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The crack of the bat!

4/2/2025

Few things say springtime like baseball. Spring training for the teams is a signal for us Iowans that the snow will soon be completely gone and the green grass will be growing. Bitterly cold temperatures can keep some folks home during the early-season games, but that is where the term “fair-weather fans” originated from. Right here in Des Moines, baseball fanatics will bundle up and make their way to Principal Park to watch the Iowa Cubs and hear that first crack of the bat. The casual fans will make their way in as well, and in larger numbers, as the warmer weather approaches. This month, we take a peek at the Iowa Cubs season, noting everything from lineup changes to the latest promotions. Batter up!

Drake’s resurgence

With the continual coverage of our state universities, Drake is often ignored. And not just across the state, either. I am shocked how little central Iowans know about our hometown university, too. Colleges that put more emphasis on academics than athletics seem rare today. Drake is showing it can succeed by focusing on both and is experiencing an astounding resurgence as of late. Few know this more than our own Jim Duncan, who relates his family experiences with Drake and shares the many accolades this institution of higher education has been honored with as of late.

The chocolate business

There are some things in life we simply take for granted, and great chocolate is one of them. Few things are so utterly satisfying. What we sometimes forget is the making, marketing and selling of chocolate is big business — and it is a satisfying small business, too. This month in our business journal, we interview entrepreneurs from three chocolate companies and learn what makes them successful in central Iowa all year round.

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Have a great month, and thanks for reading. ♦