Our dog really doesn’t want us to work on this newsletter.
She loves pawing at the keyboard, groaning for attention, and just generally being absurdly cute and obnoxious.
This is what we have to deal with! Week in and week out…. she thinks she is helping.
Have fun this week.
Adventures Ahead📅📅
Check out some below happenings in the CR area!
Have an event suggestion? Just click here and let us know what it is.
Wednesday, 10/21
Baby & Toddler Story Time
Downtown Library, 9:30-10:30 am
Join us for this 15-minute story and song program for newborns to three-year-olds, followed by a 45-minute playtime.
Thursday, 10/22
Partners in Play
Hiawatha Library, 9:30-10:15 am
Each session will focus on an aspect of early child development, with caregivers enhancing child-led play by encouraging exploration, conversation, and discovery.
Music & Movement Story Time
Busse Branch, 9:30-10:30 am
Join us for a fun-filled story time focused on making music and exploring movement. This program is designed for toddlers and preschoolers.
Teen Makers & Gamers: Race with Ozo Bots
Downtown Library, 3:30-5 pm
Get competitive or come for the vibes at these after-school crafting and gaming activities for teens.
Friday, 10/23
Early Learning Story Time
Busse Branch, 9:30-10 am
Join us for a fun-filled story time for children ages 2-5, featuring stories, songs, movement, and bubbles!
Hiawatha Parks and Recreation Trunk-or-Treat
Guthridge Park, 4:30-5:30 pm
Bring the whole family out for an afternoon of safe, community-centered Halloween fun. Walk through rows of creatively decorated vehicle trunks hosted by local businesses, organizations, and community members.
Saturday, 10/24
Wickiup Fall Fest
Wickiup Hill Learning Center, 10 am-12 pm
Kids can wear their costumes and collect treats along a gentle woodland trail, then enjoy pumpkin bowling, a straw scramble, and meet some of our not-so-creepy critters up close. Keep an eye out for a silly jump scare from our friendly giant spider—just enough to make you giggle!
This event is perfect for ages 3–10, but younger and older siblings are welcome to join the fun. It’s a relaxed, family-friendly way to celebrate fall—no scares, just smiles! Cost $3/child.
“The Hunger Games” Movie Showing
Downtown Library, 1-3:30 pm
This film is rated PG-13. Doors will open at 12:45 pm, with the movie starting at 1 pm.
Spooky Skate
ImOn Ice Arena, 1:30-4:30 pm
It's scary season at ImOn Ice! Join us at the ImOn Ice Arena for spooky treats and activities, as well as skate admission and skate rental for just $15 per person!
Sunday, 10/25
Hiawatha Farmers Market
Guthridge Park, 10 am-1 pm
Whether you’re shopping for the week or simply enjoying the atmosphere, the market is the perfect place to gather, explore, and support local.
LAST ONE OF THE SEASON!
Golden Get Together
Cheyenne Dog Park, 1-3 pm
Calling all Golden Retrievers! Head to the dog park for a fun, social play session filled with wagging tails and friendly faces.
Enjoy complimentary hot chocolate.
A Valid dog park pass is required. Don't have a pass? Get your furry friend an annual Dog Pass and enjoy acres of fenced space where they can run & play all year long! Call 319-286-5566 or visit CityofCR.com/DogParks to get yours!
Monday, 10/26
Family KEVA & LEGO Building
Downtown Library, 5:30-6:30 pm
Builders are invited to construct and create with LEGO and KEVA blocks. Activities will include both challenges and free play. Geared to K-5th graders.
Paws to Read
Hiawatha Library, 6:30-7 pm
Boost reading confidence one wag at a time! Young readers are invited to practice reading aloud to gentle, certified therapy dogs in a relaxed, judgment-free environment. This fun program helps build literacy skills while making reading a positive experience.
Tuesday, 10/27
Doodlebugs: Fall Fibers
Marion Library, 10:30 am
What art supplies can you find outside this fall? We will bring things like leaves, sticks, and flowers, so you can turn them into autumnal artwork. All ages are welcome, but book selection is ideal for ages 4-7.
Costume Party
Blairs Ferry Chick-Fil-A, 5:30-7:30 pm
Kids can enjoy a free meal with the purchase of an adult meal, (limit of 2 free kids meal per adult meal purchased).
They can get their faces painted by Lizzy, and make a free craft to take home.
Trunk-o-Treat @ Tanager
Tanager’s Estle Building, 1030 5th Ave. SE., 5-6:30 pm
Families can trick-or-treat and pick up fresh produce at this free community event!
Grown-Up Getaway… 99 problems and a kid ain’t one.
Dial M for Murder
📆 Friday, 10/23, 7:30-10 pm
📍Giving Tree Theater, 752 10th St, Marion, IA, United States, Iowa 52302
Get tickets for you and your favorite person (not necessarily you significant other) and go see Dial M for Murder adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher from the original by Frederick Knott at the Giving Tree Theater in Marion.
A new version of the celebrated murder mystery that inspired Hitchcock’s masterpiece! Tony is convinced that his wife Margot has been cheating on him. Now it seems that the affair is over, but in his jealousy, Tony spins a web of suspicion and deception that will tighten around them and ensnare them both in danger, recrimination, and murder.
Knee-Slappers😂🤣
Kid Tested & Approved
What is the smartest type of cheese? 🧀
Cheese whiz!
What is a pirate’s favorite cheese? 🏴☠
Cheddarrrrrrrrrrrrrr! 😂
Knock knock…. who’s there?
Cheese…. Cheese who?
Cheese a really good friend of mine! 😆
🥁ba-dumm, tsssst…. 🥁
Gif by kellydcreates on Giphy
Bon appétit! It’s time to eat!
Pesto Zucchini & Corn Orzo Casserole
This ain’t your grandma’s tater tot casserole! It’s Fall and we are entering casserole season, so it is perfect time to feature the Midwest’s favorite type of food… a casserole!
Full disclosure though, we have not yet tried this recipe… but it looked too good to not share. We will definitely be cooking this up later this week.
We got this from AllRecipes and this should make up to 8 servings.
Ingredients
4 small zucchini (or 2 large), sliced ½ inch thick moons
2 cups dried orzo
2.5 cups chicken broth
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 Tbsp. pesto
2 cups frozen corn
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Sweet drop peppers (optional)
Step 1: Toss zucchini with a little salt and let stand for 10 to 15 minutes. Pat dry.
Step 2: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease a 3-quart 9x13 or similarly sized baking dish.
Step 3: Add orzo, broth, corn, garlic, olive oil and half the pesto to the baking dish; stir well to distribute orzo evenly.
Step 4: Place zucchini on top in a single layer; do not stir zucchini in. Drizzle lightly with olive oil; season with pepper. Cover tightly with foil.
Step 5: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove foil. Gently stir the orzo underneath, and swirl in remaining pesto. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan on top.
Step 6: Bake uncovered until the top is lightly golden and orzo is tender, 10 to 15 minutes more. Let the dish rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. If desired, garnish with sweety drop peppers.
Step 7: Enjoy!
Need to know Nuggets
Weather Report ⛅⛈
Wednesday, 10/21 | 74℉/50℉ | 🌥 |
Thursday, 10/22 | 76℉/50℉ | ⛅ |
Friday, 10/23 | 74℉/54℉ | 🌥 |
Saturday, 10/24 | 75℉/54℉ | ⛅ |
Sunday, 10/25 | 74℉/50℉ | 🌥 |
Monday, 10/26 | 64℉/44℉ | 🌧 |
Tuesday, 10/27 | 60℉/41℉ | 🌥 |
Is this heaven? NO. It’s Iowa. We can look forward to an incredible stretch of beautiful days ahead of us.
Weather courtesy of KCRG.com
Newsworthy Nuggets
Some interesting local stories from the past week:
Cedar Rapids, CRBT partner for May’s Island sculpture park - from Corridor Business Journal
Cedar Rapids ranks No. 7 among safest cities in America, WalletHub study finds - from CBS2 (IowaNesNow)
That’s it for this week.
Our dog only set us back a little bit… but we persevered! Isn’t she just adorable?
Good luck this week and check out some trunk-or-treats that are going on! Too many to mention, we didn’t want to accidentally miss some, hence why we only highlighted a couple this week!
Thanks for reading!