December 2009 - She Magazine

Lori Erfmeier: Glass artist She Deserves It : Mary Ann Ransdell Special Advertising Section: Gift Tags — ideas for the holidays

WinterFashion

2 Stylish cold-weather wear

NOVEMBER 2009

Tobi Herron Still has the drive travel story: Kelsey takes to the Northwest She Deserves It : beth Morris She Goes Out : photo coverage

OctOber 2009

Chick Cars She Deserves It : Linda Robertson Fashion Feature — Winter Boots

Small-town girl

0 Nancy Conner: She Deserves It Laura Mohns is here to help

Dreams unleashed at Mutt Tubbs

JULY 2009

DECEMBER 2009

Becky Brown Behind the camera

Griselda

Sanchez At home in Columbus

Women in Transition Financial advice She Deserves It: Diane Doup Makeover winners

0

SepTeMBer 2009

9

A photographer in her element Jerrie Posey: She Deserves It Committed to a cancer cure

AUGUST 2009

Indiana towns make quaint

Girlfriend Getaways

Also Inside: The little black dress | Childbirth educator Lisa Crane | The right weight loss program awaits you

Contents

26 4

Amy Mueller on a fitness kick

Cute boots

11

December 2009 • s h e

magazine

What constitutes a chick car?

page

editor's note

Another year has almost passed. Where does the time go? I suppose I can take that positively, though, because it’s been said that time flies when you’re having fun.

I’ve certainly had a blast with another year of producing She. I thought it would be fun to look back a bit before we all say hello to the new year — hence the idea to have this month’s cover of covers.

Since January, we’ve gone inside the life of a rookie kindergarten teacher, Shelby Dunville; we’ve crowned another Prom-a-rama winner; we’ve been amazed by Annette Kleinhenz raising 11 children; and we found the best getaways for you and the girls.

We also partied at a bigger and better She Goes Out and revealed our beautiful Pamper Party Makeover winners, and you took a trip with me to the Northwest.

With this issue, we also end a year-long series that has been near and dear to me — She Deserves It! Check out our final profile, on animal rescuer Linda Robertson, in the pages to follow.

Yes, it’s been a good year, and I’m so thankful that I’ve had my loyal readers there with me along the way.

Now, for more about this final issue of 2009: I’m a sucker for “overcoming obstacles” stories, and we’ve got a good one for you this month: Meet Amy Mueller, who in her 50s finally made the tough choice to change her life forever.

she EDITOR Kelsey VanArsdall COPY EDITOR Katharine Smith GRAPHIC DESIGNER Stephanie Otte WRITERS Tim Coriden Kami Ervin Jalene Hahn Shayla Holtkamp Shannon Palmer Jennifer Willhite

We also have some fun with attempting to define the typical “chick car”; see where yours fits in the story to follow.

photographerS Joe Harpring Andrew Laker Joel Philippsen

Well, no more yapping from me. Take a break from wrapping presents and cozy up with December She.

DECEMBER 16, 2009 She ©2009 All rights reserved.

Published monthly by The Republic.

SEND COMMENTS TO: Kelsey VanArsdall, The Republic 333 Second St., Columbus, IN 47201, call 812-379-5691 or e-mail kvanarsdall@therepublic.com Do you have a comment about a She article or feature?

E-mail Kelsey your remark or short personal story that pertains to a topic you read about and we may publish it.

It’s all about keeping She your magazine.

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ADVERTISING INFORMATION: Call Cathy Klaes at 812-379-5678 or e-mail cklaes@therepublic.com.

All copy and advertising in She are copyrighted and cannot be reproduced.

SHE m a g a z i n e • D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 9

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December 2009 • she magazine

page

d e t h We ig in her favor Surgery and exercise regimen help Amy Mueller enjoy

fe’s t i l de hr i ill r

By Kelsey VanArsdall Photos by Andrew Laker December 2009 • she magazine

page

Amy Mueller had been battling her weight almost all her life.

She had considered herself fat since the fifth grade.

Her first trial with Weight Watchers was at age 16. She tried diet after diet, but her weight yo-yoed. When she turned 50, however, she had an epiphany.

“I realized that if I was going (to lose weight) on my own, I would have done it by now,” Mueller said.

So, the longtime Columbus resident and Toyota engineer considered gastric bypass.

“I had researched it years before, but I always focused on the bad stories — the risks — because I wanted to be talked out of it,” she said.

For Mueller it wasn’t just one memorable moment that sparked her decision to lose weight, it was many, fueled by the desire to make her family proud and to be a good role model.

She remembers one defining family trip to a theme park.

“My family loves roller coasters, and our favorite place is Cedar Point,” she said.

When the family entered the ride, Mueller wasn’t able to fasten her safety harness. “And, of course, they made a big spectacle out of it and called multiple employees over that were trying to force this bar down so it would latch.

“It was so humiliating. I looked back, and my daughter was crying. That was a horrible moment.”

But that’s also when Mueller learned the problem was bigger than it seemed.

“The thing was, that situation didn’t make me want to stop eating. It made me want to eat more. I wanted to go hide,” Mueller said. “That’s just what so many people don’t realize. Obesity is a disease.”

At her heaviest, Mueller weighed 303 pounds. Now, 140 pounds lighter, she’s a svelte exercise junkie with a renewed taste for running.

Page

SHE m a g a z i n e • N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 9

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Mueller works with personal trainer Ian McGriff at Tipton Lakes Athletic Club.

Before

“I used to run a lot; in fact, that’s how I met my husband, but then I stopped when I was finishing up my master’s,” she said. “And from then on it was one thing and then another that got in the way.”

The big decision Mueller underwent a gastric bypass at Columbus Regional Hospital in July 2004. The weight loss started almost immediately, and just months after her surgery, Mueller was posing for photos in baggy outfits that used to fit snugly.

The one-on-one and group therapy that accompany every gastric bypass performed at CRH have been just as important as the surgery.

“I’m an engineer, so I’ve never been keen on that touchy-feely stuff,” Mueller said. “But once I got into it, now I love it.

I still do the therapy, even now.”

The rapid weight loss was the fun part, but it was the unforeseen and small life changes that Mueller cherishes most.

“It’s the small things, like crossing my legs,” she said, with a jovial laugh. “I

cross my legs all the time now.

“I can get in an airplane seat without a (seat belt) extension.”

Until she became a healthy weight, Mueller didn’t realize all she was missing.

“There were a lot of things I wanted to do, but I couldn’t get past go,” she said.

“I think the biggest accomplishment is not having that on my list anymore.

“I felt like I couldn’t do or try any of the things I wanted to do because I kept telling myself I had to get healthy first. I was in a rut.

“Now there isn’t anything I can’t do.”

She even returned to the theme park to face another roller coaster. Even with her weight loss, while standing in line, Mueller judged herself against others — wondering if she was small enough to fit.

“Sure enough I got in (the seat), clamped down that safety harness, no problem,” she said. “What a thrill to be able to ride any ride in a theme park and not have to worry.”

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SHE m a g a z i n e • D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 9

After

Mueller and her daughter, Laura, before Columbus’ sprint triathlon last summer.

A new self Five years after the surgery, Mueller no longer worries about whether or not she’ll be able to fit in a seat. She’s onto bigger and better things. Exercise has replaced food as her addiction.

She even took a part-time job at Tipton Lakes Athletic Club, where she works out with trainer Ian McGriff.

“The more Amy began to just trust me as a trainer, the better her results,” McGriff said. “She began to run, not long at first, but surely enough, it became a half-mile, then a mile, then all of a sudden she’s training for the mini-marathon in Indy.”

To date, she’s run two mini-marathons, several 5K races and completed her first sprint triathlon this summer, with her 19year-old daughter, Laura.

“Swimming is not my thing,” she said. “But I thought, you know what, I’m just gonna do it. I’m gonna put myself out there.”

She was the last competitor out of the water, but she had a blast.

December 2009 • she magazine

“It’s not the races or the training each day that are her milestones in my opinion,” McGriff said. “Without her choice to make a change and her trust in herself and others to guide her, she would never have made it to the start line, let alone the finish.”

Mueller is also thankful for the way the experience affected her family life.

“I’ve been paranoid about being a good role model, and actions speak louder than words,” she said. “My daughter is so proud of me, and I always felt like it was embarrassing when I was so overweight.

“She never was embarrassed, but I felt that way.

Inspired by her mother, Laura is majoring in sports nutrition and exercise science as a freshman at Purdue University.

“It’s a lot of work, and there have been some hard times, no doubt, but I’ve got it pretty good,” Mueller said.

“I feel like I’m living a dream; like I’ve won the lottery.” page

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Does It Come In

PINK? A

A better question about a chick car would focus on better question about a chick car would focus standard features on standard features and gas mileage and gas mileage

By Kami Ervin Photos by Andrew Laker

December 2009 • she magazine

p a g e 11

Because half of the cars sold in the United States last year were purchased by women, one would expect to see an overabundance of heaven blue metallic Volkswagen Beetles or sunburst orange Chevrolet HHRs. Hit the brakes on that assumption because many women are climbing into vehicles that offer more than just appealing colors and a unique look.

For several years, the automotive industry targeted women specifically with exotic colors, distinctive body styles and decked-out interiors to persuade them to purchase the ultimate chick car.

However as the industry attempts to cut costs, it now needs a broader appeal.

Barry Moskowitz, used car manager at Wiese in Taylorsville, points out that automakers have streamlined their vehicles, making fewer trucks, trimming color choices and focusing on what vehicles will sell to all buyers.

“There are cars out there that are popular among women,” Moskowitz says. “The Toyota Rav4, the Volkswagen Beetle and the Chrysler PT Cruiser, but everything else is pretty split.”

When Carrie Burton’s son, Jordan, got his driver’s license recently, she handed over her 2001 Oldsmobile Alero and set out in search of a new car. Burton, a single mom from Edinburgh, already had ideas about the features she wanted for her new car.

“I wanted a sunroof,” she says, “And I don’t like leather, so I wanted cloth seats. I also commute to Indianapolis every day, so gas mileage was a big factor.”

Like many car buyers, Burton did her homework online before settling on a car that just happens to be a top seller among women.

“I bought a 2010 black Honda Civic,” Burton says. “I was actually deciding between this and a Toyota Corolla, but the Civic was the right color, small in size, a four-door, and the gas mileage is guaranteed to be 36 miles per gallon with a potential of 40.”

The Honda Crosstour is an example of a crossover car that's rising in popularity with female drivers.

“There are cars out there that are popular among women. The Toyota Rav4, the Volkswagen Beetle and the Chrysler PT Cruiser, but everything else is pretty split.”

— Barry Moskowitz Wiese used car manager

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Look it up Moskowitz says that women have evolved into stronger car buyers as the Internet has enabled them to do more research on particular cars and features before they even get to the car lot.

“Women are looking at the complete package — value, equipment and gas mileage,” he says. “While most things are standard, such as cruise control and air conditioning, options such as rear entertainment, double sunroofs and navigational systems are priority as well.”

It may be easy to identify vehicles that attract women, but the buying trend among women can’t always be narrowed down to specific vehicle types.

“The kind of car a woman buys varies by stages of life,” says Lisa Hurley of Renner Motors. “Moms are buying minivans and crossovers, while younger women are looking for something fun and sporty or something green.”

Small sporty sedans like the Civic and hybrids like the Toyota Prius are a popular choice among women, but SUVs and crossovers appeal to all ages.

The development of crossover vehicles enabled the automotive industry to target a larger audience because they appeal to both families and single people.

Page 14

SHE m a g a z i n e • D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 9

Well-equipped sedans, like the Ford Taurus, with heated seats and sun roofs are popular.

Small SUVs, such as this Nissan Xterra, are an alternate choice for women with families.

Small sporty sedans and hybrids, like the Honda Civic, are big sellers.

Although not as large as a full-size SUV, crossovers offer roomy interiors, good gas mileage and car-like handling.

Keith Jones, general manager of Acra, concurs that crossovers and smaller SUVs are a great buy for women, regardless of whether they are single or have a family, and shares other perks that women look for when purchasing a vehicle.

“Crossovers are stylish, convenient and easy to drive, and have better gas mileage than larger SUVs,” Jones says. “And some other features that women typically look for in a vehicle are all power, CD or MP3 player and heated seats.”

December 2009 • she magazine

p a g e 15

Crossing to safety In a poll among several groups of women in the area, most said they prefer a small SUV with leg room, good gas mileage, a sporty look and features that include remote start, navigation, a good entertainment system and a great safety record.

Since most of these features are found in both new and used crossovers and smaller SUVs, vehicles such as the GMC Arcadia, the Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave, Ford Escape, Jeep Liberty and Toyota Rav4 are the best bet for women with a family or with an active lifestyle.

Columbus resident Courtney Aldridge recently purchased a used Toyota 4Runner for its sporty look and four-wheel drive.

“I think 4Runners are cute,” Aldridge says. “It’s a little bit girlie, gets decent gas mileage, and it’s not so big you can’t see over the steering wheel.”

As the typical chick car like the Beetle takes a back seat to cars that offer more options, versatility and good gas mileage, it’s hard to determine what the ultimate car is for a woman. However, the crossover offers safety, fuel economy, multiple features and the best bang for the buck for any woman out there looking for her next vehicle.

The new era of the traditional chick mobile has definitely evolved.

“The kind of car a woman buys varies by stages of life. Moms are buying minivans and crossovers, while younger women are looking for something fun and sporty or something green.”

— Lisa Hurley Renner Motors

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P a g e 16

SHE m a g a z i n e • D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 9

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333 Second Street, Columbus or call (812) 379-5655.

Linda Robertson cares for creatures who need a home

By Jennifer Willhite Photos by Joe Harpring Someone once suggested that people should be the change they wish to see in the world.

Linda Robertson does this every day. Her volunteer work and compassionate spirit define who she is, to not only those she meets in passing, but to those for whom she cares.

Because of her selfless dedication to helping others, inexhaustible energy and her complete devotion to animals in need, she is the winner of She magazine’s She Deserves It contest, a series that profiles outstanding women nominated by She readers. Each winner receives a gift from contest sponsor Fair Oaks Mall.

Robertson cannot recall a time that she wasn’t around animals. Her parents always had pets, and animals have been her passion.

December 2009 • she magazine

When she retired from her nursing career at Columbus Regional Hospital in 1997, she continued her caring work by fostering abandoned, abused and neglected animals.

Elaine DeClue, president of Community Animal Rescue Effort, was working at the humane society when she first met Robertson, who was dropping off items for the shelter animals.

“A tiny pup was left in a box at the door when I opened that day,” DeClue said. “Linda took a look at it and said she would foster it. She would stop by and show us the little pup’s progress, and later she adopted her.”

Robertson and DeClue joined with other volunteers to found CARE when the shelter in Morgan County, where they were volunteering, found itself in jeopardy.

page 19

“We decided to take it over and incorporate it into CARE,” Robertson said. “And then we formed our own mission statement and our own name and logo and everything. We’ve been rescuing animals ever since.”

The organization’s mission is to prevent what Robertson describes as the core problem of homeless pets — overpopulation.

CARE offers low-cost spay and neuter clinics to the public and coordinates its efforts with Pets ALIVE in Bloomington and Franklin Animal Clinic.

Fostering love Robertson is one of the first people the pets come to know while in the CARE program.

Each animal’s first stop is her household. As medical coordinator, Robertson gives the animal its shots, de-worming and flea medications prior to its moving on to a new home.

She says witnessing the transformation of a scared, and maybe even abused and neglected, animal to one that is healthy and full of energy is a wonderful experience.

“It’s just a very fulfilling thing to know that you are helping a pet,” she said.

She says that her husband, Don, is a tremendous supporter of the CARE program.

“If he wasn’t a great supporter, I wouldn’t be able to do all I do,” she said.

The Robertsons, who are quickly approaching their 50th wedding anniversary, have four dogs and two cats, all of which have become accustomed to the presence of temporary, furry houseguests and usually adjust fairly well.

“Sometimes if it is a rowdy puppy that wants the older dogs to play with them, and they’re not ready to play puppy play, they’re relieved to see them find a new home,” Robertson said. “There’s some that just fit right in, that you know you could adopt them right now and they could live with you for the rest of their lives. I’ve had several like that.”

However, she admits that she has failed a couple of times.

Page 20

SHE m a g a z i n e • D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 9

December 2009 • she magazine

page 21

Robertson kisses CARE mascot Jazzy at a fundraising event.

“We’ve adopted two that we’ve fostered,” she said. “We call ourselves a failed foster if we adopt the animals we foster. But we realize that if we don’t find them good homes, then we can’t continue to foster because we would get filled up and wouldn’t be able to help anybody else with any other pets to find homes.”

Tireless volunteer In addition to her fostering, Robertson has volunteered in the gift shop at Columbus Regional Hospital for several years.

Gift shop manager Pat Legger met her four years ago through volunteer services.

“She’s just a good person; she loves animals,” Legger said. “She’s got a love for life, for everything.”

For nearly 10 years, Robertson has also been line dancing at the senior center. The dancing group travels to area nursing homes and the hospital to perform. Though she says that her dancing is mainly for exercise and fun, it’s also an opportunity to socialize.

“It’s mainly to go there and see everybody and shake hands,” she said. “And see how everybody is doing.”

When she’s not dancing or volunteering, she spends time with family and supporting her grandchildren in their extracurricular activities. However, with everything going on in her life, Robertson never forgets what it’s truly about: “I would say bottom line is love and care for one another and all of God’s creation.”

Page 22

SHE m a g a z i n e • D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 9

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You’ll get a kick out of these Boots made for walkin’ … and a lot of other things Compiled by Kelsey VanArsdall Photos by Andrew Laker

$90

Nine West low-cut boot.

December 2009 • she magaz ine

Walk into any shoe store and among the seemingly endless selections, you’ll see something towering above the rest.

The boot.

Boots have been a popular footwear choice for several seasons, and it’s easy to see why with the many styles available. And why this love affair with the boot? What do we wear them for?

According to Paula Eller-Hartwell, Edinburgh Premium Outlets assistant manager, it would be more apropos to ask what don’t we wear the boot for?

“Prior to the ’60s, women only wore boots during inclement weather, rough activities and horseback riding,” Eller-Hartwell said. “Today, women wear boots for everything.

“Whether it’s with a miniskirt, a pair of jeans or comfortable capri pants, women will find the perfect pair in just the right style — country casual to bohemian, vintage to classic.”

But with so many choices, how does one know what to wear, when and with what? According to Eller-Hartwell, this season’s most popular styles are thigh-high boots and the bootie, or in other words, two exact opposites.

“The thigh high is a great option for a tall, slender silhouette and looks fabulous with colored or patterned tights and a mini-mini skirt,” she said. “Thigh high boots are also versatile. They can be scrunched down and worn over a pair of skinny jeans.”

page 27

Bass tall boot

$109 Clarks Bostonian Emma Plaid rain boot

$70

Nine West ultra-soft suede

$40

The bootie is a great option for everyone.

“It’s more universal and will be seen complementing wardrobes from cuffed, boyfriend jeans to tights and a tunic,” Eller-Hartwell said.

Just up from the bootie is the ankle boot, then the lowcut, then mid-calf, then knee-high and the previously mentioned thigh-high. Of course, these styles are also available in varieties, ranging from heeled to wedge to flat in about any color under the sun.

“Gone are the days of choosing between black and brown,” Eller-Hartwell said. “Today, you’ll find boots in tan, gray, red, purple, even animal print, and the list goes on.

“They’re even embellished with buttons, bows and buckles to create a more unique, personalized look.”

So when it comes to your next pair of boots, be fearless and express yourself.

Bass low-cut boot in faux crocodile

$80

$89 Page 28

Nine West ankle boot in faux snake skin SHE m a g a z i n e • D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 9

$48

Liz Claiborne tall boot with tie

$80 Nine West red dress boot

December 2009 • she magazine

page 29

GIVE IT A TRY

By Shannon Palmer photos by Joel philippsen

olunteering WITH Meals Meals on Wheels. I’ve heard the catchy logo for years, and I always thought it sounded like a great program.

However, I and many other people I know get so wrapped up in our busy lives that we can hardly find the time to offer our philanthropic services. Instead, we live with the guilty conscience that we should be doing more for our community.

In light of the season of giving, I was asked to ride along with some volunteers for the Meals on Wheels program and report to our readers for another Give It a Try segment.

Arriving at Keepsake Village for food pickup, there was a hustle and bustle of hot and cold meals, in large insulated bags, being loaded into back seats and trunks. I was paired with two faithful volunteers, Marge Steinmetz and Jeanne Snyder.

These two women have been volunteering for about a year and a half and team up every Tuesday to run a route for the program, which Senior Center Services of Bartholomew County Page 30

operates.

I hopped in the back seat of Steinmetz’s car and off we went.

The first stop consisted of two deliveries, and each woman took a meal — one hot and one cold — and kindly delivered them to the client.

Back to the car again and off to another neighborhood. As Snyder offered information on the next stop, and Steinmetz navigated around town, I was able to see how helpful this program is for those who receive these meals and how appreciative everyone was upon our arrival.

Although there are regulars on the route, it is not uncommon to have new people added and for the route to be changed.

“We will find them all,” Steinmetz says. “If it takes us hours, we will find them!”

With a little backtracking due to a new address, we did find them all in a little over an hour. The experience was enlightenSHE m a g a z i n e • D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 9

“We will find them all. If it takes us hours, we will find them!”

—Marge Steinmetz

Writer Shannon Palmer and volunteer Marge Steinmetz deliver meals to those in need.

on Wheels ing and fun to boot. Luckily, the day was exceptionally nice, but deliveries are made in all kinds of weather.

I learned that the program not only affords healthful nutrition for the clients but is also a good way to keep tabs on some of the elderly. When doors are not answered, that information is relayed to the senior center, which follows up to ensure that the client is well.

Charlene Lewis, program coordinator at the senior center, says they need volunteers. Meals on Wheels is run entirely by volunteers, and a person can choose to help deliver once a week or even once a month.

Dave Mote, banking center leader at JCB in West Hill Plaza, is a volunteer. He takes one day a month to deliver on his lunch break. He usually sends Lewis an e-mail, tells her when he is available, and then she coordinates and gets back with him to set a day.

“If anyone has a little time to give, this is a wonderful service, December 2009 • she magazine

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p a g e 31

and the recipients are always grateful,” he says. “In fact one of them recently told me that those of us who deliver meals must be angels. It’s words like these that make me see the value in what we’re doing and how important this is to our community.”

So for those of us with reliable transportation and the ability to deliver with a smile, this may be the volunteer opportunity for you. The program has been in operation since 1976, and all meals are delivered with Columbus city limits.

For more information on how to become a volunteer, contact Charlene Lewis, Senior Center Services of Bartholomew County, at 3769241.

Who needs warm weather?

Compiled by Kelsey VanArsdall

Indoor

(and some outdoor)

activities

Page 34

abound this winter

SHE m a g a z i n e • N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 9

A

After the holiday merriment of family gatherings and cocktail parties ends, the dismal grayness of Indiana winter arrives like the thud of a cement block.

You’re headed to and from work in the dark, and the kids set in for a long stretch of school until March. Things can get pretty depressing, pretty quickly.

We all know Columbus and the surrounding area can be a great place during warm weather months, but who says it has to end with the first sign of frost?

Perhaps you and the hubby are looking for something you can both enjoy. Maybe you want to find some activities to get the family out of the house or enjoy a fun evening at home.

Possibly you need an idea for a girls night (or day) out.

Regardless of the reason, our area has plenty of options to keep those winter blues at bay, thanks to suggestions from the Columbus Area Visitors Center.

Adults only • Tour local wineries from our own Simmons Winery to several in the Indianapolis area on the Indy Wine Trail Tour.

It involves seven wineries: Buck Creek, Chateau Thomas, Easley, Ferrins Fruit, Grape Inspirations, Mallow Run and Simmons.

Information: www.indywinetrail.com.

• Adult Swim. Classes at 2 p.m. Sundays at Foundation for Youth. General lap swim is available for adults from 6 to 7:45 a.m. and 5 to 6:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; and 7:15 to 8:45 a.m. Saturdays.

• Want to get you and your book club members out of the living room or coffee shop? Perhaps you’re looking to join or start a book club? Viewpoint Books is hosting its first Book Club Night Out. Start at 6 p.m. Jan. 19 at Viewpoint for a wine tasting and discussion hour. Then head to a downtown restaurant for dinner and end at Yes Cinema for a special viewing “The Jane Austen Book Club,” with an all-star cast including Kathy Baker and Maria Bello.

Space is limited.

Information: 376-0778.

• Sign up for dance lessons at Dance Street of Columbus. Group and private lessons available, as well as a new dancer program that involves two private lessons, one group lesson and one practice session.

Information: 373-9505.

• Take the girls for a relaxing afternoon tea at Auntie Aimee’s Farmhouse Café in the Exit 76 Antique Mall off Executive Drive in Edinburgh. Enjoy lunch or high tea and then browse the many aisles for vintage jewelry and unique finds.

The café is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

Information: 526-6117.

• Check out the monthly art displays at Hotel Indigo in downtown Columbus. Through January the paintings and sculptures of Jason Bord are on display in the Phi Gallery. Then hop over to the Phi Bar for a signature martini.

Information: 375-9100.

Information: 348-4558 ext. 200.

November 2009 • she magazine

p a g e 35

Fun for the whole family • Who says you have to stay indoors during the winter? Sure, there’s sledding and snowball fights to be had, but what if your family is looking for more adventure?

Sign up for a one-, two- or three-hour all-terrain vehicle tour at Valley Branch Retreat Center in Nashville. The tours are guided by professionals and offer breathtaking trail views, including a stop at Brown County’s second highest ridge.

Information: valleybranchretreat.net.

• Kidscommons in downtown Columbus hosts “All Aboard Learning with the Polar Express” from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 23. Registration is required.

The museum reopens with regular hours after the holiday on Dec. 28.

Regularly scheduled weekly programming will also continue: — Little Explorers at 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays.

— Art Time at 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays.

— Wacky Science at 3:30 p.m. Thursdays.

— Boot, Scoot and Boogie at 4 p.m. Fridays.

Kidscommons also offers free family fun time from 4 to 6 p.m. Jan. 8.

Information: 378-3046.

• Family Swim at FFY. Grab those suits and get in the pool for family swim from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sundays at the Foundation for Youth.

Information: 348-4558, ext. 200.

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SHE m a g a z i n e • D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 9

Kidscommons in downtown Columbus hosts “All Aboard Learning with the Polar Express” from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Dec. 23. Registration is required.

www.columbusoptical.com Gift Certificates Available December 2009 • she magazine

page 37

Cuisine

Ready, set, bake

Tips and recipes for holiday cookies

By Victoria Brett For The Associated Press Between kindly neighbors, generous officemates and your own seasonal baking lust, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by cookies during the holidays. What to do with all the cookies that don’t get gobbled up right away?

Kate Merker, associate food editor at Real Simple magazine, suggests morphing cookies into a different kind of dessert treat.

Or simply storing them in the freezer to preserve freshness until you’re once again craving gingerbread.

Let’s start with cookie storage basics. Most holiday cookies that are not iced or frosted do fine for a few days in an airtight container at room temperature. Anything with frosting or icing does better refrigerated in an airtight container, says Merker.

And just about any cookies can be frozen for a couple of months. Just make sure they are completely cooled before freezing.

If your cookies are drying out too fast, it’s probably a problem with the baking, not the storage.

“I have found that a lot of cookies can dry out, get hard, after only a day or even a few hours after baking,” says Merker. This is likely from baking for too long. So be sure to check the cookies a few minutes before the recipe says they should be done.

P a g e 38

For those cookies left untouched, Merker offers these suggestions: • Sprinkle crumbled meringue cookies over orange or raspberry sorbet.

• Make a parfait by layering chocolate pudding and crumbled peanut butter cookies, then topping them with a dollop of whipped cream and another sprinkling of cookies.

• Make a quick pear crisp using crumbled oatmeal cookies.

Place halved and cored pears in a baking dish cut-side up. Combine 1 cup crumbled cookies with 4 tablespoons butter (cut into pieces) and 2 tablespoons brown sugar. Sprinkle the mixture over the pears and bake at 400 degrees, or until the pears are tender, about 15 minutes.

• In pie crust recipes that call for crushed graham crackers or vanilla wafers, try using shortbread, peanut butter or gingersnap (not gingerbread) cookies instead.

• Make an ice cream sandwich. Try traditional chocolate chip, or go for gingersnaps with chocolate or strawberry ice cream.

But remember, ice cream sandwiches taste best with fresh cookies and fresh ice cream. Assembled sandwiches can be wrapped and frozen for up to three days.

SHE m a g a z i n e • D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 9

COFFEE TOFFEE SANDIES Coffee and toffee together at last. For a more intense blast of coffee, use instant espresso powder instead of instant coffee.

Start to finish: 3 hours (30 minutes active) Makes 30 cookies ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened ¾ cup light brown sugar ¼ cup granulated sugar 2 teaspoons instant coffee granules 1 tablespoon hot water 1¼ cups all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon baking soda ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt 1 cup toffee pieces In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter and both sugars until light and creamy.

In a small bowl, combine the coffee and hot water, stirring until dissolved. Add the coffee to the butter and sugar mixture, beating until well combined. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix just until all the flour is blended. Do not over mix. It should be crumbly.

Add the toffee pieces and mix using a wooden spoon or silicone spatula. Divide the dough in half, placing each piece onto a sheet of plastic wrap. Squeeze it together into a log using the plastic wrap to help shape it. Wrap the logs in the plastic wrap and refrigerate several hours, or until well chilled.

When ready to bake, heat the oven to 325 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Slice each log into rounds about 3/8 of an inch thick. Squeeze any crumbles back together. Arrange the cookies 1 inch apart on the baking sheet; they do not spread. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the cookies just begin to tan on the bottom and start to set. Cool on the baking sheet and store in an airtight container.

December 2009 • she magazine

— Associated Press

page 39

MILK CHOCOLATE MERINGUES Need a lighter treat before the onslaught of holiday sweets? Try these naturally lower-fat chocolate meringues. With an electric mixer, these can be made with little effort. To keep them crisp, be sure to store them in an airtight container.

Start to finish: 2 hours Makes 30 cookies 3 egg whites ½ teaspoon cream of tartar 2/3 cup sugar 2 tablespoons water ½ cup finely chopped milk chocolate Heat the oven to 250 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the egg whites and cream of tartar until they hold soft peaks.

In a small saucepan over medium-high, heat the sugar and water, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Continue to cook until the mixture reaches 240 degrees on a candy or instant read thermometer.

With the mixer on high, pour the sugar syrup into the egg white mixture, pouring it in a steady stream down the side of the bowl.

Continue to beat until the meringue cools, then use a silicone spatula to fold in the chopped chocolate.

Use a pastry bag to pipe stars or use a tablespoon to dollop the mixture onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake until dry to the touch, about 45 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet and store in an airtight container.

— Associated Press

SPICED CRANBERRY STARS These cookies, which are inspired by rugelach, wrap a flaky pastry dough around a warmly spiced filling of dried cranberries. If the cutting and folding technique seems too bothersome, just spread the filling over rounds of dough, then cut each round into triangles. Each triangle then can be rolled up and baked, as in traditional rugelach recipes.

Start to finish: 4 hours (1 hour active) Makes 32 cookies For the dough: 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened 2½ cups all-purpose flour 1/3 cup powdered sugar For the filling: ½ cup dried cranberries, plus 32 for topping ¼ cup water ½ teaspoon cardamom ¼ teaspoon allspice ¼ teaspoon ground cloves For the glaze: ½ cup powdered sugar 1 tablespoon water In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add the flour and powdered sugar and mix until they produce a smooth, sticky dough.

Divide the dough into 3 pieces. Form each piece into a circle, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 3 hours, or overnight.

For the filling, in a small saucepan over medium-high combine the cranberries, water, cardamom, allspice and cloves. Bring to a boil, then remove from the heat and let cool.

When you are ready to bake the cookies, heat the oven to 325 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

On a floured surface, roll one piece of dough into a 12-by-12inch square. Using a pizza wheel or a sharp knife, cut the square into 16 3-inch squares. One square at a time, cut 1½-inch diagonal slits from each corner toward the center. The slits should not meet at the center. There should be about 1 inch of uncut cookie dough at the center of the square.

Place 1 teaspoon of the filling in the middle of the square. Working clockwise, bring one corner of each side to the middle. Once you have four points meeting in the middle, anchor with a dried cranberry so that the cookie resembles a flower or a pinwheel.

Repeat with remaining dough.

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the tips of the stars start to color. Allow to cool on the baking sheets. Once cool, mix the powdered sugar and the water together and drizzle over the stars with a fork. Store in an airtight container for one week.

— Associated Press

December 2009 • she magazine

page 41

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For a faster version, skip the indenting step and just dust the cookies with powdered sugar instead of frosting them.

Start to finish: 1 hour (30 minutes active) Makes 24 cookies For the cookies: ½ cup powdered sugar 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened 1 tablespoon key lime juice Zest of 1 lime (or 3 key limes) 1½ cups all-purpose flour ½ cup cornstarch ¼ teaspoon salt For the frosting: ½ cup (4 ounces) cream cheese, softened ¼ cup butter, softened ¼ cup powdered sugar 1 tablespoon key lime juice In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the sugar and butter until creamy. Mix in the lime juice and zest.

In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cornstarch and salt. Stir the flour mixture into the butter mixture.

Refrigerate for 1 hour.

When ready to bake, heat the oven to 350 degrees.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Drop teaspoon size balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Use your thumb to indent the tops of the cookies and create a “nest” for the frosting to sit in.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until set. These cookies should not brown or spread, and will be quite fragile.

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet before frosting.

To make the frosting, in a medium bowl use an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese with the butter, scraping the bowl several times to ensure there are no lumps. Mix in the powdered sugar and key lime juice.

Frost each cookie with a dollop of the frosting.

Cookies can be stored for 3 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

— Associated Press

Cash talk

the seas n True gifts of

By Jalene Hahn

The economic turmoil over the past 18 months has dramatically impacted most individuals’ financial well-being.

It is easy to get caught up in our portfolio values and equate that to our net worth. People use the term “net worth” to describe how much they have after they take all the debt away from all the savings. I prefer to call that number your “net assets.”

Our net worth is based on intrinsic values. It’s easy in our consumer-driven society to define ourselves in terms of what we have and what we are able to purchase. But true wealth is really a matter of choice and perspective. We can choose to define ourselves based on our job title or bank account or we can define ourselves based on our character, integrity and sense of purpose.

The economic upheaval has led more people to try frugal living. Frugal living is the art of living better for less. Everyone has a different definition of better, and therefore our concept of frugality is unique and individual.

People are finding that frugality does not necessarily mean deprivation or just being cheap. It is possible to lead a rich, fulfilling life while being frugal.

My first foray into the frugal living concept was several years ago when I read “Your Money or Your Life,” by Andy Tobias.

It helped me shift my perspective from the dollar cost of something to how long would I have to work to earn the money to purchase something. We can make more money, but we can’t make more hours in the day.

Like everyone else, I enjoy having money and spending it. However I have trained myself to become more conscious of how and why I spend my

money. Setting goals also helps put spending in perspective.

I pay attention to the “why” behind a purchase. Am I buying just because it is on sale? Is it retail therapy, and would I be better off calling a friend or going for a walk? Am I just buying something so my child will be quiet?

In addition to the why, I also use a 30day list. I put an item on the list, and 30 days later if I find I still want it, I buy it. (This concept also works great for children’s wants.)

In order to reinforce the concept that purchases are choices, Marcia Brixey created a Checkout Checklist. It is a list of six questions to help you make better spending choices: • Do I really want this?

• Do I need this?

• Will I use this?

• Am I buying this just because it’s on sale?

• How many hours will I have to work to pay for this?

• Do I really love this?

When we have choices, we feel more in control and are more satisfied with our spending choices and lifestyle.

You can find other great tools and tips at www.MoneyWi$eWomen.net.

Another one of my favorite Web sites is www.wife.org — Women’s Institute for Financial Education.

As I was looking for inspiration, I found a blog titled, “Mr. Grinch Meets Mr. Claus.” To help us be more like Santa, they suggest we have an “attitude of gratitude”: We know who we are and what we want, we find a sense of belonging and we give back to the community.

December 2009 • she magazine

The Grinch learned this from the Whos in Whoville.

In the midst of economic uncertainty, we are all looking for hope that the future will be brighter and that our sense of security can be restored. Take time to reflect on what is really important in your life and determine if your dollars and time expended match your values.

Jalene Thompson Hahn is a certified financial planner with Warren Ward Associates. She can be reached at 379-1120.

Ideas to foster a sense of wisdom, wealth and abundance: • Volunteer — Volunteer Action Center, 375-2210 or vac@uwbarthco. org.

• Visit the Visitors Center and take the architectural tour.

• Keep a gratitude journal.

• Check out resources at the local library — speakers, open mic night, books and DVDs, download books.

• Enjoy Columbus’ fabulous Parks and Recreation Department.

• Host a Swap Party — swap clothes, books, movies or toys.

• Go for a walk.

• Check out the Zone in each Thursday’s Republic.

page 43

shape - up

New Year can bring a new reality:

fitness

By Shayla Holtkamp

Let’s face it, changing a lifestyle habit that’s been with you for a lifetime is not an easy task. Those habits that seem the most difficult to change are the ones we need to change the most.

We all know that the quality of our lives would improve radically if we changed our eating habits, moved our bodies more and stopped smoking and drinking.

Reality shows inspire people because they demonstrate that, yes, it is possible to lose weight and adopt healthier lifestyles. But is this truly reality? How many of us are fortunate enough to be able to exercise five hours per day, have someone cook for us and not have to deal with the many issues that come up in our dayto-day lives?

Toni Bradley Before and After The majority of people have to get up, work eight hours a day and take care of a multitude of issues. With all of this, significant lifestyle change doesn’t seem possible, does it?

Well, it is.

It begins with an understanding that lifestyle change is a slow process that has its ups and downs, and we must change the way we think.

Toni Bradley did it. Over the past year she has lost more than 90 pounds.

Toni, 34, went from 280 pounds to 188 pounds while being a manager at Pizza Hut (yes, a fast-food restaurant), planning a wedding and attending to the other issues of day-to-day life. On Oct. 13, 2007, Toni had ACL repair surgery on her right knee.

In June 2008 she began exercising and tore the ACL in her left knee. Her orthopedic surgeon told her that if she didn’t lose weight, it could happen again and she would be looking at a total knee replacement.

That September, Toni called the Wellness Program at Columbus Regional Hospital and began working one-onone with Jennifer Baker, a personal trainer. Toni is still working out with Jennifer because she likes the motivation a personal trainer provides and says she is more likely to not skip a workout when she knows that Jennifer is waiting for her.

Toni says she has more energy after she works out and that exercise is now her “happy drug.”

She doesn’t feel good if she goes more than two days without exercising. She has found many ways to deal with the barriers that can sabotage healthy lifestyle changes.

Here are some of Toni’s tips for attending family gatherings where large amounts of food are inevitable:

December 2009 • she magazine

• Exercise before you go.

• Control portion size.

• Be choosy with how food is prepared.

• Ask yourself, “Is eating this really worth it?”

• Consider the fat content of food choices.

• Drink plenty of water and stay away from soft drinks.

• Stop eating when you begin to feel full.

Toni has accomplished things she never thought she would be able to do. At one time she was barely able to do a squat and walk a few minutes on a treadmill.

Now she can perform multiple squats and run for 20 minutes or more on a treadmill. She ran her first 5K this past September at the Mill Race Race.

Think you can’t do it? Toni will tell you differently.

This January, the Healthy Communities Healthy Lifestyles Action Team is gearing up to help the entire community make healthier choices, including eating smarter and moving more. The Bartholomew County On the Move, Community Lifestyle Challenge begins Jan. 13 at Donner Center.

Teams of five compete for pounds lost and lifestyle points.

No registration is required, and the cost is $5 per person.

Weigh-ins are held from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Start a New Year’s resolution plan now to make a difference for yourself.

Shayla Holtkamp is a Columbus resident and personal trainer with Columbus Regional Hospital’s Wellness Program.

page 45

If only I had drafted Drew Brees this year …

By Timothy Coriden For starters, how did I get stuck writing the column immediately following Ryan Brand’s November column? No one can top that story. A surprise pregnancy — while tasting wine with your extended family — in Napa Valley? Seriously?

Obviously that was one of the better “View from Mars” columns, and on behalf of other She readers, congratulations to the Brands.

Going in a completely different direction, I think it’s time to discuss a subject near and dear to my heart, and that is Fantasy Football. In fact, I would argue that there is no subject more apropos for this column than that of Fantasy Football. Quite simply, Fantasy Football reduces grown men to adolescents for 16 weeks a year. (I am quite confident that as I wrote that last sentence, there were a number of wives and girlfriends nodding their heads.)

For those of you not familiar with Fantasy Football, each league is unique, and yet they are all fairly similar. A standard league includes approximately 10 owners (friends, family, co-workers, strangers, etc.) who draft NFL players (from Peyton Manning to Ricky Williams to Antonio Gates) to make up their teams.

Each team’s results depend exclusively on how its collection of players performs any given week. If you own Peyton Manning, and he throws for four touchdowns in Week 1, then you will benefit from his performance. However, if Peyton fails to throw for any touchdowns during a game (as he did when I owned him), he will not provide you much help at all.

Your team will play a different team each week, and each team will have a win/loss record that ultimately decides the league champion each year. Amazingly, fantasy sports purports to be nearly an $800 million entertainment industry.

Columbus roots For me though, the enjoyment of Fantasy Football begins and ends with the group of guys we have in our league. Our league consists of 13 team owners, and importantly, every owner is originally from Columbus.

viewfrommarsvi wfrommarsviewfrom viewfrommarsview Page 46

SHE m a g a z i n e • D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 9

In fact, most of us graduated from either North or East at approximately the same time, and many of us have known one another for nearly 30 years.

Beyond our personal history with one another, our league has good occupational variety. We have one medical doctor, two scientists/PhDs, a college basketball coach, a school teacher, five salesmen and two attorneys. Geographically, we have two owners living in Texas, two living in Illinois, one in Utah, one in Kentucky, one in Michigan and the rest living in Indiana. Together, we have 10 wives, one seemingly serious girlfriend, a few ex-wives and 16 children.

Despite the fact we live thousands of miles apart from one another, the owners all take part in the most important ritual in Fantasy Football — a live league draft. For the draft, we will meet anywhere from Chicago to the Unexpected and Unforgettable Columbus.

What were we doing?

We will shamelessly conduct the draft in the open area of a tavern or the closed setting of a conference room. Owners will boo, taunt, applaud and laugh hysterically throughout this process. Depending upon the collective attention span of the owners, our draft can last anywhere from three hours to not actually being completed.

There are no ribbons for participation. There is only the coveted league trophy. The trophy is unceremoniously presented to the previous year’s winner during the league draft. Usually to the chorus of boos and/or wisecracks.

Our original trophy was a thing of beauty that stood about 20 inches high and had the champion for each year inscribed on the base. Actually, the trophy was ridiculously gaudy. So much so that a couple of college-age kids stole it off our table in front of us during broad daylight.

Next year is the 10th year for our league. Since the league’s inception, we have lost a few owners here and there, but nine of the original owners remain, and there is a waiting list for the next spot that opens up.

All in all, the league is something that keeps us in daily contact with one another and helps us to preserve friendships that have been around for decades. It’s also fun to see the wife’s reaction when she notices the trophy placed on the living room mantel.

Tim Coriden is the city attorney. He lives in Columbus with his wife and two children.

iewfrommarsviewf mmarsviewfromma wfrommarsviewfro December 2009 • she magazine

page 47

just a

Minute Healthy habits Want to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight? Practicing portion control will ensure you don’t super-size your servings and help you control the amount of food you eat.

— Columbus Regional Hospital

Recommended reading “Indiana Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities and Other Offbeat Stuff,”

by Dick Wolfsie. $15.95. 321 pages.

Laugh your way through the Hoosier state with this compendium of Indiana’s strangest sights and people. Visit the shoe tree in Milltown and spend Halloween in Ellettsville as Jim Bristoe launches pumpkins more than a mile and shoots frozen ones through car doors.

Go to Brownsburg and see Paul Stender’s jetpropelled outhouse roar by at 72 mph; visit

Indiana’s highest point in Bethel, a whopping 1,257 feet above sea level; go to Pinch, Indiana’s smallest town with a population of 3; see the basketball court in West College Corner that is half in Indiana and half in Ohio.

You get the idea; throw this book in your glove compartment and take a road trip to an Indiana seldom seen.

— Viewpoint Books

Landscape logic Many shrubs can benefit from occasional or even routine pruning to remove damaged stems, keep the plant in size and rejuvenate for greater flower production or to maintain a formal shape. But there are a few species that should routinely be cut to the ground, at least in our Midwestern climate.

Some shrubs will actually die back to the ground most winters and then send up new twigs the following spring, effectively performing as if they were herbaceous perennials.

With other species, the stems may not actually die back completely, but their wood becomes weak and spindly if it does survive.

— Extension educator Mike Ferree

Beauty bits Want to look hot for those holiday parties?

Two looks are classic and popular right now: the smoky, shimmery eye paired with light lips and the deep red lips balanced with a light eye.

Shimmer is in this year, as it was last year, and it’s the perfect festive look as long as you Page 48

don’t overload. If you go for bold lips, pick a color that fits your skin tone and go neutral and natural with the rest of your makeup to avoid looking like a clown.

— beauty.about.com

SHE m a g a z i n e • D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 9

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