HeyJaredThe Life and Times of a Midwestern Girl
The Life and Times of a Midwestern Girl takes you into the magic of what it's like living life in the Midwest.
- Indexed issues, last 90 days
- 5
- Latest publication
- Sep 17, 2026
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- Earliest in this view
- Jul 7, 2026
Latest issues
The Fall of Summer (opens the original)
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I know Summer has ended. How do I know? My biggest indicator is that the Iowa State Fair is over. Regular readers will know that the main focus of my Summer is attending the Iowa State Fair. Both as an attendee and as a food contest judge. And boy did I do that. Ten of the eleven days of the Fair found me out there – attending and judging… Whether food or people - we just won’t get into that. Trust me, it’s for the best. (wink-wink)Anyway, Summer in the Midwest is winding down. And while this ma
When a Crispy Chicken Nugget Hangs Out with a Dollop of Caviar… (opens the original)
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Wednesday evening just before opening day of the 2026 Iowa State Fair (also known as Iowa State Fair Eve) my daughter, Steph, and I were invited to attend a pre-fair gathering at JR’s SouthPork Ranch out on the Iowa State Fairgrounds. If you are wondering if this is better than Christmas Eve, the answer is YES. At least for us. My friend, Brooks Reynolds (who also leads the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival) is the co-owner of JR’s, along with Carey and Corey Hansen (owners of the beloved Des Moines’ M
Batter Up! Well - That’s 24,000 Pounds of Batter Made Up…. (opens the original)
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I met with the Campbell’s folks at the Iowa State Fair a couple of years ago but wanted to share their story again. While, yes, Campbell’s is about Fair food, they are really about heart and family. With a new PB & J Corndog on the menu this year, along with a Butter-Dipped Ice Cream and Strawberry Creamer Lemonade, they are the talk of the Fairgrounds…as well as the talk of CBS news.When you think of the Iowa State Fair what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Food, right? And what kind of fo
What’s Cookin’ at the 2026 Iowa State Fair? (opens the original)
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For those of you who are counting, and even for those of you who are not, the Iowa State Fair begins in 23 days 11 hours and 48 minutes. At least at this moment as I write this, with it being held August 13 – 23.And one of the things us Fair-ies anxiously await as Fair time arrives is the list of this year’s new foods. According to Iowa State Fair Chief Marketing Officer, M
Hurray, Hurray…It’s Trash Picker Day! (opens the original)
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One of my favorite days of the year is…wait for it…. not Christmas, not the first day of summer, not even my birthday. No. It’s Trash Picker Day! Yes! Trash Picker Day!Now what is Trash Picker Day you ask? It’s the day when people put things they no longer want, or need, on the curb for the big refuse trucks to pick up. These items are typically too large to fit into regular trash bins, so they are stashed away all year long until that much anticipated Trash Picker Day arrives.And it’s the best!
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