Lure Winter 2018/2019

LURE 

home. style. local. 

Gathering 

Place 

Holiday 

Helper 

Clear the Air 

Mix it Up 

Table Trends

FROM THE EDITOR 

The most wonderful time of the year 

Although the weather at times may be frightful, Iowans tend to make the most out 

of winter with warm home styles, comforting food and hardy 

outdoor activities. 

The holiday season is my favorite time of the year with its rich 

traditions, festive décor and family gatherings. 

Jim and Teresa Shymansky also love the holidays, entertaining at 

their open-concept country home near Solon that resembles a lodge 

in the heart of the Colorado mountains (pages 4-10). 

The 5,300-square-foot home designed and built by their 

daughter, Kimberlee Rocca, and her husband, Kevin, of Rocca 

Custom Homes, is perfect for annual Christmas pageants and 

holiday dinners in the massive, yet cozy, great room that features 

a floor-to-ceiling cobblestone fireplace. Outdoors, the grandkids 

can burn off some steam by skiing in the timber or ice skating on 

the three-acre pond. 

While gardening isn’t a typical winter activity, plant lovers don’t have to completely 

cover up their green thumbs during the colder months. 

Anne Armitage, owner of Moss shops in both Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, says certain 

plants thrive indoors with the proper care (pages 16-21). Not only do plants such as 

cacti, succulents and tropicals add a natural ambiance to your home or office, they can 

also improve air quality by absorbing harmful toxins. 

With the house closed up for the winter, you certainly don’t want any of those toxins 

making their way to your holiday parties. 

Trends have changed over time for the annual holiday dinner from being a formal, sitdown 

affair to a more casual get-together. These days, with everybody’s busy schedules, 

people want to feel more relaxed and enjoy their company without worrying about 

spilling on the white lace tablecloth or chipping the china. 

Emily Hughes, interior designer at The Mansion in Iowa City, shares a few tips for 

setting a casual yet elegant table (pages 22-27). She suggests keeping the colors neutral 

so you can change it up throughout the season. More rugged elements like a flannel 

tablecloth can be blended with a little bling such as crystal napkin holders and gold or 

silver flatware and accessories. 

Of course, a table isn’t complete without a great spread of food and drinks. Add a little 

more cheer to your feast this year with recipes spiked with spirits. The folks at the Iowa 

Alcoholic Beverages Divsion share some tips on a spirited — and safe — party (page 29). 

We also asked area drink connoisseurs to share a few of their favorite holiday cocktails 

(pages 30-31). These aren’t your typical run-of-the-mill cups of coffee or hot chocolate. 

When it’s time to take the decorations down, put a little thought – and fun – into 

the process. Shari Benning, owner of Neat Spaces in Iowa City, shares some tips for 

organizing the lights and ornaments so you’re not wasting time untangling them next 

year (pages 12-15). 

Although the holiday season always ends too soon with too much winter left over, we 

hope we have given you a few ideas to make it brighter. 

WINTER 2018 

Chief Executive Officer 

& Publisher 

John F. Lohman 

Vice President 

Aspen N. Lohman 

Chief Operating Officer 

& Associate Publisher 

Andrea Rhoades 

Magazine & Special Projects Editor 

Angela Holmes 

Writers 

Tricia Brown 

Cindy Hadish 

Angela Holmes 

Photographer 

Brian Draeger 

Graphic Design Manager 

Becky Lyons 

Graphic Designer 

Julia Druckmiller 

Magazine Media Consultant 

Judith Cobb 

Chief Content Officer 

Adam Moore 

CBJ Media Consultant 

Kelly Meyer 

Events & Social Media Marketing Manager 

Ashley Levitt 

Event Media Consultant 

Rhonda Roskos 

Marketing & Distribution Manager 

Jean Suckow 

Angela Holmes 

Editor 

LURE 

home. style. local. 

ON THE COVER 

Contents are registered to Corridor Media 

Group. Reproductions or other use, in whole 

or in part, of the contents of the publication 

without permission is strictly prohibited. 

2345 Landon Road, Ste. 100 

North Liberty, IA 52317 

319.665.NEWS 

www.corridorbusiness.com 

Gathering 

Place 

Holiday 

Helper 

Clear the Air 

Mix it Up 

Table Trends 

This holiday season's table setting can be 

a mixture of casual and elegant elements. 

Interior designer Emily Hughes of The Mansion 

in Iowa City shares tips starting on page 22. 

2 LURE WINTER 2018

CONTENTS 

4 

Gathering Place 

Lodge-style acreage brings Colorado 

to the Midwest 

12 

Holiday Helper 

Organize decorations now to save 

time and stress later 

4 

16 

Clear the Air 

Indoor plants add ambiance and 

improve air quality 

22 

Table Trends 

Interior designer serves up tips on 

setting your holiday table 

28 

Mix it Up 

Liven up your season with holiday spirits 

16 

22 

LURE WINTER 2018 

3

Gathering 

Lodge-style acreage brings 

Colorado to the Midwest 

BY ANGELA HOLMES PHOTOS BY BRIAN DRAEGER 


Place 

Jim and Teresa Shymansky 

relax on the front patio 

of their lodge-style home 

near Solon. Each room on 

the main floor has access 

to an outdoor patio. 

Photo by Angela Holmes 


5

When Jim and Teresa 

Shymansky built their dream 

home in 2002, they had several 

requirements. First, they wanted a 

lodge-style acreage similar to those 

in Colorado. And, above all, they 

wanted a place where friends and 

family would always feel welcome. 

They then handed the reins over to their daughter, 

Kimberlee Rocca, and her husband, Kevin, of 

Rocca Custom Homes, to design and build their 

5,300-square-foot country lodge on 43 acres just 

outside of Solon. 

“I had been to Colorado and loved every home I 

saw,” Teresa said. “I wasn’t big into log homes, but 

liked the lodge style with an open concept, high 

ceilings, beams and a rustic, yet refined, feel.” 

Back then, online home décor sites like Pinterest 

and Houzz weren’t yet available to share ideas. 

“The house design is completely custom,” Kimberlee 

said. “It didn’t come out of a magazine or website.” 

But she had a pretty good idea what her parents 

would like. > 

A custom-designed 

cobblestone fireplace is the 

focal point of the great room, 

which opens up into the 

dining room and kitchen. Left, 

metal-etched chandeliers 

created by artist Stan Bennett 

reflect on Teresa’s Native 

American ancestry. 


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A custom-made cedar bed in the master 

bedroom. Left, from top: A four-season sunroom 

sits just off the kitchen. The lower level has a 

recreational feel with several games. James’ 

main-floor office has access to a patio. 

Custom-Built and Decorated 

The Roccas specifically designed the home as a “grandparent retreat” 

with multiple uses for its open spaces. For example, the great room is 

24 feet by 40 feet and flanked by 24 by 24-foot wings on each side. 

“We use every inch of it,” Teresa said of the space, which has been 

host to Thanksgiving dinners for 25 guests and Christmas pageants 

with seating up to 40. 

The focal point of the great room is the fireplace, custom-designed 

by Kimberlee, who used the same stone pattern on the back side of 

the fireplace on the home’s exterior. 

“Dad wanted to come in the door and see a palatial fireplace,” she 

said. “The stone goes all the way to the ceiling.” 

Six metal-etched chandeliers created by artist Stan Bennett not 

only light up the room, but provide a unique dimension to the décor. 

Each one is different and tells its own story, with several reflecting 

Teresa’s Native American heritage. 

The home also reflects the couple’s ancestry with three colors in the 

roof – another Native American design style – and fletch wood siding 

from Back Mountain Lumber in Pennsylvania where Jim grew up. 

A variety of wood is also used throughout the interior of the home. 

A cedar bed custom-made by Dick Schwab of Solon is in the 

master bedroom where Teresa faux-painted the pine-planked walls. 

A cedar closet in the lower level stores the Christmas pageant 

costumes. Heartland Designs of Kalona made the custom cabinetry in 

the kitchen and dining room. > 


A Home Well-Lived 

Along with its stunning natural beauty, the 

Shymansky's home is extremely functional. 

“It was designed with utility in mind,” 

Kimberlee said. “I always ask my clients, ‘How 

do you want to feel when you are in here?’” 

The kitchen, which opens into a dining 

area and the great room, has two ninefoot 

long islands and two sinks, two ovens 

and two dishwashers to accommodate the 

family’s frequent large gatherings. 

Just off the kitchen is a four-season 

sunroom with another custom-made stone 

fireplace. Originally a screened-in porch, the 

space was renovated earlier this year by the 

Roccas. It opens to an outdoor deck, giving 

access to the backyard, complete with a pond 

and 10-foot fire pit. 

Panoramic views of the woods and pond 

are not only enjoyed in the sunroom, but from 

every window on the main level, including the 

kitchen, great room and master bedroom. 

“We’re big on natural light,” Kimberlee said 

of the strategic design. 

All of the rooms, including the master 

bedroom and Jim’s office, have outside access 

via a deck or balcony. 

“I wanted a big front porch,” Teresa said 

of the area that has been the site of many 

celebrations, including birthday parties. 

Downstairs, a recreational room with a 

pool table and a third fireplace is flanked by 

Teresa’s office and a music room, a television 

room and several guest bedrooms, including 

a bunkroom that serves as a slumber party 

haven for the grandchildren. Another 

bedroom has its own kitchenette and outdoor 

access for guests needing privacy or an 

“emotional reprieve.” > 

The kitchen, designed for entertaining, 

has two nine-foot long islands, two sinks, 

two ovens and two dishwashers. Right, 

a sunroom that sits just off the kitchen is 

warmed by fireplace and panoramic views 

of the timber and pond. 


9

Not-So-Empty Nest 

With four married adult children and 14 

grandchildren ranging in age from 1-23, the 

Shymanskys’ nest is rarely empty. 

“It’s a party house for sure,” Teresa said. 

Along with family dinners, Christmas 

gatherings and even their son’s wedding, they 

have hosted everything from marriage retreats 

to the Iowa Children’s Museum’s pig roast and 

hayrack ride fundraiser earlier this fall. 

The vast outdoor space provides a natural 

extension for entertaining. 

A three-acre, 24-feet-deep manmade pond 

stocked with bass, bluegills and catfish is ideal 

for fishing, swimming, canoeing and ziplining. 

In the winter, outdoor activities include 

snowmobiling, ice skating on the pond, 

hunting and sledding. 

The pond is surrounded by nearly 500 

trees Jim planted, including a Christmas tree 

grove and apple, cherry and peach trees. 

The lodge-style home and recreational 

acreage provide a resort-like setting that 

Kimberlee was dreaming of when she 

designed it for her parents. 

“When you come home, you should feel like 

you’re on vacation,” she said. | 

Above, a manmade pond 

stocked with fish is ideal for 

activities such as swimming, 

canoeing and ice skating. 

Right and below: Photos 

submitted by the Shymansky 

family show the home during 

the holidays when family and 

friends gather for a Christmas 

pageant, dinner and 

presents around the tree. 


Luxury Home Listing Expert 

Jason Vestweber, CRS, GRI 

Jason@LiveInOurTown.com 

Office (319) 521-1234 


11

holiday 

helper 

Organize decorations now to save time and stress later 

BY TRICIA BROWN 

If you’ve ever been frustrated by the disarray of your holiday décor, 

Shari Benning, owner of Neat Spaces, is here to help. 

If you spend a bit of time getting organized while decorating 

your home this holiday season — and packing up when it’s all over 

— she says you’ll be able to more fully enjoy the special time of 

year and the people you share it with come 2019. 

“I’ve learned over the years that by getting everything a little 

more organized and taking those extra steps, especially when 

putting things away, it’s such a pay-off the next year,” Shari says. 

“Then when I pull decorations out the next November or December, 

I know exactly where it is and where it belongs in my home.” 

Here are Shari’s top 12 tips for organizing holiday decorations: > 


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13

1 

Store all of your decorations in the 

same place, if possible. Since you only access 

them once a year, store them in an out-of-the-way 

place (like the top shelf in the garage or basement). 

Get creative in storing larger items, such as outdoor 

decorations or a pre-lit tree. Look for ways to maximize 

vertical space in a closet, basement or garage. 

2 

Keep all like items together. For 

example, if you have a nativity set with multiple 

pieces, keep all of them in the same box or 

tub. Likewise, keep all ornaments together. 

Shari Benning, owner of Neat Spaces in 

Iowa City, provides tips for organizing 

holiday decorations. 

3Store your year-round decorations 

in empty holiday boxes. If you’re feeling 

really ambitious, dust your year-round decorations 

before they go in. When you take down your holiday 

decorations, your dust-free, year-round decorations 

will be ready for their usual places on the shelf. 

4 

Get an early start. Because many retail stores have carried Christmas 

items since July, you can purchase supplies early that you know you will need 

for decorating: strands of lights, temporary hooks, etc. Then, when it's game 

time, you will be ready to go and won’t have to fight the shopping crowds. 

5 

Label 

everything. Every box, 

every tub. Then, label inside the 

boxes and tubs. For example, if you 

use a lot of fake garland in different 

parts of your house, wrap it in a bag, 

place inside your tub, and label 

what part of the house you used it 

in. This will take the guess work out of 

decorating the next year. 

6 

Invest in a few new 

plastic tubs to replace the 

beat-up boxes. While it’s best 

to use the storage options you have 

(boxes, plastic tubs), sometimes it's 

time to replace them. Using special 

storage options, such as plastic 

wreath holders or an ornament 

divider box, are also good ideas. 


7 

Keep a small supply of packing 

paper or newspaper on hand. You 

want to make sure all breakable decorations 

are protected when packing them away — 

whether it’s your year-round décor going into 

the empty holiday box or packing your holiday 

items away until next year. 

8 

Keep only the items 

you enjoy. If you 

haven't set out a particular 

decoration in five years, it 

might be time for someone 

else to love it. 

9 

Store 

strands of lights at the top of 

your box/tub. Do not put them under all of your 

ornaments as they can get damaged or short out. 

10 

Designate a straggler tub. “Every year I scour my house to make 

sure I collect every piece of holiday décor and store it away,” Shari says. “And 

every year I find a random hand towel or book or candle that I missed. I leave 

the straggler tub in an easy-to-access place for a few months to collect the 

leftovers and then move it to the closet with the rest of my decorations.” 

12 

Make 

tearing down fun. 

Putting away decorations at the 

end of the season often feels like a 

dreadful task. Shari recommends 

trying to look forward to the feeling 

when everything is back in its usual 

place, your table tops, shelves and 

mantel are dust-free, the floors are 

vacuumed and you are ready to 

take on the new year with a fresh 

start. Also, Shari and her husband 

sometimes treat themselves 

and their family once the task is 

complete. Go out for dinner or see 

a movie. 

“I don't think I've met a person yet 

who enjoys this task,” Shari says. 

“Schedule it in your week. Set aside 

an evening or Saturday morning 

and just do it. Getting the task 

done feels so much better than the 

weight of procrastinating.” 

11 

Involve 

family members. Make 

decorating for the holidays a special 

time. This can go beyond the obvious tree 

decorating. Crank up the Christmas music 

or pop in your favorite Christmas DVD. 

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WHAT: Neat Spaces is an 

Iowa City-based professional 

organizing business owned 

by Shari Benning that offers 

organizing services tailored to 

each client’s home or business. 

CONTACT: (319) 210-3464 or 

icneatspaces@gmail.com 

WEBSITE: http://icneatspaces. 

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15

Clear the Air 

Indoor plants add ambiance and improve air quality 

STORY BY CINDY HADISH 

PHOTOS BY BRIAN DRAEGER 

Anne Armitage turned her lifelong passion 

for plants into a career, which now includes 

shops in both Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. 


Originally called Bark 

& Bloom, Ms. Armitage 

and her husband, 

Alan Peterka, opened 

their first shop at the 

NewBo City Market, 

when it launched in 

2012 on Third Street 

in Cedar Rapids. 

They opened their second site, Moss, 

two years ago at 112 E. Washington 

St. in Iowa City, and have since 

renamed their Cedar Rapids business 

Moss to reflect a move from fresh-cut 

bouquets into more earthy products 

and plants. 

"I've just always been someone 

who's interested in plants," Anne 

said, surrounded by a wide selection 

of succulents, cacti, tropicals and 

other houseplants at her site in the 

NewBo City Market. > 

Anne Armitage runs Moss in the NewBo 

City Market with her husband, Alan 

Peterka. They also opened a second 

location in Iowa City that also features 

earthy products and plants. 


17

The shops also sell decorative pots – a new wave of animalinspired 

planters is the latest trend – and plant-related 

accessories, along with cards, jewelry, candles and other gifts. 

Anne avoids plants that are "finicky," even if they are en 

vogue. She notes that Moss no longer carries ficus lyrata, 

commonly known as fiddle-leaf fig, after realizing the tropical 

plants might initially look beautiful, but may drop their leaves 

and can be short-lived from the stress of long-distance travel. 

Instead, she focuses on plants that thrive indoors, which 

can add benefits to a home or business, whether through 

added ambiance and beauty or even by making indoor air 

healthier. Studies have shown that indoor plants can absorb 

harmful toxins such as benzene and formaldehyde. > 

TILLANDSIA 

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Basic care tips for plants: 

n Know their light needs. Sansevieria, or 

mother-in-law's tongue, can do well in a 

windowless office. Others, including some 

tropical plants, need more light, such as an 

east- or south-facing window. 

n Know their water requirements. Some plants, 

such as cacti, prefer dry conditions, while 

others need more frequent watering. Overwatering 

is one of the main houseplant killers. 

MOSS-ALOCASIA ‘POLLY’ (AFRICAN MASK) 

n Know their soil needs. Air plants can live 

without soil, though they do need water. 

Cacti and succulents prefer a course, welldrained 

sandy mix, while other houseplants 

do well with a soilless mix of peat moss, 

vermiculite and perlite. 


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19

Good for the 

air and pets 

Two of the frequently asked 

questions Anne Armitage 

hears are "what houseplants 

are safe around pets" and 

"which are air-purifying 

plants." Here are some of 

the top choices: 

AIR-PURIFYING PLANTS 

1) Pothos 

2) Sansevieria 

3) Spider plant 

4) Rubber plant 

5) Dracaena 

PET-SAFE PLANTS 

1) Peperomia 

2) Calathea (prayer plant) 

3) Hoya 

4) Spider plant 

5) Haworthia 

ASSORTED SUCCULENTS (ECHEVERIA AND GRAPTOVERIA 

TILLANDSIA IONANTHA 

Some of Anne's favorite plants are tropicals, including a 

seven-foot-tall bird of paradise that she grows in a southfacing 

window at home and a rubber plant that "feels 

especially jungle-like." 

"They really make an impact," she said of the large 

tropical plants. 

At this time of year, plants are often given as hostess gifts 

for parties, but you won't find the ubiquitous poinsettia 

at Moss. The typically red and green plants, with some in 

newer pastels and even sprayed with glitter, are considered 

a "novelty" by Anne, and "they're everywhere," she said. "I 

don't want to deal in novelty things." > 

CEPHALOCEREUS SENILIS (OLD MAN CACTUS) 


Other holiday favorites, however, such as Christmas 

cactus, blooming amaryllis and paperwhites can be 

found at Moss. 

Mini succulents – plants that can thrive with little 

water – are among the top sellers year-round. 

"They're adorable and at a good price-point," Ms. 

Armitage said, adding that air plants and tropicals also 

are riding a wave of popularity. Air plants, which live 

without soil, but do need water, come in a wide array of 

shapes and colors, including new reds and fuchsia. 

"All air plants are really, really hot right now," she said. 

Armitage recommends aloe vera – a succulent with 

medicinal purposes – and jade, sansevieria (commonly 

known as mother-in-law's tongue) and peperomia for 

those who don't consider themselves "green thumbs," as 

they require little care. 

Pothos, a popular ivy-like plant, is another easy-togrow 

houseplant. 

"They're tough as nails," Anne said. "And they're really, 

really hard to kill." | 

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21

TABLE 

TRENDS 

Story by Angela Holmes Photos by Brian Draeger 

22 LURE WINTER 2018 

Interior designer 

serves up tips 

on set ting your 

holiday table

This warm table 

setting designed by 

Emily Hughes of The 

Mansion incorporates 

neutral colors set off 

with a little bling. 


23

Sitting down for a meal with 

family and friends is one of 

the hallmarks of the holidays, 

providing an opportunity to 

enjoy each other’s company 

and indulge in the flavors 

of the season. While many 

families have their own tried-and-true 

traditions when it comes to the table setting, 

some prefer to try new styles and trends. 

Emily Hughes, an interior designer at The 

Mansion in Iowa City, shares some ideas on 

dressing up your holiday table. 

FAMILY FRIENDLY 

Family members of all ages will be indulging in 

the feast, so pick out the tablecloth wisely. Wool is 

more naturally stain resistant and offers warmth 

on a cold winter’s day. Other family-friendly 

cleanable fabrics include Crypton and Nanotex. 

KEEP IT CASUAL 

As schedules fill up and life becomes more chaotic, people 

want a more relaxed setting to socialize rather than a 

formal dinner. The trend these days for holiday table 

settings is a little more casual, livable and approachable. 


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REPEAT ELEMENTS 

Use a recurring theme throughout the table. 

Among the food dishes, dot artificial produce 

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25

A LITTLE BLING IS FINE 

While you want to keep it casual, a little bling livens up the 

spirit. Crystal napkin rings or gold and silver metallic trees of 

varying heights can add merriment to the setting. 

NEUTRAL COLORS 

A more neutral base allows the table to be changed throughout 

the season. While the rest of the room can showcase the more 

traditional red and green, try a different color combination at the 

table like blues and oranges or black and white with grays. Don’t 

worry about keeping all of the metals uniform – use a mix of 

silver, gold and copper to add an interesting dimension. 


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27

Mix it Up 

Liven up your season with holiday spirits 

Classic holiday flavors can be captured in liquid form as contemporary 

distilleries have introduced seasonal flavors to their base spirits – 

moonshine, vodka, rum and more – in cocktails or with food. Think apple 

pie moonshine with vanilla ice cream, pumpkin-flavored spirit over ice, or 

brandy egg nog over chocolate ice cream. 


Our friends at the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages 

Division provide the following suggestions to 

make your holiday party festive – and safe: 

Bring on the Bubbly 

Sparkling wines are a holiday must for many, 

including Champagne, prosecco and American 

sparkling wines. To mix a little innovation with 

tradition, try Hpnotiq Sparkle, a sparkling liqueur 

that infuses fruity Hpnotiq with Champagne-like 

bubbles. Or make your own innovations: blend 

a bottle of bubbly with a flavored syrup such as 

gingerbread, cranberry or orange. 

Toast the liquid traditions. Hot buttered rum, 

wassail and egg nog are easy to prepare and even 

easier to enjoy. 

For simple hot buttered rum, combine equal 

parts molasses, brown sugar and butter to six parts 

spiced rum in a metal pot. Add 10 parts boiling 

water and stir. Serve in individual mugs with a 

cinnamon stick. 

For a spirited wassail, combine 1 gallon of 

apple cider, 2 cups orange juice, 1 cup lemon juice 

and ½ cup sugar in a large pot on the stove or a 

crock pot. Add 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1 teaspoon 

cloves, 1 teaspoon nutmeg and 3 whole star anise. 

Simmer for several hours. When guests arrive, add 

brandy to taste (1/2 to 3 cups) and serve. 

Use spirits in food. If the warm, buttery smell 

of a rum cake wafting through the house doesn’t 

already stir up memories, let 2018 usher in a new 

tradition. Other spirited holiday staples include rum 

balls, chocolate bourbon tart and brandy pecan pie. 

The Jewish celebration of Hanukkah embraces 

distinctive wintertime flavors. Families and friends 

gather to celebrate the Festival of Lights with foods 

such as potato latkes and sufganiyot, a deep-fried 

pastry filled with jelly and topped with powered 

sugar. Make a jelly doughnut cocktail using vodka, 

which is sometimes made from potatoes, and a 

fruit-flavored liqueur. 

Be a Responsible Host 

The best party loses its sparkle if guests get inebriated – and especially 

if they drive under the influence. Take these basic precautions. 

Serve light cocktails. A few easy principles can help you mix cocktails 

that are high in flavor but low in alcohol. 

1. Choose flavored alcohols: vodka touched with caramel, vanilla 

and cherry; run kissed with banana, coconut and spices; or tequila 

touches with lime, pineapple or chili. 

2. Go for lower-alcohol choices, such as liqueur, schnapps, triple 

sec, sweet vermouth and amaro, instead of higher-alcohol options like 

tequila, rum or gin. 

3. Focus on cocktails that highlight mixers like cola, ginger ale, 

lemon-lime soda, juices and shrubs (flavored vinegar syrups). 

4. Add flavorful rimmers. Try caramel syrup with a lightly sweet 

martini, crushed ginger snaps with ginger beer and rum, or finely 

chopped bacon with bourbon and water. 

5. Use a rinse. By coating the inside of a glass with a full-proof spirit, 

you add aromas and flavors with less alcohol, as in New Orleans’ absintherinsed 

Sazerac. Also known as a wash, a rinse uses an aromatic ingredient 

like absinthe, smoky Scotch, mezcal or gin. Swirl the liquid slowly around 

a chilled glass, discard the excess and immediately prepare the cocktail. 

Or buy an inexpensive dime-store spray bottle to coat the inner glass. 

Don’t skimp on food, water and non-alcoholic beverages including 

coffee, tea, soft drinks, juices and sparkling flavored water. Not only 

will these options help your drinking guests to better manage their 

consumption, you’ll provide options to designated drivers and other 

non-drinking friends. If you serve foods made with liquor, make sure 

they’ve been cooked long enough to evaporate the alcohol. 

n Hire a bartender who will mix the cocktails as well as control access 

to the spirits and monitor guests’ consumption. 

n Provide entertainment so alcohol isn’t the main focus of the festivities. 

n Have a last call for cocktails, and then switch to non-alcoholic drink 

options. 

n Provide a key drop. Whisk the keys away early in the party and return 

them when you determine the driver is adequately sober. Consider having 

guest bedrooms, floor mattresses and blankets at the ready if needed. 

n Keep a list of taxi services handy. > 

Used with permission from the Fall/Winter 2018 issue of Iowa Spirits magazine. 


29

We asked several area experts to share 

their favorite holiday cocktail recipes 

Nik Conner 

Mistress of Wine and Cheese 

New Pioneer Co-op 

Warming Winter Sparkler 

MAKES SIX 14-OUNCE SERVINGS, OR EIGHT 10-OUNCE SERVINGS 

Develin J. Matthews 

General Manager, 

John's Grocery, Iowa City 

Christmas Rum Punch 

6 oranges 

Clove(s) however much you like, but we suggest 

using one per orange. Put in a stick of cinnamon if 

you want a little more spice. 

1 bottle rum — Jamaican is standard, but we like Kirk 

and Sweeny or Appleton Estate if you are a purist. 

1/2 cup sugar 

1/2 gallon Wilson’s Orchard apple cider 

Tea cup or coffee mug 

Stud oranges with cloves and bake until they soften. 

Place them in a punch bowl and add rum and sugar. 

Set fire to the rum (Jamaican rum is recommended) 

and in a few minutes begin slowly adding cider, 

thus extinguishing the flames. Stir in cinnamon and 

nutmeg, and keep the mixture hot. 

Erma's Manhattan 

2 ounces whiskey 

1 ounce vermouth 

2 dashes bitters 

Cherry (garnish) 

Cocktail glass 

Stir over ice, strain into a chilled glass, garnish and 

serve straight up. 

1- 750 ml bottle Prosecco or Cava, chilled 

1- 750 ml bottle Cedar Ridge Apple Cranberry Wine, 

chilled 

4- 12-ounce bottles Reed’s Extra Ginger Brew,chilled 

Pomegranate arils 

3/4 cup Gingersnap crumbs (pulse 8-10 Mi-Del 

Gingersnap cookies in a food processor until fine) 

1 large orange, cut into sections 

Pour Prosecco, wine and Ginger Brew into a large 

pitcher, carefully stir to combine. Wet rims of glasses 

(16-ounce Ball jars) with an orange slice, dip into 

gingersnap crumbs. Drop an orange slice and a 

tablespoon of pomegranate arils in the bottom of the 

jars; slowly pour contents of pitcher into the glasses 

and serve. 

Salted Caramel Tawny Hot Chocolate 

MAKES SIX 8-OUNCE SERVINGS 

2-3 ounce bars Chocolove Salted Caramel 70% 

Chocolate, broken into pieces 

6 tablespoons Ghiradelli hot chocolate mix 

5 cups milk 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

6 ounces Tawny Port 

Whipped cream and Ghiradelli cocoa powder for 

garnish 

Pinch of salt (optional) 

Warm the milk in a pan over low-medium heat and stir 

in chocolate, hot chocolate mix, vanilla extract, until 

chocolate is melted, and the mixture is hot and smooth. 

Add the port to the pan, stir, then turn off heat. Add a 

pinch of salt to balance sweetness, if desired. 

Pour into six large mugs, and garnish with whipped 

cream and cocoa powder. 


Lauren Chalupsky-Cannon 

Owner, The Secret Cellar Wine & 

Gift Boutique, Shueyville 

Lauren's Hazelnut Berry Martini 

Fill a shaker with ice: 

Add 1 1/2 ounces Bailey's 

Add 1/2 ounce berry vodka 

Add 1/2 ounce Frangelico 

Shake and strain into martini glass. 

Optional garnish with cocoa powder. 

Peppermint Patty Coffee 

Start with a cup of hot coffee and add: 

1 ounce peppermint Schnapps 

1/2 ounce 360 Chocolate Vodka 

Interior Design | Furniture | Gifts 

331 Kirkwood Avenue | Iowa City 

351-4653 | Hours: M-F 10-5 

www.designsurroundings.com 

Top with whipped cream and enjoy. 

Champagne Bar 

Prepare a tub full of iced Champagne, 

Cava or Prosecco with glasses ready to 

add a side choice splash of: 

Chambord 

Cranberry juice 

Cointreau 

Orange juice 

Midori 

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31

Simple and beautiful holiday faves 

Jim Beam Buttershots Egg Nog 

Bourbon ond butterscotch embellish the richness of egg nog. 

2 ounces Jim Beam Bonded Bourbon 

½ ounce buttershots schnapps 

Fresh ground nutmeg 

½ ounce or more of prepared egg nog 

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail 

glass. Garnish with a cinnamon stick. 

Casa Hot Chocolate 

1 ½ ounce Casamigos Reposado Tequila 

½ ounce agave nectar 

¼ ounce almond liqueur 

Pinch of cinnamon 

4 ounces hot chocolate 

Toasted marshmallows 

Graham cracker square 

Red Dollar Holiday Punch 

A focus on fruit juices lightens up this 

cocktail from Absolut. Can be made 

as a single serving (substitute ounces 

for ports) or a punch. 

1 ½ ports Absolut Vodka 

2 ports cranberry juice 

2 ports pomegranate juice 

¼ ports lime juice 

1 orange 

Fill a highball glass with ice cubes. 

Add all ingredients. Garnish with 

orange slices. 

Combine tequila, agave nectar, almond liqueur and cinnamon 

into mug. Top with hot chocolate and stir. Garnish with two 

toasted marshmallows and a graham cracker square. 

Used with permission from the Fall/Winter 2018 issue of Iowa Spirits magazine.

Legendary Apple Pie 

Moonshine Punch 

From Iowa Legendary Rye Whiskey 

½ gallon apple cider (all-natural is best) 

½ gallon apple juice (not from 

concentrate) 

2 cups white granulated sugar 

2½ cups brown sugar 

2 teaspoons apple pie spice mix 

1- 750-ml bottle Legendary Rye White 

Whiskey 

Combine all ingredients and bring 

to a boil, stirring constantly until sugar 

dissolves. Allow to cool and add the 

whiskey. Serve hot, warm, cool or over 

ice. (Can be halved or quartered.) 

GRAVELY MOWERS 

MOW THE DISTANCE 

Get the Mower You’ve Always Wanted. 

All Sizes. All Prices Ranges. 

SHOWN: 

GRAVELY 

ProTurn 460 

Maple Leaf Bourbon 

From Iowa Distilling Co. 

1 ½ ounces Iowa Distilling Co. 

Straight Bourbon Whiskey 

½ ounce lime juice 

1 ounce maple syrup 

Dash of orange bitters 

Air-Ride Seat 

Yamaha 33HP 

TOP OF 

THE LINE 

www.gravely.com 

Add whiskey, lime juice, maple syrup 

and bitters to a shaker cup with ice. 

Shake, then strain over fresh ice in a 

cocktail glass. 

City Tractor Co. 

645 Penn Ct. North Liberty, IA 

319-665-6500 


33

Corridor Business Journal 

2345 Landon Road, Ste. 100 

North Liberty, IA 52317 

325 East Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 319-337-9637 www.iowacityarea.com 

Affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders & Home Builders Association of Iowa 

Iowa Va ley Habitat for Humanity 

2017 GIVING GUIDE 

egional Philanthropic Opportunities 

“The best way to find 

yourself is to lose yourself in 

the service of others.” 

Mahatma Gandhi 

PRESENTING SPONSOR 

THE GREATER IOWA CITY AREA HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION I www.iowacityhomes.com 

Student Built House 

Groundbreaking 

Tell Your Story 

A Passion for Growth 

Celebrating Our New Office 

Vocational Training Council Chair, Aaron McGlynn with Cabinet Works, welcomes everyone to the groundbreaking. 

A ceremonial groundbreaking was held Thursday, June 

28, 2018 at 3:00 pm a the site of a future home of Reach 

AUGUST 2018 

Check the Calendar of Events 

at www.iowacityhomes.com 

for more information! 

2018 

Remodelers Council 

Board Meeting 

AUGUST 7TH NOON - 1:00 PM 

IC HBA Conference Room 

Women’s Council Build Day 

AUGUST 30TH 


Katie Lammers Women Build 

924 N Governor St, Iowa City 

IC/CR Fall Mixer 

AUGUST 30TH 6:00 - 8:00 PM 

The Hotel Kirkwood 

7725 Kirkwood Blvd SW 

Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 

Membership Committee 

Membership Drive 

SEPTEMBER 6TH NOON - 2:00 PM 


for Your Potential clients. The home is being built at 

1881 Dickenson Lane in Iowa City by local students. 

IC Area HBA Build Day 

SEPTEMBER 7TH 

lifestyle 

munity 

business 

chnology 

425 E. Oakdale Blvd. - Suite 101 - Coralville - 319.338.4100 

www.WattsGroup.com 

The groundbreaking is the beginning of a new project 

put on by our Vocational Training Council. The 

council organizes workforce development projects in 

the greater Iowa City area. Students participating in 

the program learn an important skill set, earn college 

credit, and help give back to the community. 

Partner with the Corridor Business Journal to design your own custom magazine. 

North 

Liberty 

NORTH LIBERTY 

We were excited to have Governor Kim Reynolds at 

the groundbreaking as well as many other elected 

officials and members of the IC Area HBA, Vocational 

Training Council, the student and their parents. 

The project includes 13 students of all different ages 

building a home for a local non-profit organization 

called Reach for Your Potential. RFYP supplies 

housing for adults with disabilities. This project 

also partners with Kirkwood Community College, 

allowing each student working on the house to 

receive two hours of construction credits. Members 

of the Homebuilders Association are paying for the 

college credits, and students will also complete their 

10 hours of OSHA certification. 

STUDENT BUILD PAGE 4 

Dr. Mick Starcevich, 

outgoing President of 

Kirkwood Community 

College, talks about 

the valuable skills the 

students are learning. 

Governor Kim Reynolds 

talks about everything 

we are doing right 

for students and 

homeowners in Iowa City. 



September Membership 

Meeting 

SEPTEMBER 13TH 6:00 - 8:00 PM 

Hawkeye Ready Mix 

3375 Klein Rd, Iowa City 

Remodelers Social 

SEPTEMBER 18TH 6:00 - 8:00 PM 

Water Concepts 

214 Southgate Ave, Iowa City 

Board of Directors Meeting 

SEPTEMBER 20TH NOON - 1:00 PM 


2012 - 2013 PROGRESS REPORT 

GREATER IOWA CITY AREA HBA 

Remodelers Council 

Build Day 

OCTOBER 25TH 




MEMBERSHIP 

on advancing 

WOMEN’S 

DIRECTORY 

LEADERSHIP 

PO BOX 3396 11 S. GILBERT ST. IOWA CITY, IA 52244-3396 PHONE: 319-351-5333 FAX: 319-358-2443 WWW.IOWACITYHOMES.COM 

exhilaration. 

inspiration. 

momentum. 

results. 

CORALVILLE 

Official 2015 Cedar Rapids Area Activities Guide 

MARION 

MT. VERNON 

LINN COUNTY 

HIAWATHA 

IOWA CITY 

Visit www.corridorbusiness.com/custom-publications 

to view the most recently published magazines. 

For more information contact Andrea Rhoades at 

andrea@corridorbusiness.com or 319.665.6397 x304 

34 LURE WINTER 2018 

A City on the Rise


35

Lure Winter 2018/2019

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