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Fine! How about you?
Fine!
How often do we ask this and answer the same way without even thinking? Are we fine? And when we aren’t, where do we turn? Simply turn the pages of this Best Self annual health issue.
I remember once when I was a kid, my mom asked a friend how she was. The friend’s response was “so-so.” What? Aren’t we supposed to answer “fine!”? What’s up with this lady being honest? And what does she mean by so-so? Apparently it means neither very good, nor very bad. I’ve also read it’s short for same old, same old—a curiously, noncommittal phrase. Although I guess I’d take having someone tell me they are so-so over the grisly details of their toenail fungus, or wisdom tooth extraction.
There are times when we don’t know how to answer the question of how we are. Maybe we just don’t really know how we feel, or how we are supposed to feel. Especially after losing a loved one. That’s where our cover feature, Erica Fischer, executive director of One Bright Star comes in. The organization was founded to help families who have suffered the loss of a child. Fischer, who is also an executive assistant at the Mayo Clinic in Mankato, knows it takes a village of compassionate people to aid others in their time of need.
We have all experienced loss and grief, and deal with it in our own ways. Over 15 years ago, when I lost a brother—who was a musician and a pretty humorous guy—our family played music and sang with some of his former band members on the night of his wake. And my sister and I had fits of laughter to tears during the funeral. But it was an appropriate send off for him.
When we’ve had it up to our homemade or
disposable masks hearing about staying safe and healthy, maybe it’s time to head to the garage and work off a little steam. Jo Radlinger’s Fitness Garage, that is. You won’t find any vehicles, there but what you will discover is body-builder Radlinger’s drive to be a stronger, leaner, meaner machine, and a woman determined to coach others towards their own fitness goals.
I’ll admit it, my desk-sitting, computer gazing career in the creative field exercises nothing but my brain. And while I can contort a lot of superfluous words into tightly trimmed sentences, and write amusing columns to lift your spirits, I can’t do one push up. Nope. Nor can I plank. I can live with that, but I can’t live with my near inability to get up from a squatting position whilst retrieving a pan from my lower kitchen cupboards. I’m afraid in doing so, one day I’m going pull something, or take a header into the dishwasher.
If such a thing happens I can turn to Dr. Kristin Oliver, who uses regenerative therapy to treat injuries and chronic conditions. This alternative treatment to surgery or traditional pain management has been around since the 1950s, but has more recently been gaining popularity with orthopedic surgeons. It relies on the body to heal itself using its own stem cells.
2020 has certainly been rife with challenges, from political divisiveness, to protests in the streets, and a pandemic that has upended our usual way of life. It’s no wonder we are stressed to the max. I don’t know about you, but it’s all wearing on my usual look-on-the-brightside demeanor, which has morphed into more of a lookout-I just-may-punch-someone attitude. Maybe we need a different approach to life.
Doing things a different way is what Olivia Hageman, owner of Menari Body Works, specializes in. Trained by Aunty Suzi Ko, a teacher in an ancient Hawaiian style of learning, Hageman offers Lomilomi massage—a holistic approach that combines mind, body and spirit. I am more relaxed just thinking about it.
After reading about all the wellness experts in this issue, it might be a good idea (especially for me before I hurt myself or others) to put Erica, Jo, Kristin, and Olivia on speed dial. Then it won’t be long before we are feeling so-so fine!
Erica Fischer will never forget the day in 2007 when a baby was rushed into the emergency room at Mayo Clinic, unresponsive. Fischer had just started in the ER two weeks earlier as a patient care assistant. On that Thursday, she watched tragedy unfolding in front of her as paramedics tried to revive the baby. Minutes later, the parents arrived, frantic. Fischer still recalls exactly what they were wearing, a moment of panic, and pain seared in her memory. Unfortunately, the baby died.
“I still remember it like it was yesterday. I couldn’t fathom what [the parents] must be feeling,” Fischer said. “I went home and hugged my children; I was so grateful.”
While she has not lost a child herself, Fischer has dedicated nine years to helping families through the unfathomable grief of child loss as part of the Mankato-based nonprofit, One Bright Star. She joined the board in 2011 and last year took on the role of executive director, leading the organization’s mission to be a resource for families grieving the death of a child.
“It is our job to help people to honor and remember and cherish their children. That’s a big thing for me,” Fischer said. “The death of a child is considered the single worst stressor a person can go through. A parent is not just losing someone they love. They’re losing the promise of years they looked forward to.”
Linda Janavaras lost her son, John, after he was suddenly stricken with meningitis, February 3, 1995. He was 15 years old.
“John’s death was very, very public. It went around the world because of the meningitis outbreak we had here in Mankato. Ours was a very public tragedy. We would hear from people we didn’t know or just knew casually,” Janavaras said. “We’re not Catholic and we’re not Jewish but they did Catholic Masses and Jewish ceremonies for our son, and those kinds of things were heartwarming. Someone left a poem at our front door in remembrance of John with no name on it.”
Linda remembers John as a very happy kid who loved everybody. He was on the smaller side for his age, but an outgoing boy with a personality that drew people in.
“And it always makes me cry to think that he’d be a grown man now, with probably children of his own,” Janavaras said, her voice breaking.
Janavaras found three other mothers who, like her, were mourning the loss of a child—Jan Backlund, Vicki Meyer, and Barbara Rischmiller. They met in 1996, offering one another a source of comfort, but quickly discovered they wanted to do more to make something good out of a terrible situation and create a legacy for their children. In 1998, they founded One Bright Star with a vision to educate the general population about grief and make people more comfortable talking about the loss, to provide a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on. The nonprofit’s founding mothers made it their mission to create a symbol to identify grieving parents and encourage those around them to reach out with a hug, a smile, or just to talk about their child.
“That’s the thing families want the most, is to remember their child,” Janavaras, who remains active on the board of One Bright Star, said.
So they designed a gold star with a small diamond embedded into one of the five points. Their next idea was creating a space where people could gather and remember their children. Much thought went into finding the perfect spot. In 2003, a 30-foot fountain and reflection pool memorial was built in Mankato’s Erlandson Park, where kids and families play tennis and basketball and visit the playground. Nearly 300 plaques and pavers line the One Bright Star Children’s Memorial now, a legacy of so many young lives.
Today, Janavaras is the sole founding mother still active on the board. Her advice to parents who’ve recently lost a child is to not give up. “Grief is not the same for everyone, but it is good to reach out when it’s right for you. Don’t give up. Live for your child. And One Bright Star, or your neighbor, will be there for you when you’re ready.”
As a board member, Janavaras works closely with Fischer and says she’s a great fit to lead the
organization with her empathetic, outgoing character.
“During the pandemic…we’re trying to figure out how we can serve our families when we can’t gather in a group face-to-face and give that hug. I think Erica, with her style, is very comforting to families,” Janavaras said.
A sorrow shared
COVID-19 has paused the ongoing face-to-face events One Bright Star typically hosts, such as Comfort Coffee and Mothers of Angels gatherings. The Life After Loss podcast is on hold, too, since the local KTOE radio studio where it’s recorded is temporarily closed to the public. But One Bright Star’s website is filled with resources families can access anytime. And Fischer and the rest of the board are always just a phone call away.
“I’ve heard a lot of stories. I’ve sat with mothers, I’ve sat with fathers and have cried with them, have laughed with them. And I think just being there for them, whether it’s to hold their hand or to have a cup of coffee, I think that’s just so important,” Fischer said.
One mother shared about the death of her daughter on the Life After Loss podcast, and even after the recording ended, she stayed and talked for at least another hour and a half. While it was hard, she also said it was good for her as she’d never talked about it to anyone. Holding space to accept others’ grief is a balancing act, Fischer admits.
“Honestly, there are days when it’s hard. I’m a very compassionate person. I’m very empathetic. I cry. I’m not afraid to show my emotions,” Fischer said. “I feel like I have a really, really good support team. The board is amazing. I can talk to each and every one of them. I know that if I needed a hug or I needed something from them, they’d be there for me.”
E S I G N Y O U R C U S T O M D R E A M H O M E
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My children because they make me a better person and teach me something new every single day. And of course, One Bright Star. I am so honored and proud to be part of such an amazing organization.
What is your biggest challenge?
Finding time to do all of the things that I want to, whether it be spending time with my family and friends, or for just self-care. I tell people all the time to take time for themselves…I need to learn to take my own advice.
When talking to a grieving person, what have you learned?
There is no right or wrong to grieve. Each person grieves differently. Some people need you to hug them and be the shoulder to cry on, while others need laughter, or silence. Regardless, they are grieving, try to be the person they need at that time with an open mind and open heart.
What surprises you most about grief?
From personal experiences and losses, grief is never the same. I never thought that it would take me so long to really have a good cry when I lost someone important to me. It caught me off guard when I was standing in my kitchen when I cried—really cried. It was almost relieving. There are so many steps of grief and sometimes you repeat those steps time and time again.
What do you do to pick yourself up after a long day?
I drive home in silence to gather my thoughts and regroup so I am not bringing my work day home with me. It may only be a short drive, but it helps and is so important.
How do you bring joy to others?
I love people and love making them smile. Smiling and laughing are contagious and can often be the best medicine.
What brings you joy?
My family and friends, and laughter. I love laughing! I’m also a hugger—hugging to greet or hugging to console.
Who would you choose to play you in a movie about you?
People often say I look like Moana, the animated character. I suppose this could fit since I do have an animated personality and I am determined. Now if only I could live near an ocean!
If you had an extra day a week all to yourself what would you do?
Read a book, relax or organize my house. Sometimes I even like to get crafty and paint.
What would people be surprised to know about you?
When I’m nervous, I speak in a British accent. I have to remind myself when I’m speaking at events to speak without an accent. “Erica, do not say “Ello Govena!”
Helping comes naturally to Fischer, who has always wanted to be in health care. She grew up in Mankato and figured she’d one day follow in the footsteps of her mother, a nurse. Fischer pictured herself working in a dementia unit at a skilled nursing facility, trying to make life as comfortable and familiar as possible for people living with advancing memory loss.
Instead, she found another way to help. She’s been at Mayo Clinic for 13 years and is now an executive assistant.
“My path just went a different way. I think that showing each other that we’re here for each other is a great way. If I’m thinking of somebody I usually shoot them a quick text and say, ‘I’m thinking of you. I hope you’re doing well,’ because you never know what they’re going through,” Fischer said.
As a young adult, Fischer moved away from Mankato, but came back after she started her own family. Today, she and her husband have a blended family with six children ages 11 to 25.
“I’m very proud of how they’re so open and kind. I feel good that I’ve passed that along to them. They want to help the community and be volunteers,” Fischer said. “Raising my kids here was probably one of the best things I ever decided. I love this community.”
She also knows the community can do even more to support people and families who are grieving. Fischer is part of an advisory team for another nonprofit, Deva Nation, focused on developing the country’s first Compassionate Community to maximize social connections so that when anyone is dying, caring, or grieving, community members all know what to do.
“I think that grieving in general and coping with death is a big part of mental wellness. I think people grieve in so many different ways. I have friends who share, friends who talk about it, friends who do art to express how they feel. I feel like I can definitely appreciate each and every one of those aspects,” Fischer said. “There’s no right or wrong way of grieving.” RVW
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or Jo Radlinger, owner of Jo’s Fitness Garage in Mankato, fitness is about much more than trimming fat, growing muscle, and consuming the fuel your body needs. It’s about helping her clients reach their goals in a way that supports them, encourages them, and invites them into the Jo’s Fitness Garage family.
“I have a handful of clients that started with me the day I opened my business, and they’re still with me,” said Jo. “I try to give so much to my clients, because loyalty means so much, and that’s why I feel like we’ve become such a big family. It’s not just that I get to know people. I know a lot of my clients have gotten to know other people here, and they’ve become really great friends, and I think that’s really awesome. I love the fact that it feels like a family here.”
Radlinger opened her gym in 2006, and moved a few times before settling into her current location at 110 West Dukes Street in Mankato. Her gym also changed names, going from DCS (Decide, Commit, Succeed) to Jo’s Fitness Garage when she moved into a location with a garage door and was inspired to rebrand.
No matter the name or the location, though, Radlinger’s emphasis has always been strengthbased training, something she’s focused on herself for more than 30 years and sees as the key to overall fitness and quality of life. And she’s committed to giving each of her clients individual, personalized care as they work to strengthen their own bodies.
“You have to find a trainer that fits the need that you’re looking for,” Radlinger explained. “You have to find the person that you feel is as tuned into your goal as you are. You want that person who is so interested in your goal that they want you to wildly succeed as much as they want to succeed, and that’s what I want for every person who walks through this door.”
A radical change
Radlinger grew up on a dairy farm in Butternut, Wisconsin, where she helped milk cows, baled hay, and did all sorts of other barnyard chores.
“Strength was everything,” she said. “You just grew up with a whole different base. You didn’t have a choice but to be strong. That has led into such a huge part of me. [We worked] from sun up to sun down, and I do the same thing. You were taught to give 100 percent, and that’s what I give in my business every day.”
Radlinger played basketball through high school and was an all-conference athlete but, she said—at the time—not much was known about strengthbased training. When basketball season was done, the players waited until their next season, instead of training in the off-season.
When Radlinger graduated, she attended the University of Wisconsin-Superior to study business, and she worked for the state of Minnesota for several years afterwards. Along the way, she continued to work out like she had done in high school, but she became interested in strength-based training as well, really getting into it when she was 26.
“I was in the weight room when it was not cool,” she said with a laugh. “There were no females in the weight room when I started training.”
As Radlinger began pushing her body in new ways and striving to lift heavier weights, she became interested in bodybuilding. She said she wanted to compete as early as her early 20s, but she was too nervous to step on stage in a small bikini.
“You have to be in a very small suit in front of a lot of people, and it’s frightening,” she said.
Instead, Radlinger married and had two children in her mid-30s. Her second pregnancy was difficult, and she had to be on bed rest for some time. Part of this meant no exercising for an extended period. Because of this, Radlinger wasn’t able to stay at the same fitness level as before.
“I was at a point after I’d had [my daughter] and, just like a lot of other moms, I’d gained a significant amount of weight,” she recalled. “I felt very out of shape. I remember it so vividly. I woke up on Black Friday morning and literally had that moment as a female where I looked in the mirror and went, ‘What is that? That is not my body. I’m not present in my life anymore. I’m not happy. None of my clothes fit. This is not okay.’
Radlinger decided to make the jump and start training for a bodybuilding competition, choosing to compete in the “figure” category, which is focused on developed physique and achieving muscular symmetry. She trained for about a year with a professional trainer and stepped on stage at a Natural Body Building competition in the Twin Cities on June 7, 2007. At that time, she was 39 years old.
“That was it—that’s all she wrote,” Radlinger said. “I was done feeling not good in my body. A lot of people do one show and are like, ‘I’m done.’ And then there’s some of us who do one show and go, ‘Yep, we’re hooked.’ I’ve found so much euphoria in doing one show.”
After her first time, Radlinger competed in 11 more shows throughout the next few years. She has competed all over the country, in both the figure and bodybuilding categories.
According to Radlinger, there are a lot of clichés about bodybuilding, and many of them are inaccurate. Her training sessions last about 90
minutes, and she works out five to six times a week. For her, the most important aspect of her regimen is her food, which she tends to prepare by the week so that she has the right balance of calories and nutrients.
“I think the first time you compete, everything seems like it’s a big deal,” she said. “Every time you compete, it becomes less of a big deal, because now it’s just part of what you do.”
While Radlinger now has a good muscle base and idea of how to train, she said it’s still challenging every time because preparation takes so much focus and self-discipline.
“You don’t just get up one morning and go, ‘Hey, I’m going to compete, and you’re there the next week,’” she said. “It’s a sustained period of time. There are no days off. You have locked into the belief that you can accomplish this and that’s your goal.”
During the actual competition, Radlinger walks onstage with several other competitors to be judged by a panel of experts. (In her off seasons, she has volunteered as a judge herself.) There can be as few as three bodybuilders onstage and as many as 21. While onstage, Radlinger and the others will pose and show their muscles off to the judges, who then rate them. The process is very subjective, and a bodybuilder who receives first place in one competition might not place at all at a different competition. Radlinger’s best placing was third, but she said that’s not why she gets on stage.
“When you get to stage, you feel invincible,” she said. “You’ve done the work. If you talk to most competitors, they’ll tell you they’ve won before they ever stepped foot on stage, because they did the work to get there. It’s awesome to come in first. I don’t think you ever step on stage thinking, ‘I hope I come in last place.’ I think when you go out there, [you think], ‘I finished the journey and what I set out to complete, and I’m really good with that.’”
As Radlinger pursued fitness on a personal level, she also began looking at ways to turn her passion into a full-time career. She became a certified fitness trainer, citing a love for coaching that she had discovered while coaching varsity basketball in college.
“I know what it feels like on one end of the spectrum and want to be on the other end of the spectrum, and what it takes to get there,” she said. “I have an amazing job, because I get to watch people do that. I get to watch them go from feeling defeated and at the bottom of the barrel to getting to the other side. They feel like they can move mountains. That’s just such a cool experience to be a part of.”
Who: Jo Radlinger
From: Butternut, WI
Lives in: Mankato
Family: Daughters Jordan and Sadie
Favorite food: Peanut butter
Hobbies: Hiking, being outside, exercising
Big fear: Heights
Favorite memory: Growing up on her family farm
At first, Radlinger trained at different gyms around the Mankato area, but eventually decided she wanted to start her own. She took a break from bodybuilding to open Jo’s Fitness Garage, with the goal of focusing on strength-based training and creating a space where her clients felt comfortable. Part of this included meeting with clients one-on-one with the whole gym space for themselves, instead of working out around other exercisers.
“When you have an appointment, you’re usually the only one here,” Radlinger said. “[My clients] like the privacy of it. They like the fact that they can make a private appointment and get after their goals, and that they’re here alone with me and I can give them that undivided attention.”
At Jo’s Fitness Garage, Radlinger works with clients ranging from kids to the elderly, as well as pregnant women, women who are getting back into shape after pregnancy, student athletes, cancer survivors, those on the Autism spectrum, people recovering from accidents, and much more. While she offers group classes occasionally, the bulk of her time is spent in individual
According to Radlinger, she has become a much better trainer throughout her 26 years in the industry as she has experienced life herself and become better able to empathize with her clients.
“I have a whole different relationship with a lot of people, because I’ve been through life,” she said, pointing to her difficult pregnancy, raising two kids, going through a divorce, and losing her mother. “I’ve run around the block several times now. I’ve trained in my 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s. It’s easy to talk to someone and understand them when you’ve been in that position. When you first start out, you think you
know everything. And I can say this, when you first start out, you really don’t know anything until you have a whole lot of case studies that you can build off. You just get better over time, because you do have that big portfolio. It makes you more sympathetic, empathetic and understanding.”
When will Radlinger stop competing? She’s not sure, but she knows she has at least one more show in her.
“If you ask any competitor who’s ever competed if they’re going to hang it up, we’ll always tell everybody that we have one more show,” Radlinger said. “I joke and say this is going to be my last show. The reality is it’s probably not going to be my last show. You never want to say you’re completely done.”
During Radlinger’s eight-year hiatus from bodybuilding, she became a committed powerlifter, eventually becoming nationally ranked. Her dead lift weight was 350 pounds, but she had to stop powerlifting after she injured herself. However, she knew that she eventually wanted to return to some form of competition.
“It takes a huge time commitment to be able to get back into it again,” she said. “When you’re out of it for a while, it takes a little bit of time to rebuild again. There’s a significant amount of training to get back there.”
Radlinger plans to return to the bodybuilding stage next July and has already begun her training. Her goal is to compete internationally this time, a first for her, as long as COVID-19 doesn’t delay next year’s bodybuilding season. Her category will once again be figure.
“This time has been a little more meaningful,” she said of her preparations. “Every time you decide that you’re going to do that trip to stage, there’s a meaning to it. I learn something brand new about myself every time I compete, and I think that’s why I love to compete. It’s taking a lot longer to get to stage this time. It’s age. But that makes it almost more meaningful, because I’ve had to work that much harder for it.”
This time, Radlinger’s training was slowed by some injuries, but she said they haven’t stopped her.
“Once I decided I was going to compete again, I’m going to compete,” she said. “I don’t care how long it takes me to get there. This time, it’s not really about placement. This time, it’s about ‘I’m doing this, I’m going to have fun…I’m going to do it funner than I’ve ever done it.’ The completion of it is really the big thing for me this time.”
According to Radlinger, there’s been a huge swing in strength-based training throughout the 14 years she has owned Jo’s Fitness Garage.
“I think people are finding why strength-based training is really, really important,” she said. “It literally comes down to quality of life. [My] older clients, they want to be present in their grandchildren’s lives and go on vacation, etc. You’d never know that they are that age, because they’ve kept up keeping their bodies strong and flexible. It’s amazing to watch people age, when they take care of themselves. The way people look is way different.”
–Jo Radlinger While the days are long, Radlinger—who is the gym’s only trainer—says the hard work is worth it to make such a difference in her clients’ lives.
“You have the opportunity to have a very vital, important role in these people’s lives,” she said. “I’m passionate about what I do, and I try to pass that on to people in here. There are people who come in and go out and become trainers. I take that as a huge compliment, that you get to be a vital part in somebody’s life in a very positive way.” RVW
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Your safety matters
We are taking all necessary safety precautions as they pertain to COVID-19 and the CDC Guidelines.
At Jo’s – I'm all about REAL PEOPLE, REAL FOOD, and REAL RESULTS. I have been in the fitness industry for over 25 years – guiding and training people through lifestyle changes. My mission has always been that of strength-based training and evolving into the best version of you.
My excitement in training people is obvious from the first time we meet. I train across the spectrum - from those making lifestyle goals and changes – whether it's through strength, restorative or athletic based training, and weight management plus a whole lot more...
I care about every client I train. Success & goal-based training is my mission. My gym supports everyone in a non-intimidating atmosphere – so whether you are a novice or a seasoned athlete, you are always welcomed at Jo's.
Olivia Hageman moved Menari Body Works to its current location at 625 South Front Street in Mankato just a year ago. She explained that “Menari” is Bahasa Indonesian for “to dance.” As lomilomi comes from the hula, it reminds us of where we come from and to keep flowing in our work.
lthough Olivia Hageman has been doing massage for many years—both in California and in Mankato—she still considers herself a student of the art.
First trained in traditional Swedish massage, Hageman wanted to learn more and took a course in Lomilomi massage from Aunty Suzi Ko, a teacher in a traditional Hawaiian style of learning. Finding it to her liking, Hageman continues to study under Aunty Suzi and emphasizes Hawaiian Lomilomi in her Mankato studio, Menari Body Works, located at 625 South Front Street.
“Lomi is more of an Eastern learning way—more based off of experience and observation. I feel very lucky for that—it’s a unique model of learning. I’ve been studying it for 13 or 14 years. It never ends.” Hageman said.
Speaking by Zoom from California, Aunty Suzi said, “Every experience creates who you are today. Challenges and tests become life changing, learning experiences. It all adds to your learning.”
In working with Aunty Suzi, Olivia realized that she had to unlearn what she had learned in Swedish massage.
By RUTH KLOSSNER“Aunty said to do what needs to be done with the body—that was exciting,” Hageman said. “I took to the style. If asked now to do Swedish massage, I’d fail miserably. Lomi is far more effective.”
Lomilomi is different than Swedish massage in that it’s a holistic approach to working with the mind, the body, and the spirit of the person.
“Modern forms try to separate the mind and the body. In lomi, we understand that’s part of the healing process,” Hageman said. “Lomi was a part of the tool kit of the traditional healer. They would do herbal remedies, physical therapy, bone setting, and talk therapy.”
Aunty Suzi added, “Lomilomi always starts and ends with prayer. Prayer is part of the entire process. Without the spiritual aspect of Lomilomi, you pretty much have a regular therapeutic massage.”
Suzi continued, “What sets Olivia apart from many other Lomilomi practitioners is she has a good understanding of the fundamental tenets of Hawaiian culture, and where Lomi comes from within the culture. She’s able to translate that into her work. For somebody who has never lived in Hawaii, she’s done really well. I am proud to have her as one of
Olivia Hageman has seen it all. Born in the United States, growing up in Indonesia when her mother took a job there, attending high school in Singapore when her mother changed jobs to work for Discovery Channel, studying ceramics at the Sydney College of the Arts in Australia, and returning to California where she was a bartender.
Realizing that she wanted to do something healthy, Olivia had an overwhelming sense that massage was something that she should do after meeting with the director of Diamond Light School of Massage in San Rafael.
After working in a five-star day spa in San Francisco, Olivia moved to Mankato with her husband Craig when he got his lifelong dream job as head cheese maker at Alemar Cheese Company there.
“I inherited my mother’s sense of adventure so I said ‘Why not?’ He’s from Minnesota and all Minnesotan, and he wanted to return home,” she said.
The Hagemans now have three children—ages six, four, and 20 months.
my senior students and feature her as a designated Lomi instructor within our non-profit organization, Holistic Honu Wellness Center. Olivia’s path will probably follow mine, as long as she continues to learn.”
Hageman has made many trips to Hawaii and studied with Suzi there. “There was a lesson in everything,” Olivia said of that experience.
Hageman first operated Menari Body Works in lower North Mankato for six years, then moved to 709 Riverfront where she rented an office from an acupuncturist. She moved to her new space, just up the block, a year ago. She shares the studio with Darcey Nelson, who specializes in Shiatsu, a Japanese modality.
“Darcey’s mindset blends with mine, working with what we find in the body. She fits in perfectly and we’re building clientele,” Olivia said.
With help from her father, husband, and a friend, Hageman was able to
As explained by Olivia Hageman Lomilomi is a traditional massage modality from Hawaii. It has been passed down through different families from generation to generation. Each family on the islands has its own version of Lomi as it was often just done in the home on other family members. Still, there were masters of Lomi—Kumu Lomilomi, as well as Kahuna Lomilomi, from whom you could get training. In those days, you had to be chosen for your innate gifts for the healing arts, as lomi is much more than just a massage. There are spiritual aspects of Lomi, as well as herbs and counseling that complete the treatment traditionally. Today people see it as a massage. There are still many family styles of Lomi being taught. Unfortunately, the old ways of master/apprentice are all but lost, and people are saying they are “Lomi master” after a weekend workshop. That’s not how it should work. It takes years of practice and diligent study to even begin to scratch the surface of what Lomi entails.
It can be difficult to describe the massage as every family has their own method of the bodywork. I have had the privilege to learn from a teacher who still follows the old ways and I have been her apprentice for over eight years—believe me, that’s nothing. I still have a ways to go. She carries for Papa K Kepilino, and Aunty Margaret Machado, to name a few. The style that I practice is based mostly off these two family styles with a smidgen of Temple thrown in.
Within these styles there are the 1,2,3,4, strokes; rhythmic like the ocean and always moving towards the heart with a pumping motion. Then there are forearm strokes, which can also characterize the Lomi style. Gentle, yet deep, they are more effective than deep tissue alone. Also, you will find joint mobilization, joint distraction, and stretching—things that you would need to combine massage styles to find in a normal session. So Lomi is everything and its own thing. To work traditionally, a practitioner would also employ the use of herbs, along with counseling to truly be effective in relieving the client’s complaint.
Aunty Suzi Ko carries forward the healing traditions of her Hawaiian grandfather as a traditional Native Hawaiian healer and practitioner. Her grandfather was born in Maui and graduated from Lahinaluna High School in 1867. The family came to California in 1908. Though living in California as a child, Suzi spent her summers in Hawaii under the tutelage of an uncle until his passing.
“I watched how he and his friends gathered medicine and worked with patients, all the way from elementary through high school. Interestingly, I didn’t know that I was being trained. The people I was with were the elders, the old Kahuna or experts from the past,” Suzi said. “Our family prophecy states that the eldest daughter of the daughters my grandfather had with his second wife carries on the tradition. I’m the only daughter of the daughters so I was chosen before I was born. Because of the old traditional way I was trained, I’m considered one of the last of the dinosaurs,” Suzi explained. “It was eye-opening as I put it all together. There’s a lot of responsibility coming with it.”
Suzi studied under other family members, including her great uncle,”Papa K” Kepilino and family friend, Aunty Margaret Machado. Aunty Margaret Machado is considered to be the founder of modern Lomilomi and was the first to open what was considered a family tradition to outsiders. From the time Aunty Suzi met her in 1966 until her death in 2009, Aunty Margaret always remembered Suzi as “the girl with the hot hands”.
“In ancient times, the elders would look for children who had hot hands and train them as healers,” Suzi said.
Aunty Suzi now lives in Berkeley, California where she continues to teach and treat.
convert the storefront space into a front reception area and a back treatment space—separated by a wall and curtains for a private experience.
The front area features a plant wall that is flourishing in the sunlight.
“Aunty told me many years ago to never trust a healer that has dead plants,” Olivia said with a smile. “I saw the idea for the plant wall on Pinterest. I’m happy that all the plants continue to thrive.”
In pre-COVID days, Hageman and Nelson were seeing about 40 patients a week, about 20 each. In September, they were seeing about half that on a full week, but people are starting to come back.
“We take more COVID precautions than we’re required to but I prefer to be overly cautious. Everything is single-use and we sanitize between each client,”
Olivia said.
She added, “I miss seeing all my regular clients, and new clients. When I have a new client, I try to figure out the root causes of their issue. That’s exciting for me as I’m very passionate about what I do.” RVW
Courtesy of Inside Columbia Magazine
luetail Medical Group is an unlikely name for a medical practice. And just as its name sets it apart from other more conventionally named groups, so does its focus which is on regenerative therapy, an evolving branch of medicine that more and more patients are choosing.
Oliver, who is board certified in family medicine as well as sports medicine, whose main office is in St. Louis, Missouri, spends part of her week traveling to other Bluetail offices, located in Arkansas, Wisconsin, and Mankato, Minnesota.
Oliver is one of the two founding partners in the group, having started it 14 years ago with Dr. David Crane. As the business has grown, so has the number of partners. Currently there are five. As a physician, Oliver has two sets of skills and passions that power her career. She thrives on helping patients by treating them with regenerative therapy procedures. With her busy schedule and long hours, she has performed more of several types of regenerative procedures than any other physician in the nation. Her other skill set is entrepreneurial. She has the drive, vision and proven ability to create and run a multistate business. She envisions establishing Bluetail clinics in a dozen or more states.
“The model we started for growth is to bootstrap it. So, rather than bring in equity and lose a share of ownership, I decided to put some of my profits into expanding,” Oliver says.
Why the name Bluetail Medical Group, instead of a more standard clinic name, such as Oliver and Crane Regenerative Institutes? “We named our clinic after the blue-tailed skink because when predators grab its bright blue tail, it has a tendency to fall off. Because the lizard has stem cells at the base of its tail, it can regenerate a new one,” Oliver explains.
Regenerative therapy won’t grow back limbs on humans, but studies show it can provide efficient and efficacious treatments for certain types of injuries and chronic conditions. The regenerative therapies offered by Bluetail in Columbia include autologous stem cell therapy (stem cells harvested from a patient’s own body) and platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP). Although other Bluetail offices treat a wide range of medical problems, Oliver restricts her practice to musculoskeletal problems. “The ideas behind regenerative medicine have been around since the ’50s,” Oliver says. “We’ve seen a paradigm shift over the past six or seven years as more orthopedic surgeons started becoming interested in regenerative therapies.”
Oliver visits her Mankato office a couple days a month, providing a variety of these therapies to those seeking relief.
Patients seek regenerative therapies because they want relief from pain and they want their muscles, tendons or bones to heal in the least amount of time possible. Athletes of all ages and abilities appreciate the quicker recovery time that lets them get back to training in days or weeks instead of months. James Abrams, vice president of Wilson’s Fitness Centers, doesn’t hesitate to refer injured athletes to Bluetail. He’s had a number of injuries himself and has benefitted from regenerative therapies. “I am a huge advocate for this type of therapy,” he says. “It lets the body heal itself.”
But regenerative therapy has a much wider reach than just athletes. “Far and away, the most typical patient I see has osteoarthritis or chronic back pain,” says Oliver. “We see the young person — 40 years and below — with a soft tissue injury, and then you get someone 55 or older with arthritis,” Oliver says.
Although elite and dedicated amateur athletes are familiar with regenerative therapies, most people haven’t heard of this type of treatment. One of the main reasons for this is that insurance companies will only pay for the evaluation of an injury or chronic musculoskeletal condition, but they won’t pay for regenerative treatments. Despite a growing body of research showing the benefits of these treatments, insurance companies consider them “investigational.”
What is regenerative therapy? Basically, it’s a natural alternative to surgery and traditional pain management. Different techniques are used depending on the patient’s needs and the extent of damage. Plateletrich plasma therapy is used to help people with soft-tissue or tendon and ligament injuries. It involves taking a patient’s platelets, concentrating them in-office with an FDA-cleared device, then injecting them back into the injured area under ultrasound guidance. “But when the injury is to a part of the body where’s not a lot of blood flow — like in a joint or the spine — we have to use stem cells also,” Oliver says. “After we draw blood for platelets and concentrate it, I take stem cells from your bone marrow and concentrate that in another device. The stem cells function like seeds and the platelets are like fertilizer.” Together, the stem cells and platelets stimulate and speed up the body’s healing process. Whether it’s stem cells or platelets or a combination, both biologics are derived from the patient’s body, not from a pharmaceutical company or from a donor. But not everyone is a good candidate for regenerative therapy. “It doesn’t work for everybody, so we’re pretty picky,” says Oliver.
“Compared to conventional therapy, the risk is small. I consider it a nice alternative that lies between physical therapy and cortisone and joint replacement.” She frequently evaluates patients whose joints are so damaged that she can only offer a referral to an orthopedic surgeon.
Stem cell therapy requires that the immature, self-renewing cells found in bone marrow are injected in parts of the body that don’t have a rich blood flow. These immature cells have been shown to regenerate and repair bodily tissues damaged tissue.
Despite insurance companies’ refusal to cover regenerative therapies, thousands of patients are able and willing to pay for their own treatments. Platelet rich plasma therapy can cost as little as $750, while stem cell treatments are closer to $2,500. Oliver says that patients should be wary of extravagant claims of any treatment’s benefit, and should avoid any medical professional offering stem cell treatments derived from placentas, cord blood or amniotic fluid. Because those products are not from the patient’s own body, they may contain nothing but dead cells that do nothing to promote healing.
Abrams doesn’t consider Oliver a miracle worker, instead seeing her as a skilled professional who offers a unique therapy that provides proven benefit. “I always tell everybody there’s a sign in my car that says if I ever get in a wreck and I’m not conscious, call Dr. Oliver,” he says. RVW
t was “apple cart upset” for the Pace/Sorenson family earlier this year. It all started when almost 80-year-old Elsie Pace dropped the hint that she was ready to move to town. That set the wheels in motion for a three-way house swap.
Elsie moved to granddaughter Laura and her husband Mike Sorenson’s house in Madelia. Laura and Mike moved to her parents Julie and Bruce Pace’s house on County Road 19 east of Hanska. The Paces moved ninetenths of a mile down the road into the house that Elsie vacated.
Oh wait—there was one more move. Julie and Bruce first moved into the meeting room with kitchen that they had earlier built onto a shed on their farm. That allowed them to completely remodel the first floor of the house they would move into.
The three-way early-March moves were rushed a bit by the impending shutdown caused by COVID-19. While some prep work and demolition was done in March, actual rebuilding of the Paces’ house started in May. Julie and Bruce moved in on July 17—but didn’t have a fully functioning kitchen until early September.
It’s a testament to getting things done in good time—and during all the complications of a pandemic.
“COVID time was our enemy and our friend,” Julie said. “We weren’t on the contractor’s calendar until late May or June, but other projects were being delayed—and we had an empty house to work in. However, we did find that some manufacturing plants were closed.”
Daughter Laura—who was very instrumental in the project’s completion, and worked side-by-side with her parents through it all—added, “The design plan changed a few times but the overall plan worked. It was all
wood trim in the plan but that changed to white. That was okay as white is ‘in’ now and it was also going back to the original of the house. I did all the painting.”
That was a natural for Laura who does decorative furniture painting, custom décor painting, home staging, and design consultations through her homebased business Brushed Design Co.
Julie had several thoughts in mind as she planned the new design.
“We had four children and a five bedroom home. As the children left, we lived in five rooms. The opportunity came to buy this. I decided that I didn’t want to add square footage, but to make it flow, especially going into our retirement years. I wanted everything on the main floor. I wanted to simplify— a lot,” she explained. “I wanted it to be functional, yet draw in some of the history, some of the old—but also make it user friendly.”
Working with contractor Brent Miodus of R2 Cress of Stanchfield—the boyfriend of Julie’s daughter Katie—Julie’s visions were put on paper.
“He helped us come up with the practicality of my ideas and we used a lot of masking tape on the floor,” Julie said.
The project didn’t happen without challenges.
“My vision was to open up as much as possible—from the kitchen to the dining room to the living room. The challenges included supporting walls and duct work,” Julie said.
A cozy reading nook, opposite Julie’s office, in what had long ago been an open porch, offers a great place to sit, read, and relax.
The Pace kitchen is the only room that’s still in its original location, though completely gutted and re-done. Julie loves to cook, bake, and entertain and wanted counter space where she can have all the grandchildren around helping. She did a lot of research online, since many show places weren’t open during the pandemic.
The wide countertop in the opening between the dining room and the kitchen provides lots of storage space on both sides.
A Christmas cactus that’s over a hundred years old has been passed down through Grandma Elsie’s family. It has a place of honor, under an attractive sign made by Laura, in a corner of the kitchen.
A deep sink was a must. The surrounding cabinets—even though they’re smooth and almost look like metal—are all made of wood. Installing them led to some headaches since “nothing is square or level” in old houses.
What’s now a spacious, inviting dining room had been a bedroom. Although Julie had first wanted it completely open to the kitchen and dining room, supporting walls and ductwork required plans to change to a partial opening. The light fixture had been an inspiration for a previous remodel in the Paces previous home and moved along with Julie and Bruce.
Julie loves being able to incorporate the old with the new. The dining room china hutch had belonged to Bruce’s grandmother and the china inside was Julie’s mother’s aunt and is more than 100 years old.
While Julie and Laura were working on the project, they found this mirrored dresser in an upstairs bedroom. They knew the 100-yearold piece would be perfect in the new master bathroom.
Julie opted for a towel shelf, rather than a towel cabinet, in the new master bath. She explained, “So I don’t hold on to a lot of towels I don’t need.” Before the remodel, the house had only a half bath on the main floor, with the full bath upstairs.
A nook next to the washer and dryer provides space to sit and to hang coats— as well as for dog toys underneath.
The spacious master bedroom had originally been the living room. It has large windows out to the front yard that Julie especially enjoys in the morning. “I love looking out to the gardens. My motherin-law did a fantastic job with her gardens. Looking out puts me in a happy place.”
The laundry area is off the dining room and master bedroom, allowing for easy access to both, as well as the garage.
Fortunately, Brent was understanding and diplomatic— explaining options and costs. For example, “He’d say, ‘I can give you six inches for $3,000,’” Julie said with a laugh.
The Paces’ “new” home may be an early 1900s farmhouse in its base, but it’s a welcoming modern living space inside. RVW
RIVERFRONT
410 S. Riverfront Dr. Mankato, MN 507-625-1107
HILLTOP
2010 Adams St. Mankato, MN 507-625-9070
The flu season is here, Hy-Vee can help! The most effective strategy for preventing influenza and its complications is annual flu vaccinations. The flu shot is recommended for all healthy people older than 6 months of age with the best time of year to get the shot being September through December, as the disease in the United States usually peaks
mid-December through February. Flu vaccine is easily accessible at all Hy-Vee pharmacies and is covered by most insurance Hy-Vee also offers shingles vaccine, pneumonia vaccine, and tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis vaccines, again usually covered by insurances.
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Squash varieties, harvested in the fall, are known as winter squash. Winter squash tends to include darker varieties such as pumpkin, spaghetti squash, acorn squash and butternut squash. Each type exhibits differences in shape, color, size and flavor but all have shells that are hard and more challenging to cut and/or peel – this allows winter squash to have a longer storage life.
Kabocha Squash: The squat, green kabocha—the Japanese word for squash— has a nutty, earthy flavor with just a touch of sweetness. It’s similar in shape and size to a buttercup squash, but the base points out and not in.
Butternut Squash: A slim neck and bulbous bottom give the butternut squash its distinctive bell shape. The muted yellow-tan rind hides bright orange-yellow flesh with a relatively sweet taste. To make butternut squash easier to handle, cut the neck from the body and work with each section separately.
Red Kabocha Squash: The red kabocha is squat, like its green counterpart, and has faint white stripes running from top to bottom. While the green kabocha is relatively savory, the red kabocha is unmistakably sweeter.
Carnival Squash: Carnival squash’s yellow flesh is mellow and sweet. Use it wherever acorn squash or butternut squash is called for in a recipe.
Sugar Pumpkin/Pie Pumpkin: Sugar pumpkins are prized for their classic pumpkin flavor, as well as for their thick and flesh-packed walls. If you’d like to opt out of canned pumpkin for your baking and make your own purée instead, reach for a sugar pumpkin.
Sweet Dumpling Squash: This whitishyellow and green squash is small and compact, making the whole squash the perfect-size bowl for an individual serving. The flesh tastes very much like sweet potato, and the skin is edible is as well. Use sweet dumpling squash in recipes calling for sweet potato or pumpkin.
Spaghetti Squash: By scraping the flesh with a fork, you’ll get “strings” that closely resemble noodles. If you’re in search of a healthy pasta alternative, try this very mildtasting squash.
Blue Hubbard Squash: Most blue hubbard squash are bumpy and lumpy, and underneath the gray-blue skin is sweettasting orange flesh.
Delicata Squash/Sweet Potato Squash: When cooked, the delicata has a consistency similar to that of a sweet potato—creamy and soft—although the flavoring is a bit earthier.
1 small spaghetti squash, about 1 1/2 lbs. Desired toppings
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 1
2 3 4 5
Cut squash in half lengthwise and remove seeds. Place squash halves, cut sides down in a shallow roasting pan.
Roast for 40 to 50 minutes or until tender. Let stand for 10 minutes. Turn squash halves cut sides up.
Loosen the squash with a fork to form spaghetti-like strands. Add desired toppings. Roast 10 minutes more or until toppings are heated through.
Nutrition facts per serving: 45 calories per serving, 0g Total Fat, 0g Saturated Fat, 0g Trans Fat, 0mg Cholesterol, 30mg Sodium, 11g Total Carbohydrates, 2g Dietary Fiber, 4g Total Sugars, 0g Added Sugars, 1g Protein.
Keep this main vegetarian by topping with fresh mozzarella, baby spinach, pasta sauce, and red pepper flakes. Looking for additional protein? Try it with chicken breast slices, pesto, fresh basil leaves, toasted pine nuts, grated Parmesan, and olive oil.
April Graff, MS, RD, LD - Hilltop Dietitian 507.625.9070 | AGraff@hy-vee.com
By JEN DONKIN, RD, LD, CDE
It is that time of year again where many families have students heading off to college, some for the first time. Below are tips to consider for staying healthy and making the best out of your time away at college:
Wash your hands often: This is even more important now than ever! Wash your hands before, during and after working with food or eating your meal. Use clean soapy water and scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds – don’t forget your finger tips and thumbs!
Refrigerate promptly: When bringing food back to your dorm from the cafeteria or the grocery store, put cold foods in the fridge right away to help prevent growth of bacteria and food borne illness. Label leftovers with a date and toss after 3 – 4 days
Start your day with breakfast: Wake up a few minutes earlier to have time to stop in the cafeteria or grab something the night before to eat in your dorm. Eating breakfast will help give you energy to start the day.
Aim for 3 meals a day: Look at your class schedule and make time to eat between classes. You will be better able to concentrate with the right amount of food in your system!
Have a plan: When eating in the dining hall check the menu ahead of going to eat to have a game plan for what you want to eat or walk through the serving line to see what is available. Picture the MyPlate (choosemyplate.gov) and aim for ½ the plate with protein (poultry, fish, meat, beans, soy foods) and starch. Whenever possible choose whole grains such as brown rice and whole grain bread and pasta. Fill the remainder of the plate with veggies and fruit.
Pack healthy snacks: When there are back to back classes and long gaps between meals it can be helpful to have a snack to tide you over. Be careful about what you keep in your dorm. If you buy lots of high calorie, high fat snacks you will eat them! Healthy snacks to consider include Greek yogurt, fruit (fresh or fruit cups in their own juice), string cheese and whole grain crackers such as Triscuits or Wheat Thins, nuts (in small portions), instant oatmeal, whole grain bagel thin with peanut butter, or baby carrots and hummus.
Be mindful of late night snacking: Staying up late studying can lead to hunger and a late night pizza delivery or other less healthy snacks such as chips and dip. Plan ahead and bring a portioned snack or just indulge in a small portion.
Beware of beverages: Colleges usually have a plentiful supply of coffee drinks and the calories can add up quickly and end up being a “meal in a glass” with upwards of 600 or more calories. The glasses in the dining hall can also be large so a glass of milk may be 3 cups rather than the 1 cup suggested serving. Bottles of juice are convenient but loaded with sugar and calories.
Try something new: Avoid getting in a rut of eating only chicken strips and fries. Eating in the dining hall can give you a great opportunity to try new foods from other ethnic regions. Enjoy!!
Registered dietitian at Gustavus Adolphus College’s health and dining service, and River’s Edge Hospital in St. Peter, Jen Donkin, shares her expertise in healthy eating, even as a busy student. Donkin provides medical nutrition therapy for students in the college’s health service and nutrition analysis of recipes for their dining service. At River’s Edge Hospital she sees patients in the med/surgery and swing bed units, meets with patients in the outpatient setting and cardiac rehab, providing nutrition assessment, nutrition counseling and diabetes education.
1/4 c. oats
1 egg
1 tsp. brown sugar
1 tbsp. skim milk or soy milk
½ tsp. cinnamon
Handful of blueberries
1. Spray your large mug with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Add the oats, egg, brown sugar, milk, and cinnamon to the mug and mix well.
3. Stir in the blueberries
4. Microwave on high 2 minutes.
5. Let cool and enjoy!
Variations: Instead of blueberries you could add chopped apples, bananas or other berries
I have turned on my computer for the last three days to write this article on declawing. The truth is I have owned only declawed cats. I either adopted them this way or had them declawed myself.
Through the 1990s and early 2000s, it was a normal and routine procedure. However, like every other field, veterinary medicine continues to grow, learn, and make the best decisions on caring for our pets. It is no longer a “trend” or routine procedure and—in many cases—it will soon be a thing of the past.
What is declawing? You remember that time when your brother slammed your finger in the door and you lost your fingernail? Well, it’s nothing like that. Unlike human nails that are made up of skin cells, cat’s claws grow directly from the bone. When a cat is declawed, bones and tendons and nerves are severed. Declawing a cat is like 10 little amputations.
Declawing a cat has been considered an elective procedure, just as Botox and laser hair therapy is for humans (although for some humans this could be mandatory). It is not necessary for the cat and, in fact, it can cause long-term medical complications. Many people declaw because they just thought it was something everyone does, but they may also declaw due to human medical conditions, scratching, requirements by landlords, and for other behavioral concerns. A cat scratches for several reasons, including stretching, defense, sharpening its claws, and scent or territorial marking. These behaviors will continue regardless of the operation, but would not be as visible or destructive.
If you decide you still want to declaw a cat, the procedure should be done as early as possible. The best option would be under six months of age as they usually recover quicker at a younger age and don’t weigh as much. Can you imagine the women from “My 600 Pound Life” television show having all her toes cut off? How would she ever walk again? Like any surgery, not only can the procedure leave the cat with short-term pain (if not treated correctly) but it can also leave them with long-term pain. Many cats that are declawed are more likely to develop litter box
avoidance, back pain, and arthritis in their toes—and it has also been shown to potentially increase biting behavior. I’m not talking about the little nibbles to your fingers, but the kind where they stalk you and then hit you like a t-rex and move on to something meatier.
If you decide that you want to keep your kitty “all natural,” add cat trees into the home—tall ones, short ones, long ones, purple ones, etc.—and reward your cat when they use them. The more you reward the behavior, the more you will see it. The cat posts should be in visible sight and somewhere your cat already spends time doing this behavior. Make the previous location unattractive with sticky tape, tin foil, etc. You should also consider doing nail trims every two weeks or apply nail caps to the nails to keep them from shredding your precious belongings. You could also consider “Feliway,” a pheromone, which may help your cat feel calmer and like they belong. Please refrain from punishing your cat as it only hurts their spirit and frightens your cat.
On a good note. There are many countries that have banned declawing, including most of Europe, Brazil, Israel, Australia, and New Zealand. There are several states and cities—LA, New York, Denver, New Jersey—that have already called declaws illegal, unless it is to repair an infection or relieve pain. Most of Europe, LA, San Francisco, and New York all have bans on declawing. And doing so subjects people to a $1,000 fine. Forty to fifty percent of veterinary clinics in the US are referral clinics only (they don’t do “routine surgeries”), and 10 percent of the clinics in the US are corporately owned. Banfield Veterinary owns 800+ clinics in the United States and, as of January 2020, they no longer declaw cats. This means a large majority of veterinary clinics no longer provide this procedure as it is deemed unethical and has become a welfare concern. This will be something in the very near future that will affect us locally.
I am not saying you’re a jerk for declawing your cat. Remember, I did it. But I am suggesting you do the research and think long and hard about the decision. Your cat may be a pickle at times but he does deserve the best life you can give him.
Lonnie Bristol’s State Farm office is a family run business that has been in the Mankato area for the past 55 years. I have 24 years of experience with this office and in the insurance industry. I truly enjoy working with people in the community helping them with their home, renter’s, auto and life insurance needs. I know buying insurance is not very exciting and sometimes confusing and overwhelming. Our goal is to simplify the process, save customers as much money as possible and create lasting relationships so you feel like part of our State Farm family.
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Tell us about yourself:
I was born and raised in Paynesville, Minnesota. My mom was an avid seamstress and my dad loved working in his small basement wood shop. Helping them with their hobbies—or at times being “in the way”—is where my passion as a creator developed. To this day, you can usually find me either in my sewing studio or in the workshop building. I was that kid that was always up to SOMETHING.... whether it was a lemonade stand, organizing a neighborhood talent show, or making t-shirts for local youth groups.
What’s your business?
Long Dog Apparel started as a glorified hobby. Eleven years ago I entered my dachshund, Harlie, in a wiener dog race. I made “I Love my Wiener” tees for my family to wear to the event and, to my surprise, everyone wanted to buy them. And that’s how Long Dog Apparel was born. What started as a two-design collection has grown into hundreds of designs and custom products. While we still do a few wiener dog races each summer, the business has moved more towards wholesaling in the last two years. Currently more than 40 pet stores and boutiques coast-to-coast carry our products, including a large national mail-order pet catalog. Long Dog Apparel became an official full-time endeavor two years ago, but started nine years prior to that.
Why is it called Long Dog?
The business was inspired by my dogs—all dachshunds (also called long dogs). Although we have a very successful Minnesota line, the majority of our products are either for dogs or their human counter-parts.
How did you get into this business?
I’ve always loved creating apparel. The first t-shirt I ever made was when I was in pre-school. It was a Father’s Day shirt, which now hangs on the wall in my print studio. I majored in studio arts at MNSU, concentrating on printmaking (screen-printing). When people wanted to buy the apparel I was making for myself, family, and friends, I decided it was time to try out my hobby as a business.
What do you like about running your own business?
I love being able to follow my own path. I’ve had careers in retail, non-profit and hospitality, but none of them let me use my creative juices in the same way I do now.
What do you find a challenge?
Owning your own business, you never really know where your path may lead you. I don’t view that as a bad thing, but it can be a bit of a wild ride at times! But I’m okay with uncertainty. Sometimes it’s the unknown path that leads you to the greatest view.
As this is our health issue, tell us about your custom masks: We started making facemasks when some of the stores that carry our apparel requested them, as they knew we also specialize in custom sewing. Our masks were designed to fit the contours of the face, which makes them much more comfortable to wear than a lot of masks we’ve tried. We’ve received a lot of great feedback from our customers, stating that the shape of our masks does a much better job at reducing fogging of glasses. Each mask is constructed of three layers—two layers of quilter’s cotton and a moisture barrier layer to help reduce the spread of respiratory droplets. While all of our masks are made with ear loops, we have options for those that would prefer behind the head straps or adjustable loops.
Did you always want to be in a creative field?
Yes! While I wasn’t always sure where exactly my passion for creating would take me, I always knew that being able to create was important. Creating has always been and will always be the thing in my life that keeps me grounded.
If you could choose anyone, alive or dead, to have dinner with who would it be?
My grandmother, Eva. I spent many hours with her as a child, from hand sewing to crocheting to baking. I’m convinced she’s where my creativity gene came from. She passed away when I was 15, so while I have many fond memories with her, I’d love to have the chance at a conversation now that I’m “all grown up.”
What would surprise people to know about you?
My business’ prime focus is dogs and their humans. Surprisingly, I haven’t always been a “dog person.” Believe it or not, I grew up with cats and was TERRIFIED of dogs when I was kid. My love for dogs— and specifically wiener dogs—started when I was a junior in high school. One of my youth leaders was dog sitting a friend’s doxie, and I fell in love with that dog. Every since then, I proudly claim the label “Crazy Dog Lady.” I still like cats; I just prefer my pets to be dogs that are the size of cats, long-bodied and with short legs. Now I’m a fur mama of five dachshunds.
The first option would be to sell your current home and purchase your new home on the same day. We do this often and coordinate with your real estate agent to make sure everything goes smoothly and according to plan. Typically you will sell your current home and buy your new home in a matter of hours. We take care of scheduling, timing, and money transfers so you can focus on your new home. The second option is to purchase your new home first while still owning your current home. This can give you the time to move into the new home at your own pace, allow you to make necessary changes to your current home for the upcoming sale, or even upgrade your new home before you move in. This also allows you a stronger negotiating position for purchasing your new home. For the loan we do a minimal down payment, as low as 3%. Once your current home sells we apply the proceeds from the sale to your current loan and recalculate your payments based on the new balance. You could think of it as a delayed down payment. This process is very simple and is not a refinance of your loan.
Q: I already own a home but I want to take advantage of the historically low rates I have been hearing about. How do I refinance and what do I need to know?
A: Refinancing has been extremely popular lately due to the rate market being very favorable. The process itself is very simple. We can have a 15 minute conversation over the phone to set up your file and fill out all of the required documents. At this point I would provide you with a complete breakdown of your options, what your savings would be, and what costs are applicable to your particular loan. After that we submit the file to underwriting and complete their requirements which generally can be completed in 21 days or less! You may not even need an appraisal for a refinance depending on the last time your property was appraised. It’s a very quick and simple process.
QI have these soft lumps growing on my forearms. They have been there for a few years and they are getting bigger. My doctor told me they are probably “lipomas” and I might need to have them removed. What should I do? Is this serious?
ALipomas are benign soft tissue masses that grow underneath the skin and above the muscle. Lipomas are often seen on the limbs and torso. They are pretty common, occurring in 1/1000 people, and many people have more than one. They grow very slowly, often over many years before being noticed. While technically they are called “tumors,” they are not life threatening if left untreated in most cases—think Arnold Schwarzenegger in Kindergarten Cop, “It’s not a tumor.” Consider the following to help you decide how to manage it.
Lipomas start out as a singular fat cell that evolves into a mass. This ball of fat is different from the “quarantine 15” pounds you may have acquired in your midsection over the past few months. This is a discrete, rubbery, and mobile ball of fat that feels different than the tissue around it. Often these lipomas can dig in between the muscle fibers, causing early muscle fatigue, nerve irritation, muscle cramping, or mobility issues. If you find you are experiencing these symptoms in the area of your lipoma, you may want to consider having it removed.
Because Lipomas grow very slowly, they may not catch your attention until they are large enough and “look funny.” Lipomas that are the size of a
CORINNE JORDAN, MD, FACS General Surgery
Physicians Group of New Ulm
cherry tomato or larger should be removed. As they continue to grow, they can distort the normal anatomy and can interfere with mobility over time, and these changes may be so subtle that you don’t notice right away until you develop a compensatory mobility issue. Also, large masses should be removed to confirm the diagnosis that “It’s not a tumor.”
Removing the lipoma is usually a minor procedure performed by a general surgeon. Some smaller lipomas on the arms or legs can be removed in the office under local anesthetic. Larger lipomas, or those that are within or underneath muscle tissue, may need to be removed in the operating room with sedation. Talk to your friendly general surgeon about which approach is best for you.
Always consider “Recovery” as part of the surgical procedure. As with any surgery, the procedure can go perfectly but, if you don’t devote time to recovery, even the best surgical repair can become complete garbage. Thankfully, this is usually an easy one to bounce back from. There will be bruising and mild discomfort at the surgical site for a few days afterwards. You may have stitches that will need to be removed in the clinic once everything has healed. Sometimes the body will create a collection of fluid in the space where larger lipomas were. This fluid collection can take a couple of weeks to reabsorb, but it shouldn’t interfere with your activities.
Stay safe and be well!
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Body Concepts is a Wellness Facility offering various forms of detoxification, stress relief, relaxation, weight loss, body toning and tightening. Taking time to detox and de-stress is vital in maintaining a properly working body. Typically, people feel better, sleep better and have more energy. Body Concepts offers an effective, safe, painless treatment process that will boost your self improvement efforts.
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Floating has become the best-kept secret to safely and naturally relieve stress and anxiety. A float tank (ours are more of a float room) provides a weightless environment that when combined with pitch darkness and silence, creates sensory reduction. With the sensations of the outside world removed, your body and mind are allowed to completely relax and unplug.
A 2001 study in the Journal of the Canadian Pain Society found that spending time in a floatation tank effectively decreased anxiety and depression and increased optimism. In summary, floating takes you to your happy place.
Gari Jo Jordan OWNER
Ornamental grasses are irresistible. There’s something about the way they sway and rustle in the wind, adding movement and sound to gardens and landscapes. Delicate wispy grasses can soften the harsh corners of buildings and walkways, while taller columnar grasses create structure and drama. Mass plantings of grasses evoke the nostalgic imagery and emotional pull of our region’s wild grasslands and prairies, while a solitary grass plant can be a garden’s textural focal point.
As ornamental grasses have become a staple of modern horticulture, I’ve found myself sifting through them for reliable candidates to plant and to recommend to other gardeners. My favorites are the species and
Aside from being my favorite perennial grass, prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) is also one of my most-loved perennials for sunny landscapes. This tough native plant tolerates many difficult growing conditions, including drought, erosion, and road salt. Reaching only two feet tall and wide at maturity, prairie dropseed is the shortest and tidiest grass on this list. In mid-summer, its tiny flowers transform into beautiful airy seeds at the ends of dainty, graceful stems. Prairie dropseed is perfect for the front of garden borders, where its narrow arching leaves soften the edges of stone paths and walls. The cultivar ‘Tara’ has slightly wider leaves and a more upright form.
The color blue can be elusive in gardens, especially when it comes to foliage for full sun. That’s where little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) comes in! I’d consider little bluestem the least tidy grass on this list, so don’t plant it as a single specimen unless you don’t mind some minor chaos in your garden border—it does seed around a bit. Instead, I’d recommend planting it in masse, especially in a hot dry sunny locale. I once tended a patch of little bluestem that was growing in a long narrow strip of landscape between a cement wall and a tar bike trail, and it was absolutely show-stopping, especially when it turned bronze in late autumn. As a native prairie plant, little bluestem’s deep roots make it exceptionally drought tolerant once it’s established. Some cultivars to look for include ‘Standing Ovation’ (tall and sturdy), ‘Blue Heaven’ (very reliable), and ‘Smoke Signal’ (dark purple leaves).
cultivars that have interesting seed heads and leaf colors. I also look for grasses that don’t spread aggressively via rhizome or seed, which can make them difficult to control in a home landscape setting. The following list is an introductory guide to perennial ornamental grasses. With proper siting and care, ornamental grasses can provide your river valley landscapes with year-round low-maintenance beauty.
LAURA SCHWARZ New Ulm native Minneapolis-based horticulturist & writer
My last pick is the only grass on this list that isn’t a Minnesota native, and it’s also the only one that isn’t reliably zone-hardy here. (It’s definitely hardy to USDA Zone 5, though I’ve seen it flirt generously with Zone 4.) However, it’s so darn stunning that I couldn’t leave it out. Flame grass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Purpurascens’) boasts fluffy white seed plumes drifting atop wide strappy leaves. To make this plant even more desirable, the leaves turn a striking orange-red in the fall. This clumpforming grass is slow to start in the spring, but during the heat of summer it will quickly reach four to five feet in height. It’s best in full sun and with a lot of space to expand. At the end of the growing season, leave the stalks in place as winter interest. They’re beautiful amidst the snow, and more importantly, the standing foliage will protect the plant’s vulnerable crowns from our winter’s overbearing cold.
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is best known for its bold foliage colors in late summer and early fall, when its leaves turn showy hues of deep reds and purples. Its narrow, upright form is strong and architectural—switchgrass plants grow in dense columnar clumps that can reach five to seven feet tall while staying one to two feet wide. Though switchgrass flowers are insignificant, wind pollination produces sprays of small red and gold seeds delicately spaced on wiry stems. The seeds persist well into winter, when they serve as a food source for many bird species. ‘Shenandoah’ and ‘Prairie Fire’ are especially colorful cultivars, while ‘North Wind’ has the most well-defined upright form of the bunch.
This fall is like no other in history, with the two previous seasons allowing us much more time at home to get long-awaited projects checked off our list. As we usher in cooler weather and look toward a fresh new year, it’s important that we don’t forget about regular fall maintenance that directly impacts our health and pocketbook. Well-maintained appliances and attention given to energy efficiencies means more savings for you.
A clean home gives a peace of mind and a jumpstart on those who suffer from seasonal allergies. Do what you can now to get on top of things so you can enjoy your increased time at home. Before we know it the holidays will be here.
Here’s a recommended list of items you should address if applicable:
• Clean chimney of wood fireplaces
• Replace furnace filters
• Schedule furnace maintenance check
• Remove window air conditioners or cover
• Disconnect garden hoses from house
• Pull out fridge and clean under and behind
• Change the batteries on smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and test
• Replace outdated smoke or carbon monoxide detectors
• Inspect the seals on windows and doors and replace if necessary to avoid drafts this winter
• Inspect exposed wiring and cords for wear and fraying, especially outside
• Schedule propane or natural gas delivery
BY CINDY HAUGLAND tidytightwads.com• Inspect furnace, fireplace, and pellet stove for proper ventilation and no obstructions
• Clean or schedule professional service to clean air ducts and dryer vents
• Check for any plumbing leaks or drips
• Check sump pump
• Refill softener salt supply so not hauling it in the cold weather
• Find shovels and buy sidewalk salt
• Service snow blower
• Put out mouse traps in sheds, garage, basement
• Fertilize grass
• Split roots of perennials
• Wash window screens, put on storm doors/windows
• Clean out gutters and eve spouts
• Trim back any trees/limbs/branches hovering close to or over house/roof
• Schedule carpet cleaning, before outside temp freezes
• Wash throw rugs and curtains and hang outside to dry
• Rinse out garbage cans and leave in the sun/breeze to sanitize
• Wash blankets and hang out on the line to freshen up
With more time at home, plan to take care of the things on this list and know that your home will continue to be a healthy, safe, and happy place to spend a little extra time.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone over the age of two wear a mask while in public settings to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. However, prolonged mask wearing can cause discomfort or irritate of the skin on your face and ears. Here are some tips that I share with my patients to keep your skin healthy.
Masks’ impact on skin
Facemasks create an occlusive, or closed up, environment that increases the amount of moisture next to your skin. This excess moisture poses no concerns if you are wearing a mask for a short period of time, such as while grocery shopping or during a medical appointment. However, when wearing a mask for hours at a time, the excess moisture can lead to breakouts and skin irritation on the nasal bridge, chin or cheeks.
If you have a history of acne, rosacea, perioral dermatitis, eczema, or allergic contact dermatitis, you may find that your condition is worsened by prolonged facemask wearing. Some people can develop irritation or chafing behind their ears from the mask’s elastic bands.
Selecting the right mask
Fit and material are important when buying a mask. It should be snug enough so it doesn’t slip off your nose and stays put on your chin while talking. Adjustable ear bands can be more comfortable and decrease irritation behind your ears.
Cotton masks are softer on the skin and appropriate for most people. N95 respirators are critical for health care workers but can cause pressure and skin tissue damage due to their tight fit. If you are required to wear an N95 respirator for work, remove the mask in a safe place away from other people for five minutes every two to three hours. Also, switch to cotton masks when you can safely do so, such as after work.
The most important thing you can do to prevent breakouts and irritation is to keep your skin clean and well moisturized. Before and after wearing your mask, gently cleanse your face with a pHbalanced, noncomedogenic cleanser to remove
oil, dirt, makeup and bacteria. Next, apply a gentle, fragrance-free, noncomedogenic moisturizer to your skin. Check the label for the words noncomedogenic, nonclogging or nonacnegenic to find the right option for you. Look for moisturizers that have dimethicone or ceramides as ingredients, which can help repair the skin barrier to prevent irritation from the masks.
Use zinc oxide if your skin develops breaks or tears. This product is available over the counter in many different forms, including paste, ointment, cream, spray, lotion, and powder. Consider wearing headbands with buttons if your mask with elastic bands causes friction behind your ears.
There are two types of products I recommend people avoid when wearing a mask. First, avoid products with petrolatum. This ingredient can interfere with your mask’s function and fit. Also, avoid wearing makeup, especially on the skin covered with a mask. It can increase irritation and soil the mask.
Finally, keeping your mask clean will help your skin healthy as well. A dirty mask counteracts any other prevention strategies you have done. Be sure to wash masks prior to wearing the first time. A washing machine or hand washing should suffice to properly wash a cloth face covering with regular laundry detergent. Mayo Clinic recommends a hot water temperature for washing face coverings.
EMILY FIBEGER, D.O. Dermatology Mayo Clinic Health System
Do you worry constantly about money even though you have a good steady income and retirement plan?
Do you live in the moment without thinking about saving for the future?
Recently, financial professionals are diving into their client’s “money personality.” The thought is that determining your money personality is the first step toward financial health and well-being. Knowing what drives your financial decisions can help you reach smart money goals, whether that’s spending less on impulse purchases or saving more for retirement.
The beliefs and behaviors surrounding your finances are typically passed down from your parents. Those internal beliefs are formed by your childhood experiences, the community you grew up in, and the habits of those around you. If you watched your parents spend their money on all the new and trendy gadgets, your belief may be when you want something—you buy it. Or maybe you observed your parents consistently save their money. Your belief may be that hanging onto every dollar is best. These observations can form how we think of our money as adults.
There are four commonly recognized personality types; you may be a mix of these or move from one to another as your financial situation changes. Working with a professional, such as a financial coach or credit counselor, can help you to identify your personality and develop a plan to become financially secure.
1. The spender. Also known as the “giver.” Often, spenders simply like the act of spending money and often do it impulsively. Spenders are carefree with their money and don’t care how much they spend or who they spend it on. They aren’t necessarily rich, spenders just like spending. Because of this, they are also likely to have credit card debt and not much saved for emergencies or retirement.
If you’re a spender. Set limits on your spending. Before you buy something, give yourself a 24-hour cooling-off period to allow for a more rational decision.
2. The saver. Also known as the “hoarder,” therefore, the opposite of the spender. They are very mindful of their money and probably have an emergency fund, retirement savings, and a financial cushion just in case something goes wrong. These are all positive things, however, there is another side to it.
If you’re a saver: The good news is you’re already careful with your money and probably follow your budget and bank accounts very closely. But often, you don’t allow yourself to enjoy what that money can give you. Buy yourself a new outfit, enjoy a weekend away with a good friend, or take a road trip to a place you have never been. Life is to be enjoyed and as long as you have the money saved, spend some of it!
3. The security seeker: Much like the saver, they are careful with their finances. Security Seekers like to know that their money matters are settled and safe. They are all about low-risk investments, quality purchases, and secure retirement funds. When it comes to money, the Security Seeker’s motto is, “Better safe, than sorry.”
If you’re a security seeker: Plan and set goals. This will help you to avoid the anxiety around big decisions. Often security seekers get stuck in a research rut. This tendency is often referred to as “analysis paralysis.” Security Seekers can get so caught up in making sure an opportunity is foolproof, they never act and can miss out on something great.
4. The avoider. Like the name says, avoiders will completely ignore the stacks of bills on their kitchen counter. They don’t want to think about money much less do a budget. Avoiders will often steer away from organizing their finances in a responsible way, which leads to negative financial behaviors: overspending, putting off paying bills, ignoring their bank account balance.
If you’re an avoider: Take small steps toward understanding your finances. Instead of watching the mail pile up, set aside a regular time to open and review your bills. Work with a coach or a trusted family member to keep you on track.
There are ways to live peacefully no matter which one you fall into. Just being aware of your habits and attitude towards money can direct you to become financially stable and prepared for the future!
DAROLYN JUBERIEN Financial Coach Live Full Financial Coaching
1 Mixing patterns and textures can make an outfit feel less stuffy. Here, a mauve satin cami is paired with striped tweed pants and an orange knit cardigan. These are the perfect combos for warm days and chilly nights. Wear it with a pump or boot!
2 There's nothing casual about ruffles! For the ultimate downtown style, these floaty lines flatter with feminine appeal. Dressed up or down, add this chic dress to your wardrobe and wear it with confidence.
3 These patterned chiffon pants are just the thing to dress up a plain white T-shirt. For dressier moments add some dainty gold jewelry. Keep it casual with a white trainer shoe, and pair with a long coat for either occasion!
4 It's as soft as your "go to" T-shirt but so much more! Layered with a blazer, this knit summer dress melds right into fall for a look that carries you from the office to an evening out with friends. Wear it with your favorite necklace or a complimenting neck scarf.
5 Dress up your favorite pair of denims with this knit top, shown here in blush. Perfect for cooler days and evenings. Booties and a felt hat are the perfect add to this easy outfit.
6 Nothing says fall like the vibrant colors in this black and floral chiffon dress. Warm it up with some sheer black tights and knee high boots.
7 Off the shoulder tops are not just a trend. This style has turned into a wardrobe must-have. Whether worn casually with jeans or dressed up with skirts, this unique neckline is both flirty and fun.
E-mail Ruth Klossner at cowladyruth@gmail.com by the 10th of the month. Listings are generally for events that are free to the public, or are fundraisers. Listings will be published as space allows and at the discretion of the editor.
Fri, Oct 2
• Farmers Market, Hwy 60 between Collis C Store & Kevin’s Market, 2:306 pm. Info: lakecrystalchamber.com/ events.
Fri-Sat, Oct 2-3
• Shadows at the Crossing—Spirits of Old Traverse des Sioux, 1851 N Minnesota Ave, St. Peter, 6:30 pm. Info & registration (required): 507934-2160 or events@nchsmn.org.
Fri-Sat, Oct 2-3 & 9-10
• Oktoberfest, Best Western Plus & Schells Brewery, New Ulm. Info: newulm.com/visitorscommunity/things-to-do/festivals/ oktoberfest-3/.
Sat, Oct 3
• Music on the Steps, State Street Theater Co, 1 N State St, New Ulm, 2-6 pm. Info: Facebook, statestreetnewulm.org or statestreettheater@gmail.com
• Maker Fair Minnesota, Downtown, New Ulm. Info: 507-233-4300 or chamber@newulm.com.
• Fall Festival & Chili Cookoff, downtown Faribault, 12-3 pm. Info: visitfaribault.com/calendar/.
• Haunted Basement Tours, Paradise Center for the Arts, 321 Central Ave N, Faribault, 1-3 pm. Info: visitfaribault.com/calendar/.
• Benefit for Brandon Miller, Searles Bar & Grill, 13014 Main St, Searles, 2-7 pm. Info: Facebook.
• Good Thunder Great Fine Arts & Crafts Fair, City Park, Good Thunder, 10 am. Info: Facebook.
In these uncertain times, be sure to check ahead to see if events are being held.
Sat, Oct 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
• Farmers Market, Central Park, Owatonna, 7 am-12 pm. Info: visitowatonna.org/calendar-ofevents/.
• Farmers’ Market, 25 Adams St SE, Hutchinson, 8 am-12 pm. Info: business.explorehutchinson.com/ events/.
• Mankato Farmers’ Market, Best Buy Parking Lot, 8 am. Info: Facebook.
• KNUJ Farmers Market, Cash Wise Parking Lot, New Ulm, 9 am-noon. Info: Facebook.
Mon-Fri, Oct 5-9
• Active Aging Week, St. Peter. Info: saintpetermn.gov/155/Recreation or Facebook.
Mon, Oct 5 & 12
• North Mankato Farmers Market, So Central College, 1920 Lee Blvd, No Mankato, 3:30-6:30 pm. Info: Facebook.
Wed, Oct 7, 14, 21, 28
• Hutchinson Farmers Market, 25 Adams St SE, Hutchinson, 2:305:30 pm. Info: http://business. explorehutchinson.com/events/
Thurs, Oct 8, 15, 22, 29
• KNUJ Farmers Market, Cash Wise Parking Lot, New Ulm, 2:30-5:30 pm. Info: Facebook.
Fri-Sun, Oct 9-11, 16-18, 23-25, 30-Nov 1, Nov 6-8, 13-15
• LTO Production of Cat’s Cradle, Little Theatre of Owatonna, 560 Dunnell Dr # A, Owatonna, 7-9 pm. Info: visitowatonna.org/calendar-ofevents/.
Sat, Oct 10
• Pumpkin Party, Farmamerica, 7367 360th Ave, Waseca, 11 am-4 pm. Info: 507-835-2052 or farmamerica. org/events/.
• Bingo, American Legion Post #510, 715 3rd St, Nicollet, 4 pm. Info: Facebook.
Sun, Oct 11
• 5th Annual Options/Mankato Gala, Kato Entertainment Center, 200 Chestnut St, Mankato, 5-8 pm. Info: supportoptionsmankato.com/gala2020/ or 507-625-2229.
Sat, Oct 17
• Babysitter Training, Washington Learning Center, New Ulm, 9:30 am-12:30 pm. Info & registration: newulm.k12.mn.us/community-ed/, 507-233-8307 or cfleck@newulm. k12.mn.us.
• Home Alone Class for 3rd grade & older, Washington Learning Center, New Ulm, 1-2:30 pm. Info & registration: newulm.k12.mn.us/ community-ed/, 507-233-8307 or cfleck@newulm.k12.mn.us.
Tues, Oct 20
• Women’s Forum, Turner Hall, New Ulm, 12-1 pm. Info: facebook. com/events/562519734593738/ or thewomensforumnu@gmail.com.
Fri, Oct 23
• Hammer & Nails Dinner goes to Germany, Crow River Golf Club, 915 Colorado St, Hutchinson, 5:30 pm. Info & tickets: 320/587/8868, crhfh. org or deb@crhfh.org
Fri-Sat & Sat, Oct 23-24 & 31
• The Francois Haunted Hotel, downtown, Redwood Falls, 7-10 pm. Info: celebrateredwoodfalls.com/ haunted-hotel/.
Sun, Oct 25
• Omelet Breakfast, American Legion Post #510, 715 3rd St, Nicollet, 8:30 am-12:30 pm. Info: Facebook.
Tues, Oct 27
• Beer & Hymns on Facebook LIVE, 6:30-8 pm. Info: facebook. com/riverofhopehutchinson/, riverofhopehutchinson.org or 320587-4414.
• ARC Blood Drive, Salem Lutheran Church, Madelia, 1:30-6:30 pm. Info & appointments: redcross.org
Fri-Sat, Oct 30-31
• New Ulm Nightmares Haunted House, downtown, 21 S Minnesota St, New Ulm, 7-11 pm. Info: Facebook or newulmnightmares.com.
Sat, Oct 31
• Citizens Bank Minnesota’s Race 2 Raise 5K, 105 N Minnesota St, back parking lot, New Ulm, 7:45 am. Info: citizensmn.bank/citizens-way/ community-events or sseifert@ citizensmn.com
• The Rocky Horror Picture Show, State Street Theater Co, 1 N State St, New Ulm, 7:30 pm. Info: statestreetnewulm.org or statestreettheater@gmail.com
Thurs-Sun, Nov 5-8
• GnomeMade Market, various locations, New Ulm. Info: Facebook.
Fri, Nov 6
• Lions Club Ladies Night Toy Drive for Santa’s Workshop, Event Center, Henderson, 6-9 pm. Info: hendersonevents011@gmail.com.
Sat-Sun, Nov 7-8
• Wine Diva Days, Morgan Creek Vineyards, New Ulm. Info: 507-9473547 or martimcv@aol.com.
Sat, Nov 14
• Bingo, American Legion Post #510, 715 3rd St, Nicollet, 4 pm. Info: Facebook.
• Fashion Show, American Legion, St. James, 5 pm. Info: localendar.com/ public/stjameschamber.
Sat-Sun, Nov 14-15
• Natural Healing & Psychic Expo, Courtyard by Marriott, 901 Raintree Rd, Mankato, 10 am-4 pm. Info: Facebook.
With the countless ways this year’s turn of events has affected businesses, individuals, and organizations, one thing is for sure; cancer doesn’t stop for COVID. People facing a cancer diagnosis at this time are not only receiving this heavy prognosis; they have to do it alone.
B the Light is a New Ulm based 501c3 whose mission is to give hope and shine light on those diagnosed with breast cancer in Minnesota and Iowa. The organization, established in 2016, was off to a great start having had its first successful fundraiser gala last fall.
“We are incredibly grateful for all of the support we received last year for our first annual B the Light Gala! With the help of our generous community businesses and attendees, we raised an amazing $92,000 to support breast cancer
survivors and their families in our area,” said Amber Melby, founder and president of B the Light. “We have been hard at work, building our network and connection programs. We have granted four HOPE Getaways to families from Minnesota. Our very first recipient and her husband are hoping to head to Peru this fall to pursue her lifelong dream of climbing Rainbow Mountain,” she continued.
As travel is a bit uncertain in the coming months, the organization is now developing HOPE Handbags.
“In a time when a diagnosis comes with no one by your side, we are working to immediately impact survivors with these kits that include supportive literature, access to a
closed Facebook support group, and other resources,” concluded Melby.
Due to COVID-19, B the Light was forced to create a plan B. Instead of an in-person gala, they will be hosting the “Walk a Mile in Their Shoes” fundraiser. Individuals or teams can pick an activity (walking, running, biking, Crossfit, yoga, for example) and set a goal.
Then, from October 1 to 8, (representing 1 in 8 women diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime), participants will push to achieve their goal. For more information and to learn more about participating or donating, visit bthelightinfo.org, or email info@bthelightinfo.org.
Many people think of domestic violence as a personal or private matter. However, domestic violence and relationship abuse impact more than just the victim—these issues impact entire communities. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, making it a good time to discuss the ways domestic violence not only affects individuals, but all of us.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), on average in the United States, nearly 20 people per minute are physically harmed by a partner. Last year alone, CADA served over 2,200 victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Given the prevalence of domestic violence and relationship abuse, it is very likely that we all know someone who has been a victim at one point or another. Domestic violence touches so many individuals and the impacts of abuse ripple out into the community.
Domestic violence and relationship abuse can impact nearly every aspect of a victim or survivor’s life—their physical health, mental health, finances, employment, housing, children, social relationships, spirituality, and education—and the list goes on and on. But the ripple effects do not stop with the victim or survivor. Domestic violence impacts public health, crime rates, peoples’ ability to participate in the workforce, and child development, just to name a few. Additionally, NCADV reports that, “the cost of intimate partner violence exceeds $8.3 billion per year.”
Children who experience or witness violence or abuse often take this trauma with them into the classroom. Children’s exposure to this specific kind of trauma can result in cognitive issues, learning difficulties, behavior issues, mental health concerns, and sleep problems. Additionally, children who experience or witness relationship abuse at home can carry that trauma and stress with them into adulthood. Exposure to trauma in childhood does not always mean the cycle of abuse will continue but it can lead to an increased risk of physical health, mental health, and substance abuse conditions later in life.
At CADA, advocates often work with friends or family of victims or survivors. They call the crisis line because they may be worried
about their loved one and are looking for ways to help. When leaving an abusive relationship, many victims will turn to friends or family for support, some even fleeing their home to live with loved ones temporarily. Depending on the circumstances, this can lead to a situation where the victim and their support system struggle and their economic security, or even housing situation, is put at risk.
Supporting a loved one while they navigate the complexities of domestic violence or relationship abuse can take a toll and can even be traumatizing. Many individuals struggle to figure out the right strategy for helping. Additionally, many loved ones, or “secondary survivors,” experience guilt for not seeing warning signs sooner. Many people hope that their loved one will just leave their abusive partner and that will be the end of it. But we know that abuse operates in a repeating cycle and leaving is rarely a quick event, but a lengthy and complicated process. Therefore, many secondary survivors experience this trauma for extended periods of time.
According to NCADV, between 21-60% of victims lose their jobs as a result of domestic violence. CADA advocates have worked with countless victims who say that their abusive partner has sabotaged their employment in some way. Victims of domestic violence lose a total of eight million days of paid work each year (NCADV). This has a huge impact on our economy and in our communities. The cost of domestic violence doesn’t end there. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the cost of domestic violence over a victim’s lifetime was between $23,414 and $103,767.
Each October, advocates, survivors, organizations, and communities across the country work to bring a greater awareness to domestic violence and its effect on individuals and societies. Domestic violence is one of our greatest public health issues and community health issues. To create healthier communities, we must understand the ripple effect that domestic violence has on individuals, families, our economy, and our society. We must support victims, survivors, their children, and their loved ones. We must find ways to prevent relationship abuse and domestic violence. Our communities can only thrive when everyone is safe, secure, respected, and free from violence.
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4. Time To Get Your Flu Shot
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Did you know that being female is the biggest risk factor for breast cancer? If you’re a woman who is 40 years old and better, annual mammograms are one of the best ways to defeat breast cancer.
Death rates from breast cancer have been declining since 1990, due to better screening and early detection, increased awareness, and continually improving treatment options. Today, there are over 3.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.
So let’s look at screening and early detection, which for most women means annual screening mammograms. Screening mammograms are performed on women who have no symptoms or signs of breast cancer. The American College of Radiology recommends that women of average risk should get annual mammograms beginning at age 40.
If you have a higher risk for breast cancer, annual mammograms may be recommended earlier. Risk factors include a parent, sister or child with breast cancer or a known gene mutation based on genetic testing. Other less commonly known risk factors include dense breasts and alcohol consumption. All women, especially black women and those of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, should be evaluated for breast cancer risk no later than age 30, so those at higher risk can be identified and can benefit from supplemental screening. Talk with your primary care provider to see when it’s right for you to begin screening mammograms.
Mammograms are one of the most effective tools in detecting breast cancer in its earliest stages when it’s small and easiest to treat. According to the American Cancer Society, decades of research show that women
who have regular mammograms are more likely to find breast cancer early and less likely to need aggressive treatment like surgery to remove the breast and chemotherapy. And they are more likely to be cured.
Mammograms are not a one and done. Annual mammograms help us compare your breast tissue from year to year and look for any changes in your breasts. Mammograms are the most effective tool to detect cancer before you feel a lump or notice symptoms.
We recommend 3-dimensional tomosynthesis (TOMO) screening mammograms. The machine looks the same, but we see a more detailed view of the breast tissue. In fact, 3D mammograms are proven to detect more breast cancers in all women and all breast types. That’s why 3D mammograms are the first choice in breast cancer screening.
Less callbacks are another benefit of 3D mammograms. With conventional 2D mammograms, many women are called back for additional imaging. With the technology of 3D mammograms, we have reduced these call backs by 40 percent.
And many insurance plans cover 3D mammograms just as they do conventional ones. Women are encouraged to call the number on the back of their insurance card to check coverage.
So make an annual mammogram part of your healthcare routine. If you are 40 or older or have a family history of breast cancer, contact your primary care provider about screening mammograms today.
Take care of yourself!
It is called stem cell therapy and it uses your OWN body’s blood and tissues to help treat your pain. The procedure has to be performed correctly, which few can do. But in the hands of an expert like Dr. Kristin Oliver stem cell therapy has the potential to change lives. It can reduce the effects of arthritis and help injured tissue heal. Stem cell therapy can replace pain with hope. It can return athletes to the playing field and grandparents back to the lives they want to live.
To learn more please visit our website www.bluetailmedicalgroup.com or call Kathy Nelson at 507-385-4014.
Dr. Oliver is a leader in regenerative medicine, having performed more procedures than anyone in the country, including stem cell and platelet rich plasma therapies and provides therapy locally at Mankato Clinic’s location in North Mankato.
bluetailmedicalgroup.com
STEM CELL THERAPY
THE POWER TO HEAL IS IN YOUR BLOOD.