Zest March 2019

Zest For 50 5 0 + living liv ing

Surf’s up on Silver Lake Next time you’re thinking about a winter sport, how about ice surfing?

Inside:

Guess who is playing at RiverSong Music Festival?

Hutchinson Health is expanding.

Find out what’s happening Need answers about Medicare, prescription drug expense or longterm care planning?

Senior LinkAge Line can help

MARCH 2019

FREE

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

MARCH Double bill of plays at Dassel History Center FungusAmongus Players of Dassel-Cokato presents “Old Herbaceous” and “Foxfire”at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 1-2, and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at the Dassel History Center, 901 First St. “Old Herbaceous” is a one-man show starring Kurt Schulz as Herbert Pinnegar, a gardener, who shares his life’s story through humorous and touching anecdotes. The plot turns on the enduring relationship between Pinnegar and Lady Charteris of the Actor Kurt Schulz stars manor house. “Foxfire” is the as Herbert Pinnegar story of an American family in the play “Old rooted in the mountains of Herbaceous.”

Appalachian Georgia. Times are changing for an aging widow whose neighbors and family are slowly drifting away and whose land has become a prime target for corporate real estate development. Tickets are available by calling the History Center at 320-275-3077 or online at fungusamongusplayers.org.

Director David Metcalf, right, works with actor Kirk Asplin who plays the role of Dillard Nations in the FungusAmongus production of “Foxfire.” The play is staged with “Old Herbaceous” at the Dassel History Center.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

The Buffalo Community Orchestra to perform The Dassel-Cokato Performing Arts Center, 4852 Reardon Ave. S.W., Cokato, is hosting the Buffalo Community Orchestra at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 10. Tickets are available by calling Dassel-Cokato Community Education at 320-286-4120 or online at district.dc.k12. mn.us/community-ed.

Civil War Roundtable Jeff Niedenthal is the featured speaker at 1:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 14, at the Litchfield Area Civil War Roundtable. The topic of Niedenthal’s presentation is Joint Operations in the Civil War. The group meets at the G.A.R. Hall, 308 N. Marshall Ave., Litchfield. Single annual membership is $25. For more information, call the museum at 320-693-8911.

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APRIL ‘Shadowlands’ tells C.S. Lewis story Hutchinson Theatre Company presents “Shadowlands” at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, April 4-6 and April 11-13, at the Hutchinson Center for the Arts, 15 Franklin St. S.W. The story, written by William Nicholson, follows C.S. Lewis as he meets an American fan, Joy Gresham, whom he befriends and eventually marries. The story also deals with his struggle with personal pain and grief: Lewis preaches that one should endure suffering with patience, but finds that the simple answers he had preached no longer apply when the harsh realities of life — namely illness and death — impact him personally. Tickets are $18 and available at the art center or the Hutchinson Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism. For more information, call the art center at 320-587-7278.

Civil War Roundtable John Cox is the featured speaker at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 11, at the Litchfield Area Civil War Roundtable. The topic of Cox’s presentation is Antietam? The Morning Phase. The group meets at the G.A.R. Hall, 308 N. Marshall Ave., Litchfield. Single annual membership is $25. For more information, call the museum at 320-693-8911.

Tonic Sol Fa in concert The a cappella performance group Tonic Sol Fa is back by popular demand. Hear this local favorite at 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 27, at the Dassel-Cokato Performing Arts Center, 4852 Reardon Ave. S.W., Cokato. Tickets are available by calling Dassel-Cokato Community Education at 320-286-4120 or online at pac.dc.k12.mn.us.

SUPPORT SERVICES The McLeod County Public Health conducts a foot care clinic on the fourth Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of each month. Hours are: 12:30 to 3:10 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, 9 to 11:40 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, and 9 to 11:40 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, March 28.

This service is offered at Senior Programming in the Hutchinson Event Center, 1005 State Highway 15 S. This service is available to residents of McLeod County. The fee is $25 and payable at the time of service. To schedule an appointment, call 320-234-5656.

The Minnesota River Agency on Aging provides assistance with Medicare, Part D, billing issues, transportation, nutrition issues, housing, caregiver support, prescriptions and more. A representative will visit Tuesday, March 26, at the Hutchinson Senior Center. To schedule at appointment, call 320-234-5656.

United Community Action Partnership is offering tax preparation services to low and moderate income tax filers. Services include free tax preparation and e-filing,

March • 2019

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Tonic Sol Fa is bringing its unique a capella sound to the Dassel-Cokato Performing Arts Center for a concert at 7 p.m. April 27. The group got its start at St. John’s University in Collegeville. To date, it has sold more than 2 million CDs and has reached national prominence with appearances on NBC’s “Today” show and in Newsweek magazine. direct deposit for refunds and IRS quality assurance reviews.

Appointments can be scheduled online at unitedcapmn.org or call 320-235-0850, ext. 1100. United Community Action Partnership is accepting appointments from 5 to 9 p.m. on Mondays at CrossPoint Church, 1215 Roberts Road S.W., Hutchinson. Individuals who earn $35,000 a year or less qualify, as do families or those who are self-employed with no employees who earn less than $55,000 annually. There is some flexibility, so those who feel they need free assistance but don’t meet guidelines should call and inquire. The following items should be brought to the clinic: Social Security card or copy for each person Birth dates for each person All income statements or W-2s Year-end benefit statements from county, VA or workman’s comp All 1099s Last year’s tax return, Certificate of rent paid Direct deposit information K-12, child care and college expenses Charitable donations Student loan payments and interest paid Homeowners statements such as interest and taxes Bank interest Lutheran Social Service is in need of volunteers to provide respite care for caregivers in the McLeod and Meeker County area as part of its Caregiver Support Program.

Volunteers provide care an average of 10 hours a week so caregivers can have a break. Volunteer responsibilities include visiting, playing cards, possibly making a light meal, and getting out in the community is the client is able to do so.

Volunteers do not provide medical or personal care. Training is provided. For more information, call Sara Doering, LSS caregiver support and respite program coordinator, at 320221-4513 or email sara.doering@lssmn.org.

March • 2019

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CONTENTS

Zest For 50+ Living

March 2019 Vol. 10 No. 13

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

8 In the news:

Hutchinson Health is proposing an 18,000-squarefoot addition at the cost of $21 million

PUBLISHER Brent Schacherer: 320-753-3637 schacherer@hutchinsonleader.com

10 Cover story:

NEWS Kay Johnson, features editor 320-753-3641 johnson@hutchinsonleader.com

Jerry Sandell of Kimball and his friends don’t let the ice cool under their feet. They use it for ice surfing

ADVERTISING Kevin True, advertising director 320-753-3648 true@hutchinsonleader.com Sales representatives Ronda Kurtzweg: 320-753-3652, kurtzweg@hutchinsonleader.com Colleen Piechowski: 320-753-3652, piechowski@hutchinsonleader.com Hayley Anderson: 320-753-3651, anderson@hutchinsonleader.com Sarah Evenson: 320-593-4803, evenson@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

11 Money matters: 12 Medicare and more:

Who can you trust to reduce the stress

of estate planning?

Senior LinkAge Line is the gateway to services for Minnesota’s older adults

14 Recipes: Warm up with these soup recipes submitted to the Hutchinson Leader Recipe Contest

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.

4

March • 2019

WELCOME

Warmer days ahead

I

million expansion will include new patient t’s been said March roars in like a lion rooms, which are needed. Groundbreaking is and out like a lamb. We’ll see. I don’t expected to happen this spring. know about you, but I’m ready for For those who love winter, check out this spring. February has been a long and month’s cover story. Kimball resident Jerry challenging month with its winter weather Sandell is an inspiration at age 66. He started watches and wind chill advisories. Rather out sailing small boats and then turned to than go out after work, I found myself windsurfing. From there, he learned to ice hunkered down at home. I ate hot soup, Kay surf. The day Jack Hammett, Leader reporter, wrapped myself in blankets and tried to think joined Sandell, he and his friends were ice warm thoughts. surfing on Silver Lake.

The announcement of the 11th annual Zest has built a reputation of providing RiverSong Music Festival lineup helped ARTS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR trustyworthy information to our readers. me think about hot summer days. Back by This tradition continues in this issue with the Senior popular demand is the Fabulous Armadillos. The band LinkAge Line story. This is a wonderful resource for senior headlined the festival in 2017 performing a tribute to the Eagles. This time around, they will perform songs from the services. I have consulted them the past two years when it was time to review my mom’s Medicare cost plan. The 1960s to present day. service is provided free and it’s paid for by the government, If you have time to spare, RiverSong needs volunteers. so the information is unbiased. It’s comforting to know The incentive is free admission to the festival on the day there is a place you can turn to for helpful information. you work. This means you can sign up for a shift and hang Although spring is in the air, it’s still winter coat around and listen to all the great music. weather. To help, this month’s recipe section features stickYou can learn all about the festival beginning on page 6 to-your-ribs soups. in this month’s Zest magazine.

So on that note, enjoy!

In other news, Hutchinson Health is expanding. The $21

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FILE PHOTO

The Fabulous Armadillos are making their second appearance Friday, July 12, on the Front Porch Stage at RiverSong Music Festival.

RiverSong lineup takes I shape with returning favorites and new faces

BY KAY JOHNSON johnson@hutchinsonleader.com

t’s fun to have something to look forward to. If you’re a fan of live music, something to think about is RiverSong Music Festival. This year the dates are Friday and Saturday, July 12-13, at Masonic/West River Park in Hutchinson.

Back by popular demand to headline Friday night of the 11th annual two-day rain-or-shine fest is the the Fabulous Armadillos.

The band made its first appearance at the festival in 2017 with its “Takin’ It To The Limit: An Eagles Tribute Show.” This time around, they’re shaking things up with a musical tribute of the songs from the 1960s to today.

“They are super high energy,” said Ronny Wilson, RiverSong talent committee member and operations committee lead. “They got people up and out of their seats. We’re excited about that. They’re really professional, polished musicians.”

Saturday night brings Fastball to the Front Porch Stage. The American rock band hit the big time with its second album, “All the Pain Money Can Buy,” which sold more than 1 million copies. The Austin, Texas, group

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March • 2019

IN THE NEWS

RiverSong Music Festival When: Friday and Saturday, July 12-13 Where: Masonic/ West River Park, 1000 Les Kouba Parkway, Hutchinson

FASTBALLTHEBAND.COM

Fastball is performing on Saturday, July 13, at RiverSong Music Festival. It was the chart-topping hit “The Way” that launched the band. The song was on the 1998 album “All the Pain Money Can Buy,” which helped it skyrocket to platinum-plus sales in six months. It scored a pair of Grammy nominations and an MTV Music Award nomination. had three chart-topping hits from the album: “The Way,” “Fire Escape” and “Out of My Head.” Fastball has released a total of five albums with a new one expected later this year.

“A lot of people will recognize them from the late 1990s and 2000s,” Wilson said. “It’s a really fun group.”

After each festival, the board conducts an online poll to find out who were the favorite performers. The top vote-getter is invited back.

Returning for this year’s festival is Good Morning Bedlam.

“It was their first time at RiverSong and they blew us away with their highenergy bluegrass/Americana sound,” Wilson said.

Irish music; Kent Burnside and the Flood Brothers, blues artists, Thunder and Rain, bluegrass, Dan Rodriguez, singersongwriter, Chester Bay, American alternative rock band, Katy Vernon is known as the “Ukulele Songbird,” and Miss Myra and The Moonshiners, vintage jazz and blues.

Among the acts Wilson is most looking forward to is Kent Burnside and the Flood Brothers. Blues fans take note, Burnside is the grandson of R.L. Burnside, American blues singer, songwriter and guitarist.

“If you love blues, you will love Kent Burnside and the Flood Brothers,” he said.

NEW BANDS In addition to the Fabulous Armadillos, Fastball and Good Morning Bedlam, new performers to RiverSong this year are: Annie Fitzgerald, a singer-songwriter, Corey Medina, blues artist, St. George’s Folly features original and traditional

March • 2019

#IRESPECTMUSIC

Annie Fitzgerald’s music has been described as “a blend of Tori Amos’ intellectual appeal, Sarah McLachlan’s mystical charm and Edie Brickell’s baroque spirit” (Jamsphere). teering will begin April 1.

Volunteers receive free gate admission on the day of their shift and are welcome to stay

Admission: Tickets will go on sale April 1. Early bird pricing is available through May 31.

For more information: Visit riversongfestival.org

and enjoy the festival before and after they work. To learn more, visit riversongfestival. org and click on “volunteer.”

This will take you to the page that lists all the volunteer positions, descriptions and requirements.

Call Today

TOURS AVAILABLE The Independence you want...

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The Activities you enjoy!

VOLUNTEERS ARE WELCOME RiverSong Music Festival is a volunteer-run festival.

It takes about 100 people to make it happen. Opportunities are available from parking and bag check to ticket sales, fence security, bike check and more.

Registration for volun-

7

IN THE NEWS

Hutchinson Health plans $21M expansion A new 18,000-squarefoot inpatient wing will be added

BY JACK HAMMETT | HAMMETT@ HUTCHINSONLEADER.COM

H

utchinson Health is growing.

The proposed $21 million inpatient care addition will consist of 18 to 22 new rooms, two family rooms and support services spread over an 18,000-square-foot addition on the west side of the building. The rooms, doubled in size to accommodate medical equipment and space for families, will be used to house surgical and intensive care patients.

According to Glen Kegley, Hutchinson Health’s chief operating officer, groundbreaking on the project will tentatively begin in spring, and the new rooms may see their first patients

by July 2020. Hutchinson City Council approved the project’s site plan in January.

Hutchinson Health president and CEO Dr. Steve Mulder said there are multiple reasons behind the expansion, such as updating inpatient rooms to match care provider and patient needs.

The original rooms constructed in 1968 are about 150 square feet and weren’t designed to hold the amount of equipment used today. The new rooms will be 300 square feet.

“There were 54 rooms initially that were for (inpatients),” Mulder said. “In the decade that followed, it wasn’t unusual to have 40 to 50 patients in those rooms. In that era, we admitted many more patients than we do now. … In the last 30 years, the requirements of

ILLUSTRATION SUBMITTED BY WOLD ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS

Hutchinson Health is planning a $21 million, 18,000-square-foot addition it aims to have ready by July 2020. what can and cannot be admitted have constricted significantly. The needs of patients then were much different than now.”

Admitted patients today typically need multiple pieces of equipment and support staff in the room for proper care, Mulder said, as their diagnoses are often more severe than many patients who were admitted years ago.

“We’re basically transforming how we do inpatient care,” Mulder said, “from doing modern-day care in a 1968 room to doing modern-day care in a modern-day room.”

The rooms will consist of three zones: a care provider area just inside the door, the patient’s rest area and a family area with a couch opposite of the door.

The expansion’s timing, Mulder said, is appropriate due to community growth and the hospital’s new affiliation with HealthPartners.

“We’ve had this in planning stages for a number of years,” he said. “And

we’ve been working toward it knowing it’s necessary. With the affiliation with HealthPartners, there have been additional funds available along with other kinds of support that now make it a feasible project.”

According to Kegley, the project’s expected $21 million price tag is allencompassing and would include the costs of equipment, construction, architecture, licensing and more. Before arriving at that number, Kegley and Mulder consulted with hospital staff and even patients on what the facility needed.

“There are steps to take,” Kegley said.

“As we looked at a management team for what this unit could look like, (we started) with just brainstorming what that would be and involved architects in that process to help facilitate and guide that discussion.”

Once the management team had the concepts it wanted to develop, an internal and external design team took three

We’re basically transforming how we do inpatient care from doing modern-day care in a 1968 room to doing modern-day care in a modern-day room.”

Dr. Steve Mulder, Hutchinson Health president and CEO

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March • 2019

IN THE NEWS The comments (from staff and community members) that have driven this project have been longstanding around the size of the rooms. Inpatient surveys, the feedback we get around their experience here is that the care is great but the rooms are small.”

Glen Kegley, Hutchinson Health Chief Operating Officer

days to weigh options for the expansion’s appearance, function, location and more. The hospital administration then took the recommendations to a strategy committee where it eventually arrived at its current plan.

“The comments (from staff and community members) that have driven this project have been longstanding around the size of the rooms,” Kegley said. “Inpatient surveys, the feedback we get around their experience here is that the care is great but the rooms are small.”

With the space limitations of the cur-

The new inpatient rooms are designed with three zones: a care provider area just inside the door, the patient’s rest area and a family area with a couch opposite of the door.

ILLUSTRATION SUBMITTED BY WOLD ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS

rent rooms, nurses often have to move equipment around to help patients to the restroom, among other spacial issues.

“Most of the hospitals around us have gone through this as well,” Mulder said.

We’re here for one reason.

“Those of us who have been patients ourselves or have family members in other hospitals know what the current standards are. We could see that we needed to get there.”

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COVER STORY

Surf’s up on Silver Lake Jerry Sandell doesn’t let age slow him down in his quest for extreme sports

BY JACK HAMMETT hammett@hutchinsonleader.com

H

e surfed roughly 5-inch early ice on Silver Lake. He’s also a 66-year-old retiree skateboarder.

“I started sailing in the early ’70s,” said Kimball resident Jerry Sandell. “I started out with small sailboats, then went to windsurfing for many years.

From there, I learned how to ice surf.

That’s how it started.”

Ice is dangerous at any thickness, but Sandell is keen on taking precautions.

“I wear gear,” he said. “Knee pads, for one. As a skateboarder, you keep those on when you go to parks. Those are familiar. I also wear padded impact shorts, elbow pads and shoulder pads.”

Sandell’s experience on the board also carries over to his ability to custom-rig ice surfing equipment. He flipped his sail over and pointed to the blades and adjustable trucks on the bottom.

“They’re skateboard trucks,” he said.

“And I sharpened these blades myself.”

He ran a finger along the blade. “I keep them sharp so it’s easy to navigate.”

Sandell has been a lifelong personality in the area. He worked at Goebel Fixture Co. in Hutchinson for 30 years and now spends his retirement with the wind at his back — literally. He’s even made friends through the sport.

That day, accompanying him were his companions Andy Wright, Jerry Brachmeier and Eric Spottke, who used a massive kite to pull him along on ice skates.

“Anybody could pick this up,” Sandell said. “It’s actually pretty easy.”

In fact, Sandell and his friends tame the wind year-round, using parking lots and water during the warmer months.

When winter starts, they hit the ice, but not before checking for open water and other hazards.

“Four to 5 inches, what we’re standing on now, is pretty safe,” he said. “But

10

STAFF PHOTOS BY JACK HAMMETT

Cover photo: Jerry Sandell is an ice surfer and a skateboarder. He’s also 66 years old. Recently, Sandell and his buddies hit the early layer of ice on Silver Lake to catch some wind.

Jerry Bachmeier, left, and Jerry Sandell spent some time on Silver Lake zooming across the ice. ice is never perfectly safe.”

Hitting an elbow on ice is no different from hitting it on concrete, hence the pads. Air pockets, snow patches and ruptured ice also pose risks.

“Yes, this is dangerous, but we’ve been doing this for so many years,” he said. “We also keep ice picks with us.”

The ice picks are small, easily gripped and attached around the neck for portability. In the case of falling into

You don’t need an ocean wave to experience the joys of surfing.

Silver Lake provided all the speed needed for the winter sport of ice surfing. water, the surfer will jam the picks into the ice and haul him or herself out with the leverage.

As a surf veteran, Sandell has had a few wipeouts. He once went boardfirst into some thin ice. Luckily, only his foot went in, but he scraped his leg bloody when making his escape.

“We get all over the place,” he said.

“We’re all just having fun, you know?”

March • 2019

MONEY MATTERS

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By Edward Jones coordinating your plans with your financial may find the process, at first, to professional, tax advisor and attorney. And be somewhat bewildering. You’ll have many questions: What sort of arrangements should I make? Who these professionals are used to dealing with trust companies.

Gaining Protection: Trust companies assume fiduciary should get what? And when? How can you address these and responsibility for your financial well-being, which means other issues?

You’ll need to get some help. In drawing up your estate that your best interests will always be considered in each plan, you will need to work with an attorney. And for guid- service and transaction performed.

You can choose from among a variety of trust companies, ance on the investments that can help fund your estate planning arrangements, such as a living trust, you can draw on large and small. Before choosing one, you may want to check the help of a financial advisor. You also may want to connect out the services and fees of a few different firms. In any case, as you move toward that time of your life when estate with a trust company, which planning becomes more essential, talk to your attorney, tax can help facilitate your esadvisor and financial professional about whether using the tate plans and coordinate services of a trust company might be right for you. the activities of your legal and financial professionals.

O f c ou r se, you mi g ht think that only the very wealthy need a trust company. But that’s not really the case — people of many income levels have long used these companies. As long as you have a reasonable amount of financial assets, you likely can benefit from the various services provided by a trust organization.

And these services can range from administration of a variety of trusts (such as living trusts and charitable trusts) to asset-management services (bill-paying, check-writing and so on) to safekeeping services (such as providing secure vaults for jewelry and collectibles).

In short, using a trust company can make things a lot easier when it’s time to plan and execute your estate. A trust company can help you in the following ways: Avoiding family squabbles: It’s unfortunate, but true: To learn why consolidating your Dividing the assets of an estate can cause ill will and turmoil retirement accounts to Edward Jones among family members. But a trust company can act as a neutral third party, thus minimizing any feelings of unfairness. makes sense, contact your Edward Providing greater control: When you establish an arJones financial advisor today. rangement such as a living trust, administered by the trust company, you can give yourself great control over how you want your assets distributed. For example, you can specify that a certain child receive portions of your estate spaced out over several years — a move that may appeal to you if you think this child might not be ready to handle large sums all at once.

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March • 2019

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MEDICARE

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In addition to old adults, the Senior LinkAge Line is also there to support caregivers and family members.

The Senior LinkAge Line is funded by the state and federal government, so it can provide unbiased comprehensive assistance so people can make informed decisions. It’s a source to be trusted. Help is available via the phone or in person.

A volunteer specialist visits the Hutchinson Senior Center the last Tuesday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon at the Hutchinson Event Center, 1005 State Highway 15 S. To make an appointment, call 320-234-5656.

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March • 2019

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FOOD & FUN

Easy Baked Potato Soup Submitted by Joyce Schrupp, Hutchinson

ACROSS

DOWN

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Ingredients: 3 to 4 medium baking potatoes, baked 5 bacon striped, diced 2 (10 3/4-ounce) cans of condensed cream of potato soup, undiluted 1 (10 3/4-ounce) can condensed cheddar cheese soup, undiluted 3 1/2 cups milk 2 teaspoons garlic powder 2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1/2 teaspoon onion powder 1/4 teaspoon pepper dash of Liquid Smoke, optional 1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream Shredded cheddar cheese Directions: Peel and dice potatoes. In a Dutch oven or soup kettle, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp. Set aside. Using a slotted spoon, move the bacon to paper towels. Drain and reserve 1 1/2 teaspoons of drippings. Add the soups, milk, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, pepper, Liquid Smoke if you are using it, and the reserved potatoes to the drippings.

Cook this mixture, uncovered for 10 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally. Stir in the sour cream and cook for 1 or 2 minutes or until heated through. Do not boil. Garnish with cheddar cheese and bacon.

Servings: 10

March • 2019

FOOD & FUN

Canadian Cheese Soup Submitted by Karen Covington, Glencoe

Easy Wild Rice Soup Submitted by Jan Mackenthun, Brownton

Ingredients: 1/2 cup uncooked wild rice (no blends) water 2/3 cup butter, separated 1 small skinless chicken breast cooked, diced into 1/4” cubes 2 cans cream of chicken soup or 1 can cream of chicken and 1 can of cream of mushroom (may use light or low sodium versions) 2 2/3 cups milk (may use skim) 1 medium onion (about 3/4 cup) 1/4 cup thinly sliced carrots 1/4 cup diced celery 1 tablespoon slivered almonds 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional) Directions: Put wild rice and 1 cup water into a medium saucepan. Soak for 1 to 2 hours. Drain. Add 1 cup of fresh water, bring to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer. Cook for 20 minutes. Rice should be tender. Use 1/3 cup butter to cook chicken breast in fry pan with medium heat. Note: chicken can be cooked by another method or use up chicken from a previous meal. Set aside cooked chicken.

In a 2 quart pot combine soup, milk, chicken, carrots, celery almonds and butter. Stir well bringing mixture to a boil. Reduce to a simmer. Add cooked wild rice. Serve with a sprinkle of slivered almonds and chopped parsley on top, if desired.

Chef’s tip: This recipe has several parts that can be done ahead to save time when you want to serve it: Vegetables can be prepped a day or two ahead. Wild rice can be cooked and refrigerated or frozen, and the chicken can be cooked and diced ahead of time.

Servings: 4, can be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd

March • 2019

Ingredients: 1/4 cup finely chopped onion 2 tablespoons butter or margarine 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 2 cups milk 2 cups chicken broth 1/4 cup finely diced carrots 1/4 cup finely diced celery 2 ounces (1/2 cup) sharp process American cheese cubed Directions: In a saucepan, cook onion in butter until tender. Blend in flour. Add milk, broth, carrots, celery and cook stirring constantly until mixture thickens and bubbles. Reduce heat, add cheese and stir until melted. Simmer for 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Chef’s tip: Soup may be pureed for a smooth texture and garnished with shredded cheese and sliced green onions.

Servings: 4

Answers to Crossword Puzzle published on page 14

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March • 2019