7075 Ashworth Road

West Des Moines, Iowa 50266

http://www.saintfrancischurch.org

Saint Francis Catholic Church in West Des Moines is modeled after the original Basilica of St. Francis, located in Assisi, Italy (circa 1253). Similarities to the original Church include gold leaf stars scattered across the cobalt blue ceiling and the "burning sun and silver moon" verse scribed on the bulkhead surrounding the worship center.

All the furnishings and artwork at St. Francis are original designs fabricated by craftsmen. They include hand forged wrought iron candle stands, gates and railings. Cast bronze stations of the cross, custom wood chapel doors and hand painted icons soften this modern building with old world touches.

Directions: From I-80W, take Jordan Creek Parkway exit (West Des Moines). Turn south on Jordan Creek Parkway. Go about 1/2 mile to Ashworth Road. Turn left. Go one block. St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church will be on the left side of Ashworth Road.

Map link

2801 Fleur Drive

Des Moines, Iowa 50321

www.rollinsmansion.com

This jumbo home was built in 1925-27 by Ralph Rollins, owner of Rollins Hosiery Mills. Rollins was friends with cosmetics maker Carl Weeks, who built another signature Des Moines home, Salisbury House. Both homes were designed by local architects Byron Boyd & Herbert Moore, & both are on the National Register of Historic Places.

According to an official history of the Rollins home, the two Des Moines businessmen "spent a considerable amount of time studying English homes & Tudor architecture." As part of their travel "Mr. Rollins brought back 16th century ship beams & ceiling beams from the Inn where William Shakespeare performed," the history says.

---

Directions: Head west (right) on Ashworth Drive to Jordan Creek Parkway. Turn north (right) on Jordan Creek Parkway. Take 80E/235E for about nine miles to Martin Luther King (MLK) Jr Parkway (Exit 7A). Turn south (right) on Martin Luther King (MLK) Jr Parkway. Follow it for approximately 2.5 miles (MLK turns into Fleur Drive) to the parking lot.

It takes approximately 20-min to drive from St. Francis to Rollins Mansion.

Map link

Parking: Rollins has limited space, so we are requesting that guests park at the lot on the northwest corner of Bell and Fleur. A shuttle will loop every 10 minutes to transport you one block from the parking lot to Rollins (and back at the end of the night).

COCKTAIL HOUR - 5:30pm

DINNER - 6:00pm

STARTER

Market Salad with Fresh Greens, Creamy Parmesan Dressing, Feta Cheese, Tomato, Carrot, Cucumber, Red Onion

MAIN COURSE

Grilled Sirloin Steak glazed in a Mushroom, Shallot, Red Wine Sauce. Served with Dauphinoise Potato Gratin and Green Beans w/Toasted Almonds

***Children's Plate: Market Mac 'n Cheese served with Fresh Fruit

DESSERT - 7:00pm

Homemade Ice Cream (dish or cone)

***Brought to you by The Outside Scoop

Water

Sweet Tea

Shirley Temples

Sodas

Semi-Dry Reds

Sweet White Wines

Confluence Des Moines Indian Pale Ale

Iowa's steady, well balanced nature is reflected in this IPA with its mix of medium body, lighter color and plenty of malt flavor to balance the massive hop impact.

Peace Tree Blonde Fatale Draft

This Belgian-style Blonde Ale will steal your heart as the unfiltered golden hue seduces your taste buds with surprising smoothness. The Belgian yeast adds hints of fruity complexity, but be warned – it's mysterious charm will draw you in again and again.

Coors Light Diet Beer

Nothing beats an ice-cold lager. That's why Coors Light is never heat pasteurized. Instead, it's cold bottled while at the peak of freshness because that's how you like it.

"Oh Eric, help me. My foot hurts."

Julie had a sore running foot. Another running friend suggested she contact Eric for healing advice, since he had a similar injury.

Slowly our friendship grew, over frothy latte shots and a steamy 17 mile Saylorville trot. On fitness, religion and finances we chatted, a hundred laughs as we talked travel, work, family dreams and random rants.

Eric eventually introduced Julie to Ella. The bond was instant and inseparable. The tie the three of us holds feels greater than 2 + 1.

Thank you Lord for running, a sore foot and that first encounter that was more than chance and a simple injury.

Forever, make it so!