SEPTEMBER 2016
Indoor
Herb
Gardens Home brewing
Keeping In Touch
Computer Cookies
Corey Lake Orchards
Three Rivers ~ Michigan www.coreylakeorchards.com
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What's inside
EVERY MONTH
boom HOBBIES
4
Letter From The Publisher
12
Run For Cover!
5
Contributors & Testimonials
6
BOOM Timeline
14
Adventures In Homebrewing
16
Color Commentary
boom PETS 7
Loving Animals Are In Need Of Families
boom RECIPE 10
Homemade Calzones
By: Katie & Theresa Slott
boom BOOK REVIEW 11
Retire Inspired By Chris Hogan Reviewed By: Susie Cleaver
boom HEALTHY LIVING 8
Allergic Asthma: Put A Lid On It By: Faith Kobrehel, Registered Respiratory Therapist
By: Jim & Margo Bell By: Chuck Bergman By: Margo Bell
boom TRAVELER 18
The Beauty Of Iceland
22
Day Trip: Allen, MI
By: Phyllis Rose By: Phyllis Rose
boom HOME 24
Trending: Indoor Herb Gardens By: Rasonda Clark
boom LIFE 26
Keeping In Touch
28
Are There “Cookies” On My Computer?
30
Carry The Torch For Indiana
By: Pam Gunterman By: Ed Marshall
By: Evie Kirkwood
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: Sue Heinrich Sue@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com
Managing Editor:
Jessica Haviland Jessy@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com
I
t’s hard to believe it’s September already! This summer seems to have been busier than most for some reason. But, with Labor Day and the beginning of September, it’s the unofficial end of summer. September is a month with both pros and cons for me. On the good side, fall begins and can be so beautiful with brilliant reds and yellows of the changing leaves. School is back in session and life returns to a normal routine. When I lived in Paris, I loved September. All the tourists were gone; the Parisians had returned. All the restaurants and local shops were open again and there was sense of new life and activity in the air along with the crispness and cooler temperatures. Here, it’s the crispness of the new apple crop, and the completion of the summer harvest. Sadly, it also means that summer is over and winter is coming with its snow and cold. Summer lake life comes to an end and the snowbirds begin to migrate south. Football, a good thing, is in full bloom and it’s time to dig out the sweaters and knee socks. Spring is such a beginning but fall seems more like an end. It’s a good thing it’s so beautiful or it would be really depressing. September is the cusp, the transition month. Perhaps that’s why it has both pros and cons.
AD COORDINATOR & INSIDE SALES MANAGER
Amanda Oiler Amanda@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com
GRAPHIC DESIGN Manager: Zuzanna Zmud Zuzanna@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com
MEDICAL EDITOR: Dr. Jesse Hsieh
Distribution Managers: 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 The FAMILY Magazines P.O. BOX 577 Granger, IN 46530 PH: 269.228.8295 • FX: 574.217.4700 www.MichianaMom.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, September 2016 Volume 5: Number 7
The September issue of BOOM is all pros. It has several “how to” articles including home brewing, indoor gardening and keeping in touch as well as one with good information about computer cookies. And, speaking of food, there is a great recipe for home-made calzones! There is a travel article on Iceland and another about the Indiana Bicentennial torch relay. I hope you enjoy September and the September issue of BOOM. LOOK WHO’s TALKING
follow us on Twitter, and become our fan on Facebook. @MichianaBoom @michianaboom www.pinterest.com/boommagazine/ MichianaBoom
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SEPTEMBER 2016 | boom
boom / contributors
boom / testimonials
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 With a love for the English language and travel, Phyllis Rose became an English teacher, freelance writer and traveler. She taught high school English for 29 years while also working as a freelance writer and editor. Retiring from teaching, she turned her part-time writing career into a full-time one, writing for newspapers and magazines. Her favorite freelance project has been writing a day trip column, giving readers ideas for places to go, things to do, and restaurants to try in the Michiana area. She also loves international travel, especially to Europe. When not writing or traveling, she loves to read, do counted cross-stitch projects and plan her next travel adventure.
Chuck Bergman Chuck Bergman is a local michiana marketing professional and an avid home brewer. He fell in love with craft beer a few years ago and has never looked at beer the same way. He encourages everyone to support local breweries and be willing to “experience new tastes.”
Honestly, one of the best pages to turn to is the timeline page! It always has fun tidbit information that brings back great memories.” – Brenda K.
The movie trivia in BOOM always challenges my husband and I. We are big movie watchers and enjoy testing how much we truly know.” – Sharon H.
If you haven’t picked up a copy of BOOM Magazine yet, you are completely missing out. I can’t believe this publication is FREE!” – Darla K.
Pam Gunterman Pam Gunterman resides in Bremen with her husband of 35 years, Tony. She is the mother of two, step-mother of two and grandmother of seven. Pam is an active member of St. Dominic Catholic Church in Bremen. She is a member and vice-president of the Indiana State Association of Theta Delta Chapter of Psi Iota Xi, a national philanthropic sorority, and was named the 2010 National Psi Ote of the Year. Also in 2010 Pam and several fellow chapter members authored a children’s book about the sorority. In her spare time Pam is involved in theater.
Don't forget!
Keep up with us on Facebook by liking our page just for Boomers! boom | SEPTEMBER 2016
5
SEPTEMBER Events 1 Emma M. Nutt Day (1st Woman Telephone Operator) County Blueberry Festival, 2-5 Marshall All Day, Centennial Park-Plymouth
Th F Sa
3
Su
4
5
M Tu
Labor Day
6
7-18
W Th
Film Series: Rudy, 9 Outdoor 7:00 P.M., Howard Park Recreation Center-South Bend
8
F
The 20th Annual Harvest Festival, 12:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M., Lemon Creek Winery, Berrien Springs, MI
13th Annual Cockopalooza 2016, 10 11:00 A.M., Central Park-Elkhart
Sa
Remembrance Day 11 9/11 Grandparent’s Day
Su Mo
12 Anniversary Of Plain & Fancy, 13 30th 8:00 P.M., The Round Barn Theatre At Amish Acres Nappanee
Tu W Th F
Wicked, 7:30 P.M., Morris Performing Arts Center-South Bend
14
15-18
Ovarian Cancer Statistics & Facts
September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Know your statistics and facts to help discover early detection of ovarian cancer. - Ovarian Cancer is a growth of abnormal malignant cells that begins in the ovaries. - Ovarian tumors can be benign. - The cause of ovarian cancer is unknown but two theories are: • Genetic error • Increased hormone levels - An estimated 22,280 women in the US will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer per year. - An estimated of 14,240 deaths per year happen from ovarian cancer. - The five-year survival rate is 46% and the 10-year survival rate is 35%. - If treated before the cancer spreads, the general five-year survival rate is around 90%. - Symptoms for ovarian cancer are: • Abdominal Bloating & Pain • Upset Stomach • Difficulty Eating Or • Indigestion Feeling Full Quickly • Back Pain • Urgency Or • Constipation Frequency To Urinate • Pelvic Mass Or Lump • Fatigue (If you notice any symptoms or signs of ovarian cancer, please visit your doctor for further testing.) tInformation found at www.ovariancener.org and www.cancer.net.
Nappanee Apple Festival, 5:00 P.M., Downtown Nappanee
Fall Décor
16
17 11:00 A.M., Linton’s Enchanted Gardens-Elkhart Linton’s Fall Classic Car Cruise In,
Sa Su
18
M
19
Tu
20
W
21
22 1st Day Of Fall
Th F
23
Sa
24
Su
25
(www.madeinaday.com)
W
28
Th
29
Fr
30
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Fall Mason Jars (www.sincerelyjean.com)
Homemade Applesauce - 2 Cinnamon Sticks
Rockin Road To Dublin, 7:30 P.M., Morris Performing Arts Center-South Bend
27 Oktoberfest Begins In Germany
Tu
Confetti Pumpkins
(www.amzn.to)
Ingredients - 6 Large Apples
26
M
Repurposed Drawers
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice - ½ Cup Water - ¼ Teaspoon Salt
Instructions 1. Peel and chop the apples and cut into small chunks. 2. Combine all ingredients into the crockpot and cook the applesauce for at least four hours on high. 3. Puree applesauce for a smooth texture. If you do not have a puree, you can use a fork to mash the apples together. 4. Sprinkle some cinnamon on top and ENJOY!
Notre Dame 2016 Fall Schedule Date
Opponent
Location
Time
Media
Sun, Sep 4
Texas
Austin, TX
6:30 p.m. CT
ABC
Sat, Sep 10
Nevada
Notre Dame, IN
3:30 p.m. ET
NBC
Sat, Sep 17
Michigan State
Notre Dame, IN
7:30 p.m. ET
NBC
Sat, Sep 24
Duke
Notre Dame, IN
3:30 p.m. ET
NBC
Sat, Oct 1
Syracuse
East Rutherford, NJ
TBA
TBA
Sat, Oct 8
North Carolina State
Raleigh, NC
TBA
TBA
Sat, Oct 15
Stanford
Notre Dame, IN
7:30 p.m.
NBC
Sat, Oct 29
Miami
Notre Dame, IN
3:30 p.m.
NBC
Sat, Nov 5
Navy
Jacksonville, FL
11:30 a.m.
CBS
Sat, Nov 12
Army
San Antonio, TX
2:30 p.m.
NBC
Sat, Nov 19
Virginia Tech
Notre Dame, IN
3:30 p.m.
NBC
Sat, Nov 26
USC
Los Angeles, CA
TBA
TBA Source: www.und.com
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PETS
The Elkhart Humane Society Needs Your Help Loving animals are in need of families!
HOSTESS: Meow. I am a sweet sleek little girl of two. I weigh only 6 pounds and I am spayed. I like to sit on laps and be petted. I am a quiet little lady who is looking for a quieter home. As my name implies I am an excellent Hostess. I will make your guests feel welcome. I am always ready for company in my beautiful black fur coat. Come and meet me soon. I am waiting to be a part of your home.
BANJO: I'm Banjo, a five-year-old, male,
Beagle mix. I'm accustomed to living indoors, but I still need some help with housetraining. I'm a bit shy and quiet in my kennel at the shelter, but I love going outside to enjoy all the sights and smells in the yard. I like spending time with visitors and I walk nicely on a leash.
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.
SATURN: I’m not from another planet,
but my pretty orange fur is as bright as a shining star. I am a four-year-old boy, sleek and shiny. I just glow. I am not a lap cat, but I will sit next to you and chat. I love to have my ears scratched. I will even roll over for a tummy rub once in a while. I get along well with other cats. I have been neutered, so I am ready for a home of my own.
54687 County Road 19 Bristol, IN 46507
(574) 848-4225
www.elkharthumanesociety.org boom | SEPTEMBER 2016
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Healthy Living
Allergic Asthma:
Put a Lid On It By: Faith Kobrehel, Registered Respiratory Therapist Memorial Hospital of South Bend
D
o you experience shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing or chest tightness? If you do, you might already know that you have allergic asthma –– asthma caused by mold, pollen, dust mites and pet dander. And with fall around the corner, and its many allergens ready to blow your way, be ready to do battle! Allergic asthma is the most common form of asthma, and about 75 percent of adults with asthma have at least one allergy. Asthma can develop at any age, but we are seeing an increase in asthma diagnoses in seniors. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, the senior age group represents the fastest-growing segment in our country and therefore asthma is a disease of significant concern. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Aging reports that more than two million Americans age 65 and older have asthma.
Know your triggers
Asthma creates a greater health risk for seniors because they are more likely to develop respiratory failure as a result of it. Even worse, asthma in older adults will rarely go into remission.
An important part of managing asthma, especially when talking about allergic asthma, is knowing your triggers. Common triggers are respiratory infections/viruses, air pollutants, temperature changes and allergens. While indoor allergens such as dust mites, molds/mildews and pet dander are consistent year around, outdoor allergens tend to get worse during certain times of the year.
Treating older adults with asthma can be complicated by several factors. Many older adults have multiple medical issues, and therefore multiple medications. These can sometimes interact or impact effectiveness. There may be some confusion on how to use inhalers, or when to use which medication. Also, we sometimes see patients having difficulty using inhalers correctly due to poor coordination.
Fall can be among the worst times, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Heat and humidity increase the levels of mold, while ragweed, another common fall allergen, thrives on warm and drier days. If you have allergic asthma, do your best to avoid these allergens because they can increase the likelihood of an asthma exacerbation –– a worsening of its symptoms that include shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing and chest tightness or any combination of these.
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SEPTEMBER 2016 | boom
Take up arms
There are some things that you can do to help avoid allergic asthma problems. Keeping the windows closed in your home and in the car, and using the air conditioner, will help keep the allergens outside. This is even better if there is a HEPA filter on the air conditioner. Stay inside as much as possible on Ozone Action Days, or when there is a high pollen or high mold count. Often, this is announced on the news as part of the weather report, but you can also look it up online at the National Allergy Bureau (www. aaaai.org/global/nab-pollen-counts). If you do have to be outside, taking a shower to wash the allergens off can be helpful. If you’re able, getting a flu shot and pneumonia vaccine is a wise choice.
Make a plan
It is also important to have an asthma management/action plan. This can include peak flow measurements, a list of triggers and medications. Using daily medications such as inhaled steroids to keep inflammation at a minimum, combined with a rescue medication such as an inhaler for immediate needs, is very common. You may also consider using over-the-counter medications when allergy season is in full swing. This can include oral antihistamines, nasal decongestants and saline nasal rinses. You and your doctor can create the best treatment plan for you, and make a plan before you expect fall allergies to start. Asthma is usually managed by a family doctor or internist, although if needed, a referral can be made to an allergist or pulmonologist. You should check with your insurance about what is covered. Most insurances provide at least some level of coverage. Some insurances may require a referral to an allergist or pulmonologist. There may be benefits for patient education or specialized services, what medications are (and are not) covered, and if flu and pneumonia vaccines are covered.
By the Numbers
How Common Is Asthma? • •
• • •
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 14 people have asthma. About 24 million Americans have asthma. This is 7.4 percent of adults and 8.6 percent of children. Asthma has been increasing since the early 1980s in all age, sex and racial groups. Asthma is more common in adult women than adult men. Asthma is more common in children than adults and more common in boys than girls. In 2011, the asthma rate for African-Americans was 47 percent higher than for whites.
How Many People Get Sick from Asthma? • • • •
Asthma causes almost 2 million emergency room visits each year. Each year, asthma causes more than 14 million doctor visits and 439,000 hospital stays. The average length of asthma hospital stays is 3.6 days. African-Americans are three times more likely to be hospitalized from asthma.
Source: The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
boom | SEPTEMBER 2016
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boom
recipe
Homemade Calzones By: Katie & Theresa Slott
Time: 50 minutes
Makes: 24 muffins
Ingredients: 2 ¾ c. bread flour ¼ c. cornmeal 2 t. instant yeast* 2 t. kosher salt ¼ t. black pepper 1 c. lukewarm water (about 105F°) 1 c. ricotta cheese 8 oz. Italian sausage, browned 5 oz. frozen spinach, defrosted and drained 1 c. shredded mozzarella 1 c. parmesan cheese 1 egg Marinara sauce *Instant Yeast is different than Active Dry Yeast. While it doesn’t necessarily make your dough rise faster (I wish!), the main difference is that the yeast does not need to be dissolved in water before incorporating it into the recipe.
Tips:
You can add different “pizza” toppings for the feeding. Try to keep the moisture level low so that it won’t leak out of the side.
Steps:
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine flour, cornmeal, yeast, salt and pepper. While mixing on low, add the lukewarm water and olive oil. Increase the speed of the mixer and knead with the dough hook for three to five minutes. Spread about one tablespoon of flour on the counter (just enough to keep the dough from sticking) and knead by hand a few turns until you have formed a smooth round ball of dough. Place in a greased bowl and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Let rise for one to two hours, until doubled in size. Brown the Italian sausage. Mix together the cooked sausage, spinach, ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan. Preheat oven to 350F°. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. When the dough has risen, turn out onto a lightly floured counter and divide into four to eight pieces, depending on how large you want your calzones. Add the filing on one side of the circle. Wet the edge of the dough with water and fold it in half. Press the edges together to seal. Use a fork to stamp the edges. Line them up on the prepare pan. Bake for 25 minutes. Brush the tops of the calzones with an egg wash and return them to the oven for an additional five to 10 minutes, until crust is lightly browned. Serve with warm marinara sauce for dipping.
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. 10
SEPTEMBER 2016 | boom
boom
book reivew
Retire
Inspired By Chris Hogan
Photo Courtesy: www.daveramsey.com
editor Picks The Century Trilogy By Ken Follett
Reviewed By: Susie Cleaver, Reference Librarian Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library Harris Branch
C
hris Hogan knows a thing or two about retirement. Not that he has reached this stage of life personally, but as a co-teacher of Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University and a member of the Ramsey Solutions team, he has counselled hundreds of individuals and families on planning for their retirement. Hogan’s new book, Retire Inspired, lays out all he has learned on how one should prepare for retirement and he is happy to share his plan with us. “Plan” is the key word in Hogan’s message. No matter our age, we must develop a plan for retirement. According to Hogan, “Retirement is not an old person thing; it’s a smart person thing.” And smart people plan!
Edge of eternity
Fall of giants
winter of the world
Hogan offers a number of tools to assist in planning your retirement, starting with his R:IQ (Retire Inspired Quotient) quiz found on his website. From there he leads readers through the pitfalls of debt, how to incorporate Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps into your retirement planning, and easy-to-understand sections outlining specific types of investments and insurance products, including their risks. He is encouraging and non-judgmental, even when describing clients in their 60s who still did not have a retirement plan or retirement savings. For everyone he has the same simple advice – Get Started Now! Retire Inspired should be required reading for all ages. But if you are a baby boomer the message is particularly relevant. Hogan reminds us to dream, to plan, and then to work towards our retirement. Because ultimately how we retire is up to us! ••• boom | SEPTEMBER 2016
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Hobbies
RUN FOR
COVER! By: Margo and Jim Bell
T
his has been perhaps the most challenging movie trivia puzzle we’ve created. In research we found some 600 movies that online lists consider disaster movies.
So we had to define what we consider the disaster genre: no monsters, robots, space
aliens, comic book heroes. The definition to us is: (1) it happened, or (2) it realistically could happen. Some disaster films were blockbusters (Titanic, 2007); others never made it past the concept stage (Margo B. Does Her Own Hair).
Test your knowledge of the following disaster flicks:
1. Who is considered the “Master of Disaster?” a. Steven Spielberg b. William Frye c. Irwin Allen d. Jennings Lang e. Darryl Zanuck 2. What event inspired the most disaster movies? a. The San Francisco earthquake (1906) b. The sinking of the British passenger ship Titanic (1912) c. The Great Chicago Fire (1871) d. The explosion of the German airship Hindenburg (1937) e. The eruption of Mount St. Helens (1980) 3. What film inspired the “Airport” series of disaster movies? a. The High and the Mighty (1954) b. Zero Hour (1957) c. Captains of the Clouds (1941) d. Above and Beyond (1953) 4. Which actor appeared in all four Airport movies? a. George Kennedy b. Robert Stack c. Burt Lancaster d. Dean Martin
5. What disaster flick set the record for using the most stunt artists up until that time? a. The Poseidon Adventure (1972) b. In Old Chicago (1938) c. Towering Inferno (1974) d. Earthquake (1974) e. The Perfect Storm (2000) 6. Which movie won the most Oscars in the disaster category? a. The Towering Inferno (1974) b. Meteor (1979) c. Titanic (2007) d. San Francisco (1936) e. K-9: The Widowmaker (2002) 7. Which disaster movie employs “fomites?” a. K-19: The Widowmaker (2002) b. Contagion (2011) c. The Perfect Storm (2000) d. The Impossible (2012) e. None of the above
Answe rs on pa ge 27!
boom | SEPTEMBER 2016
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Hobbies
Adventures in
Homebrewing By: Chuck Bergman
Has enjoying a quality craft beer become more than a passing interest? Have you started attending craft beer festivals and waited in line for a special release? Do your friends and family think you’ve become a little obsessed with craft beer? Then congratulations, you may be ready to join the elite ranks of homebrewing. Many of us who enjoy drinking craft beer have taken the next step, and started brewing our own beer. Rather than provide the technical details on learning how to homebrew, I thought I would share some of my personal experiences and why I am passionate about this hobby. So let’s start our Adventures in Homebrewing!
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SEPTEMBER 2016 | boom
Learning to Brew
At that point I needed to see if I could actually brew a beer. I bought the basic equipment kit, which included a fermenting pale, bottling pale, measuring equipment, boiling pot, and empty 12oz bottles, from a local homebrew shop. You can purchase these kits online, but I prefer the personal service of shopping locally, as well as supporting our Michiana economy.
Why Homebrew?
Like many of you, my first steps into the craft beer world started pretty simply. I remember trying a Sam Adams Boston Lager for the first time and being amazed that beer could have this much flavor. Then came experimentation with Honey Brown and Killian’s Irish Red. My first Zombie Dust was the most intense beer I’d ever had. After that I was hooked! It was years before I ever thought about brewing it myself. My curiosity began when a college fraternity brother was posting about homebrewing on his Facebook page. He actually progressed from homebrewing to starting his own brewery last year, detailing the entire adventure online. But where do you start when you want to learn more? I found the internet to be my best first resource. With a little Googling, I learned about recipes, equipment and brewing processes. But at this point it was all just research, nothing hands on. I then discovered a local homebrew club called Michiana Extract and Grain Association, MEGA for short. I just showed up at a meeting and asked a ton of questions. This amazing small group of men and women shared more than information, they shared their love and passion for making great beer.
They included a basic extract IPA kit and I brewed my first five gallon batch of beer. After a couple weeks fermenting and three weeks of bottle conditioning, I was ready to take my first sip. I took a few bottles to the next MEGA meeting to get their feedback. Talk about nervous, this was my first beer and honestly I wasn’t the craft beer aficionado I am today, so I really didn’t know if the homebrew was any good.
Creating Your Recipes
Much to my relief, I’ll never forget the club president taking a sip, smiling and announcing, “Congratulations, you made beer!” It was a humble beginning that turned into a passionate hobby. I may have to brag just little bit and admit that I’ve created some pretty solid, great tasting homebrews.
Finding the right combination of malt, hops and yeast for the style you are brewing is such a great part of this hobby. Every style of beer offers a unique flavor experience. Some styles, like an imperial IPA, can be a challenge to find the right balance of malty sweetness and hop intensity.
The nice thing about this hobby is the flexibility. Yes, there is an initial investment in some equipment, but it is not cost prohibitive. You can also save money building your own equipment by following some online DIY project instructions. You can start out with small two to three gallon batches that can easily be brewed in your kitchen, or jump right into brewing five gallon all-grain batches on a propane burner. You can save money buying your base grains in bulk, usually 50# bags, but most of us started with the brew kits. You can even grow your own hops to add a truly personal touch to each beer.
I think my favorite part of homebrewing is creating and customizing my recipes. There is immense satisfaction when you finally achieve that perfect combination of ingredients and totally nail a recipe.
One of my favorite styles to brew is a nut brown ale. It is sophisticated in its simplicity. You need just the right amount of darker caramel malts to add flavor without overpowering the beer. I hope this article has sparked your interest in homebrewing. As I stated earlier, do some online research and see if this is a hobby that is a good fit for you. If you are more hands on, then come to one of our MEGA meetings and interact with a great group of passionate brewers. We meet the second Sunday of each month at Fiddler’s Hearth in downtown South Bend. You too can revel in the simple declaration, “Congratulations, you made beer.” CHEERS! ••• boom | SEPTEMBER 2016
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Hobbies
COLOR
Commentary By: Margo Bell
Some Fun Facts About Our University Teams and Their Rivals
O
ne evening years ago after my daughter Stephanie received her acceptance to California State University Northridge, the two of us and her father Jim were discussing team colors. CSUN’s and mine—Arkansas State University—were the same: red and black. I teasingly told her that Dad’s university, UCLA, chose baby blue and buttercup as its team colors. (Actually, the blue is darker than that.) I refer to UCLA students and alums as “Buttercuppers,” a moniker that Jim has accepted with amusement. Here’s more:
Speaking of Blue: Syracuse University had blue and pink as its
colors from 1893 until 1940, when a group of alums from the class of 1890 approached Chancellor Sims about their displeasure of colors associated with babies. Sims, sympathetic, appointed a member of the faculty to search for a more appropriate hue. Orange and blue were popular, but no university had just orange as its color, and Syracuse U. went with it. More Oranges: The University of Texas originally had gold and white as its colors, then switched to white and bright orange. Trouble was, by the end of the season the orange faded to yellow, giving rival teams the opportunity to call the Longhorns “yellow bellies.” In response, in 1928 Texas football coach Clyde Littlefield ordered fadeproof uniforms of a darker orange, now known as “burnt orange” or “Texas orange.” Gobble, Gobble and Another Orange: Virginia Tech originally had uniforms in black and gray stripes, but they resembled prison outfits. Therefore, in 1896 the school adopted its current colors of Chicago maroon and burnt orange.
VT’s mascot originally was a turkey, or “Gobbler.” Legend has it that the name came from student athletes “gobbling” down their food. But in the late 1970s VT’s football coach didn’t approve of that image and instead came up with a new mascot, the “Hokie.” Just what is a 16
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Hokie? Well, with the color change came a new college cheer that began with “Hoki, Hoki, Hoki, Hy.” The “e” was later added. The “HokieBird” wears a maroon costume similar to a cardinal’s and was featured in Animal Planet’s ”Turkey Secrets.” Sprinting Down the Field at Two MPH: Many mascots were inspired
by fierce or strong creatures: lions, tigers, bears, wolverines, bulldogs, etc. Others took on brave or scary images such as The Rambling Wreck, Sun Devils, etc. Then why does the University of Maryland have a slow-moving turtle as a mascot? The school was considering the state bird of Maryland—the oriole—but several baseball teams already had that one. A faculty member suggested the diamondback terrapin because it was a native of Maryland’s brackish waters. The name Terrapins was adopted and, for the sake of headline space, shortened to “Terps.” (Incidentally, because of their webbed feet terrapins move faster in water.) Sidenote: Before each game a cannon is fired to notify Terp tailgaters to pack up because the game is about to begin. What in the World Is a Nittany Lion? It was a type of mountain lion that roamed through the Nittany Mountains near Pennsylvania State University. A senior student at Penn State, H.D. Mason, created the mascot in 1907 to represent the region and conjure up the image of an animal that’s “ . . . dignified, courageous, magnificent [and] represents all that our college spirit should be.” Although the Nittany Lion mascot has prevailed since then, the actual lions no longer exist. Sparty at the Party: One of the nation’s most recognizable—and award-winning—mascots is Michigan State’s Sparty. Made of high-tech material, the green-and-white costume weighs 30 to 40 lbs. and costs $8,000 to $16,000, depending
on which site you read. Student volunteers don the costume and their identities are kept secret. Besides games, Sparty makes appearances at various social events. A Tree Grows In Palo Alto:
Stanford University teams were known as Indians, with a real Yurok tribe member as mascot from 19301972. Deemed disrespectful to Native Americans, the name “Indians” was changed in 1972 to Cardinal, depicting the university’s official color rather than the bird. Leave it up to the band to come up with suggestions for a new mascot such as Steaming Manhole and French Fry. (What would these mascots look like?) Finally, the Tree was chosen for some reason. The Tree often is the victim of opposing team pranksters, being “kidnapped” or “attacked.” However, the costume is re-created each fall. Crowd Swell: The University of Nebraska typically has 85,000 fans appear at its football games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, bypassing the entire population of the state’s third-largest city, Grand Marshall, with 50,000 inhabitants. Most Lopsided Victory: In 1916
Georgia Tech whomped down Cumberland College 222-0, awarding the Atlanta-based school the most points ever scored in a football game. Rock-n-Roll: Fans at the University
of South Carolina’s WilliamsBrice Stadium swear that the east upper deck sways when the crowd gets rambunctious. This problem supposedly was fixed in 1987 but folks still report rocking and vibrations during the games’ most exciting moments. The same problem is said to occur at the stadiums of the University of Wisconsin and Texas A&M. The Gold Pants Club: Ohio State
University football coach Francis Schmidt was well known for his “razzle-dazzle” package of offensive
trick plays and fancy line-ups. In 1934 he was asked how to handle the university’s big rival, the University of Michigan (That Team Up North). He replied, “They put their pants on one leg at a time same as everybody else.” This famous quote inspired the formation of the Buckeyes’ Gold Pants Club that presented miniature gold pants to those players who helped Ohio State bring down the Wolverines. The club still exists today but awards gold charms instead. No Names, Please: So why don’t
Notre Dame, the University of Southern California and Penn State put the names of their football players on the backs of their jerseys? It’s because football is a team sport, not one that celebrates the individual. In the case of the Fighting Irish, coach Frank Leahy said, “You don’t play for your honor, you play for the honor of Our Lady.” •••
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The Beauty Of
By: Phyllis Rose
Iceland
At the Gullfoss Waterfall, water plunges 105 feet over two ledges down into a narrow gorge.
A statue of Leif Eriksson stands in front of Reykjavik's Hallgrimskirkja Church, Iceland's largest church.
Tourists gather in a steamy landscape to watch the Strokkur Geyser erupt.
Photos Provided By: Phyllis Rose
I
celand is a happy land. According to the World Happiness Report 2016, Iceland is third on the happiness scale just behind Denmark and Switzerland.
Whether tourists are seeking happiness or travel adventures, they are increasingly choosing Iceland as a destination, with recent reports showing Iceland’s tourism increased 30 percent last year. My cousin, Judy Thomas, and I were part of that 30 percent, happily spending a week exploring the island from our base in the capital, Reykjavik. Don’t think that Iceland is nothing but ice or that you’ll need to be an extreme traveler with snowshoes and climbing ropes. In fact, you’ll find the island to be three main colors - green, black, and white - green for the grasses and the few trees, black for the extensive lava fields, and white for the glaciers, including Vatnajokull, Europe’s largest covering 5500 square miles. And there are lots of things to make you happy that don’t involve extreme hiking or climbing.
Our happiness started with a bus tour of Reykjavik and the surrounding area, a good introduction to the small capital city, population of 120,000 out of a total of 330,000 for the whole island. For history buffs, there’s the Hofdi House where President Ronald Reagan and Russian Secretary General Mikhail Gorbachev met in 1986. The small, white house overlooking the waterfront is not open to the public but walking around it, you can contemplate what it must have been like for the two world leaders meeting here to discuss human rights and the elimination of nuclear arms in what became known as the Reykjavik Summit, which led to the end of the Cold War. Towering over Reykjavik is the spire of the Hallgrimskirkja Church, Iceland’s largest. Named after a seventeenth century Icelandic poet and pastor, Hallgrimus Petursson, this Lutheran Church is designed to resemble the basalt lava flows in the landscape. Fortunately, we were there when the organist was rehearsing so we heard the church’s 25 ton pipe organ with 5,275 pipes. boom | SEPTEMBER 2016
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Things to know, if you go: Everyone speaks English.
Another fascinating stop was at Bessastadir, the president’s house, a small red-roofed white home, located on a windswept, treeless plain near Reykjavik. This has been the president’s official residence since 1941, but the site has historic significance with the nearby church having been consecrated in 1796. No fences or security guards protect the residence but our guide said there is an unwritten rule that you don’t draw any closer than the edge of the parking area. We didn’t test to see what would happen if we crossed the line! At the Pearl, a dome-shaped building atop massive hotwater tanks, we went up to the observation deck for panoramic views of the city and the surrounding area. Inside the dome are a revolving restaurant, shops, and a water feature. A popular stop for tourists, sometimes on their way from the airport to Reykjavik, is the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa, where they can recover from jet lag with a massage, mud mask, or a dip in a geothermal pools. The spa is located in a barren, black lava field stretching all the way to the horizon, which belies the pampering services offered by the spa. Breaking up the black barrenness are pools of turquoise blue water. Having been introduced to Reykavik, we set out the next day on a bus tour to explore more of the island, specifically an area called the Golden Circle. Soon, we were traveling through the barren landscape where steam often spewed up from steam vents, a natural result of the island’s 30 active volcanoes. In Thingvillir National Park, we walked through a deep gully between the North American and European tectonic plates, which are drifting apart at one inch per year. From a nearby overlook, we saw the site the Vikings chose for their General Assembly in 930 AD. Next, at Gullfoss Waterfall, we were nearly blown away by the strong winds and the power of this waterfall on the Hvita’ River which originates in the Langjokull glacial lake. As we approached, we saw the river stretching off into the distance. Suddenly, it disappeared as the water plunged 105 feet over two ledges down into a narrow gorge.
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The currency is the Icelandic Krona, worth about 123 krona to the American dollar. Get your currency at ATMs or at the airport. In the summer, the sun shines 24 hours a day. Average highs in the summer range from 50 to 60 degrees. Jackets and rain gear are recommended. Iceland Air has a special deal where on your way to Europe you can stopover in Iceland for up to seven nights at no extra charge. On Iceland Air, you can also purchase your Flybus tickets before you land so you can go straight from baggage claim to the bus that will take you to your hotel. On all of our daytrips, the tour companies provided a shuttle to take us from our hotel to the departure point for the tours.
Standing on the edge of Jorkulsarlon Lagoon, tourists enjoy the ever-changing panorama of the icebergs passing by.
In the Jorkulsarlon Lagoon, a glacier lake, icebergs which have calved off of a glacier slowly make their way toward the ocean.
Leaving Gullfoss, we were soon at another dramatic site, the Strokkur Geyser which erupts every eight to 10 minutes, which it did several times while we were there. Nearly 100 years ago, the geyser stopped erupting following an earthquake that blocked the conduits. But in 1963, the conduits were cleaned out and the geyser has been performing like Old Faithful ever since. On our next daytrip, we saw more waterfalls, including Skogafoss where legend says a Viking hid some buried treasure in a cave behind the falls, and Seljalondfoss which brave tourists (which didn’t include Judy and me) can walk behind. But the happiest highlight of the day was the Jorkulsarlon Lagoon where we got up close and personal with small icebergs and tasted 800-year-old ice. The lagoon is a glacier lake formed when the Breithamerkurjokull glacier receded. Icebergs calve off of the glacier and slowly make their way toward the ocean. Boarding an amphibious vehicle, we were soon out among the icebergs, an ever-changing exhibit of naturally sculpted blue and white art with a touch of gray. Soon, a small boat pulled up next to ours and the sailor handed up a chunk of crystal clear ice to our guide who explained the ice was 800 years old and we were welcome to taste it after he broke it into smaller pieces. It was surprisingly sweet to the taste. The rest of our time in Iceland was filled with walking around town to explore in more detail sights we’d seen on our tour, shopping the downtown boutiques and souvenir shops, and whale watching where a humpback whale flipped his white tail at us.
The official residence of the president of Iceland.
For more information: Daytrips can be booked at www.viator.com, www.grayline.com, or www.europeandestinations.com. This trip was booked through www.europeandestinations.com. The daytrips were booked through www.viator.com.
Happy to have visited Iceland, we’ll be happier still when we get the chance to return to see more of this fascinating, and ultimately, happy island. ••• boom | SEPTEMBER 2016
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Day Trip: Allen, MI By: Phyllis Rose
A
llen, Michigan, the “Antique Capital of Michigan,” is a great place to come down with “antique fatigue.” That’s the feeling you get when you think you can’t look at another antique or vintage item but then you come to the next booth and there’s the cure - something exciting - like a collection of four souvenir plates with European hotels pictured on them for only $6 - a perfect purchase for your travel-themed home decor. To avoid the ravages of “antique fatigue,” you may want to make this a two-day trip, which Best-Ever Friend Dave and I have done in the past. But this time, we limited ourselves to one day. We started at the Hog Creek Antique Mall, 10750 W. Chicago Road (U.S. 12), the first antique mall we came to as we drove in from the west on U.S. 12. This extensive mall has not only two huge rooms of antiques but also a third room with many handcrafted items. Our plan of attack was simply to wander to find things that interested us. We first looked at two mugs which reminded us of some historical events. The first was a souvenir mug commemorating the 1937 coronation of King George VI and his wife, Elizabeth, parents of the current queen of England. George VI became king when his brother King Edward VIII abdicated so he could marry the American divorcee, Wallis Simpson. Another mug featured the busts of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip upon the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway in 1959. After our detour into history, we strolled into the crafts section where handcrafted items included wooden shelving in various colors and sizes, handmade cards and stationery, and photographs. We ended up buying a couple of vintage Paris postcards of Montmartre which had been fastened to a wooden, burlap-covered frame and glazed to look like a painting. You could spend the whole day here there is so much to see, but we had to move on to experience more “antique fatigue.” Down the road, we stopped at the Allen Antique Barn, 9247 W. Chicago Road, which boasts of 25,600 square feet of antiques or collectibles on two floors. Fortunately, they have benches where you can rest your feet periodically before hitting the next section of their 300 booths. Again we headed out to find something that interested us. Dave spent time in a booth featuring toy trains while I set out to find something travel-related. I saw a tapestry with a Venice scene but decided to pass on it, but when I saw the plates featuring Paris, Rome, Turin, and Geneva for $6, I pounced. 22
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Meanwhile, Dave found a Chicago souvenir plate with a picture of the Chicago Natural History Museum. A native of Chicago, he loves to find these vintage items to hang on the wall of his apartment. And this was a deal since it was on sale for only $1. By this time, we were fatigued and ready for lunch. Our plan was to eat at the Outpost Grille, 9011 W. Chicago, located between Capital Antiques and the Allen Antique Mall. We have always enjoyed settling in for a great lunch amid the rustic decor in this cozy restaurant. We had fond memories of the wonderful hamburgers we’d had there such as the “grizzly” with mushrooms, onions and cheese or the “bleu babe burger” with bleu cheese, swiss cheese and onions. But, to our surprise, the restaurant was closed for a couple of months. So, we had no choice but to drive to another favorite restaurant in nearby Jonesville, Olivia’s Chop House, 205 E. Chicago Street. We slid into a cozy booth and perused the menu. We started with the soup of the day, tomato basil, and then for our entrees macaroni and cheese with hamburger for Dave while my cordon bleu mac and cheese had chunks of chicken and ham. The soup was hot, creamy and delicious. Our mac and cheese dishes were very tasty and fortunately not huge so we had room for dessert - pecan caramel sundaes - absolutely scrumptious with vanilla bean ice cream, candied pecans, caramel sauce and whipped cream. It would be worth the drive to Jonesville just to experience Olivia’s wonderful food. Heck, I’d go just for the dessert. After lunch, we drove back to the Allen Antique Mall, 9011 W. Chicago Road, to browse through their two large buildings which feature not only primitives but other antiques and collectibles as well. I found a vintage book with pictures of old train stations around the country which I showed to Dave. He snapped it up. In case I haven’t mentioned it, Dave is a train fanatic. We were also looking forward to browsing through Capital Antiques, 9115 W. Chicago Road, where a highlight we had enjoyed was a nearly 80 year old model train layout. Dave was captivated by it, watching the little train chug through farmland, a village and past a carousel. Being enchanted by the train layout was always a respite from our antique fatigue as this mall has over 300 booths in its 36,000 square feet. However, on this visit, we found that the train layout was gone so we simply had more time to shop which was good for me since I found a couple of Limoges china plates with Paris scenes to add to my collection. There’s always more to see in Allen so we’ll have to return to experience more “antique fatigue” and its fun-to-find cure - exciting antique and collectible items that can find a place in our homes. •••
Photos Provided By: Phyllis Rose
For more info: Allen Antique Barn 517-869-2888 www.allenantiquebarn.com Capital Antiques 517-869-2055 Olivia’s Chop House 517-849-3663 www.saucydogsbbq.com Note: This is the website for both Olivia’s and Saucy Dogs Barbeque.
Hog Creek Antique Mall 517-869-2250 www.hogcreekmall.com Allen Antique Mall 517-869-2788 The Outpost Grille and Restaurant 517-869-2101
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Trending:
Indoor Herb Gardens By: Rasonda Clark
Anyone who knows their way around a kitchen knows that fresh herbs can really pack some flavor. Unfortunately, when store bought, the herbs often go bad quickly and can be wasteful. Growing an indoor herb garden is a very convenient way to avoid waste and trips to the grocery store. Because they are indoor gardens they are perfect for the chef that may not have that extraordinary green thumb. Here’s the best way to get your herbs growing and ready for that next culinary masterpiece.
Find the best spot The ideal setting for an indoor herb garden is normally in the kitchen. Usually kitchens have the best light and having easy access makes things less difficult when cooking. You can just snip and throw it in a dish without skipping a beat. To get a successful indoor herb garden, start with a healthy mature plant rather than seeds. An established plant will put you months ahead of the game, of course they will still need some care and maintenance. To thrive indoors, herbs need as much natural light as possible. Find a sunny spot near a window where they will get at least four hours of sun every day. According to the The Sill, the south provides the most light, with the East and West coming in second. If you aren’t sure whether your perfect spot gives enough light, try a simple light test. “At noon, place a white piece of paper in the spot you’d like your houseplant to live. Then spread your hand out, about one foot above the paper”, recommends The Sill. If you see a well-defined shadow there is plenty of bright light. While you want to ensure your herbs get enough sun, be careful of too much light that can possibly damage or burn them. 24
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Water and drainage Too much water is the fastest way to kill an herb. Only water your herbs when needed. “To check if your plant is thirsty, simply stick your finger in the potting mix - away from the plant and its roots - toward the edge of the container. Most plants should be watered when the first inch of soil has dried out,” explains The Sill. On the flip side, another quick way to ruin your herbs is to let them sit in water and let the roots rot. Ensure that your pots have proper drainage holes and use a good potting mix in your containers.
Great herbs for your indoor herb garden: Mint Basil Rosemary “Fresh Chives herbs can Oregano really Parsley pack some Sage flavor.” Marjoram
Indoor herbs survive in typical indoor temperatures
References: The Sill www.thesill.com/pages/plant-care Menards www.menards.com/main/footer/how-to-center/garden-center/ growing-an-indoor-herb-garden/c-1445868983326.htm Camille Styles camillestyles.com/uncategorized/transformed-mason-jar-herbgarden/ Online Stores: Farmhouse wares farmhousewares.com/search.aspx?find=herb+garden\ Etsy farmhousewares.com/search.aspx?find=herb+garden Urban Farmer www.ufseeds.com/Herb-Kits.dept
Indoor herb gardens are convenient for many reasons, but they really come in handy in the winter when they are not able to grow outside. Indoor herbs prefer the same temperatures that most people do, so if you are comfortable, they probably are as well. Menards recommends being “mindful, however, of how cool the temperature can get near windows [during the winter]. When the outdoor temperature dips below 50° F, move your herbs away from the windows.” Indoor herb gardens are great for cooking, but they will add some flavor to your décor as well. Bringing in natural elements adds some life and pop to a kitchen, which at times, can be sterile and plain. Many home décor stores sell herb gardens for the indoor, but there are also many DIY versions available as well. Check out Ginger Valley in Granger and Menards in South Bend for local purchases. Online stores like Farmhouse Wares, Etsy, or Urban Farmer also have many trendy kit options. Pinterest and online magazines like House Beautiful offer many ideas for inexpensive and simple DIY indoor herb gardens. Check this fun weekend project from Camille Styles. ••• boom | SEPTEMBER 2016
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Keeping In Touch By: Pam Gunterman
I
can’t count how many times over the years have I said “keep in touch,” “don’t lose touch” or” I will be in touch.” I have spoken those words with good intentions; but we all know what they say: the road to hell is paved with those good intentions. When I was in the sixth grade, my family moved from western Pennsylvania to northern Indiana and I left behind friends with whom I vowed to keep in touch. For awhile, we did. We wrote letters, made phone calls and even made a visit a couple of years after the move. And then life happened. With the onset of the age of electronic communication, keeping in touch took on a whole new meaning and, to some extent, a life of its own. I not only reconnected with my childhood friends (now some 50 years down the road), but I connected, for the first time, with cousins, aunts and uncles from various places in the world whom I knew of, but had never met. To say the least, email, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat have changed my ability to, and the meaning of, staying in touch. Because of these electronic methods, I “speak” with family in England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Mexico and all over the United States on a regular basis. I am up to date with my children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, siblings and friends far better than if we had just “kept in touch” under the traditional meaning of the days of old. I truly enjoy this updated means of staying connected as I feel more a part of the day-to-day lives of my friends and family.
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The picture I paint sounds very rosy and bright, but now I feel I need to share, what Paul Harvey called, the rest of the story. While I am more in touch and more connected, I am less engaged on a personal level with folks. Since I am keeping in touch via electronic means I find myself, quite often, using every down moment – in line at the store, during innings of the kids games etc. looking at my phone – keeping in touch! I have gained information and a connection of sorts, but what have I lost in the bargain? The time I used to spend in idle chatter with strangers in line, at the games, even to my family at home, I now spend on my phone. It appears that I am not alone in this phenomenon. I recently took a yoga class and there is an actual stretch to help with “tech neck.” Tech neck is a condition you develop from long periods of time bent over you cell phone, laptop or iPad. Take a moment now, raise up your head and look around –the potential tech neck sufferers are everywhere! I am by no means suggesting that we should stop using and enjoying the benefits that electronic communication give us. What I am suggesting is that we find the balance between keeping in touch and being engaged. When you cannot speak or be with someone in person and the best option you have is an electronic one by all means use it, but when you get the chance to have a faceto-face chat with a friend, family member or even to meet someone new, put down the phone, the iPad and close the laptop and take it! •••
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Hobbies
RUN FOR COVER! By: Margo and Jim Bell
ANSWERS: 1-c: Although all the producers listed 4-a: George Kennedy portrayed aircraft 7-b:
people battling high falls, floods, and falling debris.
Fomites are inanimate objects, such as doorknobs and telephones, that can harbor infectious agents and transfer them to a living host. In this case, fomites play a major role in starting a pandemic of a highly contagious respiratory disease. Rotten Tomatoes lauds this film as “exceptionally smart—and scary.”
6-c:
SOURCES: Wiki, Rotten Tomatoes, Vulture, IMDb, and When
have done thrillers, Irwin Allen (1916-1991), with a career spanning five decades in movies and television, gets the honor.
mechanic Joe Patroni in Airport, Airport 1975, and Airport 77, and as pilot Captain Joe Patroni in The Concorde—Airport 1979.
2-b:
5-d: The movie employed 141 stunt
There were at least four versions of this film, including a 1943 Nazi propaganda production. The 1958 film A Night to Remember is considered the most accurate in historical fact, with some survivors of the ship disaster serving as technical advisors.
3-a: The 1954 movie starring John Wayne and Robert Stack is about a passenger plane that malfunctions over the Pacific. Nearly two decades passed before the release of Airport (1970) and its sequels. In the comedy Airplane! (1980) Robert Stack lampoons his role in The High and the Mighty film. Also, the Airplane! plot is based on a serious disaster flick, Zero Hour. Hints “c” and “d” are WWII stories.
Titanic won 11 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director (James Cameron), as well as 109 other awards. Earthquake, In Old Chicago, The Towering Inferno, and San Francisco also garnered Academy Award nominations or wins.
Hollywood Ruled the Skies by Bruce W. Orriss (1985).
NEXT MONTH: Cartoons!
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By: Ed Marshall
Are there “cookies” on my computer? What are these? Are they chocolate chip?
I
t’s a question I’ve been asked often in my line of work in IT – “cookies” are files stored on your computer during your visit to Internet web sites that store information about you and your preferences on the Internet. The information in those “cookies” ranges from your name to the last website you were on, or even what you searched for during your time online. This information can then be used to serve advertisements to you on other websites that you browse, as well as pop-ups. Ever notice how sometimes when you’re visiting a web site such as Facebook or Amazon, the ads on the sides are something similar to what you were just searching? You could’ve searched for Chevrolet cars and all of a sudden, those ads are related to Chevrolet. One of the ways that information is placed there comes from the “cookies” stored on your computer. All websites store or use “cookies” within your computer. Cookies can be useful when you enable the site to save your login and password for faster access next time. However, it’s always best practice to delete your “cookies” and “temporary Internet files” after Internet use, not only for performance purposes – as sometimes you may notice trouble logging into sites - but for security reasons as well. Some websites will set “cookies” on your system and track your web usage. But, cookies can threaten your privacy if a hacker or malicious site that is accidently visited, attempts to use them for their own benefit. You’re thinking, “Why should I care about cookies? Do I really need to worry about them? What’s the worst that could happen by keeping these?” 28
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Well, cookies can support malicious actions on your computer. You can be browsing any site and accidently click on an advertisement on the side and all of a sudden, you may run into Malware, and if your password or other information is saved in a cookie, you may run into some trouble. Think of them as a “post-it note” on your computer with your browsing habits and possibly important web site credentials noted on them. My personal recommendation: Clear out these “cookies” often. I would recommend weekly. You can either clear manually (Going to “Internet Options” – “Delete Temporary Internet Files/ Cookies”) or have your web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari etc.) do this automatically for you within the options of each respective browser.
“Cookies are files stored on your
computer during your visit to Internet
web sites that store information about you
and your preferences on the Internet.”
Private Browsing:
Depending on the browser – (check first! - won’t save cookies, history, etc. as you browse.) **Note: These won’t save your cookies, etc. after you’re done browsing, but can still be used during your Internet usage to send along your browsing habits to third parties for those advertising purposes.
iPad/iPhone: Go into your “Settings” > Tap “Safari > Tap “Clear History Website Data.” Firefox: Click “History” at the top of the menu bar, click on “Clear All History” > Select the time range of which you’d like to remove and what you’d like to remove > then “Clear now.”
Chrome: Click the Chrome menu (Looks like three dashes) > Select “More tools” > Clear browsing data. Select the checkboxes for the information you’d like to remove and the time going back to the date you’d like to remove. Click “Clear browsing data.” Internet Explorer: Go to your “Tools” > “Internet Options” – a dialog box will appear, you’ll see where it says “Browsing history” > (You have the option to delete browsing history on exit for an automated setup as we talked about above) > or simply click “Delete...” and then select “Temporary Internet files/website files, Cookies and website data and History. These are some of the answers I’ve given to folks when asked about “cookies.” I hope this helps you understand more about them as well. Chocolate chip or not, these “cookies” are a big part of the Internet world. ••• boom | SEPTEMBER 2016
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Carry the Torch
for
Indiana
Photos Provided By: www.in.gov
By: Evie Kirkwood
“It will be carried by over 2,200 torch bearers.� 30
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n 1816, Indiana became the 19th state. To celebrate its bicentennial, Indiana is coordinating a 3,200-mile Torch Relay that will journey through all 92 counties in the state. The adventure begins in Corydon, Indiana’s original capital city, on September 9, and ends October 15 in Indianapolis. Along the way, the torch will travel through cities and towns, neighborhoods, cornfields, colleges and several Indiana state parks. It will be carried by over 2,200 torch bearers nominated by members of their community and selected by committees in each county. To serve as a torchbearer, individuals must be current or past residents of Indiana, and have illustrated outstanding contributions to their neighborhood, community, region or state through service, stewardship, and/or involvement. Outside of those commonalities, the torchbearers represent many facets of their respective counties. For example, in St. Joseph County torchbearers range in age from 18 to 102, and include educators, artists, philanthropists, student athletes, firefighters and park professionals.
For 32 days, six days a week, the torch will travel with a multi-unit caravan of safety and support teams, often visiting two or more counties each day. Mondays are a rest day. While some of the torchbearers may walk or run, others may ride a bike or in wagons, boats or historic vehicles along a route determined by the state. The torch was designed by roughly 50 engineering students, staff and faculty at Purdue University, and the team also produced the 20 torches that will be used in the relay. It was designed to be similar in appearance to the torch on the Indiana state flag, but with high tech functionality. Nineteen stars on the torch remind us Indiana was the 19th state in the Union when it joined in 1816. Since the torch needs to stay lit in high winds, the fiberglass wick and peristaltic pump are intended to withstand 30 mph gusts. The torch is fueled by Indiana-made E-85 and each torch will carry enough to last about 45 minutes. In case a torch is accidentally tipped while being carried, an internal gyroscope triggers a shut off to extinguish the flame once it angles past 45 degrees. The torch has GPS for tracking, and the state hopes to roll out a smart phone app that will allow the torch to be tracked in real time throughout its journey. A high definition camera is also included in the head of the torch. Rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries and a computer board make everything work. Since weight is a factor, the whole package weighs just 5 pounds thanks to the gold-tone aluminum shell sourced from Lafayette’s Alcoa plant and used for the housing. A version illuminated by LEDs instead of combustible fuel is available for children to carry Local counties host the relay in October The circuitous route of the relay winds though towns and cities and rural areas. The Elkhart County leg takes place on October 4 from 9 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. St. Joseph County hosts the relay on October 8, from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M., at which point the torch will be handed off to LaPorte County to finish up the day at 7 P.M., eastern time. Each of these counties has selected roughly 30 torchbearers to transport the torch. Many communities along the route are hosting special events and activities, such as hog roasts, festivals and celebrations. Large fiberglass bison, sponsored by area organizations and painted by area residents, will be displayed in a few key sites along the route. Nicknamed the Bisontennial Project, it’s spearheaded by United Way. Most counties have Facebook pages, or web pages with information regarding their state bicentennial activities and area visitor bureaus also have information on related events. So, be sure to get out on the day of your county’s relay leg. Cheer on the torchbearers; join in the events, as this statewide commemoration showcases the best of Indiana’s communities! ••• boom | SEPTEMBER 2016
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