How Iowa Met Baseball — This and more in this week's issue!

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March 27 - April 2, 2026

Is your refrigerator running?

There are some things many of us did as kids that today’s youth simply can’t understand. One of them is the fine art — if you can call it that — of the prank phone call.

Now, before any of you get too judgmental, let’s remember this was a different time. And even though prank calls may not have been considered funny by everyone — either then or now — many of us still took part in them and giggled our way through the experience.

You know the classics: “Is your refrigerator running?” “Do you have Prince Albert in a can?” “Can I speak to Al?”

If those lines sound familiar, it’s probably because you either delivered them yourself or stood nearby while a sibling or friend did the honors. Either way, you remember how it went. In fact, there’s a pretty good chance you’re smiling right now. Maybe even cringing a little. Prank calls might have been more of a boy thing. I’m not entirely sure about that. But I do know what happened when kids were left unsupervised for an hour with access to a telephone.

Of course, this was back when telephones were attached to the kitchen wall by a cord that could stretch halfway across the room. It was also a time before caller ID, which meant you truly had no idea who might be on the other end of the line. That uncertainty made prank calls possible.

There was always a small fear of somehow being tracked down, though, so the calls had to be quick. Efficiency mattered. You delivered the line, waited for the response and tried — with varying levels of success — to keep a straight face. That was the real challenge.

No matter how many times we rehearsed beforehand, the moment the person answered the phone, the giggles started. The brave soul holding the receiver would attempt to power through the joke while the rest of us collapsed into silent laughter nearby.

And when it inevitably fell apart, the line of retreat was always the same.

“Sorry, wrong number.” Click.

Of course, the person receiving the call often had a pretty good idea what was going on. Sometimes they even guessed exactly who was on the other end of the line. Nothing ended a prank call faster than hearing your own name.

I doubt my kids ever made a prank phone call. And I’m fairly certain my parents never did either. But during those years from the late 1960s through the late 1980s, prank calls were a fairly common form of entertainment. In fact, the comedy group The Jerky Boys eventually turned prank telephone calls into a full-blown career, which proves that sometimes even the most juvenile ideas can have surprising staying power.

Yes, prank phone calls were ridiculous. And yes, they were juvenile. They still are. But every now and then, when someone mentions a refrigerator running, a lot of us of a certain age still have the same instinctive response: “Well, you’d better go catch it.”

And somewhere, deep down, the giggles return.

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 Seniors of the Month

Lauren Croft has been named a Kiwanis Senior of the Month. She is the daughter of Mary Croft and Aaron Croft and sibling to Ava and Adam. She has been involved in Dance Team, Key Club, Spanish Honor Society, National Honor Society, Principal’s Council, Math Honor Society and Science Club. She has been on the Gold Honor Roll and President’s List. She is involved in Studio Dance and tutoring.

“I am heavily involved within my school and community. Through all my clubs I am actively involved in, I am able to further help out while gaining important life-long skills. While being involved in my community, I have also excelled academically, shown by my honors/awards and being able to earn an associates of science degree while still in high school. In the future, I will be attending the University of Iowa to major in biology on the pre-PA track in hopes of becoming a surgical PA.”

Pancake Breakfast

Polk City Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast is Saturday, March 28, 8-11 a.m. at Lakeside Fellowship Church, 1121 West Bridge Road. The Easter Egg Hunt is at 11 a.m. on the Lakeside Soccer Fields. Support your Kiwanis Club at their legendary, yummy pancake breakfast and watch or participate in the hunt for eggs. Bring a friend or two. The breakfast is a free will donation event. All proceeds go toward three North Polk senior scholarships awarded at the May award banquet.

Polk City Public Library news

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

Wednesday Adult Book Club and Lunch and Learn. Wednesday, April 1, 7 p.m. “Bet the Farm: The Dollars and Sense of Growing Food in America” by Beth Hoffman. In her late 40s, Beth Hoffman decided to upend her comfortable life as a professor and journalist to move to her husband's family ranch in Iowa — all for the dream of becoming a farmer. There was just one problem: money. “Bet the Farm” is a first-hand account of the perils of farming today and a personal exploration of more just and sustainable ways of producing food. This book club includes a live visit and presentation from the author. Registration is only required if you plan to join for the meal prior to the presentation. Serving will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Library Giving Day. Wednesday, April 1, Library Giving Day is a one-day fundraising event with the goal of encouraging people who depend on and enjoy public libraries to donate to their individual library system. And, in turn, that support will go toward the incredible programs, services and materials provided by local libraries all over the country.
Not-A-School-Day. Monday, April 6, 1 p.m. Join for a special activity on Mondays, teacher in-service days when North Polk Schools are out.
Adult DIY: Fairy Garden Planter Houses. Tuesday, April 7, 6 p.m. Join us for a relaxing evening of crafts. All supplies will be provided. Ages 17 and older, registration required.
Balance and Books with Rock Valley Physical Therapy. Wednesday, April 8, 10 a.m. Join Rock Valley Physical Therapy for an informative program focused on balance, fall prevention and healthy aging. Includes a balance assessment.
Tiny Tot Art. Thursday, April 9, 10 a.m. Let your little ones explore creativity through process art designed just for toddlers. This hands-on program focuses on fun, sensory-friendly activities where messiness is encouraged, and imagination leads the way.

How Iowa Met Baseball

How Iowa Met Baseball; the myths, the history, the players will be presented by John Liepa, DMACC educator of the year 2004, on Tuesday, April 14, 6:30 p.m. at the Big Creek Historical Society, 116 S. Third St., Polk City. He will be bringing a great program and his extensive collection of memorabilia and baseball cards. Iowa had 225 Major Leaguers and seven Hall of Famers. The story is much bigger than Bob Feller. This is a program from the Humanities Iowa Speakers Bureau.

Recurring events at the Polk City Public Library

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

Geri-Fit® Strength Training Workouts. Mondays 9 a.m. Ages 50 and older. Stretch bands and a Zoom link are available upon request.
STEAM Storytime. Mondays 10:15 a.m. Designed for ages 3-5.
Chair Yoga. Tuesdays, 9 a.m., Join the zoom meeting on our website at polkcitylibrary.org.
Tiny Tots Storytime. Tuesdays at 10:15 a.m. Designed for ages 3 and younger.
Qigong/Tai Chi. Wednesdays at 9 a.m. Tailored to ages 50 and older.
Ladies’ Wednesday Coffee. Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to noon.
Sit N’ Stitch. Thursdays, 6-8 p.m.
Zumba/Low-Impact Dance. Fridays, 9 a.m. Workouts tailored to 50 and older.
Men’s Friday Coffee. 10 a.m. to noon

Polk County Conservation events

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

Introduction to Water Color. Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Easter Lake Event Center, 2830 Easter Lake Drive, Des Moines. This class is for those who may have never painted a day in their life or may have dabbled a little with watercolor but would like to learn more. We will start with the basics, discussing paints, brushes, paper and technique before moving on to painting our first work of art. Class includes supplies. Pack a sack lunch, as we will take a short lunch break half way through the class. Registration required by March 28. Ages. 16 and older.
Trail Construction. Friday, April 3, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Easter Lake Park, 2830 Easter Lake Drive, Des Moines. Join us for a day of teamwork, conservation and community as we finish building a new and improved trail at Easter Lake Park. This is an excellent opportunity for trail enthusiasts to gain entry-level trail construction skills while make a meaningful impact on our local trails. The event begins with a brief training session, followed by hands‑on building activities, and is well‑suited for both first‑time and experienced trail‑building volunteers. Registration required by noon the day prior.
Songkran. Saturday, April 4, 10-11:30 a.m. Jester Park Nature Center, 12130 N.W. 128th St., Granger. Songkran is a spring festival marking the New Year in Thailand. Held in April every year, the festival highlights water as a way to wash away the old and celebrate the fun and joy of the new. Come prepared for a short presentation, hands-on crafts, games and activities to make a splash. Registration required by April 3.
Geocache Egg Hunt. Monday, April 6, 1-2:30 p.m. Jester Park Nature Center, 12130 N.W. 128th St., Granger. Learn how to use GPS then go search the park to find some “eggciting” treasures. Space is limited, so register early. Ages 8-16. Registration required by April 3.
Wake Up with Spring. Wednesdays in April, 2-3:30 p.m. Jester Park Wetland Shelter, 12130 N.W. 128th St., Granger. Join ISU Polk County Extension and Polk County Conservation this walking series. Polk County Conservation naturalists will lead participants on a walk through the park while discussing a new nature theme each week. Themes are: April 1: Phenology; April 8: Birds; April 15: Spring Ephemerals; April 22: Critters; April 29: Trees. Free, ages 16 and older, no registration required, but RSVP appreciated here: https://iastate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b9Onxnuc7QSqVVk.

Area events

Email your event information to tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

Can Play Fore All Golf Outing
Friday, April 24, 3-7 p.m.
MidAmerican Energey Company RecPlex, 6500 Grand Ave., West Des Moines
Join Can Play and the 2026 West Des Moines Leadership Academy for a fun, small-format golf outing supporting accessible outdoor recreation and youth programming. Golfers will play through a creative course designed by community members and local businesses, built entirely from non-perishable food items to benefit Can Play’s programming. All proceeds will benefit Can Play, whose mission is to bring adapted and no cost recreational programs to our communities by removing barriers to play. Register and donate online at https://givebutter.com/WDMLA.

WDM Elks Spring Style Show Fundraiser
Saturday, April 11, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
West Des Moines Elks Lodge No. 2752, 2060 N.W. 94th St., Clive
Tickets for the Spring Style Show are $15 each or reserve a table for eight for $140 or a table for four for $70. Doors open at 10 a.m., with the style show starting at 11 a.m. and a salad luncheon to follow. Many vendors will be present, including Purple Poppy, Salon Classic and others. Funds raised will benefit Veterans’ Children’s Christmas and other Elks charities and outreach.

Des Moines Community Orchestra Spring Concert
Sunday, May 10, 2 p.m.
Drake University Sheslow Auditorium, 2507 University Ave., Des Moines
Enjoy the Des Moines Community Orchestra in concert with guest conductor Kara Mather and featured soloist Dr. Kevin Allemagne on the clarinet.

The Evening African Violet Club Sale and Show
Friday and Saturday, April 24-25
Plumbers & Steamfitters Local Union 33, 2501 Bell Ave., Des Moines
The Evening African Violet Club of Des Moines invites the public to its 2026 African Violet Show and Sale, “Music in Bloom.” Members of area garden clubs and plant societies are especially welcome as club members share many interests in indoor and outdoor gardening with them. This is a nationally sanctioned show and sale that will have judges from the African Violet Society of America. Hours are Friday, April 24, noon to 6 p.m., and Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Judging of Violets, Gesneriads and Floral Design will take place on Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to noon. Hours follow from noon to 5 p.m. for sales. Only members of EAVC are eligible to enter plants and designs in the show.

Tori’s Angels 2026
Thursday, April 26, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Glen Oaks Country Club, 1401 Glen Oaks Drive, West Des Moines
Celebrate 15 years of hope, helping Iowa children with life threatening illnesses by funding vital medical and travel expenses not covered by insurance, allowing them to pursue life-saving treatments and cures. For more information, contact Patty Reeve at 515-238-3829 or patty@torisangels.org. www.TorisAngels.org

Made In The Midwest: The Lubben Brothers
Saturday, April 25, 7 p.m.
Temple Theater, 1011 Locust St., Des Moines
Des Moines Performing Arts announces the return of Made in the Midwest at the Temple Theater for an exciting new season. The Lubben Brothers perform traditional/contemporary folk music. Opener is Courtney Krause. To purchase tickets, visit DMPA.org, call 515-246-2300, or stop by the Civic Center Ticket Office at 221 Walnut Street. Night-of tickets will be available for purchase at the Temple Theater Ticket Office two hours before the performance.

Give Life 5K
Saturday, May 2, 8:30 a.m.
Raccoon River Park, West Des Moines
Iowa Donor Network honors those who have given the gift of life, celebrates the lives of organ and tissue recipients, and recognizes those who continue to wait for a life-saving transplant at the annual Give Life 5K. This is a family-friendly event so, no matter your skill level, the event is open to everyone. Join us to honor and support those who have been impacted by organ and tissue donation and celebrate the gift of life by registering for the Give Life 5K today. Visit GiveLife5K.com.

Creative cupcakes to complete your Easter feast

(Feature Impact) Once the Easter baskets are put away and the main course is cleared from the kitchen, you can liven up the dessert table or send guests off with a thoughtful treat thanks to these Chocolate Easter Egg Cupcakes. Moist cake, creamy frosting and chocolate-coated candies combine for a seasonal sweet that’s sure to impress.

To find more dessert ideas that satisfy chocolate lovers — and all your loved ones — visit Culinary.net.

Chocolate Easter Egg Cupcakes
Recipe adapted from A Classic Twist
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes

Cupcakes:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg, at room temperature
1/2 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
1/2 cup hot water
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Frosting:

3 sticks unsalted butter, softened and cubed
3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
2-3 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 pinch salt
2-3 drops brown food coloring
egg-shaped chocolate-coated candies

To make cupcakes:

Preheat oven to 350 F. Line 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
In bowl of electric mixer, sift flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
In medium bowl, whisk egg, buttermilk, water, vegetable oil and vanilla extract.
Mix dry ingredients on low speed 1 minute. Add wet ingredients. Mix 2 minutes on medium speed and scrape sides and bottom of bowl. Mix 1 minute on medium speed.
Divide evenly among cupcake liners.
Bake 12-15 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out almost clean.
Cool cupcakes on wire rack.

To make frosting:

Using paddle attachment of electric mixer, whip butter 8 minutes on medium speed until pale and creamy. Add powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract and salt; mix on low speed 1 minute. Increase speed to medium and mix 6 minutes until frosting is light, creamy and fluffy. Add food coloring and whip 1 minute.
Pipe frosting onto cupcakes and top with egg-shaped chocolate-coated candies.

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

In the current issue of North Polk Living magazine:

A ‘fur-ever’ home

Residents share stories about the animals they rescued

Abandoned. Abused. Neglected. The world is full of animals — big and small — that don’t know the comfort of a full belly, a warm place to sleep, and the love of a caring owner. Some people seek out these needy animals when looking to add a pet to their family. Others come across them unexpectedly and are moved to rescue them. Whatever the case, rescued pets often give their humans as much love as they receive.

[...]

Read the full digital issue

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