Michael Morain. Photo: Duane Tinkey Welcome, welcome! We’re glad you’re here To read dsm and wrap the year. This big issue, our biggest yet, Is stuffed with stuff you won’t forget: Food and art and goings-on, A smidge of hot goss to chew upon, Profiles, previews, six wise Sages All add up — 300 pages! But just for fun, just for kicks, Let’s scan the news from ’26. What was fire? What caused a buzz During this busy year that was? Here’s a recap — we can’t resist it — A quick review, ICYMI: The tower on Walnut goes up, up, up, Crowds on Court watch the World Cup. Fútbol fans, like an avalanche, Chug big ol’ jugs of Midwest ranch. Others go for cappuccino And cheer Olympians in Torino. Closer to home on Ankeny’s courts Granny ballers wear bloomer shorts. Caitlin Clark, the best of ballers, Drops new Nikes ($140). That’s just a start, there’s plenty more, There’s so much news we can’t ignore. Civic projects spark hot debates And several still have shaky fates. Threshold Capital buys Valley West Mall, But fans of Penney’s hope they stall. Fans of pennies say goodbye To the dwindling coin supply; It’s time had come, an era ender For that bit of legal tender. A downtown stadium: yes or no? And where will Buc-ee’s finally go? City hall moves a few blocks west. And Matt Smith leads DMPS. The Roosevelt Sharks, swimmin’ in sync, Look good at 100, dontcha think? (Now, props to you if you’ve read this far. If it were me? TLDR.) Political ads get awfully shrill As two guys race for Terrace Hill. Some step up, some step aside, Some surf the river’s rising tide. Saylorville opens the Soggy Frog, Drake’s Griff III is the new top dog. Mercy College U gets a brand-new look, Cyclones inaugurate David Cook. Vylor spins off from Corteva, The butter cow reigns, forevuh and evuh. Axios pumpkins, Hope 1 and 2, Don’t make Linh Ta’s dreams come true. Maybe soon she’ll return once more With hefty Hope 3 or fat Hope 4. The fair’s new Porky Parm Gnocchi Is weird but good, like karaoke. Beyond the fair, all kinds of things: Dutch Bros., Mezze, Casey’s wings, Scoops by Beth fuels the ice cream boom, Cocktails flow at the Atlas Room. AE stirs up something new, A novel milk choice: scotcheroo. Matcha gets big. Soda gets dirty. We all root for scrappy Brock Purdy. The Field of Dreams, the setting sun See Phillies trounce Twins, 7-1. Just one more item, then we’re through, Or maybe there’s another two. We should mention a few who’s whos, Especially those who fill big shoes. Jonathan Lund, an internal hire, Becomes the chief of fighting fire. Lori Suddick now leads DMACC, Brian Ohorilko runs the racetrack, Erin Hockman, czar of DART, Knows every single route by heart. Kyle Gamble, king of Hubbell, Watches out for a housing bubble. At the Playhouse, the next big act Stars Chelsea Haaland, that’s a fact. DMPA taps Monica Holt, Fresh from Kennedy Center’s revolt. DC to DM — hard to trade it, But frankly, we’re sure glad she made it. The show goes on, the stories keep coming, The headlines pound like noisy drumming. So much happens on the local scene. (We may have had too much caffeine.) So take a breather, enjoy this issue. We promise we will never quiz you. Put on some music, pour a drink, And give yourself a chance to think. Skip around, or read straight through, We published it all just for you. There’s a bit of fizz, a little leaven As we lean toward ’27. We could go on, but we’ll stop here And wish you all a fine new year. ...read more read less