YourFamily_December2022

family family

enjoy the local happenings in your area today!

Upcoming Area Events...

2nd Tuesday of every month 

Platteville - Suicide Awareness, Prevention & Support Group, MCB Motor Branch, 90 S. 2nd St., 6:30-8pm

See ad for more details!

Open Now

Richland Center - Oakwood Fruit Farm, open 7 days a week, 9am4pm, 31128 Apple Ridge Rd.

Now-Christmas

Hazel Green - Cut Your Own, Stangls Tree Farm, 1632 Sinsinawa Rd.

Now-January 1

Dubuque - Re ections in the Park Lights Festival, Louis Murphy Park, 5-10pm daily. See Santa every Tuesday through Christmas!

December 1-31

Darlington - Riverside Re ections

Platteville - Katie’s Trees of Light Display, 5-10pm daily, 275 W. Bus. Hwy. 151

December 8

Boscobel - Athletic Boosters 8-Pin Tap, Boscobel Bowl & Banquet

December 10

Lancaster - Santa at the Courthouse, 9-11am

Boscobel - Empty Stocking Event, Pour House, 2pm

Bagley - Christmas in Bagley, all over town, 3-6pm

Cuba City - Christmas Glow Celebration, 8am-5pm

Cuba City - Holiday Glow Parade, 6pm

See ad for more details!

Dodgeville - Holiday Bake Sale, Iowa Co. Historical Society, 1301 N. Bequette St., 8am-2pm, Saffron, tea biscuits, fruit cake & lefse.

December 10 & 11

Platteville - The holiday classic of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, Platteville Municipal Auditorium December 14

Darlington - Shop Late Wednesday, 5-7pm

May 7 

Platteville - Your “Happily Ever After” Starts Here 2023 Wedding Expo, The BARn, 6935 Mound View Rd., Noon-3pm See ad for more details!

Saturday, December 10th 6:00PM

May 7 - 13

Area - National Travel and Tourism Week, a time for travel and tourism professionals to celebrate the value travel holds for our economy, businesses, communities and well-being

Events of the Day

8:00am-12:00 (Noon): Cuba City Lioness Bake SaleAmerican Legion Building 1O:OOam-2:00pm: United Methodist Church Bake Sale 4:30pm-6:00pm: Food & Hot Chocolate at Presidential Courtyard • Knights of Columbus - Hot Dogs, Cuba City Lions Club - Deep Fried Cheese Curds, FFA - Popcorn, Town & Countr y, 4H - Hot Chocolate

4:30pm-?: Christmas Carolers - CCHS, St. Rose, United Methodist Church 6:00pm: Candyland Christmas "GLOW" Parade

Following the Parade • Presidential Courtyard Mr & Mrs. Santa Claus - Children can visit with Santa and receive a gift bag from Cuba City Lioness and Hometown Pharmacy Don’t forget The Grinch will be there too!!! Parade Winners and Home & Business Decorating Contest Winners will be announced at the Parade

Kindness for Carson with Jamie Hartwig

Q & A by Lisa Ban eld

YF: Tell us about Carson:

Jamie: Carson was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in January of 2018. Unfortunately treating this disease did not work and Carson went to heaven in March 2020 . Although Carson had cancer, that didn’t de ne who he truly was. We would like to introduce you to our amazing son Carson. One of Carson’s favorite things to do was play games... video games, board games, sports games! He loved to play, and he REALLY loved to win!!! Carson was a hard worker. Carson was involved in many things at school, and everything he was involved in, he excelled in, including academics, music, theater, leadership groups, and sports. Carson was a brother and son! Carson is one of the middle children of 4 kiddoes. He has always been the kind of brother that could get his siblings going. Our life without Carson is de nitely not as fun without stinky feet and farts, all the teasing, and the corny jokes. Carson was a trickster but also so loving! We always knew how much he loved and cared for his family and friends. Although Carson is no longer here with us on earth, we still celebrate him every day. One of our favorite ways to celebrate him is with our Kindness for Carson campaign. Throughout the year, and especially on his birthday, we do random acts of kindness with others in our surrounding communities, all in Carson’s name. We love you and miss you every single day Carson! We will keep ghting cancer and spreading kindness in your name until we will be reunited again someday!

YF: Tell us about your family: Jamie: My husband Heath is originally from South Wayne, WI the son of Joe and Rhonda Hartwig. I am from Darlington, WI, the daughter of James

and Shirley Acherman. We started our family in Darlington and have lived here ever since. Carson is the second child of 4 children... James, Carson, Catie, and Grady. We have lots of great pets, too!

YF: What made you decide to start Kindness for Carson:

Jamie: Kindness for Carson was originally started by a wonderful community member after Carson passed away. One of the things Carson was remembered for was his kindness so this seemed like an obvious way to keep his memory alive. To know that Carson is still making people smile is such a beautiful thing.

After a little while, we took the group over. It made perfect sense for us to keep sharing kindness because we received so much of it when Carson was sick. It is hard to explain or describe what it was like to watch your child be so sick and you can’t x it. That was all we could worry about. Thank goodness

that was all we had to worry about because of the kindness from all the people in the surrounding communities! They took over and helped with child care, nances, gifts, meals, everything!!!! Without their kindness, we would not have been able to spend all that much needed time with Carson. We will forever be grateful for this and want to continue spreading this to others.

YF: What are some of the Random Acts of Kindness you have seen:

Jamie: There are so many acts and all so different...

Paying for unsuspecting customers’ drive thru meals, owers to the nursing home to brighten residents’ days, stuffed animals at the funeral home for children who have lost a loved one, surprise free car washes, yummy treats for coworkers, toys for patients in the Children’s Hospital, food for turtles in Florida, sweets to our sweet local

businesses, kindness books donated to local libraries, quarters in vending machines for unsuspecting little kids, donations to local charities, the list goes on and on.

YF: Tell us about some of the ways you are giving back:

Jamie: This year we have a great line up including free food from area businesses including donuts, cookies, and “Carson specials” (cheese pizza and a root beer). After all those treats, you can go for a free workout at a local gym. To help you get your day off on the right foot, you can get silly socks with a $20 bill in it. Donations will be going to some local schools for playground equipment and lunch for the teachers. We will be going to the local nursing home to have some fun turkey bowling and make a turkey craft. There is a “Carson Critter Care Clinic” that will be stitching up broken stuffed animals for free. Again, the list will continue to grow as the week goes on. As the list grows, we hope the smiles do too. Spreading kindness is such a simple thing but is so needed! We are so thankful to everyone that shares kindness in Carson’s name.

YF: Explain about the cards and how our readers can get them:

Jamie: We have Kindness Carson cards that we ask people to share when they do their kind act. The idea is that the kindness spreads, as the recipient of the card and act shares kindness with someone else and passes the card on. The cards have made it all over, including Florida and Hawaii. We hope you receive an act of kindness and a card someday. If you would like to start spreading kindness and would like some cards, you can email me at jmesuehartwig@gmail.com with your address, and we will send you some in the mail.

Back row (L to R): Mom-Jamie Hartwig, little sis-Catie, big bro-James and Dad-Heath Hartwig. Front row (L to R): Carson and little bro-Grady.

Local Gift Ideas something for everyone on your list!

The following are some ways to impart more magic into Christmas Eve celebrations.

Attend Mass at midnight

Practicing Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas. On Christmas Eve, churches often hold celebrations that may include late-evening or midnight masses that celebrate the birth of Christ when the calendar switches over to December 25. While it does make for a late night, it can be thought-provoking for kids and a unique experience unlike any other.

Bake fresh cookies

Children like to leave out a plate of cookies and a glass of milk for Santa. That makes Christmas Eve a perfect time to whip up a fresh batch of cookies. Explore different recipes to come up with a unique offering each year.

Read a Christmas story

Watching television or looking at a tablet or mobile phone before bed can be too stimulating when it’s time for children to wind down for bed. Choose a holiday tale or tales that can be read as a Christmas Eve bedtime story. Reciting the poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas (‘Twas the Night Before Christmas)” is a great way to set the Christmas Eve mood.

Make a batch of ‘reindeer dust’

Why should Santa’s reindeer be left out when it comes to receiving treats? Reindeer dust, made from a combination of oatmeal, rice cereal, dried fruits, and glitter (if desired), is purported to attract Santa’s reindeer and provide them a nibble at the same time. Plus, it’s generally safe for other animals in the yard to eat.

Go caroling

Caroling may not be the norm, but some families may want to revive it. Close-knit communities can organize familycentric caroling opportunities and roam the cul-de-sacs and other pedestrian-friendly areas singing popular songs.

Christmas Eve is a great time to embrace various traditions that help to make the season even more special.

Jams and preserves:

Fruit jams and preserves are versatile foods. They are as at home on toast and biscuits as they are as llings in cookies and tarts. Jams and preserves can be made with relatively few ingredients and work well with seasonal fruits.

Cinnamon rolls: Warm, sticky and full of aromatic spice, cinnamon rolls are the perfect comfort foods. These rolls do not typically have a long shelf life, so be sure to present them promptly before they get stale.

Pancakes (or cookies) in a jar: If you have a fantastic recipe that you can’t resist sharing, turn it into a gift. Measure and package the ingredients into mason jars, tie with ribbons and include directions for preparation and cooking.

Mini bundt cakes: Fruit cakes may be a holiday standard, but bundt cakes make for great and traditional offerings as well. Miniature bundts lled with chocolate chips, dried fruits or even those soaked in a favorite boozybutter glaze can be moist

and delicious.

Chocolate barks or fudges: Seasonal avors can come to life in chocolate treats. White chocolate lled with peppermint pieces or dark chocolate and cherry chunks are tasty pairings. Break apart portions of the bark or cut the fudge with cookie cutters and gift inside cello bags tied with ribbons or in cardboard candy boxes.

Shortbread cookie ornaments: Circular shortbread cookies can be decorated with royal icing to look like Christmas ornaments. They can be eaten or even placed on trees to complete holiday decor.

Festive cookie pops: Cookie pops can be made by mixing homemade or prepurchased crumbled cake with frosting or softened cream cheese and formed into balls. Insert a lollipop stick and dip the

balls into melted chocolate or candy melts. Sprinkles, nonpareils or luster dust can be used to enhance the covered pops.

Mackenzie Ripp

Pro le by Tiffany Gardner

School: Mineral Point High School

Parents: Michelle and Roger Ripp

Siblings: Cole Ripp (14), Jackie Kelley (36), and Amanda Hoffman (40)

Pets: Bo (dog) and Sunny (horse)

Favorite Food: Grandma Beth’s cheesy potatoes

YourShoppingNews.com • Grant, Iowa, Lafayette

Q&A with Mackenzie Ripp

YF: Who is your role model?

Mackenzie: Linda Tucker - She is the kindesthearted woman I know and volunteers hours upon hours of her time to benefit her community. I want to be just like her.

YF: Who is your favorite teacher?

Mackenzie:: Mr. Dalton Miles (English).

YF: What is your favorite classroom subject?

Mackenzie: Anatomy and Physiology.

YF : What is your best memory of high school?

Mackenzie: Homecoming week every year.

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YF: What did you want to be when you were in kindergarten?

Mackenzie: A baker.

YF: What do you want to be now that you are grown up?

Mackenzie: An Ultrasound Technician.

YF: What advice would you give to incoming Freshmen?

Mackenzie: Take advantage of these four years. Hang out with friends, attend sporting events, join clubs, have fun, and of course, work hard in the classroom.

The holiday season is a special time of year. Many factors combine to make the holiday season so unique and festive, and that includes all the effort people put into decorating their homes.

Much thought is giving to holiday lighting arrangements and which tree to buy, but it’s equally important to consider pets when decorating. Many common household pets are naturally curious, and that curiosity can make it dif cult to decorate safely come the holiday season. But various pet-proo ng strategies can ensure holiday decorations and displays aren’t compromised by four-legged friends this season.

• Secure the Christmas tree. Much like other residents of the home, pets may be mesmerized by a glowing Christmas tree. Pets may sniff around the tree or investigate it closely, which can increase the chances that it tips over. That poses a signi cant safety hazard and underscores the importance of using a sturdy stand. Fastening the tree to a wall, much like one might do with a television that isn’t mounted, adds a further layer of

protection from tip-overs.

• Block off the base of a live tree. Live trees need water to stay green and keep their needles throughout the season. That water could prove enticing to thirsty pets. Drinking water from a tree stand could increase the risk of the tree tipping over and the water could upset the stomach of pets if the tree was treated with pesticides prior to being brought home. When decorating with a live tree, make sure the base of the tree where the water will be is blocked off. A small fence around the tree could keep curious pets away. The room where the tree is located should be locked or inaccessible when pets are home alone.

• Inspect and conceal light wires. Wires can become frayed over time, and that could pique pets’ curiosity. Lighting wires should always be inspected prior to decorating and frayed or damaged wires should be thrown away, even if it means replacing lights. If wires are still sturdy, conceal them along the base of the wall using a cable concealer, which prevents pets from chewing on them.

• Avoid lighting candles. Candles should not be lit in homes with pets. Even candles on shelves that are seemingly beyond pets’ reach can be hazardous, as

How mattresses affect sleep quality

People make many renovations around their homes to improve their quality of life. When attention turns to the bedroom, some changes can greatly affect quality of sleep.

The temperature of the bedroom, its con guration and lighting can impact a person’s ability to get a good night’s sleep. However, the item that may bear the most in uence is the mattress.

The Better Sleep Council says whether one wakes up feeling rested and healthy depends largely on the age of a mattress and its condition. A good mattress should alleviate pressure on joints while providing bodily support. It should not be a contributor to aches and pains. Mattresses that are seven years or older may need to be replaced.

A century or two ago, mattresses were constructed of whatever people had on hand - from feathers to pine needles to straw. That’s all changed today. But even though there are many options, it’s key for people to discover which material is right for them.

Innerspring

Innerspring (also called coil) mattresses have been around for some time. These metal springs provide internal support. The number of coils, types of coils and distribution pattern throughout the mattress impacts how well the bed will conform to the body. These mattresses may be best for back or stomach sleepers due to their level of support. Keep in mind that innerspring mattresses may have limited durability and may start to sag after just a few years.

Memory foam

Memory foam mattresses are relatively recent additions to the market. According to the mattress shopping resource The Sleep Judge, memory foam mattresses may eventually replace innerspring mattresses. Famous for its ability to contour to the shape of the user’s body, memory foam envelops a person and absorbs energy. This means there’s less motion transfer. That’s a big plus when sleeping with

a partner who moves around in bed. Memory foam provides a high level of pressure point relief and promotes proper spine alignment.

Gel foam

Gel foam mattresses bounce back to their original form when pressure is released. Hollow columns in the mattress allow for increased air ow that improves this pressure release and enables people to sleep coolly and comfortably. Sometimes gel is paired with memory foam for a hybrid mattress.

Latex

Latex mattresses are coveted due to their durability and comfort. Latex also conforms to the body, but more generally than memory foam, so it bounces back quickly. One of the biggest draws to latex mattresses is how natural they are. Latex is made from natural rubber. Cost can be prohibitive, however, as latex mattresses tend to be expensive.

Purchasing a new mattress can lead to better sleep. This is a bedroom renovation worth pursuing.

pets, especially cats, have a way of accessing spaces they seemingly shouldn’t be able to reach. Use electric candles in lieu of traditional ones.

• Speak to a vet about seasonal plants and owers before bringing them into the home. Pet owners can speak with their veterinarians before bringing poinsettias, holly and other seasonal plants and owers into their homes. Some pets could suffer allergic reactions if they eat certain seasonal plants, so it’s best to err on the side of caution and speak to a vet before including live plants and owers in decorative displays. Decorating is part of the holiday season. Pet owners must exercise an extra bit of caution to keep their pets and homes safe when decorating during this special time.