Posted July 31, 2024in Collections & Hobbies
Video games have grown in popularity since “Tennis for Two” debuted in 1958. They have also grown in capabilities and number of options. Few understand the number of options better than Des Moines’ Frank Schwartztrauber. The 62-year-old commercial maintenance technician played video games when he was younger but eventually sold
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Posted July 03, 2024in Collections & Hobbies
Those who consider themselves gym rats might want to rethink that self-imposed title. Bodybuilding is not for the faint of heart. The time and dedication to strict diets and workout schedules have broken many wills, but not Kali Spaulding’s. “I’ve had friends that competed for a while, and I said
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Posted June 05, 2024in Collections & Hobbies
The World Flying Disc Federation’s World Ultimate Championships take place once every four years and feature the top flying disc players in the world. Dylan DeClerck of Urbandale will represent Team USA, a unique feat among thousands of players across the country in the Olympic-style sport. DeClerck was among 560 other
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Posted May 01, 2024in Collections & Hobbies
Perhaps being born and raised in the medieval era would be more likely to lead to a life of jousting, but it’s clearly still a possibility — and for some, a reality. That life, unexpectedly, became the reality for Des Moines native Dane Gramball. Alex Lundy, a close friend of
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Posted April 03, 2024in Collections & Hobbies
People step on and over rocks most every single day without a second thought. They’re used in water features, gardens, concrete and more. Are most rocks just that, a rock? Not to Ken Belzer. Belzer, born and raised in Des Moines, is a rock and geode enthusiast who began his
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Posted March 06, 2024in Collections & Hobbies
When the sun sets, a quick trip outside of the city limits to avoid the light pollution can provide a glimpse into what’s above us at all times. While a sky full of twinkling lights or shooting stars is a pretty sight, there’s still so much more to see. Des
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Posted January 31, 2024in Collections & Hobbies
When someone thinks about playing a card game, the typical thoughts come to mind. For the older generations, it could be UNO, spades, rummy, solitaire, and maybe even blackjack for you gamblers. Many in younger generations grew up with a different style of card games, like the seemingly infinitely popular
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Posted January 03, 2024in Collections & Hobbies
Arcades and arcade games have become more of a memory, met with feelings of nostalgia, than an activity nowadays. With video games becoming more accessible than ever, the need to venture out to get your brightly lit, out-of-home gaming fix has dwindled, but not for Brian Schacherer. Schacherer has lived
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Posted December 06, 2023in Collections & Hobbies
Born in Cedar Rapids, Tim Ferry grew up looking for, and finding, creative outlets. Beginning with piano lessons at 8 years old and drafting his own music in his spare time, Ferry quickly realized what he wanted to pursue. “For a long time, I just wanted to make music for
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Posted November 01, 2023in Collections & Hobbies
The disc golf community has seen steady growth across the country and especially in Des Moines. According to the PDGA’s (Pro Disc Golf Association) 2022 demographic report, 300 courses are listed in Iowa with 1,771 members. One of those members is local disc golfer Kyle Schultz. Schultz’s father was able
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