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Little Warriors Came Out Full Force During 2018 Waukee Easter Egg Hunt

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On Saturday, March 31, 2018, many families gathered at the Waukee Centennial Park for this year’s ultimate Easter Egg Hunt. It was one of those chilly spring mornings that most of us who were there, will remember forever. Those that didn’t dress in full winter outfits really felt the icy breeze that day. And all I remember thinking was, “but isn’t it spring already?” The mystery behind the seasons baffles me to this day. With the uncontrollable winds hitting us from all directions, we couldn’t feel our cheeks. Some of us couldn’t feel our hands. The children on the other hand were on a mission and the weather could not get to them. It’s like if they were surrounded by their own energy and filled with adrenaline from pure excitement.  Even though it was a freezing morning, it did not stop these little warriors from seeing the Easter Bunny at Centennial Park for the 2018 Waukee Easter Egg Hunt. Watch (In the video above) those little smiles fill with happiness as they make their adventures into their young lives!

MyWaukee Magazine had a great time visiting the 2018 Waukee Easter Egg Hunt at the Waukee Centennial Park in the great City of Waukee!

Watch the video above to see some of the best moments we captured. We had the pleasure of taking some pictures as well that we are happy to share with you.

The parents battled through the cold to make sure their kids got to see the Easter Bunny.

With arms wide open, the Easter Bunny was very kind and every child absolutely loved their time spent seeing him.

Another photo of parents with their kids on a hunt to find the Easter Eggs.

Hugs from the Easter Bunny.

 

Parents and children patiently waiting in line to see the Easter Bunny.

A true basket of happiness for kids of all ages.

“Don’t mind us, we are here to see the Easter Bunny.”

Everybody loves our Waukee Fire Engines and Fire Trucks.

The Waukee Fire Fighters showing their full appreciation and support during the 2018 Waukee Easter Hunt.

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Faces of Waukee: Nate Kempers

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Are you from this area originally?

I’m originally from Sioux Center (in Northwest Iowa), and my wife Shanna is from Newton, but we’ve lived in the metro area for about 14 years now.

Tell us about your family.

Shanna and I have been married for 12 years and we have two kids.  Aiden is 10 and Ellie is 7.  They attend Grant Ragan Elementary.  Shanna works full-time as the office manager at Eternity Church in Clive.

We hear you have a passion for coffee.  How has that love developed over the years?

I’ve wanted to open a coffee shop for about 20 years.  When I met Shanna, we discovered that we had that same dream in common.  We’ve spent the past 13 years going to every coffee shop we could find and learning everything we could about the various ways coffee can be crafted.

You recently opened The Coffeesmith on Alice’s Road.  What sets it apart from other coffee shops?

Although we have the obvious goal of making the best possible espresso drinks, we really strive to ensure every guest has a warm sense of belonging and significance.  We really love people and we’ve found fantastic baristas who share our vision of building community and making sure every guest feels at home at The Coffeesmith.

What made you choose Waukee for your business?

We love Waukee!  We moved here six years ago and felt welcomed right away.  It was an easy decision to open The Coffeesmith in Waukee.  This community has given so much to us, so we wanted to give back by creating a space for people to gather, work and create.

Faces Of Waukee: Patrice & Brent Curvey

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Tell us about your family.

We have four beautiful kiddos.  Jeremiah is 17, Mariah is 12, Malachi is 11 and the kolache kid Brice is 4.  I’m from Texas and my wife was born and raised right here in Des Moines.

Some readers might recognize Brent.  Why might that be?

I played college football at ISU, pro football for the Carolina Panthers and the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and lastly, I played for the Iowa Barnstormers.

How did you both end up in Waukee?

Patrice and I rented a house in Waukee in 2012 and fell in love with the neighborhood.  We eventually bought our own home in 2016, three blocks from the house we once rented.

Tell us about your business, Coaches Kolaches.

Coaches Kolaches specializes in savory kolaches—homemade sweet dough with savory fillings such as meat, cheese and eggs.  Savory kolaches are popular in Texas, and they were a huge part of my childhood.  Our shop is located in Clive, and we’d be thrilled to share our passion with our Waukee neighbors.

Though these kolaches are Texas-style, we hear you’ve added bacon by popular (Iowa) demand.  Can we expect more Texas/Iowa-inspired options anytime soon?

As we grow, we will expand our menu or feature different flavors. We intend to work with some local farmers and add some sweet flavors, too!  

Faces Of Waukee: Jay Wang

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Tell us a little about your family.

My wife and I have a son Ryan who’s a 5th grader and a daughter Skyla who’s 22 months. We also have a 3-month-old Goldendoodle puppy.

When did you start this journey/business?

I started my first Wasabi restaurant back in September 2011 here in the metro.

What sets Wasabi apart from its competitors?

We take great pride in our different class of fresh fish. We always try to offer something that is not often found in Iowa.  

What made you want to open a location in Waukee?

We have a lot of customers who went to Wasabi Chi and Wasabi Tao before we opened this location, many of whom came from the western suburbs. Why not come to them?

What is your favorite thing about running the businesses?

I love to see people’s happy faces when they enjoy a good glass of wine paired with a good quality fresh fish.

Faces Of Waukee: Dr. Josiah Fitzsimmons, Vero Chiropractic

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Tell us a little about your story.

After living in six states while growing up, my family finally settled in Ames.  I have eight brothers and sisters, and we were always competing to be the best. When I went to chiropractic school and heard about neurologically-based care, I knew I had to go the extra mile to become certified. I am so glad to be back in Central Iowa, as there is no better place to live and raise a family.

What is it that you do and how does it set you apart from your competitors?

We practice what is called Neurologically Based Chiropractic Care. Instead of working on the muscles and bones like a traditional chiropractic office, we focus on the nervous system, as your brain and spinal cord control your entire body. We have clients who travel five hours one way just to come to our office because our approach is so unique and effective.

What made you want to practice on the west side?

My wife and I knew when we decided to come back to Iowa that there was nowhere else we wanted to live, open a business and grow our family than the west side of Des Moines.

Can you tell us a little about your family?

My wife, Megan, and I met in high school. We’ve been married four years now and have a two-year-old named Brecken.

What types of services do you provide at Vero Chiropractic?

We love seeing people who have tried every other approach to improve their health and come to us as a last resort. We offer a very detailed and unique neurological method to not only help people in the short term but also create a life-lasting impact.

Faces of Waukee: Michael Johnson

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Where did you grow up?
I grew up in West Des Moines and have spent almost my entire life in Iowa.

Tell us about your family.
My wife Jen and I have been married for six years and our 2-year-old son Knox keeps us more than busy. We are lucky to have all of our immediate family also living in Iowa. That was a driving force for us to come back here after I completed my orthodontic residency training in Texas.

How did you come to practice orthodontics?
I’ve always had the desire to work in some form of healthcare and I feel blessed to have discovered the field of orthodontics. I worked at an orthodontic office—with one of my very important mentors, Dr. Jeff Sturdivant—while I was in college and realized it would be a great fit for me. While in dental school, I was fortunate to have earned the opportunity to spend two additional years of training at a top-level orthodontic residency program at the University of Texas at Houston.

What value do you think orthodontics brings to people’s lives?
Your smile is one of the first things others notice about you, so improving your smile can make a significant positive impact on your self-esteem. Straight teeth and a good-fitting bite also lead to healthier teeth, which helps you keep your teeth for much longer.

Why did you to choose to set up your practice in Waukee?
We view Waukee as the perfect place for us to raise our family and we couldn’t be happier to live here. Obviously, many other people have had similar thinking as this town is full of kids running around and playing. Waukee is quickly becoming “the” place to live, and there’s been amazing growth over the past few years. We are excited to be a part of that growth and we look forward to all the great things coming to Waukee in the future.

Faces of Waukee: Joe O’Donnell

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Some folks might think you sound familiar when they hear you speak in person. Any reason why that might be?
Well, if they listen to 1460, KXnO during the hockey season, they might recognize me from calling the Iowa Wild games. I like interacting with our fans; they’re really passionate about hockey and they pack Wells Fargo Arena during our season.

You’re a Waukee resident. How did you land in the neighborhood?
My family relocated with the Minnesota Wild’s AHL team from Houston to Central Iowa, and after renting in West Des Moines for a few years, we purchased a house in Waukee in 2016.

Tell us a little about your family.
My wife Cara and I have three boys, ages 7, 5 and 3. They’re all crazy about sports, especially hockey.

When did you first find your passion for hockey?
I can remember watching hockey on TV as a kid. I played a ton of street hockey and roller hockey growing up, and then I began playing ice hockey in middle school.

In this holiday issue, we share stories of giving our time to help meet the needs of others. Is there any charitable action you take this time of the year?
I’m hoping to volunteer at a local shelter during the holidays to serve food or help out however needed.

Faces of Waukee: Brian Hunziker

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Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Spencer and spent summers in Okoboji, where we still oftentimes go on vacation.

Tell us about your family.

My dad is a family practice doctor in Spencer and my mom was a stay-at-home mom. My sister, Nikki Kennedy, is an elementary teacher at Shuler Elementary in Waukee and was a teacher at Waukee Elementary before that. Her husband is a medical sales senior rep. My brother lives in Orange County, California and owns a computer sales company and his wife is the founder and owner of JuJuBe, a diaper bag company. My wife is a dental hygienist but is currently a stay-at-home mom. We have three children—twin boys, Jackson and Nile, who are two and a half, and a daughter, Brielle, who is seven months old.

Where did you go to school?

I completed my undergraduate studies at The University of Iowa. (I’m a diehard Iowa Hawkeye fan). I attended medical school at Des Moines University and residency at Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge.

What do you do for a living?

As a podiatrist, I treat all conditions involving the foot and/or ankle, conservatively when possible, and surgically if needed. A good list of conditions treated and treatment options can be found on the practice website at fusionfootandankleclinic.com.

Some of us tend to be reactive rather than proactive in regards to our health. As a medical professional, what advice or early warning signs can you share that our readers may consider before seeking medical assistance?

If you’re having a medical condition involving your foot or ankle that’s affecting your daily life, it would be wise to set up an appointment with a foot and ankle specialist. A number of treatment options are available for conditions of the foot and ankle, and treatment must be individualized for each person, depending on factors such as the person’s age and activity level. At Fusion Foot and Ankle, we’re generally able to accept walk-in appointments, especially for more emergent conditions such as traumatic fractures or other injuries.

Faces of Waukee: Shelly Hughes

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Where did you grow up?

I grew up on a farm near New Hampton, Iowa. I loved every minute of it and most of my family is still there. I think the values and work ethic you gain when you grow up in a rural community become an integral and invaluable part of who you are.

Tell us a little about your family.

My husband Brian and I have been married for 16 years and we have two boys—Ben is 13 and Asher is 9. We share our household with a cat, a Yorkie and a Mini Bernedoodle.

What do you do for a living?

Since we’ve had the boys, I’ve been a stay-at-home mom. Brian and I decided early on that we would adjust our lifestyle however necessary in order for me to be home with the boys. Two years ago, I started my own photography business. I really enjoy getting to know different people and families through 123, Eyes On Me Photography.

What made you want to volunteer your time and become part of the Waukee city council?

We specifically chose Waukee as the place we wanted to settle down and raise our boys. Once I realized the impact the city council had on our daily life, I knew I wanted to be a part of those decisions. I wanted to be part of the discussion, planning and process of how our city grows and operates. I want it to continue to be the premiere, quality, safe community we were seeking when we moved here.

For you personally, what makes Waukee so special?

The people! That includes the ones who have been here forever, the ones who just moved here—everyone. We all want our town to be a safe, beautiful place. I know the landscape has changed dramatically, but it really comes down to relationships, and those haven’t changed. I can still run into everyone I know at the grocery store, or a school function or the park. Those relationships are crucial to keeping a community special.

Faces of Waukee: Dan Gehlbach

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Where are you from originally?

I’m originally from Urbandale and graduated from Urbandale High School.

Tell us a little about your family.

I’ve been married to my wife Staci for 11 years, and we have two daughters that attend Waukee schools. Abby is 9 and will be in 4th grade and Katy is 6 and will be in 1st grade. My wife is from Texas but we met while we were both living in Las Vegas. I convinced her that Iowa would be a great place to raise a family and that our winters aren’t that bad. I lied about the winter part, but we love raising our family here.  

Tell us what you do as the Center Director for Mathnasium of West Des Moines.

My role is largely hiring and training instructors, assessing kids’ math skills, designing learning plans and communicating progress with parents, as well as all the sales, marketing and back office aspects of the business. I also get to promote Mathnasium in our community while also giving back. I currently serve on the Waukee Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Waukee Community Schools Foundation Board.

When did your own passion for math really take hold?

I was always good with numbers in school, and math came easy for me. I had taught high school overseas for a couple years and really liked working with kids. I also used math in various corporate jobs and became a Certified Internal Auditor, earning an MBA along the way. So, opening a Mathnasium Learning Center was the perfect entrepreneurial outlet to blend my love of math while also helping kids. I’m fortunate that I get the opportunity to really impact kids’ lives and hopefully pass on my passion for math to the kids that attend our center.

What makes Mathnasium different from regular tutors?

We have the resources to find out exactly where kids are in their math skills and provide help filling in missing foundational gaps or challenging kids with higher level material from our proprietary curriculum. Traditional tutors are more of a short-term solution and a quick fix to get through homework. We offer a lasting solution for kids’ math deficiencies while also providing a way for advanced students to get ahead. Most kids that have a regular tutor will always need one because they develop a “learned helplessness.” In other words, they get too used to having a tutor work through each problem. We focus on building confidence and making math make sense so students can apply concepts and solve problems on their own. We also offer more scheduling flexibility because our sessions are on a drop-in basis. Our student “mathletes” are members that pay a monthly fee—like a gym membership—where kids attend 2-3 times per week. But the biggest difference is that we make math FUN!

How can people learn more about Mathnasium?

We assess kids with no risk or obligation to enroll. You can reach us at Mathnasium of West Des Moines (by Jordan Creek Mall) at 515-440-MATH (6284).

 

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