Home for the Holidays 2022

The changes and constants of Christmas

By Tony Godfrey, Harvest Baptist Church pastor

In the late morning hours on Christmas morn ing, all the family from the surrounding area would begin arriving to the small house on the corner. Everyone took the same path into the living room to add to the pile of presents under the tree, through the dining room to a chorus of greetings, and into the kitchen with their con tribution to the coming meal at 1 o’clock.

There was a floorboard at my grandmother's house that would creak and moan as someone would walk through the doorway separating the kitchen and dining room. That floorboard would get a workout as the kids ran around to

play, the teenagers found a TV to watch, and the adults crammed around the dining room table to catch up on the latest gossip.

After lunch was over, we all sat around the living room opening presents and throwing balls of wrapping paper at each other in a mock snow ball fight. Every year seemed to follow the same script. We always had ham and mashed pota toes with sides of laughter, tears, arguments, leftovers, and the feeling that nobody wanted it to end—but it always did. The family would return to their homes, and the corner house and its floorboard would go silent.

Sadly, those Christmas days have all but come to end. My grandmother passed away, and many within the family have moved away. We’ve all since grown up with families and traditions of our own. Every few years or so, we try to make it back to that small southwest Kansas town to re live what we once had. But it isn’t the same; and as I get older, I don’t think it should be. I don’t remember many of the gifts I received on those Christmas days, but I remember opening them. I don’t remember the conversations we had, but I remember having them. Every Christmas morning, I get to open the gift of the memories of those Christmas mornings past. Every Christ mas morning, I get to open the gift of making memories that my family will open on Christ mas mornings future.

My wife and I have been married for twen ty-three years, our kids are all but grown, and we have our own Christmas traditions now. We wake up to a well-lit tree, melodies of traditional Christmas songs, and the smells of coffee and cinnamon rolls. There aren’t a bunch of presents under the tree, because we try to keep it to about three apiece.

As a child, I never understood what Christmas was about. I didn’t understand that we give gifts because God gave us the greatest gift in his son Jesus Christ. I didn’t understand that belief in his death for sin, his burial, and his resurrec tion opens God’s gift of eternal life to all mankind. As a family, we choose to celebrate that gift by reading the story of Jesus’ birth before any present is touched or opened. Afterwards, we spend as much time with as much family as possible. I love it.

Join us in celebrating the season!

By Robin Schallie, Iola Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism director

drawing when three prizes will be awarded.

Get ready for a fun-filled holiday season put together for you from the Iola Area Cham ber of Commerce & Tourism. We are kicking off the season with the annual Block Party when downtown stores will stay open until 7 p.m. on Friday, December 2 to celebrate the holiday season. Shopping, treats and carolers from Iola High School under the direction of Ms. Elizabeth Cunningham will make for a festive way to cross some gift items off your list.

The Block Party will include punch cards that of fer exclusive deals and discounts at participat ing stores. The evening includes a punch card

Merchants pull out the stops when it comes to decorating their stores for the holidays, so I’m excited to see what’s in store this year. Mark your calendars!

The event you are all waiting for is when Santa comes to the Iola Square. See Santa arrive to town via a firetruck at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 3. Santa will meet with children until 7 p.m. Come prepared with your wish lists and bring your letters for Santa. If you forget yours, don’t worry; we will have letter forms to fill out while you wait.

Santa will also meet with children from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 6 and from 5 to 7 p.m. on December 8. The last day to meet Santa will be Saturday, December 10 from 10 a.m.to noon. Also on tap will be rides aboard the Kiwanis train and Iola’s Fearless Fred Trolley. Make sure to enjoy cookies, cocoa, and candy canes at all Santa dates.

The top of your list

By Kelli Frazell, Humboldt Fitness director

The holidays are stressful. Don’t get me wrong—this is one of my favorite times of the year. But between obligations with family and friends, the pressure of finding the perfect gift, and a whole lot more sweets and special foods around the table, it can be easy to lose sight of what really matters.

I understand how it happens: in the midst of making sure everyone else is taken care of, you and your health are often last on the list. I hear it all the time: a member will say they’re just too busy to exercise. But this holiday season, I invite you to put you and your health back where they belong: the center of your life.

Humboldt Fitness is a lot of things to a lot of our members. For some, it’s an escape, a chance to

disconnect after a day spent managing custom ers, answering emails, or running from meeting to meeting. For others, Humboldt Fitness is a place of growth, a time for them to challenge themselves to do something they couldn’t be fore. And for still others, our facility is a place of healing, an opportunity to focus on and repair more than just an injured muscle. Exercise and wellness go much deeper than that.

And that’s why our team loves what we do so much here. For every person who begins their time with us saying they’re too busy for exercise, we see members who gradually begin to feel better about themselves, who become more capable to live like they want to. We know the benefits of exercise: better self-esteem, more energy, improved health outcomes. But it’s dif ferent when it’s you or someone you know.

Because, for as many things as we are for mem bers, there are some things we’re not. We’re not about the short-term. We’re not about shedding 10 pounds in 10 days. We’re not the “no pain, no gain” school of fitness.

Humboldt Fitness is here for the long haul. We’re here to help our members make lifestyle changes, to improve their quality of life, to be a place where members can focus on the building block of their lives: their health.

Humboldt Fitness is open 24 hours a day, sev en days a week for our members. Our variety of classes, both in person and through our on line platforms, offer something for everyone. The half basketball court is a great way to have fun—and get some exercise—with visitors in town. The bright, modern facility is equipped with fully stocked locker rooms, state-of-theart equipment, and a secure entrance along with security cameras.

This holiday season, as things get busy with school concerts, work parties, family gather ings, visits to Santa, last-minute shopping trips to Kansas City, church events and more, breathe. Step back. Even if you only have thirty minutes, even if you just need a place to get away and think, we’re here for you.

Four easy tips to preserving memories

By April Kroenke, April Kroenke Photography

Step 1: The Photo Hunt

Where are your family photos? If you’re like me, some are in a shoebox tucked away in the closet, others, like the baby photos at mom’s house, live in dusty albums. Teenage years? In a half-finished scrapbook with graduation an nouncements and a senior yearbook. And don't forget the photo from your grandparents' wed ding day that everyone wants, but there is only one.

If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. When my grandmother on my mother's side passed, I scanned and digitized old photos and wrote notes that included dates, names, and a story about those in the picture. It helped me create a recorded personal history for my mom.

Photos of family members tell their stories, how we came to be, and our family legacy. Images of my great-great-grandparents in their full In dian regalia, from the headdresses to the buck skin leather dresses, are their recorded history. They're part of who I am.

What about your family’s stories? Who has them? With some simple tips, you can digitize old photos and create something worthy of passing down that will last for generations to come.

The hardest part of scanning old photos is hunt ing them down. Start by reaching out to your friends and family. Give them time, but not too much time.

The level of tech know-how will vary in your circles, so let your aunt know she can snail mail her favorite photos. Then, turn to texts, emails, or a shared folder hosted in a cloud storage app like Dropbox or Apple Photo Shared Albums for those who are tech-savvy.

Once you have them, delete the shots that are blurry or poorly lit. Select those you want to edit and curate as you go to avoid an accumulation of photos.

Step 2: Curate Your Images

First, the good news: With photos in hand, you can consider yourself halfway done! Next up is getting organized. Start by pulling out the images that tell a story or make you feel something. Ask a family member to chime in on key dates and stories behind these photos. You might learn a thing or two about the people you come from.

Step 3: Scan Old Photos to Digital Files

If you're lucky, family and friends can help dig itize those old photos. But if they've sent the photos to you, or if you find yourself digging through boxes in your grandmother's base ment, it’s up to you.

The flatbed scanner is still king for quality, but if you need to scan photos with a phone, make sure to avoid direct sunlight, which can change the color and look of your photographs. Hold your phone overhead and make sure the image is in focus.

New apps can also allow you to quickly scan photos and documents from your mobile phone. There are several that stand out: Pic Scanner, Google Photo Scan, Photomyne, and more. And if you have an iPhone, the Notes app also lets

you scan photos. Click the camera icon at the bottom of the screen and tap "scan documents."

Step 4: Save and Share

You now have digital versions to share! Now for the fun part: creating a digital album for all those photos you've carefully curated and given a second life. Now it's time to put them to print! I’ve made quite a few photo books myself and have some tips to share, as well as unique photo album ideas.

It’s incredibly important to tell your story your way. And that’s part of what makes my job so enjoyable: helping preserve family history and those special moments in a way as unique as you.

From my kitchen to yours: a holiday favorite

By Shelly Stone, Silverado’s Restaurant & Tavern

Late fall is the perfect time of the year for pecans. With that in mind, I’ve decided to share one of my favorite recipes—and one that cus tomers always ask me for—that includes pecans. It’s nice, too, that the other ingredients are things most of us already have on hand.

The recipe is easy and a great way to get rid of extra bread. Here at the restaurant, we don’t serve the bread heels, so at any given moment, I have half a loaf of heels lying around and nothing to do with them—except make bread pudding. I’ve probably made bread pudding a thousand different ways, but this is a favorite of mine when the holidays come around. I usually double or triple it when family or friends are in town.

PECAN PIE BREAD

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Cube bread and put into a 9” x 13” baking dish.

In a medium bowl, mix the eggs until they are combined. Add the milk, sugar, and vanilla and stir until combined.

1½ cups brown sugar

1½ cups pecan halves 9” x 13” pan

Pour the milk and egg mixture over the bread cubes.

Melt butter in a small microwave-proof bowl. Stir in the brown sugar until dissolved. Stir in the pe cans.

Pour this mixture over the bread and egg mixture, and gently fold. Don’t mix it in thoroughly, just fold so the pecan mixture forms into clumps.

Bake for 45 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick or knife comes out clean from the middle. I like my bread pudding a little more done than most people, so if you’re one of those who likes runny bread pudding (again, not me!), 40 minutes may be enough.

A Place built by friends for friends.

Tuesday - Wednesday

11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Thursday - Saturday 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. + 5-9 p.m.

Holiday strokes and heart attacks

Take steps to reduce your risk and know the warning signs

By the staff at Allen County Regional Hospital

The holiday season is a time for joy and celebration, but it also poses a greater health risk with increased heart attack and stroke incidents across the country. It’s important to take steps to help reduce your risk and understand the warning signs should a stroke or heart attack occur.

Reduce Your Risk

Avoid emotional stress. Shopping for pres ents. Planning get-togethers. Family in town. The holidays bring about a lot of stress, which

has a negative effect on your health. Avoid the last-minute rush and don’t overload yourself with too many commitments.

Try not to overindulge. With all the festiv ities, it’s easy to get carried away eating foods with higher fat, sodium, and alcohol content. While this is a time to enjoy yourself, make a plan to eat and drink in moderation and stick to it.

Remember medications. Holiday travel or other changes in your regular routine may cause

you to forget important medications. Be sure to pack your prescribed medications when you’re away from home and be vigilant about taking them on time.

Exercise, not exertion. While we all benefit from regular exercise, especially over the holi days, it’s important to not over-exert yourself. Stick to your exercise routine, and when that winter storm rolls in, ask for help. Even walking in heavy snow can be strenuous—and shoveling snow can put a dangerous strain on your heart.

Don’t delay health care. It’s easy to put off your own health this time of year, but if you’re not feeling right, make an appointment with your provider and get checked out. Taking precautions early can stop a heart attack or stroke in its tracks.

Know Warning Signs

During a stroke, 32,000 brain cells die every

second. During a heart attack, significant time without proper treatment can lead to more damage and slow recovery. Speed is crucial. Someone experiencing a medical emergency will benefit from quick thinking and action on your part. Everyone should know how to spot the warning signs of heart attack and stroke, and here are two easy ways to help you remember. (See graphics at bottom of this and previous page.)

Call 911 immediately if any of these symptoms appear. Every minute counts.

This holiday season, be mindful of the increased risk for heart attack and stroke. Take steps to avoid common triggers for yourself and your loved ones, study the warning signs, and be prepared to respond quickly.

It’s always best to avoid an unexpected trip to the emergency room, but Allen County Regional Hospital and our team of board-certified physi cians and staff are ready 24/7 if you need care.

Expert Emergency Care, Right Here in Allen County

Not all communities have access to specialty-trained physicians. Our ER physicians are board certified in emergency medicine, so when an emergency happens, each of our doctors applies more than 10,000 hours of specialized medical training and experience to treat you—and potentially save your life.

If an emergency happens, don’t delay. Trust the experts at Allen County Regional Hospital. Learn more 620-365-1000 saintlukeskc.org/Allen-ER

Make Christmas shopping this year easier than ever

By Cassie Cleaver, Cleaver Farm & Home

Struggling to find the perfect Christmas gift?

You'll never run out of ideas with Cleaver Farm & Home. With our convenient online shopping, you can shop from the comfort of your home. Have a question about a product? Text us. You can even reserve items for in-store pickup whenever convenient for you. And if you live in Iola or Humboldt, we’ll deliver presents from Santa right to your door!

Whether it’s building supplies, upgrades to your kitchen and bath, paint and hardware or that perfect something to have in your home or around the farm, we have it! Browse our huge selection online.

The holiday season is all about family and friends, and as a third-generation family busi ness, we get it. That’s part of who we are and why we take such pride in our products. They’re meant to last, and the prices are great.

We’re proud to have been a staple of southeast Kansas for over 70 years. Established in 1946 as a small livestock and scrap metal business, Cleaver Farm & Home has provided unmatched service and quality hardware, farm, garden, and building products. And as much as things change, our business model remains the same: to provide unmatched service and quality prod tucts at competitive pricing.

Top five ways to reduce holiday stress

By Vicki Wright, Prevention and Promotion Specialist

Bah Humbug!” If this is the way you feel about the holidays, you’re not alone! Some may call it the holiday blues. Others just chalk it up to the added stress and worry that come with the holiday season.

Attempting to live up to all the holiday tradi tions and expectations often leaves us reeling with stress instead of jumping for joy.

In fact, according to a study conducted by the American Psychological Association, 38 percent of people surveyed said their stress levels increase during the holiday season. Stressors include lack of time and money, pressures of gift-giving, and family gatherings.

Handling holiday stress is difficult for everyone. Here are some tips to make the holidays easier:

• Worry less. It’s easy to compare our celebrations and traditions with those we see idealized in the media. Don’t do it. No family is perfect. Your dinner table doesn’t have to be fancy. There doesn’t have to be an overflowing pile of presents under your tree. And you don’t have to have the “perfect” ugly sweater for that party Friday night. You’ll be able to enjoy the holidays much more if you’re not worried about making sure everything is picture-perfect.

• Establish limits. This applies on many levels. Holidays are a time of indulgence with both food and beverage. Know when enough is enough on that holiday candy and spiked egg nog. Too much will leave you feeling uncomfort

able later. Stay within your budget when giving gifts. It’s easy to splurge for a loved one, but if it’s going to cause you hardship down the line, reconsider the present.

• Remember self-care. With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it’s easy to forget to take care of yourself. Factor in time to exercise, meditate, read a book or do anything else you enjoy. Getting a bit of “me” time may be just what you need to reset your holiday clock.

• Say no. It’s common for families to gather to celebrate. Nearly all families are dysfunc tional in some way. However, some families create toxic environments. If you feel pressured to gather with individuals who cause you trau ma, decline the invitation. The holidays should be a happy time. If these celebrations hurt your mental and emotional well-being, don’t go.

• Reach out for help. Ask family mem bers to divide up tasks or to assist you as you tend to holiday duties. If you continue feeling overwhelmed, consider that your feelings may not just be a side effect of the holidays. You may be experiencing depression, anxiety, or other issues that should be addressed by a mental health professional. Additionally, even if you don’t normally experience mental health issues, but your struggles during the holiday season are holding you back from everyday life, consider seeking professional help to work through your feelings.

Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center is here to help you during the holidays and all other times of the year. Call us 24/7 at 1-866-9732241 or visit us at sekmhc.org. If you or some one you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Nobody should go through trials alone. We are here to help.

Helping you rock the holidays

By the Audacious Boutique girls

For many of us, the holiday season means a busy social calendar. If this sounds familiar, you’ve likely struggled with what to wear to a variety of events. No one wants to be under- or overdressed for the occasion.

Here are some tips to help you rock this winter in style.

You many think that you can’t wear the same outfit for a holiday party and to your family’s Thanksgiving. You are mistaken! When sitting for long periods of time, comfort is key. An oversized sweater, nice jeans or dressy joggers

and some stylish tennis shoes make the perfect family dinner outfit.

After dinner, you’ll likely be ready for a night away from the kids (and the in-laws). Trade those tennies for some ankle booties and throw on a shacket or blazer, and you are ready to party!

Another must for the holiday season is having family photos taken. Whether those pictures adorn a customized Christmas card or a grand mother’s mantel, it is important to coordinate outfit colors.

When putting together family photo outfits, you want to match without being too matchymatchy. A good way to do this is to have a va riety of colors that look good together, rather than having everyone wear the same color or pattern.

You can find some of the best color combina tions by peeking at the autumn leaves. Browns or beiges, reds, yellows, and soft oranges are great for adding some variety to your photos, while still coordinating with your family members.

When choosing outfits, no matter the occasion, the most important thing is that you feel good about what you’re wearing. That’s where we come in. We’re here to help you find the clothes you love. We’re here to help you feel beautiful!

Let's toast the season

By Brian and Lindsey Shaughnessy, O’Shaughnessy Liquor

This season is our favorite time of year. For us, it’s a time to take stock of all the blessings in our lives and celebrate with friends and family.

Here at O’Shaughnessy Liquor, we have some thing for everyone. We offer a large variety of seasonal beverages, no matter the taste or the occasion.

This year, we thought we’d share some of our favorite drink recipes. They’re easy to make, de licious and offer the classic flavors of the season.

Come see us today! We can help make your hol idays memorable by providing the special touch to an evening’s entertainment. Happy holidays, and we hope to see you soon!

Recipe: Cranberry Mimosa

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 ounces of pomegranate liqueur

• 1 ounce of cranberry juice

• 3 ounces of champagne, chilled

• Fresh cranberries, for garnish

Steps:

Gather the ingredients.

In a champagne flute, pour the pomegranate li queur and cranberry juice.

Top with champagne. Garnish with a few fresh cranberries. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe:

Holly Jolly Fireball Shots

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water

Five simple yoga poses for beginners

By April Kroenke, The Wellness Studio

If you are wondering how to begin yoga, here are five great poses to help get you started from the comfort of your home. These poses will help strengthen, stretch and calm your entire body.

Yoga is a practice that can be used for many different benefits, from improving your phys ical health, to relieving stress to increasing core strength. No matter where you are in your journey to better health, yoga can help get you there.

Is Yoga Difficult For Beginners?

Yoga can be scary, especially if you haven't done it before. You may have done some yoga at the end of a fitness class or as a child. That's because many poses are commonly used in other areas of fitness and sport, as you may come to find out through practice.

What Is The Best Yoga Routine For Beginners?

The best yoga routine for beginners is one that you can comfortably do without harming yourself and come out at the end feeling good. Yoga is traditionally performed and measured through breath counts. For beginners, start with a timed yoga routine so that you can take your time and focus on breathing to practice each pose.

1. Mountain Pose

Mountain pose helps create awareness of our body from strength, balance, and stability. It's a great starting position to master. Stand up with feet together, toes touching, and heels slightly apart. Stand tall with soft knees, and focus on your calves, quads, hamstrings, and glute mus cles. Keep your spine strong by engaging your abs and lower back muscles to help maintain good posture. Lift your chest, tuck your chin in

slightly, and pull your shoulders up and back with your arms by your side. You can turn your palms in or out.

2. Plank Pose

The plank pose will help to strengthen your core muscles and arms. To do the plank pose, lay face down on your mat, place your hands by your sides and press up into a tabletop pose. Tuck your toes under and straighten your legs, lifting your body into a plank pose. Maintain a flat back, maintaining a solid position with your gaze between your hands. Keep your shoulders over your wrists, and your body parallel to the ground. Hold in position.

3. Downward Facing Dog

Begin face down on your mat. Place your hands beside your chest on the floor. Press up onto all fours into a tabletop pose. Next, tuck your toes under and lift your hips high towards the sky. Straighten your legs and lift your hips as high as you can. Try to reach your heels down, but if you can't, that's perfectly fine. Press your weight into your hands, keeping your back as flat as possible, extending strongly through your arms.

4. Sphinx Pose

Sphinx pose is a great beginner's backbend pose. To do the Sphinx pose, lay on your mat, belly down, and bring your arms forwards.

Bring your shoulders over your elbows, pressing your hands into the ground. From here, lift your chest and press your navel down into the floor. Next, squeeze your glutes and hold in position.

5. Seated Forward Bend Pose

A seated forward bend will help stretch and lengthen your hamstrings while also length ening your spine. To do a seated forward bend pose, sit with your legs out straight with your feet flexed. Inhale and take your arms up over your head, exhale and lean forwards, taking your hands towards your feet as you lower your body to your thighs. If you are unable to reach your feet, place them on your thighs or shins or as far as you comfortably can.

Be sure to stop by The Wellness Studio to join in on one of our yoga classes.

Merry Christmas

from all of us at The Wellness Studio

23 E. Madison Ave. Iola www.IolaWellnessStudio.com

Merry Christmas