeezing sand around a pattern that makes an impression inside the mold. The void the pattern made then is filled with liquid iron, making a casting.

Darek and his wife, Carol, have two sons. Like their father and uncle, they both graduated from Perry Community Schools and worked in the foundry growing up. 

Jackson graduated from Luther College in Decorah in May 2017 with a degree in chemistry, then started working fulltime at Progressive Foundry. He is now vice president of sales. 

Kade VanKirk graduated from UNI in May 2020 with a degree in manufacturing engineering and a foundry emphasis. He has been working in Casa Grande, Arizona, since then, but will join Progressive Foundry fulltime March 1 as a quality engineer.

The business is known as a jobbing foundry, which means they make parts for other manufacturers to make products. 

“We recycle iron, such as old car bodies that are shredded down and steel punchings. We have two five-metric ton electric furnaces that melt iron down to a molten state of 2,800 degrees in about 50 minutes,” Kirk VanKirk says. “Then we pour it into sand molds to make new parts that are sold to other manufacturers around the country. Industries we serve include agriculture, municipalities, construction and general businesses.” 

Members of the VanKirk family are shown inside Progressive Foundry in Perry. Left to right, Kirk and Lori VanKirk; Darek and Carol VanKirk; Jackson and Maddie VanKirk and their 2-year-old son RJ. Kirk and Darek are the company’s presidents. Jackson is vice president of sales. Not shown is Kade VanKirk, who will join the family business March 1 as a quality engineer.

Most of the company’s customers are from the Midwest, the Great Lakes region, and south from Iowa to Texas. Their largest customer is located in Colorado Springs. 

“We make all of the water hydrants you see in parks and recreation areas, campgrounds and on farms in that area,” Darek says. “These water hydrants have Iowa across the front and are easily recognizable.” 

Pete VanKirk passed away in the fall of 2016. Company operations continued under Kirk and Darek, who each carry the title of president. 

Progressive Foundry now has 85 employees with 67 of those hourly and 18 salaried. A sales representative firm in Little Rock handles the company’s southern accounts.

One section of the business is named “Pete’s Machine” in honor Pete VanKirk. 

“He passed away before we started the machine shop,” Kirk says. “When a customer requires a machined casting to have it ready for assembly at their plant, we can provide them with the casting made in the foundry, fully machined and ready to attach onto the piece of equipment they are building.”

Foundries are rare in Iowa. John Deere has the largest foundry in the state, located in Waterloo.

A year after Pete VanKirk died in August 2016, a sculpture created in his honor was unveiled in the Willis Avenue median near Hotel Pattee. The sculpture, titled Born of Fire, features a gear-driven ladle pouring molten metal. LED lights project from the base of the 15-foot artwork and simulate the appearance of liquid metal.

“I believe we have the second largest foundry in Iowa,” Darek says. “We are considered a mid-sized foundry nationwide. There are approximately 2,500 foundries in the United States with most of those in the Great Lakes region. When we started in this business in the early 1980s, the nation had more than 6,000 foundries.”

Darek admits to being biased when he says Progressive Foundry is one of the nicest mid-sized foundries in the nation. 

“Our equipment and facilities are as up to date as any other foundry in the nation,” he says. “Kirk and I have spent money to update our whole facility with new offices, restroom and shower facilities, lunch room, training facilities, and a new core production building, just since 2019. With another generation willing to continue to keep the place a family business, we have invested heavily so they can succeed into the future.”

The VanKirk name and family is well-known in Perry, and the same is true at Lake Panorama. 

“Our father purchased a waterfront lot in Burchfield Cove in the mid-1980s, so we spent a lot of time at Lake Panorama while growing up,” says Kirk. “He bought the lot for $1,200 for back taxes and sold it for $50,000 in 1998.”

Kirk and Darek each bought one of the white condos just south of The Port in 1997 when those were newly constructed. Later, they and their families sold their condos and purchased homes elsewhere at Lake Panorama.

Kirk says he and his wife Lori think Lake Panorama is a wonderful place to live. 

“We enjoy the golf, boating and having the grandkids enjoy the lake with us. They call our place Camp VanKirk,” says Kirk. “We also enjoy all the new friends and neighbors we have met along the way. I especially like the outdoors and the hunting and fishing available in the area. We have become involved in Lutheran Church of Hope Panora and enjoy our new church family.”

Darek says he and his wife Carol have met “some incredibly nice people at Lake Panorama. We both enjoy the many outdoor activities involving the lake, boating, fishing, hiking and bicycling. Carol is an avid golfer and she enjoys the incredible golf courses and the golfing community.”

A year after Pete VanKirk died in August 2016, a sculpture created in his honor was unveiled in the Willis Avenue median near Hotel Pattee. The sculpture was commissioned by Perry’s Art on the Prairie committee and executed by Des Moines artist John Brommel. The sculpture, titled “Born of Fire,” features a gear-driven ladle pouring molten metal, which is a common sight at Progressive Foundry. LED lights project from the base of the 15-foot artwork and simulate the appearance of liquid metal.

“Our father was well liked and respected in Perry because of his community involvement and philanthropy toward the city and the school system,” Darek says. “Our family lived in Perry beginning in 1965, so he was well known. Plus, Progressive Foundry has always been one of the major employers in town. It’s very touching the community did that on the main boulevard of Perry for Dad.”

Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) opened the DMACC Perry VanKirk Career Academy in 2010. 

“Kirk and I set up a foundation in the 1980s and had been putting money away for many years, knowing we would give it toward something in the community someday,” Darek says. “When we were asked to be the lead contributor to get DMACC to Perry, we quickly decided to use the foundation money we had been saving. We knew this would be a great benefit to the people of Perry and surrounding communities to be able to get college credit classes for free while kids are still in high school.”

Both Kirk and Darek say they enjoy the foundry business. 

“I think part of the reason we enjoy it is because we grew up with it,” Kirk says. “Our father instilled in us to give back to the community and to understand that our largest asset is our employees. We also enjoy working together as a family. And now that we have a third generation coming up behind us to carry on this family tradition, the future is bright.”

 

NEW LANDSCAPING BUSINESSCHECKS BOXES FOR ADAM HACKFORT

Jan 6, 2026 | Business

Adam and Emily Hackfort own and operate Hackfort Landscaping, LLC.

 

Lake Panorama native says he is able to do a lot of different projects both on and off the lake.

By Susan Thompson | Lake Panorama Times

Adam Hackfort was born and raised at Lake Panorama. His parents, Bill and Marcia Hackfort, moved to the lake in 1991 and raised their four children, Brittany, Erica, McKayla and Adam, there. 

Last April, Adam launched Hackfort Landscaping, LLC with Lake Panorama as his target market. 

“I saw the value of entrepreneurship when I had a small mowing business here at Lake Panorama throughout high school,” he says. “It was a fulfilling job to have during those summers away from school, so the idea of doing similar work fulltime was exciting.” 

After graduating from Panorama in 2016, Hackfort attended Iowa State University. He graduated in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree, majoring in supply chain management with a minor in management. 

He was hired by Pella Corporation and started in the central materials management department, purchasing hardware for the company’s wood, vinyl and fiberglass manufacturing locations. After three years, he was promoted to a supply chain analyst. 

At about the same time, he met his future wife, Emily, on CatholicMatch.com. 

“We both had certain qualities we were looking for in a spouse,” Adam says. “When we first met in 2023, we knew right away we had something special.” 

Emily was born and raised in Belle Plaine, Minnesota. She graduated from Chesterton Academy in 2020 and worked at her parent’s furniture and flooring store, Berger Interiors. She was the sales manager and helped customers select flooring, cabinets, countertops, window treatments, furniture and mattresses. She also was in charge of scheduling installers and ordering material for their installs. 

The young couple decided they wanted to make their home in Guthrie County. They married at St. Cecilia’s in Panora on May 31, 2025, and now live in Panora. 

“Emily and I decided to start our own business shortly before we got married,” Adam says. “I enjoy projects where I can use equipment and work with my hands. Sweat equity goes a long way, and I have enjoyed outside work since I was a young kid helping my parents with home improvement projects. I also love being around the lake, so landscaping was a good fit.” 

Hackfort left his previous job, and Emily got a job in Iowa working mostly remotely as a cabinet sales representative. 

“It was a great time for us to give our own business a try,” Adam says. “The business has been a great blessing. Our clients have all been wonderful to work with. We love seeing the end results and the smiles on our customer’s faces.”

Hackfort says he is able to do a lot of different projects both on and off the lake. 

“Starting out, I did a lot of rock beds, edging and smaller property improvements. As the summer went on, I completed a few different paver patios, old dock removal, small retaining walls, stump grinding, shoreline repairs, driveway and culvert installation, material delivery, brush and tree clearing, tree planting and more,” he says. “Currently, I have a track loader, a dump trailer and other equipment, so I am able to complete a wide variety of projects that customers may need.” 

For now, Hackfort Landscaping doesn’t have any employees, but family members provide support. 

“My dad has been a huge help getting the business started from talking through projects to helping at jobs,” Adam says. “Emily had a lot of experience with business management and scheduling from Berger Interiors, so she has been very helpful behind the scenes. Emily and my mom also have helped out on the jobsite a few times to wrap up some projects. Emily works fulltime at her job but has flexibility to help out with the business in many ways.”

Hackfort says while the company name is Hackfort Landscaping, LLC, he is able to service outdoor project needs that aren’t just landscaping. 

“We offer services at Lake Panorama and surrounding areas. Anyone who needs help around their property, I would be happy to connect with and help come up with a solution,” he says.

Hackfort can be reached by text, phone call or email. His cell number is 641-757-1843 and email is HackfortLandscaping@gmail.com. Photos showing completed projects are on Facebook and Instagram under hackfortlandscaping.

Adam Hackfort used stones of two different colors and a mix of sizes on this project.

Adam Hackfort cleaned up an overgrown landscape bed near a customer’s beach by creating a boulder edge, removing weeds and adding a fresh layer of mulch.

On this project, Hackfort Landscaping removed existing sod, laid out planter stone edging, new weed barrier fabric and one-inch limestone, then placed pavers to wrap up this outdoor entertainment space.

This original walkway to the shoreline from a customer’s home needed an upgrade.

Adam Hackfort added rock to fill in an area where grass wouldn’t grow and the ground was subject to erosion before placing new pavers to create a safe walkway to the water.

WHISPERING WILLOW DOG GROOMING OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Dec 10, 2025 | Business

Clint and Ashley Drake and children Hunter and Avery are shown under willow trees near Ashley’s Whispering Willow Dog Grooming business. Clint suggested the business name because of the nearby willow trees.

Ashley Drake says dog grooming involves getting “up close and personal” with her clients. 

 

By Susan Thompson | Lake Panorama Times

Ashley Drake has been grooming dogs for nearly 25 years, most of that time working for others. In mid-September, she opened her own dog-grooming business. 

Whispering Willow Dog Grooming is located along Highway 4 between Panora and Yale. Ashley and her husband, Clint Drake, purchased their home on two acres three years ago. This past summer, they turned a portion of an existing garage into a space for the business. 

Ashley grew up in Guthrie Center and graduated from high school there. She attended a month-long school in Madison, Wisconsin, where she learned the basics of grooming, dog breeds and the types of cuts commonly used on each breed. 

She worked as a groomer at Pet Smart in Des Moines for two years, then Pretty Paws in Guthrie Center for another two years. She took a break after her two children were born and was a stay-at-home mom until they both went to school. 

“I love dog grooming,” Drake says. “Once the kids were older, I had my own shop for a little while in Panora and then just outside of town. Next, I took a job at Stylin Paws in Clive. After making that drive for four years, Clint and I decided it was time for me to come back home.”   

The couple did most of the renovation work themselves, putting up a wall down the middle of the garage to separate the two spaces. Clint, who is a heavy equipment mechanic, has worked in construction for many years. 

“We did everything but the flooring and the foam insulation,” Ashley says. “The work included running electrical and plumbing, adding a septic system, new door and larger windows in the front. I need as much light as I can get when I’m grooming.” 

The business includes a large front counter, a separate room for doggie baths, and one grooming table with all the necessary tools nearby. There also are four kennels, in case a dog needs to be dropped off before its appointment or stay a little longer after. 

“I prefer to have just one dog at a time, which helps reduce stress and anxiety,” Drake says. “I want to make the grooming process as stress-free as possible.”

To open the dog-grooming business, Drake had to submit an application to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship for a license. 

“They had to come and inspect the building to make sure everything is up to code, and we passed on the first visit,” she says. 

Since opening the second week in September, Drake’s days have been full with both new and existing customers. 

“I’ve enjoyed getting to meet a lot of new people and their dogs,” she says. “I’ve also had a lot of people follow me here. Quite a few of my clients now drive to Panora from the Des Moines area because they don’t want someone new grooming their dog. They enjoy going into Panora for coffee, to shop, have a meal while I’m working with their dog. I love that my small business is helping support other small businesses in the community.”

Drake offers all the normal dog grooming services, including baths, brushing, cuts, de-shedding, anal glands, trimming nails and cleaning ears. 

“All dogs need to be groomed on a regular basis, even those with short hair,” she says. “It helps keep their skin healthy. It’s good for the dog’s health and also keeps them used to the grooming process so they don’t get anxious.” 

Regular grooming also allows Drake to pick up on health issues a dog may be facing. 

“When I’m blow drying a dog, I can see things on their skin vets might not have noticed,” she says. “I also find things like ear infections that haven’t yet been noticed by the dog’s owner.” 

Costs are based on the dog’s weight. 

“Most dogs I can groom in an hour to an hour and a half,” Drake says. “I’ve been doing this so long, I’ve developed a regular system that is pretty fast. When I was working in Des Moines, I often groomed 13 dogs a day.” 

Now that Drake is running the show, she’s a bit more relaxed. 

“I make sure to interact a lot with the dogs during the grooming process,” she says. “They love the extra attention, and it always makes them feel better, more relaxed.” 

Drake’s children attend Panorama Community Schools. Son Hunter is 15 and a freshman. Daughter Avery is 11 years old and in sixth grade.  

Drake says she is grateful to have her own dog grooming business. 

“I’m happy to be able to be home more, and not miss my kids’ school activities because I can’t get back to Panora in time,” she says. “Now I plan my daily schedule to be available for both my family and my customers.” 

The entire family loves dogs, and have six of their own. Mak is a Belgian Malinois, and Tango is a German Shepherd. Skade and Brida are miniature schnauzers. Chubbs is a red healer, and Walter is a Bernadoodle wiener dog. 

Drake says the best part of her job is seeing the transformation of a dog from one that needs to be groomed to the finished product. 

“They actually do like being groomed, once they feel safe,” she says. 

Whispering Willow Dog Grooming is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Drake says she sometimes will groom dogs on a Saturday, if needed. To make an appointment, call or text her at 641-431-1141. The business has a Facebook page, and customers also can send a message there to request an appointment.

Duke, a golden labradoodle owned by Billy and Emily Donovan, is shown with Ashley Drake inside Whispering Willow Dog Grooming. This was the first time for Duke to be groomed by Ashley.

The first stop for Duke is a bath. Ashley Drake says she usually ends up about as wet as the dog she is bathing, plus covered in hair.

Drake says it is important to get a dog’s hair very dry before starting to cut. Duke is wearing a Happy Hoodie, which Drake puts on all dogs to reduce the noise they experience during the drying process.

Duke gives Ashley Drake a kiss while she continues the blow drying process. Drake says dog grooming involves getting “up close and personal” with her clients.

Ashley Drake starts hair trimming on Duke’s back. She uses electric clippers that can be fitted with a variety of caps to change the length of the cut.

Once Ashley Drake was finished with the electric clippers, she brushed Duke, then used hand scissors to finish things off.

Once a dog’s grooming is complete, Ashley Drake gives it either a scarf or bow. She chose an orange scarf for Duke and was rewarded with a kiss.

This “after” photo shows Duke freshly groomed and happy with his new groomer, Ashley Drake.

Ashley Drake stands near the sign of her dog grooming business with her dog, Mak. Mak is one of six dogs the Drake family owns.

OLD SOUL MILLENNIAL OFFERS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

OLD SOUL MILLENNIAL OFFERS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

Nov 12, 2025 | Business

After reviewing the pros and cons of opening a retail location, Brandi Rockwell says she and her husband, Justin, decided to give it a try. 

By Susan Thompson | Lake Panorama Times

It has been two years since Brandi Rockwell opened her small business in Panora at 107 North First St., across the street from the Panora Library. Yet, the business name, Old Soul Millennial, has been around since 2016.

Rockwell attended classes in Jamaica until the Panorama Community School District was formed when she was in third grade. She graduated from Panorama in 2009. 

She has had an interest in vintage items since she was a child and credits her grandmother, Shirley Donovan, with sparking that interest. 

“Grandma used to work at Twice Nice, a secondhand and consignment store that was located where Guthrie County State Bank is now. I have distinct memories of that building, browsing all the inventory throughout the different rooms,” Rockwell says. “As a kid, it felt like a giant museum and treasure hunt all wrapped into one. It was always a treat for me to get to pick out a book or toy.”

As she got older, Rockwell had classmates who thought it was important to wear only name brand clothing. 

“I’ve never wanted to dress like everyone else,” she says. “I remember my mom taking me to Goodwill to shop. I enjoyed piecing together outfits and browsing unique home décor. It wasn’t until years later that I learned thrifting was more of a financial necessity. I could get my hands on just enough name brand items to be deemed normal by my peers, while mixing in unique pieces to put my own spin on things.”

Rockwell says, ultimately, having the secondhand option was a lifesaver for her. 

“I’ve come to understand I was thrifting before thrifting was cool,” she says. “What started off as a means of survival quickly turned into an identity and something I’m super passionate about.”

How did Rockwell come up with the name for her business? 

“I often felt like the word millennial was cast in a negative light. It seemed as if all millennials were lumped into a category, and we were all the same,” Rockwell says. “I’ve been referred to as an old soul most of my life. Combining old soul and millennial felt like a great way to describe myself while taking back some power.”

Brandi and her husband, Justin Rockwell, have two children who attend Panorama Community Schools. Charlotte is 12 and Emmett is 8 years old.

Charlotte was a newborn when Brandi first started buying items she would later sell.

“Babies grow out of their clothes so quickly,” she says. “I realized I could buy Charlotte gently used designer clothing at a fraction of the price, then resell once she outgrew it for what I had paid.”

At the same time, Rockwell was going to garage sales and estate sales. 

“I was buying things like clothing and toys and home décor our family could use but also finding things I thought I could resell at a profit,” she says. “It was a way for me to stay home with my baby, who was wearing cute clothes, and also make some money.” 

Rockwell says selling online worked for quite a while. 

“I was selling and shipping items,” she says. “Local people wanted to pick up things at my house, which was OK. But, eventually, the items I had for sale were taking over our home. Plus, I’m a people person, and I like to decorate and make themed vignettes. Not being able to display the items I wanted to sell was sucking the joy out of it.” 

After reviewing the pros and cons of opening a retail location, Rockwell says she and Justin decided to give it a try. 

“I like being my own boss,” Brandi says. “I have the flexibility to be there when the kids need me and do what I enjoy doing.”

Rockwell says the merchandise in her store ranges from vintage to modern and used to new. 

“I want to have something for everyone and at a price point that works for everyone,” she says. “We have clothing and accessories for all ages. We have both vintage and modern home décor plus functional items for the home. We also have toys, books, music, movies and more.”

When the business first opened, Rockwell was buying things at garage and estate sales to offer in her thrift boutique. She also took in some merchandise on consignment but later ended that practice because of the extra time and paperwork involved. 

She does have one consignment vendor. Her aunt, Emily Donovan, has a display case where her locally produced Lighthouse Honey and other products are available. 

Rockwell doesn’t buy items directly from sellers, but she does take donated items, which can be delivered during business hours.

“People would say they have been hauling around a box of items in their car they planned to take to Goodwill and asked if I’d take it instead,” she says. “Or, I would get a call about a house at the lake being torn down and asked if I’d like to see if there is anything I could use.”

The more she said yes, the more calls and donations she received. 

“This started by word of mouth,” she says. “Now I get calls after estate sales or garage sales to give me a chance to pick up items for the shop. I’m blessed to have this support in the community.”

The increase in donated items over the last year spawned an idea for a second family business. 

“We had a lot of inventory in storage in the back room and some items in the shop that weren’t moving,” Rockwell says. “Justin is really good at sorting and organizing overflow inventory. We’ve been to stores in larger cities where everything is in large bins for customers to dig through. He came up with the idea of doing something similar.” 

Bin There opened in early August in a building on Highway 44, just around the corner from Old Soul Millennial. Instead of bins, Justin uses tables and shelves to display inventory. Store hours are Wednesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“When he first opened, everything was $4 on Wednesday, and the price dropped each day until everything was $1 on Saturday,” Brandi says. “That led to some people not coming in later in the week because they thought all the best stuff would be gone. We don’t want people to think this is just garage sale leftovers. We want people coming in with the idea they are on a treasure hunt.” 

In October, a new pricing structure was set. All furniture is $4, electronics are $3, clothing, purses and shoes are $2, and home décor and toys are $1. Four media items also are $1. Once a month, there is a $5 “stuff a bag” sale. 

Brandi says customers sometimes shop in Justin’s store before he sends them her way, and vice versa. 

“I also get customers who say someone in another business in town suggested they come shop with me,” she says. “There’s nothing better than a small town where everyone works together.”

In that same spirit, Rockwell finds ways to give back to others. When she gets a bed, she gives it away rather than selling it. When the volunteers at 3C’s, the Children’s Clothes Closet in Panora, need children’s clothing in a particular size, they can “shop” her clothing racks and take what they can use. When it is time for high school prom or homecoming, she welcomes young women to shop for a dress at no cost. 

Old Soul Millennial is located in two adjacent buildings, both with apartments on the upper levels. A street-level door between the two buildings opens to a stairway to the apartments. When the business opened, it was located just in the building to the north.

“One day, we were trying to hang something on the wall, and it sounded like there was a hollow space on the other side,” Rockwell says. “We started wondering if there might be an opening between the two buildings.”  

Rockwell told the building owner she could use more space and asked if they could cut a hole in the wall to see what was there. He agreed. 

“We found a painted door that was nailed shut. Once we got it open, we saw it would give us access to the building to the south,” Rockwell says. “The owner agreed to let us create an opening so customers can move between both buildings. We had the north building for our first year and added the space in the south building our second year.” 

The two buildings are for sale. 

“We’ve been busier this year than our first year, with more people discovering us,” she says. “We would love to stay here, so we hope any buyers will be investors who appreciate having the space already rented. We are buying the building where Bin There is located, so we have a backup plan, but we hope to stay here.”  

Through the fall and winter months, Old Soul Millennial is open each Wednesday and Thursday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rockwell says she tries not to go to the shop on Sundays and spends Monday and Tuesday doing a reset.

“We put new items out every day, but those two reset days give me a chance to update display spaces with new items and rearrange existing items to draw more attention to what’s already on the floor,” she says. “We have customers who come in on a regular basis to see what’s new. I want to make sure everyone feels welcome and has the chance to find something they like.” 

The two Rockwell businesses use Facebook to bring in new customers and keep regular customers apprised of new merchandise, special deals, store hours and more. 

“I list items on Facebook so people can shop from home,” Brandi says. “But I still want people to come to the store because I can’t possibly sell it all online.”

Customers can find lots of signs and frames of all shapes, sizes and content at Old Soul Millennial. Here Brandi Rockwell holds one of her favorites.

This main room in the south building is filled with adult clothing, shoes and hats.

Justin and Brandi Rockwell are shown with their children Emmett and Charlotte in front of the building that houses Old Soul Millennial. It’s at 107 North 1st Street in the Panora business district.

Themed vignettes similar to this one that focuses on football are popular at Old Soul Millennial.

Old Soul Millennial doesn’t take items on consignment, but owner Brandi Rockwell does have one consignment vendor. Her aunt, Emily Donovan, has a display case of her locally produced Lighthouse Honey and other honey and bee-related products.

This room features children’s clothing, shoes, books, toys and décor.

Displays like this one change each week at Old Soul Millennial, as new items are added and current items are moved around to garner more attention.