Kiwanis Seniors of the Month named — This and more in this week's issue of Polk City Living Weekly!

Oct. 10-16, 2025

Iconic living rooms from our favorite TV shows

Few things in life bring back memories like the family room or living room of our childhood homes. Maybe it was the shag carpet. Or the wood paneling. Or the flowered sofa. Or, of course, the console TV. Many of us spent a great deal of time in that room, so it makes sense why it sticks in our minds.

Times change, which means styles, needs and technology all change, too. Furniture doesn’t seem to last as long as it used to. TVs are replaced rather than repaired. And new carpet simply needs installed every now and then. Meanwhile, as much as we remember our own living rooms, we equally remember the ones from our favorite TV shows.

I can still see the Cunninghams gathering together in the “Happy Days” living room, where Howard sometimes got frisky with Marion. And there are Lenny and Squiggy barging in to Laverne and Shirley’s living room in their Milwaukee apartment, much like Kramer did in Jerry’s place in New York City for “Seinfeld.”

The late 1970s California vibe was quite present in “Three’s Company,” as was the elder version of it in “The Ropers.” Anyone else miss Norman Fell? And Don Knotts?

Fred and Lamont didn't have anything special in their junk dealer living room, but it was the center of the “Sanford and Son” TV show — and where the Ripple was kept.

We all knew where Archie sat in “All in the Family,” and we knew what would happen if the Meathead took his chair. Where else would we have learned what order to put our socks and shoes on?

I didn’t watch “Roseanne” often, but I can still visualize the Conners’ living room, as it looked like many of the ones from my childhood with those crocheted Afghan blankets.

Most of didn’t grow up with a father who was an architect, but the Bradys did, and their house in “The Brady Bunch” was unforgettable. Those iconic stairs stepped into the family room, where Mike and Carol taught life lessons to the Brady kids — and many of us.

As television sets changed from black and white to color, many of our favorite shows did, too. I only recall “Bewitched” from reruns, but the color versions showed the popular oranges and greens and browns that Samantha and Darrin Stephens decorated their late-1960s home with.

How about you? What iconic living rooms do you recall from your favorite TV shows? Send me a note and let me know.

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 named

The Polk City Kiwanis Club has named its September Seniors of the Month.

Hannah Haaland:

“My favorite hobbies are running, biking, hiking with my family, hanging out with my friends and getting ice cream. Some of my favorite memories from high school have been the distance 4x100, state track, the trip to Minnesota with the cross country team and my CAD class.”

Hannah is the daughter of Kirk and Kelley Haaland and sister to Hayley and Kinley. Her favorite school subjects are chemistry, psychology and sports nutrition. She has participated in Key Club, Principal’s Council, cross country, track, Comets for Christ, FCA, National Honor Society, Science Club, as basketball manager, show choir and stage crew. She has been named to the DMACC Dean’s List and Gold Honor Roll and honored with the Key Club Gold Standard Award, Academic All-State, and named to RRC cross country all-conference. She is a church youth group leader and works at Tropical Smoothie. After graduation, she plans to major in education or dietetics and exercise to become a teacher or a sports dietician.

Mya Bond:

“Hi, I’m Mya Bond. Outside of school activities, I enjoy hanging out with family and friends, running, biking, camping, crocheting, painting and traveling. Some of my favorite memories from high school were being a part of the legendary distance 4x100 with my best friends in track, qualifying for state as a team in cross country, performing on stage at show choir competitions and being a part of the NPKB team every year.”

Mya is the daughter of Sarah and Bill Bond and sister of Maddie Bond. Her favorite subjects are choir, sculpture and history. She participated in marching band, concert band, cross country, track, golf, chamber choir, show choir, Key Club, speech and musical. Honors include Gold Honor Roll, DMACC Dean’s List, Key Club Gold Standard Award, cross country second team all conference 2022-2024, cross country state participant 2022-2024 and all state show choir participant 2023-2025. She runs a small business, Made by Mya Crochet, sells at the farmers market, and manages her website. She also volunteers at RipRoar Youth Triathlons. After graduation, she plans to further her education at an undecided university.

Fall Festival Bazaar and Bake Sale

The Sheldahl United Women In Faith invite you to stop into the Sheldahl United Methodist Church, Sixth and Hubbell, Sheldahl, on Saturday, Oct. 11, 9 a.m. to noon. Homemade chicken and noodles, rugs, nuts, cards, baked goods and craft items will be for sale.

Drive-thru Cavatelli Lunch

This fundraiser will be held on Saturday, Oct. 18, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Elkhart Christian Church, 252 N.W. Washington Ave., Elkhart. Drive up, place your order, and the cavatelli is brought to your car for a freewill donation.

Bake Sale and Dinner

Come to the Polk City O.E.S. Chapter No. 361 Masonic Temple, 106 Third St., Polk City, on Saturday, Nov. 8, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a bake sale and dinner. Homemade mincemeat and apple butter nuts are featured. Dinner will be served at 11 a.m. Prices are $10 for adults, $5 for children 5-10, younger than 5 free. Carryout will be available.

Polk County Conservation events

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

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead): Saturday, Oct. 18, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Jester Park Nature Center, 12130 N.W. 128th St., Granger. Come and explore life cycles and learn about the Dia de los Muertos tradition. During this event, you will learn the history of the tradition, explore its numerous nature connections, and take part in themed crafts and activities. Two weeks leading up to the program to the day of, drop off a photo of a loved one who has passed away to add to the Nature Center ofrenda (alter). Photos can be retrieved up to one week after the program. Registration required by Thursday, Oct. 16.

Nature Center After Dark: Fall Spooktacular: Friday, Oct. 24, 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 time will include storytelling, crafts, open Nature Center exhibits, and a short program on the theme of the night. This October, feel free to come in costume. Free and all ages welcome.

Bats: Sunday, Oct. 26, 1-2 p.m., Sleepy Hollow Sports Park, 4051 Dean Ave., Des Moines. Are they blind? Do they really suck blood and turn into vampires? Come learn the truth about this “grossly" misunderstood animal. Learn how to deal with them when they become an unwanted houseguest and find out what you can do to help protect this beneficial species. Free and all ages welcome.

Polk City Community Library news

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

Block Party – LEGO Club: Monday, Oct.13, 3:45-4:45 p.m. Meets monthly for ages 8-16. Registration required at polkcitylibrary.org.

Comets Kids Club K-5th graders: Tuesday, Oct. 14, 4 p.m. This club meets each month for a fun, hands-on craft or activity. October craft is a Ghost in a Jar. Registration required.

Paint Just Like Bob Ross in One Night: Thursday, Oct. 16, 6 p.m. Discover your inner artist with our Bob Ross Certified Painting Class. Whether you're a seasoned painter or picking up a brush for the first time, this one-time, three-hour class offers a welcoming and supportive environment to explore the joy of painting. Ages 17 and older. Registration is required.

Monday Book Club: Oct. 20, 2 p.m. “The Choice” by Dr. Edith Eva Eger. At the age of 16, Edith Eger was sent to Auschwitz. Hours after her parents were killed, Nazi officer Dr. Josef Mengele forced Edie to dance for his amusement and her survival. Thirty-five years after the war ended, she returned to Auschwitz and was finally able to fully heal and forgive the one person she’d been unable to forgive — herself. Copies of the book are available for check-out at the library's front desk.

Area events

Email your event information to tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

Archives Across America: Unlocking Genealogy Resources
Saturday, Oct. 18, 9 a.m.
Iowa Genealogical Society Library, 628 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
The Iowa Genealogical Society will host this one-day conference at the IGS Library and via Zoom. Featured speaker Tina Beaird will present on the Library of Congress, the National Personnel Records Center, the U.S. National Archives, and Midwest repositories. Registration is $70 for members and $90 for non-members. Details at www.iowagenealogy.org.

Great Iowa Pet Expo
Oct. 18-19
2100 N.W. 100th St., Clive
www.greatiowapetexpo.com
The Expo has all things pet, including trade show, education and entertainment.

IMT Des Moines Marathon
Oct. 19
1001 Grand Ave., West Des Moines
www.desmoinesmarathon.com
Since 2002, the annual marathon has been taking participants on a run throughout Iowa’s Capital.

5th Annual Craft and Vendor Fair
Saturday, Oct. 18, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1100 S.E. Sharon Drive, Ankeny
The theme this year will be “Unexpected Treasures.” Come and look for that special gift for someone or treat yourself to a little special something from a variety of vendors. A new fun feature will be vendor-sponsored prize drawings throughout the event. Also, bring your appetite because lunch will be available for purchase. This event is sponsored by St. Paul’s LWML- Women in Mission and all proceeds from the rental space and food sales will go to support missions.

Vendor Market at Outlets of DSM
Saturday, Oct. 18, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Outlets of DSM, Suite 315 at 801 Bass Pro Drive N.W., Altoona
Each show has a variety of vendors from honey, to freeze-dried items, skin care, makeup, bath and body, 3D items, essential oils and a variety of crafters. Each event has different vendors. No two shows are the same. Come check out the vendors and buy local.

SCI’s Big Blast
Saturday, Oct. 18, 6-10 p.m.
Science Center of Iowa, 401 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, Des Moines
The Science Center of Iowa invites the community to step back in time for an unforgettable evening at its annual fundraising event. This year’s event marks a special milestone: 55 years since SCI first opened its doors. To celebrate, guests are encouraged to channel their inner early-1970s style, and join in a retro-themed celebration filled with food, flair, and science magic. The event will feature heavy hors d’oeuvres and desserts, hands-on science surprises, a curated silent auction, immersive programming and throwback nostalgia.

Proceeds from SCI’s BIG BLAST support hands-on science learning through outreach programs, exhibits, workshops and camps. Tickets and event details available at www.sciowa.org/bigblast.

A winning combo for kickoff

(Family Features) Cool air settling in and football games kicking off mean it’s time for tailgating, homegating and enjoying favorite snacks with your fellow fans.

Celebrate Popcorn Poppin’ Month this October with a combination of two favorite tailgate foods in this bacon cheeseburger popcorn recipe. It calls for a mixture of spices that mimic the cheeseburger experience along with hearty bacon and ground beef for a filling snack that gets you ready for kickoff.

Made by combining cheese popcorn and dill pickle popcorn with hamburger and bacon, along with a dash of spices, it’s a perfect game day recipe worth tackling to indulge your family’s and friends’ taste buds and elevate your tailgate experience.

Find more ways to enhance your tailgate or homegate with easy, popcorn-fueled snacks at Popcorn.org.

Bacon cheeseburger popcorn
Recipe courtesy of The Popcorn Board
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 3

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon mustard powder
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
6 slices bacon, diced
4 ounces ground beef
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/3 cup popcorn kernels (unpopped)
3 tablespoons cheese powder
1 tablespoon dill pickle powder
1 green onion, thinly sliced

Directions:

In small bowl, whisk mustard powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Set aside.
In large skillet over medium-low heat, cook bacon and ground beef 8-10 minutes, or until fat renders and mixture is golden brown and crispy. Transfer to plate lined with paper towels to drain. Reserve 2 tablespoons bacon fat.
In large, heavy-bottomed saucepan over high heat, combine vegetable oil and reserved bacon fat. Add popcorn kernels; stir to coat then spread in even layer. Cover with lid. Shaking saucepan, cook 2-4 minutes, or until popcorn starts to pop, then shake less frequently, at about 2-second intervals, until popping sounds have almost stopped. Remove from heat. Safely open lid.
Transfer half the popcorn to large bowl and toss with cheese powder. Toss popcorn in saucepan with dill pickle powder; transfer to large bowl of cheese popcorn. Add bacon mixture and reserved seasoning; toss to combine.
Garnish with green onion.
Tips: For beefy flavor, sprinkle popped popcorn with 1/4 teaspoon beef bouillon powder or steak spice, if desired.
For extra-cheesy popcorn, sprinkle popped popcorn with 1/2 cup shredded mild or sharp cheddar cheese.

In this month's issue of North Polk Living magazine:

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

Residents share their home renovation experiences

Live in a home for a while, and one is likely to start thinking, “If only….” If only the bathroom had a walk-in shower…. If only the kitchen had new cabinets.… If only the old flooring could be replaced.… If only the basement was finished…. If only a room could be added…. If only that longed-for home improvement project could be completed … then the house would be just right. Residents who have taken the leap from thinking about it to tackling their dream projects share their experiences.

[...]

Read the full digital issue

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