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

“Only the backed up sewer when you're gone for a week is worse than the water leak (Challenges, Dec. 22, 2025).” - Brad

Good point. Of the two options, I will take the clean water. - Shane

“I enjoyed your column (The Four Stages of a Man's Life, Dec. 23, 2025), especially as it pertains to Santa Claus. But, I wonder if you are aware of the ‘Five Stages of Christmas Presents?’ Stage 1, of course, was putting the presents under the tree on Christmas morning and claiming they were left by Santa Claus. But, as you pointed out, eventually someone will wise us up that Santa isn't real, and that it was probably Dad who consumed the cookies and milk we left out. Stage 2 was wrapping and putting the presents under the tree as soon as they were bought. This allowed my sister and I to judge the size of our gift and to guess its contents. But, you had to shake them very carefully, just in case they were breakable. Stage 3 was the year my sister found her unwrapped presents stored in the closet. Knowing what she was getting in advance ruined the surprise for her, which is a big part of getting a Christmas present. Stage 4 was when my parents would wrap the presents and put them under the tree with no name tags. They wrapped my presents in one paper and my sister's in another so they could tell who should get what, but we had no idea of which presents were for me and which were for her. Now that I'm much older, Stage 5 is realizing that the true gifts of Christmas are the love and togetherness and memories we received, which have lasted long after the actual presents have been forgotten.” - Bob

I love it. Thanks for sharing this, Bob. - Shane

“Hi, Shane. Great column (The Four Stages of a Man's Life, Dec. 23, 2025)! Merry Christmas to you and your family!” - Matthew

Thank you, Matthew. I am glad you are reading, and Merry Christmas to you and your family as well. - Shane

Have a fantastic Friday, and thanks for reading.

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

Read more of Shane Goodman's columns here.

2025's top gifts to the Des Moines food scene, part II.
Connor Delaney exploded the Des Moines dining scene in 2025 with his philosophy of “a rising tide raises all cruise liners.” His White Oak Realty concluded a score of property rebirths in Highland Park where Lachele’s Fine Foods, Bar Martinez and The Fitz now operate with a bridal store and new housing, too. Then he turned his attention to Ingersoll Avenue where he has already redeveloped space for Bartender’s Handshake, Loyal Sons Barber Shop and a pair of boutiques. He took on the long-odds-against project of reviving the Ingersoll Theater. That venerable institution re-opens this week after decades in dormancy and decay. It will be a full-fledged dinner theater again serving 500 dinners a day, plus a night club of magnificent sorts. Delaney is just getting started with Ingersoll, too. Look for more about him in the January issue of CITYVIEW coming out New Year's Day.

BUSINESS FEATURE
The business of pop-ups

By Lindsey Giardino

Pop-ups may look effortless — a cute booth, a friendly maker, a handful of products inviting you in — but there is so much more behind every display. Across the Des Moines metro, small-business owners are using pop-ups not just to sell but to connect and bring their brands to life in ways the digital world can’t always match. Three local entrepreneurs share how pop-ups are doing just that.

Macrame by Jess
For Jessica Cue, the face behind Macrame by Jess, the world of pop-ups began with inspiration. She watched other makers show up at events, share their work and connect with people face to face. ...

Handmade for the holidays
Residents share the joy of gifts from the heart.

By Rachel Harrington

The quilt from a beloved aunt. Knitted sweaters from Grandma. A child’s table and chairs crafted in a relative’s workshop. A personalized ornament. Handmade gifts are unique, but, more than that, they are gifts of time spent in the crafting, imagination in their design and love in their giving.

Special bond leads to unique handmade gift
Nieces and nephews can make wonderful companions. At least, that is what Megan Hegwood would say. She often picks up her young niece, Roslyn, and “steals” her away to spend time together. Since her own daughter is older now, Hegwood enjoys the company and banter of Roslyn. She shares her love for crafting and sewing with her niece the same way her own mother shared a love for crafting when she was a young girl. ...

Happy birthday, Jason Wiegert today, Sara Goodman Saturday, and Landon Welp Sunday.

These celebrities were born on this date:  Lars Ulrich, Jared Leto, Beth Behrs, Kit Harington, Eden Sher, John Walsh, David Sedaris, Chris Daughtry, Prodigy

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

The answer to the last riddle: Who hides in a Christmas bakery? A MINCE SPY! - Gail Tomlinson. Or,  A real “kook”ie character! - Sharon Hill Watkins

Today's riddle: Which of Santa’s reindeer has bad manners?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

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

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

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

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