Nov. 29 - Dec. 5, 2024

The Polk City Kiwanis Club named Stockton Huether as one of its five Seniors of the Month for November.

“I am Stockton Huether, a senior at North Polk High School. I am involved in many school activities including cross country, marching band and speech. Outside of school, I enjoy fishing, gardening and watching movies. After high school, I will attend Iowa State University and study mechanical engineering.”

Stockton’s parents are Scott and Elizabeth Huether of Ankeny, and sibling is Frankie Huether. Stockton also participates in jazz band, tennis, school play and Environmental Club. He is a 2025 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist, 2024 AP Scholar with Honor and on the 2024 Gold Honor Roll. He is involved with Polk County Conservation.

Enjoy Breakfast with Santa Dec. 14

You are invited to a pancake breakfast with Santa on Dec. 14, 9-11 a.m., at The Wing at the Polk City United Methodist Church, 1421 W. Broadway St. Decorate cookies and visit with Santa. New this year is Santa’s Workshop. Children are invited to “shop” for and wrap Christmas gifts for their loved ones.

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.

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.
• Giving Tree: Blank Children’s Hospital, until Dec. 13. We are partnering with a Polk City second-grade Cub Scout troop to collect items for Blank Children’s Hospital Child Life Specialists. The most needed donations include: doll clothes (including Barbie), action figures, craft supplies, diamond paint art kits, bead bracelet kits, Paw Patrol toys, Little People toys, notebooks, card stock, copy paper, children’s underwear, solid colored T-shirts, solid colored sweat pants, and AA batteries. Unwrapped donations may be left under the tree in the library’s foyer.
• Adult Crafternoon: Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2 p.m. Join us for a relaxing crafting afternoon! We’ll have supplies for several different bookmark crafts, perfect for treating yourself or someone you care for. Ages 17 and older. Registration required.
• Wednesday Book Club: Wednesday, Dec. 4, 7 p.m. As much a part of Christmas as mistletoe and carolers, Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” was once read publicly on Christmas Eve each year by Dickens himself.
• Babble and Brew: Thursday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. Don’t let the cold weather get you down. Come on in to the library for some climate-controlled fun! We will have coffee for you and exciting, age-appropriate toys for the kiddos.
• Graphic Novel Book Club: Monday, Dec. 9, 4 p.m. Join us for an exciting Graphic Novel Book Club at the library. Kids in grades 4-7 can dive into the world of colorful stories, amazing characters and thrilling adventures. Each month, we'll read a different graphic novel and discuss the art, plot and our favorite moments. Whether you're a comic book expert or new to graphic novels, everyone is welcome to join the fun. December book is “The Dragonet Prophecy” (Wings of Fire: Book No. 1). Registration required.

Area events

Email your event information to tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

Des Moines Community Orchestra concerts
The Des Moines Community Orchestra has announced its concert dates for the 2024/2025 concert season. Admission is free. Concerts start at 2 p.m. with pre-concert talks at 1 p.m. For more information, visit desmoinescommunityorchestra.org. Concerts are:
• Sunday, Dec. 8, Celebrate & Sing Handel’s Messiah, Grace United Methodist Church.
• Sunday, Feb. 23, Winter Concert and Past Audience Favorites, Sheslow Auditorium.
• Sunday, May 11, Spring Concert, Carl’s Favorite Finales, Sheslow Auditorium.

Hoyt Sherman Place shows
1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines
hoytsherman.org
• Dec. 5: Christmas with Lorie Line at 7 p.m.
• Dec. 22: In the Christmas Mood with the Glenn Miller Orchestra at 7 p.m.

Jingle in the Junction
Dec. 5, Dec. 12, Dec. 19, 5-8 p.m.
Valley Junction
The holiday season is in Valley Junction as many businesses extend their hours on Thursday nights to give you more time to find the perfect holiday gift, enjoy dinner, and enjoy three blocks of free entertainment on 5th Street under the glow of more than 100,000 holiday lights. Enjoy free horse-drawn trolley rides, ice carvings, photo op, a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m. in front of the West Des Moines Fire Administration Headquarters at 318 Fifth St, rotating entertainers, live reindeer, carolers, and Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Historic Valley Junction Foundation office from 6-8 p.m.

Home for the Holidays 
Saturday, Dec. 7, 1-3 p.m.
Jordan House Museum, 2001 Fuller Road, and Bennett School Museum,
4001 Fuller Road, West Des Moines
Admire the beautiful and unique decorations at the historic Jordan House Museum, vote on your favorite theme and have fun with family-friendly crafts at the Bennett School Museum. Both museums will be open for tours from 1-3 p.m. with special holiday fun for all. Tickets available the day of, or reserve your tickets at https://westdesmoineshistoricalsociety.ticketspice.com/home-for-the-holidays.

Holiday Promenade
Through Dec. 20
Historic East Village
The Greater Des Moines Partnership and the Historic East Village Neighborhood Association will spread holiday cheer during the Holiday Promenade, an exciting, free celebration full of holiday-themed activities, entertainment, shopping and family-friendly fun. A number of activities will be scheduled throughout the five Fridays including tree lighting, a scavenger hunt, ice skating and more.  During the Holiday Promenade dates, Historic East Village retailers are encouraged to remain open until 8 p.m. while restaurants and attractions are open later. 

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

Christmas Open House
Sundays, Dec. 1 and Dec. 8, 2-4 p.m.
Olmsted-Urban House, 4010 70th St., Urbandale
Enjoy a Christmas Open House at the Urbandale Historical Society’s Olmsted/ Urban House. A variety of activities will be held at the decorated house both Sundays.

Light Up Polk City
Dec. 6 from 6-8 p.m.
Polk City town square
This event, hosted by Go Polk City and Polk City Parks & Recreation, is sure to get you in the holiday spirit. Watch as town square is illuminated with holiday cheer. Enjoy horse-drawn sleigh rides, holiday music, seasonal eats and drinks, fire pits for keeping warm and s’mores.  You’ll also have the chance to talk with Santa and let him know if you’ve been good this year.  Other special winter guests will be in attendance as well. 

Holiday Ho Ho Home Tour
Dec. 7, 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Around Ankeny
Tour several Ankeny homes decked out for the holidays. Each features its own unique decorations, style and appetizers. All donations benefit the Wiedenman Family Foundation, wch was formed to undertake projects that will enhance Ankeny and the surrounding community. Tickets are $25. For tickets, visit www.hohohometour.org/event-details/tickets.
 
Christkindlmarket
Dec. 5-8
Principal Park, 1 Line Drive, Des Moines
Christkindlmarket features regional vendors selling old-world, hand-crafted products from wooden vendor stalls, lively performances of polka music, traditional dance and choirs in Yuletide Hall; children's activities; Glühwein (warm, mulled wine) and European beer. www.christkindlmarketdsm.com
 
Family Christmas at Living History Farms
Saturday, Dec. 7, noon to 3 p.m.
11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale
Hear the sounds, see the sights, and smell the smells of a 19th-century Christmas.
Enjoy carolers, old fashioned demonstration, a craft, stories, and a visit with old St. Nick. Tickets are $9 for ages 2 and up ($8 for members). Buildings are heated. Bundle up for wagon rides. Tickets are available at https://marketplace.lhf.org/Events.aspx. www.lhf.org

Central Iowa Wind Ensemble
Dec. 15, 3 p.m.
Staplin Performing Arts Center at Valley High School, 3650 Woodland Ave., West Des Moines
The Central Iowa Wind Ensemble (CIWE) welcomes audiences to its new performance home for a heartwarming holiday concert. In addition to celebrating the season through music, CIWE is honored to partner with the Boys and Girls Club of Central Iowa to bring the joy of music to youth across the community. For tickets, visit www.ciwe.org/deck-the-halls-dsm.

(Family Features) Once your holiday feast comes to pass, you’re almost certain to find your refrigerator stuffed with leftovers. However, that doesn’t mean you want to eat the same meal again and again in the days that follow.

The star of many seasonal celebrations, turkey can be reused in a variety of post-holiday dishes to cut down on food waste and create fresh new meals your whole family can enjoy. Featuring a unique blend of 100% natural chili peppers, lime and sea salt, Tajín pairs perfectly with turkey, making it a go-to for creative leftovers.

Leftover Holiday Biscuit Pot Pie

Recipe courtesy of Bob Evans
Total time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4

Biscuits:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  2 teaspoons baking powder
  2 1/2 teaspoons sugar
  1/4 teaspoon salt
  2 teaspoons cream of tartar
  1/2 cup cold unsalted butter
  2/3 cup buttermilk
  1 tablespoon butter, melted

Turkey Pot Pie Filling:

• 1/2 cup turkey fat
• 1 1/2 cups diced onion
• 1 1/2 cups diced carrots
• 1 1/2 cups diced celery
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon chopped thyme
• 1 tablespoon diamond crystal coarse salt
• 1 tablespoon coarse black pepper
• 1 cup all-purpose flour, divided
• 8 cups cold turkey stock
• Tajín Clasico Seasoning, to taste (about 1 tablespoon)
• 6 cups leftover cooked turkey, chopped

To make biscuits:

• Heat oven 375°F.

• Prepare muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray.

• Cut each hot dog into six pieces.

• In large bowl, whisk flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt and baking powder.

• In medium bowl, whisk melted butter, milk, sour cream and eggs. Combine butter mixture with flour mixture.

• Fill each muffin cavity halfway with batter. Place one hot dog piece in center of each cavity.

• Bake 14-16 minutes. Cool completely.

• To make dipping sauce: In small bowl, stir sour cream, mustard and honey. Serve with corn dogs.

• Preheat oven to 375 F.
• Heat large pot over high heat and add turkey fat.
• Add onions, carrots, celery, bay leaf, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper; gently sweat.
• Add 1/2 cup flour and cook 2-3 minutes.
• Add turkey stock 2 cups at a time, allowing to thicken before adding more.
• In bowl, mix remaining flour with turkey.
• Add turkey pot, bring to simmer until thickened.
• Add seasoning, to taste.
• Add pot pie filling to casserole dish and gently place biscuits closely together on top.
• Brush biscuits with melted butter and bake 25-30 minutes.
• Remove from oven and cool 10-15 minutes before serving.

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