It was a true moment of serendipity. A list of work that I needed to complete battled with wanting to hear Diane Ott Whealy, the co-founder of Seed Savers Exchange, speak at the Cedar Rapids Public Library, the last in a gardening series presented by the ISU Extension Linn County Master Gardeners. Diane’s speech won […]
Photos: Maple Syrup Festival 2015
Good call by the Indian Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapids to schedule the annual Maple Syrup Festival this weekend. A steady line of breakfast-goers filed outside the Nature Center, at 6665 Otis Rd. SE, the entire morning Saturday, with more than 1,400 people attending the first day alone. Typically, the festival, featuring syruping demonstrations, […]
Wellington Heights Neighborhood Associat...
CEDAR RAPIDS – After offering community gardens in the neighborhood for years, the Wellington Heights Neighborhood Association has something new this spring. Residents of the neighborhood, and beyond, can stake their claim this season to one of 14 4-by-8-foot raised beds for gardening. Previously, the raised beds, next to the Wellington House at 392 15th […]
Prairiewoods and Grinnell Heritage Farm ...
Short notice, but you’ll be in for a treat if you can make it to Prairiewoods in Hiawatha, this Wednesday, March 18. Prairiewoods is hosting a “Meet the Farmer” event with Grinnell Heritage Farm, which includes a potluck dinner. I visited the farm several years ago when they first moved to organic certification. Their produce […]
Iowa reality show stars continue their r...
Admittedly, I’m not a big reality TV show fan, but I watched this season of “The Bachelor” to see how Iowa would be portrayed on the small-screen. Then, “American Idol” came along with a few Iowa connections, including one contestant who made the Top 12, and now, Top 11. As spring rolls around to keep […]
Indian Creek Nature Center trying someth...
CEDAR RAPIDS – The Maple Syrup Festival has been a tradition at the Indian Creek Nature Center for more than 30 years. This year, they’re trying something new. The date has been pushed back to later in March, to coincide with the end of the syruping season and in the hopes that the weather will […]
Horticultural theatre, edible flowers an...
So many incredible lectures are planned at area libraries in coming weeks. Already, the Linn County Master Gardeners have started their spring library talks, listed here. Three free lectures, presented by ISU Extension and Outreach Linn County Master Gardeners, also will take place this month, at the Cedar Rapids Public Library.
Come to the Table connects farmers and l...
The Fifth Annual Come to the Table Summit is set for this week. This year’s event will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, March 13, 2015, at Mercy Medical Center, 701 10th St. SE in Cedar Rapids. Come to the Table brings together farmers and other producers of food and the schools, hospitals, chefs, […]
Last Iowan standing on American Idol and...
I’m not as concerned to whom Chris Soules might propose in the final episode of “The Bachelor” as I was with the TV show’s portrayal of Iowa. Dubbed as the corny “Prince Farming,” the show seemed destined for the stereotypical hay bale and flannel shirt depiction of our home state, but fortunately, that hasn’t come […]
New Pioneer Food Co-op celebrates new st...
CEDAR RAPIDS – In case you missed its opening in December, New Pioneer Food Co-op celebrated its new store today with a ribbon-cutting and grand opening. The new store, at 3338 Center Point Rd. NE, was packed for the celebration, with traffic at a slow crawl for those looking for parking. Shoppers don’t have to […]