Monarchs

Minnesota’s beloved state butterfly has declined 72 percent in 10 years

The beautiful black and orange migrating Monarch was identified as “endangered” in July — two steps from extinct — by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

The group estimates that the monarch population in North America has declined between 22 percent and 72 percent over the past 10 years.

Much of the Monarch's decline is due to the loss of their habitat, food sources and climate change. Common Milkweed is the only source of food for the monarch caterpillar – a plant that grows all over Minnesota. Members of the milkweed family are the only place that adult butterflies lay their eggs.

The Monarch, adopted as Minneso-

Thrive Again

ta’s state butterfly in 2000, is one of the few species of butterflies that migrates north and south – much like many birds do. In fact, they have the longest migration of any known insect species.

In Minnesota, roughly four generations of our state butterfly are born. Each lives approximately four weeks, with the exception of the last generation of the season. The final hatch of butterflies lives around six months and migrates to Mexico where they spend the winter in semihibernation. Monarchs then migrate north, breeding many generations during the their long journey back to the Land of 10,000 Lakes sometime around mid-May.

Note: The United States has not listed the monarch butterflies under its Endangered Species Act, but several environmental groups think they should be included.

Create Monarch Habitat

Turn any outdoor space into a monarch habitat by providing food, water, cover and places to raise young.

Plant milkweed, nectar plants such as purple coneflowers, black-eyed Susans and blue and golden asters.

Don't spray for mosquitoes. Those pesticides kill bees, caterpillars, butterflies and fireflies.

Sources: extension.umn.edu, theconservationfoundation.org, minnesotaseasons.com

Crossword

Breakfast Word Search

BACON BAGELS

BIALYS

CEREAL COFFEE

COTTAGE CHEESE CREPES

CROISSANT

FRENCH TOAST

GRANOLA HAM

HASHBROWNS MUFFINS

OATMEAL OMELET PANCAKES

CLUES ACROSS

1. Sea grape

5. European public health group (abbr.)

9. A way to delight

11. Appetizers

13. Ancient heralds’ wands

15. Make a booking

16. '__ death do us part

17. Pearl Jam frontman

19. Spider genus

21. Fill with high spirits

22. A major division of geological time

23. Catch

25. An independent ruler or chieftain

26. Electronic music style (abbr.)

27. Influential Spanish cubist painter

29. Illegally persuades

31. A way to derive

33. British School

34. Appear alongside

36. Surely (archaic)

38. Harsh cry of a crow

39. A day in the middle

41. Kansas hoops coach Bill

43. The longest division of geological time

44. The first sign of the zodiac

46. Appetizer

48. Link together in a chain

52. A bacterium

53. In a way, forces apart

54. Cheese dish

56. Combines

57. In an inferior way

58. Colors clothes

59. Dried-up

CLUES DOWN

1. Gastropods

2. Confusing

3. Romanian monetary unit

4. The rate at which something proceeds

5. A prosperous state of wellbeing

6. Asked for forgiveness

7. Makes less soft

8. Part of speech

9. Outside

10. Advice or counsel

11. Badness

12. Protein-rich liquids

14. Not moving

15. Call it a career

18. Poetry term

20. Not wide

24. Pastries

26. Turns away

28. Satisfies

30. Gift adornments

32. San Diego ballplayers

34. Manufacturing plant

35. Check or guide

37. Dogs do it

38. Chilled

40. Scorch

42. Unproductive of success

43. Electronic countercountermeasures

45. Attack with a knife

47. Feel bad for 49. Enclosure

50. Assert

51. Geological times

55. Midway between east and southeast

PARFAIT SAUSAGE SCRAMBLED SMOOTHIE TEA

WAFFLES YOGURT

SUDOKU

HENSLEY continued from page 11

“She really listened to me and knew what I liked and what I wanted,” she said. “You have to find a good artist like that to help share your story.”

WILL THERE BE MORE?

Hensley also has a tattoo on her chest that she said kind of takes the place of wearing jewelry. She also has a key tattoo that goes with the lock tattoo her fiance has. They got them while on vacation in Nashville with her niece and her niece’s fiance.

So, will there be more?

Yes. The answer is definitely yes.

Hensley has plans for a lioness tattoo with blue eyes. And, of course, there’s a story behind it.

It symbolizes her motherhood and how she is always a mom, taking care of her kids. She wants a tattoo with the words, “Love you millions.” But, she wants it in her mom’s handwriting because it is something her mom always says.

And after that, who knows? she said. There could always be more.

Hensley shared some advice for those who are thinking of getting a tattoo and for those who don’t have any.

Christa Hensley got a fish tattoo on the inside of her wrist because she says she wants people to know she believes in God. The key tattoo goes with a lock tattoo that her fiance, Justin Shutter, has.

For those wanting one, she said to really think about what you want. Think about what it represents – now and in the future. Think about how it represents your story.

“It’s with you forever,” she said.

And for those who don’t have any, she simply said, “Don’t judge people by their tattoos. Think about the artistry and the talent behind them. Think about what they represent. Instead of judging, ask people about them. I bet they have a story to tell.”

Fifteen years ago, Christa Hensley gave birth to twin girls – Joely and Danza. Joely died less than one month after she was born, while Danza recently celebrated her 15th birthday. The tattooed footprint is Joely’s footprint. The tattoo artist added the angel halo and only one wing as a representation that she is not whole because her twin sister lived.

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Writers contributing to

Celeste is a reporter for the Echo Press. She enjoys perusing her social media accounts, running and participating in races with her husband, Al. Celeste

Al Edenlo of Alexandria and his wife, Celeste, were married in the heart of California wine country and enjoy sipping wine on their weekend date nights.

Shannon Swenson is a Life Coach at Encompass Coaching in Alexandria. She enjoys cooking and reading and is a nature, animal and classic car lover.

Lowell Anderson

Lowell Anderson is a photographer at the Echo Press newspaper.

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Lori Mork of Lowry is a mother, grandmother and dabbler in all things food, photography and decor related.

Thalen Zimmerman

Lori Mork

Thalen Zimmerman is a reporter for the Echo Press. His wife, Jade Zimmerman, is a bartender at Willy T’s in Ottertail. They married in the snow-capped mountains of Colorado and enjoy music, traveling and all things outdoors with their daughter Sonny and their dog named Dude.

Melanie Danner of Alexandria is an at-home mother and craft lover.

We love our pets and want to keep them safe, but did you realize that some plants that beautify your home can be harmful to your furry friends if they are ingested? Here are a few common houseplants that are pet-friendly, giving you the ability to add some greenery to your life, help clean the air in your home and still keep your pets safe.

Spider Plant

An easy to grow indoor plant, the spider plant is one that many veterinarians recommend for your home. It adapts easily to a wide range of conditions and comes in green or variegated varieties. Spider plants are also considered great air purifiers.

Care: Spider plants thrive best in indirect bright light with temperatures between 60-80 degrees.

SUCCULENTS (not all)

Echeveria, haworthia, hardy sedum, sempervivum (hens and chicks) and tillandsia (air plants) are just some of the succulents that are safe for pets.

Care: The best part about succulents is that they take very little care. The do best in direct sunlight, lightly watering them every two weeks or so. Only water when the soil is dry.

African Violet

An African violet brings a spot of color to most any room with the bonus of being a pet-friendly flowering plant.

Care: Keep away from drafty floor vents or windows. African violets prefer indirect sunlight and temperatures between 7377 degrees as young plants. As they mature, temps can be lowered to 68 degrees. They also need moderate watering, but keep the water o the leaves, if possible.