Siouxland Magazine - Volume 2 Issue 4 - version 2

STARTING CONVERSATIONS
“In diversity there is beauty
and there is strength.”
- Maya Angelou
Breaking Down to Build New:
Clean Pallete for Artists
Grandview Park Water Towers
20
Beauty
20
Volume 2, Issue 4

Welcome to Siouxland Magazine
Stacie Anderson, Owner
It’s in these pages that we hope to educate
and inspire, even more importantly,
to create a community that thrives on
connecting with one another. At our
core, we all want to connect. When we
seek to understand, by listening more
intently, we find that our relationships
deepen and our community strengthens
as a result. With our appreciation for
the power of connection through
meaningful conversations, it only made
sense to name our business Empowering
Conversations.
Siouxland Magazine | BEAUTY / 3
It all starts with a conversation; with a desire to learn; to see things from another perspective; to
seek truth. The truth is, we have more in common than we have differences. Well, maybe it would
be more accurate to say, what brings us together is stronger than anything that divides us.
We would never want to marginalize our differences. We love the words of Audre Lorde,
“It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate
those differences.” We are unique in vast and complicated ways. It’s our hope that we can
come together with our unique strengths, perspectives and ideas to build a community with a
powerful narrative of “us.”
Through this humble publication, we will start having conversations. This is an ambitious and
beautifully optimistic attempt to shine light on all the things that make our community strong,
but also discuss, in a productive and compassionate manner, the challenges we face.
We are doing our small part in building a cohesive community by creating conversations
that refocus our attention on our similarities. We are bringing people together; replacing
judgment with understanding. Perspective is powerful.
We want to hear from you. At Siouxland Magazine, we feel it is imperative to understand what
the community wants and needs. Share your vision and dreams for Siouxland.
We want you to lean into the conversation and participate in the discussion.
connect@empowering-conversations.com
or on Facebook @siouxlandmag
E m p o w e r i n g
Conversations, LLC
siouxlandmagazine.com

BEAUTY
Converse
22
In the Eyes of the Observer.........................................................................................8
The World Is A Canvas....................................................................................................10
10 Under 40.......................................................................................................................................13
Starting Conversations.................................................................................................14
Why The Conversation Needs To Continue…..................15
Beauty Instead Of Ashes ..........................................................................16
Listen .........................................................................................................................................18
A Beautiful Day.........................................................................................................21
Balance
explore
Amber’s Top 5 Keys To Ageless Beauty...........................................36
Being Beauty......................................................................................................................................38
Ask The Therapist.......................................................................................................................4 0
Doctor’s Prescription: Forest Bathing, The Art of Slowing
Down.................................................................................................................................................................43
I Am A Frayed Knot.............................................................................................................46
Gazing Into The Beauty Of The Night Sky...................................49
“Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and test of our civilization.”
– Mahatma Gandhi

“Beauty begins the moment you choose to see it.”
– Connor Chalfant
Inspire
Grow
The Seasons of Beauty.................................................................................................22
Beautiful Perspective.........................................................................................................24
Exactly Like Nothing Else...............................................................................................26
Organic Beauty............................................................................................................................28
The Beauty Of The United States Of America.............31
Share The Beauty........................................................................................................................33
Siouxland’s Beauty: Luscious Green Space,
Historic 4th And Our People................................................................................35
enjoy
Siouxland Food Trucks.......................................................................................................50
Summer Beauty 2020: It’s The Little Things................................52
Visit Le Mars, IA..............................................................................................................................54
At our core, we all want to connect. When we seek
to understand by listening more intently, we find that our
relationships deepen and our community strengthens as
a result. That’s what our Siouxland Magazine is all about!
We can’t wait to talk to you and truly connect with you and
your audience. If you’re interested in learning more about
how to advertise with us, download the media kit on our
website at siouxlandmagazine.com. Always feel free to
reach out to us via phone, email or Facebook.
We promise to not disappoint. We’re creating a magazine
you won’t want to put down.
Want to be included in our July issue?
Contact us soon!
Deadline to reserve space is
August 3rd!
Media Kit at siouxlandmagazine.com
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weeknights @ 7:30 pm.
ON THE COVER
Photography by Britton Hacke Photography.

Yesterday.
Today.
Tomorrow.
A Station for You.
A Station for Everyone.
Join the Conversation.
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$50 off any booking.
Limited spots.

Editors Note
What doesn’t break you, only makes you stronger.
Have you ever thought, “I am strong enough already!”? I mean,
seriously, have we had enough already?
From the pandemic to racial injustice, the world seems to be spinning
out of control. Each event heightening our stress levels and pulling us
further apart. Unfortunately, I mean that both figuratively and literally.
I don’t know about you, but I miss people.
The separation has made it all too clear how important people are
in my life. There is something about living in the reality of loss that
deepens the understanding.
I think it’s interesting the themes that were set in place at the beginning
of the year, as I look at it now. Going into March with the theme of
Question, May focused on Failure, and July centered on Beauty, it all
seems a bit surreal.
We have been forced to really look closer at our individual impact
on the world. It pushes us to question the systems and organizations
we have in place. And it’s time to ask even more questions… better
questions.
We have to look at what is failing. It’s time to break down what isn’t
serving us and build new. The process can be, and most likely will be,
painful and uncomfortable. But it’s how we ensure a strong future.
We have all been brought to the table to take a hard look at where
we have been and consider where we are going. It’s a time to come
together with curiosity and start asking questions, encouraging
innovation, and building communities where people can thrive.
Everything we are going through is rough, but it’s revealing its
beauty. It isn’t always going to be obvious, but that’s where stillness
and gratitude come in. We need to focus our attention on what is
important, what is beautiful, and what is right in front of us.
As always, I encourage you to lean into the conversations. Many of
them will be difficult. No longer should the conversation be about “us
versus them”, but instead, about “we”. It’s time we ask why the room
separates into two sides, when usually our deepest wants and needs
are very similar. Can we honor each other with our appreciation for
our uniqueness? Can we come together to create a safer and more
beautiful world?
Let’s find the beauty in everything and everyone around us. You are
beautiful.
Siouxland Magazine | beauty / 7
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Beauty
appreciation
exquisite
genuine
In the Eyes of the Observer
By Stacie Anderson
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” We
undoubtedly have unique lenses that we view the world
through and we feel the gravitational pull towards
different people and objects.The enormity of our
world allows for so much pleasure and opportunity to
appreciate the beauty that surrounds us.
Unfortunately, too often the pace that we take doesn’t
allow for us to fully appreciate what’s right in front of us.
There is something about slowing down and taking it all
in, when we allow our eyes to settle on an object and see
it in its true essence. The slowing down and intensifying
of our gaze, allows the senses to sharpen. Colors become
more vivid and textures more dramatic. And we haven’t
even begun to talk about the other senses. Yes, beauty
takes on many forms.
In a time that for most has become increasingly stressful,
it is restorative to ground ourselves in beauty. When was
the last time you found yourself immersed in a moment?
When time just stood still?
I’d like to encourage you to indulge in sensory
experiences. Stir the slumber of your inner observer.
Notice how the world opens. Just observe.
The amount of beauty we could witness
would greatly be increased if we each
became an observer.
In the past few months, many of us have had more time
at home. Our yearning to expand our time out in nature
has greatly increased. We are again, feeling connected
to the Earth. The symphony of birds singing seems like a
backstage pass to the divine. The perfume of lavender and
hydrangeas dances through the air as the breeze cools sun
kissed skin. The red, sweet juice of ripe tomatoes enlivens
the taste buds. The beauty is bountiful.
All of this beauty and it’s sweet release is accessible to
each of us. In its awe, we can feel the lightness, the load
is lifted. We are renewed and inspired. We are creative
beings searching for greater expression and opportunities
for deeper connection.
All of this beauty is mirrored in community. It’s the
relationships that we hold that give us the same heightened
experiences. Life becomes more joyful when shared. There
is so much beauty, so much rapture, in coming together.
People need people.
It’s in moments of breaking bread together, diving into
meaningful conversations, or belly laughing over shared
memories that we lose ourselves in beauty. We feel whole
and alive.
Our focus becomes magnetic. My hope is that you seek
beauty. You pursue it with every ounce of energy you can
spend only to find in its achievement it fills you beyond.
Stacie Anderson is the owner of Siouxland Magazine and a
Certified John Maxwell Speaker, Trainer and Coach.
Photo credit Breezy Struthers Drake.

authentic
confident
original
Beautiful Quite and Unrushed Mornings
By Cyndi Hanson
Beauty is not something I’ve given a lot of
thought to. Maybe it’s because I’ve never really felt
beautiful myself, maybe it’s because I am more attuned
to my auditory sense than visual, maybe it’s because I
wake every morning unable to see clearly more than a
few inches from my face. I don’t know exactly why beauty
isn’t something I think about. But when prompted to do
so, I recognize the beauty in this world.
As I think about the year 2020, I’m not sure beauty is the
adjective that is first to mind. And yet, it is appropriate.
There has been beauty in the year 2020. As I woke
up one morning with my blurry vision reaching for my
glasses, I found irony in the fact that 20/20 is what we
use to describe perfect vision and this year, 2020, is
one in which so much of our vision of the world has
been challenged and begun to change. Maybe we
are developing perfect vision through the disruption
of COVID, economic unrest and overdue attention to
injustice.
The beautiful points of this year for me have been quiet,
unrushed mornings. I intended to keep my same schedule
despite working at home for several weeks. When my
alarm would go off at 6 a.m., I would find myself awake and
listening to the quiet, calm, nothingness of the morning. A
beautiful time of reflection, thoughtfulness and prayer.
Where have you found beauty in 2020? Log onto the
Siouxland Magazine Facebook page and share it with us.
Dr. Cyndi Hanson is an avid learner who asks questions - of herself
and of others. Her work as the Executive Director for Northeast
Community College’s Extended Campus in South Sioux City
provides her opportunity to learn much, explore needs and
collaborate with many to answer questions and ask more.
Like us on
Facebook
and
Instagram
Check out our digital magazine at siouxlandmagazine.com

Siouxland Magazine | BEAUTY / 10
Grandview Park water tower
The World Is A Canvas
By Cyndi Hanson
The world is a canvas for Paul Chelstad and Nic
Lucart. Self-described street artists, the pair have enjoyed
the opportunity to create and share their works with the
huge crowds at Saturday in the Park over the last 20+ years.
They are among the many who have painted the former
water tower in Grandview Park.
Paul shares that he learned about graffiti art when was in
New York City in the early 1980s. “A friend moved from Brazil
at the beginning of 80s and he was doing street graffiti in
Sao Paulo. The night he got to New York, through a mutual
friend, I was asked to go with them to stencil. It had never
occurred to me at all because I worked on canvas, but I was
like yeah that would be fun. Once, we got stopped by the
police. We had painted these huge musical instruments in
Little Italy that were so elaborate. They were so impressed
by his stencils that they let us go.” Paul shared with a smile.
Nick’s exposure to street art started here in Sioux City.
“When I was young, I grew up by a train track, so I always
saw graffiti on that. I always had an infinity for it. Then as I
got a little bit older, I got immersed in the hip hop culture.
Graffiti and hip hop go hand in hand, right along with the
skateboard thing. The very bright, illustrative, flashy, look at
me kind of things.”
So how did the two become committed artists for the
Grandview Park water tower? “When I got back to Sioux
Nan, Nick and Paul

Siouxland Magazine | BEAUTY / 11
Nick and Paul with blue mask artwork
City, I saw it and recognized the potential.” Chelstad said. “I
talked to Dave Bernstein, then he and I went to City Council
to ask permission to paint it. They said sure – we’re going to
tear it down but go ahead and paint it.”
The timing was a bit of serendipity. Saturday in the Park was
happening soon, and it was a great opportunity to invite the
public to participate. “Originally Sioux City Paint decorating
donated and we painted it blue. Then people could come
up and paint on it.” Chelstad noted. Lucart added, “It’s been
an annual thing. We’ve always made a point of cleaning
it up before Saturday in the Park. It’s kind of like the SITP
gallery.”
Paul with Abe
The two shared mutual appreciation for the roles they
have played in expanding street art in Siouxland. Both
have contributed, collaborated, and supported artists as
appreciation for the work has grown. “People will miss it
when it’s gone.” Lucart noted, in reference to the Grandview
Park water tower – which actually is being torn down this
summer.
“Everything in this place just came together perfectly,”
Lucart commented wistfully. Summarizing the crux of street
art – including the water tower. Chelstad added “It’s all
organic. It’s alive and ever changing.”
The beauty is that street art is a freer form of expression,
according to the men, and much of the joy comes from the
process of painting. Lucart said, “As I’ve gotten older, it’s
become therapeutic for me.” The water towers have been
a gathering place for artists in the tri-state area to have a
creative outlet and build life-long friendships.
Dr. Cyndi Hanson is the Executive Director for Northeast Community
College’s Extended Campus in South Sioux City.
Photo credit Paul Chelstad on top of page 10. Photo credit Britton
Hacke Photography on bottom of page 10, page 11 & 12.
BB King

Siouxland Magazine | BEAUTY / 12
Water Tower Artists and Volunteers
Derrick & Ryan Ames Chris Jensen
Mike Berger
Tiffany Jensen
Jeff Booth
Mark Kochen
Jim Bravo
Nic Lucart
Paul Chelstad
Collin O’Sullivan
Water tower STIP alien
Paul Engle
Priscilla Forsyth
Char Frenchman
Stephan Giannini
Beth Harms
Bob Harms
Christy Hubbart
Ben Pratt
Loraine & Kate
Roge-Jones
Carmel Sonic
Aimee Washburn
Nan Wilson
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10 Under 40
Siouxland Magazine is proud to host the 9th annual 2020
“10 Under 40” competition! The highly anticipated issue
comes out in September, featuring young professionals in
Siouxland who are making a real difference in our community.
Nominations will be open starting July 1 and the form can be
found on our website at siouxlandmagazine.com.
STARTING CONVERSATIONS
Siouxland Magazine | BEAUTY / 13
THRIVE 20
19
Volume 1, Issue 5
10 11 UNdER 40
Here is what we look for in Siouxland’s 10 Under 40. Look around to your co-workers, employees,
bosses, friends, colleagues, and think about who meets the following criteria:
• Under the age of 40 as of December 31, 2020 (Yes, you may have to ask, but he/she will be
honored you are thinking of them for an award!)
• Is a business owner or high executive/manager/director (or has experience in this area) within their
organization (this can be a large corporation, small business, or non-profit organization).
• Must be in their current position, or have had experience in a managerial role for at least one year.
• Lives and works in the Siouxland area (approximately a 60-mile radius around Sioux City.)
Has a history of displaying:
• Vision and Leadership
• Innovation and Achievement
• Growth/Development Strategy
• Community Involvement/Contribution
• Consistent display of excellent character and ethics
A quote that I reflect on often is from Simon Sinek, “Working hard for something we don’t care about
is called stress. Working hard for something we love is called passion.” It’s not every day that one gets
recognized for their hard work, volunteering effort, and love for a non-profit, let alone be honored
as a “11 under 40” recipient. I’m still speechless and humbled that I was given such a recognition,
especially among such young, impressive, deserving professionals in the community. What we have
in Siouxland is genuinely beautiful (no wonder why we were recognized in the top 10 of Most Livable
Small Cities). It’s motivating and empowering, as you read each story, each recipient’s passion pours
out onto the page and comes to life. There is good in the world. There is good in our backyard, and
it’s been a privilege to be part of the conversation! Thank you, Siouxland Magazine, for spotlighting
the 11 of us in the community and bringing our stories to the table.
– Katie Kruse

converse
curious
Cultivating Meaningful
Powerful narrative of “us”
truth seekers
Starting Conversations
By Stacie Anderson
It’s here, we are starting conversations
focused on issues that matter to our readers
and that impact our community. We invite
everyone to take a seat at the table and share
their unique perspective. We are diving into
difficult conversations, approaching seemingly
unanswerable questions, with a commitment to
embrace possibilities. We are allowing things to
unfold by trusting in the process, leaning into the
conversation with an insatiable curiosity.
We will not shy away from difficult conversations just
because the answers aren’t clear or because they may
be uncomfortable. It is our inherent responsibility to
make every effort to lighten the loads of others and
leave the world a better place than how we found it.
Questions to Start the Conversation
1. What can you do to support the People of Color in our community?
2. Do you think we were taught well about race and culture?
3. Who taught you about race and culture?
4. Why is it important for everyone to work towards ending this injustice?
5. What can you do to be actively anti-racist instead of just being not racist?
6. How would you define white privilege?
7. What are some examples of white privilege? Where do these privileges come from?
8. How is racism embedded into the social structure?

strengthening our community
Conversations exploring perspectives
coming together
open minded
focused on common good
It’s not our intention to persuade anyone, nor is
it our intention to necessarily arrive at a solution.
It is our desire to get the conversation rolling, to
hold space for ideas to manifest, to encourage
full participation, and facilitate in this process that
moves us forward.
Certainly we want to see a positive impact in our
community from these discussions. It is our hope
that our readers will continue the conversations,
create momentum, and implement strategies that
make sense for their neighborhoods, organizations
or any other facet of their lives.
I approach the conversation on racial injustice,
understanding the sensitivity, with slight
hesitation. And yet, it is a conversation that we
must have. We can’t hold our tongue simply
because we are afraid of getting it wrong.
We need to be brave and vulnerable. To put
ourselves in uncomfortable conversations to
begin to understand at a deeper level what our
neighbors are feeling and experiencing. We
must put people first.
At this time, it is so important to listen. To
try and understand this issue from multiple
perspectives. From here the solutions will
get easier. I’d encourage you to engage in
conversations and ask questions. Open your
hearts and minds. Stay curious and committed
to each other.
Why The Conversation Needs To Continue…
By Ike Rayford
In light of everything
going on, as the president
of the Sioux City Chapter
of the NAACP, folks are
asking what can I do? They
are wanting to have a real
conversation because I believe
people are finally seeing there
is a real problem in America,
quite possibly the world, yes
even right here in Sioux City. The Ike Rayford
conversation needs to continue
because we need to truly understand the depths of
racism, hate, and injustices. We know the conversation
needs to continue, but what exactly is the conversation?
In my opinion it can start with questions…and these
questions are from me to you the reader:
Why does the term “white privilege” upset you?
Because when I say it, I’m not diminishing the struggles
that you might have had as a person, honestly we share
in those struggles, but when it comes to race I don’t have
that privilege that has benefited you, without you really
realizing it.
Why is it okay to fly the Confederate flag in the
United States, especially here in Sioux City? It is
really offensive to almost every black person alive, not all,
but most.
Why is holding police officers accountable for
their action a bad thing?
Take body cameras, this should not be an “us versus them”
issue, but a tool to support all involved in any encounter
law enforcement might have with the community. We all
believe in accountability and we are all held accountable
for our actions and that should extend to all.
These are just a few questions I have and believe me, I
have more, but maybe you have some questions for me.
Let’s talk, let’s continue the conversation!
Ike Rayford is the President of the Sioux City Chapter of the
NAACP.
Photo credit on page 14 Britton Hacke Photography.

Siouxland Magazine | Converse / 16
Unity in the Community gathering
Beauty Instead of Ashes
By Cyndi Hanson
It was a time of increased
awareness of deaths
of black people by law
enforcement. Nationwide,
anger increased, community
protests and riots began to
happen. It was 2016.
In response, Monique Scarlett
approached Sioux City council
woman Rhonda Capron, Human Monique Scarlett
Rights Commission Director
Karen Mackey and Police Chief Doug Young with the idea
of establishing Unity in the Community. She, along with
Cliff J Coleman, saw the urgent need to bring communities
of people together in love, peace, hope, and prayer. That
idea was greeted with enthusiasm and fully embraced.
communication and interaction that didn’t used to be there.”
This interaction between law enforcement and citizens in
social settings, community picnics and educational forums
sets Sioux City apart from many other cities in Iowa. People
across the state recognized the progress made in Sioux City
and bestowed the organization with the Iowa Humanities
Award.
“We consistently engage in roundtable discussions,
public forums, town hall discussions and annual citywide
community connection block party picnics with
A non-profit organization, Unity in the Community’s mission
is “keeping peace, hope, love and prayer in the lives of
our community which will embrace the partnerships and
support of citizens and law enforcement at all times.” The
organization is one of the vital components of community
policing strategies of the Sioux City Police Department.
When asked to identify one of the biggest successes of Unity
in the Community she said “bridging the gap that used to
exist between citizens and law enforcement. Now there is

the Sioux City Police Department and Woodbury County
Sheriff’s Department.” Scarlett notes. “In good times and
in bad, we have a role. In bad times, we offer support and
encouragement. In good times, we provide education and
relationship building.”
“Keeping peace, hope, love and prayer in the
lives of our community which will embrace
the partnerships and support of citizens and
law enforcement at all times.”
Siouxland Magazine | Converse / 17
While the COVID-19 pandemic has meant the cancellation
of the annual Dale Street Park Block Party in July, the group
is still planning a fall Educational Forum. “My mom always
said for people to make informed decisions they need
information.” Scarlett said. “That’s the goal of the educational
forums, to provide information and perspective. I’ve seen
eyes opened because of the conversations there.”
“. . . .to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead
of mourning, and a garment of praise instead
of a spirit of despair.”
– Isaiah 61
Unity in the Community welcomes volunteers and
engagement of any member of the community. For more
information visit their Facebook page, email mzscarlett1@
gmail.com or call Monique Scarlett at 712-574-1745.
Dr. Cyndi Hanson is the Executive Director for Northeast Community
College’s Extended Campus in South Sioux City.
Photos contributed by Unity in the Community.
Scarlett recently stated “It’s time for the social media
commentators to become participants. Stop sitting around
your computer putting words on the screen, and start
participating in your neighborhood and your city. If you
want to see change, be part of it.” The interactions of the
organization are crafted with love, hope, and prayer. The
organization’s foundation on faith is critical to the founders.

Siouxland Magazine | Converse / 18
Siouxlanders protesting in downtown
Listen
By Britton Hacke
I call this exhibit Listen.
As a society we don’t do enough of that. It seems
we’re always waiting for our turn to talk or respond.
I know I’m guilty of it. Shortly after the George Floyd
incident I saw a local Siouxland rapper Fetty Fred
post a photo with the duct tape. I think I had maybe
seen one shot on Instagram as well, and I loved it.
I thought it was a powerful image. Immediately I
knew I wanted to do a series of shots where people
could tell the viewer something without using their
voice. Without being interrupted. What I want
people to take away from this is to just pause for a
moment and listen. Of course I have my opinions
on what’s going on in our country, as do you I’m
sure. Ultimately this is how these people in the
photographs feel, their voice is valid no matter
how you or I or anyone else feels. And that makes
their feelings valid. So please just listen.
Britton’s artwork is on display at Hardline Coffee.
Britton Hacke is a local Siouxland photographer.
Photo credit Britton Hacke Photography.

Siouxland Magazine | Converse / 19

Siouxland Magazine | Converse / 20

A Beautiful Day
By Tony Michaels
I’ve come to terms with the certainty I will never
become a professional golfer.
This happened on my last trip to Floyd Park Golf Course
in Sioux City. After going par-par, I erupted for double
digits on that one hole that runs parallel to Highway
75. I’m happy to report I didn’t hit a single vehicle that
day. That would require me hitting my driver off the tee
box; which sadly, did not happen. No danger of hitting a
sports car on the tee box.
Siouxland Magazine | Converse / 21
Looking back on that golf excursion, there was plenty of
beauty and I realized that I am a very fortunate individual.
That day began with me working on the radio chatting
about new movie releases with Sioux City Journal editor
Bruce Miller and my co-host Candice Nash. We received
a record amount of text messages to the studio and we
gossiped about Jason Aldean’s new house that comes
equipped with a two story closet with a spiral staircase
and champagne bar. Oh, and there’s a lazy river around
the house! It was a fun Friday at work.
At 9:01am, I realized I had no meetings or pressing
duties, so I took half the day off as a spur of the moment
vacation. In a Ferris Bueller type internal voice I said “how
can I possibly be expected to handle work on a beautiful
day like this”. I drove off in my Ferrari…uh, 17 year old
gas guzzling SUV.
When I arrived home, I made a tee time with Logan at the
Floyd Golf club house for 11:15am. I excitedly awoke my
snoozing teen from a deep slumber and he agreed to
be my playing partner despite golf not being his favorite
activity. That; of course, is Fortnite.
Those two hours on the golf course were exactly what
I needed. Laughing. Talking. Soaking up the sun. I
didn’t utter a single curse word the entire round. The
Jesuit priests at my high school would be so proud. The
activities of the outing probably wouldn’t make a good
movie screenplay, but “Tony Michaels’ Day Off” was
perfect.
Tony and Beau.
every penny that day. Paired the frozen pizza with a frosty
beer and a sunset.
Life Moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around
once in a while, you could miss it. And you could miss
all the beauty of a Friday skip day at work. Text me your
favorite Ferris Bueller line at 712.274.1057
Tony Michaels has been with KSUX since 1997.
He serves as morning show host with Candice
Nash and is one grateful dude.
Photo contributed by Tony Michaels.
Paid advertisement.
More wow MoMents
We made a stop at my favorite taco place for a late lunch
and the entire family goofed off and hit plastic golf
balls off a mat in the backyard during the afternoon. My
golden retriever was in doggy heaven fetching every
single one. More laughter from all. Well, the dog didn’t
laugh. But, she was smiling with her eyes…a skillset we
have all mastered during pandemic time.
I spent WAY TOO much money on a fancy smoker about
a year ago. With 12 months of expertise under my belt,
I can grill up and smoke a frozen pizza like nobody’s
business. It’s all about the rotating and fluffing of the
crust. Adjusted cost of the grilled frozen pizza with
purchase of digital WiFi enabled smoker? $43. Worth
kchev.com

Inspire
Lessons learned from stories in our community.
Mercedes Ivener, owner of Honeysuckle Hollow Floral Design. www.honeysucklehollowflorist.com
The Seasons of Beauty
By Cyndi Hanson
One of the beautiful things about living in Siouxland
is the seasons we experience. It’s not always easy to
appreciate in January or even August, when we experience
the extremes. But it does provide us the opportunity to be
reminded that life is cyclical. And if we look carefully, with
attention to detail, we will find beauty in each and every
season.
Mercedes Ivener, owner of Honeysuckle Hollow Floral Design,
describes the incredible beauty in nature as therapeutic and
something we should all seek to include in every season of
our lives. Mercedes came to appreciate nature and flowers
organically. Her mother and grandmother were Master
Gardeners; both grandmothers had flower gardens that
were the pride of their respective neighborhoods. She grew
up in those gardens as well as exploring the mountains of
Colorado hiking and backpacking that included attention to
the native plants and wildflowers.
“I did the unthinkable though, I cut the flowers from the
gardens and brought them inside. I’m not sure why my
mother, aunts and grandmothers allowed it. They never
did that – they appreciated the beauty of the garden in the
outdoors. But I wanted to see the life cycle of that flower
right in front of me. Right on that table.” Mercedes recalls.
She started a vase collection at 5 years old that continues
today. She remembers being the only one in the family to
bring the flowers indoors. That appreciation for a piece
of nature indoors became vital as she entered her young
adult years. After graduating law school, she found herself
completely indoors for the vast majority of each day. Often
times going to work in the dark and coming home in the
dark, left her feeling emotionally drained.
“Then I was asked to take on the Juvenile Justice cases at
the firm.” Mercedes explained. “When I started going
out to visit families, homes and schools, I started to find
greater meaning in what I was doing.” Within a few years,
she opened her own firm, specializing in juvenile law on a
part-time basis while she balanced raising her own children.
For more than fourteen years, she belonged to the world of
law. “I loved juvenile justice,” she said “the social workers,
lawyers, and advocates who work for these children are
incredible people. They care deeply about the people they
serve.” Caring deeply though, isn’t without risk. Years of
reading case files, deposing individuals and visiting homes,
led Mercedes to experience secondary effects of trauma.
“I made a New Year’s resolution to do some sideline,
some cottage business, involving something creative,” She
explains. “I needed it for my mental health. I thought about
it for a little while and decided once a month I would host an
open house featuring unique flowers. I’d invite a few friends
over to show the flowers, talk about garden-style designs,
and immerse in nature.” She admits, that it being January in
Iowa, may have sparked her yearning for flowers!

non-profit
community
family
small business
people
So she began in February, inviting friends to her home. Once
a month she would order fresh and unique flowers, fed by
the desire for natural beauty to invade the heavy world of
law. Some of her first attendees were other lawyers, who
also had a craving for nature in their workspaces. And by
Mother’s Day (yes 3 months later) she realized this was too
big for her home. At that point the floral open-houses literally
invaded her strip mall law office on Singing Hills Boulevard.
“I remember that Mother’s Day,” she says with a smile, “I had
ordered these coral peonies that were gigantic and people
were enthralled by them. I had so many orders, the peonies
were literally throughout the entire house. I had to keep the
house at 58 degrees in May to keep them fresh. That’s when
my husband said, it’s got to go out of the house.”
The renewal she found when working with flowers, helped
her continue her law work. She really did enjoy making a
difference in lives of children. But that year she had two
especially difficult cases. Waking up in tears because the
details could not be compartmentalized was when she
realized she needed to step away from law. “Being a busy
professional, having a family, taking care of everyone, you
can forget to take care of the things that are innately you.
I innately like harmony. Law is inherently about conflict. I
realized that I needed to test that fluffy notion my parents
had often expressed. ‘If you do what you love you’ll be
successful.’”
“I really thought about it, some of the most interesting
people I know have had different experiences in life, they’ve
worked different careers, they’ve made changes.” Mercedes
explains. “I knew I didn’t want a retail shop. At this time the
notion of studio florists and event florists was just emerging.”
Through open-house events she began to build a client
base, that blossomed into monthly subscriptions and event
engagements. Before she knew it this business was growing
faster than a thistle in July. She loved it, immersed herself
in it. And then the toll on her family became known, this
devotion to the business had left little time for being a mom.
“So we pulled back the reins.” She says. “It was really hard
to slow down the business knowing it had this incredible
momentum, knowing I might be able to open a retail space
and hire employees.” But in the end, what she really wanted
was harmony in her life. Balance, just like you find in nature.
And so the focus became events only. The “flower house”
located at 3725 Jackson St, provides a space to meet with
brides and event planners but doesn’t permit retail sales.
The space is perfect for growing and arranging, while also
providing living space for those hectic pre-event long nights
and early mornings of design.
This season of being an event florist has provided
opportunities to connect with new and different people.
“I love being able to use local growers.” Mercedes notes.
“Flower growing in the United States has started to thrive
again. I’ve had the opportunity to meet and support local
growers. But knowing we have months without fresh
flowers here, I also get to order different products from
anywhere in the world and try them out.”
Mercedes has enjoyed watching her own style continue to
grow and evolve as she learns more about floral arranging.
She likes to share knowledge with others and stresses the
importance of involving nature in your life. The workshops
she conducts now, are about bringing nature indoors.
“Looking at nature in detail does something inside you.”
She says, explaining that paying attention to the colors,
shapes, textures and life cycles is incredibly beautiful.
“What I really want is for people to see, really see, the
beauty that is all around them.”
Mercedes recollection of rediscovering her creativity is
validation that there is beauty in pursuing your calling. She
talks about the changes in her life as tough, but positive
experiences. She sees the beauty in each step she’s taken.
“I have no regrets” she said frequently. It is impossible
to walk away from the conversation without recognizing
how embracing each moment, each season life brings is a
beautiful way to live.
Could it be true? “If you love what you do, you’ll be
successful.” It sounded kind of fluffy. “Being a busy
professional, having a family, taking care of everyone, you
can forget to take care of the things that are innately you.”
Some of the most interesting
people I know have had
different experiences in life,
they’ve worked different
careers, they’ve made
changes. People who make
Siouxland special are doing
what they are good at,
what they are passionate
about, they are pursuing
their calling. Pursuing your
calling is a gift.
Cyndi Hanson is the Executive Director for Northeast
Community College’s Extended Campus.
Photo credit Jenni O Photography (top two photos on left
page and photo above) and Sarah Ann Photography (left
page far right photo).

Siouxland Magazine | Inspire /24
New Perspectives visits the fire station in Sioux City
Beautiful Perspective
By Cyndi Hanson
One of the most beautiful things in life is new
perspective. One of the most beautiful things in life
is new perspective, when we look at something or
someone with new appreciation and new understanding.
New Perspectives, Inc. in Sioux City is built on looking
at differently abled individuals with appreciation and
understanding. Their mission - “Enhancing the lives of
people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
through innovative, individualized programs and services,
and helping them to be as self-sufficient as possible.”
The organization traces its roots back to 1922, when a
group of Methodist women created the Harriet Ballou New
Hope Center (HNBHC) that provided day-care services to
children with disabilities, the first of its kind in Siouxland.
In the 1960’s, the focused changed from children to adults
and HBNHC became Work Activity Company (WACO).
For over three decades, WACO provided sheltered work
services that created opportunities for adults to earn a
paycheck, no matter the barriers.
In June of 2000, the name was changed from WACO
to New Perspectives, Inc, which aligned more with our
mission. Executive Director Jolie Corder explained, “As
we began to look at the future of rehabilitation and what
our organization could offer, it became apparent changes
were needed to provide the type of community services
people desired. We felt the name, New Perspectives,
more accurately depicted our philosophy as we entered
A group outing to the library
into the 21st century. Our mission is to change peoples’
perspectives to focus on the ability of a person, not their
disability.”
New Perspectives, often referred to as NPI, provides two
major services to its members, Community Employment
Program and the Life Enrichment Center.
The Community Employment Program assists members
in finding employment that utilizes their skills and
abilities and provides value to employers. By utilizing
job coaches who first learn about the individual to be
served, the program can approach employers with ideas
for partnership. The job coaches meet with the member

to discuss their goals, interests, and abilities. Then they
begin formulating a plan to prepare for employment. The
coaches work with local businesses to identify needs they
have that align with the member goals. Once a position
is identified, the job coaches accompany the member to
the jobsite and provide one-on-one job coaching until
they have learned the job and are comfortable with it.
Regular check-ins with the member and the employer
provide opportunity for the job coaches to provide
further coaching if needed. “Our members take great
pride in their jobs.” Corder said. “They know they are
doing something that is valued and appreciated and
earn a paycheck too!”
Employers interested in partnering with
NPI will find we are truly PARTNERS, we
work hand-in-hand with our members
and the employer to be sure everyone is
satisfied with the job.
The community-based employment has been a shift
from previous focus on site-based employment, where
NPI would contract services to be done at their 310 S.
Martha Street facility. “Like anything, the change took a
little time for us all to adapt to, but it is great knowing
that more of the community gets to understand and
appreciate the abilities of our members since they
are out in the community.” Corder added. “These are
beautiful people who bring so much joy to my life, it
would be selfish of us to keep that to ourselves. Now
co-workers, customers and bosses out in the community
get to develop new perspective about individuals with
intellectual disabilities.”
You might wonder how COVID has impacted Community
Employment. “Some of our members were furloughed
right away when their businesses either closed or
reduced operations. Some have not been able to
continue because of quarantine expectations at their
residences, but others have continued their jobs. I know
all are anxious to return as soon as they can.” Corder said.
The second major activity of NPI is the Life Enrichment
Center (LEC). The LEC promotes the enrichment of daily
life skills and offers opportunities to socialize beyond the
home environment. While the LEC has a schedule each
day, the schedule is built with the focus on individual
choice. “We usually have a number of activities people
can choose from.” Corder said. “We honor the adulthood
and encourage them to choose what is interesting.” That
choice option is balanced with some dedicated time
to discuss things such as current events, social skills,
and personal safety. “As we prepare to reopen after our
mandated pandemic closure, we will be spending a lot of
time talking about hygiene, safety, and wellness.” Corder
notes. “This was happening before we closed, and I’m
sure many have continued those conversations at home.
It will be a challenge when we begin. We have all missed
each other so much in the 2-1/2 months we have been
Friendships are made at New Perspectives
closed. It will be really difficult to avoid hugs.”
The staff of the LEC have stayed in contact with members
while they have been closed – staging a mask-wearing
photo shoot for a postcard, making phone calls, and
driving by homes. “The employees work here because
they love the members. They miss them and are
concerned for their wellness too.” Corder notes.
In addition, to on-site activities NPI has a strong tradition
of meaningful engagement in the community as a
component of their Life Enrichment services. Members
often have choices of educational, leisure or recreational
activities both in Sioux City and the surrounding area.
“Our busses go almost every day.” Corder said. “We want
to provide opportunities to see things and do things as a
group. The interaction is incredible.”
One of the initiatives NPI had been working on prior
to the pandemic was developing a robust volunteer
program. “We could do so much more, both internally
and with excursions if we had more people to assist.”
Corder said. “We’ve identified some one-time volunteer
needs as well as some longer term, or regular interval
needs as well. Once we establish our new normal, we’ll
reboot that effort.” Some of the ways volunteers could be
helpful at NPI include: chaperoning excursions, teaching
or assisting with classes such as crafting, cooking or
life skills, helping with social media, marketing and
fundraising, and chatting with members during lunch.
“NPI is a happy place to be.” Corder said matter-of-factly.
“There is nowhere else I can think of that you are greeted
unconditionally with an authentic smile every time you
walk into member serving areas. It fills your soul with
beauty.”
To learn more about New Perspectives Inc
go to npi-sc.org
Cyndi Hanson is the Executive Director for Northeast
Community College’s Extended Campus.
Photos contributed by New Perspectives.
Siouxland Magazine | inspire/25

Siouxland Magazine | Inspire /26
Magnificent street view of the Warrior Hotel
Exactly Like Nothing Else
By Cyndi Hanson
Have you ever considered your autograph? The
uniqueness? What it says about you? How you are the
only one with that specific autograph? I hadn’t. Until I
had a conversation with Lila Plambeck, Director of Sales
& Marketing, for The Warrior Hotel. The Warrior Hotel is
one of the newest additions to the Marriott Autograph
Collection. The Autograph Collection hotels are signature
experiences – each completely unique. They feature
landmark buildings and surprises of service. Like works of
art, each property has an ‘autograph’ setting it apart from
every other.
The historic structure is being made modern, into what
Plambeck calls a “Hipstoric ” location. “We embrace the
history and add modern elements to create a wonderful
experience.”
Homage is paid to the past – for example, The Flamingo
Room, was an upscale private room in the past and will
remain that way. War Eagle Lanes was a bowling alley
across the street in the 1900s. Today it is in the building,
featuring private lanes for small gatherings and publicly
available lanes for anyone to use.
Plambeck explained, “Each hotel is required to identify
their signature. What are the unique elements that
make this property distinct? How do we incorporate that
throughout the experience for our guests? For The Warrior
Hotel, their mark is a bird.”
Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Harry Lunt
expanded that thought. “The Goldfinch is the state bird
of Iowa, a staple of the Midwest prairie landscape and
you will find these throughout the Warrior Hotel. The
visual dramatics of the architecture is carried inside and
incorporated in many ways. The Goldfinch celebrates the
best of Sioux City and the best of Iowa.”
The Warrior Hotel has a long history in Sioux City, but for
the last 40 years sat shuttered with the occasional dream
of restoration being wished. That dream is a reality in 2020.
Ballroom rendering

Hospitality Services is to enhance communities. That is
more than a hotel; more than a building; it’s ingraining
ourselves into the community in all we do.”
The ballroom has an adjacent “slipper
room” for bridal parties to prepare prior to
the ceremony. The ballroom opens onto
two terraces more than doubling the size
of the space for celebrations.
Siouxland Magazine | inspire/27
Bar rendering
The 148 rooms at the Warrior Hotel include 98 in the
Warrior building and another 50 in the Davidson building
next door. Each room features top notch amenities
including Toto Washlets, in-mirror bathroom TVs, and
state of the art HVAC systems that circulate air only
within the room. Air does not circulate from common
areas or one room to another – a feature that is extremely
beneficial in this time of COVID.
Wordmark
“We strive to create more than a hotel.
We want to activate a community when
we open a property.” Harry Lunt, Sr VP
Innkeeper Hospitality Services.
Brand Colors
E M E R A L D
The Warrior Hotel’s unique autograph is represented
throughout the hotel and via promotional materials. The
hotel’s crest features two goldfinches and the crowns
resemble the design on the grand staircase.
The perimeter of the building’s first floor will include a
coffee shop and storefront rental space. “I’m asked all the
time if Fuji Bay will be coming back,” Plambeck says with
a smile, “we certainly hope so, we have a spot almost
exactly where they were before. We envision boutique
shops and unique local offerings completing that
storefront space.” In addition, there is a full service spa
Primary
and top-notch dining will be available at Woodburys on
the second floor. “We’ll have our own chef and feature
dry-aged Midwest raised steak – a nod to Sioux City’s
stockyards past.” Says Plambeck.
I V O R Y
M I D W E S T
R E D
When asked about opening, Plambeck explains “luckily
construction was not impacted by the pandemic, so
we’ve stayed on schedule. We are now moving furniture
into some of the rooms and plan to open the hotel in
PMS 195 U
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on everything. The rooftop bar will be a little further
R91 G 58
in
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the timeline, but we still hope for later fall.”
Guest room
And hiring, Plambeck says, has been going well. “I’ve
The guest experience at The Warrior Fonts Hotel ( Print is & full Webfont of ) actually had people walk up and say – can I work there?
surprises from the heated sidewalk – always free from You don’t even have to pay me. I just want to be in there!”
ice and snow – to the door greeter, the Tesla charging She is amazed at how many people have approached
station, Victorian birdcage, and beautiful grand Dstaircase
I N C O N D E N her S E to D share | B memories O L D of their prom, an aunt’s A L E Gwedding
R E Y A S A N S
leading to the check-in desk. “There are some additional or other special events held at the Warrior Hotel. “I can
surprises we hold pretty close to the vest, A we B Cwant D E Fvisitors
G H I J K L M Ntell O Pthe Q community R S T U V Wis X really Y Z excited to A have B C D it E Fopen G H Iagain.
J K L M N O P Q
to have that experience of discovery.” Lunt said.
And I am as well!” she adds.
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
The goal of the hotel is to be more than a place where Cyndi Hanson is the Executive Director for Northeast
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
travelers stay. “We want to be the place where locals Community College’s Extended Campus.
hangout. Where they stop on the way home from work or
Use : Primary Font // Headers
plan a team bowling night or just hangout on the rooftop Renderings
& Body
contributed
Copy
by The Warrior Hotel.
Use
Street
: Secondary
view
Font // B
bar.” Plambeck said. “The philosophy of Innkeeper photo credit Suzanne Allen. Guest room photo credit by Shane
Brand Applications
Monahan Photography.
Suppor

grow
Don’t fear failure. Embrace it. It’s where the learning happens.
Necklace made with Gray Fireball Edison pearls
Organic Beauty
By Kira Corea
Short description of your business:
Ohana Pearls is an online store specialized in handmade
pearl jewelry and pearls. Ohana means family in Hawaiian
Language. We custom make pearl jewelry for special
occasions such as weddings, birthday presents, anniversaries
and graduations. The pearls are also combined with other
gemstones. Every piece is designed and crafted in our studio
located in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. Our collection of cultivated
pearls includes Japanese Akoya Pearls, Freshwater Pearls,
Tahitian Pearls and South Sea Pearls. In our necklaces every
pearl is knotted with silk thread.
What motivated you to start your business? What
drives you each day?
I have always been amazed with the beauty of pearls. These
gemstones are so mysterious, elegant and timeless. Through
history, they have been a symbol of wealth and sophistication.
Jewelry making runs in my family. My grandfather was a
master jeweler in his hometown and he also used to make
only handmade pieces for his customers. The first piece I
made was a pair of earrings and I realized I wanted to learn
more, so I started learning about pearls and making pearl
jewelry in 2000. Officially, Ohana Pearls started in Iowa in
November of 2016. What drives me every day is that I can be
an example of hard work and perseverance to my family and
that I can grow a business that can benefit my community.
What’s unique about your business?
Every piece is handmade with a particular know-how that
has been inherited, every design is unique and made with
beautiful pearls specially selected, including Japanese Akoya
Pearls, Freshwater Pearls, Tahitian Pearls and South Sea Pearls.
I am a Chemical Engineer with a Master’s in Environmental
Science and I have been involved with science for long time,
so for me pearls are the perfect combination of beauty, class
and science.
I am a certified specialist by the Cultured Pearl Association
of America, we want to offer to our customers the best skills,
knowledge, and service when we sell our jewelry. We are very
proud to say there is no other business like ours in Iowa and the
Midwest that offers the products and the savoir -faire we offer.
Every piece made is exclusive.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome
as you’ve grown your business?
I found several challenging aspects of the business. The first one
was conceiving the business idea and choosing the business
name. The second challenge was structuring the business
since there are many steps involved. Currently, as the business
is growing, the biggest challenge has become finding the best
marketing and sales strategy.
What has been your greatest reward?
When I see my customers wearing the jewelry made for them.
The first time I saw a friend with one of my creations at her
wedding, it was just amazing, I could not believe it. Every piece
is made with so much love and passion. Just knowing our
customers are going to wear and celebrate a special occasion
with one of our pieces means the world to me.
How have you benefited from the startup community in
Sioux City and the region? What resources did you use?
When I started, I didn’t realize how much the Small Business
Development Center (SBDC) could help. I got an appointment
at the SBDC and I talked to the Regional Director, Todd Rausch
about the idea and he just loved it and told me it was a good
idea, he guided me and provided me with useful information

personal growth
leadership
determination
business development
influence
like how to prepare the business plan, register the business, etc. The
SBDC has helped in every step of the process. I still receive information
about seminars and online courses to help to grow my business. Take
advantage of the resources they give you at no cost.
Why is it important for the community to support startups and
small businesses? What more can be done to help them?
Small business and business owners are an important part of the
community in which we live and work, we are a source for jobs.
Supporting small business by consuming their products and services
and consuming local is important. Recommend our businesses to friends
and family members. Small businesses rely on word of mouth and good
recommendations.
What is one thing you know now that you wish you knew when
starting your business?
I wish I had a clear picture of the road map that needs to be followed to
start a business as well as all the guidance the SBDC offers, it would have
saved me so much time, money and headaches.
What advice would you give to someone looking to start a
business?
Just start with a list of ideas. Looking for the why is essential. Why would
you like to start a business? Set your goals and review them often. Use the
resources and the assistance the SBDC offers and other online resources.
Coursera, EdX are also great resources for entrepreneurial online courses.
But the main piece of advice I would give to anyone is that no matter
what obstacles you find do not lose motivation. This is an overwhelming
process but working on one small task every day will lead you to finish
big projects. Perseverance and motivation are extremely important.
How can the community continue to help your business?
Visit our website www.ohanapearlsbykira.com and our Facebook page at
ohanapearlsbykira or email us to pearlsohana@gmail.com. Recommend
us to your friends and family, that is the best you can do for us. We value
the word of mouth recommendations.
What are some future goals for your company?
Increase and diversify the way we market our product in order to expand
our sales.
Offer more products for brides and bridal parties.
Have a physical location for the business, like a little boutique.
Obtain a Pearl Specialist Certificate by the Gemology Institute of America.
We also want to explore new designs made with American mine gems,
which are so rare and beautiful.
Thank you for reading about our company, we are looking forward to
serving you!
Kira Corea is the owner of Ohana Pearls.
Photo contributed by Kira Corea.
IAWESTCOAST.COM I 866.537.6052
Entrepreneurs and small business owners now have
access to an information specialist who can assist you
in finding solutions to your most pressing questions by
facilitating connections to the right people, data, and
resources.
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IASourceLink is the premiere business resource in Iowa
for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Free
business webinars, expert advice, and a searchable
directory of organizations that assist Iowa businesses can
all be found on IASourceLink.
IOWASBDC.ORG I 712.274.6454
Do you need free, confidential and customized business
counseling? Contact SBDC for advice on developing a
successful business plan.
SIOUXLANDEDC.COM I 712.279.6430
Siouxland Economic Development Corporation offers
financial assistance programs and services to assist
small and medium sized businesses in getting started or
expanding.
MAKERSPACESIOUXCITY.ORG I 712.251.6050
MakerSpace Sioux City offers shared space for hobbyists,
inventors, artists and innovative people to come together
to create and teach through hands-on learning.
SPRINGBOARDCOWORKING.COM I 515.809.0052
Springboard Coworking offers shared office space in
downtown Sioux City for entrepreneurs that combines
the best elements of cafe culture with a productive,
functional, and affordable work environment.
ISUSTARTUPFACTORY.ORG I 515.294.7444
ISU Startup Factory is designed to help businesses bring
new products to the market and work with companies to
make them attractive to outside capital investors.
VENTURENETIOWA.COM I 515.471.1300
VentureNet Iowa connects ideas to resources,
management, and investors, to create jobs and build
businesses in Iowa. If you have a business idea in the
areas of Biosciences, Advanced Manufacturing, Value-
Added Ag, or Information Technology, you may qualify
for assistance through VentureNet Iowa.
Did you use one of these great resources? We
want to share your story! Visit our website at
siouxlandmagazine.com, fill out the form and connect
with us today!

Siouxland Magazine | Grow /30
Human Beings, Being Human (BE x DO = HAVE).
By Linda K. Krei (ActionCOACH ExcelEDGE)
What a beautiful place to “BE”! Isn’t that an
interesting Mindset to BE nurtured? It may be a personal
challenge these days. Yes, Human BE-ings. Yet in our
busyness, we often act as if we are only exhausted
Human DO-ings. Start with Self.
Might I suggest a simple guiding formula: BE x DO =
HAVE.
All elements are important, yet what if we would take
this time to pause, focus, reflect, and simply choose to
BE?
Choose to BE; to see ourselves and others from within;
to protect time to gain clarity on what it means to truly
BE….to see the BEAUTY thereof.
In what areas are you interested in becoming
even more effective as a leader?
Invest in yourself. Engage a business coach
to learn more about characteristics and
traits of truly effective leaders and together
determine how you gain a wonderfully inspiring
boost of confidence, foresight, and
determination to realize that you, too, can
experience that winning leadership strategy.
Contact Coach Linda today for a complimentary
session!”
Be Present. Be Intentional. Be Grounded. Be Anchored.
Be Confident. Be Real. Be Empathetic. Be Sensitive. Be
Flexible. Be Clear. Be Positive. Be Faithful. Be Devoted.
Be Aligned. Be Authentic. Be Innocent. Be Transparent.
Be Engaged. Be Courageous. Be Resilient. Be
Relentless. Be Loyal. Be Purpose-Driven. Be informed.
Be Reflective. Be Simplistic. Be Connected. Be Visible.
Be Vocal. Be Healthy. Be Rested. Be Spirited. Be
Renewed. Be Refreshed. Be Committed. Be Accessible.
Be a Vessel. Be Pure in Heart. Be a Friend. Be a Dreamer.
Be Encouraged. Be Supportive. Be Together. Be Love.
Be Loved. Be Still. Be Me.
What if we would choose to BE where there is no fear;
No Fear of Failure or of Success; No Self Sabotage. To
find from within that place to align our head and heart
to (BE) so our Hands and Feet know what to (DO) that
we may achieve our desired results (HAVE).
Encourage the heart. Dream. Find the courage. Follow
your dreams and your passion. Gain wisdom from the
discovery of who you are and from discovery of the
world around you. Discover what is important to you.
Care for self in body, mind, and spirit…and know that it
is not Selfish-Care.
Human Beings, Being Human: Redefined by YOU to
abundantly BE, and DO and HAVE. What a beautiful
place to “BE”!
As an award winning, globally
recognized, Certified Executive
Business Coach and Facilitator,
Linda would love to help you take
your leadership to the next level.
Contact Coach Linda Today!
Linda Krei, ActionCOACH Excel Edge
712.251.7189
E: lindakrei@actioncoach.com
https://lindakrei.actioncoach.com

Siouxland Magazine | Grow/31
The Beauty of the United States of America
By Todd Rausch
I am overwhelmed by the beauty of our land and
our people. We live in a great nation. A nation full of
opportunity and potential. A nation that is made for free
people and free enterprise. A nation that is the most
diverse nation in history as far as free people go.
I have been in 38 different states in my lifetime and 9
different nations. I have seen America from coast to coast
and from North to South. I have lived in 6 different states.
I can honestly say that the majority of Americans I have
met are decent, hardworking, hospitable people.
I have worked with immigrants from well over 12 countries
and 4 continents. These are fine outstanding people who
see America as a land of opportunity and freedom. I have
seen some of them who came here literally with nothing,
achieve the highest levels of success, and hire many
people giving them jobs and a decent living.
Our country has magnificent natural beauty. From its
coast to its mountains, to the deserts, to the plains.
Each has its own distinct beauty. The greatest beauty in
America though is its people.
The greatest thing in America is watching people achieve
their dreams. To go from an idea into a business that meets
the needs and wants of other people. This is indeed to
me the great American dream and I love to see it come
to reality. Watching the faces of those who take the risks
sometimes of everything they have to open a business and
to see it succeed and prosper. That is a truly beautiful thing.
As the Regional Director of the Siouxland Small Business
Development Center, we’ve been able to help people of
every background succeed equally. What I want you to
remember and think back on is the beauty of our nation
and the freedoms we have. Our ability to support small
businesses owned by every member of our community.
Happy 4th of July!
Todd Rausch s the SBDC Regional Director at Western Iowa
Tech Community College. He is a veteran and has owned 5
businesses. He is currently only able to work with people via
Zoom, phone, or email due to the CV19 restrictions.
Photo contributed by America the beautiful open source.

SHARE
THE
BEAUTY
Snap a photo and share with us the
beauty you find in downtown Sioux City.
Be sure to tag Downtown Partners or
use #downtownsiouxcity.
We can’t wait to see you find.
downtownsiouxcity.com

Share the Beauty
By Grace Nordquist
I’m sure you’ve heard the
saying, “Beauty is in the eye
of the beholder.” While this
saying is true in many ways, I never
really thought about it in reference
to a city.
After recently graduating from
Morningside College and calling
Sioux City home for the past two
years, I decided to continue calling
it home for the foreseeable future after accepting the
Development Coordinator position at Downtown Partners.
Just a few months ago, I was sitting in my living room, just a
block away from campus, applying for jobs online in places
like Des Moines, Omaha, and Sioux Falls, but something
kept pulling me back to Sioux City. I wasn’t quite ready to
leave just yet.
Growing up in a small town with a population of just
over 1,000 people and a county that did not even have
a stoplight, Sioux City felt large to me. While it is bigger
than I was used to, it still has a small community feel that I
appreciate. To me, it is the best of both worlds.
I’m sure this won’t come as a surprise, but many college
seniors, and other young members of the community, often
don’t want to stay in Sioux City. I hear things like “There’s
nothing to do here.” or “Iowa is so boring.” But once again,
beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
I’ve always been someone who likes to explore cities;
trying new restaurants, visiting museums, admiring murals,
enjoying the beauty of outdoor spaces (often capturing
the moments on my phone and posting them to social
media of course), and more. Since starting my new job at
Downtown Partners in May, I realized I have only touched
the surface of exploring Sioux City and the beauty it has to
offer.
While it may be boring to remain in your own corner of
the city or the confines of your humble abode, I encourage
everyone, not just young Siouxlanders, to explore Sioux
City. You may stumble across a downtown restaurant
you’ve never tried, or notice a mural that hasn’t caught your
eye before, or simply enjoy the riverfront view, a downtown
park, or even admire the new festoon lights along the
corners of 4th Street.
When you do decide to venture out, snap a photo and
share the beauty of Sioux City with the #downtownsiouxcity
or tag Downtown Partners social media pages in your post.
We would love to see how you find Sioux City beautiful.
Downtown Partners is a non-profit organization that
works with stakeholders to create a vibrant, expanding
downtown. To learn more about Downtown Partners and
to stay up to date with downtown projects and events,
visit www.downtownsiouxcity.com.
Photo credit Natalia O’Hara Photography.
Siouxland Magazine | | Grow/33 / 39

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Siouxland Magazine | | Grow/35 / 39
Stone Park
Siouxland’s Beauty: Luscious Green Space, Historic 4th
and Our People
By Mae Macfarlane
The idea of beauty is
conceptual. Is it physical?
Spiritual? Philosophical? To me,
beauty is what we surround
ourselves with. In Sioux City, there
are so many opportunities to find
beauty.
We are lucky to have spaces
in Siouxland where we can go
and admire beauty, all while still
maintaining social distancing. The location of Sioux City is
a perfect combination of farmland, luscious green forests
and flowing rivers. There are so many ways to spend time
absorbing all of this beauty.
One of my favorite things to do in Sioux City is to drive out
to Stone State Park, find one of the many viewpoints, and
sit on a bench that looks over the tri-state area. I grew up
going to camp at the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center and
learned to have an appreciation and love for Stone Park. It
is somewhere I feel most at peace, and I think many others
that have explored the park feel the same way.
Another beautiful aspect of Sioux City is the Historic
Fourth area of Downtown. I enjoy walking next to the local
restaurants and shops. Looking at the murals and thinking
about the history in that space. And of course the familiar
faces.
Sioux City is a small enough town that anywhere you go,
you’ll know at least one person, and although sometimes
you’re in a rush and don’t have time to talk, it’s beautiful to
see people you’ve known your whole life.
While we live in a scenic place, and there are always
changes being made to make it better, the best part about
Sioux City is the people. Having lived here my whole life, I
like to think that I know the people here pretty well. I know
my former high school and elementary school teachers. I
know old friends’ parents and grandparents. I know most
of the people that work at Hy-Vee! That’s what makes
living here great.
People are what make a place great, not just the physical
aspects of the city that we love. It’s the sense of community
that comes from Sioux City that I think is the most beautiful
thing in my life. While we live in a world of confusion and
anxiety, we can rely on the idea that we have each other,
and while we shouldn’t be together physically right now,
we are always together. We are from Sioux City!
Mae Macfarlane is a 2018 graduate of West High School
in Sioux City and currently attends the University of St.
Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. She is majoring in Communication
and Journalism and works with her school’s
news organization, TommieMedia, as a reporter. As the
City’s summer Social Media Intern, Mae will create content
for the city’s social media and an ongoing content
plan for the rest of the year. She looks forward to learning
more about how city government works and the exciting
things that are happening in Sioux City.
Photo credit Anne Westra.

alance
Inside and out.
Amber’s Top 5 Keys to Ageless Beauty
By Amber Sherman
“Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart”
– Kahill Gibran
We often think of beauty as purely a physical
phenomenon; however, it is our mental and
spiritual beauty that truly defines who we are.
The desire to live a beautiful and healthy life is not only
natural, it is a good and noble pursuit. Inner beauty
and that inner glow is our birthright, which we all have
access to. But, how do we gain access, what are the
keys to unlocking that inner ageless potential? Here are
my top five beauty factors that will lead you to a state
of “beyond beautiful”, to a state of superior health and
vitality from the inside out.
1) Eat for Beauty – Beauty truly is an inside job.
Have you ever heard the phrase, ‘You are what you
eat’ or ‘garbage in, garbage out’? These are very true
statements. One of the most important things you can
do to enhance your beauty routine, is to evaluate your
diet. Eating a plethora of processed, chemical laden
foods, that include things such as pesticides, herbicides,
fungicides, MSG, artificial flavors, and artificial colors
can wreak havoc on your body. These ingredients cause
inflammation and acidity in the body, which in turn can
create an environment primed for beauty disruptors,
such as dark circles, skin rashes, and bloating. My
recommendation is to incorporate a rainbow of raw fruits
and vegetables that provide enzymes and vital nutrition
to the body, which enhance the immune system and
provide hydration. Additionally, adding superfoods
and super herbs will allow you to take that inner glow to
the next level. Some of my favorites are: Burdock Root,
Aloe Vera, Dulse, Maca, Horsetail and Nettle (see local
purchasing options below).
2) Remove Toxins – I have a theory that we should
never put anything on our skin that we cannot eat. This
is because our skin absorbs at minimum 60% of what we
put on it within 26 seconds. We cover our bodies with
products labeled “natural” that actually contain many
dangerous ingredients. Of the 82,000 chemicals used
in beauty and cosmetic products, most of these include
carcinogens, reproductive toxins, hormone disruptors,
and pesticides. On average, women in the United States
use 12 personal care or cosmetic products a day, which
can contain 168 different chemicals. Add this to the
toxins in our the food we eat, in the air we breathe, and
the water we drink; and we’ve got a toxic cesspool that is
aging us more rapidly than we realize, and robbing us of
our inner glow.
3) Get Moving – We all know that exercise is beneficial
to the body and helps to keep us fit and agile as we age.
Research has shown that two forms of exercise are the most
important to focus on: aerobic exercise, or cardio, which
gets your heart pumping and sweat flowing, and strength
training, which helps keep aging muscles from dwindling
over time. Additionally, yoga is tremendous in its ability

eathe
clarity
nutrition
flexibility
to keep muscles limber and strong, and it is one of the
best exercises you can do for breathwork. Carving out
time each day for these activities and creating a ritual will
keep you fit and glowing as time progresses.
4) Cultivate Healthy Relationships – Healthy
relationships make us happy, and when we are happy,
we are in our most beautiful state. When we feel loved
and connected, we feel whole. So, how do we cultivate
these relationships? Here are a few of my tips:
• Communication. This is crucial. Learning how to
express your feelings and in turn, be an active listener
can be one of the most important life skills you gain.
• Trust. In relationships, trust may be the most important
factor. If you are in a partnership that lacks trust, you will
never be able to truly feel whole with that person.
• Thoughtfulness and Generosity. What I mean
here is emotional generosity. This can be just checking
in on someone on a regular basis to show you care. It
can also be in the form of gift giving, verbal appreciation,
or a thoughtful gesture.
• Compromise and Fairness. All relationships
should have some feeling of reciprocity. People who
consistently take from others and expect people to give
without lifting a finger are people who don’t have many
friends or any relationships of real substance. So, check
your relationships and be sure that you are giving and
taking equally.
5) Reduce Stress – It is well documented that chronic
stress, which most of us suffer from to a degree, causes
rapid aging, makes us gain weight, undermines our
immune system, shortens our life span, and can even
damage our brain. From a beauty perspective, it
wreaks havoc on our appearance, showing signs such
as premature gray hair, puffy eyes, fine lines, and rashes
or hives. Additionally, stress causes things such as
hormone imbalances, compromised immune systems,
sleeplessness, and aches and pains. None of these
things sound very beautiful to me, so it is imperative to
incorporate some stress-busting solutions into your life!!
Here are a few of my recommendations: spend time in
nature, walk barefoot on the earth (10 minutes minimum
per day), practice yoga & meditation, get a massage, and
work to find a community of loved ones that make you
feel supported.
The desire to cultivate and appreciate beauty greatly
enhances one’s propensity to heal, to love, and enjoy
life’s experiences. Above are some of the tools we
need to cultivate this beauty on all levels, so I hope you
enjoyed reading and will consider implementing some
of these practices into your life. Cheers!!
Calendula and Rose Infusion
Recipe from Next to Nature Blog
https://www.nexttonaturehealth.com
Ingredients:
1 cup calendula flowers
1 cup rose petals and buds
9 ounces grapeseed oil (great for your skin too)
16 ounce mason jar
1 small cut square of cheese cloth
Directions:
Place flowers in wide
mouth mason jar, slowly
pour grapeseed oil over
flowers covering them
with close to an inch
over the flowers. Date
4-6 weeks for infusion.
Wait patiently until that
date. Strain flowers, place
in another jar for easy
use. Store in dark space
while infusing and for
application.
This infusion is chalk full of Vitamin C and Vitamin
E, which stimulate collagen production and deeply
moisturize the skin. Rose has been used for years
for its incredible skin benefits, including: hydration,
antioxidants, redness remover, and wrinkle
combating abilities. Calendula petals help skin
look smooth, radiant and dewy-fresh.
Check out Next to Nature (4242 Gordan Drive) to
purchase all of these lovely ingredients!
Amber is a Certified Yoga
Teacher, Reiki Master and
Regenerative Detoxification
Specialist.
Photo credit Britton Hacke
Photography.
Resources:
Derhally, Lena Aburdene. ‘6 Ways
to Cultivate Better Relationships for
More Happiness’, May 23, 2016.
The Huffington Post.
Wolfe, David. ‘Eating for Beauty’,
August 6, 2007. Sunfood Publishing.
Local merchandiser for superfoods
and super herbs: Next to Nature
(4242 Gordan Drive, Suite 210)

Siouxland Magazine | Balance /38
Sawyer upward facing bow pose
Being Beauty
By Meghan Nelson
The poet, Maya Angelou, said “It is time for parents
to teach young people early on that in diversity
there is beauty and there is strength.” Even though
I know this is true, it doesn’t always feel this way because
it is like the camera is always on with someone watching
and judging…and I keep falling short. I can’t ever seem
to fit my body in the box my world is giving me—as a
woman, a wife, a mom, and a professional. The fact that
my clothes don’t ever fit no matter how many sizes I try on
is a sign: the beauty I seek will never come from anything
or anyone beyond.
Yoga did not teach me this truth, but it’s helped me
experience its reality.
I am not alone. Yoga is everywhere, its images and
aesthetics bought and sold and commodified a million
times over. Yoga is a billion-plus dollar industry and
growing, and yet in the West, way too often the ancient
practice that espouses nonviolence and contentment
and truth and surrender to a higher power is wrenched
and molded into Instagram posts of supermodel yogis
in tight-fitting expensive clothes in jaw-dropping
landscapes—all pretty inaccessible and unhealthy for
most practitioners. There are as many variations of a pose
as there are people. No two people are the same. No two
sides of the same person are even symmetrical.
Translation: There is no standard. No definition. No
singular model. Just a field to practice on.
My own practice began in college when I was seeking a
low-impact mode of exercise to maintain flexibility and
stability, focus and strength.
But there’s a reason they call it a practice. It doesn’t
always translate; the message doesn’t always stick. That
feeling that comes so naturally on my mat can be so
elusive as soon as I step off it. The world sucks me back
in—poor self-esteem, negative body image, not being
good enough. The 12th century poet, Rumi, writes “Let
the beauty we love be what we do. There are hundreds
of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.” One of my great
wishes has always been to find the beauty and solace in
mySELF off my mat as much as I do on it.
So, I’ve continued with this practice of yoga for my mindbody-spirit
throughout adulthood, throughout three
pregnancies as my body was stretched and tugged from
carrying, birthing and breastfeeding. And although it
may not have been apparent in the spit-up all over my
clothes and hair, my practice on the mat is what kept me
feeling beautiful.
But it was different after the birth of my third child, my
beautiful daughter. Maybe because she was a girl, or

maybe because she was born with Down syndrome. I
knew she would face physical challenges of having low
tone, being at risk for obesity, having an intellectual
disorder, speech impairments, different shaped ears or
eyes, and increased risk for all sorts of other conditions. I
feared that she would be a target for bullying, she would
be misunderstood, she would be under-valued or not
recognized as an equal to other children her age.
The stories we tell ourselves.
I was given the book, Yoga for the Special Child by Sonia
Sumar, and my daughter Sawyer and I began practicing
together when she was 3 weeks old. Not only did I want
to bond with my daughter on the mat through living in
the moment with mindful movement, but I wanted to
help her establish a healthy practice that would keep
her strong and whole, and filled with love, beauty and
positivity.
Siouxland Magazine | Balance /39
Then I reached out to an old classmate who had a
daughter with Cerebral Palsy. I asked if I could teach
yoga to her daughter, Megan, who was wheelchair
bound. I knew Megan’s needs on the mat would differ
greatly from my own daughter’s. Part of making yoga
accessible for different populations is to address
everyone’s unique needs, desires and interests and
allow for each individual to be autonomous in their own
practice, making it their own.
CJ in a yoga session
Megan quickly found
many benefits from her
yoga practice, which is why
she has been a dedicated
student for over four and a
half years. It is her practice.
If you have a body, if you
are breathing, you can
do yoga. With the proper
supervised clinical and/or
therapeutic supports, it is
accessible to all.
Brain injury. Mental illness.
Chronic disease. Joint
failure. Addiction. Vertigo. Sawyer meditating
Trauma. As Leonard Cohen
says, the cracks are “how the light gets in.” Our resilience
gives us our shine.
We’re all fighting our own battles, seeking our own
truths. Somewhere in the midst of it all, I hope we can
find our chances—to practice loving, living, being our
truest selves. What could be more beautiful?
Amy Focht (mom) supporting Megan Focht (15 year old
daughter) in dancer pose- opening shoulders, chest
and front of hips which helps with lengthening these
muscles that have tightened from prolonged sitting.
Dr. Meghan Nelson is a licensed physical therapist and
professional yoga therapist with a passion for using yoga as
medicine for optimal health, injury prevention, and overall
health and wellness. Meghan is co-owner of Lumin Therapy,
which provides integrative healing of the mind, body, and
spirit through the practice of physical therapy, yoga and
mindfulness.
Photos contributed by Dr. Meghan Nelson.

Siouxland Magazine | Balance /40
Ask yourself, where is my experience already represented and how can I pass the mic to
someone who isn’t?
Ask the Therapist
By Jackie Paulson
Send your
questions to the
therapist.
I typically respond to a reader’s question in this
column. However, considering the current affairs in the
world and in light of the recent (although certainly not new)
experiences of violence and death towards Black people in
our country, I felt I needed to use this platform to highlight
the importance of anti-racist work and uplift the voices and
perspectives of Black people. All lives cannot matter until
Black Lives matter.
It is hard for me to understand how this is even debated;
however, if you have even made it this far in reading my
column today, I thank you. Especially if you are a White
person, it is incredibly uncomfortable (to say the least) to
look at the pain of the past and how it has continued to
oppress and kill human beings, even today. And although
dismantling racism can be a confusing, painful and
overwhelming process; be empathic of the centuries of
pain and trauma that is and will continue to need to be
processed by the Black person and that with each look
inward and action outward in the name of equality for all
that we can do/have now, is perhaps, one less our children
will have to have in the future.
This is a period in time in which all of the ways we still need
to look at our shadowed past as a country, particularly
as it is related to Black people and African Americans
is coming to the forefront. These times are pivotal in
creating change. I hope that all of us are taking the time
to consider how we contribute to continued oppression
and racism in our country. The issues that are needing to
be addressed, including racism and inequality, are very
sensitive and delicate topics - as they should be! They
are regarding people’s lives and people’s children. It is
about addressing the painful and traumatic past that still
has a rippling affect through generations today. Initially,
I had submitted my column to Stacie addressing “having
difficult conversations”. And although this is important
wisdom to share, I realized that I was missing a pivotal
first step and that is LISTENING.
We must educate ourselves and come into conversations
with as much perspective, wisdom and understanding as
possible so that we do not do more harm. You may not
initially agree with everything you see, hear, or explore
here but persist. If something triggers a reaction in you,
that is the place to start. What you are resistant towards is
where the healing and reconciliation needs to take place.
Please, go and have conversations and remember that
one of the most influential ways you can make a change
in our country is to do your inner work. So for today’s
column, I am offering a list of resources for you to access
so that you can begin the journey towards anti-racism
and true equality for all where everyone can feel safe and
free in this country.

Please know this is just a short and initial list of resources.
I hope you will begin the journey with an open mind
and an open heart. Words do little to describe the
amount of depth that one must go to dismantle their
own subconscious racist and oppressive paradigms. It
is lifetime work and a daily practice. If you are feeling
hopeless and in despair about the current happenings
in our world, one of the greatest remedies is TAKING
ACTION. Find a way to DO something about the pain
in this world, standing up for those who are hurting and
doing the work to make real and lasting change so that
everyone is truly FREE and EMPOWERED in this life. If
you can feel like a meaningful part of the changes we
are experiencing, then you will surely find hope in your
own heart.
Films + TV Series:
13th (Ava DuVernay) – Netflix
Just Mercy (Destin Daniel Cretton)
The Hate U Give
When They See Us (Ava DuVernay)
BOSS: The Black Experience in Business,
PBS Documentary
Slavery By Another Name: The Re-Enslavement of
Black Americans From the Civil War to World War II,
PBS based on book by Douglas Blackmon
Siouxland Magazine | Balance /41
Books:
Heavy: An American Memoir
by Kiese Laymon
How To Be Anti-Racist
by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History
of Racist Ideas in America
by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
Me and White Supremacy
by Layla F Saad
So You Want to Talk About Race
by Ijeoma Oluo
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to
Talk About Racism
by Robin DiAngelo PhD
Privilege: Power and Difference
by Allan Johnson
America’s Original Sin: Racism, White Privilege, and
the Bridge to a New America
by Jim Wallis
We Were Eight Years In Power
by Ta-Nehisi Coates
This Will Be My Undoing –
by Morgan Jerkins
Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People
About Race
by Reni Eddo-Lodge
Videos:
How to Have a Voice and Lean into Conversations on
Race
by Amanda Kemp
A Conversation with Black Women on Race, Op-Docs
The New York Times
The Enduring Myth of Black Criminality
by Ta-Nehisi Coates via The Atlantic
How Racism Makes Us Sick
by Robin DiAngelo
Organizations to follow on Social
Media:
Antiracism Center
The Conscious Kid
Equal Justice Initiative (EJI)
United We Dream
Audre Lorde Project
NAACP
RAICES
You can submit your “Question to the Therapist” by
visiting jackiepaulson.com and send your question
through the contact page. Please put “Question to the
Therapist” in the subject line.

Siouxland Magazine | Balance /42
Jackie Paulson is a Licensed
Mental Health Counselor and
Registered 500 Hour Yoga
Instructor. She has over a decade
of experience in the helping field
and offers holistic therapies that
combine an east meets west
approach to therapy.
Jackie specializes in working with adults who
may be experiencing a wide array of concerns;
including, relationship difficulties, sexuality and
intimacy, depression and anxiety, trauma, grief
and loss, addiction, and other life transitions and
adjustments. Her training in mindfulness based
stress reduction, somatic work, existential theory
and depth psychology all enhance the investment
of your time in session with her.
Ultimately Jackie offers a humanistic approach and
Her overall hope is to empower individuals to seek
and connect into their own deep and sacred wisdom
that resides within them. Jackie believes that each
person has an innate ability to heal themselves
and journey through any experience with the right
support. You can sit with Jackie in her therapy office
located on Historic 4th street in downtown Sioux City.
She accepts BC/BS and other private pay options.
712-276-STEM
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Doctor’s Prescription: Forest Bathing, The Art of Slowing Down
By Nesrin Abu Ata
I don’t know about you, but with COVID and
social distancing, I notice that I have been
spending a lot more time outside in nature,
and that is how I discovered forest bathing.
The practice of forest bathing, also called forest
therapy, involves no bathing and is not led by a
therapist. It originated in Japan in the 1980s, and is
known as shinrin-yoku which means “taking in the
forest.” It is the practice of moving slowly in nature
using all the five senses. It feels and looks a lot like
standing around, so to speak. While it may seem easy
to do, it turns out to be harder to do in practice, as you
start to notice your thoughts the more you slow down.
Siouxland Magazine | Balance /43
When I started moving slowly in nature, I started to
notice my own thoughts: am I moving too slowly?
What will people think who pass me on the trail? Am
I doing this right? However, the more I slowed down,
and stopped to notice different plants and animals,
the more I became aware of the smells and sounds
around me, and the more I was able to appreciate the
present moment and my own breath. Doing forest
bathing has helped me move from doing more, to
more being, which has been enjoyable.
Some of the benefits of forest bathing include
relaxation, less stress, connections with nature,
insights to take home, improved mood, improved
vigor, reduced fatigue and feelings of awe. Research
is showing that being in a natural setting is good
for mind-body health. It can lower blood pressure,
lower cortisol levels and improve concentration and
memory. A chemical released by plants and trees,
called phytoncides, boosts the immune system.
So, what are you waiting for? Start your forest bathing
therapy today and find what it is like for you!
How to Go Forest Bathing
• You can choose anywhere in nature, it can be a park,
a forest
• Make sure you have left your phone behind
• elax all your muscles
• Walk aimlessly and slowly
• Let your body be your guide, letting it lead you where
it wants to take you
• Follow your nose
• Take your time
• Savor smells, sounds sights of nature, let the forest in
• Slow down, stop often. This is not a hike
Dr. Abu Ata is board certified in both
family medicine and psychiatry, and
is also a yoga teacher. She practices
integrative psychiatry, which includes
the mind and body integration, nutrition
and movement. She is in private practice
at Mind; Alchemy PLLC and can be
reached on drnesrinabuata@gmail.com,
or phone at 712-454-8981.
Photo credit Dr. Abu Ata.

Who are we?
A little over two-years ago, Keith and Neleigh Ranschau
first heard about OsteoStrong from some friends and being
conscious of the need to treat the body right for it to perform
in everyday life thought they would take a look. After speaking
with and meeting with corporate and center owners decided
that this was definitely something that they wanted to bring
to Northwest Iowa; Sioux City being a perfect place to start.
They invited Nick Andersen to come work with them and to
begin building a center and a team that was going to be
able to deliver the top-notch technology of OsteoStrong to
the individuals of the Sioux City tri-state area. They are now a
team of 6 who each use their unique gifts and talents to help
their members reach their health, wellness, and performance
goals.
What is OsteoStrong?
OsteoStrong is an unequaled, patented system that peaks
performance, fracture resistance, and pain reduction
by triggering the body to rebuild bone and strengthen
connective tissues in one, 10-minute session per week. It does
this with four machines that allow the user/member to safely
load their bones with the impact-level forces necessary to
trigger osteogenesis, or the regrowth of bone tissue. It is a
well-known fact that gymnasts, due the high impact forces
put on their bodies, have some of the strongest bones in the
human population. But the landings required to safely achieve
this require an extremely high degree of precision and skill.
OsteoStrong allows the user to attain these concentrations of
impact-level forces in a safe and controlled environment.
We’ve been open for a year now, what
have we learned in the last 12 months?
When anyone starts a business, they do so with a lot of faith…
hoping that what they are bringing to their city is going to be a
benefit to the people there. When Keith and Neleigh opened
OsteoStrong in May of 2019 their goal was to be able to help
these three groups of people: First, those who had low bonedensity
issues who wanted to safely and effectively rebuild
their bones…this was a first priority. Second, they wanted to
be able to reach out to those in the mid-point of their lives
who wanted to fight the effects of aging on their muscles and
bones…who were aware of the body’s capacity to stay healthy
and young when you trigger its amazing abilities. Third, they
wanted to work with athletes who are eager to throttle their
performance up to the highest level of strength, speed, and
injury-resistance.
Going into it, the team was only able to anticipate what they
had been told by other OsteoStrong owners. Deep-down they
wondered, “is this really going to do what we have been told
it’s going to do?” “Can we really go to sports teams, surgical
centers, bone-health centers, and individuals and tell them that
we have something that is going to RADICALLY improve the
health, lives, and performance of those who use it?” That is
intimidating to say the least! It takes a lot of faith to do and
say something like that. But that is EXACTLY what they did.
They hit the ground running to educate those in our area about
what OsteoStrong provides. They met with many of Sioux City’s

medical centers to ask questions, present what they do, and
see if what they offered fits into their convictions regarding
medical science and treatment. They invited athletes to
come try the system and to see for themselves if their
energy levels and performance levels reached new highs.
They asked those with osteoporosis to come use the system
and begin patiently waiting with to see their DXA results
after 12 months using OsteoStrong.
They are 12+ months in and can now say for themselves that
what they were told to expect is what they have experienced.
The first 5 DXA’s have come in with 4 of them having bonedensity
INCREASES and 1 of them showing no more loss…
all of these being huge wins for these individuals whose
ability to resist fractures is a matter of living independently
and with FREEDOM for as long as they possibly can. Of
the handful of school-age and adult athletes that have
used OsteoStrong so far, the team has gotten nothing but
positive testimonies about greater strength and endurance,
on and off the field or lane. And for those who have used
it to pursue greater, pain-free performance and anti-aging?
The stories come in every single week of huge reductions in
pain, a longer golf game, energy to play with their kids and
grandkids, and a greater confidence that they are building
a health savings account within themselves that God-willing,
they will be able to draw off of for the next 3-4 decades.
The Sioux City team is quick to point out that OsteoStrong
has not worked out for everyone. Some tried it at the
prodding of a friend or relative and came for the first month
of sessions only to decide to try something else. Some thought
that the price per session was too high for what their health
goals were. But for those who have decided that their
health and well-being is worth the price of one latte a day,
they’ve stuck with it and after a few months of dedication
to themselves are reaping the results, many of them beyond
what they thought possible. YOU ARE WORTH IT.
How do I try it?
You can call the center located at Lakeport Commons by
calling 712-522-5675 to take advantage of one of their
no-charge introductory sessions. Call them today and try
for yourself the system that is helping individuals all over
the world reclaim their bone health and supercharge their
performance. The OsteoStrong Team is eager to serve you!
712-522-5675
5001 Sergeant Rd. Suite 265, Sioux City, IA 51106

explore
Get dirty.
Pole beans on a glorious bamboo trellis
I Am A Frayed Knot
By Lisa Cox
Learning to lash like a Boy Scout had me
swearing like a sailor in the middle of my
garden…I am embarrassed to admit this. I was a
Girl Scout counselor. I am an ISU Master Gardener and
a NATA BOC Certified Athletic Trainer. I can do things
with tape people only dream about. However, if I have
to take the frap in hitch and wrap around the spar three
more times it might just finish me off quite neatly.
Growing up as the sister of three Eagle Scouts I thought
that this skill would be easy. If a 13-year-old boy can
get a Pioneering badge with it, a 45-year-old woman
with an education should be able to tie a simple knot,
right? This elementary fastening was supposed to
bring structure, support, and beauty into my garden.
No more bush beans for me, I would be harvesting
pole beans from a vertical trellis made from glorious
bamboo. I chose a red paracord to give it pops of color
from afar and delighted in researching the bamboo
trellis designs.
Like Thoreau, “I went into the ‘garden’ to live
deliberately…to learn what it had to teach…” This
month, I was schooled in lessons of beauty and
support. For years, I had been wanting to do this
network of poles and vines. Not only does it seem like
an efficient use of space, but it also is visually quite
stunning. Getting down to logistics, it appeared quite
simple. Make tripods, make crossbars, assemble, and
plant beans.
The lashing steps took place in the make tripods,
fasten crossbars, and assemble steps. During these
stages, my paracord frayed and the structure was
unstable. I tried zip-ties; they were too loose. Poles fell
on my head. To add to my frustration, I even received
a bamboo splinter through my gloved hand. Through
each new challenge I fought and persevered.
In previous articles we have written about the resiliency
of gardeners and gardening. Every time we have
something wither on the vine, we glean something
new. During this project, I had to take a step back and
ask myself, what could I do differently to get a better
outcome? What I didn’t tell you is that I was working
on an incline. My garden is not on stable ground.
However, it is growing where it is planted, similar to
numerous families here in Siouxland. My answer was
I needed to ask for help. Like many, this is not an easy
thing for me to do.
Having the right support can produce the outcome
needed and the beauty we seek. After my decision
was made to ask for assistance, I trudged up the

fresh air
get outside
protect
active
play
retaining walls and knocked
on my husband’s home office
window. He, too, has been
working from home due
to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Obligingly, Dan changed into
work clothes and together
we proceeded to set up our
trellis. This year, Dan and I
have definitely overplanted
our beans with the intent to
donate into the food pantries
knowing that more families
will have a need to use this
resource of fresh produce.
Currently in Siouxland, there
are many families that are
on unstable ground due to
the Coronavirus. The beauty
of the Up From The Earth Paracord and ring
system is that community
members can Plant, Grow, Share or receive assistance at any
of the 30 donation sites around the Sioux City area. I might
have taken a lashing at the beginning of this project, however,
learning more about relationships and the network of support
our community has to provide is truly extraordinary.
To learn more ways you can be part of the Up From the Earth
movement check out our webpage at:https://upfromtheearth.
wixsite.com/siouxland and our Facebook page at: https://
www.facebook.com/upfromtheearth
Other vegetables and herbs you can plant mid-summer:
• Basil
• Beans (bush and pole)
• Beets
• Brussels sprouts
• Chinese cabbage
• Carrots
• Kale
• Kohlrabi
• Leeks
• Radish
• Squash (winter)
• Turnip
Lisa Cox is a former high school teacher who continues to seek
understanding of the impact of food insecurity affecting students
both in the classroom and after the bell. She is active in DKG, the South
Sioux Cooperative Learning Garden, and the Sioux City Garden Club.
Photos contributed by (left) Lisa Cox and (right) Steve Albert.
https://www.thespruce.com/planting-vegetables-and-herbs-injuly-2540000
This year the
Sioux City Farmers Market is
taking a new approach.
Stop.Shop.Go.
Stop at the market, shop for
local products, and go home.
Please exist the market as
quickly as possible.
Here are
9 Things To Remember
when stopping at the market
this year.
1. No Pets Please.
2. Wear A Mask.
3. Send One Person To Shop.
4. Stay 6 Feet Apart.
5. Use Hand Sanitizer Often.
6. Wash Hands Often.
7. Don’t Touch Food or
Products.
8. Wash Produce.
9. Please Shop & Exit.
Plan your trip to the market by
making a list of products you need
and by watching our Facebook Page
to see what vendors will be at the
Market that day.
Reach out to vendors directly to see
what they will be selling that day.
Visit our website
for information on how to
contact vendors.
www.farmersmarketsiouxcity.com

Move forward
with safe
treatment options.
Life is still about being in motion. If pain is holding you
back, treat it safely at CNOS. We offer virtual visits, and if
surgery is needed, the protection of a safe environment
with thorough screening processes. Feel good about
moving forward. And even better about your options.
CNOS.NET | 605-217-2667

Siouxland Magazine | Explore / 49
Class in front of Star Lab
Gazing into the Beauty of the Night Sky
By Olivia Parks
Stargazing is often seen as a romanticized pastime
and many take advantage of how readily available
it is to everyone. After sunset, taking a few steps
outside, enters you into a world of science at a glance
into the sky, allowing you to explore math, astronomy,
the environment, and mythology all from your backyard.
When in science class, many children are asked about
their favorite thing to talk about in science, aside from
dinosaurs, lots of children will pick space and schools will
use that interest as a gateway to introduce topics such as
gravity, forces, energy, light, color, and building scientific
hypotheses. Unfortunately, that curiosity of Space is left in
the classroom for children unless they are encouraged by
their family to explore the night sky at home.
Children question lots of things as they start to explore
their surroundings, these questions act as a catalyst
for their brain to build observational and analytical
skills as they age. From a young age, children will start
questioning why they can’t go outside once it is dark
outside, why does it get dark outside, and what lights up
the sky in the morning and at night. They wonder how
every night the Sun hides and the moon glows bright, and
how only some stars are seen in the skies during certain
times of the year. This is where most children will get an
introduction to the sun, moon, moon phases, the solar
system, stars, constellations, and space travel or satellites.
Though this may seem to intimate to many parents
who don’t feel prepared to guide their child’s interest
in space, some key things may make it easier for the
parents to help ignite curiosity and not snuff it out. Start
by helping children identify the similarities and differences
between the sun, moon, planets, and stars building on math
concepts like counting stars, identifying shapes, learn about
distances, and tracing patterns you can make a fun activity
that will build children’s interest to learn more. It is great to
take a marker board out with your family to start drawing
constellations and reading the stories of mythology to boost
literary interest and memorization of patterns.
Parents can be active in their child’s exploration of the
stars and help instill an understanding of environmental
awareness. Something that your entire family will notice
is that night lights, especially in urban areas, create light
pollution and that light pollution prevents us from being
able to observe much of the night sky’s beauty. This light
pollution will also cause harm to many other parts of the
planet’s ecology. Light pollution will affect migratory birds
causing them to become confused and break from their
flight pattern, cause sea turtle to avoid beaches that are
brightly lit, impact insect populations by causing them to
be mesmerized with lights and starve and cause nocturnal
animals to have abnormal biological rhythms due to not
knowing when the sun rises or sets.
Stargazing benefits many families by bringing them together
at the end of the day and enjoying relaxing time to focus on
your family and watching your children’s minds float off into
space.
Olivia Parks, AmeriCorps 4-H Environmental Education
Naturalist, Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center.
Photo contributed by Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center

enjoy
You only live once.
Siouxland Food Trucks
Louis Bros family style BBQ
Quincy Louis started Louis Bros family style BBQ with just a
small smoker,a table and a canopy. It has grown in the past
couple of years with the purchase of a food truck and a lot of
family support. They have received many excellent reviews and
are very thankful to their customers. Their
goal is to someday open a restaurant.
Everything Calzones
Todd and Kathy Cleveland own Everything Calzones, a mobile
pizzeria specializing in calzones and pizza by the slice. The
crowd faves include the Philly cheesesteak calzone, the
pepperoni calzone, the loaded cheese pizza, the chicken
bacon ranch pizza, and the Meat-tastic pizza (pepperoni, Italian
sausage, ribeye steak bacon). They make their own sauces, use
local bakery dough, and bake their creations on-site in a big
oven in their food truck. Last year, they catered a wedding and
made calzones, pizzas, and ribeye Italian sausage spaghetti,
along with a super fresh salad bar and house-made dressings.
They are hoping to do this full-time in the future, but for now
they’re open weekends!
Q&A with Andy Boesch, Creator of Siouxland Local Eats
By Kolby DeWitt
Kolby DeWitt
Siouxland Local Eats is a
Facebook group designed
to highlight local food in the
Sioux City area. Originally
created to help restaurants
survive during the COVID-19
pandemic, Siouxland Local
Eats continues to serve as a
place of discovery for those
looking for great local food
and beverage options.
1) What gave you the idea to start Siouxland Local
Eats? Siouxland Local Eats was created on March 17th,
2020. This was right after Iowa restaurants were required to
close for dine-in service and were limited to carryout only.
Being familiar with the restaurant industry I knew this would
be absolutely devastating to our local restaurants and that
they would need our support. So after talking with several
family members we decided to start a Facebook group,
originally called Siouxland Local Eats-To-Go, with the goal
of promoting the carryout options that these places were
offering in an effort to keep them afloat. I had seen some
restaurants begin to post here and there but thought it
would be good to have a collective for these postings in
one centralized place for easy access.

have fun
entertainment
culture
gather
relax
Leaf Grill & Wokery
The Leaf Grill & Wokery serves up a fresh twist on Asian Fusion!
We start with a Japanese noodle, wokked with all fresh veggies,
(local from our own county growers when available) and tossed
with our signature in-house finishing sauce. Our Thai Chicken
Basil is marinated and glazed with our hand-crafted Thai sauce,
and our Steak is Bourbon-infused with our special blend of
Thai spices. Blackened Alaskan Salmon is another favorite that
we offer from time to time. Pair our entrees with our own handcrafted,
fresh-squeezed lemonade refreshers that come in a
variety of thirst-quenching summertime flavors! Our family is
rolling to a community near you! We’re excited to meet y’all and
bring our fresh-wokked menu to the foodies of Siouxland! Bon
appetit! “Food is more than survival. With it, we make friends,
court lovers, and count our blessings!”
Tako N’ Madre
Alejandro Martinez and Francisco Lepe are the proud owners of
Tako N’ Madre food truck. This is the first summer introducing their
modern authentic mexican food with a twist! Francisco grew up
in southern California and always had a thing for food. California
is known for being unique with their food and always
inventing or making fresh ideas. They’ve been cooking
for some time now and thought that it was time for
Siouxland to experience their unique flavor. They are
not about hype, but definitely love people reacting
to their food. “Honestly, that’s the best feeling in the
world knowing customers are enjoying our food.”
They serve a variety of street tacos, shrimp and fish
tacos. And not to mention the Cali fries.
2) What has the community response been? And
the response from area restaurants? Community
response has been overwhelming! Sioux City loves
their local restaurants and businesses! The group
quickly went from being a place where businesses
could post their carryout options to a place where
customers also shared pictures of food from their
favorite restaurants and also ask for recommendations
on the best places to find certain types of food. This
created a place of discovery for the community as
well as a way to give back and support. I think most
everyone has really enjoyed it! Response I have heard
back from area restaurants is that it has really helped!
From restaurants, coffee shops, bars, caterers, and now
also food trucks, I think it has helped get the word out and
generate business through these difficult months!
3) What do you attribute the success to? 23,500+
members is extremely impressive! I definitely would
give credit to our community! We provided a way to support
local restaurants and everyone showed up big time! (We)
couldn’t have done it without everyone posting, sharing,
and most of all being intentional about supporting local.

Siouxland Magazine | Enjoy /52
Erika on the riverfront
Summer Beauty 2020: It’s the Little Things
By Erika Hanson
Register to
Appear in
Upcoming
Issue.
Q: What can I do to add fun to my 2020 summer
beauty routine? And where can I buy products
locally? – Debbie S.
In the slow-going resurrection of life-as-we-know-it,
when seeing friends and family is mostly at a physical
distance, and stores and restaurants continue to open
to limited capacity with restrictions, it’s the little things
that perk up our spirits.
for something bolder. Try: NYX Epic Wear Waterproof Eye &
Body Liquid Liner (Target: $9.99)
The best way to finish off your fresh eyeliner game? With
beautifully dark mascara that gives lashes lift and volume.
The absolute best drugstore find I’ve tried is Maybelline The
Falsies Lash Lift Mascara in Blackest Black (Walmart: $8.98).
Two coats give you a false lash look without the glue and
hassle and magnets and crying.
Mid-summer is the perfect time to revamp your beauty
routine and enjoy the last half of the season before
cooler temps return. And Summer 2020 presents its
own special challenges (and opportunities) to looking
fabulous. Fortunately, some of our local discount
retailers and drug stores have remained open, and
have lots of options. Let’s digest.
EYES
In the age of COVID-19, masks are everywhere. And
with the lower half of faces covered and concealed,
have you noticed how GORGEOUS everyone’s eyes
look? Play up yours with one of this season’s hottest
trends: white eyeliner. Graphic and airy all at once,
white eyeliner boosts the color of anyone’s eyes, but
without the smudgy melty mess of black eyeliner in
July. It’s like trading in your little black dress for a little
white one June through August. Apply it just like your
regular eyeliner, or take it a half-inch above the lash line
COLAB Dry Shampoo
HAIR
With so many meet-ups still happening via video, some
quick hair tweaks can give you the freedom to roll out of bed
without looking like you did. Dry shampoo was a crucial hair
tool before, but now it’s essential. Grab a can and give your

oots a few shots to build texture and volume, giving your
hair body to make ponytails and buns messier (in a great
way). My favorite dry shampoo? COLAB Dry Shampoo
in Original Fragrance (Target: $5.49). And get yourself
some Goody Jelly Bands in rosy neutral shades to hold
everything in place (Walmart: $3.84 for 4).
To help with that glow-y look? Start with Dr. Teal’s Pink
Himalayan Mineral Soak in the bath (Target: $4.89). And
a scoop of Vital Proteins Collage Peptides unflavored
powder in my coffee every morning gives my skin added
moisture and elasticity (Target: $24.99).
Siouxland Magazine | Enjoy / 53
Jelly Bands hair ties
NAILS
Although it’s still best to keep your hands to yourself,
there’s no reason your nails can’t shine. Try a quirky shade
for summer – Taxi Hopping by Expressie. The all-in-one
vegan formula features a spring-green-meets-warmyellow
vibe that pops on tanned skin (Walgreens: $9.00).
Which brings me to my next topic…
Expressie Taxi Hopping nail polish
EARRINGS
With neck-up dressing still a thing, why not add sparkle?
Personally, I’m dying to wear some bold earrings for
my next video call. Make sure they’ve got lots of color,
and give your co-workers a fun surprising jolt. A great
option? NOBO Pineapple sequin earrings. Can you find
a better way to scream summer? (Walmart: $3.88). Or, for
a less literal and more sculptural feel, try red-wrappedwith-rhinestone
SugarFix by Baublebar earrings (Target:
$12.99).
If this year has taught us anything, it’s to be thankful for
small energetic pick-me-ups that remind us – we are still
ourselves, we are still here, and it’s OK to celebrate tiny
joys while we face the day’s challenges. In fact, remaining
joyful makes the struggles more manageable. Find
beauty in your own life in any way that makes you happy
– even if it’s nothing more than dry shampoo.
SKIN
Get a safe tan this summer
with some at-home options.
I boost color with two rounds
of self-tanner, both from
Jergens. Use the brand’s Wet
Skin Moisturizer in the shower,
and follow-up with Jergens
Natural Glow + Firming Daily
Moisturizer. The combo gives
you color fast, but keeps it
natural because it builds daily
(both at Target: $8.69 each).
Pink Himalayan Mineral
Soak
Have a style challenge? Email Erika
at KingsFromAsh@gmail.com with a short
description (include a selfie if you’d like!)
and you could appear in an upcoming issue!
Erika Hanson is a lifelong Siouxland resident. Curious
about exploring the connection between outward
appearances and inner power, Erika is passionate about
making fashion fun, and fostering a spirit of inclusion
with no limits. You can find more of Erika’s love of style
on Instagram kings_from_ash.
Photo credit (left) Erika on the riverfront, Britton
Hacke Photography.

Siouxland Magazine | Enjoy /54
LE MARS
Ice Cream Capital of the World
IOWA
(712) 546-6416
10 Central Avenue NE
Le Mars, IA 51031
www.claussensonline.com
urban-eclectic home décor
vintage nds nds • unique gifts
cards • • custom framing
jennifer scholten
manager
manager
15 central ave sw
15
le
central
mars, ia
ave
51031
sw
le mars, ia 51031
712.548.4447
jobasgifts@frontier.com
712.548.4447
jobasgifts@frontier.com
urban-eclectic home décor
vintage nds • unique gifts
cards • custom framing
urban-eclectic home décor
vintage nds • unique gifts
jennifer scholten
manager
jennifer scholten
15 central manager ave sw
le 15 mars, central ia ave 51031 sw
le mars, ia 51031
712.548.4447
jobasgifts@frontier.com
712.548.4447
jobasgifts@frontier.com
jobasdecor.com
cards • custom framing
In July of 2012, four Le Mars organizations came
together and began work on a public art project
for Le Mars, Iowa. Since the Le Mars corporation,
Wells Enterprise Inc., makes more ice cream than
anywhere else in the world, the State of Iowa
legislature designated Le Mars the official “Ice
Cream Capital of the World”.
The Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce, the
Le Mars Arts Center and the City of Le Mars
Convention and Visitors Bureau decided to do
a public art project. Thus, the almost six-foot tall
fiberglass ice cream cones took life.
Our goal was to capitalize on our community
designation. We have added colorful and
expressive art throughout our community of
9,826 people. Currently there are 55 cones, 1 cow
and 1 bulldog.
From public parks to the industrial park. From
schools to area businesses. There’s a wonderful
mix of artistic expression throughout Le Mars. The
100 Plymouth St West
Le Mars, IA 51031
712.541.6606
128 Central Ave SE | 712.546.4195
LeMarsBeautyCollege.com

Siouxland Magazine | Enjoy / 55
response we get is so positive and rewarding.
You continually see people taking pictures with
their family by the cones.
Come to Le Mars and enjoy delicious Blue Bunny
Ice Cream while you drive around and look at the
fiberglass ice cream cones.
Le Mars ...where life is sweet!
What are you
hungry for?
Order Online.
www.pspizzahouse.hungerrush.com
Shop the new online marketplace today at:
https://northwestiowa.shopwhereilive.com/
Additional businesses and products will
continue to be added, so stop back often.
ProLink
Julie Hurt ABR, CRS
REALTOR
Century 21 ProLink
41 Central Avenue NW
LeMars, IA. 51031
Cell: 712.540.7757
Office: 712.546.6833
Web: www.juliehurtc21.com
Licensed in Iowa