Holiday Party, 11:00 AM

Luncheon, 12:00 PM

Catered by the Great Caterers of Iowa: Caesar salad, lemon rosemary chicken, wild rice, vegetable medley, and flourless chocolate torte with raspberries.

Vegetarian/Gluten-Free Option: plant-based chicken

Performing Arts, 11:00 AM

Lincoln High School Choir will perform under the direction of Brandon Record.

Luncheon, 12:00 PM

Catered by Baratta’s Italian Restaurant and Catering: salad, bread, Mediterranean pasta with chicken, and red velvet cake.

Vegetarian/Gluten-Free Option: Mediterranean pasta.

History & Travel, 1:00 PM

Beth Hoffman was living the good life: she had a successful career as a journalist and professor, a comfortable home in San Francisco, and plenty of close friends and family. Yet in her late 40s, she and her husband decided to leave the big city and move to his family ranch in Iowa—all for the dream of becoming a farmer, to put into practice everything she had learned over decades of reporting on food and agriculture. There was just one problem: money. Her book, Bet the Farm chronicles this struggle through Beth’s eyes as a beginning farmer. She must contend with her father-in-law, who is reluctant to hand over control of the land. Growing oats is good for the environment but ends up being very bad for the wallet. And finding somewhere, in the midst of COVID-19, to slaughter grass-finished beef is a nightmare. The couple also must balance the books, hoping that farming isn’t a romantic fantasy that takes every cent of their savings.  

Club Program, Hoyt Sherman Place Theater, 11:00 AM

Acoustic musicians Brad & Kate have been entertaining crowds across the Midwest with their wide-ranging music, offering a variety of familiar songs ranging from The Beatles to John Mayer and Stevie Wonder to Adele. This event is free and open to the public.

Thanksgiving Luncheon, 12:00 PM

Catered by Hy-Vee: turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, cranberry salad, and pumpkin pie or apple pie with crumb topping.

Vegetarian/Gluten-Free Option: Pho turkey

Literature, 11:00 AM

The Jane Austen Society of North America is a non-profit organization staffed by volunteers and dedicated to the enjoyment and appreciation of Jane Austen and her writing. Vision:  Because literature has the power to change and enrich our lives, we want to see more people reading the great authors, with special emphasis on Jane Austen. Mission:  Our mission is to foster among the widest number of readers the study, appreciation, and understanding of Jane Austen’s works, her life, and her genius.

Luncheon, 12:00 PM

Catered by Great Caterers of Iowa: country slaw, smoked beef tritip, cheesy potato salad, cowboy beans, and oatmeal fudge bar.

Vegan/Gluten free Option: eggplant parmesan.

Art, 1:00 PM

Dr. Kelly Baum, Director of the Des Moines Art Center, will present. Dr. Baum will lead the Art Center in furthering its mission to provide opportunities for transformational art experiences through its collections, exhibitions, and educational programming. Dr. Baum comes to Des Moines from The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York where she has served in multiple roles since 2015, most recently as the Cynthia Hazen Polsky and Leon Polsky Curator of Contemporary Art.

Halloween Costume Party, 11:00 AM

• Ghost Stories!

• Joke Contest!

• Costume Contest!

• Arts and Crafts!

• Cookie Decorating!

• And more!

Luncheon, 12:00 PM

$15.00 Boxed Lunch Catered by Hy-Vee: Club sandwich on a croissant, Mandarin orange salad or 3 bean salad, chips, pickle, and decorated sugar cookie. Vegetarian Option: Veggie wrap.

Public Affairs, 11:00 AM

United Way of Central Iowa’s AmeriCorps Seniors program has Fraud Fighters volunteers who are trained by the Iowa Insurance Division to give presentations on common scams, such as fraudulent investments, consumer and Medicare insurance schemes, pyramid schemes and more.

Luncheon, 12:00 PM

Catered by Baratta’s Italian Restaurant and Catering: salad, bread, Bistecca Calabria (Grilled top-sirloin strips with julienne bell peppers, Bermuda onions, and portabella mushrooms, tossed with garlic, olive oil, and Italian seasonings), and coconut cake. Vegetarian and GF Option: Vegan Stuffed Pepper: A Fresh Red Pepper stuffed with Tempeh, Rice, & colorful veggies tossed with tomato sauce. 

Antiques & Treasures, 1:00 PM

Judy Russell gives a delightful presentation about the history of Woolworth Five and Dime stores. Judy has a personal connection to Woolworth. Her parents both met and worked for one of these stores. She has lots of memories, pictures and memorabilia to share.

Literature, 11:00 AM

Poetry Slam! Members will read their own poems aloud with a three-minute time limit. Hosted by Dale Lewis

Luncheon, 12:00 PM

Catered by the Great Caterer’s of Iowa: mixed fruit salad, “The Finisher” loaded baked potato, and pumpkin bars.

Vegetarian/Gluten-Free Option: Baked potato topped with broccoli and cheese.

Performing Arts, 1:00 PM

Napoleon Douglas is an international actor, singer, and entrepreneur, holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Drake University and an M.B.A. in Entrepreneurship from Southern New Hampshire University. He holds a diverse background in the creative arts including roles as a Teaching Artist, Director, Choreographer, and Music Director for esteemed Theatres and Arts Organizations. Napoleon serves as the Artistic Director for Pyramid Theatre Company, Iowa's sole black theatre. Napoleon has a rich background in Cabaret Programming - his expertise extends to managing specialty acts, including The Randy Andy's from New York City to leading Cabaret and Private Events programs at NOCE Jazz & Cabaret in Des Moines, IA. He now captivates audiences at NOCE with premier acts like "Bojangles," "Nap Sings Nat" (his Sammy Davis Jr. and Nat King Cole tribute shows), and others featuring Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, and more, including "For Once In My Life" and "Follies" – a review of Broadway's best.

Lifestyle Department, 11:00 AM

Dr. Elaine Eshbaugh, Professor of Gerontology at the University of Northern Iowa, will speak about the dementia, dementia simulation house and dementia-friendly communities, organizations and services.

Luncheon, 12:00 PM

Catered by Baratta’s Italian Restaurant and Catering: Salad, vegetarian lasagna, green beans, bread, and dark chocolate cake with raspberries

History & Travel, 1:00 PM

Bob and Joyce Berkenes will discuss journals written by pioneers heading west during the 1850s. These journals reveal many of the difficult, life-threatening hardships confronted by the pioneers while on their six-month trek to California and Oregon. 

Opening Day Program, 1:00 PM in the Hoyt Sherman Place Theater. Free and open to the public

NOLA Jazz Band featuring Abbie Sawyer, plus seven musicians

Opening Day Reception, 2:00-3:00 PM in the Hoyt Sherman Place Gallery

Antiques & Treasures Department, 11:00 AM

Lorna Truck will give a presentation on historic women of the Des Moines Women’s Club, Club Coordinator Eileen Boggess will show how to use the Instant Church Directory, view Hoyt Sherman Place’s permanent collections, and how the website has all the information needed for its members. Members will also be able to view Des Moines Women’s Club Archives such as the black ball voting, cookbooks, 1904 World’s Fair information, Publicity Scrapbooks, and more!

Boxed Luncheon, 12:00 PM

Catered by Hy-Vee: 1885 style lunch with roasted chicken cold sandwich, fresh veggies and fruit, apple sauce, chunks of cheese , olives, and a sugar cookie. Lemonade and tea will also be served.

 Vegetarian Option: Fresh bread and butter, a hardboiled egg, fresh veggies and fruit, apple sauce, chunks of cheese , olives, and a sugar cookie. Lemonade and tea will also be served.

Art Department, 1:00 PM

Discovery & History of Apollo and Venus. One of Hoyt Sherman Place's prized art pieces is Apollo and Venus painting by Otto van Veen. CEO Robert Warren will present on the discovery, steps taken to verify it's authenticity, the restoration process needed, and the paintings true significance to art history.

10:30 AM, Once Upon This Stage. Act I, Hoyt Sherman Place Theater

12:00 PM Bring Your Own Lunch or order and In the Bag Corporate Catering Lunch.

Chicken salad, made with diced apples and celery with a poppyseed dressing on a croissant.  Accompanied by fresh sliced fruit, a pasta salad and brownie for dessert.

Vegetarian and Gluten-Free Option: Fresh veggie salad - In season veggies tossed with mixed greens, accompanied by fresh fruit and a brownie for dessert. 

1:00 PM Once Upon This Stage, Act II, HSP Theater.

11:00 AM Music Department

The Amoroso Ensemble is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream to perform together as sisters and daughters.  “Amoroso” means “playing in a loving or tender manner” and perfectly describes the desires of our hearts as we perform.  This group represents the culmination thousands of lessons, practices and performances, with endless sharing of artistry and musicianship in our home and abroad.  Within our group of four, we hold six- and- a- half degrees in music performance (flute, violin, viola and piano) from universities across Iowa, Illinois and Utah and all play, perform and teach professionally.  It is with the greatest joy that we present this program for you all today--as women and for women--including two women composers in our program.  We hope to share our love of music and each other with all of you.  Thank you for inviting us to perform!

Kimberly Helton, Flute; Madison Helton, Viola; Olivia Helton, Violin; Campbell Helton; Violin/Piano

12:00 PM Luncheon

Spring salad with strawberries and pecans, rolls, chicken speidini with alfredo pasta, asparagus spears, and strawberry shortcake. Vegetarian option: plant-based chicken. Gluten-Free option: Gluten-free pasta

Purchase a Lunch

1:00 PM Style Show

Sassy's Boutique Fashion Show

Installation of Officers, 11:00 AM

Memorial, 11:30 AM

Luncheon, 12:00 PM

Corn and edamame salad, French dip sandwich, fruit salad, potato chips, and apple crisp. Vegetarian option: plant-based meat. Gluten-Free option: Gluten-Free bread.

Lifestyle Department, 1:00 PM

Amber Lewis is Des Moines’s first homeless policy administrator based on growing concerns over homeless camps and to address the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness.

New Members Introduction & Robert Warren will lead a discussion on the history of Hoyt Sherman, his family, and his contributions to Des Moines, 11:00 AM

Luncheon, 12:00 PM

Caramel apple salad, rolls, turkey breast, cheesy potatoes, buttered corn, and warm oatmeal cake. Vegetarian option: plant-based turkey.

Public Affairs Department, 1:00 PM

Sarah Borzo, Education and Outreach Coordinator with Metro Waste Authority, will present: Go beyond the curb and behind the scenes to learn about recycling guidelines and what happens to your recyclables once they reach Metro Waste Authority’s Metro Recycling Facility in Grimes, Iowa.

Annual Meeting, 11:00 AM

Please attend the Annual Meeting to receive reports on the Club year and to vote for the slated Board of Directors for next year.

Luncheon, 12:00 PM

Fruit Salad, bread, Medallions of beef with Diane sauce, wild rice, broccoli, and lemon bars. Vegetarian option: Plant-based protein.

Purchase a Lunch

Music Department, 1:00 PM

Antique Harmony is a barbershop quartet with over 100 years of combined experience. They perform a variety of popular songs from the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s along with salutes to our armed services and America. They’ll also be sure to make you laugh with their parodies about getting older, fatter, and balder.

Club Program, 11:00 AM

Major Shir Agha Safi is a former military intelligence battalion commander in the Afghan National Army who dedicated his life to fighting terrorism and bringing peace to Afghanistan, his home country, and the rest of the world. After the collapse of the Afghan government in August 2021, Shir Agha Safi was forced to flee his home country and seek refuge in Iowa. He is the founder and executive director of Afghan Partners, which helps Afghan refugees become self-sufficient in their new home. Shir Agha Safi also is a student at John Dee Bright College at Drake University.

Luncheon, 12:00 PM

Mixed greens with Vinaigrette dressing, bread, pasta primavera with grilled chicken, and almond raspberry bars

Drama Department, 1:00 PM

Maureen Korte has been telling stories, acting and been involved in theater since she was six years old. She now tells stories of every kind, to every age, and culture. This teller travels the world to learn about stories, their origins, the cultures from which they come, and how to tell them.

She is currently working with two Griots from Ghana to publish their stories in Ghana so that they children there can learn them and tell them to their children. Maureen started the Applause, Live Performances for Young Audiences at the Civic Center. She then went to the state and directed History Through The Arts, and also worked for CultureALL.  Currently she teaches for the After School Arts Program, works on commissions, and presents across the country. Maureen is from Des Moines, has a BS from the University of Iowa, and attended East Tennessee State University for her graduate hours. She lives in Ankeny with her husband and beloved dog Finn.  She and her husband have one surviving son, Patrick, who tells stories about his crazy Mother and her eccentricities. 

Antiques & Treasures Department, 11:00 AM

Elizabeth Keest Sedrel has fond memories of Living History Farms, from visits with her grandparents in the 1980s to bringing her niece and nephew in more recent years. She was delighted to join the museum team as communications director in summer 2021. Her previous jobs include editor and copy editor at the Des Moines Register and Better Homes and Gardens, as well as public information officer and lobbyist for a state agency. While she enjoyed all those jobs, they didn't give her a chance to have morning coffee with cows, or traipse through the creek with campers, or hear the clang of a blacksmith's hammer from her office window. Elizabeth holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Northwestern University and a master's in public administration from Drake University. She has lived in Des Moines for 25 years.

Luncheon, 12:00 PM

“The Finisher” Baked potato with barbeque rub mixed with butter, brisket mac and cheese, pulled pork, queso, sour cream, and chive. Vegetarian Option: Baked potato with plant-based pork, queso, mac and cheese.

Lifestyle Department, 1:00 PM

Birds & Bees Urban Farm focuses on educating the community about urban farming. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Your support helps us “seed the city” and reduce the impact of climate change.