Darby Brincks

Smart Strategies for Summer

May 1, 2021 by Darby Brincks

Warmer weather signals the arrival of summer, and with it comes many reasons to celebrate! But often good weather also brings on some of the most tempting eats and drinks around—ice cream, blended coffee beverages, and potato and pasta salads galore, just to name a few.

Hy-Vee Registered Dietitian Erin Good shares her top three warm-weather tips to help you make the healthy choice an easy choice this summer. Your taste buds and waistline will thank you!

1. Grill something new and seasonal, like stone fruits. Stone fruits include apricots, peaches, nectarines and plums. Simply cut in half and remove pit; grill on medium heat cut-side down, flip once; and remove from grill after five minutes, or when fruit is softened and just charred. Enjoy for dessert, or add to a green or grain salad!

2. Hydrate happier at the pool or baseball game. Plan ahead and make your own fruit-infused waters. Your beverage will not only look delicious, but it’ll taste refreshing while keeping you hydrated. Simply combine thinly sliced strawberries and lemon slices with cold water or try cilantro, lime wedges and watermelon cubes in sparkling water served over crushed ice.

Infused detox water with watermelon, mint and blueberry. Ice cold summer cocktail or lemonade in glass mason jar

3. Plan a picnic everyone can enjoy. Swap potatoes with cauliflower and mayonnaise for plain Greek yogurt to save some serious calories and carbohydrates. Be sure to make extra, as I guarantee this side dish is sure to be popular!

Cauliflower “Potato” Salad
Serves: 5

All you need:
1 lb cauliflower florets, chopped into ½ inch pieces, steamed and cooled
6 hard-boiled Hy-Vee large eggs, peeled and sliced
¼ cup dill pickle, finely chopped (or sub Hy-Vee dill relish)
1 medium celery stalk, finely chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
¼ cup red onion, chopped
½ cup Hy-Vee nonfat plain Greek yogurt
1 tsp Hy-Vee Dijon mustard
1 ½ tsp dried dill
1 Tbsp pickle juice (or sub dill relish liquid)
Paprika for garnish

All you do:

Add cauliflower and eggs in a large bowl. Add pickle, celery, 1/4 teaspoon salt, pepper and red onion.
In a small bowl, combine yogurt, mustard, dill, pickle juice and a pinch of salt and pepper.
Pour yogurt mixture over the cauliflower; toss gently to coat. Garnish with paprika. Serve chilled.

Nutrition Facts per serving: 113 calories, 6 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 320 mg sodium, 3 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 11 g protein

Connect virtually with Erin at hy-vee.com/health and follow her on Hy-Vee’s Healthy You series on HSTV.com – for weekly meal and snack inspiration.

Erin Good, RD, LD
Hy-Vee Inc., Registered Dietitian
egood@hy-vee.com

A Cut Above: Old Station Craft Meats

May 1, 2021 by Darby Brincks

Many of us found ourselves cooking at home more often as a consequence of spending more time there during the pandemic. Whether it’s trying out new recipes, or just throwing meat and veggies on the grill, cooking more of our own meals has become not just a necessity for many of us, but a real source of enjoyment. And Old Station Craft Meats, located on the historic Downtown Triangle in Waukee, aims to contribute to the success—and tastiness—of your next barbecue.

Old Station co-owner Nick Lenters comes by his passion for meat honestly. Born and raised on a third-generation farm in Sioux Center, Iowa, where his brother (and fellow co-owner) Adam still lives and raises cattle, the brothers were exposed to the meat industry from a young age. “We’ve always gotten all of our meat directly from the farm. It’s the way we grew up,” said Lenters. “You bought a whole animal directly from the farmer and put it in the freezer.”

As adults, the brothers began buying and owning cows together as a hobby, and a few years ago, they began to entertain the idea of opening their own butcher shop. After throwing the idea out to family and friends, it was Lenters’ dad who finally “pushed me off the fence,” he explained.

His dad challenged him to reach out to people in the butcher industry—at least one person in the following two weeks. Predictably, that person referred Lenters to another person, and so on, until Lenters had eventually accumulated a “network of people who kind of filled in all the gaps for me,” he said. Inspired by whole animal butcheries in the Denver area—places “that kind of hailed back to the old, traditional butcher shop,” according to Lenters—the brothers began to move in that direction themselves.

When it came time to find space to house their venture, Lenters, who’s lived in Waukee for 18 years, says his community stood out. The brothers looked at other areas in the metro and different demographics, but Waukee’s progressive community made it a good choice. “We figured if this concept was going to work, it would work in a place like Waukee,” he said.

Initially looking for space to rent, the brothers stumbled across a building for sale at 450 6th Street that seemed to be the perfect fit. “I like the building because it’s a 100-year-old building, and we’re doing a business that’s kind of a lost craft,” he said. “The building fits really well for what we’re doing now.”

Despite the onset of the pandemic, the brothers pushed forward with their plans to open. “My dad asked me, ‘Are you still moving forward with this?’” said Lenters, referring to the timing. His response? “Yes, we are.” True to their word, Old Station Craft Meats opened this past December.

The shop focuses on whole animal butchery, a butcher experience more akin to how things were done 100 years ago than the experience you’d get at a big box store today. “A long time ago, when most communities had their own butcher, they’d bring in a live animal or a carcass to that butcher, and the butcher would break down the animal and sell it,” explained Lenters. “Whole animal butchery means that when I bring in a lamb, I get a whole lamb carcass. It doesn’t have organs or the hide anymore, but it still looks like a lamb.”

Butchers at Old Station then break down the carcass. “You’ll see us processing the whole animal” if you stop in, said Lenters. “We’re taking it down to the component parts.”

While Old Station does still bring in some boxed meat, the shop focuses on whole, single-sourced animals where possible. “When you go to the grocery store and buy ground beef, it could be from multiple animals. Our ground beef is all from a single cow,” said Lenters.

Old Station partners with local producers and processors to source their meat, enabling them to “support local lockers and give them a fair price, based on the quality of their product,” said Lenters. All of Old Station’s meat—beef, pork, and lamb—comes from Iowa, and as close to Des Moines as possible, with the exception of poultry, which is difficult to source locally, according to Lenters.

Proper feeding programs and humane animal care also factor into the raising of the meat. For example, pork and poultry, specifically, are antibiotic-free.

Their whole animal philosophy extends to the sale of the meat as well. “We try to use the whole animal. We try to market the whole animal and celebrate the life of the animal,” explained Lenters. Old Station doesn’t just sell animal meat, but organs as well, including liver, heart, tongue and even the bones. “Sometimes we’ve made our own bone broth and sold that, and our own beef tallow,” said Lenters.

The most important aspect of their business, he said, is the transparency involved throughout the process of getting the meat from the farmer who raised it to the customer who’s purchasing it—something that’s become increasingly important to consumers over the last few years. “We know all of the people involved—I talk to all of them on a regular basis,” said Lenters. Want to know the provenance of the pig whose meat will make up tonight’s pulled pork sliders? “I can give you the address of where the animal came from, and you can go talk to the farmer,” he explained.

Those relationships with farmers enable the staff at Old Station to better advise their customers on not only product quality, but the production process itself. Grass-fed meat, for example, will taste different from grain-fed meat. “What you feed your animals can determine how they taste,” said Lenters. “If you’re looking for a more health-conscious product, grass-fed may be the way to go. However, the trade-off is in flavor. I can explain that to the consumer.”

That background knowledge can push customers to try new things. Lenters cites lamb as an example, noting that most lamb in restaurants or big box stores comes from New Zealand or Australia, where its diet contains significant roughage and makes for a much gamier flavor than lamb raised here. “The lamb we sell, people are surprised at how similar it is to ground beef,” said Lenters.

Old Station can not only provide you with the meat for your grill, but with the actual grill itself—a product of Lenters’ past frustration with having to visit multiple locations to buy different components for the grilling experience. “I wondered, ‘Why is all this stuff not just in the same store?’” he said. In addition to being a Big Green Egg dealer, Old Station also sells charcoal and smoking wood, as well as locally-sourced beer and wine. They also look to cross-market with other local businesses whenever they can. For example, Old Station’s beer brats are made with beer from Barn Town Brewing, just a couple miles away. “We’re always looking to lift up other local businesses,” he said.

What’s next at Old Station? “We’re very near going into goats,” said Lenters, adding that goat meat may be tested out this summer. “It’s very difficult to find high-quality goat meat, but based on our diverse population, I believe goat meat can be very successful here.”

Despite the ongoing pandemic, Lenters said that Old Station’s whole animal focus insulates it in large part from the meat shortages many grocery stores faced months ago. “If we were to have another pandemic, I can continue to get beef,” he said. “I’m processing it myself. I’m not dependent on big processing plants.”

Pandemic or not, Old Station Craft Meats’ dedication to providing high-quality, locally-sourced meat—and supporting local producers in the process—sets it apart. Lenters notes that customers are “paying to support the local economy, and also paying for improved land stewardship. When you support small, local producers, they want to continue to have their farm be productive, so they’re taking care of the land and the animals.”

That level of care translates to the customer experience at Old Station, as well. “We try to make it an experience for you when you come in,” said Lenters. “We really want to engage every one of our customers and help them with their selection. I want them to think, ‘Wow, I learned something today,’ or ‘I’ve got a new idea about what I want to eat or how I want to prepare it.’”

Above all, Lenters said he wants every customer to walk away satisfied. “I like the customer engagement piece of it. That’s where I find my pride—when people say they had a great experience.”

Waukee Chamber Annual Meeting & Silent Auction

March 1, 2021 by Darby Brincks

The Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce 2021Annual Meeting was held virtually on Thursday, Feb. 18. Our guests enjoyed Zoom networking, presentations from Chamber leadership, award recognition and keynote speakers Beth Shelton and Jacob Repp.

The Chamber presented the following awards, recognizing members making a significant contribution in business and community involvement: Citizen of the Year – Reggie Bell; Member of the Year – Waukee Area Christian Services; and Volunteer of the Year – Gina Campos. Outgoing Board recognition included Blake Brown, Sam Huey, Gary Wiedenfeld and Ray Meister. A gavel plaque was presented to 2020 Board Chair, Bob Baumgart.

Thanks to all sponsors, members and community residents who helped us celebrate! We truly appreciate our Waukee Chamber Community Development Committee, Board of Directors, staff, intern and volunteers who helped with the auction and annual meeting details!

Member of the Year | Waukee Area Christian Services | Melissa Stimple

Waukee Legislative Coffee
The Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce will welcome Waukee State Senator Sarah Trone Garriott and State Representative Kenan Judge to speak with Waukee residents, Chamber members and guests at the Waukee Legislative Coffee via Zoom on Saturday, March 6 at 9:00 a.m. An update will be provided about what is happening at the state level and guests will have the opportunity to ask questions. The Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce is a non-partisan organization, and is hosting this event as a service to our members and the community.

Waukee Chamber Save-the-Dates

June 17: Annual Golf Outing

Sept 9: Waukee Economic Development Bus Tour

Nov 7-13: Waukee Restaurant Week – To Go!

The Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce is an association of businesses, organizations and individuals dedicated to promoting growth and prosperity in our local economy.

www.waukeechamber.com

New Waukee Library App

March 1, 2021 by Darby Brincks

The Waukee Public Library is excited to announce the availability of its new mobile app. Available on iOS and Android, this app makes it easy to use the library even when you’re not in the library. You can browse the collection, place holds, access your account, learn about events and services, access online resources, and store your library card number for easy access.

The new mobile app provides library patrons with a new way to access the library and enhances the user experience by making it more convenient. If you are interested in downloading the Waukee Public Library’s new app, search for Waukee Public Library in your app store today. If you need assistance downloading the app, please contact the library at (515) 978-7944 and a staff member will be happy to guide you through the process.

Dial-a-Story

Dial-a-Story is here! The Waukee Public Library is bringing story time straight to your home at a time that’s convenient for you and your family.

Simply call the new Dial-a-Story phone line at (515) 981-7800 any time to listen to a children’s story. Anyone can use this new service—whether or not they have library cards—so kids can hear stories read aloud.

The books featured on the Dial-a-Story line are selected from our collection and read aloud by library staff. New selections will be recorded twice each month for infants through elementary aged students.

Listening to stories has many literacy benefits, including vocabulary development, increased focus and attention span, and imagination skills. Kids may want to draw or color while listening, or just sit back and enjoy this screen-free story option.

If you find a story you love, feel free to place a hold on a print copy through the library catalog. You can find the current Dial-a-Story list of books on our website at waukeepubliclibrary.org/dial-story.

To find out more about the Waukee Public Library, go to waukeepubliclibrary.org or contact us at askme@waukee.org or (515) 978-7944.

Your Voice Matters: Waukee’s Work with Equity

March 1, 2021 by Darby Brincks

Your voice matters. At Waukee Community School District, staff, students and families come together to make this a reality and help further the important work around equity.

Background & Development
What started in 2019 as a group of teachers discussing equity and the importance of student voice has grown into the Student Equity Team, made up of staff, administration, students and families. The team met in the summer of 2020 to listen and learn with one another, and to engage with different voices around

the topics of diversity, equity and identity. Out of these important and ongoing conversations, the district’s Equity Standards were born.

The Waukee Equity Standards are a set of anchor standards and age-appropriate learning outcomes divided into four domains: identity, diversity, justice and action. The standards provide a common language and organizational structure to reduce prejudice and advocate collective action. In today’s world, these are essential skills and lifelong pursuits for all humans.

Teachers will use the standards to guide classroom discussions and learning opportunities, making our schools more equitable. The standards are modified from the “Learning for Justice” Social Justice standards, and they’re designed to be integrated into any K-12 classroom across the district, despite the content area or grade level, and not tied only to humanities or social sciences.

Incorporating the Work
There are several pieces to implementing the Equity Standards throughout our district’s K-12 classrooms, and one of those pieces is staff learning. Much of the district-level professional development for our teaching staff during the 2020-2021 school year has been focused on equity and how to incorporate the equity standards into content and core curriculum.

During the December professional development session, teachers heard from guest speaker Dr. Gholdy Muhammad, a Black Muslim educator and Associate Professor of Language and Literacy at Georgia State University. Dr. Muhammad wrote the book “Cultivating Genius: An Equity Framework for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy.”

Dr. Muhammad spoke to teachers about practical approaches to incorporating equity into student learning. Part of this practical approach includes helping students to see themselves within their learning by using real-world examples that are relevant and relatable, such as music, art, poetry and entertainment from present-day popular culture.

Another piece to implementing the Waukee Equity Standards is engaging with student and community voices. Dr. Lindsay Law, WCSD Director of Student Equity, has been involved in initiating many of these conversations and opportunities to engage with students and families through virtual roundtables where teachers, administrators and families are invited into discussions to listen and learn together. These conversations, and many more like them, continue to lead us forward on this equity journey.

The Path Forward
Around the district, we see many examples of teachers, leaders and students engaging in the important conversations and learning that lead to growth and progress with equity. When asked about future goals and the path forward, Dr. Law said this work is an ongoing pursuit—one that leads to understanding, acceptance and a culture of dignity and belonging.

“We look at these standards as not having an endpoint, not something we would measure,” said Dr. Law. “Dr. Muhammad talks about how we approach these standards as life-long pursuits, as skills we will develop for life. It’s an active part of how we approach student learning. If we honor students as individuals and support the development of healthy identities, we are contributing to the social-emotional well-being of our students. These humanizing practices co-create a culture of belonging and togetherness in our schools and community.”

Waukee Community School District is committed to providing an equitable education for all students. We believe students should feel and be welcomed, connected and supported in our schools and community.

Your voice matters in our collective movement toward equity, anti-racism and building inclusive environments.

Warrior Lane Improvements

March 1, 2021 by Darby Brincks

In 2021, the City will work on Warrior Lane improvements to remedy traffic congestion at the five-way stop. Upgrades in the Warrior Lane area began in 2020 with a complete makeover of the Waukee Public Library’s stormwater management system, parking lot and driveways. This spring and summer, construction will take place on Warrior Lane from the library to SE Marshall Drive.

“The five-way intersection does experience delays and backups, particularly during school drop-off and dismissal times,” said Waukee Assistant Public Works Director of Engineering Sara Kappos. “Growth within the school district and new development in surrounding areas have added to traffic congestion. The construction of a roundabout will make this intersection more efficient by eliminating one leg of the intersection as well as the need for traffic to stop when it isn’t necessary.”

That’s right—a roundabout. It’s a feature that has been known to draw some opposition. However, a lot of studies, engineering and planning were factored into this decision.

“More than a decade ago, the City began purchasing adjacent homes as they became available in preparation for future improvements to South Warrior Lane. Our team began studying the five-way intersection and South Warrior Lane in late 2018,” said Shive-Hattery Civil Engineer Nate Hardisty. “We collected traffic counts and patterns and produced traffic simulation models from the data. Different improvements options were tested and compared with the selected one-lane roundabout, proving it to be safer and more efficient.”

“Yes, Waukee drivers are used to stop signs and traffic signals,” said Hardisty, “but this particular roundabout should make for an easy transition as there is only one lane in any given direction. Drivers will not have to navigate the roundabout with vehicles directly next to them.”

It’s also set up to be safer for pedestrians than a typical stop sign- or traffic signal-controlled intersection. “For pedestrians crossing an intersection with a traffic signal, they must cross at least one traffic lane in each direction in addition to turn lanes,” said Hardisty. “The typical crossing of a signalized intersection by a pedestrian is four to five times longer with more potential vehicle conflict points than that of this roundabout.”

Federal Highway Administration studies and others show a large reduction of crashes, particularly injury-related crashes, at roundabouts. “With these improvements in place, pedestrians will cross only one lane of traffic at a time before reaching a landing zone, meaning they only need to watch for vehicles coming from one direction at a time,” added Kappos.

What to Expect in Upcoming Months

To create the roundabout, Northview Drive will be disconnected from the existing Warrior Lane and Ashworth Drive intersection and will be connected to Ashworth Drive 300 feet to the west. This will help keep through traffic off residential Northview Drive.

The five-way stop intersection will close completely following the end of the Waukee Community School District academic year. The new project is anticipated to be completed before school begins in the fall of 2021. Updates regarding news about partial spring closures will be shared on the City’s website and other news resources.

As early as March, Warrior Lane will close from the south side of the five-way intersection to Waukee Middle School. The Bel Aire Drive/Warrior Lane intersection will also close during that time. The Waukee Middle School driveways will not be impacted; however, traffic will need to approach the school from the south and depart by heading south, as well. Detour and alert signs will be posted.

Construction costs are approximately $3.2 million. The project is funded in part by $1.7 million in grants from the Iowa Department of Transportation.

Visit waukee.org/projectupdates to follow construction updates on this and all City of Waukee public improvement projects.

Faces of Waukee : Gray Fredericks

March 1, 2021 by Darby Brincks

Where did you grow up?
I was born in New Haven, Connecticut, but I spent most of my formative years between Anaheim, California, and Grand Prairie, Texas.

Tell us a bit about Waukee Christian Church.
Waukee Christian Church (WCC) is a congregation organized under the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denomination. As a smaller congregation, a visitor can expect warm welcomes from everyone they meet and opportunities for involvement and volunteerism in the local community. We are the hands and feet of Christ, and we seek to serve Waukee as such.

When did you find your calling?
I found myself volunteering in a church in 2014 supporting Family Promise, a Colorado Springs-based charity that assists homeless families. One thing led to another, and I was asked to begin leading and teaching in the congregation. Then, when I wrapped up my Bachelor’s degree, I applied to Lexington Theological Seminary and was accepted.

So much of the church-going experience is centered on gathering together.

How has WCC adapted during this pandemic?
At first, we closed down entirely. But then we got creative and taped off pews, made gathering-limit rules, began holding outdoor services, etc. But as Fall approached last year, and things got really bad here in Iowa, we moved to an all-digital platform. We had to learn a lot on the way, but eventually, we were able to create a worship service of which we’re all very proud. We even do Sunday school classes online now! We understand caution in a global pandemic is not a failure of faith, but an opportunity to meet God in creative ways.

Some of our neighbors need help now more than ever. Would WCC like to call attention to any particular forms of community outreach?
We partner with Waukee Area Christian Services to ensure our neighbors are fed. This past winter, we donated several hundred pounds of food to the food bank as a Christmas offering. We also regularly gather hats, gloves and mittens for local Waukee students who might find themselves without what they need to keep warm. The work of Justice cannot be done through words alone; we strive to represent Christ’s radical generosity and concern for those marginalized people with whom we share space. Action, we believe, is the most sincere form of prayer.

Any big plans for Easter?
COVID remains one of those uncertainties in our congregational life. We hope to do something special for the kids, maybe an Easter egg hunt or some outdoor crafts, but if it risks their health and safety, it wouldn’t be worth it. Throughout the pandemic, our incredible Sunday School team (Shari Burgus, Janelle Taylor and Holly Showalter) have found creative solutions to reach kids from a distance. Each week they prepare a Sunday School kit with games, snacks and important spiritual lessons that the kids can reflect on throughout the week. If we cannot meet by Easter, I have no doubt our Sunday school team will make it something amazing for the kids.

How can our readers learn more about Waukee Christian Church?
Visit WaukeChristianchurch.com or check us out on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube. If you have any questions about our programs or want to know more about how you can serve your community, please email us at waukeechristianchurch@msn.com.

Three Ways to Fix Healthy Eating Slip-Ups

March 1, 2021 by Darby Brincks

It shouldn’t be a shock that we nutrition experts don’t always follow our own advice for healthy eating. After all, we’re only human. We lead busy lives, don’t always have time to cook, and we give into temptation, even when it comes to food. Despite that, we ultimately follow two important guidelines: everything in moderation, and get back on track ASAP.

Here are three ways I fix healthy eating slip-ups.

SLIP: Eating in front of screens.
FIX: Eat at the dinner table. Distracted eating often leads to overeating or feeling less satisfied. Step away from the computer screen or cell phone, and avoid standing up in the kitchen to eat your meal. Use a chair, plate and fork for best results.

SLIP: Not hydrating properly.
FIX: Hydrate regularly with water throughout the entire day. Take a reusable water bottle with you, just as you would your wallet. Take notice, are you more likely to drink ice-cold water vs. room-temperature? Remember, we often confuse dehydration for hunger. Also, don’t forget to check your urine color for extra feedback and accountability.

SLIP: Getting overwhelmed by meal prep.
FIX: Focus on a well-stocked pantry and kitchen. Spring-clean your diet and kitchen pantry while leaving the heavy comfort foods behind! Let your Hy-Vee dietitian take meal planning off your plate with our four-week menu program, Healthy Habits. This menu program outlines what to eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, and comes with an easy-to-follow grocery list.

Connect virtually with Erin today or follow her on Hy-Vee’s YouTube Channel – Hy-Vee Healthy You – for weekly meal inspiration at www.youtube.com/hyvee

Erin Good, RD, LD
Hy-Vee Inc., Registered Dietitian
egood@hy-vee.com

Everything Spring

March 1, 2021 by Darby Brincks

This winter has been brutal. At the time of writing, the temperature was below zero, with no immediate relief in sight. But spring will be here soon, believe it or not, and with it will come warmer temps, sunnier days and the chance to be outside once again. Whether you’re looking to spruce up your outdoor space or in the market for outdoor recreation, there’s plenty to look forward to this spring!

Home Improvement
Spring cleaning isn’t just for your house—it should extend to your landscaping, as well. If fall and winter were challenging for your lawn, it might be time to think about installing sod. Spring is the busiest season for sod installation, says Abby Stensland of Stensland Sod in Granger. “It’s a great time to lay sod, since the temperatures aren’t that hot and there’s more rain, which means less watering for the homeowner or builder,” she explained.

Sod is often installed for new construction, but it can also be a great option for established lawns that are in need of a little TLC. Stensland says some homeowners have particular trouble spots in their yards that can benefit from being replaced, such as areas damaged by pets or snow plows. You can even replace your entire lawn if needed. “We’ve torn out yards that have been killed for various reasons and replaced them completely,” said Stensland.

Another way to jazz up your outdoor space is to plant a garden, and you’d be in good company if you did. Tara Dudley, owner of Plant Life Designs in Van Meter, says 2020 brought a big increase in the number of first-time gardeners. “We discovered this past year gave people more time to explore the beauty and benefits of gardening,” said Dudley. “The pandemic seemed to push our clients to move forward with projects they had been thinking about in the past and had always wanted to do.”

Looking to make some basic updates to your outdoor space? Dudley recommends starting with a deep-clean of any existing flower beds and some rejuvenation pruning of woodier shrubs if necessary. (This involves cutting back the shrub by two-thirds). Once you’ve cleaned up your beds, adding in plant material, such as groundcovers, grasses or perennials, will help with weed suppression and provide color. “We also recommend expanding your bedlines to create some depth and to accentuate your house a bit more,” said Dudley. “This usually just requires a bit of sweat equity!”

Container gardens can also be a great way to add color to patio spaces and garden beds, says Dudley. “A fresh coat of mulch can also do wonders in the spring when you’ve cleaned everything up,” she added. Plus, a little planning can set you up for even greater success next spring. “Planting bulbs in the fall can ensure early spring color,” explained Dudley.

Recreation
Once you’ve put in the work on your lawn and garden, it’s time to unwind, and one way to do that is on your bike! If you dusted off your old Schwinn last summer, you’re not alone, says Dave Hammer, manager at Kyle’s Bikes in Waukee.

“We’re seeing our first bike boom of this century,” said Hammer. The store had its best spring on record in 2020. However, since most bicycles, parts and accessories are produced in Asian countries, the industry as a whole has faced shortages for months, which continues to affect inventory. Hammer cautions that the bike industry is looking at an 18-month recovery period before there will be normalcy in terms of production and availability.

If you’re thinking about doing some biking, you’ll need more than just your bike, of course. “We ask every customer that purchases a bike from us to have a quality bike helmet, and that it not be any older than five years old,” said Hammer. Other things to consider purchasing, according to Hammer, are a water bottle and cage—essential during Iowa’s hot, humid summers—and a repair kit. If you’ll be doing any night riding, you’ll want to think about lights for your bike, too. New riders should also consider bike-specific clothing. “A padded cycling short will increase your joy of biking immensely,” advised Hammer. He also recommends cycling-specific shoes for better performance.

A professional bike fitting ensures the rider’s optimum comfort and alignment in three touchpoints: the seat, the feet and the hands. Hammer even recommends a fitting for purely recreational riders. “We’re using physiology to fit people to their bikes, and sizing principles and fitting principles to make sure they’re comfortable on the bike,” he explained.

Once you’re comfortable on your bike, says Hammer, the world is yours to explore! “Cycling is one of the top three exercises that anybody can do at any age,” he explained. Biking is a great way to increase your heart health and conditioning, even for people with limited mobility. Above all, “there’s a sense of freedom a bike gives you that nothing else will. You cover so much more ground and see so much more scenery than you can walking or running,” said Hammer. “It makes you feel like a kid again!”

Whether you’re on your bike or on foot, Waukee’s community parks provide a great place to get some fresh air. This spring, residents will be able to take advantage of two additional parks: Alice Nizzi Park, located on Dellwood Drive, and Glynn Village Park and the Glynn Village Trail Amenity in the Glynn Village neighborhood. Starting this spring, both parks will be open for use, according to Matt Jermier, Waukee Parks & Recreation Director. “People are excited about it, especially after this winter,” he explained. “Two new parks will be a great thing for our community.”

This year will include the construction of Triumph Park, which will be located north of Hickman Road and east of North 10th Street. Scheduled to open in June of 2022, the 66-acre park will feature a sports complex with numerous fields and practice areas, as well as a 15,000-square-foot, EPIC Inclusive Playground, according to the Parks & Rec website. Triumph Park “will serve the community’s needs, most importantly,” says Jermier, “but it will also serve as a regional destination.”

Jermier also commented that the department’s numbers on its trails and the use of its parks indicate that both are being used safely by residents even more than in the past. “We know how important those [the parks and trails] are, not only to physical health but to mental health,” said Jermier. “We’ll have the parks and trails ready.”

Waukee Parks & Rec is currently finalizing its programming for spring/summer 2021. Registration for the majority of summer camps opens March 1, and online registration is available at waukee.org/registration. Check out some of the offerings below!

Mini Sluggers T-Ball
Mini Sluggers T-ball, sponsored by Farmers State Bank, will run for five weeks with separate leagues on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Mini Sluggers gives kids the opportunity to participate in a summer T-ball league while teaching them basic fundamentals through practice and games. Foam bats and balls must be used in this league and will be provided for each team. Teams will be formed at random. Children must be 4 years old by July 1, 2021. Volunteer coaches are needed!
Dates: June 1-29 & June 3-July 1
Times 5:45 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.
Fee $42 (includes a t-shirt)
Ages 4-5 years old

Pickleball League
Pickleball is played on Monday evenings at the Fox Creek Park Pickleball Courts. The league has space for 16, two-person teams. Registrants must sign up as a team; individuals will not be taken. Teams may be split into competitive and recreational divisions depending on numbers.
Dates: May 3–June 14: $48.15

Introduction to Soccer
Introduction to Soccer is designed to teach kids the basics of soccer while having fun. Game play will be 4 vs. 4 with four quarters of eight minutes continuous clock with no goalie. Teams will consist of seven or eight players with plenty of playing time for each player. Children must be 4 years old by Oct. 1, 2021. Registration is open June 1-Aug. 1.
Dates: Aug. 24-Sept. 21
Time 5:45 p.m.
Fee $42 (includes a t-shirt)
Ages 4-5 years old

Home Alone Awareness
Thinking of leaving your child at home alone this summer? Make sure they are safe! This class is taught by members of the Waukee Police and Fire Departments. They will provide educational tools and safety tips to help keep your child safe and aware of dangers in and around your house. Drinks and snacks will be provided.
Date: Saturday, April 24
Time: 8:30-11 a.m.
Fee $10
Grades K-5th

Kids Yoga
Move! Breathe! Stretch! Grow! Students will practice breathing, stretching and moving their bodies in mindful and playful ways as they learn basic yoga poses from a certified kids’ yoga instructor and former elementary school teacher. This class is fun for students who are new to yoga and those with experience. Students should bring a yoga mat or beach towel and a water bottle. Parents/guardians are encouraged to accompany kids ages 3-5.
Dates: Tuesdays, March 2-30; Wednesdays, March 3-31; Tuesdays, May 4-25; Wednesdays, May 5-26
Times: 10-10:45 a.m. & 4:15-5 p.m.
Fee $40
Ages: 3-10 years old

Kiddy Keys
Enroll in this virtual, four-week class to play, sing and learn! Kiddy Keys is a modern and engaging approach to teaching piano skills and music concepts. Registered participants will receive an email each week with a private, 30-minute virtual class, allowing families to participate according to their own schedules. Each class will consist of music and movement, piano play and improvisation, music theory, keyboard geography and exploration, composition and music history, color and shape recognition, life skills and character development. A keyboard/piano is not required in the program.
Dates: March 1-22, April 5-26, May 3-24
Fee $44
Ages 3-5 years old

Easter Coloring Contest
Help spread some Easter cheer to Waukee Downtown Businesses! To participate in the Easter Coloring Contest, please print a coloring sheet and entry form from Waukee.org/eastercoloringcontest or pick them up at the Parks & Recreation office. The contest will start March 1, and the last day to submit finished entries is March 26. Winners will receive an egg’cellent Easter basket filled with goodies, including a sweet treat from Nothing Bundt Cakes! Coloring pages will be displayed in Downtown Triangle Businesses.

National Kids to Parks Day
National Kids to Parks Day is Saturday, May 15! Join Waukee Parks & Rec and Waukee APEX associates on a community-wide scavenger hunt. Look for clues, and then hunt your way through Waukee. Email dedwards@Waukee.org prior to May 10 for more information.

Mixed Couples Events
Spend Friday night at Sugar Creek Municipal Golf Course. This nine-hole, two-person scramble event includes greens fees, cart, range balls, appetizers, dinner and prizes.
Dates: May 21, June 18, July 16, Aug. 20
Tee-off Time: 5:30 p.m.
Fee $70 per couple

Make Your Health #1 in 2021

January 7, 2021 by Darby Brincks

The average American diet is more unbalanced than ever, resulting in a diet that is low in fruits and vegetables and high in saturated fat, sodium and added sugars. But don’t derail your diet any longer! Hy-Vee Registered Dietitian Erin Good shares her secret weapon for weight loss and better overall health—Operation: Fiber Up!

Fiber is a highly underrated nutrition powerhouse. Think about it:

Want to lose weight? Eat more fiber.
Looking to lower your cholesterol or achieve better blood sugar control? Eat more fiber.
Sick of relying on powdery supplements to relieve constipation? Eat more fiber.

Unfortunately, fiber isn’t nearly as sexy of a subject as protein, the keto diet, or even your new exercise regimen, but when only six percent of Americans* meet the recommended daily intake of fiber (25 grams for women and up to 38 grams for men), it deserves more attention from nearly everyone!

Fabulous Tasting Fiber: A Delicious Upgrade From Cardboard

Eating more fiber doesn’t need to be difficult or time-consuming. Nosh on a fresh pear (6 g fiber), one-third of an avocado (3 g fiber), or half a cup of canned black beans (7.6 g fiber) for an easy daily boost.
What type of music best describes your eating habits? Hopefully, it’s not “pop.” Become the family “wokstar” in your kitchen and enjoy more homemade stir-fry! Simply pick your protein (such as chicken breast, shrimp or lean beef), pair with brown rice, and pile on the fiber-filled veggies (such as carrots, broccoli or cauliflower). Add a splash of lower-sodium soy sauce, sprinkle red pepper flakes, a squeeze of fresh ginger paste and ROCK ON! You’re now eating more fiber!
Veggies still not your jam? Then go nuts! Eating a one-ounce handful of almonds, pistachios or walnuts daily can easily add around three grams of fiber to your diet. Allergic to nuts? Snack on a serving of pumpkin seeds or steamed edamame for an extra two grams of fiber.

Need more inspiration, motivation or clarification on what foods are best for a healthier you? Ask an expert! Your Hy-Vee Dietitian is highly skilled in providing you with the best tools to kick your old eating habits! Together let’s conquer your health goals! Connect with Erin virtually today.

Erin Good, RD, LD

Hy-Vee Inc., Registered Dietitian

egood@hy-vee.com

*Source: Scientific Report of the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee

Click to access PartD_Ch1_CurrIntakes_first-print.pdf