Category Archives: Kitchen

Bring on the Winter Olympics! By Megan Pothoven

While substituting in a classroom a few weeks ago, we worked through an article about the 2026 Winter Olympics, something both Adam and I enjoy watching. Since winter is relatively slow around our house, watching the Olympics is an engaging pastime to have in the background. Some of our favorite sports to watch are bobsled,...
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Fikse’s Fixings by Chad Fikse – Soup’s on!

There is a well-known quote from a Tennyson poem that states, “In the Spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love.” I would suggest a corollary that states, “In the Winter a man’s fancy turns to thoughts of soup.” At least, when the temperature starts dropping, I know I dream about tucking...
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Farm to Table by Julie Van Manen – Merry Christmas from the Van Manens!

As I write this article, it is the eve of Christmas break! The Christmas spirit was in the air at school as we had the opportunity to go Christmas caroling, and preschool students were greeted by Olaf this morning.  Following a Christmas chapel tomorrow morning, we will watch “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” I am...
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The start of new holiday traditions by Megan Pothoven

What snow we had recently! The kids were giddy with excitement as the flurries started falling. They spent lots of trips outside, in short bursts. No one could have prepared for how long it takes three kids to get dressed in their snow attire, nor prepared for how little time they would spend outside. Either...
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Founding the ‘Fabulous Fikse Fudge’ Fundraiser

One of my favorite places to go is the library. I first started using the public library in Orange City while I was in college and found it to be a wonderful resource for books and movies. Later, when Lynnette and I moved to Davenport, we frequented the Bettendorf Public Library, sometimes several times each...
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