Zest, April 2020

APRIL 2020

nI side:

 New book tells

the story of Winston Churchill’s darkest hour

Vote for your favorite sculpture

 Spring is in the air: Tips to refresh your home

 How to enroll in Medicare if you are turning age 65

Hutchinson has become an arts destination thanks to its growing collection of public art. Vote for your favorite sculpture in this year’s Sculpture Stroll.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Editor’s note: Due to the changing COVID-19 situation, it is recommended that you confirm the following activities before attending.

SAVE THE DATES FOR THESE UPCOMING LITCHFIELD EVENTS

LUKE COMBS AND DARIUS RUCKER TO HEADLINE AT WINSTOCK Darius Rucker will headline on the T-Mobile Stage at 10:45 p.m. Friday, June 12, with Combs closing out the festival at 10:30 p.m. Saturday, June 13.

Joining Rucker and Combs at 2020 Winstock Country Music Festival is Big & Rich with Cowboy Troy Brett Eldredge, Runaway June, Chris Janson, Shenandoah, Phil Vassar, Drew Bladridge and Drew Parker.

Winstock takes place at the Winstock Festival grounds in Winsted. This event is a volunteer-driven festival, with 100 percent of the net proceeds going toward youth education at Holy Trinity School.

For tickets, camping permits or more information, call 320-485-4287 or visit winstockfestival.com.

CONNIELOUNSBURY.COM

Author Connie Lounsburg has a May speaking engagement at Litchfield Public Library.  Bring your children and grandchildren to the Community Easter Egg Hunt 10 a.m. Saturday, April 11, at Central Park in downtown Litchfield.  Love to read mysteries? Litchfield Public Library is hosting the Twin Cities Sisters in Crime Panel Discussion: “She’s All That and a Detective to Boot” 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 15, a the library, 216 N. Marshall Ave.  If you’re a quilt enthusiast, don’t miss the Woman’s Work and Play Quilt Show 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at the Litchfield Civic Arena, 900 N. Gilman.  Looking for laughs? First Presbyterian Church, 225 N. Holcombe Ave. is hosting Holy Humor Sunday at 10 a.m.  Author Connie Lounsburg will talk about her book, “Hobos of the Great Depression” 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 12, at the Litchfield Public Library, 216 N. Marshall Ave.

WINSTOCKFESTIVAL.COM

Performing at the 2020 Winstock Country Music Festival is headliner Darius Rucker.

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TON DONTJE

The Johnny Cash tribute band Church of Cash is performing Friday night of RiverSong.

TICKETS ARE ON SALE FOR RIVERSONG MUSIC FESTIVAL Billed as “Minnesota’s Homegrown Music Festival,” RiverSong Music Festival showcases Minnesota music. It features live music on two stages Friday and Saturday, July 17-18, at Masonic/West River Park in Hutchinson.

Performing Friday night is Annie Mack, Michael Shynes, Bad Bad Hats and 4onthefloor. Saturday offers a full day of music with The Right Here, Nooky Jones, Little Fevers, St. George’s Folly, Chester Bay, Pert Near Sandstone, The Last Revel, Church of Cash and Jon Wayne and the Pain.

Early bird tickets are available through June 30: Friday: $23 and Saturday: $33. General admission July 1-festival: Friday: $25 and Saturday: $35.

Interested in volunteering? It takes nearly 175 volunteers to make the festival a success. One of the perks of sharing your time and talent is free admission to the festival on the day of your service. Opportunities range from bag check and fence security to bike check, ticket sales and parking/traffic control.

To learn more, visit riversongfestival.org/volunteer-2/.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit riversongfestival.org, email info@riversongfestival.org or call 320-434-1383.

Zest • April 2020

CONTENTS

7 Cover story:

Vote for your favorite sculpture featured in Hutchinson’s 2019-20 Sculpture Stroll

April 2020 Vol. 11 No. 2 PUBLISHED BY Hutchinson Leader 170 Shady Ridge Road N.W., Suite 100 Hutchinson, MN 55350 320-753-3635 Litchfield Independent Review P.O. Box 307, Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-3266

9 Spring refresh:

Celebrate the arrival of spring with these decorating suggestions

GENERAL MANAGER Brent Schacherer: 320-753-3637 schacherer@hutchinsonleader.com NEWS Kay Johnson, features editor 320-753-3641 johnson@hutchinsonleader.com ADVERTISING Kevin True, advertising director 320-753-3648 true@hutchinsonleader.com Sales representatives  Ronda Kurtzweg: 320-753-3652,

kurtzweg@hutchinsonleader.com

10 Book review:

Author Erik Larson brings World War II to life in his new book, “Splendid and Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance during the Blitz.”

12 Money Matters: 13 Medicare:

It’s time for some financial spring cleaning

How to enroll in Medicare if you’re turning 65

14 Food & Fun: recipes

Zest • April 2020

Hop into Easter dinner with ham and vegetables

 Colleen Piechowski: 320-753-3652, piechowski@hutchinsonleader.com  Sarah Evenson: 320-593-4804, evenson@independentreview.net  Charlie Schurmann: 320-593-4803, schurmann@independentreview.net

SUBSCRIPTION OR ADDRESS CHANGE Toni Adams: 320-753-3657 circulation@crowrivermedia.com PRINTED BY Crow River Press 170 Shady Ridge Road N.W. Hutchinson, MN 55350 Zest is published monthly by the Hutchinson Leader and the Litchfield Independent Review newspapers. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior consent of the publisher.

3

IN THE NEWS

Three classes, 12 bands at second annual Parade of Bands

BY KAY JOHNSON johnson@hutchinsonleader.com

The Litchfield Marching Dragons, Litchfield Area Chamber of Commerce and the Litchfield Convention and Visitors Bureau are hosting the second annual Parade of Bands Tuesday, June 16. Pictured is Ruby Radunz, drum major, and the marching band taken during their annual indoor concert this past November.

I

f you’re a fan of marching band performance, mark your calendar for Tuesday, June 16. Save the date for the second annual Litchfield Parade of Bands.

Awards will be given for Best Drum Major, Drumline, Color Guard and Winds. There will be three classes within 12 bands and the honors will be given to first through third place in each class. Tri-State Judging will announced the winners at the conclusion of the parade.

The festival begins at 6 p.m. Competing in this year’s event are the following bands:  6 p.m.: KMS High School, Class A  6:08 p.m.: Benson High School, Class A  6:16 p.m.: Lake City High School, Class A  6:24 p.m.: Milaca High School, Class A

FILE PHOTO

 6:32 p.m.: Foley High School, Class A  6:40 p.m.: St. Peter High School, Class A  6:48 p.m.: Dassel-Cokato High School, Class AA  6:56 p.m.: Sartell-St. Stephen High School, Class AA  7:04 p.m.: Bemidji High School, Class AA

 7:12 p.m.: Owatonna High School, Class AAA  7:20 p.m.: Solar Sound, Class AAA  7:28 p.m.: 728 Cadets, Class AAA  7:34 p.m.: Litchfield Marching Dragons, host For more information, email David Ceasar, Litchfield Marching Dragons director, at dceasar@isd465.org.

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Zest • April 2020

WELCOME

Public art is alive and well in Hutchinson

K

athy Wnoroski, the first executive director of the Hutchinson Center for the Arts, would be so proud.

Her goal of turning Hutchinson into an arts destination is happening. It was her dream to turn Hutchinson into a tourist attraction where people could view and experience art.

Back in Kathy’s day, there wasn’t much to see in 2011-12: the statue of “Chief Little Crow,” “Tall Friend, Old Friend” in AFS Park, the City Hall Cupola in Fireman’s Park, the Hutchinson Brothers in Library Square and a mural in the post office. There were also several rocks with plaques on them. It didn’t seem possible that people would travel all that far to see this collection.

How times have changed.

Kay

JOHNSON ARTS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR

Remarkably, Hutchinson is on the map these days when it comes to public art. In this issue of Zest is featured the 2019-20 Hutchinson Sculpture Stroll. It features 11 artworks that can be seen throughout Hutchinson. The best part? The Hutchinson Public Arts Commission is hosting a People’s Choice Award. Vote for your favorite

and the winner will receive a $500 cash award. The deadline to vote is April 6.

If you’re a fan of historical nonfiction, don’t miss my review of Erik Larson’s new book, “The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz.”

Larson has made a career of telling true stories using a narrative, novel-like approach. His books grab the reader from the first page and don’t let go until the end. I was sad when “The Splendid and the Vile” ended. I wanted to know more. As a writer that’s a good thing.

Looking for new recipes for your Easter dinner? Darlene Kotelnicki can help. In this month’s Food & Fun column, she shares Jack Ulrich’s recipe for ham. He was well-known for making hams for all occasions.

On that note, enjoy this month’s issue of Zest.

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IN THE NEWS

Appreciating local history Area museums saw an uptick in attendance during 2019

BY KAY JOHNSON johnson@hutchinsonleader.com

I

n the Meeker County Historical Society Newslet ter, B ayley Sch luter, executive director, reported the museum in Litchfield saw a 31 percent increase in visitors from 2018. Many of those visitors came from at least 99 Minnesota towns, 17 states and two foreign countries —

Thailand and Australia. This is what was recorded in the visitor book, so it’s possible the increase in attendance could be even greater.

The museum has also worked to improve its school tours, create family-friendly programming and simplified its membership structure. All good things.

Like the Meeker County Historical Museum, Brian Haines, Schluter’s counterpart said the Hutchinson museum has seen an uptick in visitors, too.

“We saw attendance double in 2019 with more than 1,000 visitors,” he said.

What Haines found encouraging from this statistic is

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where the increase was coming from: families with moms, dads and kids. He credited it to the museum’s publishing of a kids newsletter and a scavenger hunt with prizes.

“It’s been great,” he said.

“The kids love the activities and the parents love that we are offering something fun and educational for the whole family. It’s very inspiring to see the younger generation taking an interest in their history.”

With the expansion of the new Vern and Alyce Steffel Wing to the museum, Haines is looking forward to adding new elements to the displays, which he hopes will draw even more people.

Like Schluter in Litchfield, Haines has added new programming this past year including the Breakfast Club, which is an opportunity for

people to learn and talk about local history, and Young Historians, which is geared to school-age students. MCHS also changed its newsletter to a magazine format, which provides more in-depth storytelling.

It’s hard to beat success when it translates into dollars.

The local historical society ended its year on a high note with the success of its first 1920s-themed gala, which earned $9,500 and drew a nicesized crowd to the Crow River Golf Club.

From an operating standpoint, the museum/historical society receives $69,000 from McLeod County. From a taxpayer standpoint, it’s good to know Haines, the museum staff, board and volunteers are good stewards working to increase the value of the county’s investment.

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The G.A.R. Hall’s meeting room — with its original chairs — is used for programming. One of the building’s attractions is the iron chandelier., which was purchased in 1885 for $150. Rumor has it, the chanelier once hung in a New Orleans bordello, though no factual evidence has been found to support that allegation

Zest • April 2020

COVER STORY

Vote for your favorite sculpture The Public Arts Commission is offering a $500 prize for Hutchinson’s favorite sculpture

BY KAY JOHNSON johnson@hutchinsonleader.com

I

t’s time to vote for your favorite sculpture featured in the 2019-20 Hutchinson Sculpture Stroll. This is the fifth year a People’s Choice Award has been offered.

The winning artist will receive $500.

“Slices of Heaven” by Craig Berube-Gray earned the 2018-19 People’s Choice Award. Past winners include: “Dreams Take Flight” by Nick Legeros, Deb Zeller’s “Goddess of the Grapes,” and Judd Nelson’s “Letting Go.” To vote for your favorite sculpture:,  use the People’s Choice Award Ballot printed on this page or use the ballots provided at Hutchinson City Center.

Drop ballots in the box at Hutchinson City Center, 111 Hassan St. S.E.;  vote at hutchinsonpublicarts.com/peoples-choice-ballot/ The deadline to vote for your favorite sculpture is April 6.

For more information, call Steve Cook at 320-587-7108.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD BALLOT View the sculptures at the following sites and check the box of your favorite. Deposit your ballot at Hutchinson City Center, 111 Hassan St. S.E. Forgot your ballot? No problem.

Ballots will be available at City Center, too, or hutchinsonpublicarts.com/peoples-choice-ballot/.

1. “Astral” by Karman Rheault was installed at the historic Episcopal Church, 105 Second Ave. S.E. in downtown Hutchinson.

Zest • April 2020

1 PHOTOS BY JON OTTESON

2. “Orbit II” by David Hyduke of Kasota can be viewed by the Pedestrian Bridge, west of the Bluff Street Bridge near downtown Hutchinson.

3. “Eggspert” by Kimber Fiebiger of Minneapolis, can be seen in Library Square in front of the children’s section of the Hutchinson Public Library.

4. “Slapshot” by Judd Nelson of Wayzata was installed in the Shopko parking lot at the corner of Main Street and First Avenue Northeast in downtown Hutchinson.

5. “Paloma” by Richards Poey of Eden Prairie graces the Luce Line State Trail in Masonic/West River Park, 1000 Les Kouba Parkway N.W., Hutchinson.

6. “Song of the Flying Dutchman — Over the Moon” by Kyle Fokken of Minneapolis can be viewed along the Luce Line State Trail in Riverside Park, 300 Les Kouba Parkway N.W., Hutchinson.

7. View the sculpture “The Farmer” by Larry Starck at the Hutchinson Farmers Market. The bronze is one of 11 art pieces in the 2019-20 Sculpture Stroll.

Sculpture War to 8

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COVER STORY

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6 Sculpture War from 7 8. “Seated Couple,” a sculptural bench by Rick Haugen of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, can be seen at Library Square.

9. “Great Blue Heron” by Jon Ka-

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mrath of Mahtomedi can be viewed at the corner of Franklin Street and Second Avenue in downtown Hutchinson.

10. “Azure Cascade” by Craig Snyder of Plymouth is sponsored by Ridgewater College and may be viewed

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11 at the Hutchinson campus, 2 Century Ave. S.E. It is also featured on the cover.

11. “The Biker” by Victor Yepez of Minneapolis can be seen cruising along the Luce Line State Trail. It can be viewed from Third Avenue Northwest.

Zest • April 2020

WELCOME

Are you ready for spring?

Throw open the windows and change the linens, spring is in the air

BY KAY JOHNSON

W

hen the temperature hit 50 degrees above zero in March, I was ready to fling open the windows and embrace spring.

Like fall when we batten down the hatches, pull out the woolen blankets and tuck ourselves in for winter, there’s a ritual for greeting spring, too.

For me, it’s all about putting those fuzzy blankets away and reaching for everything that’s light and bright.

My first spring ritual is washing windows. I don’t race to the glass, but have to contemplate it for awhile.

I slowly gather my tools — everything from Q-tips and small brushes to paper towels and Windex. I’ve tried some of those homemade remedies for washing windows, but I always go back to my tried and true — blue Windex.

I put on my favorite music. It could be Johnny Cash, Neil Young or Jerry Jeff Walker and then I dig in.

Down with the curtains and I start washing and wiping.

It’s almost meditative. It’s a nice change from writing.

When a window is clean, it’s done. With a story, you can always improve it. For

Zest • April 2020

Kay

JOHNSON ARTS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR

me, it’s only done because of a deadline. Otherwise, I’d fiddle forever.

The nearness of spring is also marked by the uptick in catalogs arriving in my mailbox. I love the optimism of seed catalogs.

Spri ng bri ngs hop e a nd with it the opportunity to grow perfect strawberries, luscious watermelon and lettuce so tender it melts in your mouth.

This year, I’ve noticed more catalogs than usual.

This is a good thing in my opinion because I love to look at them. There’s nothing more satisfying than paging through a home decor catalog and dreaming of how that wonderful picture would look above the couch in my living room.

While neutrals will always have their place in home decor, t his spri ng it’s all about warm colors, saturated hues and jewel tones. think blush pink, green in all its hues, spicy

PHOTO BY KAVITA JOSHI RAI ON UNSPLASH

One of the first signs of spring are sunny, yellow daffodils. To me, they are a happy flower and make me smile. yel low, rich brow ns and rusts, blue, eggplant, and black and white.

It was organizing guru M a r ie Kondo, aut hor of “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” who said, all your stuff should “spark joy” in your life. I agree 100 percent. Sometimes we have to make-do because of circumstances. If that’s the case, then make the best of it you can. When the situation changes, so can you.

Replace Aunt Myrtle’s table with one of your choice.

Dump the beige paint for pink, blue or yellow. Replace that fake fern with the real thing.

W het her you fol low

trends or not, the key is to be happy in your surroundings. New doesn’t necessa ri ly mea n bet ter. Mi x and match your own pieces with family hand-me-downs and thrift-store finds. Places such as Goodwill offer great deals on gently owned items. It’s a great way to refresh on a budget. Garage sales are another option for finding affordable decor.

In real estate, the agent will tell you a clean home will sell much faster. This spring, if you do nothing else to welcome the season consider a deep cleaning.

It will add sparkle to your home and put a spring in your step.

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BOOK REVIEW

When England stood alone Author Erik Larson tells the story of England’s darkest hour in his new book, ‘Splendid and Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance during the Blitz’

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inston Churchill became Prime Minister of Great Britain on May 10, 1940. On the same day, Germany invaded Belgium, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Six days later, Churchill visited Paris and was told the French war with Hitler’s army was all but over.

Germany’s rapid advance through France drove the British Expeditionary Force and other Allied troops onto the beaches in Northern France.

Churchill called it “the whole root and core and brain of the British army.”

Without intervention, the soldiers would be killed or taken captive. Something had to be done.

The Prime Minister

Kay

JOHNSON ARTS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR

tasked Vice Admiral Bertram Ramsay and his small staff housed in the tunnels beneath Dover Castle on the southeastern coast of England with the job of evacuating the troops.

The effort was named “Operation Dynamo.”

Ramsay plucked the name

from the Dynamo room that supplied the building with electricity.

Between May 26 and June 4, 1940, the Royal Navy and hundreds of citizen sailors piloting a hastily assembled fleet of more than 800 vessels crossed the English Channel. The hope was to rescue 50,000. In the end, 338,226 soldiers were evacuated.

Prime Minister Winston Churchill on June 4, 1940, addressed the House of Commons to tell them of the Battle of Dunkirk.

“Wars are not won on evacuations,” he said.

It was also during this speech that he made it clear to all where England

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Zest • April 2020

stood: “... We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.”

Seldom has a head of state faced darker times.

It’s this story of Churchill’s first year as prime minister that author Erik Larson tells in his new book, “Splendid and Vile: A Saga of Churchill, WIKIPEDIA/LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Family, and Defiance during the Blitz.” The book was British Prime Minister released Feb. 25. Due to Winston Churchill taken pre-orders, it was already a in 1942 during World War bestseller on Amazon. My II. niece, Elisabeth, put her name on the list to borrow the book at the Dassel Public Library. She is No. 39.

Larson has made a career Title: “The Splendid of bringing a narrative style and the Vile: A Saga of of storytelling to historic Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz” subjects. While his books read like novels, his works Author: Erik Larson are considered nonfiction.

Publisher: Crown, Feb. He has published eight 25, 2020 books, five of which became Price: 608 pages; $32, New York Times bestsellers. hardcover; $14.99, e-book Among them are “Dead Wake” (2015), where he tells the story of the last crossing of the Lusitania. “In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler’s Berlin” (2011), Larson takes the reader to 1933-34 and tells the tale of America’s first ambassador to Nazi Germany. Dodd and his family bear witness to Hitler’s rise to power. In “Isaac’s Storm: A Man, A Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History” (2000), the author takes the reader to September 1900 when a horrific hurricane struck Galveston, Texas. It is estimated 10,000 people died.

With the fall of France on June 22, 1940, England stood alone against the Nazi juggernaut. Churchill knew once Hitler had solidified his stranglehold on France, he would cast his eye across the English Channel and invade their island nation.

Churchill was proven correct in his prediction on July 10, 1940. The Battle of Britain was on. Germany’s goal was to destroy the Royal Air Force, or RAF, to clear the way for a land invasion.

In a remarkable feat of skill and production, the RAF Fighter Command kept pace with Germany.

On Aug. 20, 1940, Churchill addressed the House of Commons, one of his most famous phrases was said that day, “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”

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11

MONEY MATTERS

Time for some financial spring cleaning

BY FINANCIAL FOCUS

By Edward Jones

S

pring is officially here. For many of us, that means it’s time for some spring cleaning around our homes and yards.

But why stop there? This year, why not do some financial spring cleaning, too?

You can apply some of the same principles of traditional spring cleaning to your financial environment. Here are a few suggestions:  Clear your vision. To enjoy the extra hours of sunshine, you’ll want to clean your windows. As an investor, you also need to take a clear-eyed view of your situation periodically. Are you on track toward achieving your goals?

If not, what moves can you make to get back on the right path?  “De-clutter” your portfolio. As you go about sprucing up your house, you may find that you have a lot of clut-

ter. You’ll probably feel much better when you de-clutter them — and the same may be true of your investment portfolio. It maybe time to review your investments and consider ways to diversify your holdings.  Recharge your batteries. When you do your household spring cleaning, you may want to check the batteries on your smoke alarm, carbon monoxide detector and other devices. And as part of your financial spring cleaning,you might need to recharge your own investment “batteries,” so to speak. In other words, increase the power you’re providing to your portfolio. You can do this by increasing your contributions to your retirement plan or make sure you’ve got adequate growth potential in your portfolio based on your goals and risk tolerance.  Put your house in order. As part of your spring cleanup, you may want to check for damage on your roof, windows, siding and so on. But you also need to put your financial house in order, especially

PHOTO BY JESHOOTS.COM ON UNSPLASH

as it regards to protection. Do you have adequate life insurance? And have you thought about how you could pay for long-term care if you needed it?

By doing some spring cleaning around your home, you’ll lighten up your living space. And doing some financial spring cleaning may help you brighten your future.

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Zest • April 2020

MEDICARE

How to enroll in Medicare if you are turning 65

BY THE MEDICARE RIGHTS CENTER medicareinteractive.org

M

o s t p e ople b e c ome eligible for Medicare when they tu r n 6 5.

Your Medicare enrollment steps will differ depending on whether or not you are collecting retirement benefits when you enter your Initial Enrollment Period, or IEP. If you are receiving Social Security retirement benefits or Railroad Retirement benefits, you should be automatically enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B. If you are not receiving Social Security retirement benefits or Railroad Retirement benefits, you will need to actively enroll in Medicare.

If you are eligible for automatic enrollment, you should not have to contact anyone. You should receive a package in the mail three months before your coverage starts with your new Medicare card. There will also be a letter explaining how Medicare works and that you were automatically enrolled in both Parts A and B. If you get Social

Zest • April 2020

Security retirement benefits, your package and card will come from the Social Security Administration (SSA). If you get Railroad Retirement benefits, your package and card will come from the Railroad Retirement Board.

Typically, you should not turn down Part B unless you have insurance based on your or your spouse’s current work (job-based insurance). If you do not have job-based insurance and you turn down Part B, you may incur a premium penalty if you need to sign up for Medicare coverage in the future. Also, if your job-based insurance will pay secondary after you become eligible for Medicare, you should consider enrolling in Medicare in order to have primary coverage and pay less for your care.

If you are 65 but are not receiving Social Security retirement benefits or Railroad Retirement benefits, you will need to actively enroll in Medicare.

SIGNING UP FOR MEDICARE Follow the steps below if you need to actively enroll in Medicare.

If you decide to enroll in Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period, you can sign up for Parts A and/or B by:

 Visiting your local Social Security office  Calling Social Security at 800-7721213  Mailing a signed and dated letter to Social Security that includes your name, Social Security number, and the date you would like to be enrolled in Medicare  Or, by applying online at ssa.gov If you are eligible for Railroad Retirement benefits, enroll in Medicare by calling the Railroad Retirement Board or contacting your local RRB field office.

Keep proof of when you tried to enroll in Medicare, to protect yourself from incurring a Part B premium penalty if your application is lost.

Take down the names of any representatives you speak to, along with the time and date of the conversation.

If you enroll through the mail, use certified mail and request a return receipt.

If you enroll at your local Social Security office, ask for a written receipt.

If you apply online, print out and save your confirmation page.

For more information about Medicare, visit medicareinteractive.org.

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FOOD & FUN

This simple Easter dinner is easy to make and will delight your guests.

COURTESY PHOTO KIMBERLY VARDEMAN FLICKR.COM

Hop into Easter dinner with ham and vegetables

S

pringtime cooking is highlighted by our Easter meal on Sunday, April 12.

It’s a time of families coming together for Easter worship services, a special meal and activities.

The traditional ham, potatoes, spring vegetables and a dessert provides for soup and other leftovers.

Another spring tradition is the Zion Church Humdinger Ham Dinner. This has been a Zion event for 12 years. For many of them Jack Ulrich made the hams.

Jack made hams for many occasions such as First District, at his campground every summer and for new dairy barns. Jack made whole hams and not spiral hams. He used gas grills.

He also used a meat injector. ”It holds about a cup and is stainless steel,” he said. “I got it at the hardware store in Isle, Minnesota. Evidently, using meat injectors is big around Lake Mille Lacs, and the Isle Hardware Store carries the best selection.

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The large, shiny injector was easily seen by the audience in the Army induction scene!”

Darlene

KOTELNICKI KOTELNICKI’S CORNER

”Some sauces include melted butter, but then, you have to run hot water through the injector, so the butter does not get firm and plug the holes.

To inject the meat, put the needle in as deep as you can. Then start injecting and slowly withdraw the needle. This distributes the sauce throughout the meat. ”My meat injector was also used as a prop for the USO Shows by Litchfield Community Theater several years ago.

JACK’S BAKED HAM Ingredients: 1 whole ham (cut off excess fat, place in a heavy tinfoil pan) Sauce: 1 large can of pineapple juice 2 pounds of brown sugar (1 bag) 1 (14-18 ounce) jar of grape jelly 3 tablespoons mustard Directions: Mix together and heat so everything dissolves. Cool slightly. Inject meat in several places and rotate the ham to inject all sides. Cover with tin foil and bake on gas grill at a low temperature for 2 hours.

Baste with the leftover sauce, usually two or three times, every 10 minutes.

Remove and let set for 10 minutes, slice and serve with leftover sauce. If sauce in bottom of pan turns dark, you may need to add some water.

Zest • April 2020

FOOD & FUN OVEN-ROASTED ASPARAGUS Asparagus is a wonderful vegetable for your Easter dinner. My daughterin-law got me hooked on oven-roasted vegetables. You can roast asparagus, green beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts (cut in half) and carrots.

I sprinkle a little olive oil on the foillined pan and then layer the vegetables.

For seasoning I have used sesame seeds, garlic, half an envelope of dry Ranch dressing and Italian seasoning.

When we were visiting this fall, Josh was cooking broccoli, I asked him what he used — small pieces of bacon and a little brown sugar. The possibilities are endless.

Ingredients: 1 pound of asparagus 2-3 tablespoons olive oil 1 clove garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder) 1-2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper Directions:

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Line rimmed cookie sheet with tinfoil. Wash and trim end of asparagus. Line them up on the cookie sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Sprinkle on garlic powder, cheese, salt and pepper.

Bake until tender, about 12-18 minutes, depending on thickness of asparagus.

ASPARAGUS VINAIGRETTE Ingredients: 2 pounds fresh asparagus, trimmed 2 tablespoon lemon juice 1/2 tablespoon ground black pepper 4 tablespoon toasted breadcrumbs 3 tablespoon olive oil 2 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1/2 teaspoon salt 6 small grape tomatoes, halved Directions: Steam asparagus spears until tender; drain and place on serving platter. In small jar with tight-fitting lid, shake together oil, lemon juice, mustard, salt and pepper. When ready to serve (warm or chilled), pour vinaigrette evenly over asparagus, sprinkle with breadcrumbs and garnish with sweet grape tomato halves.

Source: Adapted from Hy-vee, hy-vee. com and iowapork.com CHEESY HASH BROWNS The cheesy potatoes are easy to put in the oven with the ham. Most recipes make a 9-by-13-inch pan. This recipe is for an 8-by-8-inch pan.

Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups of shredded hash browns 1 can of cream of chicken soup 2 cups of cheddar cheese, shredded 3/4 cup sour cream 1/4 cup onion, chopped 1/4 cup melted butter Topping: 1 1/2 cups crushed corn flakes 2 tablespoons melted butter Directions: Mix ingredients together and pour into a greased glass baking dish.

Sprinkle with corn flakes and pour melted butter over mixture. Bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

— Darlene Kotelnicki is a retired nurse. She writes Kotelnicki Corner for the Litchfield Independent Review.

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