Local news and area events. Weekly.

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Dec. 20-26, 2024

The meanings behind traditional Christmas lyrics

I love holiday songs. The instruments. The lyrics. The artists. All of it. Well, most all of it. I could do without any songs from Mariah Carey or Alvin and the Chipmunks, but you get the idea. If you haven’t seen our cover of the December issue of CITYVIEW magazine, be sure to check it out, as we share our 25 favorite Christmas songs as our cover story. I am sometimes baffled, though, at the lyrics in many of the classic holiday songs I cherish. Traditions from days gone by? Words we no longer use? Check these out.

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. I'm not sure I even know what chestnuts are, much less how to roast them. Even so, I learned that chestnuts were synonymous with Christmas in America even before Nat King Cole’s song hit the airwaves. They were one of the most popular ingredients in American dishes throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, as the eastern seaboard was covered in chestnut trees until a blight caused them to go almost extinct. For more than a century, chestnuts roasting over an open fire was the smell of Christmas. Needless to say, that tradition has ended, but we still love to sing those words.

A corncob pipe. Corncob pipes were invented by the Tibbe family in Missouri and became popularized by Gen. Douglas MacArthur. I have never smoked one, or even seen one, but that old corncob pipe continues to be part of our pal Frosty The Snowman with his button nose and two eyes made out of coal.

On a one-horse open sleigh. Sleigh rides, although not so common today, still spark nostalgia. The ones we do tend to see now are large and majestic and beautiful, much like the horses that pull them. The old one-horse sleighs, though, appear to be small, tippy and bumpy, not ideal for dashing through the snow.

Bells on bobtail. Back in the day, bobbing a horse’s tail involving cutting the tail or tying it back so it looked shorter. Shorter hair on a horse’s tail was supposed to keep it from waving in the driver’s face, which makes sense. Meanwhile, those bells placed on bobtail jingled in the Christmas spirit.

Four calling birds. In the original published version of “The 12 Days of Christmas,” it’s “four colly birds” not “four calling birds.” In England, at the time, “colly birds” was a name given to blackbirds, and what says Christmas like blackbirds?

Boughs of holly. Holly is an evergreen plant, which means its leaves stay vibrant and green even in winter. The holly plant is shrub-like but can grow into a tree-sized plant. Like other evergreens, holly leaves sprout from long, rigid limbs. When one of these limbs is cut, it’s called a bough of holly, which, of course, decks the halls.

And finally, a pudding made of pig. “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” may not be a beloved holiday classic for all, but it is well known. The reference to a pudding made of pig, though, throws me off. This is not the pudding that was peddled by Bill Cosby. No, this pudding is black pudding, a type of blood sausage.

Sometimes, it is better not to know the meaning and just jingle all the way!

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

Support requested for Winter Wonderland Gala

The Polk City Community Foundation is planning its annual Winter Wonderland Gala, which will be held on Saturday, Jan. 11 at the FFA Enrichment Center, 1055 S.W. Prairie Trail Parkway in Ankeny. The gala will include a program, dinner and live auction. Proceeds will benefit Polk City and the foundation’s nonprofit partnerships in the area. This year, the Foundation has a big goal — to raise $150,000.

The foundation encourages the public to support the event as an attendee, sponsor or donor. Donations can be made by credit card online at http://getmeregistered.com/PCCFWinterGala or by check mailed to Polk City Community Foundation, P.O. Box 52, Polk City, IA 50226.

Galentine’s Trivia supports parks

The annual Galentine's Trivia event, hosted by Polk City Friends of the Parks with help and support from the Polk City Women, will be held Thursday, Feb. 13, 7 p.m. at the Polk City Legion post, 114 W. Broadway St., Polk City.

Trivia will be 1990s themed. Cost is $100 per table of up to five people or $25 per individual wishing to be placed with others to create a team. Bring your own food. Drinks will be available for purchase, cash only. Everyone will go home with a prize. Doors open at 6 p.m., and trivia will start at 7 p.m.

Funds raised at this event will support Polk City parks, trails and green spaces. This event is LGBTQ friendly. Register at https://donorbox.org/90s-trivia.

Polk City Community Library winter weather policy

If school is delayed due to inclement weather, all morning programs will be canceled. If school is dismissed early due to inclement weather, all afternoon/evening programs will be canceled. If school is canceled due to inclement weather, a decision about opening the library will be made by 9 a.m. All programs will be canceled.

Coming up at the Polk City Library

Polk City Community Library, 1500 W. Broadway St., 515-984-6119, www.polkcityia.gov/library.

Closings: The library will be closed for the holidays all day Dec. 24-25 and all day Jan. 1, plus closing at 5 p.m. on Dec. 31.
Babble and Brew: Thursday, Jan. 2, 10 a.m. Don’t let the cold weather get you down, come on into the library for some climate-controlled fun. We will have coffee for you and exciting, age-appropriate toys for the kiddos.
Adult Crafternoon: Busted Canvas, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2 p.m. This month we’ll be making busted canvases. These viral photo displays are fun and easy to make. Ages 17 and older, registration required.

Area events

Email your event information to tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

Playhouse classes offered
The Des Moines Playhouse offers classes year-round for ages 4 through adult. New this winter is an audition workshop for teens and adults. Registration is now open for winter, winter break, spring break and spring classes with summer camps posting in mid-January. Scholarships are available through the Jeanne Hopson Angel Fund. For class descriptions, registrations and more information, visit dmplayhouse.com/education/classes-and-camps.

The Audition Workshop Series for ages 14 through adult will be led by Playhouse artistic director Katy Merriman. Held each Saturday in February, sessions will focus on song selection, cold reads, dance auditions with “Waitress” choreographer Kent Zimmerman, and a master class with area directors. Students can sign up for one, two, three or all four sessions.

Winter break features a play in four days for students in grades 2-7 while younger students will bring folk tales from around the world to life. Teens can work alongside Playhouse professionals to learn basic stage carpentry, painting, sewing, lighting design and sound design. Winter break sessions are Dec. 23, 27, 30 and 31.

Winter classes start Jan. 4 with creative drama, creative characters, and more for pre-K through grade 9. Spring classes, starting March 29 are focused on musical theatre for pre-K through grade 7.

Spring break finds students in grades 5-8 learning “Seussical Kids,” a 35-minute version of the popular Broadway musical, with performances at the end of the week. Students in grades 3-4 will rehearse and perform a play while younger students will use favorite books to create scenes to share.

For more information on Playhouse educational offerings, contact Robin Spahr, Playhouse education director, at rspahr@dmplayhouse.com, 515-974-5365.

Pop n’ Jolly: A Holiday Show for All Generations
Monday, Dec. 23, 6:30 p.m.
Temple Theater, 1011 Locust St., Des Moines
Join Wagner Summer Theater for its first annual holiday family-friendly event, Pop n' Jolly. Come enjoy fun and laughs with some of the area's top musicians. Grab the crew and take fun photos with Santa and partake in a holiday singalong. The evening will include holiday classics by Dave Wagner and his special guests including two-time Cloris Award winner Julie Larson and national opera vocalist Craig Irvin. Also featured will be a selection of everyone's favorite holiday songs performed by the Wagner Summer Theater Youth Vocal Group. Signature cocktails, mocktails and hot cocoa will be available for purchase. Tickets are available through Des Moines Performing Arts, www.desmoinesperformingarts.org. For more information, visit www.wagnersummertheater.com.

Holiday Hullabaloo
Through Dec. 29
Horizon Events Center, 10320 Hickman Road, Clive
The 2024 Holiday Hullabaloo is an immersive, family-friendly holiday experience that will surprise and delight guests this holiday season. Enjoy a variety of activities, entertainment and festivities that will allow you to create some fun holiday hullabaloo and memories. www.holidayhullabaloo.com.

Jolly Holiday Lights
Through Jan. 4
Iowa State Fairgrounds, 3000 East Grand Ave., Des Moines
The classic Jolly Holiday Lights will be daily from 5-9 p.m. This cherished holiday tradition has been bringing joy to area families for more than 20 years while supporting a meaningful cause. Winterland Inc., is the new host.

CITYVIEW’s Fire and Ice
Saturday, Jan. 18, 1-4 p.m.
Historic Valley Junction Foundation, 137 Fifth St., West Des Moines
Join CITYVIEW’s Fire and Ice, an interactive winter pub crawl in Historic Valley Junction. 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. Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door. For tickets, visit fire-and-ice.dmcityview.com .

Square Dance Lessons
Sunday nights starting Jan. 19, 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.

A sweet, savory, simple holiday side dish

(Culinary.net) No matter what your main course looks like at the holidays, this Asparagus with Cranberry Sauce offers a sweet yet savory complement. Plus, the surprise pop of flavor and color are perfect for a festive tablescape.

Asparagus with Cranberry Sauce

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 6

Ingredients:

1/2 pound bacon
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon garlic powder
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
1 bunch fresh asparagus
1 can (14 ounces) whole cranberry sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Directions:

Using kitchen shears, cut bacon into pieces then fry in skillet. Drain and set aside.
In same skillet, add butter and garlic powder. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Saute asparagus then add bacon back to pan.
In saucepan over medium heat, heat cranberry sauce, brown sugar and balsamic vinegar.
Place asparagus on platter and pour sauce on top.

From your North Polk Living magazine

Mailed to all residents of Polk City, Alleman, Elkhart and Sheldahl the third Thursday of each month.

This month's cover story:

HOLIDAY RECIPES

Residents share the recipes that make the season bright.

Favorite dishes are often at the heart of holiday gatherings. Their aromas wafting through the house signal it’s time to join family and friends in celebration, reminiscing and gratitude. Their tastes spark memories and conversation. For many, certain recipes are a holiday must. They are inextricably woven into the fabric of the season, and the festivities wouldn’t feel complete without them.

[...]

Read this month's issue

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