GARDEN CENTER TOP SOIL
Any
MULCH
SHRUBS
HANGING BASKETS
Large Variety
IRON DECOR
Lawn & Garden Item Purchase LU #514
$
5
00
PERENNIALS
OFF
Purchase of $25 or more. Expires 6/30/10
LAWN ART
875 4th St. SW, Mason City
641-424-4181
MS-20134768 MS-20134768
2 ❖ WOW SPRING 2010
www.globegazette.com/wow
Contents Thinking of planting a garden this spring? Your harvest may be a bumper crop of better health for your whole family.
19
Photo courtesy of LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, GA
4 Dig in
7 One-pot wonders
4
Who needs a garden when you can get beautiful results in a container.
10 50 things to do
Can’t afford a big family trip this summer? Why not plan a variety of staycations and enjoy attractions and activities close to home.
12 Glasses? He needs what? Columnist Sethanne DeGabriele tells about discovering her son would be needing glasses.
26 Spoil yourself You spoil your family, but what about you? Here are 7 easy ways to spoil yourself this summer.
30 Packed! And out the door A meal strategy, complete with shopping list and recipes, to help you get on the way to fun, faster.
34 Get a job Whether you’re just out of college, recently laid off or just want to change careers, with the right strategy you can land your next job.
36 Go natural
13 Travel safe A few simple safety measures will keep you safe on vacation.
As the seasons change, so should our makeup routine. Follow our tips to wear makeup without looking made up.
16 Drink up! Try one of the many alternatives available for cow’s milk.
19 A mother, son adventure Mason City mom takes off on a monthlong adventure, field trip, bonding experience with her son.
13
24 Enjoy the trip You want to take a trip with your kids. But you want to stay sane AND enjoy the trip.
36
30
39 Avoid micromanaging kids Columnist Ann-Marie Berg discusses how to be involved in your child’s life without becoming a helicopter parent.
About Us EDITORIAL and BUSINESS OFFICE WOW magazine 300 N. Washington P.O. Box 271 Mason City, IA 50402-0271 800-421-0524 www.globegazette.com/wow Publisher: Howard Query 641-421-0507, howard.query@globegazette.com Editor: Joe Buttweiler 641-421-0542, joe.buttweiler@globegazette.com Advertising Director: Greg Wilderman 641-421-0545, greg.wilderman@globegazette.com Advertising Coordinator: Lynette Harrington 641-421-0586 lynette.harrington@lee.net Managing Editor: Karen Jacobs 641-421-0529, karen.jacobs@lee.net WOW is published four times a year by the Globe Gazette.
GLOBE GA Z E T T E
Major sponsor
www.globegazette.com/wow
WOW SPRING 2010 ❖ 3
Dig in Thinking of planting a garden this spring? Your harvest may be a bumper crop of better health for your whole family By KAREN JACOBS AND FAMILYFUN.COM Photographed and illustrated by KAREN JACOBS
IT ADDS NUTRITION TO YOUR DIET “If you put in vegetables, you know exactly what you’re eating,” said Karen Krieger, owner of Krieger’s Greenhouse and Garden Center in Mason City. When choosing your crops this spring, pick these favorites, which are both kidfriendly and super-nutritious: • Carrots. They’re high in vitamin A, fiber and carotenoids — powerful antioxidants that boost your immune system. • Tomatoes. “There is nothing like a fresh garden tomato,” said Annette Snyder, nutritionist at Wright Medical Center in Clarion. One medium tomato delivers a healthy dose of vitamins C and A. And if space is an issue, tomatoes can be grown in containers, too. • Bell peppers. You’ll be getting vitamin C, a ton of phytonutrients and great taste. “Gardening produces some of the best-tasting and nutritious vegetables and fruits, usually with no pesticides or other chemicals,” Snyder said. “Too often, the foods we buy at the grocery store have been harvested before they’re truly ripe, and lose some of their nutrition by they time they get to us.” Other good choices are cucumbers, zucchini and radishes, as their store varieties do lack in flavor and often have a lot of waxy coating or chemicals, Snyder said.
Extreme makeovers are all the rage… and now there’s a brand new kind of extreme makeover available to you! Enter Extreme Makeover: College Edition and you could get an entire year of education at NIACC free plus more prizes. NIACC’s Extreme Makeover: College Edition is an easy way to makeover your life with a new education. Just write and submit a brief 250 word essay telling why your life needs or deserves an educational makeover. If you’ve been thinking about going back to school or even just updating your skills, now is the time. Have you been stuck in the same job for longer than you ever thought you would be and you need a change? Do you want to get an education while you’re raising a family and working, but don’t know how to pay for it? Would it be fun to take your life in a totally new and different direction? Any of these reasons would be a great place to start your Extreme Makeover: College Edition. Once you enter Extreme Makeover: College Edition, a panel of judges will select five finalists for the contest. Then, the public will vote online to voice their opinion on who is in need of the Extreme Makeover: College Edition out of the finalists. That’s it – plus, all five finalists will receive something! Two winners will receive one free year of college at NIACC. Three finalists will win a $1,000 scholarship for NIACC’s 2010-11 academic year. And, there will be other prizes for the five finalists, too. The only thing better than getting an education is getting a free education! It’s really time to do something new and make that change in your life. “Extreme Makeover: College Edition is for anyone who has ever said they don’t have the time or money to go back to school. The winners can take two semesters to get the courses they need to improve their skills or completely change their skill set. It’s a great way for adults to spend some time on their career needs,” Rachel McGuire, NIACC director of admissions, said. If you’re at least 23 years old and haven’t taken a NIACC credit class in the past three years, you’re eligible for Extreme Makeover: College Edition. For more contest rules and to enter Extreme Makeover: College Edition, call 1-888-GO NIACC or go to www.niacc.edu/makeover. Entries must be received by noon on May 26, 2010. Sponsors of NIACC’s Extreme Makeover: College Edition include the Globe Gazette and the NIACC Book Zone. Choose NIACC First to makeover your life!
MS-20135211
www.globegazette.com/wow
WOW SPRING 2010 ❖ 5
IT MAKES HEALTHY EATING FUN
MS-20135497
Central Park Dentistry 23 North Federal Avenue • Mason City 641-423-4225 • 1-866-423-4221
Jay Lala, D.D.S
Making Your Visit Like a Walk in the Park
Matt Hansen, D.D.S
• Complete Family Care • Digital Radiology • In-Office Extraction
• New Patients Welcome • Prevention Oriented Practice • Invisalign Orthodontics
“We Cater to Cowards” www.centralparkdentistry.com MS-20133956
KITCHEN & BATHROOM
MAKEOVER
Time for an update?
We’re there from selection through installation. CLAUSEN PLUMBING & HEATING AND THE PLUMB CENTER
Tub/Shower Units • Sinks & Faucets • Vanity Countertops • Accessories •
519 N. Federal, Mason City • 641-423-1034
Even picky eaters find it hard to resist the fun of nibbling something straight off the plant, according to FamilyFun.com. Tempt them with these pick-and-eat favorites: • Cherry tomatoes. Who knew getting your vitamin C could be so tasty? • Green beans. The king of crunch is easy to plant, Krieger said, because they don’t require a real involved soil. Build tepees out of wood or bamboo stakes (as tall as you can reach) and let pole beans scramble to the top. • Strawberries. Try one of the varieties that bloom all season long.
GARDENING BOOSTS YOUR MOOD A study in the journal Evolutionary Psychology found that just receiving flowers made people feel better — and helped improve memory. “After any job, working eight hours, you can go home, turn your shrubs and it’s relaxing,” Krieger said.
GARDENING STIMULATES YOUR BRAIN A garden is like a classroom without all the desks, grades and homework. “It shows your kids that you have a connection with the food you’re eating,” said Alison Roe, county youth coordinator for Iowa State University Extension in Cerro Gordo County. “It’s important to grow what you can and experience that with your kids.” It presents endless opportunities for hands-on environmental learning. According to FamilyFun.com, these subjects have built-in kid appeal: • Beneficial bugs. For a lesson that’ll keep your kids buzzing, teach them about helpful bugs (and other creepy-crawlies) that aerate soil, pollinate crops and dine on pests. You can find an interactive garden at hgtv.com/landscaping/ good-bugs/index.html that shows kids how to identify beneficial insects and offers tips on attracting them. • Composting. Show your kids the magic of turning garbage (the organic kind, that is) into super-healthy soil food. For detailed tips, go to journeytoforever.org and click on “composting.” • Photosynthesis. To learn how plants make food from light, your own garden to see how plants are reaching for the sun.
6 ❖ WOW SPRING 2010
www.globegazette.com/wow
Great furniture
Great prices
Great selection
The Trailblazer goes for all things out of the ordinary. All Proven Winner varieties featured here: Superbells Plum (Calibrachoa), Graceful Grasses King Tut (Cyperus) Diamond Frost (Euphorbia) and Daredevil Orchid (Pelargonium).
If you haven't checked us out l a t e l y, you're missing out! ASHLEY * LANE * ENGLAND HOWARD MILLER GRANDFATHER CLOCKS * SYMBOL MATTRESSES PETERS REVINGTON
One-pot wonders Furniture/ Mattress Outlet W 4th SW Hwy. 122
Monroe
Who needs a garden when you can get beautiful results with a container and the right combination of flowers and vegetables
N Design Lighting E ShopKo
HOURS: Mon. & Thurs. 9-7, Tues., Wed., Fri. & Sat. 9-5 Closed Sun.
506 4th St. SW, Mason City 423-2201 www.globegazette.com/wow
WOW SPRING 2010 â?– 7
c
Container gardening is a problem solver for some and a showcase for others. Anyone from the most seasoned gardener to the novice can be drawn in to this simple gardening pursuit for a variety of reasons. Lightweight pots that look just like their heavy clay counterparts have made this segment of gardening even more accessible in recent years. Whether you pick a project that offers the greatest chance of success or you would rather blaze a new trail, there are plenty of options. However, the endless number of plant choices and possible combinations at the garden center can also be overwhelming. When stores start putting out their beautiful spring and summer blooms, it can be tempting to buy on impulse and end up with an odd lot of plants. Having a style in mind before shopping day will ensure that plant and container purchases add up to a gorgeous container display. First, take an inventory of supplies on hand. Will containers from last year suit your needs or is this the year to splurge on new pots? Is there any potting soil on hand? How many plants will fit in each container? Next decide your container gardening style and make a written or mental list of plant variety and quantity needed to fill each pot. A visit to www.provenwinners.com can also help. Their Container Recipe tab will provide plant combinations by season, sunlight exposure, pot style, size and color scheme. Be advised, it may be necessary to visit several places to
gather all of the items to create these “container recipes.” For the more creative designs, your best bet will be a well-stocked garden center such as Krieger’s or Bluhm’s Greenhouse in Charles City. A nursery known for more unusual plants and containers such as Blackmore Gardens may also be a good resource. DEFINE YOUR STYLE Most anyone can appreciate the beauty of a flower, but when a color combination or plant variety pulls at your heartstrings you are on your way to defining your style. Whether drawn to pastel blooms, colorful pots or rare plants, gardening is a form of self-expression. A little research can help you define your style.
Photo courtesy of www.provenwinners.com
The Show Stopper is an excellent matchmaker where plants are concerned. All Proven Winners shown here: Northern Lights Deschampsia (Tufted Hairgrass), “Maple Sugar” Hibiscus, Carex (Leather Leaf Sedge) “Tuscan Sun” Heliopsis (Perennial Sunflower) Broadway Lights, Leucanthemum (Shasta Daisy) Coco Loco Solenostemon (Coleus) A combination of a Daredevil Salmon Geranium with Superbells Dreamsicle peeking from below put a new color twist on The Summer Classic (below).
Photo by Spencer Neitzke
Ripe berries peek from the dark green foliage of a strawberry plant while the white blooms of the Cosmos flower stand attention above. Photo courtesy of www.provenwinners.com
8 ❖ WOW SPRING 2010
www.globegazette.com/wow
THE SUMMER CLASSIC Big pots brimming with white, pink or red geranium were standard for our mothers and grandmothers. We’re encouraged to walk down memory lane when we see them. From time to time the combinations or variety changeswitching to ivy geranium, adding spiky plants for height or contrasting petunias are all tried and true ways to show off the long lasting summer blooms. If this suits your style make the most of it by planting in abundance. If you were first in line at the Friends of the Library Geranium Sale or have almost caused an accident while looking at the geranium that line the windows of Zilge’s Appliance Center then you are a Summer Classic. THE SHOWPIECE The gardener with a Show Stopping style knows what basics work from year to year but isn’t afraid to change it up just a little. This gardener is great at turning a pot of plants into the focal point of the front porch or patio. The Show Stopper might be a little perfectionistic — but who can argue with such beautiful results? Garden centers always have several show stopping containers on display for customers to copy or purchase. When you find yourself recalculating your plant budget you’ve most likely stumbled upon one. THE TRAILBLAZER This container style is for the gardener who always seeks out the newest trend. No two years are the same for this creative and original person. Native grasses in tall square pots or miniature trees above flowers that spill over the container appeal to this gutsy gardener with style. If trailblazing suits your style, shop early and plan to order online for the more unusual plants such as black bamboo, the latest form and color of Echinacea or any plant that has just been introduced to the public. An internet search on “new plants for 2010” or “rare plants for containers” could entertain the Trailblazer for hours. If this is your style, brace yourself- Trailblazers pay a premium to enjoy the best first.
THE HEALTHY SURPRISE This gardener likes to grow fruits and vegetables with a little flair. Sneaking the healthy stuff in with the flowers keeps things interesting. Crop combinations are important (cool crops like peas and lettuce go together) and fertilizers specifically made for fruits or vegetables are in order. Your garden center can provide advice on which plants prefer acid or alkaline soils. This gardener would rather train an edible vine around a decorative trellis and pick vegetables all summer than deadhead spent blooms.
www.globegazette.com/wow
Photo courtesy of www.provenwinners.com
Photo courtesy of www.provenwinners.com
Gold and red instantly transport you to tropical climates in this Proven Winners Show Stopper, which includes Superbells Red (Calibrachoa), Goldflake (Mecardonia), Amora (Solenostemon). This Proven Winners Trailblazer (left) gains great impact from the soaring height of Burgundy Giant. Also included are Ceratostigma (Leadwort), Velvet Lime (Solenostemon), Faded Jeans (Euphorbia), Midas Touch (Hedera), Ophiopogon (Black Mondo Grass), Burgundy Giant (Pennisetum).
WOW SPRING 2010 ❖ 9
Take advantage of one of the many bike tours this summer. See the work of regional artists at the Clear Lake Arts Center. Sample high-quality beer at Worth Brewing Co. in Northwood.
Get your bike out of the garage and get riding — with RAGBRAI coming through the area, this is the perfect opportunity to take a couple of days off from work and ride across North Iowa. Tour Winnebago Industries.
Tour the Little Brown Church in Nashua.
10 ❖ WOW SPRING 2010
Go on a selfguided museum tour of North Iowa.
Enjoy a day at Clear Lake’s City Beach. Learn how to finally use those in-line skates that are gathering dust in the closet.
Take your kids (or just yourself) to the pool for the day.
Tee off at a different golf course every weekend.
Visit the Hobo Museum in Britt to learn all about hobos and the lives they lead. Then attend the National Hobo Convention in Britt in August.
Tour the Carrie Lane Chapman Catt Girlhood Home and Museum in Charles City. Her girlhood home, built in 1865, now serves to tell the story of both Catt and the women’s struggle for equality in the last century in addition to depicting what life was like on the prairie frontier.
Visit a different North Iowa city’s celebration every weekend. Take your kids (or just yourself) to Prairie Playground for the afternoon. Spend a weekend at the races.
Want to camp but don’t have a tent? Rent one of two yurts at McIntosh Woods State Park in Clear Lake. The yurt is a 16-foot circular tent structure with a wood frame, lattice walls and a vinyl covering. It comes with a fullsize futon, twin bunk beds and a table with chairs. See a movie in each of North Iowa’s historic theaters.
Visit the Fossil and Prairie Park Preserve and Center in Rockford, a 400acre park with valleys for fossil hunting. Visit a park you’ve never been to and explore it.
50 g h N Ti S to Do Can’t afford a big family trip this summer? Why not plan a variety of staycations and enjoy attractions and activities close to home
www.globegazette.com/wow
Tour the Surf Ballroom. Take a Hawkeye Buffalo Tour in Fredericksburg. Visitors learn about the American bison and participate in a Lakota Sioux smudge feather ritual before driving out to the herd in a wagon to hand-feed sweet corn to the 80 beasts.
Enjoy a unique aspect of Iowa’s cultural heritage at the Carnegie Cultural Center in New Hampton.
Spend the night at The Parsonage in Hampton.
Pretend you’re a tourist and spend a night at a bed and breakfast.
Try your luck at gambling at Diamond Jo Casino in Northwood.
Head to the park and read a book. Check out the Clear Lake Fire Museum, complete with a still-working vintage 1924 fire truck.
Do you like puzzles? Check out Fort Custer Maze near Clear Lake. Built like a Western fort and with more than 2 miles of trails, the walls are built with 250,000 feet of lumber. Designs change weekly.
Visit the Charles H. MacNider Art Museum, where a large portion of the museum is dedicated to the work of Bil Baird, a famous puppeteer and Mason City native widely known for creating the marionettes in “The Sound of Music.”
Tour Central Gardens in Clear Lake.
Tour the Frank Lloyd Wright Stockman House. Tour the Hardin County Historical House. Enjoy the outdoors with a walk on the Charley Western Recreation Trail.
Visit one of North Iowa’s wineries.
www.globegazette.com/wow
Make your way to Lime Creek Nature Center to to enjoy trails that wind through the limestone bluffs.
Become a regular at the fair: check out what each county has to offer.
Go on a selfguided museum tour of North Iowa.
Tour the Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend.
Escape Iowa’s humid summers by taking the kids to Lost Island Adventure Park in Waterloo. The park features massive waterslides and pools like the Molokini Crater in which thrill-seekers ride a four-passenger raft down a 75-foot tunnel into a giant funnel and then are dumped out down a waterfall and into a pool.
Take in the gallery of local and regional art at the Charles City Arts Center.
Turn off the phone and watch movies.
See a collection of 270 works of art, including oil painting, watercolors, ink drawings and sculptures by nationally and internationally known artists at the CarnegieEllsworth Building in Iowa Falls.
Kayak on the Cedar River.
No need to leave home to camp — pitch a tent in your backyard, light the campfire and roast some hot dogs and marshmallows.
Take an architectural tour of your city.
Take a self-guided tour of The Music Man Square.
Learn about Mason City history from a 1906 Model N Ford and one of the Colby cars made in Mason City between 1912 and 1914, a horsedrawn dairy wagon, schoolhouse,1912 blacksmith shop or radio station at the Kinney Pioneer Museum.
Rent a boat, wave runner or pontoon to enjoy some fun on the lake.
Visit the Iowa Trolley Park. Visitors provide their own speed on a handcar at this interactive railroading museum.
Cast a line at Beeds Lake State Park, then enjoy cooking what you catch over a camp fire.
WOW SPRING 2010 ❖ 11
Glasses? He needs what? By SETHANNE DEGABRIELE
Just when life as the parent of a 4-year-old seemed perfectly routine and I thought all things would continue running smoothly until he turned at least 5 or 6, I got hit with a huge curveball out of left field — glasses. My son, Drew, needed glasses. It all began when he had his Iowa KidSight vision test at preschool. KidSight is a wonderful program led by the Lions Clubs of Iowa and the University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. When the results came back recommending he see an eye doctor, I panicked. What?!? My baby’s perfect eyes didn’t have perfect vision? Luckily, my husband, Bryan, talked me down to a rational level. We took Drew in for an eye exam and, sure enough, he desperately needed glasses. When his eye doctor said, “Sometimes kids have trouble adjusting to wearing glasses, but in Drew’s case I think he’ll want to wear them because they’ll help his eyesight so much,” the guilt crept into my mind. How difficult had the first four years of Drew’s life been due to his eyesight?!? I must have been a horrible mother not to notice. Any rational level I had found soon vanished. I waited to share my
j
12 ❖ WOW SPRING 2010
thoughts with Bryan that night after Drew went to bed since I didn’t want my fear to affect Drew’s feelings toward glasses. Bryan (who wears glasses/contacts) explained to me (who does not wear glasses) that finding out about Drew’s eyesight relatively early would help him in the long run. Glasses would make learning to read easier. Glasses would make sports easier. Bryan helped me understand that I needed to appreciate how much glasses would improve Drew’s life. And I did. Bryan began wearing his glasses all the time at home instead of his contacts in order to make Drew feel more comfortable with glasses. Drew’s Mimsy and Gramps and Mop Mop and Don also wear glasses, so we tried to use that to help him as well. When Drew’s glasses arrived, his eye doctor’s words rang so true. From the first time he put them on, Drew loved his glasses! They only left his face during bath time and bedtime. I asked him how his glasses made what he saw different. He said, “Mommy, I can see now.” My heart melted. Drew has worn his glasses for a little more than a month now. He likes practicing his letters
more. His bat makes contact with the baseball now. He doesn’t want to stand directly in front of the television any more. But the biggest change has come in Drew’s temperament. Before his glasses, Drew seemed to get frustrated easily when he was doing things. Since getting his glasses, Drew has enjoyed everything he does so much more. When I saw how happy he became, I loved his glasses, too. Bryan and I have been working with Drew on taking care of his glasses, cleaning them and putting them in the case each night, and we’ve been watching him take pride in his ability to take care of his glasses. His pride has made us extremely proud of him as well. When I learned Drew needed glasses, all I wanted to do was protect him. Then, I witnessed how much of a difference glasses made in Drew’s life and how quickly and well he adapted to his glasses. Not only did my little boy successfully tackle a potentially challenging situation but he also has thrived in it. As I slowly learn to let life happen to Drew, I’m amazed at how proud I am of how he handles life as it happens. Sethanne DeGabriele is a free-lance writer who lives in Mason City with her husband, son and dog.
www.globegazette.com/wow
When the time is right... know the right builder to call. We’ve specialized in residential remodeling and construction for over 35 years, building a solid reputation for excellent service and results.
Call us today
LARRY ELWOOD CONSTRUCTION, INC.
LE
2401 SOUTH FEDERAL AVENUE MASON CITY, IA 50401-6734 PHONE: (641)423-3261 FAX: (641)423-0615 E-MAIL: lelwood@larryelwoodconstruction.com www.larryelwoodconstruction.com
THE TECHNOLOGY YOU NEED. THE EXPERTISE YOU DESERVE.
STEPHENS
NORTH IOWA HEARING AID CENTERS
travel safe
CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT 424-1111 or 1-800-640-1111
Plaza West Mall by Hy-Vee 2428 4th St. SW Mason City
A few simple safety measures will keep you safe on vacation
PEGGY STEPHENS Serving You Since 1984
www.stephenshearingaidcenters.com
Text by RHONDA REGAN
BRITT
LAKE MILLS
OSAGE
TOLL FREE 1-800-640-1111 MS-20133424
www.globegazette.com/wow
WOW SUMMER 2010 ❖ 13
Lifetime Free Batteries
Low Monthly Payments
3 Yr. Warranty
1
Document it Split cash and credit/debit cards
If taking personal electronic gadgets such as cameras, PDAs, hand-held game systems, record the make, model and serial number of each item in case of theft or loss. Jenny Gilbertson, travel consultant for Four Seasons Travel in Albert Lea, Minn., recommends keeping belongings close to your body.
If traveling with a companion, split the cash and credit cards. “Don’t carry the same credit cards,” advises Steve Musson, AAA field manager for Mason City, Clive and Ankeny. “Each person should have a credit card different from the other. That way if a member of the party either loses a credit card or it gets stolen, then when the cards are canceled you aren’t stranded without credit cards.”
Make a copy Photocopy your passport, itinerary, the credit cards that you’re taking on the trip and traveler’s checks. Leave one copy with a friend or family member and carry a copy with you separate from the items. “If any of those items were to get lost or stolen you can easily replace them because you have copies,” said Gilbertson.
Do not advertise your personal information Luggage tags are billboards. Do not put your home address on luggage tags. Instead, list only your last name and a valid contact number. That way any would-be criminals can’t get your home address and potentially rob your residence while you’re away. Musson suggests writing your place of employment’s address (if possible) on the luggage tag address line. “If you can, list your work address. Then if your address is lifted from your luggage potential thieves would go to your place of work instead of your home.”
Invest in a money belt For as little as $10 you wear it under your clothing. “If you’re traveling abroad, a money belt for cash and credit cards and other important documents is a good idea to use because some parts of Europe are famous for pickpocketing,” Gilbertson said. Because the money belt is worn underneath your clothing it’s virtually invisible to onlookers.
14 ❖ WOW SUMMER 2010
Keep a little on the side just in case. “Hide money in your shoe in case you should get mugged and all of your money is stolen, then you won’t be without,” Musson said.
www.globegazette.com/wow
Keep social networking to a minimum Listing your vacation plans on social networks such as MySpace or Facebook only advertises to potential criminals that your house is empty and waiting to be robbed. Musson recommends that you don’t post comments about your vacation on those sites.
Don’t attract attention
Use reputable companies
Keep it zipped Keep zippers zipped and buttons buttoned that hold your wallet or purse. An open zipper is an invitation for valuables to be stolen. Musson recalls the time his wallet was stolen simply because he didn’t zip up his coat, which left his wallet visible in the breast pocket of his jacket. “If I had zipped up my coat at least part way, the mugger wouldn’t have seen my wallet and probably wouldn’t have bothered with me.”
If seeking local entertainment, ask your hotel to recommend a local company that provides tours or entertainment. Gilbertson said that the hotel is usually familiar with the area and can direct you to companies ones that are known as reputable. Or before you leave on your trip, check with your travel agent about tours and entertainment.
Leave the flashy jewelry and brand-name clothing at home. Musson said. “Dressing in clothing and jewelry that is easily recognizable draws attention to yourself and could set you up as a target.”
Keep the cash hidden Musson said you should “guard your money in public. Don’t carry or pull out a big wad of cash.”
Be wary of strangers “Look over your shoulder if you think you’re being followed. Doing so lets the mugger know that you saw them, said Musson. “
“Always be aware of your surroundings — be observant — make eye contact,” Musson encourages. Would-be criminals are looking for the easiest target. If you make it more difficult, they may move on to another target.
♥♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Pay attention to details
Take 30 days and see how well Curves can work for you. Our 30-minute circuit works every major muscle group. So you can burn up to 500 calories every workout. All with a trainer to teach and motivate.
30 days for just $30.
New guests only. 30 day trial not based on any enrollment. Not valid with any other offer. Valid only at participating locations through 5/29/10. © 2010 Curves International, Inc.
curves.com
[
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE THE WORLD 1 MILLION WOMEN STRONGER Curves.com/StrongerTogether
MS-20133942
WOW SUMMER 2010 ❖ 15
]
000-000-0000 000-000-0000 000-000-0000 000-000-0000 000-000-0000 641-424-1844 339 So. Delaware Ave. Local AddressLocal Address Local Address Local AddressLocal Address www.masoncitycurves.com, Local AddressLocal AddressLocal Local Address IowaAddress 50401 Local Address
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
www.globegazette.com/wow
♥♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥♥
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
style to put a
spring in your step!
Come to Southbridge Mall to scoop up the latest looks for Spring and Summer ’10! Shop all your favorite stores, all in one convenient location with plenty of parking and a full service food court for your enjoyment!
100 S. Federal, Mason City, IA 641-423-6688 southbridgemall.net MALL HOURS: Mon.-Fri., 10 am-9 pm Sat. 10 am-7 pm Sun. Noon-6 pm
drink up! Mooooove over, cow’s milk. Some new alternatives are on the scene. These “milkternatives,” geared toward vegans, lactose-intolerance and soy allergies, can be overwhelming when you are trying to make a choice. Think summertime refreshers instead of “milk” and maybe you’ll find a new favorite. Text by ANNETTE SNYDER
16 ❖ WOW SUMMER 2010
www.globegazette.com/wow
s
Soy milk, rice milk, hemp milk, almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk, even potato milk ... whew! Of these examples, soy milk and rice milk are more popular. Almond milk and oat milk have been available in Europe for a long time. Hemp milk is the “new kid” on the shelf. I have personally tried hemp, rice, almond, soy and coconut milk. ALMOND MILK Let’s start with my favorite — almond milk. It comes sweetened or unsweetened with vanilla flavor or plain. This beverage has a nice, creamy feel and lightly sweet taste that goes great in fruit smoothies or for making hot cereal. A hint of almond flavor hits the tongue after drinking. Ground almonds and water are the main ingredients. Make sure to use almond milk fortified with calcium. One caveat: almond milk has less protein than cow’s milk or soy milk.
Stop in and check out our new...
SOY MILK Soy milk can be described as “hearty” with a stronger flavor and thicker consistency. Made from ground soybeans, water and a sweetener, this drink is high in protein, isoflavones and calcium (added in). Soy milk may not work well in baking since it has a distinct flavor. There are many brands available, so try a few before giving up on it.
SPRING & SUMMER SENSATIONS! ♦ Frank Lyman ♦ Not Your Daughters Jeans
HEMP MILK “Does not contain THC” is clearly marked on the label of hemp milk. Made from hulled hemp seeds, filtered water and a sweetener, this beverage has a clean, nutty-type of flavor that was tolerable. It had a light, creamy feel and could serve as a plain beverage; it can also be used in heartier foods like smoothies. Hemp milk is a no-no in delicate desserts as its flavor can be overpowering. It does offer omega-3 fatty acids, which similar drinks don’t naturally have.
♦ Multiples ♦ Sharon Young ♦ City Girl
415 Main Ave. Clear Lake 641-357-1417
“Our Passion is Fashion” MS-20133350
Mon.-Sat. 10 am-5 pm
KIRSCH WINDOW TREATMENTS
70-78% OFF Limited time only!
www.globegazette.com/wow
WOW SUMMER 2010 ❖ 17
Willowbrook Mall 1631 4th St. SW Mason City Hours - M-F 9-5:30 Sat. 9-2
641-423-2721
OAT MILK Oat milk comes from (you guessed it) oats, water and other grains together. The taste is pretty bland and somewhat watery. If you’re willing to give it a try, it can be used on cereal or in smoothies, mashed potatoes and the like. Oat milk should not be used for those on a gluten-free diet.
COCONUT MILK Coconut milk is quite creamy and sweet. Known more for its use in Thai and Caribbean cooking, it can be added to anything from curries to desserts or drinks. It does contain a fair amount of saturated fat, so switching to this for health reasons does not fly.
RICE MILK If you don’t have a sweet tooth or regularly drink skim milk, rice milk might suit you. It is quite thin, and to me, flavorless. My colleague, who does not like sweets, enjoyed it. Rice milk can be used in light desserts or on cereal. It is lower in protein vs. cow’s milk or soy milk. Nutritionally, these milks have unique nutrient profiles. The key to remember? Make sure you choose a variety of other foods rich in calcium, protein and vitamin D (if you choose anything other than soy milk) in order to meet your needs. Taste-test on your own. These “milkternatives” are available in most major grocery store chains, either in the dairy or health-food aisles. come on, be brave — add some adventure to your summer!
Made in Iowa Since 2002
MASTECTOMY CARE
CINDY STANLEY, CFm, is Mason City’s only certified fitter of mastectomy! Introducing The Massage Form™ an ideal breast form with a unique channel design providing optimal air circulation for the triangle breast form. Starburst design gently massages the chest wall when worn with a supportive bra.
Cindy will show you the ABC difference!
Clark & Associates MS-20135157
Prosthetics and Orthotics
18 ❖ WOW SUMMER 2010
Artisan Soaps Natural Laundry Soap Powder Stain Sticks Best Soy Candles in Iowa! Organic Lotions and Lip Balms Hand-Blended Teas and Tisanes Refills, Wedding Candles, More! Everything available unscented!
ad ! s i th off g n % 5 Bri for 2il0July 1 in unt
It’s that time again!
At the North Iowa Farmer’s Markets (Kmart lot) Tues. & Fri. 3-6, starting May 14 At the Mason City Farmer’s Market (Central Park) Saturdays 9-12 starting June 5
634 S. Monroe Ave., Mason City 641-422-1423 Toll Free 866-463-5867 Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Accredited by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics
MS-20135487
932 East State Street, Mason City, IA 50401 • 641-424-3223 www.soyphisticatedcandles.com email: candles@soyphisticatedcandles.com www.globegazette.com/wow
THERE’S A BRIEF WINDOW IN YOUR CHILD’S LIFE WHEN YOU ARE CONSIDERED A COOL PARENT. THIS MOM AND SON TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THAT TIME BY TAKING OFF ON WHAT BECAME A MONTH-LONG ADVENTURE, FIELD TRIP AND BONDING EXPERIENCE ALL WRAPPED UP IN ONE TRIP.
a mother, son adventure Before I was Mom, I was Stepmom. I married my husband when his girls were 5 and 9 so I had a chance to be a part of those happy golden years where kids love you, they want to hang out around you, will let you style their hair and even make clothing suggestions. Then, suddenly, one day somewhere around sixth grade, the boom lowers and you are an overnight leper, possessing the totally wrong fashion sense, an out-of-touch point of view and all your jokes stink. I guess you could say I was acting on a sense of pending doom, when I proposed a summer road trip to my fifthgrade son. First, I must admit I am not immune to the call of the open road. The urge to hop in the car and drive to Ames for Thai food or visit the shops in Osage is always there. “Hey, let’s drive to Chicago!” also never is out of the question. So, buying a book called “Road Trip USA” was probably dangerous behavior on my part. Once I took a road trip alone without a guide book or any particular destination in mind. That was a trip brought on by too
b Text By MENDEE MORGAN Photographed by MENDEE MORGAN
www.globegazette.com/wow
WOW SUMMER 2010 ❖ 19
Photo courtesy of TONY PACKO’S
Tony Packo’s, Toledo, Ohio
Pere Marquette Lodge, Grafton, Ill.
Photo courtesy of Pere Marquette Lodge
Lookout Mountain, Ga.
Mary Jane Inn, Paducah, Ky. Photo courtesy of Mary Jane Inn
Photo courtesy of Lookout Mountain, Ga.
20 ❖ WOW SUMMER 2010
Horseshoe Falls, Ontario, Canada
Photo by Mendee Morgan Photo courtesy of Hershey Park
Hershey Park, Hershey, Pa.
National Museum of the American Indian, Washington, D.C.
Charlotte, N.C. Atlanta, Ga.
Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Va.
Photo by Mendee Morgan Photo courtesy of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
okout ountain, .
Syracuse, N.Y.
WOW SUMMER 2010 â?– 21
Salt Museum, Liverpool, N.Y. was one stop on the trip.
Memorable destinations Future birthplace of Capt. James T. Kirk, Riverside, Iowa. Mark Twain's Boyhood Home, Hannibal, Mo. Pere Marquette State Park, Grafton, Ill. Lewis and Clark State Historic Site, Hartford, Ill. The Gateway Arch, St. Louis, Mo. The Mary Jane Inn, Paducah, Ky. Las Paletas, gourmet popsicles, Nashville, Tenn. Rock City and Lookout Mountain, Ga. Lake Lanier, Atlanta, Ga. If you don’t have family there, camp at Bald Ridge Campgrounds right on Lake Lanier. Charlotte, N.C. Colonial Williamsburg, Va. Washington, D.C. Hershey, Pa. Lake Onandaga near Syracuse, N.Y. The Maid of The Mist boat ride and a side trip to Niagara On the Lake, Horseshoe Falls, Ontario, Canada Cincinatti Toledo, Ohio
Spencer checks out Williamsburg, Va. (below); The Pork, Peanut and Pine Festival at the Chippokes Plantation in Surry, Va. (bottom).
I treasured every second of our trip knowing I’d snuck it in just before my coolness expired, and grabbed as many moments as I could. much time at home with a toddler. Mommy just needed to drive around alone for a week without Barney blasting in the background — so she did. I ended up going fly fishing, hanging out in Nashville, reading several books and driving around lost a lot. With that in mind, acquiring a guide seemed like a pretty good idea. I spent a few evenings reading it, fantasizing about driving from Key West to Maine or doing something goofy like visiting The Giant Ball of Twine, and then it joined the stack of other ideas that only exist in the form of books on my nightstand, lacking the timing or gumption to be fully executed. So I caught myself by surprise in suggesting the road trip to my son. He caught me by surprise in thinking it was a great idea. My husband would be traveling much of the summer on business anyway so there seemed to be little reason not to go for it. It started out as a “down and back” plan: Seeing some sights on the way down to my parents’ house in Georgia and heading back after a week or so. Of course we’d stop at my sister’s B & B in Paducah, Ky., the halfway point. But then other ideas started to crop up. Since you’re down there, might as well drive four more hours to Charlotte, N.C. where we have friends. And if you are going that far, why not an extra six up to D.C.? Heck, all those museums are just free entertainment. And if you are going to be over that way there’s Colonial Williamsburg. He’s a great age for that. This logic went
on and on until I had designed a circuitous route starting in Mason City and making a big loop that included Hershey, Pa. (only a few hours from D.C., you know. ) Oh, and Canada. In the planning phase, the trip just seemed to grow and grow. So did the excitement. And my husband’s apprehension that all these educational experiences were going to cost more than a few weeks away at camp. Four weeks on the road were planned. And that is when I did what moms do best — find a way to
Keith Lanpher Photography, Virginia Tourism Corporation
22 ❖ WOW SUMMER 2010
www.globegazette.com/wow
Photo courtesy of The Lewis and Clark Historic Site
If you go ... Lewis and Clark State Historic Site: One Lewis and Clark Trail Hartford, Il. 62048 618-251-5811 www.campdubois.com
Mary Jane Inn: 502 N. Sixth St. Paducah, KY 42001 270-443-5316 www.themaryjaneinn.com
Tony Packo’s:
We cooked dinner over campfires, penned a road trip memoir, took photos, got bloated on greasy road food, visited relatives and friends, rode rollercoasters, fished (caught zip!), learned about American history, schlepped through museums, rode the Maid of the Mist and ate half the menu at Tony Packo’s in Toledo, Ohio. Neither of us will ever forget swimming in the James River at sunset watching birds swooping down and fish jumping up — a magical moment when the sky turns lavender and God seems to say, “It’s just us here. Watch this!” True confessions: Not every second was magical. There was the day we spent at the Verizon store in Lightfoot, Va. because I dropped my Blackberry in the river. (We’re living proof that a woman and child can safely camp in the woods without a cell phone to protect them. And that a swim in one of the nation’s most polluted waterways can be survived. Gee, it sure looked pretty.) There were the endless miles of road, more than 3,000 that sometimes made the tires chant, “You’ll never get there.” Plus, the car started to have a certain “air.” Oh, and Capt. Kirk’s Future Birthplace was a bit of a bust ... but most people would probably figure that before driving 100 miles out of the way. Even still I treasured every second of our trip knowing I’d snuck in just before my coolness expired and grabbed as many moments as I could. I asked my son if he’d like to drive out to Seattle this year by way of Cody, Wyo., the Badlands and Portland, Ore. He didn’t take more than a minute to consider the offer. “Nope, I think I’ll go to camp.”
Photo courtesy of Pere Marquette Lodge
pay for it. We packed camping gear, called friends along the way to ask if we could stay the night on our way through town, downloaded coupons and hopped on Priceline.com. Like anything, if you are willing to do the legwork, you can make it happen. Of course the best part was knowing I’d have my son as a virtual hostage for a month on the road. OK — I didn’t call him a hostage directly because that sounds, er… rude? And I didn’t call it bonding because we all know, “That’s gross, Mom!” But I knew for one month I’d have some great experiences with a kid who wouldn’t be a kid much longer.
1902 Front St. Toledo, OH 43605 www.tonypacko.com
Pere Marquette Lodge and Conference Center Illinois Rout 100 — The Great River Road A National Scenic Byway 13653 Lodge Blvd. Grafton, IL 62037 618-786-2331
Hershey Park 100 W. Hershey Park Drive Hershey, PA 17033 1-800-HERSHEY www.HersheyPark.com
Hershey Museum 63 W. Chocolate Ave. Hershey, PA 17033 HersheyMuseum.org
Lookout Mountain - Rock City 1400 Patten Road Lookout Mountain, GA 30750 www.seerockcity.com
Chippokes Plantation State Park 695 Chippokes Park Rd. Surry, VA 23883 757-294-3728 www.dcr.virginia.gov
Niagara Falls - Horseshoe Falls www.niagaraparks.com www.niagara-usa.com
Photo courtesy of The Lewis and Clark Historic Site
www.globegazette.com/wow
WOW SUMMER 2010 ❖ 23
It’s Party Time! • Lolita Glassware • Tervis Tumblers • Wine & Accessories • Gourmet Food Time Savvy and Fun Kitchen Products
MS-20134108
Gifts, Window Treatments Treatments, Home Decor & More Southbridge Mall, Mason City, IA • 641-424-2174 • inhomegallery.net
Losing weight is more than what you look like... If you’re considered obese, you are more at risk of developing heart problems, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, mental health problems and that’s just to name a few. While losing those unwanted pounds sure would look great, remember, that’s just half of it! Mercy Bariatric Center can help you achieve better health!
Call 641-422-6155 or visit www.mercynorthiowa.com for more information.
MS-20133849
Weight loss surgery is often a covered benefit. Contact your insurance company to verify your benefits.
Happy Mother’s Day
enjoy the trip You want to take a trip with your kids. But you want to stay sane AND enjoy the trip. Follow our tips and you’ll be on the road to a great vacation. Text by MENDEE MORGAN
Friends keep costs low
Camping
The best thing you can do for yourself if you are traveling with kids is to meet up with friends every few days. For one, you might get a free night’s stay, but most importantly you’ll need the adult conversation. Don’t forget to bring memorable gifts from home to your friends afar. A gift of local wildflower honey, a Music Man ornament or something from the Clear Lake Arts Center will shows heartfelt appreciation to your host or hostess.
When I lay my head down at night at a campground there are usually several RVs nearby of a value much greater than my own home. I’m fortunate to have always felt like I was in a good neighborhood when camping. Not only is camping cheaper than a hotel, it’s generally even cheaper than kenneling your dog. For saving money it is the way to go. A strategy for camping is very important. Look for state parks that offer the very best in amenities. Be extremely selective. There are campground ratings books sold in major bookstores and websites with loads of online ratings. If a place looks “off” or perhaps full of revelers, just don’t stay there. Staying near the camp host’s site, while not always picturesque, also provides a measure of safety.
Take the bikes! It’s the best way for everyone to stretch their legs after a long car ride. If you are planning to stop in picturesque little towns, a bike provides a way to get around and enjoy the place without the parking hassles. Plus, riding a bike around someplace amazing counts as an activity but is totally free! Don’t forget water bottles. We were able to ride our bikes along The Great River Road, the famous byway that follows the Mississippi River. Colonial Williamsburg allows bikes as long as you stay in the middle of the roads and are respectful of pedestrians. In the D.C. area, Alexandria, Va., is another great spot for a biking along the Potomac. Biking around upstate New York was also a welcome break from car time and too much “togetherness.”
Go for the discount and check out the free stuff It’s hard to believe, but Hershey Park, Pa., costs more than $50 for a one-day pass. Visiting after 5 p.m. allowed us to save roughly half on each admission ticket. When it comes to amusement parks I’m generally only enjoying about half the day anyway so I’d say that worked out great! We stayed overnight in the area and visited the Hershey Museum the next day. The museum was free and worth the time. Another great way to get a discount is to use
from
Stop in to see all the new spring collections
Suzi Chin Karen Kane Dick & Jayne
600 West Spanner Big Buddha
The Only Men’s & Women’s Store You’ll Ever Need DOWNTOWN MASON CITY
DOWNTOWN AMES
641-423-5222 800-923-5222
515-232-3261 888-326-2060
MS-20134869
www.moormanclothiers.com
24 ❖ WOW SUMMER 2010
www.globegazette.com/wow
Priceline.com for booking hotel rooms. I would recommend this more in a large city, less in a tourist or resort area. In a large city amazing rooms are up for grabs almost every night of the week. We had success bidding online for four-star hotel rooms in several major cities — snagging great digs for as little as $65 a night. Upscale suburbs outside of a major city offer even better deals with no hidden parking fees.
Know when to splurge My attempts at winning cheap rooms in resort towns have been less than stellar. Hotwire.com left me hanging with a truly awful, smoky, beat-down roadside Holiday Inn near Hershey for the same money I usually paid elsewhere. I thought I really scored with a package price from the official Colonial Williamsburg website for one of their hotels. It ended up being a bit worn out, too. Luckily, because I made the reservation direct, it was still cancelable once I saw the room. Realizing I wouldn’t be able to save a buck in Colonial Williamsburg, I ponied up for one of the nicer properties, The Williamsburg Inn. It was a real splurge (I still feel a little sick when I think of the bill) but having the freedom to ride bikes around and immerse ourselves in Williamsburg, being conveniently located for the many nighttime tours, enjoying the personal service of a bellman to store our bikes each evening instead of painstakingly strapping them on the car bike rack and a truly amazing breakfast included in each night’s stay made it seem rational. Also, my penny-pinching resolve had been weakened by spending the previous two nights camping across the James River at Chippokes Plantation State Park. (For the record, now that I’ve had the Williamsburg experience, if I went back I’d stay at Chippokes the whole time and take the free car ferry over each day.)
MS-20135274
Pack Your Cooler In my book, part of having a great time is hitting a few good restaurants. Drive-thrus do not rate as a way to spend time, money or calories. I’m a big believer in packing a cooler with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, juice, water, pre-made salads and yogurt. Of course, the cooler has to be replenished at grocery stores along the way, but if you save $10 to $18 a day from not eating fast food you can parlay that into several fresh-caught seafood dinners along the eastern seaboard. Once you land in a town, use Yelp.com or Urban Spoon on your phone, laptop (or your child’s iPod Touch) to find the best local restaurants and read reviews. You can also use Yelp to find grocery stores and gas stations near your location.
Kitchen, Bath, & Home Cabinetry • Interior & Exterior Doors • Molding & Millwork
-DESIGN
SHOWROOM-
3649 4th Street SW, Mason City • Phone: 641/423-6922 Showroom Hours: Monday-Friday 8-5; Saturday 9-1 or by appointment MS-20134923
www.globegazette.com/wow
www.woodharbor.com
WOW SUMMER 2010 ❖ 25
spoil yourself
salon welcomes our new professional stylists!
(L. to R.) Kate Cook, Amber Droste, Amanda Olson
salon
20% OFF
COLORS & PERMS scheduled with our new stylists Offer good through June 30, 2010.
Must present coupon.
Walk-Ins are always welcome!
You spoil your kids, you spoil your husband, your best friend, and in May, your mom. But what about you? Here are 7 easy ways to spoil yourself this summer.
HOURS: Mon. - Fri. - 1O am - 7 pm Sat. - 1O am - 6 pm Sun. - 12 - 5 pm
Text by JESSICA ABELS
Southbridge Mall, Downtown, Mason City 641-423-3589 Ext. 1 MS-20135569 MS-20135569
26 â?– WOW SUMMER 2010
www.globegazette.com/wow
1 2
Hold the Phone Try turning your cell phone off for an entire day. Just 10 years ago we knew how to live without them, so return to a simpler time when that flip phone or PDA wasn’t buzzing 24/7.
4
5
Take a Hike. Pack a water bottle, some comfortable clothes and take a walk in McIntosh Woods State Park. Meander the mile-long nature trail and soak in the calming sounds around you.
Be a Beach Bum We may live in landlocked Iowa, but many nearby lakes have great beaches. Grab a girlfriend or a chick lit novel and take an afternoon to soak in some sun and dig your toes in the sand.
www.globegazette.com/wow
Make a Love List
Sit down with a blank piece of paper and write all the things you’re good at or that you love about yourself. Resist the urge to feel conceited — no one needs to see this list but you. Whether it’s your fluency in Spanish or your ability to down a pint of Ben and Jerry’s in one sitting, celebrate what you’re good at and take a moment to revel in it.
3
Get Made Up
Remember when you were a kid and loved to play with your mother’s makeup? Take some time and experiment with new looks the way you used to, no matter how ridiculous the results. Or head to the local makeup counter and ask for a makeover (see our article on fresh summer looks for the latest tips and tricks).
WOW SUMMER 2010 ❖ 27
6
Have Your Hair Styled No matter whether it’s a night on the town with your husband or a regular Tuesday, try getting a blowout or a new style at your salon. Don’t hesitate to look in the mirror a few more times than you should and admire your luscious locks.
7
Get a Sitter If the kids have you at your wits end and you can spare a little extra cash, consider hiring a babysitter (or asking a friend) to watch them even if you don’t plan to leave home. It may seem a silly expense but a few hours to get things done without frequent kid questions can help you relieve a good deal of stress.
“We knew Mom could no longer take care of herself. We were looking for a place that was special... Special like here, at the IOOF Home Bringing families closer makes all the difference. Skype has made that happen! Skype is a free computer video telephone call computer application that can link I.O.O.F. residents to family throughout the United States and in foreign countries using the internet. The family uses their own webcam, and must download Skype into their own computers, and our residents can see and visit with them live on a large-screen TV in a family room at the nursing home through our computer. Skype can be used on residents’ own personal computers in their rooms, talking as long as they like. Our goal at the IOOF Home goal is to enrich the lives of our residents, our beloved friends. We have recently undergone a recent large remodeling project, making the IOOF Home more comfortable and homey. We’ve earned a 5-star rating by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid based on resident satisfaction, staffing ratios and state and federal survey inspections. • 90 staff members • More choices for meals • Skilled care • Trained staff
• 76 private and semi-private patient care rooms. • Modern hair salon • Outpatient therapy for the public. • Medicare, Medicaid certified
Owned and operated by the Iowa Independent Order of Odd Fellows with support provides by Rebekah Assembly of Iowa 28 ❖ WOW SUMMER 2010
• Alzheimer’s care unit • Up-to-date physical therapy room. • Select balanced menus • Full range of activities
IOOF HOME
1037 19th St. SW Mason City, IA
423-0428 www.globegazette.com/wow
THE EVENT OF THE SUMMER
2010 BBQ BASH
THE BEST BBQ GREAT FREE CONCERTS NORTH IOWA’S #1 FAMILY EVENT
BE THERE The 7th Annual 2010 NORTH IOWA UP
JULY 23-24, 2010
IN SMOKE BBQ
East Par k, Mason City
MORE REPORTERS .. MORE NEWS
www.upinsmokebbqbash.com MS-20136508
www.globegazette.com/wow
WOW SPRING 2010 ❖ 29
PACKED! and out the door
A meal strategy to help you get on the way to fun, faster
Ready for the Weekend Menu First Morning on Vacation Banana Studded Oatcakes Picnic or Patio Lunch Creamy Herb & Roast Beef Wraps
It’s not in your imagination. Sometimes it does take every fiber of your being to get kids, gear, games, possibly even the pet into the car for a weekend away. If the time clock runs out before the food has a chance to organize itself into a menu and jump into the trunk, you can still be spared from a weekend of PBJ and pizza. Being prepared with a meal plan not only saves time and money, it means you’re one step closer to kicking back and relaxing. Conversely, conjuring up a menu while shopping in an unfamiliar place seems to either create unnecessary frustration or ensure the same old “panic mode” meals.
I
30 ❖ WOW SPRING 2010
Easy Clean-Up Dinner Chile-Lime Grilled & Layered Salad Breakfast Anytime Eggs Benedict Road Trip Lunch La Dolce Vita Ciabatta Sandwiches
Why not flip on the autopilot switch with the shopping list and recipes on the next few pages? One efficient sweep through the store will have you packed and on your way to a vacation complete with simple, satisfying meals. Grab the cooler, chill those ice packs and get ready to take this show on the road.
Text by MENDEL MORGAN Photographed by MENDEL MORGAN
www.globegazette.com/wow
Breakfasts Banana Studded Oatcakes
Eggs Benedict Anytime If your vacation delegation includes early risers and sleepy heads this super simple recipe will please all. These little egg cups reheat well so anyone who missed out the first time can still have a great breakfast, or brunch — depending on the hour. Serves 6. 1 dozen eggs 12 thin slices of deli ham 3 slices Swiss cheese, quartered ¾ cup heavy cream ¼ cup grated parmesan, optional 1 loaf French bread or 6 English muffins 1 package of Knorr Hollandaise mix ½ stick of butter 1 cup milk cooking spray salt, pepper and chives to taste Preheat oven to 450. Slice bread into thin toasts, place on baking tray and set aside. Spray 12 cup muffin tin with cooking spray. Line each spot in the muffin tin with one slice of ham, forming a little cup. Place a small piece of cheese in the ham cup. Break one egg into each ham cup. Top each egg with 1 tablespoon of heavy cream, salt, pepper and grated parmesan if desired. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until yolks reach your preferred level of firmness. While egg cups bake, prepare hollandaise sauce according to package directions. Toast French bread or muffins. Sliding a knife around each egg cup, unmold and plate on top of toasted bread. Drizzle with hollandaise sauce and top with salt, pepper and fresh chives to taste.
Are you looking for more from your debit card? Introducing Ka’Ching Debit Card Rewards from First Citizens National Bank! The more times you use your FCNB debit card, the more you’ll get back each month, up to $10 per month!* Best of all, it applies to all FCNB Debit Cards!** Certain restrictions apply, so stop in and speak with a personal banker to learn more. Not an FCNB customer? Stop in and see how easy it is to switch your checking account. Now is the perfect time!
www.firstcitizensnb.com Mason City • Charles City New Hampton • Alta Vista • Osage Clarion • Kanawha • Latimer
*Minimum daily checking account balance of $300 required to earn rewards. eStatements required. Dollar amount received depends on number of signature-based transactions per month. FCNB reserves the right to discontinue program at any time. Limited time offer. See a personal banker for full details. Does not apply to HSA accounts. **Normal underwriting guidelines apply.
MS-20134922
Keep their tanks full all morning with pancakes made from oats. The night before you make these, pour buttermilk over the oats and keep refrigerated. In the morning, whisk in the remaining ingredients. A single recipe serves four to six, but even picky eaters will want extra helpings of this one. This recipe can be doubled. 2 cups rolled oats, chopped 2 cups buttermilk 2 large eggs 4 tablespoons butter, melted, cooled ½ cup all purpose flour 1 tablespoon sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda ¼ teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg ½ teaspoon salt Place oats in blender or food processor and process for 10 seconds. Place chopped oats in large bowl and cover with 2 cups buttermilk. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Whisk eggs and butter into oat mixture. Add dry ingredients to oat mixture and stir until well blended. Heat griddle or pan and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Use batter as you would pancake batter, cooking until bubbly and golden brown on bottom. Before flipping, sprinkle with bananas. Smaller pancakes work better for this recipe. Cook until golden on the flip side and serve with additional berries, syrup or honey.
WOW SPRING 2010 ❖ 31
Chile-Lime Grilled & Layered Salad In a salute to efficiency, this healthy dinner employs the principle cook once — eat twice. A double batch of grilled veggies provides the foundation for the next day’s lunch. Fluffy rolls or garlic toasts round out the meal. 1 bottle Newman’s Own Mesquite and Lime Marinade, reserving 2 tablespoons for dressing 1 package boneless skinless chicken breasts 1 bag salad mix 1 8 oz. container sour cream peppers — 3 green peppers, 3 red peppers 2 onions 1 package mushrooms 1 box Near East Couscous Mix, Roasted Garlic & Olive 2 tsp butter ½ 16 oz. can black beans, drained ½ 16 oz. can corn kernels, drained ¼ cup shredded cheese olive oil to taste 1 lime, quartered Cut chicken into cubes. Place in plastic bag or bowl. Slice veggies into cubes, combine half of veggies with chicken and cover with marinade for at least two hours. Toss remaining veggies with olive oil. Heat outdoor grill to medium high. Chicken and vegetables may be threaded onto skewers or grilled using a grill pan or broiled in the oven. However you choose to prepare just make sure the chicken reaches 165 degrees. When chicken reaches 165 degrees and vegetables are charred on the edges and no longer crunchy, remove from grill. Cover with foil. Grill olive oil coated vegetables, refrigerate for the ciabatta sandwiches. Prepare couscous according to package directions. Mix together 2 tbsp. fresh marinade with sour cream (do not re-use any marinade from chicken). For the first layer of the salad, spread sour cream mixture in bottom of serving dish. Fluff prepared couscous, adding corn and beans. Stir until blended. If you choose, jalapeno, chopped cilantro and either pineapple or mango may be added. Blend well. Distribute in serving dish on top of sour cream mixture. Arrange grilled chicken and vegetables on top of the couscous layer. Top with salad mix and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Squeeze lime wedge over the top and lightly drizzle with olive oil.
nutmeg salt pepper PRODUCE Near East Couscous Mix, Roasted 1 bag salad mix Garlic and Olive Oil pepper — 3 red peppers, 3 green Knorr Hollandaise Sauce Mix peppers CANNED & BOTTLED 2 onions maple syrup mushrooms, small package, black beans, 16 oz. can whole corn, 16 oz. can cilantro, chives, basil — one bunch olive oil of each Newman’s Own Mesquite and 2 bananas Lime Marinade 1 lime DELI/MEAT DEPARTMENT DAIRY 1½ lb roast beef, sliced buttermilk, quart for double batch 12 thin ham slices (not shaved of pancakes but also not thick) eggs, 14 for all recipes Rondele Gourmet Spreadable sour cream, 8 oz. Cheese, Garlic & Herb butter, two sticks at least 3 Swiss cheese slices grated cheese, Colby Jack or 1-2 fresh mozzarella balls Cheddar 6 chicken breasts, boneless, skinmilk, at least 1½ cups for recipes less heavy cream, pint OPTIONS AND EXTRAS BAKERY red onion 6 English muffins or 1 baguette sprouts 1 loaf ciabatta bread avocado dinner rolls or extra loaves of sun dried tomatoes bread roasted red peppers 1 package Flatout Flatbrad or marinated artichoke hearts other sandwich wrap jalapeno DRY GOODS pineapple rolled oats, 2 cups per batch mango flour, sugar pesto sauce baking powder tapenade baking soda honey cinnamon parmesan balsamic vinegar
Shopping list
Are you the do-ahead sort? Then you might want to consider checking these tasks off your list before hitting the road: • For the pancakes, process the oats and place in a large zip-top bag. Measure the remaining dry ingredients into a separate plastic bag. The night before serving, pour buttermilk into the bag of oats and refrigerate. The next morning, pour dry ingredients into oat mixture and mix well. Snip corner from bag and pipe batter into pan. • To get a head start on the Chile Lime Grilled Salad, slice the vegetables and cube the chicken in advance. You can even go one step further and prepare chicken and vegetables on the grill before leaving home and transport, chilled in the cooler. 32 ❖ WOW SPRING 2010
www.globegazette.com/wow
NATIONAL REACH. LOCAL EXPERTISE. ProBuild offers you the best of both. Lifespan Closets are designed for your lifestyle. The only closet system with the unique, innovative wood Wedgerail wall hanging system and adjustable longspan shelving. Now is a great time to add new space to your home and create a new level of comfort. Getting started is easy.
Creamy Herb & Roast Beef Wraps Different enough from everyday sandwiches but just as easy as the old standards. Makes 6 large wraps or a platter full of pinwheels. 1½ lb. deli-sliced roast beef 8 oz. Rondele Gourmet Spreadable Cheese, Garlic & Herb Flavor 1 package Flatout, Whole Wheat Flatbread Optional sandwich toppings: sunflower seeds sprouts avocado sun dried tomato lettuce red onion Spread a generous layer of garlic and herb cheese onto flatbread. Top with roast beef, desired toppings and roll. Slice and serve with chips and deli salads.
Versatile. Simple. Affordable. Designed to create space...
everywhere. 516 2nd Street NW • Mason City, IA • 641-424-4952 MS-20134206
OPEN: M-F 7:00 - 5:00, Sat 8:00 - 12:00 • www.ubc.bz • www.probuild.com
Have You Experienced The Credit Union Difference
La Dolce Vita Ciabatta Take it to the beach or pack it for the drive home. leftover grilled vegetables 1-2 fresh mozzarella balls, sliced 1 bunch fresh basil or pesto sauce 1 jar roasted red peppers 1 loaf of ciabatta bread balsamic vinegar and olive oil (optional) Slice loaf of bread lengthwise, and open as for a sandwich. Spread pesto on top portion of bread (on the inside of the sandwich) or layer fresh basil, mozzarella slices, roasted red pepper and/or grilled vegetables. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar if desired. Fold loaf together, gently press down and slice into six sandwiches.
www.globegazette.com/wow
WOW SPRING 2010 ❖ 33
Stop by today for more information and pricing options.
A Personal Touch Makes ALL The Difference!! Now with TWO Locations!
MS-20135090
Main Branch 640 S. Federal Ave., Mason City
West Branch 4063 4th Street SW, Mason City
641-424-2281
641-423-2281
Toll Free 888-424-2281 • www.NICCU.com
Whether you’re a soon-to-be college grad, a recently freed-up employee looking to make a switch or a current 9-to-5 worker looking to move up, these tips from North Iowa career experts will help you score the position you’ll love Text by JESSICA ABELS
Breaking into an industry is an important first step, no matter if you’re a teenager on the prowl for some after-school cash or a stay-at-home mom wanting to start a career. Here’s how to get that proverbial foot in the door:
needs to grab some attention but also be professional, and I think sometimes that’s a fine line.” She suggests having someone else read your resume, whether it’s a professional or just a friend. Saffold said companies these days are looking for dollars and cents, so make your dollar value clear on your resume. In the Hunt “For example, if you were a customer service Treat job hunting like a regular 40 hour representative, you can highlight that you position, said Jason Saffold, president of were able to bring your call length of time The Job Coach in Mason City. “Take detailed down, number of calls volume up, and at the notes same time, shared your tactics with your about all peers. Or if it’s a sales position, you can say the how much money you earned and brought places the company in revenue.” you’re HAVE YOUR COVER LETTER COVERED going to This should be a one page, professional contact,” letter telling what you’re interested in, and he sugwhy a company should be interested in gests. you. Ries said at the end of the letter, you Check out local associations where professhould go ahead and ask for a meeting to sional gather and share information. “The review your requirements. “It’s a formality, more you can be involved in the communibut it’s also something that’s asking them ty, the more you’ll know about opportunito look further into your resume,” she said. ties and also the more you can demonFOLLOW THE FOLLOW-UP PROTOCOL strate your abilities,” said Karen Ries, direc“You need to be familiar with the ad,” tor of career services at Kaplan University in Ries said. “If it said no phone calls, there Mason City. “It’s also a good opportunity to should be no phone calls. If they say enetwork with decision makers and HR peomails only, send a nice e-mail saying, ‘I ple in the community.” mailed/e-mailed a resume on Tuesday,’ If you go in person to request an applica(give them a date,) ‘please contact me if tion, dress the part, Saffold said. “I’ve seen you have any questions. I look forward to it happen numerous times where people hearing from you.’ Short and sweet.” She will just walk in the door wearing jeans and recommends sending the follow-up about a T-shirt or pajamas and say, ‘you got anyone week after you’ve sent your materials. thing for me?’ And we have to, as the hiring IN THE INTERVIEW manager, say, ‘are you trying to apply for a Confidence and practice are key, said job?’ The best approach is to come in preRies. Often, and employer will break the ice pared to ask the question, ‘How do you with “tell me about yourself.” The answer to accept applications for jobs?’ Or, ‘May I that, Ries said, should include information apply for a job?’ ” about what makes you qualified for the job. RIGHT YOUR RESUME “If you want to throw in a little bit, you Though it may seem obvious, Ries said don’t have to be completely unpersonable, spelling is crucial. “We tend to rely on spell but you don’t need to share that you have check and you can’t because you can have cats, or that your prior boss and you didn’t an incorrect word spelled correctly, which see eye-to-eye.” At the end, you’ll usually be can throw the whole thing off.” Make your asked if you have any questions. Don’t ask resume accurate and applicable, she adds. “It about what the company can do for you.
b
34 ❖ WOW SPRING 2010
www.globegazette.com/wow
“Have some questions prepared that you can ask, maybe about the training program or about the next steps in the process,” Ries said. “Ask about what you can do for them.” About a week after the interview, send a thank you card. “It’s always talked about, but it’s not always done,” she said, and it will help set you apart from other potential candidates.
Get The Job You Want More If your work day is filled with hours of daydreaming about that cool career you thought you’d pursue when you were 10, or if a recent layoff has got you looking for an industry switch, here are the right moves to make the best move for you. ASK YOURSELF THE HARD QUESTION Why do you want to switch careers? Maybe you moved here and your former position isn’t available, or you were pushed into a career change by a layoff or another event. Or do you just not like your job? “Sometimes it’s not the career, it’s the environment, and you can use your experience and education and twist it a little so it’s in that career but just on a little bit different path,” Ries said. “I was in manufacturing for 28 years here in Mason City, and that plant was downsized. I was the director of operations. I’m still using some operations, it’s a little bit of a twist to come into career planning, but it’s still using some of the same skills.” FIND YOUR PASSION “It’s also a good time to go, I have always wanted to be in medical, but I got this job when I was 18 and it’s been great for me, but I want something else,” Ries said. “Evaluate what your passion is and then go after that. Go after something you’ll be happy with, but make sure it’s decision that’s grounded.” GET LINKED IN: “Social networking is becoming a huge component in people getting jobs, especially changing careers or getting cream of the crop opportunities when there’s so many people looking for employment now, it’s another way to stand apart,” Saffold said. Create a professional profile on www.linkedin.com or www.facebook.com, or start a Twitter account highlighting your interests and skills. “Start talking to people and creating relationships and learning the lingo and learning how to impress a potential employer,” Saffold said. DON’T BE AFRAID TO GET SCHOOLED “You’re never too old to learn, and I think that’s becoming more and more obvious,” Ries said. “I don’t think the non-traditional student is quite as non-traditional today as they were. I went back to school after 20-some years in manufacturing, and it really was just the first step, after that it was fine.” Before you make the decision, she said it’s important to research job opportunities and what the salary windows might be. Go to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Web site, at
www.globegazette.com/wow
www.bls.gov, to see national statistics on different careers. RETHINK YOUR RESUME Even if you’re making a radical switch (once a mechanic, now a florist?), you can identify skills that are applicable to your new career. “We work with a lot of non-traditional students here that do have a lot of experience, and often they’ll say ‘well I was just a ——— —,’ ” Ries said. “And I stop them right there. There’s no ‘just a’ in front of a job title. You were a whatever. You were a lawn groomer. OK, what did you do in that job? You didn’t just groom lawns and take care of weeds. Every position has skill and techniques and experience. You were doing things with policies and procedures, you’re following rules, being ethical, reporting hours, you were using honesty. There’s a lot of skills, but it’s very hard to see them yourself, so I always say have somebody that doesn’t know about what you used to do, that knows about what you want to do, question you, so you can match up your skills, because there’s always some correlation.” LEARN THE LINGO “Educate yourself about the field,” Saffold said. “Be familiar with the terminology, the type of work they’ll expect you to do, the volume of work.” He suggests going online and looking at many different job descriptions for the position you’re eyeing. LOOK NO FURTHER If you’re already at a company with a wide variety of positions, look within your own organization first. “The company will already know your experiences, how your skills are, and if you’re willing to take a step sideways or a step back to be in the right career path for you, the company will so appreciate that and will be more willing to give you that opportunity than if you tried to impress on a new company that you don’t have the skills or experience but you want that job,” Saffold said. FIND A GUIDE “When you’re switching careers, a mentor is always really good,” Ries said. “Try to get somebody in that field or maybe a friend of somebody in that field so you can make sure you’re taking the path you need to be prepared.”
up in that company. And you can do that before you start, by connecting with mentors and networking, or you can wait until you get in there and learn. Identify your area of interest and see where you’re at now and where you want to be, and then start filling in the gaps, with your education and your training, teams, involvement in the company and in the community, or volunteering that will fill in those blanks. When you start demonstrating your skills in this gap, they’re going to start seeing that.” MAKE YOUR MOTIVATIONS KNOWN Ries said most good managers should open a dialogue about your potential within the company, but if they don’t, bring it up during evaluations. “If there aren’t regular evaluations, just let them know,” she said. “Ask for a one-on-one. I don’t know any managers that wouldn’t appreciate somebody wanting to improve their education and training, and grow on what they can give back to the company. You don’t want to train somebody and see them leave right away, and yet a good manager wants to groom them up.”
“Educate yourself about the field. Be familiar with the terminology, the type of work they’ll expect you to do, the volume of work.”
CAN THE CONFLICT If you’ve been involved in office conflict, it can feel like a real hurdle to get past. “If you have had conflict that you were involved in but you weren’t the source, you need to just rise above it,” Ries said. “Move on with your professionalism. But I think the biggest hurdle is if you were the source or you didn’t drop it. Sometimes the answer is no or the answer is yes, and it’s not exactly what you want to hear, but if you’re a true team player, you’ll want to move on.” BE VISIBLE “In corporate American today, getting ahead becomes a lot about relationships,” Saffold said. “Understand what your boss’s goals are, what the company’s goals are for your boss, who their peers Get Ahead at the Job You Already Have are, who your peers are, and what your upper manMaybe you’re already gainfully employed, but you’ve agement’s goals, values and missions are. Begin to got your sights set a few steps up that corporate ladunderstand those things and then create relationships der. Here’s how to plot your climb to the top. with people who are not just your peers and managers but your boss’s bosses. The more people know STUDY UP of you in the organization, the more they’re going to “Know the ropes, learn the ropes,” Ries said. be looking out for your interests to help you get “Understand the company and how you can move ahead.”
WOW SPRING 2010 ❖ 35
go natural You change your wardrobe with the change of seasons, so it only makes sense to change your makeup routine, too. Here’s a guide to looking great without looking made up. Text by JESSICA ABELS Photographed by KAREN JACOBS
BEDDING PLANTS ARE IN! Hundreds of Beautiful Flowers Flowers & Plants in Stock! ANNUALS • PERENNIALS • BASKETS!
323 Main Ave. • Clear Lake Mon.-Sat. 9 am-6 pm • Sun. 9 am-5 pm
36 ❖ WOW SPRING 2010
www.globegazette.com/wow
It may not come as any surprise, but as North Iowa temperatures change, your makeup routine should change, too. We asked Tracie Edelen, a Clinique beauty advisor with Younkers in Mason City, for her advice on applying makeup without looking made up. Read on and ready yourself for a fresh, natural summer look.
I
SKIN FIRST: Edelman stresses that skin care has to be your first priority. “A lot of people tend to cover up their flaws instead of taking care of their flaws first,” she says. The most basic skin care regimen includes soap, a clarifying lotion and moisturizer. Another key to avoiding blemishes is cleaning your makeup brushes; Edelman recommends cleaning them after every use with a professional brush cleaning solution or with soap and water. “That way you’re always applying a fresh coat,” she says. And of course, for year-round (but especially summer) sun protection, apply an SPF before you start to apply your makeup. FOUNDATION FUNDAMENTALS: To avoid unsightly face melting, Edelman recommends a lighter foundation that’s oil free. “They just work better with humidity change and your foundation won’t run,” she says. “They’re not waterproof, but they’re long-wearing.” If sun exposure has your skin color changing, Edelman suggests waiting until halfway through the summer to switch foundation colors. She moves clients into a new shade gradually by keeping them in their winter foundation and using bronzer to match the face to the rest of the skin. To find the correct new shade, blend a little foundation along your jaw bone, then test on the forehead when you found a match. When applying, Edelman uses a brush to sweep the liquid down each cheek, across the forehead, down the nose, and across the chin. Then, like a painter, she
www.globegazette.com/wow
WOW SPRING 2010 ❖ 37
spreads the liquid evenly over the face, including over the lips and eyelids. For covering blemishes, she taps the brush rather than swiping. “That way it will soak the foundation in rather than smearing it,” she says, adding, “The longer a foundation sits, the better is starts setting into your skin. I put on my foundation in the morning and then I go about my business and come back.“ Set your foundation with a mineral powder, which Edelman says is light without sacrificing coverage. BRONZER BASICS: “Choose a bronzer based on you skin color,” Edelman says. “A lot of people going into the summer are still pretty fair, so you should choose a lighter shade and then go into a darker one. I put bronzer over the entire face and also use it as my blush on the cheekbones.” An alternative is an illuminator — tap it on and blend it into the top of your cheekbones for a little extra glow. If you’ve got a sunburn, forego the bronzer and use a loose powder to neutralize.
man says violets are very popular for this season, along with pinks, bronzes, and dramatic lashes. Finally, take a touch-up pack to combat sweat throughout the day; Edelman says powder, a lip gloss and a little blush or bronzer are all you should need.
THE EYES HAVE IT: Edelman uses an eye primer to keep makeup from sliding around. “It’s called Touch Base, but I sometimes just use this as my eyeshadow as well,” she says. “It’s made to be applied under eye makeup and it will hold it twice as long.” When lining, she uses the side of an eyeliner pencil to create a smaller, more natural line. If you pencil your eyebrows, it’s key to go over the color with a brush after you’ve applied it to keep them from looking artificial. FINISHING TOUCHES: Complete your fresh look with a neutral lip gloss, but start with lipliner to hold the color longer. Edel-
38 ❖ WOW SPRING 2010
www.globegazette.com/wow
Avoid micromanaging kids Avoid pitfalls of becoming a helicopter parent Text by ANN-MARIE BERG
I recently overheard two women comparing their busy days. One said, “First, I marched into school to ream out Ashton’s teacher for giving him a B on his assignment. I couldn’t believe it! He knew that stuff inside and out, so that teacher got a piece of my mind. If he knows what’s good for him he’ll change Ashton’s grade.” The second woman replied, “Good for you! I must have just missed you up at school. I had to run Maddie’s bracelet up to her because she texted me that she forgot to wear it, and it matched her sweater perfectly!” “You are such a great mom! After yelling at Ashton’s teacher, I hurried home to make 800 cookies for Jamie’s student government campaign. I decorated each one with Jamie’s face made out of icing. Surely everyone will vote for him.” “Wow. Do you think our kids know how lucky they are?” Studies show that kids with involved parents tend to do better in school, and make more responsible choices when it comes to drugs, alcohol and sex. But there is a fine line between involvement and over-parenting. Helicopter parents, those who hover over and involve themselves in every minute detail of their children's lives, usually do so with the best of intentions. By staying involved, helicopter parents feel they are protecting their children from harm, helping them reach a higher potential, and creating their child’s successful future. Unfortunately, though, these intentions often backfire. It is normal to want to protect children and nurture them to become the best they can be, but we are neglecting parental responsibilities if we hover so much that we don’t allow kids to develop their own set of wings. As children get
I
www.globegazette.com/wow
older it is important that we stop fighting every battle for them, rescuing them every time a mistake is made, or being their advocate to the point of interfering. This type of micromanaging prohibits kids from learning how to handle conflicts, making independent decisions, becoming selfreliant, and confident in their own choices. So how do you know if you are a helicopter parent? Signs include an obsession with your child’s personal life, demanding play-by-play recounting of conversations with friends and significant others, or arranging and running your child’s social life. Call yourself a hoverer if you frequently argue with teachers over grades, with coaches or with other instructors over your child’s performance. Consider yourself a copter if you frequently run your child’s forgotten items, lunches, or favorite pen to school regularly, pick out his date for the dance, decide which sport will be his favorite, text or call daily during school, or pick out his high school math teacher when he is 6 months old. If this sounds familiar, try to restore the
balance between being involved and being a hoverer. First, take little steps to loosen your grip around your child’s world. Allow him to make some of his own decisions, and if they are not completely insane then support them even if you would have made a different one. When you feel a hovering attack coming on, ask yourself why you want to get involve. Consider whether your child would benefit more from handling the situation on his own. Do not rescue your child repeatedly. This teaches kids they don’t have to be responsible for themselves and decreases their motivation to even try since they know you will do it for them. Remember that letting your child make mistakes is often the best way to help him learn, and to increase chances for making better choices in the future. Respect the coaches, teachers, and instructors in your child’s life. Don’t constantly argue with them about how they teach or instruct your child. Become friends with other parents who do not expect perfection from their kids. This will help you stay grounded and less likely to become overly involved. Avoid the pitfall of looking at everything your child does as a direct reflection on you. This puts too much pressure on your child to be like you instead of himself, and only strengthens your desire to control his world. If you feel like a helicopter parent, try grounding yourself so your child can grow his own set of wings. He may not fly in the direction you wanted or at the speed you would have chosen, but if given the chance, you may be surprised at how high he soars. Ann-Marie Berg is a pediatric nurse practitioner and free-lance writer who lives in Cedar Rapids. She can be reached at amhberg@mchsi.com.
WOW SPRING 2010 ❖ 39
MS-20135212
40 â?– WOW SPRING 2010
www.globegazette.com/wow