BOOM Magazine July/August 2016 by FAMILY Magazines of Michiana

JuLY & AUGUST 2016

Sand & Song Refreshing Summer Beer Happy Birthday Indiana

Getting

Back to the

Basics

Your guide to living locally and loving life! HEALTH • TRAVEL • FAMILY • PETS • HOBBIES RECIPES • EVENTS • FINANCE • LIFE MAY 2015

Making

APRIL

2015

Memories that

LAST

JUNE 2015

CELEBRATING

to words E LIV

MOTHER'S DAY With Your Grandkids

The Importance of

SOUTH BEND

y A Bus MER OO B

p to Kee What Ditch to What

CELEBRATING

150 Years HERE COMES

THE SUN

THE PURSUIT OF

HOPPYNESS

PROUD TO BE AN AM ER

ICAN

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What's inside

EVERY MONTH 4

Letter From The Publisher

Contributors & Testimonials

BOOM Timeline

boom RECIPE 30

Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream By: Katie & Theresa Slott

boom PETS 17

Loving Animals Are In Need Of Families

boom HEALTHY LIVING 8

Getting Back to the Basics

Test Your Supplement Smarts

I Came This Close to Doing a Color Run

By: Gail Gronek Weismann, Registered Dietitian By: Sandra Gordon By: Lisa A. Beach

boom HOBBIES 16

Sand & Song

Refreshing Summer Beer Options

By: Jim & Margo Bell By: Chuck Berman

boom TRAVELER 20

Day Trip: Driehaus Museum By: Phyllis Rose

boom HOME 22

Backyard Repurposing

Happy Birthday Indiana

By: Rita Miller

By: Evie Kirkwood

Boom LIFE

On the Cover:

Fresh local sweet cherries from Dussel's Farm Market, Cassopolis MI

14 Ideas for the Ultimate Midlife Wardrobe

Lord Help Me, I’m On Twitter

By: Lisa A. Beach By: Lisa A. Beach

www.dusselsfarmmarket.com

cover photographer Ann Reiff is one of Michiana’s Premiere Real Life Photographers. Her heart and soul define her style, as she is able to capture the moments we wish to always remember. Ann shoots all varieties of sessions at her studio in Southwest Michigan and also loves doing shoots on location. Contact her at: www.studio513east.com, • ann@studio513east.com • 269-228-0373

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER:

he long wait for summer is finally over. Summer is here at last yet it seems so fleeting. It seems like the 4th of July arrives, we have a cookout and watch the fireworks, and it’s time for back to school already. Before that happens, let’s talk about what’s happening in July and August since this is a combined issue.

Sue Heinrich Sue@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

Managing Editor:

Jessica Haviland Jessy@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

AD COORDINATOR & INSIDE SALES MANAGER

Amanda Oiler Amanda@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN Manager: Zuzanna Zmud Zuzanna@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

MEDICAL EDITOR: Dr. Jesse Hsieh

I love summer with the warm weather and blue skies along with occasional thunderstorms. There is so much to do outdoors in the summer time – boating and swimming, cookouts and picnics, softball and baseball, golf and gardening. Summer vacations are always so much fun. And it seems like you can find an art fair or a street fair nearly every weekend in one place or another. And there is nothing like a day at the beach.

Distribution Managers:

I love to shop at all the little farm stands that spring up with fresh garden fruits and vegetables including everyone’s favorite, corn on the cob, along with tomatoes and peaches, blueberries, cherries and raspberries. My mom used to make the best fresh fruit pies in the summer and my favorite was peach although cherry and blueberry were close competition.

The FAMILY Magazines P.O. BOX 577 Granger, IN 46530 PH: 574.387.5420 • FX: 574.217.4700 www.MichianaMom.com

I love the long days when the sun comes up early and doesn’t set until late. You can get so much more done in the day and then wonder why you’re tired until you discover it’s 9 o’clock and the sun is still up. But, the warm sunny evenings are so pleasant you don’t want them to end.

Chad Haviland

BOOM Magazine is a division of Michiana Family Publishing, LLC established in 2016. All rights reserved. We would love to hear from you! Please submit press releases, event information and inquiries to: Jessy@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

Permission from the publisher is required for any reproduction or reprint of this publication. Read BOOM Magazine online each month! Go to www.MichianaMom.com and flip the pages, July & August 2016 Volume 5: Number 6

Then suddenly, the summer that began with fireworks and fun on the 4th of July is coming to an end. School starts up again in early August for some cities in the area. Michigan students get a reprieve and don’t go back until after Labor Day, the unofficial end of summer. How sad it feels sometimes. We wait all year for summer to arrive, only to have it last such a short time. But, never fear, it will return again next year. Enjoy it while it’s here; fall will be here soon enough. And, what better way is there to pass some time sitting in the summer sun than to read BOOM Magazine! There are some great articles to tickle your fancy starting with Getting Back to Basics and Backyard Repurposing. You will find some lifestyle articles including Lord Help Me I’m on Twitter, 14 Ideas for a Midlife Wardrobe and Happy Birthday Indiana. There is also a Day Trip to Driehaus Museum and an article about Summer Beer. So sit back, relax, enjoy the summer and enjoy this issue of BOOM!

LOOK WHO’s TALKING

follow us on Twitter, and become our fan on Facebook. @MichianaBoom www.facebook.com/pages/BOOM-Magazine/ www.pinterest.com/boommagazine/ MichianaBoom

JULY & AUGUST 2016 | boom

boom / contributors

Evelyn Kirkwood

Evelyn Kirkwood is Director of St. Joseph County Parks in Indiana and host of Outdoor Elements, which is broadcast Sundays at 9 A.M. and Wednesdays at 5:30 P.M. on WNIT Public Television.

RITa miller Rita Miller is a CPA in public practice, a mom of four, an avid reader and serves on two boards in the community. She has worked with a variety of industries, including medical professional services, real estate development and rental and retail establishments.

Margo Bell Margo Bell, a first-wave Boomer, has a B.S. degree in Biology from Arkansas State University and worked in medical and marine biology research before making a mid-life career change to writing for adults and children. Margo is a former magazine editor and has published over 50 articles and features in newspapers and magazines. She and her husband Jim live in South Bend and have two grandchildren. Photo Credit: Classic Image Photography

Phyllis Rose Phyllis Rose is a freelance writer and editor from Vicksburg, Michigan. For nine years, she wrote a day trip column for the Kalamazoo Gazette, visiting hundreds of places in the Michiana area.

boom / testimonials

I read the majority of my health related articles in BOOM Magazine!” – Rose L. The traveler section in BOOM is the first section I always turn to! I always end up adding a new place to visit on my bucket list!” – Sharon H. I have attended more local events this year because of the Timelime Events in BOOM!” –Arlene B.

Don't forget!

Keep up with us on Facebook by liking our page just for Boomers! boom | JULY & AUGUST 2016

Red Sangria

JULY Events F

4 Happy 4th of July!

M Tu

Total Time: 10 min Prep: 10 min Ingredients:

5 in History: Top Moments of Indiana’s 200 Years, 6 Insight 1:30 – 3, History Museum SB

W Th

8-10

F Sa

2 tablespoons sugar

1/2 cup brandy

2 sliced lemons

1/4 cup orange liqueur

1 sliced green apple

2 sliced oranges

1 1/2 cups seltzer

Directions: Mix the wine, brandy, and liqueur in a pitcher, then add the fruit. Other fruit such as strawberries or raspberries could also be used. Refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to 1 day. Add the seltzer just before serving.

Krasl Art Fair, 5-9, The Bluff at St. Joe, MI

1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine

Boomers & Beyond: Beginners Canoe and Kayak Lessons, St Pat’s Park 5:30-7:30pm

Blueberries!

Beer Walk, 5-9, Down Town South Bend

15-17 Monty Python’s Spamalot, 7:30 Lerner Theater in Elkhart 2016 Bicentennial All-In Block Party, 16 Indiana’s 1-4, History Museum

F Sa Su

20 Evening in the Gardens, 21 A6:00,Sumer Wellfield Botanic Gardens, Elkhart

Th F

JULY & AUGUST 2016 | boom

Glazed Lemon Blueberry Scones

Blueberry Feta Salad

(Sally's Baking Addiction)

(nom nom nom)

Blueberry Sorbet (Us Highbush Blueberry council)

Things We Love Right Now • • • • • • • • • •

Local Strawberries Long Days Softball Kayaking Cookouts Rose Wine Watermelon 4th of July Fireworks Art Fairs and Festivals

Keeping Our Pets Safe in the

August Events W

Summer

Heat

The Humane Society suggests: •

Never leave your pets in a parked car – not even for a minute

•

Watch the humidity

•

Limit exercise on hot days

•

Don’t rely on a fan

•

Provide ample shade and water

•

Cool your pet inside and out

•

Watch for signs of heatstoke

•

Prepare for power outages

F Sa

Wine Walk, 5-9 Downtown South Bend

Su Mo

Women Experience the Outdoors: Summer Night Sky, 9-11, St Pat’s Park

FunThings to Do this Summer with your Grandkids

• Go to a South Bend Cubs game

M Tu

Spaniels Forever Doo Wop Review, 7:00, The Lerner Theater, Elkhart Artbeat 2016, 11:00 to 7, Downtown South Bend

• Try the Ray & Joan Kroc Center and climb the rock wall, play in the gymnasium, float down the lazy river, or travel down the winding water slide. • Head to Sky Zone Trampoline Park in Mishawaka to bounce and flip on wallto-wall trampolines.

of the Garden, 27 Taste 11:00 – 6:00, Wellfield Botanic Garden

• Take them to the Potawatomi Zoo and see more than 400 animals, ride on the Potawatomi Zoo Train, stroll through Zoo Farm, or watch the North American River Otters glide through the water.

• Travel to the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo with all sorts of interactive exhibits on aircraft and technology • Go to the beach on Lake Michigan, have a picnic and spend the day (don’t forget sunscreen and water) • Go fishing on one of the many lakes in the area boom | JULY & AUGUST 2016

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Healthy Living

Getting Back to the Basics Nutrition-Rich Food Still Outshines Supplements By: Gail Gronek Weismann, Registered Dietitian

s we blast through the 21st century, most of us have become adept at maneuvering change.

We fasten our seat belts and upgrade our smartphones, add a chip to our credit cards and sign another HIPAA form at the doctor’s office. The media teases us with shiny lights and bright ideas and we listen with open minds and progressive hope. Sometimes we get so caught up in progress, we forget about the basics. As a registered dietitian, I encourage my patients to look into the past in order to secure a long and healthy future. Long before there were fast food restaurants, convenience foods, cleanses and fat-blasting pills, the family garden existed. People got their nutrition from real food: fruits, vegetables, eggs, milk, cheese and meat. To this day, those foods still provide all of our basic nutrition needs: carbohydrates, proteins, fat, vitamins and minerals. However, as adults age, their nutritional needs change. Many baby boomers often ask about supplements, powders and pills. A supplement should be meant to fill nutrition gaps in your diet, not replace real food. If an individual does not have access to fresh fruit, vegetables and plenty of beans –– not just kidney beans but foods like lentils, edamame and hummus –– it might be a good idea to consider a supplement as an insurance policy. 8

JULY & AUGUST 2016 | boom

Here are some guidelines when considering a supplement:

1. Before starting any vitamin and mineral regime, discuss your plan with your doctor and pharmacist.

Combining certain medications and supplements can cause too strong of an effect when mixed or potentially conflict with each other’s intent. For example, Coumadin, aspirin, Ginkgo and Vitamin E all act as blood thinners. Mixing these could result in internal bleeding or stroke. 2. Be cautious of any magical solutions and quickcure claims. With compounding health issues, boomers

often get desperate to find a quick solution. Numerous TV, radio, newspapers, store clerks, friends, family or the Internet will offer information. It is important to question recommendations from people who have no formal training in nutrition or medicine. Sometimes these solutions come with a high-price tag and potentially dangerous result. 3. The term “natural” does not always mean safe. Don’t

assume that this term assures wholesomeness or a milder effect. Just because a product says “herbal” or “pure” does not mean safe. The product could still produce a harmful drug or food interaction.

“A supplement should be meant to fill nutrition gaps in your diet, not replace real food.”

Before putting yourself at risk, consider power packing your food source with more vitamins and minerals. Some examples of this include: •

Enjoy More Beans. Add canned beans to salads, soups, rice dishes and casseroles.

•

Make Your Crackers Count. Spread peanut butter

4. While vitamins and minerals are regulated by the FDA, many supplements are not. One way to know if

a product is a supplement is to look for “supplement facts” instead of “nutrition facts“ on the product label. You might also look for the USP mark. This verifies that the product containing ingredients listed on the label is without harmful levels of contaminants such as lead or mercury, and has been made according to the FDA-good manufacturing practices. 5. As essential oils, inhalants and therapeutic salves

on your crackers and eat them alongside soup, chili or salad. •

blueberries and a handful of spinach in a blender with water and ice. •

skin, could cause a rash, sun sensitivity or even breathing difficulties. While these are generally regarded as safe (GRAS) for food and cosmetic use, the majority have not yet been scientifically studied.

Cook with Milk. Use fat-free or low-fat milk rather

than water to make soup or oatmeal.

are entering the wellness realm, they too, should be used with caution. Essential oils, when applied to the

Blend a Fruit Smoothie. Combine apples, bananas,

•

Incorporate Colors. Sautee fresh or frozen

vegetables and use in tortillas for a quesadilla, in your scrambled eggs, on a potato or pizza. If a gap still exists, consider discussing the addition of a generic, over-the-counter, age-specific multivitamin with your physician. Additional sources of appropriate information would be a registered dietitian or registered pharmacist. •••

boom | JULY & AUGUST 2016

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Healthy Living

By: Sandra Gordon

Test Your Supplement Smarts Vitamin and mineral supplements are big business. Americans collectively spend roughly $34 billion on them annually. Still, vitamin and mineral misinformation is rampant. How supplement smart are you? We guarantee that you’ll learn some new facts from our quiz that will enhance your supplement savvy—and help you get more from a multi. True or false: A daily multi-vitamin will turn a bad diet into a healthy one. Answer False. A multi-vitamin can help, but it won’t fix you completely. Americans should take a multi-vitamin primarily because our diets are so poor, says Jeffrey Bloomberg, Ph.D., senior scientist in the antioxidants research laboratory at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston, MA. We eat less than half the number of recommended daily servings of fruit and one of our favorite vegetables is nutritionally barren iceberg lettuce. But taking a multivitamin isn’t a cure-all if say, breakfast is a latte and lunch is chicken fingers and stolen bites of your kid’s macaroni and cheese. Eating well is still your most effective means of warding off chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease. “Food provides a full package of disease-protective fiber and phytochemicals—many of which have yet to be identified—complex carbohydrates for energy and musclebuilding protein,” says John. B. Allred, Ph.D., professor emeritus of nutrition at Ohio State University. If you decide to take a multi-vitamin, look for one that provides roughly 100 percent of the daily value for vitamins A, C, D and E, thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin, vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin B12, pantothenic acid and zinc. Keep in mind that some single-nutrient supplements can do more harm than good. According to Choose Wisely, an initiative of the ABIM Foundation, omega-3 fish oil capsules or antioxidants, such as vitamin C, vitamin A, and selenium may even be harmful and increase the risk of certain cancers. True or False: There’s no over-the-counter formula that can sizzle up your sex life. Answer: False: There’s at least one supplement that might: ArginMax for Women, a nutritional supplement that contains ginseng, ginkgo and damaina extracts (Chinese herbs) as well as L-Arginine (an amino acid), multi-vitamins and minerals. "It's the only dietary supplement I know of that has undergone a double-blind, placebo-controlled study," says Beverly Whipple, Ph.D., a certified sexuality educator and co-author of The G Spot and Other Discoveries About Human Sexuality. The study, published in the Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, found that 74 percent of participants who were receiving the supplement reported improved satisfaction with their overall sex life, compared to 37 percent in the placebo group after four weeks. 10

JULY & AUGUST 2016 | boom

It's estimated that at least 40 percent of women between 18 and 59 in the U.S. report some form of sexual dysfunction, such as loss of libido or difficulty in achieving orgasm. If you decide to try ArginMax for Women, tell your doctor before you're prescribed any other medication, including birth control pills. “Herbs are medicines and interact with other medication, perhaps negatively," Whipple says. True or False: You should take a “carb-smart” vitamin if you’re on a low-carb diet. Answer: False. You don’t need a designated vitamin for low-carb diets; a good multi-vitamin will do the job. To make sure you're getting all of the nutrients your body needs when you're cutting calories, "Dieter's may need to take a good multivitamin, multi-mineral supplement," says Fred Pescatore, M.D., author of The Hamptons Diet, (John Wiley & Sons). This is especially true if your diet dips below 1400 calories per day, an amount that won't meet your needs for essential vitamins and minerals. But you don't need to take a designated low-carb supplement if you're on a low-carb diet. "'Smart-carb supplements are just another marketing ploy to get the attention and money of low-carb dieters," Dr. Pescatore says. They can also be double the cost per tablet of regular multi-vitamin, multi-mineral supplements. Save your money and go with a regular multi-vitamin such as One-A-Day Women's tablets or Life Force by Source Naturals (Dr. Pescatore's favorites). True or False: Taking “beauty supplements” can promote healthier, younger looking skin. Answer: False. You’re better off with a broad-spectrum sunblock. Although it’s well-documented in scientific studies that topical vitamin products, such as Retin-A (a derivative of vitamin A) as well as forms of vitamins C and E, can help foster more youthful looking skin, the jury’s still out on whether taking a vitamin supplement can impact the skin from the inside out. “Until more studies are done, I wouldn’t recommend beauty vitamin supplements to my patients,” says dermatologist Andrea Lynn Cambio, M.D. Instead, Dr. Cambio advises wearing a broad-spectrum sunblock with an SPF of 15 or more. “The sun is really what ages us the most,” she says. Smoking is another culprit. True or False: The best time to take a multi-vitamin is on an empty stomach. Answer: False. For maximum absorption, it’s best to wash it down with a meal. “Our bodies are designed to absorb nutrients with food,” says Dr. Blumberg. “Taking a multi-vitamin when you’re eating makes good use of the natural function.” It also helps avoid the potential for nausea. Moreover, you’ll be more likely to remember your multi if you have it with the same meal every day. True or False: A multi-vitamin doesn’t give you energy. Answer: True. “Multi-vitamins don’t provide energy because they don’t contain calories,” says Allred. If you’re feeling sluggish, tweak your diet. Increase your consumption of fiber-rich foods, including vegetables, beans and lean protein. Both provide longer-lasting energy than sugary snacks or coffee. If that doesn’t work, see your doctor. A medical condition may be to blame.

“The jury’s still out on whether taking a vitamin supplement can impact the skin from the inside out.”

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True or False: The more vitamins and minerals you get, the healthier you'll be. Answer: False. You can get too much of a good thing. According to a report in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, if you're eating highly fortified foods (like some cereals, energy bars and vitamin waters) in conjunction with multi-vitamins, you can easily consume 300 percent of the RDA (recommended dietary allowances) for many known nutrients, raising the rare possibility of toxicity. Symptoms can vary from mild nausea to sever nerve damage. More likely is the development of a nutrient imbalance, a problem because most vitamins and minerals work in concert with one another. To be safe, make sure you keep track of how much you're consuming, suggests Annette Dickinson, Ph.D., a consultant for the Council for Responsible Nutrition in Washington, D.C. To find out what a multi-vitamin contains: A. Just read the label. B. Ask your doctor C. Ask your neighbor D. Buy a name brand and hope ftor the best

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Consumer Lab... recently tested over 60 multivitamins and found that 32 percent contained defects, such as too little or too much of claimed amounts of vitamins.â&#x20AC;?

Answer D. Supplements aren't tightly regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, so you can't always trust that label or know what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re buying. The label may not state the amount of certain nutrients or, worse, list contaminants such as lead or other heavy metals. Consumer Lab, an independent testing organization that publishes an "Approved quality" list of more than 500 supplements for subscribers, recently tested over 60 multivitamins and found that 32 percent contained defects, such as too little or too much of claimed amounts of vitamins, including more than the tolerable upper limits for niacin, vitamin A, folate, and magnesium. Name brands such as One-A-Day, Nature's Bounty and Nature Made are among the formulations that typically measure up. True or False: Vitamins don't expire. Answer: False. They do expire. "Though most vitamins and minerals are highly shelf-stable, all have an expiration date, after which potency declines by a small percentage," Dickinson says. This usually occurs two to three years after they're manufactured, so purchase a quantity you'll be able to finish before then. Maximize shelf life by storing vitamins in their original opaque, lidded containers in a cool, dry place, such as a kitchen cupboard. To prevent bone-weakening osteoporosis, you should: A. Take a calcium supplement B. Exercise regularly C. Eat a balanced diet D. All of the above Answer: D. A calcium supplement alone won't entirely prevent the condition. "It's true you need 1000 to 1200 milligrams of calcium daily to preserve bone mass," says Christine Rosenbloom, PhD., RDN. "But that's not all; it takes about 17 different nutrients to build a healthy bone." Even the best calcium supplement

will provide you with only three--usually vitamins D and K and magnesium, which boost mineral absorption or otherwise aid in bone formation. Dairy products and calcium-fortified tofu, on the other hand, supply riboflavin, protein, potassium, fat, vitamin B6, folate, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium and other trace minerals for a more complete bone-building package. Exercising daily is also key. "Weight-bearing exercises like jogging and strength training stimulate bone-building cells," says Miriam E. Nelson, Ph.D., co-author of Strong Women, Strong Bones (Perigree).

“Except in rare instances, occasional mental stress won't deplete your body's arsenal of stored nutrients. ”

True or False: If you're having a bad day, you need a "stress formula" vitamin. Answer: False. Except in rare instances, occasional mental stress won't deplete your body's arsenal of stored nutrients. Physical stress, however--from surgery, physical trauma or severe burns--does increase your need for B vitamins; that's when a "stress formula" supplement, which generally contains several times the recommended daily allowances for several different B vitamins, might be beneficial and/or necessary. Blumberg says vegans and vegetarians should also consider taking extra B vitamins, because their diets are most often lacking in them. Certain B vitamins, like B12, are found primarily in animal foods. True or False: Only pregnant women need folic acid. Answer: False. All women of childbearing age need at least 400 micrograms of folate (or 250 micrograms of its synthetic form, folic acid) daily. "Neural-tube defects--which folic acid can help prevent--occur in the first three weeks of gestation, before many women even know they're pregnant," says associate nutrition professor Jeff Hampl, Ph.D., R.D. But the potential for pregnancy is just one reason to get enough folic acid; it can also help protect against heart disease, the number one killer of American women. •••

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Do I Look Fat in this Fitbit? by: Lisa A. Beach

apping into the latest trend, my well-intentioned husband recently bought me a Fitbit, one of those omnipotent fitness tracker wristbands. The Fitbit monitors your every move (literally) with a built-in GPS and loads of features, making it a top-seller that (supposedly) fits every lifestyle. That is, every lifestyle but mine. I practically hung my head in ungrateful shame as I returned his gift, because isn't it all about the thought that counts? What does this say about me if I returned a gift, not because it didn’t fit or it's the wrong color, but because I just didn’t like it? What kind of monster am I? And yet, I'm ready to be branded with a scarlet letter as I returned my Fitbit to Sports Authority (that my husband scored at a 20% discount, no less!). I’m probably the only person in the world who’s jumping off the Fitbit bandwagon. Why? For starters, I'm just not into exercise. I mean, I occasionally walk and do yoga, but only because I know I should. And I've given up trying to master the Dance Off the Inches Hip Hop Party DVD I bought a few years ago, foolishly thinking I could do complex choreography “so simple anyone can do it.” Well, thanks for making me feel like an idiot, girl-with-rock-hard-abs-on-the-DVDcover. When Fit Blonde Girl instructs her hip-hop wannabees to “pop it,” the only thing that pops (and cracks) is my arthritic hip. 14

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And I do try to incorporate movement into my daily life. I kick butt in word games, throw a fit when my teen mouths off to me, run daily errands, jump to conclusions and dance around uncomfortable conversations. These activities don't really burn many calories, but, at least I'm not totally sedentary. But the fitness tracker is a little too Big Brother for me, with my every movement being monitored 24/7. To get the most out of my Fitbit, I need to wear it all the time, even when I'm sleeping, shackling me like an I'm-on-house-arrest ankle bracelet. It just dangles on my wrist all day, recording every arm swing as I walk or reach for another glass of wine. Who needs that judgment all day long? I feel like I should be wowed by this “wonder product” chock-full of features that track not only your exercise, but also your sleep patterns, your water consumption, your calories and your heart rate.

High-Tech Features for a Low-Tech Girl •

I don't need a Fitbit to monitor my water intake. When I can feel the cotton in my mouth, I know it's time to take a drink.

•

I don't need a Fitbit to tell me I was restless 35 times last night. I looked at the clock 14 times during the night, feel exhausted in the morning and can see the dark circles under my eyes, so I'm well aware I had a crappy night's sleep.

•

I don't need a device that's waterproof up to 10 meters, given my penchant for never going scuba diving.

•

I don't need a Fitbit to vibrate every hour to tell me I've been inactive for too long. When I feel my derriere going numb from sitting at the computer too long, I know it's time to get moving.

And then there's the whole guilt factor. On days when I think I've been fairly active, I check my Fitbit only to discover that I racked up an unimpressive 415 steps today, and it's already 3 p.m. This sets off a mini-rage, as I yell at my wrist monitor, “Why are you silently judging me? Who are you to tell me I'm below my goal today?” On top of all this, I'm always just a few steps behind what's trending. Case in point--Breaking Bad was three seasons old before I even heard about it. And I just read a fashion article that pantyhose are coming back in, which made me wonder, when were they out? So it feels a bit premature for me to jump on the Fitbit bandwagon just yet.

“Who needs that judgment all day long?”

I'm also not what marketing experts would could an “early adopter.” I don't upgrade my cell phone every year. I have zero desire for an Apple Watch. I don't want a drone. And, after great resistance, I finally forced myself to get on Twitter now that it's almost 10 years old. I'm always late to the trend party by choice. Now, if my husband can find me a Witbit to monitor my sarcasm, I'd be all over that. But a Fitbit? Thanks, but I'm good. •••

boom | JULY & AUGUST 2016

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Hobbies

By: Margo and Jim Bell

SAND

Whether at the drive-in or indoor theater, we enjoyed the beach party films of the Fifties and Sixties: the songs, the jokes (however lame), the beach gear, the capers, and sun and ocean. Try to remember and test your knowledge of these reach-the-beach movies:

1. Which film inspired the beach party movie genre? a. On the Beach b. Gidget c. Teen Beach Movie d. Sea Hunt e. Blue Hawaii

4. Which beach-titled movie featuring Frankie Avalon was not a party movie? a. Operation Bikini (1963) b. Bikini Beach (1964) c. How to Stuff a Wild Bikini (1965) d. Back to the Beach (1987)

Now to the beach flicks of the ‘60s. Most starred Frankie Avalon and the late—and dearly missed— Annette Funicello.

5. In which beach party movie did Annette and Frankie play a married couple? a. Beach Blanket Bingo b. Psycho Beach Party c. Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine d. Back to the Beach

2. Which of the following is true about Frankie Avalon? a. This is his real name. b. “Avalon” was taken from the town on Catalina, the getaway island off the Los Angeles coast. c. Neither is true. 3. Former Mouseketeer Annette Funicello was chosen for the first beach movie (Beach Party) produced by American International Pictures and released in 1963. But she was still under contract with Walt Disney Studios. Which of the following requirements did Walt Disney insist on prior to the AIP filming? a. Her swimsuits had to be one-piece. b. No on-screen kissing. c. She had to keep her natural brunette hair coloring. d. Her navel had to be covered. e. All of the above. 16

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6. What was the mistake in Beach Blanket Bingo? a. In almost all scenes the “ocean” obviously is chlorinated pool water. b. Annette’s orange-and-white sweater/pants ensemble changes to a pink wetsuit a minute or so later, then switches back to the original outfit in the very next scene. c. A helicopter hovering over the beach has pontoons but the shadow reveals metal rails as a landing gear. d. The road race starter’s flag is green, then switches to red in the stock footage.

Answers on page 31!

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PETS

The Elkhart Humane Society Needs Your Help Loving animals are in need of families!

CAIN: At only 10 months old, I find

myself behind bars. I’m a male Pit Bull/Terrier mix with a gorgeous brindle coat and the cutest ears in Elkhart County. I was seized from my owners and look forward to sharing a home with a responsible family!

SKEE-BALL: I’m just

nine and a half months old, but you wouldn’t guess it. I am a shy guy and I would prefer a quiet home. However, if you’re willing to give me a chance I would love to be your new best friend and show you my fun side.

GEORGIA: Hi y’all. I am pretty Georgia, a southern sort of cat. I am a petite little tabby lady of only seven pounds. I am two-years-old and spayed. I don’t need anything special. I am a down home girl who is looking for that special “purr”son to call my own. Drop by the shelter and we will get to know each other.

Volunteers Needed: The Elkhart County Humane Society is always looking for new volunteers to join their team. There are so many ways to make a difference. Give Janet a call at 574-848-4225 to learn more.

54687 County Road 19 Bristol, IN 46507 (574) 848-4225 www.elkharthumanesociety.org

boom | JULY & AUGUST 2016

boom

Hobbies

Refreshing

By: Chuck Bergman

Summer Beer Options

uring the hot summer months, our desire for craft beer usually shifts toward lighter beers … lighter in color and usually lighter in body. We want something cool, refreshing, and that doesn’t weigh us down. So many beer enthusiasts put away their imperial stouts, porters, and darker beers; and start enjoying a variety of pale ales and IPAs that are available during the summer months. But what if you want a less hoppier alternative? Are you stuck with drinking commercial light beer because you’re not a big fan of American pale ales or uber-hoppy IPAs? Absolutely not! While these beers are quite refreshing after mowing the yard or weeding the flower bed, most of us craft beer drinkers like something with a little more flavor. There are many beer styles that combine a light, refreshing body with flavor and, many times, lower alcohol content. With this in mind, let’s explore some summer beer options!

JULY & AUGUST 2016 | boom

Blond Ales are the “ale” alternative to the pilsner lager. Many beer lovers describe it as a cross between a German Kölsh and American pale ale. The ale yeast leaves a nice clean finish, although with fruitier characteristics than a crisp, lager yeast. It should never be heavy nor should it be overly dry or thin. It should have a slightly dry or slightly sweet finish and a medium body. Blond ales have almost no hop bitterness or flavor. Neutral hops are usually used since the grain bill is quite simple. Actually, blond ales may have some of the simplest recipes in the craft beer world. Their pale straw to deep gold color, with brilliant clarity, is the result of a simple base malt, and little else. The brewer may include a very small percentage of colored malt, such as Vienna, Munich or a very light caramel malt. The result is a very light, refreshing, and easy to drink beer on a warm summer evening.

Cream Ales are a pure American creation that actually bridge the gap between ales and lagers, as they can be traditionally brewed with either yeast. The resulting brew has the unchallenging crisp characteristics of a light pale lager, but endowed with a hint of the aromatic complexities that ales provide. I have to admit that my first experience with cream ale was Little Kings back in the day. I didn’t appreciate what I was drinking at the time, but I loved the small green bottles! Cream ales are a very pale, golden color and tend to be low in hop bitterness and in maltiness. Instead, their middle flavor is usually characterized by a grainy sweetness. The finish of a cream ale can be slightly fruity and end on a note of distinct dryness, which is a result of the yeast used in fermentation. It is an under-appreciated beer style that is excellent served ice cold after a day of yard work.

American Pilsner has to be included in this list. This effervescent style is slightly malty, but not heavy, hoppy, or too bitter. The pilsner style was created in the Czech Republic, but the American style has become immensely popular in the states. It is a pale lager that is characterized by a refreshing undertone of American malt and hops. It is a real thirst quencher but still has plenty of flavor making it a popular option for many beer lovers. And you don’t have to settle for the commercial versions of this beer. Many local breweries offer a pilsner style during the summer months, abounding in flavor and drinkability. It is easy to enjoy more than one during the hot summer months.

Kölsh is another great summer option, although this style may be a little more difficult to find. There’s something to be said for this light, delicate beer from Germany. Many people, beer enthusiasts included, don’t know that Kölsh is an ale – it just tastes like a lager. This gently bittered beer is fermented, then conditioned at colder temperatures, resulting in a snappy, lightly fruity beer suited for sipping all afternoon. The beer has a very soft mouthfeel. It can be slightly sweet, but has no malty aroma and finishes very dry. Some Kölschbiers have some fruity flavor, but it is very slight. Any fruitiness in the beer should be very subtle. There is little to no hop flavor or aroma in this style of beer. Finally, like we discussed in the June issue of BOOM, you can’t go wrong with a session beer. These are usually pale ales or IPAs, but as we discussed, almost any style can be a session beer. Generally they are below 5% alcohol and light in body, making them a great choice when you want to enjoy more than one! This weekend, instead of filling a cooler with a commercial beer, try a thirst-quenching alternative. This list is by no means complete, as there are many different styles from craft breweries across the country from which to choose. It is a great season to experiment with lighter style beers. So when you are done mowing the yard, take a short break and enjoy a perfect summer ale. CHEERS! ••• boom | JULY & AUGUST 2016

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TRAVELER

Day Trip: Driehaus Museum By: Phyllis Rose

uffering from a Downton Abbey downer because the series has ended? Don’t despair! You can get another day in Downton Abbey through a special exhibit, Dressing Downton: Changing Fashion for Changing Times, coming to South Bend’s History Museum, 897 Thomas St., from October 16, 2016, to January 8, 2017. My friend Dave and I recently saw this exhibit at the Driehaus Museum, 40 East Erie St., in Chicago. Our visit will give you a preview not only of the Downtown Abbey exhibit but also the Driehaus Museum, well worth a visit when you’re in Chicago. My friend Dave and I have been to Chicago many times but didn’t know about this museum until we saw they were hosting the Downton Abbey exhibit. Fans of the show, we had to go. We purchased our timed tickets through the museum’s website, www.DriehausMuseum. org, where we also purchased tickets for a traditional English tea at the Murphy Auditorium adjacent to the museum. Arriving at the museum, a mansion built by Chicago banker, Samuel M. Nickerson in 1879, we could hardly wait to see the interior of this tall, gray stone building a couple of blocks off Michigan Avenue and the Magnificent Mile. But, first we had to get our audio guides, exhibit guidebooks, and directions to the tea in the auditorium where we had our first surprise of the day. I had anticipated a utilitarian, modern auditorium, wondering how they would transform it into something reminiscent of Downton Abbey. I needn’t have worried. Built in 1926 in the French Renaissance style with stained glass, choir pews, and a balcony all around, the Murphy is reminiscent of Chapelle de Notre-Dame de Consolation in Paris, which commemorates the 126 victims who died in the Paris Charity Bazaar Fire in 1897. Restoration of the Murphy, completed in 2006, brought the auditorium back to its 1926 glory. It was perfect for our English tea. A garden setting had been created surrounding the tables adorned with tablecloths, cloth napkins, china, crystal, and silver sugar bowl and creamer. Shown to our table by a tuxedo-clad waiter, we were then served a three-tiered tea tray, filled with tiny treats. To begin, there were lemon tea cakes and scones with clotted cream and raspberry jam. Sandwiches were smoked Scottish salmon, cucumber and boursin, egg salad, and roast beef. The sweet finish included pastry cream tarts, chocolate brownies, lemon shortbread cookies, and chocolate-covered walnuts. When we finished all that, we were definitely full, but then one last sweet was served - chocolate covered ice cream bonbons. Throughout, our tea cups were kept filled with Regal English Breakfast Tea from Chicago’s Rare Tea Cellar.

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Then, it was time for our entrance to the exhibit. Before we even got to the first display of Downton costumes, we were taken by the beauty of the mansion’s smoking room with its blue Moorish-inspired tiles, decorative walnut woodwork, and a portrait of the god Mercury carved into the mantelpiece. We found this to be the pattern for our visit. Often before we would even view the costumes, our jaws were dropping at the beauty of the rooms themselves. In the Main Hall where visitors would have entered the mansion, we gazed up at the two story staircase. This hall features 17 different types of marble as well as onyx and alabaster. In the Gallery, we couldn’t keep our eyes off the stained glass dome which lit up a statue of Cupid and Psyche, crafted in the late 1800s by Venetian sculptor Oscar Spalmach. Each room had something spectacular to draw our attention: a mosaic over the fireplace in the reception room, Tiffany lamps and chandeliers throughout the house, and beautifully intricate parquet floors. But what about the Downton exhibit? It was lovely with the costumes fitting in perfectly with the style and time period of the house. Our audioguide explained the costumes, how they were created, and when they were worn in the TV series. Near each costume was a large photo showing the actors wearing that specific outfit. We saw the coat with a fox fur collar worn by Martha Levinson when she arrived at Downton in Season 3; the evening dress worn by Lady Mary before she entertains a Turkish diplomat in her bed where he dies of a heart attack; and a two-piece day dress worn by Violet Crowley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, my favorite character played by one of my favorite actresses, Maggie Smith.

For More Info: Driehaus Museum 312-482-8933 www.DriehausMuseum.org South Bend History Museum 574-235-9664 www.historymuseumsb.org Dressing Downton www.dressingdownton.com The exhibit is touring the country until January, 2018.

The audio guide also explained how fashions changed due to the effects of World War I as women stepped into men’s jobs and began wearing pants while others were wearing uniforms for their nursing duties. Reaching the third floor guest bedroom, we saw the last of the Downton costumes - several evening dresses featuring Art Deco patterns, Japanese influences, and the “boyish look” of the 1920s. The rising hemlines highlighted the growing generation gap following the end of World War I. On the third floor, another room overlooks the 1886 Ransom Cable mansion, featuring peach-pink Kasota stone. It’s the offices of Driehaus Capital Management, founded by Richard H. Driehaus, who is also the founder of the Driehaus Museum. Driehaus purchased the Nickerson home in 2003 and began restoring it, a process that took five years. The museum opened to the public in 2008. Before leaving, we had one last stop to make - the gift shop in the Murphy Auditorium, where we browsed through Downton Abbey-themed items, books and postcards about the Driehaus Museum, and other vintage-type gifts. We purchased postcards and “An American Palace,” a book by David Bagnall, giving the history of the Nickerson House. As we left, we wished we had “discovered” this museum earlier. Now, our goal is to get up to date on this museum, view all the “Downton Abbey” episodes we’ve missed, and visit South Bend to relish once again the costumes of Dressing Downton: Changing Fashion for Changing Times. ••• boom | JULY & AUGUST 2016

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HOME

Backyard

Repurposing

By: Rita Miller

JULY & AUGUST 2016 | boom

recently saw a movie trailer for a new movie, “The Purge.” That one word, purge, could describe my cleaning style. I am not a repursposer, I’m a purger. I can’t envision an old table serving a new life as a loveseat. I don’t see how you can turn a laundry tub into an outdoor vegetable garden. Those ideas just don’t exist in a “take no prisoners” cleaning mentality.

Before

My daughter came home from college and immediately expressed dismay at the outdoor rug I have on the patio. She was right, it looked drab and dowdy. Deep down, I want the patio to be colorful and inviting. I started to scan the web for ideas to spruce up the entire space. Many sites have great ideas for repurposing. Repurposing is nothing more than recycling something into a new use. I decided to give the idea a try and see how I could improve my patio. It took about two and a half hours on a Wednesday night to get it done!

From the before picture, you can see that I had a basic brown and green theme, general seating, several plants for color. I decided to add the following: •

Colorful Cushions- Not only do they look great, you can use them when napping!

•

Tall Planters- To do this, I dragged two old lamps from the basement, added a wire half-moon basket lined in moss, and filled with great looking flowers! I purchased the flowers on the reduced rack at Walmart!

•

Fire Pit- This is an easy project. Take a galvanized bucket, fill ¾ with dirt, anchor three tiki torch cans in the dirt, and cover with rock! I hated the way my tiki torches looked around the patio. They were an eyesore. Now I can enjoy a fire and avoid the mosquitos at the same time. I move the pit to a corner of the patio, so the smoke does not blow into our faces.

•

Table- Another easy project. I had an old table in the garbage. I took off the top, spray painted it, and set it on the fire pit when not in use. Add a few candles and you are ready for a peaceful evening!

•

Expert Advice- My daughter has a friend, Lauren, with a flair for projects. She arranged everything for me, turned a few things to a different angle, and made the whole thing look so pretty! When I looked out the window this morning, I smiled at my new, “old” patio!

I’m sure you have some things you can repurpose. Garages and basements are the first place to look. The following websites can provide the ideas: www.hometalk.com; www.pinterest.com; houzz.com. Send us some pictures of your creations! ••• boom | JULY & AUGUST 2016

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life

By: Evie Kirkwood

Happy Birthday Indiana

This year marks the 200th birthday of Indiana, with celebrations and special activities within communities small and large, around the state. Here’s a bit of time-line trivia and a sampling of activities you can enjoy to celebrate the bicentennial:

Indiana!

1913. The country’s first coast-to-coast paved road, the Lincoln Highway is dedicated. It was the brainchild of Indiana’s Carl Fisher. The Lincoln Highway passed through Elkhart, South Bend and LaPorte.

1825. The capital moves to Indianapolis.

1937. “Crossroads of America” is designated as the official state motto due to the many major transportation routes that crisscross the state.

1816. President James Madison signs a Congressional resolution admitting Indiana to the Union as the 19th state on December 11. Corydon was the first capital city.

2016. 200 Years of Indiana: A Celebration of Our History, a year-long exhibit at The History Museum in South Bend. 200 years of stories and artifacts that explore Indiana’s role in the Underground Railroad, Civil War, Industrial Revolution, Gilded Age, World War I, Roaring Twenties and World War II. http://historymuseumsb.org/ 2016. All-IN Block Party South Bend. Solve the challenges and learn about Indiana history as you stroll between The History Museum and St. Paul’s Church and sites in between. July 16, 1-4 pm. http://historymuseumsb.org/

Roads and Highways

1829. Construction of the Indiana portion of the National Road begins in Indianapolis. It was the first federally funded road and the first major road to cross the state. It is now known as US 40. 1830s. The Michigan Road connects Madison on the Ohio River to Michigan City. Much of this road is now known as US 31.

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2016. Indiana Byways Bicentennial Passport: A Road Trip 200 Years in the Making. Pick up a Scenic Byways “passport” at dozens of landmark locations on Indiana’s dedicated byways, including the Old Republic in New Carlisle, National New York Central Railroad Museum in Elkhart and the Studebaker National Museum in South Bend. Then start exploring! indianabyways.wix.com/indiana-byways

Entertainment

1900. James “Babe” Pierce was born in Freedom, Indiana. He played football for IU before moving to Hollywood. His most famous role was that of Tarzan. 1901, Allan “Rocky” Lane was born in Mishawaka. He grew up to be a movie cowboy in over 100 films, but his most famous role was that of the voice of the talking horse “Mr. Ed” on television.

1934. Florence Henderson was born in Dana, Indiana. A star of Broadway, motion pictures, and television, she also portrayed Carol Brady on The Brady Bunch.

Automobile Museum in Auburn. Visit all three -- get your passport (available at all three museums) stamped at two and get into the third museum for free. www.studebakermuseum.org.

1940. Frank Sinatra debuted with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra at the Lyric Theater in Indianapolis.

Parks

1965. Indiana statutes are written to authorize the formation of county park systems. The St. Joseph County Parks and Recreation Department is formed, one of the first under the new provision.

2008. John Mellencamp of Seymour was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 2016. Prominent People of La Porte County. This LaPorte County Historical Museum exhibit showcases current and former notable residents such as Dr. Scholl, artist Isamu Noguchi and Siri inventor Dag Kittlaus. www.laportecountyhistory.org 2016. The Life of Charles Gordone, will be heralded in an original musical theater production as a joint project between IU South Bend and Dickenson Middle School on September 13, at St. Patrick’s County Park, South Bend. Gordone, who grew up in Elkhart, was the first African American to win a Pulitzer Prize for drama. www.sjcparks.org

Automotive Industry

1852. Henry and Clement Studebaker open a blacksmith shop in South Bend. Their company became the world’s largest maker of wagons and carriages and later a major automobile manufacturer. 1894. Kokomo inventor, Elwood Haynes , is among the first Americans to build and drive a gasoline-powered, selfpropelled vehicle. On its inaugural test run, it travels six miles. 1916. The cost of a luxury Stutz “Bearcat” is a relatively pricey $2,550. Each car is hand-built in Indianapolis and is capable of speeds up to 80 miles per hour. 1925. Three Indiana auto manufactures come together when the Cord Company purchases the Auburn Automobile Company, and one year later partners with race car manufacturer Duesenberg. 1939. Manufactured in Richmond, Indiana, the tiny two-door Crosley convertible weighs less than 1000 pounds and is priced at $250. 2016. “Hoosier Made: World Driven, a Bicentennial MultiMuseum Exhibit” celebrates Indiana’s automobile industry at Indiana’s three leading transportation museums: Studebaker National Museum in South Bend, Kokomo Automotive Heritage Museum in Kokomo and Auburn Cord Duesenberg

1966. Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is authorized by Congress. Today it protects over 15,000 acres. 1977. Potato Creek State Park, in North Liberty, is created. 2016. St. Joseph County Parks celebrates its 50th anniversary. The Indiana State Parks system and the National Park Service celebrate their centennials. 2016. Geocache St. Joseph County. Grab your smartphone or a GPS unit and join the hunt for hidden “geocaches” in area parks and historical sites around the county. Download and complete your “cacheport” and turn it in for prizes! www.sjcparks.org/pdffiles/Cacheport.pdf

Food Stuff

1888. In Muncie, the Ball Brothers begin glass production. The company became famous for canning jars and became the largest producer of recyclable beverage cans in the world. 1890. Harland Sanders was born near Henryville, in a fourroom house. After many jobs, including farmhand, streetcar conductor and fireman, he developed a recipe for frying chicken in a pressure cooker, becoming famous as the Colonel of KFC restaurants. 1944. Orville Redenbacher of Brazil, Indiana begins raising popcorn for the supermarket trade. 2016. The Northern Indiana Dairy Trail. Visit farms from Bremen to Milford to see how milk and dairy products travel from farm to your table. October. www.dairytrail.com •••

Celebrate Indiana's Becentennial Birthday! Attend these Legacy Projects and learn about the Best of our Hoosier State.

boom | JULY & AUGUST 2016

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LIFE

14 Ideas for the

Ultimate Midlife Wardrobe By: Lisa A. Beach

emember back in your 20s and 30s, when you used to love shopping for clothes? You enjoyed the thrill of the hunt for a sophisticated blouse for work, a fun sweater for the weekend or a pair of trendy printed pants for date night. Of course, that was back when you looked good. (And by you, I mean me.) Flash forward to middle-age, where you struggle to find clothes that look or feel good on a bigger, bumpier, post-childbirth body in the thick (and heat) of menopause. Well, I shouldn’t make assumptions about you. Maybe you’re still holding it together all these years. But on my end, body parts have . . . shifted. My once flat stomach now jiggles like Baywatch boobs, with my own built-in muffin top spilling over the waist of my I-hate-these-low-rise jeans. My saggy upper arms now swing like a pendulum whenever I reach to get something, inviting my snarky teenager to flick my flab so he can watch it wave. My wider hips? The ironic life-long penalty of birthing another human being. At 50, I can’t pull off the same trends as a 20-year-old (nor do I want to). But I’m also not 85, either. (No granny mumus for me, thankyou-very-much.) Somewhere in the middle lies a polished casual look that bucks the revolving door of fast-fashion trends and fits real women in midlife (somewhere between Ann Taylor Loft and

JULY & AUGUST 2016 | boom

Ellen DeGeneres’ new E.D. clothing line). I'm in search of the ultimate midlife wardrobe---comfortable, casual clothes that bridge the gap between perky and wrinkly. As Vikki Claflin says on her Laugh Lines blog, “Trendy choices at 20 often look unsophisticated at 30. What works at 30 may look cougar-ish at 40. And what was flattering at 40 can look downright slutty at 50.” Sadly, I’ve broken at least a handful of Vikki’s whatnot-to-wear rules in her “Frumpy Fashion” blog post. I’ve also committed some of the “7 Sins of ‘MiddleAge’ Dressing” pointed out by image consultant Patty Buccelato on Better After 50. And, I’m sure I'm on the Fashion Police’s Top 10 Most Wanted list. I truly am a Fashion Don't most days.

I admit that I’ve pretty much lived off the fashion grid most of my adult life, foregoing haute couture for no couture. The opposite of a style savant, I suffer from fashion dyslexia (i.e., the inability to differentiate between a tunic and a top, a clutch and a tote, a pair of espadrilles and mules). In addition to my fashion disability, I’m all about comfort, preferring flats over high heels and pants over skirts. But, it's difficult to find clothes that fit, feel good and look casually stylish. Comfortable pants, in particular, seem harder to find than my keys. (And, according to my research, I should ban the elastic waistband, which screams "old lady," from my closet. But I'm not sure I'm ready to go cold turkey on this one yet.) Trying to find the fashion trifecta of pants that fit my waist, hips and thighs is almost a Mission Impossible, making me rethink my "No Thanks, Spanks" philosophy.

14 Ideas for the Ultimate Midlife Wardrobe In light of my struggles to find clothing that flatters midlife women, I’d like to offer ideas on specific items, brands and collections that would win me over.

For starters, everything should be made with a wicking material (a.k.a. hot flash fabric) that automatically adjusts to sudden and intense changes in body temperature.

Then use this wicking wonder-cloth to create these coveted midlife wardrobe staples: 1.

All-You-Can-Eat Pasta Pants

I’ve-Got-a-Baby-Bump-But-There’s-No-Baby Tops

Cellulite-Is-The-New-Skinny Skinny Jeans

The Gap’s No Thigh-Gap Pants

From Crop-Top to Muffin-Top Tops

I’m-Not-Really-Active Active Wear

Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda Shorts

Just-the-Right-Rise Jeans

My Metabolism Tanked Tops

10.

FifTees Anti-Aging T-shirts

11.

Victoria’s Secret to Hiding Belly Fat

12.

Lucky (To Be Alive) Brand

13.

You-Should-Have-Seen-Me-In-My-20s Swimwear

14.

Plump-and-Juicy Couture

Plus, I'd love to see a few collections that take the what-to-wear guess-work out of my day: • No-Brainer Collection: mix-and-match pieces when you don’t have the time, energy or mental cognition (otherwise known as Any Morning Before Coffee) to figure out which pieces go together. • WTH? Collection: a stylish, comfortable, Lycra-infused clothing line that always fits---regardless of your calorie consumption in the last 48 hours---so you’ll never again utter the phrase, “What the heck? These fit last week!” Ellen or Ann Taylor, are you listening? ••• boom | JULY & AUGUST 2016

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life

Lord Help Me,

By: Lisa A. Beach

I'm on Twitter

I finally took the plunge. I dragged myself kicking and screaming into the Twitterverse. I get Facebook (mostly). I love the visual appeal of Pinterest. And I wonder if anyone over the age of 40 actually uses Google Plus, Reddit, Tumblr, Four Square, Instagram or other social media du jour. But Twitter? I'm feeling like a Twidiot. I might as well be learning to speak Mandarin, that's how foreign Twitter feels to me. From Hashtags and Retweets to Direct Messages and Mentions, I'm walking around in a social media haze. Hashtags, in particular, confuse me because when I look at this: # I see the pound sign, thanks to my high school typing class. The only time I actually get hashtags are when Jimmy Fallon does a skit about them with Justin Timberlake on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. (Search for this on YouTube for a laugh. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll thank me.) As I learn more about blogging and social media and try to get back on track with my freelance writing, I feel pressured to be on Twitter, if nothing else than to boost my marketing efforts, follow editors for the inside scoop on their editorial needs and read funny Tweets from Ellen. But I've been avoiding Twitter like a flu shot. It might be good for me, but I just keep putting it off. Finally, after one too many deer-in-the-headlights looks when asked if I'm on Twitter, I caved and joined "the voice of the world." But to me, Twitter is just one more piece of technology to stumble through. 28

JULY & AUGUST 2016 | boom

On Facebook, it took me weeks to figure out how to upload photos and how to not only "like" a page but also "follow" and "get notifications," because apparently, they're all somehow just a little different. And, before I understood private messaging, I shared way too many personal comments on friends' Facebook pages, like, "How's that weird rash of yours? Is the ointment helping?"

A few of my favorite rules so far:

On Pinterest, I'm trying to figure out how to add "rich pins," write SEO-friendly captions, include pin-worthy images and create secret boards for things I might not want to share with everyone, like wine porn and celebrity crushes.

•

follow someone and then dump her as soon as she follows you. •

My first mistake? Thinking I had 140 words to share in my Tweets. That I could handle. But 140 characters? That's barely even a run-on sentence. It will take me 10 minutes just to compose, revise, edit, rewrite, proofread, re-edit and re-proofread every Tweet. It might actually be possible to edit a Tweet once you post it, but I don't know how. And with my giant gorilla thumbs constantly hitting wrong letters (and typing things like "titter" instead of "Twitter"), I don't want to hit the Tweet button a moment too soon.

Don't Tweet that you are bored.

Now I am too. (HaHa! Love this one.) Strike a balance between lurker and spammer.

So I don't want to be shy girl in the Twitter corner, but I don't want to deluge followers with my every thought. Got it---no need to overshare. •

And now, I've got to get myself up to social media speed on Twitter. So I'm poring through the FAQs in the Twitter Help Center, trying to learn the Twitter lingo, Googling "Twitter for Dummies" and scanning Twitter cheat sheets. And yet, despite all this help, I think I just Tweeted myself. Oh my.

Don't pull a Twitter one-night stand, where you

Capitalization makes all the difference, as duly

noted by Susan Boyle's PR team when she released her new album with this Tweet: #susanalbumparty.

So, if you want to follow me on Twitter, I'm giving you a BOGO: • My Tweenior Moments handle is @TweeniorMoments (for blog-related and humorous stuff). • My freelance writer's handle is @LisaBeachWrites (for writing-related and professional stuff). I have absolutely no idea yet what I'm doing. Please forgive me when I commit a Twitter faux pas. If I get so frustrated with the learning curve, my Twitter account might suffer the same fate as my failed attempt to do a Color Run. •••

Plus, like any social media platform, there are Twitter rules, tips and etiquette to follow. As a writer, I'm not liking some of them. According to Twitter for Dummies, rules of grammar and punctuation fly out the window when you send a Tweet. I'm such a grammar nerd that I literally speak punctuation marks into my iPhone when I'm creating a voice-to-text message (which I use because of my gorilla thumbs problem). How am I going to impress an editor on Twitter with bad grammar and abbreviations? (#writerproblems)

And, if the world adds even one more darn social media platform, I AM DONE! boom | JULY & AUGUST 2016

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recipe

Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream

By: Katie & Theresa Slott

Time: Ice Cream Maker Bowl needs to be in the freezer at least 24 hours in advance; 15 minutes prep, 4-8 hours chill, 25 minutes processing, 4 hours freezing.

Steps:

Makes: Generous Quart of Ice Cream

2. In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs, cream and milk. If your eggs are not already pasteurized, heat the mixture in a saucepan to 160F. Remove from heat.

Ingredients: • 2 Pasteurized Eggs* • 2 c. Heavy Whipping Cream • 1 c. Whole Milk • 1 c. Sugar, Divided • 1 Quart Fresh Strawberries, Hulled and Sliced • 1 1/2 T. Lemon Juice

Tips: •

•

*Pasteurized eggs are eggs that have been pasteurized (heated to a certain temperature) in order to reduce the risk of food-borne illness in dishes that are not cooked or are only lightly cooked. If you do not buy already pasteurized eggs, you will have to pasteurize them yourself by whisking your eggs, milk, and cream together and heating the mixture in a saucepan to 160F, being careful not to boil the eggs. If you want more chunks of strawberries in your ice cream, simply leave the strawberries more whole when mashing and drain some of the liquid after mashing the berries.

1. Make sure that your ice cream maker bowl is fully frozen (preferably 24 hours in the freezer).

3. Whisk in 2/3 c. sugar. Place in a sealed container and refrigerate overnight (or 8-12 hours). If you used pasteurized eggs and did not need to heat your mixture, you can chill it for only four hours. The chilling process helps the proteins bind to the sugars and yield a creamier ice cream. 4. While your base chills, prepare the strawberries. Rinse, hull, and slice the strawberries. 5. Combine the strawberries, 1/3 c. sugar and lemon juice in a mixing bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour. 6. Mash the strawberries with a fork or masher until to desired consistency. 7. Stir into the base mixture. 8. Process the mixture in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Ice cream will be soft immediately after processing. For a firmer ice cream, freeze for four hours before serving.

Katie and Theresa Slott are sisters-in-law who write the food blog, Cooking for the Fam, where they share lots of tips, family-favorite recipes and meal plans. For more recipes like this one, or to see step-by-step photos of this recipe, check out their website, www.cookingforthefam.com. 30

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Hobbies

SAND ANSWERS:

1-b: The hit movie Gidget, based on a true story and starring

Sandra Dee, was released in 1959 and led to a sequel and TV series, as well as the collection of beach party movies of the 1960s and later. Also released in 1959 was On the Beach (a), but it was a postapocalyptic sci-fi film, not a party movie. Elvis Presley’s Blue Hawaii (e) was released in 1960, Teen Beach Movie (c) came out on the Disney Channel in 2013, and Sea Hunt (d), as we know, was a popular TV series (1958-61) starring Lloyd Bridges and filmed mostly underwater rather than on shore.

2-c: Well, (a) is almost true. Frankie was born Frances Thomas Avallone in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1940. He’s grandfather to ten!

3-d: Annette did wear a two-piece pink swimsuit in Beach Party but per Disney’s request her navel was covered in all scenes. In the sequels she did bare her navel. By the way, ladies, remember the old ads in Seventeen magazine? Models’ navels were airbrushed out.

By: Margo and Jim Bell

4-a:

Operation Bikini was a WWII picture. Frankie starred with Tab Hunter and Jim Backus as U.S. Navy submarine crewmembers on a mission to locate and destroy a sunken U.S. submarine before the Japanese could find it and retrieve a special radar device.

5-d: Frankie and Annette are a married couple now living in Ohio and on their way to Hawaii stop in Malibu to visit their daughter. This 1987 movie, made 25 years after the Frankie/Annette beach party debut, is a satire of the genre.

6-a: You can almost smell the chlorine from the screen! The other clues are gaffs in other films: (b) in Back to the Beach, (c) in Muscle Beach Party, and (d) in How to Stuff a Wild Bikini.

SOURCES: Wiki; IMDb; Cheatsheet; more.

NEXT MONTH: Disaster flicks!

boom | JULY & AUGUST 2016

Beacon and Mayo Clinic. Taking Health Care to the Next Level.

Beacon Health System is now a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, a network of organizations that share a commitment to better serving patients and their families. Here’s a look at how this collaboration improves health care in Michiana. More PATIENTS STAY HOME and avoid having to travel for answers to complex medical questions.

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Beacon Health System is the FIRST HEALTH SYSTEM in Indiana selected as a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.