Karsjen joins The Willows of Marshalltown

Linsey Karsjen, of Marshalltown, has been named director of community relations at The Willows. Born and educated in Marshalltown, Karsjen worked in real estate locally for nine years before joining the field of senior care.

Karsjen looks forward to introducing seniors and their loved ones to the amazing benefits of The Willows Assisted Living and Memory Care community which opens in September 2018. She is conducting “under construction tours” beginning in January. Karsjen invites you to call her at 641-328-4808.

New Providence Hardware to change ownership

Tom and Marlene McDonald are announcing that after 42 years in business, they have sold the celebrated historic treasure. In the rural community of 225, the buildings listed on the National Register are home to the hardware store and a community center where volunteers dish out breakfast every Monday morning for area residents.

As of Jan. 2, 2018, Ben Speck will be the new owner. Speck is a well-known and respected Master Electrician and electrical contractor from the area. New Providence Hardware has historically been known as “good country trading point,” but additionally as a center for electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning services. It is the intent that the business transfer will be seamless and that existing and new customer base experience the same high standards and quality of services and products that have long been associated with New Providence Hardware including Valspar paints, Ritchie livestock fountains and Lennox heating and air conditioning products. Vicki Speck will be managing the retail operations and service call center.

“We are confident that this sale is the best path for the business to embrace the future and experience continued success as well as extending the legacy.” said Tom McDonald. “With Ben having worked in the trades, his understanding of business and grasp of technology, will equip him to lead this business into its next phase.”

Monday morning community breakfast will continue to welcome residents and visitors at the Soda Fountain building. Ben Speck joins several other new businesses recently added to Main Street.

Cedar Valley Hospice unveils updated logo

WATERLOO — Cedar Valley Hospice is kicking off 2018 by unveiling an updated logo and brand. This vibrant refresh marks the third logo change since the non-profit’s inception in 1979. Using a modernized version of the organization’s most recent iconic tree along with a brighter green, the logo better reflects the hospice’s evolution as it moves towards its 40th anniversary in 2019.

This new brand identity portrays Cedar Valley Hospice’s strength in the hospice industry and its commitment to providing compassionate, expert care and support for patients and their families in the Cedar Valley.

“This logo refresh reflects our progression in the industry,” said Cedar Valley Hospice Executive Director Michaela Vandersee. “It gives us a new look that matches the quality of services we provide and allows us to stand out from the competition.”

Based on results from a 2017 survey of people in its service area, 71 percent of respondents identified Cedar Valley Hospice first, so they felt a major design change was not necessary. However, the survey also revealed that there is still uncertainty on the differences between hospices, the appropriate time to begin receiving hospice care as well as the multitude of benefits for the entire family from receiving Cedar Valley Hospice’s services.

One of the most frequent comments from families served by Cedar Valley Hospice is, “We wished we would have called sooner. We just didn’t know.”

“We hope that the logo sparks conversation in the community and prompts people to take a second look at Cedar Valley Hospice to learn more about how we can help their loved ones,” added Cedar Valley Hospice Director of Marketing Jennifer Siech. “There are so many misconceptions surrounding hospice care. We want people to know we have so much more to offer.”

For more information about Cedar Valley Hospice and the services they provide, call 800-617-1972 or visit cvhospice.org.

Submit local business news

The Times-Republican invites businesses in its circulation area to submit brief items concerning their employees or businesses for the Names & Notes column, which is published on Sundays.

Potential subjects of these business briefs include announcements of new businesses, branch acquisitions, departures of longtime employees, employee recognitions or new hires. Submissions will be edited and run on a space-available basis. Items must be received by 5 p.m. Thursday for consideration in Sunday’s column.

Submit brief articles and JPEG headshots to: Names & Notes, Newsroom, Times-Republican, 135 W. Main St., Marshalltown 50158, or call Kathy Beane at 641-753-6611 or email news@timesrepublican.com