Pick up your free copy of “Seasons of Minnesota” Magazine at:
Willmar ACMC Allergy & Asthma Center Alternative Health Center The Barn Theatre Bluebird Pet Shop Caribou Coffee Cash Wise Foods Compassionate Care Country Store-Eagle Lake Cub Foods Deidra's Espresso Café
Page 2
Dunlavy’s General Store Dunn Bros. Edina Realty El Tapatio Family Eye Center Family Practice Medical Center Gilday's Tea Shoppe Green Mill / Holiday Inn J&M Auto Services Jake’s Pizza Lake Region Bank LuLu Beans
NCRC Petersons Shoes Pizza Ranch Potpourri Health Foods Reflections Hair Salon Reading Therapy Center Rice Hospital Rohner's Auto Parts Running’s US Bank Unique Embroidery United Minn. Bank (Walmart) Walt's Wells Fargo Whitney Music/Jazz n’ Java Willmar Bus Service Willmar Community Center Willmar Family Dentistry Willmar Hearing Aid Center YMCA Spicer Bell Tower Plaza Bellezza Salon & Spa Deidra's Espresso Café Glacial Ridge Winery
Seasons of Minnesota
Green Lake Mall Heritage Bank Mel's Sport Shop Melvin’s on the Lake Pioneer Heritage Insurance Westwood Café New London ACMC Angels & Ivy GlenOaks Heritage Falls Market Hillcrest Truck Stop McKale’s Restaurant Mill Pond Mercantile New London Bakery United Minnesota Bank Raymond Buckingham Vet Clinic Cenex Heida’s Café Also available in:
Atwater, Pennock, Sunburg, and Blomkest This is only a partial list!
Jan/Feb 2010
Jan/Feb 2010
Seasons of Minnesota
Page 3
contents
6
14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30
January/February 2010
Photo Galleries Holidaze - Downtown Willmar Advent Festival - Calvary Lutheran Church Spicer Tree Lighting Ceremony Prairie Winds Concert Band Willmar Area Symphonic Orchestra Rice Health Foundation Gala Sheriff’s Desk Ice Safety
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT The Green Mill & Willmar Conference Center Public Safety Vehicle Safety–Not Just While Driving Willmar Community Center A “Building for Generations”
Local Artist Bill Oakleaf, SOWER of Service
Destination ImagiNation A Dream Come True for Willmar Students Local Flavor Easy Homemade Chicken Soup
It Seems to Me... My Opinion? I’ll Give You My Opinion! Crossword Puzzle Valentine’s Day
Seasons of Minnesota
B B
y the time you read this, Christmas will be over and we’ll be at the start of a whole new year. I know many people who make New Year ’s resolutions, but I don’t believe in that. Most are unrealistic anyway, so you’re only setting yourself up for failure. Even with the best of intentions, we so easily go astray. Instead, I think we should promise ourselves to do better all year long, each and every day, not just at the beginning of a new year. If you’re honest with yourself, you know there are things you need to work on...we all do! I like to joke that I’m perfect, but that’s far from the truth. For one thing, I am a terrible procrastinator. In fact, I’m writing this note at the very last minute. This issue goes to the printer in the morning; everything else is done except this page. I always (always!) put it off until the very end. I need to work on getting things done sooner so that I don’t get myself stressed out...but I’m not making a resolution about it. I don’t need the pressure! Since I’ve also been procrastinating on wrapping Christmas presents, I guess I’ll go and do that right now. You might be surprised that I don’t wait until the end for my shopping (I hate crowds!), but wrapping everything is a different story. On second thought, maybe I’ll just relax and watch TV instead. I can always do it tomorrow!
Publisher & Editor Sheila Quinn
Contributing Editor Laurie McCabe Advertising Sheila Quinn 320.444.3272 Joan Strutz 320.491.7981
Graphic Design Leandro Rodrigues Distribution Maxine Sweeter
Contributors Dennis Benson Marilee Dorn LeAnne Freeman Greg Harp Sheriff Dan Hartog Margaret Lanning Jennifer Oakes
Seasons of Minnesota
Wishing you a happy new year,
PO Box 1707 Willmar, MN 56201
Phone: 320.444.3272
Sheila
E-mail: publisher@ seasonsminnesota.com
www.seasonsminnesota.com ________________________
To advertise, please call: 320.444.3272 or email: publisher@ seasonsminnesota.com
________________________
Seasons of Minnesota is published bi-monthly by Quinn Graphics and Publishing, Inc. of Willmar, MN. No part of this publication may be reproduced, in any form, without prior written permission from the publisher and original author. Contributors maintain copyright ownership for all articles, photos, artwork, and other submissions. Opinions expressed by the authors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Page 4
Publisher’s Note
Seasons of Minnesota
Jan/Feb 2010
Jan/Feb 2010
Seasons of Minnesota
Page 5
Photos by Dennis Benson and Sheila Quinn
Page 6
Seasons of Minnesota
Jan/Feb 2010
Jan/Feb 2010
Seasons of Minnesota
Page 7
Photos by Greg Harp
Page 8
Seasons of Minnesota
Photos by Sheila Quinn Jan/Feb 2010
Jan/Feb 2010
Seasons of Minnesota
Page 9
Photos by Dennis Benson
Photos by Dennis Benson Page 10
Seasons of Minnesota
Jan/Feb 2010
Jan/Feb 2010
Seasons of Minnesota
Page 11
Photos by Dennis Benson Page 12
Seasons of Minnesota
Jan/Feb 2010
Jan/Feb 2010
Seasons of Minnesota
Page 13
Sheriff’s Desk
S
by Dan Hartog, Kandiyohi County Sheriff
o o n w e w i l l b e able to walk on water…frozen water, that is! At the time that I am writing this, the lakes have not yet frozen over. When they do start to freeze, we get excited to go onto the ice to enjoy many different winter activities. When venturing out onto the ice, keep in mind that it is never 100% safe. Before you go out on the ice, check its thickness for safety. One of the ways to check this is by using an ice chisel or ice auger and a tape measure. When checking the ice, keep in mind that its thickness can change from area to area in a very short distance. A general safety guideline follows:
S Page 14
2 inches or less – stay off the ice 4 inches – ice fishing and other activities on foot 5 inches – snowmobile or ATV 8 to 12 inches – car or small pickup 12 to 15 inches – medium-size truck
The above recommendations concerning ice thickness are based on new and clear solid ice. Keep in mind that ice that has formed near currents or running water is dangerous, and the ice thickness around the running water can vary greatly. A flock of geese or ducks can keep an opening in the ice. After they leave, the ice starts to form, but it is not going to be the same thickness as
Seasons of Minnesota
Jan/Feb 2010
the surrounding ice. When driving cars and trucks on the ice, make sure you know that the ice will support its weight, and leave a method of escape from your vehicle if it breaks through the ice and goes into the water. The best method of escape is by leaving your window(s) down so that you can get out immediately. If your vehicle breaks through the ice, it is possible that you will be unable to open the doors. If you do end up in the water, don’t panic! Turn toward the direction that you were traveling and try to pull yourself on the ice by placing your arms and hands on the ice. The one item that could assist you in getting back onto the ice would be to always make sure to carry some large nails that are tied around your neck with a piece of string. You could also c a rry a sc rew d ri v er or something sharp so that if you do go through the water, you can grab the makeshift picks, place those into the ice, and pull yourself back onto the ice. If you are with someone else and they fall into the water, the safest way to get them out of the water is throw them some rope or something you are able to get to them without going next to the hole yourself. If you have a cell phone, call 9-1-1 immediately. Another scenario is when individuals go out onto the lake on a clear day. As evening sets in, fog will also set in…and when you go to leave the lake, you find that you cannot see the shoreline and become easily disoriented. The best thing to do if this situation arises is to wait out the fog, hoping that it will lift, so that you will be able to see the shoreline. We have had cases where people have left their fish houses and thought they were going the right direction, but have ended up driving
Jan/Feb 2010
onto thin ice or open water. Information from the Department of Natural Resources shows that since the year 2000 there have been 37 people who have died by going through the ice on different lakes throughout the state. Always remember to respect the ice; no ice is 100% safe, and ice conditions can and will change. Have a safe winter! ‹‹
Seasons of Minnesota
Page 15
Business spotlight
Management team, left to right: Justin Thies – Assistant GM Jesse Serbus – Kitchen Manager Jessica Fischer – Director of Catering Monty Marquardt – Executive Chef Tim Mattern – Assistant GM Andy Pirrotta – General Manager
Green Mill
Y
&
Willmar Conference Center
WILLMAR’S HOT SPOT!
ou’ve got a busy week ahead. Hel pi n g t o pl an you r c ous in’ s wedding with 600 guests, organizing a business lunch meeting for eight board members, getting together with old college friends on Friday night, it’s your anniversary on Saturday, and you have no idea what’s for dinner tonight. We all know how difficult planning an event of any size can be.
Page 16
Aren’t you fortunate to live in or around Willmar, because in our area we have the Green Mill and Willmar Conference Center located in one convenient location. Between the two of them—and the attached Holiday Inn—most all of your events can be handled with ease. As Minnesota’s most-awarded pizza brand, Green Mill is well-known to Willmar residents,
Seasons of Minnesota
Jan/Feb 2010
offering thin, classic-style crust to hand-tossed and Chicago-style deep dish. Offering over 100 freshly prepared menu items, Green Mill of Willmar prides itself on fresh, high-quality ingredients in their creation of pizza, salads, appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, wraps, and pasta. They are known for their delicious walleye, and now feature a brand new menu of mouth-watering steaks: “Willmar’s Home for Great Steaks.” Their extensive wine list is the best in the area, from premium wines like Beringer, Wyndham Estate, Sterling, La Crema, and Louis Martini, to outstanding local wines from Glacial Ridge Winery. Green Mill is also known as a hot spot for margaritas, with 50 different kinds. Sunday brunch at the Green Mill is a real treat, with a wide variety of offerings; many of the foods are prepared fresh right in front of you, from build-your-own omelets and pastas to hand-carved meats. Exclusive to Willmar is the MVP Card, which gives you a generous discount once a month. For only $5 a year, members receive 15 percent off any food purchase—including take-out, and a free appetizer once a month. There is also a Mug Club at the Willmar Green Mill. A $20 fee gives members excellent prices on domestic and premium tap beers by the
Jan/Feb 2010
glass…year-round, any time! For sports fans, Green Mill has 50-inch plasma HDTVs, and free WIFI is available throughout the entire facility, making it “the place to go in Willmar.” The Willmar Conference Center is the premiere location in the area for conferences and business meetings, weddings or rehearsal dinners, family reunions, fundraising events, trade shows, and more. The Grand Ballroom has space for up to 600 guests or can be divided into seven separate rooms for more intimate settings. An executive boardroom has meeting space for up to ten people and features a plasma television. The Grand Ballroom has audio/visual equipment available as well. Willmar Conference center Executive Chef Monty Marquardt prides himself in being able to create custom-tailored meals…anything from an elegant seven- to nine-course gourmet dinner for eight, to a large sirloin steak dinner for 600 served right to your table. If you have a special theme, he would love to incorporate it into your meal. Catering is also available for off-site functions. As you can see, the Green Mill and Willmar Conference center—adjacent to the Holiday Inn—really can be your one-stop location for all of your entertaining and event-planning needs. Green Mill and Willmar Conference Center are located at 2100 E Hwy 12 in Willmar. You can reach them by phone at 320-235-6060, or on the web at: www.greenmillwillmar.com or www.greenmillwillmarcatering.com. ‹‹
Seasons of Minnesota
Green Mill's famous walleye
Page 17
By Marilee Dorn Willmar Police Department
Public Safety
M
any people believe that nothing b a d c a n h a pp en onc e we’ ve arrived at our destination and parked our vehicles. Police officers know this isn’t true! While a hit-and-run crash may be outside your control, many other problems are preventable. Always check that you are in a safe and legal location when choosing a parking spot. This may mean determining whether you are parking in an area with restrictions; what day of the week it is, whether there are snow noparking restrictions, and how close you are to a fire hydrant. Do not park in these areas even if you’ll “only be a minute.” Check that your vehicle is in a position that minimizes the chances someone will hit it while turning, backing, or moving through a parking lot. For your safety, try to park where you have a direct line of sight and walking path from your vehicle to the doors of the building you’ll be visiting. Avoid high-risk locations like loading docks, high-traffic crossings, and places where a predator could hide. The closest spot isn’t always best.
M
Page 18
Never leave children or pets in your vehicle. Leaving a child under age eight alone in Minnesota is cause for opening a child neglect investigation—and “alone” includes leaving a toddler in a car when they’re napping—even if you can see the car from inside a building. Children or vulnerable adults can be kidnapped from a car, abducted during a vehicle theft, they can knock transmissions out of “park,” succumb to carbon monoxide poisoning, experience power window strangulation, car fires, or wake up and wander through the parking lot. These non-traffic incidents cause an average of 200 deaths of children annually in the US. Use drive-up facilities or plan to take your child with you; your vehicle is not a babysitter or a playpen. In addition, children should never be allowed to play with real car keys. While frostbite may seem a more immediate threat in Minnesota during midwinter, overheating is a danger to anyone left in a parked vehicle when it’s above freezing. As spring approaches, we must be concerned about heat rise in a vehicle even on cool days.
Seasons of Minnesota
Jan/Feb 2010
The temperature rise inside a vehicle parked in the sun, regardless of outside temperature, averages 19 degrees in 10 minutes, 29 degrees in 20 minutes, and your car will go from 75 to 109 in less than 30 minutes. Children will heat up nearly five times faster than adults, and brain damage can happen at just a few degrees of overheating. Elderly passengers can have similar risks. Dogs cannot cool themselves other than by panting, and they will die if their body temperature reaches 106 degrees. Experiments show that leaving the windows cracked open will not make enough difference to prevent a death. Do not leave anything visible inside your parked vehicle that you are not willing to lose. This includes GPS units, cell phones, purses and wallets, CDs or MP3 players, gym bags, and briefcases. If you must leave them in your vehicle, put them in the trunk or a secure storage area before you arrive at your intended parking spot so a thief doesn’t watch you hide them. Make sure to lock your vehicle and pocket the key. Never, ever leave your vehicle running unattended! Thefts of running vehicles rise during the winter months when people want to warm up the interior before getting inside. Instead, dress for the weather and only let your vehicle run as long as it takes to scrape your windows. While not a law in Kandiyohi County, in many communities (including Minneapolis and St. Paul) it is illegal to leave
Jan/Feb 2010
the keys in the ignition of any vehicle when it’s not directly attended by a licensed driver. You should be within arm’s reach of your car any time it’s not locked. If you use a remotestart device—and you should only install those that shut the engine down if someone tries to move the shift lever without putting the key in the ignition—be aware that even with that equipment in the Twin Cities metro are, you may not let your vehicle idle more than five minutes. Vehicle experts advise that five minutes is the maximum any vehicle should run at start-up without moving—you also need to warm up the car’s other fluids and parts by driving slowly for a short distance—unless it’s a diesel engine and the temperature is below -10 F (add 1 minute for each degree colder). And one last tidbit: Minnesota law does require you to set your vehicle’s parking brake whenever you leave it. ‹‹
Seasons of Minnesota
Page 19
Book Clubs: The Willmar Community Center has three book clubs to choose from. All book clubs meet monthly: Friday Morning, Tuesday Evening, and a Men’s Tuesday Evening group.
T
By LeAnne Freeman
he Willmar Community Center is a multi-faceted facility that provides social, educational, and recreational services to enhance the quality of life for the community. The Center welcomes all ages to attend its programs, classes, and activities. Although the predominant age is 50 and over, we encourage intergenerational events… so invite your friends and family members to become involved in our events!
T
Activities and Programs: Exercise Equipment: Check out our exercise room at the center. Blood Pressure: The Kandiyohi County Public Nurses are here the third Tuesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. Driver Safety Programs: These are are taught by trained volunteers and are open to motorists 55 and older. Your auto insurance company may provide a price break for attendance. Exercise Classes (at City Auditorium): • Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays: 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. (October-April) • Mondays and Wednesdays: 9:00 - 9:45 a.m. (May-August) Robbins Island Walkers (meet at Lion’s Shelter): An informal gathering of walkers of all ages meet Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:00 a.m. (June-August) “Knowledge University”: Enrich your life! Expand your Horizons! Challenge your Mind! “K” University will provide intellectual and cultural stimulations and growth, thus enhancing life experiences. You will find new roles, make new friends, and discover new hobbies and ideas. Page 20
Seasons of Minnesota
Jan/Feb 2010
Intergenerational Programs: Grandparent and Child Fishing: June and July Monday Music Series: June - August Monday Knitting: June and July Roosevelt Kids: October - May
Family Fun Community Events: Grandparents Celebration, Pumpkin Patch, Holiday Blitz, and Friday Night Shenanigans
Rental Opportunities: Rooms at the Willmar Community Center are available for rental. Call the Coordinator’s Office at 231-9797 for renting information. Private, business, and non-profit rates apply.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––The Willmar Community Center is owned, operated, and funded by the City of Willmar under the policies and guidelines established by the Willmar Community Center Council and the City of Willmar. The Center is located at 624 NE Hwy 71 in Willmar.
Facilities at the Center: Lounge Area: A comfortable place to enjoy a book, magazine, puzzles, cards, games, the coffee bar, or the friendship of others. Classroom: For continuing education and/or organizational meetings. Computer Lab: Has five computers and a printer. The computer room is open daily 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Call to learn about the courses offered. Dining area: Meals served daily at 11:30 a.m. Call 222-3777 to reserve your meal or pick up a daily menu calendar. Auditorium: A 198-seat stage area with large video screen. Woodshop: Shop and equipment use is available to all adults 50 and over. Check for daily schedule. High Community Garden: Garden plots– sizes are 10 x 15’.
Jan/Feb 2010
Seasons of Minnesota
Page 21
By Jennifer K. Oakes
LOCAL Talent
B
ill Oakleaf wants the world to know that just because he’s in his golden years does not mean he’s lost his worth. The Korean War veteran may be a senior citizen, but he’s also a super citizen with a passion for fine arts and a dedication to service. A retired professor of technical illustration at Ridgewater College, Oakleaf is a self-taught artist and alumni volunteer for the nondenominational Christian organization, SOWER (Servants On Wheels Ever Ready.) Through SOWER, this 77-year-old Willmar native has been giving his creative gifts to God for over a dozen years and he’s not about to let the number of birthday candles on his cake get in the way.
B Page 22
“Age is simply a state of mind,” the effervescent artist believes. “We’re not all just going to play shuffleboard all winter, ya know!” Oakleaf first heard about the good deeds being done by SOWER volunteers when an active member paid a visit to his church and the two struck up a conversation. Oakleaf learned that the organization was comprised mostly of retirees from around the country who owned RVs and were willing to lend a hand to those in need. According to their website, the non-profit working ministry is made up of approximately 2,000 interdenominational, born-again Christian RVers (mostly retired) who delight in serving the Lord by using their various
Seasons of Minnesota
Jan/Feb 2010
acquired skills and God-given gifts to perform volunteer work on selected projects at various Christian ministries. SOWER volunteers are given free RV hook-ups in exchange for volunteer labor on the Christian service project of their choosing, one month at a time. Typical SOWER projects include building churches, camps, and conference grounds. Oakleaf thought it sounded pretty cool and his wife, Margaret, agreed. The pair quickly raised their hands to help out. Their first project required them to work alongside the Youth With a Mission group in the Hawaiian Islands. “We really suffered through that winter,” Oakleaf joked. Over the next decade or so, the couple then pulled their recreational vehicle approximately 25,000 miles across the country, and worked on more than twenty different projects. According to Oakleaf, many of their projects served organizations that were “hanging onto dear life with their fingernails,” financially. “If we were asked to paint a wall,” he explained, “that often meant we were going downtown to buy some paint at the local hardware store.” Due to the nature of the work, Oakleaf said SOWER has been a real blessing in their lives. Since volunteers live together, eat together, and work together, bonds are quickly and deeply forged. “We have friends all around the country now!” However, when the progression of Margaret’s Parkinson’s disease began to make travel difficult, Oakleaf found a way to serve the organization from his home—with a paintbrush.
Jan/Feb 2010
Oakleaf recently completed a breathtaking 20-foot mural entitled “Wildflowers of Texas” for a children’s bible camp in Giddings, Texas—a project five years in the making. Oakleaf said he had a lot of fun puttering around with the acrylics here and there, planting little hidden animals in the mural for the children to discover in their dining hall. “Now that it’s all done, I feel kind of unemployed,” Oakleaf chuckled. Although Oakleaf offered to frame and ship the mural down south, the staff of Camp Tejas will make the drive north to transport the massive mural to its new home sometime this spring. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For more information, or to volunteer for SOWER, visit their website: http://www.sowerministry.org/
Seasons of Minnesota
Page 23
W
By Margaret Lanning
and Carly Hulstein arrived at Kennedy Elementary with the entire school there to greet them with signs and cheers. The first team from Willmar to make it to Global Finals boarded their bus and eighteen hours later they arrived at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, joining more than 10,000 other student hopefuls. Ye Old Cardinals performed first thing the next morning. Ben Lanning recalled that the team was up until midnight preparing. “We were ready. I didn’t have any expectations, and it was more fun that way ’cause you know you’re competing against the world.” A few days later, the team participated in the second half of the competition, called an “instant challenge.” They were given a problem and the materials to solve it. In their case, they had to roll a ball down a chute with an egg at the bottom; the challenge was to roll the ball down the chute without damaging the egg. Their solution was reached in less than eight minutes. The closing ceremonies and team results were held in an overflowing amphitheater, the group knowing they were up against 72 other teams. First to sixth place awards were announced, with no mention of the Ye Old Cardinals. Michaelson
hat would you do if you had two weeks to raise $13,000? One Willmar Destination ImagiNation team from Kennedy Elementary found out last April. The team, self-named “Ye Old Cardinals,” won second place in tournaments at the regional and state levels that enabled them to participate in a global competition in Knoxville, Tennessee. Destination ImagiNation (DI) is an afterschool program in which students work in teams to solve challenges and present their solutions in tournaments. Challenge categories include technical/mechanical design, scientific exploration and theater arts, theater, literature and fine arts, improvisation, and structural/architectural design. DI exists in all 50 states and in over 30 countries. Willmar has participated in DI for seven years. Ye Old Cardinals worked for six months to create a live music video based on the book, Sir
Page 24
Cumference and the First Round Table. Their creation satisfied the requirements of one subsection of the literature and fine arts category called ViDIo Lit Hits. Their second win qualified them for the Global Finals, however, it came with only two weeks available to raise funds to attend the prestigious event. With the odds against them, these third and fourth graders approached local businesses, waited tables at the Pizza Ranch, applied for a scholarship, and received donations from friends and family that equaled the needed $13,000. “It just seemed like an insurmountable amount of money to come up with...and it was amazing that the community wanted to make that happen for us,” said team manager Angie Michaelson. On Tuesday, May 19th 2009, team members Olivia Hagen, Addie Erickson, Ethan Panchyshyn, Rachel Swanson, Ben Lanning, Brady Newcomer,
Seasons of Minnesota
Jan/Feb 2010
The send-off...other students show up to wish them luck!
Jan/Feb 2010
remembered, “They really were (bummed)… We got on the bus, and luckily, one of the parents still had some internet access…I remember when it was announced that they got ninth [place]; it was like, [an] uproar!” Team manager Amanda Pehrson added, “It was just amazing to be ninth in the whole world.” Discouragement gave way to celebration, and the team returned to Willmar to share their excitement with the community who made it happen. Reflecting on their experience, Pehrson remarks, “Nothing beats the DI experience…the kids are all creative and brilliant thinkers. These could be future CEOs and inventors…kids who could possibly change the world.” Team member Carly Hulstein expressed her gratitude to the community. “We started in third grade, and then in fourth grade we tried harder and we got there. Thank you, thank you, thank you…you made this dream come true.” ‹‹ __________________________________________ DI tryouts are held every October for grades three, four, and five at Kennedy Elementary in Willmar. If your child is interested in participating in DI, be sure to look for information at that time or call your school’s principal for more information.
Seasons of Minnesota
Page 25
Local flavor Put the chicken, water, and salt in a large kettle. Bring to a boil and simmer about an hour, until chicken is tender. Remove chicken from broth. Cool, then remove meat from the bones. Cut or shred chicken into bite-sized pieces; set aside. Skim excess fat from broth. Bring broth back to a boil, then add carrots, potatoes, celery, and onions (amount to taste). Add homemade noodles. Cover and simmer 8 to 10 minutes, until noodles are almost done. Add the cooked chicken and heat through, about 5 minutes.
Mom’s Homemade
Homemade Noodles:
Combine two beaten eggs, 1 cup flour, and 2 to 3 tablespoons milk. Roll very thin on floured surface, then let stand for 20 minutes. Roll up loosely, then slice 1/4-inch wide. Unroll and let dry before using. ‹‹
Makes 8 servings.
Chicken Noodle Soup
M
y neighbor brought us homemade chicken noodle soup last fall, and we thought it was the best! So I asked her if she would be willing to share the recipe here, since soup is great warm-up food during a cold winter. It requires only basic ingredients, and even the homemade noodles aren’t difficult. (You can use storebought noodles, though, if you really don’t want to make your own.) Measurements don’t have to be exact; use more or less depending on your tastes. I like lots of broth, for instance, so I use extra water. Hopefully this will help keep you warm this winter...it’s been brutal so far! INGREDIENTS:
1 whole chicken 6-8 c. water 1/2 c. chopped onion 1 t. salt 1/4 t. ground pepper
1-2 c. sliced carrots 2 c. diced potatoes 1/2 c. chopped celery homemade noodles (recipe below)
>>> continued on next page >>> Page 26
Seasons of Minnesota
Jan/Feb 2010
Jan/Feb 2010
Seasons of Minnesota
Page 27
By Laurie McCabe
It SEems To Me
A
My Opinion? I’ll Give You My Opinion!
wh i l e b a c k I read a p iec e in ShopSmart magazine about how store receipts were getting longer and longer. The article cited that a Sears receipt for one pair of crew socks yielded over four feet of paper! Page 28
A cash register receipt has typically shown the name and address of the store, the items you’ve purchased, coupons or discounts, tax, a tip line if applicable, total, and a thank you. In the last few years, receipts have added rebate details, warranty information…
Seasons of Minnesota
Jan/Feb 2010
and invitations to take a “short” survey. Surveys give you the opportunity to voice your opinion and offer feedback. I have always liked taking surveys, and I think most people do, too. But lately they come at us from every direction: on those lengthy receipts, in the mail, via automated phone calls, as pop-up windows on websites…. Every time my sister calls her cable company in Southern California, she is told that within a few days she will receive a phone call requesting feedback. The operator even asks for an instant rating of their service. Do you really want to tell the person with all of your personal details in front of them on a computer screen that they did a terrible job? Each time I call my bank or telephone company, I’m asked for my permission to take a survey at the end of my call. I used to always say “yes.” I like my bank and my phone company and I’d like to keep them posted on their service; however, I’ve become more and more aware of the time that I’m spending answering questions. Some of these feedback sessions can last ten minutes or more! I’m beginning to resent the time I’m spending and the marketing research I’m giving for free to a company who should be happy enough that I’m doing business with them. There are companies who offer you “payment” for your time and opinion. Some cash register receipts lure you into taking a survey by awarding an entry into a prize drawing if you call a phone number or log on to a website. Have you ever won? Me neither. There are a few companies that actually
Jan/Feb 2010
give you something for your time. Panda Express restaurants give you a free entrée on your next time visit if you take their survey. They value my time, and I appreciate it…but they are in the minority. It seems to me that companies should worry less about hounding their customers for feedback and just concentrate on doing a good job. And if they really want to know what I think, how about paying me for my time just as I pay them for theirs? So the next time someone asks me for my opinion, here’s what they’re gonna get: Stop asking me to take your surveys! Stop calling the next day, stop clogging my email inbox, and please save a few trees by leaving 800 numbers and website addresses off the bottoms of your receipts. I’m not going to contact you anymore. ‹‹ ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– How does “it seem” to you? Need some advice? Got a question or a suggestion for a future column? Please write me at laurie.mccabe@yahoo.com. But first please take a short survey about my use of punctuation.
Seasons of Minnesota
Page 29
Valentine’s Day Cryptogram
Valentine’s Day
For the solution, please see our website: www.seasonsminnesota.com
For the solution, please see our website: www.seasonsminnesota.com Page 30
Seasons of Minnesota
Jan/Feb 2010
Jan/Feb 2010
Seasons of Minnesota
Page 31