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BySuzanne Hull

Alsatian Cuisine and Conversation a Huge Success!

Huge thank you to the Le Jardin team for hosting a three-course French dinner on Wednesday, March 22. to help raise funds for Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2017!

Several specialty dishes were prepared by chef Tag Grandgeorge. He also talked about his French experiences and how they influenced the food.

We also had several groups and nationalities represented: The Italian-American Cultural Center of Iowa, Alliance Frances of Central Iowa, Mexico and Germany. Thank you so much for your continued support of Des Moines European Heritage Association.

Thank you to Stoy Hall and his team at Modern Woodmen of America for being our Fundraising Match Sponsor which doubled our fundraising efforts. #CDM2017 sponsor Gail’s Photography and Designs was on hand to take photos. Check out all the fun we had:

 

 

Des Moines European Heritage Association connects Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences; and it provides resources and tools to other cultural heritage organizations.

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BySuzanne Hull

#CDM2017 Vendor Announcement

We’re pleased to showcase the following vendors during Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2017.

 

Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2017 Gift and Specialty Item Vendors


15253469_1392831854091085_4314684126306058011_nGlaszauber Lauscha, Lauscha, Thuringia, Germany

Glaszauber Lausche is a small family business located in the “Glasbläserstadt” Lauscha in Southern Thuringia. They make handmade Christmas decorations and small glass ornaments. The town of Lauscha is considered to be the cradle of glass Christmas decorations worldwide, since the business was founded there in 1847.

Offering: Hand-blown glass ornaments

Price Range: $20 – $120


German Gifts and Specialty Items

Offering: Various gifts and foods of Germany

Price Range: $2 – $100


Worldly Goods, Ames, IA

Worldly Goods is a Fair Trade nonprofit gift store located in Ames since 1987.  Our unique Fair Trade gifts are handmade from over 50 developing countries.  Volunteers share artisan stories.

Offering: Fair Trade items from around the world focusing on Christmas ornaments and decorations. Additional items that have a European heritage theme including Fair Trade stocking stuffers, coffee, tea, chocolate and other Fair Trade foods that are prepackaged.

Price Range: $1-125


TeaGeschwendner, Chicago, IL

Tea shop with natural and organic teas.

Offering: Premium loose leaf teas and tea accessories: Christmas teas: Black Christmas tea, Snowman greet teas, including Spices for Glühwein, herbal teas. Link to the teas:http://shop.tgtea.com/. Also tea accessories: Cast iron teapots, ceramic teapots, mugs and infusers.


The Permanent Collection Letterpress + Design Studio, Des Moines, IA

Vintage letterpress printed art prints, cards, stationery sets on elegant paper

Offering: Art prints, cards, stationery sets, holiday cards, and coasters

Price Range: $5-$55


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Chocolaterie Stam, Des Moines, IA

Chocolaterie Stam, Fine European Chocolates since 1913

Offering: Hot chocolate, stroopwafel, coffee, prepacks

Price Range: $2 – $25


Andy Klindt – Chainsaw Carvings, Des Moines, IA | DEMONSTRATION

Andy Klindt is an Iowa artisan specializing in chainsaw sculpture and metal design. Fanciful, functional, or a fusion of each…watching Andy craft original pieces is sure to delight people of all ages!

Offering: Chainsaw carvings, hand-forged metal items, and mixed metal and wood items

Price Range: $20 – $2000


Pickle Creek Herbs, Fairfield, IA

Pickle Creek Herbs is a family farm in SE Iowa. They handcraft herb-infused olive oils & vinegars, jams, soaps, salves, and balms using herbs we grow in our gardens. They make everything by hand using our own recipes and herbs we grow in our Iowa garden.

Offering: Herb-infused olive oils and vinegars, herbal jams, herbal soaps, salves, and balms. They will also offer festive gift boxes and gift bags of our items.

Price Range: $3 – $22


Three Smooth Stones, Des Moines, IA

Betty Chamness Trost of Three Smooth Stones creates handmade wet-felted and embroidered stones, and painted mandala stones that fit beautifully into the palm of your hand for comfort and meditation.

Offering: Smooth stones surrounded with wool fiber using the wet-felting technique and then hand embroidered in colorful garden designs. On the round stones she paints mesmerizing mandala designs using dots of acrylic paint. Each of her stone pieces are hand made and fit beautifully into the palm of your hand for soothing comfort and meditation. She creates felted pictures using wool fibers and needle and wet-felting techniques, free motion machine quilting, hand embroidery, silk fibers, and beads. And she knits, then wet-felts luscious wool slippers for men and women. The best part of her day is engaging with people and enjoying their excitement at seeing her creations.

Price Range: $5 – $150


fb_img_1480914201471museum of danish america, Elk Horn, IA

The Museum of Danish America booth will carry items from its Design Store reflecting Danish culture and Danish, Danish-American and Scandinavian artists, artisans and product designers.

Offering: Gift items of Danish, Danish-American and Scandinavian design – Christmas decorations, papirklip, die-cuts, hand towels, coffee mugs

Price Range: $5 – $100

 


Amana Woolen Mill, Amana, IA

The Amana Woolen Mill crafting Iowa made textiles since 1855.

Offering: Amana crafted blankets, scarves, totes, aprons & table runners

Price Range: $30 – $150


Suri Oaks at Grace Ranch, Hudson, WI

Suri Oaks Alpaca Fashions

Offering: alpaca socks, hats, mittens, scarves, gloves, dryer balls, capes

Price Range: $15 – $250


Jett and Monkey’s, Des Moines, IA

Jett and Monkey’s offers hunde und katzen (dogs and cats) holiday gifts, including treats, toys and European Christmas ornaments. Visit our store in the East Village!

Offering: Holiday pet gifts, including treats, toys and European Christmas ornaments.

Price Range: $3 – $50


Indianola Glass Creations, Indianola, IA | DEMONSTRATION

Come in and enjoy the world of glass. Indianola Glass Creations designs and creates colorful Stained and Fused Glass ornaments, suncatchers, jewelry and home decor.  They will be demonstrating blown glass ornaments.

Offering: Stained Glass, Fused Glass & Blown Glass ornaments and suncatchers.  Fused glass and china jewelry.  Fused & Stained Glass clocks and home decor art pieces. Wine bottle tealights.

Price Range: $12 – $150


Wild Cherry Spoon Co, Rock Island, IL | DEMONSTRATION

Wild Cherry Spoon Co. handcarves unique, one of a kind, pieces of wooden kitchenware along the banks of the Mississippi, in Rock Island, IL.

Offering: Handcarved wooden: spoons, spatulas, kitchen utensils, rice paddles, chopsticks, cutting/cheese boards, baby spoons, cheese spreaders, pizza paddles and pizza cutters, coffee and ice cream scoops.

Price Range: $5 – $75


Sugarplums, Altoona, IA

Delicious homemade gingerbread and lebkuchen featuring fancy cookies and houses. Traditionally decorated cookies are often purchased at Christmas markets to present to loved ones.

Offering: Fancy gingerbread/lebkuchen houses and cookies with festive German expressions such as, Frohe Weihnachten, Ich liebe dich, Mein Schatz, etc.

Price Range: $3 – $50


Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2017 Food & Beverage Vendors


fb_img_1480914224298Glühwein

Glühwein (roughly, “glow-wine”, from the hot irons once used for mulling) is popular in German speaking countries. Glühwein is prepared from red wine, heated and spiced with cinnamon sticks, cloves, star aniseed, citrus, sugar and at times vanilla pods.


Iowa Beer Bus


L&L European Delight, Chariton, IA

Taste of Ukraine

Offering: Cheburekie, Perogies, Pelmenie, sweet rolls, cake, candy

Price Range: $2 – $10

 

 


fb_img_1480824981681Mucky Duck Pub, Ames, IA

The Mucky Duck Pub is a full service, British-style public house. At the Mucky Duck we are pleased to welcome people of all ages and from all walks of life – we believe that drinking, eating and having fun together is a very important part of life!  We have a great selection of beer from the UK, the USA and Iowa.  We also serve some classic British dishes such as fish and chips and bangers and mash but we are also well know for our burgers and tenderloins.  At the market we are pleased to be serving some British Christmas classics such as mince pies and Christmas pudding, along with some of the staples from our restaurant.

Offering: Bangers & Mash, Fish & Chips, Baked Potato Filled w/ Vegetarian or Chicken Curry, Vegetarian or Chicken Curry over rice, chili, Banked Potato covered with chili, Christmas Pudding w/ Brandy Butter, Sticky Toffee Pudding, Hot Tea, Coffee. Retail items: Christmas crackers, Turkish Delight, Tubs of assorted chocolates (Roses or Quality Street)

Price Range:  $5 – $10


Salt & Pretzel, Ames, IA

Salt and Pretzel Co. is family-owned and operated in Ames, Iowa. They started the business in 2015 with the idea of bringing unique, soft pretzels to the community. Each pretzel is carefully crafted with the best ingredients and produced with state of the art equipment to create exceptional pretzels. All of their are made in their FDA-inspected bakery that meets all food safety and GMP requirements.

Offering: Bavarian-style pretzels and sauces, German and European Sausages, European baked products.

Price Range:  $3 – $7


Top of the Hill Nuts, Grinnell, IA

Offering: Roasted almonds, cashews, pecans with cinnamon or maple flavoring

Price Range:  $5 – $15


Curbin Cuisine, Granger, IA

State of the art, wickedly designed bright green food truck.

Offering: Schwabische Kasepatzle – German Macaroni and cheese, Warm German Potato Salad, The Hog Father – Kilbasa stuffed pulled pork and bbq bacon kraut sandwich, German chocolate brownies.
Price Range:  $4 – $8

 

Des Moines European Heritage Association connects Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences; and it provides resources and tools to other cultural heritage organizations.

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BySuzanne Hull

Signature Beer to be Brewed for Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2017

Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2017 organizers are pleased to announce their partnership with Confluence Brewing Company to brew a signature beer for #CDM2017.

Confluence brews 30 – 40 different beers each year. They often partner with area non-profits to help bring awareness to their cause through a unique and related recipe. Confluence cares about the creativity and craftsmanship that goes into making excellent beer, and knows that excellent beer can bring people together.

Through this partnership, you can look forward to:

  • A signature beer release fundraiser at Confluence Brewing Company in November 2017.
  • A Firkin tapping of our signature beer at #CDM2017.
  • Our signature beer available at retail locations prior to #CDM2017 and during the holiday season.

Des Moines European Heritage Association connects Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences; and it provides resources and tools to other cultural heritage organizations.

Support[1]

BySuzanne Hull

Gail’s Photography & Designs | 2017 In-Kind Sponsor

As we continue to host fundraising events and get ready to produce Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2017, we’re finding a lot of memorable moments along the way. We’re grateful to have Gail’s Photography and Designs to capture those for us as our 2017 Photography Sponsor.

Gail retired from Lifetouch Portrait Studios in June 2014. The next month, she opened her own photography business. Her subjects are usually children and families. She also designs word art that are offered in metal or in print. Her favorite part of her job is seeing families enjoying themselves and capturing moments for them to keep for generations.

Gail is looking forward to looking at the unique gifts that are offered. Her involvement with Christkindlmarket Des Moines was inspired by her Italian heritage and passion for learning about other cultures.

“I believe that learning about and understanding what other cultures have to offer is essential in our society,” Gail said.

She also encourages people interested in European heritage to get involved with Des Moines European Heritage Association and Christkindlmarket Des Moines.

“There’s great connections to be made and everyone brings something special to it that only they can give.”

Take a look at Gail’s Facebook Fan Page to see her great work. You’ll see Gail at all of our 2017 fundraising events as well!

Thank you, Gail, for your support!

Gail's Photography & Design

 

Des Moines European Heritage Association connects Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences; and it provides resources and tools to other cultural heritage organizations.

Support[1]

BySuzanne Hull

Modern Woodmen of America | Fundraising Match Sponsor

Christkindlmarket Des Moines relies on donations to help bring our work to life. We appreciate all our sponsors and donations that come from individuals or are collected at fundraisers.

With that said, wouldn’t it be great if dollars could double themselves and have twice the impact? Definitely! That’s why we’re so excited to welcome Stoy Hall and Modern Woodmen of America back as our fundraising match sponsor for  Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2017.

Founded in 1833, Modern Woodmen of America is a fraternal financial service organization. They offer life insurance, annuity and investments. In addition to their services, Modern Woodmen of America offers benefits to members through their fraternal programs. Chapters across the nation are able to host events and activities that help them invest in their communities. These include educational and social events, as well as volunteer opportunities. Matching fund programs, like the one supporting Christkindlmarket Des Moines, help the organization get involved in the communities where it operates.

Stoy has been with the organization for six years, including an internship. According to him, finding ways to participate in the community is an important part of being in a fraternal organization. Stoy and a few of his colleagues volunteered to help set up at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2016.

“The ability to do something in the community near Christmas with cultural influences is a no brainer. I have done a lot of research on them and I believe Des Moines will be a great fit for the event, ” he said.

The first event in 2017 to be matched by Stoy and MWA will be “Alsatian Cuisine and Conversation” on May 22. Keep an eye on our Facebook Page and the blog to learn more.

Thank you for your support!

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Des Moines European Heritage Association connects Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences; and it provides resources and tools to other cultural heritage organizations.

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ByAmanda Stout

Grand View University – In-Kind sponsor

Grand View University has been providing meeting space for all of Des Moines European Heritage Association and Christkindlmarket Des Moines meetings. This has been a great help to our organization. We love and appreciate all of our sponsors, but would like to tell you a little bit more about Grand View University.

Grand View University has public meeting space available. If you would like to schedule an event or meeting, they would be pleased to host you. They have classrooms, meeting rooms, performances areas, and other rooms available for use to support the community and its events when not serving the University’s events.

As well as available space to rent, they have a professional caterer on-site. If your event needs those accommodations, they have an additional form you can fill out to request this service. They also have a new Student Center which allows for expanded dining, performance, and meeting facilities.

If you would like to book their public space directly from this page, here are a few hyperlinks that lead to their facility request forms. We hope you enjoy their public space as much as we do!

Viking Theatre Request (capacity = 204)

Facility Reservation Form

Catering Event Request Form

Image result for grand view university meeting space

 

Des Moines European Heritage Association connects Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences; and it provides resources and tools to other cultural heritage organizations.

Support[1]

ByAmanda Stout

Bravo Cultural Enrichment Grant Recipient

Christkindlmarket is a Cultural Enrichment grant recipient from Bravo! Bravo Greater Des Moines strives to have a community where arts, culture, and heritage is spread across Iowa. You can find their mission, vision, and values on their website.

By spreading culture and arts across Iowa, they add to a more vibrant and exciting life in our community as well as diversity. These grants also help heritage organizations draw more tourism and economic activity in our community. Bravo provides support to 56 organizations in the central Iowa region.

 

 

The mission of Bravo Greater Des Moines is to provide reliable funding and support that strengthens arts, culture and heritage organizations serving Greater Des Moines. Bravo Greater Des Moines envisions a community where arts, culture and heritage organizations across central Iowa are recognized and supported as vital contributors to the region’s vibrant quality of life. Some of the values Bravo encourages most in the community is to be collaborative, inclusive, accountable, regional, opportunistic, and passionate. Bravo uses collaboration and inclusion to partner communities with organizations such as Des Moines European Heritage Association. The long-term goal is to have success in Iowa for arts and culture outreach.

The Cultural Enrichment Grant provides operating support to arts, culture, and heritage organizations in Iowa which are three of of the main things Christkindlmarket Des Moines brings to central Iowa! This funding supports investments in growing our community culture and stability. Christkindlmarket Des Moines is happy to receive this grant, and continues to grow our event and outreach!

BySuzanne Hull

Alsatian Cuisine and Conversation, March 22, 2017

Say “oui” to a three-course French dinner at Le Jardin on Wednesday, March 22. Choose from several specialty dishes prepared by chef Tag Grandgeorge. Chef Tag will talk about his French experiences and how they influenced the food.

The cost is $35 per person. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Des Moines European Heritage Association and their production of Christkindlmarket Des Moines. Call Le Jardin at 515-255-5787 to reserve a table. Only 44 seats available. Bon appétit!

 

 

Seating Times: 5:30pm, 5:45pm and 6pm

Menu:

Mixed greens salad, basil vinaigrette, blackberries, mandarin oranges, peppered bacon, brie croustade

Entrées

Smoked pork shoulder, buttermilk polenta, horseradish-dill-citrus sauce
Stuffed cabbage rolls (beef and pork), roasted vegetables, garlic broth
Sausage and chicken spaetzle, tarragon cream, caramelized onions, roasted carrots

Desserts

Apple fritter, vanilla ice cream, caramel
Cherry clafoutis, blackberry syrup, whipped cream

Please note: The $35 fee includes a three-course meal. Beverages will be available for purchase. Tax and a 20 percent service gratuity will be applied to the final bill.

 

Des Moines European Heritage Association connects Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences; and it provides resources and tools to other cultural heritage organizations.

Support[1]

ByMike King

Christkindlmarket Des Moines Launches New Look after Strong Debut

DES MOINES, IOWA, Feb. 7, 2017 – More than 23,000 visitors attended the inaugural Christkindlmarket Des Moines in downtown Des Moines last December. Building on this success, the Des Moines European Heritage Association (DMEHA), which created and produces the event, is launching a new logo and branding scheme for the market’s 2017 marketing and communications campaign.

“We were absolutely amazed by the turnout in our first year,” says Suzanne Hull, DMEHA president and founder. “We always believed that people in Iowa and beyond would support and enjoy this type of culturally based holiday event, but the attendance and enthusiasm was incredible. It certainly spurs us on to make it even bigger and better this year.”

The 2017 Christkindlmarket, slated for Dec. 1 to 3, will take place again at Cowles Commons in downtown Des Moines. To help enhance the promotion of the three-day market’s planned improvements in 2017, the association collaborated with the locally based advertising agency, Lessing-Flynn, to help create a stronger visual identity.

“The new logo and overall new look for our branding will help us convey what the market represents – excitement and warmth of the holidays in Iowa’s capital city,” Hull says. “The ‘Christkind’ angel is central to a German-inspired Christmas market and the rich gold color with a dark blue accent also helps set us apart from the traditional red-and-green motif used by so many others.”

For Lessing-Flynn, partnering with a local non-profit organization is nothing new. “As a creative agency, we believe it’s essential to support local opportunities to experience art and culture,” said Lessing-Flynn Vice President, Jessica Held. “Events such as Christkindlmarket Des Moines, which promote diversity and education, are always a worthwhile investment for our community.”

The DMEHA continues to seek volunteers to assist in all of its year-round activities, as well as the. Hull encourages anyone interested in volunteering or becoming a sponsor to visit www.christkindlmarketdsm.com or the group’s Facebook page.

Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2017 sponsors include: Modern Woodmen of America, Centennial Warehousing Corporation and Grand View University.

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The Des Moines European Heritage Association (DMEHA) is a 501c3 tax-exempt non-profit that connects Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences and that provides resources and tools to other cultural heritage organizations.

 

BySuzanne Hull

#CDM2016 Volunteer Appreciation Dinner

In January, we held our volunteer appreciation dinner to thank those that helped produce the inaugural Christkindlmarket Des Moines. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Thank you to Barilla for supplying the pasta and sauce and to Graziano Bros. for supplying the sausage. And to Perry Wehrle for supplying the venue.

Are you interested in getting involved to help plan this year’s event? Complete our volunteer interest form indicating your committee interests.

Are you interested in volunteering at the event this December? Opt in to our e-newsletter to be notified when opportunities are available. The Glühwein serving shifts go fast!


Des Moines European Heritage Association connects Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences; and it provides resources and tools to other cultural heritage organizations.

Support[1]