Aug. 19-25, 2025

This year, the Johnston Lions Club has been celebrating its first meeting of 39 charter members in the old high school gymnasium. That was on Jan. 29, 1945. To give this some perspective, let’s look at what was happening in the world 80 years ago. World War II was going on with the U.S. fighting in the Pacific with Emperor Hirohito and the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy. At the same time, the United States and its allies were fighting Adolf Hitler, the dictator of Nazi Germany.

The United States had survived the Great Depression, a severe worldwide economic spiral that had lasted for a decade. A war started in Europe when Nazis invaded Poland. The U.S. stayed out of the war until Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, Dec. 7, 1941. Germany and Italy then declared war on the U.S. and World War II began. 1945 brought the end of war, beginning with the Allied invasion of Normandy beaches in France and the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan.

During the Depression there was widespread joblessness and financial losses. The war brought unity to the country. People supported the troops in many ways. Sugar and rubber that grew in war-torn countries were rationed. Tires were scarce and driving was minimized. Women stepped up to do “men’s jobs.” Entertainment was provided by radio programs or movies. Television had not yet been invented. The first computer was built in 1945.

Possibly with all this history of the time, the charter members were motivated to roll up their sleeves and get busy. Ben Dewey, the Polk County Supervisor for northwest Polk County who lived in Johnston, had many projects that needed work, and his co-members were ready. This was 24 years before Johnston was incorporated as a city.

“We Serve” is the motto of Lions Club worldwide. After eighty years of serving the community, the Johnston Lions Club is looking forward to many more years of serving.

Cross country alumnae and family reunion

The Johnston Girls Cross Country program will host its first annual JHS Women's Alumnae and Family Reunion on Aug. 30 at the Dragon's Lair Championship Cross Country Course located at the Johnston High School Stadium, 6500 N.W. 100th St. All alumnae, family and friends of the program are welcome to join for breakfast and fellowship at the JHS Cafeteria following the awards ceremony at the Dragon Sunrise Invitational, set to take place at 9:30 a.m.

Johnston Lions Club bingo

Join the Johnston Lions Club for bingo with prizes on the second Thursday of September, October and November at the Lions Club, 6501 Merle Hay Road, Johnston. Dates are Sept. 11, Oct. 9 and Nov. 13, 6-8 p.m.

Sign up for the Johnston Police Officers Association Golf Outing

Dust off your clubs and get ready for the Second Annual Johnston Police Officers Association Golf Outing on Friday, Aug. 22 at Jester Park Golf Course. Register at https://birdease.com/32010. Shotgun Start is at 9 a.m., with a lunch and program, including a K9 presentation, at 1 p.m. A silent auction will be open throughout the event. Entry fees are $400 per team, $100 per person. Fees include green fees, cart, hat and lunch. Please note that space is limited to 144 golfers. Funds raised from this event will support equipment for the department and K9 Buck.

Farmers Market

Stop by Tuesdays for the 2025 Farmers Market at the Johnston Town Center, 6245 Merle Hay Road. The vendors will be open on the south side of the Town Center from 4-7 p.m.

Craft & Rummage Sale - An Ellipsis Boys Home Fundraiser

Join the Johnston Women’s Social Connection Craft & Rummage Sale on Thursday, Oct. 2 and Friday, Oct. 3, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Crown Point Community Center, 6300 Pioneer Parkway, Johnston. Browse handmade crafts and unique treasures while supporting a great cause.

Want to sell your own items? Reserve a table online at Johnston.RecDesk.com or call Johnston Parks & Recreation. Tables are $10 for both days, cash due on day one, and all proceeds are yours. No used clothing or shoes. All table fees will help purchase winter essentials for the Ellipsis boys’ home. Last year, 26 of 50 boys couldn’t go home for the holidays. Your support can help make a difference.

Yoga by the Lake

Enjoy a fun-filled summer of Yoga by the Lake. On Saturday mornings, you can relax and unwind at the Terra Lake Amphitheater, located at 6300 Pioneer Parkway. This free hour of outdoor yoga is from 8-9 a.m. IGNIT provides certified yoga instructor Natalie Henriksen for each session. Come and enjoy the benefits of yoga while taking in the beauty of nature. Register at http://www.cityofjohnston.com/1268/Yoga-by-the-Lake.

Johnston Community School Foundation Golf Outing

The public is invited to join the Johnston Community School Foundation for its 26th annual Golf Outing at Jester Park Golf Course on Friday, Sept. 5, at Jester Park Golf Course, 11949 N.W. 118th Ave., Granger. Check-in opens at 8 a.m., shotgun start at 9 a.m., and lunch provided at 1 p.m. Join as an individual golfer or arrange a team of four. The JCSF also welcomes local businesses as sponsors. The event supports JCSF's mission to fund grants to support classrooms and programs within the Johnston Community School District. Register online by Aug. 25 at www.wearejohnston.com/register-golf-outing. Email aprilwilson@jcsfoundation.org with any questions.

Help the Knights of Columbus support others in need

The weekend of Aug. 23-24, St. Mary of Nazareth Knights of Columbus will seek donations for their annual Tootsie Roll Drive for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities outside the Grimes Hy-Vee, 351 N.E. Gateway Drive, Grimes. Your donations help Iowa Special Olympics, plus Links Associates and MOSAIC, two local agencies that also help in many ways those with intellectual disabilities. Stop by on Aug. 23, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., or Sunday, Aug. 24 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Polk County Conservation events

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

• Story Tellebration: Wednesday, Aug. 20, 10-10:30 a.m. Jester Park Nature Center, 12130 N.W. 128th St., Granger. Join volunteer storyteller Carmen Epstein for a fun, interactive tale tailored toward children ages 2 to 6 that explores the wonders of the outdoors. During each program, participants enjoy interactive stories and an activity. Topic is: I Love Bugs.
• National Dog Day Hike: Tuesday, Aug. 26, 6:30-8 p.m., Fort Des Moines Park, Shelter 1, 7200 S.E. Fifth St., Des Moines. Dogs are human’s best friend for a reason, so why not celebrate them? Whether you like big dogs or small dogs, every pup should be celebrated on National Dog Day. Join us for a hike followed by some tasty treats for you and your four-legged friend. Registration required by Aug. 24.
• Stargazing. Saturday, Aug. 30, 8:30-10 p.m. Yellow Banks Park, Prairie View Shelter, 6801 S.E. 32nd Ave., Pleasant Hill. Meet our park naturalist at Yellow Banks Park for an evening of stargazing and moon-gazing. We'll start with a brief presentation about the moon's phases, mythology and fascinating facts. Then, we'll observe the full moon and constellations using telescopes and binoculars.
• Older, Wiser, Livelier, Seniors - Trees & Climate Change: Tuesday, Sept. 2, 11 a.m., Jester Park Nature Center, 12130 N.W. 128th St., Granger. Once upon a time, the Earth's climate changed at a glacial pace. Now, in the Holocene, aka the age of man, our climate is fluctuating widely and wildly with the undeniable, persistent and problematic trend of getting steadily hotter. In the olden days — like really, really olden prehistoric days — it took a millennium or more for the Earth's temperature to change by a degree in either direction, allowing plants multiple generations to evolve adaptations or "move" to more accommodating regions. But now, thanks to shifts in the atmosphere that have been sped up by human activity, temperatures are changing much faster than plants with long lifespans can adapt to. In this program, we will examine how climate change is affecting tree populations around the world and what conservationists are doing to try to stay a step ahead. We'll also learn how we can use trees to help combat climate change in our own backyards. 
• Toddler Tales: Thursday, Sept. 4, 10-10:30 a.m. and 11-11:30 a.m., Jester Park Nature Center, 12130 N.W. 128th St., Granger. Let your imagination run wild with this nature-themed story time. Hear a story followed by the naturalist’s choice of an activity such as an animal encounter, puppets or a craft. The theme for August is Monarch Butterflies. Ages 2 and up.

Johnston Public Library news

6700 Merle Hay Road, Johnston   |   www.johnstonlibrary.com   |   515-278-5233

As summer comes to a close, and the kids head back to school, the library has a wealth of resources and opportunities to support you.

• Mometrix eLibrary: This is a free online service that provides a wide range of study materials for test takers, including flashcards, practice tests and guides covering subjects from foundational education to specialized trades and advanced academic fields. Subject matter has been reviewed and abridged for quick, easy access to key concepts.
• Teen Advisory Board: This board meets on the third Tuesday of each month from 5-6 p.m. and is open to students in grades 6-12. During meetings, members suggest services, materials and programs that will make the library a better place for teens. Meetings also include social activities and snacks. Applications are available at the library and on our website.

• Retirement University: Social Security, Retirement Income & Tax Planning. At this workshop, presented by the Society of Financial Awareness, retired seniors or those nearing retirement can learn important financial information, including 2025 Social Security changes, accounts and investments that can reduce tax burden, and smart tax strategies for maximizing retirement income. This educational program will be offered twice: Wednesday, Aug. 20, and Thursday, Aug. 28, from 6:30–7:30 p.m. Register for the session of your choice.

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

HISTORY: Pioneer and Johnston partnership

By the Johnston (Station) Historical Society

Since Pioneer was created in 1926, it has owned land in Johnston. Pioneer’s first acquisition was 40 acres of farmland from the Ilo Browne Wallace inheritance. From time to time, additional land was added until Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. owned approximately 2,500 acres in and around the city of Johnston. Pioneer's holdings included parts of today's Urbandale, Des Moines and Grimes. A comparable way to understand the size of Pioneer's land holdings is that it covered the equivalent of three square miles. Of those larger holdings, approximately 1,000 acres were used for research and production.

For more than 50 years, "the land" was not only the foundation of Pioneer's seed research, but also the location of Pioneer Hy-Line chicken operation and some beef cattle production. In the 1970s, Pioneer management recognized that Johnston would one day become a part of metropolitan Des Moines. Pioneer further understood that most of their agricultural activities were not compatible with urbanization. Discussions consequently were held with Johnston to determine how Pioneer could use some of the land for seed research only.

Pioneer proposed moving Hy-Line to Dallas Center and taking the cattle to Rhodes. In return, Pioneer wanted to retain in the neighborhood of 500-plus acres primarily for seed research. The city approved. Speculation was that, because Pioneer had been a real resource for the city, Johnston wanted Pioneer to stay. Pioneer likewise wanted to stay. The land in Johnston between Beaver Creek and Merle Hay has a high sand content, higher than normal, making it tillable within a day or two after rain. Additionally, the quality of the soil is extremely rich. This piece of Johnston land can be likened to an outdoor greenhouse making it compatible for seed research.

In order to stay, Pioneer recognized that Johnston had two major problems that would need to be solved. First, Johnston had no facility to handle sewage (homes had septic tanks). Second, Johnston had no storm water management. All evidence indicates Pioneer understood these challenges. Dr. William Brown, Pioneer CEO at the time, said of the undertaking, "Pioneer does not intend to get into the real estate business but does intend to exert a strong influence on how this land is developed. We intend to remain concerned about the neighborhood we are in."

Pioneer founded Green Meadows, Ltd. to build a "partnership" with the city of Johnston that would invest in the future of both. The Pioneer corporate campus would become part of a larger office complex. A major piece of the land would be used for residential housing. Pioneer envisioned a planned community that would be built following a master plan. Notably, this undertaking became the first such development in the state of Iowa.

Sourced from historical documents, interviews of former Pioneer employees, Johnston government and business leaders.

Johnston Historical Society is a 501 ( c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to discovering, preserving and presenting the history of the Johnston, Iowa area. Founded in 1994, JHS maintains the 1902 Simpson House Museum at 6161 Northglenn Drive in Johnston. That museum is open for selected community events and by appointment. Please consider supporting the Society by becoming a supporter, a volunteer, a benefactor or making a donation of historical items.

Area events

Email your event information to tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

(Family Features) Stun your family and guests with a delicious dessert that is as easy to make as it is to eat. This no-bake French-style cheesecake with strawberries from Cookin’ Savvy is a perfect summer treat for sharing with your nearest and dearest, and you can swap out strawberries for any berry of choice to make it your own. Discover more dessert ideas and family meal inspiration by visiting Culinary.net.

French-style cheesecake with strawberries
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”

Ingredients:

• 1 row vanilla cream cookies, plus additional for topping
• 1/2 stick butter, melted
• 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup, plus 1 tablespoon, powdered sugar, divided
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 cups chopped strawberries, plus additional for topping
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar

Directions:

• Crush cookies and mix with melted butter. Place in bottom of 9-inch springform pan and pat down until smooth.

• With hand mixer, mix cream cheese and 1 cup powdered sugar.

• In separate bowl, using hand mixer, beat heavy whipping cream, sugar and vanilla until formed into whipped cream.

• Mix cream cheese and whipped cream. Mix remaining powdered sugar with chopped strawberries.

• Pour half cream cheese mixture on top of crust in prepared pan. Spread evenly with spoon. Pour strawberry mixture on top and spread evenly with spoon. Top with remaining cream cheese mixture and spread evenly with spoon.

• Refrigerate at least 3 hours, or overnight, before serving. Garnish with additional crushed cookies and strawberries.

• Tips: For thicker crush, double cookies and butter. Substitute desired berries for strawberries.

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