CEDAR RAPIDS – Organizers of the Downtown Farmers Market pushed the opening day of 2018 into May, instead of June, but the season was still off to a sultry start on Saturday, May 26. Shade and a light breeze made temperatures that soared into the 90s tolerable and market vendors saw steady crowds. Those selling […]
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Tag: Iowa
Inside the fairy tale rise of Iowa insec...
UPDATE: In April 2021, organic lip care brand leader, Eco Lips, acquired Simply Soothing, a fellow Iowa-based personal care company responsible for bringing Bug Soother Insect Repellent to the market. By Cindy Hadish/for the Corridor Business Journal The fairy tale success of Simply Soothing, Inc., a family-owned business based in Columbus Junction, tells only part […]
American Idol winner Maddie Poppe to per...
CEDAR RAPIDS – She was still an American Idol contestant when Maddie Poppe was announced as one of the performers at Market After Dark, the nighttime version of the Downtown Farmers Market. After being crowned the winner of this season’s American Idol on Monday, May 21, organizers of the market note that Poppe still plans […]
Photos: Houby Days 2018 in Cedar Rapids,...
CEDAR RAPIDS – It was nearly a clean sweep in the morel contest during this year’s Houby Days, a three-day festival that celebrates the springtime mushroom and the city’s Czech heritage. Mike Haugsted of Cedar Rapids won the largest, smallest and best mushroom displays in the annual contest. Brody Driscoll of Hiawatha broke Haugsted’s streak […]
Homegrown talent: Maddie Poppe’s America
ALLISON, Iowa – Iowans can be proud. Not only is Maddie Poppe in the top three of “American Idol,” but the 20-year-old Clarksville native is just as humble, Iowa-nice and incredibly talented in person as she appears on the show. A homecoming parade welcomed her back to Clarksville on Tuesday, May 15, followed by a […]
Morel mushrooms and Czech traditions to ...
By Cindy Hadish/Homegrown Iowan CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – An annual three-day event that celebrates the morel mushroom kicks off Friday, May 18, in Czech Village. Last year marked the 40th anniversary of Houby Days and this year promises more music, food and fun, beginning with the Taste of Czech on opening night at the National […]
Community gardens grow neighborhood conn...
CEDAR RAPIDS – Dotted throughout the city, community gardens have been helping bring neighbors together, while providing fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables at the same time. The Mound View Neighborhood Community Garden held a planting day on Monday, May 7, led by Carol Sindelar, the neighborhood association’s president, who goes above and beyond to find […]
A lost morel season?
Iowa may have one of its most fleeting morel seasons this year. With winter weather lingering well into late April, soil temperatures in the state have only recently been favorable to see the rare delicacies “pop.” Experts say soil at 50 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for morels to make an appearance, and almost […]
Ready or not: farmers market season kick...
Dawn Troutner has seen snow at one of the first farmers markets in Toledo, but never a spring like this. “We already had things growing: asparagus, rhubarb, onions,” she said of that late-season snowfall. “I’m not sure what we’ll have this year.” Iowa’s seemingly endless winter finally broke its grip on the state this week, […]
Eastern Iowa plant sales usher in spring
With snowfall still fresh on Iowans’ minds, it’s hard to believe that gardening season is finally here. Local plant sales offer a great way to jump-start your efforts, with plants grown by master gardeners and others with gardening expertise for Iowa’s conditions. One major change for plant sale enthusiasts: given the unpredictable weather in May, […]