November/December 2014 by Rochester Women Magazine

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 COMPLIMENTARY

LINDA CURTIS

CARES ABOUT GUESTS OF SATURDAY NOON MEALS

When the CHEERING STOPS THE DIFFICULTIES OF COMING HOME

CHOIRS AT A CAPPELLA FESTIVAL BENEFITING NAMI

Luscious Leftovers

CREATIVE WAYS TO USE LEFTOVERS

OLMSTED MEDICAL CENTER

OPENS WOMEN’S HEALTH PAVILION

RWmagazine.com

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Cover Story Saturday Noon Meals Provide More Than a Simple Meal Guests find friendship and community while receiving a hot, healthy meal.

14 Community 12

Women in Leadership: Lisa Baldus Sharing the stories of Olmsted County. By Tracy Will

When the Cheering Stops The difficulties of coming home.

By Catherine H. Armstrong Photography by Dawn Sanborn Photography

in every issue

The Male Perspective Life, love and relationships.

A New Way of Celebrating the Holidays Making the first holiday season following divorce special. By Samantha Alley

By Debi Neville

Food & Wine

Worth Singing About Southeast Minnesota a Cappella Festival.

Luscious Leftovers Creative ways to use up holiday leftovers.

By Kate Wallace

46 |BITTER|sweet Tango The dangerous dance with diabetes. By C. G. Worrell

Remodelers Corner Creating a kitchen masterpiece. By Penny Lex

Women & Wine Uncorked dessert.

By Nicole L. Czarnomski

Wedding Advice From brides to brides. By Jenee Cummings

By Trish Amundson

Home & Garden

Our Home The house that became our home. Holiday Memories The taste, smell and sound of Thanksgiving.

Caring for Aging Parents Housing options.

By LuAnn Buechler

By Mariah K. Mihm

53 GoDo! RENEW Retreat for women.

Grandma, Mom & Me Holiday traditions.

By Danielle Teal

Healthy Living

By Dawn Sanborn

Let’s Get Personal

From the Editor 7 In the Know 8 Marketplace 54 Community Calendar 57 Advertisers Index 57

By Pam Whitfield

By Debi Neville

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014

Hot Chef Nicci Sylvester Meet our town’s hottest and best chefs.

Olmsted Medical Center Opens Women’s Health Pavilion New facility a home away from home for patients. By Jennifer Gangloff

By Dawn Sanborn

Shopping 18

Holiday Gift Guide Favorites from locally owned haunts.

By Marlene Petersen

On the Lighter Side 58

Christmas Slugs Gifts that keep on giving. By Lizzi Clobes

RWmagazine.com November/December 2014

from the editor

ISSUE 84, VOLUME 14, NUMBER 5 NOVEMBER/DECEMER 2014 PUBLISHERS

EDITOR

Jorrie L. Johnson, MBA MARKETING ACCOUNT MANAGERS

Deanne Breitenbach Kimberly Radke ART DIRECTOR

Tracy van Eijl, Elgin Print Shop GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Tessa Slisz Molly Anderson, MLT Group Tommy Traxel, MLT Group ASSISTANT EDITOR

Erin Gibbons COPY EDITOR

Ashley Pikel

PHOTOGRAPHY

Dawn Sanborn Photography Fagan Studios Mike Hardwick Photography COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Mariah K. Mihm INTERN

Shweta Raikar RochesterWomen is published six times per year by Women Communications, L.L.C., P.O. Box 5986, Rochester, MN 55903 Subscriptions available for $24 per year (six issues). Send check to the address above. All unsolicited manuscripts must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. RochesterWomen assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials. ©2014 Women Communications, L.L.C. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. RochesterWomen magazine does not necessarily endorse the claims or contents of advertising or editorial materials. Printed in the U.S.A. RochesterWomen is a member of the Minnesota Magazine & Publishing Association, Rochester Area Builders, Inc. and the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce.

hope you find Rochester Women November/December 2014 issue warm and welcoming. I am often told what a gift Rochester Women magazine is to our community. I am grateful for our advertisers, who invest their precious marketing dollars into each issue of Rochester Women magazine. Please let them know that you appreciate their investment by shopping for and buying their products and services. See our “Holiday Gift Guide” for great gift ideas (page 18). In this holiday issue of Rochester Women magazine, we uncover a magical place in Jorrie Johnson, warming in the sun at Stone Rochester, where one woman looks beyond Mill Hotel & Suites in Lanesboro, while there for herself and what is comfortable. Linda Curtis a Rochester Women magazine team retreat cares about the guests of Saturday Noon (December 2013). Meals at Christ United Methodist Church, a special time and place for homeless and financially unstable guests and volunteers alike to gather for food and fellowship once a week. Read “Saturday Noon Meals Provides More Than a Simple Meal” (page 14). When my older children were in confirmation, we were asked to help prepare or serve a Saturday noon meal. During our visit, I remember a helper saying, “No one should have to eat alone.” The guests and volunteers are fed more than food; their spirits are filled too. I asked one of my dear friends Danielle Teal, a well-known and loved woman in this community, to write about “The House that Become Our Home” (page 20) and how she connected with her neighbors. She has turned lemons into a sweet life for herself and her daughters here in Rochester. For women coming out of active duty or after divorce, life isn’t the same. “When the Cheering Stops” (page 42), we hope our veterans know that you are loved and valued. “A New Way of Celebrating the Holidays” (page 55) can help anyone struggling with life changes during the holiday season. I hope you “Enjoy Holiday Memories: The Taste, Smell and Sound of Thanksgiving” (page 23). For some fun with food during the holidays, try the “Luscious Leftovers” (page 33) recipes using your holiday leftovers. For a festive evening, invite friends or neighbors over for an after-dinner “Dessert Wine” tasting (page 36) to warm your bodies and souls. Peace be with you,

507-259-6362 • info@RWmagazine.com RWmagazine.com For advertising information: 507-261-7511

We want to hear from you! Send comments, suggestions, ideas or original recipes to: RochesterWomen Editor, P.O. Box 5986, Rochester, MN 55903-5986 or email: editor@RWmagazine.com. RWmagazine.com November/December 2014

Photo courtesy of Jorrie Johnson.

Jorrie L. Johnson, MBA Doug Solinger

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THE MUSICAL MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET December 5-21, Thurs., Fri. and Sat., 7 p.m., Sun., 2 p.m., Rochester Civic Theatre, Rochester

An original adaptation by Creative Director Greg Miller of the popular movie. You won’t want to miss your favorite holiday tunes amid this much-loved holiday story. Tickets available online at rochestercivictheatre. org, at the RCT box office or by calling 282-8481. For more information on all of the great holiday events at Rochester Civic Theatre, visit rochestercivictheatre.org.

ROCHESTER SIGNATURE CHEFS AUCTION, BENEFITING MARCH OF DIMES Thurs., November 6, 6 p.m. International Event Center, Rochester

Rochester’s top chefs are at it again! Dine on exquisite cuisine while supporting the local chapter of March of Dimes. Food, spirits and live and silent auctions are all part of the evening. Awards will be given to the chefs in a variety of categories. Tables and sponsorships are available. For more information, visit marchofdimes.org or contact June Howard at 990-8624. Follow March of Dimes Minnesota on Facebook and Twitter @marchofdimesmn.

HANDCRAFTED HOLIDAY BAZAAR Sat., December 6, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., First Unitarian Universalist Church, Rochester

OLDE FASHIONED CHRISTMAS Fri., December 5 to Sun., December 7, Plainview

Get into the Christmas by visiting Plainview’s Olde Fashioned Christmas weekend. Visit the craft and bake sale on Friday and Saturday at St. Isidore Health Center. On Saturday, take the Holiday House Tour and enjoy four area homes decked out for the holidays. On Sunday, enjoy an “Olde Fashioned Christmas Breakfast” at Green Prairie. Proceeds will support St. Isidore Heath Center and Green Prairie Place. For event information, visit plainviewcvb.com.

Choose from locally handmade, recycled and one-of-a-kind creations at the third annual Handcrafted Bazaar. Over 30 local artisans come together to create a unique shopping experience with crafting demonstrations during the holiday season. Support the local economy and artisans. For more information visit uurochmn.org.

Sat., January 17, 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., Rochester Public Library Foundation

A fun-filled evening with delicious hors d'oeuvres, delightful speakers and silent auction. Early Bird Registration: $75 (after Jan. 1: $85). For more information and registration, please visit rochesterpubliclibrary.org/ supporting/foundation/WitWine.

November/December 2014 RWmagazine.com

Tues. and Wed., 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Fri. and Sat., 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Visit festively decorated Mayowood Mansion. A departure from years past, this year will feature an open house where you can take a self-guided tour of the mansion. Park at the History Center of Olmsted County and ride the shuttle to Mayowood. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for youth (ages 6-14) and free for children 5 and under. Ticket prices include transportation from the History Center to Mayowood. For more information, contact the History Center at 282-9447. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

PEACE, JOY AND HEALTH: ROCHESTER’S CAPITAL CHRISTMAS TREE CELEBRATION Fri., November 7, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., 12-2 p.m., Peace Plaza

INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN TRIBAL STYLE DANCE 15TH ANNUAL WIT, WISDOM & WINE

CHRISTMAS AT HISTORIC MAYOWOOD November 7-29 and December 2-13, Mayowood Mansion, Rochester

Sat., November 8, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Auditorium, Rochester Public Library

The first of three class offerings on Saturday, November 8 as part of the Artist in Residency program at the Rochester Public Library. Sadiya (aka Terri Allred), a Rochester resident, author and certified ATS instructor will lead the class in basic movement of the American Tribal Style of dance. This class and other Artist in Residency programs are funded by Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the Friends of the Rochester Public Library. For more information visit rochesterpubliclibrary.org.

Minnesota will provide the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree this year. The tree will travel nearly 2,000 miles cross-country, making stops in 30 communities along the way. There will be 16 stops in Minnesota, coming to Rochester on Friday, November 7. Festivities will include music and dance performances by Minnesota Youth Ballet Academy and Bella Voce Young Women’s Choir, as well as presentations by public officials, visits with Santa Claus, ornament making, food vendors, Rotary Toy Drive, Channel One food drive and more. Visit downtownrochestermn.com/cct for details.

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Everything Is Gendered, Part I Guest Speaker Char Kunkel October 1,of2014 Women and Leadership Professor Sociology, October 1, 2014 Women and Leadership Guest Speaker: Leslie McClellon, President, Guest Speaker: Leslie McClellon, President, Luther College Rochester Community and Technical College Rochester Community and Technical College

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Christmas on the Hill An Umbrian Celebration

Come join us as we celebrate the Christmas story. You will be refreshed and inspired.

Saturday, December 6, 2014 6:30 pm

Nativity Vignettes in the Assisi Heights Parlors

7:45 pm

Compline Service (music and prayer) in the Lourdes Chapel

8:15 pm

Music, food, and beverages in the Dining Room with Silent Auction

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January 21, 2015 Everything Is Gendered, Part II Guest Speaker: Leslie McClellon, President April 22, 2015 Young Women and Their World Rochester Community and Technical Colle February 18, 2015 Women’s Stories of Immigration May 6, 2015 Mothers as Mentors March 11, 2015 Women in Performing Arts

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November/December 2014 RWmagazine.com

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let's get personal

G randma, Mom & Me BY MARIAH K. MIHM . PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMN PHOTOGRAPHY

feel fortunate to have grown up around informed, opinionated women. Hear it straight from three generations: me— Mariah Mihm, 39; my mom, Debi Neville, 63; and my grandma, Verna Kraft, 87.

HOLIDAY TRADITIONS

Me: The holidays are coming up fast! I’m looking forward to my wild rice stuffing and the smoked turkey wild rice soup I make. Food is important to any holiday. Grandma: Food was always homemade on holidays. Everything was closed. There were not options to eat out or have the meal catered on the holidays. Mom: Growing up, I don’t remember having a lot of people at our house or doing much travel, probably because it was much more difficult to go places in the winter than it is now. Grandma: My mom had all my brothers and sisters over for Thanksgiving. Everyone brought food. Most of the time, we had ham or roast beef. Turkey was only available at Thanksgiving, not year-round like it is now. We did not have much money. My family did not celebrate Christmas. I never got presents from my parents—a few, maybe, from my older brothers and sisters. We gave the kids five gifts, always new pajamas and slippers. Me: I saw Christmas decorations out in some stores in August. Ridiculous. Life is going by so fast. Let me enjoy the season it is now. By the time Christmas rolls around, I am exhausted, and my brain is fried on the holidays. It has taken the joy out of it for me. Grandma: Holidays were not a big production like they are now. There were not parties to go to and no big meals. We celebrated simply and with the immediate family at home, especially at Christmas.

Mom: Now, we try to get the extended family together. Mom (Verna) is the matriarch. People are spread out, so it’s important to get together when we can. Family is important to us all. Me: I have always looked forward to the get-togethers. Our family enjoys being together, and we have a good time. Now, I get to share that joy with my son. We usually play a game or two, and we always laugh! Remember when mom and I were banned from being on the same Pictionary team? Too much mental telepathy going on, I think. We kicked butt together! Grandma: I do remember. Now we play Catch Phrase a lot--guys on one team and gals on the other. Mom: You are good and always willing to do what you have to to get the win. Me: I can’t stop laughing. I know exactly what incident you are referring to! That was legend. I tell people time and time again that my Grandma is one hip woman!

Mom: The games bring the generations together. Even the great-grands are starting to get involved, and it’s something we can all do. Grandma: For me, it’s about the memories. It’s gotten out of hand, and I think this generation is realizing it. Simplification is starting to come back en vogue. Me: We had to go around in a circle and open one gift at a time. We were not allowed to tear into things. People spend a lot of time and energy looking for the right present. I think it is important for the little ones to see there is joy in giving, too, not just in the getting of presents. I’m always astounded by my son’s patience, and he has a good time in the process. Mom: He gets the joy of experiencing Papa open every gift as slow as possible. Me: That’s tradition too! RWmagazine.com November/December 2014

women in leadership

CHRISTM AS AT MA Each year Y hosts tours , the History Center OWOOD o holidays. Th f Mayowood Man of Olmsted County open hous is year, Christmas at sion decorated for shares her the form with docents Mayowood will take the in each an ought Q: What do you enjos on this cherished Roroom. Lisa Baldus ch y m A: I love es o te st r ab tradition out C the w features ay the decorations hristmas at Mayowood?. glamour froof the rooms. People obring out the wonderf ul ft is well decom the mansion at Chrisen expect glitz and But the decorated, and there are to tmastime. It certainly uches of g rators do mour. architecturit in a way that enhanla ces the e of each sp ac Q: Do yo e. u have A: Yes, th e master be a favorite room? Dr. Charlie droom that belonged and Edith M to Q: Wha ayo. A: It has a sitting rot about it appeals to yo om with a w u? looks ove off the barer the lake. In the winteonderful window that r, br th an backdrop fo ches and the spar e light glistening klin r the Christm as decoratiog white snow as a Q: What makes this ti ns is gorgeo A: The man m e of year us. si built. The wayon has extraordinary at Mayowood special? be invited in. Yo Dr. Charlie designed auty in the way it w Add Christm u can see and feel it Mayowood, nature as is th as on top o f that, and itroughout the home. For details is ju st br ab ea o thtaki ut Chr call 507-28 2-9447 or istmas at Mayowood, ng. visit olmsted history.com .

A HEART FOR HISTORY

Lisa Baldus

SHARING THE STORIES OF OLMSTED COUNTY

Lisa’s connection to the History Center originated back in her elementary school days. Growing up on a small farm located between Oxbow Park and the town of Douglas, she and her third-grade classmates learned to churn butter on a field trip to the center. Later, as a college student at Winona State, she came home on weekends to give tours of Mayowood Mansion, which the History Center oversees. After earning a degree in history, Lisa worked in the finance and banking industry, as well as with for-profit and nonprofit companies. But her love of history remained strong. When the chance to lead the History Center of Olmsted County opened up, she knew it was the right choice. “During my career, I’ve run the retail operations for a bank with six branches. I’ve worked for two Fortune 500 companies,” says Lisa. “Nothing seems as important as the work I’m doing now. This is where my heart is.”

A MORE IN-DEPTH STORY BY TRACY WILL PHOTOGRAPHY BY FAGAN STUDIOS

hen you enter the History Center of Olmsted County, Lisa Baldus wants you to be much more than a visitor looking at the exhibits. The center’s executive director wants you to become a historian—examining, analyzing and interpreting all the center has to offer. “I have a keen interest in sharing the complexity of history with others,” she says. “It’s not about artifacts standing alone. History involves understanding those objects within the context of what was happening around them and knowing their stories.” A lifelong resident of Olmsted County, Lisa is passionate about telling the stories of this area in tangible ways. Since joining the History Center of Olmsted County in February, she has undertaken a major renovation of the exhibit hall with an eye toward making it a place of robust learning, where patrons actively engage in history and discover something new with each visit.

A significant part of Lisa’s motivation to revitalize the exhibits comes from her desire to display more of the center’s large collection. The size of the collection is unique among local history centers. Showcasing that collection in a dynamic way is at the top of Lisa’s priority list. The new exhibits highlight themes such as “Industry,” “Innovation” and “The Age of Conflict.” Within each category, the specific featured objects will change on a regular basis. “We have a massive collection of quality pieces,” Lisa says. “With this new design, we’ll be able to display much more of it, telling the stories of Olmsted County in more depth. We hope this attracts people to come back often to see what’s new.” Lisa’s desire to share all that the History Center has to offer spurs her to dedicate long days to her work. She often puts in 50 to 60 hours a week at the center. “I want this museum to come alive. That’s why I walk in the door each morning,” she says. “I love it when people come in and see something they have never seen before. To be able to open up someone’s world with something new is magical. The opportunity to offer that experience is absolutely the best part of my job.” Tracy Will is a freelance writer who lives and works in Rochester.

November/December 2014 RWmagazine.com

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cover story

Saturday Noon Meals Provide More Than a Simple Meal

GUESTS FIND FRIENDSHIP AND COMMUNITY WHILE RECEIVING A HOT, HEALTHY MEAL BY CATHERINE H. ARMSTRONG According to her guests, Linda Curtis is a wonderful, caring woman.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAWN SANBORN PHOTOGRAPHY

uring a time of year that is filled for many with an abundance of food and family time, it is important to remember that not everyone has a meal to eat or a home where they can celebrate. Many in the Rochester community will not have the luxury of participating in a traditional holiday feast this year. According to the 2012 report “Families and Youth Without Stable Housing in Rochester: A Needs Assessment,” there are an estimated 200 to 300 families in Rochester who are homeless and an additional 60 to 100 independent youth under age 25 who are either homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless. Rochester is host to many organizations that provide support services to those in need, including access to housing, education, food and medical care. Saturday Noon Meals, a ministry of Christ United Methodist Church, is a unique, volunteer-run program that provides not just a free meal every Saturday, but also a place of safety, warmth and community.

A VISION OF COMMUNITY

Saturday Noon Meals receives food from Channel One Regional Food Bank and Food Shelf. 14

November/December 2014 RWmagazine.com

Spearheaded by the efforts of Linda Curtis and Marie Alexander, Saturday Noon Meals was established in 1994 by a small group of church members with the vision of providing those in need with a safe place to gather and share not only a meal, but also friendship and camaraderie. Marie has since passed, but Linda continues to lead the program with the same love and devotion that sparked her original interest. “Brokenness comes from being separated or isolated from society,” Linda says. “The opportunity to visit with persons from all kinds of situations is a growing experience in love and trust for both the volunteers and guests. Each of our guests is special in their own way.”

Saturday Noon Meals provides a safe place to share not only a meal, but friendship and camaraderie.

A 2012 report estimates that 200 to 300 families are homeless in Rochester. Tables are set for eight with place mats and fresh flowers.

THE LITTLE THINGS

A PLACE TO CALL HOME

The scene at Saturday Noon Meals is different from many other meal programs. Round tables with seating for eight are arranged throughout the room, each with a centerpiece of fresh flowers provided by Hy-Vee South. Guests arrive early to converse with old friends, meet new ones and share their experiences from the past week. While kitchen volunteers put the finishing touches on the meal, those gathered are invited to enjoy simple appetizers while they socialize. “It’s the little things,” explains Nathan Lauer, who attends weekly with his partner, Tia Zecchino, and their family. “They bring the food out to you; you don’t have to go get it. Everybody gets their own plate. It’s a real plate with real silverware, not a tray with a spork.

The atmosphere found at Christ United Methodist Church at noon on Saturdays is that of a gathering of old friends and neighbors. Many clearly consider this weekly gathering to be home, where everyone is treated as family and no one is turned away. “There’s a lot of support and outreach that happens amongst [the guests],” explains volunteer Sue Knutson. “They network, and they support each other during the week. They ask each other, ‘How did your week go? What’s going on? How’s this? How’s that?’” For the past 11 years, Kenny Ferris has been a regular guest at Saturday Noon Meals. He considers it home. “Kenny is the unofficial ‘papa’ or ‘uncle’ or whatever to everybody in that room,” explains Sue. Kenny was homeless for eight years, staying in a variety of places, including tents and his van. In the last three years, his circumstances have improved. These days, Kenny comes to the meal bearing fresh produce from the local farmers’ market or a small gift for someone he’s come to know. “I go every Saturday and bribe all these ladies,” Kenny jokes. “They’re nice people—the ladies who work here. I’ve known most of them over the years. This really is a wonderful place…to congregate and meet people from all walks of life.”

It’s little, tiny things like that that make a big difference.” At Saturday Noon Meals, Linda and her volunteers do lots of little things to help their guests feel at home. Placemats and flowers are set out on the tables when guests arrive. Appetizers are provided. Volunteers bring a plate of food to each guest. During the holidays, guests receive take-home snack bags. There are special gift bags prepared each month to celebrate birthdays. Those most in need will sometimes receive care packages to take with them. All these things, along with the warm welcome offered by the volunteers, transform this regular meal into a gathering of friends.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME Saturday Noon Meals is not only for those who are homeless. The program also serves people who are unemployed or financially struggling. For some, the noon meal will be the only one they have; for others, it will simply bridge the gap that their hard-earned paychecks can’t cover. “Our guests are no different than you and I,” explains Linda. “They’re people. Many of them never got a good start in life. Some RWmagazine.com November/December 2014

of them are the working poor that can’t make ends meet on their part-time, minimum wage jobs, and they’re hungry. Some have been chemically dependent and are trying to get on the road to make new friends, to be contributing members of society. Some of them have mental and/or physically handicapping conditions, which make it difficult for them to function in society. Here, we accept everyone with dignity and respect, and we expect that dignity and respect in return.” “It’s a community,” explains Grace King, who attends weekly with her mother, Ruth. “For me, it’s time to get away from home life…time to visit with my mom. I only see her every Saturday, and this is our time together.” This community is fostered by the people—those who attend and those who serve. There is a mutual respect and love that is given and received among the guests and volunteers. Linda makes sure that everyone feels welcome. New guests are greeted with a smile, while old friends are given a warm hug and heartfelt, “Welcome back.” “I care about Linda a great deal,” Tia states. “She’s a really wonderful lady. She cares. Linda cares.”

HOW IT WORKS The number of guests served each Saturday ranges from 70 to 100, depending on the season, and each meal is completely organized and prepared by a staff of volunteers. The program has no paid staff and relies entirely on donations from groups or individuals, as well as food from Channel One Regional Food Bank and Food Shelf.

Along with the warm welcome offered by volunteers, this regular meal becomes a gathering of friends.

“The church supports us with the place, the utilities and a custodial staff,” states Linda. “[As part of] a Channel One agency, we pay 18 cents per pound [of food] as a shared maintenance fee. It would be much higher than that if it were not for the United Way [and] individual and group donations to Channel One. We could not exist without Channel One.” Linda does not actively solicit for volunteers, yet she seldom finds herself in need. “It seems like whenever there isn’t a volunteer group showing up, I send up a prayer on a wing, and people show up,” Linda says. “I can’t explain it; it just happens.” For more information or to sign up to volunteer at Saturday Noon Meals, a message can be left for Linda Curtis at Christ United Methodist Church by calling 289-4019. Catherine H. Armstrong is a full-time mom and community volunteer. She is a 1992 graduate of the University of Oklahoma where she received her B.A. in Journalism/News Communications.

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Help us fill this plate by supporting Meals on Wheels.

Consider a donation to Meals on Wheels this holiday season. Your gift will provide hot, nutritious food as well as the assurance of a daily “check-in”. Donations came be made online: www.familyservicerochester.org Or mailed to: Family Service Rochester 1110 6th St. NW Rochester, MN 55901

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something for Fluffy’s stocking? 5. Need your favorite chef—or holiday 2. Surprise This refillable scratching toy by hostess—with a decadent artisan cheese board from ZZest Market & Cafe. Starting at $65 (individually priced gourmet cheeses also available), zzestmarket.com, 424-0080. on-site in small batches, 3. Smoked homemade hams, smoked turkeys and smoked salmon from Ye Olde Butcher Shoppe are perfect for meat-loving foodies or holiday gatherings, (pricing varies), yeoldebutchershoppe.com, 3. 282-5908. 18

November/December 2014 RWmagazine.com

Kong comes with catnip for your favorite feline, $7.99, leashesandleads.com, 282-2710.

Decorative but practical, the Dirty Dog Door Mat soaks up mud and water like a sponge but dries five times faster than an ordinary rug (also available in beige and brown), $30.49, leashesandleads.com, 282-2710.

the holidays 8. Brighten with this elegant, yet modern, candleholder, It’s one of many unique home décor items and collectables at Hunt’s Drug, $43, huntdrug.net, 8. 289-0749.

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Looking for family time this holiday? Grab a family pass and hit the slopes at Welch Village, $90 for 2, $30 each additional, (discount passes also available at Tyrol Ski & Sport), welchvillage.com, 651-258-4567.

reat a friend, a date or the whole 10. Tfamily to a show at one of Rochester’s live theaters. Rochester Repertory Theatre, $20-25/ticket, rochesterrep.org, 289-7800; Rochester Civic Theatre, (call for pricing), rochestercivictheatre.org, 282-8481; Commonweal Theatre in Lanesboro, $30 (adults), $15 (students), commonwealtheatre.org, 800-657-7025.

11. Love art and wine? Try a class at Canvas & Chardonnay. For $35, you can create a masterpiece while sipping on a glass of wine (wine purchase extra), canvasandchardonnay.com, 258-4268.

a two-in-one activity. After putting the puzzle together, kids (ages 3+) can use included pieces to visit a zoo, harvest crops or rescue people. Pictured: Day at the Zoo, $19.95 (other themes available), huntdrug.net, 289-0749.

quishy yet durable, this Itty Bittys™ 13. SStar Wars Collector Set at Hunt’s Drug is perfect for small hands, yet it’s so fun and retro, mom and dad might even want to help destroy the Death Star, $29.95 (other sets and individual pieces available), huntdrug.net, 289-0749. ooking for something different? How 14. Labout acting classes at Rochester Civic Theatre? Designed for ages 5 and up, classes are offered throughout the year, including summer intensives, (tuition varies), rochestercivictheatre.org, 282-8481. 14.

hands warm and dry but includes an e-tip on both index fingers for touch screen capability (available in women’s and men’s), Apex + ETip, $55.00, Tyrol Ski & Sport, tyrolskishop.com, 288-1683. lip these gems over your boots or 16. Sathletic shoes for better traction and greater confidence on snow and ice, Yaktraks-Pro, $30.00 (shown with women’s Salomon Hime High boots, $160), Tyrol Ski & Sport, tyrolskishop.com, 288-1683. for a new winter activity? 17. Looking Try snowshoeing. Tubbs Wilderness snowshoes are durable and lightweight with excellent traction, $199 (adults), $59.95 (kids), Tyrol Ski & Sport. Not ready to purchase? Tyrol also rents winter sport equipment, $10-30/day, tyrolskishop.com, 288-1683. *All prices listed are those available at time of print and are subject to change.

RWmagazine.com November/December 2014

let's get personal

The House that became

OUR HOME BY DANIELLE TEAL

November/December 2014 RWmagazine.com

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t a very young age, in an effort to create stability and to prevent further military moves, my single-parent father sent my siblings and me to Arkansas to live with my grandparents. W hile we were being raised by my grandparents, we were taught that a home was the most important aspect of a family. My grandfather built my grandmother’s dream home— cement block by cement block. He drove nails into each stud and laid each shingle with loving care. We would walk around the foundation of the house together, while he pointed out how important it was to have no cracks, a dry basement and good, strong cement walls to support the house. My grandparents’ house would later become a symbol of what it meant to plant roots and build a strong foundation for my family.

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A year ago, I found myself searching for a new place Mr. B. I ran outside and enveloped him in a bear hug 10/20/14 9:49 PM to live for my two daughters and me. I didn’t know if to express my thanks. He continued to blow the snow it was feasible, but I decided to pursue my dream of from my driveway and sidewalk for the rest of the buying a house. The houses in my price range were winter season. slim pickings, but I finally found one that seemed During Christmas that year, our other neighbors perfect. As I drove up to the house, I saw an apple tree invited us for Christmas dinner—Nigerian-style. I in the front yard that reminded me of the garden at my had hosted them for an American Thanksgiving, so grandparents’ house. In the backyard was a beautiful they were excited to show us their traditions. My playhouse. I instantly knew this was our home. A few eyes teared up as I looked around the table and was weeks later, my heart filled with pride as my daughters reminded of sitting at my grandparents’ table when I walked into their new house and their own rooms for was young. Toward the end of dinner, our hostess put the first time. on a beautiful African dress. I noticed she also had With fall came the arrival of leaves that blanketed a lovely gold material in her hands. She explained to Danielle Teal (left) with her the ground. A knock on my door one weekend me that the gold fabric was an African dress she wore daughter wearing a traditional surprised me. I opened the door to a teen boy asking Nigerian dress she received from when she and her husband were married, when their her neighbor Victoria as a gift in if I would hire him to rake the leaves in the yard. families were united. She asked if I would accept it as a December 2013. Pushing my hesitations aside, I agreed. When he gift. I was stunned that she would give me something finished the front yard, it was close to dark, and he had that was so personal to her. As I stood wearing the not started on the backyard. I told him I would pay him for the front, and beautiful gift, I saw the smiles on my daughters’ faces. The laughter in if he wanted, he could come back the next morning. I wondered if he the room rang through my ears, and my heart sang with happiness. would just take the cash and not come back, but the next morning, he After the festivities were over, my daughters and I walked across rode up on his bike. I walked outside, feeling raindrops on my face and the snowdrifts to our house, the Christmas lights on the tree shining asked if he wanted to do it another day. He replied, “No, ma’am. I told through our window as a guiding light. I opened the front door and you I would do it today. I can do this.” I was amazed by his determination. realized that the roots I so desperately wanted to plant were now Winter came, and the snow fell. As I pulled into the driveway one intertwined in the house that had become our home. evening after work, I knew that I would need to shovel. After both daughters were fed and settled into bed, I heard a motor outside Danielle Teal is a mother of two daughters and is now a my kitchen window. Peeking through the window, I saw a tall man proud homeowner. pushing a snow blower across my driveway. It was my neighbor

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RWmagazine.com November/December 2014

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November/December 2014 RWmagazine.com

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Holiday Memories

THE TASTE, SMELL AND SOUND OF THANKSGIVING

PhotoSpin® stock image.

BY KATE WALLACE

let's get personal

hen daylight saving gives us an extra hour of sleep on a Saturday night and the sun sets so early that I think it’s 9 p.m. when it’s only 5 p.m., I know it’s time for the holidays. I enjoy all the fall and winter holidays—Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s, but for me, Thanksgiving isn’t quite what it used to be. When I was young, my family went to Aunt Kathleen and Uncle George’s house each Thanksgiving, along with Aunt Colette, Uncle Squire and my cousins. My mom was famous in the family for her pumpkin pie, so every year, we would bring four pies to the Thanksgiving spread. Although I loved the food and the people on Thanksgiving Day, it was the night before that was especially endearing. Immediately after supper, my mom would start prepping her pies— pulling out cans of pumpkin puree and evaporated milk. She mixed the ingredients in our large, stainless steel pot, the only container big enough to hold all of the ingredients. She was particular about the spices, taste-testing for the right combination, then adding a dash here and teaspoon there. Some years, we had pies that tasted heavily of cloves; other years, nutmeg sparkled on our tongues. After the filling was perfected, she began creating the crust, which was the best part for us kids and the worst part for my mom. My siblings and I watched closely as she crumbled flour, salt and Crisco between her fingers, then added water until the dough stuck together. We helped get the pie plates ready by swirling Crisco on the bottom and sides with a napkin. Sometime during the evening, Uncle Squire would arrive to create his contribution to the dinner—cranberry-orange sauce. Because he was a bachelor and didn’t have much need for kitchen gadgets, he didn’t own a blender, a necessary accouterment for making cranberryorange sauce. My dad, of course, was in the kitchen as well, inputting commentary when necessary. So there we were in the kitchen—my mom, dad, Uncle Squire and one, two, three or four kids. We didn’t have much counter space, so every year, my dad would pull out a leftover piece of laminate that my mom used to roll the dough. She patted and rolled and cursed her dough. And when it was ready, she yelled at us to watch out while she flipped the crust from the surface to the plate. After trimming the edges, my mom let us have the leftover pieces to mash together and play with. We would beg her to cook our mini-pie creations, but in the end, Mom made us toss our dough in the trash. The best part was always last—slipping the pies into the oven. By the time the second set of pies was ready to bake, it was past our bedtime. We were tucked into bed while the pies baked, the smell wafting up the stairs and into the bedroom, where we would be lulled to sleep by the scent of pumpkin and spices. It was the best night’s sleep of the year. Kate Wallace lives in St. Charles with her husband and three cats, where she revels in all things pumpkin from September to December. RWmagazine.com November/December 2014

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November/December 2014 RWmagazine.com

healthy living

Caring for Aging Parents

HOUSING OPTIONS

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any of us will face the day when our parents can no longer live on their own, when the physical toll of caring for them becomes overwhelming for family members, and additional care is required to meet their needs. The best time to evaluate senior housing options is before your parent falls and breaks a hip. Do you have the information you will need to make the right choice for your parents? “My mother wanted to be cared for at home but understood there was no way for our family to care for her any longer,” says Rochester resident Kathy Johnson. “It was a very tough decision to have her live in a nursing home and not what we wanted to do.” Transitioning from independent living to a senior housing option can be gradual or immediate; the reasons for doing so vary, and the process can be difficult for all. “[My mother] has been in the nursing home for about three and one-half years,” says Johnson, whose mother was prone to falls and suffered a serious injury that led to her housing change. When it became clear Johnson’s mother needed to move to a nursing home, a social worker identified available rehabilitation and housing options. A nursing home was available that the family was familiar with, where Johnson’s grandmother had lived. The family’s immediate needs eliminated many opportunities for personal choices—where Johnson’s mother could live, cost, and timeline. Availability of appropriate care became the key criteria.

BY TRISH AMUNDSON

This article is the final feature of a four-part series about caring for aging parents. To view previous articles on this topic, please visit RWmagazine.com/read. Before crisis hits and a loved one requires extra care, it’s helpful for family members to explore senior living options and seek answers to the many questions, such as: What services are included in home healthcare? What types of clinical assistance are available to be administered in my parents’ home? Who provides memory care, long-term skilled nursing care, short-term rehabilitation and assisted living? What independent living option is the best for my parent?

PLAN BEFORE CRISIS OCCURS “We advise families to plan ahead, before a crisis occurs,” says Marcia Carrigan, marketing consultant for Cottagewood Senior Communities, an exclusive memory care community. She recommends validating parents’ fears by reassuring them that you want to comply with their wishes. “We encourage families to educate themselves by attending Cottagewood’s monthly support group,” she says. The organization welcomes families to tour the facility and experience the community. “I would encourage anyone who has a loved one who could benefit from a change of lifestyle, whether it is for health reasons, safety or a desire for additional activities and friendship, to take them to visit several senior retirement campuses and see firsthand what they look like inside, learn what they have to offer and ask lots of questions,” says Pam Mensink, director of marketing for Madonna Living Community, which comprises Madonna Towers of Rochester, Madonna Meadows of Rochester and Madonna Living Community Foundation. RWmagazine.com November/December 2014

ASSISTED LIVING AT HOME For those who can stay in their home with some assistance, Visiting Angels provides services that help maintain independence and familiar surroundings. Families have the opportunity to interview caregivers and make the final decision about the individual who may provide assistance with a variety of activities, such as bathing and dressing, mobility, medication assistance and reminders, light housekeeping, meal preparations, shopping, errands, appointments and companionship. “We also provide this help for adults who reside in apartments, independent and assisted living arrangements and hotels,” says Director Joe Sedelmeyer. A unique service, Rochester Home Infusion (RHI), enables patients to receive intravenous medications in their home, rather than being hospitalized for weeks, having to go to an infusion center or making other living arrangements. “Our services are for all ages, from pediatrics to seniors needing long-term intravenous medication lasting for weeks, months or even years,” says Joselyn Raymundo, founder of RHI. “We also support patients who are not able to take oral food because their gut is unable to absorb nutrients.” RHI can provide total parenteral nutrition to sustain these patients for life and can assist patients who have transplants or are in hospice care and need pain control, as well as cancer patients needing supportive or palliative therapy.

When determining housing options, Nieland-Snyder says another important consideration should be location. “Should they stay in their current hometown? Do they have enough support locally to help with day-to-day things, such as grocery shopping, or should they move closer to family?” She adds, “Finances are always tricky.’”

HOW TO PAY The costs associated with senior living options vary based on services provided. “Again, a very helpful resource here is your county human services division,” says Mensink. “Speak with your financial advisor and your insurance agent for information about long-term care insurance and additional financial guidance.” The majority of commercial insurance companies cover home infusion services, such as medications, supplies, clinical monitoring and nursing visits. “Medicare also provides some level of coverage with some limitations,” says Raymundo, noting that for some patients, home infusion is more affordable because it typically costs less than receiving the same therapy in a hospital or clinic setting. It can also be more effective because “home is where a person heals best and is most comfortable,” she says. Do you know if your parents have long-term care insurance? When gathering information and considering options about services available, Sedelmeyer suggests confirming if a loved one has this coverage, which could help pay for services. Mensink emphasizes that because services and facilities are very different, so are the costs. It’s helpful to carefully consider costs and coverage of services now, in addition to costs that might be incurred if healthcare needs increase. “It is important to research costs and financial options for long-term continuing care,” concurs Carrigan. “It is very expensive, so to avoid ‘sticker shock,’ do your homework. We encourage families to seek financial advice.” Some options, like Cottagewood, accept Medicare.

WHEN HOME IS NO LONGER SAFE

THE RIGHT CHOICE

Madonna Living Community organizations provide a continuum of care ranging from independent living, assisted living, home healthcare and memory care to long-term, skilled nursing care and short-term rehabilitation. The process for an individual to become part of the community includes application approval and a waitlist for a unit of choice. Considerations for housing may include amenities that can eliminate the worries of getting loved ones to their appointments. “Our services include dentistry, podiatry, optometry, ophthalmology and audiology, as well as on-call clinicians,” says Carrigan. Cottagewood Senior Communities’ home-like environment is staged for early, middle and late stages of memory loss. Other care services provided for loved ones with memory loss include behavioral management and hospice of choice to assist an individual through end of life.

“You will be hesitant about whether you made the right choice for your parent for about the first three months or so,” says NielandSnyder. “However, once you see your loved one begin to adjust and blossom, you will feel confident that you have made the right choice.” Initially, Kathy Johnson’s family didn’t want her mother to live anywhere but at home. She recalls how difficult the process was. But today, her mother is comfortable and adjusted to full nursing home care. “It’s been good for her,” says Johnson. “All things have lined up.” Clearly, the right choice was made for all the right reasons.

November/December 2014 RWmagazine.com

Trish Amundson is a Rochester-area freelance writer.

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Sheila Nieland-Snyder, executive director of River Bend Assisted Living and Memory Care, suggests also contacting local county human service representatives, Aging Services of Minnesota or the Alzheimer’s Association. “The best way to approach the topic with a loved one is with honesty and heartfelt love for the individual,” she says. “Chances are your aging parents have already been thinking about it but are unsure themselves about how to take the next steps because it is a big change for everyone involved.”

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507.289.1147 302 Elton Hills Drive NW, Suite 200 Rochester, MN 55901 RWmagazine.com November/December 2014

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2 Photography courtesy of Beyond Kitchens and Pat Dunn-Walker.

home & garden

reating a CKitchen Masterpiece BY PENNY LEX

SUBCONTRACTORS

PROJECT:

BY PENNY MARSHALL . PHOTOGRAPHY BY FAGAN STUDIOS

Adding an artist's touch to a kitchen remodel

area and a pantry area were added he desire for an updated, attractive to maximize storage.” kitchen that would resonate with the While removing two walls vintage of the rest of their 1939 home was the markedly increased the expanse impetus for local artist Pat Dunn-Walker and her of the kitchen, dining and family room area, a new, larger window husband, Randy, to initiate their recent remodel. over the sink contributes to the “We were committed to the house and wanted a more open and spacious feel. fresh update,” Randy says. Since their occupancy PICKING A PALETTE in 1989, the Walkers had replaced appliances People pick their decorating palettes in many ways. Some opt and changed countertops and flooring. to work from the hue or pattern However, the kitchen remained small, of a favorite piece of upholstery, with limited area for entertaining. the pattern of their favorite

START WITH A FRESH CANVAS “This project involved a variety of kitchen conceptual plans that showed the Walkers what differences would exist in the new kitchen, if either one or two walls were removed during construction,” Diane Quinn of Beyond Kitchens explains. “Ultimately, they chose to remove two to maximize the space. In addition, storage to the dining 28

November/December 2014 RWmagazine.com

dishes or even something as small as a bar of soap. For the "Relational Painting" by Fritz Glarner. Walkers, the inspiration came from a painting. “We both enjoy looking at midcentury, modern furnishings and architecture,” says Pat. “We saw this painting by Fritz Glarner called ‘Relational Painting,’ and it inspired our color choices. The whole thing came together when we saw it.”

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“The neutral colors on the cabinets and walls of the dining/family room were chosen to highlight Pat’s artwork,” says Diane. “The bright pops of color on the back door and glass backsplash reflect Pat and Randy’s color sense and a little whimsy.”

THE FINAL CREATION AND EXHIBIT The new, arctic white kitchen cabinets, from Plato Woodwork’s custom line, feature inset doors that complement the historic details of the Walkers’ home. The vivid, Mediterranean blue glass tile backsplash is enhanced by the contrast of the countertop made of via lattea granite with a satin/leather finish. The Walkers chose stainless steel for their new appliances. A sizeable island, made of alder, has a coastal grey stained finished with a black glaze and a Cambria Praa Sands™ countertop. The island serves as additional counter- and workspace, as well as a welcoming spot to socialize and dine. The formerly paneled family room is now the perfect place to showcase various pieces of Pat’s artwork. A hanging apparatus suspended from the crown molding allows for ease and versatility when placing art pieces, while installation of gallery-style lighting in both

the family and living rooms assures optimal viewing. Bullet lights are also in place and for a softer guise, wall sconce fixtures. When remodeling, Pat advises to take time making decisions, which will help you remember why you made the decision in the first place. She also says that it is important to have someone who will be with you throughout the entire remodeling process. “We really trusted our contractor,” says Pat. “Beyond Kitchens really understands what goes into designing a living space. They are excellent listeners and pose the questions of what people want out of their living space, what they like best and least about their current living space, ranging from taste in space and color to form versus function. They are also very organized and understand this process— mechanical and emotional—very well.” The Walkers are greatly enjoying the expanse of their new kitchen and living space. “It’s so pleasant now to come down to the kitchen in the morning and have coffee. We really enjoy having people over too.” Penny Lex is a freelance writer living in Rochester.

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home & garden

Olmsted Medical Center Opens

Women’s Health Pavilion

NEW FACILITY A HOME AWAY FROM HOME FOR PATIENTS BY JENNIFER GANGLOFF

PHOTOGRAPHY BY FAGAN STUDIOS

he new Women’s Health Pavilion at Olmsted Medical Center (OMC) brings the best of medicine and the comforts of home together under one roof. Patients at the new care center find gently curving walls, spacious rooms, luxurious soaking tubs, customized regional art displays, gourmet coffee service and yes, even a fireplace. 30

November/December 2014 RWmagazine.com

“This is going to be a family environment, like a home away from home,” says James Hoffmann, D.O., medical vice president of hospital and surgical services at OMC. “People will feel comfortable through the whole process when they step inside.”

Rendering courtesy of Olmsted Medical Center. Top: Rendering of Olmsted Medical Center's new Women's Health Pavilion. Bottom left: Sue Klenner, vice president of patient care and chief nursing officer at Olmsted Medical Center. Bottom right: Dr. James Hoffmann, D.O., Olmsted Medical Center's vice president of hospital and surgical services.

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SERVING MEN AND WOMEN After more than two years of conception and construction, the 85,000-square-foot, three-level Women’s Health Pavilion at OMC’s Fourth Street Southeast campus opens to patients this fall. With a focus on obstetrics and gynecology, the pavilion encompasses OMC’s updated BirthCenter, along with a host of outpatient health and wellness services. Despite its name, the Women’s Health Pavilion also offers some services for men, notes Sue Klenner, vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer at OMC. The psychiatry and psychology departments, which previously did not have dedicated space, now have a permanent home on the ground level of the Women’s Health Pavilion. Plastic surgery is also located on the ground level, with a private entrance and its own parking on the southwest side of the hospital. Other services available in the pavilion include family practice, imaging, bone density scanning, social services and stereotactic breast biopsies. For some patients, bedside check-in is an option, allowing them to bypass the admissions desk.

“Our goal has been to create better coordination of services—to bring complementary services together, like a one-stop shop,” Klenner says. “And it also improves doctor collaboration.” Nearly all physicians’ offices are located in one hallway on the main floor, allowing the physicians to easily consult with one another. In addition, the Women’s Health Pavilion features a Still Missed Garden, dedicated to people who have died, and a special benefactor recognition area to celebrate OMC’s supporters. Free Wi-Fi can be accessed throughout the complex, and great attention was paid to the furnishings, from artwork on the ceilings in some patient rooms to a cozy fireplace in a lower-level waiting room.

NEW BIRTHCENTER SHINES At the heart of the new Women’s Health Pavilion is the sprawling second-floor BirthCenter, which incorporates the latest technology alongside spa-like comforts. The BirthCenter comprises 14 spacious rooms for labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum care (LDRP), each featuring updated amenities. OMC’s former birth center, where around 1,000 babies were born each year, had shared

bathrooms and cramped rooms. The new rooms each include a large, private soaking tub and have nearly twice as much space, allowing plenty of room for visiting dads, family and friends. Additionally, every room has a special labor bed, a pullout couch, hidden medical equipment, a fridge and customized artwork from regional artists. “We did preserve the LDRP model because that’s always been central to how we run things at OMC,” says Dr. Hoffmann, who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology. “This is our DNA. This is what we do. Now, with the Women’s Health Pavilion, we can finally offer our patients what they have come to expect and what they deserve.” The updated BirthCenter includes six rooms dedicated for women who have had a cesarean section or need observation. It also features an enhanced security system; doulas, who provide support in special circumstances; a dedicated C-section operating room; a certified nurse midwife program, offering delivery and primary care services; and level one and level two nursery care, with two rooms for newborns who need extra care, similar to a private nursery.

RWmagazine.com November/December 2014

A key goal in designing the BirthCenter was to create a comfortable atmosphere that downplays the obtrusive look and feel of the advanced technology. “Our philosophy is that this is our patients’ labor experience, and we want the technology to be in the background,” Dr. Hoffmann explains. “We don’t want technology to overshadow the experience.”

THE ROAD TO GROWTH The concept of the Women’s Health Pavilion as a home away from home for patients began percolating several years ago. The hospital campus on Fourth Street Southeast, which dates back to the 1950s, was “tired,” and

despite renovations and expansions, it was lacking in services and space, Dr. Hoffmann says. The lobby was too small, and there were too few waiting areas. Access to the emergency room wasn’t convenient, and pregnant women and their families often had to wait for appointments alongside people who were ill. OMC was running out of space and failing to meet patients’ changing expectations, Dr. Hoffmann says. In 2012, OMC purchased land to the west of its hospital campus, where it razed the former city maintenance and garage buildings. Ground-breaking for the $25-million Women’s Health Pavilion took place in July 2013, and the grand opening celebration is this November. The construction project, which includes the pavilion and additional patient parking areas, effectively doubled the size of OMC’s hospital campus, says OMC Spokesman Jeremy Salucka. The project includes updates to other areas of the hospital as well. OMC is replacing the

The Quality and Service you’ve come to Expect!

current hospital’s north entrance and canopy and has resurfaced the hospital’s exterior to match the pavilion’s updated appearance. As departments move from the hospital to the pavilion, space will become available for other services. The hospital’s interior will be substantially renovated to accommodate these changes. The Women’s Health Pavilion project, along with updating the OMC hospital, are focused on one thing—the patient. With expanded services, enhanced privacy, friendlier waiting rooms and improved ER access, patients can now get the medical care they need, along with a quality healthcare experience. “It’s an exciting time here at Olmsted Medical Center,” Dr. Hoffmann says in a video about the facility. “This expansion will help us serve our patients more thoughtfully, more strategically and more carefully.” Jennifer Gangloff is a freelance editor and writer in Rochester.

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November/December 2014 RWmagazine.com

Luscious Leftovers

food & wine

CREATIVE WAYS TO USE UP HOLIDAY LEFTOVERS BY DAWN SANBORN PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAWN SANBORN PHOTOGRAPHY

Dawn Sanborn, food columnist and photographer

leftover turkeyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; W ecoldall love turkey sandwiches,

turkey pot pie, and gallons of turkey soup. This year, try a new twist on those holiday leftovers. Here are three amazing, luscious recipes to help you turn your ordinary leftovers into something special. Sweet Potato and Turkey Tamales are packed with flavor. They may take a little extra time in the kitchen, but their hearty flavor is irresistible. Turkey and Cream Cheese Wontons with Spicy Cranberry Sauce add just the right amount of zing to your leftover turkey. End your next dinner with dense, sweet, gluten free Lemon and Orange Zest Cake and your family will never look at leftovers the same. This year, skip the pot pie and try something new for dinner. RWmagazine.com November/December 2014

Sweet Potato and Turkey Tamales

Lemon and Orange Zest Cake (gluten free)

• 10 large cornhusks (found in most local stores

in the specialty food aisle) • 1 3/4 cups masa harina (flour made from dried masa, also found in specialty aisle) • 1 1/4 cups very hot water • 1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. cold vegetable shortening • 1/4 cup cold chicken broth • 1 tsp. baking powder • 2 1/2 tsp. salt (divided) • 1 cup mashed sweet potato • 1 tsp. cayenne powder • 1 tsp. chili powder • 1 tsp. cumin • 1 cup leftover turkey meat, shredded Place cornhusks in a large bowl and add hot water to cover. Let stand at least 30 minutes. Place masa harina in an electric stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment. On low speed, slowly add the hot water until dough forms a ball. Increase speed and mix for 5 minutes. Reduce speed to low again and add shortening, a couple tablespoons at a time, until blended. Again, increase the speed and blend for 5 minutes. Dough should be smooth and light. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed. On low, slowly add the chicken broth, baking powder and 1 1/2 tsp. salt. Increase speed and beat about 5 more minutes until light and fluffy. In a separate bowl, add the remaining salt, cayenne, chili powder and cumin to the mashed sweet potato and mix thoroughly. Add about 1/2 cup of the potato mixture to the dough in the mixer. Mix on high until well blended. Drain the cornhusks and pat dry. Tear 2 of the husks into 16 strips for tying the ends of the tamales. Set aside. Divide the dough mixture evenly among the cornhusks. Flatten the mixture on each husk, leaving 1 inch at the ends of the husks uncovered. Spoon 1 Tbsp. of the sweet potato mixture in the center of each tamale. Spread down the middle of each husk, leaving 1/2 inch of dough exposed at each end. Finally, spoon some of the turkey on top of the mixture in each tamale. Starting on one side, roll the cornhusks so filling is completely enclosed and husk overlaps itself. Twist ends to close and tie with the strips. Fill a large pot with 2 inches of water and bring to a simmer. Place tamales in a steamer basket inside the pot, making sure water does not touch the bottom of the basket. Cover with a tight fitting lid and steam tamales for 35 to 40 minutes. Watch carefully and maintain water level. Tamales are done when they pull easily from the cornhusk. Serve hot. Serves 8. 34

November/December 2014 RWmagazine.com

• 1 cup plus 2 Tbsp. butter, softened • 1 1/8 cup sugar • 4 eggs • 1 1/8 cup gluten-free flour (if using regular

Turkey and Cream Cheese Wontons with Spicy Cranberry Sauce

flour, increase to 1 1/2 cups and omit xanthan gum) • 1 1/4 tsp. xanthan gum • 1 Tbsp. baking powder • 1 1/2 cups leftover mashed potatoes, fluffed with a fork • Juice and zest of 2 lemons

• 1/2 cup leftover turkey meat, shredded • 1/3 cup leftover stuffing • 2 ounces cream cheese, softened • 8 wonton wrappers • 1 cup oil, for frying • 1/2 cup leftover cranberry sauce • 1 Tbsp. minced onion • 1 1/4 tsp. lime juice • 1/2 tsp. jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced, or to taste

• 1/2 tsp. garlic, minced Mix the turkey, stuffing and cream cheese until thoroughly combined. Place a wonton wrapper on a work surface. Spoon about 1 Tbsp. of the filling in the center of the wrapper. Moisten two opposite edges of the wrapper with a finger dipped in water. Fold the wrapper in half so it makes a triangle, and press the edges together with a fork. Repeat with remaining filling and wrappers. Heat the oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Fry the wontons until crisp and golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Drain the fried wontons on paper towels. Allow to cool for about 5 minutes to set the filling. Place leftover cranberry sauce in a bowl and mix in the onion, lime juice, jalapeno pepper, garlic and water. Serve with the hot fried wontons. Serves 4.

For the icing:

• 3/4 cup powdered sugar • Juice of 1/2 lemon • Chocolates for decoration Heat oven to 375˚F. Grease and line a deep, 8-inch round cake pan. Beat the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs, one by one. Fold in the flour, xanthan gum, baking powder, mashed potato, zests and juices. Scrape into the cake pan and level the top. Bake for 45 minutes until golden and a skewer poked in comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes and then move to a wire rack. Place powdered sugar in a small bowl and mix in lemon juice until icing is stiff, but still runny. Spread icing over the cake, so it dribbles down the sides a little. Add some chocolates for decorating. Leave until the icing has set, then slice and serve.

Dawn Sanborn is a professional photographer, a food addict and isn’t afraid to try new and interesting ways of using up leftovers. She spends her free time playing with her goats.

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RWmagazine.com November/December 2014

food & wine

2 Nicole Czarnomski, wine columnist

Uncorked Dessert BY NICOLE L. CZARNOMSKI PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAWN SANBORN PHOTOGRAPHY

he holidays are a time to gather friends and family, celebrate the past year and welcome the year to come. Great effort is put into holiday decor, planning menus for guests and pulling off feats in the kitchen. If you’re looking for something new to try this holiday season, the gals at Rochester Women magazine have a mouth-watering surprise for you.

Next to flickering candles, Jorrie presented a tray of cheeses from People’s Food Co-op in Rochester, featuring Amablu St. Pete’s Select blue, Black River gorgonzola and Ermitage brie. She set out a bowl of mixed nuts and dried fruit, a selection of Knoke’s Chocolates made in Hudson, Wisconsin and purchased from Cannon River Winery, as well as fancy chocolates from Chocolaterie Stam at University Square in Rochester.

IN-HOME WINE TOUR

GETTING INTO THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT This fall, Jorrie Johnson hosted a holiday-style gathering where we investigated pairing food and dessert wine. Under the twinkle of holiday lights, the spread was delectable. There were dessert wines from several local wineries, including Bootlegger’s Red from Cannon River Winery in Cannon Falls; Chocolate Truffle Pig from Elmaro Winery in Trempealeau, Wisconsin; Dark Skies from Salem Glen Winery in Rochester; and Riverport White from Garvin Heights Winery in Winona. 36

November/December 2014 RWmagazine.com

After eyeing the delicious snacks, we began our wine tasting tour. First up was the Bootlegger’s Red. “It tastes like chocolate covered cherries,” said Melissa McNallan. “And I know my chocolate.” This port wine is made with Frontenac and Foch grapes, both Minnesota-grown. “Bootlegger’s Red is fortified with brandy and aged for three years,” says Maureen Maloney of Cannon River Winery. The wine boasted lush flavors of red berry jams, nuts, chocolate, vanilla and licorice. We found this scrumptious port paired well with the rich cheeses. When we popped open the Chocolate Truffle Pig, our palates discovered hints of spice. The port-style wine paired well with dark chocolate. As Dawn Sanborn said, “This wine needs a sweet dessert to go with it.” Dark Skies was both sweet and tart. “Dark Skies is a berry-based, fortified wine made with Aronia berries,” says Dustin Ebert of Salem Glen Winery. It goes great with chocolate and cheesecake. “This wine has a tart finish,” said Dawn. “If you sip this with a sliver of dark chocolate, it mellows the finish of the wine.” Cheesecake or chocolate? We dare you to try both.

Finally, we tried the Riverport White. We picked up on the different characteristics of this wine, which is made with 100 percent Frontenac Gris grapes and fortified with brandy. Frontenac Gris grapes present aromas of peach and apricot, along with hints of citrus and tropical fruit. The wine has unique and complex flavors, along with a nice balance of fruit and acidity. “It was aged in oak barrels for two years,” says Marvin Seppanen of Garvin Heights Winery. The tasters thought it was reminiscent of a hard cider. While we didn’t have a chance to taste it, we encourage you to try Sweet Seduction from Post Town Winery in Rochester. The port-style wine is made with Frontenac and Marquette grapes and has been aged in oak barrels for seven years. “It’s an opulent dessert wine with a tawny mahogany color,” says Bonita Patton, co-owner of Post Town Winery. “There are notes of plums and blackberries and a surprisingly satisfying finish.”

A LITTLE SOMETHING DIFFERENT If you’re looking for a little something different for your next gathering, uncork your dessert. As the hostess says, “Wine along with cheese and crackers makes the perfect dinner; this is all I need.” Nicole Czarnomski is a freelance writer.

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RWmagazine.com November/December 2014

Meet Nicci Sylvester. She’s the owner of Tonic, the hot new restaurant on Second Street, across from St. Marys Hospital. And she’s hot—the hot (meaning talented) chef of this issue.

ive a big hello to Nicci Sylvester, owner of Tonic, a hot new restaurant that serves a variety of juices, smoothies and local food, like sandwiches, pyrohis (a Ukrainian family recipe), soups and more. Born and raised in Blaine, Minnesota, Nicci spent her childhood years between her family’s and grandparents’ homes. She remembers her mom preparing brunch every Sunday, as if it was someone’s birthday; the whole neighborhood would be over! She loved being in charge of all the prep work—laying out dishes, decorating and making sure there were no crumbs on the table. That started her career in the food service industry. Starting a restaurant is a messy business, and it’s not always quite as simple as sweeping crumbs off the kitchen table. When Tonic first opened, it took Nicci and her employees some practice to get used to maneuvering around the small kitchen. In an attempt to open up the oven door, bacon grease spewed everywhere. The kitchen became a slip and slide of grease, as Nicci slipped to the ground, followed by one employee after another. From a humble pileup of disgruntled workers, Tonic has grown to a popular restaurant with a menu to satisfy anyone’s tastes.

food & wine

MEET OUR TOWN’S HOTTEST AND BEST CHEFS BY DAWN SANBORN

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAWN SANBORN PHOTOGRAPHY

HOT \HÄT\ (SLANG) PERFORMING WITH GREAT SKILL AND DARING Nicci’s inspiration to create Tonic came from being an annoying, front-of-the-house (restaurant slang for the dining area, not the kitchen) manager who would pester the chef with endless questions, comments, thoughts and ideas. Some chefs get tired of all that “telling them what to do,” so one chef told her it was time to do her own thing. She loved juicing, so the business plan basically wrote itself. A cool, funky, recycled restaurant emerged in Rochester, where fruit becomes art and the plates are bought from the little old lady down the street for 99 cents. Tonic’s kitchen is open to the restaurant, so you can watch the cooks prepare your food, and it’s green. Because in those harsh Minnesota winters, who doesn’t crave the color green? Although her cooking style is UkrainianAmerican-Fresh-Farm-to-Plate, Nicci did say that if she were on death row and could pick her last supper, it would be pizza, and she’s thought a lot about it. “Pizza with green olives and onions and Meryll’s Merribees mushrooms, butter crust, and maybe I’d dip it in garlic butter too,” she says. “The last one

just has to be fat and happy. Oh! And vodka. I’m Ukrainian after all.” Curiously, I asked about vodka in her juices. “I do it all the time at home! It’s the whole champagne-orange juice philosophy,” she states. A hot chef with good taste. Dawn Sanborn is a foodie by heart, and agrees with Nicci’s idea that vodka is a good ingredient to add to her juices.

RWmagazine.com November/December 2014

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MARY AND TIM— MAKE YOUR WEDDING UNIQUE TO YOU

Photograph y by Mike H

Mary Lieser and Tim Reed were married in July 2014, exactly 10 years from the day they met each other. They say, “I do,” in the company of 20 close friends and family at a friend’s lakeside home in Crosslake, Minnesota. Three days after their picture-perfect ceremony, the couple hosted a larger celebration at Rochester Golf & Country Club. Mary’s vision for a “Vegas White Party” came to life with Japanese lanterns, giant balloons floating in the pool and vibrant splashes of orange. For Mary and Tim, incorporating their family and friends into the execution of their wedding was part of what made it so unique. As the lead singer of locally renowned band Incognito, Mary’s “family” of musicians treated her guests to an evening of dance-inspired songs. Friend Mike Hardwick served as the photographer. Mary’s voice coach officiated the ceremony, and other talented friends contributed too. Their wedding and reception was a reflection of who they are, celebrated with people whom they love.

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JENNA AND MORAN— CREATE YOUR OWN PERFECT DAY

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November/December 2014 RWmagazine.com

Jenna and Moran Cohen were married September 2014 at Four Daughters Vineyard & Winery, in Spring Valley, Minnesota. They tricked their 15 guests into believing they were there for an engagement party, but to the guests’ surprise, they witnessed Jenna and Moran exchange vows. Four Daughters made the whole experience stress free, seamlessly

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Wedding Advice

FROM BRIDES TO BRIDES BY JENEE CUMMINGS

Kim and Todd David tied the knot at their lake home in Pine City, Minnesota in August 2014—the second marriage for both. Kim describes her first wedding, held more than 20 years ago, as “an extremely traditional church event.” What did she do differently this time? Kim considered the cost and stress associated with large weddings and decided that was overrated. The result was a fun, amazing day with the people she loved. Catering was provided by a Pine City catering company, and decorations and various other needs were provided by local Rochester businesses. Kim’s last dance as a single woman was with her father down the aisle, beginning with the traditional tune “Canon in D” and concluding with a high energy rock rendition of “Everybody Dance Now” by the time she reached her husband-to-be.

y submitted Photograph

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id.

KIM AND TODD—DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF

y subm Photograph

JENEE AND ANDY— NO SHOES REQUIRED I married Andy Cummings in November 2013 in the Dominican Republic. This was our second marriage, and we each brought along three daughters from our first relationships. Combining lives resulted in a busy household where the needs of our estrogen-fueled “six pack” (as we refer to them) most often takes priority. When it came time to plan our wedding, we both wanted it to be about us, the ceremony and the vows we were exchanging. I knew I wanted to marry the love of my life on a beach— barefoot and in a gorgeous wedding gown. It was that simple to me. Adler’s Rochester Travel assisted in all the details of our destination wedding at Punta Cana Excellence, and David’s Bridal made my gorgeous gown a reality. From the music that accompanied me down the aisle to the song I felt in my heart as I recited my vows, it was the perfect way to start our new lives together. Whomever you are marrying or committing to, I recommend following your heart and finding someone who makes you laugh, even through the hardest parts of the journey. And the day you say, “I do,” it isn’t about putting on a show for anyone, it is about your commitment to each other and the next chapter of your lives.

Jenee Cummings is a freelance writer.

RWmagazine.com November/December 2014

Photograhy courtesy of Jenee Cummings.

delivered and beyond magical. Flowers by Jerry provided unique and fun flowers within a two-day window. The couple plans to travel to Israel next year and host a small reception with Moran’s family. Jenna offers the following advice to brides, “Think about your perfect wedding…and DO THAT! The wedding is about the bride and the groom’s love. You should have a wedding day that celebrates the sanctity of marriage with your loved one.”

a Cohen. itted by Jenn

ong gone are the days of stuffy church weddings, inflated guest lists and stressful itineraries that adhere to “tradition.” Modern brides have finally recognized that the wedding day is about enjoying one of the most important events of our lives. Today’s weddings are often held in intimate venues and settings focused on the bride and groom and their loved ones.

community

When the CHEERING STOPS

THE DIFFICULTIES OF COMING HOME BY DEBI NEVILLE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY FAGAN STUDIOS

he road home can be a long one for women who have served in the military. The transition is wrought with challenges common among all veterans, yet female service persons face unique challenges. The women featured in this article have had varying experiences, but they share a common thought: Each is glad she served our country and notes the strength it took to transition back into civilian life. The landscape of returning to “everyday routines and responsibilities” presents numerous hills and valleys of opportunities, concerns and physical and emotional adjustments.

DIFFERENT DYNAMICS “I remember meeting a friend for coffee, and she went on and on about how difficult it was to stand in line to get her beverage; and I thought, ‘Boy, I can’t handle this conversation,’” shares Jennifer Shumaker, a member of the National Guard since 1988. “It was trivial after what I had been through. My perspective had changed. It humbled me. I don’t take things for granted.” Jennifer had been deployed several times throughout her service tenure, but her time in Afghanistan in 2009 and 2010 was the most difficult. Leaving her family was the hardest. Shumaker notes that in addition to the extreme adjustments of living in a developing country, adapting to the military routine takes some getting used to. “At home, I was responsible for my family, and 42

November/December 2014 RWmagazine.com

From Left to right: Jean, Jen and Lucy.

then, all of a sudden, there’s someone telling you what to do,” she says. “You live, eat and breathe service.” The life Shumaker returned to when she transitioned home was not the same as the one she left. “Your family moves on, learns to adapt without you,” she says, “and then Mom comes home, and you think you are stepping right back into the life you had; and it isn’t there.” But Shumaker counts herself lucky. “I have a great support system, and I work at a job that allows me to help others, Southeastern Minnesota Center for Independent Living,” she states. Shumaker is also very active with Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, the local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and a support group for those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), among others. “It’s very therapeutic to be involved.”

STRUGGLING WITH RE-ENTRY Lucy Barth was thankful to be welcomed home with open arms. She began serving in the Army National Guard in 2001 and was in Iraq during 2004 and 2005. But when the fanfare of her return ended, she found herself remembering what happened during her service.

HELPING AND HONORING THE VET HOMES FOR HEROES

Active servicemen and women and veterans receive money back when buying or selling a house with Tara Johnson of Keller Williams Premier Realty. “I didn’t hesitate to sign up for the program,” Johnson states. “I have a special spot in my heart for military personnel and others who serve our community.” Envoy Mortgage Consultant Jeff Loftus offers a financial discount through Homes for Heroes. “Having been in the military and deployed overseas, this is something I can do on a personal level,” he says. “While monetary saving is substantial, being able to commit to exceptional service for our local heroes is what really matters to me.” Contact Tara at tarajohnson@kw.com and Jeff at Jloftus@envoymortgage.com BEYOND THE YELLOW RIBBON (BTYR)

The Southeastern Minnesota Chapter is focused on supporting service members and their families. BTYR is an umbrella organization that guides individuals and families to a variety of services and support, including substance abuse and prevention, military life consultation, domestic violence and sexual assault issues, psychological health and mental wellness. “We are focusing on several fronts including a new program, Supporting Resiliency in Our Military Children and Adolescents,” says Dave Ferber, co-chiar. This is a new online course designed to introduce educators, caregivers and mental health professionals to the military culture framework, as well as the impact military deployment has on the child at different developmental stages. The class is offered at no charge to participating professionals through RCTC and BTYR. The Resiliency projects provide trained therapists who help veterans rebound from a variety of unseen injuries suffered during their military service. For more information on Resiliency Training, contact beyondtheyellowribbonsemn@gmail.com or call Kenn Roehl at 507-993-0815 regarding Resiliency Training. For other information, contact Dave Ferber at 507-202-3283. OPERATION WELCOME HOME AT IRONWOOD SPRINGS

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“Here I was, a 20-year-old and was not prepared for what I experienced,” she remembers. “I didn’t know what to expect.” After she was diagnosed with PTSD, Barth knew she needed help to readjust. “It was hard, and I had to get past what happened,” Barth says. “I saw a VA [Veterans Affairs] therapist for a year, and using the tools I was given, I learned Lucy Barth in Iraq. to accept my experiences and realized it is part of who I am. It can’t define me.” Barth decided to become a nurse and attended college until she was deployed again to Afghanistan in 2009. “This time, coming home, I had direction,” she says. “I knew what the next step was in my life plan. My family and friends were a huge support.” In 2012, Barth graduated as a registered nurse. She feels her experiences during her last deployment help her be a better emergency room nurse at Olmsted Medical Center. Recently, she re-enlisted until 2020, with hopes of serving as a flight medic. “It may sound strange, but ideally, I’d like to be called for active duty,” Barth states. “Before, there was nothing I could do to help, but now I know what to do. I want to help my fellow comrades.”

A LITTLE EASIER As a member of the Army from 2000 to 2004, Sarah Stamper served in Germany and Korea. During her service, she met a fellow soldier, who is now her husband. Recalling her time in the service, Stamper talks about all the things she learned. “I’m a different person because of my service,” she Sarah with Vicki. states. When she joined the Army immediately after high school, Stamper “flew by the seat of [her] pants.” From her time in service, she learned about leadership and became more positive and less shy. “It was one of the best decisions of my life,” she says. After serving 10 years, Stamper left the service to raise her family. “Since then, I’ve been a stay-at-home mom because my husband remains in the service today,” she says. Stamper sees how transition to civilian life may have been easier for her than others because so much of her life is still focused on the military. She has been involved with Family Readiness Group, serving as the liaison between military members and their families, offering support and a variety of services. She has also returned to school to become a medical assistant.

April, Jessi and Sarah.

MOMENTS OF FRUSTRATION In 1991, Jean Loecher joined the Navy and became a hydraulic mechanic. In 1995, she entered the Marines and worked as a helicopter electrician. After meeting and serving together in the military, she and her husband decided to focus their lives on serving in the armed forces. The Loechers liked the structure of living Marine Corps. 1998. on-base among military families. “We had most everything in common with others around us,” she says. “When we came home, all that changed.” After returning abruptly to civilian life, there were major adjustments. Everyday choices, like what to wear to work and what to eat, were stressful. And work was not as clear-cut. A casualty of recent IBM layoffs, Loecher recognizes that the hard work and self-discipline she learned in the military have helped her be successful in starting her own business and going back to school She works The P3 Orion airplane Jean worked on in diligently to help those in the the Navy. military by volunteering with Soldiers Wings, an organization that sends care packages to service men and women, and the Marine Corp League. “It’s important to continue to give to our country one way or another,” she states. She also serves in uniform as part of the Honor Guard at the VFW and American Legion. “Some of the older Vets stare,” she shares. “I want to say, ‘Women are Vets too!’” The transition home from serving is never completely smooth, but with adequate resources and a support network, women are able to adjust to life at home. Lucy Barth may have summed it up best, saying, “Everything happens for a reason. Coming home, you have to figure out how your experiences can make you a stronger, better person.”

“SERVICE: WHEN WOMEN COME MARCHING HOME” This film “highlights the special challenges facing disabled female veterans as they transition from active duty to civilian life.” SERVICE provides open and closed groups on Facebook where women can exchange information, find friendship and share solutions that have changed their lives. The DAV magazine calls women “the most rapidly shifting demographic within the veterans’ community.” Women currently make up 14 percent of today’s military, and the number is expected to double in the next eight years. Debi Neville is a Rochester freelance writer whose husband, Pat, has helped her understand the challenges all veterans face and to truly appreciate their service and sacrifice to our country.

November/December 2014 RWmagazine.com

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THE DANGEROUS DANCE WITH DIABETES

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November/December 2014 RWmagazine.com

Management of diabetes is notoriously strict—frequent monitoring of blood glucose, daily oral drugs or insulin shots, low-carb diets and regular exercise. The goal is to maintain blood glucose levels within the normal range for extended periods of the day. Even one sugary treat can cause a glucose spike that lasts for hours. Brayden and Robin endure painful finger pricks multiple times each day to measure their blood glucose. Then they calculate an insulin dose and inject it into their arm, belly or thigh. “The continual monitoring, evaluating and recording of blood sugar is beyond challenging,” says Brayden’s mother. “It’s a lifestyle change that overwhelmed us initially.” Dr. Jon Ebbert treats many diabetics at Mayo Clinic. “I’m impressed with how compliant my patients are about monitoring and taking medications,” he says. “Where many fall short is in understanding the impact that their dietary choices make on blood sugar levels. Another frustrating aspect is that diabetes evolves. A regimen that works for a patient today doesn’t necessarily work six months from now. There’s an endless succession of tweaks to keep the applecart balanced.”

CONSTANT VIGILANCE

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BATTLING THE BEAST Robin has managed her diabetes for over 20 years. “I stick to small frequent meals of meat and vegetables,” she says. “Dining out is tricky. There’s so much sugar hidden in food: Chinese sauces and Italian pasta dishes are huge no-no’s for me.” Brayden plays middle school sports like football and baseball. He eats three meals per day and avoids snacking. “When classmates bring birthday treats, it stinks that I can’t have one,” he shares. Lanse joined the YMCA. “I was baptized in the waters of exercise,” he states. “All the encouragement I received created a positive feedback loop of motivation.” Over four years, he lost 180 pounds and was able to discontinue insulin and blood pressure meds. “Today, I teach four to six indoor cycling classes per week at the Rochester Area Family Y. Come join me. My playlist rocks!” “Many patients deserve credit for how hard they work to control their diabetes,” says Miller. “My best advice to them is to:

Photo courtesy of Tracy van Eijl.

PROFILE OF A SILENT KILLER: Ten percent of diabetics have Type 1 disease (the most common form to strike juveniles). Their bodies stop making insulin, the hormone that drives glucose (blood sugar) into their cells. Ninety percent of diabetics have Type 2 disease. Their cells resist insulin. While obesity and lack of exercise are contributing factors, biology plays a large role. Native-, Mexican-, African- and AsianAmericans are at increased risk. Regardless of the type, diabetics battle high blood sugar. Initially, this causes increased thirst, hunger and urination. When poorly controlled, the condition becomes more deadly. “Prolonged elevation of blood

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teph Olson knew something was wrong with her son Brayden. The sporty 10-yearold boy had a healthy appetite but kept losing weight. A trip to his pediatrician ended with an unsettling diagnosis: Type 1 diabetes. When Robin Stricke was 16, she caught the flu. A month later, she still felt nauseated and very thirsty. When tested, Robin’s blood sugar measured six times the normal level— the result of Type 1 diabetes. Lanse Kyle was 23 and weighed 427 pounds. He went to the doctor with a sore foot and left with a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes. It wasn’t until his kidneys began to fail that he took his condition seriously.

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sugar, hyperglycemia, leads to serious complications— blindness, burning feet, heart disease, stroke and kidney failure,” says Jan Miller, R.N. and certified diabetes educator at Olmsted Medical Center. Robin and Lanse understand diabetic complications. Robin received a kidney transplant in 2006; Lanse undergoes kidney dialysis every other day.

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ON THE HORIZON New oral medications and stem cell research show promise for diabetics. In the meantime, indwelling glucose monitors and pocket-sized insulin pumps are gaining popularity. Brayden grins. “I’m excited about fewer needles, better control and more flexibility with mealtimes,” he says. “I want my new pump as soon as possible.” C. G. Worrell is a freelance writer whose grandfather died of diabetic complications in 1954. They never met.

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SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA A CAPPELLA FESTIVAL

t’s not about numbers. It’s not about size. It’s about notes—musical notes, that is. On November 11, 11 choirs will converge on Lourdes High School for the fourth annual Southeast Minnesota a Cappella Festival. The phrase, “a cappella” is Italian for “in the style of the chapel,” a style of singing without instrumental accompaniment. The event features high school, collegiate and post-collegiate choirs.

AN IDEA GROWS Program Director April Horne recalls the inception of the festival. “It began when I asked my son’s [University of Minnesota] a cappella group, 7Days, to come to Rochester for a fundraiser concert to benefit the Southeast Minnesota National Alliance on Mental Illness in 2011,” she remembers. “After 7Days agreed to come, I thought it would be neat if high school groups would have the opportunity to spend time with

BY DEBI NEVILLE

college kids. So, I contacted area schools and the first workshop and festival was the result.” April realized immediately that the event was a success. “It was obvious from that first night that it was destined to become an annual event,” she says. This year’s festival is funded in part by the Dover Eyota Music Association, what April calls “the organizing steam behind the festival.” The workshop is free for high school participants, which is made possible through

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a grant from the Southeast Minnesota Arts Council. Additional funding is received from local businesses and organizations.

THE FESTIVAL The festival covers all things a cappella. Afternoon workshops allow high school singers to work with college and professional groups, discussing a wide range of topics, including vocal matching, arrangement 101, soloist techniques, barbershop harmonies and the history of a cappella. According to April, high school students are excited and enriched by the workshop experience. One singer reported that he “learned that it’s ok to be nervous about a solo and how to use those nerves to improve my performance.” Another said she was happy “to be able to interact with and learn from talented and fun collegiate and professional singers.” Students particularly loved learning vocal percussion techniques. The workshops culminate in a capstone performance, offering each high school group the chance to perform for each other and the community.

This year’s high school choir participants include Arioso, the choir of the Rochester Area Association of Christian Home Educators; Bella Voce; Dover-Eyota Chamber Choir; Kasson-Mantorville Chamber Singers; Lourdes Center Street Singers; Plainview-Elgin-Millville Varsity Choir; and Stewartville High School Choir. “The high school choirs are some of the best in Minnesota, which is saying something in the ‘land of 10,000 choirs,’” April says with a laugh. Following the capstone performance will be a fundraiser concert featuring a cappella groups from near and far. The headline group is Honey Whiskey Trio, an a cappella trio based in Los Angeles. They are joined by the Mad Hatters from the University of Wisconsin-Madison; Gambit, Rochester’s own barbershop champions; and 7Days from the University of Minnesota.

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members with mental illness and feel pretty passionate about the need to educate the community,” says April. NAMI helps achieve this goal. NAMI’s mission is to improve the lives of individuals affected by mental illness through education, support, research and advocacy. One in four adults experiences a mental health disorder in any given year. Education helps break down the barrier to early treatment by reducing the stigma associated with mental illness.

AN EVENING INVITATION Members of the community are invited to attend both concerts on November 11 at Lourdes High School. The high school choirs' capstone concert is at 6:30 p.m. and costs $5 for adults; students attend for free. The fundraiser concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and has a minimum suggested donation of $5 per person. For more details, visit semnacappella.org.

Funds raised at the concert will benefit the Southeast Minnesota National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). “I have a lot of family

Debi Neville is a Rochester freelance writer and supporter of the arts.

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the MALE perspective Photo courtesy of Kami Misra.

Kami and Sanjay Misra enjoying the fun of a couple "selfie."

Name: Sanjay Misra, M.D. Age: 49 Hometown: Bareilly, India Relationship: Married to Kami for 15 years Children: Three Job: Consultant and Professor of Radiology PAM: When women say that they don’t understand men, what should they keep in mind? SANJAY: I think the question is, “What level is your attraction? Is it a physical attraction, an intellectual attraction, a complete attraction?” The other thing to really think about is, “What is the purpose or goal of the relationship? Is this something that is temporary or permanent?” Women can ask themselves why they are drawn to a certain man and what you need to understand about him. For instance, if you’re drawn to successful men, and that’s what you want, remember that successful men come with workaholic attitudes. PAM: And if they are dating outside of their culture? SANJAY: The man’s perception of women may be different than the American perception of women. [The relationship] comes with its own set of cultural biases. If you’re really going to get serious, you need to understand the core values that he was brought up with and how he sees his personal life, professional life, relationship to his parents. When you start peeling away all these layers, you realize that it takes a-while to sort through the layers too. I have good friends who are still single. One asked me how I knew that I was in a good relationship. I said, “You won’t know until five years, when you’ve had time to reflect on it.” Now I’ve been married 15 years, and I think our marriage has gotten better over the years because of the complexities of

LIFE, LOVE AND RELATIONSHIPS BY PAM WHITFIELD the relationship, which go beyond mere chemistry. [Our marriage] goes five or six layers deep, and it will change over the next 20 years too. PAM: What about the seven-year itch? When people get “itchy,” what should they do? SANJAY: When my wife and I got married, I asked Kami how long she planned to stay married to me, and she said 80 years. Now I remind her of that. You have to keep your eye on the long-term relationship and the institution of marriage. Unfortunately, that’s been eroded, and it’s very easy to get a divorce. But you can ask yourself, “What was I drawn to initially? What attracted me to this person?” Of course you can think about how you can be a better spouse, what you might get better at and where are the opportunities for improvement. Some people go to counseling, and some go to a quiet place or seek outside advice. Either way, you have to keep working at it. When you stop working at it, that’s a bad sign because you’ve emotionally given up. There are two ways to look at it: You’re fighting, and it’s bad; or you’re fighting because you love each other. [If it’s love,] then you’re fighting to save your marriage. Couples can do things together, travel together, take time out—without the kids, even if it’s just one or two days together. These are important ways of bonding and getting back in touch with your spouse or partner. It’s easy to lose sight of that, if you’re a busy person. It’s easy to take your eye off the ball. PAM: You are in a most unusual type of cross-cultural marriage. SANJAY: Kami and I are both of East Indian descent, but she grew up in British Guiana, an English colony. Her people left India four generations ago. My challenge was understanding how the culture in Guiana had diverged from British culture

Pam Whitfield, relationship columnist

and stayed consistent with that of India in the 1800s. It was almost like they were stuck in time, in a very beautiful way. Our marriage is cross-cultural in the sense that we were raised on two different continents, in two different time periods. It would be like you marrying someone from 1870s America. Kami assimilated on the exterior and took on British manners and dress, but she kept the traditional Indian core values. I had to understand her expectations of a marriage, which are different than what you might think for an Indian—I mean a firstgeneration person from India, like myself. I married a very traditional woman, but if you met her, you might not appreciate that because she doesn’t come across that way. PAM: Do you have advice for people who date outside their culture? SANJAY: I think it’s going to be more common than we appreciate. The world has gotten flat. Five dates is one thing. Understanding differences in culture may not be that crucial. But if you’re going to have 55 dates, you need to consider it more. For example, how are parents valued in the culture? Eventually, you might need to discuss how to raise kids in a multicultural environment, especially when they start asking questions about who they are, their identity. PAM: What’s your secret weapon in a marriage? SANJAY: I have a lot of secret weapons that don’t work! I think the most important thing are honesty, respect and understanding the importance of your marriage. You need to value it. I try to reaffirm to my wife the sacrifices she’s making. If you start to take your partner for granted, you can always do a “flip the jobs.” You get the kids for five days, and she gets to do whatever she wants. On day two, you’ll appreciate what she does. RWmagazine.com November/December 2014

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November/December 2014 RWmagazine.com

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YOU DESERVE A BREAK TODAY

GODO! YOU DESERVE IT GODO! JUST FOR YOU GODO! RENEW YOU GODO! REDISCOVER YOU BY LUANN BUECHLER

or this season’s Rochester Women GoDo!, we’re highlighting the RENEW Retreat. The RENEW Retreat is for women who want to rejuvenate, renew, revive and refresh themselves. At times, we all wish we could get away from the hustle, bustle and busyness of life. Yet, as women, we often ignore ourselves to focus on what others need from us. We need to remember that we can only take care of others when we are taking good care of ourselves. This amazing retreat is a chance for YOU to take care of YOU.

“The atmosphere was relaxed, supportive, encouraging, and engaging. Whether we were in a group, or simply hanging out with one or two others, the energy was great. I ended it feeling very grounded, spiritually and emotionally, and am looking forward to next year's with great anticipation. I will recommend this to all my friends, and encourage you to join us for a wonderful experience.” --Beverly

Each year, we ask the women who attend RENEW what brought them to the event. The same words resonate over and over again—balance, support, friends, connections and sharing. RENEW is a place where women can be themselves and find the love and support they need. After all, we are all in this together, and we all have gifts to share. You will find a unique group of women at RENEW each year. Some have been acquaintances for years, and many others are meeting for the first time. Yet, within hours, they form one cohesive group of women who care for one another. Each woman brings her own gifts and talents to the party. And yes, it is a party when women get together! But it’s also a relaxed environment to just be you. Time is spent freely, allowing each woman to find her renewal. Whether it’s yoga, a massage or facial, participating in a workshop, taking a nap or walking in the woods, there is something for everyone. The RENEW Retreat is held each November at the Miracle Lodge, Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch. The serene environment is a perfect location to rest and renew. Just 8 miles south of Rochester, the ranch feels like it is in another place and time.

LuAnn Buechler (front row center) and 2013 RENEW Retreat participants with their headlamps on before going on a scavenger hunt. Jorrie Johnson and Kim Radke of Rochester Women magazine (front row far right) look forward to attending again this year.

“[RENEW is] a wonderful opportunity to gain insight into you, enjoy a beautiful, relaxing environment to connect with wonderful women and make new friendships.” --Becky There are no TVs and no radio, and you are encouraged to step away from technology. It is truly a place to escape the chaos and rejuvenate oneself with the love and support of other amazing women. You deserve it, and you will be a better person for taking care of you. The RENEW Retreat will be held November 14-16. Check it out at renewwomensretreat.com. All rooms are double occupancy, so bring a friend and get a discount for the second person. Mention you are a fan of Rochester Women magazine for the best rate. Contact LuAnn Buechler at 507-951-1468 or LuAnn@PMCEvents.com for more information. LuAnn Buechler is a transformational trainer & coach. RWmagazine.com November/December 2014

let's get personal

A New Way of Celebrating the Holidays

MAKING THE FIRST HOLIDAY SEASON FOLLOWING DIVORCE SPECIAL BY SAMANTHA ALLEY

here is no other season that offers more competing sources of expectation than the winter holidays. Linger to look and listen anywhere during your daily travels, and you will see and hear a multitude of messages about how life can be more joyful and complete with friends, family and sparkly, wonderful things. Managing expectations over the holiday season can be difficult for anyone and even more challenging following a divorce. For most individuals, the first holiday season after divorce follows a period of dramatic change. Life gets tipped on end during a divorce. In a short period of time, you may be living in a different home. Your children may be attending new schools, and you may have left a faith community or joined a new one. Friends and family who were part of previous holiday traditions may no longer be a central part of your life. Finances will look different, and traditions may be difficult or impossible to continue. How, then, do you navigate the holidays after such profound change?

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FOCUS ON THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASON The holidays center on a theme of community, service, transition and miracles. They are not about spending, overscheduling, overeating or perfection. Finances, time and energy may limit how you celebrate the holidays. That’s OK. Magic can be found in the simplest experiences. Give yourself and your children permission to celebrate in simple ways. Build a gingerbread house together. It’s not an expensive activity, and the sticky frosting, along with everyone’s favorite candy, can be a sweet catalyst to sharing stories and laughter. Finding ways to connect as a family is important, especially if your parenting time is limited. You can teach children about serving others by signing up to ring bells for Salvation Army. In one hour of service, you will demonstrate how to work together to help others. 54

November/December 2014 RWmagazine.com

If you are spending your first holiday season without children, consider connecting with others through service. Bake cookies for a new friend or an old one. Volunteer to serve dinner at the Ronald McDonald House or Dorothy Day Hospitality House. Reach out to friends with an invitation to spend time together. Focusing on others can dampen your feelings of loss and loneliness.

PLAN AND SCHEDULE WITH FLEXIBILITY Running from one activity to another can be taxing, especially when you lack the support and logistical assistance of a partner. The reality is that the emotional charge of the holidays may leave you suddenly without the energy and desire to socialize. As you make plans with friends or family, be honest about the possibility that you may need to cancel at the last minute. Plan an evening at home in your pajamas. Remind yourself that spending time alone is not your destiny or a failure, but a choice meant to honor and support the healing that is still taking place.

CREATE NEW TRADITIONS Divorce may have left you without the traditions and physical tokens of previous holidays. The first holiday season after divorce is a perfect time to start reinventing traditions. Take from the past what was special to you and leave the rest. As difficult as the holidays may be, the season offers a beautiful opportunity for transition into a new normal. This is the first holiday season of many to come. Expect that there will be joy, frustration, loneliness and contentment. Expect that something less than perfection will be OK for your family and for you. Samantha Alley works as a Project Manager for St. Catherine University and is the mother of three boys.

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Calendar Events Check out our Community Calendar online for additional listings at RWmagazine.com Deadline for submitting events for Rochester Women January/February 2015 issue is November 15, 2014. Send events to calendar@RWmagazine.com Events in purple are sponsored by Rochester Women magazine. *(507 area code unless stated)

NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 1

NOVEMBER 22

A Live and Love Affair Gala, International Event Center, benefits Seasons Hospice, music provided by the Bruce A. Henry Band, tickets available at 285-1930, seasonshospice.org

NOVEMBER 25-30 Festival of Trees, Mayo Civic Center, benefiting the Hiawatha Homes Foundation, times vary, hiawathahomes.org

NOVEMBER 28,

Rochester Downtown Winter Farmer’s Market, Olmsted County Fairgrounds, Bldg 41, 9 am-12 pm, for all winter dates contact 273-8232 or rochesterdowntownfarmersmarket.org

Booker Mini Foundation, bookermini.org

NOVEMBER 6, 13 AND 20

DECEMBER

Taking Stress Out to Lunch!, Assisi Heights, three session course on defining and managing everyday stress, $24, 7-8 pm, 280-2195, ahsc@ rochesterfranciscan.org

NOVEMBER 29 Small Business Saturday, downtownrochestermn.com

DECEMBER 5

NOVEMBER 7 & 8, 14 & 15

Great Russian Nutcracker, Mayo Civic Center, Moscow Ballet presents Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece, 328-222, mayociviccenter.com

Godspell, Word Players Theatre, Presented by SkyVault Theatre Company, 7 pm, 216-6431, wordsplayers.org

The Spirit of Christmas Past: A Christmas Carol, Words Players Theatre, 216-6431, wordsplayers.org

NOVEMBER 8 Fired Up: Survivor stories of trauma, hope and change, $15, 6:30 pm, call for tickets 282-8481 or rochestercivictheatre.org

NOVEMBER 8-9 Holiday Harvest Wine and Food Festival, Along the Mississippi River, advanced tickets are available at greatriverroadwinetrail.org

NOVEMBER 9 Stiletto Brass Quintet, First Presbyterian Church in Rochester, part of the Festival of Music Concert Series, 4 pm, free admission, fpcrochester.org

NOVEMBER 13 Give to the Max Day, Making donations is fun and easy, support Minnesota charities of your choice at givemn.org

NOVEMBER 14-DECEMBER 6 The Game’s Afoot - or - Holmes for the Holidays, Rochester Repertory Theatre, 289-1737, rochesterrep.org

NOVEMBER 14-15 Who Helps the Helper?, Assisi Heights, explore compassion fatigue warning signs and learn skills to maintain your health, hope and joy. $150, 2802195, ahsc@rochesterfranciscan.org

NOVEMBER 15 A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Kiellor, Mayo Civic Center, 4:45 pm, 328-2222, mayociviccenter.com

DECEMBER 5-20

DECEMBER 6 25th Charity Auction benefiting Paws and Claws Humane Society, Kahler Grand Hotel, doors open at 4:30 pm, pawsandclaws.org

DECEMBER 7 Civic Live: Alison Scott Holiday Show, Rochester Civic Theatre, 7:30 pm, tickets on sale now 282-8481 or rochestercivictheatre.org

DECEMBER 7 SE Minnesota Honors Choir’s presents Glad Tidings!, Bethel Lutheran Church, 4 pm, HonorsChiors.org

DECEMBER 11 Women & Wine Wine Tasting, benefitting Women’s Shelter, Inc., See ad on page 29.

DECEMBER 13 Bear Creek Services Cookie Classic, Bear Creek Services office, children’s activities and pictures with Santa, choose from a huge selection of holiday goodies, 288-7195, bearcreekservices.org

DECEMBER 13 - 14 Rochester Dance Company presents The Nutcracker, Mayo Civic Center Presentation Hall, 328-2222, mayociviccenter.com

JANUARY JANUARY 5

Pick-up Rochester Women January/February 2015 issue or read online at RW.magazine.com

NOVEMBER 19

JANUARY 3

Women on Wednesdays Everything is Gendered: Part I, Rochester Civic Theatre Lobby, 5 pm, to register mari@rochestercivictheatre.org, 282-8481 or rochestercivictheatre.org

Wedding Extravaganza, Mayo Civic Center, see all the latest in bridal fashion and wedding trends, register for prizes, fashion show and more, 9 am- 4 pm, 876-2187, weddingextravaganza.com

ADVERTISERS INDEX Agape Chiropractic and LuAnnB.......................................... 24 Allegro School of Dance & Music.........................................17 Altra Federal Credit Union........................................................3 Associates in Psychiatry & Psychology................................. 55 Beyond Kitchens..................................................................... 27 Bicycle Sports..........................................................................21 Blades to Ballet....................................................................... 49 Budget Blinds.......................................................................... 49 Cascade Animal Medical Center......................................... 43 Chanhassen Dinner Theatres................................................. 52 Chester’s Kitchen & Bar......................................................... 35 Chocolaterie 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Coffee.................................................................... 55 Fagan Studios......................................................................... 45 Family Service Rochester Meals on Wheels.........................17 First Alliance Credit Union......................................................13 First Unitarian Universalist Church........................................ 47 Foresight Bank......................................................................... 22 Garden of Massage............................................................... 55 Garvin Heights Vineyards...................................................... 37 GLK Orthodontics................................................................... 22 Hair Studio 52.........................................................................13 Hank & Purl’s Creative Nook and Knittery.............................9 Helping Hands Home Cleaning............................................ 45 HOPE 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52 O’Brien & Wolf, L.L.P...............................................................13 Odyssey Resorts..................................................................... 55 Olmsted County Historical Society........................................17 Olmsted Medical Center....................................................... 59 Olmsted Medical Center Foundation................................... 38 Pescara Fresh Seafood Restaurant ....................................... 35 Post Town Winery................................................................... 37 Premier Banks...........................................................................16 Prime Lending.......................................................................... 48 Reiland’s Hair Clinic............................................................... 52 River Bend Assisted Living...................................................... 24 Rochester Area Family Y ....................................................... 47 Rochester Civic Theatre Women on Wednesdays.................9 Rochester Greeters................................................................. 55 Rochester International Airport.................................................6 Seasons................................................................................... 47 SEMVA.....................................................................................21 Silhouette Shoppe.................................................................. 43 Sisters of Saint Francis...............................................................9 Stewartville Family Dentistry ................................................. 10 Keller Williams, Tara Johnson............................................... 55 The Excelsior Group............................................................... 56 The Woods.............................................................................. 29 Tonic, inc.................................................................................. 35 TownSquare Media ............................................................... 50 Treats & Treasures................................................................... 35 Tyrol Ski & Sports................................................................... 52 Victoria’s Ristorante & Wine Bar..............................................4 Visiting Angels......................................................................... 27 Wabasha Port Authority & Development Agency............... 40 Waseca Area Tourism & Vistor Bureau................................ 52 Women & Wine Wine Tasting ............................................. 29 Whitewater Wines.................................................................. 37

RWmagazine.com November/December 2014

on the lighter side

Christmas Slugs

GIFTS THAT KEEP ON GIVING BY LIZZI CLOBES

t doesn’t matter how old I get; going home for Christmas still gets me excited for family traditions and rituals—the gifts, the food, the decorations…and of course, those wonderful Christmas memories your siblings bring up at the dinner table every year. You know the ones: They either make you nearly spit out your drink, hysterically laughing to the point of tears or crawl under the table in shame. (Why don’t families forget anything?)

YOU GOT ME WHAT? I have one brother, and I think he takes pride in remembering (and re-remembering) those priceless sister moments of Christmases past—the year I put the wrong names on nearly all my presents or the time I gave our mom a sky blue enameled dust pan with an embossed happy face on it. To this day, nobody knows what I was thinking. I blame it on the fact that I finished my Christmas shopping that year while in labor with my third child. That means I should be excused from the humiliation of an epic gift fail, right? NOPE! Not in my family.

November/December 2014 RWmagazine.com

EGG SEPARATORS & CHRISTMAS SLUGS For me, gifting has become far more sport than I like to admit. It’s my one opportunity a year to give something that comes from the heart or go all out with a gift so ridiculous that the recipient wonders what to do with it, where to put it and who (if anyone) should see it. Once I watched as my brother stumbled through thanking me for a gift, even though he didn’t have a clue what it was. It was an egg separator. (What can I say? He likes gadgets and making breakfast on the weekends. BOOM! Perfect gift.)

Since then, my gift-giving shenanigans have continued. The next year, I gave my brother a can of escargot (shells included), a much better choice than the practical leather work gloves on the top of his Christmas list or even the egg separator. From his look of confusion to his gullible acceptance that “Everyone is eating them!” and “They’re all the rage!”, I knew I’d hit the jackpot. The gift was nicknamed Christmas Slugs, and its re-gifting has become one of my favorite Christmas rituals.

ALL IN CHRISTMAS FUN The Christmas Slugs are just one of the fun family rituals I look forward to during the holidays. Knowing the joy of tradition that’s ahead helps lift my spirits, even during the harder years. You might not think it at first, but a gift of snails is truly priceless, and so is my brother, even if he gives me a hard time every year. Now, where did I stash those Christmas Slugs? Lizzi is a Rochester native, homeschooling her 3 children in the neighborhood she grew up in while running a small remodeling company, and immersing herself in landscaping, writing & visual arts.

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Welcom e H om e .

OMC Women’s Health Pavilion Open November 7, 2014

EXISTING PARKING

Expanded Healthcare Services For Women In One Location. In response to the growing healthcare needs of women in Southeastern Minnesota, Olmsted Medical Center is building for the future. The Women’s Health Pavilion is an 80,000-square-foot facility located immediately to the west of OMC’s current hospital in Rochester. The facility doubles the hospital’s size and opens to patients November 7, 2014.

We ’ v e

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