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November/December 2018
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2 Chicz November/December 2018
Sparkle in the air
Inside this issue November/December 2018
Are you ready for the holidays? We’re ready to help you with some great articles, just in time for your celAndy’s Choice 19 ebrations. The Jeff Beach Diet 5 It might be hectic and crazy, but this season has many rewards – including time with family and friends to celebrate A Guyz Perspective 16 all that life has to offer. Real Chicz of Our holiday issue has some great ideas to add that little extra bit of sparkle to your season. Check out Al Edenloff’s article on wines Douglas County 14 to serve with your meats, while Jeff Beach lays out his reasons Mommy and Me Crafts 28 for making room for corn at your Thanksgiving table in “The Jeff Beach Diet.” Food and drink We have two great stories for you from Celeste Edenloff as she lets us know about an Alexandria woman who fills her famHoliday helper baking hacks • 6 ily’s lives with holiday traditions, as well as an Osakis woman Santa crunch popcorn • 8 whose Christmas village requires two weeks to set up. She Holiday banana bread • 8 gives you tips and tricks to creating your own masterpiece How to quickly ripen bananas • 8 village. What to do with those Melanie Danner has some wonderful ideas for crafting Thanksgiving leftovers • 10 with your children for the holidays in her “Mommy and Me Try these two wines for the holidays • 17 Crafts” column, and Andy Mellgren highlights the differEnjoy these holiday mocktails • 18 ences between porter and stout beer in “Andy’s Choice.” There are some great DIY ideas as well as fun food Holiay ornamentini • 20 and drinks, decorating for fall and winter, investment moves, several great books to read or give as gifts, Outdoors how to stay healthy over the holidays and so much Get your turkey trot on • 13 more! This is a great issue of Chicz and I’m sure you’ll find Technology Decorating it fascinating! Enjoy! fall and Photo tips: Understanding shutter speed • 12 forwinter Enjoy!
“The joy of brightening other lives, bearing each others’ burdens, easing others’ loads and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of the holidays.” W. C. JONES
Lori Mork, Chicz editor
HOLIDAY SCENT JARS
call 320.763.3133
Jody Hanson, Publisher Lori Mork, Editor/Designer Echo Press, 225 7th Ave. East Alexandria, MN 56308 ©2012 Echo Press
Send your feedback to: chiczmag@gmail.com
Wellness
Have a healthy holiday season • 33
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Hometown holidays • 4 The best Christmas gift ever • 22 DIY holiday scent jars • 29 Thanksgiving traditions • 36
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HOLIDAY BAKING HACKS
6
Want to put up a Christmas village? • 24 Colors are chameleons • 26 Decorating for fall and winter • 27
Finance
Time to think about year-end investment moves • 21
Entertainment
Between the wines book club review • 30 The benefits of reading every day • 31 Great reads • 32 Puzzles and horoscopes • 34
Your writers
Chicz contributing writers • 38
November/December 2018 Chicz
3
Hometown holidays By Sara Carlson As mayor I might be biased, but I think the best place to celebrate the holidays is in the Alexandria Lakes Area! We have everything to make a traditional, yet fun-filled holiday season right here! We start off the holiday season with the downtown lighting
ceremony when Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive and turn on the gorgeous Christmas lights in downtown Alexandria lighting up Broadway. At the start of this hometown holiday season you will know that this area is like no other. Yes, we have shopping; in fact we won the 2018 Retail Community of the Year Award; once again emphasizing our wonderful partnerships and cooperation that our community has. You can go from work to ice fishing or snowmobiling within minutes. There are several outdoor ice rinks where you can lace up the skates and take a leisurely skate around the rink or get involved in a game of hockey if you are up to the challenge – Noonan Park offers a warming house to make sure you and the littlest ones have the opportunity to stay warm even on the
coldest days. There are other wonderful parks in the county that offer great snowshoeing, cross country skiing, downhill skiing and hiking on a crisp winter day. There are also a number of indoor venues for swimming, exercise of all types to get you out and about during the holidays. Don’t forget the plays, music, fabulous dining; along with several museums, and the winery or brewery to warm you up after those long days of shopping. Being the compassionate area we are, we always make sure everyone is taken care of during the holidays and the holidays wouldn’t be the same without our annual Jingle Bells
Telethon to raise money for those in need. Individuals and business raise money, labor on fund raisers and work all year long to get enough money to make baskets of goodies for those in need of a little extra help during this time of year. This is just another example of our area pulling together to make things better for everyone. Yes, it might get a little cold outside in the lakes area, but the friendships, camaraderie and partnerships we have in this area keep us warm all year long. I hope at Thanksgiving you find time to be grateful and thankful and Merry Christmas to all!
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4 Chicz November/December 2018
Corn deserves a place at the
Thanksgiving table By Jeff Beach
Corn is about as American you can get, right up there with Charlie Brown and the first Thanksgiving. And, of course, Charlie Brown and Snoopy served popcorn during the makeshift Thanksgiving feast thrown by the Peanuts gang. And it was most certainly served at that first Thanksgiving. While that might be appropriate to snack on while watching football, corn deserves a place at every Thanksgiving table. One of my favorite corn dishes is so easy even Charlie Brown could make it. It doesn’t dirty a lot of dishes or take a lot of cooking time. Sure you could nuke a bag of corn, but then you have to chase the kernels around your plate and smush them into your mashed potatoes.
The
JEFF BEACH
diet
Jeff Beach has spent a lifetime on the The Jeff Beach Diet and is still kickin’. This recipe is heartier than creamed corn, moister than corn bread and more comforting than plain kernels. It’s a pleasant combination of all three. Even Peppermint Patty would approve.
CORN CASSEROLE INGREDIENTS: 1 can creamed corn 12 oz. frozen corn or 1 can whole kernel corn, drained 1 cup cornmeal (or 1 cup crushed saltines) 1 cup milk (whole is best) 1/2 cup chopped onion (about half a large onion) 1 tsp. salt (skip this if using saltines) 1/4 tsp. pepper DIRECTIONS: Spray a 9 x 9 casserole dish with cooking spray. Combine all ingredients in the baking dish and mix well. Bake uncovered until done. At 350 degrees that’s about 40 to 45 minutes.
November/December 2018 Chicz
5
HOLIDAY HELPER
Baking hacks T
By Lori Mork
he holiday season is upon us and for many, that means baking. All that mixing, kneading, rolling and
cutting may be satisfying, but is sure to be time consuming. Here are a few ways to make your baking just a little easier.
EGGSHELL ACCIDENT. Accidentally get a piece of eggshell in your bowl? Get it out by wetting your finger and placing it next to the shell. It will gravitate to your finger.
KEEP IT SOFT. Don’t let your brown sugar get hard again by storing with a slice of bread or a large marshmallow.
FROST FEARLESSLY. Frost your cookies and cakes like an expert by filling a syringe with frosting to decorate. SOFT AS A CLOUD. An apple slice stored with your cookies will keep them moist as the cookies absorb moisture from the apple. COLOR REPLACEMENT. No food coloring? Substitute Jell-O to color your frosting. BROWN SUGAR BRICK. Hard brown sugar can easily be softened by microwaving it in a baking dish covered with a wet paper towel. You can also put it in your oven for five minutes at 300 degrees. Make your own icing bag by making a small hole in the corner of a zip lock storage bag.
BUTTER SUBSTITUTE. Make your cakes a little healthier by substituting avocado for butter in the recipe. OVERCRISP COOKIES? Did your cookies or muffins bake a little too long? Lightly grate the bottoms with a box grater to remove the charred edges. FROZEN BUTTER. A grater is the perfect utensil to incorporate your frozen butter into pie crusts or pastries. Just grate the proper amount. NO ROLLING PIN? You can use a wine bottle as a substitute. QUICK FROSTING. No time to make frosting for your cupcakes? Try putting a large marshallow on top of each cupcake during the final five minutes of baking.
6 Chicz November/December 2018
Don’t have any frosting? Just sprinkle some powdered sugar through lace for this amazing design. FRESH AS A DAISY. Don’t let your delicious cake dry out. Place a slice of bread on top of your cakes until it’s time to frost. DELICIOUS DROP. If you want your cakes and cookies to have the perfect texture, drop them. Dropping your cake pans lightly on the counter before baking helps remove air bubbles and dropping your cookie sheet when it comes out of the oven will help your cookies settle faster. NO MUFFIN TIN? Substitute Mason jar lids for cupcake liners to bake without a muffin tin. You can also use aluminum muffin liners. DOT EXPERTISE. If you’re trying to create tiny dots on a cake, use a toothpick to do the job. Toothpicks can also be used to write on cakes. AN EXTRA HAND. Fold your frosting bag over the outside of a cup to make it easer to fill.
BETTER BUTTER. Soften butter in seconds by putting it under a warm glass. This will keep it from melting. SCOOP IT UP. Make sure every cupcake is exactly the same when you bake by using an ice cream scoop sprayed with cooking spray to fill the liners. GET IT WET. Want to eliminate the rounded top on your cake layers? Tie wet fabric strips around the outside of each pan before baking. It cools the outside of the pan to allow for more even baking. STOP SLIPPERY COUNTERS. Does your non-stick spray get all over your counter tops when you prepare a pan? Spray your pans over your open dishwasher to prevent this slippery situation. Sprinkle coarse sea salt on top of chocolate chip cookies to give them a richer taste.
November/December 2018 Chicz
7
Santa Crunch Popcorn INGREDIENTS: 10 cups of Popcorn Salt 3 Tbsp. butter 3 cups mini marshmallows Mini M&M candies – red and green Pretzel M&M candies – red and green Christmas confetti sprinkles
By Lori Mork
Holiday banana bread INGREDIENTS: 1/2 cup butter, softened 1 cup sugar 2 large eggs 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1-1/4 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium) 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips 1/4 cup chopped maraschino cherries
DIRECTIONS: In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Beat in bananas just until combined. Stir in the walnuts, chocolate chips and cherries. Pour into a greased 9x5-in. loaf pan. Bake at 350° for 7080 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.
8 Chicz November/December 2018
DIRECTIONS: Pop 10 cups of popcorn, salt generously and place in a large bowl. Melt 3 Tbsp. butter in a me-
dium sauce pan, then add 3 cups of mini marshmallows and stir until marshmallows are melted. Turn off the heat. Pour 3/4 of the marshmallow mixture over the popcorn and carefully fold in with a spoon until most of the kernels are covered in mixture. Pour onto a prepared cookie sheet. Drizzle remaining marshmallow mixture over popcorn. Sprinkle with candy and sprinkles. Allow to cool and break into pieces to serve.
How to quickly ripen
bananas
A favorite all year ‘round, banana bread is especially popular during the holidays. It’s quick and easy and can be jazzed up with chocolate chips, cherries and nuts, or any special ingredient you love. It’s can be whipped up in no time for a hostess, babysitter or teacher gift. But what happens if you don’t have any overripe bananas on hand? Here’s a tip on how to quickly ripen the golden fruit to jump start your baking. Preheat your oven to 300 degrees. Separate a bunch of bananas from each other and lay them on a baking sheet.
Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until the skin is shiny and black. Remove; cool for at least 30 minutes before using. You can also speed up cooling by placing them in the refrigerator. Heating the bananas will bring the sugar out and make them very soft – perfect for banana bread, muffins or pancakes. NOTE: If you have ripening bananas on hand but aren’t in the mood to bake, simply throw them in the freezer until you need them.
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November/December 2018 Chicz
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Your Business! 9
What to do with those
By Lori Mork THANKSGIVING LEFTOVERS SANDWICH INGREDIENTS: 2-3 slices of turkey 1/2 cup mashed potatoes 1/2 cup stuffing 1/2 cup cranberry sauce Lettuce, optional DIRECTIONS: Layers all of the ingredients between two pieces of bread and enjoy. TURKEY PARMESAN BAKED ROTINI INGREDIENTS: Sauce: 2-1/2 cups whole milk 1-1/2 cups turkey stock 1/3 cup butter 3 Tbsp. flour 1/4 tsp. black pepper 1/2 tsp. sea salt 1 tsp. dry thyme 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard Remaining ingredients: 3 cups uncooked rotini pasta 3 cups leftover cooked turkey cut in chunks 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese 3 cups grated low fat mozzarella cheese 1 cup chopped button mushrooms, optional 1 large roasted red pepper, chopped (optional) 8 slices precooked bacon, cut in small pieces DIRECTIONS: To prepare the sauce, scald milk and turkey stock in microwave oven until almost boiling. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, cook together the butter flour, pepper and salt for 2 minutes.
Whisking constantly, slowly pour in scalded milk and turkey stock. Continue to cook for 2 more minutes stirring constantly. Stir in the thyme and mustard. Set the sauce aside. Cook the pasta just to al dente in boiling salted water. Drain and set aside. Grease the bottom and sides of a large casserole dish. Place half of the cooked rotini pasta in the bottom of the dish. Layer the casserole with half the turkey, half the parmesan cheese, half the bacon, and half the sauce. Repeat these layers and top with the grated mozzarella cheese. Bake for about 45 minutes to an hour or until the casserole is bubbling and the top is golden brown. TURKEY & STUFFING ROLL UPS INGREDIENTS: 16 oz. turkey breast, slice semi thick Leftover stuffing or 1 16-oz. package of stuffing mix, prepared. 2 packets turkey gravy, prepared, 1 16-oz. jar of turkey gravy, or homemade gravy 1 10-oz. can cream of chicken soup DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small sauce pan over medium heat, mix turkey gravy and cream of chicken soup. Blend using a wire and cook until heated through.
10 Chicz November/December 2018
Spoon 1/4 cup prepared stuffing onto each turkey slice. Roll up and place seam side down in a greased 13 x 9 inch baking pan. Continue rolling the remaining turkey slices. Pour the gravy mixture over turkey rolls and cover with foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 30 minutes or until bubbly. Remove from oven and cool slightly. TURKEY SHEPHERD’S PIE INGREDIENTS: 2 Tbsp. olive oil 1 cup onion, diced 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. black pepper 1 clove garlic 4 oz. mushrooms, sliced 1/2 tsp. thyme, fresh 1 Tbps. flour 2 cups turkey, chopped 1 cup turkey or chicken broth 1/2 cup frozen peas & carrots 4 cups Betty Crocker mashed potatoes, prepared 1 cup Gruyere cheese
leftovers DIRECTIONS: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Grease baking dish and set dish to the side. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and stir continuously until soft, about 3 minutes. Add garlic, mushrooms, and thyme; continue cooking and stirring for 3-4 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring, until thick, about 3 minutes. Add broth and bring to a boil, stirring continuously until the mixture has thickened, 5-6 minutes. Add peas, carrots, and turkey, stirring them into the mixture. Transfer the mixture to the baking dish. Spoon the potatoes over mixture, completely covering it. Sprinkle with cheese and bake until cheese is melted and the potatoes are crisp around the edges, 22 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
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November/December 2018 Chicz
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HOURS
11
UNDERSTANDING
shutter speed
A
By Lowell Anderson
lthough there are many controls to learn on a camera, the two most important to understand are shutter speed and aperture (f-stop). In the last issue, we discussed how to combine shutter speed and aperture to get the exposure right. But there’s still more to learn: In order to get consistently good photographs, you need to understand a little more about shutter speed itself. First off, the shutter is basically just a door that you open and then shut to let light into the camera. The amount of time that it is open is the shutter speed and is measured in fractions of a second. Typical-
ly, it is represented by just the bottom number of the fraction, since the top number is always 1. So 60 represents 1/60th of a second, and 1000 represents 1/1000th of a second. As you move up in shutter speed, the number doubles. Part of a typical progression would be 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500 and 1/1000. Moving from 1/60th to 1/125th, means the shutter is open half as long and lets in half as much light. Once you have a basic understanding of what shutter speed is, there are several reasons why you might want to change it beyond just getting the right exposure. But mostly, it is about stopping or capturing movement.
For A Longer, Healthier, Happier Life
Although you usually want a faster shutter speed to stop movement, there are times where you may want to try using a slower shutter speed to introduce some intentional blur and emphasize movement.
PHOTO
TIPS
There are times where you may want to create an intentional blur to show movement. These types of shots are tricky and require practice because they involve shutter speeds that are just slow enough to create blur in part of the scene while leaving other parts relatively sharp. However, usually we are most concerned with stopping movement. One type of movement is camera shake, which is movement of the camera while the shutter is open, resulting in an overall blurry image. This usually occurs when
hand-holding the camera at shutter speeds of about 1/60 or less (although longer telephoto lens require faster shutter speeds for hand-holding). The other type of movement is subject movement, which occurs when the shutter speed is too low to sharply capture a moving subject. In this situation, the subject may be blurred while the background is relatively sharp. To stop both of these types of movement, faster shutter speeds are required. The trick is that often we’re taking photos in low-light situations where we can’t just bump up the shutter speed as far as we want. That’s where an understanding of aperture and ISO can help, which we’ll explore further in upcoming issues.
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RE
Get your turkey By Ross Evavold
When families flock home for the holidays, the last thing the chef wants in a suddenly-crowded house is everyone getting in the way. If that sounds familiar, then Tammi Pauly has a suggestion for you for Thanksgiving morning: Gather the kids and bring everyone over to the Alexandria Area YMCA for what is becoming an annual Thanksgiving tradition. The Turkey Day 5K is back for a sixth year, and Pauly, who is the Y’s wellness coordinator, has been around for them all, and seen some non-traditional running outfits.
trot on
“We had one guy who wore like a giant turkey hat,” she said, laughing at the thought. “We have had some people wear some fun costumes. That kind of stuff is definitely encouraged.” The 3.1-mile event is open to runners and walkers, and starts at 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 22. Check-in and same-day registration opens at 6:30 a.m., and you don’t have to be a YMCA member to take part. To preregister, go to www.alexandriaymca.com or call 320-834-9622. This year’s race, which starts and ends at the Y, will feature a new route that will take people past lakes Darling and Cowdry. “The last couple years we’ve been trying to change it up and give people something different,” Pauly said. “This is a little more of a scenic route, with just a couple small hills for an added workout. I think it will be fun.” There will be a turnaround point for walkers, and Pauly points out that if a 5K distance is too daunting, participants can turn around and come back at any point.
“We do have people who do that,” she said, calling this a good way to ease into races. The race will also feature chip timing, which registers everyone’s time the second they cross the finish line. Runners can go online immediately to see their time and how they ranked with the others. “We have avid runners who love to do it and are really focused on their time, but we also have moms walking babies in a stroller,” Pauly said. The Y also hosts an Easter run, although this past spring’s was cancelled due to a snowstorm, but this one is its most popular. “It’s a great way for families to do something fun and healthy,” Pauly said, “and burn some calories before they eat a lot of food.”
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November/December 2018 Chicz
13
Holidays filled with
Alexandria woman enjoys cooking, decorating, celebrating By Celeste Edenloff Growing up, holidays for Lorna Erickson meant family, fun, faith, food and festivities. As the youngest of 12, she said holidays were busy and noisy and full of lots of chatter. Today, even though her own family is smaller, Lorna said it’s still full of the same things and that she couldn’t be happier about it. Lorna and her husband, Dale, live in Alexandria and for the most part, are basically retired. Lorna said they are fortunate that their three grown daughters – Anje Williams, Drea Eidsvold and Kellie Janssen – and their families, including eight grandchildren, all live in Alexandria, as well.
Lorna Erickson loves trying new recipes, like the one for this Cranberry Herb Bread.
And when it comes to the holidays, whether Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter or even just get-togethers with friends and family, Lorna not only cooks magnificent meals, but outdoes herself on decorations and table settings. As a child, she loved decorating and to this day, she still does. She even owned a floral shop at one time and could decorate to her heart’s content. When it comes to decorating for the holidays however, Lorna said, “It’s in my DNA. I have always loved it.” In early November, Lorna and Dale will put up the outside decorations, and each year, Dale said he says, “We’re not doing it this year.” But then, they always do because it makes Lorna happy. When it comes to inside decorating, Lorna takes charge. Each and every room is decorated – with lots of decorations, she said. Last year, Lorna did away with the traditional reds and greens for Christmas and instead, decorated with grays, beiges and whites and golds. It typically takes about two days to decorate, sometimes less, depending on if she uses all the decorations in her 20-plus totes. One of her favorite pieces is her nativity set. On Christmas Day each year, baby Jesus is placed in his manger by one of her grandkids. “I just love it,” she said.
14 Chicz November/December 2018
Dale and Lorna Erickson The Ericksons, along with their daughters and families always get together on Christmas Day. And although that is the tradition these days, Lorna said it wasn’t always that way. “Traditions mean a lot, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be changed,” she said. When it comes to food, there is never a shortage. And for Lorna, the food – and its presentation – is almost as important as the decorations. “You eat with your eyes,” she said. “So the food should be pretty.” Trying new, fun recipes for unique and different foods is something she is not afraid of. She loves to cook and uses recipes found in magazines or on Pinterest, but will often add her own flavor/flare to it. This sometimes proves to be a challenge for family when they ask her for the recipe or
want her to make something the exact same way twice. During the holiday season, Lorna said she loves to have “Christmas lunches” with her friends, whether it’s ladies from their church or her other circles of friends. “God gave me the gift of hospitality and I feel blessed,” she said. “I care a lot about people. And I like to provide for them.” Lorna’s daughter, Kellie, said for her mom, it’s about how it makes people feel and creating a special ambiance for them. “It’s about setting the stage to make people feel good,” she said of her mom. “It’s rewarding and fun for her.” Another daughter, Anje, shared a story about her mom and said she doesn’t think her mom realizes how she blessed so many people.
“Not only does she make memories with us and the grandkids, but she also does for all my daycare kids. They all know her as nana,” Anje said in a Facebook message. “My mom has come over for many years, maybe 12, and painted faces for Halloween, made special backto-school treats for them as well as special Christmas treats. The very first family I cared for still refer to my folks as nana and papa and they have since graduated from high school.” Drea, another one of Lorna’s daughters, said that her mom has always made every holiday special since she and her sisters were little girls and that although the food is always special and a big part of their traditions, it’s about more than that. “It’s not always just about the food.
Lorna and Dale Erickson, who live on Cedar Street in Alexandria, not only decorate on the inside of their house for Christmas, but also make sure the outside is just as pretty.
The traditions we have with fun games are always favorite, especially amongst the grandkids,” said Drea. “Whether it is the ‘minute to win it’ games at our annual pumpkin carving party or our dice present game at Christmas, it is fun for all ages from the youngest grandkid all the way up to my 97-year-old grandma. We are truly blessed.” She said there is something about being at her parents’ house, in front of their fireplace, that always makes her feel comforted and loved. And although their holiday food traditions often change, one fact remains the same, “They are always good and we are always blessed by the people we get to celebrate with.” Lorna said the holidays, as well as any time her family gets together, are about making memories. The traditions, she said, are the memories and that the traditions evolve as their family changes. Whether it’s her famous potato soup with fry cakes, her grandkids’ favorite birthday cake, Pot de Creme, Busch de Noel, Pavola or her cranberry herb bread, for Lorna, family gatherings are filled with her favorite “F” words – faith, family, food, fun, fellowship and festivities. And she wouldn’t want it any other way.
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When Lorna Erickson decorates for Christmas, every room in her house is decorated. This includes everywhere from the top of the fireplace (top) to her dining room table (bottom). She recently changed up her decorations from the traditional red and green to gray, white, beige and gold.
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November/December 2018 Chicz
15
a guyz perspective
PARENTING:
The ultimate crapshoot By Eric Morken I remember standing on a dock overlooking Lake Vermillion in northern Minnesota almost six years ago having a beer with a good friend of mine, Marv Kremin. Marv is the dad of one of my best friends growing up. At one point, I was probably just the boy who ate at his house all the time and played video games in his living room. Today, Marv is a hunting partner, a guy I can call and talk to on the phone and one of my best friends. His ability to make people laugh is one of his best traits. Marv might have been only half serious when we were standing on the dock that latesummer day and he offered me some advice when the
topic turned to my wife and me expecting our first child in December. “Being a parent is the ultimate crapshoot,” I remember him saying. “You try your best and hope everything turns out OK.” Five years into parenthood and two little girls later, I feel like he summed up being a dad perfectly. It’s eye opening how you live and learn while raising kids. Aubree, our oldest, is in her first year of kindergarten. We tried our best to prepare her for that -- reading to her religiously and taking her to early-childhood education programs. The hope is that prepared her both academically and socially.
Often when I drop her off at school, I remind her to be nice to everybody. “Daddy, I know,” she says with an eye roll. “You don’t have to tell me all the time.” I hope she’s right, but I remember what childhood can be like. I went through a stage where I was insecure and felt the best way for me to avoid being the kid who others picked on was to pick on a few kids myself. It did not last long after elementary school, but I
still think about it after having kids. I don’t want her to be that way -- to lack the confidence to just be herself. So far, Aubree’s teacher tells us she is doing great. Still a little shy, but if it’s anything like at home, she’ll open up as time goes on. Five years went by in the blink of an eye. If feels like she is much more on her own now. Here’s to hoping we pointed her in the right direction.
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Try these two wines for the
holidays By Al Edenloff
W
ith the holiday season approaching, food options abound. Turkey, ham or a roast typically takes center stage, along with a myriad of side dishes – potatoes that are scalloped, mashed, baked or riced; stuffing in the bird, outside the bird, slow-cooked or on the stovetop; vegetables of every variety; and seasonal specialties like cranberries, lefse, herring, or green bean casserole. A special meal deserves a special accompaniment – why not wine? With such a dizzying array of food options, it may seem impossible to find a wine that
will provide a good pairing for everything. That’s 100 percent correct. That’s why you shouldn’t even bother to try. Instead of stressing out over what kind of wine to bring to the table, simplify the options to two – Pinot Noir for those who like red and a Chardonnay for those who prefer white. Both wines are very versatile and you should be able to find plenty of delectable pairings to complement your holiday feast. Some favorite holiday pairings for Pinot – duck, pork, pastas, steak, braised meat and stews, salmon and other seafood, grilled vegetables,
and even game such as venison. A lighter Pinot from Oregon also sips well with turkey. Pinot also works well with a variety of cooking styles – whether you’re using sauces that feature earthy, rustic vegetables or bright-red fruits like cranberry, cherry or plum. Chardonnay is also a flexible choice to bring to your holiday table. It pairs deliciously with crab and prawns, grilled fish, simply seasoned poultry (think turkey with thyme and
rosemary) corn, bread sauce, butternut squash, sweet potatoes and more. Try a glazed ham, with yellow mustard as part of the glaze, with a Chardonnay. If fried chicken is on the menu, try it with an unoaked Chard. Wine can do something else at your holiday table – provide the perfect opportunity to offer a special toast to friends, family and the blessings of the holiday season.
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Enjoy these holiday MOCKTAILS By Lori Mork Are you hosting a holiday party this year? If so, thrill your guests
with the option of a non-alcoholic drink. Tasty and trendy, these drinks don’t sacrifice taste or a festive look. They’re a great option.
Christmas Mojito
INGREDIENTS: 8 oz. fresh cranberries 1 cup sugar 1 cup water 1 large lime Mint leaves (to taste) Lemon-lime soft drink
DIRECTIONS: Add cranberries, water and sugar to a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, cooking for 10-12 minutes, or until syrup is dark pink. Remove from heat; cool. Wet the top of the glass and dip in plain or colored sugar.
Add mint leaves and half the lime, cut into wedges. Muddle mint leaves and lime. To muddle, press down lightly with a muddler or end of a rolling pin or wooden spoon, gently twisting. Do not completely crush the mint or you will get a bitter or grassy taste. You should be able to smell the mint in the air. Carefully add ice to the glass, taking care not to knock the sugar from the rim, then pour in 2 Tbsp. of cranberry syrup. Fill the glass with lemon-lime soft drink. Mix together and garnish as desired.
White Christmas Punch INGREDIENTS 2 cups cream of coconut 2 cups pineapple juice 3 cups white cranberry juice 4 cups ice OPTIONAL: 3 Tbsp. corn syrup 1/2 cup shredded coconut
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INSTRUCTIONS Pour all ingredients into a blender. Blend until smooth. Pour drink into glasses. Garnish with more coconut and cranberries if desired. OPTIONAL: Dip glass rims into corn syrup, then dip into shredded coconut. Serves: 12-16
ANDY’S CHOICE:
Porter or Stout? What’s the difference? By Andy Mellgren Porter? Stout? What are they and who came first? The history between the two begins in the 18th century in England. Out of the pubs of jolly old London in the late 1700s the porter, a dark, medium-bodied beer, which had lots of malty goodness began to show up. The term “porter” was given to these dark brown beers which were preferred by the local street and river porters. As the years went by and roasted barley became widely available with the passing of the Free Mash Tun Act in 1880, brew masters started tweaking recipes, adding different ingredients and boosting the alcohol content, and the stout was on the scene. That’s right, a stout is simply a stouter version of a porter. In fact, originally stouts were called “stout porter.”
Today there is still some confusion because a lot of craft brewers brew porters that are stronger than stouts, and stouts that are weaker than some porters. The main difference is the kind of malt that should be used to brew each type of beer. Porters use malted barley and stouts are primarily made from un-malted roasted barley, which is where the coffee flavor most people associate with stout comes from. There are full bodied porters and medium bodied stouts out there. Regardless these two dark beer styles do have distinct characteristics. Here is a direct comparison between two of the most popular dark beer styles. Stout – Generally dark and full in body with a roasted barley taste. Stouts come in a few unique substyles; a dry stout, sweet/cream stout, oatmeal stout, and imperial stout. The most common being the
dry Irish stout, which was made famous by Guinness and is from Ireland. Typically has a distinct coffee-like taste. Porter – Generally dark and medium in body with a good balance of malty sweetness to hop bitterness. Porters have a few unique substyles; a brown porter, robust porter and a Baltic porter are most common. They are malty up front with characters of dark fruit, raisins, and toffee coming through. I hope I helped alleviate any confusion you may have had! The classic stout & porter food pairing is with oysters or better yet chowder with oysters and scallops. Not your thing? Any stew – beef or venison. Pot pies ... Dark chocolates or any chocolate really. Anything BBQ. Or simply enjoy with a dish of vanilla ice cream. Yep. Vanilla ice cream. Cheers!
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! d e r i p s In Ornamentini Holiday
By Lori Mork
Looking for a little festive inspiration for your next holiday party? Then look no further than this holiday ornamentini! Pinterest gave me this unique way to serve a a colorful cocktail and you can use whatever recipe you enjoy. There were several that looked good, but I selected a cosmopolitan martini.
Martini glasses, clear ornaments, fresh rosemary springs and sugared cranberries are all you need along with the drink ingredients. NOTE: To serve the drinks, only fill the ornaments around 75-90 percent full and pour into the glass very slowly to prevent spills.
HOLIDAY ORNAMENTINI (COSMOPOLITAN) Makes 4 drinks ments that have been rinsed. INGREDIENTS: You can replace the topper 1 cup vodka on each ornament. The drinks 1/4 cup triple sec, Grand can be poured into ornaments Marnier or Cointreau and refrigerated until it’s time 1/3 cup cranberry juice to serve. cocktail Add sugared cranberries 2-4 Tbsp. fresh lime juice and a rosemary sprig with a few cranberries threaded onto DIRECTIONS: them to four martini glasses. Stir and adjust taste. Using Set the ornament in the glass a funnel, pour the mixture into to serve. Pour liquid slowly four 3-inch clear glass orna- over the cranberries.
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SUGARED CRANBERRIES INGREDIENTS: 2 cups sugar, divided 1 (12-ounce) bag fresh cranberries
Working in batches, roll cranberries in remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar until well coated; let dry for at least 1 hour.
DIRECTIONS: Combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in cranberries until well coated. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to wire rack; let dry for at least 1 hour.
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investment moves
Time to think about year-end By Andrew Holte
W
e’ve still got a couple of months left in 2018, but it’s not too soon to start thinking about some year-end investment moves that might benefit you. Add to your IRA. For the 2018 tax year, you can put up to $5,500 into your traditional or Roth IRA (assuming you are eligible), or $6,500 if you’re 50 or older. If you haven’t reached this limit, consider adding some money. You have until April 15, 2019, to contribute to your IRA for 2018, but why wait until the last minute? Increase your 401(k) contributions. You already may be investing in your 401(k) or similar employersponsored retirement plan, but you might be able to bump up your contributions
for the rest of the year, if it’s allowed. Of course, you should always put in enough to earn your employer’s matching contribution, if one is offered. Take your RMDs. If you are 70-1/2 or older, you must start taking withdrawals – called required minimum distributions, or RMDs – from your traditional IRA and your 401(k) or similar retirement plan. Generally, you must take these RMDs by December 31 every year. But if you turned 70-1/2 in 2018, you can wait until April 1, 2019, until you take your first RMD. However, you will then have to take a second RMD (the one for age 71) by December 31, 2019. Taking two RMDs in one year could give you an unexpectedly large taxable income for the year, possibly bumping you into a higher tax bracket
and affecting the amount of your Social Security benefits subject to taxes. So, if you are considering delaying your first RMD, consult with your tax advisor. Make changes in response to life events. In 2018, did you experience a major life event, such as a marriage, divorce or addition of a child? Or did you change jobs or retire? Any of these events could lead you to adjust your investment plans, so now may be the time to do so, possibly with the help of a financial professional. Review your investment mix. It’s a good idea to review your investment mix yearly to ensure it’s still suitable for your goals and risk tolerance. Sometimes, even without your taking any action, your portfolio might change in unexpected
ways. For example, suppose you wanted your portfolio to contain 60 percent stocks and 40 percent bonds and other investments. After a period of rising prices, though, the value of your stocks may have increased so much that they now occupy 65 percent of your portfolio – which means you may be taking on more risk than you had originally intended. Consequently, you may need to rebalance your portfolio to get back to your original 60 percent to 40 percent ratios. (Keep in mind that these figures are just for illustration; everyone’s ideal portfolio mix will depend on their individual situations.) These aren’t the only yearend moves you may want to consider, but they can help you close out 2018 on a positive note.
Christmas Goodies! No time to bake, but want goodies to serve your guests? Let the staff at Luther Crest bake for you! Pies .......................... $10/pie Dutch Apple Pecan French Silk Bakers’ Choice 4 dozen cookies and candies ................ $2400 2.5 dozen cookies and candies .................$1500 Candies ............. $625/dozen Chocolate Fudge (no nuts) Peanut Butter Cups Snowballs Nut Goodies
Specialty ......... 8 /dozen Sweet & Salty Nuts (8 oz.) Salted Nut Bars $
50
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Breads ...................$650/loaf Cranberry Orange Nut Lemon Poppyseed Pumpkin Nut Caramel Rolls (petite) Banana Cookie Dough .............. $850 1.5 lb. (approx. 2 dozen) Chocolate Chip Ginger Monster
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Cookies .............$550/dozen Russian Tea Cakes Peanut Blossoms Christmas Cut-Outs Thumb Prints Spritz, Plain Spritz, Dipped Almond Crescents Monster Cookies Chocolate Cherries Cranberry Hotty Creeks Andes Candies Cookies
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The best Christmas gift By Karen Tolkkinen
How do you feel about the upcoming Christmas shopping season? Dull resignation? Giddy anticipation? Maybe you worry about money, or finding the time to shop, or finding just the right thing. One way to ground ourselves during this time is to think back to meaningful gifts we have received over our lifetimes and consider what made them special. For me, the best gift ever was something inexpensive and simple: a journal. My mom bought it for me when I was in seventh grade. It was spring green, with a picture of a horse on the front, tea-colored pages and, best of all, a lock. I poured my heart onto those pages: my crushes (in code, in case someone picked the lock), adventures, dreams and opinions.
Curious, I surveyed my friends on social media to find out what their most meaningful Christmas gifts have been. One mentioned a mother’s ring that included her birthstone and that of her husband. Other answers: a first bike, a marble chess set, a handmade quilt from mom, a necklace charm with a grandson’s picture, a grandfather’s watch. An amazing fabric artist said that her most meaningful gift was a Wonder bread bag full of beautiful fabric scraps which she received as a child. OTHER REPLIES From Brittany Springer, a Henning dairy farmer: Canned goods from a family member. “She didn’t have much to give but knowing how much time and love
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goes in to canning made it very personal,” Springer wrote. From Angela Hinton, who lives on the West Coast: A thank-you letter from her teenage son, Javon. “Thank you for sixteen years of unconditional love,” he wrote to her. “Thank you for singing to me every night when I was younger ... Thank you for praying over me each night, too. Thank you for doing your best.” From Tiffany Crawford Klett, who lives in the Twin Cities: “My husband made a video last Christmas for me chronicling Parker’s journey to saying ‘mom.’ Parker is on the autism spectrum so this was quite the accomplishment. I still cry every time I watch it.” From Connie Baggett, an Alabama writer: A tool set from her mom. “Now I see it as a metaphor,” Baggett said. “She gave me the tools I need to live a good life. And to fix the actual faucet when it needs it.” From Maureen Smith, also a Southern writer: Jewelry boxes her father made for her two daughters.
“As soon as he gave them to the girls Christmas Eve I knew it would be our last Christmas together,” she wrote. “I don’t even know why it hit me at that moment, but it helped me treasure every second we had together. Those wooden boxes will be heirlooms for generations to come.” And finally, from Denise in Colorado, who grew up with many siblings in Minnesota: A red dress with a dropped waist and a blue and white sash. “This was during a very lean year when my dad had been laid off a lot,” she wrote. “I was old enough to know what that meant for our family and hadn’t expected anything more than a few stocking stuffers. I wore that dress even after it got too short by wearing shorts under it!” People complain – sometimes rightly so – that the holidays have been taken over by commercialism. These stories attest that the simplest gifts are often the ones that will be treasured for a lifetime.
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Thank You for voting us among the Best in Eye Care in the Lakes Area!
Left to right: Traci Ness, Lisa Bous, Dr. Thomas Keene, Nancy Keene, Jeanette Hansen. Not Pictured: Dr. April Austing.
Serving the area for over 45 Years !
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Providing • comprehensive eye exams • contact lens care & fitting • treatment of medical eye conditions • post operative care Great selection of frames, lens options and conatct lenses November/December 2018 Chicz
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Want to put up a Christmas Here are some tips
By Celeste Edenloff When it comes to Christmas villages, one might call Michelle Weller an expert. Although she’s only been putting hers up for three years, her village consists of roughly 70 main pieces like houses, cabins, stores, barns, churches and hotels, along with dozens – if not hundreds – of accessories like people, cars, trees, huts, trains, animals and more. Weller, who lives in Osakis, said she would have to work non-stop for four days to create her masterpiece. But, because she works on it in the evenings after work, it takes
her almost two full weeks. She uses a mixture of brands, including Dept. 56, Lemax and St. Nicholas Square, and tries to purchase her pieces after Christmas because they are on sale or she finds them at garage sales. “Every year I have to check out what’s new and I always end up purchasing more because I need it for my town,” she said. Weller explained how she puts up her village and offered tips to those thinking about putting up their own Christmas village. Here is what she had to say: If using a backdrop, like something to look like the night sky, put that up first. Weller has a false ceiling, so she attaches the fabric by
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village?
using thread tied to a paper clip and then uses one end to hook it under the ceiling tile. She said tape works, too. Tables should be arranged in a pattern that suits the area. She attaches powerstrips under the tables using zip ties and then covers each table with a tablecloth – linen or plastic. If your village is to include mountains, she suggested putting boxes under the table cloths to give the mountains some extra height. If adding a waterfall to the scene, like she does, Weller said to visualize where it should be first and what it is going to look like. She advised cutting slits in a piece of cardboard to weave battery operated LED micro lights back and forth. She said it’s best to use
blue lights under sheer fabric to mimic water. Arrange the fabric on top of the lights and then at the bottom of the waterfall, she makes a ledge out of a small box and puts more of the lights along with the fabric and then puts very small, clear beads on top of the fabric to make it look like ice. She uses garland to edge out the waterfall. The bigger pieces, like houses and other buildings, should be placed next. Once the village looks the way she wants it, Wellers works on the lights. She found that lights specifically designed for houses work best. She likes to use a light strand with five or six bulbs on it because it will cut down on the amount of cords under the table.
Some of the pieces have their own light bulb strand that plug into the house or other building. She tries to group these types together because they cannot be used on the special strand of lights. Weller tapes down the lights under snow she adds because it helps lighten up the village, but said to make sure not to tape down the bulbs. In areas that she feels needs more lights, such as the ski hill to make the skiers stand out, she will put even more lights. Once the town and lights are placed, she says it is time for snow, snow and more snow. She uses what is called buffalo snow, which can be stretched to thin it out if needed. Snow can be added under the pieces or around them. Weller finds putting the snow around is better. The last items to be added are the accessories like trees, cars and people. Weller said she likes to imagine she is in the village she created, which helps her place the items. The last step, she said, is to sprinkle loose fake snow over the entire village to create the illusion of freshly fallen snow.
Weller also mentioned that if people want to add streets to their villages or make parking lots, there are rolls of “fake” roads people can purchase that look like brick or stone. She uses a large piece of the roll and cuts it into strips for the road. For a parking lot, she uses a larger square and uses white tape to make lines for the cars to park. When Weller was little, her mom, Sue McDougald, and her grandma, Evelyn McDougald, would put a Christmas village under the Christmas tree and she would just lay on the ground staring at it with her sister, Christie Minnick. She fell in love with it and knew when she was older, she would have her own Christmas village. “I love to use my imagination when building my town and I love the creativity of it,” said Weller, who noted that she not only puts up her own village, but she goes down to Rochester every year to put one up for her sister.
Photos contributed by L.M. Mesmer Photography
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Colors are chameleons How many of you thought you picked the “perfect” color for your last paint project, only to be sadly disappointed? Buttery Yellow should have been named Eternal Sunshine and the blue you picked is meant for a nursery, not a master bedroom! For some, picking a color is a walk in the park, for others it’s a never-ending nightmare! So, what is the trick in finding the color that works great for a room you are about to paint? It’s all about the lighting. Colors are chameleons. So, the color you see in the morning in your kitchen is totally different than the one you see when you are making supper that night. Colors change because of the amount of light and angle coming from the sun, and the type of light bulb you use. Here are some things to consider the next time you are choosing colors. North facing rooms will have a cool/bluish light. Lighter colors will help the room feel more open and less shadowed, and warmer, brighter colors will balance out
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the coolness. South facing rooms have a warm and sunny light. Dark colors will look brighter, light ones will glow and cool colors will balance out the yellowness of the sunlight. Rooms that have exposure to the west are the ones that will change drastically throughout the day. In the morning, the color will have shadows and look dull. In the afternoon it will have strong, warm light. Use neutral colors if you are looking for a more balanced feeling. East facing rooms will be have a warm and yellow light in the morning and turn bluer later in the day. A mix of warm and cool colors will help even out the changes. Another influence to consider is the type of light bulbs you are using. If you love the color during the day but hate it as soon as you turn the lights on, try changing out the type of light bulb. This may be all you need to do to solve the problem instead of repainting the room. One way to help you know for sure
By Sherrie Martinson what is going to happen to your color is to buy a sample quart. Most paint stores carry these and it is an inexpensive way to make a mistake. Paint the areas that you are concerned about and see if the color still works, if not, you now have a reference to go by. Remember, these are used to choose a color and will need to be top-coated once you find the right color. I hope this helps make it a little easier for the next time you are ready to tackle a paint project. Happy painting!!
Decorating for
&
fall winter
By Betty Ravnik
As the days lengthen and the weather changes, we Minnesotans redirect our attention to inside our home. Gone are the comforts of green grass and blooming flowers. Now we look to our home’s interior to feed our soul. So just how do we do that? Let me share my interior design tips. Starting with a base that will take you through the cool-
er seasons and the variety of holidays can help reduce the stress of decorating. Using a less-is-more approach makes decorating easier. Your home looks finished even when you are cycling your holiday decorations in and out. Here are some of my favorite ways to create the base. Nothing says cozy like a fire but not all of us have a fireplace so the next best thing, and often better solution, is candles. I love the battery operated models for a variety of reasons. They come on automatically, you can tuck them in, around and high above where you wouldn’t normally use candles, and they aren’t dangerous! I use them on my front step to welcome me home, in cabinets to add interest, and among table displays to add height and sparkle.
My other go-to is using ornaments, gourds, acorns, and pine cones in unusual ways for a quick and easy punch of color, texture and interest. Take the items and fill tall glass vases, hang them from light fixtures, and even antlers if you have those in your home. Another way to bring in interest and color to any arrangement is to spray paint tree branches which give a unique twist to a natural element. Cozying up the space can be as easy as swapping out your summer pillows and throws with luscious velvets and wools in autumn colors. Or try adding more books as decorations.
Winter is when we have more time to read so set the scene for an inviting look. Plus the use of wood containers or wicker baskets, filled with fall or winter themed items, add additional warmth and texture to a room. We have a lot in common with Scandinavian countries and it isn’t just our heritage. We have long, dark winters. Their tip is to brighten the interior with light colors to reflect the natural and artificial light. Another way to do this is with mirrors. The light bounces off reflective surfaces and lifts the spirits. Mirrors also do marvelous job of reflecting the magical family gatherings that the season brings.
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By Melanie Danner KIDS BULLET JOURNALS SUPPLIES: Notebooks Washable markers Pen/Pencils Stickers Embellishments
SECRET SNOWMAN CONTAINERS SUPPLIES: Plastic containers with lids. (We used snack containers) Cotton balls Construction paper or foam Scissors Glue/glue gun
INSTRUCTIONS: Break up the cotton balls. Glue the cotton to the outside of the container and let dry. Add the eyes, nose, and mouth. Glue a strip of black and a rectangle to the lid. A perfect place to hide winter treasures!
INSTRUCTIONS: Explain to your kids this is a book just for them to capture all their ideas, to do lists, projects, wish lists, etc. Help them design a page or two and let them go to town. Before you know it, the next month is full of things they want to do.
PIPE CLEANER WREATHS SUPPLIES: Pipe cleaners Scissors Seriously, that’s it!!! INSTRUCTIONS: Make a circle with a
GLOW IN THE DARK HOLIDAY ORNAMENTS SUPPLIES: Plastic bulb ornaments Acrylic art paint (We used, glitter, red, green, and glow in the dark) Marbles
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INSTRUCTIONS: Insert marbles into the ornaments. Add drops of paint. Let the kids swirl, shake and dance with the ornaments. Dump out the marbles and let dry.
pipe cleaner and twist to secure. Twist on additional ones to add color. Add another for a loop. So easy and fun!
DIY Holiday scent jars
There’s nothing better than the aromas at the holidays – fresh pine, cinnamon and cloves, vanilla and so many more. Here’s an easy do-it-yourself idea that not only smells good, but looks terrific as well. If these scents don’t interest you, try your own combinations!
SUPPLIES: Glass jars Orange, cinnamon sticks, cloves Lemon, rosemary, vanilla beans Orange, cranberries, pine twigs DIRECTIONS: Slice your oranges and/or lemons. Combine ingredients in glass jars to give them a pleasant look. Fill the jars with warm water. This will create a light, fresh and slightly sweet aroma in the room. You can make these scent jars ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use them.
OPTIONAL: If you want your scents to have a stronger aroma, combine the ingredients and water in a small pan. Bring to a boil, then lower the temperature to a simmer. Make sure to keep an eye on the water level as it evaporates. SAVING PENNIES: If you want to save some money on these natural room scents, after you eat an orange or use lemon juice, save the citrus rinds in the refrigerator to use in place of the fruit slices.
BRINGING YOU
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Between the Book Club review
A Redbird Christmas
by Fannie Flagg
A
favorite Christmas read of our book club through the years was A Redbird Christmas, written by Fannie Flag. Originally published in 2004, it was a New York Times bestseller. Flag is best known for her book, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Café, which was later turned into the popular movie Fried Green Tomatoes. A Redbird Christmas tells the story of Oswald Campbell, who is diagnosed with emphysema and told he won’t live until Christmas if he doesn’t leave Chicago for a healthier climate. From a brochure, he chooses to move to Lost River, Alabama, a small town with only one grocery store, a group of widows who stay busy doing good deeds “anonymously” through the Royal Polka Dots Secret Society, and a resident redbird named Jack, nursed back from an injury by the local store clerk. Oswald quits drinking and smoking and takes up painting and bird watching. Meanwhile, the widow Frances Cleverdon takes it upon herself to get Oswald
involved in the community, while also trying to set him up with her quirky sister, Mildred. She soon focuses on another mission, however, when a crippled girl named Patsy shows up in need of some love, attention, and an operation. The Royal Polka Dots come to the rescue, holding rummage sales, bake sales and fish fries to raise money for the operation. As Christmas approaches, everyone – even the feuding Creoles who live on the other side of the river – rally around Patsy, who has captured their hearts. Of course, the story ends with a Christmas miracle. Readers may want to be annoyed by the pure goodness of the characters in this fairytale community, but it isn’t possible to be anything but charmed by this story. There is gushy happiness, unconditional love, wrongs turned to rights, enemies becoming friends, and more that could tempt you to toss this book aside as too sentimental, but you simply won’t be able to put it down.
“A REDBIRD CHRISTMAS”
Rated 7.2 Reviewed by the “Between the Wines” Book Club
This heartwarming story is perfect for the holidays. It reminds us to slow down and savor what matters, and of the importance of being good neighbors. Flagg writes with an uncanny sense of humor, and many laughs will be had as you meet the characters and settle into life in this quaint town.
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The benefits of reading By Dawn Dailey When was the last time you got so lost in a great book that you couldn’t put it down? Do your daily reading habits center around Facebook updates, Twitter, lnstagram or the writing on the back of your cereal box? If you’re one of many people who don’t make a habit of reading regularly, you are missing out. There are many reason to read but here are just a few to ponder. Mental stimulation: Studies show that mental stimulation can (or possibly) prevent Alzheimer’s and dementia. Reading exercises your brain. Stress reduction: Reading helps you to relax and slip away into a great story or transports you to a different place. Just a few minutes a day can reduce your stress level significantly. Knowledge: Everyone
every day can benefit from more knowledge. You’ll find yourself better equipped to face life’s challenges. Vocabulary expansion: The more you read the better your vocabulary becomes. With vocabulary comes confidence and self-esteem. Memory improvement: When reading, you need to keep track of your characters and where they come from, who they are related to and how plots weave together. Every new memory forces new synapses (brain pathways) while strengthening existing ones, helping with short-term memory recall and stabilizing your mood. Stronger analytical thinking skills: Have you ever read a book and think you know “whodunit” before you have finished the book? Analytical
thinking helps you take notes of all the details provided and sorting them out to determine “whodunit.” Improved focus and concentration: Did you know that if you read for 10-15 minutes in the car before work or on your lunch break that when you return to work you will be more focused on the tasks of your job? When reading a book you focus all your attention on the details of the book and your focus is on the story. This holds true to your work for the day. Better writing skills: By exposing yourself to different
styles of writing you will find yourself writing better. Musicians and painters use the techniques of others to help them better their own skills. Tranquility: Reading can bring an inner peace and relaxation to you. You can find everything you need for your reading enjoyment at your local library – books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, books on CD as well as programs for adults and children. And the best part? It’s all free. Just remember to return your items on time!
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great reads
Gifts for the book
M
By Kathleen Pohlig
any of us find that books make the perfect gift at Christmas or any other special occasion. You can find a huge variety of books for every age and on almost any topic from bugs to biography, from fossils to fiction, from humor to history, from memoirs to mystery, from potty training to poetry, from board books to baking, from travel to technology etc. Some of the titles that are new this fall and winter from popular authors that you might consider are:
FOR FICTION LOVERS:
Virgil Wander by Leif Enger. A marvelous story set in a tiny town on the shores of Lake Superior. The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton. The story of a love affair and mysterious murder set in 1860s England to the present. Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver. Intertwined narra-
lover on your list tives of two families living in the same New Jersey home 100 years apart. Every Breath by Nicholas Sparks. A heart-wrenching tale of fate and circumstance involving an American trauma nurse and a safari guide from Zimbabwe. Desolation Mountain by William Kent Krueger. Another great Cork O’Connor mystery by one of Minnesota’s most beloved authors. Juror #3 by James Patterson. A young female attorney defends an African American college football star accused of the murder of a prominent local woman. A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult. An ordinary day turns into crisis when a women’s reproductive health clinic is attacked.
FOR BIOGRAPHY, HISTORY AND NON-FICTION READERS:
Ruth Bader Ginsburg – A Life by Sherron DeHart. Leadership in Turbulent Times by Doris Kearns Goodwin Big Week: The Biggest Air Battle of WWII by James Holland In Pieces by Sally Field
Brief Answers to Big Questions by Stephen Hawking Rachel Hollis’ book, Girl, Wash Your Face, has been a hot seller ever since its release last winter. It would be a great gift, along with a ticket to hear her speak at the Performing Arts Center at the Alexandria Area High School on January 21. The book is full of wit and wisdom to help readers break free from the lies keeping them from the joy-filled and exuberant life they are meant to live. Books perfect for infants all the way up to young adults are charming, inspiring, thought provoking, and entertaining. Keep those kids reading!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Celebrate any occasion!
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32 Chicz November/December 2018
Have a healthy
COMMITTED TO
Family & Community FOR THE PAST 89 YEARS
holiday season
As the holiday season rolls around, make sure everyone is ready to enjoy the festivities by making health and safety a priority. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC. gov) have tips for making your holiday season a good one.
Wash hands often to help prevent the spread of germs. It’s flu season. Wash your hands with soap and clean running water for at least 20 seconds. Bundle up to stay dry and warm. Wear appropriate outdoor clothing: light, warm layers, gloves, hats, scarves, and waterproof boots. Manage stress. Give yourself a break if you feel stressed out, overwhelmed, and out of control. Some of the best ways to manage stress are to find support, connect socially, and get plenty of sleep. Don’t drink and drive or let others drink and drive. Whenever anyone drives drunk, they put everyone on the road in danger. Choose not to drink and drive and help others do the same. Get your vaccinations. Vaccinations help prevent diseases and save lives. Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year.
Be smoke-free. Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke. Smokers have greater health risks because of their tobacco use, but nonsmokers also are at risk when exposed to tobacco smoke. Fasten seat belts while driving or riding in a motor vehicle. Always buckle your children in the car using a child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt according to their height, weight, and age. Buckle up every time. Monitor children. Keep potentially dangerous toys, food, drinks, household items, and other objects out of children’s reach. Protect them from drowning, burns, falls, and other potential accidents. Prepare food safely. Remember these simple steps: Wash hands and surfaces often, avoid cross-contamination, cook foods to proper temperatures and refrigerate foods promptly. Eat healthy, stay active. Eat fruits and vegetables which pack nutrients and help lower the risk for certain diseases. Limit your portion sizes and foods high in fat, salt, and sugar. Also, be active for at least 2½ hours a week and help kids and teens be active for at least 1 hour a day. November/December 2018 Chicz
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CROSSWORD
DECEMBER HOLIDAYS WORD SEARCH
CLUES ACROSS 1. Scottish lawyer (abbr.) 4. __-bo: exercise system 7. When you hope to get there 8. Jewish spiritual leader 10. Long, pointed tooth 12. Hillsides 13. Scandinavian god 14. Keyboard key 16. Indian title of respect 17. The end 19. Shaft horsepower (abbr.) 20. Domesticated animals 21. The gridiron 25. Disfigure 26. Central processing unit 27. Get in _ __: fight 29. Jacob __, US journalist 30. One point north of due west 31. He said, __ said 32. Where people live 39. Sheep noises 41. The ocean 42. Packers’ QB Rodgers 43. One who buys and sells at the same time 44. Place to get cash 45. Dog’s name 46. Aviation enthusiast 48. Plant of the lily family 49. Larval crustaceans 50. Brooklyn hoopster 51. Military force ready to move quickly (abbr.) 52. Make an effort
SUDOKU
AFRICA BIRTH BLESSING CANDLES CELEBRATION CORN DREIDEL EIGHT EVE FAITHFUL GELT HALLEL
HANUKKIYAH HARAMBEE IMANI KISLEV KUJICHAGULIA KUUMBA KWANZAA LATKES LIGHTS MACCABEE MENORAH MIRACLE
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NIA OIL PARTY REDEDICATION RELIGION RESOLUTION SHAMASH SUFGANIYOT TEMPLE UJIMA UMOJA YULE
CLUES DOWN 1. Set back 2. Flat 3. Place to gamble 4. Dark liquid 5. Mortified 6. Famed movie critic 8. Corpuscle count (abbr.) 9. Egyptian goddess 11. Type of garment 14. Extremely high frequency 15. More peppery 18. The big game (abbr.) 19. Single Lens Reflex 20. In addition 22. In the company of 23. Order’s partner 24. Upon 27. Dazzles 28. Baseball stat 29. The 17th letter of the Greek alphabet 31. Helps little firms 32. Arrested 33. Haw’s partner 34. Expresses surprise 35. Stumblebums 36. Align relative to points on a compass 37. LA ballplayer 38. Showing disapproval toward 39. ‘Diamonds & Rust’ singer 40. Protects the wearer’s body 44. Yes vote 47. British Air Aces
HOROSCOPES for November
ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 You are back on track in various ways. Friendships get pushed to the forefront. If you are looking to make new connections, you’ll make them.
LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 You have to pull back and recuperate if you have been pushing yourself too hard; otherwise, your health can suffer. Economize your energy for fun things.
SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Wealth is not only measured in your financial resources, but also in close personal relationships. Surround yourself with loved ones this week.
TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 If you can find balance in your daily schedule, satisfaction will flow all week long. Start implementing new strategies to get on task and any stress will dissipate.
VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 While you can’t help but worry if you have enough material and resources to make a project succeed, dwelling too much on it will get you nowhere fast.
CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 You are determined to make a mark for yourself by finishing an important task, and you have your eyes on the prize.
GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Your work life may seem like it is all over the place. It could be because you haven’t established separated career and family. Try not to overlap the two often.
LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 If you play your cards right, you may look back on this week with a big smile on your face. Something that has required a lot of attention is no longer a burden.
AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Don’t hold back this week, even if your mind starts to wonder. A vivid imagination may help you answer some questions and revitalize your spirit.
CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Your recent plan to flex some creativity must fit in with family life. Why not get a spouse or children involved with the process? It can be a group effort.
SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 You will soon start to feel like you have the stamina and motivation to make things happen at home. Now is the perfect time to start some projects.
PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Self-doubt and confusion try to edge their way in, but you won’t let them. If you stick with positive companions, you’ll be in a good frame of mind.
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Thanksgiving in the U.S. is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, and many families enjoy the historic traditions of the holiday. Here are some some of the common traditions of Thanksgiving Day. TRAVEL Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day of the year as many people gather together from long distances to celebrate, whether by car, train or plane. THE FEAST Traditional foods such as turkey, stuffing, gravy, sweet potatoes, cornbread, mashed potatoes and cranberries are a big part of Thanksgiving. And
TRADITIONS
don’t forget the pie! Pumpkin, apple and sweet potato are the most traditional. VEGETARIAN FOODS For those who are vegetarian, many prepare vegetarian turkey made from tofu, or substitute squash, salads, fruit and vegetables for the traditional meal.
THE WISHBONE Wishing on the turkey wishbone is a popular tradition. Attached to the breast meat, the turkey wishbone is dried. Two people then hold each end of the bone, make a wish and pull. The person with the largest piece will have their wish granted.
HELPING OTHERS Many people make it a tradition to help the less fortunate, participating in food drives, donating to shelters or serving food at a special event. MACY’S PARADE AND FOOTBALL The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will celebrate its 94th birthday this year, having begun in 1924. Many families make it a tradition to watch the marching bands, floats and giant balloons on TV. Watching football following the meal is another tradition in families.
DID YOU KNOW? On October 3, 1863, at the height of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln issued a Thanksgiving Day proclamation encouraging Americans “in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea, and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.” Thanksgiving has been celebrated in the United States ever since.
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For all Your Holidays! ON LOCAL NEWSTANDS PUBLICATION OF ECHO PRESS
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a Magazine for FUN women!
contributing writers
Eric Morken
Andrew Holte
Eric Morken of Alexandria is a husband, father, sports editor and outdoor enthusiast.
Andrew Holte is a financial advisor for Edward Jones, Member SIPC.
Jeff Beach has spent a lifetime on the The Jeff Beach Diet and is still kickin’. Jeff Beach
Ross Evavold
Andy Mellgren
Al Edenloff
Lori Mork
Ross Evavold is the editor of the Echo Press newspaper.
Al Edenloff of Alexandria and his wife, Celeste, were married in the heart of California wine country and enjoy sipping wine on their weekend date nights.
Lori Mork of Lowry is a mother, grandmother and dabbler in all things food, photography and decor related.
38 Chicz November/December 2018
Sherrie Martinson is the Paint and Finishing Expert at Hilltop Lumber in Alexandria. Sherrie has more than 20 years of experience working with homeowners and professionals. Sherry Martinson
Kathleen Pohlig
Andy Mellgren is the Director of Operations for Plaza and Downtown Liquor.
Writer Karen Tolkkinen lives in Otter Tail County with her husband, their son, and a cat. Journal writing has turned into a lifelong hobby, and she has filled a small mountain of them. She also works as a Karen Tolkkinen reporter and copy editor for the Echo Press.
Kathleen Pohlig is owner of Cherry Street Books in Alexandria.
Melanie Danner of Alexandria is an at-home mother and craft lover. Melanie Danner
Sara Carlson
Betty Ravnik
Betty Ravnik of Alexandria is the owner of Ravnik & Co, (a gift, furniture and home dĂŠcor store) previous interior design instructor and avid gardener.
Lowell Anderson is a photographer at the Echo Press newspaper. Lowell Anderson
The Between the Wines Book Club was founded in 2003 by a group of Alexandria area women who enjoy reading, friendship and wine. Between the Wines
Celeste Edenloff
Sara Carlson is the mayor of Alexandria.
Dawn Dailey is the Library Director for the Douglas County Library. Dawn Dailey
Celeste is a reporter for the Alexandria Echo Press (1999-2011, 2016-now) and lived in the Alexandria area since 1997, reporting on the community she calls home. She enjoys running and has participated in more than 200 races with her husband, Al.
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Should I try to sell my home on my own or should I enlist the help of a REALTOR? The main reason a homeow ner usually chooses to sell on their own is to maximize their profit and not to pay a commission to a real est ate agent. However, there are that the For Sale By Owne pitfalls r (FSBO) could fall into.
1. A REALTOR is a memb er of the National Associ ation of REALTORS, where to abide by a Code of Eth in each member pledges ics, thus helping to insure that all parties to a transa honestly and fairly. ction are treated
2. Pricing a home can be far more challenging tha n most homeowners assum price their home based on e. The majority of sellers emotions as often the sel ler is too personally invest and is not objective in the ed in the situation ir thinking. A REALTOR, on the other hand, can pro based on a solid market ana vide an accurate value lysis, plus serve as a buff er between the homeowner facilitate successful negoti and buyers to ations and a resolution bot h parties can live with. 3. Your listing will not be seen by as many buyers. Rea l estate agents subscribe Service (MLS), which is the to their Multiple Listing n distributed far and wid e, including to sites such are thousands of agents try as Realtor.com®. There ing to sell your house wh en it is on the MLS, but wh only one person is trying en you do it alone, to sell your house—you. 4. REALTORS are trained to spot the difference bet ween a serious buyer and curious about what your someone who may be jus property looks like. Also t they are able to determine financial ability to purcha if a buyer has the se a home before that age nt takes them out to see you a FSBO, it would be more r property. As difficult to determine thi s before you let that buyer agent’s real estate compan in your front door. The y is also able to schedule showings of the property the homeowner to tidy up with enough time for and leave for that showin g. As a FSBO, the homeow to show the home to the pot ner would be required ential buyers, thus leavin g an uncomfortable feelin to how that showing would g with the buyer as be perceived by the homeow ner. How much should be from both the buyer and said or implied the seller? 5. REALTORS can also hel p guide a homeowner in what may be needed to get sale with the least amoun their property ready for t of time and expense. 6. Selling a house requires not only getting a home int o the possible shape to attr navigating through a my act buyers, it means riad of forms, document s and required disclosur REALTORS® have access e requirements. to all these required forms and serve as trusted adv and marketing stage thr isors through the listing ough the negotiating and closing process.
These are only a few of the reasons why hiring a REAL TOR to handle one of the largest investments you ha ve can be the best route to go. The Greater Alexandria Association of REALTORS ’s members are here to he lp and guide you. Please giv agent of your choice a ca e the ll!
Greater Alexandria Area Association of REALTORS®, Inc. Alexandria, MN 56308 320-762-2022 www.alexandriamnrealtors.com
November/December 2018 Chicz
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