A little more than a year ago, Maysville firefighters were called to the Ken Klindt residence on Maysville Road. Klindt, a well-known farmer, was suffering from appendicitis, and he had to be transported to the hospital.
“It was 2 a.m. on the Fourth of July,” said Klindt. “Judy (his wife) was so impressed with the firefighters, and how thorough, polite and informative they were. Now, we’ve found a way to be able to give back.”
On Sunday, Ken and Judy, along with four of their nearby neighbors, will be opening their farms and acreages to members of the public for a Country Garden Walk.
Visitors are welcome to stop by from 1 to 5 p.m., and members of the Maysville Fire Department will be stationed at each location with bunker boots for donations.
“I’m really glad the fire department agreed to do this,” said Ken, who with Judy has attended numerous garden walks throughout the Midwest. “We thought this would be a good way to raise some money.”
Maysville fire chief Dave Arp was all in, especially after the department recently spent more than $50,000 to purchase new bunker gear and helmets that were 11 years out of date.
“Ken and Judy brought the idea up to us,” said Arp. “They said there are a lot of farms or families around here that have nice flower gardens. We met with them on a Monday night, and within a few days it was on the calendar.”
Arp and the Klindts are hoping for beautiful weather, and think the farms will be perfect destinations for a Sunday afternoon drive in the country. The event will be held rain or shine, and residents who have agreed to open their garden gates include:
Ken and Judy Klindt, 21989 Maysville Road; Leroy and Linda Paustian, 9185 210th St.; Scott and Lori Rochau, 13280 New Liberty Road; Mike and Susan Meinert, 10840 New Liberty Road; and Susan Frye, 11150 New Liberty Road.
“Judy has a beautiful flower garden at their place, and then we came up with a few others who have really nice gardens and yards, and they all said yes,” said Arp. “It’s kind of a last-minute deal, but we’re pretty excited about it.”
Arp said he has no idea how much money will be raised, but he’s hoping for somewhere in the neighborhood of $500 to $1,000. No matter how much is raised, Arp is of the mindset that every little bit helps.
“We just spent 45 grand on new bunker gear, and another $6,000 on helmets,” said Arp. “We had that money in the bank, but it really cut us down pretty hard.
“We could’ve applied for riverboat grants, but at the time we ordered them they had already said that the majority of the money was going to Covid relief. There are other grants out there, but we weren’t sure how to apply, and we were under the gun because our equipment was so far out of date.
“If someone’s gotten hurt, the first thing they’re going to look at is the date on the equipment,” he continued. “We knew we couldn’t go any longer. We had already pushed the envelope as much as we could, and we knew we had to bite the bullet and buy the equipment.”
Now it’s time for the department to begin replenishing its financial nest egg. The volunteer firefighters had their best pancake breakfast ever in November, and will continue to hold that annual event. They will also be starting another fundraiser in August.
People like the Klindts are more than willing to help out.
“People are always asking Judy to see her garden, and she always says, ‘Come on out,’” said Ken. “Well, people just don’t do that. But for this, maybe they will. Everybody likes to help out the fire department.”
The Klindts’ garden was featured in Our Iowa magazine in 2015 as one of Iowa’s most beautiful gardens. Now, Scott County residents can see it up close and personal.
“Judy loves gardening,” said Ken, who won a number of Master Grower yield contests over the years. “I try to do as little possible with the gardening because I’m still farming, and I only have so much energy in a day.”
The Klindts have been married for 30 years, and that’s when Judy started the garden that now stretches all the way around the back of the house, features a babbling fountain and meanders around a fire pit area.
“Every year she adds a little bit more,” said Ken, 80. “She says it’s therapy for her to come out and work in the garden, and I think it’s gorgeous.”
Susan Meinert also says working in her yard and garden brings fringe benefits.
“Gardening is very good food for the soul. It’s peaceful,” said Susan. “I’m constantly out here, although there are times the weather isn’t go good. But it waits for me, and it’s my form of exercise.”
The Meinerts live on a Century Farm that has been in Mike’s family since 2005. It’s the only home he knows, and he and Susan take pride in their perfectly manicured yard, and especially the flower garden that sits to the west of the house.
There, visitors will find a wide variety of phlox, old-fashioned tiger lilies, day lilies, black-eyed Susans and blue salvia.
“I’m excited to have this be part of the walk, and I’m glad to help the fire department in any way that I can,” said Susan. “I love my garden, and I expect everybody who comes would like flowers and gardening.
“I always tell people to come and see my garden, and please take a few plants home. I do have a lot.”
Perhaps Sunday will be Susan’s lucky day to get rid of a few.