TWIN LAKES - For many years, a set of three grain bins have risen above the rows of corn growing along a road just north of Twin Lakes in Calhoun County.
While they may not have always been something to take notice of, the farm's new owner is making sure they will stand out on the horizon.
Located on what has been known as the Featherstone Farm, which was farmed for generations by the family for which Featherstone Park on Twin Lakes is named, the bins have taken on a new look, displaying freshly applied coats of bright red, white and blue paint.
Jack Lenz, the farmland's new owner said the bins were due for a paint job, and he decided to be creative with them.
"My son and I just purchased the land last summer, said Lenz. "These bins really needed painted."
The bins are located on about 200 acres of land now owned by Lenz northwest of the lake about one mile.
"With them close to the lake area we thought it would be nice to do something to beautify the area," said Lenz. "You can really see them from the bike trail, so we thought we would be different and patriotic. We really hoped it would be finished by the Fourth of July."
Greg Holst, with A#1 Painting, of Fort Dodge, has handled much of the painting, along with Don Johnson, of Johnson Construction Services.
Early Wednesday morning, the painters used a lift to paint the top of the final bin red.
"It's been about a week since we started," Holst said. "We thought we'd be done by the forth, but we ran out of paint. We had to have more paint shipped to us from all over the state."