Faribault • Nor thfield • Owatonna • St. Peter • Waseca
where local women turn MAY/JUNE 2009
Migraine Stories A friendship blooms even more in face of adversity.
Local women who suffer from debilitating headaches speak out.
Owatonna ‘Chatfest’ How do women define beauty?
Inspired: Northfield author/illustrator trying to take her art to new heights. That Girl: Owatonna ‘Dog Whisperer’ has a
special connection with canines.
Girlfriends cover (May-June).ind1 1
Girlfriends Magazine • P.O. Box 537 • Northfield, MN 55057
INSIDE
She Shines: Waseca woman juggles career, husband’s deployment and special needs child.
5/7/09 9:12:52 AM
You should see what you can see...
% from Noble RV
H
H
PRE-MEMORIAL DAY SALE H
H
H
H
H
H
May 15th-24th
Summer Hours - March 15th to October 31st Monday,Wednesday, Friday - 8AM to 6PM Tuesday & Thursday - 8AM to 8PM Saturday - 8AM to 4PM Sunday - Closed
www.nobler v.com
Girlfriends page 2 (May-June).in1 1
H
H
H
H
3627 N. County Road 45 Owatonna, MN 55060 866-415-9665
5/5/09 2:46:11 PM
Play Clothes
To be 8 again would be the perfect ‘do-over’ I
’ve decided I want to be 8 again. I don’t think I did it proper justice the first time, so I’m thinking about giving it another shot. I’m gonna eat everything with whip cream and sprinkles. I’ll demand that my pancakes always be made with a rainbow of food coloring. Floral, leopard and dots will all be worn together with a plaid scarf just to finish off the look. All of my accessories will be rhinestone, and every time I go in a store, I’ll pick out what I want and someone will buy it for me or I’ll burst into tears. Then I’ll go for blue ice cream with gummi bears submerged in it, and sleep the whole way home in the car while sporting a subtle blue moustache. How great is life at 8? My niece is 8 and I find her quite amusing. Nieces and nephews are like pretend kids because you don’t really have to teach them anything or set an example. You can just be the cool aunt and take them to movies you want to see, pretending you are taking them because it was their idea to see a dorky kid movie. After all, what woman in her 40s doesn’t love a good princess movie once in a while? After dating for a million years, a gal needs
Mary Closner
some of that “happily ever after” stuff to keep her from putting her head in the oven before she goes on yet another blind date. “He’s PERFECT for you…he’s single, you’re single…he’s tall, you’re tall…it’s a match made in heaven…blah, blah, blah.” At 8, you think grown men are all magical, handsome knights who will save the world. At 44, you are sure men are all just like they were at 8 and still find poop jokes funny. You’re also pretty sure they will never be able to dress themselves or shave their necks without being told. At this age, you understand that most men left to their own devices would still be sitting naked on the floor of a cave hitting their food on the head with a rock. When I was a wee tad (OK, who am I kidding, I’m 6-foot-1 so I was never technically a wee tad), my Mom made me a princess costume out of one of her old
A TOUCH of CHARM
Show your employees how much they are appreciated by giving them the gift of relaxation. Schedule a relaxing Work Office Spa Retreat... your staff will love it! Complimentary service with option to purchase spa treatments as a gift. Call for information: Joan Spaulding 507-645-8575 or jspaconsultant@yahoo.com.
A Girlfriends Paradise since 1988 Hours: Mon-Fri: 9:30 - 5 pm; Sat: 9:30 - 4 pm 330 E. Main • Blooming Prairie, MN 55917 (507) 583-7637
www.atouchofcharmonline.com
a New and Vintage Treasures a for your Home and Garden
Our s me spa co u! to yo
Girlfriends.mn
Girlfriends page 3 (May-June).in1 1
bridesmaid dresses. It was bright fuchsia, super shiny, and it came with a matching hat. I swear I still have a fascination with that color because it makes me feel like a million bucks every time I wear it. Though I tend not to wear the pointed, cone-shaped hat quite as much. When you’re 8, you think about ponies, headbands, hotdogs, birthdays and wear-yourpajamas-to-school day. When you hit your 40s, it isn’t nearly as exciting to think about spider veins, cholesterol, covering the gray and whether or not you could get away with wearing your pajamas to work because none of your pants fit. If I can’t be 8 again, my goal is to be Auntie Mame (from the movie starring Rosalind Russell, of course). I want to be the rhinestone-encrusted, eccentric, occasionally drunkity, drunk, drunk, drunk Aunt who buys astonishing gifts, throws lots of wild parties and takes the nieces and nephews on life-changing travel adventures. So, I’m rushing home now to bejewel my caftan and mix a fresh Mojito. Then I’ll call my niece and set up our pedicures and the trip to the miniature horse farm I’ve
3
been planning to take her to. Oh to be 8 again!!! G — Mary Closner reads the ends of books first and is this close to being kicked out of her book club.
u Why Play Clothes? I decided to name my column “Play Clothes” because I want it to be relaxed, comfortable and easy. I don’t care what age you are, you still come home from school/ work and take off your uniform. It’s time to put on your “play clothes.” You don’t wear your “good” clothes around the house. Those are for church or work or a night out on the town. If you’re like me, you come home and thrust that bra or tie to the floor and immediately put on your favorite worn out sweatshirt. For women, it’s the sweatshirt we stole from our significant other and have no plans of returning. I don’t want you to have to work hard or take any notes when you read my column. There won’t be a quiz and I don’t want to teach you anything. I’m going to chat about life. Stuff. So, sit back and relax.
Minnesota Valley Naturopathic Clinic My practice emphasizes women’s and children’s health, including healthy nutrition for families, improving immunity in young children, individualized detoxification/cleansing protocols, optimizing gastrointestinal health, and educating and counseling on a variety of women’s health issues including a whole woman approach to menopause. Leslie Vilensky
702 Columbus Avenue South • New Prague, MN (952) 758-5988 • mnnaturopath@gmail.com
May/June 2009
5/5/09 2:49:19 PM
14 23
10 29
Girlfriends MAY/JUNE 2009 Features
22 FROM THE HEART With a special needs child and a husband in Iraq, Waseca’s Nyla Hagen calls on all of her strength.
10 MIGRAINE STORIES Nearly 10 million women in America suffer from migraines. We’ll hear the stories of local women who are battling debilitating headaches.
24 DOUBLE DUTY Owatonna’s Charlotte McCabe keeps very busy selling, buying, renting and driving cars.
14 OWATONNA ‘CHATFEST’ How would you define beauty? That’s what we asked five Owatonna women to do during our popular “Chatfest” conversation.
25 POWER SUIT Working her family’s New Prague farm prepared Darlene Miller for the rigors of owning a business.
26 A MEETING OF THE MINDS For nearly four decades, members of the Dundas Study Club have shared stories, wisdom, connections and a lot of laughs.
Accessories
Women We Know 8
INSPIRED From writing to illustrating to painting portraits, Marie Fritz Perry pours her heart into her work.
3
Play Clothes
5
Contributing Writers/FeMail
6-7
Covergirls
20-21 For the Love of Wine
19 ECO-CONSCIOUS CHICK Beth Boland believes in all things natural. Now the Northfield “doula” assists others in being natural.
23
That Girl
29
We Time
30
Daddy’s Girl
Look for your next issue of Girlfriends the week of July 6
Cover Photo
About Us
Cheryl Steinberg (left) cut her hair in a show of solidarity when Pam Strouth was diagnosed with breast cancer. The two have been “best” friends since eighth grade. See page 6.
Volume 1, Issue 4 Copyright © Girlfriends 2009 Published May/June 2009 by: I-35 Target Media, P.O. Box 537, Northfield, MN 55057 / 507-645-1136 Send releases and story ideas to: Jerry Smith at Girlfriends Magazine, jsmith@I35targetmedia.com
(Photo by Daniel Hummel)
Girlfriends.mn
Girlfriends page 4 (May-June).in1 1
4
Publisher: Julie Frazier Associate Editor: Jerry Smith Account Executive: Machelle Kendrick Graphic Designer: Catherine Roberts Contributing writers: Dee Bjork, Mary Closner, Stephen DeLong, Erika Greiner, Barbara Krause and Jerry Smith.
May/June 2009
5/5/09 2:48:38 PM
Contributing Writers
Dee Bjork
Mary Closner
Stephen DeLong
Dee Bjork manages the Crafty Maven in Faribault. Her “Daddy’s Girl” profile is her first published work. Mary Closner is the new humor columnist for Girlfriends. Her column “Play Clothes” premieres in this issue. Stephen DeLong is from Northfield. He writes “For the Love of Wine” for Girlfriends magazine.
Erika Greiner
Barbara Krause
Jerry Smith
Erika Greiner is a freelance writer from Bloomington, Minn., who is pursuing a degree at St. Olaf College.
Femail To the editor:
quality living. This is so difficult when one copes I wept when I read “From with cerebral palsy and the Heart” in your last issue another deals with a reacbecause it tells the story of tive attachment disorder Terry Schneider’s love for commonly found in her grandsons abandoned chilthat also extends dren. to her work as When one the administrator wonders just how y family to one happ nces lead circumsta at the Cedarview much a person Unfortunate Care Center in can give to others, Owatonna, where one only needs my father resides. to look at Terry Here is a woman to be motivated who not only gives and appreciative every day to a most of all that one has. demanding job, meeting Thanks to Jerry Smith the needs of an elderly for finding this angel of population, but then goes mercy and writing such an home to help her grandinspirational story. sons become educated and makes sure that both Kathy A. Megyeri, enjoy some measure of Washington, D.C.
Barbara Krause is a freelance writer living in Northfield. Krause also owns “Making Words Work.”
From the Heart
Thom Caya s photo by Girlfriend her son
and Terry (right) now as happy family into their lives. one big and Darrell ders are ed Dan The Schnei back) welcom Taylor (in
written story was feel-good 2006 when Sch-l of her grand take controwould in March adopted was a “big boys neider if she didn’t gh it file ion, the had to daughter the situat ing from their ear- sons. Althou and she that her had chilwas struggle” paperwork, it keep sufferconstant disapp her heart never havewas not fit reams of it. mother’s should se she takmeant all worth back and I don’t ances. dren becau r. control gh ider’s “I look Taking of the children be a motheter had a lot throu Schne to got I y said. to efore Terry a couple “My daughat the time,” know how ” Schneider ing custod ng them back many ms s her father died whispered these years, f to sleep and bringi to live with was of proble “I would alway mysel back, he always “I cried Owatonna Taylor, who she said. she would come of years that she’ll y med son nights. and her be getting two hope that four wordsher. He simpl have blosso to ned. “But they I’ve gotten ithrilled around.” never happe take with proud of you.” since beaut ers.” that ed boys’ much “I’m filing But so “broth s of e grown said: was touch betime, the them better.” g to be After month them. They’v Schneider Time after words year gets er and havin would leave take by these at the time parent, fully. Each final chapt paperwork mother deeply ody and as a foster for knew While the written, Schcertified was able to bring with somebbe heard from cause shed them that they c will to time, hasn’t been confident it Schneider— and the bagoff, not he uttere ed at one specifi time after feels to them a good ending. neider her boys carried with days. And would fly out her were direct done — happy a had e of both includ gage they August 2003. Schneider to take care deed she brought her family get them and in she l of years “If I can — home California sons while deed that couple er. high schooe and to “The first le,” said Schthrough young grand closer togethof that good daughter colleg her into r at for school, Darrell The story when Schwere horribadministrato r waited s into a tradegood,” an Daniel be neider, view Care Cente return. daughter deed begin life will baby second sons I think the Cedarnna. “The oldest neider’s to a beautiful boy of her grand13 straw ider and she said in Owato had Reactive AtThe final 2002, Schne gave birth and another s now 14 her later. Then in who are “I had the mean (Daniel) Disorder, which boy in 1994 a call from — the two years boys old. ent who home ed than years kids end tachm good receiv less boyfri on with my them a loved those came lived with to give they “I have is comm oned. He was daughter’sone of the boys ’t have the first day of . This was and couldn are abandnge because of he had left from the world,” said Sch-one father if I didn’t said she that he myself be.” G big challe onal problems — who into this her grandsons, him and to of meant the emoti boys with ’t handle it. neider has cerebral palsy. with him.” brought chapter of this just couldn h her daugh of which happy that I would er the thoug lives.” so Anoth took Even “I was a part of their back and that ider ter came get to be h Schne ider knew 2009 Even thougto have two boys, Schne March/April d in n was thrille en, she knew Girlfriends.m grandchildr H Y SMIT
By JERR
B
Jerry Smith is Associate Editor for Girlfriends magazine. He lives in Northfield with his wife, Jaci, and two sons.
29
If you would like to write for Girlfriends, contact Jerry Smith at 507-645-1136 or by email at jsmith@I35targetmedia.com
THE GOOD TIME
LIME
The sun is out and so are your friends. Grab a Bud Light Lime and experience the superior drinkability of Bud Light with a splash of 100% natural lime flavor. One taste and you’ll find the summer state of mind anytime.
IT’S IN “THE LIME.”
Girlfriends.mn
Girlfriends page 5 (May-June).in1 1
5
May/June 2009
5/5/09 3:13:05 PM
Cover Girls (From left) Owatonna Rotarians Stephanie Olson, Lonna Lysne, Marlene Levine, Susan Petterson, Barbara Jacobson and Betsy Lindgren use the Rotary Club as a springboard toBy JERRY SMITH other
Friendship blooms into partnership, deeper bond
P
am Strouth and Cheryl hug each other every day. To them, it’s a perfectly normal thing for best friends since the eighth grade to be doing. “We made a pact to hug each other every day, because it seems like the right thing to do,” Steinberg said. “It feels foolish not to hug your best friend every day.” But just before Christmas last year, those hugs became a little tighter and a lot longer in nature. That’s when Strouth was told she had breast cancer. “Doctors found a lump on one of my breasts and I had to have surgery Jan. 13 (2009) >>>
Girlfriends photoSteinberg
Cheryl Steinberg (left) cut her hair as a show of solidarity to her best friend Pam Strouth. (Daniel Hummel photo)
FIRST-CLASS LIMO SERVICE to meet all your needs From Birthdays to Weddings to that Special Occasion, McCabe Limo Service can help you prove to that someone special how much you care.
LLC
425 18th Street SE, Owatonna • 507.444.9494 • McCabeMotors.com Girlfriends.mn
Girlfriends page 6 (May-June).in1 1
6
May-June 2009
5/5/09 2:49:55 PM
>>> and then reconstruction,” said Strouth, 37. “It was devastating at the time.” Instantly, the friendship between Strouth and Steinberg went to a whole new level. But before this story of extraordinary friendship can be told completely, you first must know how it started many years ago. In order to have such a deep friendship, you have to have a solid foundation to begin with. That foundation was laid when the two happened to be placed in the same eighthgrade class together at Faribault Middle School. Sitting next to each other, they instantly took a liking to one another and began talking and giggling a lot in class. That led to trouble for both girls. “We got in trouble quite a bit, so instead of separating us, the teacher moved us to seats right next to each other, only at the head of the class,” said Steinberg, also 37. “That gave us a chance to still be close in class. Our friendship grew super strong from then on and it has never faltered.” The two remained good friends through high school and still kept in touch after that. Then in 1999, the friends were approached and asked to run a flower shop together. “We learned the business together,” said Strouth, who is proud to say she has her
Submitted photo
Pam Strouth (left) and Cheryl Steinberg have been friends since the eighth grade. That friendship has gone to a new level since Strouth was diagnosed with cancer.
best friend as a partner in their own flower shop called Bloom Floral Designs in Faribault. The best friends have owned Bloom for seven years. “That’s been the key to our success. I trust her 100 percent.” Skip ahead nine years to 2008 when Strouth found out she had cancer and you understand the true meaning of friendship. “She was there for me all day, every day,” Strouth said of Steinberg. “She helped me get through that. I was able to talk to her
about anything and everything and she kept me grounded.” Immediately after the chemo treatments began, Strouth started losing her hair. She decided instead of watching it fall out, she was going to have it all cut off. That’s the day her best friend made the ultimate sacrifice. “We made a pact that if either one of us got cancer and had to have our hair cut off, we’d both do it,” Steinberg said. “It really made sense to do it. I can’t imagine a woman having to go through that alone.” Now when you see the two together, you do a double take, literally. Both have no hair, and most of the time, wear the same exact style hat, color and all. “That’s the most comforting thing to me,” Strouth said. “We look the same from head to toe. I look just like her. What do I have to complain about?” Come July 8, all of that will change, or at least the hair part will. That’s when Strouth will complete her latest and last round of chemotherapy. It’s a day circled on her calendar. And you can bet her best friend will be at her side to celebrate. “We’re going to do something crazy that day,” said Strouth, who is now cancer free. “I’m going to be so happy. I get to start growing my hair back.” G
The Horizon is Very Bright! Protect Your Eyes from sun damage with Fun & Fashionable Sunglasses from Horizon EyeCare Prescription & Non-Prescription Sunglasses by Kate Spade • Nine West • Fossil • Carrera for Men • Guess • Juicy Couture
118 N. Oak Ave., Owatonna • 451-3072 • www.eyecareowatonna.com Girlfriends.mn
Girlfriends page 7 (May-June).in1 1
7
Horizon EyeCare Professionals welcomes Dr. Nick Vincelli, optometrist to the Horizon EyeCare Team!
May-June 2009
5/7/09 9:25:56 AM
Inspired
Northfield author/illustrator turns to portrait painting shoes. I want the reader to feel the joys and pain of what the character is experiencing.” Four years later, with her third child on the way, Perry published “Cecil’s New Year’s Eve Tail,” a children’s book about a snake living in New York City and wanting to be accepted in the world. “It was another book of acceptance,” said Perry, who owns the publishing company (Buttonweed Press) that published both books. “My (three) children give me a lot of material. Also, I’m re-experiencing what I went through as a kid.”
By JERRY SMITH
W
ith the excitement of a young child, Marie Fritz Perry loves opening her Christmas presents each year. While each of her gifts brings her joy, one of the presents she looks forward to opening almost more than any is the one from her uncle in Chicago. “My uncle collects first edition children’s books as a hobby,” said Perry, who resides in Northfield with her husband Jim and three kids. “For Christmas, he often gives me a rare children’s book.” Another It’s those rare literary artistic endeavor works of art, along with her While juggling a family, love of art and reading, that writing and illustrating cafirst got Perry interested reers and owning a publishin being a writer. From an ing company, Perry is kept early age, Perry knew she very busy. A year ago, she wanted to not only write the Girlfriends photo by Thom Caya became even busier. That’s books, but also to illustrate Marie Fritz Perry gave birth to her youngest child Aidan when she decided to open a them. (above) four days after publishing her second book. portrait studio specializing Nearly 30 years later, in commissioned equine Perry has realized that portraits of riders and dream and has published horses. two children’s books of her own, Perry has been around horses her both of which she illustrated. entire life and has an understand“I understand the books I write ing of the equine figure, spirit and and illustrate from the inside out,” natural beauty. Her own experience said Perry, who earned a B.A. in art in the show ring with her Arab show from Smith College in Massachuhorse has allowed her to undersetts and a Master of Library Scistand the beauty of the connection ence with an emphasis in children’s between the rider and the horse. literature from Dominican Univerthe result of an experience Perry That knowledge shows in her work. sity in Chicago. “I think in pictures had while teaching as an artist in “When my daughter Amalia before I write.” residence in the Rochester Public turned 7 and had her first hunter/ Perry’s first book came out at School system in 1998. jumper show, we had a lot of snap the end of 2004 and was well “I told the story through the eyes shots, but wanted an oil painting,” received. It was recognized nationof a Somali girl,” said Perry, whose Perry said. “I started working on a ally, including in large markets like book features 21 full-color illustraportrait of her on her horse for her Chicago and New York. tions. “It was the first in the nation. 8th birthday. “A Gift for Sadia,” recounts the “It’s a book about acceptance. I “This is more than just fun, it’s experiences of a young Somali girl like children in a creative way to a good second business and somenamed Sadia who immigrates with thing I truly enjoy.” G her family to Rochester. The work is be able to walk in someone else’s Girlfriends.mn
Girlfriends page 8 (May-June).in1 1
8
May/June 2009
5/5/09 2:55:37 PM
“Childhood is a journey, not a race”
Maternity
Between the seventh and eighth month. The wonder of pregnancy can be captured in a timeless expression of love.
Your Infant
The Bebé Collection is a perfect way to capture maternity through the first year of your child’s life.
Within the first five days. Heart touching portraits of infancy.
The Beginning 4 months This is a great time to focus on all the little details – hands, fingers, toes – and the special bond between the newborn and parent.
The Moment
All Bebé Collection members receive:
8 months This is a time to highlight the dawn of your baby’s independence. Your child should be sitting independently for this session.
10% off birth announcement orders. Special Bebé package pricing.
The Freedom
Hummel Photography
One year What a great time to capture the essence of your baby’s personality.
Girlfriends page 9 (May-June).in1 1
A $49 investment enters you into our Bebé program, in which your child will be photographed at the ages of four, eight, and twelve months, with the option of adding maternity, infant, and birthday cake sessions at no extra charge. Upon completion of the program, you will receive a framed 10”x20” panel print.
507-645-8860 10625 First Timberlane Drive Northfield, MN 55057
www.hummelportraits.com
5/5/09 2:56:26 PM
Thousands of women in our region suffer from debilitating headaches. Their tales of pain and discomfort are sad and sometimes tragic.
Thom Caya photo
Migraine stories By ERIKA GREINER
R
uth Bolstad began experiencing her migraines at the unusually young age of 5. Now, as she approaches her 50th birthday in June, the Northfield resident reflects on how her migraines have changed over the years, and how she has learned to cope with the once-debilitating headaches. Bolstad said that as a child, her migraines were accompanied by extreme nausea. “It was almost as
though there was so much tension built up from the headaches,” Bolstad said, “and the only way that tension could be released was through vomiting.” Bolstad would experience these headaches on a weekly basis. “Every Monday afternoon I would get sick,” she said. “The only thing I could do was take Excedrin and go to sleep until I would wake up feeling better the next day”. Fortunately, as Bolstad has gotten older her headaches have become less severe. “I don’t get sick as Girlfriends.mn
Girlfriends page 10 (May-June).i1 1
10
often now,” she said. “I’d say I only experience severe migraines once every two months or so, and thankfully the headaches are almost always gone the following day.” While Bolstad considers herself lucky to no longer experience the debilitating headaches on a regular basis, she admits that she does experience headaches on a daily basis. “I wake up with a headache every morning,” Bolstad said. She manages these headaches by taking Excedrin and drinking Diet
Coke, though she finds it difficult to know how much caffeine to take. “It really is a science,” Bolstad said. “Some days I just need half of a Diet Coke, some days I need one Excedrin, and other days I need two; if I have too much or too little caffeine, then I might end up with a migraine for the rest of the day.” Bolstad is just one of many women in the region who suffer from migraines. On the following pages, we tell the stories of three local women who experience migraine pain.
May/June 2009
5/7/09 12:58:30 PM
Symptoms increased in frequency and intensity over time D
eedee Bestge started experiencing migraine headaches 15 years ago and she didn’t even know it. With relatively mild symptoms the first few years, Bestge attributed the non-debilitating headaches to bad sinuses. But in 2001, the Faribault woman began suffering from the headaches more frequently. While she initially experienced migraines for a few short hours once every four to six months, the frequency increased and she began suffering from the headaches on a monthly basis. Some lasted as long as two full days. They also became far more intense and debilitating. “I couldn’t function,” said Bestge, 54. “I’d throw up. I couldn’t do anything, just lay and sleep.” Though Bestge and her
Girlfriends photo by Thom Caya
Deedee Bestge, 54, of Faribault has had migraines for 15 years.
doctors have not been able to pinpoint any triggers for the migraines, they believe that
the headaches may result from hormonal changes. Bestge has tried a number of treatment regimens, and to date, she is convinced that chiropractic treatments have been the most successful component in battling the headaches. In addition to seeing a chiropractor regularly, Bestge takes “feverfew,” a herbal supplement that is used to relieve headaches, particularly vascular headaches such as migraines. According to Bestge, the combination of chiropractic care and feverfew has helped her headaches subside in both frequency and intensity. “As of a year ago, they became less severe,” she said. “I can still function. I’m not throwing up anymore.” G
Migraines 101 The National Headache Foundation supplies these facts about migraine headaches. • About 28 million Americans have migraines. • 70 percent of migraine sufferers are women. • Migraines typically start during adolescence or the 20s. • 52 percent of migraine sufferers are undiagnosed by a healthcare provider.
— Erika Greiner
Northfield Chiropractic’s laser treatment speeds healing after migraine headaches
Massage therapy a non-invasive way to treat painful migraine headaches
Q: Do low level laser treatments relieve the pain of migraines? A: In the treatment of migraines, a low-level laser is quick, long lasting. Northfield Chiropractic uses low level laser in conjunction with the adjustment with no harm or invasive procedures to the patient. Why combine an adjustment with a cold laser treatment? First, the low level lasers are easy to use. The cold low level laser uses photosynthesis to speed the healing of a migraine without use of drugs or surgery. This is an optimal state for using the laser as there are no side effects present when using this for treatment of migraines. In using this laser, the patient heals faster and can go back to his or her daily life instead of spending days recuperating. We are successful in treating migraines and invite you to schedule a free consultation to discover all we do to relieve migraines.
Q: Does massage have any effect on migraines? A: The agonizing pain associated with the migraine is reported at Northfield Chiropractic almost daily. However, migraines are a difficult to understand condition affecting millions of women. Massage therapy is prescribed by my doctors, Dr. Pete Haugen and Dr. Kurt Hornnes, as a non-invasive way to manage pain and bring about relief for the migraine sufferer. Typically, migraines are treated with prescription medications. However, improper or prolonged use of medications can actually perpetuate the pain. The best treatment for migraines is promoting an optimal environment. Massage by a qualified, trained massage therapist like myself can address a multitude of problems that may contribute to migraine pain. Massage, coupled with chiropractic and an indepth look into habits and environmental causes with actions to take control over triggers, can alleviate pain, decrease the intensity of pain — even eliminate the migraine.
Dr. Pete Haugen & Dr. Kurt Hornnes
Northfield Chiropractic 206 West 7th Street Northfield, MN 55057 507-663-1271 www.northfieldchiropractic.com Girlfriends.mn
Girlfriends page 11 (May-June).i1 1
Northfield Chiropractic 206 West 7th Street Northfield, MN 55057 507-663-1271 www.northfieldchiropractic.com
11
Julie Vosejpka
May/June 2009
5/5/09 2:58:49 PM
Owatonna woman is third generation to suffer migraines L
ike her mother before her and her grandmother before her mother, Kim Purscell suffers from migraine headaches. Purscell began experiencing migraines at age 32, just after her second son was born. She was surprised to learn that both her mother and her grandmother experienced migraines when they were in their 30s as well. Purscell realized that the headaches she was experiencing were migraines because of the characteristic nausea, the distinct placement of the headaches and the vision changes that would accompany them. “It’s like if you’re turning off a television and you see the full screen zoom down to just a small dot,” said Purscell, 45. “That’s what it’s like when I’m getting a migraine.”
Girlfriends photo by Thom Caya
Kim Purscell, 45, finds the best way to battle migraines is using alternative, natural practices.
prescribed several strong painkillers, but the rebound effects were too harsh for Purscell. Instead, she has found the most success in combating migraines through alternative, natural practices. To deal with the immediate pain of migraines, Purscell practices diaphragmatic breathing, drinks a Diet Coke and tries to take her mind off of the pain by focusing on something else. “I like to try rearranging rooms in my head, really focusing on details to distract me,” Purscell said. “My encouragement to other women would be to do your own research, keep a diary to figure out what your triggers are and then start experimenting with things within your control.”
To combat the excruciating pain of her migraines, doctors
— Erika Greiner
Symptoms of migraines commonly include: • Moderate to severe pain located on one or both sides of the head • Pain that increases with physical activity • Sensitivity to light and sound • Nausea with or without vomiting • See sparkling flashes of light • Perceive dazzling zigzag lines in your field of vision — Mayo Clinic
Correcting a poor bite is often the answer to pain caused by headaches
Patients with headaches from head trauma benefit from upper cervical technique
Q: Could there be a dental connection to my headaches? A: Headaches account for an enormous annual expenditure for treatment and pain relief medications. Yet few people think of going to a dentist for headache treatment. You probably know that what dentists call occlusion is what most people refer to as their “bite” or the way their teeth come together. What many people do not know is how far reaching the impact of a poor bite can be. A poor bite can be the cause of pain almost anywhere in the head and neck area. Headache is a prime example. Yet, headaches in the temple region, pain behind the eyes, sore jaw muscles or “tired” muscles upon awakening, and clicking or popping of jaw joints often are symptoms commonly related to bite. If the source of your headache is an unstable bite, correcting the bite often does away with headaches. If you have these symptoms, it would be a good idea to have your occlusion evaluated. During our consultation, I will examine your teeth, muscles, jaw joints and use state-of-the-art equipment to determine if dental stress and/or a poor bite are the source of your headache.
Q: Can a neck injury or trauma lead to migraine headaches? A: We’ve seen cases where misalignment stemming from the upper cervical spine was found through thermographic and radiographic diagnostics. Evaluation of the patient’s condition in each case occurred by a doctor’s observation, the patient’s subjective description of symptoms and thermographic scans. In each case, a specific upper cervical chiropractic technique was administered to correct and stabilize the patient’s upper neck injury. In one case, the patient sustained a concussion when she fell and hit her head. Prior to the concussion, no health problems were reported. Following the concussion, tension and migraine headaches ensued. Symptoms persisted over the next 12 years, during which time the patient utilized daily pain medication. The patient noticed a reduction in symptoms correlating with the initiation of care. After three months of care at our facility, all symptoms were gone. At the end of one year, symptoms remain absent.
Southern Heights Dental Group 1575 20th St NW # 102 Faribault, MN 55021 507-334-6433 www.southernheightsdental.com
Humfeld Family Chiropractic 119 Central Ave. Faribault, MN 55021 507-333-5388 www.humfeldchiropractic.com
Dr. Jeffrey Forslund
Girlfriends.mn
Girlfriends page 12 (May-June).i1 1
12
Dr. Lisa Humfeld-Wilson
May/June 2009
5/5/09 3:00:17 PM
Various treatments, family help Northfielder manage pain C
arolyn Walker has battled migraines since age 16. The 43-year-old Northfield woman distinctly recalls the day she came home from school and complained of a headache on one side of her head, as well as a strange sensation in her eyes and a numb feeling throughout her face. “My mom sat down on my bed and just started crying,” Walker said. “She knew what it was like to experience migraines and was heartbroken to think that I would have to go through the same pain that she had lived with.” Migraine headaches are something that run in Walker’s family. Her mother, her sister, her niece and her maternal grandmother suffer from migraines, though each person experiences different symptoms and uses unique coping mecha-
Girlfriends photo by Jerry Smith
In a bad spell, Carolyn Walker, 43, has three migraines a week.
nisms. Walker deals with her migraines — which can occur up to three times a week in a bad spell — through medication, chiro-
practic care, massage therapy and acupuncture. “At first, a lot of the neurologists I visited just wanted to treat me with medication,” she said. “I think that finding a doctor who is willing to take a holistic approach is extremely important for anyone dealing with migraines.” Managing her migraines is crucial for Walker, as the headaches are debilitating and interfere with her daily life. “My biggest frustration is that it impacts my family life,” Walker said. “My kids have always known how to act when ‘Mom has a headache.’ Whenever I get a migraine, they become the caregivers. That’s something no mom wants — after all, it should be the mother’s job to be the caregiver.” — Erika Greiner
Migraine facts • Migraine attacks typically affect women between age 15 and 55. Attacks usually last from four to 72 hours. • Migraine victims alone lose an estimated 157 million workdays each year because of headache pain. • About one in six women have migraine headaches; women experience migraines three times more often than men. — Healthywomen.org
SEID GIVES BACK A chiropractor answers your toughest questions each issue of Girlfriends
Send your chiropractic questions to Dr. Seid at chirolaura@yahoo.com, or call her at 507-214-2584! We treat accident injuries, work injuries, sports injuries, back & neck pain, headaches and more. Call Chiropractic Care of Owatonna today!
www.donahuesgreenhouse.com Girlfriends.mn
Girlfriends page 13 (May-June).i1 1
Laura Seid, DC
13
605 Hillcrest Ave., Suite #120 Turn right off Bixby Rd at East School Street, then immediately left at HIllcrest. Owatonna, MN • (507) 214-2584
O
420 SW 10th Street, Faribault, MN 55021 507-334-7156
C
Experience the Beauty Today
C of
A True Gardener’s Dream
of Owatonna
A: Nike has a great answer with one twist, I would add: Just do it... right. You need to move daily – period. Cardio and strengthening exercises combined with chiropractic is important in managing lower back pain. Call Chiropractic Care of Owatonna for specific instructions on proper exercise.
Chiropractic Care
Q: How important is it to combine chiropractic care with exercise?
May/June 2009
5/5/09 3:00:55 PM
Defining
Beauty
Five Owatonna women set about finding an answer to the age old question
W
hile most of us might choose to believe that beauty is subjective — based on each individual — the truth is, that isn’t always the case. Some of us have been taught to believe that a very specific set of standards are necessary for someone to be considered beautiful. They might include being young, tall and thin, with perfect hair, creamy flawless skin, big eyes, and pearly white teeth. And that is just the
Chatfest
Girlfriends.mn
Girlfriends page 14 (May-June).i1 1
beginning. So, what is beauty? How do we define it? Is it being blonde and blue eyed? Is it being 5-foot-8 and weighing less than 120 pounds? Is it having thick, long hair or curly hair? Is it having a sexy body? A great personality? Maybe beauty really is in the eye of the beholder like our parents told us a long time ago. We gathered five women together ranging in age from 40 to 62 and asked them to give Girlfriends their definition of beauty. Some of their answers may surprise you. >>>
14
May/June 2009
5/6/09 9:35:06 AM
Girlfriends: How would you define beauty? Judy: I think a person has inner beauty and outward beauty. A person’s inner soul is what makes them beautiful. Jane: You can’t judge a book by its cover. I don’t think you can judge a person by what you see because you never know what kind of experiences they’ve had or what kind of journeys they’ve been on. I think it’s really important to get to know the person for who she is. Sheri: As we age, also, the way you view yourself changes. When you are in your 20s, your outer beauty is important, and now it just isn’t as important. You have kids and life changes and suddenly that isn’t the top priority. Nancy: Looking back at pictures of how I looked in my 20s or my 30s, at the time I was
very critical of how I looked, and when I look back I think I don’t look that different. I try to appreciate where I am more rather than thinking ‘oh gosh I wish I looked like her or I wish there was something different about me.’
Jane: I think it’s important to look at what you do have and not at what you don’t have. And be thankful for what you do have.
less and less makeup, a lot less makeup. My (two) girls don’t wear a lot of makeup and I never said anything one way or the other about it. I always said you do what you like to do and what makes you feel most comfortable. I remember when my older daughter came home from day care one day and I see her lying outside and I ask her what she is doing. She’s only 4 mind you, and she said she was getting a tan. When I asked why she was doing that, she said one of the teachers said somebody else was really pretty and tan, and I want to be pretty. I thought how sad that she already got caught up in that and that an adult made that comment.
Melanie: I have an opportunity in my job to see people up close, and I’ve noticed over the years that the girls are wearing
Jane: I think that can happen because of the commercials girls see on TV, too. Sometimes what looks glamorous really isn’t. >>>
Judy: Culture is what tells us how we need to look, but as we get older we realize we don’t have to look a certain way or look like we did when we were younger. I think it’s a constant battle for our youth today because so much emphasis is placed on the way you look.
“Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
The participants
Nancy Keller Age: 40 Stay-at-home mom
Melanie Knutson Age: 53 Dental Hygienist
The next Garage Party is Sunday, June 7th at 3:00 pm. “The Girls” of Faribault Harley-Davidson
Chris Jeanes
Judy Pumper
Ann Hofmeister
Dawn Drentlaw
Interested in leaving the mundane behind for a while? Attend one of the dealership’s ladies-only “Garage Parties.” This ain’t no Tupperware® party, it’s a intimidation-free zone where women can learn about the sport. You will learn about the motorcycles, riding gear, customization, and how to pick up a 600 lb. motorcycle off the ground. Garage parties build confidence while helping you learn how to get into the sport of motorcycling. Please RSVP at cjeanes@faribaulthd.com or call 507-334-5130.
Tammy Rosett
Join us on a Ladies Ride May 30th. Call for details!
2704 West Airport Drive, Faribault, MN • 507-334-5130 • www.faribaulthd.com Girlfriends.mn
Girlfriends page 15 (May-June).i1 1
15
May/June 2009
5/7/09 10:21:10 AM
>>> I think girls forget what really looks good because they see all of these rail thin models in commercials and they think that’s the way they need to look to be beautiful. Girlfriends: Does it bother you to see all of those size 1 women in those magazines and do you think they are telling us that in order to be beautiful, you too have to be that size? Nancy: I don’t purposely defend it, but I also don’t have those magazines in my house. They are not in front of my daughter. I really try not to use pretty and beautiful when I’m referring to those women. I try to use other words. I try to emphasize that there are things other than how she is looking and what she is wearing. Those magazines weren’t in front of me either when I was growing up.
Judy: I think I always wanted to look good, but I understood that beauty is different than hygiene. Having clean, kept hair and wearing the right amount of makeup is different than trying to look beautiful. Nancy: I think that I understood that even the women in those magazines who are gorgeous, they even airbrush their pictures so they look perfect. I knew that that wasn’t all that realistic. Sheri: I can remember back a few years when Jamie Lee Curtis did a shoot where a picture was taken of her and then airbrushed and put in the magazine, and then the other picture was the same picture, only not airbrushed. The difference was incredible. That allowed you to see just how unrealistic things really are. I do think that there is a dif-
ference between what girls want to look like and what boys want to look like. My (two) boys didn’t really care what they looked like. They were clean, but appearance wasn’t a priority. My husband and I always said that it’s what’s on the inside that is important and not always what’s on the outside. When you get to know a person, it doesn’t matter what they look like. I think I did a pretty good job of instilling this in them. I think I’d be afraid to have girls. Judy: So who has the most influence? Is it the parents, the friends or the magazines?
The participants
Sheri Rue Age: 44 Office assistant
Sheri: That’s a good question. As parents we hope we have the most influence on our children. All you can do is keep telling them that it takes time to get to know someone and how beautiful they can be. It’s hard because first impressions are first >>>
Judy Plemel Age: 49 Owatonna business owner
“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.” — Confucius
We believe
O T E M I T
? L E D ? O L E D M E REMODEL? R
Optimism
can place a dream in the palm of your hand. We are optimistic about the 2009 housing market. Here’s why: affordability.
Remodeling can give your home a fresh look for the new year!
Free renovation & remodeling quotes!
It’s a word you’ll hear a lot if you’re looking to buy a house in 2009.
• Specializing in Interior Millwork • Laminate & Wood Flooring • Fireplace Mantels • Refacing Cabinets • Bathroom & Kitchen Remodeling • Ceramic Tile • Decks
F JC
A mix of historically low interest rates, an $8,000 tax credit (that does not have to be paid back) for first-time buyers and a continued buyer’s market has increased home affordability significantly. Why do we believe the housing market will recover in 2009?
Joe Falteysek Construction, LLC.
Because we choose to – stand with us in 2009.
Sid & Martha Kasper
License #20100974
612-483-3303 or 612-483-1323 SidandMarthaKasper@edinarealty.com
507-456-1063 • 3654 14th Ave. SE, Owatonna • j.f.const@live.com Girlfriends.mn
Girlfriends page 16 (May-June).i1 1
16
May/June 2009
5/6/09 9:33:17 AM
>>> impressions. All you can do is tell them that you need to take the time to get to know that person.
Nancy: I think a certain amount of that is always going to be there. When you see someone with beautiful hair you think, ‘look at that hair, why can’t my hair look like that,’ or ‘wow, they have great hair and clothes.’ I think it was something that I admired about them more than me wanting to be like them or be them. I realized in some situations that it just wasn’t the way I was made. I’m not built that way, my hair isn’t that way. I think I realized that I could do the best with what I had and that was what I had to live with.
Girlfriends: Did how you looked when you were younger matter more than what you look like today? Melanie: I think it’s just a natural progression. As you age, and especially as you get past a certain age, it’s not as high a priority. You always want to look good, but you are confident in yourself and you are not really trying to impress anybody. So yes, it meant more to me back then than it does now.
Sheri: I agree. I woke up at 42 and said ‘wow, this is what I have now.’ I knew I had to accept it because this is the way it is. I had to accept myself for who I was. Girlfriends: Was that transition or realization a tough thing to accept? Sheri: It was actually really liberating. This is who I am, like it or not. I think I’m a pretty decent person on the inside and I try to do good things for my family and the community, so it was really liberating. I’m going to have wrinkles and I’m going to have the gray hair, but I’m going to like who I am.
Melanie: But you didn’t know that when you were 12. Wisdom comes with age. When you’re in your 20s, you’re so young and so idealistic and you see things differently. Then as you get a little older, family comes into play and suddenly you don’t have all of those outside pulls.
Jane: I think peer pressure plays a big role in that, especially when you are younger. You want to look the same way as the popular girls look and you think that is beautiful. That isn’t always the case.
The participants
Jane Bangs Age: 62 Retired high school teacher
Judy: I think a lot has to do with self esteem. It’s wonderful when you can accept yourself for who you are. I think it goes deeper than that, too. I think that has a lot to do with >>>
“Beauty comes in all sizes, not just size 5.”
Make a statement
— Roseanne
Area rugs Lamps Clocks Accent pieces Window treatments Design services
Ladies s i t h g i N y r e v ‘E ow’ C e h t t a t h g i N
Wednesdays ‘Come Single Ready to Mingle’
Suburban Furniture F C and
loor
Please join us for our 2nd Annual JuneBug Festival of Music June 24-27
overing
302B Division St. S. • Northfield www.ContentedCow.com
2200 N. State Street, Waseca • 507.835.3670 M-T-W 9-6; Th 9-8; F 9-5; Sat 10-5
Girlfriends.mn
Girlfriends page 17 (May-June).i1 1
Wherends Girlfrie e! Win
One distinctive piece can change the entire look of your room. Visit our showroom to see our new line of accessories.
17
May/June 2009
5/7/09 10:23:02 AM
Join the Chatfest!
where local women turn
You and your girlfriends can be the next Chatfest panel! For more information, visit www.girlfriends.mn and click “Chatfest.”
>>> your inner beauty, how you progress when you get older. It’s part of that spiritual journey. What’s happening on the inside definitely affects what’s happening on the outside. And what’s happening on the outside is easier to change today. I think cosmetic surgery is on the rise because it’s more affordable. Women color their hair more now than ever. I still think we want to feel good and look good and everybody wants to define that for themselves. Sheri: There are many women out there who are satisfied with the way they look. Many women out there don’t color their hair or never have plastic surgery and that’s awesome. Melanie: That would have been my mother’s generation. I found a picture of her when she was the same age as I am now and I look a lot younger. That’s when you embrace the gray hair and have confidence in the way you look. Girlfriends: Do personalities play a part in a person’s beauty? Sheri: You are drawn to a person because of that person’s personality, I think, more than his or her looks. Nancy: There are first impressions, and even second impressions, but once you get past that, there is personality. A personality can make an average looking person just as beautiful as someone whose looks are outstanding. Melanie: My older daughter teaches fifth grade and she is sad to see how all of that ‘you look great’ culture has gotten down to that grade level. She says it
shouldn’t be at that level. A fifth grader should be able to be a fifth grader and not worry about that. She says it’s filtering down and it’s starting at a younger age in girls. Girlfriends: Now that you’ve talked about beauty and have heard the others give their opinions, can you define beauty in your own words? Judy: I think beauty is pleasing to your senses. There’s visual beauty and emotional beauty. It’s the point of view of my senses. If you can really look at that and realize that it’s about you and not somebody else, that’s true beauty. Beauty should be ‘what you see is what you get.’ Jane: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think it’s being comfortable with who you are. Be thankful for the things you have. Sheri: I think beauty, personally, is being satisfied with who I am. Through my spirituality, my family and just feeling comfortable in my own skin, and knowing, hopefully, that at 44, I am comfortable with who I am and how I present myself to be genuine. Nancy: Genuine is a good word, in myself and who I want to surround myself with. Genuine is beauty. I don’t care so much what people look like and what I look like as long as I am genuine and they are genuine. G — Visit “Chatfest” at www.girlfriends.mn to read the entire transcript, as well as the March/April Chatfest. And, if you would like to be a part of “Chatfest, email Jerry Smith at jsmith@ I35targetmedia.com.
“Beauty is when you look into a woman’s eyes and see what is in her heart.” — Nate Dircks Girlfriends.mn
Girlfriends page 18 (May-June).i1 1
18
May/June 2009
5/6/09 9:31:41 AM
Eco-Conscious Chick
Beth Boland performs Shirodhara treatment on Amy McIntyreRoberts at Raw Beauty Eco-spa in Northfield. Boland is an advocate of a natural lifestyle. Girlfriends photo by Thom Caya
Northfield ‘Doula’ wants women to take their bodies back By JERRY SMITH
I
f Beth Boland could somehow transport herself back in time 100 years or so, when things were simpler and people lived more off the land, she’d do so. Boland believes in all things natural. It’s how she lives her life and how she advises others to live theirs. From growing her own berries and vegetables to raising her own Angus beef and chickens, Boland lives off the land as much as she can in her personal life. “I try to practice what I preach,” said the mother of three who has a background in nutrition. “We have a 20-acre farm where we grow or raise a lot of our food and I even make my own natural cleaning products.” In her professional life — as owner of Raw Beauty Eco-Spa in Northfield — Boland’s mission is to reconnect her clients with Mother Nature’s “amazing beauty secrets.” Boland said it was a lump on one of her breasts that made her want to go chemical free in her professional and private lives. After 6-8 months of going natural, Boland said the lump shrunk and there was no more pain. “It just clicked and made a lot of
sense,” Boland said of the lifestyle change. A new endeavor Boland has branched out in her effort to embrace a natural lifestyle. Her latest aspiration is to become a doula — someone who assists in the natural childbirth process. She is currently training to become a licensed doula. “I think 90 percent of the women having babies out there are being robbed of experiencing the power of their bodies,” Boland said. “My mission is to bring back the confidence to as many women as I can that they can do this and feel the amazing thing called natural childbirth.” Boland’s interest in becoming a doula came out of a need to help a dear friend who had a fear of childbirth. Having had two of her three children naturally, she felt she had much to offer. “I helped my girlfriend with her birth and I knew then it was something I wanted to do,” said Boland, who considers herself a labor junkie because she loved being pregnant and loved delivering her babies. “I really want to educate women about their inner power and inner strength.” G Girlfriends.mn
Girlfriends page 19 (May-June.in1 1
Tips for a positive natural childbirth
B
eth Boland would like for more women to experience natural childbirth. Here are some tips from the Northfield doula. • Make a one page birth plan stating three things that are most important for your birth experience. Make sure it includes your plans for your baby after birth. This gives everyone a clear picture of how you would like your birth experience to be. • Create a safe and comfortable space. Bring blankets, pillows, pictures, oils, music, food and drinks. • Empty your bladder at least one time every hour. A full bladder can sometimes prevent the cervix from dilating. • Listen to your inner wisdom of how your body needs to move to progress labor. Give yourself permission to try new positions like rocking on a birthing ball or walking with long strides. This gives the body the chance to produce endorphins that are 10 times stronger than morphine. • Remember that this is you and your baby’s amazing journey together and that you are a team. Your body is made to go through this miraculous experience.
19 May/June 2009 5/5/09 3:02:08 PM
For the Love of Wine
When choosing a summer wine, think pink he best wine in the world has to be rosé. The logic is irrefutable: a) summer is everyone’s favorite time of year, and b) rosé is the ideal wine to drink in the summer. Nothing is better suited for a picnic on a warm afternoon, yet not everyone is crazy about rosé. Although rosé has long held the reputation that it “goes with everything,” it has also enjoyed a certain notoriety among wine drinkers. Last train to Clarksville Just as we all started out drinking milk, we also invariably passed through a pink wine stage characterized by cheap, sweet wines and perhaps occasional excess. Older readers no doubt recall with mixed feelings the sweet, spritzy rosés from Portugal and their funny-shaped bottles — no college dorm was complete without an empty Lancers or Mateus bottle serving as a candleholder. The modern equivalents of those wines are the equally sweet, and still popular White Zinfandels. Once we have outgrown these wines, we tend to look back with embarrassment; no one is willing to admit to having ever tossed down a pink wine of any sort. The notion that these wines now deserve a second look is akin to the suggestion that the music of The Monkees merits a box-set collection.
Our wine expert Stephen DeLong is Director of Liquor Operations for the City of Northfield. He has written about Stephen DeLong wine in numerous publications in his 30 years in the business.
How it is made What is rosé? Basically it is pink wine made from red wine grapes: the juice from the lightly crushed dark grapes are left in contact with their skins for a much shorter time than usual for red wine. This short maceration allows the must (the juice extracted from the grapes) to pick up some of the flavor components as well as a pink coloring. This juice is then bled off — the saignée method serves to improve the red wine by adjusting the balance between solids and liquids during fermentation — and vinified like a white wine. Blush wines are made in essentially the same manner (only the very cheapest pink wines are made by blending finished
A great selection of fine wines and spirits, and an expert staff ready to assist you!
Wine Club Tasting
red and white wines); the skins are left in contact with the juice just long enough to produce a pale pink hue. Most commercial blush wines are too sweet and unbalanced to qualify as serious, adult wine. White Zinfandel currently dominates the cheap pink category, but look for White Merlot to make an even bigger splash in the coming years, since scores of (red) Merlot drinkers have moved on to Pinot Noir (the “Sideways effect”). The same producers who cashed in on Merlot’s popularity in the 1990s now find themselves awash in a glut of cheap juice. They seem to have no choice but to wrap it in a pretty pink package and pitch it to the next generation. Get serious For serious, adult pink wine one should first look to the south of France, a traditional stronghold for high-quality rosé. Regions such as Tavel, and parts of Provence are known primarily for their dry, crisp, distinctive rosés. These wines possess the structure and complexity necessary to stand up to the fragrant, enticing cuisine of the region. Routas (Provence), Fontsainte (Corbieres) and Mas de Guiot (Costieres de Nimes) produce noteworthy examples of this style. Around the Mediterranean, where >>>
Rosé
T
Thursday, May 21 • 7 to 9 pm at The Grand in Northfield (call store for details)
116 Fifth Street West • 507-645-5153 • Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. - 10 p.m. Girlfriends.mn
Girlfriends page 20 (May-June).i1 1
20 May/June 2009 5/5/09 3:02:57 PM
>>> red wine is king, rosé serves as the everyday alternative wine. Rosé has never gone out of fashion among French wine drinkers; its popularity will likely continue long after the French finally adopt central air-conditioning. Likewise, Spain is a reliable source for lively, relatively inexpensive rosados, such as Las Reñas Monastrell (Bullas) and Mas Donis (Montsant), which are becoming increasingly available in our market. Over the past few years, numerous domestic producers have finally begun to take pink wine seriously. While a few wineries have retained the “rosé” designation, many have chosen to label their dry pinks as “vin gris,” a term borrowed from the French. The best of these wines often have rather fanciful names, and are generally made from Pinot Noir (Saintsbury “Vincent Vin Gris”), or a blend of Rhone varieties (“Nellie’s Garden” from Chateau Ste. Michelle). Other producers to look for include
Toad Hollow, Big House and Pedroncelli. It is reasonable to assume that any reputable producer who makes the effort will deliver a stylish rosé, but quantities tend to be small, so stock up now. Perfect Choice Rosés are quite versatile because they combine the best qualities of a full-bodied white wine with those of a lighter-bodied red. Best served slightly chilled, they are refreshing as well as accommodating. Bright and aromatic, they show an affinity for a wide range of foods — just about anything grilled: vegetables, fish, poultry; items containing garlic and/or mayonnaise: aïoli, pasta salads, Niçoise salad in particular — the list is endless. Rosé is the perfect choice not simply because “it goes with everything.” It also succeeds in challenging situations (especially with hot, spicy ethnic cuisine) where a beer is often the only alternative, and other wines fall short. G
SUPERIOR Technology. SUPERIOR Training. SUPERIOR Support.
SUPERIOR Results!
Installed Systems Starting at
895
$
*
*Outdoor packages only. Not valid on prior sales or combinable with other discounts. Participating dealers only. Expires 7/31/09.
Call or log on to schedule a FREE in-home consultation!
800-824-DOGS (3647) • InvisibleFence.com Invisible Fence of the River Valley • 1403 Heritage Drive • Northfield, MN
Commerical-Industrial-Residential G a r l i c k ’s W a t e r C o n d i t i o n i n g S o u t h e r n M i n n e s o t a ’s Kinetico Dealer Sales-Service-Rental Lonsdale (507) 744 3326 Faribault (507) 334-7215 Mankato (507) 345-4334
New Prague Blue Earth St Peter
(952) 758-8830 (507) 526-3616 (507) 931-3434
g a r l i c k s w a t e r. c o m Girlfriends.mn
Girlfriends page 21 (May-June).i1 1
21 May/June 2009 5/5/09 3:04:19 PM
From the Heart
Girlfriends photo by Thom Caya
Hank (left) and Joe (right) Hagen do homework while their mother, Nyla, holds Ellen during some family time.
Waseca mother, wife finds joy in her tumultuous, meaningful life By JERRY SMITH
T
o say Nyla Hagen’s life has changed dramatically the past few years would be an understatement. Four years ago, the Waseca financial advisor and mother of two healthy boys gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. The joy of having a new addition to the family was mixed with sadness when seven months into Hagen’s pregnancy she and her husband Tom were told their baby was at risk to be born with birth defects. The Hagens didn’t know how serious their new baby’s health issues would be until she was born. They found out soon enough that they were very serious as baby Ellen spent more than 300 days of the first two years of her life in the hospital. “We’re very lucky she’s with us today,” said Hagen, who has been a financial advisor for Edward Jones in Waseca since 1999. “The doctors weren’t hopeful of her survival when she was born.”
Three years into her life, doctors and specialists finally pinpointed Ellen’s illness. She was born with a very rare chromosome disease that caused several life threatening issues and left Ellen unable to speak, walk or even eat without the use of a Gastrostomy Tube. While Ellen receives 24-hour nursing care and someone is always in the house with her, it’s a price the Hagens are more than willing to pay. “People could look at what we’ve gone through with Ellen as being tragic,” Hagen said. “Not having Ellen and the challenges and impact she has had on everyone, now that would be tragic.”
from Kuwait in September. “Tom was deployed when Ellen was 6 months old, so I had to take a leave from my job,” said Hagen of her husband, who is a Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer with the 34th Infantry Division. “The first two deployments were harder because of Ellen’s illness. And with him gone, there were some challenges with the boys.” None of that outweighs the pride Hagen feels for her husband. “We’re proud to be a military family and proud of what Tom is doing for his country,” Hagen said. “It’s our life and we live it the best we can. Our boys are learning a lot and will be better men because of it.”
Military family Hagen’s life is further challenged by the fact that her husband is a Major in the Minnesota National Guard and has been deployed to Iraq three times the past four years. His latest six-month stint will bring him home
Coping Keeping it together in the face of adversity hasn’t been easy for Hagen and her family. Her belief in God, family, friends and keeping life as close to normal as possible has helped her cope. “Some days I’m not con-
Girlfriends.mn
Girlfriends page 22 (May-June.in1 1
vinced I keep it together,” Hagen said. “Over the past four years we’ve had challenges. I get through it by my faith in God and the power of prayer mostly. I have always been a Christian. I have a much better peace now because of that.” Hagen said without the help of her parents, girlfriends and the caring, helpful people at Christ Community Church in Waseca, her battle would be a lot tougher. “They’ve all been a big help to me,” Hagen said. “There are times each of them has dropped what they were doing to help us out and that says a lot about who they are.” Hagen believes her hardships with Ellen’s illness, raising her children while her husband has been deployed and the fact that she remains a career woman all have made her life complete. “I don’t think you find joy in an easy life,” she said. “But you do find joy in a meaningful life.” G
22 May/June 2009 5/5/09 3:04:56 PM
That Girl
Girlfriends photo by Thom Caya
Candace Smith feels right at home among her canine friends. The Owatonna “Dog Whisperer” says she’s had a connection with dogs her entire life.
Owatonna ‘Dog Whisperer’ all about connecting with canines By JERRY SMITH
O
ne day not too long ago when Candace Smith was visiting her sister, she was told she was starting to think more and more like the dogs she surrounds herself with every day. That made sense to Smith, who has been caring for dogs professionally since 1986 when she opened Critter Comforts in Owatonna and has been an animal lover since she was a young girl growing up in Montana. “It’s easy for me to be around the dogs,” said Smith, who admits she is not a very social person when it comes to humans. “Dogs are my life. I love what I’m doing.” Smith’s business, which she says is like a canine daycare, has taken off since then and now she has on average 18 dogs she cares for on Tuesdays and Thursdays and 8-10 on Fridays. During holidays and spring break, that number swells to an average of 25 dogs. Critter Comforts has grown
so much, Smith purchased the house next door to hers and moved in while making her old house the dogs’ domain, complete with a huge fenced-in yard and a deck. “I woke up one day and there were 12 dogs on my bed and my dog was curled up all alone in the corner,” Smith said. “I had to do something. I knew if I bought the house next to mine, I could increase the number of dogs I cared for, too.” With a few short answers to questions, much is revealed about Owatonna’s version of the “Dog Whisperer.” Q: What is your definition of a dog whisperer? A: Having a connection with Girlfriends.mn
Girlfriends page 23 (May-June).i1 1
whatever animal you are working with. In my situation, it’s dogs. If you connect with a dog’s behavior and its energy, that dog will connect with you. When “Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan” (National Geographic Channel) came along, I saw that he was doing the same things I was doing with the dogs I cared for. Cesar gave me the terminology so I could explain what I do to other people. Q: Why are dogs and the care you give them so important to you? A: When I was a kid growing up in Montana, I remember going around the neighborhood asking if I could train peoples’ dogs. I just loved dogs. And it didn’t stop there. I used to have a little vet clinic
back in the woods near my house and when I came across an injured gopher or bird or even an antelope, I’d try to fix them up. Q: How have you learned to care for the many dogs you take in? A: This may sound odd, but I’ve learned most of it from Mia, my Siberian Husky. She’s the alpha dog here. I watched how the other dogs were when Mia was around. When they were doing something she didn’t like, she would stand tall next to them and they would heel. I copied her energy and started working with the dogs the way she worked with them. I’ve learned to connect with these animals by being in charge. I always stay calm, yet assertive. They can trust me and I trust them. We’ve definitely made a connection. G — Candace Smith can be reached at Critter Comforts in Owatonna by calling 507-4517577.
23 May/June 2009 5/7/09 10:33:02 AM
Double Duty
If it has to do with cars, this Owatonna woman knows about it By JERRY SMITH
C
harlotte McCabe knows cars. If she’s not selling them, she’s buying them. And if she’s not buying them, she’s driving them or finding someone else to do it in her stead. That’s the life of a woman who has a car dealership with her husband, owns a limousine and shuttle service, and runs a new park and fly business. “I thrive on being busy,” said McCabe, the co-owner of McCabe Motors in Owatonna and the other businesses that have sprung from it. “I find time to do it all and also volunteer at my daughter’s school and with the Chamber. I even sneak in a little time to sell Arbonne products. “I don’t have much free time, but I enjoy what I do. I can’t imagine not having this.” While she’s good at buying the cars she sells on her lot, McCabe says one of the best parts of her job is driving the
Fa
or • N
Owa ld •
thfie
e wher
men l wo loca
turn NE
JU MAY/
limousines she owns. “I like what I do all day long,” said McCabe, who owns a stretch limo and a 15-passenger shuttle van. “I remember working for someone. It’s so much better working for yourself. “I guess the reason I like the limo service so much is because most limo rides are surprises, so they are special. I love seeing the faces of the people I pick up in my limo.”
McCabe said she’ll never forget the time she picked up a group of women who didn’t know where they were going. She said the women were simply told to prepare for an all-day meeting. “They really had no idea what was going on,” McCabe said. “I took them to Minneapolis for makeovers, facials, lunch and a lot of shopping. We left at 8 a.m. and got back to Owatonna at 6 p.m. It was so much fun watching
Invite to your home.
a asec r •W
te St. Pe a • tonn
lt ribau
Girlfriends photo by Thom Caya
Charlotte McCabe is usually the person driving the limousine she’s seated in. The mother of two keeps busy wearing many hats.
where local women turn
2009
s
e Storie
Migrain
hfield, MN 537 • Nort
55057
E
P.O. Box
INSID
How beauty? define
azine •
, les career man jugg ds child. seca wo nee es: Wa special She Shindeployment and trying to strator husband’s author/illu rthfield hts. d: No Inspire art to new heig g Whis‘Do a to ines. take her is home with can atonna nection irl: Ow cial con That G has a spe perer’ who
tfest’ na ‘Cha Owaton do women
ds Mag Girlfrien
oms dship blo A frien re in face even mo rsity. of adve
who womenm Three fro suffer ting debilitaspeak out. hes ac ad he
Convenient home delivery is available for just $20 a year! To subscribe, visit www.girlfriends.mn Girlfriends.mn
Girlfriends page 24 (May-June).i1 1
24
these women.” One of the funniest limo rides she gave was to an 80-year-old man who she picked up at Park Place. He had no clue why he was being picked up in a limousine, but he went nevertheless. “He said: ‘I thought the first time I would ride in one of these would be to the cemetery,’” McCabe said. “He really felt special that day.” While McCabe likes every aspect of her life, she said she has to prioritize because there is so much going all the time. She said at the top of the list is being a good mother and wife. From there, her priorities are as follows: McCabe Motors, McCabe Limousine and the park and ride service, and Arbonne. “That’s all you can do,” she said. “You go with the flow and just try to prioritize. I’m usually going from 6 o’clock in the morning to 10 o’clock at night. But you know what? I don’t have days where I ask what I should do today.” G
The Burnsville Chamber invites you to attend a Women Empowered Luncheon featuring guest speaker Jacquie Bergland of Finnegans on May, 27, from 11:30-1:00pm at the Bucca di Beppo 14300 Burnhaven Drive in Burnsville. Call 952-435-6000 Speaking Topic:
“Don’t Just Sit There”
May/June 2009
5/5/09 3:14:59 PM
Power Suit
Girlfriends photo by Jerry Smith
Darlene Miller thinks growing up on her New Prague farm prepared her to become an entrepreneur. She believed in herself and now owns a successful business.
Power of belief leads to successful business By JERRY SMITH
A
s Darlene Miller stood with President George W. Bush in the Oval Office last year accepting the 2008 U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year award, she couldn’t help but reflect on how much her life had changed since she purchased Permac Industries in Burnsville. “It was an honor, an absolute honor,” said Miller, who assumed ownership of Permac Industries in 1994, making it a 100 percent woman-owned business. “We worked hard and really it has been the people here who have made us successful.” But it was Miller’s belief that you are in charge of your own destiny that really set the stage for the
company’s success. By working on her family’s New Prague farm, taking social work and psychology classes at the College of St. Benedict and learning the sales, bookkeeping and new product development side of business, Miller felt she had set herself up nicely for any opportunity that might present itself. That preparation paid off for Miller in 1993 when she was asked to purchase 45 percent of Permac Industries, a company she worked for at the time, to stop the company from going under. She knew that if she didn’t act, the business would go into foreclosure and a great opportunity would be lost. “Life brings you opportunities and if you jump
Girlfriends.mn
Girlfriends page 25 (May-June).i1 1
on them you can make good things happen,” said Miller, who began working as a sales rep at Permac in 1992 and quickly rose through the ranks. “I do believe growing up on the farm gave me a solid base for becoming an entrepreneur because you have to do everything. I had a good base. All of my career paths helped me in this endeavor. I felt it was a good opportunity and jumped into it.” With Miller at the helm, the precision machine shop has experienced about 15 percent growth each year, going from sales of $800,000 a year in 1994 to more than $5 million in sales today. “It’s the power of believing,” said Miller, whose company makes things that go into products that
are used in everyday life. “If you believe in something hard enough, it happens. I never thought we would fail, even when folks looked at the financials (back in 1993) and said we would.” Miller says people make a lot bigger deal of Permac Industries being a 100 percent woman-owned company than needs to be made. She’d rather her business be viewed as a Minnesota success story. “I don’t believe in glass ceilings,” said Miller, who mentors young women when she isn’t working at Permac. “I can show my granddaughters that there are no limits and you can live your dreams whether you are a male or a female, even in a male dominated business like manufacturing.” G
25 May/June 2009 5/5/09 3:06:32 PM
The April meeting of the Dundas Study Club included (from left) Paula Stowe, Mary Kolb, Arlene Williams and Cheri Albers. (Girlfriends photo by Diane Schrader)
Sharing stories, wisdom Women have been attending meetings of the Dundas Study Club for decades By BARBARA KRAUSE
P
incushions. Cereal. Home health remedies. Pet medicines. Quilting. Storm survival stories. What do all of these things have in common? The Dundas Study Club, of course. For nearly four decades, members of the Dundas Study Club have shared, learned, supported each other and laughed together in the homes of their girlfriends. The club is an outlet for women to socialize while at the same time stimulating their intellect and providing intergenerational, historical, community and per-
sonal connections. “It’s a group of strong women who honor deep roots within their communities and love to share their lives,” said Paula Stowe, a member since 1982, who works in the St. Olaf College Registrar’s Office. “And we also laugh and have fun activities.” Neighbors, sisters-in-law, mothers, daughters and friends from Bridgewater, Little Prairie, Northfield and Dundas bond at monthly meetings to promote the literary and social culture of the group. “There is empowerment for women of all ages,” said Mary Graff, a one-year member who
Girlfriends.mn
Girlfriends page 26 (May-June).i1 1
26
lives near Dundas. “Laughter is good for the soul.” In the beginning Although founded in 1924 as part of the General Federation of Women’s Groups, the club became independent in 1970, according to Arlene Williams, the group’s historian. Each year, approximately 15-25 members elect officers, pay nominal dues and listen to professional presentations on a range of member-generated topics, from volunteerism, to property tax education and veterinary care. >>>
May/June 2009
5/5/09 3:07:15 PM
>>> “We share ideas and have discussions, as well as depend on each other — especially for friendship,” Williams said. “My life would have been quite dull without this organization.” Cheri Albers, a 30-year member raised in Dundas, believes there is a nice balance between education and interest levels within the group. “It’s neat when we can use local speaker talent,” said Albers, whose daughters — one a public health nurse in Rice County and the other a Northfield doctor — have spoken to the club on the area’s “Terrorist Readiness Program.” Beyond the programs Albers found Rosie Werner’s program about pincushions to be “absolutely exciting.” Werner, also a member and bookkeeper for her family’s seed business, piqued members’ curiosity with her vast knowledge of pin cushions.
Girlfriends photo by Diane Schrader
Only half of the members of the Dundas Study Club are represented here for the April meeting. Back row (left to right): Gloria Spitzack, Monica Freeman, Mary Kolb, Dolores Valek, Karen Johnson. Middle row: Paula Stowe, Arlene Williams, Cheri Albers. Front: Diane Schrader and Julie Neuhaus.
She talked about the history of pincushions and how she became involved in her hobby. She also showed samples from her collection and told others how they might start a collection.
A quilter and collector of things related to quilting, Werner later presented another program on buttons. The value of belonging to the club extends beyond the information gained from
monthly speakers. Lynda Pavek, a 10-year member who works part-time at the University of Minnesota, said attending meetings is a good way to meet people and stay connected to the community. “I enjoy the camaraderie and listening to the fantastic stories,” Pavek said. One of the most meaningful parts of the program is the monthly “roll call topic.” It is during this portion of the meeting that members learn additional tidbits about each other. Each member in attendance tells a short personal story that is related to that month’s program topic. When a chemist from MaltO-Meal was scheduled to speak, the roll call topic was a story about a favorite cereal. Stories about “home health remedies” served as the roll call topic that preceded the presentation by Dr. Donald Lum, a holistic medicine physician >>>
“We share ideas and have discussions, as well as depend on each other — especially for friendship. My life would have been quite dull without this organization.” — Arlene Williams, historian for the Dundas Study Club
My designs reflect a style, a special
“Identity by Expression” “I love to create collections. This collection is a combination of lampwork hollow beads and handtooled silver with crystal inlays to add that special – Pizzazz. Enjoy!”
Ready for a FUN Birthday Party? Book a Studio Getaway party and have a blast with your friends making arts and crafts!
Birt hday Part ies Monthly Child & Adult Classes
(pre-registration required – 3rd MONDAY of each month)
Suzanne Klumb, Jewelry & Textile Designer • www.willowedgestudio.com
Girlfriends.mn
Girlfriends page 27 (May-June).i1 1
CALL US TODAY! 507-451-3920 | 800-491-3922 Tri M Graphics – 625 E Main Street, Owatonna, MN 55060
27 May/June 2009 5/7/09 10:35:42 AM
>>> in Northfield. Members were fascinated by a member’s story about placing a garland of garlic around the neck to overcome respiratory problems. Almost always a surprise In telling their stories and listening to others, members have learned to hone their storytelling skills. “Marie Gery, also a member of the club and a professional storyteller, has given us storytelling tips,” said Werner of Gery, who plays Jesse James’ mother in the re-enactment of The Defeat of Jesse James. In one of the meetings, members learned of a surprise connection between the club and Dr. Mark Werner, a veterinarian who has invented a number of pet medicines and practices pet acupuncture. “Dr. Werner was an entertaining speaker and was thrilled to visit our group,” Pavek said. “At the end of his presentation, he said, ‘As a boy, I remember my mother attending the Dundas Study Club, but I didn’t know what
Girlfriends photo by Diane Schrader
Karen Johnson was animated when stating facts at the April meeting of the Dundas Study Club at the home of Mary Kolb. Pictured left to right: Karen Johnson, Dolores Valek and Gloria Spitzack.
it was about except that she had coffee and cake. I’m glad that I finally made it to a meeting and learned about the club.’” In addition to the lighthearted activities of these events, occasionally humor comes as a surprise. One such surprise included Diane Schrader’s dog. “We signed up in pairs to host meetings and were
meeting at Diane’s home,” Albers said, “and the meeting was going along fine. Slowly but surely, a peculiar odor made its way through the living room. We looked at each other, somewhat embarrassed, but did not say anything. Diane’s dog, that was thought to be outdoors, was indeed in the room.” At a meeting hosted by Williams, a distinct smell
came from the kitchen. “It was my first experience as a hostess for the club meeting,” Williams said. “My friend Lavonne and I decided to impress everyone with Baked Alaska for dessert. Some of the dessert melted onto the oven floor, and a cloud of smoke and odor wafted through the living and dining rooms. “We were so aghast that we stayed in the kitchen a long time. Finally, one of our friends came out into the kitchen and asked politely if she could open the front door. We came to our senses and hurried to bring in a substitute dessert. I have never tried Baked Alaska again.” The longevity of the group is attributed to the personal connections that honor friendship and the appeal of witnessing each member’s ongoing story. Sprinkle humor in the mix, and that portion of life becomes very satisfying. Laughter is part of every meeting or special event of the Dundas Study Club. G
“I enjoy the camaraderie and listening to the fantastic stories.” — Lynda Pavek, 10-year member of the Dundas Study Club
Dog Friendly Real Estate for Dogs and Their People. A Wonderful -made Gift for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
Diana Ignacio
Office: 507-645-4491 Cell: 352-598-1950
dianaignacio@edinarealty.com
112 N Cedar Ave Girlfriends.mn
Girlfriends page 28 (May-June).i1 1
Downtown Owatonna
507.451.9050
28 May/June 2009 5/5/09 3:08:24 PM
We Time
Buddy system works well in practice of yoga A
The region’s yoga studios Classes are forming all of the time at the region’s yoga studios and on community education sites. Contact the following studios for classes in your area. For community education offerings, contact the school district in your region. HeartWork Studio 101 W. 5th Street Northfield 507-649-0898 www.heartworkyoga.com Contact: amy@heartworkyoga. com Yoga and Wellness Center 122 Oak Ave S. Owatonna 507-390-0279 www.yogawellnessmn.com St. Peter Yoga Studio 112 Grace St. St. Peter 507-934-4433 www.stpeteryoga.com
Spring 2009
The Life
& Eco-Directory
body & spirit nourish your mind, healthy choices to Regional listing of ectory.com
ssdir www.lifewellne
my Etzell likes to think of HeartWork Studio as a place to bring a girlfriend and leave the stresses of life outside the door. More women are doing just that, not only because of the camaraderie that goes along with taking a class with someone you know, but also because it is easier to handle the stresses of today’s economy and fast-paced life with a friend by your side. “Half the people who start come with friends,” said Etzell, the owner of HeartWork Studio in downtown Northfield. “It can feel more manageable calming our head and body in these times, especially knowing someone is there with us. “Going to yoga isn’t going to change the stresses of life, but it
makes you see things differently. We slow down and appreciate the smaller things in life.” Etzall has always stressed the friendship aspect of yoga. Because of that, her business has grown — despite and maybe because — of the economy. “In three years since I’ve owned HeartWork, we have grown 200 percent,” she said. “Because so many of the women who come here have brought a friend at one time or another, we have gone from 12 classes to 30 classes, which is amazing.” Denise Stewart, owner of the Yoga and Wellness Center in Owatonna, says her studio has seen increased traffic as well. “People are discovering that they don’t know
Join the community of well beings Spring 2009 edition now available at locations throughout the region.
www.lifewellnessdirectory.com Girlfriends.mn
Girlfriends page 29 (May-June).i1 1
how to relax,” said Stewart, who opened her yoga and wellness studio nearly six years ago. “I think there will always be a need for yoga, especially the way the economy is. People need to relax more now than ever.” For yoga studios like HeartWork Studio, the Yoga and Wellness Center and even smaller studios in the region like the St. Peter Yoga Studio, times are seemingly good. “Yoga is a passion,” said Tressa Bushaw, owner of the St. Peter Yoga Studio in downtown St. Peter. “People are reaping benefits of yoga practice. We are always welcoming new students.” G — Jerry Smith
Amy Etzell, HeartWork Studio Northfield
Digital Mammography • For your comfort we provide heated gowns and equipment • Same day results • State-of-the-art digital breast imaging • Flexible scheduling
part of Immanuel St. Joseph’s
Call to make your appointment, no physician referral required 507-835-1210
501 N. State St., Waseca, MN • www.wmc-mhs.org
29 May/June 2009 5/7/09 10:40:12 AM
Daddy’s Girl
The ABCs & Dee of ‘Daddy’s Girl’ I
was lucky to be one of the four “Daddy’s Girls” in my family. A, B, C and D (Ann, Beth, Carol and Deanna) or number 1, 2, 3 and 4 daughter as our father would refer to us. We also had special nicknames, which are now a little embarrassing to mention as adults. Our dad was a guy who was meant to be a father. He was involved in our lives from birth until his death in 2003. When we were babies, he drove us around in his car when we were teething. Then he taught us to drive and walked us down the aisle when we got married. And, he celebrated and helped finance our first homes, christening all of the doors with his handy can of WD-40. Dad always knew the right things to say. On the evenings he and our mom would go out for dinner, I would leave a note under his pillow saying: “Whose pal are you?” The next morning, I would find the note he returned that said: “I’m yours.” We’d talk to him when we needed help solving a per-
sonal or professional problem. He mentored us, our friends and the high school boys who worked for him. And he triumphed in our achievements. Dad was a person who appreciated all the things in life. Growing up during the Great Depression, he was determined to take care of his possessions. Oftentimes, things were repaired several times before he’d leave them for the garbage man. With all of his talents, he taught us the things he knew. He taught us to use tools, change the oil in our cars, and we didn’t call him the “Lawn Ranger” for nothing. Really, he mowed the grass in patterns. If we weren’t sure how to do something, he gave us the wisdom to figure it out. After dad died, I asked my sister Carol: “How will I know how to do the things that dad always did?” Her reply was: “Because dad taught you.” Our dad also demonstrated the values of honesty and loyalty. He was always “straight up” with us, even if it would smart a little. But we always knew how Girlfriends.mn
Girlfriends page 30 (May-June).i1 1
30
much he loved us. Whether it was Friday pizza night or another occasion for us to get together, everything was a big deal to dad. He took nothing for granted. We would take a family car ride on many Sundays and you would often hear my sisters call back from the station wagon that Dee-Dee “wants to know if we can go to Dairy Queen?” They always figured that I was the best ice cream bargaining chip, and most of the time it worked. Going out for ice cream was a real treat for dad. Six days before he died, my mother and I took him out for a car ride and an ice cream cone. I watched him eat that ice cream cone like it was his first. He found such joy in simple things. On that day and every day, I was lucky to be “Daddy’s Girl.” — Dee Bjork manages the Crafty Maven in Faribault where she has mastered the paint brush, mop and electric drill. She and her sisters live happily ever after. G
We want you to be our next ‘Daddy’s Girl’ Many women carry special memories of their relationship with dad. “Daddy’s Girl” showcases those relationships through first-person accounts. If you’re interested in sharing your story, visit www.girlfriends. mn, and click on the “Daddy’s Girl” link. You’ll find more details on the feature, previous columns and an interactive form for submissions. You can also contact Jerry Smith at 507-645-1136 or jsmith@I35targetmedia.com if you are interested in sharing your story.
May/June 2009
5/5/09 3:09:18 PM
Girlfriends page 31 (May-June).i1 1
5/5/09 2:54:12 PM
OPENING SUMMER 2009!
6750 West Frontage Road, Medford, MN 55049 (507) 455-4111
Spring Fashion NOW
A BAG LADY Bass Outlet Bath & Body Works Outlet Book Warehouse Carter’s Claire’s Boutique Columbia Sportswear Company dressbarn dressbarn Woman Eddie Bauer Outlet Factory Brand Shoes Food For Thought Gap Outlet Harry and David IZOD j.jules fashion Kitchen Collection Koret L’eggs/Hanes/Bali/Playtex Lane Bryant Outlet Levi’s Outlet maurices Naturalizer Nike Clearance Store Old Navy Oshkosh B’Gosh Pac Sun Paper Factory Payless ShoeSource Pendleton Outlet rue21 the painted porch Van Heusen Wilsons Leather Outlet
IN BLOOM! OUTLET
Outlet Directions: I-35 to Exit 48 in Medford 40 miles south of Minneapolis/St. Paul 40 miles west of Rochester
Preferred Outlets at Medford Medford, MN 507.444.3955 888.410.9665
Hours: Mon-Sat: 10 am - 8 pm Sun: 11am - 6 pm
www.preferredoutlets.com
Girlfriends page 32 (May-June).i1 1
Coupon Offer! Mention this ad and receive a FREE coupon book! (Redeem at the management office, Lane Bryant, Harry and David, or dressbarn)
pendleton-usa.com
5/5/09 3:09:53 PM