HERE Issue 008 - Nov/Dec 2018 by HERE Magazine

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i ssu e 008

northwest indiana

A NATURAL NOEL

HOLIDAY INSPIRATION FROM OUTDOOR ELEMENTS ARTISAN GIFTS | A FEAST FOR ALL | FESTIVE ENTERTAINMENT

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E DITOR AND PUBLISHE R

CRE AT IVE DIRECTO R

ASSOCIAT E E DITOR

ACCOUNT E XECUT IVES

Julia Perla Huisman

Brad M. Wolf

Kathryn MacNeil

Margaux Friedman Jeanine Perla Arty Reyes Ashley Spencer

CONT RIBUTORS Ashley Boyer

Michelle Hamstra

Angela Taraskiewicz

Jerry Davich

Jillian Pancini

Amanda Wilson

Rob Earnshaw

Teresa Schmidt

Monica Zibutis

Amy Sheree

ADVE RT ISING INQUIRIES

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GE NE RAL INQUIRIES

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F EATU RES 44

A FEAST FOR ALL

RING OF GREENS

Addressing food insecurity for the holidays

An all-natural take on the traditional Christmas wreath

LADY IN RED

WINTER’S EYE

Scarlet hues arrive for the holidays

Photos that capture the mystique of winter

MADE IN NWI 8

THE HANDMADE TOUCH

AMID THE VATS

How to make gift giving a little more special this year

HERE’s one-year anniversary party tells a bigger story

THE BOHO LIFE

PAINTING PERSONIFIED

Midwest haven for hippies at heart

Artist Erik Stenberg brings his work to life

G ET O U T TH ERE 22

SAVE THE DATE

HAPPILY EVER ASTER

The heart and soul behind a beloved Valpo boutique

Holiday happenings around Northwest Indiana

28 THE SEASONAL STAGE

Live entertainment offers a perfect holiday destination

T H E I D EA B O O K 30

THE WELCOME TABLE

PICTURE PERFECT

Holiday meals to satisfy every palate

How to take great photos on your phone

TURKEY TWO WAYS

SHOPKEEPER SPOTLIGHT

Alternative methods for your Thanksgiving bird

Treat your loved ones to gifts from local shops and artisans this season

ON THE COVER

Photo by Brad M. Wolf Wreath by Sugarfield Flowers

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HERE IS DIFFERENT THAN THERE

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F ROM T HE E D I TOR Although I’m not a fan of winter weather, I admit there is a still, soft beauty to it. During this time of year in particular it even has a romantic quality, because it is so psychologically linked to the anticipation of the holiday season. We all hope for a white Christmas, and when it actually happens there seems to be an extra dose of magic in the air. (Which, funny enough, quickly fades once December 26 hits.) photo | Zahra Schooley

In the magazine world, creating that kind of magic for a holiday issue can be a challenge. Because our print deadlines are so far in advance, we had to put this issue together in the late summer/early fall months. There aren’t even leaves on the ground at this time, let alone snow, so delivering that romantic, wintry feel can seem impossible. Thankfully, our amazing photographers take photos all year long, often just for the fun of it. We asked a few of them to submit photos they’ve taken in previous winter and holiday seasons, and they delivered some seriously stunning pieces. See their photo essay on page 64. For our fashion spread, we stumbled upon a glorious hidden gem in Crown Point—white limestone hills at a seemingly abandoned construction site. From the road, a passerby probably wouldn’t think twice about them. But when we arrived at the site and walked into the depths of the hills, we were struck with awe. It felt like we were shooting in the mountains of Iceland; there were shallow pools of crystal blue water and everything. It was the perfect setting for a winter shoot— even though it was 82 degrees that day. The point is, when you create, you find a way to make the magic happen, no matter what. This is one of the most creative times of the year, which is why we find ourselves more inspired during the holidays. I hope this issue will spark your imagination and help you to look for and appreciate those magical moments that only this season can bring. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Julia Perla Huisman Editor and Publisher

M ADE I N NWI

T HE HA N DMADE TO UC H How to make gift giving a little more special this year by Julia Perla Huisman Photography by Brad M. Wolf Tonya Kauffman, creative designer and owner of Toluka Paperie + Gifts in Munster, shares simple, subtle ways to put a homemade spin on a store-bought gift.

Creating a handmade gift doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be a daunting task. Here, a simple pink notecard set is turned into a lovely and trendy gift by adding a gold border to the cards and envelopes with a ruler and a gold paint marker. Pretty gold polka dot wrapping paper was cut to the size and shape of the envelopes to create coordinating envelope liners. These two easy DIY steps are quick and easy ways to upgrade a gift.

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The same wrapping paper used on the envelopes was also used to wrap the gift. When a gift coordinates, it instantly shows that thought and love were put into its selection. This wooden gift tag doubles as a family ornament for the recipient. It can be created from items in your yard or purchased from a craft store. Use the gold paint marker to add the family name. Sketch first with a pencil to perfect your layout and ensure nice handwritten strokes.

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FI ND I T HE RE Toluka Paperie + GiftsÂ 9442 Calumet Ave Munster tolukapaper.com

AMID THE VATS HERE’s one-year anniversary party tells a bigger story WO R DS Ju l i a Pe rl a H u i s m a n

It was supposed to be an outdoor party. We had it all planned out that the HERE one-year anniversary celebration would be held on the patio and lawn at Byway Brewing. It would have been perfect. But then it rained. We were forced to have the party indoors instead, in Byway’s back room where they do all of their brewing. I was disappointed by the change in plans, I admit. But as is usually the case, the revision turned out to be even better than the original. We celebrated the magazine’s first year by inviting anyone who wanted to come—not just our writers,

P HOTOS Te re sa S ch midt

advertisers, photographers, etc., but also our readers and the public in general. What was most thrilling for me was seeing people I didn’t know, guests who came up to me and said they were huge fans of HERE and were eager to party with us. As a startup, sometimes it seems the only people paying attention to your work are your friends, loved ones and close business network. So when someone outside of that circle comes by, and with enthusiasm, it feels like a small but mighty victory. It was important to me that this party be “very HERE.” I kept using that phrase with the vendors and they knew exactly what I was talking about: cool, minimalist, but life-giving. Our party was all three of those things. And the indoor setting, which I originally didn’t want, ended

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up contributing greatly to the “very HERE” vibe. The chrome vats, industrial walls, wood tables and string lights all perfectly set the tone for a party about a magazine showcasing the area’s hippest features.

These activities were an added bonus to the night but mostly, those present just mingled, laughed, met new people, and had a good time. The smiles were big that evening—which means we accomplished our mission.

Guests were treated to a delicious array of food—and equally tasty beer and wine—by Byway, plus an impressive display of cupcakes from Designer Desserts. DJ Stevie Dee played perfect lounge EDM music that that kept the energy high without overpowering the room. We did live T-shirt printing with Midwest Prints, featuring two designs made by HERE’s creative director Brad Wolf. Guests got a kick out of pulling the ink over their design of choice and walking away with a memento made with their own hands. We also provided a photo op where people could take pics behind what looked like a giant HERE magazine cover.

It’s one thing to create a product; it’s another to create a culture. Somehow over the past year, the HERE team has managed to cultivate a culture that was tangibly represented at this party. Despite all of the negativity in the world, here we were, a group of well-dressed creatives and friends, amid the shiny vats of one’s brewed creations, smiling, laughing, building each other up. Celebrating a movement that goes beyond our magazine: a movement of positivity and progression. A movement that is… very HERE.

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Enjoy Every Moment.

PART Y V EN DO R S A big thanks to the following vendors who helped make the party special: LOCATION, FOOD AND BEER Byway Brewing Co. bywaybrewing.beer CUPCAKES Designer Desserts designerdessertsbakery.com DÃ&#x2030;COR Rachel Collins Design rcollinsdesign.com DJ Operation Getdown operationgetdown.com T-SHIRT PRINTING Midwest Prints mwprints.com T-SHIRT DESIGN Brad M. Wolf companyofwolves.us

$10.00 OFF when you spend $25.00 Must present this ad. Exp. Dec 31st, 2018. Code: HERE2018 Offer not valid with any other offer.

850 81st Ave Merrillville, IN 46410

THE BOHO LIFE Midwest haven for hippies at heart WO R DS Am an d a Wi l s on

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P HOTOS Ra instorm P h oto

Cornelia Baum is most at peace when she’s free to roam. From early childhood on, the creator of Boho Living and roadsideYOGA traveled throughout her neighborhood and across the country in search of satisfying her wayfaring impulse. “Looking back, I’ve always had that wanderlust, free spirit,” she recalls. When bike riding and sleepovers didn’t satisfy her itch to roam, an 8-year-old Baum convinced her mom to allow her to travel by plane with an older cousin to stay with family in Las Vegas. The urge to travel and dream freely stuck with Baum. Her creative and professional journey spans different industries and locations across the U.S.; it includes singing engagements at sporting events for the White Sox, Atlanta Braves, Denver Rockies, Chicago Fire, many DePaul sporting events, and countless weddings. She’s worked at an advertising agency, recording studio audio production, and full post production company, as well as with the MS Run the US relay organization. The side effects of Cornelia Baum’s incurable case of wanderlust include macramé creations, workshops, and yoga lessons that soothe free spirits from California to Northwest Indiana. But, like Baum, Boho Living isn’t limited to one location and it’s more than its creations and courses.

“Boho Living isn’t just macramé or jewelry,” Baum says. “It’s a lifestyle that sums up me and the goals I have in life.” Baum’s eclectic creations include feathered macramé earrings and wall hangings made with all-natural materials and dyes. She also offers macramé workshops as well as yoga lessons. She splits her year between living in California and Northwest Indiana, and Boho Living and roadsideYOGA reflect that duality of California dreams and Midwest authenticity. Love of family kept Baum in her hometown of Lansing, Illinois, yet her heart ached for California. Baum’s dad advised her to follow her heart, go west, and live her life, which Baum did for a while before her dad’s declining health caused her to return to Chicago. She traveled back and forth between California and Chicago with her relay organization job before her dad passed away. Making a decision between staying in Chicago and going back to California was next to impossible. “I was in love with the West Coast, but loved my family and was torn with what to do,” she says. Baum decided not to choose between the two and to stay true to both of her heart’s passions by splitting her time during the year between Chicagoland and California. While here, she resides in Lansing and has her workshop space in Crown Point.

Cornelia Baum, owner of Boho Living and roadsideYOGA readheremag.com

She discovered her love for yoga and macramé during what initially appeared to be career lows. Baum’s short residency in St. Louis included a job that didn’t work out with a newly discovered love for yoga, and she funneled this love and expertise into caring for the relay runners’ well-being with one-on-one yoga sessions through roadsideYOGA. When she was laid off from her studio job, Baum first started making jewelry to keep busy before she learned how to do macramé. She recalls the disconnect she felt in making “smart” career decisions that felt hollow, but says macramé immediately felt right. “I like that, in a way, macramé is structured because you have to use multiples of four and calculate out your pieces. But, you get to be creative with that. It’s just rope and string, and can turn into something beautiful. It’s a reflection that everything has beauty in it, just tied and turned in different ways.” For Baum, macramé is meditation, because it allows her to reset. “Macramé can be super-repetitive so that you

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have to pay attention to the design you’re creating, but it allows for your mind to be occupied so that it doesn’t run away with all sorts of thoughts . . . especially negative ones.” And, just as macramé is more than just rope and strings, it’s more than wearable and displayed art; it’s the stories of those who used to make macramé and the ones who want to learn. “Women who did macramé in the sixties and seventies love to talk about their days as free spirits,” Baum says. “The younger generation has the same ‘free spirit bite’ that I do.” That same vibe abounds from coast to coast, and Baum recently bought a 1975 Argosy Airstream with the intent to capture it on video. “I want to drive it around the country and shoot videos for my roadsideYOGA while living the boho life and continuing to make macramé,” she says. Whether on the road or at market, Baum loves her clients’ and followers’ free-spirit stories. “When I’m at market and I see someone’s eyes light up when they see my pieces, I just know they are going to tell me a story about when they used to macramé.”

FI ND I T HE RE To view Baumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s products and learn more about her yoga classes, visit: boholiving.store

PAINTING PERSONIFIED Artist Erik Stenberg brings his work to life WO R DS | Je r r y Dav i c h

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PHOTOS | Bra d M . Wo l f

Erik Stenberg’s whimsical artwork reflects his fascination with life’s abnormalities. The 39-year-old self-taught artist from Lowell has an uncanny knack of creating quirky characters who find a path from his fluid imagination to a more permanent existence in our world. This creative transformation first takes place in his mind, then through colors and textures onto wood or canvas. These characters, Stenberg says, are creatures he would like to exist alongside. In many ways, he already is. After populating his mind for so many years, they are now populating his clients’ homes, offices and art galleries. “Any time I’m playing around with paint, I’m a happy artist,” says Stenberg, whose tattooed arms are splattered with specks of fresh paint. Although he studied fine art at the American Academy of Art in Chicago, he never took one painting class there. That colorful aspect of his artistry came later, when he grew restless with the trappings of drawing and graphic design work. A few years after graduating from the esteemed academy, Stenberg lost interest in the black-and-white restrictions of charcoal etchings. He tried his hand at acrylic painting, allowing him to leave the drabness of Kansas for a technicolor trip to Oz. His mind became a blender of newfound creativity, pouring out goblets of ideas at frappe speed. Owls, hippos and other animals personified his work. He later tapped into a nautical theme, revealing ripples of his wonderment with the open water. “I have an immense pull to the ocean,” Stenberg says. “Give me an ocean, a palm tree, and a muse for my painting, and I’ll be content.”

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His paintings offer a humorous peek into his allure of sea life featuring human tendencies. A drunken octopus. A melancholy fish. A musical alligator. A naval seal. And, as a hint to his future work, a homeless crab forced to use a sardine can as a protective shell. Stenbergâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ingenuity ebbs and flows like the maritime themes in his work, buoyed by technically masterful brushstrokes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I enjoy painting pieces that you can smile about now and think about later,â&#x20AC;? he says. The Griffith native grew up intrigued with animatronics and a fascination with movies and characters from the 1980s. He has since been repainting his career again and again.

Today, he also operates a house-painting business, NeuLook. It keeps his hands in a paint can and his mind open for creative new ideas. Several years ago, Stenberg fell while paneling a house, breaking both wrists. The spill also fractured his psyche, prompting him to question his creative identity. After healing his wrists, he was asked to paint his boss’s home. It turned out to be a serendipitous request as Stenberg found solace in the repetitive, mind-clearing activity. “It was extremely therapeutic for me,” he recalls. He married his wife Michelle in 2013, and the couple has a 3-year-old son who gave Stenberg the gift of seeing the world again through fanciful eyes. “I think being a father has enhanced my creativity. But I have less time to create it,” he jokes. He also joked that his trademark signature at the bottom of his pieces looks like it was written by a 3-year-old child. “Nope,” he says with a playful shrug. “It’s just me.” Stenberg’s future pieces will feature “garbage integration,” reflecting our species’ shameful habit of dumping trash and plastic into our waterways. Stenberg, who’s growing his own ocean coral inside tanks at his home, takes this global atrocity personally. “Like with a lot of my pieces,” he says, “I want my artwork to convey my feelings about this issue.”

FI N D I T H E R E Erik Stenberg’s artwork can be viewed and purchased at a few venues in Northwest Indiana, including the quarterly Hunt & Gather Market at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point (the next market is Dec. 14-15). For more information about his work, call 219.308.0770 or visit facebook.com/eriksart.

GE T O UT T HE RE

SAV E T H E DAT E

What’s Happening around Northwest Indiana

| Compiled by Ashley Boyer

NOV 3 Charity Wine, Spirit and Beer Tasting 6-9pm, Old Town Banquet Center, 711 Calumet Ave, Valparaiso, lakeshorepaws.org Sample more than 250 kinds of wine, beer and spirits, plus taste hors d’oeuvres and bid on silent and live auctions. Proceeds benefit Lakeshore PAWS.

NOV 17 Winter Lights Night Festival 3-8pm, Sunset Hill Farm County Park, 775 Meridian Rd, Valparaiso, portercountyparks.org Holiday magic for the whole family with a chance to meet Santa, make crafts, decorate cookies, eat s’mores by the bonfire, preview the light displays and marvel at the fireworks.

NOV 3 Farm to Table 4-8pm, County Line Orchard, 200 S County Line Rd, Hobart, countylineorchard.com A celebration of Northwest Indiana’s farmers, chefs and brews with food made fresh with locally sourced ingredients and beer, wine and spirit tasting. NOV 9-DEC 22 Gallery Gift Shop Fri 5-8pm, Sat-Sun noon-5pm, Uptown Artist Lofts, 717 Franklin St, Michigan City A gift shop featuring items made by the artists who live in the Lofts. Friday night will have live entertainment and refreshments. NOV 10 Interwoven Expressions 9am-5pm, Sand Creek Country Club, 1001 Sand Creek Dr, Chesterton, interwovenexpressions.com Midwest artists showcase their original textiles and works in fiber at this 34th annual juried sale and exhibit. NOV 15-DEC 23 Miracle on 34th Street Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Rd, Munster, theatreatthecenter.com Discover the importance of believing all over again in this joyous favorite for all ages. NOV 17 La Pour Brew & Wine Fest 3-6pm, LaPorte Civic Auditorium, 1001 Ridge St, LaPorte, facebook.com/lapourbrewwinefest Pours from local, state and regional breweries, live music and food to benefit the Clarke Park Renovation Project.

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NOV 22 2018 Valparaiso Turkey Trot 8am, Valparaiso High School, 2727 Campbell, Valparaiso, porterstarke.org A Thanksgiving tradition will return with a new, true 5K run/walk. NOV 30 Mix, Mingle & Jingle Party 6:30-10:30pm, Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa, 777 Blue Chip Drive, Michigan City, bluechipcasino.com A networking night featuring dancing, live entertainment and festive food stations. DEC 7 Holly Days 5-8pm, downtown Valparaiso, valparaisoevents.com The streets come to life with the sights and sounds of the holiday season. Enjoy train rides, live entertainment, ice carving, strolling carolers, live nativity, fire performers and more. DEC 9 Christmas in the Gardens 2-5pm, Friendship Botanic Gardens, 2055 E US Hwy 12, Michigan City, friendshipgardens.org The gardens will be bathed in the glow of the Trail of Lights for an evening of Christmas fun and festivities for the whole family. DEC 31 New Year’s Eve Fireworks Midnight, Main Square Park, 3001 Ridge Rd, Highland, highlandparks.org A firework show and hot chocolate to ring in the New Year.

POP-UP MARKETS With vintage items, antiques, one-of-a-kind artisan goods and upcycled vendors, these pop-up markets offer a unique shopping experience, complete with local fare, drinks and live music.

NOV 4 Three Little Birds Market 9am-3pm, The Market, 2405 US Hwy 30, Valparaiso, facebook.com/3littlebirdsmarket NOV 16-17 Fetching Market Holiday Market 5-9pm Fri, 10am-4pm Sat, Lincolnshire Country Club, 390 E Richton Rd, Crete, Ill., fetchingmarket.com DEC 1 Chestertonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mistletoe Market 9am-3pm, downtown Chesterton, chestertonseuropeanmarket.com DEC 1-2 Holiday Market 10am-4pm, Indiana Welcome Center, 7770 Corinne Dr, Hammond, southshorecva.com DEC 14-15 Hunt & Gather Market 5-10pm Fri, 10am-5pm Sat, Lake County Fairgrounds, 889 S Court St, Crown Point

H A PPI LY EV ER ASTER

The heart and soul behind a beloved Valpo boutique Wo rd s by Julia Pe rla Huisma n A little over a year ago, a new boutique arrived on the scene of Valparaiso’s bustling downtown, and it’s been thriving ever since. Aster + Gray, a shop that sells goods handcrafted by more than 90 artisans from all over the U.S.—many of whom are from Northwest Indiana—has quickly become a favorite destination for many NWI shoppers. We spoke with owner Gabrielle Pazour about her vision for Aster + Gray and how it all started.

Ph otog raphy by Brad M. Wolf Before you opened your store, you were a vendor at local markets. What made you go from being a home-based business selling your wares at markets, to having a brick and mortar? In June of 2017, the opportunity to open a store presented itself, and I decided to take the plunge. It was the perfect opportunity to support makers like myself, and having a boutique is something I’ve

Gabrielle Pazour is the founder and owner of Aster + Gray in Valparaiso.

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always wanted to do. Additionally, most jobs that I’ve had from high school through post-college have been for a small, locally owned business, and I really loved that each of those businesses were invested in the community. Through my brick and mortar, I’m able to give back to local nonprofits more than I could before, and it’s also given me the creative freedom to cultivate a really awesome business. Was it scary to make that leap? Anything with an unknown outcome (like quitting a full-time job to be a business owner!) can be scary, but I have such a supportive family and group of friends, and I knew they had my back, so I wasn’t scared going into it. What has been the most difficult part of being an entrepreneur so far? Being an entrepreneur comes with its fair share of challenges, like time management, accounting, multitasking and marketing. I’m not a pro in any of those areas, so I’ve realized that in order to be successful, it’s so important to find the right people who can excel in the areas you’re lacking. We’ve built a really great team with trustworthy people who all bring different strengths to the table, and it works really well.

The most difficult part of being an entrepreneur has been becoming okay with uncertainty. When you have your own business, you’re going to have great days, and you’re going to have not so great days. There’s usually not the “right” time to do something, and you’re not always going to feel ready to try something new. But, you’ve still got to take action and try. If things don’t pan out the way you wanted the first time, you keep trying until you figure it out. And sometimes, when things don’t turn out as expected, it’s a really great thing! Although this has been a challenge for me, it’s been one of the most important things that I’ve learned. It’s pushed me to be flexible and willing to adapt, which I think is key in being successful. The most rewarding? There are so many aspects I love about my career, but the absolute best thing about my shop is that it supports people. Opening a boutique has always been something I knew I would do someday, so by stocking merchandise that’s made by people—many of whom are local to NWI— we’re able to give artisans an outlet to sell their goods, and I’m able to do something I love every single day.

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How do you go about selecting the artisans you feature in your store?

What goals do you have for your business in 2019?

We find vendors through our website application, local handcrafted markets and sites like Etsy, and a good portion of people find us through Instagram. To sell merchandise in the shop, items must be handcrafted, and we also look at things like branding, social media presence and overall aesthetic.

I would love to increase the number of artisans represented in the shop. In the past year, we’ve tripled the amount of artisans, and it would be wonderful to support even more people.

You’ve been doing a lot of events in the past year. What made you start that and how has that experience been?

My husband Kevin and I live in a 1913 Craftsman home in downtown Valpo. We love walking our rescue pitties, Poco and Bee, and admiring all of the beautiful historic homes in the surrounding neighborhoods. The downtown area is such a gem! When I’m not working, I spend time riding my horse Alice—it’s the perfect way to unwind after a long day. I’m also probably one of the only 20-somethings in the area who loves music from the 1940s. I swear I’m from a different era!

Since my shop has event space in the back of the building, it really is the perfect area to host events. We have so many artisans in the shop, and I love that through events, they can share their creativity with other people beyond the products they have for sale in Aster + Gray. I’ve also been working with a close friend on hosting larger events at different venues, and we’ll announce more about those events in the new year.

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Tell us more about who you are personally, apart from your store.

FI ND I T HE RE ASTER + GRAY 20 Indiana Ave, Valparaiso

asterandgray.com

HO O SI E R STAR

SATURDAY, SEPT. 8 Aster at + Gray is event hostingbegins a holiday Doors open 6pm, at 7pm open house on Nov. 16-18, along with St LaPorte Civic Auditorium, 1001 Ridge several winter-themed workshops hoosierstar.com throughout November and December. Details of these events can be found General admission tickets may be at asterandgray.com. purchased at the door or at select

locations, including the website.

TH E SEAS ONA L STAGE

Live entertainment offers a perfect holiday destination Wo rds by Kat hr yn M a c Neil

It happened again: it was September, you blinked, and suddenly the holiday season arrived. You vaguely remember Halloween happening sometime after the back-to-school blur, but it’s a distant memory now that the stores are brimming with festive fare. Before the madness gets out of control, make sure you kick off the season right with a screen-free family outing. Take a breath—then take a few minutes to score some tickets to one of these live holiday performances. Roger Mueller, Stella Rose Hoyt and Courtney Jones star in Miracle on 34th Street at Theatre at the Center in Munster. Photo by Guy Rhodes

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MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET

A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS

IT ’S A WONDERFUL LIFE ! THE MUSICAL

PL AID TIDINGS

A DOUBLEWIDE, TEXAS CHRISTMAS

YES, VIRGINIA , THERE IS A SANTA CL AUS

Nov 15-Dec 23 Theatre at the Center, Munster theatreatthecenter.com “Miracle on 34th Street is certainly familiar from the classic 1947 film and its more modern remakes,” says Linda Fortunato, the show’s director and choreographer. “The story of the real Kris Kringle hired as a Macy’s Santa Claus still touches hearts and reminds us of the power of the imagination. I’m excited to share this classic story in musical form with audiences of all ages. From the littlest believers to those who may have lost sight of the magic of Christmas, this musical brightens the holiday season for all.” Nov 23-Dec 16 Chicago Street Theatre, Valparaiso chicagostreet.org This musical, based on the iconic—and beloved—television special, brings to life the Peanuts characters everyone knows and loves. Nostalgic theatergoers will thrill to hear the timeless jazz tracks from the TV special, including “Christmas Time is Here.” Nov 30-Dec 16 Memorial Opera House, Valparaiso memorialoperahouse.com Wrapping up its 125th anniversary celebration, Memorial Opera House presents this faithful adaptation, based on the holiday-staple 1946 film. With warmth and humor, the musical—which follows the life of everyman George Bailey—explores themes of childhood dreams, disappointing adult realities, and George’s illuminating journey to discover whether his life has made a difference. Nov 30-Dec 16 Towle Theater, Hammond towletheater.org Since 2003, Towle Theater has offered A Fabulous 50’s Christmas to loyal theatergoers—until this year. “Instead, we are thrilled to offer Plaid Tidings, the holiday spin on the ever-popular Forever Plaid,” says Jeff Casey, the show’s director. “The music isn’t a huge departure from Fab 50’s, as it highlights very traditional, wholesome holiday music. The four Plaids are back on Earth for a concert to ‘find their higher purpose,’ and the show includes all the familiar Plaid bits, including an entire Ed Sullivan episode performed in just over three minutes. They even sing back-up to a video of Perry Como singing ‘It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.’” Dec 7-16 Footlight Theatre, Michigan City footlightplayers.org In this outrageous comedy, residents in the newest (and tiniest) town in Texas are not only dealing with the stress of the holiday season, but they’ve also discovered that Doublewide is being double-crossed by the county. Dec 7-16 LaPorte Little Theatre, LaPorte laportelittletheatreclub.com This heartwarming play follows two stories: On Christmas Eve 1897 in New York City, 8-year-old Virginia ponders the existence of Santa after a series of difficult events, while in the meantime, a young newspaper editor is faced with losing his job if he can’t find his writer’s voice by morning. The spirit of Christmas brings these strangers together in the cherished Christmas classic.

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T HE I DE A B O O K

T HE W E LC OME TAB LE Holiday meals to satisfy every palate Wo rds By Ange l a Ta ras k iew icz | P h oto s by Amy S h e re e

, Butter, cream, eggs, flour, nuts. Tis the season for making lists (and checking them twice). For most people, these common ingredients top our grocery lists because they are called for in almost all of our holiday recipes, many of which have been in families for generations and evoke powerful memories of the joy and contentment of days gone by. But for many others, this is a list of common allergens that can, at worst, trigger a life-threatening anaphylaxis, and at best cause terrible indigestion or hives. Traditional holiday menus often exclude those with food restrictions from much of the meal. If you find yourself cooking for friends and family who have restricted diets, either due to food

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allergy or intolerance, religious belief, or a simple desire to adopt a cleaner, greener diet, you may find yourself asking: What can I possibly serve that will satisfy so many different requirements? Kate Rather, the head chef and owner of Green Is Good by Kate in Crown Point, has been serving up delicious allergy- and lifestyle-friendly fare since 2013. She earned her bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in hospitality and tourism from Purdue University, graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in New York, and has interned under Rick Bayless at Frontera Grill in Chicago. Here, she shares simple culinary tips for crafting holiday menus that welcome everyone to the table.

Roasted stuffed acorn squash

Seasonal Fruit Crisp

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your best advice for how to accommodate restricted diets during the holidays? My main goal is for as many people as possible to be able to enjoy my food. When I sit down to work with a catering client, dietary restrictions are always the first thing I ask about. A lot of the time, the people who are hosting a party or an event do not themselves have food allergies or restrictions but their guests do, and I am able to talk them through some things they may not have considered.

Some simple substitutions go a long way. For instance, I use oil or a vegan margarine instead of butter to make a recipe suitable for both vegans and people with dairy allergies. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll use gluten-free flour, cornstarch and panko in place of wheat flour or breadcrumbs to make a recipe safe for people with celiac disease as well as people who are gluten-free.

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Don’t substitutions like that make the recipes taste bland? I like to bust people’s myths of thinking that vegan food and healthier food is unflavorful and not good. My recipes use simple ingredients, but my techniques highlight the flavors of the ingredients I use. My produce is all organic and I try to use as much local produce as possible, and that makes a huge difference in the flavor of things. My seasonal produce comes from two local farms: Lane’s End Farm and Five Hands Farm. I get so excited when they drop their deliveries off. I love the beauty of the produce itself. I love slicing into a tomato and seeing the different designs in it. Vegetables can get such a bad rap but they’re so awesome. What kind of techniques do you use to bring out the flavors of the vegetables in your dishes? Roasting gives vegetables a wonderful flavor and the

R OASTE D STU F F ED AC ORN S QUAS H 2 medium acorn squash (2 to 2-1/4 pounds each) 4 tablespoons grapeseed oil, divided Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons thyme, divided 2 cups Brussels sprouts, ends trimmed and halved 1 teaspoon garlic 1 cup white quinoa, rinsed well 1/4 cup dried cranberries 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1. Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven; preheat the oven to 400 degrees. 2. Cut each squash in half lengthwise and scoop out and discard the seeds. Arrange the halves on a baking sheet pan lined with parchment paper, flesh-side up. 3. Brush the flesh side of the squash halves with some oil and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon of thyme, and a few grinds of pepper. Put the squash flesh-side down on the baking pan. Roast until the squash is fork-tender, 50 to 60 minutes. 4. Place trimmed Brussels sprouts, 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a bowl and toss to coat. Pour onto a baking sheet, and place on center oven rack. 5. Roast in the preheated oven for 30 to 45 minutes, shaking pan every 5 to 7 minutes for even browning. Reduce heat when necessary to prevent burning. Brussels sprouts should be darkest brown when done. Adjust seasoning with kosher salt, if necessary. Set aside. 6. Meanwhile, bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a medium-sized pot, add the quinoa and 1 teaspoon salt and bring to a simmer. Lower the heat, cover the pan and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the quinoa is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, 20 to 24 minutes. Remove from the heat and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Uncover and stir in the cranberries, roasted Brussels sprouts, balsamic vinegar, 2 teaspoons thyme, and remaining grapeseed oil. 7. Stuff the squash halves with the quinoa mixture. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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caramelization gives the flavors more depth, as in my recipe for Roasted Stuffed Acorn Squash. I roast everything separately, whereas a lot of people try to roast everything together at the same time. By roasting the ingredients separately you can make sure you cook each one to perfection. This is my go-to vegan Thanksgiving entrée. Doing all that prep at home, especially at this busy time of the year, can get to be a bit overwhelming. Can our readers order some of these things directly from you? Yes, and that’s why I love what I do. You don’t have to sacrifice eating healthier for convenience. People are trying to make positive change in their lives and I help them stay on track. Everyone wants to live a more positive life and it can be hard to do. Being welcoming is at the heart of everything I do. The holidays are about being with family and enjoying your time together, and you shouldn’t have to go crazy trying to figure out what to make for someone with food allergies or special diets.

SE ASONAL FRUIT CRISP Oat Topping 1/3 cup gluten-free flour 1/4 cup (packed) light brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1 cup gluten-free old-fashioned oats, divided 1/2 cup (1 stick) chilled Earth Balance vegan butter, cut into pieces 1 teaspoon cinnamon Fruit Filling 8 cups seasonal fruit (apples, pears, cherries, peaches) 1 cup sugar 2 tablespoons gluten-free flour 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 2 teaspoons cinnamon Pinch of kosher salt 1. Pulse flour, brown sugar, salt, and 3/4 cup oats in a food processor to blend. Pulse in butter until no dry spots remain. Transfer to a bowl and work in cinnamon and remaining 1/4 cup oats with your fingers. 2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Toss fruit with sugar, flour, lemon juice, cinnamon and salt. 3. Transfer mixture to a 1-1/2-quart baking dish or individual dishes. Scatter oat topping over, place on a baking sheet, and bake until bubbling and topping is golden brown, 60–70 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool 1 hour.

FI ND I T HE RE Green is Good by Kate 186 S West St Crown Point greenisgoodbykate.com

PAN TRY H E R O ES AN D P R EPAR ATIO N T I P S Ask your guests in advance if they have any food allergies or restrictions. That way you’ll know exactly what your guests need to avoid and you can plan accordingly. Substitute cooking oils or a vegan margarine such as Earth Balance for butter when roasting, sautéing or baking. Use a gluten-free cornstarch to thicken your gravy instead of flour. If your guests aren’t allergic to soy, substitute Tofutti vegan sour cream for buttermilk in your mashed potatoes, and mash them with vegan margarine, roasted garlic and cooking water. Keep allergens and meat toppings separate from your dishes and allow guests to add them according to their individual tastes. Unless your guests tell you that they cannot even be in the room with an ingredient (be extremely careful with peanuts!), not everyone needs to go without it. Read the labels of any pre-packaged goods in advance and make sure you hold onto them so guests can confirm if those foods are safe for them.

PI C T U R E P E R FEC T How to take great photos on your phone Sto r y and p h oto s by Mic h e lle H a m st ra

Pictures offer us the beautiful gift of memory. When I look through the archives of my images I am overcome with emotion. I remember the joy surrounding my sister’s wedding, the sweetness of watching my grandma read to my children or maybe the amusement of my poor fashion choices 15 years ago. In today’s world most of us have the ability to capture these moments right at our fingertips. There’s less need than ever to purchase a high-end camera or an arsenal of lenses, because smartphones already have sophisticated lenses and technology that make it easy to take high-quality images of our loved ones. Remember to make the effort to preserve these moments. Take the time to pull out your phone and freeze time so that for years to come you can revisit that memory and experience it all over again. However, sometimes we need to be reminded that posting on social media is not the purpose. Social media can be fun and offer friends and family a glimpse into our world, but it’s most important for us to be present in our lives and with our loved ones. So pull out your phone, preserve that moment, and put it away again to enjoy it fully. You can always edit and post later. I approach photography with the same attitude I have toward my Christmas tree. I like my pictures and my tree to be natural, lit up and tastefully decorated. I can’t imagine enjoying having a dark, bare tree in my home for a month!

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K EEP I T N ATU RA L

BEFORE

AFTER

No fake trees for me! Perfect smiling little ones, flattering angles, fashion-forward clothing and artful settings are not always reality. There’s nothing wrong with making staging choices for the sake of the picture, but authentic memories may mean more to you in 20 years. Perfectly staged images don’t always bring back the same emotional intensity that crooked smiles, yogurt-stained shirts or double-chinned laughter do. So take both. I love a great smiling picture, but I also love all those beautiful in-between moments.

LIGHT IT UP My family teases me because I put an inordinate amount of Christmas lights on my tree. I feel the same way about my pictures. I like my pictures bright so that I can see all the detail of that memory. Natural light is the preference here. Have your subjects turn toward a window or toward a light source. Here’s an example of a moment I could have just captured a moment as is, but I think it was enhanced by moving my body and asking my subject to face a light source. BEFORE

AFTER

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E D I T TASTEF U L LY Gaudy Christmas sweaters are a riot, but I like my tree to have garland and ornaments that accentuate its beauty, not take away from it. Have the same mentality about editing. In a world of Instagram filters and Snapchat beautifiers, keep yourself in line with the ultimate purpose of photos: to authentically remember our lives so that we can draw joy from them for years to come. Extreme filters and skin smoothing donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help us remember what life was really like. Instead, I like to use editing software to help brighten or sharpen an image and maybe add a slight filter or convert the image to black and white. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an image unedited, with a generalized filter, and one I edited myself.

NO FILTER

GENERAL FILTER

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SELF-EDITED

P R O T IP S Make sure your camera lens isn’t smeared with a fingerprint. To ensure sharper, high-quality images, opt to move your body closer to your subject instead of using the pinch zoom. Tap on your subject to focus. Learn how to use your phone’s ability to change the exposure before taking the image. My iPhone allows me to hold my finger down on my focus point and then drag a sun icon up or down to determine how bright I want my image. Download a photo editing app to help you edit tastefully. My phone has decent editing abilities, but I prefer what VSCO and Afterlight offer me in terms of editing options. When taking action shots, anticipate where the action will be taking place and focus on that point before it happens. Activate “Live Mode” if your phone offers it. Once the picture is taken, you can go back and select which frame captured your subject the way you wanted to. Turn on portrait mode if your phone has this feature. This allows you to get that blurry background everyone loves. Instead of one picture, take ten. You can go back later and choose your favorite one to edit. Photographers take a lot of pictures and only post the best ones!

Michelle Hamstra is a photographer who specializes in weddings, commercial product photography and professional headshots. Her classic, modern portfolio is a reflection of her personal aesthetic and commitment to excellence. She and her husband live in Highland with their five wild kids and adorable puppy. See Michelle’s work at michellehamstra.com.

T URK E Y T WO WAYS Alternative methods for your Thanksgiving bird Wo rds by Jul i a Pe r l a H ui s m an

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P h oto s by Bra d M. Wo lf

The Thanksgiving meal is the most consistent of all the holiday meals. Every year it’s the same thing: cranberries, mashed potatoes, and turkey cooked with stuffing (or “dressing,” depending on which side of that argument you stand). Is this consistency a result of tradition or habit? Probably a combination of both. There are ways to mix things up a bit while also keeping turkey as the main course. We asked Lamar Moore, chef at ArtHouse in Gary and chef partner at the Swill Inn in Chicago, for some variations on the beloved American staple. Ever the creative, Moore relished the idea of dreaming up alternative turkey recipes. “When I think of different ways of cooking turkey, so many things come to mind,” Moore says. In the end, he settled on two, which he shares with us. This year, consider branching out and trying one of the following methods to shake up your Thanksgiving meal. In a good way.

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DEEP FR IED TU R K EY This turkey is brined in hot sauce, buttermilk and Cajun spices for a minimum of 8 hours (do not exceed 24 hours).

1. After brining, drain from liquid.

2. I make a spiced flour using equal parts rice flour and all-purpose flour, seasoned with more Cajun spice and a bit of cornstarch for extra crispness.

3. Cover turkey with flour and cook in peanut oil (or vegetable oil if you have a peanut allergy).

4. Bake at 375 degrees until GBDâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; Golden Brown and Delicious.

PAN-S EAR ED TU R K E Y This turkey is jerk rubbed, marinated for 4 hours, and then seared.

1. In a cast iron pan, cook it skin side down for 6 minutes, then flip and cook another 6 minutes. I prefer the cast iron skillet for a great sear and crispy skin. It also retains moisture on the turkey. 2. Finish cooking it in the oven at 350 degrees until cooked through.

S H O PK E EP ER S P OTLI GHT Treat your loved ones to gifts from local shops and artisans

FancyFace Beauty Kit $49 Little Lotus Elixirs littlelotuselixirs.com

BhavyJ Headbands $14 BhavyJ Designs bhavyjdesigns.com

Holiday Spa Bundle $50 The SpOiled Housewife thespoiledhousewife.com and Aster + Gray

Custom Gift Basket Price varies Steamwhistle Coffee Roasters 924 S Court St, Crown Point

Pinecone Candle $35 Indie Indie Bang Bang 19 Lincolnway, Valparaiso 625 S Lake St, Gary

Moroccan Pouf $225 each Mayta Collection maytacollection.com

ADVE RT ISING FE AT URE 44

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FE AT URES

FEA ST FOR

ALL BY R O B E A R N SHAW

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA Z IBU T IS

Holiday traditions come in all forms forthe people in Northwest Indiana.Â For some it has become an Inside lives of immigrant educators important tradition to help those who are food insecure and find it difficult to celebrate the holidays.

Wo rd s by Am a n d a Wils o n P hoto s by Mic h e lle H a m st ra

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PA X C E N T E R That is where people like Nate Loucks come in. In 2010 Loucks founded State Street Community Church in an economically struggling area in LaPorte. He soon discovered the biggest need in the community was food justice. That led to a food pantry that was announced in the form of a simple sign in the church front yard. “I think that first month we fed about 300 people,” Loucks says. “And it continued to grow.” In 2015 a donor gave the church a building that once housed a bar and nightclub. This became the Pax Center, a food-providing organization in downtown LaPorte. Pax, which means peace in Latin, features programs from the church that have moved to the center—giving more people in need a bit of peace. “It is our calling to be good neighbors and take care of those who are struggling,” Loucks says.

Nate Loucks

“WE COOK A THANKSGIVING DINNER FOR WHOEVER WANTS TO COME.”

The organization continued to grow. The city donated an abandoned parking lot which became the Jackson Street Community Garden. It has a u-pick area and spots for anyone who wants to garden. Then last year another vacant building was donated, which became the Brighton Street Green Space. Loucks says they are in the process of renovating it to house community meetings, more garden space and an urban orchard. By this time Pax also added community meals, which Loucks says are different from soup kitchens. A full-course meal is fed and the meals are not just to combat hunger and food insecurity, but also to acknowledge what Loucks says is the poverty of loneliness. Then of course, there is Thanksgiving. Pax hosts a “huge” dinner the night before the holiday, which is held at the church. About 300 to 450 people show up each year and it continues to grow, Loucks says. “We open up the building and cook. It’s one of my favorite days of the whole year. We cook a Thanksgiving dinner for whoever wants to come.” During Christmas, Pax helps other organizations plan smaller events. “It has been a busy eight years,” Loucks says. For more information visit thepaxcenter.com.

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500 T URKE YS Founded by Jennifer Bolton of Valparaiso’s Life Bridge Christian Church in 2009, 500 Turkeys began as a program to feed 500 families. The ministry expects to feed at least 1,500 families this holiday season. “The goal is at least always 500,” says 500 Turkeys team member Kelly Asbell. Distribution of the turkey dinners takes place at the Valparaiso Nazarene Church. Anyone in Northwest Indiana in need can register online and receive a ticket for the dinner. The distribution is a week before Thanksgiving and not only are turkey dinners available to take home, those in need have access to a clothing drive and vendors that offer services such as cholesterol checks. There is also a pizza dinner and entertainment and an area of prayer. “There are a lot of resources other than just a turkey dinner,” Asbell says. Planning for the event begins in February. And each year in August a “Turkeypalooza” is held in Central Park Plaza as the ministry’s main fundraising event.

Jennifer Bolton

“THE NEED IN NORTHWEST INDIANA— IT IS SO VAST AND GREAT.”

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Asbell says hundreds of volunteers help 500 Turkeys distribute meals each year. It’s her fourth year helping to feed the community. The first year she volunteered, Asbell says she took a little boy to pick out clothes. His cancer-stricken mother was weak from chemotherapy. Asbell says she found the boy stuffing T-shirts in his pockets. She told him the clothes were free and asked what else he needed. The boy said he was in real need of underwear. “I called my husband and told him to go out and buy underwear for him,” Asbell says. Asbell says everyone who receives a turkey dinner has a story like the boy’s. “Just seeing the lines forming there—people get there at 6 a.m. just to get their spot to choose clothing,” she says. “The need in Northwest Indiana—it is so vast and great.” Asbell says they are still in need of food donations and volunteers. For more information visit 500turkeys.com.

ME RRY ME A LS Merry Meals is a charitable organization feeding Northwest Indiana families. Mandy Moore, of Chesterton, started Merry Meals in 2008 to provide families with a boxed Christmas dinner who otherwise may not have a holiday meal. The organization’s resources have been donated by its members and other concerned individuals in the community including local businesses. When she started Merry Meals, Moore was able to provide a handful of dinners. It was something special she wanted to do that could include her children. After putting Merry Meals on Facebook after that first time “it grew every year.” This year Moore expects to feed 600 families. “As long as they can pick the meals up, we don’t care where they are from,” she says. Meals are provided uncooked and meant for the families to cook at home. Pickup is between noon and 4 p.m. December 22 at the Chesterton Moose Lodge 1623, at 602 Broadway. To register for the free meal, visit merrymeals.com where there is also a link to the Facebook page. Mandy Moore

“...WE DON’T CARE WHERE THEY ARE FROM.”

OT HE RS HE LPING FE E D T HE COMMUNIT Y T HIS HOLIDAY SE ASON The Goldstar Cafe in Lowell this year will host its fourth annual free Thanksgiving Day dinner. With the help of volunteers, owner Charlene Hall serves 100 or so visitors at her café in addition to delivering food to the community. goldstarcafeandcatering.com The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana’s Hope for the Holidays is an annual effort to provide meals to the hungry kids, adults and seniors across the Region. foodbanknwi.org The nonprofit Portage-based group Our Community Inc. every year hosts a Thanksgiving Day meal at Willowcreek Middle School. On Dec. 23 they will also distribute “Christmas Boxes” filled with meals and snacks for families. oneportage.com

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A RI N G O F G R EEN S AN ALL-NATURAL TAKE ON THE TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS WREATH

By Julia Perla Huisman Photography by Brad M. Wolf Wreaths by Kris Livovich of Sugarfield Flowers

There are a thousand different ways to make a Christmas wreath, but Chesterton florist Kris Livovich of Sugarfield Flowers recommends using found and foraged objects—mixed with flowers from a florist—to build a wreath that is both environmentally sound and unlike anything you’d find elsewhere. “You can use items you have at home that you don’t want to get rid of, but don’t quite have a use for,” Livovich says. “I’ve tapped into my collection of tiny animals that sit in a drawer, or I’ll use dried flowers from a special event that we can’t throw away.” The great outdoors offers abundant options for dressing a wreath as well; you just have to know where to look. And please practice responsible foraging. “Avoid taking plants from private property or conservation areas unless you have explicit permission,” Livovich says. “Be aware of the environmental status of a plant you intend to gather—if it is endangered, leave it alone. Better to harvest invasive or abundant plants that regenerate quickly.”

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Using foraged, bought and recycled materials you can make an elegant, simple wreath. A stay from an old barrel becomes the hoop, antlers found in the backyard the focal point, and one bunch of eucalyptus purchased from your favorite florist the foliage. Flat metal hoops like this are difficult to attach greens and large items to, so use zip ties. They attach quickly and easily.

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Buy a simple grapevine wreath and pinecone garland from your local florist, cut a few low-hanging branches from an evergreen on your property, or someone elseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (with permission), and you have a statement piece to last the whole season! If using foraged pinecones, roast them at 250 degrees for 30-45 minutes to kill any bugs and to smooth the sap that may be on them, making them less sticky.

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This simple wreath can be made with foraged greenery and a few stems of your favorite dried flowers. If your wreath wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be exposed to wind and weather, you can bind dried flowers with covered wire, or tuck stems into the grapevine itself. This is a good use for dried flowers weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not quite ready to part with.

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Succulents, dried moss and wood come together to make a sweet little woodland creature centerpiece. Cut succulents last for a couple of weeks out of water, removing the need for dirt and watering a centerpiece where you might not want spills. Leave the succulents in place until they start to sprout roots, then simply place them on the surface of a pot of damp succulent soil. They will root themselves.

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A mix of fresh flowers and foraged foliage will dry in place, giving you a Victorian feel all through the season. While fresh, use them in a prominent location for a party or events. If you are planning on allowing your fresh flowers to dry in place, move them to a spot where they wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be moved or bumped. Dried flowers are beautiful, but fragile.

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Red LADY IN

SCARLET HUES ARRIVE FOR THE HOLIDAYS

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Sh er r i H ill ruffle d gow n | $3 98 readheremag.com

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Je ss i ca An gel V- n ec k gow n | $250

Marissa Lariat t ie re d ne cklace | $85 readheremag.com

Sh er r i H ill two -pie ce gow n | $350

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We asked three local photographers to share photos that represent the beauty and quiet mystique of winter.

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Top row: Jillian Pancini | Middle row: Rainstorm Photo | Bottom row: Sarah Orsag readheremag.com

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JILLIAN PANCINI â&#x20AC;&#x153;I love shooting in winter. I enjoy the quiet and stillness that comes with a thick blanket of snow as well as the beauty of snow itself. Walking around with my camera, after a big snow, with no one else around is one of my favorite winter pastimes.â&#x20AC;? jillianpancini.com @jillianpanciniphoto

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RAINSTORM PHOTO “For most people, shooting in the winter is a dreaded occasion. For us, we’ve chosen to see the beauty in it. When the clouds disappear, the sun, moon, and stars seem to appear with greater clarity and the crispness of the air seems to bear witness to them. The environment changes so dramatically that photos taken during the cold season come alive more so than any other time.” rainstormphoto.com @rainstormphoto

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SARAH ORSAG “I can’t think of anything that completely upgrades a landscape more than a good snow. The dormant brownness gets dressed up for a while and that creates the irresistible urge to go out and photograph the sparkly, clean new world, even for someone who hates the cold as much as I do.” @essiejane_

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# hereliken ooth erp lace

Dudek â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pin e Cou ntr y Ro lli n g Prairie, In d ian a photo | Jod i Botke 74

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HE RE TO STAY

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