Josephine by NPG Newspapers

Josephine St. Joseph’s women’s magazine

September 2015

All-around success Gymnastics owner turns childhood dream into business

HEAD FOR THE HILLS Trip to Flint Hills region makes for quick and memorable getaway

A SAFE HAVEN

PRC helps women deal with unplanned pregnancies

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editorial: (816) 271-8594 toll-free: (800) 779-6397 advertising: (816) 271-8527 fax: (816) 271-8686 josephine@ newspressnow.com

Our staff Editor Jess DeHaven jess.dehaven@newspressnow.com Photo editor Todd Weddle todd.weddle@newspressnow.com Designer editor George Stanton george.stanton@newspressnow.com

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Josephine

St. Joseph News-Press P.O. BOX 29 St. Joseph, MO 64502

9/15

inside

An all-around 16 success Gymnastics owner turns childhood dream into big business

Head for the hills 20 Trip to Flint Hills region makes for quick and memorable getaway Working with 24 your wardrobe Make the clothing you already have fit your needs A safe haven 26 PRC helps women deal with unplanned pregnancies

girlstuff Is it ever OK to lie?

Labor day

Parent-teacher associations 10 Perfect purses

Tailgating twists

Exercise for you

Remodeling realities

Get the interview

Cover photography by Jessica Stewart | Josephine magazine

cover girl

From the beginning, MEGA Gymnastics has been a family affair. Its true roots, after all, go back to owner Mandy Miller’s start in gymnastics as a 3-year-old who’d seen girls flipping on a stage at St. Joseph’s annual Trails West! festival. Taking note of how interested she seemed, her grandmother suggested she start taking lessons herself. “We blame it all on her grandmother,” Mandy’s mother, Lisa Miller, says. Not that there’s anything to feel bad about. Mandy has fulfilled her childhood dream of operating her own gymnastics facility — and done so in a way that continues to make family a big part of the picture. Both her mother and her sister work at the gym, and her grandmothers help out periodically as well. “I get to see my kids every day, and that’s pretty exciting for me,” Lisa says. Read more about the Millers and MEGA on page 16.

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| Josephine magazine |

September 2015

the regulars Editor’s note

We’re loving it

Josephine calendar

Average Joe

Getting Real

Meal time

Everybody get healthy

editor’s note

YOUR DREAM HOME EVOLVES. YOUR COVERAGE SHOULD TOO.

By JESS DEHAVEN School is back in session, and even though the calendar says it’s still summer, most of us are aiming ourselves towards autumn and everything that comes with the change of seasons. One of the things we tend to do at this time of year is look to update our wardrobes. But before you go out and spend money on several new outfits, try shopping your closet and drawers. By working with the wardrobe you have and looking at pieces in different ways, you may find you have several new outfits you can put together by adding just a few new pieces. Check out Kendall Foley’s story on page 24 for tips on how to do that. Tailgating is one of those quintessentially fall activities. But why not take your game up a notch this year and stretch beyond burgers and dogs on the portable grill? Brooke Wilson pulled together a couple of new ideas that are sure to score a touchdown with your crew. Read on to page 12 for that. If you’re looking for a fall getaway that’s close but feels like another place entirely, why not explore the Flint Hills of Kansas? Lisa Horn recently took a trip there, and she shares what she found in her story on page 20. Finally, mark your calendars for our annual fall event, the Josephine Expo. You’ll find us, along with all kinds of food, craft, retail and service vendors, at the Civic Arena from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3. Hope to see you there!

Christa Horne Agency 306 N. Davis St. Suite A Hamilton, MO 64644 (816) 583-2054 chorne@amfam.com

Stephen D. Lorenz, Agent 1109 N. 26th St. (816) 901-9200 stephendlorenz.com

Zulima Lugo-Knapp, Agent 910 N. Woodbine Rd. (816) 259-5023 zlugokna@amfam.com Bienvenidos

Matt Thrasher Agency, Inc. 301 Illinois Ave. (816) 238-1121 mattthrasher.com

Lee Butler Agency 2721 Pembroke Ln. (816) 279-7770 leebutleragency.com

Rick Hopp Agency 3201 Ashland Ave. Ste. E (816) 364-1798 rickhopp.com

Scott Wineinger Agency 1805 Oak Ridge Circle (816) 233-5659 scottwineinger.com

Don Tolly Insurance Agency Inc. 2335 N. Belt, Suite B (816) 232-8400 dtolly@amfam.com

Tara Myers Agency 918 S. Main Maryville, MO (660) 582-4688

Cari Rich, Agent 102 E. Clay Ave. Plattsburg, Missouri (816) 539-3751 caririch.com

Carolyn Sampson Agency 6402 King Hill (816) 238-5201 csampsoninsurance.com

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tmyers@amfam.com

Let’s be honest ... Growing up with an

older brother ... “Oh boy” is all I can say. For the past 25 years, I have had the most alpha male, 6-foot-tall, 230-pound older brother, and let’s be honest, it hasn’t been the easiest, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. If you know me, you know Chaz. It’s just how it is. Coming from a small town, I was always “Chaz’s little sister.” Ever since I was a baby, Chaz and I have had quite the love/hate relationship. One second we are fighting and the next we are best friends. It’s just how we are, it’s our relationship, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Having him as my older brother, he loves to push my buttons and is better at it than anyone else. I’ve come to learn it can be pretty amusing, and now I always end up laughing after he makes me mad. Chaz finds humor in EVERYTHING. I must say the hardest part about an older brother like mine is dating someone. When I’d meet someone new, I wouldn’t think, “Will my parents like him?” What comes across my mind is, “Would Chaz like him?”

Some may find this strange, but if you know him, you understand. It’s not that Chaz is mean, but he is protective. He protects me and looks out for me the way an older brother should. This took me a long time to understand, but I get why he didn’t care for every guy I dated. All my brother wanted was a good guy in my life — and you know, one who hunted. Growing up with an older brother gets you in fist fights at the age of 5 with your male neighbor, causes you to wear inline skates that are too big while being pulled behind a bike and crashing like no other. Having an older brother has the effect on you to love hunting more than dancing, to love the outdoors more than fixing your hair and to be down to earth and laid-back more than uptight and high maintenance. Having Chaz as my older brother has made me the person I am. I’m tough, outspoken, loud, big-hearted, annoying, loving and very family-oriented. He’s my biggest critic, my best friend and my No. 1 protector here on Earth. Having an older brother like Chaz is my favorite gift from God.

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| Josephine magazine |

Oh brother Having an older sibling is worth all those little annoyances AARYN SOMMERS is one half of K-JO 105.5’s Early Morning Show with Gregg and Aaryn. A native of the St. Joseph/ Savannah area, she’s into a little bit of everything, from fitness to hunting to volunteering. And she’s not afraid to share what’s on her mind.

September 2015

girlstuff The whole truth and nothing but the truth

o one wants to get busted for being dishonest.

But in real life, it’s not practical to tell nothing but the truth all the time. Remember how that went for Jim Carrey in the movie “Liar, Liar”?

In some cases, it’s better to just keep your mouth shut or share only the bare minimum. You don’t owe everyone the complete, unedited truth all the time, particularly as it relates to personal or sensitive topics. This cuts both ways: Your nosy neighbor doesn’t need to know the details behind the tension she noticed between you and your husband last week at the community picnic. And your coworker doesn’t need to know the depth of your hatred for her favorite band Rascal Flatts. Both situations can be handled with grace — and just enough honesty. Instead of ranting about the lead singer’s nasally voice, thank your colleague for inviting you to a concert, but mention that you prefer (insert your favorite band or musical genre here). Tell the neighbor you were having a stressful night and you’re sorry if you inadvertently made her uncomfortable. Then, change the subject! Dr. Martha Beck, bestselling author and friend of Oprah Winfrey, shared her thoughts about lying with Huffington Post. What’s right really comes down to the audience and your relation-

September 2015

Photo cour tesy of Imagine Enter tainment Universal Pictures

‘Liar Liar’ is a 1997 comedy starring Jim Carrey as a man who is forced to tell the truth. ship with them. Beck says to imagine yourself at the center of your circle of truth. In the circles that radiate out are your loved ones, friends and acquaintances. “The amount of truth you must tell to any given person depends on how much healthy intimacy you want with that person,” Beck explains. “The more intimate you want a relationship to be, the more truth you must tell. It’s that simple.” Simple doesn’t always equate to easy, though. We’ve all been in those situations where telling the truth takes courage, especially when we’re ‘fessing up to something bad. In many cases, we resist dropping a bomb on someone we love because we don’t want to hurt them. But when we withhold or obscure important truths from loved ones and even

| Josephine magazine |

ourselves, we damage our connections. As Beck says, “Your own heart will tell you that no matter how protective lying may feel, it always poisons connection.” Struggling to decipher what your heart is telling you to do? Before lying about anything, ask yourself these questions, as presented by philosopher Sisela Bok in the 1978 book “Lying: Moral Choice in Public and Private Life.”

❯ Are there some truthful alternatives to using a lie to deal with the particular problem? ❯ What moral justifications are there for telling this lie — and what counter-arguments can be raised against those justifications? ❯ What would a public jury of reasonable persons say about this lie? — CRYSTAL K. WIEBE | Josephine magazine

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“They’re not just life savers, they’re wedding savers.” “When my father, Grant, was unexpectedly admitted to Mosaic Life Care the day of my wedding, I could see my dream wedding disappearing in front of my eyes. But the amazing caregivers at Mosaic Life Care couldn’t bear to see my father or me so heartbroken on this special day. They went out of their way to arrange a ceremony at the hospital chapel so my father could watch me get married. Every woman dreams of her father walking her down the aisle on her wedding day. That day I could see that Mosaic Life Care’s commitment to patients isn’t just about providing great health care. Those caregivers went above and beyond for my family and me, and it’s something I’ll never forget.”

“I’m just so grateful for that.” -Skye, Bride

myMosaicLifeCare.org/WeddingStory 75052096

We’re loving it A look at what Josephine staffers are crazy about this month Looking for a something to read with a little bit of an edge? I’ve always considered fall the perfect time for thrillers, and there are a few I’ve read lately that are worth checking out. “The Girl on the Train” by Paula Hawkins is a murder-mystery involving a couple of love triangles.”The Wicked Girls” by Alex Marwood catches up with two women who haven’t seen each other since they were convicted of a murder as children and now find themselves entangled in an unsolved serial murder case. And if you liked “Gone Girl,” try either of Gillian Flynn’s other two books, “Dark Places” (recently released as a movie) and “Sharp Objects.” Like “Gone Girl,” both include settings that will be familiar to Missouri and Kansas readers.

Paula Hawkins worked as a journalist for 15 years before turning her hand to fiction. ‘The Girl on the Train’ is her first thriller. It has been optioned by Dreamworks.

– Jess DeHaven

Our son is always racing to the bathroom. Since he’s starting kindergarten this year and required to wear a belt, I needed a solution that would not only fit into our school’s dress code but keep my mind at ease. I found MyselfBelts.com. I saw the inventors on “Shark Tank” a while back. The belt simply attaches to one side with a button and the other side uses Velcro. It’s quick and easy. — Jenn Hall

September 2015

At work I usually drink black coffee from the community coffee pot. Sometimes I want a little sweetness, but I don’t like the sugar and powdered creamer that’s available. So, I recently bought a cute little container of Coffee-mate 2GO. It’s a concentrated form of non-dairy liquid coffee creamer that’s just like what’s in the fridge section, but you can leave it out on your desk. One small squirt is enough for a whole cup. It comes in Hazelnut, French Vanilla and Extra Sweet and Creamy. Find them in the coffee aisle for around $3. — Brooke Wilson

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I use over-the-door shoe organizers, like this Honey-Can-Do 24 Pocket Over The Door Shoe Organizer available at Walmart, for a variety of things around the house to save space and keep items organized. My favorite use is for storing cleaning supplies up and out of the way. Each pocket is the perfect size to hold a spray bottle or canister, and the fabric pockets can be labeled for added organization. The organizer also can be cut down to mount inside cabinet doors for extra storage. The shoe organizers are available at most home stores for about $8 to $12. — Jena Sauber

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The Josephine calendar

girlstuff

Sept.

2015

Every Monday

9:45 a.m., meeting (weigh-in 9 to 9:40 a.m.), TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) a non-profit, weight-loss support and education group, East Hills Church of Christ, 3912 Penn St., 364-6641. 5:15 p.m. to 6 p.m., Cardio Fit Boxing, Monroe’s ATA, 2221 N. Belt Highway, 671-1133, $3 a class.

Every Tuesday

Balance is key when packing for hospital, baby

o-be parents can spend months getting everything ready for their new baby, but a properly packed hospital bag for labor and delivery can sometimes be overlooked. Planning ahead and packing the essentials without going overboard can be key to having a comfortable hospital stay. “The bare essentials that a woman would need is an outfit to go home in, an outfit for the baby and a car seat,” says Adriana Nabors, team leader of labor and delivery at Mosaic Life Care. “We have a lot of the stuff, but it’s just going to be a little bit better, more comfortable for you, if you bring it from home.” Although hospitals often have personal hygiene necessities, she encourages parents to “pack like they are going to stay in a hotel,” Nabor says. Three to four extra pairs of underwear, warm socks and a nursing bra if breastfeeding or a sports bra if formula feeding are also key, she says. A fluffy pillow and light robe for after delivery can help make the hospital stay more comfortable. Most couples bring a camera to record

the process, although some physicians discourage filming or photos during the birth so it’s best to ask ahead of time, Nabor says. Typically, hospitals permit photos and video during the labor process and again once the baby is born. Everyone’s method for coping during labor and delivery is different, Nabor says. Some women play music or bring a tablet or laptop to watch movies or play games during the labor process. “We’ve had some people bring in rock music. It’s a variety,” she says. “We try to have that home-like environment. Everyone uses a different way to cope.” For the dad or coach, Nabor recommends bringing a change of clothes, toiletries, snacks and quarters for the vending machine. Chargers for electronics, a spare bag to bring back gifts and insurance information also can be important. The list of items parents could bring along can be lengthy, but it’s important to plan ahead and only bring what is necessary, Nabor says. “If they plan to bring a lot of extra clothes or a lot of extra outfits for baby, you end up having to ‘move out’ at the end,” she says. “You’ll also receive gifts and flowers. You come in with a little and go out with a lot more than you planned, so keep the extras to a minimum.”

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— JENA SAUBER | Josephine magazine

| Josephine magazine |

7:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., Cardio Fit Boxing, Monroe’s ATA, 2221 N. Belt Highway, 671-1133, $3 a class.

Sept. 22 9:30 a.m., Welcome W. Belt Highway. All are cordially invited to attend. For information, call Denise at 232-3030 or Karen at 387-6858. 7 p.m., Introductory session to Creighton Model Fertility Awareness and Appreciation, Heartland Medical Plaza. Course is designed to help couples cooperate with their fertility in family planning. Call 2322258.

Every Wednesday

7:30 a.m., St. Joseph BNI weekly meeting, Pony Express Museum. Call 262-9684. 5:15 to 6 p.m., Cardio Fit Boxing, Monroe’s ATA, 2221 N. Belt Highway, 671-1133, $3 a class.

Thursday, Sept. 10 9:30 a.m., St. Joseph Garden Club will meet at the Joyce Raye Patterson Senior Citizen’s Center. Program by Sherrie Donaldson of Leupold Greenhouse and Orchard. Visitors welcome. For more information, call 232-9151.

Every Friday

5 to 8 p.m., Friday Night Wine Tastings, Smooth Endings Fine Wines, Spirits and Cigars, corner of Belt and Beck, (816) 749-4WINE, $5 per person.

Every Saturday

9 to 9:45 p.m., Cardio Fit Boxing, Monroe’s ATA, 2221 N. Belt Highway, 671-1133, $3 a class.

September 2015

girlstuff

Building teacher relationships The best place to start is a simple introduction

he start of a new school year can bring about a whole host of anxieties for parents. Did you buy the right colored pencils? Will the teacher know that your child is shy and not just avoiding participation?

There is no manual on how to build a relationship with your child’s teacher, so the best place to start is a simple introduction. “Make sure you are present at backto-school nights,” says Ashley Kountz, a fourth-grade teacher at Mid-Buchanan Elementary School. “That’s a lot of the way parents get that mass communication out to me.” Forge ahead with communication. Kountz says teachers need to let parents know the best way to stay in touch. For her, it’s email. Parents need to also let teachers know the best way to reach them, whether that’s email, phone or text messaging. How to communicate, and all concerns, can be addressed before the school year has started. The first day of school may not be the best alternative. Remember, other parents are in the same boat, so try not to occupy the teacher’s time when other parents are standing around to talk. Ask the teacher if she could set aside some time to visit either before school or after school. It also may be wise to wait a few days to meet. Teachers, like students and parents, can get overwhelmed with the start of a new year. The first day can be pretty hectic. 10

September 2015

Thinkstock.com

There is no manual on how to build a relationship with your child’s teacher, so the best place to start is a simple introduction. Teachers suggest giving a brief explanation of your child’s personality. A simple list of their likes, dislikes and basic temperament will suffice. Maintain open lines of communication throughout the school year. “I promote (parents) to ask questions,” Kountz says. “If your child is confused about a subject, an assignment, or there’s a situation that occurs at recess, make sure you ask the teacher first.” Working together to handle situations and troubles is less stressful for everyone. Kountz also suggests keeping social media out of it. Appreciation and support is a two-way

| Josephine magazine |

street between educators and parents. “Make sure you are supportive of your teacher,” Kountz says. “You may not always agree with them, but be aware that they have a class full of children. They have to balance.” That support extends to the time after children leave the classroom, too. She suggests be open to online resources, flashcards and books in addition to oneon-one time in the classroom before or after school if there are difficulties. “It’s a partnered, learned experience,” Kountz says. — JENNIFER HALL | Josephine magazine

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girlstuff

It’s in the bag Trends in purses

re you a bag lady?

Some of us change our purses with every outfit. Others hold onto handbags until they pretty much fall apart. Swapping out with the seasons is a nice middle road. As fall approaches, here are some trends to look out for.

Animal print

When it comes to nature-inspired patterns, like snake and cheetah, you either love ‘em or you hate ‘em. A little bit can go a long way, so if you aren’t ready to rock animal print from head to toe, add some fierce attitude to your look with the right purse. Exotic prints are a natural fit for earth tones, and that’s how major designers, including Marc Jacobs and Miu Miu, have been presenting them on the runway this year. If you can’t decide

which species is your spirit animal, choose a purse that incorporates multiple patterns and colors. BONUS: These leather and leather-like purses are easy to care for and often just wipe clean.

Faux fur

The next step in exotic handbags is the furry purse. These are definitely a special-occasion accessory. Think holiday parties and nights on the town. Fun to touch but harder to maintain, fur purses come in all sizes but may be most practical as a clutch. Look for natural colors and bold, dyed furs. In some cases, you can find real fur bags, if that’s something you’re into. TIP: Don’t set your fuzzy purse anywhere a dog can reach.

Big bags

Face it, not much fits in a clutch. If you’re the type who likes to carry a sweater, umbrella and make your purse double as your shopping bag, this could be your season. In its 2015 Runway Report on purses, Harper’s Bazaar proclaimed that bigger bags are back. Look for HoBo style bags — that is, the kind that slouch between the handles and can hold more stuff. The alternative to big bags is a smaller, rectangular purse with clean, defined lines. — CRYSTAL WIEBE | Josephine magazine

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girlstuff

Put a twist on tailgate food M idwesterners love sports, and Midwesterners love food. When you put the two together, it’s a match made in heaven.

Many people love upping the ante on their sports fandoms by arriving at the stadium a few hours early to cook, eat and socialize. Tailgating can be done at practically any type of sporting event and for any level, from high school to the pros. Two staples of the tailgating table are hamburgers and hot dogs. They’re easy to transport, you can cook them on a small, simple grill setup and you can eat them standing up. But even these American classics get boring after a while, especially for frequent tailgaters. If you want to try new meal ideas at your next sporting event, all it takes is a little extra creativity and planning. One way is to broaden your idea of what “proper” tailgating looks like. “We have done a breakfast tailgate before. Breakfast casserole, doughnuts, bagels, fruit, coffee, juice, etc.,” St. Joseph resident Laura Nold says. She says most of the food was cooked and prepped beforehand so it was easy to serve. If multiple people are sharing the food, assign different responsibilities to different people so everyone can contribute. “One person brought bacon they cooked and then heated it on the grill,” she says. If you want to eat something handheld, you can combine the breakfast or brunch idea with a sandwich. Chef Dawn Forsberg says she recently served mini bagels with lox and a cream cheese spread at an event with friends. You can make the sandwiches the night before and store them in the fridge, then transport them in a cooler. Coolers are a valuable tool to keep food and beverages cold, but their insulating 12

September 2015

2 tablespoons minced kalamata olives

JESSICA STEWART | Josephine magazine

Marcus Atkinson and his wife Elizabeth tailgated with family and friends at a previous Missouri Western State University home opener. properties go both ways. “The cooler is often overlooked as a container for keeping food items hot as well as cold. Using a clean cooler, place hot food items in cooler and close. It is important to keep the cooler closed until ready to serve the food,” Forsberg says. It’s helpful to bring an instant-read food thermometer with you in case you’re worried about keeping things the right temperature. She also suggests a small butane burner if you want to serve soup or chili, which acts like a mini stove.

Mediterranean six-layer dip NOTE: Forsberg suggests preparing this in individual plastic cups so they are handheld and each person has his or her own serving. 8 ounces prepared hummus 1¼ cups plain yogurt, divided 1/2 teaspoon cumin 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon lemon or lime juice 1 cup seeded and chopped tomatoes 1 ripe avocado, seeded and chopped 1/2 cup peeled and chopped cucumber Salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste 4 to 6 ounces crumbled feta cheese

| Josephine magazine |

Strain the yogurt by putting cheesecloth or a paper coffee filter in the bottom of a strainer and pour in all but 1/4 cup of the yogurt (reserve for later). Let it strain for a couple of hours to thicken it up, or overnight (in the fridge) to make thicker “yogurt cheese.” You could also substitute sour cream for the yogurt, if you like. Combine the reserved 1/4 cup of unstrained yogurt with the prepared hummus, then spread mixture on the bottom of a dish. Combine the “yogurt cheese” and cumin and spread over the hummus layer. Toss together the garlic powder, salt, lemon/lime juice, chopped tomatoes and avocado, then spread over the yogurt layer. Add a layer of the cucumbers and sprinkle with a bit of salt and pepper. Add a layer of feta, then finish it all off with olives. Let chill for an hour before serving with pita chips. Serves eight.

Lox and cheese terrine 12 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 1 teaspoon dill weed 3 tablespoons capers 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 9 ounces lox, thinly sliced 1/4 cup chopped red onion 12 mini bagels, split Beat together until the cream cheese, dill weed, capers and lemon juice are blended. Take about 6 ounces of the lox and chop. Add the chopped lox and onion to the cream cheese mixture and blend. Take a bagel and spread the cream cheese mixture on both sides. Lay a slice of the sliced lox in the bagel and close. Set aside. Repeat with the remaining bagels. Place the finished bagels in a resealable bag or airtight container and refrigerate. When ready to serve, place bagels on a platter and garnish with sliced lemons, if desired. Serves 12. — BROOKE WILSON | Josephine magazine

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girlstuff

Picking the right exercise for you

ith so many options to choose from, finding the right kind of exercise can be daunting.

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No matter what fitness craze currently is trending, experts agree that aerobic exercise is a key activity. According to the federal government’s Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, adults ages 18 to 64 should get a least two and a half hours (150 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity a week. Biking, general gardening, walking briskly and water aerobics all are activities that fit the bill. The guidelines say that a good way to determine if moderate intensity has been reached is the talk test — if you can talk while you’re active, you are at a moderate level. If you struggle to speak without stopping to catch your breath while exercising, that is higher-intensity exercise. The guidelines also identify strengthening exercises as important, saying adults should participate in them at least two days a week. Those activities include lifting weights, push-ups and sit-ups. Shawn Embrey, owner of Embr-ACE Wellness and a certified personal trainer, says before getting started, you need

to take stock of your history of physical activity. “They need to determine what their level of physical activity has been,” he says. “They need to go back to the last year to two years.” Embrey’s gym focuses on a level ranking system to help guide an exercise regimen. Embrey says if one has been sedentary, she should ease back into an active lifestyle. “A lot of people fail because they try to jump in too fast to get those goals,” he says. “They end up failing because they’re so psychologically depleted.” For those who are beginners, Embrey suggests starting with body-weight exercises like burpees, body-weight squats and push-ups.

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“You don’t want to jump right into doing CrossFit or something like that because you have the risk of being injured,” he says. He says after starting with those bodyweight activities, exercisers can move on to weight training. He says the same principles apply there. Embrey suggests starting out with higher repetition of weight exercises with lower weights to build stamina, then gradually increasing weight as goals are met. He stressed the importance of building stabilizer muscles first before jumping into higher-level activities. “You’ve got to have a strong, solid base before you try to do the more athletic-type training,” he says.

Rehearsal Dinners Birthday Parties Reunions

— JESSICA SHUMAKER | Josephine magazine

On-site Seating for up to 50 people in the elegant atmosphere of our beautiful historic restaurant.

girlstuff

Remodeling realities

Be prepared for bumps in the project

emodeling a house can be an exciting project for homeowners, but it also can be a lengthy and expensive process if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Before taking the plunge, research what you’re getting yourself into. Even projects that seem small, like redoing a hallway bathroom, could come with unexpected complications. The first step is finding a good contractor who can walk you through the process and answer questions before the actual work begins. Ideal candidates will have some history in the area but are up to date on new products and innovations. “Everybody has to start somewhere, but so many times contractors are here today and gone tomorrow. ... There’s an old rule of thumb that if you pick up an older phone book and look at the list of contractors in business 10 years, even five years ago, and see who still is in business today,” Don Lorenz of The Dillon Co. says in a recent News-Press interview. Then, draw up and sign a contract that details exactly what you want done. That way, you have something to refer back to when problems arise. St. Joseph resident Cassy Johnston learned that the hard way when she and her husband recently remodeled their kitchen. “We gutted the kitchen, removing everything including the cabinets. We then blew out the wall between the formal living room and kitchen/dining room. We wanted a more open floor plan,” she says. They thought the bid from their contractor included the price of new flooring. Unfortunately, they didn’t sign 14

September 2015

a formal contract. When the time came to add the flooring, they were out more money than they originally thought. “(M)ake sure you sign a contract and keep it updated as you add stuff so you do not end up with a bigger bill after it is all over,” Johnston advises. She says they ran into other snags along the way. The cabinets they ordered didn’t fit the space because one of the soffits they intended on knocking out had a load-bearing beam, which they didn’t check before, so they had to buy new ones. They ordered their new appliances directly from the manufacturer instead of through a store, but even though they saved money, it took several weeks longer for them to arrive at the house than anticipated. ”Also, we found out when we knocked the wall out, the ceilings in the two rooms were different heights and tex-

| Josephine magazine |

tures. That was another $300 in materials to make them even,” Johnston says. It’s good to go into a remodeling project with realistic expectations about what’s ahead. Try to budget in extra money to cover problems, and don’t be surprised if it takes longer than you originally thought. If you’re redoing a main part of the house like a bathroom or kitchen, be prepared to alter your daily routine until the project is finished. To save money, Johnston says to do some of the easy work yourself so the contractors don’t have to, like painting, staining or even some demolition. However, even though it can be daunting, most homeowners agree that the finished product makes all the stress worth it. ”I love our kitchen,” Johnston says. — BROOKE WILSON | Josephine magazine

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girlstuff

Land the right job with the right words

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Cover letters are extremely important for job seekers. They can lead a prospective employer to look at your resume. newspressnow.com/josephine

f first impressions matter the most, the first impression, even on paper, can be valuable in landing the perfect job.

“Cover letters are extremely important, because the cover letter is to encourage a possible future employer to look at your resume,” says Laura Brewer, on-the-job career navigator at the Missouri Career Center in Downtown St. Joseph. It only takes a few moments to make a first impression, Brewer says. First words on a cover letter are no exception. “Everybody only has about three to 10 seconds to impress an employer,” she says. “That’s all it takes for a prospective employer to see if it is really worth them delving into (your application).” Cover letters should be clear and concise, telling possible employers what specific job you are interested in and why. Brewer says to be sure to state why you think you would be a good fit in the company and what you can do to better the business with your specific skills. “That way, (companies) don’t feel like they are multi-mail,” she says. “After the introduction, you will have the body of the letter that actually builds a connection with the company’s needs and your skills that directly relate to the job.” Researching the needs of the job and company also can go a long way to prove your interest with the company. The letter should be a maximum of one page with an ending that states you are eager to discuss the position further with the employer. Following the cover letter, a skill-specific and focused resume is encouraged to keep the possible employer’s interest. At the top of a resume, a focused objective also can tell companies about your intent, longevity and purpose. “Your resume really needs to be eye-catching, state the exact position you are seeking with that company and why,” Brewer says. “You can use a variety of descriptive words to state your objective in that opening statement.” Work employment history, longevity with past employers and any additional skills that you can bring to a company should be listed in the resume. Adding personal touches that highlight what you specifically can bring to companies can emphasize why the business needs to hire you instead of other applicants. Highlighting computer skills also has become a popular need for many employers in recent years. A clear and detailed resume and cover letter can prove why the prospective employer should give your application a further look.

| Josephine magazine |

— KRISTIN HOPPA | Josephine magazine September 2015

Mandy Miller demonstrates spotting a gymnast. Miller is the owner of MEGA Gymnastics.

September 2015

| Josephine magazine |

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An all-around success

MEGA Gymnastics owner turns childhood dream into big business

Jessica Stewar t | Josephine magazine

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| Josephine magazine |

September 2015

Jessica Stewar t | Josephine magazine

Mandy Miller’s business, MEGA Gymnastics, has grown since opening five years ago. There are a variety of classes offered including competitive cheerleading.

Gymnastics owner turns childhood dream into successful business

andy Miller was 12 years old when a void in her present formed a dream for her future.

Having been involved in gymnastics since she was 3, the St. Joseph native trained through level eight locally but would have had to go to Kansas City for more advanced coaching. Instead, she opted to turn her focus to cheerleading — but determined that one day, she’d open a gym offering what hers hadn’t been able to provide.

“When I had to quit gymnastics because there was nowhere else in town for me to train, I just thought that shouldn’t be the only reason,” notes Mandy, who is now 25. She first made a business plan for her venture as part of a marketing class at 18

September 2015

Central High School. A few years later, while studying business at Missouri Western State University, she received encouragement to press forward with her plan from her mother, Lisa Miller. “I thought we’d rent a little building, she’d teach a couple of cartwheels and

| Josephine magazine |

we’d move on,” says Lisa, who spent 15 years teaching marketing at Lafayette High School before leaving the job last year to work full-time with her daughter, whose business had grown far beyond either of their expectations. MEGA Gymnastics marked five years in July and now operates out of a 20,000-square-foot building at 5802 Corporate Dr. It has 540 students between the ages of 18 months and 18 years and offers classes in tumbling, gymnastics and cheerleading. It also has a parkour-based program specifically for boys, as well as competitive cheer and gymnastics teams. (For more information about MEGA, call 232-6342 or go online to www.megagymnastics.us.) Given that the gym started with 65 students and outgrew two facilities

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prior to its present one — and given that Mandy was only 20 when it began and, for insurance reasons, couldn’t even coach without an older adult around — growing pains have been inevitable. But from her perspective, they haven’t been all bad. “I enjoy the challenge,” she says. “There’s different things that come up every day, and we get to use our imagination on different things we can do.” This kind of thinking is what led to MEGA’s most recent venture, a fitness-based preschool called Flip and Learn. It will start this September and, in addition to teaching normal preschool curriculum, will also emphasize physical activity and nutritional education. “We feel like kids need to start early in taking care of their bodies,” Lisa says, “and we know physical activity correlates to more success academically.” A preschool program also is a good fit for the gym given that many of its staff members are educators. Lisa notes that she and Mandy have found people with a teaching background often are the best fit as coaches, because they’re prepared to manage kids in a stimulating environment. “We can teach someone how to spot a cartwheel or a roundoff, but it’s harder to teach classroom management,” she adds. As for her own transition into coaching, Mandy notes that while she does take advantage of continuing education through her USA Gymnastics membership, a lot of teaching skills have been innate. “It’s always come really naturally for me to teach other people to do gymnastics, because I have such a passion for it,” she says. If there’s any other perk that rivals being able to do work she’s passionate about, it’s the family support that’s also come with the job. Also involved at MEGA — in addition to her mother — are her sister, Abby Miller, who works as a coach; and both of her grandmothers, one who bakes cupcakes for birthday parties and the other who reads to students during a preschool program called Kids’ Day Out. And the newest member of the family, Mandy’s son, also is a frequent visitor to the gym. Given all that’s happened in her first five years in business, it’s hard to imagine what another five might bring. But one thing Mandy can say for sure is that the dream she formed when she was 12 has come true in spades. “I always expected to be successful but never expected to have this many kids and be doing this many programs,” she says. “It’s definitely exceeded my expectations.” — ERIN WISDOM | Josephine magazine

Jessica Stewar t | Josephine magazine

Mandy Miller, owner of MEGA Gymnastics, prepares for open gym. Miller was a gymnast and a cheerleader and turned those talents into a business. The family business recently celebrated its fifth anniversary.

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| Josephine magazine |

September 2015

Lisa Horn | Josephine magazine

Historic Victorian-era storefronts greet travelers just off Interstate 70 in Paxico, Kan.

Head for the hills Trip to Kansas’ Flint Hills region makes for quick and memorable getaway

eeling small never felt so good.

That’s how I felt after my husband and I spent an extended weekend in the Kansas Flint Hills recently. The huge expanse of land and the vast sky have a strange way of making a person (and life’s daily stresses) feel somewhat insignificant. Please see KANSAS’/Page 22

September 2015

| Josephine magazine |

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Lisa Horn | Josephine magazine

The Lower Fox Creek School can be seen from a trail in the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. The school, built from stone quarried nearby, served area students from 1884 to 1930.

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Kansas’ Flint Hills region makes for quick and memorable getaway CONTINUED FROM Page 20 The light, the breezes and scents are magnified. It’s no wonder that artists like Louis Copt are inspired by the region. “It’s one of the few places where all you see is land and sky,” says Copt, who grew up in the Flint Hills. “There’s something very peaceful about that, very renewing, very refreshing.” His artwork shows the prairie’s rugged beauty can be enjoyed in any season from the spring pasture fires to the simple starkness of a wintry landscape. The largest remaining tract of tallgrass prairie in North America, the Flint Hills still comprises a large amount of unplowed land, similar to what the Native Americans and early settlers would have known. The region covers several counties in east-central Kansas, a large part along the scenic byway of Kansas Highway 177. From St. Joseph to the eastern edge of the Flint Hills, it’s about a two-hour drive. “It’s a place where you can go where there’s hardly any people and you can be alone,” Copt says. “It’s conducive to meditation — a way to get away from city life.”

Paxico

We began our journey in Paxico, just off Interstate 70. Despite its size, this home of 221 people has several antique shops to browse and even sample wines at the Wyldewood Cellars, which was our first stop. The cellars boast more than 40 different wines including their famous elderberry wine and elderberry concentrate.

Alma

With a few bottles now clinking in the trunk, some cheese was definitely in order. After turning onto Highway 99, we stopped in Alma, the City of Native Stone. Ninety-eight percent of the town’s historic district is constructed of the native rock and the craftsmanship is truly amazing. Near the railroad tracks is where we picked up what turned into a perfect complement for our wine later that night — cheese from the Alma Creamery. In operation since 1946, the creamery makes a variety of cheeses, including its sinfully delicious cheese curds, which pop up in supermarkets in the Kansas City metro from time to 22

September 2015

Lisa Horn | Josephine magazine

Limestone fences run along Highway 177 in the Flint Hills. Early settlers built miles of these after the open range law was abolished. Landowners were paid 40 cents a rod (16.5 feet) to construct and maintain a 4.5foot long fence. time. If you’re not careful, you may have the entire package consumed before they ever make it to your hors d’oeuvres tray. Did I mention free samples? Oh yes, free samples.

Council Grove

After leaving Alma, we headed west on Highway 4, then south on the Flint Hills Scenic Byway – Highway 177. Our plan was to check in where we’d be staying for the night, the Heritage House at Canning Creek. Just a short drive from downtown Council Grove, the bed and breakfast is on a 560-acre ranch. Rooms range from $100 to $200 a night. Amenities include a country breakfast (Cheryl, the owner, puts on quite a spread), an outside hot tub and trails where you can sneak a peek of some Kansas wildlife (we saw some quails) or a curious cow. Our big plan for the evening was to sample some of the local beef at the Hays House 1857 Restaurant. The restaurant claims to be the oldest continuously operating restaurant west of the Mississippi River. Once inside, you can almost picture the old gaslights and cowboys worn from weeks of cattle driving

| Josephine magazine |

cozying up to the bar. There are several dining rooms, all of which are finely appointed, but the menu is reasonably priced. Expect to spend anywhere from $9 for small plates to $27 for a steak with all the fixings. Established first as an outpost for missionaries with intentions of converting local Native Americans to Christianity, Council Grove also was the last taste of civilization before journeying west on the Santa Fe Trail. In 1863, one of those travelers was Giovanni Maria de Augustini, a religious mystic who lived in what is now called Hermit’s Cave for five months before walking 550 miles to Las Vegas, N.M. It, like several other historic sites in Council Grove, is still standing and is remarkably well preserved despite being more than 150 years old. Another place to check out is the Kaw Mission, built in 1851 as a school for boys from the Kaw (Kanza) American Indian tribe, with exhibits on Euro-American and Native American cultures.

Tallgrass Prairie Preserve

South of Council Grove, just off Highway 177, is the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve. Established in 1996, the preserve

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Submitted photo

‘Prairie Heat’ by Louis Copt. Controlled range burning takes place each spring in the Kansas Flint Hills, burning old grass to promote quick, new growth and keeping shrubs and trees to a minimum — a necessity for grazing.

Cottonwood Falls

The next day we drove south to the historic town of Cottonwood Falls. The iconic Chase County Courthouse is a must see. Overlooking Broadway like a noble watchman, it’s the oldest Midwestern courthouse still in daily use. The courthouse was built in 1873 from native limestone quarried and handcut in the Flint Hills, according to the Chase County Chamber of Commerce. The stone blocks were then hauled to the courthouse by horse-drawn wagons, with some weighing nearly seven tons. Be sure to check out the black walnut staircase (spiraling three stories), courtroom and jail. If all the allure of the Old West has you yearning for a new pair of boots, just down Broadway is Ranch Rules, a Western store with fashionable clothing, antique furniture and gifts with an eclectic flair. Be sure to also check out the Cottonwood River, which rushes at the foot of

Broadway for the perfect photo op.

Flint Hills Discovery Center

A great place to get a “lay of the land” before venturing into the Flint Hills is the Flint Hills Discovery Center in Manhattan, Kansas. The center provides interactive exhibits for adults and children on the history and science of the region, including the current “In the Dark” exhibit featuring Flint Hills wildlife at night, now through Sept. 20. Copt and several other artists’ work will be featured in the upcoming exhibit, “Flint Hills Masters,” from Oct. 3 through Jan. 16. Several accompanying workshops are also scheduled. Visit flinthillsdiscovery.org for more information. “We serve as a great starting spot to go into the Flint Hills,” says Megan Berry, marketing coordinator for the center. The Flint Hills challenges the notion that Kansas is flat and boring. “It really does take your breath away,” she says. “It makes you realize how

SCHOOL IS IN SESSION!

small you are in the world.” And in a place as beautiful as this, it’s good to feel small. — LISA HORN | Josephine magazine

FLINT HILLS EVENTS ❯ CASSODAY BIKE RUN, Cassoday, first Sundays, March through November. cassodaybikerun.org. ❯ CITY-WIDE GARAGE SALES and German meal, Alma, Oct. 10, 2015. ❯ FLINT HILLS RODEO, Strong City, June 2 through 4, 2016. flinthillsrodeo.org. ❯ SYMPHONY IN THE FLINT HILLS, June 11, 2016. symphonyintheflinthills.org ❯ WASHUNGA DAYS, Council Grove, June 17 through 19, 2016. washungadays. com.

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protects 10,861 acres, controlled by The Nature Conservancy and the National Park Service. Keep your camera handy for the beautiful wildflowers and animals you’ll see along the site’s trails. A small, but growing herd of bison grazes on the preserve and the historic ranch home recently reopened after a year and a half of renovations. From Memorial Day through October, on holidays and the first and third weekends of each month, you can experience daily activities on a working ranch. Activities may include historic cooking, music programs, soap making, quilting, carpentry skills, roping skills and blacksmithing.

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Working with your wardrobe Take time to pull all your clothes out of your closet and try them on

ow many times have you stood staring at a closet full of clothes convinced you have nothing to wear? You sift through tops and skirts and dresses you’ve seen a thousand times and now you hate all of it.

All of a sudden, everything you own is outdated. None of it looks good on you. Nothing goes together. You’re doomed forever. It is the end of life as you know it. A deep fury sets in. You’re standing there with a piercing glare that could probably drop anyone who dares to get in your line of vision. In your head, you’re stomping your feet and screaming into a pillow and ripping your clothes apart into a tattered mountain of threads and chiffon floating to the floor around you and it’s even more dramatic than it sounds. You’re vaguely aware that your tantrum could rival a 2-year-old’s meltdown, but it’s justified, obviously. That’s it, you need new everything. We’ve all had this moment, and the void left by all the clothes we now hate in our closets is so satisfyingly filled with the feeling of shopping bags in our hands and beautiful new things to wear. But they’re new things that will just end up being part of the cycle. There are smarter ways to overcome your wardrobe blues — cheaper and more efficient ways. The truth about your closet is that you really don’t hate everything in it. Some days it might feel that way, but you bought your clothes for a reason and you don’t need to go out and spend your life’s savings on new outfits just because you’re not feeling it today. If you’ve gotten bored with your clothes or you don’t have the time or money to constantly add to your wardrobe, follow these simple instructions to revolutionize the way you feel about 24

September 2015

getting dressed in the morning. The best thing you can do is take the time to actually pull stuff out of your closet and just put it on, says April Nold, owner of Lil’ Pink Closet. This is crucial because looking at something on a hanger is nothing like actually getting it on your body, but we so rarely do that with some of our clothes. This will tell you a lot about what you’re working with. You’ll remember how uncomfortable that one dress is. You’ll be reminded of how great you look in those shorts. This is also surprisingly fun, like that scene from the “Sex and the City” movie where all the girls go through a couple bottles of champagne to pack up 20 years worth of hilariously wonderful trends in Carrie’s closet. Maybe invite some friends over and re-create that if you’re feeling ambitious. Here are the three things you should think about and try to accomplish when you’re crusading through your clothes:

Find your style

You know those things you have that are cute and everything, but you just don’t really wear them? Or even like them, let’s be honest. You wish you liked it, but you just don’t. So it sits there, being unworn day after day. Well, it’s because it’s not your style.

| Josephine magazine |

Your clothes are an expression of your personality. Take note of what makes you feel good when you put it on, says Nold. The No. 1 priority when you’re picking out, buying and wearing clothes should be how you feel in them. Wear things that make you feel like you. Figuring out what you actually like in your closet and what you don’t will help keep you from continuing to waste money on things you don’t like in the future. It also will help you with the next objective ...

Cleanse

That pair of acid wash jeans you haven’t worn since 1993? Toss them. The shirt you only bought because you were wearing the rose-colored glasses I like to call “super clearance”? Toss it. There’s absolutely no sense in keeping clothes you don’t like around to clutter up your closet. You’re never going to wear them, stop lying to yourself. When you’re trying to find something to wear, those things just get in the way and heighten frustration. Gretchen Rubin writes in her book, “The Happiness Project,” “Although people believe they like to have lots of choices, in fact, having too many choices can be discouraging. Instead of making people feel more satisfied, a wide range of options can paralyze them.” At the end of the day, being able to look at a closet full of clothes you actually like is the greatest feeling. It really is worth it.

Reimagine

There’s an outfit conundrum that makes getting dressed pretty difficult sometimes. You’ll newspressnow.com/josephine

Keep the basics as a base. Black dresses, skinny jeans, white T-shirts — those are the kind of things that never really go out of style and you can pair with all kinds of new ideas. have an adorable pair of shorts but no top that works with them. Or you’ll have an amazing top that somehow doesn’t go with any of your skirts. Something magical will occur when you take this time to try things on. You’ll fall into a rabbit hole, like Alice in Wonderland. When you put on a piece in this experimental context, it’s like seeing it through new eyes. All of a sudden, light bulbs will go off and you’ll have the solution. You’ll find a purpose for your purposeless pieces and make new outfits out of things you never realized could go together. One trick for recreating your clothes is to keep the basics as a base. Black dresses, skinny jeans, white T-shirts — those are the kind of things that never really go out of style and you can pair with all kinds of new ideas. Try layering pieces that might be a little less up-to-date, Nold says. You can cover up details that give away how dated a piece is with something a little more trendy. Consider mixing and matching accessories in the same way to add an update to an old outfit. Just open up your mind and allow your creativity to take over. Sometimes it only takes a new perspective to yield a great result. I guarantee you’ll create at least a few new outfits from the clothes you’ve already got — you just have to find them. — KENDALL FOLEY | Josephine magazine

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One trick for recreating your clothes is to keep the basics as a base.

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| Josephine magazine |

September 2015

Brandy Meeks is the director of St. Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pregnancy Resource Center, which is a faith-based organization. The agency offers resources to women who are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and women who have had an abortion.

Jessica Stewar t | Josephine magazine

September 2015

| Josephine magazine |

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A safe haven Brandy Meeks, PRC help women deal with unplanned pregnancies

hether a woman is facing an unexpected pregnancy or dealing with issues surrounding an abortion, Brandy Meeks, director of St. Joseph’s Pregnancy Resource Center, has helped create a safe haven where women can go and seek help. Meeks has been working as the PRC director for more than two years now. She vividly remembers the time she felt God prompting her to action when she was just a 14-year-old girl. She has always had a passion to serve and give back to those in need. “I have always been passionate about preserving the family unit, but I had no idea my passion would take on this shape,” Meeks says. The PRC is a faith-based organization supported by private donors and area churches in Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas. It is a refuge and resource to women and babies in unplanned pregnancies and to women who’ve gone through an abortion. The St. Joseph PRC strives to help women through the various free services it offers. “We served over 250 women within all of our programs in 2014, and we are on track to serve close to 300 in 2015,” Meeks says. “Our programs are about supporting women in crisis pregnancies through our free clinic services to help women turn from abortion and make life-affirming decisions, educating mothers and fathers-to-be through our parenting classes, offering post-abortion healing classes and helping our program participants break the cycle of poverty by partnering with American Business and Technology University to provide an opportunity to obtain an associate’s degree at no cost.” Meeks has six other staff and more

We served over 250 women within all of our programs in 2014, and we are on track to serve close to 300 in 2015. Our programs are about supporting women in crisis pregnancies through our free clinic services ... — BRANDY MEEKS, Pregnancy Resource Center director

than 30 weekly volunteers who give up their time to serve in any way possible. Meeks has helped a lot of woman through their crisis pregnancies, but the very first woman she helped is still her favorite story to tell. Meeks shared about her experience meeting a young mom named Daisy. Daisy was trying everything she could to hide her pregnancy and get an abortion, but she couldn’t get a loan and she was living in fear. She had an appointment to get an abortion but something didn’t feel right, so she left with more questions. Meeks lit up with excitement when she expressed the outcome of Daisy’s story. “The next week, Daisy and her boyfriend arrived at her repeat appointment with smiles and carried in a gift for staff and volunteers, a bouquet of daisies to show their gratitude,” she says. “While watching the ultrasound, they held hands as they saw pictures of their baby jumping around on the screen and quietly laughed when they joked around about whose features their little one had. We all could feel the warmth in the room.” Every year the PRC throws a banquet

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| Josephine magazine |

to help raise awareness and financial support. This year the banquet is held at Word of Life church on Sept. 15. “The annual banquet raises the largest percentage of our budget for the year,” Meeks says. “Because we don’t receive any state or federal funds, it is imperative that we have a successful event. The event also raises awareness for our organization.” Meeks has worked hard to help individuals see the need for financial support and the fears that come with unexpected pregnancies. “The face of abortion is changing. We’re seeing more married couples than ever, married couples with graduate degrees coming into our clinic,” she says. “They often state, ‘This (pregnancy) wasn’t in the plan.’ The younger single women are typically entering our programs through the parenting classes now.” Meeks says she is on a mission to love those who feel unloveable. “It’s not enough to simply state that you care about a cause,” she says. “The difference is when you care enough to do something about it.” — CHELSIE KORMEIER | Josephine magazine September 2015

Average Joe My hair started turning

Gray is in Toss the hair dye and own your look ALONZO WESTON has been a columnist and reporter for the St. Joseph News-Press for more than 25 years. He and his wife, Deanna, have two children and a dog. The St. Joseph native is also a sports junkie who doesn’t pick up after himself. If you’d like to suggest an idea for this column, contact Alonzo at alonzo.weston@ newspressnow.com.

gray when I was around 40 years old. It came in as a gray streak a little off center, sort of like Lily Munster if she had a stingy Afro. I tried Grecian Formula, but it turned the streak blond instead of turning it back to black. Since I’m not the type of guy to make any kind of Dennis Rodman type tonsorial statement, I dyed my hair black. But bottle black isn’t the same as natural black. It’s like comic book black where Superman’s hair is so black it has blue highlights. No one believes it. I tried that Just For Men Touch of Gray stuff where you add as much black as you like but can still leave a few gray strands. That works but you’ve got to be careful how long you leave it on. I used it in my beard one year for a family reunion and left it in so long it came out as black as the beard on Popeye’s Brutus. It stood out like a bad toupee. Finally I just said the heck with it and owned my gray hair. After all, there are lots of men like Sean Connery, Morgan Freeman and Roger Sterling who make gray hair look cool and distinguished. But there are also men like Grady on “Sanford and Son” with gray hair, too. The distinction between sophisticated and crotchety is a fine line when it comes to gray hair. I’m not sure presidential graying counts as cool, however. When Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton turned gray it seemed more a sign of weariness. I couldn’t do the gray head of hair. It made me look too much like Uncle Ben on the box of rice.

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| Josephine magazine |

I settled for a bald head and gray beard. More often than not I keep my beard trimmed to a goatee. A bald head with a gray goatee gives me a bad biker, movie villain sort of look. A full gray beard gives sort of a professor or psychologist type look. It counteracts the baldness. Sometimes I’ll wear a mustache with the bald head, which makes me look like an undercover cop. If I keep the gray beard to a stubble, I’d better be dressed well or I’ll look like a gas station wino. Now gray hair is in style even for young men and women. According to a Business Insider article, the sale of gray hair dye has risen 80 percent on Amazon. It’s being called the unisex granny hair trend. Gray hair is now a choice instead of a curse. It’s given “Shades of Gray” new meaning. I ran into an old classmate the other day who was very pretty in high school and still is. She always took pride in her appearance, so I was surprised to see her sporting all gray hair. It actually looked nice on her. That was before I knew it was a trend, so I just figured she gave in to the gray like I did. Now I see young women and various celebrities like Rihanna and Kylie (not Caitlyn) Jenner sporting gray hair. To me, a young woman with gray hair looks sort of vampire spooky. I’d be afraid of getting bit. So damn the dye. Now we can proudly flaunt our gray. We earned it. Now if only someone would say beer bellies are in style then I’d be really cool.

September 2015

Getting real Waiting for my daugh-

ter to come out of the store, I had a little time to enjoy one of my favorite pastimes: people watching. I soon noticed a middle-aged couple pulling into a parking space across from me. The gentleman stepped out of the car and scooted around the vehicle where the Mrs. sat patiently until he opened the door for her. This act is not a common occurrence since the feminist movement came into being, so his actions seemed suspicious to me. I kept an eye on the couple, looking for clues that would indicate that this lady was a kidnap victim, and he had told her not to move until he opened her door because he wanted to keep her in his clutches. Not observing any of the obvious telltale signs I had seen on the Lifetime channel, I quickly put to rest the kidnapping theory, but the sweet “indicator of respect” between this man and his wife had me stop for a moment to consider a few things. My first question was, when did this gesture come into being? After some constructive thinking, I decided it was probably invented back in the days of stagecoaches, when the man needed to help the woman out of the horse-drawn buggy. It was probably done as a safety precaution so he could go before her and remove the snakes and wild beasts that roamed the prairie, keeping them from getting caught up in her 40 pounds of petticoats. My next realization was I don’t really have a problem with a fella opening my car door, but I do have a problem with the amount of time I have to wait for him to get to my side. It just seems awkward for me to be

sitting there with nothing to do while he is roaming about. Do I take that time to balance my checkbook or file my nails, or should I use it to add a bit of lip gloss just in case I decide to give him a little kiss for going to all of that effort? Once I figured all of these details out, I went home and announced to my hubby that he was not required to ever open my car door unless I had an injury. As usual, he looked at me with a slightly irritated, slightly worried expression before asking, “Not sure where this is coming from, but you may want to make me a list of things you would like for me to do and not do, just so that I can keep them all straight.” With full confidence, I replied, “I find it touching when you open the entrance door upon arrival at any building, but I do not need you to open my car door. Also, I love it when you buy flowers for me to plant in my garden, but I think it is foolish that you would buy flowers at the florist. Next, just because I am a girl, I don’t need you to kill spiders for me. Instead, I need you to catch them in a tissue and carefully put it outside to live with the other bugs. And lastly, I would like it if you would carry heavy packages into the house, but don’t you ever think it’s because I am too weak to do it myself.” He sat and blankly looked at me for an uncomfortably long time, then said, “Would you mind writing that down?”

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| Josephine magazine |

Let me get that for you In our feminist era, what courtesies should a man extend? STACEY MOLLUS is a humor columnist and author who believes laughter is the best form of exercise. She loves sparkles, stretchy pants, sunbeams and family. Her first fiction novella, “Sylvia, please don’t be dead,” is available in bookstores and online. You can contact her at queenofchocolates@live.com.

September 2015

Meal time

Mustard madness

ustard is my favorite condiment, with myriad types and flavors that can be used in so many ways. Growing up, the only mustard in our home (and pretty much every other home in Northwest Missouri) was the fake yellow ballpark kind, which is still satisfying good on a hot dog. Now that so many mustards are readily available, I prefer the real thing and so does much of the world.

One of my favorite towns in France is Dijon, a charming place where the celebration of its namesake is evident. (I started a mustard pot collection there.) When living in Sonoma, the Mustard Festival was mandatory. The Germanic countries frequently use a grainy mustard, often with a kick of horseradish. The Nordic peoples love dill in their mustard. Many Asian countries use a sweet and hot mustard for their sauces, and the Brits love hot mustard on their sausages. (They call their sausages bangers, but I refuse to subject myself to the teasing by my cousin Donnie if I print that!) My house mustard is real Dijon because it works with everything. I also keep whole-grain mustard, Colemanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dry, tarragon, etc. A dollop of mustard can be incorporated into many recipes and up the flavor content of foods such as potato salad, vinaigrettes or meatloaf. This recipe has been around for years and rightly so. It is easy, almost foolproof and everybody likes it. I used to have to go to Japan Town in San Francisco to get panko crumbs, but now they are widely available. In the older days we used cornflakes. You can prepare the chicken ahead of time, refrigerate, then bake at the appropriate time. You can use only boneless chicken breast, but I like to use bone-in thighs â&#x20AC;&#x201D; much more flavorful. 30

September 2015

Mustard crunchy chicken

Mustard crunchy chicken 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper 4 garlic cloves 2 cups panko crumbs 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 1/2 cup Dijon mustard 1/2 cup dry white wine 6 pieces chicken thighs Preheat oven to 350 degrees. If you have a food processor, place thyme, 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper along with the garlic cloves in it and finely mince. Alternatively mince together. Then add the panko crumbs, lemon zest, olive oil and butter to moisten the crumbs. In a shallow bowl, whisk together the mustard and wine. Pat chicken dry and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Dip each piece in the wine and mustard mixture, coating well on all sides. Then place skin side down and only one side in the crumb mixture. Place in shallow baking dish, crumb side up. Then press the remaining crumbs on the chicken pieces. Bake for 40 minutes for thighs, then raise the heat to 400 degrees and bake for another 10 minutes until the crumbs are browned and the chicken is cooked through. You can use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Serve hot, warm or at room temperature

| Josephine magazine |

This is a very easy and versatile sauce. It goes well with all meats, and I especially love it with ham (and leftover ham croquettes).

Mustard sauce 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 tablespoons all purpose flour 1 cup whole milk 1/4 cup Dijon mustard 1 teaspoon cider vinegar Freshly ground black pepper to taste In a small saucepan, melt butter over low heat, add flour and stir until a smooth paste forms. Gradually add the milk, whisking until thickened and smooth, about four minutes. Add mustard, vinegar and pepper, and stir vigorously until well blended.

LONNIE GANDARA TAYLOR is a St. Joseph native who has returned home after a prestigious career in the culinary field. She taught cooking classes in the San Francisco Bay area for years and was a professional assistant to Julia Child, James Beard, Martha Stewart, Simone Beck and Martin Yan, among others. She is a graduate of the Paris Cordon Bleu, the Academie du Vin in Paris and the first culinary class held in the Oriental hotel in Bangkok, as well as being the author of five cookbooks.

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Everybody get healthy It is inevitable.

We will get hurt. Every single one of us, at some point in our lives, sustains an injury of some degree. However the manner in which we react to those injuries is often the difference between just missing out on doing what we want and having a life-changing experience. When I was 19, I tore the ACL in one of my knees. I was active, enjoyed running almost daily and was working my way through college. With my injury, and then through surgery and recovery, I was unable to do many of those things that I loved — running, playing sports with friends, even working. It was a physical struggle but also a significant psychological and emotional struggle to stay positive in the face of what seemed like the worst thing in the world. During that time, I had to change how I thought about myself and about my abilities and find a deeper strength to get through those many months of recovery and back to doing what I so badly wanted to do. What seemed like the end of the world at the time I now see as one of the most important experiences of my life. Not only did my experience with physical therapy after surgery propel me to become a therapist myself, my own perspective of myself changed. I truly realized for the first time that I am not just a body. I am not just the muscle and bone that make me a human being. There is more to me, and more to everyone, as a person than what we can or cannot do physically. Our bodies fail us sometimes, whether due to injury, illness or other conditions. But that does not have to tear down what is on the inside. In fact, sometimes our

physical struggles are the ones that strengthen us the most as a person. I have worked with many patients that have been able to take their pain, their limitations and their fears and turn them into determination and strength. One of the joys of being a physical therapist is being able to watch the transformation of patients over the days, weeks and sometimes months of rehabilitation. I meet people for the first time often when they are in pain, anxious about their current limitations and perhaps doubtful about their future. As the physical recovery begins, so does a journey and a rehabilitation of the whole person. Mental toughness is discovered through difficult and sometimes uncomfortable exercises. Fear is overcome as the body is pushed to walk or to run for the first time in months or even years. Genuine joy is found in realizing that the leg that didn’t hold them up a week ago can now support them, or the arm that would hardly move can now reach to comb their hair. The lessons learned in overcoming an obstacle — especially one that affects everything we do — are the ones that really stick. The perseverance to overcome pain and the optimism to see past the present trials are traits that are wrought in tough times. A physical malady can so quickly bring us down; we are unable to be ourselves and can even lose sight of what we are capable of. But the opportunities for us to become a stronger, more resilient person are there as well. So remember the next time the inevitable happens; you are bigger than the injury, stronger than the illness, and more than just a body. You are a PERSON.

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| Josephine magazine |

When injury becomes opportunity Remember you are bigger than your problem DR. MAUREEN HOLTZ has been a physical therapist with Performance Plus Rehabilitation Center since May 2012. She is a St. Joseph native and a graduate of the University of Missouri’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program. While she has experience with pediatric and inpatient physical therapy, she enjoys the setting and challenges of outpatient orthopedic physical therapy. Dr. Holtz is particularly interested in the treatment of adolescent athletes, pregnant and postpartum women and transitioning patients from physical therapy to fitness and wellness programs. She also has written and produced ongoing quarterly newsletters for both patients and physicians in the St. Joseph area. In her free time, she enjoys running and weight training, as well as spending time with her husband and two sons.

September 2015

NOW IENTLY CONVENED IN LOCAT PH ST. JOSE

KU CENTER FOR ADVANCED FETAL CARE K

NO SUBSTITUTE FOR EXPERIENCE “Every fetal patient is different; physician experience is fundamental to achieving best outcomes. The learning curve cannot be replaced by observation or reading.” – Dr. Carl Weiner The KU Center for Advanced Fetal Care offers comprehensive special programs for ﬁrst trimester screening, second and third trimester screening, fetal diagnostic tests and advanced treatment options. It is the only program in the six-state region around Kansas City staffed with dedicated specialists and facilities who have the experience in this ﬁeld you can count on.

What do you mean by “Every fetal patient is different?” A fetus is not just a small child; this little patient has uniquely different biology that is changing up through birth. Each new day during gestation brings new challenges. Different stages of development can require a different type of treatment and/or physician skillset. Many factors such as a mother’s health contribute to the uniqueness of the fetal environment. A Fetal Medicine physician’s skill and experience are crucial to an optimal outcome.

What is a Fetal Medicine Physician? A Maternal Fetal Medicine physician (also called a perinatologist) specializes in the care of pregnant women and their fetuses. They begin their career as a women’s surgeon, and then train three more years as a subspecialist for high-risk pregnancy. A Fetal Medicine physician further subspecializes by spending their life studying normal and abnormal fetal physiology so that they can make the best decisions at the right time.

What makes the KU Center for Advanced Fetal Care Different? OUR EXPERIENCE The Center for Advanced Fetal Care team of perinatologists combined have over 40 years of experience and have written over 300 articles and seven books. They have performed more than 3,000 fetal procedures, including over 35 laser surgeries for twins in just the last few years with results that match the best. OUR STAFF The Center for Advanced Fetal Care brings together a multi-professional team of dedicated specialists. The Center is directed by a Fetal Medicine subspecialist, Dr. Carl Weiner, who is joined by five highly qualified perinatologists with diverse skills and expertise. The largest perinatal group in the region, they are supported by two perinatal genetics counselors with a combined 40 years of experience, six perinatal sonographers, five perinatal nurses and two dedicated patient ambassadors who assist and coordinate the complex care of mother and child. OUR COMMITMENT Our experts bring patient-focused care to every case and will work closely with you to minimize unexpected complications before, during and after delivery.

www.kumc.edu/cafc More Info: 913-588-6259

ST. JOSEPH LOCATION: 3943 Sherman Avenue St. Joseph, Missouri 64506

75051967