Lure Summer 2018
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FROM THE EDITOR<br />
Soaking in the sun<br />
I spoke too soon in the March issue when I said winter was winding down. After a wild<br />
and wintry April, I feel confident that Iowa’s warm season is here to stay (for a few<br />
months, at least).<br />
Eastern Iowa is a great place to be during the summer as there are countless activities<br />
in communities big and small, from sweet corn festivals to huge outdoor concerts. Of<br />
course, if you’re the type who prefers to avoid the crowds and just chill at home, you<br />
don’t have to travel any further than your backyard.<br />
In this issue, we offer a glimpse of fabulous outdoor living spaces in the Corridor,<br />
including pools, kitchens, bars, patios and landscaping that could<br />
rival a high-end resort (pages 4-11).<br />
TrueNorth CEO Duane Smith and his wife Laura developed a<br />
“staycation” environment at their Cedar Rapids home. The pool,<br />
pergola and fire pit surrounded by lush landscaping provide<br />
the perfect setting for an intimate family gathering or a party<br />
entertaining more than 100 guests.<br />
And while Jeff and Sarah Clark love the outdoor area of their home<br />
– Lake Macbride is located right in their backyard – they also are<br />
able to soak in nature while indoors (pages 16-23). Floor-to-ceiling<br />
windows give them a view of the lake from the living and dining<br />
rooms as well as the kitchen, located in the center of the home.<br />
Each outdoor area featured in this issue has its own<br />
distinctive gardens and landscaping. A popular trend gaining<br />
ground is fairy gardens. These personalized gardens can be planted in anything from a<br />
glass jar to a wagon, and can include whatever interests you, whether it be miniature<br />
animals or a mystical theme. Josh Spece, co-owner of Country Gardens & Gifts in<br />
Independence, was an early pioneer of the trend and offers pointers for creating your<br />
own one-of-a-kind miniature garden (pages 24-29).<br />
Of course, an outdoor oasis wouldn’t be complete without some good eats. To<br />
help with your summer grilling plans, we asked several local experts for their<br />
recommendations. North Liberty-based Spotix shares their suggestions on the hottest<br />
grills on the market, courtesy of their Kick Ass Grills division (pages 12-13), while Grill<br />
Works owner Lisa Gilliatt shares a few of her favorite sauces, seasonings and rubs from<br />
the more than 200 she keeps in stock.<br />
Earlier I mentioned the lure of Iowa’s summer festivals. One of the state’s most<br />
popular annual events will again make its way through our neck of the woods. The<br />
Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa – better known as RAGBRAI – will<br />
travel through Washington and Johnson counties, ending up with an overnight stop in<br />
Iowa City on July 27. Check out what small towns on the route are planning to welcome<br />
thousands of riders and guests, and discover a few pitstops along the way (pages 34-38).<br />
Whether you prefer to stay at home in your own outdoor oasis or enjoy a lively<br />
festival, get out and enjoy the lure of summer in Iowa.<br />
SUMMER <strong>2018</strong><br />
Chief Executive Officer<br />
& Publisher<br />
John F. Lohman<br />
Vice President<br />
Aspen N. Lohman<br />
Chief Operating Officer<br />
& Associate Publisher<br />
Andrea Rhoades<br />
Magazine & Special Projects Editor<br />
Angela Holmes<br />
Writers<br />
Tricia Brown<br />
Cindy Hadish<br />
Angela Holmes<br />
Adam Moore<br />
Ruth Paarman<br />
Photographers<br />
Brian Draeger<br />
Cindy Hadish<br />
Dan Kempf<br />
Tim Schoon<br />
Josh Spece<br />
Doug Thompson<br />
Graphic Design Manager<br />
Becky Lyons<br />
Graphic Designer<br />
Julia Druckmiller<br />
Magazine Media Consultant<br />
Judith Cobb<br />
Chief Content Officer<br />
Adam Moore<br />
CBJ Media Consultant<br />
Kelly Meyer<br />
Event Marketing Coordinator<br />
Ashley Levitt<br />
Angela Holmes<br />
Editor<br />
GET A GRILL<br />
What's hot this season<br />
SOLAR<br />
CONVERTS<br />
MYSTICAL<br />
MINIATURES<br />
LURE<br />
Outdoor Oasis<br />
EXTEND YOUR LIVING SPACE<br />
Wooded Retreat<br />
Couple makes lake home full-time residence<br />
ON THE COVER<br />
Jeff and Sara Clark tore down a dilapidated<br />
structure on the lot they purchased along<br />
Lake Macbride near Solon and built a<br />
three-level home with floor-to-ceiling<br />
windows facing the lake. The Cedar Rapids<br />
couple love their lake home so much, they<br />
are making it their permanent residence<br />
this summer. See more, starting on page 16.<br />
Event Media Consultant<br />
Rhonda Roskos<br />
Marketing & Distribution Manager<br />
Jean Suckow<br />
Contents are registered to Corridor Media<br />
Group. Reproductions or other use, in whole<br />
or in part, of the contents of the publication<br />
without permission is strictly prohibited.<br />
2345 Landon Road, Ste. 100<br />
North Liberty, IA 52317<br />
319.665.NEWS<br />
www.corridorbusiness.com<br />
2 LURE SUMMER <strong>2018</strong>
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