Welcome to the Friday mailbag where you will find some of the comments, questions and ideas sent recently by subscribers of this newsletter or our publications. They are edited for space and clarity.

“I hate to touch the door handle to exit the restroom after who knows how many people who don't wash their hands have touched it (Paper towels, June 12, 2024). If I know by experience that the proprietors use blow dryers, I grab some napkins on the way to the restroom. I can dry my hands and use the napkins, keeping my hands pristine when I exit.” - John

Ah, the old take napkins to the bathroom trick! I like it. - Shane

“Ahhh, Grandma’s clothesline (Clothes lines, June 17, 2024)! Whence I learned where the term ‘clotheslined’ comes from. Memories.” - Lori

Ouch. I forgot about that memory. - Shane

“My grandmother was 4' 11" (Clothes lines, June 17, 2024). Her homemade clothes line included a long pole with a notch in the end to push and hold the line high after she pinned the clothes to it so they would not touch the ground.” - Mike

Ingenuity at its best. - Shane

“My wife went to a garage sale and saw two clothes line posts with the crossbars and asked why there was no line (Clothes lines, June 17, 2024). The people said they hadn't used them for years. She asked if she could have them, and they said yes. Excitedly, she told me about these posts and said they just needed to be dug up and we could have them. So, we drove by the place in another town about 10 miles away. It was at the T intersection of two county roads on the edge of town, on the way to a park and a golf course, so there was plenty of traffic to gawk at this man with a spade and a shovel, excavating ancient, heavy, iron clothes line posts – buried in concrete 18-20 inches in diameter and 3 feet deep. At some point between the second and third hour of this project, I noticed traffic had picked up significantly and some vehicles were making loops, watching this exhibition of either hopeless love or insanity. Once I had them out of the holes, one of the passersby noticed me having trouble picking up the posts with the concrete — which took hours at my place to break off with a sledge — and he helped me get them into the back of my van, which had just enough clearance above the tires to drive home. I've since moved a few times, and each time, I went to the hardware store and bought new clothes line poles that you assemble. They aren't as sturdy, but it took less than an hour and zero ibuprofen.” - Brad

I kept singing “I've Been Working on the Railroad” while reading this. - Shane

Have a fantastic Friday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com

See Shane Goodman's previous columns here.

LUNCH WITH...
Jacqueline Thompson at Wesley on Grand

By Jim Duncan

Jacqueline Thompson is an ordained elder in the Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC) and is pastor at both Burns UMC and St. John’s UMC. She grew up in Dayton, Ohio, a town that could be Des Moines’ twin sister in some of its similarities yet is quite different in others. Thompson lived two full and distinctly different lives professionally. We invited her to lunch, and she asked to meet in the Serenity Room of Wesley on Grand.

Wesley on Grand is a retirement center that includes both the Chamberlain Pub and a seven-room B&B that are open to everyone. That pub is our choice as Des Moines’ best for ambiance, housed in the historic D.S. Chamberlain House, designed by William George Rantoul and exemplary of Jacobean Revival architecture.

[...]

CITYVIEW's seasonal guide for activities and things to do in Central Iowa

EXPLORE: Patio Palooza

By Cyote Williams

The summer weather gives plenty of reasons to go outside, and these bars and restaurants offer you a place to soak it all in while enjoying a drink in hand or a meal with friends.

Weekend deals. Brats and hot dogs are on sale for $1.69 all weekend at Kwik Stars... Fish Fry Friday night specials can be found at Machine Shed (11151 Hickman Road, Urbandale), Red Lobster (3838 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines), and Cracker Barrel (11701 University, Clive)... Friday is paella night at Purveyor (505 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines). It's special paella too. Half-priced oysters and peel-and-eat shrimp are offered until 4:30 p.m. Saturday at both Waterfronts and also on Sunday at the Ankeny store... Sunday is chicken fried steak day at Winn’s Pizza and Steakhouse (122 W. Ashland Ave., Indianola)… Whatcha Smokin’? (403 Iowa Ave., Luther) serves smoked prime rib on Fridays and Dino beef ribs from 4 p.m. on Saturdays, till they are sold out… Pizza on the Prairie at the Wallace Farm combines brick oven pizza with toppings straight from the garden along with sides, desserts and a signature cocktail. Live music. Bring your own lawn chairs and reusable water bottles. June 21, 28 and July 5, 12, 19 and 26. Reservations.  ... KFMG's "Kitchen Insider" talks with Trang Pham, owner of Egg Roll Ladies, about realizing her American entrepreneurial dream and why scratch-made egg rolls are worth all the work. 10 a.m. Saturday. PICTURED: JIM DUNCAN WITH GEORGE AND TRANG

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

Curtain call
Residents share their experiences on stage.

By Chantel Boyd

For many people, public speaking is their worst fear. They recall suffering from butterflies in the stomach or worse before stepping out on the stage for their elementary school programs and the terror of having to speak in front of their peers in high school speech class. For them, the thought of performing before the public in a stage production sounds as appealing as being tarred and feathered. Others actually seek the spotlight, volunteering to memorize lines and create play props, eagerly awaiting the day the curtains are drawn back and the show begins. Some of these people share their reasons why center stage is the place they want to be.

Nellie Chabak, 11, is a young actor from Bondurant. Her mom, Mallory Chabak, is proud of her daughter’s accomplishments in theatre.

“I’ve said since she was little, she has a sparkle about her,” Mallory says. “And when she performs, she’s exactly where she’s supposed to be. Every single time she’s on stage, whether it be a rehearsal, a special event, or a performance, she has me in awe. I couldn’t be prouder of who she is becoming.”

[...]

Happy birthday Brandi Goodman on Saturday!

These celebrities were born on this date: Billy Ocean · Cat Power · Charlotte Ross · Chris Kilmore · Emma Bunton · Eric Holder · Feliz Ramirez · Gary Locke • Bobby Benson • Jerry Trainor • Geena Davis • Hakeem Olajuwon

SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

The answer to yesterday's riddle:

What do you call a female opera singer who had quite a range at the lower end of the scale? A DEEP C DIVA! - Lori Bluml, Gail Tomlinson. Or, from Rex Post: basso profundo mezzo soprano!

Today's riddle

How do we know that, besides the apple, Adam and Eve took a bite out of a pear, peach and banana?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or Waukee, Norwalk or West Des Moines/Jordan Creek Living magazines, contact:

Martha Munro
Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 314
Mobile: 515-321-5246
martha@iowalivingmagazines.com

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