The Times 2014 Holiday Special Section. Vol 1 by The Times of NWI

November 19, 2014

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AND WIN BIG ADVERTISING RESOURCE GUIDE 7E Fit Spa......................................... 38

Gus Bock Ace Hardware................... 2

Albert’s Jewelers............................... 3

Hammond Parks and Recreation................................ 35

Allen Landscape Centre.................. 14 Aunt Nae’s......................................... 4 Branya’s Bakery.............................. 20 Berey Brothers................................ 21

Harley Davidson of Valparaiso and Michigan City........................... 19 Henry Company............................... 41

Budget Blinds................................. 38

Hometown Appliances and Electronics................................ 40

Butler Winery ................................. 26

Illiana Heating and Cooling........... 37

The Center for Implants, Sedation and Cosmetic Dentistry................... 15

Jake’s Feed Store............................. 40

Center for Visual and Performing Arts............................... 17

John’s Pizzeria................................. 42 The Key to Estate Treasures........... 33

Chesterton Bicycle Station.............. 24

Leo and Sons................................... 22

Chesterton Feed and Garden......... 25

LOAF................................................. 24

Ciao Bella Ristorante...................... 18

Lucrezia............................................ 26

City of Hobart................................. 44

Malinich Jewelers............................ 47

Concept Art/Royal Brush................ 48

Nason’s Appliances.......................... 43

Craft House...................................... 26

New Balance.................................... 12

Crescent Jewelers............................ 31

Oil Express....................................... 46

Crown Point Auto Repair and Restoration............................... 42

Philips Ace Hardware...................... 44

Culver’s of Schererville & Valparaiso.................................... 41

Shelter Insurance............................. 26

Dekker Lighting.............................. 31 The Door Store................................ 46

South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority.................... 23

Duneland Chamber of Commerce....25

Success Schools................................ 32

Edwardo’s Pizza............................... 32

Ted’s Feed Store.............................. 20

Engstrom Jewelers.......................... 11

Teibel’s Restaurant.......................... 13

Flower Cart...................................... 24

Theatre at the Center..................... 21

Fred Astaire Valparaiso & Schererville................................... 28

Tri Corp Wireless............................... 6

Giovanni’s Restaurant..................... 22

Value Flooring................................. 36

Glenwood Oaks Rib and Chop House.............................. 29

Vision Point....................................... 9

4 | HOLIDAY ONE | November 19, 2014

Ross Hearing Center....................... 45 Shorewood Home and Auto.......... 39

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Welch’s Stop and Shop................... 16 A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

Bill Taylor of Rossi and Taylor stays organized while playing the man in red. TONY V. MARTIN

HOLIDAY PARTY PLANNING Stay organized with Santa’s little helper HEATHER AUGUSTYN

e all know that Santa is making his list and checking it twice. Santa has such an enormous task ahead of him so he must be on to something when it comes to organizational skills—the old fashioned checklist. So when it comes time to throw a party for of all of your friends and loved ones this holiday season, make sure to use the tried-and-true method, Santa tested, Santa approved, and get that checklist ready. Three weeks prior to the gathering: • Prepare guest list and mail invitations, or use evite or email • Choose the menu or select a caterer • Hire a bartender or purchase wine and liquor • Order flowers and/or holiday centerpiece in advance • Plan a small gift for children such as a special candy bar or a card game Two weeks prior to the gathering: • Stock up on sugar, flour, butter, and spices for holiday dessert preparation • Prepare serving dishes and utensils ahead of time or borrow/ purchases pieces • Plan for after dinner activity, such as games or a movie • Plan for parking by prearranging with neighbors One week prior to the gathering: • Clean/clear out refrigerator and freezer for groceries and prepared dishes • Purchase or launder/iron holiday napkins, tablecloths, and guest towels

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

• Clean house and stock up on guest soaps • Stock up on candies and/or nuts for dishes on tables • Re-affirm the RSVP list to determine number for food purchase • Purchase food for menu based on number of guests Day before the gathering: • Prepare desserts and bake the night before party • Pick up main dishes from caterer/grocery store/restaurant or prepare ahead of time by defrosting or pre-cooking • Prepare appetizers and salad. Wash and cut up fresh vegetables and/or cheese and refrigerate in containers • Make dough for fresh bread or rolls, or thaw frozen dough • Pick up flowers and/or centerpiece or receive delivery Day of the gathering: • Chill white wine and/or Prosecco • Bake fresh bread or rolls • Prepare side dishes such as starches, gravies, and vegetables • Set up bar • Set table with centerpiece, linens, place settings, and guest cards and/or a children’s table

HOLIDAY ONE | NOVEMBER 19, 2014 | 5

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6 | Holiday one | November 19, 2014

A Special publication of the Times Media Co.

TONY V. MARTIN PHOTOS

Branya’s Bakery showcases crowd favorites—a pumpkin roll and a pumpkin pie—perfect for seasonal treats.

2 1 2 1 1/4 1

PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE

T canned pumpkin puree t. vanilla extract T white sugar c. milk t. pumpkin pie spice shot brewed espresso or super strong coffee

Brew espresso or coffee. In a small saucepan, whisk together pumpkin, vanilla, sugar, pumpkin pie spice and milk and warm over medium heat, whisking constantly, until hot and frothy. Do not bring to a boil. Pour the espresso into a mug and pour the pumpkin spiced milk over it. Serve and enjoy!

MINI PUMPKIN CUPCAKES WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING 1

package spice cake mix (regular size) 1 15 oz. can solid-pack pumpkin 3 eggs 1/2 c. canola oil 1 T ground cinnamon 1 t. baking soda 1/4 t. ground cloves 36 pecan halves

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

1/2 c. softened butter 4 oz. softened cream cheese 1 t. vanilla extract 3-3/4 c. powdered sugar 2 to 3 T milk ground cinnamon

Perfection Wow the crowd with these seasonally spiced goodies HEATHER AUGUSTYN

f you like pumpkin, but aren’t that keen on pumpkin pie, you’re not alone. Pumpkin pie can get boring year after year, and after a heavy meal it can be the straw that breaks the camel’s back and lulls you into a slumber. So get creative this year while keep tradition alive! Turn to some other pumpkin desserts and add that spice back to Thanksgiving post-meal conversation and celebration.

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

Combine cake mix, pumpkin, eggs, oil, cinnamon, baking soda and cloves in a large bowl and beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then beat on medium for 2 minutes. Pour mixture into paper-lined miniature muffin cups until each is twothirds full. Press a pecan piece into each and bake at 350° for 17 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for five minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. In a small bowl, cream butter, cream cheese, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar and mix well. Add enough milk to make smooth and spreadable. Frost cupcakes. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Makes about six dozen mini cupcakes.

Prepare and bake gingerbread according to package directions in two greased nine inch round baking pans and cool completely. Prepare vanilla pudding in a large bowl, add in pumpkin and brown sugar and set in refrigerator. In individual pretty glass bowls or parfait glasses, crumble pieces of gingerbread cake and gently press down, top with layer of pudding mixture and whipped topping and repeat layers. Do this for each individual serving. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

CHOCOLATE CHIP PUMPKIN CAKE

3/4 c. softened butter 1-1/2 c. sugar 1/2 c. packed brown sugar 2 eggs 1 t. vanilla extract 2-1/2 c. all-purpose flour 1 t. baking powder 1 t. baking soda 1 t. ground cinnamon 1 15 oz. can solid-pack pumpkin 1 package semisweet chocolate chips 2 oz. unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled 3/4 c. chopped pecans

Cream butter and sugars in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition and add vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon and gradually add to the creamed mixture. Beat in pumpkin and fold in chocolate chips. Divide batter in half and stir melted chocolate into one portion. In a greased 10 inch Bundt pan, sprinkle 1/2 cup pecans. Spoon chocolate batter over pecans and top with pumpkin batter. Sprinkle with remaining pecans. Bake at 325° for 65-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 15 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.

PUMPKIN GINGERBREAD PARFAIT

14 oz. packages gingerbread cake mix 1 4.6 oz. package instant vanilla pudding mix 3 c. 2% milk 1 29 oz. can solid-pack pumpkin 1/2 c. packed brown sugar 1 12 oz. carton Cool-Whip HOLIDAY ONE | NOVEMBER 19, 2014 | 7

Good To Go by Lucrezia makes their famous lasagna, ready and available as part of their full-menu catering service.

HOW TO HOST A WINTER PARTY Warm up with fabulous food and friends

FAMILY FEATURES

• Pick a theme that pays homage to the season. Penguins, snowmen, icicles – the possibilities are endless, so set your imagination free. Remember that lighting sets the mood, so look for options that complement your theme, whether soft and subtle candles or bright and colorful paper lanterns. • Take advantage of the cooler weather as an excuse to savor an array of rich, decadent comfort foods. Serve warm, crusty breads with dips or a thick, creamy soup or chili. Or delight guests with an indulgent chocolate fondue with watermelon dippers for a little extra fun. • Serve a hot cocoa or spiced cider bar and let guests add their own toppings and spices, ranging from whipped cream

f cooler temps have you feeling blue, there’s no better time for a party with family and friends to lift your spirits. Though you may not want to treat your guests to an al fresco brunch, winter weather shouldn’t hold you back from entertaining in style. From playful party games to creative recipes that feature the fresh flavors of watermelon, a little mid-winter gathering is just what you need to beat boredom and get you primed for sunnier months ahead. To make your winter party a hot success, follow these tips for setting the theme and creating the perfect menu: • Don’t shy away from foods typically associated with warmer weather. Watermelon, for example, is Good To actually available year-round Go by Lucrezia and makes a surprisingly healthful and delicious created these addition to a winter party stuffed peppers, spread, whether in a fruity which bring a little drink, side dish or dessert. The spice to any recipe below combines decadent meal. chocolate fondue with the light, sweet pop of juicy watermelon. Remember to save the rind to use as a pretty carved centerpiece.

8 | HOLIDAY ONE | NOVEMBER 19, 2014

and maraschino cherries to cinnamon sticks and caramel syrup (adult libations optional). • Help guests forget the blustery outdoors with action-packed party games that get the blood flowing and rev your internal temps. Charades is a classic example that lets a large group participate. Use wine bottles and ribbonwrapped miniature looms for a grown-up ring toss. Or simply prepare a spirited play list with music so lively your guests can’t help but get up and dance.

TONY V. MARTIN PHOTOS

FOR YOUR INFORMATION Hosting your guests with a hot delicious meal on a cold winter’s day doesn’t mean spending a lot of time in the kitchen or buying frozen food (gasp) to microwave during an ultra-busy holiday season. “We offer prepared meals to go for serving at home,” says Joyce Coulter, general manager the two Good to Go by Lucrezia locations in Valparaiso and Chesterton. Good to Go’s extensive menu includes their bestselling meat and veggie lasagnas layered with house made pasta sheets, stuffed banana peppers and polenta tortes, salads along with sides like pasta primavera, artisan flat breads, brownies and cookies. “It’s great for the holidays or anytime,” says Coulter, “because it’s the type of gourmet dishes that foodies love.”

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

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Holiday one | November 19, 2014 | 9

TONY V. MARTIN PHOTOS

For a perfect Italian-American Thanksgiving dinner, the experts at Ciao Bella suggest starting with a meat antipasto.

Turn traditional into fantastic this season Tired of turkey and it’s not even leftover time yet? If you’re bored of the bird there are plenty of ways to make Thanksgiving a little less traditional and a little more tasty this holiday season. Here are just a few ways you can dress up your dinner.

10 | HOLIDAY ONE | NOVEMBER 19, 2014

HEATHER AUGUSTYN

PICK AN ANCESTRAL THEME ure Thanksgiving is an American tradition, but America is a melting pot, right? So celebrate your family’s roots by bringing in some ethnic cuisine. If your family has origins in Italy, make the main dish lasagna this year. Add some fresh tomato basil salad and baked artichoke to the table for a flavor that no one will forget. Perhaps a cannoli

or two for dessert, or a scoop of Spumoni to go with a little after dinner amaretto and coffee will convince you that there are many ways to celebrate and give thanks. For those with Hungarian roots, how about stuffed cabbage or chicken paprikash with dumplings? Celebrate French ancestry with Galette crepes made from buckwheat and filled with ratatouille or traditional crepes filled with smoked salmon, crème fraiche, and lemon juice. Celebrate Ethiopian roots by starting with some sambossa followed by doro wat, or chicken stew, or key wat, spicy beef stew. Try Mediterranean roasted lamb with mint sauce, Moroccan

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

Ciao Bella’s chefs created this Homemade Cannelloni egg pasta rolled and stuffed with meat sauce and served with marinara topped with parmigiano cheese and fresh basil as part of their Italian-American Thanksgiving feast. tagine chicken, or Greek moussaka. Any way you dish it up, it’s bound to be delicious!

PUT ON YOUR FANCY PANTS So maybe you do decide to stick with the turkey or ham this Thanksgiving, but that doesn’t mean it has to be the same as last year. Try to fancy it up a bit by trying a different version of the old stand-by. Instead of letting the bird do its own thing, baste the turkey with maple syrup for a sweet savory flavor. You can also try a homemade broth made from turkey stock, fresh rosemary, and cloves of garlic. Believe it or not, basting a turkey with coffee or beer, especially a dark ale, makes for a rich flavor that complements the natural juices of the turkey. You might also decide to go for a whole new taste by roasting the turkey with pineapple and teriyaki paste which can be made from scratch by mixing together soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic. For a twist on the traditional holiday ham, try baking the ham with a glaze of brown sugar and mustard, or peach preserves and mustard—the sweet and the tangy combine for the perfect flavor to complement the ham. SEASONAL SPECIALTIES When you think of Thanksgiving, you think of pumpkin pie, but there are so many other things you can do to serve up this seasonal squash. Try starting out the meal with a homemade pumpkin soup, flavored with a hint of ginger and a dollop of sour crème, served in a small hollowed-out pumpkin. Remove the carved lid and enjoy! It is a starter your guests are sure to remember. If soup isn’t your thing, try baking individual

Turkey doesn’t have to be boring. This Traditional Turkey a la Ciao Bella is served with unique spices and lemon to give the main dish a new flavor palette. acorn squashes for guests, flavored with amaretto and pecans. Tired of sweet potatoes with miniature marshmallows in a Corning wear dish? How about some sweet potato crisps instead? They are light, fun, and their crinkly orange-red shapes add flair to any holiday table. Or serve smashed sweet potatoes accented with a dash of cumin for a zesty sweet flavor and a sprig of cilantro for garnish. Instead of the boring rolls with butter, bake up a batch of corn muffins with some sun-dried tomatoes or dried cranberries added in the mix. Brussels sprouts may not be everyone’s favorite, but when they are cut in half lengthwise and stir fried in peanut oil and ginger until browned, they are tasty little morsels that will have even kids reaching for seconds!

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

*Jewelryy purchased between 11/01/14-12/24/14 at a our Valparaiso V location will have the purchase price refunded (excluding sales tax), if 4” of new snow falls in Valparaiso (as determined by Weather Command) in the 24 hours of 1/1/15. Jewelry purchased between 11/01/14-12/24/14 at our LaPorte location will have the purchase price refunded (excluding sales tax), if 4” new snow falls in Laporte (as determined by Weather Command) in the 24 hours of 1/1/15. Insured by Commerce and Industry Insurance Company. See store for futher details. *Purchase from Valparaiso location qualify in Valparaiso only. *Purchase from LaPorte location qualify for snowfall in LaPorte only.

HOLIDAY ONE | November 19, 2014 | 11

TONY V. MARTIN

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RACHEL GRAF CTW Features

reat stories – be they on a screen on in a book – all have a clear beginning, middle and end. But, just because the storyline concludes doesn’t mean that children necessarily have to say goodbye to their favorite characters. Sales of licensed toys – toys that incorporate characters from popular movies, books or television series – accounted for nearly 30 percent of total brick-and-mortar toy dollar sales in

2013, according to a recent report by the NPD Group, a 3-percent increase over the previous year. The popularity is due in part to children’s desire to interact with these fictional characters and immerse themselves in their world. “The toys are really a great way for kids to engage with the characters and role play or even just play out favorite scenes from the movie,” says Laurie Leahey, senior editor of consumer site TTPM, which reviews toys and other kidfocused products. “It’s all about letting them re-enact the movie and immerse themselves in that world.” Overall, licensed toy sales reached $5.3 billion last year, according to the NPD

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

When shopping for holiday toys, don’t forget the classics! Alice’s Garden Toy Boutique stocks many traditional characters for the perfect gift.

for toy stores to stock the latest, greatest licensed toys. Small, independent toy stores that carefully choose which toys they carry put a heavy emphasis on a toy’s play value, says Kathleen McHugh, president of the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association. “If the child can’t do anything with it, then [the specialty toy stores] wouldn’t even consider having it,” McHugh says. TTPM publishes reviews, videos, and live price updates for toys, and they rank items on their repeat play value, Leahey says. Toys with a high play value are items that kids can play with for hours at a time. These products tend to be openended and promote fun, creative play. “Parents don’t want to spend money if their kid’s just going to throw it in the toy box and never see it again,” Leahey says. “We also look at things like is it something that’s interesting for kids to play with and does it really help them interact with the character in a fun way.” For this reason dolls, action figures and costumes or accessories that promote role-play are especially popular. “Frozen” has had such success with its licensed toys

continued on page 14

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Group report. In 2013, boys accounted for more toys than girls did, with boys ages 3 to 11 making up 44 percent of all licensed dollar sales, whereas girls ages 3 to 11 comprised only 26 percent of sales. The numbers might be more equal this year, following the sweeping success of Disney’s animated film “Frozen.” Currently, it is one of the top-selling licenses of 2014. Marvel licenses – The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy – tend to be successful, as well, but their popularity plateaus after the second or third movie because there are only so many versions of masked and caped characters with which children can play. Other popular lines include Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Star Wars, and Disney’s Doc McStuffins and Dora the Explorer. These character toys are so successful because they typically target a wide audience and are fun for the whole family. “Star Wars was always very good at being able to create an experience that appeals to all ages,” says Richard Gottlieb, CEO of Global Toy Experts, a toy industry consultancy in New York. “So I think that’s a real key – that the family together really enjoy it, that it’s crossgenerational.” “Frozen” certainly meets the criteria of reaching multiple maturity levels, says Gottlieb, as do items from “Guardians of the Galaxy,” Marvel’s latest boxoffice smash. These stories incorporate “winks” at an older audience that children usually do not understand. Such winks help pull in parents and older siblings to what might otherwise seem like an overly childish story. A successful movie or television show or book, however, is not always enough of a reason

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continued from page 13 because of the wide appeal of both the movie and its soundtrack. Although many factors contribute to certain license’s success, such as its breadth of appeal, variety of toy types and a bit of luck, the storyline likely has some influence as well. “Frozen” is one of the first Disney movies in which the story’s heroine does not rely on an external force to save her. Anna has no fairy godmother or prince to rescue her at the end of the movie. Instead, with her selfless act of sisterly

love she saves her own life. Young girls who have seen the movie sing along to the movie’s soundtrack with such expression and emotion that Gottlieb thinks this might be an indication that the young audience has been moved by the movie’s plotline. “This is all about being able to do it yourself and that the power’s in you, and I think that those that make intellectual property would be wise to pay attention to that,” Gottlieb says. “It wasn’t just that she was strange and she learned to use her powers. It was really about selfempowerment.”

Alice’s Garden Toy Boutique offers Arty Toys figurines, which are poseable with great color and expressions.

1st Annual

Holiday

CALLING ALL BAKERS!

Vote for your favorite Holiday Cookie! Yes that’s right, we’re asking Times Readers to vote for the top three recipes. Cookie polls will be open from Wednesday, November 26th thru Monday, December 1st. The top three winners will be revealed on Wednesday, December 10th in The Times Holiday Favorites special section.

Elsa and Anna may be everywhere, but kids still love the classics too. “We cater to what’s unique and classic when it comes to toys,” says Tracy Melcher who with her husband Zach Kinsey, owns Alice’s Garden Toy Boutique in Porter. That’s why, in keeping with the upcoming holidays, the couple are featuring such iconic Christmas character toys like the Santa Claus Magnetic Dress-up Set from the Melissa & Doug collection which comes with several different outfits including a tropical shirt (what? You thought Santa spent all his time at the North Pole?). MOST OF OUR TOYS Making cookies has always been an integral part of the YOU WON’T FIND AT season and the Melissa & A BIG BOX STORE, Doug Wooden Slice & Bake HERE CHILDREN CAN Cookie Playset lets aspiring young chefs use Velcro icing to TOUCH, FEEL AND decorate their holiday treats. HOLD THEM. Specializing in eco-friendly and imaginative playthings, Tracy Melcher, co-owner Alice’s also carries the Alice’s Garden Toy Boutique Folkmanis and Arty Toys lines as well. “We also have a wooden Chunky Puzzle Christmas Tree which lets children trim their own tree the way they want it,” says Melcher. “Most of our toys you won’t find at a big box store, here children can touch, feel and hold them.”

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14 | HOLIDAY ONE | November 19, 2014

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

No One Should Die With Their Teeth In A Glass!® Before

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f you are missing any of your teeth, you have some big decisions to make and important questions that need to be answered: What are various ways to replace missing teeth? Why are dental implants considered the gold standard of tooth replacement? What can happen to your health when you live without teeth for a prolonged period? Starting with Dr. Per-Ingvar Branemark’s serpenditous discovery of osseointegration (implants fusing to bone), dental implants have revolutionized dentistry. Today in our offices we can regenerate patients’ form, function and esthetics. We are truly changing lives to the highest level with the miracle of dental implants.

lower teeth. With this procedure, you can come as close to having a new set of permanent teeth as is currently possible. Those who replace their dentures with All-on-FourTM dental implants will never have to remove their replacement teeth again for cleaning because their new teeth can be cleaned and maintained just like a natural set of teeth. If you are looking at the possibility of wearing dentures but choose All-on-FourTM dental implants, you will never have to experience the crippling effects of loose dentures, being unable to eat the foods you enjoy, messy adhesives, removing teeth at night, the embarrassment of dentures slipping during speech or smiling or the bad breath associated with wearing dentures.

Here are some facts and trends to consider. More than 20 million people in the US are missing all of their natural teeth. More than 100 million people are missing from 11-15 teeth. Maintaining good, healthy teeth is certainly a worthy goal but keeping teeth for a lifetime is not always possible, despite the impressive achievement of preventative dentistry and the best efforts of our patients. Trauma, systemic disease, dental decay, periodontal disease, poor genetics, dental phobia, and normal wear and tear are just few of the reasons for tooth loss. Almost 80 percent of consumers with missing teeth are now aware of dental implants and realize the advantage of a permanent solution that mimics nature in function and fit and looks even better than nature may have originally provided. It is now possible to treat virtually every edentulous patient with aesthetic and functionally fixed no dentures solutions. We work with patients missing as few as one tooth or as many as all of their teeth.

According to Dr. Atcha “My patients appreciate being able to extend our relationship to a wide variety of treatment procedures instead of being referred out to a different office”, As a leader in the field of implant dentistry, Dr. Atcha has the experience that matters, the credentials that count. He has surgically placed and restored 1000s of dental implant procedures and has published several articles on dental implants in the field. “The key elements that allow patients to seek our office out are communication, relationship building & education” says Dr. Atcha. I like to personally build relationships with each and every patient and educate them about their options and spend time with them one on one by giving them a comprehensive snapshot of their clinical situation and discussing short-and long term objective. “Educated patients make the best healthcare decisions for themselves”, according to Atcha. With a hard-working and a dedicated staff that treats our patients with so much care and service, we have many people who want to be our patients. A huge part of my role in my practice is educating patients about tooth loss and its impact on quality of life, says Dr. Atcha. We have before and after pictures of hundreds of patients we have treated and success stories of our patients we can share with our new patients to build trust and confidence that there are others like them. Our happy patients are very open and would love to share their experience as to how satisfied they are with the care and the service we .y have provided them. They can also be found on www.youtube.com/drirfanatchadds

In our office Dr. Atcha focuses on giving his patients options with either a few implants or a full fixed restorations as a cost-effective way to treat patients with failing or missing teeth. With the revolutionary All-On-4™ dental implants Dr. Atcha uses 4 specially placed implants per jaw to secure dental implant teeth without bone grafting even when failing teeth have to be removed. the All-on-FourTM dental implant technique is a clinically proven solution for those who have lost or are about to lose all of their upper and/or

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A Special publication of the Times Media Co.

Holiday one | November 19, 2014 | 15

Give something TASTEFUL this holiday season

TONY V. MARTIN PHOTOS

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for healthier holidays Satisfy cravings and save calories Rich, decadent, calorie-laden foods go hand-inhand with the holidays. By choosing better-foryou snacks and swapping ingredients in some of your favorite recipes, you can keep the pounds from creeping up as you celebrate this season.

FAMILY FEATURES

treats and unhealthy ingredients for flavorful, more nutritious options will let you still enjoy your holiday treats ou can satisfy your without the guilt (or added weight) when cravings and stay the festivities have passed. full by consuming Follow these tips from the dietitians high-quality, proteinat the Soyfoods Association of North rich foods with America to keep on track for healthier, fewer calories and happier holidays this year: lower saturated fat. • Plan ahead before you hit the party Exchanging sugary A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

buffet table by eating a protein and fiberrich light meal or snack beforehand. A glass of soymilk will help fill you up and offers 7 grams of protein. • Limit your alcohol and intake of sweetened drinks; flush your system with water. Raw local • In place of candy and honey can be sweets, keep healthy nibbles used to sweeten on hand, such fruits, nuts and dishes without steamed or dried edamame. adding all the Individual packages of these empty calories nutritious snacking options in sugar. also make excellent stocking stuffers. • For sweet, rich, baked goods such as cookies, soft-yeast breads and quick breads, swap some of the traditional flour with soy flour, which will substitute well for up to 30 percent of the wheat or rye flour. Just remember that soy-rich dough browns faster, LOCAL ORGANIC so replacing more than 40 percent of other flours with soy flour is not AFFORDABLE recommended. FOOD (LOAF) • Modify your favorite recipes to reduce saturated fat, sugar and salt. This holiday you can have Vegetable oil, cinnamon or nutmeg, your cake and eat it too and herbs and spices deliver mouthbut keep the calories down pleasing flavors that let you trim the less by eliminating artificial healthy alternatives. For example, tofu sweeteners and processed is so versatile you can use it as ricotta foods and sugars says Eve in lasagna, cream in pumpkin soup or in Kaiser, owner of Local chocolate pudding. This extra indulgent, Organic Affordable Food better-for-you chocolate soy dessert (LOAF) in Chesterton. contains only 160 calories, allowing you “It’s important to keep your to contemplate a second serving. food as clean as you can,” she says noting swapping SOY-SILKEN DARK out brown sugar for maple CHOCOLATE PUDDING syrup or honey when making PREP TIME: 10 MINUTES a sweet potato casserole MAKES: 6 SERVINGS is one easy step. “And instead of marshmallows on 1 package (12.3 ounces) top, use a little cinnamon, silken tofu, drained butter and nutmeg and 2/3 cup dark unsweetened cocoa powder learn to appreciate the taste 1 cup powdered sugar of the sweet potato.” 1 teaspoon vanilla extract For those willing to Whipped topping (optional) give up mashed potatoes, Kaiser recommends mashing Place tofu, cocoa powder, powdered parsnips and Jerusalem sugar and vanilla in food processor. Puree artichokes for great flavor. for one minute, scraping down sides And as an added plus, they’re as needed, or until very smooth. Divide diabetes friendly and have equally into six dishes and top with less carbs than regular spuds. whipped topping before serving, “They can also be thinly if desired. sliced, placed in an au You can adapt this recipe with gratin pan and topped with your favorite treat combinations, such olive oil, minced garlic and as layering the pudding with fresh cheese,” says Kaiser. “If you raspberries or banana slices, then save up calories this way, finishing with whipped topping and then you can treat yourself caramel sauce. For a fun Mexican-style to a great piece of pie or twist, stir a pinch of ground cinnamon cake during the holidays.” and cayenne pepper into pudding, then top with whipped topping and chocolate shavings. A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

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$28 Buffet Dinner; $14 Children under 11 $63 Buffet & Theatre Ticket BAR SERVICE AVAILABLE Call the Catering Ofﬁce, 219-836-1930, ext. 2 to make your buffet reservations. Call the Box Ofﬁce, 219-836-3255 to make your buffet & theatre reservations.

1040 Ridge Road Munster, IN 219-836-1930 | www.cvpa.org HOLIDAY ONE | November 19, 2014 | 17

JOHN BURBRIDGE, THE TIMES

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Brett Brechner, 41, of Chesterton, approaches the finish line during the Highland Parks and Recreation’s Pumpkin Plod 10K race in 2013.

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charity activities benefit mental health and wellness programs and resources in Northwest Indiana. The Valparaiso Turkey Trot e all know that continues to be the largest race of its kind Thanksgiving in Northwest Indiana and it’s a great way is a time for to celebrate the season with family and eating and then heading straight friends. Visit porterstarke.org to sign up. The Portage Township YMCA hosts to the television their 5K Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving to relax and with registration beginning at 6:30 a.m. watch football, but it’s also a great time and the race at 7:30 a.m. They also offer a to participate in sporting events as well. kids’ race at 7:15 a.m. with no registration Lake, Porter, and LaPorte Counties all necessary. Cost for adults, advanced offer a number of Thanksgiving-themed runs for those who look for a little activity registration is $25, and on race day is $30 and kid’s entry (17 years and under) for this turkey season. The Valparaiso Turkey Trot has been a advanced registration is $15 and on race holiday tradition since 2003 and runners day is $20. Also on Thanksgiving, the Highland from all over the region, as well as all over Parks & Recreation presents the 39th the country, come to strut their stuff. Annual Pumpkin Plod which is now an In 2013, 3,600 entrants represented 30 official 10K certified course. The race different states as they ran either a 10K, begins at 9 a.m. at 8715 Kennedy Avenue or ran or walked a 5K on Thanksgiving Day to benefit the Porter-Starke Services and finishes at Lawndale at Lincoln Center with awards in the Lincoln Center Foundation. Proceeds from the race

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18 | HOLIDAY ONE | NOVEMBER 19, 2014

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

Runners participate in the Portage YMCA’s annual Turkey Trot in 2013. This year’s race will be held on Nov. 27.

We are here to help you fill all your

PROVIDED

takes place in South Park, 600 S. Broad Fieldhouse. More information is at Street in Griffith. After having a great highlandparks.org/pumpkinplod.html. Thanksgiving Feast on Thursday they For those in LaPorte County, the offer a chance to get rid of some of those Second Annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 5K Run and Walk benefits the mission extra calories with a 5K or a 10K race. The scenic course will wind down the of the LaPorte Educational Development bike trail in Griffith through fall colored Foundation. The Foundation hosted its first run and walk last year with nearly 250 trees and around a pond before hitting the subdivision streets for a mile and participants. This year’s event begins at 8 returning to the start/finish area. Awards a.m. Race day registration begins at 7:15 a.m. Registration and the start of the event consist of overall and masters as well as going three deep for five year age group takes place in front of the LaPorte YMCA awards in each race. There are also great (901 Michigan Avenue, LaPorte). post-race snacks and no turkey leftovers! Also in LaPorte at Red Mill County Park on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, For more information, email asfrunning@ gmail.com. the Crazy Legs Race Series offers South Bend Table Tennis with be the Turkey Recovery 5K. The park is hosting the Butterfly Thanksgiving a beautiful setting for runners who Team Tournament at the Fieldhouse in will run on dirt trails throughout the Merrillville, showcasing table tennis at park. More information is found at its best on 30-50 tables from November crazylegsraceseries.info/pages/races. 27 through November php#01_turkey_ 30. The tournament recovery. features three player That same teams competing in Saturday, November best five out of nine 29, the second annual matches. On the first Twisted Turkey takes day of play, teams place at Imagination will play preliminary Glen in Portage. This matches to determine event features a 50K, their division, a three person 50k and then compete relay, and 10 miler. within their division The Outbacktrail.org throughout the rest system is twisted and of the Thanksgiving winding with many weekend. For more short, steep hills on information, visit trails wide enough for butterflyteams.com. three wide to single And before you track. The 50k and head over to the 50k relay will be three family homestead for loops on the Outback Thanksgiving, make Trail while the 10 sure to check out mile will be one loop. some local football at More information is at KYLE TELECHAN, THE TIMES Valparaiso University cause2compete.com/ Rachael Marchand, center, breaks as they take on twistedturkey. from the starting line with other Davidson College at On the Sunday VU’s Brown Field at after Thanksgiving, runners in last year’s Valparaiso 1 p.m. on Saturday, the “Run Your Turkey Trot 10K. She went on to November 22. Turkey Off” race take first in the female division. A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

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German specialty e pfeffernuss sh e fr e are mad ’s a y n ra at B Bakery.

Bring the holidays home with creative classics

FAMILY FEATURES

TONY V. MARTIN PHOTOS

ondly reliving the nostalgic memories of years gone by is an integral aspect of many family gatherings and celebrations. This year, relive history in the sweetest way with a dessert table that pays homage to traditions while also helping your family create delicious new memories to cherish. When your get-together calls for a homemade creation, choose one that brings you back to your childhood days

and ask your guests to bring one too. Here are some tips to bring the best to the table:

BUILD ON THE BASICS • Prepare traditional treats such as homemade fudge, cookies or ice cream. Don’t be afraid to mix it up though, such as offering specialty coffee topped with flavored whipped cream. • Serve a wide variety of options, from finger food snacks and candies to more elaborate cakes and pies. Blend an offering of decadent flavors such as rich chocolate cake with lighter selections like an angel food cake. • Be sure to stock up on simple

ingredients that easily turn ordinary ice cream flavors, like vanilla, into scrumptious treats you can make yourself. When inspiration strikes, layer on a delicious topping or two, such Bosco’s new Fudge Brownie or Sea Salt Caramel syrups.

ELICIT FOND MEMORIES • All desserts have a place if they bring back memories for your family. Dig into grandma’s recipe tin for inspiration, or ask relatives to bring desserts or recipes with special meaning to them. Bosco’s Chocolate Cream Pie and Whipped Cream recipes are tried and true, dating all the way back to the

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OPEN DEC. 22, 23 & 24 7am tO 3Pm OPEN CHRIStmaS DaY 7am tO 11am A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

BRANYA’S BAKERY BRINGS TRADITIONS HOME “When I think of old fashioned holiday desserts, the ones we remember from childhood, I think of making things from scratch using real ingredients like butter,” says Jean Theile, who with her husband Dennis, owns Branya’s Bakery in St. John. Those traditional ways are the standards for the bakery which each holiday season offers yule logs and fruit cakes (“the real fruit cakes made with dried and candied fruit not those awful fake ones,” says Theile) as well as treats reflecting the couples different heritages. For kolaches, they use Jean’s Polish grandmother’s recipe. “My husband’s family is German so we make pfeffernusse and because we’re in St. John, someone brought in a recipe from their Dutch grandmother for banket—almond paste surrounded by pastry—for us to make,” says Theile. “These are the traditional traditional.”

Branya’s Bakery prepares the traditional Yule Log cake each holiday season.

Line 9-inch pie plate with pastry. Bake according to directions on package. Beat egg yolks slightly. Add flour and syrup and stir thoroughly. Place in saucepan and cook on medium-low heat. Add butter and milk gradually, stir constantly, and cook for about 10 minutes or until mixture thickens. Stir in vanilla extract and pour into baked crust. Cool in refrigerator for 2-3 hours to set. Before serving, swirl flavored whipped cream around the edges or cover the pie. Decorate by drizzling Bosco Chocolate Syrup on top or sprinkling on chocolate shavings. Option: Instead of one 9-inch pastry, substitute 4 individual pie shells.

BOSCO WHIPPED CREAM

1930’s Good Housekeeping Institute. • Make your memories come to life by decorating the dessert table with accents that serve up reminders of the past for your guests. Photos of celebrations through the years or a family heirloom, such as a tablecloth passed through generations, set the stage for an evening filled with sweet remembrances.

• Encourage guests to bring items for the table, showing their memories along with their homemade items. Of course the centerpiece of any dessert table is a great pie. These simple recipes feature Bosco syrups, available soon at Walmart stores nationwide. Both make for delicious desserts your family will beg you to make for years to come.

BOSCO CHOCOLATE CREAM PIE

1 pre-made pie crust 2 egg yolks 2 tablespoons flour 6 tablespoons Bosco Chocolate Syrup 1 tablespoon butter 2 cups whole milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 pint whipping cream 2 teaspoons sugar 2 tablespoons Bosco Original Chocolate or Sea Salt Caramel or Fudge Brownie Syrup Combine all ingredients and beat until mixture is the consistency of whipped cream. Spread over pie, fruit, or dollop into coffee.

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HOLIDAY ONE | November 19, 2014 | 21

TONY V. MARTIN PHOTOS

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Give drinks that holiday shine with spices and sweets A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

HEATHER AUGUSTYN

hen you’ve had enough of Tom Turkey and you need to relax and celebrate with a little Tom Collins, Thanksgiving is the

perfect season for some warm autumn cocktails. From something simple like a little brandy in hot chocolate with a cinnamon swizzle stick, to a spiced rum or a sweet port, break out the spirits for some celebration. For a low maintenance after-dinner drink, sweet and cheery port wine is perfect for a holiday celebration. Here are some Thanksgiving cocktails that will enliven any gathering:

BRANDY ALEXANDER

CRANBERRY BLUEBERRY COSMOPOLITAN

1-1/2 ounces brandy 1 ounce dark creme de cacao 1 ounce half-and-half 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg

2 oz. cranberry vodka 4 oz. cranberry-blueberry juice 1/2 oz. lemon juice Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass.

Pour in brandy, creme de cacao, and half-and-half into a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass. Sprinkle grated nutmeg on top for garnish.

1 1 2

2 4 1

GIOVANNI’S PUMPKIN PIE MARTINI

part Vanilla Vodka part Rumchata parts Pumpkin Spice Liqueur Whipped cream

Combine Baileys Irish cream and pumpkin pie spice in a mug. Pour in coffee and gently stir. Top with whipped cream and add cinnamon stick for garnish.

Mix all ingredients in a shaker with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass rimmed with graham cracker crumbs. Top with a spoonful of whipped cream and sprinkle with ground nutmeg.

1/2 3/4 3/4 1/2

BAILEYS PUMPKIN PIE

oz. Baileys Irish cream oz. espresso or strong coffee tsp. pumpkin pie spice cinnamon stick whipped cream

VANILLA CRÈME CARAMEL DELIGHT

ounce ounce ounce ounce sugar

cognac vanilla liqueur caramel vodka half-n-half

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a glass rimmed with sugar. Serve and enjoy.

SPICED PEAR SIPPER

2 lemon wedges 1/2 oz. maple syrup half a fresh pear 2-1/2 oz. dry gin cinnamon stick

Muddle all ingredients except gin in a shaker, and then add gin and ice. Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass and add cinnamon stick for garnish.

Giovanni’s Pumpkin Pie Martini TM & © Turner Entertainment Co. WB SHIELD: TM & © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s14)

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

HOLIDAY ONE | NOVEMBER 19, 2014 | 23

lower Cart has been expanding in both Chesterton and

Stephanie Swanson Jewelry Design is relocating into bo

made with a professional jeweler’s precision, but from a

are hand-crafted from the use of genuine gemstones, pearls, rom the move, Steph will be featured in both Flower Cart locations

communities. A Grand Opening event for Stephanie Swanson J

her custom creations will be held at the Valparaiso Flower Cart

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24 | Holiday one | November 19, 2014

A Special publication of the Times Media Co.

Valparaiso, including the exciting news that

oth locations. Featuring one of a kind jewelry

an artist’s perspective. Stephanie’s jewelry creations

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Jewelry Design highlighting diamond jewelry and

t location on Saturday, November 22nd.

Imagine the snow flakes blowing gently over rows of fresh, green Christmas trees that stand against a white, winter sky. Feel the cold nip of the wind on your nose as you stand beside our beautiful hand-groomed trees sitting in fresh water to preserve their freshness, which will soon fill that cozy corner in your home, overlooking the brightly wrapped Christmas presents and the busy holiday preparations. Fill your arms with the sweet smelling greenery and pick out your favorite poinsettias to add festive color throughout your home. Be content in the knowledge that your Christmas free shopping experience will fill your hearts with memories for years to come. And for a totally stress free holiday season, let us deliver your tree, mounted in our sturdy "Quik Stand", place it in that special spot in your home, and remove it after the holiday season. Our exceptional staff is committed to caring for your every need from the moment you walk through the door. Transform your holiday shopping this year with our charming gift selections for home and garden enthusiasts. Give the gift that lasts for years, to come from our wide array of unique and attractive gifts. A gift from Chesterton Feed and Garden Center means you cared enough to choose the very best. You'll find unique gifts to brighten anyone's Christmas. Whether it's locally made items such as rock oil lamps or nature themed gifts for kids, we have it all. Sports themed mats and stones for those sports enthusiasts on your list means that no one will be left out.

And when it comes to your four-legged friends, share the fun of the holidays with our wide array of all natural/holistic pet foods and treats, not to mention all the fun toys! Chesterton Feed and Garden Center is a great place to bring your pets, who will be happily greeted with treats and love. No matter the age, temperament, or breed of your cat or dog, a variety of choices awaits in our store for their continual comfort, entertainment, and of course—health. Pets are an integral part of our holiday tradition, and we invite you and your pet to join us on Saturday, December 6th for our 10th Annual Pet Gala and Christmas Open House. Bring your pet in to sample all the holiday goodies we've prepared for them. We are your local headquarters for Christmas gifts, treats, toys, and Yule Bags. As the falling snow beckons us indoors, delight in watching the fluttering wings at your feeders as the birds happily dart back and forth, relishing the tasty seeds from one of our many Wild Bird blends. We provide wild bird seed with the best and healthiest of ingredients, with no waste and no fillers to leave behind. With seeds like sunflower, peanut, safflower, thistle/nyjer and more—your backyard birds will eat a healthy and nutritious diet all winter long. Attract them to the delicious, high energy seed with feeders designed specifically for the birds you love. There are so many options, but we'll work with you to find the perfect solutions. Most of all, we wish you good family and friends throughout the holiday season.

A Special publication of the Times Media Co.

Holiday one | November 19, 2014 | 25

Butler Winery

N Booking Now Holiday Parties & Private Gatherings

Located in a charming bungalo ungalow, Butler Winery's Chesterton Tasting Room offers a wonderful assortment of gift giving ideas. Wine is the very soul of holiday hospitality ~ Bring a bottle of our Indiana grown wine to parties, or as a gift for a special friend. 401 Broadway Chesterton, IN 46304 219-929-1400 | www.butlerwinery.com

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Plan your holiday catering & parties at Lucrezia! • www.lucreziacafe.com 428 South Calumet Rd., Chesterton, IN 219-926-LUCY (5829) 26 | Holiday one | November 19, 2014

• gourmet gift baskets • party trays • premium olive oils & vinegars • food to go • cheese & wine • gift cards

ve our Reser oom in r e privat n Point! Crow

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Take a break from holiday shopping and relax at our wine bar in Valpo! 420 S. Calumet Rd.,Chesterton • (219) 926-3866 54 W. Lincolnway, Valparaiso • (219) 286-7668 www.GoodToGoByLucrezia.com A Special publication of the Times Media Co.

TONY V. MARTIN PHOTOS

EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS

Flower Cart in Chesterton created the centerpiece above around a wine barrel stay for Thanksgiving dinner using an autumnal color scheme. The same wine barrel stay is easily switched out for Christmas by adding evergreen branches, green candles and red apple accents.

dining room table

Show sophistication with a simple centerpiece

HEATHER AUGUSTYN

ith so much effort placed on the food and company, no one wants to spend a lot of time on a centerpiece. But a centerpiece on the holiday table does tie everything together nicely and is that bit of added flair, without which, the table just seems empty and uninviting. So don’t spend a lot of time and effort on your dining room table centerpiece but still look like you did by finding one item that can be used in a multitude of ways. Raymond Brickner, co-owner of The Flower Cart with locations in downtown Chesterton and downtown Valparaiso,

WE HAVE RECLAIMED WINE BARRELS THAT CAN BE USED FOR THE CENTER OF THE TABLE, AND YOU CAN SERVE CHEESES OFF OF THEM, PUT MECHANICAL CANDLES ON THEM, AND THEY CAN BE USED FOR ALL DIFFERENT TYPES OF GATHERINGS.

Edible Arrangements make delicious centerpieces that guests can devour before or after the holiday meal. This season enjoy the Autumn Swizzle Bouquet™ with Dipped Strawberries which features signature leaf-shaped pineapple dipped in gourmet semisweet chocolate. It is artfully decorated with ribbons of white swizzle and filled with an assortment of fresh fruit favorites like cantaloupe wedges, grapes, honeydew wedges, and strawberries. The fall fruit bouquet features signature leaf-shaped pineapple dipped in gourmet semisweet chocolate with ribbons of white swizzle along with chocolate dipped apple wedges topped with a special cinnamon blend. It is filled with an assortment of fresh fruit favorites, plus, this package also comes with a Thanksgiving balloon bundle. The Autumn Swizzle Fruit Party™ fruit bouquet features leaf-shaped pineapple dipped in gourmet semisweet chocolate with ribbons of white swizzle along with gourmet semisweet chocolate hand dipped strawberries. It is filled with an assortment of fresh fruit favorites and the package contains a Premier Apple Fruit Truffles® Box which features an assortment of 30 Granny Smith apple bites dipped in decadent semisweet chocolate, and covered with toppings like rich chocolate micro drops, cinnamon chocolate, and white drizzle.

Raymond Brickner, co-owner of The Flower Cart says that they have a number of items that can be used in a variety of ways for different looks as a centerpiece on your holiday dining room table. “We have reclaimed wine barrels that can be used for the center of the table, and you can serve cheeses off of them, put mechanical candles on them, and they can be used for all different types of gatherings,” Brickner says. “They are handcrafted from the ribs of retired wine barrels and they are

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even stained from the wine so they have a beautiful hue. They make a sort of long tray for the center of the table and they can be used as a serving tray with cheeses and grapes, but you don’t have to put it away and can use it for any holiday. You can change the look by filling it with fresh evergreens and berries and put a vase with it for Christmas, or for Thanksgiving you can place gourds on it, so you never have to put it away.” HOLIDAY ONE | November 19, 2014 | 27

THROW THE MOST STYLISH

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Give a Car Wash Gift Card for the Holidays!!! ‘Tis the season to prepare for holiday office parties. It’s the time to book a room or a venue so that you don’t find yourself out in the cold when the co-workers are ready to celebrate after a year of hard work together.

(219) 299-2074 2454 Morthland Drive | Valparaiso IN 46385 28 | HOLIDAY ONE | NOVEMBER 19, 2014

M HEATHER AUGUSTYN

any local restaurants have small private rooms for such an occasion, or you can plan your own event at the office or at a home. Whether you choose to have your office party out, or a potluck party in, Northwest Indiana is a great place to celebrate the holidays with co-workers. Mark Lerose, general manager of Glenwood Oaks Rib & Chop House which has been serving the community for 40 years says, “We have three private rooms that accommodate up to 100 people each. We can make them smaller for 25 to 30 people in a semi-private room and when you walk in the room is set. We have Christmas table runners, white table cloths, china, centerpieces, candles and

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

TONY V. MARTIN PHOTOS

Your local experts in partnership dancing

Ciao Bella’s event space provides a sense of atmosphere with flexible facilities.

Teibel’s banquet rooms are the place for holiday parties, for anywhere from 40 to 400 people in a private banquet hall.

it’s warm and cozy. We can customize any menu and try to work around your budget. You can have a family PROVIDED style, all you can eat, served to the table or we can get elaborate with steak and seafood, or just finger food. We see a lot businesses looking to host an event here because they want something nicer for their employees.” Joe Scalzo, owner of Ciao Bella Ristorante in Schererville, says that Ciao Bello Ristorante is the perfect place for an office party—either onsite, or on location since they do catering for all types of events. “We can do off-premise catering as a preferred caterer for Centennial Park for up to 200 people, and we also do catering anywhere by bringing our chef to any venue or location and I also am available as sommelier, for food and wine pairings. We do catering in home or at any venue for any amount of people, from 10 to 400,” Scalzo says. For decades, Teibel’s banquet rooms have been the place for holiday parties, for anywhere from 40 to 400 people in a private banquet hall. Guests can enjoy home-cooked favorites that have brought people to Teibel’s since 1929 and they will work with party planners to select the perfect menu, but don’t forget to include Teibel’s famous fried chicken, frog legs, and lake perch. If you’re headed to a potluck party for the holidays, grab a meal or dish from Welch’s Stop and Shop to make life easy and delicious. “It’s so convenient to grab one of our heat and eat options. They’re quick, easy, and a tasty wholesome meal to sit down to and enjoy together. We have our homemade beef stroganoff, homemade chicken and noodle, and homemade chop suey. We offer a lot of dishes that you can’t find much anymore, such as stuffed cabbage, barbecue pork and beef, and stuffed peppers,” says owner Ed Welch. Other items include steaks, sausage, smoked meats, marinated chicken, bakery items, deli salads, lunchmeats, cheeses, barbeque ribs and chicken, sloppy joe, soups, Swedish meatballs,

Enjoy the Holidays with Glenwood Oaks

– all of what you expect and more!

Great Food, Service & PriceS! *Daily SpecialS *liSten to the SounDS of Jayme every WeD-fri-Sat Glenwood Oaks Rib & Chop House specializes in ribs, steaks, chops and seafood.

WE CAN CUSTOMIZE ANY MENU AND TRY TO WORK AROUND YOUR BUDGET. YOU CAN HAVE A FAMILY STYLE, ALL YOU CAN EAT, SERVED TO THE TABLE OR WE CAN GET ELABORATE WITH STEAK AND SEAFOOD, OR JUST FINGER FOOD. Mark Lerose, general manager of Glenwood Oaks Rib & Chop House sauerkraut and sausage, Italian beef, and roast beef. If you just need something small, grab a party tray for nibbling and entertaining, like cheese and meat trays or vegetable trays. There are plenty of combo trays so you can make your own custom selection for guest with a variety of fresh meats for every occasion. They also offer a dozen different flavors of beef jerky and beef sticks.

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One coupon per couple. Two coupons per table. Not valid with any other discounts. Not valid on Holidays. Offer expires: 12/31/14.

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Open 7 Days a Week HOLIDAY ONE | November 19, 2014 | 29

TONY V. MARTIN PHOTOS

n Alice’s Garde s e’ qu ti ou B y To y se Zach Kin store co-owns the ife, w s hi h wit er. ch el M y ac Tr

HOLIDAY

for kids Keep the little ones busy with colorful creativity

G HEATHER AUGUSTYN

ive kids a house full of family and friends, a shelf full of games, a kitchen full of cookies and pies, and a playroom full of activities and you’re likely to hear the dreaded, “We’re bored. There’s nothing to do!” Keeping kids busy so that you can get to your company and cooking can be a chore like all the rest, but not when they are stimulated creatively with a craft. Kids love to express themselves and every one of them is an artist, so pull out the craft sets and let them go to town, while you try to gather your sanity! Tracy Melcher, co-owner of Alice’s Garden Toy Boutique in Chesterton, says they stock plenty of art and craft activities for kids of all ages. “We have a wonderful Melissa & Doug wooden table top art easel. It is probably 20 by 24 inches with magnetic surfaces—one side is a chalkboard and the other is dry

30 | HOLIDAY ONE | NOVEMBER 19, 2014

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

Aliceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Garden Toy Boutique stocks many environmentally friendly and kid safe crafts for all ages. Right: This plain white rubber duck allows kids to paint it any way they want, and still have fun with it at bathtime â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the paint wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wash off in the water! erase and it folds up flat for easy storage. We also carry a Melissa & Doug Decorate Your Own Rubber Duck which is a plain white duck with a set of paints. Kids can paint it and put it in the bathtub after the paint dries and the paint doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come off. So thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pretty cool!â&#x20AC;? Melcher says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Another item we carry is from a company called Hape and it is My First Loom. This is a wooden loom, very nostalgic, and it is ages 4 and up. Kids can make scarves, placemats, potholders, or whatever they create. We also have quite a few art kits for kids ages 7 to 12. These are from a company called Djeco and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have paint by numbers, stamp kits, and foiling kits. Also from Djeco we have clay kits that are like a Mr. Potato Head, and we have origami paper airplane kits, friendship bracelet making kits, and we have a fashion design activity kit from Melissa & Doug that is like the fashion plates toys many adults remember,â&#x20AC;? she says. Melcher says they also carry a unique local item that is called Rollzee which is sold at Chestertonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s European Market and comes from St. John. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a dry erase or a chalk board that rolls up and has bands that hold it tight. You can take with you to a restaurant or on a plane, and you just unroll it and have an instant activity center,â&#x20AC;? Melcher says.

A Special publication of the Times Media Co.

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Thanksgiving Craft Ideas â&#x20AC;˘ Make a turkey out of a plastic spoon, using the spoon part as the body and using colorful construction paper to display the feathers. Kids can use these for a puppet show.

â&#x20AC;˘ Make a wreath out of colorful leaves from around the yard glued to a cut-out paper plate ring.

â&#x20AC;˘ Make a turkey out of the cardboard center of a toilet paper roll or a pinecone and use as centerpiece for the Thanksgiving table. â&#x20AC;˘ Make teepees by curling brown construction paper into a cone shape, decorate with twigs sticking out of the top and paints. â&#x20AC;˘ Make turkey napkin rings from strips of colorful felt and a hot glue gun.

Â&#x2039; Â Â? Â&#x160; Â?Â? Â

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Â Â&#x201A; Â&#x20AC; Â Â Â? Â?Â? Â? Â? Â Â&#x2030; Â&#x2C6; Â? Â Â&#x2021; Â&#x2020; Â&#x192;Â&#x192; Holiday one | November 19, 2014 | 31

Debi Pillarella, M.Ed.

TONY V. MARTIN PHOTOS

Happy Holidays

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with these simple tips The holidays pose the biggest challenge for people trying to stick to their calorie count or exercise routine. Creamy pies and generous portions can cancel out all the hard diet and exercise work you’ve done throughout the year in the blink of an eye and the shovel of a fork. A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

GREENSHOOT MEDIA

HoliDaY sale

ports nuts know Christmas is a great day for NBA basketball, keeping you plunked down on the couch instead of enjoying some holiday exercise. Take some simple steps this year to change all of that, and escape the holiday season with your waist line under control. Because after all, the holidays are about family togetherness, and your family wants you around and healthy this time next year.

NON-FOOD TRADITION One of the easiest ways to beat the “holiday hungries” is to partake in an enjoyable, activity-based family tradition. This can mean a flag football game or a sledding trip to your favorite hill. It can also mean a simple walk around the neighborhood or a Frisbee game with your dog. No matter what you decide to take up this Christmas, make it a tradition. Having something to look forward to that isn’t foodrelated will keep you from grazing all day at the appetizer table. Also, drink a large glass of water between your activity and meal. This will help you feel fuller and keep your portion sizes under control. STRATEGIES FOR ‘THE GUEST’ Sometimes being the guest at a large holiday party can challenge to your commitment to eating healthy. You’re not in control of the menu, and you don’t want to be rude by eating only a small amount of food. Try to balance out any unhealthy temptations by bringing a lighter recipe. This will provide a healthy option for both you and anyone else looking to maintain their dietary discipline throughout the holidays. JUMP-START YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION With diet and exercise the perennial No. 1 resolution for Americans, there should be no reason to wait until Jan. 1 to begin your new routine. That’s a lot of pressure and expectation for one day, which may discourage you from enjoying your exercise and eating habits. Give yourself a two-week head-start for an easy transition into 2015. Start by jogging or biking before Christmas even arrives, and you will be in great shape for your holiday get-together, not to mention the new year.

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november and December only!

Rachael Hofer works out on an elliptical machine at Franciscan Omni Health & Fitness in Chesterton.

HOLIDAY HEALTH For some, holidays are a free pass to eat all the goodies that come their way. But when January hits, regret sets in. What to do to avoid the after-holiday-bulge? “Don’t go to holiday parties hungry,” says Kelly Devine Rickert MS RDN CSSD LDN, a Registered Dietitian/ Health Coach Franciscan WELLCARE, noting that if we eat a sensible snack 1-2 hours before the party we’ll be less likely to overindulge. “Limit alcoholic beverages at parties. The more you drink, usually the more you eat.” Downsizing what we eat at holiday parties is the way to go says Debi Pillarella, M.Ed., Certified Personal Trainer and Exercise Program Manager at Community Hospital’s Fitness Pointe. “Instead of taking a hubcap size plate at the holiday party, eat your entire meal off a salad plate and keep it to one layer tall,” she suggests. All movement counts,” continues Pillarella. “Get up throughout your day to burn some extra calories. A walk around your desk or office every hour will help keep your weight in check if you can commit to exercise, even if it’s not a full-fledged traditional class.”

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HOLIDAY ONE | November 19, 2014 | 33

wine PAIRINGS Please the oenophiles you love with these perfect bottles

G FAMILY FEATURES

athering friends and family over a delicious meal is often a highlight of the holiday season. As you start to plan your menu for the big day, remember to consider which wines you’ll offer as perfect pairings for

your favorite dishes. Whether you’re preparing a traditional feast or planning to fill the table with new harvest-inspired recipes, food writers and wine connoisseurs agree – chardonnay and pinot noir are the ultimate Thanksgiving wines.

Butler Winery’s Indiana-made wines are perfect for any Thanksgiving feast.

VERSATILE CHARDONNAY One of the primary reasons chardonnay is at the top of a Thanksgiving wine list is the flexibility inherent in America’s most popular white wine grape. Chardonnay flavor profiles can range from fruit-forward with bright acidity to big, rich and opulent. In either case, it’s the right white for the job. If you prefer white meat and lighter fare, choose a lively chardonnay with notes of citrus, like the La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay.

TONY V. MARTIN PHOTOS

34 | HOLIDAY ONE | NOVEMBER 19, 2014

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

With aromas of lemon drop, yellow apple and subtle toasted oak, this wine pairs beautifully with breast meat and balances dishes like creamy potatoes or roasted carrots. If darker meat is your preference, consider a richer style with a lush texture and spicy notes that can hold up to the more intense flavors of the wing and leg meat.

PLEASING PINOT Pinot noir is the perfect addition to any party because it pleases a lot of palates and doesn’t overwhelm classic Thanksgiving food. Pinot’s inherent earthiness and notes of plums, cherries and spice notes like vanilla and nutmeg are a natural pairing with cranberries, dark meat turkey, stuffing and root vegetables. Like chardonnay, there’s a pinot noir that complements almost any menu. A darker, concentrated pinot noir will hold up to deeper flavors, while a more vibrant, juicy wine such as the La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is a great option for pairing with the variety of flavors of delicious side dishes that a Thanksgiving feast delivers.

Not only will it pair well with both dark and light meat, but its sweet spice and classic earthy notes resonate well with the savory herbs often seen in holiday dishes.

Butler Winery’s Terra Rossa is a wonderful accompaniment to a traditional turkey feast.

SERVING WINES To best showcase the wines you select, it’s important to serve them at the right temperature. With just a few adjustments, you can bring out the best in your favorite wine’s unique flavor profile, character and bouquet. White wine is best when served between 45 and 50°F. Served too cold, the flavors and aromas will be masked, and served too warm they become flat. Conversely, in general, red wines should be served a bit warmer, between 55 and 65°F. A colder serving temperature will make a red wine seem excessively acidic, and warmer will bring out an overly alcoholic flavor. Chill room-temperature pinot noir for 10-15 minutes in the refrigerator before serving.

BUTLER WINERY OFFERS PERFECT PAIRINGS If you’re headed over to the family’s house for Thanksgiving, bring a bottle of wine that everyone can enjoy. Joe Butler, owner of Butler Winery in Chesterton says they can help you match a wine to any Thanksgiving dinner. “We make a little of everything—dry, sweet, semi-sweet, fruit, and so we have something for everyone’s palate. In Indiana we tend to like sweet wines, but we have dry wines too. Variant is our new dry wine that will be coming out and it is a Chambourcin Marquette blend with an oak aging. Butler Winery’s Chardonel, Red Select We have a new Terra Rosa which and Chambourcin Rose is port style of wine that is a little higher in alcohol so it has a warming are available at the Chesterton tasting room. effect and is typically served after the meal. We will also have a black current wine that is wonderful for the holiday as well.”

Mayor Thomas M. McDermott, Jr. and the Hammond City Council Presents

Saturday December 6

10:00 A.M. The Holiday Parade begins at 10:00 A.M. at Gavit High School and ends at 169th Street. Join us for all the fun and a great kickoff to the 2014 Holiday Season!

For more information, call Hammond Parks & Recreation at 219.853.6378 or visit gohammond.com A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

HOLIDAY ONE | November 19, 2014 | 35

Give some

Chris Marolf, and operator ner ow of Old World Market in h downtown Valparaiso wit — ms ite gift r bee unusual n Abbaye de Saint Bon-Chie ly Jol Ale De Garde and Pumpkin Ale, packaged in a perfect gift set.

CULINARY Must-have holiday gifts for foodies

FAMILY FEATURES

rom amateurs just sharpening their culinary skills to gourmet gurus with a refined taste for beverage and cuisine, you likely know a few people who enjoy spending time in the kitchen. Use this guide of kitchen must-haves to bring cheer to everyone on your holiday shopping list.

TONY V. MARTIN PHOTOS

THE PERFECT PAIR Culinary creations are endless when you have the right tools. Simplify the cooking experience with the Fry Pan Duo from Swiss Diamond, a cookware company ranked No. 1 by Consumer Reports. Made exclusively in Switzerland with a safe, familyfriendly nonstick coating, the set contains two of the company’s best-selling items. Plus, you’ll save 22 percent when purchased together. Other sizes are available, starting at $29.95. Find your nearest Swiss

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time that’s less than 30 seconds, it uses premium Nespresso Grand Cru coffee capsules to quickly brew various cup sizes. Available in Candy Apple Red, Empire Red, Onyx Black and Sugar Pearl Silver with a suggested retail price of $399.99. Visit KitchenAidCraftCoffee. com for more details.

FESTIVE FINDS FOR THE HOLIDAY ONE OF OUR HOSTESS MOST POPULAR Celebrate the season with gifts for the great GIFTS LAST hostesses in your life. YEAR WAS Elegantly adorned with holly leaves, bright MEMBERSHIP TO red berries, raised OUR WINE AND details and a green rim, the Pfaltzgraff CHEESE CLUB. Winterberry CREATIVE Chris Marolf, owner collection is perfect WINE GIFTS and operator of for gift giving and Get inspired with entertaining. From wine-themed gift ideas Old World Market a beautiful platter that pair delicious embellished with the wines, recipes and season’s many joys to a festive teapot fun accessories. Fancy dessert plates ready to bring warmth to any holiday and Mirassou Pinot Noir go great with table, the collection has something for Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding. everyone on your list. Visit macys.com Wrap up recipes for Sunset Sliders for more details. and Sweet Potato Fries with Mirassou Sunset Red and a grilling set. Mirassou Chardonnay and decorative bakeware BREW AND BE MERRY pair well with Macaroni & Cheese with The Nespresso by KitchenAid combines Applewood Bacon. Mirassou Moscato and the performance and design expertise a grill pan complement Pork Chops with of two iconic brands to deliver an Apricot and Sage Butter. For these recipes exceptional cup of coffee. With a sturdy and more, visit mirassou.com. die-cast metal design and heat-up

OLD WORLD MARKET STOCKS PERFECT FOODIE GIFTS Chris Marolf, owner and operator of Old World Market in downtown Valparaiso says they carry plenty of food items that make great gifts, either for the holidays, or when you go to a holiday celebration as a hostess gift. Old World Market stocks several elegant gift He says, “One packages for the foodie in your life. of our most popular gifts last year was membership to our wine and cheese club. You get two wines each month and if you so choose you can pair it with a piece of cheese, so we bring in some special orders just for club or feature things we really like. We wrap it up nicely in a gift basket. We can do any of our products in a gift basket, such as an entire Italian dinner, French finger foods, or beer. Our beer selection is just exploding. We have really hard to find beers and are a destination for a beer collector. It’s fun for people to browse here, but we also can pick things out for people.”

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Make the kids feel special with their own entertaining tablescape A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

Kids want extra attention, especially during the holidays when there is so much activity in the house. So when it’s time to sit down to a nice meal on Thanksgiving, make sure to give the kids their own table to make them feel special, and make it fun so that everyone can have a great time together.

H HEATHER AUGUSTYN

ere are a few tips to setting a kid table that is cute, entertaining, and creates memories to last a lifetime!

• Think Small. Kids are more apt to horse around at the table when the furniture doesn’t fit them properly—they will fidget and scoot around because their feet can’t even touch the ground. So find a table and chairs that will be scaled to their size and will allow them to pass the food comfortably and with excellent manners. • Keep Them Busy. Kids love to express themselves and what better way to do that than with art! Simply place a large sheet of paper over the table, add a decorate container of crayons, and voila! Instant craft party, and the kids get to draw on the table, so they feel like it’s a special treat. You can even pre-draw stenciled turkeys or fall leaves on the table to spark their creativity. • Give Them a Gift. Kids will always remember their special meal if they can take home a favor or gift from the dinner table. A decorative cup filled with colored pencils or a special leaf that has been pressed into a bookmark will be a treasure that kids will use to further their

One StOp ShOp fOr WOrk & play

own personalities, and you show that you thought of them and feel they are important. • Use Fun Tableware. Put away the fancy china and break out the colorful dishes, bowls, and cups for the kids. Inexpensive plastic dishware can be found at local department stores and you can keep them for each time you want to add a little energy to the kid table. Mix and match colors to keep it lively. • Make It Interactive. Kids feel important when they have a role to play. So allow the kids to make their own place card and let them make one or more of the adult place cards as well. Allow them to express their creativity by incorporating their Thanksgiving artwork. Supply scrapbooking paper or other colorful paper, glue, stickers, and markers to make it enjoyable. Each guest will get to go home with their place card. Included on the back of each card should be a section that reads, “What I am thankful for . . .” that each participant fills out and reads before the meal.

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• Use a Silly Centerpiece. Kids will run to sit at their own table when there’s a silly centerpiece to gather around. Make a whimsical turkey out of feathers and a gourd or a vase filled with cartoon pilgrims on Popsicle sticks that they can use as puppets. Use a waffle cone as a cornucopia and fill with candies like miniature pumpkins that can be used as incentives for eating a good meal. • Make the Menu Kid-Friendly. If you have some picky kids at the dinner table this year, remember to make the menu a little more enticing for them. Turn boring broccoli into a broccoli cheese casserole that will be devoured. Add brown sugar to carrots to sweeten the nutrition, and allow them to add their own toppings to their own mashed potatoes for customization—bacon crumbles, cheese, or cranberries.

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

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708-672-7511 815-741-2941 Visit us online: ShorewoodHomeandAuto.com HOLIDAY ONE | November 19, 2014 | 39

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Catering made easy Nix the hassle and order fresh-made goodness

M HEATHER AUGUSTYN

mmm, the smell of juicy turkey wafting through the house on a chilly morning, stuffed full of fluffy stuffing with herbs and

219-365-4758

savory flavors! There’s nothing quite like Thanksgiving when it comes to gastronomic delights, but the work! The thawing, the chopping, the stirring, the basting, the baking, the scrubbing, argh! Wouldn’t it be nice to have it all done for you? Then cheat a little this Thanksgiving and turn to a local caterer who will take the work out of the holiday so you can focus on what you love about

Sandy Janda (center) and Susan Ramirez (right) demonstrate the preparation of the holiday meal packages at Strack & Van Til.

the season—good food and good times with family and friends. Strack & Van Til Catering Manager Brenda Wright says, “This year we have seven packages that people can purchase and they fit all budgets, from $36.99 to $199.99. We will deliver for an additional

charge which is probably the best kept secret in this area. We can also set it up for you or stay with you as an attended service. These are complete dinners and you even get dessert.” To place orders, Wright asks that you call by Saturday, November 22 and pick up your order by Wednesday, November 26.

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SINCE 1990 40 | HOLIDAY ONE | NOVEMBER 19, 2014

326 S. State Rd. 49 • V Valparaiso, IN (219) 477-4174 Mon. - Fri. • 8am-6pm Sat. • 8am-4pm www.jakesfeed.com

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

The Traditional Turkey Dinner serves six and features a 10 to 12 pound Butterball oven roasted turkey with 3 ½ pounds of home style dressing, 2 ½ pounds of old fashioned whipped potatoes, two pounds of gravy, 1 pound of cranberry-orange relish, and an eight inch pumpkin or apple pie all for $59.99. For smaller gatherings or lighter appetites, the Our Own Rotisserie Turkey Breast Dinner serves six and features

three pounds of sliced rotisserie turkey breast, two pounds of gourmet mashed potatoes, one pound of gravy, two pounds of Our Own bread stuffing, and one pound of cranberry relish all for $36.99. The Traditional Spiral Ham Dinner serves six and features an eight pound Indiana Kitchen spiral cut ham, 2 ½ pounds of green bean casserole, 2 ½ pounds of old fashioned whipped potatoes, and an eight inch pumpkin or

Strack & Van Til’s fresh-cooked roasted turkey and an eight to ten pound holiday catering options are perfect Indiana Kitchen spiral half ham, four for any size gathering and any budget. pounds of gourmet mashed potatoes, four pounds of Our Own bread stuffing, four pounds of broccoli rice casserole, four pounds of green bean casserole, two apple pie for $54.99. pounds of gravy, two pounds of cranberry For those who have to serve more relish, one pound of Our Own spinach dip than six people, Strack & Van Til offers and one loaf of King’s Hawaiian Bread, the Our Deluxe Holiday Dinner which one pound of Our Signature layered taco includes 12 to 14 pounds of roasted dip with a 14 oz. bag of Hacienda de Oro whole turkey or an eight to ten pound Deli Tortilla Chips, and two dozen dinner Indiana Kitchen spiral half ham, three rolls from their bakery and a ten inch pounds of gourmet mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie and an 11 inch lattice apple three pounds of Our Own bread stuffing, three pounds of green bean casserole, two pie, all for $159.99. The Our Ultimate Holiday Dinner pounds of gravy, one pound of cranberry relish, one pound of Our Own spinach dip includes everything in the Our Supreme Holiday Dinner in addition to a 16 and one loaf of King’s Hawaiian Bread, inch deluxe shrimp tray for one pound of Our Signature layered $199.99. taco dip with a 14 oz. bag of Hacienda de Oro Deli Tortilla Chips, and one dozen dinner rolls from their bakery and a ten inch pumpkin pie, all for $109.99. The Our Supreme Holiday Dinner serves 15 to 20 people and includes a 12 to 14 pound whole

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Please note we will be closed on Thanksgiving Day so our Culver’s family can spend the Holiday with their families. On Friday, why not save the leftovers, and instead stop into Culver’s of Valparaiso or Schererville and let uS cook for you!

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Highland, IN

From our Culver’s family to yours, We wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving and a Joyous Holiday Season!!

9521 Indianapolis Blvd Tel: 219-922-6262

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visit us online @ henrycompany.com A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

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HOLIDAY ONE | NOVEMBER 19, 2014 | 41

FITNESSGIFTS

LAURA DEPTA CTW Features‌

s the holidays approach and ideas for New Year’s resolutions begin to take hold, many people will resolve to get serious about fitness in the upcoming year. Others, though, may take a more laid-back approach and just look to have fun with their workouts by finding new and creative ways to stay active. Like any industry, trends in fitness continually change. In 2010, the half marathon was booming in popularity. Trendy fitness classes or workouts like Pilates, Zumba and CrossFit emerge all the time. The latest boom has been themed running races – Color Runs, where white-clad runners get caked with colored

TONY V. MARTIN PHOTOS

powered throughout the 5K course; nighttime Glo Runs where participants wear lights and glow-in-dark materials; and obstacle-course events like Tough Mudders and Warrior Dashes.

Give the motivation to get moving this holiday season

help you get in shape,” consider one that instead says, “Go out and have fun with this!” Memberships So, what are a few no-pressure to health clubs fitness gifts for the social runner can make great gifts! or gym-goer in your life? This Tracy Schlunt ru ns on year, look for colorful prints and the running trac k at the versatile accessories to be highly Chesterton loca tion popular. of Franciscan Om ni Health and SHOES Fitness. The Nike Free is very popular among runners, whether outside or at the gym. Runners logging high mileage should certainly be fitted by a professional for the correct type of shoes, but for a casual runner doing low mileage the Nike Free provides a light yet solid foundation. Matthew Champa, team member Social fitness is on the rise. So this at a Nike retail location in Chicago holiday season, think about getting the and pace leader in the Nike Run club, social athletes in your life something also anticipates that Nike’s Flyknit they want, rather than something they technology will gain popularity this need. Instead of a gift that says, “This will holiday season. Put the two together in

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42 | HOLIDAY ONE | November 19, 2014

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w w w . c r o w n p o i n t a u t o r e p a i r. c o m Computer Diagnostics • Emissions Testing • Electrical Systems • Heating and A/C • Complete Engines Belts & Hoses • Transmissions • Tune Ups & Oil Changes • Brakes & Tires • Collision Repair Rust Repair • Alignments • Scheduled Maintenance • Complete Inspections Crown Point Auto

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Crown Point Auto will also be donating 12 Turkeys to St.Mathias Church in Crown Point to help families in need.

BRING IN THIS AD FOR 10% OFF ANY SERVICE

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL! A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

the Nike Free flyknit 4.0 ($120) for a can’t-miss gift choice.

APPAREL As far as apparel, Champa recommends something like the Nike Dri-Fit Sprint Full Zip ($135) as a versatile gift option for both men and women. For the fun-loving female athlete in your life, consider a colorful pair of capris. Lululemon offers a wide array of crops for yoga, running and general fitness (from $72). The company’s bold color choices make a statement while keeping things light-hearted. Speaking of fun apparel for women, Nicole DeBoom, founder of Skirt Sports and creator of the first-ever fitness skirt, has a great suggestion. The Cougar Skirt ($62) from Skirt Sports is functional — it has built-in shorts and three pockets for storing music players or keys — but it’s also fun. “This one is definitely for that fun crowd,” says DeBoom. “It’s pleated all along the bottom and it’s got this cute little band that gives you a little bit of a contrast look where we put a print or a solid fabric.” Skirt Sports aims to create apparel and accessories that make women feel pretty and allow their personalities to shine through as they work out.

ACCESSORIES Along those lines, DeBoom also recommends arm warmers as a staple for outdoor workouts in temperamental climates. Skirt Sports offers this affordable ($30) accessory in many fun colors and prints that are easy to slip on or take off as needed.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION How do you give a gift of health and fitness without seeming to imply the other person desperately needs it? Sharon Sporman, Regional Executive Director Wellness/NIR, Franciscan Omni Health & Fitness, was quick to come up with an answer. “Any type of membership – walking Franciscan Omni Health and Fitness’ club, fitness club, class – Pro Shop stocks many fitness-minded something that both the products that would make perfect gifts receiver and the giver can for anyone on your list. do together or do with another friend for support meets the wants, needs, likes and conveniences of the person getting the gift,” says Sporman. Devices such as Fitbit, Nike Fuel Band and Jawbone can track movement, exercise, food logging, sleep and communicate to others make great fitness presents. “All of these gifts suggest something people can do and communicate together and also embraces the social aspect of being healthy,” says Sporman. And for anyone wondering what to get Sporman this holiday season, she notes “these are gifts I would appreciate.”

TECHNOLOGY When it comes to tracking a no-pressure workout, DeBoom suggests a fitbit as opposed to a more sophisticated GPS watch or heart rate monitor. The fitbit Zip ($60) is an easy-to-use device that allows users to track steps, distance and calories easily and without all the technical bells and whistles. And of course many runners and gym goers need their trusty music, and a pair of reliable headphones to go with, at all times. Yurbuds makes earphones (from $30), armbands and music player cases all available in a variety of styles and colors. Any Yurbuds product would be an excellent stocking stuffer for the music-loving athlete in your life. So keep it light and keep it fun this holiday season. There is no reason a fitness gift can’t be both functional and stylish at the same time.

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HOLIDAY ONE | November 19, 2014 | 43

TONY V. MARTIN PHOTOS

Bring in 12 cans of food to Vision Point for their holiday food drive and receive coupons of $5 for each offering for a total of $60.

Northwest Indiana has a plethora of stores to find the perfect gift for anyone on your list. “We just put two dresses that would be great for the holidays in our window the other day and already people are coming in, saying how much they love them,” says Machelle Blount, owner of Chelle’s

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Local shops offer

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ollection in Chesterton. Even better Blount says their Matching Mismatched Socks— very trendy now days—by Orange Beld, all from the same color palate, can be tucked inside of ornamental bulbs great for hanging on Christmas trees. Vision Point with six area locations offers a gift for a gift. Bring in 12 cans of

continued on page 46

Philips

3100 N Calumet Ave Valparaiso, IN 46383 219-464-8687

Hobart

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HOLIDAY M A R K E T

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November 22nd 11 am to 4:30 pm

your purchase of $25 or more

Offer not valid with any other offer, promotion, or discount. Not valid on Fannie May Hand packed candies. Offer expires 12-31-2014 NWIT2 C50

Unique Shopping

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14th 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Bake Sale by Maria Reiner Center

at the Police/Court/Community Complex 705 E. 4th Street

Mayor Brian K. Snedecor

Store Hours: Mon - Fri 8-7 Sat 9-6 Sun 9-4 44 | HOLIDAY ONE | NOVEMBER 19, 2014

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

Be a part of the conversation this holiday season. Holiday meals and get-togethers are special because of the time spent with family and friends â&#x20AC;&#x201D; everyone together, swapping stories, catching up, and laughing! Your presence is requested and the holidays wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be the same without you! Join in on conversations with your loved ones and take delight in all of the sounds of the holiday LIMITED TIME OFFER: season. Ross Hearing Center offers the expertise, superior care, and the latest technology that will help you enjoy all of the moments of your day. Contact us to schedule a free screening and consultation so you can fully enjoy this special time of year!

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CentersForHearing.com Holiday one | November 19, 2014 | 45

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continued from page 44 food for their holiday food drive and receive coupons of $5 for each offering for a total of $60. Use the coupons to apply towards designer glasses. Also, though it’s not a holiday special, it’s certainly an incentive— their year round two for the price of one makes gift easy on the pocket book. Customer service Chelle’s including free cks these sto professional trendy Orange fitting, Beld 3 sock occupational shoes smatched mi like, for women, sets. Timberland-Pro and Dansko, heavy duty and steel toed workbooks— brands such as Timberland Pro and Wolverine Work Boots as well as Carhartt clothing for hard working people is what Barney’s Hub Bootery is all about. Collection, Zand Amsterdam reversible skirt’s snap waist fits sizes 2 through 12 With an extensive range of width and and 14-24. Different lengths (just unzip styles, there are selections for everyone for a short skirt look) and playful colors on your gift list including outdoor wear making it four skirts in one. such as Keen Women’s Hiking Shoes and, for those extra cold days (and face it, they’re coming) Kamik Toe Warmer Women’s Winter Boots and Kamik for children as well. Barney’s Hub Unless you’re a size 2 or 4, who wants Boo tery in Crown to talk about dress sizes? At Chelle’s Point offers a wide range of boots and shoes for the winter season, including Timberland Pro, Toe Warmer, The NorthFace and Keen.

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Munster | 235 Ridge Road | 219-836-8202 www.doorstoremunster.net 46 | HOLIDAY ONE | November 19, 2014

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

Spend Little or No Money... and still get your holiday shopping completed. Your Gold, Diamonds, and Colored Stones have VALUE.

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*Other metals pricing done.

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For all your Jewelry, Watch and Clock Repair (In House Available) Engraving, Remounting

9153 Wicker Ave. (Rt. 41) | St. John | 219.365.1246

after Thanksgiving, SPECIAL HOLIDAY HOURS, Monday thru Friday 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. We buy Gold/Jewelry & Old Clocks/Watches/Pocket Watches â&#x20AC;˘ Layaway/Available Approval Required. Some restrictions apply on ad.

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

HOLIDAY ONE | November 19, 2014 | 47

48 | Holiday one | November 19, 2014

A Special publication of the Times Media Co.