The Iowa Genealogical Society is one of the more underappreciated and less-known groups in Des Moines. Despite it being located in the bustling East Village, full of nightlife, shopping, restaurants and music venues, the society sits there quietly, running smoothly, hosting a wealth of knowledge within. To find out more,
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Posted May 06, 2026in Your Neighbors
Did you know that volunteers with the Food Bank of Iowa invest more than 50,000 hours annually? That’s the equivalent of 24 full-time employees. Longtime food bank volunteer and ambassador Steve Siembieda knows that, along with plenty of other facts about the state’s largest food bank. Siembieda has a background
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Posted April 01, 2026in Your Neighbors
When seeing “10K” associated with something, the likely first reaction is that there is a race attached — but not for Reagan Maher and his Fauna Transplant Support group. Maher, the group’s founder, is hosting the first annual Fauna 10K. His “10K” relates to organ donors, not runners. Maher faced
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Posted March 04, 2026in Your Neighbors
What does one think of when imagining a therapy session? Could it be Dr. Melfi and Tony Soprano? The stereotypical therapy chair that is often depicted in other media? Most likely, you imagine a person and a room. That was not Jacqueline Schimel’s vision. Schimel, an Iowa State and Capella
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Posted February 04, 2026in Your Neighbors
The stigma over those born and living with Down syndrome has lightened over the years, but it has not been an easy journey. The positive actions of Jennifer Baldon are helping parents in the area educate themselves about their children, while also celebrating them. She does this with the help
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Posted December 31, 2025in Your Neighbors
Robert Fisher has become a local celebrity in Adel — not for acting, singing or dancing, but for his constant drive and passion for his mission, which is helping to open doors for others. Fisher has been working tirelessly to get businesses in his community to add button powered handicap
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Posted December 03, 2025in Your Neighbors
The United Way of Central Iowa has been in operation since 1917. Though it has operated under a number of different names since its inception, its goal of uniting the community and its various charitable efforts to make central Iowa a better place remains the same. One of its employees,
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Posted November 05, 2025in Your Neighbors
The Eastern Polk County Quilters Guild had some simple missions as of a few months ago: make some stockings, and help supply care packages for the Blue Star Mothers of Iowa, a nonprofit of mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, foster mothers and female legal guardians who have children serving in the military,
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Posted October 01, 2025in Your Neighbors
While the Des Moines Civic Center and Des Moines Performing Arts often take the spotlight for theatre in Des Moines, a few local community theatres are also flourishing in the metro. One of those is Tallgrass Theater Company in West Des Moines. Few have done more for the theatre’s advancement
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Posted September 03, 2025in Your Neighbors
Patrons of the Des Moines Farmers Market might have noticed a wild-looking mascot during this season’s farmers market, courtesy of Jennifer Hess, owner of Psycho Sweets. Like many, Hess learned to bake from her mother. While her mom perhaps didn’t show her the wild side of what treats can be,
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