Phil Bazan – Adel’s United Brick and Tile Company

This month we toured the United Brick and Tile company, a division of Sioux City Brick. Plant Manager Phil Bazan shared with us the history and artistry of brick making in Adel.

Christina Moffatt – Iowa Small Business Development Center

This month, we spoke with Christina Moffatt, business owner and Regional Director of the Mid Iowa Small Business Development Center (SBDC) about free tools and counseling available to small business owners.

Kim Owen – Dallas County Deputy Auditor & Elections

This month we spoke with Kim Owens, Dallas County Deputy Auditor and Elections to learn how the voting process is accomplished for more than 38,000 Dallas County voters.

Mike Whisner – ADM Football Coach and Educator

This month we spoke to Football Coach Mike Whisner about the spirit of coaching and the importance role sports plays within the ADM school district.

Bryce Smith – Adel Family Fun Center and 2016 Candidate

This month we are pleased to present an interview with Bryce Smith, owner of the Adel Family Fun Center (AFFC) and 2016 candidate for the Iowa House of Representatives, District 19.

Hal Wilson of Hal and Harry’s Hawaiian Ice

Shelley L. Horak – Dallas County Public Health Nursing Services

This month we had the pleasure of interviewing Shelley Horak, the Executive Director of the Dallas County Public Health Nursing Service.

Nathan Shanks – New Owner Baldon Heating, Cooling & Plumbing

On January 1st, Bill Baldon is retiring, handing Baldon Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing over to current serviceman and new owner Nathan Shanks.

Elizabeth Holland – Adel Veterinary Clinic

This month we are proud to bring you an interview with Veterinarian Elizabeth Holland and new owner of the Adel Veterinary Clinic on Highway 6.

Kim Layland – Real Estate Broker for Bailey’s Grove

This month, DiscoverAdel.com would like to introduce you to Real Estate Broker, Kim Layland.

Kip Overton – Adel City Maintenance

This month we spoke with Kip Overton – Public Works Director of the City of Adel, who has worked for the city for the past 30 years.

Mike Enos – Mike’s Adel Power Equipment

This article originally appeared in our February 2015 Newsletter.  Mike had the opportunity to open a second store in Waukee. As business grew it became difficult to maintain the two stores resulting in the agonizing decision to close the Adel store. Mike has continued to support and serve Adel. – Editor

This month we spoke with Mike Enos, owner of Adel Power Equipment, a local repair shop near the Dallas County Fairgrounds.

Mike services and sells lawn and garden equipment for residential and commercial customers throughout central Iowa offering pickup and delivery services, maintenance and repairs, sharpening, parts and accessories, safety gear, extended warranties, and more.

For more than 20 years, Adel had Annear Equipment. In June 2012 the shop was sold to Mike Enos and his family and Adel Power Equipment began selling and servicing lawnmowers, snow blowers, chainsaws and more.

Mike’s background includes automotive electric and wiring, the turf grass industry with a golf and country club focus, warehouse management, and for 6 years he operated an equipment repair shop at an Indianola hardware store.

“I heard through the grapevine that a lawnmower shop was for sale. We talked about it and a few days later, we put a lock on the gate and started cleaning.”

Not afraid of hard work, the Enos’ cleared out the show room to create displays for their three product lines.

• STIHL: Handheld equipment such as chain saws, leaf blowers, string trimmers and other arborist supplies. Mike says, “Basically, if it’s a handheld product, STIHL is where it’s at.”
• Toro: Snow blowers and consumer walk behind mowers.
• eXmark: Acreage owner/ commercial lawn mowers.

“We fought to keep those companies as vendors and that makes our job easier- we don’t have to hard sell because we’ve got three great product lines. Somehow, out of this little place we’ve humbly been able to be the 2nd largest eXmark dealer in the state.

All we have to do is figure out what our customers need and help them get the right product. You’ve got a job to do and you want to make sure it’s done efficient and easy. That’s where we come in.”

Over the past 2 years, Mike and the team have served over 3200 different customers, on a range of products including Sears and Craftsman.

With a smile Mike states, “We don’t care what color they are, we’ll work on them.”

With more than 20,000 parts stocked, and a new computerized inventory system, Adel Power Equipment is ready for your service needs as winter settles in and spring approaches.

Mike shared some key tips to remember: “If you don’t service your equipment it won’t stay running. There is nothing worse than going to do a job and finding out the equipment doesn’t work. The general rule of thumb is to service your equipment at the start of the season, regardless of use. Lawn equipment lives in the dirtiest of conditions yet tend to get the least attention. Motors need fresh fuel and clean oil to work. If you don’t have clean oil, the motor overheats.

It’s a two-sided coin. You can buy a piece of equipment that is inexpensive and go buy another one rather than fix it. But we sell the equipment that lasts- it’s always a more cost effective choice to service it than throw it away. We’re servicing lawn mowers right now to put away for the season. And we guarantee it will start with the new season or we’ll fix it.”

Mike Enos’s personal and professional philosophies help to make Adel Power Equipment a genuine small town gem.

Mike and the team strive to provide good honest customer service and wish to make things easier on their customers by covering operation and safety, including starting procedures and proper maintenance recommendations with each piece of equipment.

Mike, his wife Tanya, and daughters Claire (12) and Grace (5) moved to Adel in March once the shop was settled, and have been welcomed with open arms.

“We had no idea the town of Adel would support us as they have. From the time we opened the doors we’ve felt like we belong.

Everyone has been welcoming – Adel scooped us up and really made us feel like a part of it. The people of Adel are what makes this town great- most everything we need is right here.

Sometimes you miss that fast food when you’re running late, but at the same time it’s cool to drive by and not see a bunch of lights.

The other cool thing about Adel is getting to drive my golf cart to work and to drop off Grace at preschool in the morning – that’s absolutely the best thing since sliced bread.”

Waukee Power Equipment
112 Hickman Rd. |Waukee, IA 50263
Phone: (515) 987-2222
Website: IowaPowerEquipment.com
Facebook: WaukeePowerEquipment

Alex James – HIRTA

Originally Published February, o3, 2015

Alex James of HIRTA

The Friendly Face of Public Transportation: Alex James and HIRTA

This month we offer a profile with Alex James of Homecare Services, Inc. of Dallas County ‘s public transportation division in Adel.

Lifelong resident of Adel, Alex James is well known around town.

You may know him as a part time clerk at the Adel Public Library, or as the son of Dan and Paula James.

Most days, Alex is known as Customer Service Representative I, or dispatcher, for Homecare Services, Inc. of Dallas County ‘s Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Agency, or HIRTA.

Alex has been with HIRTA for 6 years and continues to love his job helping coordinate drivers, buses, and passengers. HIRTA is a hybrid of traditional taxi services and a metropolitan bus line. With 24 hours or more advanced notice, Alex and Customer Service Representative II Cheryl, who acts as scheduler, will help arrange your ride in and around Dallas County and the Des Moines metro.

There are many misconceptions about HIRTA that Alex patiently helps customers understand each day with his genuine care for others.

First, it is important to note that HIRTA is public transportation, which means anyone can ride the bus! In Dallas County the buses log over 200,000 miles per year.

From preschool kids that need a ride to daycare, rides to and from the doctor’s office, the days your car is in the shop, to grandparents looking for a day or shopping, HIRTA buses are equip for all.

Next, remember that HIRTA is not a free service, though for qualified passengers, some destinations may be listed at a free will donation level or riders may be approved for government assistance.

Keep in mind that a trip or ride is a one-way ticket; once you get off the bus; you would be charged for any additional stops and the return trip home.

As a not-for-profit 501c(3) organization, grants are available that Head Coordinator Renee Sherman pursues for further assistance.

There are also discounted rates for youngsters and senior citizens, and scheduled discount days. If you’re looking for fun, ride the bus to and from Prairie Meadows for the buffet and gambling. Or take advantage of Des Moines shopping days every other Thursday when the bus will drive you to many destinations and home for a significant savings over a regular trip around the metro.

There are 10 buses shared between Adel and Perry to serve all of Dallas County. Each driver has a CB radio and GPS system with texting capabilities to keep in communication with the base office located in the Homecare Services building in Adel at the corner of Main and 1st streets. Throughout the day Alex coordinates with drivers to facilitate scheduled pick-ups, changes, review procedures, and note maintenance needs.

Please note that HIRTA is just one division of Homecare Services, Inc. of Dallas County. If you need assistance with regards to personal care, organization, respite care, or more, contact Deb Anderson, LBSW and Homecare Aide Coordinator.

Alex and Renee of Homecare Services

Most importantly, keep in mind that of Homecare Services, Inc. of Dallas County and HIRTA are caring organizations.

If you need a ride with less than 24 hour notice, give Alex a call and he will do all he can.

If you need a ride but have limited income, talk to Renee to find out about a payment plan.

Or, if you’d like to plan field trips a few weeks in advance (18 people or less) consider a HIRTA bus and talk to Cheryl.

As long as the ride starts or stops in Dallas County, Alex and the HIRTA team are here to help and will do what they can to secure your ride. This is really a public transportation system for everyone, serviced with great Iowa-style customer service.

Alex James may have many titles, but each demonstrates his genuine love for Adel and Dallas County, making him a shining example of Adel character and spirit. He is happy to say he plans to remain an Adel resident and is proud to call Adel home.

Homecare Services of Dallas County
101 N 9th St.
Adel, Iowa 50003
Phone: (515) 993-4531
Website: www.homecareadel.dreamhosters.com

Shawn Roling – ADM Fine Arts Boosters

The Adel-DeSoto-Minburn School District continues to be a bright star for our community.

Al Laudencia – Hal n Al’s Q & Catering

We were honored to speak with Al Laudencia of Hal n Al’s Q & Catering, an up and coming Adel-based barbeque business that is taking the Des Moines metro area by storm.

Maury Wills – Wills Family Orchard

As the colors change and the leaves start to fall it is a beautiful drive out to the Wills Family Orchard in Adel.

Brian Block – 1st Iowan to Climb the Seven Summits

This month DiscoverAdel.com is pleased to present an interview with Adel citizen and business owner Brian Block – the first Iowan to climb the Seven Summits!

Cheryl Semerad – Adel Public Library Foundation

The Adel Public Library Foundation (APLF) is the 501c3 nonprofit fund raising arm of the Adel Public Library. For more than a decade, the organization has been seeking out donations to build the new library.

With the third phase now complete, we spoke with APLF President, Cheryl Semerad about the impressive volunteer efforts and giving nature of the community.

Greg Dufoe – Superintendent of ADM Schools

One of the best things about Adel is our school system. Its high standards of excellence transcend zip code as it extends across three communities and 4 locations.

This month we spoke with Superintendent Greg Dufoe to learn more about ADM’s secrets for success.