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Sept. 29 - Oct. 5, 2026

 
 
No instructions. No warnings. Just a tractor tire.
 

Not too many years ago, a giant tractor tire was considered perfectly acceptable backyard equipment for a child.

Today, if someone dropped a 6-foot-wide rubber tractor tire in a backyard, the neighbors might call the city, the homeowners association and a hazmat team. But, when I was growing up in Iowa, a giant tractor tire was not an eyesore. It was a sandbox. And not just any sandbox. It was the kind of sandbox that came with its own ecosystem.

My friend Rob had one in his backyard that was a neighborhood gathering point for us kids, and the tire’s project construction was simple. His dad brought home an enormous tractor tire. He set it flat on the ground. He filled the middle with sand. Done. No assembly instructions. No warning labels. No soft-impact playground surface. No engineer calculating the proper ratio of sand to rubber. Just a tire.

And, naturally, that tire was uncovered. This was important because the tire had other responsibilities. Rain would collect in the inside, creating a partially covered swimming pool for mosquitoes. And after a good storm, we would often find a frog sitting inside as if it owned the place.

Rob’s tire became an occasional bathroom for neighborhood cats, too. This was not part of the original design, but the cats apparently had a different understanding of the word “sandbox.” We learned to check the sand before digging. Actually, we probably didn’t check the sand nearly enough.

The tire itself was another feature. On a hot summer day, that black rubber would seem as warm as the surface of the sun. When we climbed onto it wearing shorts, we learned quickly that tractors apparently require tires capable of roasting children.

And then there were the black marks. That tire left them on everything. Our hands. Our arms. Our legs. Our clothes. Probably our soul. We could spend an afternoon playing in that sandbox and emerge looking like we had just completed a shift at the coal mine. Our moms would take one look and ask, “What happened to you?” Nothing happened. We played. And we didn’t care. We built roads. We dug holes. We buried toys. We made elaborate sand “work” sites that lasted until the next rain, the next cat or the next kid who decided to drive a Tonka truck through it.

The amazing thing is that nobody seemed particularly concerned about any of it. Today, children's play equipment comes with rounded edges, safety certifications, installation manuals and enough warnings to make you wonder how previous generations survived childhood. Yet, somehow, we did.

We survived the tractor-tire sandbox. We survived the hot rubber, dirty hands, mystery puddles and cat surprises. And I can’t remember a single one of our friends saying, “You know, this sandbox needs a lid.”

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

 
 
Ribbon cutting
 

Johnston Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Schilling Agency on Sept. 10.

 

Belgian Waffle Fundraiser

The Johnston Band Parent Association is holding its all-you-can-eat Belgian Waffle Fundraiser from 8-11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, at Johnston High School Commons, 6500 N.W. 100th St. Cost is $10 in advance and $12 per person at the door. Kids younger than 5 eat free. Breakfast also includes sausage links, flavored syrups, butter, non-dairy whipped topping, coffee and juice. Click HERE to purchase tickets.

 

Town Center Trunk or Treat

Join the Johnston Police Department, Johnston-Grimes Fire District and the Johnston Chamber of Commerce for a special trunk or treat event at the Johnston Town Center, 6221 Merle Hay Road from 5-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Families are encouraged to come in costume and trick or treat with Johnston Fire and Police members, along with local businesses. Business can sign up to participate with the Johnston Chamber by Oct. 21. 

 

Military Nurses Exhibit to be dedicated

Oct. 10, 11 a.m.
Iowa Gold Star Military Museum, Camp Dodge, 7105 N.W. 70th Ave., Johnston

The public is invited to The Iowa Gold Star Military Museum, Camp Dodge, 7105 N.W. 70th Ave., Johnston, at 11 a.m. Oct. 10 for the dedication of the museum’s Military Nurses Exhibit, honoring the generations of military nurses whose courage, compassion and commitment have cared for America’s service members in times of war and peace.

The dedication will feature the Iowa Nurse Honor Guard and Lt. Col. Katie Lunning, a critical care nurse at the VA Central Iowa Health Care System whose distinguished military service represents the continuing legacy of Iowa nurses who have answered the call to serve.

 

Lions Club Trunk or Treat

Join the Johnston Lions Club from 5-7 p.m. on Oct. 31 for their Trunk or Treat event at 6501 Merle Hay Road. Join this family-friendly event to see the kid-themed trunks and get some sweet treats from community partners.

 
 

Veterans salutes

Submit your Veterans Profiles to tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com. Include photo, name, town where you live, military branch, rank, enlistment dates, and answer to: “What would you like others to know about serving your country?”

 

Walk for NICU Superheroes

The nonprofit organization Holding Tiny Hands will host its first annual Walk for NICU Superheroes at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Terra Park, 6400 Pioneer Parkway, Johnston. Registration for the family-friendly community event opens ahead of the 10 a.m. start time. The walk will bring together Neonatal Intensive Care Unit families, NICU graduates, healthcare professionals and local supporters to raise awareness and vital funds for families navigating the NICU journey across central Iowa.

All event proceeds will directly fund Holding Tiny Hands programs, such as parent support boxes, isolette quilts, NICU events and ongoing resources for families with NICU babies at the MercyOne Des Moines, Mercy West and Blank hospitals. The event is family-friendly and includes superheroes, yard games, a balloon artist, music, food trucks and more.

The walk coincides with broader advocacy efforts, as September marks national NICU Awareness Month. According to national health statistics, one in 10 babies in the United States is born prematurely, arriving before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Holding Tiny Hands supports more than 1,000 NICU families in central Iowa each year.

For more information, to register, or to learn about the organization’s mission, visit www.holdingtinyhands.org or follow Holding Tiny Hands on Facebook and Instagram.

 

Mayor’s Run for the Trails

Mayor’s Run for the Trails will be held Saturday, Oct. 10, starting at Terra Park Amphitheater. Check-in opens at 8:30 a.m. (Skip the line by picking up your packet Friday, Oct. 9, 4-6 p.m. at Crown Point Community Center). Racers should be at the start line by 9 a.m. The kids' 100-meter dash goes first, followed by the kids' 0.62-mile race, then 5K walkers, with 5K runners starting at 9:30 a.m. T-shirts and finisher medals are included with registration by Sept. 21 to guarantee your shirt (medals will still be given out after that date while supplies last). Bagels, water and fruit will be available post-race, and 5K runners are eligible for age-group awards.

 

Museum open

The Johnston Historical Society 1902 Simpson House Museum at 6161 Northglenn Drive in Johnston will be open on the second Sunday of each month from 2-4 p.m. through December. Guided tours will be available. The museum is also open by appointment. Email johnstonhistoricalsociety@gmail.com or call 515-330-0687 for an appointment.

 

Sounds of Summer Concert Series

The final concert in The Yard Summer Concert Series presented by The Cork 50131. Concerts is Saturday, Oct. 3, from 7-10 p.m. at The Yard at Johnston Town Center, 6245 Merle Hay Road. Admission is free, and no tickets are required. Pork Tornadoes will perform.

 

Johnston Lions Club BINGO night

The Johnston Lions Club will host BINGO games on Oct. 8 and Nov. 12, from 6-8 p.m. at the Johnston Lions Club, 6501 Merle Hay Road. Fundraising from this activity is used for other community enrichment programs. Braille BINGO cards are available.

 

Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast

The Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast will be from 7:30-11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Johnston Middle School, 6501 N.W. 62nd St. Enjoy breakfast while also supporting the Kiwanis and their community projects.

 
 

Public meetings

  • Monday, Oct. 5: City Council Meeting
  • Thursday, Oct. 15: Library Board Meeting
  • Thursday, Oct. 15: Board of Adjustment Meeting
  • Monday, Oct. 19: City Council Meeting
 

Treat yourself at JPL this October

By library staff

It is trick-or-treat time, so stop by the library and treat yourself and your family to a ghostly story, creepy craft, magical movie, haunted scavenger hunt or illuminating presentation. Read on for more details.

We are turning off the lights for Spooky Story Time. Kids 10 and younger can join us for glow-in-the-dark tales on Monday, Oct. 26, at 10 a.m.

Crafty kids in grades four and five can make their own seasonal décor at Needle-Felted Pumpkins on Sunday, Oct. 18, from 2-3 p.m. Crafters will learn the basics of needle felting as they sculpt a fuzzy pumpkin. Registration is required so we can provide supplies for a whole patch of pumpkins.

If your teens are looking for somewhere spooktacular to hang out on the two no-school days this month, they can head to the library any time between 1 and 6 p.m. for School’s Out: Extended Teen Space Hours on Monday, Oct. 12 and 26. We’ll start with a spellbinding movie and Shrinky Dinks at 1 p.m., followed by Mario Kart World, Gang Beasts and FIFA 26 video game tournaments from 3-6 p.m. The featured movies will be “Hocus Pocus 2” on Oct. 12 and “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” on the Oct. 26.

Who haunts the stacks after dark? Teens in sixth grade and up can come and see for themselves at Haunted Library After Hours: Halloween Takeover on Friday, Oct. 30, from 6:30-8 p.m. Brave souls can bring a flashlight and join us for a scary scavenger hunt in the dark, where frightening characters are hiding in the shadows. Those who complete the scavenger hunt will get a Halloween candy prize pack. We will also have a costume contest, scary-good snacks, eerie video games, ghoulish crafts and more. Registration is required for those who dare to enter.

Contrary to its grim-sounding name, Swedish Death Cleaning is the thoughtful method of cleaning and organizing intended to ease the burden on loved ones and bring calm to the clutter. On Monday, Oct. 12, at 6 p.m., professional home organizer Carrie Blackburn will share practical tips and tricks for decluttering and downsizing based on Margareta Magnusson’s best-selling book, “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning.”

Get into the spirit of the season at Try DIY: Spooky Macrame. Drop in any time between 6 and 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22, and we will guide you through the steps to make a simple macrame ghost.

More information about all events and resources at Johnston Public Library can be found online at JohnstonLibrary.com or by calling the library at 515-278-5233.

 

Area events

Email your event information to tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

Middlebrook Mercantile Events
Various dates
Middlebrook Mercantile, 4125 Cumming Ave., Cumming

  • Friday, Oct. 9, 6-9 p.m. Live Music: Meadowbrook Circle
  • Saturday, Oct. 10, 6-9 p.m. Live Music: Matt Terronez
  • Thursday, Oct. 15, 6 p.m. Trivia
  • Friday, Oct. 16, 6-9 p.m. Live Music: Big Joe Kinser Band
  • Saturday, Oct. 17, 6-9 p.m. Live Music: Bob Dorr and The Blue 2
  • Sunday, Oct. 18, 2-5 p.m. Live Music: Malcom Wells and the Two Timers
  • Wednesday, Oct. 21, 6 p.m. Music Bingo
  • Friday, Oct. 23, 6-9 p.m. Live Music: Joshua Sinclair
  • Saturday, Oct. 24, 6 p.m. Open Mic Night
  • Sunday, Oct. 25, 2-5 p.m. Live Music: Bob Pace and the Dangerous Band

Edible and Medicinal Plants Foraging Walk
Sunday, Oct. 11, 3-5 p.m.
Lake Ahquabi State Park, 16510 118th Ave., Indianola
Join the Warren County Master Conservationists from 3-5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 11, for an immersive foraging walk through the beautiful woods surrounding Lake Ahquabi State Park. Attendees will learn to identify local edible and medicinal plants and explore their traditional uses and are not required to be Master Conservationists to attend. The walk will begin at the north parking lot near the boat ramp.

Participants who attended the June offering of this walk will be able to explore how the plants and foraging options change from season to season at the same location, while first-time participants will get a great introduction into the world of edible and medicinal plants. No previous knowledge or experience is necessary to attend this event.

Tickets for this event are $20 and can be purchased at https://go.iastate.edu/BMZKBM. Contact Elizabeth Smith at eliza@iastate.edu or 515-961-6237 with questions.

Pumpkins After Dark Des Moines
Oct. 9-31
Des Moines Water Works Park, 2201 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines
The Water Works Park Foundation introduces a new Halloween-themed event this October that promises to become a beloved annual celebration in Des Moines Water Works Park. Welcome to Pumpkins After Dark, an award-winning outdoor Halloween attraction. This family-friendly, walk-through experience features more than 10,000 hand-carved jack-o'-lanterns illuminating the Lauridsen Amphitheater, Manatt Great Lawn, Arboretum Road and the Des Moines Biergarten. There are no actors and no jump scares — just creativity, wonder and the warm glow of thousands of pumpkins. Purchase tickets at https://pumpkinsafterdark.com/des-moines.

Eerie Evenings
Friday through Sunday, Oct. 23–25; Tuesday through Thursday, Oct. 27–29; and Saturday, Oct. 31, 6-9 p.m.
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert. D. Ray Drive, Des Moines
See the garden in a different light. Experience the botanical garden after dark as the tropical conservatory and Gardeners Show House transform with immersive Halloween décor, dramatic lighting and spectral plants. Wander at your own pace and embrace the eerie side of the plant world during one of central Iowa’s most unique Halloween experiences. Tickets and details online at https://dmbotanicalgarden.com/.

Boos and Brews
Friday, Oct. 30, 7-10 p.m.
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert. D. Ray Drive, Des Moines
Halloween fun for the 21-plus crowd. Grab your friends for Boos and Brews, an adults-only Halloween celebration featuring local brewery and cidery samples, live entertainment and ghostly fun throughout the spooky conservatory. Enjoy samples from regional favorites alongside a live DJ, strolling magic, creative body art, and more. Tickets and details online at https://dmbotanicalgarden.com/.

Des Moines Jazz Hall of Fame
Sunday, Oct. 11, 5 p.m.
Noce, 1326 Walnut, downtown Des Moines
Two musicians whose careers have helped define central Iowa's jazz community will be inducted into the Des Moines Jazz Hall of Fame. Guitarist Rod Leaverton and saxophonist Bryan Schumacker will become the 53rd and 54th members of the Jazz Hall of Fame during the organization's annual awards celebration. The evening will also recognize several other individuals, including student musicians, whose contributions have enriched the region's jazz community. The Hall of Fame celebration begins with a reception and dinner followed by the awards program. Enjoy performances by this year's honorees, previous Hall of Fame inductees and special guest musicians. Complete details and tickets are available at www.cjc-dsm.org. 

Des Moines Civic Orchestra performance
Sunday, Oct. 25, 2 p.m.
Sheslow Auditorium at Drake University
The Des Moines Civic Orchestra (previously The Des Moines Community Orchestra) will present its first concert of the 2026-2027 season with its new conductor and music director, Dr. Jonathan Sturm. There is no admission charge, but donations are always welcome.

 
Enjoy tangy, spicy buffalo chicken with a superfood swap
 

(Feature Impact) When you are craving a specific comfort food, other flavors just aren't going to hit the spot the same way. The good news: It only takes one or two simple ingredient changes to satisfy your taste buds while leveling up the nutrition of a meal.

For instance, if you are hankering for the zesty kick of buffalo sauce, your mind might initially go to pizza and wings. This buffalo chicken stuffed sweet potatoes recipe featuring North Carolina Sweetpotatoes invites you to rethink that takeout order and enjoy the same bold, satisfying flavors in a more nutritious way. They are a little sweet and a little spicy with savory chicken and creamy avocado stuffed jacket-style inside a nutrient-dense baked sweet potato.

Sweet Potatoes are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. The American Diabetes Association even calls them a "diabetes superfood," as they raise blood sugar more slowly than other starchy foods while allowing you to savor some natural sweetness. They are also a great choice for athletes, thanks to complex carbohydrates that boost energy and nutrients that support endurance and recovery.

Find more ways to level up your favorite flavors at ncsweetpotatoes.com.

Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Recipe courtesy of the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients:

  • 4 sweetpotatoes
  • 1 rotisserie chicken, shredded
  • 1 ½ cups buffalo sauce
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 2 tablespoons diced chives

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 400 F. Place sweet potatoes on lined baking sheet and use fork to pierce each one for venting. Bake 45 minutes, or until tender.
  • Let sweet potatoes cool slightly then use knife to gently cut each open lengthwise and crosswise. Use fork to lightly mash inside sweet potatoes.
  • In large bowl, combine shredded rotisserie chicken with buffalo sauce until evenly coated.
  • Spoon buffalo chicken mixture into each sweet potato. Top with diced avocado and chives.

Source: North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission

 
 

WANTED: Stereo and electronic radio stuff, receivers, speakers, guitar amp, etc. Any age or condition is OK. Call 515-238-3343.

DECLUTTERING AND ORGANIZING SERVICES – FIND YOUR PEACE: Overwhelmed by clutter? Let me help you create a calm, organized home for a healthier, happier living space. Services include home organization, decluttering, and tailored packages. Call Jennifer at (515) 991-2511 to book your consultation!

 
 
From your Johnston Living magazine
 

This month's cover story:

FROM DREAM TO REALITY

Residents reimagine their homes to fit their lives

Home improvement projects are often about much more than a few repairs, fresh paint and new appliances. They are about creating living spaces that fit the owners’ needs, style and desire for a home that is “just right.” 

[...]

 
Read more
 

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