DiscoverAdel Newsletter Vol. 2 Dec. 2008

Vol. 2 Dec. 2008

Dear Friend,

You are viewing the monthly DiscoverAdel.Com newsletter online. If you would like to have the Newsletter delivered to your Email Inbox, you can sign up on the Newsletter page.

Our goal is to inform everyone of the benefits of Adel. Not just those who live in Adel, but also our friends in the surrounding communities. From unique shopping and award winning events, to the outstanding services you can find it all in Adel!

This month is a double issue as we cover everything from Adel's specialty shops to a new business, an easy to prepare recipe for cold winter nights and of course, the Holiday Open House.

Enjoy!

In This Issue

What is DiscoverAdel.Com?

Adel Holiday Open House Dec. 5th

Feature Article - Shop Adel

Holiday Parties, Adel Food

Holiday Home Tour

Welcome to the Community

Bottomless Bowl of Soup

Recipe of the Month

Passport to Hometown Christmas

What is DiscoverAdel.Com

DiscoverAdel.com is a destination website. A way to expand the offerings of Adel to the world. It is several sites in one.

On the left side is a comprehensive Directory of Adel Businesses and Organizations. We're adding new listings daily, if you have an Adel business or organization that you'd like to add, please click on the "Add your FREE listing to the Directory" button at the bottom of the directory. If you're already listed, please review and check to be sure that we have current and accurate information. If you have changes, please use the "Add your FREE listing to the Directory" button to let us know what those are. You can also add your logo and a short description of your business for $25.00 per year.

Below the directory is a table of contents of Recent News. If you have Adel News that you'd like to add to the site, click on "Submit Your Adel News".

In the center are "Current Events" where we cover the latest news and upcoming activities in the Adel community. Each article is a short synopsis, clicking on the "Title" of the article or the "Continue Reading..." link will take you to the full article.

At the top of the page are the navigation links. Be sure to check out
the Welcome, History, Parks, and Adel Story pages.

To the right of the page is the Community Calendar with upcoming events highlighted.

Below that is a list of our sponsors.

As Adel grows and changes, so will our website. Make sure to bookmark DiscoverAdel.com to check out new businesses, changing events, and local stories.

Adel Holiday Open House Dec. 5th

Join the Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce Friday, December 5th at 5:00 pm for the 14th annual Adel Holiday Open House! Shop downtown Adel where approximately 45 businesses and organizations will be showing off their holiday spirit!

As you visit the shops and displays around the square, be sure to sample each locations special treats and take the recipes home with you! The Adel Partners have printed each recipe on souvenir cards to collect as you shop. And don't worry about losing them, special envelopes will be provided to contain all those yummy recipes. With this year's Old Fashioned Holiday theme, there are sure to be timeless classics to make and share again and again!

The Open House is not only a way to showcase local businesses and organizations, but also their creativity! Many have signed up for the Open House as well as the decorating contests. The week of the Holiday Open House, each display will be judged anonymously on their decorations according to three categories. Prizes will be awarded to the displays showing the Best Use of Theme, Best Use of Light, and Most Creative.

The winners will be announced December 5th during the Open House and
they will be given one of the following three prizes: an ad in the
January issue of Adel Living, an ad in the Dallas County News, or
$100.00 of printing/ copies from Horizon Printing! Plus, each winner
will receive a 6 month ad on DiscoverAdel.com!

Back by popular demand, we will be having a Lighted Parade after the Open House! The Open House will end at 7:00pm to give everyone enough time to get ready for the parade at 7:30pm. Prizes will be awarded in the same categories as the Open House displays, the prizes for the parade will be stockings filled by participating member businesses and Adel Bucks (monetary gifts to be redeemed at local businesses around Adel.)

Don't forget to bring the kids! Santa will be visiting his workshop near the Court house, so bring your letters to Santa and, moms and dads bring your cameras.

With a live nativity scene, street performers and carolers, the Holiday Open House is fun for the entire family. So mark your calendars for Friday, December 5th starting at 5:00pm for the Open House and 7:30pm for the Lighted Parade!

One of a Kind Gifts for Every Budget- Only In Adel

With the holidays quickly approaching, many people are running out to the mall to complete their shopping. Instead of dealing with the crowded department stores full of items you can purchase anywhere, Shop Adel for those one-of-a-kind gifts.

The Cameo Rose Collection is a vintage gift shop offering Victorian items. The store is divided into six decorated rooms offering Tea Sets, Seymour Mann and Delton Dolls, Floral arrangements, Bearington Bears, beautiful nightlights, and baby keepsakes.

Cameo Rose Collection in Adel

The best selling items are the stunning jewelry pieces by Sweet Romance and perfume scents by Caswell-Massey and Gianna Rose. During the holiday season, Cameo Rose carries Victorian decorations. Do you collect small Victorian shoes? Stop in to see ornaments and statues in many designs.

Stop in and speak to owner Becky Soffa to help you find the perfect gift in your price range, items can be purchased for as little at $10! We recommend the beautiful nightlights with relief images of deer, angles, or fairies, there are plenty of designs for any home.

The Cameo Rose is open daily November 6th- December 24th. See the website for more information, www.cameorosecollection.com.

The Atherton House is a stunning store full of one-of-a-kind gifts from around the world. There is American pottery that is both functional and beautiful, Swedish pewter ornaments, and olive wood nativities from Bethlehem, Blenko Glass and Motowi tiles. The choices continue, from variously sized Santon Nativity buildings and figurines to hand-blown Inge glass ornaments.

Atherton House Gifts Adel Iowa

With the buying rule of "No Resin, No Plastic, No Mass Produced Items" you are sure to find gifts for the entire family you won't find elsewhere. Owners Miriam Dunlap and David Larson know the unique story behind each item and artisan. Not only are you purchasing a wonderful gift, you also receive a special tale to pass on!

Gifts can be purchased from the Atherton House no matter your price range, and start as low as $5. We recommend the Pryamids, unbelievable handcarved wooden windmills that rotate using the warmth of near by candles.

The Garden Gate offers hard to find antiques, gifts, and handcrafted soaps.
Ran by Bob and Nadine Law, they've been selling antique collectibles in Adel since 2001.

Garden gate Antiques Adel Iowa

They have a delightful collection of finds.

An entire kitchen devoted to items from for your Grand Mother's kitchen. Collectible ornaments for Christmas and great memories of the past.

Stop by to see what new treasures are available and take a pleasant stroll down memory lane! See the website for more information, www.thegardengateantiques.com.

Adel Quilting and Dry Goods is built on the front of Jacque and Frank Johnson's house and has been serving quilters in the Adel area since 2001.

Adel Quilting and Dry Goods Adel Iowa

Jacque has published two quilting books, My Medallion and Baskets of Blohms, named after her great grandfather who owned Blohm's Grocery in Dexter Iowa.

Adel Quilting offers quilting classes for beginners and experts.

There are many activities to choose from such as the Monthly Circle of Friends, the Block of the Month Club, and quilting retreats at Lake Panorama. See the website for more information, www.adelquilting.com.

So mark your calendars because the holidays are coming soon and you don't want to miss out on these one of a kind gifts and decorations! Check out DiscoverAdel.com's directory of businesses for addresses and contact information.

Holiday Parties, Adel Food

As we enter the winter months, there are many special holidays and events to plan for. Here are a few tips to help make sure your party is a hit!

1. The Facts
It's important to determine the facts of your party early on. The facts include the date, time, budget, and how many people you plan to invite.

These are important elements that need to be decided as early as possible as they determine what can be accomplished for your party. These help keep a party planner grounded and organized.

TIP: Plan out the day of the party and work backwards on your calendar from that point. That way, you will have a realistic time line with accurate deadlines.

2. The Guest List
Make sure to invite your guests early as many people throw parties around the same time. This way, your guests can commit to your shindig and you will have accurate numbers to plan for. This can also help in planning the menu.

Are you inviting anyone with special dietary needs? More and more individuals have allergies these days, so make sure to find out if special considerations need to be made such as avoiding peanuts or having a vegetarian option available.

TIP: Send out 3x5 index cards you design yourself as invitations. Cut out holiday images from magazines or the internet for the front and purchase postcard stamps, which are only 24 cents. This will cut down the expense of the invitations and makes the invitations more personal.

3. The Theme
Deciding what kind of party you wish to have will help you decide what you need to buy. Will you need decorations? If you are throwing a holiday party in your home, your traditional decorations can be a cost effect decorating idea. Did you throw a party in the past? Bring out the old decorations and purchase a few new items to mix in.

TIP: Wrap your picture frames in wrapping paper and ribbon. It's an inexpensive way to decorate your entire home, not to mention easy cleanup and storage!

4. The Food
Holiday planning can be stressful, why add to it with cooking for a crowd? There are many restaurants and caterers to choose from and it can be hard to determine which company to use.

Review the "The Facts" and "The Theme." What kind of food would your guests appreciate? Does your theme allow for appetizers and drinks or would you rather serve a full meal? How much money is budgeted for food? Once you know these elements you can begin to call caterers and get quotes for your party.

TIP: Consider 4oz of meat per adult for sit down meals or sandwiches. For cocktail sandwiches, young children, or meat and cheese trays, consider 2oz servings. If you have big eaters, consider 6-8oz.

5. Who To Use
One of the best ways to choose a caterer is to use the advice of your friends and family. Adel has great catering options to consider.
Café In The Park offers catering services both on site at their restaurant and at your determined party location. From an appetizer bar to BBQ sandwiches, full meals with Roast Pork, Prime Rib or pasta dishes, and rich desserts like Chocolate Raspberry Brownies; Café in The Park has many options to mix and match.

Catering menus are available online at www.cafeintheparkadel.com

Italian Villages also provides services on site and at your party. A full menu of traditional Italian meals and appetizers are available to feed your hungry crowd. For more information, contact Italian Villages at 515-993-3180.

Brick Street BBQ has a full menu of smoked meats for your holiday party. Whether you want to include chicken, ribs, pork or sandwiches, Brick Street BBQ can complete your holiday or tailgate menu. For more information, call 515-993-3049.

TIP: Be open to suggestions. Consider a caterer's best selling dish or
dessert. Also take into consideration what your guests will like best.

Now you can begin to plan the smaller details of the party based on the elements above. Remember theses tips and your party planning will be easy as pie!

18th Annual Adel Holiday Home Tour

1-4 p.m. Sunday, December 7, 2008

Come and enjoy Adel's 2008 Holiday Home Tour featuring the Adel Historical Museum, First Christian Church, and 4 private homes. Each is decorated for the holidays according to the tastes and traditions of its owners.

This holiday event is sponsored by the Adel Historical Museum to support historic preservation and restoration. Proceeds from the Holiday Home Tour support the Adel Historical Museum.

First you'll want to stop at the Adel Historical Museum. Built in 1857 as Adel's first two-story brick school house, this renovated museum show-cases exhibits and furnishings from Adel's past.

After you buy your tickets, please take a few minutes to browse the Museum's 8 rooms and gift area which have been decorated for the Holidays.

Lastly, you'll want to stop at the First Christian Church to see the Festival of Trees and something to eat.

For a list of the homes on the tour and more in depth information, Click Here

Welcome To The Community

DiscoverAdel.com would like to welcome Adel Healthmart to the community.

November 14th and 15th Adel Healthmart, formerly Hicks Pharmacy, held an Open House providing everyone a chance to meet the Vandevanter family who now run the business.

There have been many changes made to the building, a new extended pharmacy area, new home health-aid department, and a private consultation room where patients can speak candidly with Jane Vandevanter, the lead pharmacist, about their prescriptions. Adel Healthmart is a full service pharmacy that still offers Hallmark cards and gifts as well as WillowTree Figurines and Bridgewater Candles.

You can now order your refill prescriptions online!

Please join us in welcoming the Vandevanter family and Adel Healthmart to the community.

For more information, check out the pharmacy website at www.AdelHealthmart.com

So, to wrap it up, this is the DiscoverAdel.Com newsletter! We hope
that you've enjoyed this issue and plan share it with a friend. We hope to see you at our booth in the Wells Fargo Bank, Friday night December 5th for the Holiday Open House. Stop by and have an old fashioned cookie.

Sincerely,

Chris Brocka
DiscoverAdel.Com

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