ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE
12
decorating tips of Christmas
november/december 2015
Fun ways to stay fit
VOL. 3 NO. 6
Look stunning for the
holidays
november/december 2015
Albert Lea & Freeborn County’s 2014 Medium Business of the Year
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EDITOR’S NOTE
Christmas is a time for family and fun
Magazine Editor Sarah Stultz and her son, Landon, 3, decorate a Christmas tree.
Got ideas?
This is our third year! We at Albert Lea magazine want to hear what you think, and we need your brightest ideas for coming issues. Favorite musicians? Finest artists? Goofiest pranksters? Best storytellers? Local nightlife? We are open-minded. Call Sarah Stultz at 379-3433. Feel free to write a letter, too. Our address is on the right.
2 | ALBERT LEA | november/december 2015
Christmas has always been my favorite time of year. As a young child, I waited in anticipation for the day to arrive and loved going out with my sisters and parents to find a Christmas tree to decorate. For our family, Christmas was centered around the religious reason for the season, but it was also a time to spend with loved ones. As I grow older, the Christmas season remains my favorite because of all of those same reasons. As a parent, it is magical to watch my children get excited about the holiday. I also love it because it feels like people are a little kinder, a little more patient and a little more giving at this time of year. Even though the weather outside is sometimes less than desired, people are generally in a good mood with the Christmas spirit. It all seems to start around Thanksgiving, when people recognize a little more of what they are grateful for, and the focus often shifts toward family. Having said that, I was excited in this issue to start getting into a little bit of that holiday spirit. Our Publisher Crystal Miller and Art Director Kathy Johnson teamed up for a feature about decorating for the holidays. They gave tips on how to use items you may already have around your house to make beautiful centerpieces and other decorations. As a self-proclaimed decorating fanatic, I loved seeing their ideas. We talked with Jill Ehrhardt, owner of Fat Jill’s out of Northwood to find out how she got into baking and to feature some of her delicious cookies and cupcakes. We have a fashion shoot with sisters Jill Koehler and Beth Hansen inside the Freeborn National Bank Building and utilizing furniture and other decor at West End Architectural Salvage. The clothes we gathered for the photo shoot from area businesses were based off of fashion tips from Albert Lea resident Jean Eaton. Other stories in the magazine this time around look at mindful eating, staying fit during the winter months, making healthy holiday treats with your children, recipes and more. I got to have a little one-on-one time with my 7-yearold daughter, Sophie, as we put together the healthy treats. We hope you enjoy this issue, and we encourage you to let us know what you think! Let yourself enjoy this season, and don’t get too caught up in all the hustle and bustle. — Sarah Stultz
Publisher Crystal Miller Editorial Editor Sarah Stultz Contributing Writers Micah Bader Catherine Buboltz Jenny Gilbertson Kathy Johnson Greg Leidal Jennifer Levisen Crystal Miller Kim Nelson Michelle Nelson Troy Irvine Emily Schmidt Sarah Stultz Sam Wilmes Contributing Photographers Micah Bader Colleen Harrison Jennifer Levisen Crystal Miller Sarah Stultz Art Art Director Kathy Johnson Graphic Designers Susan Downey Kim Ehrich Colby Hansen Sales & Promotion Sales Representatives Catherine Buboltz Kelly Besco Michele Beyer Renee Citsay Angie Hoffman november/december 2015 Volume 3, Number 6 Editorial correspondence: Editor, Albert Lea Magazine, 808 W. Front St. Albert Lea, MN 56007 Online: albertleamagazine.com or facebook.com/ albertleamagazine © 2015 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted or reproduced without written permission. For comments, suggestions or story ideas call 507-379-3433. To purchase advertising, call 507-379-3427. To subscribe, call 507-379-3422.
Spill it here.
Send your Letter to the Editor to: Albert Lea Tribune 808 W. Front St, Albert Lea, MN 56007 or e-mail to: letters@albertleatribune.com To subscribe, call 507-379-3422
features
on the cover
ALBERT LEA › november/december 2015
46
Dressed for the holidays Read tips from Albert Lean Jean Eaton about how to look stunning for both fancy and laidback get-togethers this season.
34
A baker’s delight
Owner of Northwood’s Fat Jill’s talks about how she got started with her bakery business and even offers some recipes.
40
12 decorating tips of Christmas Try these tips to make decorating for Christmas simple.
4 | ALBERT LEA | november/december 2015
We will protect the things important to you.
Alexis Olson
Brenda Madson
Susan Korn
Home | Auto | Business | Life | Farm 1606 Main St | Albert Lea, MN 56007 507-373-6446 | www.SecurityInsuranceAgency.com
Bring a shopping partner Discounts Saturday only www.nordaashomes.com
Holiday Open House Saturday, November 7, 2015 8 am to 2 pm Tour a holiday house decorated by Nordaas Home Furnishings & Decor
Nordaas American Homes
10091 State Hwy. 22, Minnesota Lake, MN 56068
800.658.7076
ALBERT LEA › november/december 2015
contents
18
Seen
8
22 28
art gallery opening
12
riverland gala
14
A.L. high school homecoming parade
16
shortstop golf tournament
18
Weddings & engagements
Departments
22
Dazzle: decorating for the holidays
26
Move: Staying active in the winter
28
Create: baking with children
30
Savor: Sloppy joes
32
savor: wine review
All the rest
55
scrapbook
56
ask the expert
57
health & fitness
59
dietitian’s digest
62
events calendar
64
behind the scenes
40 ALberT LeA mAGAZIne
decorating tips of Christmas
voL. 3 no. 6
6 | ALBERT LEA | november/december 2015
M&S
12 november/december 2015
34
On the cover: Beth Hansen is a rural Bricelyn resident. The cover photo was taken by our own Colleen Harrison at West End Architectural Salvage.
OutdOOr EquipMEnt
Fun ways to stay fit
Look stunning for the
holidays
november/december 2015
Chainsaws, sharpening, lawn mowers, & trimmers 519 Prospect Avenue • Albert Lea, MN (507) 377-7705
Free gift wrapping!
Your Destination for
Shopping, Dining & Entertainment • Over 25 stOres & businesses • specialty shOps • fOOd cOurt • restaurants • mOvie theater • much, much mOre!
I-90 & Bridge Avenue, Albert Lea, MN, Exit 157
Join us on Facebook
507-377-3185
Shopping Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10-8 • Sat. 10-6 • Sun. 12-5 Some Business and Holiday Hours Vary www.northbridgemall.com
SEEN › Art Gallery Opening
1
2
The “Our Mothers & Daughters: Four Generations of Artwork” gallery opening took place Sept. 24 at the Albert Lea Art Center. (1) Rachel Collier and Carli Bailey (2) George Ehrhardt and Albert Lea Art Center President Tom Ferleman (3) Carli Bailey and Joyce Kogel (4) Leo Held, Ruth Olson and Marty Shepard (5) Clinton Meyer, Carol Kepple and George Ehrhardt
3
4 8 | ALBERT LEA | november/december 2015
5
I finally found a dentist who makes me smile. Dr. Hung Vu, DDS 507-377-5033 141 E. William St., Albert Lea, MN www.uptowndental.org
Providing the latest in cosmetic & family dental care. Lumineers/Veneers • Sapphire Whitening • Restorative Periodontal • Root Canal Treatments • Laughing Gas Laser Check-ups • Crowns • VisiLite Plus (oral cancer screening) Dental Implant • Adults and Children Braces Botox Injections • Juviderm Dermal Fillers
Produce State Bank Founded over 88 years ago and now serving you at three convenient locations. Stop in today.
109 W. Park Ave. Hollandale (507) 889-4311 Member
FDIC
220 E. William St. Albert Lea (507) 373-5500
2401 Bridge Ave. Albert Lea (507) 373-8600
www.producestatebank.com
Meet the writers
Micah Bader Micah covers sports for the Albert Lea Tribune and enjoys riding his motorcycle.
From our mailbox
Catherine Buboltz Catherine lives in Albert Lea with her husband, Bruce, and their dog Sydney.
“Where else do you have the magazine located at or can I only get them at the Tribune? Do you put them in any stores? Let me know, thank you.” — Sue Carpenter “They are distributed across the community and can be found at such places as Kwik Trip and Northbridge Mall, to name a few. Thanks for asking!” — Albert Lea Magazine “Hi! Had a quick question! Just curious how someone gets into the engagements/wedding section? Do you take engagements from the Tribune or do you get submissions separately? We love reading the magazine and would love to get our engagement to be a part of it. Thanks!” — Kelly Weitzel “We get them from the Tribune, but we only use the highresolution photos people submit. Feel free to ask to be in the magazine when you drop off your photo and information at the Tribune.” — Albert Lea Magazine
Jenny Gilbertson Jenny is tour coordinator at 4 Seasons Vacations in Albert Lea. Troy Irvine Troy Irvine is the vice president of wealth management at Alliance Benefit Group. Kathy Johnson Kathy teaches fitness classes at the YMCA and lives near Emmons with her husband and son. Greg Leidal Greg works at Minnesota Corrugated Box and in his off time is a certified personal trainer. Jennifer Levisen Jennifer enjoys jogging around Fountain Lake. She and her husband, Jens, have two sons. Jennifer Levisen Jennifer enjoys jogging around Fountain Lake. She and her husband, Jens, have two sons. Crystal Miller Crystal enjoys growing flowers. She and her husband have two children, Lauren and Jacob. Kim Nelson Kim is actively involved in Trinity Lutheran Church and her children’s sports. Michelle Nelson Michelle Nelson is the owner of Ranch & Pet Supply in Albert Lea. Sarah Stultz Sarah enjoys gardening. She and her husband have two children, Sophie and Landon. Sam Wilmes Sam is new on staff and recently moved to the area from South Dakota.
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10 | ALBERT LEA | november/december 2015
MGK AL Magazine Nov Dec '15.indd 1
10/8/2015 11:39:11 AM
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November/December 2015 | ALBERT LEA | 11
SEEN › Riverland Gala
1 The Riverland Community College 75th anniversary gala was Sept. 26 at Northbridge Mall. More than 300 people attended the event, which was set up to raise money for scholarships. (1) Dennis and Laurie Bergstrom, Susie Petersen, Hal Davis and Doyle Tweet (2) Bob and the Beachcombers Band (3) Adam Stangle of the Austin Big Band (4) Greg Davis, Jen Davis, Garry Hart and Jill Hart (5) Adenuga and Murielle Atewologun and Barb and Derby Olsen (6) Jon and Leah Schlachter (7) Jean Eaton, Julie Savelkoul, Darcy Netzer and Leean Dulit
2
5 4
6 12 | ALBERT LEA | november/december 2015
7
3
Feel Confident
about your smile and your dentist.
Dr. Rachel Nolander-Poppel, D.D.S. Dr. Tricia Nelson, D.D.S.
www.AFD.dental
507-373-5968
2717 Ekko Ave • Albert Lea, MN 56007
November/December 2015 | ALBERT LEA | 13
SEEN › Albert Lea High School Homecoming Parade
1
2
3
4 The Albert Lea Area Schools Homecoming parade was on Sept. 23 on Broadway. Although the weather wasn’t conducive to it, a large, supportive crowd still attended. Different school organizations and sports teams were represented in the parade, including the varsity football, swimming, hockey and soccer teams. (1) Lisa and Tanner Conn (2) Diane and Richard Staloch (3) Kelly Esther and Noah Anderson (4) Amy Vogt, Tonya Matson and Kevin Nelson (5) Megan Ball, Ashton Skaar, Jean Skaar, Denise Westerlund and Olivia Moore (6) Jade Burns, Grace Christenson and Joni Burns-Duenes
5 14 | ALBERT LEA | november/december 2015
6
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901 Luther Place Albert Lea, MN 507-373-8226
www.stjohnsofalbertlea.org November/December 2015 | ALBERT LEA | 15
SEEN › Shortstop Golf Tournament
1 The 88th annual Shortstop Tournament featured 112 golfers from Sept. 5 to 7 at Green Lea Golf Course. Brent Miller, a three-time tournament champion, and Josh Jones were the match-play tournament finalists, and Miller won to garner back-to-back titles. Miller’s caddie was Chris Baas, a seven-time tournament champion, and Jones’ caddie was his father, Clif Jones. Course owner Jeff Elseth said the Shortstop Tournament was one of two tournaments featured at Green Lea with the match-play format. (1) Brad Mellum, Katie Mellum and Tegan Weber (2) Nicholas and Andy Belshan (3) Brent Miller and Josh Jones (4) Brent Miller (5) Josh Jones (6) Beau Larson (7) the gallery at the Shortstop Tournament
5
7 16 | ALBERT LEA | november/december 2015
2
3
4
6
ready for
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Your invitation to fashionable men’s and ladies clothing:
for all the places you go and want to go.
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Vehicle Loans • Personal Loans Home Equity Loans “Providing financial services since 1958”
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NORTHBRIDGE MALL • ALBERT LEA • 507-373-3142
Mayo Clinic care close to home
Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea 404 W. Fountain Street • 507-373-2384 mayoclinichealthsystem.org
November/December 2015 | ALBERT LEA | 17
SEEN › Weddings and engagements
2
3 (1) Amy Marka and Grant Neitzell (2) Stacy Doppelhammer and Jamie Andersen (3) Danielle Holtz and Terry Johnson (4) Kelli Meier and Dan Rogotzke (5) Alissa Bahn and Andrew Peterson (6) Emma Jane Specker Wey and Dane Patrick Andersen (7) Elisa Haacke and Donald Graves (8) Emily Bremseth and Tyler Stadheim
1
4
5
6
7
18 | ALBERT LEA | november/december 2015
8
9
11 10
14
12
13
15
16 (9) Ariel Johnson and Samuel McGinnis (10) Ryan Rooney and Chelsea Sawyers (11) Holly Bohlen and Travis Heidebrink (12) Alison Stoner and Silas Randall (13) Derek Lavalier and Mina Souvannasoth (14) Kate Buringa and Christopher Weniger (15) April Smith and Samuel Beighley (16) Maranda Glassel and Logan Tufte (17) Megan Morris and Zach Jensen (18) Lynn Scheevel and Steve Rothmeier
17
18 November/December 2015 | ALBERT LEA | 19
Shop Downtown Albert Lea
Walk-ins Welcome Mon-Thurs 9am-9pm Fri 9am-5pm Sat 9am-3pm
123 S Broadway Albert Lea 507.377.6062
Look to us for your holiday wear and gifts.
The Kitchen Store with a Whole Lot More
105 N. Broadway • Albert Lea • 507-473-2111
507-552-1338 • 212 S. Broadway Ave • Downtown Albert Lea Mon-Fri 9:30 to 5:30, Sat 9:00 to 3:00
Formerly American Bank 217 S. Newton Ave. Albert Lea, MN 56007 507-377-7000
195 N. Broadway Ave. Alden, MN 56009 507-379-6060
www.americanbankmn.com
ExquisitE food & finE winEs we feature usdA Prime beef & fresh seafood open thursday, friday and saturday evenings at 5:30 Regularly changing menu, see our website at www.cresendodining.com
507-377-2425 118 s. Broadway Ave, Albert Lea
Call Trevor for all your mortgage lending needs. 507-379-2553 NMLS# 635068 Bring your banking home. Member FDIC
JustCallHome.com
New To Y ou price: $9 6.00 Departm ent store pri ce: $372.00
Custom Picture Framing and Art Gallery since 1983. 228 S Broadway Ave Downtown Albert Lea (507) 377-0848
20 | ALBERT LEA | november/december 2015
Repurposed furniture New gifts & decor New unfinished furniture Amy Howard paints
122 W Main St • Albert Lea, MN • 507-402-5650
Larry
Cheryl
Arline
Georgia
JoAnn
Jeanne
Shawnee
Kathy
120 S. Washington Ave. 507-373-5469
Mon-Fri 4:30am-2pm; Sat 4:30am-11am
$50 off
any purchase of $250 or more
Featuring a wide variety of genuine antiques 218 S. Washington, Albert Lea 507-377-8212 Hours: Mon-Sat 10-4, Sun 12-4
Excludes Zable Bracelets, Repairs & Beads
202 S. Broadway, Albert Lea 373-3925 • 800-339-7115 Financing Available
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General Practice at Law Downtown Albert Lea 202 W. Clark St. | Albert Lea
507.373.4680
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Financial Advisor ..
127 S S Broadway Broadway Ave Ave 127 Albert Lea, Lea, MN MN 56007 56007 Albert 507-373-2000 507-373-2000
25% OFF any one item
Excludes consignment, fresh flowers and special orders. Expires 12/20/15
507-377-2081
216 South Broadway | Downtown Albert Lea November/December 2015 | ALBERT LEA | 21
DAZZLE › Decorating for the holidays Deck your walls An original piece of art is the perfect way to decorate your home this Christmas. Find the piece that speaks to you; 8 inches by 10 inches, on artist canvas. Kelly Gau Studio, Albert Lea, $20/each
A festive touch to a classic decoration A whimsy reindeer figure adds height to your décor. Standing 27 inches high, this metal reindeer is adorned with faux snow and glitter. Trail’s Travel Center, Albert Lea, $40.99
Things
You
Didn’t Know Celebrate the birth of Jesus Nativity scenes have been around since the year 1223, representing the scene of the birth of Jesus. For collectors or to fit your particular style, we found some new designs you’ll want to check out. Made from resin, these figures stand between 3 and 4 inches. Choose from cardinals, bears, moose and snowmen. Trails Travel Center, Albert Lea, $34.99
22 | ALBERT LEA | november/december 2015
You Wanted By Crystal Miller
Going to the dogs for Christmas Love Christmas and your puppy? No problem. You can have the finest of your favorite things in these cute little tree ornaments. Celebrations Party and Gifts, Albert Lea, $11.99
“Yes, Virginia, it’s time for Christmas spirit.” Christmas is a time to let our inner whimsicalself shine bright. Some local stores share what’s going to be available for this year’s Christmas décor.
Fetch the spirit This mug is a must for every dog lover on your list, fresh from the Department 56 and Ensco designers. Give it as a gift or fill it with candy for the perfect decoration this year. Celebrations Party and Gifts, Albert Lea, $15.99
Dreaming of a vintage Christmas These burlap trees add a rustic touch to any lowkey décor. Each tree is 18 inches tall and is decorated with twigs and glitter. Great as a solo piece or try building a forest. Trail’s Travel Center, Albert Lea, $7.99 each
Lively floral displays To incorporate some greenery into your Christmas décor, buy fresh floral arrangements. High quality arrangements last for more than two weeks and are an elegant centerpiece. Make it last the entire season and try an artificial arrangement. Addie’s Floral and Gift, Albert Lea, starting at $35.99
November/December 2015 | ALBERT LEA | 23
O Quick Chicken Curry
“A Ripping Good Time Hit!” – Bloomberg News
Methods
A DIVINE MUSICAL COMEDY
Measure Ventura Foods Ingredient
2T
Lou Ana Coconut Oil
Measure Other Ingredients
“Breathlessly cheerful entertainment!”
“Sign me up! Amen! And fabulous, baby!” – Daily News
Regina Marie Williams
– Newsday
952-934-1525 800-362-3515 C h a n h a s s e n D T. c o m
24 | ALBERT LEA | november/december 2015
1/2
Red onion, chopped
2
Boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into 2-inch pieces
2 tsp
Curry powder
1/4 tsp
Salt
1/4 tsp
Black pepper
1/2 cup
Coconut milk beverage
1T
Coconut flour
1
Yellow bell pepper, seeded and sliced thin
1. Add coconut oil to a large skillet and preheat on medium high. 2. Add chopped onions and cook for 2 minutes until translucent. 3. Add chicken breast pieces and cook for 3 minutes before stirring in curry powder, salt, pepper and coconut milk. 4. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 3 minutes. 5. Stir in flour before adding bell peppers and simmer for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. 6. Serve chicken curry over rice.
919 E. 14th St., Albert Lea, MN 56007 • 373-2431 For more recipes, visit our website: www.venturafoods.com
There’s always something new at Skyline Plaza
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Hubbard Agency Insurance
ETC Etcetera
Tanning & Clothing Boutique
M-F 10-9 p.m. Sat. 10-5pm, Sun. 1-5 507.377.TANS (8267) Walk-ins Welcome
Senior Resources of Freeborn County
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move › Staying active in winter
Photos and STORY by micah bader
Venture off the beaten path with snowshoes
Myre-Big Island State Park Manager Gerald Katzenmeyer stands outside his office with the three types of snowshoes that are available to rent this winter. Katzenmeyer has been a park employee since 1978 and was promoted from assistant manager to his current position.
Opportunities for exercise and fun abound in the winter months at Myre-Big Island State Park. The park offers 1 1/2 miles of winter hiking trails, seven miles of snowmobile trails and snowshoeing throughout the park except on the five miles of cross country skiing trails. Utilizing snowshoes is a great way to explore the park and get a workout in the winter, said Myre-Big Island State Park Manager Gerald Katzenmeyer, a park employee since 1978 who was promoted from assistant manager to his current position in 2009. “It might be a little chilly to get started, but you burn a lot of calories when you start clomping around in snowshoes,” he said. Parkgoers who don’t have their own snowshoes can choose from three sizes and rent them from the park office for $6 a day, but Katzenmeyer said most people only use them for a few hours at a time. “It’s not something you normally do 26 | ALBERT LEA | november/december 2015
all day,” he said. “If you’re not used to doing it, you’ll come back later a little stiff and sore.” The park has 25 to 30 pairs of snowshoes available, and Katzenmeyer said he has never seen more than 10 pairs checked out at a time. The purpose of snowshoes is to cause an even distribution of weight. “It’s really nice when that snow is hard enough where you can go right over the top with snowshoes but you’d be falling through with regular shoes or boots,” he said. “It’s (about) the pounds per square inch.” Along with adult-sized traditional wooden snowshoes with rawhide lacings that were World War II military surplus, the park offers two sizes of modern neoprene snowshoes with an aluminum frame for children. After choosing the right snowshoe, fine adjustments can be made by tightening or loosening the bindings. Although Katzenmeyer’s time at the park is spent in a different capacity
than a visitor, he said he enjoys his time at the park. “When I drive around and patrol in the morning, I’m getting paid to do what other people pay to do,” he said. “I might be looking at things slightly differently because I’m more on the maintenance and issues side, but it’s always nice to see a deer, a wood duck or a bunch of turkeys.” Myre-Big Island doesn’t offer ice skate rentals or ice skating, so Katzenmeyer points people looking to skate to the Albert Lea Parks and Recreation Department. Along with indoor ice skating and skate rental at Albert Lea City Arena, the parks and recreation department maintains outside rinks at Hayek, Academy, Hawthorne and Lakeview parks, said Albert Lea Parks and Recreation Program Supervisor Jennifer Davis. “I think some people think when it gets cold they need to bundle up and stay inside,” she said. “But there’s nothing wrong with being outside in the winter. Public skates are fun with the family, and we see people skating for practice or fun.” This winter, Davis said the department also plans to have women’s and coed volleyball leagues in addition to a dodgeball league. “There are a lot of things for people to do in Albert Lea,” Davis said.
These neoprene Tubbs snowshoes with an aluminum frame are for children who weigh from 30 to 60 pounds.
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Special Advertising Section – Attorney Profile –
Choosing an attorney can be tough. You need to connect yourself with an attorney who is experienced and knowledgeable about your type of case. You are also in search of someone who is reputable.
Although you may not need an attorney today, it’s helpful to have an idea of where you intend to go when the need arises. Welcome to the Attorney Profile – a special advertising section
to Albert Lea magazine. These attorney profiles will help you get familiar with your attorney choices in Albert Lea.
– Peterson, Kolker, Haedt & Benda, Ltd. – Finding Solutions . . . One Client At A Time
Daniel Kolker has practiced law in Southern Minnesota since 2003. Dan’s primary areas of practice include real estate, probate, estate planning and collections. Mr. Kolker represents many local businesses, municipalities, and real estate developers. He also assists many farmers and farm families with real estate transactions. He has served on many non-profit boards including the Freeborn County United Way, Naeve Health Care Foundation, and the Albert Lea YMCA and volunteers with many Albert Lea Youth sports programs and St. Theodore’s Catholic Church.
Daniel Kolker
211 S Newton Ave • Albert Lea, MN 56007 • (507) 373-6491 • www.albertlealaw.com November/December 2015 | ALBERT LEA | 27
CREATE › Baking with children
Story and photos by sarah Stultz
Making healthy holiday treats with children
Seven-year-old Sophie Stultz focuses as she puts together a snowman kabob made of bananas, apples, grapes, pretzel sticks, miniature chocolate chips and a walnut piece.
28 | ALBERT LEA | november/december 2015
Baking with children for the holidays doesn’t have to be messy, and it doesn’t have to be unhealthy. There are scores of possibilities for healthy Christmas treats that your little ones will jump at the chance to make — and devour. To make things easier, have the adults do the prep work. Then show your children how to put the pieces
together, and let them have fun. Keep in mind every child has his or her own personality, so everything doesn’t have to be the same — and the end result doesn’t have to be perfect! Your children just care about having fun and getting to taste a few samples, as well. There’s nothing wrong with taste-testing while you’re creating these projects.
Snowman Kabobs bananas, cut into thick slices apples, cut into slices and then halved mini chocolate chips
walnut pieces grapes pretzel sticks bamboo skewers
Place three banana slices on a bamboo skewer, followed by an apple slice and a grape at the top. Position two pretzel sticks into the sides of the middle banana slice for the snowman arms. Place two chocolate chips on the front of each of the lower two banana slices for buttons. Place two chocolate chips in the upper banana slice for as eyes. Place a walnut piece on the upper banana slice under the eyes for the nose. This project can get a little sticky with the bananas. Make sure not to slice the bananas too thick or they may easily slide off of the skewers. Advise your children to take it slow as it is easy to push the bananas off the skewer.
It make things easy for children to have all of the ingredients for a project prepared ahead of time and placed in separate bowls.
The snowman kabobs can be a little sticky, so tell your children to have some patience when they’re creating this project.
Watermelon Christmas Trees watermelon Christmas tree cookie cutter These trees are an easy way to dress up fruit for your children. All you have to do is buy a watermelon, cut it into slices and then use a Christmas tree cookie cutter to cut out the shapes. It is probably the safest idea to have the adults cut the watermelon slices. Then hand over the cookie cutters and let the children go to town. Make sure the bottom of the tree is on the rind and the top of the tree is in the pink part of the watermelon. If you don’t have a tree cookie cutter, any other cookie cutter will do. This would be a good one to try in other seasons as well.
Fancy up some watermelon this season by using a cookie cutter to cut out a Christmas tree design.
November/December 2015 | ALBERT LEA | 29
SAVOR › Sloppy Joes
by jennifer levisen
An ode to the sloppy joe
Sloppy Joe Sandwiches
Jennifer Levisen lives and works in Albert Lea. She enjoys finding new recipes to share with her family and friends.
Oh comfort food, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways — squash macaroni and cheese, white chicken chili, beef stew, sloppy joes. So that might not be what Elizabeth Barret Browning had in mind, but if she can profess her love for then husband-to-be Robert Browning, I can profess my love for my favorite type of dish when the weather outside turns frightful. (Sorry, couldn’t help myself!) Easy to make, easy on the checkbook and that perfect combination of warming and filling, comfort food is an
awesome option come mealtime during the winter months. At the top of my family’s comfort food list is this sloppy joe recipe. Up until a few years ago I didn’t think much of sloppy joes beyond the canned sauce, but then my sister-in-law shared this homemade recipe with me and it has been true love ever since. I’ve made it for a quick weeknight meal, for family on the weekends and for approximately 50 people at a church picnic. It’s cheap, it’s quick and it’s just plain good. Enjoy!
Sloppy Joe Sandwiches Serves 4 Ingredients 1 pound ground beef 1 cup ketchup 1/4 cup water 2 tablespoons brown sugar 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 2 teaspoons prepared mustard 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon onion powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 hamburger buns Directions 1. In a large saucepan, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Sir in the ketchup, water, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder and salt. 2. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30-40 minutes. Serve on buns. Notes: • Ground turkey would work well with this recipe. • This is delicious served over rice, biscuits, baked potatoes, tater tots, sweet potato puffs, by the spoonful — you get the idea! 30 | ALBERT LEA | november/december 2015
Finances › Focus on the long term
by TROY IRVINE
Could assumption harm your retirement plan? Troy Irvine is the vice president of wealth management at Alliance Benefit Group. He can be reached at 507-369-9999 or tirvine@ investorscapital.com. Here are two common misconceptions to think about: 1) Assuming retirement will last 10 to 15 years. Historically, retirement has lasted about 10 to 15 years for most Americans. The key word here is “historically.” When Social Security was created in 1933, the average American could anticipate living to age 58 as a man or 62 as a woman. By 2014, reports indicated life expectancy
for the average American had increased to 78.8. So assuming you’ll only need 10 of 15 years worth of retirement money could be a big mistake. In 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics said the average 65-year-old American male can expect to live to nearly 83. The average 65-year-old American female has an average life expectancy of 85.5. 2) Assuming too little risk. Holding onto your retirement money is certainly important; so is your
retirement income and quality of life. Over the last few decades,we have had moderate inflation — and sometimes worse. (Think 1980). What happens is that over time, even 3 to 4 percent inflation gradually saps your purchasing power. Your dollar buys less and less. If your income doesn’t keep up with inflation, essentially you end up living on yesterday’s money. As you retire, you may assume that an extremely conservative approach to investing is mandatory. But given how long we may life — and how long retirement may last — growth investing may be important.
I CAN HELP
Uncertain if you have enough money to retire on? For 15 years I’ve helped mature investors retire. Help starts with a complimentary second opinion of your portfolio and financial plan.
TROY IRVINE | 507.369.9999 | 877.572.7099 201 East Clark Street | Albert Lea, MN Securities offered through Investors Capital Corporation. Member FINRA/SIPC. November/December 2015 | ALBERT LEA | 31
SAVOR › Wine review
review By Catherine Buboltz Photo by micah bader
A Puerto Rican-inspired holiday drink I was first introduced to coquito (pronounced koh-kee-toh) several years ago during a holiday celebration. Every few years I make large batches of coquito, bottle it and give it as gifts to friends and relatives for Christmas. It keeps well in the refrigerator over the holiday season and is a wonderful ethnic
treat to share at festivities. Much like eggnog, coquito is a rich holiday drink meant for sipping and savoring. A little bit of coquito goes a long way, as it contains a fair amount of rum. I have seen many different ways to prepare this drink. Recipes have been tweaked and adjusted from generation to generation and person to person. More traditional versions require cracking coconuts and fresh eggs. My recipe is much simpler, using canned coconut milk and egg
beaters (the eggs are pasteurized, making them much safer to consume raw). Different variations you may want to consider: • Rum: White or dark, coconutflavored or spiced rum • Coconut: Fresh, coconut cream or coconut milk • Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, anise and fresh ginger • Flavoring: Vanilla and/or almond
HHHH
Coquito 1 (16 ounces) container cream of coconut 1 (12 ounces) can of evaporated milk 1/2 cup of egg beaters (equivalent of 2 eggs) 8 ounces of spiced rum 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Voted Best Liquor Store! 32 | ALBERT LEA | november/december 2015
Blend all of the above ingredients and pour into a decorative container or bottle. Keep refrigerated. It is best when prepared at least 24 hours prior to consuming. I prefer to serve poured over ice with a bit of cinnamon or nutmeg on top to garnish. I hope you have chance to enjoy this tropical treat over the holiday season.
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Delight A baker’s
photos by MICAH BADER story by Sam Wilmes
34 | ALBERT LEA | november/december 2015
Jill Ehrhardt, owner of Fat Jill’s, a bakery in Northwood, holds a peanut butter cupcake. Ehrhardt sold 400 cupcakes in her first Wind Down Wednesday event.
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Northwood woman offers recipes for holiday treats
B
aking goods for special events has become a passion for one Northwood woman. Jill Ehrhardt, owner of Fat Jill’s, a bakery in Northwood, began the business after she left her job as a bookkeeper on Aug. 1, 2013. Her first job was to cater a dessert for a wedding. “I was like, am I ready for this?” Ehrhardt said. “Then I looked at a few wedding cakes and thought I could do it.” After she catered her first wedding, word spread over social media. “It kind of went crazy from there,” she said while laughing.
“That’s the feeling I want people to have when they bite into a cookie, ‘That’s what Grandma used to make.’ It’s more than just food, it’s an emotional connection.” — Jill Ehrhardt
She was approached to do a booth for Wind Down Wednesday this summer, where she said she made and sold 400 cupcakes her first event. She and her daughter, Kati Davis, sold 695 cupcakes at the last rained-out Wind Down Wednesday. Fat Jill’s makes cakes, cupcakes, muffins, cookies, Scandinavian items, rosettes, krum kaka, chocolate covered pretzels, fudge with or without nuts, and peppermint almond bark. She is planning on having custom cookie orders available for the holiday season and advised people to pre-order through her before Dec. 15. She said she bakes Scandinavian items for the holiday season and more traditional cookies. She said she started baking at age 9 for 4-H, and her grandma was an amazing baker. She aims to bring her experience into every baked good she makes. “That’s the feeling I want people to have when they bite into a cookie, ‘That’s what Grandma used to make,’” Ehrhardt said. “It’s more than just food, it’s an emotional connection.” 36 | ALBERT LEA | november/december 2015
Davis and Sandy Trainer, Jill’s mother, occasionally help her make the cupcakes. Tegan Cotter, Sandy’s niece, also helps with the operation. Everything is custom-ordered in the business and you must call ahead, Ehrardt said. She said there are slow and busy weeks.
“It’s really feast or famine,” Ehrhardt said. “It’s either super busy or dead.” Ehrhardt said she is also working on making pies and other seasonal items. She recalled making a chocolate and gummy worm Spiderman cake for a child who was battling cancer. She said she made the cake for free and the child
passed away in May. “People remember that,” she said. “It may not seem important to some people, but it’s important to me.” She places a lot of responsibility on making birthday cakes. “If I know I am making a birthday cake it’s huge,” she said. “I am responsible for making or breaking a kids’ birthday, that’s huge.
Ehrhardt is a recovering alcoholic and she said that becoming sober has become a life lesson she has incorporated into the business. “The whole recovery process gave me the feeling that I overcame that and there’s nothing I can’t do,” she said. People must pre-order to buy baked goods from Fat Jill’s. For an order of three-dozen or less of cupcakes, Ehrhardt
advises giving her a couple days’ notice; for four to 10 dozen, she says she needs a couple weeks’ notice; and for anything over 10 dozen, four weeks notice. People are advised to let her know as soon as possible if they would like to have her cater a wedding. Ehrhardt has goals for her business. “I’d like to be the go-to person, where people say if they want really good
Fat Jill’s makes a variety of foods, cakes, cupcakes, muffins, cookies, Scandinavian items, rosettes, krum kaka, chocolate covered pretzels, fudge with or without nuts, and peppermint almond bark.
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cupcakes they’ll come to me,” Ehrhardt said. “I want to build really good relationships so that can be the deal.” Ehrhardt ships around 12 to 14 dozen cookies to the Eastern Washington University Football team’s offensive line each year through a friend who has a son on the team. She will be traveling to Colorado later this year to attend a game. In her spare time, Ehrhardt enjoys crocheting, spending time with her kids and watching high school sports. She has a husband, David, and three daughters. AL Yellow cupcake with pink frosting
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Ginger Molasses Cookies
Soft molasses cookies 1/2 cup of softened butter 1/2 cup of Crisco 1 1/2 cups of sugar 1/2 cup of molasses 2 eggs, slightly beaten 4 cups of flour 1/2 teaspoon of salt 2 1/4 teaspoons of baking soda 2 1/4 teaspoons of ground ginger 11/2 teaspoons of ground cloves 1 1/2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
In a large mixing bowl cream together butter, Crisco and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in molasses and eggs; set mixture aside. In another bowl combine flour, salt, soda, ginger, cloves and cinnamon. Blend thoroughly with a wire whisk. Gradually add flour mixture to creamed mixture until dough is smooth. Roll dough into 1 1/2-inch balls. Dip tops in sugar; place 2 1/2 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 11 minutes. Do not over bake. Cool on a wire rack and store in a tightlycovered container. — Jill Ehrhardt
Crisp oatmeal cookies 1 cup Crisco 1 cup white sugar 1 cup brown sugar 1 teaspoon soda (in a little water) 1 teaspoon salt 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups flour 2 cups oatmeal raisins, nuts or chocolate chips Cream sugars and Crisco. Add eggs and dry ingredients. Fold in raisins, nuts or chocolate chips. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes. Sometimes I use 1 cup white flour and 1 cup wheat flour for a different texture and taste. —Marcia Sola
Chocolate cake 1 1/2 cups unsifted flour 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 cup cocoa 1/3 cup oil 1 tablespoon white vinegar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup cold water Frosting 1 1/2 cups sugar Six tablespoons margarine Six tablespoons milk 1/2 cup chocolate chips Four to five large marshmallows, cut up Mix and bake in a greased 8-inch round pan for 30 to 35 minutes at 350 degrees. For frosting boil sugar, margarine and milk for one minute. Stir in chocolate chips and margarine, stirring until smooth. Cool slightly and spread on cake. — Jill Ehrhardt
White sugar cookies 2 cups sugar 1 cup lard or butter 1 cup sour cream 3 eggs 1 teaspoon soda (mixed in sour salt) salt vanilla extract, if needed 4 cups flour (more or less)
Mix sugar and lard. Add eggs; beat well. Add rest of ingredients. Use enough flour to make stiff dough. Let stand in refrigerator overnight. Roll thin. Cut with a large cookie cutter. Sprinkle with sugar. Ehrhardt advises refrigerating the dough before baking. Bake at 375 degrees until done, about 8 to 10 minutes. My mother, Peder Hendrikson, would sometimes cook raisins or dates and put between two cookies for a special filled cookie. — Elizabeth Weineth November/December 2015 | ALBERT LEA | 39
12 Christmas decorating tips of photos by MICAH BADER
Tips by crystal Miller and Kathy Johnson
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Here are some quick and easy Christmas decorating tips to help ease the stress of decorating. Try these heartwarming and festive ideas to make decorating simple.
1
Light up a room. For a centerpiece that truly glistens, use glitter snow and battery-powered LED lights with ornaments.
2 Get crafty with your Christmas cheer. Use small pieces of tissue paper or your favorite newspaper with decoupage to design your own ball ornaments. Use in a centerpiece with a vibrant accent color.
November/December 2015 | ALBERT LEA | 41
3
Add some sparkle to your existing vase. A shimmering strand of beads or shiny ball ornaments adds visual interest to any centerpiece.
4 Add joyful words to enhance the Christmas spirit. Pull out your old Scrabble game and use the letter tiles to leave a Christmas message.
5 Rustic charm is in abundance with cranberries. Cranberries float in water, giving you a layering effect and a great centerpiece or mantle topper.
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6 If you’re not going to use an old string of beads, cut them off of the string to make better filler. Add ribbon to a jar filled with your beads for a festive touch.
8
Bring life to burned-out Christmas bulbs. Display them in a glass jar or vase.
7
Displaying simple glass ornaments in a unique basket is perfect as a centerpiece or any nook of your house.
November/December 2015 | ALBERT LEA | 43
9
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There is no rule that ornaments have to be on the tree. Showcase your best ornaments in a glass vessel to give them the attention they deserve.
11 10 If you’re not going to use an old string of beads, cut them off of the string to make better filler. Add ribbon to a jar filled with your beads for a festive touch.
Don’t forget to bring your garden décor inside. Try filling a wire plant basket with any leftover ornaments to create some Christmas shimmer to any area in your home.
12 What’s more welcoming than Santa hats? Hang them from your existing frames or art on the wall to keep decorating easy.
November/December 2015 | ALBERT LEA | 45
Look stunning for the
holidays photos by colleen harrison Styline by Angie Hoffman
locatION: West End architectural Salvage
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November/December 2015 | ALBERT LEA | 47
Get ready for holiday parties with these tips
Jean Eaton lives in Albert Lea and is co-owner of Granicrete Minnesota. Holiday dressing is all about fun, color, texture and sparkle! It’s about making you feel as special as the holidays. Consider these four tips for stunning holiday fashion: 1. Purchase investment pieces of clothing. Classics that are timeless and can be
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worn year-round include a fitted pant, skirt, blazer, white blouse, black dress, pump heel and ballet flat shoe. Change your accessories depending on the time of year and type of event. Remember, fit is essential in looking good any time. 2. Color: Whether you’re attending a formal affair or an event with your best jeans, dressing in a monochromatic color scheme is a great option. Not only does dressing head to toe in one color slim and elongate your body, but it is an elegant look. Black and cream are always easy and basic colors to work with for the holidays. Adding pops of color in clothing or accessories in jewel tones or pastels is also a good choice. 3. Texture: Time to shine, sparkle and get cozy with fabrics! Bring on the metallic, sequins, velvet and cashmere. These fabrics give you that extra special look for any holiday event. Don’t be afraid to wear them for day or evening. 4. Accessories: Holiday dressing is really all about accessorizing. Experiment wearing at least one sparkly
accessory for those parties. One statement piece is all you really need. Pay attention not to over do; you don’t want to look like your Christmas tree! Try a colorful scarf, pashmina or faux fur piece. Necklaces with rhinestones, pearls or crystal beads can be layered or worn separately depending on your personality. Try fancier earrings, maybe one that dangles for a change. Layer bracelets. No need to just wear one! Try shopping in your grandmother’s jewelry box or the local antique or useda-bit shops for vintage jewelry. Those wonderful, colorful earrings can also be worn as pins, buttons or as shoe clips on your favorite black pumps. Let’s not forget your shoes or handbags. No longer do your shoes have to match your handbag. Change out your leather purse for a smaller more elegant clutch. Maybe this is the time to wear a higher heel or a shoe in a fun color, metallic or even a sequin. Remember the holidays come once a year, so look your best. Always remember, you are never fully dressed without a smile!
Fashion 101: A Pashmina is a scarf made of cashmere wool, a very rich fabric A Ruana is a poncho-style outer garment, usually thick, soft and sleeveless.
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meet the
Between full-time jobs and a combined five children, these sisters found time in their busy schedules to help us showcase what local merchants have to offer in top fashion this season. Here’s some background on each of them: Jill Koehler Koehler, 38, lives in rural Walters with her husband, Dan, and their two children, Karly, 8, and Ethan, 11. Both children attend United South Central. Koehler is the vice president of marketing and human resources for Wells Federal Bank. She enjoys spending time with her family at their lake house on Bass Lake, near Blue Earth.
models get the look Page 47 Calvin Klein dress, $168 Cejon wrap, $34 Napier bracelet, $20 All items available at Herberger’s Page 49 vfish dress, $96, available at Between Friends Boutique Pashmina wrap, $20, available at Between Friends Boutique ZIA necklace, $25, available at Between Friends Boutique Bandolino heels, $59, available at Herberger’s Steve Madden bracelet, $30, available at Herberger’s Page 50, top photo Ruana wrap, $38, available at Between Friends Boutique Fork bracelet, $40, available at West End Architectural Salvage Coco & Carmen necklace, $35, available at Between Friends Boutique Page 50, bottom photo Tribal Jeans faux leather jacket, $120, available at Between Friends Boutique Mystree tank, $30, available at Between Friends Boutique Jacob Davis jeans, $79, available at Between Friends Boutique
Beth Hansen Hansen, 35, lives in rural Bricelyn with her 8-year-old twins, Maya and Lauren, and her 6-year-old son, Tommy. All three children attend United South Central. Hansen’s “plus one” is Darren Anderson. Hansen is a loan officer and works in marketing and human resources for Paragon Bank. She enjoys gardening and canning in her free time.
Relativity necklace, $32, available at Herberger’s Calvin Klein heels, $99, available at Herberger’s Page 51, left outfit Calvin Klein dress, $168, available at Herberger’s ZIA necklace, $25, available at Between Friends Boutique Page 51, right outfit Yest top, $56, available at Between Friends Boutique Page 52, left outfit Insight jacket, $129, available at Leutholds Nikibiki top, $20, available at Between Friends Boutique Yest treggings, $49, available at Between Friends Boutique Page 52, right outfit Calvin Klein jacket, $129, available at Herberger’s Mystree tank, $30, available at Between Friends Boutique Jacob Davis jeans, $79, available at Between Friends Boutique Relativity necklace, $32, available at Herberger’s November/December 2015 | ALBERT LEA | 53
TRAVEL › Costa Rica
by Jenny gilbertson
Explore the abundant mysteries of Costa Rica Jenny Gilbertson is tour coordinator at 4 Seasons Vacations in Albert Lea. Costa Rica is a country located in Central America that has unlimited tourist potential and is ranked as one of the most visited international destinations. One of Costa Rica’s main sources of income is tourism. It is a democratic and peaceful country and has not had an army since the year 1949. This country is bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east. Beginning with the capital city of Costa Rica, San José is a city with potholed streets and crumbling sidewalks that wind without reason through a mishmash of seemingly thrown-together corrugated metal and plaster. Chepe (as the locals call it) is a very cosmopolitan city, between a modern North American metropolis and the standard Central American capital. Because of its relatively high elevation (3,839 feet), the city, like the rest of the Central Valley, is always a pleasant temperature year-round, with very limited showers.
Tammi
Sara
Moving north and west lies the Arenal Volcano, which resides within the 29,960acre Arenal National Park. The volcano, at 5,437 feet, has been in a resting phase (eruptions have paused) since 2010 but is still a stunning sight. Arenal is surrounded by a rainforest with ample tours for those longing to partake. Whitewater rafting, waterfall rappelling, hiking, canopy tours (ziplining), and walking across hanging bridges, a collection of walkways elevated above the canopy that provide a bird’s eye view of the forest, are just some of the top adventures available! Monteverde, a small community in Puntarenas rising 4,662 feet above sea level, resides within a cloudy, misty cloud forest surrounded by deep green foliage. By itself, Monteverde is a hot spot for eco-tourism, as beautiful national parks and diverse weather are characteristic. Its average rainfall is 115 inches, with the rainiest season being October. Monteverde also attracts scientists, bird watchers and wildlife lovers from all parts of the world. Traveling west to the Pacific coastline, we now visit Guanacaste. Sun-splashed beaches and great Pacific surf help make up the allure
of this area of Costa Rica, which historically had been estranged from the rest of Costa Rica. It retains a distinct identity to this day. Its popular white sand beaches line the coast and to the east the Guanacaste Mountains feature national parks and caldera volcanoes. Guanacaste’s largest town, Liberia, serves as the regional economic and administrative capital. Home to the nation’s second international airport, Liberia is a main access point for many incoming visitors from abroad. Tamarindo is a favorite among tourists who want to observe the local wildlife as well as beachgoers who seek to enjoy Costa Rica’s surf. Guanacaste’s hot, dry climate makes the region a popular escape for those suffering cold winter months in the northern latitudes. The final area described in this article is Tortuguero, Costa Rica, located on the east coast on the Caribbean Sea. Though relatively small, Tortuguero offers a wide variety of activities. A most awesome experience is to visit the nesting beaches at night with a guide and watch the turtles laying eggs or eggs hatching. Whatever your adventure level, Costa Rica has something for everyone!
Louise
1-800-328-4298 or 507-373-4705 SINCE 1967 • 130 West Clark Street • Albert Lea, MN 54 | ALBERT LEA | november/december 2015
www.4-seasonsvacations.com
David Nelson Owner & Tour Director
SCRAPBOOK
Photos courtesy of the Freeborn County Historical Museum
Christmas of yesteryear Albert Lea likes to go all out to celebrate Christmas. Look below to see Albert Lea holiday photos of the city from the past.
South Broadway looking north, at the intersection of Broadway and College Street in 1931. On the left is the Broadway Theater and on the right, Hotel Albert.
Albert Lea’s Christmas tree at the intersection of South Broadway and William Street in 1918. The community Christmas tree was the idea of a group of Albert Lea Business Men’s League members. The first community Christmas tree celebration was held Dec. 23,1912.
The Charles Willis and Mary (Walsh) Ransom family of Albert Lea, photo taken circa 1896. November/December 2015 | ALBERT LEA | 55
ask the expert › Children and the holidays
BY kim nelson
Children can bring energy and creativity to holiday festivities, get-togethers Kim Nelson is the executive director of The Children’s Center in Albert Lea. She is actively involved in Trinity Lutheran Church and her children’s sports. She believes volunteering for school and community activities is a way to pay it forward. The holidays can be overwhelming and exciting all at the same time. Involving children in the festivities at an early age has proven to be successful, both at the centers I have worked at and with my own children. Being an executive director for the past 16 years of child care centers has given me the opportunity to be involved in many holiday festivities. Some of the most successful events were led by or had significant input from the students. We learned that children who are introduced to creating before the age of 4 will sustain that talent for the rest of their lives. We have had children do the decorating for events. This is a way to show off their work and save money. We have also taken suggestions on what they would like to see at their celebration. Some of the activities they suggest always include food. We also see photo booths, face painting and
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one- to two-step games being a huge hit. We also try and incorporate family traditions in the celebrations, along with having family members volunteer. Some traditions include celebrating Cinco de Mayo and the Chinese New Year. When it comes to my own children, I have tried to have them be part of the planning of our holiday celebrations. But before we jump into what we have done in the past, I wanted to share something you can do each week that gets your children involved in feeling part of their home. First, I always put their art work on the refrigerator or on a wall in the house. Sometimes this got really tricky. But it is important to any child’s growth and development to display what they are creating. From time to time you may need to take things down and rearrange, and it is not feasible to save everything. Children will gain self-confidence if you display their work. We also would have a Kim’s kitchen night. This would be a night, when the children were younger and we wanted them to try new things, when we would let them order whatever they wanted from the kitchen. If they
would not try something new that week or complained about a meal we were having, we wouldn’t have Kim’s Kitchen. This helped at holidays when sometimes the menu was not always pleasing to children. Onto some great celebrations we have had at home. The ones that I remember being the most successful were our Halloween parties. My children, Adam and Sydney, would help with the guest list and invitations. The day of the party, with their help, we would transform our 5-acre farm into a pumpkin patch with a hayride and haunted walk. We would have games and food in the garage that would be planned by them. We had volunteers man the games from local Girl Scouts troops, along with grandparents. We ended the party with a costume contest. Our largest party was 22 children ages 7 to 10. My children are now 13 and 16 and still talk about those parties. A great resource for me was www.familyfun.com. Whatever the festival or celebration, we can learn so much from children. Including them in the planning and implementing will serve them well in the future on many levels.
health & fitness
BY GREG LEIDaL
How to get and stay motivated to exercise Greg Leidal is employed at Minnesota Corrugated Box Inc. as a key account manager. He spends his off time as a certified personal trainer and a fitness instructor at the Albert Lea Family Y. He is a retired Army National Guard infantry platoon sergeant. His motto is “Go big or go HOME!” Motivation is the third part in setting goals. It actually comes from a military leadership course I took as a young soldier. I incorporated it into my fitness lifestyle. “Motive” defined is an impulse that causes a person to act. Motivation is an internal process that makes a person move toward a goal. Let’s look at motivation in relation to the upcoming holiday season. Affiliation motivation is the drive to relate to people on a social basis. OK, got it. Guess what’s coming up on our calendars? Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. Can the holidays motivate an individual? They do me. I’m fairly guaranteed to see my family and friends and want to look and feel good about myself.
To accomplish ANYTHING, you need a driving force. Otherwise nothing will happen. A wish is not strong enough to make you take action. A wish is a weak desire. Everyone wants to look good to their family and friends. Life is too short and we are given a certain amount of time on Earth, so let’s make the best of it. Enjoy your time with family and friends, feel good about yourself and your accomplishments. To get motivated, you need to know exactly what it is that you want. We want to look good to our family and friends, right? Well, you need to possess a strong desire and be willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish that desire. If you desire to look good, but you don’t feel motivated enough to act, it means that the desire is not important enough. So make it important and get motivated. How do we get motivated? I have a couple sample motivators I use personally. I’m a firm believer in weighing yourself every morning. I do this in similar fashion everyday. The results can work in different ways with
different people. A gain or loss in weight works the same for me. I set a target weight for myself, and if I’m less or at that target, I’ll initiate a plan to maintain. If I’m plus that target, I’ll initiate a plan to reach that target weight. I’m also a big fan of fitness devices that monitor heart rate, steps, calories, distances, floors, active minutes, sleep, etc. You know what they are, there’s all kinds. I personally use a Fitbit Charge. The one thing I recently discovered that really motivates me is my Fitbit friends. I can view their steps and they can see mine. We can challenge, taunt, cheer and message each other. Friends are an excellent outside source of motivation, not just relying on self-motivation. These are just some examples I use for motivation. With that, I’m not telling you to go out and buy a fitness device. Just saying. Be creative, set goals and get motivated. Enjoy your time with family and friends!
November/December 2015 | ALBERT LEA | 57
healthy pets › Keeping your pet healthy
BY michelle nelson
How natural is your pet’s diet? Michelle Nelson is the owner of Ranch & Pet Supply in Albert Lea.
The word natural on pet food labels is everywhere you look. When pet parents see the word natural, they generally think they are buying a good quality food that their dogs and cats will do well on. The truth is, most natural products allow your pets to survive, but never thrive. According to AAFCO (the group that regulates animal feeds), the term natural is defined as a lack of artificial flavors, artificial colors or artificial preservatives in the product, except for vitamins, minerals and other trace ingredients. Companies can stretch the above definition and apply it just to a single ingredient, not the whole product, for example natural chicken. Dictionary.com defines natural as “existing in or formed by nature, to mimic what would occur in nature.” This definition
takes the term so much deeper. It no longer is just about the ingredients alone, but the act of how those ingredients in nature would be consumed. Before dry food existed, dogs and cats hunted and scavenged for their food, such as rabbit, chicken, venison, etc., along with some occasional fruits and vegetables. In nature, they would have never gone to a field of wheat, corn or soybeans that was ready to harvest and start eating. Yet today, these grains are abundant in the majority of grocery store brand foods that are claiming to be natural. Yes, by AAFCO guidelines they are natural, but by the true definition of natural, they do not qualify. One of the biggest marketing ploys is the use of fancy pictures of fresh meat, like a sizzling, juicy steak with a large helping of beautiful, perfectly ripe vegetables on the front of the bag. Pictures like this make consumers feel like they are feeding their pets a
natural food, but when you flip the bag over and look at the ingredients, often times this is the furthest thing from the truth. Those foods are typically full of corn and soybean meal along with unhealthy dyes and other poor quality ingredients. And yes, the beef is buried in that list of ingredients somewhere, but it is not equivalent to the juicy steak on the front of the bag. That heaping portion of vegetables is down at the bottom of the ingredient list that accounts for less the 2 percent of the overall food. There is no perfect bag of dry food on the market as your pet’s digestive system was designed to consume and digest raw food, but for most pet parents, they are willing to sacrifice some quality for the convenience of feeding a dry food. Remember, your pets are relying on you to buy them the very best. Do not continue to be fooled by the overused and misused term natural.
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58 | ALBERT LEA | november/december 2015
dietitian’s digest
BY emily schmidt
Mindful eating during the holiday season
Albert Lea resident Emily Schmidt is a registered dietitian at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea. She enjoys writing, cooking and spending time with her son and family. Healthy holiday eating is a popular topic, but the focus is typically on which foods to avoid or recipe substitutions. However, how often do we look beyond what we should be avoiding and instead at how we should be eating? It’s equally important to work on a healthier relationship with food and eating, which can be described as “mindful eating.” This involves paying close attention to whether we’re hungry or full, slowing down and being in the moment with each bite or sip, and having a more positive view of eating. A major aspect of mindful eating is paying attention to hunger and satiety. Before reaching for the candy dish or going for seconds at the dinner table, pause to analyze how hungry you are on a scale from 1 to 10. If 1 on the scale means “extremely hungry to the point where any food sounds good right now” and 10 is
“extremely full to the point of feeling ill,” it’s best to stay within the range of 4 to 7. At 4 on the hunger scale you are just beginning to feel slightly hungry. On the other hand, 7 is a comfortable level of feeling satisfied after eating, but not close to feeling uncomfortable or stuffed. Preventing ourselves from getting too hungry is just as important as preventing excessive fullness. This involves slowing down at meals and snacks and allowing the stomach’s satiety signals to reach the brain. To slow down and be in the moment while eating or drinking means truly savoring each bite or sip. Many of us have been conditioned to quickly eat a meal or snack for the sake of time, or perhaps because growing up you had to eat fast or you wouldn’t get enough to eat. Try chewing each bite 10 or even 20 times and really think about how the food tastes and feels in your mouth. Oftentimes we eat so quickly and mindlessly that we barely remember the details of how something tasted. Make eating a positive experience where each bite of pumpkin pie or mashed potatoes is not just another bite.
When eating is a positive, nurturing experience, it’s easier to enjoy a small glass of egg nog or piece of fudge guiltfree. With a negative or fearful attitude in mind when approaching a holiday dinner table or buffet, we’re more likely to overindulge in large portions of tasty food and beverages and end up feeling guilty about it later. Allowing permission to enjoy things in moderation, rather than constantly restricting, is the key to keeping things in line and avoiding overeating. Setting a goal of having zero desserts or sweet treats this holiday season is setting you up for enjoying a few too many cookies and slices of cheesecake. Ultimately, working on your relationship with eating and food this holiday season may be something to consider. The issue may not always be what you are eating, but instead how you are eating. Listen to your body and recognize what it needs or doesn’t need, savor and enjoy each bite or sip in a mindful manner, avoid a negative perspective of eating, and there’s a good chance you’ll have a holiday season full of good health. November/December 2015 | ALBERT LEA | 59
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November/December 2015 | ALBERT LEA | 61
events calendar NOVEMBER
7
19-21
Johnny Cash by Bill Dewey
“Seven Brides for Seven Brothers”
When: 7:30 p.m. Where: Marion Ross Performing Arts Center Cost: $15
November
5
The 5 Browns When: 7:30 p.m. Where: Marion Ross Performing Arts Center Cost: $85 per family, $40 per adult, $10 per student. (These are season ticket prices and are good for five concerts. This is the second concert of the season.) More info: The 5 Browns — Ryan, Melody, Gregory, Deondra and Desirae — all attended New York’s Julliard School. In fact, they became the first family of five siblings ever accepted simultaneously. Dubbed the “Fab Five” by People Magazine in 2002, the Browns have been featured on “Oprah,” “60 Minutes,” “The Tonight Show,” “Good Morning America,” public radio, public television and more. The 5 Browns bring their five pianos with them, moving the instruments into each performance venue and tuning them before the shows.
62 | ALBERT LEA | november/december 2015
NOVEMBER
More info: Born in the Midwest, Bill Dewey is back by popular demand to sing Johnny Cash music. Dewey has recorded and performed in and around both Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee. His CD in tribute to Johnny Cash has received five-star world reviews.
november
15
“Jewels” When: 5 p.m. Where: Marion Ross Performing Arts Center Cost: $20 for adults, $12 for students More info: This performance was inspired by Balanchine’s visit to the famous jeweler Van Cleef & Arpels on New York’s Fifth Avenue, celebrating the cities and dance schools of Paris, New York and St. Petersburg. The schools are represented by a contrasting jewel: emerald, ruby and diamond. It stars Olga Smirnova, Semyon Chudin, Vladislav Lantratov, Anna Tikhomirova, Ekaterina Krysanova and the Bolshoi Corps de Ballet.
When: 7 p.m. Where: Albert Lea High School auditorium Cost: $7 for adults, $5 for students and seniors More info: A cast of 40 Albert Lea High School students will present the old-style musical of Millie, a young bride who marries the oldest of seven brothers living in the Oregon woods. She plans to civilize and marry off her six rowdy brothers-in-law to ensure the success of her own marriage when this backfires and the brothers, in their enthusiasm, kidnap six women from a neighboring town to be their brides.
NOvember
2923
december
Evening of Dazzle When: 5:30 p.m. Where: Northbridge Mall Cost: $20 More info: The Albert Lea Art Center’s annual Festival of Trees will kick off with that lighting of trees, holiday music, hors d’oeuvres, wine tasting and door prizes. The theme for this year’s festival is Winter Wonderland. After Nov. 28, the trees will be open to the public to view at no cost from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays and from 1 to 7 p.m. Fridays.
DECEMBER
4
“Bluegrass Christmas” When: 7:30 p.m. Where: Marion Ross Performing Arts Center Cost: $18 in advance, $20 after 12:30 p.m. the day of the show More info: One of the top five bluegrass bands in the country, Monroe Crossing is named in honor of Bill Monroe, the father of bluegrass music. The band, which dazzles audiences with an electrifying blend of classic bluegrass, bluegrass gospel and heartfelt originals, is based in the Twin Cities. It has showcased its music twice at Carnegie Hall in New York City and twice at the annual World of Bluegrass convention.
DECEMBER
18
Girls of the Hit Parade Christmas Show When: 7:00 p.m. Where: Marion Ross Performing Arts Center Cost: $20
DECEMBER
19
“The Night Before Christmas” When: 7:30 p.m. Where: Marion Ross Performing Arts Center Cost: $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors, $10 for children 10 and under More info: The beloved Christmas poem “The Night Before Christmas” comes to life on the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center stage when award-winning dance company Borealis Dance presents an original performance based on the classic poem. The production is filled with laughter, beautiful sets and costumes and wonderful holiday music. Audiences will be thrilled with the dancing sugarplums, along with Santa and his tiny reindeer brought to life through the magic of dance. Bring the entire family.
More info: Sold out last year, entertainers Colleen Raye, Jennifer Grimm, Debra O’Keefe and Sophie Grimm will return singing popular Christmas songs made famous in the 1950s by the Lennon Sisters, Andrews Sisters, McGuire Sisters and the King Family. November/December 2015 | ALBERT LEA | 63
INSIDE ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE
n be Editor Sarah Stultz ca e in az ag m a Le rt be Al ent of a Christmas ornam seen in the reflection otoshoot. as she supervises a ph
behind the scenes Our model Jill Koehler catches up with former Albert Lea magazine Publisher Scott Schmeltzer who happened to call during the photoshoot as stylist Angie Hoffman and Publisher Crystal Miller fasten the buckles on her shoes.
Publisher Crystal Miller prepares decorations for a photoshoot. She made us listen to Christmas music in October to envoke the spirit of Christmas.
Like the Albert Lea Magazine page on Facebook for insider info, unseen photos and prizes! 64 | ALBERT LEA | november/december 2015
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