Posted July 06, 2022in Collections & Hobbies
At age 18, Justin Phongsavanh was shot in the parking lot of an Ankeny McDonald’s and paralyzed from the waist down. Today, the 25-year-old javelin thrower is a medaled Paralympian. Following his paralysis in October 2015, Phongsavanh gave himself an ultimatum. “I can sit here, wallow in self-pity, and that
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Posted June 01, 2022in Collections & Hobbies
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away… the “Star Wars” saga was born, and a cult following developed soon after. Not quite as long ago — in 2018 — Ryan Toney began building his first Star Wars costume. Toney, who resides in Ankeny, is part of the
Read More →Kourtney Perry started making candles during the slow days of the pandemic. Laid off from her job, Perry had an abundance of time on her hands. She did some research, ordered a small kit online, tried it out and gave a candle each to her mom and sister. They were
Read More →Los Gallos Bravos Boxing Club is literally an “underground” boxing club in Windsor Heights. Not only is it the only boxing club in Windsor Heights, it is one of the few nonprofit boxing clubs in the state. Tucked underneath a tattoo shop, the hidden gym is occupied by about 20
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Posted March 02, 2022in Collections & Hobbies
The French Connection. That’s the name that Gary and Tyler French go by on their Facebook Live streaming channel called Pardon My French Media. PMF Media, as they sometimes call it, streams local sporting events, specifically for the Waukee Northwest Wolves and the Waukee Warriors. The father-son duo began their
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Posted February 02, 2022in Collections & Hobbies
“I’m Pete the clown,” says Craig Matzke, “My son is re-Pete the clown.” Matzke is a past potentate for the Za-Ga-Zig Shriners and serves as this year’s circus chairman, as well as in other capacities. The current potentate is Randy Weldon, but you might know him as Mr. Wuzzles the
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Posted January 05, 2022in Collections & Hobbies
Life is good for the 200-plus pigeons living in domestication within the detached structures behind Larry White’s southside home. Food is plentiful for the pigeons — they eat mostly grains — and they live 15 years or so on average. At least they do as long as they aren’t let
Read More →5-plus decades of concert-going results in two books for James Taylor. Once upon a time, it was 1972 or so, and, in a bar in Fairfield, a man, who was clearly not from there, entered. “What’s it like in Iowa?” This stranger wanted to know. A young local named
Read More →Merrilyn Mohan’s 150-plus nativity sets come in many shapes and sizes. If it’s mid-November, then it’s time for Merrilyn Mohan to pack away the large teddy bear collection in her Ankeny basement and clear a spot for baby Jesus. “They may have run out of room in the inn in
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Posted October 06, 2021in Collections & Hobbies
Two local gourd growers plan to smash the world record. Jaws dropped at this year’s Iowa State Fair when Don Young and his son- in-law, Tommy Rhodes, arrived at the Big Pumpkin Contest. Their entry needed a forklift to hoist it onto the scale, and the monstrosity topped out at
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