Art in the Park in 1991
It’s bittersweet to write this piece on the event that would eventually become the Des Moines Arts Festival (DMAF). Since 2011, I had been involved with DMAF and its Interrobang [...]
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Posted June 01, 2022in Des Moines Forgotten
Posted May 04, 2022in Des Moines Forgotten
Video Warehouse
A year and half ago, we lost an important piece of Des Moines’ cinema lovers’ history, Video Warehouse. Many stories have been told about the place since its closing was [...]
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Posted April 06, 2022in Des Moines Forgotten
Duck and cover
On the morning of March 23 at 10 a.m., many Iowa communities held a statewide test of their tornado sirens. This was different from the usual Saturday noon test, or [...]
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Posted March 02, 2022in Des Moines Forgotten
The Willkie House of Des Moines
The Willkie House of Des Moines is not forgotten. It’s actually still very active. But some of its history at 900 17th St. may not be recognized as it should [...]
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Posted February 02, 2022in Des Moines Forgotten
White Water University
As a child, I would go to Wacky Waters Adventure Park between Davenport and Walcott. When I was 9 years old, a wave pool was installed. If you wanted to [...]
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Posted January 05, 2022in Des Moines Forgotten
Bowling in Des Moines
As a child, my father would drag me to Town and Country Bowling and Cocktail Lounge in Rock Island, Illinois. I remember a giant Chief Black Hawk sign in front [...]
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Posted December 01, 2021in Des Moines Forgotten
When Wooly’s was a Woolworth’s store
On Oct. 19, 1950, Woolworth’s had its grand opening at 504-508 E. Locust. For the last 10 years, I thought variety stores were a front for some type of shady [...]
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Posted November 03, 2021in Des Moines Forgotten
Remembering pies from Bontels
Former East 14th Street restaurant and bakery brings back great memories for people, especially at Thanksgiving time. As a former employee of Bishops Buffet in Cedar Rapids in both [...]
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Posted October 06, 2021in Des Moines Forgotten
The Shuler Mines
Waukee was once a “company town.” I have been spending time lately in Bentonville, Arkansas (seven days a month since July to be exact). Many scholars of useless information will [...]
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Posted September 01, 2021in Des Moines Forgotten
Remembering 9-11
It was a birthday I will never forget. I woke up on the morning of my 16th birthday like I did any other day and got myself ready for school. [...]
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