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June 27 - July 3, 2025

 
 
Practical repurposing
 

Repurposing is one of those trendy words used today to describe something that has been going on since the beginning of time. Basically, we find stuff we once used and then re-use it for a purpose that it was not originally intended for. Simple enough.

Sometimes, this repurposed stuff comes from items we find or that were handed down to us. Other times, they are things we saved years ago and suddenly found again. But, more often than not, repurposing is a result of a spur-of-the-moment decision to use stuff simply because it was available. Sound familiar?

Of course, some folks create works of art out of old stuff. Those people are truly impressive. My repurposing is clearly more practical than artistic.

I built a work bench out of an old deck I tore off our house. It seemed like a good use of the lumber, and, so far, the bench is still standing.

I took the top off an old desk and now use it as a writing platform that I placed on top of a bumper pool table to give me a place to proof the printed pages of our publications in my home office.

My daughter Abby gathered my high school and college wrestling T-shirts and made them into my favorite quilt.

I recently found an old piece of heavy conduit in my garage that I used as a pole to string lights around on my deck. Looks like it was made for it.

I found a few old kitchen cupboards and installed them in my garage, along with some unwanted office file cabinets. They work great for tool storage.

On a much simpler scale, I saved several heavy, porcelain knobs off an old dresser and use them as weighted handles on my shop light strings.

Today, I am working on an old pole my neighbor gave me and trying to piece together pulleys and string to make this thing into a working flag pole. And, as my wife would attest, I have a few other items waiting to be repurposed, too. I just haven't figured out exactly what to do with them yet.

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

 
 
4 Seasons Festival
 

Celebrating 150 years of Polk City, June 27-28
 
By Lindsey Giardino
 
Polk City is throwing the party of the year, and everyone is invited.

Join the community for a special 2025 4 Seasons Festival on Friday, June 27, and Saturday, June 28, as the town celebrates 150 years of community spirit and small-town charm.

This year’s festival, organized by Go Polk City in partnership with the city of Polk City, along with numerous volunteers, promises two days packed with live entertainment, food, drink and family fun.

The beer tent opens at 5 p.m. Friday on the Square. Stop by to play some beer games, mingle with friends and enjoy a cold drink. At 6 p.m., the North Polk All-Class Reunion begins at the American Legion. At 7 p.m., Encore Legends — a group that describes themselves as “the ultimate party band” — will take the stage.

Start Saturday morning with the 4 Seasons Festival Road Run, featuring 5K, 8K and kids’ races. Race announcements and the National Anthem begin at 7:15 a.m., with races starting at 7:30 a.m. from the American Legion on West Broadway. The finish line will be located near Cupp Insurance on Broadway, between Second and Third streets. After the races, stick around for the 8:30 a.m. kids run and 8:45 a.m. awards ceremony on the square.

Amid all the activity, Angie Stender will host Yoga in the Park at 9 a.m. Need to refuel after the morning sweat? Join the American Legion for a pancake and sausage breakfast from 7-10 a.m. Saturday also features the beloved 4 Seasons Festival Parade. Staging begins at 9 a.m. Saturday morning on Lincoln, Adams and Hillcrest streets with the parade kicking off at 10 a.m. At 11 a.m., make your way to the square for food trucks, local vendors, inflatables, FFA petting zoo, a car show and shine at the Waters Edge, and much more.

At 11 a.m., cake will be served at City Hall to celebrate Polk City’s 150th birthday. The Bill Riley Talent Show begins at 12:30 p.m., followed by Magician Jonathan May at the bandstand at 3 p.m. — the same time the bags tournament begins.

Cap off the festival with performances from Plastic Apartment at 4 p.m. and Becker at 8 p.m., live on the Home State Bank stage on the square.

Need a little reset on Sunday? Join the community fitness class hosted by Anytime Fitness and

Polk City Nutrition on the square at 9 a.m.

See the North Polk Living magazine for a full story at www.iowalivingmagazines.com.

 
 

Homemade ice cream at Slater July 4 celebration

Sheldahl and Slater UMCs will have homemade ice cream at the Slater July 4 celebration at 401 Story St. Cost is $8 per bowl or two for $15, with toppings of chocolate sauce, strawberries and chopped nuts. The ice cream will be in conjunction with Bethlehem Lutheran Church's Root Beer stand to do root beer floats.

 

LifeServe Blood Drive

LifeServe will hold a blood drive on Saturday, July 26, 9 a.m. to noon, at the parking lot on the corner of West Broadway Street and South Fourth Street, Polk City. It is sponsored by Polk City Eastern Star. Sign up at LifeServe’s website, www.lifeservebloodcenter.org, or by calling LifeServe at 1-800-287-4903. 

 

CORRECTION: Polk City Farmers Market

Enjoy the Polk City Farmers Market on Thursdays, through Sept. 25, 4:30-8 p.m., at the Town Square. The weekly Farmers Market brings local produce, handmade goods, food trucks and live music to the heart of Polk City. Come stroll the square, meet vendors and enjoy a relaxed, welcoming vibe each Thursday evening.

 
 

Coming up at the Polk City Community Library

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

  • Announcements: The library will close at noon on Friday, June 27, and will be closed Saturday, June 28. Come and see us at the Four Seasons Festival.
  • Thursday Summer Performers Series:
    June 27, 6 p.m at Polk City Community Center in City Hall, Game Show Party (sponsored by Fareway). Join host Denny Ray Burn for fun, games and prizes. Game shows were at the start of television and have never gone away. Join the "live studio audience" for all the excitement of knowledge, skill and chance.  Make a match, hit the buzzer, have a lucky guess or choose the right deal to go home with great memories and prizes.
 

Polk County Conservation events

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

  • Cats and Canines of Iowa, Saturday, June 28, 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Jester Park Nature Center, 12130 N.W. 128th St., Granger. From bobcats to wolves, join a naturalist to learn about the cats and canines of Iowa’s past and present. A presentation will be followed by a craft or game.
  • Raptor Force, Sunday, June 29, 2-3 p.m., Jester Park Nature Center, 12130 N.W. 128th St., Granger. Join local photographer Ty Smedes as he shares stories about capturing images of raptors. The photos will showcase many species of hawks, falcons, eagles and owls that reside in the Midwest or migrate through it on their way to wintering grounds each fall.
  • Dutch Oven Cooking, Tuesday, July 8, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Thomas Mitchell Park Shelter No. 1, 4590 N.E. 108th St., Mitchellville. From basic cobblers to layered dinners and decadent desserts, a Dutch oven is the perfect addition to any outdoor cook's collection. Whether at the campsite or in the backyard, Dutch ovens help you create mouth-watering, delicious slow-cooked meals. Bring your appetite as we cook and sample a variety of foods. Ages 14 and older. Registration required by July 6 at https://secure.rec1.com/IA/polk-county-ia/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTM2MDM5MDE=.
  • Horse Whispers in the Woods, Thursday, July 10, 6 p.m., Jester Park Nature Center, 12130 N.W. 128th St., Granger. A women’s circle of self-discovery through the intuitive and healing power of horses. This on-the-ground workshop provides a real-time experience in relationship skills and increased emotional intelligence through a partnership with the horse. Registration required 24 hours prior to event: https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/jesterparkec/items/?flow=19203&full-items=yes.
 

Area events

Email your event information to tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

Urbandale Fourth of July Celebration
July 2-4
Lions Park, 72nd Street and N.W. Aurora Avenue, Urbandale
Enjoy one of the area's largest Fourth of July parades, a carnival, and much more at Urbandale's Fourth of July Celebration. The parade is July 4 at 10 a.m. The carnival is each day of the celebration. Enjoy live music and a beverage garden, as well as many games for adults and children. For a complete schedule of events, visit https://urbandale4thofjuly.org/.

Waukee Independence Day Celebration
Thursday, July 3, and Friday, July 4
Centennial Park Open Air Shelter, 1255 Warrior Lane, Waukee
Visit Centennial Park on July 3 and 4 for inflatables, live music, tournaments, fireworks and more. Festivities kick off Thursday evening at 4:30 p.m. with yard games and food vendors. There will be a pie-eating contest, bubble gum blowing contest, bingo, an adult coed sand volleyball tournament and Movie in the Park, “Captain America: Brave New World” at dusk.
Saturday features events all day starting with the Waukee Freedom 5K, the Rotary Pancake Breakfast at the basketball court, followed by the parade at 10:30 a.m. starting at the intersection of S.E. Westown Parkway and S.E. LA Grant Parkway near South Middle School and heading north to Waukee Stadium.

Centennial Park will be a hub of activity for the afternoon and evening with food and beverage vendors; inflatables, Wipeout Game and Climbing Wall from 1-8 p.m. (wristband purchase required); adult bags tournament; live music from Cory Waller and The Wicket Things and Tyler Richton and The High Bank Boys from 4-9:30 a.m.; the Des Moines Skydivers at 8 p.m.; and a 9:30 p.m. fireworks show.

For more celebration details and schedule, visit www.waukee.org/777/Independence-Day-Celebration.

Waukee Arts Festival
July 18-19
Centennial Park, 1255 Warrior Lane, Waukee
Visit 140 vendor booths at the largest Waukee Arts Festival to date. Food and beverage trucks, the Waukee Fine Arts Footrace and numerous live bands are planned. For a full schedule of events, list of artists and festival updates, visit www.waukeeartsfestival.org.

Clive Festival
Friday, July 18 to Saturday, July 19
Mark your calendars for Clive's biggest (and best) community event. Enjoy free live music, Thunder Over Clive Fireworks, the Giant Slip-N' Slide, bounce houses, activities for kids, food trucks, Kids Art Expo, the Clive Running Festival, Clive Lions Club Pancake Breakfast, Touch a Truck, Cardboard Boat Regatta at Clive Aquatic Center, and more. Check the Clive Festival Facebook page for details.

DMPA Free Outdoor Family Events
Various dates and parks
Des Moines Performing Arts announced the engagements headed to Des Moines as part of its 2025 Free Outdoor Family Events series. These free presentations are designed to engage new audiences and performing arts enthusiasts alike, while also removing the barrier of cost.

  • July 21-22: Dupont Brass, parks across the metro
  • July 9, Aug. 13: Storytime Under the Green Umbrella, Cowles Commons
  • July 12, Aug. 23: Dancing on Cowles Commons

For more information including times and park locations, visit www.desmoinesperformingarts.org/whats-on/series/free-outdoor-family-events.

 
Simplify summer with light lunches
 

(Family Features) Summer days can get busy with trips to the pool, walks around the neighborhood and gatherings with friends and loved ones. Take the hassle out of lunch with these cucumber sandwiches that can be made in advance for afternoon pick-me-ups and visit Culinary.net to find more light, easy meals.

Cucumber sandwiches
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Yield: 4 sandwiches

Garlic toast:

  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup mayo
  • 2 teaspoons dried dill
  • 2 teaspoons thyme
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 2 cucumbers
  • salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste

Directions:

  • Cut crust off bread and set aside.
  • In bowl, mix softened cream cheese, mayo, dill, thyme, onion powder and garlic powder. Peel cucumbers then coarsely chop and add to cream cheese mixture. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Spread mixture over bread and cut into triangles.
  • Tip: Recipe can be doubled, if needed.
 
 
 
From your North Polk Living magazine
 

Mailed to residential home addresses in Polk City, Alleman, Elkhart and Sheldahl the third Thursday of each month.

This month's cover story:

4 SEASONS FESTIVAL

Celebrating 150 years of Polk City June 27-28

Polk City is throwing the party of the year, and everyone is invited. Join the community for a special 2025 4 Seasons Festival on Friday, June 27, and Saturday, June 28, as the town celebrates 150 years of community spirit and small-town charm.

[...]

 
Read this month's 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 HERE. or under the subscribe tab at IowaLivingMagazines.com

 

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