‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 
View as Web Page
Forward Email

Dec. 19-25, 2025

 
 
My two front teeth
 

“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire.” There simply isn’t a better Christmastime tune than the appropriately titled “The Christmas Song” by Nat King Cole. Yes, I prefer my Christmas songs in the traditional manner with crooners like Bing Crosby, Dean Martin and even Elvis. You can keep your Mariah Carey, Wham! and Justin Bieber songs.

In recent years, I have been more attracted to songs with religious meanings including “Do You Hear What I Hear?,” “The Little Drummer Boy,” and, of course, “Silent Night.”

On rare occasions, I will even sing along to some of the Christmas novelty songs, including my favorite, “Snoopy’s Christmas” by The Royal Guardsmen from 1967. My brother had this on a 45, and we spun it continually on our GE plastic record player.

Then, there are the Christmas novelty songs I can do without, like “The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't be Late)” by The Chipmunks from 1958. Painful stuff.

Admittedly, I do smile when I hear “The Twelve Days of Christmas” by Bob and Doug McKenzie from 1982. And, I laughed the first dozen or so times “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” by Elmo and Patsy played on the radio in 1979.

The Christmas novelty song that most every kid can relate to, though, is “All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth.” It was written in 1944 by Donald Yetter Gardner while teaching a music class in Smithtown, New York. When he asked students in his second-grade class what they wanted for Christmas, he noticed that almost all of them had front teeth missing. That image spurred Gardner to take 30 minutes and write the song. It was published in 1948, introduced the same year by The Satisfiers on Perry Como's radio show, and recorded for RCA Victor by Spike Jones and His City Slickers in 1947 with the lead vocal by George Rock. The record reached the top of the pop charts.

“All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth” has been recorded by numerous others including a wonderful rendition by Nat King Cole and some silly versions by Ray Stevens, The Three Stooges, and even Count von Count of “Sesame Street.”

And, if you think this song is just for kids, well, you have clearly never met anyone with dentures trying to chow down a Christmas ham while singing, "Sister, Susie sittin' on a thistle."

Have a great week, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305

 
 
Kiwanis Senior of the Month
 

Jack Spieker has been named one of the Kiwanis Club’s Seniors of the Month.

“My name is Jack Spieker, and I am a senior at North Polk High School. I am the son of Dan and Marcy Spieker and I have a brother, Tommy, and a sister, Emily. I am involved in baseball and basketball, and I’m in NHS and Spanish NHS. I enjoy playing sports, fishing and hanging out with friends and family. My favorite high school memory has been winning state baseball, as well as winning the conference three years in a row. I plan to attend Iowa State University next fall and major in engineering.”

In addition, Jack is a member of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church and lists the following additional honors: Gold Honor Roll, second team all-conference in baseball, honorable mention all-conference in basketball, student of the month and RRC Leadership Conference.

 

Holiday happenings at the library

1500 W. Broadway   |   515-984-6119   |   www.polkcitylibrary.org

  • Children’s books collection: Through Dec. 31. Library staff is collecting donations of new and like-new children’s books to fill the book vending machine at Moulton Elementary School in Des Moines. Unwrapped donations may be left under the tree in the library’s foyer.
  • Teen and Tween Last-Minute DIY Gift and Wrapping: On Monday, Dec. 22 and 23, 1-4 p.m., teens and tweens are invited to drop in for this activity. Forgot a present for a friend, parent or little brother? Don’t be a Scrooge. Drop in for our expanded makerspace and create some last-minute gifts, handmade and from the heart, and wrap them while you are here. Or bring in other gifts if you need to wrap.
 
 

Polk City Arbor League Tree ID and Pruning Workshops

  • Sunday, Jan. 11: 1-3 p.m. Lost Lakes Park, 504 N. Broadway, Polk City.
  • Sunday, Jan. 25: 1-3 p.m. Miller Park, 401 Booth St., Polk City.
  • Saturday, Jan. 31: 1-3 p.m. Leonard Park, 413 Parker Boulevard, Polk City.

Each event will start with a pruning demonstration followed by a short hike around the park with winter tree ID tips and tricks. Participants are encouraged to RSVP to the Facebook event and bring their own pruners to have an opportunity for some hands-on practice. The event will be cancelled if temperatures are below zero.

 

Polk County Conservation events

Visit www.polkcountyiowa.gov/conservation/events for information about upcoming programs offered by Polk County Conservation and for registration links.

  • Nature Center After Dark: Winter’s Sleep: Friday, Dec. 19, 6-7:30 p.m., Jester Park Nature Center, 12130 N.W. 128th St., Granger. Here’s your chance to visit the Jester Park Nature Center after dark. The hour will include storytelling, crafts, open Nature Center exhibits, and a short program on the theme of the night. This December, feel free to come in your favorite pajamas. You can bring along a treasured stuffy and/or blanket too.
  • Winter Solstice Hike: Sunday, Dec. 21, 11 a.m. to noon, Jester Park Nature Center, 12130 N.W. 128th St., Granger. Celebrate winter’s official arrival on the shortest day of the year on a hike with a naturalist. Dress for the weather.
  • Rocks at Jester Park: Tuesday, Dec. 30, 10-11 a.m. Jester Park Nature Center, 12130 N.W. 128th St., Granger. Learn the basics of geology. What are rocks made of and how do they form? We’ll discuss minerals and the three basic rock groups, igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Also explore the fascinating process of fossilization. If you have a rockhound in your family, then this program is for them.
  • Tracks and Scat: Wednesday, Dec. 31, 10-11 a.m. Jester Park Nature Center, 12130 N.W. 128th St., Granger. Discover the variety of mammals making tracks in the snow. Learn how to identify the most common mammal tracks in Iowa. Create an animal track of your own to take home. 
  • Winter Hike at Fort Des Moines: Wednesday, Dec. 31, 1-2 p.m. Fort Des Moines Park, Shelter No. 3, 7200 S.E. Fifth St., Des Moines. Bundle up and head outdoors to hike the trail around the pond. Learn how animals survive the long cold winter as we try to stay warm ourselves. Dress for being outdoors.
 
 

Area events

Email your event information to tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

CITYVIEW's Fire and Ice
Saturday, Jan. 24, 1-4 p.m.
Valley Junction
CITYVIEW brings back its legendary Valley Junction area pub crawl. Fire and Ice is a hockey-themed liquor sampling event that will be sure to warm up your winter blues. With your event ticket, you will receive 10 individual drink tickets to sample some of the best winter cocktails from establishments in the Valley Junction area. Bring your friends, try new drinks and shop local in Valley Junction. Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door. Follow the QR code for tickets. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-cityview-fire-ice-a-winter-pub-crawl-tickets-1873604273819

Holiday Horse-Drawn Rides
Dec. 20-23, 26-31, every half hour, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Jester Park Equestrian Center, 11171 N.W. 103rd Court, Granger
Staff will hitch up their draft horse team to take your group for a 30-minute horse-drawn ride through Jester Park. If there's no snow, plan for a wagon on wheels instead of a sleigh. Sleigh Rides require a minimum of 6 inches of packed snow as a proper base for the sleigh. A wagon will be used when there is no snow or not enough snow to pull a sleigh. Registration is required. Private holiday rides, which cost $200, can hold a maximum of 12 guests. Small children who can sit on an adult's lap for the duration of the ride do not need to be included in the count. https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/conservation/events/holiday-horse-drawn-rides-10-am-330-pm/

The Iowa Files: A History Series
Various dates, 3 p.m.
Community Room of the West Des Moines Public Library, 4000 Mills Civic Parkway
The Iowa Files, an educational history lecture series, returns for its seventh year. This joint West Des Moines Historical Society and West Des Moines Public Library program is free and open to the public, thanks to the generosity of West Des Moines Historical Society members, Bravo Greater Des Moines and the Friends Foundation of the West Des Moines Library. All programs are streamed on the WDMHS Facebook page and YouTube channel.
• Jan. 11: Iowans in Andersonville Prison. Andersonville Prison (also known as Camp Sumter) was a Confederate prisoner-of-war camp during the final 14 months of the American Civil War. The prison was overcrowded to four times its capacity and had an inadequate water supply, inadequate food and unsanitary conditions. Historian, teacher and all around fascinating storyteller Kent Halstad will share the stories of the Iowans who experienced Andersonville.

Tinseltown in the Park
Through Dec. 20
Water Works Park, 2201 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines
Enjoy Tinseltown in the Park, featuring live Christmas tree sales, biergarten specials, food trucks, entertainers, unique visits from holiday A-listers, photo opportunities and more to celebrate the holiday season in the park.

Square Dance Lessons
Sunday nights starting Jan. 18, 6:30 p.m.
Douglas Avenue Presbyterian Church, 4601 Douglas Ave., Des Moines
Ankeny Square Dance Club is sponsoring Square Dance Lessons. Cost is $20 per person for the entire session accepted at the third lesson. Attend with or without a dance partner. You'll learn the calls, one at a time, taught by a caller (instructor) and volunteers. For more information, call Sandy Townsend, 515-294-2624, or visit www.ankenysquares.com.

Iowa Bike Banquet to feature Olympic champion
Saturday, Jan. 24, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Iowa Events Center, 730 Third St., Des Moines
The Iowa Bicycle Coalition will be hosting its second annual Bike Banquet following the Iowa Bike Expo. The Iowa Bike Expo and Banquet serve as the annual celebration for the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, bringing together cyclists and trail lovers, advocates, vendors, donors, supporters and partner organizations to advance the Iowa Bicycle Coalition’s mission to promote safe, accessible and enjoyable cycling for everyone in Iowa. The Iowa Bicycle Coalition is excited to announce both Ayesha McGowan and Connor Fields as the dynamic dual keynote speakers for the event. Tickets can be purchased at the QR code link. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/iowa-bike-expo-and-banquet-tickets-1925662862459

 
Gingerbread honey cupcakes: A sweet spin on tradition
 

(Family Features) In a holiday season crowded with everything from mouthwatering cakes, cookies and pies to “fa-la-la-la” forgettable fruitcakes, the dessert table can bring you comfort and joy or sweet-tooth dismay.

To bring the journey to your home this holiday season, visit BusyBeeHoney.com to find more inspiration, information and availability.

Gingerbread cupcakes with honey cream cheese frosting
Yield: 12 cupcakes

Ingredients:

  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup Busy Bee Raw Honey
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Honey cream cheese frosting:

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup Busy Bee Raw Honey
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4-6 cups powdered sugar

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350 F.
  • Line 12 regular-size muffin cups with paper baking cups.
    In medium bowl, whisk flour, brown sugar, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and salt.
  • In large bowl, using hand or stand mixer, beat softened butter and honey until smooth and slightly fluffy, 1-2 minutes. Beat in egg then mix in buttermilk and vanilla until combined.
  • Add dry ingredients to wet mixture and stir gently until no streaks of flour remain; don’t overmix.
  • Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full.
  • Bake 20-22 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center of cupcake comes out clean.
  • Let cupcakes cool in pan about 5 minutes then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
  • To make frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Add honey and vanilla then gradually beat in powdered sugar until fluffy, spreadable and reaching desired sweetness. Chill for firmer consistency before piping or spreading, if desired.
 
 
 

In the current issue of North Polk Living magazine:

Handmade for the holidays

Residents share the joy of gifts from the heart

The quilt from a beloved aunt. Knitted sweaters from Grandma. A child’s table and chairs crafted in a relative’s workshop. A personalized ornament. Handmade gifts are unique, but, more than that, they are gifts of time spent in the crafting, imagination in their design and love in their giving.

[...]

 
Read the full digital issue
 

P.S. As a free newsletter, we rely on readers like you to grow our subscriber list. If you have friends or coworkers who you think would enjoy Polk City Living Weekly, share this email with them and they can subscribe by clicking the subscribe tab at IowaLivingMagazines.com

 

This email was sent to: beckhammiller1@icloud.com

Big Green Umbrella Media, Inc.
8101 Birchwood Ct Suite D
Johnston, Iowa 50131

Edit Profile

Unsubscribe

Report as Spam

Logo