Your Ames Voice

Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025

December 18, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes

Hello and happy Hanukkah!

In today’s newsletter, we highlight a surge of donations to Food at First, which started the day Coach Matt Campbell announced his departure from Iowa State. Turns out it was an unexpected parting gift from Penn State fans to the Cyclone community.

Also in this edition, the opening of the indoor aquatic center may be delayed to April, and the city council grapples with next year's budget and a loss in property tax revenue.

Plus, if you are still seeking holiday events in the local vicinity, our events calendar has you covered.

Thank you for your continued support,


Co-Editors: Anthony Capps & Amber Mohmand
[email protected]

 

 

Top Story

Members of the Iowa State football team surprised Food at First with a donation of 200 Thanksgiving meal bags from Hy-Vee. | Photo courtesy of Patty Yoder

Food at First receives $18K in donations from Penn State fans: ‘We are … sorry for taking Matt Campbell’

by Amber Mohmand | News Editor | Published on Dec. 17, 2025

When money donations started rolling in Dec. 5, Food at First Director Patty Yoder figured it was an error.

“I thought it was a mistake,” she told the Ames Voice. “I thought that PayPal was going to come and take that money back.”

It was confusing for Yoder. The donations came in odd amounts, which isn’t unusual, but they were paired with messages that didn’t make sense to her.

“I didn’t really know what [the comments] meant,” Yoder said.

 

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City of Ames

Construction Update

Aquatic Center opening may be delayed until April

by Bill Monroe | Staff Reporter

Ames area residents could have to wait longer than anticipated to enjoy indoor swimming.

City Finance

Ames Council faces tough budget choices for next year

by Bill Monroe | Staff Reporter

It’s tougher than ever to budget for a city due to new legislative mandates on Iowa’s property tax system, forcing cities to find additional revenue to maintain services.

 

More from City of Ames

Iowa State University

ISU President

Wendy Wintersteen reflects on 46 years at ISU: ‘It's bittersweet to leave’

by Kyle Werner | Staff Reporter

President Wendy Wintersteen sits at her desk adorned with memorabilia from her 46 years at Iowa State University: a Jack Trice medal, a photo of her husband, Robert Waggoner and small pieces of art reminiscent of her entomology days.

Sports

In Other News

Ames Tribune: Will Audi Crooks play in Iowa State women's basketball's next game?
ISU News Service: 2025 Year in Review

Events & Activities

 

Ongoing

❄️ Winter Wonderscape
5 to 9 p.m. Thursday through Tuesday | Reiman Gardens
Reiman Gardens is decked with over 200,000 lights that transform its gardens into a winter wonderland with light tunnels, disco balls, Candy Land, s’mores and more.
$16 general, $14 members/ISU students, $7 ages 2 to 12, free for under 2.
 
🎅🏻🚂 The Santa Express
Friday, Saturday and Sunday | Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad
Enjoy milk and cookies, sing Christmas carols and meet Santa Claus himself on the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad.
$28+
 
🎅🏻 Santa at North Grand Mall
4 to 7 p.m. Friday; noon to 4 p.m. Saturday | North Grand Mall
It's your last weekend to let Santa Claus know what you’d like to see under your tree on Christmas morning.
FREE

Thursday, Dec. 18

❄️ Solstice Studio Night
5:30 to 8 p.m. | Octagon Center for the Arts
Have a cozy winter solstice makers night, a welcoming craft event to celebrate the season together. Create handmade treasures inspired by the magic of winter solstice.
$15

Friday, Dec. 19

🎄🎤 Holly Jolly Holidays with Howie and Jenn
7 p.m. | Ames City Auditorium
Michael Howland (Howie) and Jenny Throckmorton, both local singers, perform holiday favorites.
$10

Saturday, Dec. 20

🎄 Holiday Creations
1 to 3 p.m. | McFarland Park
Would you rather make your own holiday decorations and gifts? Decorate ornaments, wooden boards and pinecones at McFarland Park.
$25

Sunday, Dec. 21

🏀 Women's Basketball: Iowa State vs. Kansas
Noon | Hilton Coliseum
The Cyclones take on the Kansas Jayhawks.
$22+
 
The No. 4-ranked Iowa State team takes on Long Beach State. If you can't score tickets, you can watch the game on ESPN+.

Monday, Dec. 22

🎄 Hidden Candy Cane Hike
Noon to 4 p.m. | McFarland Park
Look for hidden candy canes at McFarland Park along the Touch-a-Life trail.
FREE
 
🎄 Mannheim Steamroller by Chip Davis
7:30 p.m. | Stephens Auditorium
Created by Chip Davis, the perennial favorite show of holiday songs mixes innovative 18th-century instrumentals with rock sounds.
$55