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Iowa Pork Producers Strive for Zero Waste to Make Farms More Sustainable
Meet the Schleisman family. They take lessons learned in the corporate world about zero waste and sustainability and apply them to their pig farm. They’ve implemented many practices to improve nutrient management, water quality and soil health because it’s the right thing to do for the environment, their community and future generations of Iowans. Watch now
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Exhibits are curated to showcase the history, themes and culture of the African American diaspora in Iowa. (Photo: African American Museum of Iowa)
Arts & Culture
Black history museum reopens in Cedar Rapids
The African American Museum of Iowa is gearing up for a grand reopening party this Saturday to celebrate the end of a multimillion-dollar renovation that began five years ago. The festivities kick off outdoors at 10 a.m. with food trucks, family-friendly activities and refreshments in the parking lot.
From there, guests can take self-guided tours through “Endless Possibilities,” the museum’s permanent exhibit, which explores the history of Iowa’s Black community from its origins in West Africa through the Civil War, the Underground Railroad and the Civil Rights Movement.
For the first time, you can also check out a new exhibit called “Thirty Years of the AAMI,” which tells the history of the museum itself, from its start in a church conference room through the flood of 2008 and to the newly renovated building.
Along the way, you can enjoy live music from Orchestra Iowa and check out special exhibits from the Iowa Children’s Museum and Cedar Rapids Public Library. For details, see the full itinerary.
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Enjoy the crumpet benedict on the breakfast menu, featuring a fresh poached egg over crispy pork belly. (Photo: Watermill Kitchen + Bar)
Food & Dining
New dining spot showcases Iowa flavors
A sparkly new restaurant serving modern Midwest comfort food is now open in the Hyatt Regency Hotel & Conference Center in Coralville. The Watermill Kitchen + Bar is named after the historic mills that once ran across the nearby Iowa River, a stone’s throw from the back patio.
The menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner honor classic Iowan dining with some fresh twists and upgraded flavors sourced from local farms and producers. You’ll find fresh ingredients from Amana Meat Shop & Smokehouse, Dan and Debbie’s Creamery, Kalona Creamery and Farmers Hen House, among others. Dishes like the braised short rib, cherry-smoked pork belly and Iowa corn cakes feel nostalgic, but the connections go deeper. Barbara’s Orange Cake with a Grand Marnier drizzle, for example, is an ode to executive sous chef Tony Zinn’s mother, Barbara, who used to bake him mandarin orange birthday cake when he was a kid.
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Oh, this old thing? The 2023 Tulip Court donned traditional styles from the Dutch province of Friesland. (Photo: Orange City Tulip Festival)
Around Iowa
Tiptoe through the other tulips
This year’s Tulip Time in Pella benefited from some late bloomers. Some of them hung on for the big hurrah earlier this month.
The Orange City Tulip Festival, May 16-18, has the advantage of being a bit farther north, where spring typically springs a couple of weeks later. You can see for yourself with the interactive video “tulip tracker” in Windmill Park.
The festival started in 1936 and has slowly evolved over the years, blending traditions from the Netherlands (costumes, music, pastries) and small-town Iowa (a carnival midway and two daily parades). This year, the local theater group is producing “Footloose” but decided not to wear wooden clogs.
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You won’t get bonus points for having a team theme, but dressing the part just adds to the fun. (Photo: Downtown Iowa City)
Around Iowa
Putt some friendly competition into happy hour
On May 18, downtown Iowa City bars and restaurants host the annual Puttin’ Around Downtown mini-golf tournament. Registered teams of up to four can play courses at their own pace while enjoying some food and drink specials at each destination. Play for prizes or just for fun, and enjoy the free swag.
The staff at each of the 15 participating venue designs and builds each path, so the levels of difficulty (and building materials) vary from one place to the next. Golfers can pick up maps and scorecards at check-in and then play the holes in any order.
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The national tour of “Hadestown” swings through Iowa in early 2025. (Photo: T. Charles Erickson)
Arts & Culture
Universities announce 2024-2025 performing arts
Classes are winding down at Iowa’s three state universities, but two have already announced their performing arts seasons for 2024-2025. It’s not too early to book season tickets, especially if you’re looking for a fun gift for Mother’s or Father’s Day, a birthday or an anniversary.
In Ames, the lineup at Stephens Auditorium includes a visit from the writer David Sedaris (Oct. 24) and the national tours of “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical” (Nov. 11), “Dear Evan Hansen” (Dec. 5) and “The Book of Mormon” (April 30, 2025).
In Iowa City, Hancher Auditorium will host several of the same tours, including “Dear Evan Hansen” (Dec. 6-8) and “Tina” (May 30-June 1, 2025), plus “Hadestown” (Jan. 24-26, 2025) and “Mean Girls” (March 7-9).
In Cedar Falls, a $14.9 million renovation and expansion are underway at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, where a grand reopening is planned for 2024-2025 season.
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Center Grove Orchard hosts kid-friendly events, for kids of all kinds. (Photo: Getty Images)
Around Iowa
Two magic words: baby animals
Sometimes when we’re scouring event calendars to decide what to include in this newsletter, we find irresistible surprises. So obviously, Baby Animal Days near Cambridge caught our attention.
The new offering at Center Grove Orchard (essentially, the Disney World of farms) promises the “joy of playing with a farmtastic lineup” of lambs, chicks, kittens and bunnies. Plus – plus! – you can even bottle-feed baby goats.
But kids grow up fast, so hurry: Baby Animal Days are scheduled for the remaining three weekends in May.
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Find a wide selection of vintage and antique items for sale during the JunqueFest outdoor market. (Photo: Webster City)
Fit more junque in your trunque
JunqueFest, the annual antique festival and handmade market in Webster City, returns this Memorial Day weekend. Enjoy two full days of outdoor shopping through architectural salvage, vintage decor and antique farmhouse goodies. As they say, one man’s junk is another man’s treasure.
Plus, vendors will be on deck with samples of local wines and craft brews.
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