This Is Iowa: Sharing stories of celebration (2024)

It's time to celebrate! We're flipping on the lights in a packed downtown-- <THERE'S GOING TO BE TONS OF PEOPLE BECAUSE IT'S SUCH A BIG THING.> and cueing up the music while the new dancers are practicing their moves. <I'M STILL GETTING USED TO THE TIGHTS.> Because it's almost Jayden's big moment. But it's also- - <YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL. SMILE AT EVERYBODY. TAKE IT ALL IN.> almost time for Mackenzie's big walk down the aisle. <GOOD GIRL. YOU GOT IT.> And we're not stopping at the altar. Because Diana's bell won't stop ringing... <RINGING.> We're celebrating commitment in the grocery store aisles, beauty in the wedding march, a change in the Nutcracker's lineup and the wattage overpowering the square. Celebrating this season across our state. This is Iowa. THIS TIME OF YEAR, OUR STATE GLOWS BECAUSE MOST IOWANS HANG A FEW LIGHTS AND PLENTY MORE HANG A LOT MORE. BUT THEN THERE ARE THE CITIES THAT GO ALL OUT, PAINTING WITH LIGHTS. MAGNIFYING THE TWINKLING BY A MILLION. FROM BORDER TO BORDER, IOWA'S TOWN SQUARES DRAW DECEMBER SHOPPERS DETERMINED TO KEEP THEIR DOLLARS LOCAL. AND MOST HOST AN OUT OF TOWN VISITOR-- <AND WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR CHRISTMAS, RUTH? A KITTY CAT. SHE WANTS A KITTY CAT, MOM.> ASKING FOR LISTS AND GIVING AWAY SECOND-GRADE MEMORIES THAT WILL STICK. BUT THE FOUR O'CLOCK VISITOR HEADED TOWARD SANTA -- <JINGLE BELL ON REINDEER.> IS THE FIRST HINT THESE NEXT FEW HOURS SET OSKALOOSA'S SQUARE APART. <IF YOU'VE NEVER BEEN HERE, IT'S SOMETHING LIKE YOU'VE NEVER SEEN.> BECAUSE WITH EVERY CLOMP OF THOSE BELLS THAT KEEP MULTIPLYING-- <JINGLE JINGLE.> THE CROWD HEADED INTO MAHASKA COUNTY'S SEAT KEEPS GROWING. THE FIRST SATURDAY NIGHT IN DECEMBER CAN DRAW 13 THOUSAND PEOPLE. <THAT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE A LOT BUT THIS IS FROM A TOWN OF 13- THOUSAND SO - AND THE BAD THING ABOUT IT IS THEY ALL KNOW WHO I AM BECAUSE I'M A REALTOR HERE IN TOWN. LAUGH.> WHICH IS WHY HE KNOWS THAT AT PRECISELY 4-30.. WINTER'S GRAY GETS BOOTED OUT OF TOWN BY A FLOOD OF COLORS BRIGHTER THAN A 50 GALLON DRUM FROM SHERWIN- WILLIAMS. IN 2016, OSKALOOSA FLIPPED THE SWITCH ON 300- THOUSAND LEDS SO TIGHTLY ZIG- ZAGGED ON EVERY STOREFRONT, THEY LOOK LIKE THEY'VE BEEN PAINTED WITH LIGHTS. (COVERED) <THIS IS THE COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER.> EVEN THE COURTHOUSE GLOWS. BUT AS THE SUN SETS - <DING DING.> IT'S ALSO THE HEADS UP TO FIND A SPOT. <YOU MAY BE STOPPED BY THE JUDGES. WATCH FOR THE POLICE.> BECAUSE THE EVEN BRIGHTER TRADITION IS SETTING UP AROUND THE CORNER. <THERE'S GOING TO BE TONS OF PEOPLE BECAUSE IT'S SUCH A BIG THING.> AND A HALLMARK MOVIE SCRIPT COULDN'T HAVE MORE PERFECTLY TIMED THE SNOWFLAKES JUST STARTING TO FALL . <IT'S NOT AS COLD AS WE WERE THINKING IT WOULD BE SO WE'RE HAPPY ABOUT THAT BUT IT'S SNOWING SO WE'RE GETTING KIND OF WET SO WE'RE WORRIED THAT OUR SILKS ARE GOING TO GET WET.> THE CHURCH ANGELS ARE READY-- <TRIANGLE RINGING.> AND THE FULL YEAR OF PLANNING IT TOOK TO PULL OFF MAHASKA DRUG'S FLOAT IS PAYING OFF. THE LIGHTS ARE ALL WORKING. <WE USUALLY START IN JANUARY, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE WANT TO DO FOR THE NEXT YEAR AND IT'S KIND OF A GROUP DEAL WHERE WE SIT DOWN AND EVERYBODY KIND OF TALKS ABOUT WHAT WE'D LIKE IT TO BE.> THIS YEAR, IT'S THE POLAR EXPRESS. ONE OF 70 ENTRIES IN ONE OF THE STATE'S LARGEST LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADES THAT'LL BE LED BY THE SQUAD CAR SPORTING RUDOLPH'S NOSE. <ABOUT 7 MINUTES.> <"HARK" BRASS ENSEMBLE.> BY THE TIME THE BRASS ENSEMBLE IN THE GAZEBO WRAPPED UP HARK THE HERALD? <"HARK" BRASS ENSEMBLE CONTINUES.> THE CROWD CATCHING SNOWFLAKES ON THEIR TONGUES WAS THREE PEOPLE DEEP. <SIREN.> ALL HERE FOR THE PARADE NOW ROLLING. FEATURING EVERY DRUMMER AND EVERY TRUMPET PLAYER WEARING LIGHTS. <JINGLE BELLS MARCHING.> <MY SISTER IS ONE OF THE BAND PEOPLE - SHE PLAYS THE TROMBONE.> AND ESTELLE AND EVERY OTHER WIDE-EYED KID ALONG THE ROUTE CAN'T BELIEVE THE GLOW. <LOOK AT THOSE LIGHTS. THEY'RE SPINNING.> BECAUSE THE BUSINESSES THAT BUILD FLOATS DON'T JUST DUCK- TAPE A NET OF LIGHTS TO THEIR CARS, THEY GO ALL IN. <TRAIN HORN HONKING.> BUILDING A MOTORIZED POLAR EXPRESS. DANCING INSIDE LARGER-THAN- LIFE ILLUMINATED CHARACTERS (CLIP 1254) OR LIGHTING UP A TRAIN SO BRIGHT SANTA IN THE CABOOSE ALMOST NEEDS SHADES. <THEY PUT ALL THIS TIME INTO THIS AND I THINK THAT'S COOL.> BUT WHY? WHY PUT THIS MUCH EFFORT INTO A PARADE THAT'LL BE DONE IN 90 MINUTES? <I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE IN OSKALOOSA THAT REALLY JUST GET IT. THEY GET THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT. THERE'S LOTS OF BUSINESSES, LOTS OF CHURCHES, THERE'S LOTS OF GROUPS AND EVERYBODY PARTICIPATES.> <LET IT GO.> AND IT'S EVEN BETTER WHEN FROZEN IS JUST A THEME, NOT AN EXPERIENCE. <IT MAKES IT A PERFECT NIGHT FOR A CHRISTMAS PARADE, ABSOLUTELY.> <GRINCH! GRINCH!> MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS IN OTHER TOWNS MIGHT DRESS UP AS CINDY LOU HOO AND THE GRINCH TOO. BUT HERE, THAT BACKDROP OF 300- THOUSAND LEDS, THE SQUARE'S DANCING LIGHTS AND ANOTHER 300- THOUSAND IN THE PARADE ITSELF PUSH THE TWINKLES THIS NIGHT PAST A MILLION. <THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE.> 16-THOUSAND! ALL ON THE SQUARE FOR ONE REASON. <GIGGLE.> TO BASK IN ALL THAT ILLUMINATED JOY. <IT JUST MAKES ME HAPPY. MAKING PEOPLE HAPPY AND SEEING THE KIDS AND THE ADULTS AND THE GRANDPAS AND THE GRANDCHILDREN ALL HAPPY. THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT.> The celebrations are just getting started. Because last year, Mackenzie made us a promise from her wheelchair. <I'M WALKING DOWN THE AISLE AT MY WEDDING.> Well the crowd's in place, ready to burst. Just like another crowd that had Serenity butterflies fluttering. Until she realized.... <OH MY GOD. I GOT THE HANG OF IT. IT'S EASY. I CAN DO IT.> Because she was given the chance to celebrate. This is Iowa. Holiday traditions are born every time families grow. And this year, a () couple is celebrating because of the ceremony Beau Bowman got a front row seat to just a few weeks ago. <0205 AMBIENT NATS OF THE LEAVES FALLING > The leaves are falling just in time for the perfect pictures. <0195 6:00-02"AND THEN YOU GUYS CAN PUT YOUR DRESSES ON AND WE CAN DO ANOTHER PHOTO"> And these women are getting ready for a full day. <0197 MACK 6:53- 55"SYDNEY YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE THIS BRACELET THAT I'M WEARING"> Her Day. <0197 MACK 6:26- 27"YA'LL HAVE YOUR BRACELETS?"> Mackenzie Nash has been planning and preparing for her wedding ever since she met her soon to be husband. <0197 MACK 7:36- 38"MOM DID YOU SEE WHAT PERFUME I'M USING?"> Pulling out all the special trinkets she's been saving for this special occasion. <0197 MACK 7:41- 44"LOOK HOW LITTLE OF IT I'VE USED IN THE LAST LIKE 7 YEARS."> <0221 MACK 24:30- 38"EVERYONE TOGETHER AND BONDING AND JUST COMING TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE JORDAN AND ME, IT FILLS MY HEART UP IT MEANS A LOT áLAUGHSá "> <0208 13:38-40 NAT OF TRUCK DOOR CLOSING "DOING GOOD HOW ARE YOU GUYS"> The man of the hour and his groomsmen across the gravel road have their own pre-wedding rituals. <0209 15:04 NAT OF JORDAN WALKING INTO BARN> <0210 15:20 NAT OF GROOMSMAN LAUGHING> Jordan Doud and his best men started the party a little bit earlier with a round of golf... <0212 JORDAN SHOT OF THE GOLF TEE IN JORDAN'S EAR 17:00- "YEAH WE WILL BE"> And now the good times are rolling... <0216 18:16-21"HEY DID SOMEBODY LEAVE THEIR PHONE ON THE TOILET PAPER? YEAH THAT'S MINE YOU WANT TO GRAB IT?"> Washed down with a bit of liquid courage <0214 17:49 SHOT OF GROOMSMAN STIRRING A DRINK> stirred into his cup... But in the other room, a bit of anticipation lingers over the bridal party... <0221 MACK 24:42-46"I KNOW BY THE TIME I GET TO THE AISLE I'M GOING TO BE WARMED UP, LOOSENED UP, AND READY TO GO."> <OLD STORY 0:00-02 NAT OF HER WALKING ACROSS THE SIDEWALK> Because a year ago... the bride to be was here. <OLD STORY 0:12-13 NAT OF HER TAKING A DEEP BREATH> A patient at On With Life in Ankeny, re- learning to walk after she fell from a zipline. <OLD STORY MACK 0:21- 23"I FELL ABOUT 15 FEET AND LANDED ON MY BACK "> A year ago she was already proving the doctors who told her she'd probably never walk again.. wrong. <OLD STORY LOGAN 0:42-48 LOGAN "MACKENZIE BLOWS THROUGH THE TIMELINE THAT I HAD ANTICIPATED FOR HER"> And her eyes back then were already set on her wedding. <OLD STORY MACK 1:11- 17"I'VE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE ASK ME LIKE WHAT MY END GOAL IS AND WHAT MY END GAME IS AND I'M LIKE I AM WALKING DOWN THE AISLE AT MY WEDDING."> <0232 SHOT AND NATS OF PEOPLE WALKING UP TO THE CEREMONY> Well.. now that day has finally come. <0235 56:05 SOMEONE SITS DOWN AT WEDDING> The couple's family and friends are all taking their seats.. As the wedding party lines up into formation in the back. <0238 57:30 NAT OF MUSIC AND JORDAN MAKING A SILLY FACE> A few nerves settle in on the groom.. <0239 JORDAN 59:27- 29"YOU WANT IT BUTTONED? ONE BUTTON, ANY BUTTONS?"> ...who is more comfortable in jeans than he is a tuxedo. <0239 JORDAN 59:33- 34"I'M GONNA BREAK THE BUTTONS"> As Jordan walks his parents to their chairs... <0245 4:11-13"PROUD OF YOU, BABE, I'M PROUD OF YOU BUD. "> He knows.. all of the eyes won't be on him... <0251 LOGAN 8:24- 27"YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL.. BEAU TRACK: BUT RATHER... SMILE AT EVERYBODY... BEAU TRACK: HIS BRIDE TAKE IT ALL IN."> Being wheeled down the aisle by her physical therapist isn't how Mackenzie pictured her wedding day. <0252 LOGAN 8:51- 52"YOU READY?" WALKER IS PLACED IN FRONT OF MACKENZIE> That's why when she got to the third row... her goal became reality. <0252 9:46-49 MACKENZIE TAKES A DEEP BREATH AND STANDS > Taking her first steps toward her husband.. <0252 11:05-12 "WOO!" LOGAN: "COME ON EVERYBODY!" EVERYONE CHEERS. MACKENZIE TAKES A STEP. LOGAN: "THERE YOU GO MACKENZIE."> <0271 MACK 31:07- 11"WHEN I HEARD PEOPLE IN THE CROWD START CHEERING, IT WAS LIKE OKAY I GOT THIS."> <0271 MACK 33:24-33"I DID NOT CARE IF IT WAS WITH CRUTCHES, A WALKER, ONE PERSON, TWO PEOPLE, PEOPLE HAD TO STRAP MY LEGS TO THEIR LEGS, I WAS GETTING DOWN THE AISLE AND I WAS DOING IT UPRIGHT AND IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN."> These two.. reading the vows they have written on paper... <0254 16:53-57"I KNEW FROM THE MOMENT YOU HIGH FIVED ME WHILE BOWLING ON OUR FIRST DATE THAT I LIKED YOU."> Ought to be carved in stone. <0254 MACK 16:08-16"I KNEW FROM THE MOMENT YOU TOLD ME YOU ASKED YOUR MOM FOR A RECIPE THE FIRST TIME YOU MADE ME DINNER AND CALLED HER MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE SHOPPING FOR THE INGREDIENTS THAT I LOVED YOU."> Because if Jordan and Mackenzie can get through a horrific accident, surgeries, and all of the appointments, they know they can get through any of life's struggles. <0254 MACK 17:19-34"I KNEW THE MOMENT WHEN I WOKE UP IN THAT HOSPITAL BED UNCERTAIN OF HOW OUR LIVES WERE GOING TO LOOK GOING FORWARD, AND YOU WERE RIGHT THERE, HOLDING MY HAND, TELLING ME YOU WEREN'T GOING ANYWHERE, THAT WAS THE MOMENT I DEFINITELY KNEW I WAS GOING TO MARRY YOU"> <0254 JORDAN 19:09-26 "I WILL BE HONEST AND LOYAL THIS I PROMISE WITH MY WHOLE HEART. I LOOK FORWARD TO FOREVER WITH YOU. I LOVE YOU."> A couple begins their life together by wrapping their fingers with rings. <0254 20:26-34"JORDAN, YOU MAY KISS YOUR BRIDE" CROWD CHEERS> But Jordan and Mackenzie would tell you true love sprouts from the flowers of support planted over the years <0271 JORDAN 32:27- 36"IF WE'RE GOING TO START THIS RELATIONSHIP AND THIS WAS OBVIOUSLY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, BUT IF WE'RE GOING TO START THIS RELATIONSHIP, WE'RE IN IT, IT'S NOT A TRIAL RUN, YOU KNOW"> And no matter what storms may come, knowing your best friend will always be along for the ride allows the smiles to grow. <0271 MACK 33:15- 22"THE PLAN CAN CHANGE, THE GOAL DOESN'T HAVE TO. AND THAT WAS MY MINDSET FROM DAY ONE ON WORKING ON THIS AND MAKING THIS THE GOAL."> <0278 46:35-49"IT IS MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE YOU MR. AND MRS. JORDAN AND MACKENZIE DOUD!" CROWD CHEERS. JORDAN "OH MY GOD THAT IS FREAKING AWESOME!" > Jordan and Mackenzie know... Not everyday will be picture perfect. <0282 48:55-59 CROWD CHEERS AS JORDAN PICKS HER UP AND THEY START DANCING> But as long as they can lean on each other... <0282 50:36-45 MACK "THIS IS THE BEST THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN" CUT OUT JORDAN SWEARING BEAU TRACK: THEY CAN ALWAYS FIND THE STRENGTH... JORDAN"ME MAKING IT HAPPEN? NO!" > ...to love. <0282 51:45-07 MACK SINGING "IT'S A MATCH MADE UP IN HEAVEN, LIKE GOOD OL BOYS AND BEER, LIKE ME, AS LONG AS YOU'RE RIGHT HERE."> SOFT OUT Ready to feel the warmth of giving? <IT JUST FEELED RIGHT?> WHILE SOME GIVE DOLLARS, DIANA'S SETTING MILESTONES FOR GIVING A HALF CENTURY OF HER TIME! AND OTHERS ARE GIVING KIDS A CHANCE. <WOW, THERE ARE SO MANY SKIN COLORS. I'M JUST THE ONLY ONE WHO'S THIS DARK. AND I"M LIKE MAYBE I DON'T BELONG.> THE CURTAIN'S RISING ON THEIR TIME IN THE SPOTLIGHT AS OUR CELEBRATIONS CONTINUE. THIS IS IOWA. á if possible thread that music throught tracks until after Tom's first SOT á CLIP 8405 14311514 - átom counting ( music 3 nutcracker song ) ( tight shot on tom ) THOSE FAMOUS NOTES --- SYNONYMOUS WITH THE SOUNDS OF THE SEASON. EACH MOVE CAREFULLY CHOREOGRAPHED THE NUTCRACKER -- A HOLIDAY TRADITION FOR COUNTLESS IOWA PERFORMERS <CLIP 8450 - 15233518 - 15233916 - THE NUTCRACKER IS CHRISTMAS. THE NUTCRACKER IS ALMOST MORE CHRISTMAS THAN CHRISTMAS ITSELF - TOM MATTINGLY, BALLET DES MOINES ARTISTIC DIRECTOR> ( NAT : CLIP 8395 14272522 - from the curtain rising ) EVERY DECEMBER TOM MATTINGLY WITH BALLET DES MOINES -- HELPS HIS YOUNG DANCERS BRING THE CHRISTMAS CLASSIC TO LIFE. ( NAT : CLIP 8393 14254111 - 5,6,7,8, big arabesque show .. up) ( music 2 ) NORMALLY PERFECTLY POINTED TOES AND STRAIGHT LINES ARE EXPECTED -- BUT THIS YEAR TOM IS NOT ONLY LOOKING FOR PERFECTION <CLIP 8450 - 15202820 - 15203712 -REALLY THE GOAL HERE IS TO PUT ON A PRODUCTION WHERE THE KIDS ARE HAVING A REALLY GREAT TIME AND PART OF HAVING A GREAT TIME IS DOING IT AS WELL AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN - TOM MATTINGLY> BECAUSE MOST OF THESE DANCERS HAVE BEEN PRACTING THEIR PIROUETTES SINCE THEY COULD WALK. <ááUSE CLIP 8405 14315010 - 14315902 á THREAD VIDEO BETWEEN THESE TO LINES. SHOW THE OOPS MOVEMENT WHERE SERENITY FALLS OUT OF RHYTHM> BUT A FEW ON THIS STAGE JUST TRIED THEIR FIRST PLIE A FEW WEEKS AGO. < CLIP 8445 - 15014510 - 15015016 - NO THIS IS MY FIRST TIME. THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME ( JODI ) YEAH, I'M STILL GETTING USED TO THE TIGHTS - JAYDEN> THIS IS ALL NEW TO 11 YEAR OLD JAYDEN. HE'S STILL TRYING TO EMBRACE THE ACTIVITY HE ONCE THOUGHT WAS ONLY FOR GIRLS <CLIP 8445 - 15015725 - 15020522 IT FEELS LIKE, IT JUST FEELS LIKE YOU AIN'T GOT NO CLOTHES ON! THAT'S WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO ME - JAYDEN> TRYING SOMETHING NEW COMES WITH A BIT OF A LEARNING CURVE AND MESS UPS ARE BOUND TO HAPPEN. < CLIP 8462 - 15422612 - 15422913 LAST YEAR I MESSED UP ABOUT TWO TIMES AND IT WAS SCARY > SERENITY KNOWS THE FEELING < CLIP 8462 15423518 - 15424202 I TURNED AROUND AND SHE WAS LIKE RIGHT THERE. AND I WAS LIKE OH OKAY THANK YOU AND THEN I WENT THERE AND WE STARTED DANCING. I WAS LIKE OH MY GOD I MISSED MY CUE - SERENITY > MISSING A CUE ISN'T A BIG DEAL -- ESPECIALLY COMPARED TO THE BIG OPPORTUNITY THAT BROUGHT THE BEGINNER BALLERINAS TO CENTER STAGE (NATS : OAKRIDGE DODGEBALL ) <16322916 - 16323300 - THE KIDS NEVER DREAMED OF THE POSSIBILITY TO DO THIS BUT THEY DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THE OPPORTUNITY EXISTED .. - JORDAN COLBERT - PROGRAM MANAGER , OAKRIDGE > áexteriors of Oakridge neighborhood BECAUSE JAYDEN AND SERENITY LIVE IN DES MOINES' OAKRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD -- WHERE THE POVERTY LEVEL REACHES HIGHER THAN 95 - PERCENT. SIMPLY PUT -- DANCE CLASS IS TOO EXPENSIVE FOR MOST FAMILIES TO AFFORD. THAT'S EXACTLY WHY -- TWO YEARS AGO BALLET DES MOINES EXTENDED THE INVITATION. THE KIDS FROM OAKRIDGE ARE WELCOME. < CLIP 9070 - 16304528 - 16304926 -THEY DON'T REALLY HAVE THE STAGE TO SHOWCASE WHO THEY ARE - JORDAN COLBERT > ( NATS : YOUTUBE VIDEO OF AUDITIONS AT OAKRIDGE ) IN A SMALL GYM -- WEARING SOCKS INSTEAD OF BALLET SLIPPERS.. WITH NO FORMAL DANCE TRAINING -- THESE KIDS ABSORBED EVERY MOVE LIKE A SPONGE < CLIP 9070 - 16305101 - 16305629 - SO ITS REALLY JUST A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO BE EXPOSED TO THAT WORLD OF ART AND DANCE - JORDAN COLBERT > THROUGHOUT THE YEAR -- BALLET PROS VISIT THE NEIGHBORHOOD. HOLDING DANCING WORKSHOPS EVEN AUDITIONS FOR A PART IN THE NUTCRACKER. < CLIP 8450 15214714 - 15222020 THERE IS TALENT EVERYWHERE. ITS JUST WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAVE THE CHANCE FOR IT TO BE NURTURED AND DEVELOPED - TOM > <CLIP 8462 15435813 - I NEVER REALLY LIKED DOING BALLET CUZ I THOUGHT IT WAS TOO SLOW. - SERENITY > BUT TEN YEAR OLD SERENITY CAUGHT ON FAST. SHE WAS THE ONLY KID FROM HER NEIGHBORHOOD TO MAKE THE CUT LAST YEAR < CLIP 846215430127 - 15430617 - IF YOU GET IT ALRIGHT THEN YOU ARE LIKE OH MY GOD I GOT THE HANG OF IT . ITS EASY ITS EASY I CAN DO IT - SERENITY > THE 5TH GRADE TRAILBLAZER QUICKLY QUESTIONING IF SHE WAS MEANT TO DANCE HERE < CLIP 8462 15442913 - 15445623 - WHEN I CAME HERE I WAS LIKE THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT SKIN COLORS AND I'M THE ONLY ONE WHO IS THIS DARK AND I THOUGHT MAYBE I DON'T BELONG BECAUSE I HAD PINK TIGHTS I DIDN'T HAVE BROWN TIGHTS. AND I WAS JUST LIKE, I DON'T FIT IN. I THOUGHT NEXT YEAR I'M NOT GOING TO DO THIS AND I'M HERE NOW! ITS COOL,. I HAVE BROWN TIGHTS AND BROWN SHOES , I HAVE IT, IT MATCHES MY SKIN TONE AND EVERYTHING AND ITS COOL - SERENITY > THIS YEAR SHE'S BACK -- AND BROUGHT áTEN OF HER NEIGHBORHOOD FRIENDS WITH HER... EVEN HER KID BROTHER . < CLIP 8462 15420704 - 15421225 THAT'S ACTUALLY WHAT AMIR TOLD ME AND HE WAS LIKE I'M GOING TO DO THAT NEXT YEAR AND I SAID PLEASE DON'T. PLEASE DON'T - SERENITY> YET HERE THEY ARE .. GETTING IN ONE LAST PRACTICE < CLIP 8465 - 15571721 - 5572211 - DO YOU GET TO WEAR MAKEUP? YEAH. I DON'T! á GIRLS LAUGH á - GROUP OF FOUR OAKRIDGE KIDS > THE NEIGHBORHOOD CREW READY FOR THEIR MOMENT... < CLIP 8465 15551423 - 15551815 - ITS GONNA BE A BUNCH OF PEOPLE THAT I DON'T KNOW AND I'M GOING TO BE PERFORMING - KENYA > (NATS : HUSTLING / BUSTLING OF HOYT SHERMAN ) HOYT SHERMAN PLACE'S STAGE IS ONLY THREE BLOCK AWAY FROM THE OAKRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD. AS THE CROWD SETTLES INTO THEIR SEATS ... áTHIS MOMENT IN FRONT OF 14 - HUNDRED PEOPLE FELT LIKE A WORLD AWAY ( PERFORMANCE BEGINS ) ( KIDS DANCING / AUDIENCE REACTION ) HAVING NEVER SEEN THE NUTCRACKER BEFORE LET ALONE DANCED TO ITS SONGS... THIS CHRISTMAS THEY'RE OWNING THEIR ROLES IN THE HOLIDAY TRADITION <CLIP 9070 16335015- 16335725 -WRITING THEMSELVES INTO THE NARRATIVE THAT WASN'T MAYBE MADE FOR THEM BUT THEY CAN TRANSFORM THE NARRATIVE IN THE STORY - JORDAN COLBERT> AMONG THE PERFECTLY POINTED TOES AND STRAIGHT LINES... PROVING THEY BELONG HERE (COVER WITH PERFORMANCE VIDEO ) < CLIP 8462- 15584519 - 15584923 - IM PROUD OF MY <THERE'S NEVER A DOUBT THAT DIANA'S GOING TO BE AT THE FRONT DOOR, 5-6 DAYS A WEEK.> WE'RE RINGING THE BELL TO CELEBRATE COMMITMENT, NEXT. <SHOPPING DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON CAN BE A BIT OVERHWLEMING, BUT THERE IS ONE WOMAN INSIDE THIS EAST EUCLID HY-VEE THAT IS INSPIRING IOWANS THAT IT IS MUCH MORE FUN TO GIVE THAN RECEIVE.> It is the sound of the season - A jingle inside every store. But at the Hy-Vee on East Euclid - the wrist behind this bell hardly áever takes a break. <49 YEARS.> For nearly 5 decades - Diana Gordon has been a devoted Salvation Army bell ringer. <THE EAST SIDE CUSTOMERS LOVE HER. THEY KNOW HER. THERE IS NEVER A DOUBT THAT DIANA IS GOING TO BE AT THE FRONT DOOR FIVE OR SIX DAYS A WEEK COME RIGHT AFTER THANKSGIVING.> Eight hours a day, six days a week - for 49 years. A record built on commitment. <THAT IS VERY RARE...> It's impossible to know how many dollars Diana's collected over decades - But the impact is huge. <EVERY DOLLAR THAT SHE IS COLLECTING IS HELPING PEOPLE TO HAVE FOOD SECURITY, RENT, UTILITY ASSISTANCE.> Diana's devotion to bell ringing dates back to her childhood. When the Salvation Army supported her family through some hard times. <WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF HELP THROUGH THEM OVER THE YEARS.> So before her father died - Diana made a promise. <I TOLD HIM THAT I WOULD KEEP THIS GOING FOR HIM AND FOR THE HELP OF THE PEOPLE.> So here she is every single day - not letting her health be a set back ... <I HAVE CEREBRAL PALSY AND I HAVE HELP COMING IN TO HELP ME GET UP DURING THE DAY.> to ágive back. <SHE HAS A GREAT IMPACT ON THE STORE. PEOPLE COME UP AND HUG HER.> The response to Diana is heartwarming - <YOU WANT TO RING THE BELL?> Especially from the littlest customers. <MERRY CHRISTMAS.> Watching her - often inspires them. 7-year-old Mariah was mesmerized before putting her own tooth fairy money in the red kettle. <(WHY DID YOU TELL YOUR MOM YOU WANTED TO PUT YOUR MONEY IN THERE?) IT JUST FEELED RIGHT.> Hearing that bell - sparked Mariah's concern for kids she's never met. <I WANT THEM TO HAVE A FUN CHRISTMAS AND HAVE A LOT OF TOYS THEY CAN PLAY WITH.> <IT MAKES ME VERY PROUD. IT GIVES ME GOOSEBUMPS. IT LETS ME KNOW THAT WE ARE RAISING HER RIGHT. WE'RE SHOWING HER CHRISTMAS ISN'T ABOUT GIFTS. IT'S ABOUT GIVING.> Giving - is how Diana chooses to live. And now she's inspiring the youngest generation. (clip 854ó01) <NATS OF LITTLE GIRL RINGING THE BELL.> <(WHAT BRINGS YOU THE MOST JOY?) JUST BEING ABLE TO HELP PEOPLE.> And she doesn't plan on stopping anytime soon. <(HOW LONG ARE YOU GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO THIS?) AS LONG AS I CAN! AS LONG AS I CAN!> So cheers to 49 years - And many more to come. In Des Moines, Laura Terrell, KCCI 8 News, Iowa's News Leader. SO RING THE BELL, JOIN THE DANCE, LIGHT THE SQUARE AND TELL THOSE YOU LOVE HOW YO