Although it changed owners and business, the facility at 1369 Highway 1 still has a lot of cou…

By Mary Zielinski (free-lance)

Although it changed owners and business, the facility at 1369 Highway 1 still has a lot of country to it.

Purchased in June by Kimberly and Scott Barthelman of Kalona, the former County Livin’ gift business has become Kids Country Club, a new child daycare service that officially opens Monday, August 23.

An Open House to show the remodeled facilities (two miles south of Kalona) is set for Saturday, August 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

Doing most of the remodeling themselves. the Barthelmans will be licensed to serve between 35 to 40 children from newborn through age 13.

The remodeling explained Scott Barthelman, is “mainly to meet fire regulations,” adding that the building had a great deal of open space which made it very desirable for a daycare operation.

“We will have breakfast, lunch and two snacks per day,” said Kim Barthelman. The rates will be quite competitive with full-time daycare available for $95 per week. For six years and older, it is $85 per week. Charges are adjusted charges for part-time.

Besides the interior remodeling which Scott assured “we will have done by Saturday,” the couple have installed playground equipment and will fence 3,500 square feet of the large west lot for the playground area.

The site has five acres and the couple will start construction on their new house in the south section of the area this fall.

“That’s what drew us,” said Kim. “We could have the business and the house here.”

She added that with their own five children, finding something bigger “was a good idea.”

Although her husband will help with the facility, Barthelman will be in charge of Kids Country Club, and should be contacted by anyone interested by calling 319- 656-KIDS or 319-656-5286.