Holiday & Gift Ideas Galore - December 2009

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December 2009 Something for Everyone Gifts that Go Away Party Tips Your Holiday Look

Top Five Holiday Recipes

Give Your Home a Holiday Glow

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How to Make the Perfect “Man”

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Celebrate t he Holidays

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Greater Kalamazoo Edition • December 2009

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Holiday & Gift Ideas Galore HOLIDAY & GIFT IDEAS GALORE Christmas Trees 101 ...................................................................................9 Holiday Giving...........................................................................................10 Gifts That Go Away ..................................................................................16 Christmas Eye Candy ..............................................................................19 Craft: Cinnamon Ornaments................................................................21 10 Party Tips...............................................................................................35 Something for Everyone........................................................................38 BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS IMHO – The Game of Loyalty ...............................................................10 Holiday Parenting – War of the Roses?.............................................20 Mothers New Best Friend......................................................................32 Reader’s Lounge .......................................................................................38 LOOKING & FEELING GOOD Your Holiday Look.......................................6 Holiday Eating Without Weight Gain .......................................15 BUSINESS & FINANCE Financial Sauvé..........................................24 Networking with the Kalamazoo Network...............................................34 RECIPES The Stocked Kitchen Ham and Cheese Bites.........................12 Spinach and Feta Bites .....................12 Vegetable Tortilla Roll-Ups .................12 Top Five Holiday Recipes Pecan Cookie Balls ................................26 Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon Pecan Crunch ...........26 Red Velvet Cake with Vanilla Cream Frosting................................................27 Perfect Gravy...........................................28 Ginger Bread Bars with Cream Cheese Icing ......................................................28

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Gluten Free Holiday Stuffing.....................................................................................30 Mushroom Gravy ..................................................................................30 Cranberry Relish ....................................................................................30 The Perfect (Gingerbread) Man ..........................................................32

Free! e a Tast Enjoy Tropics of the

Exciting s Idea Interior

COMMUNITY NEWS & HAPPENINGS Professional Makeover Journal..............................................................4 Calendar ......................................................................................................36

Boost Energy

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Greater Kalamazoo Edition • December 2009

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Greater Kalamazoo Edition • December 2009

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Your Holiday Look

Courtesy of ARAcontent

With the season of soirees upon us, get the look that stands out among the crowd of little black dresses. With a few simple steps, it's easy to have the appearance of professionally done makeup without emptying your wallet. Be your own makeup artist by trying these three looks from the pros.

smokey eyes

Step 2. Apply a dark and intense shade along the lashline, blending up and “smoking” outward to the socket line.

International makeup artist, Jemma Kidd recommends a dramatic smoky eye to pump-up the glam.

Step 3. Smudge eyeliner across upper and lower lashline; use black for ultra intensity.

Step 4. Finish off with dark black mascara, and for a full look, go for false eyelashes. For an ultra-modern take, add a touch of glitter to lower lids and lashes.

Step 1. Sweep a light highlighter shade over the whole lid to the browbone.

natural perfection Petra Strand, makeup artist and creator of Pixi, firmly believes that makeup should make a woman look like herself, only more gorgeous.

Step 1. Prime the skin with a foundation; skin will look youthful, glowing and hydrated.

Step 2. Switch to a base that is sheer and use a concealer for those areas that need a little extra help. Your complexion will look naturally flawless.

Step 3. Use a cheek gel instead of regular blush to give an instant "lift" with a transparent touch of color on the apples of the cheeks.

Step 4. Switch from full coverage lipsticks to a tint of color that has both the moisture and treatment of a balm for a perfect pout.

sophisticated glamour For classic holiday glam, celebrity makeup artist Napoleon Perdis recommends being bold and brilliant.

Step 1. Prime your skin for a flawless canvas for makeup application and follow with your perfect foundation match for full coverage and matte skin.

Step 2. Make a lip statement. Red lips are the most glamorous trend of the season.

Pick your favorite red and make sure to always apply lip liner to prevent bleeding. To give the illusion of fuller lips, dab some gloss only on the center of the pout, over lipstick.

Step 3. To perfectly complement your bold lips, keep the eyes neutral. Use a neutral and easy palette of taupe eye shadows for a seductive eye.

Step 4. Complete the look with black mascara. Always remember that three coats is the magic number, and a look is never complete without show-stopping lashes.

model/fashion: courtesy of Wallis

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Greater Kalamazoo Edition • December 2009

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Holiday Gift Guide

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Greater Kalamazoo Edition • December 2009

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Christmas Trees 101 Fraser Fir One of the most popular Christmas trees, Fraser fir is a uniformly pyramid-shaped tree. Strong branches are turned slightly upward and needles are dark green, flattened and feature a groove on the upper side and two broad silvery-white bands on the lower surface.

Scotch Pine The Scotch pine is well-suited to handle heavy ornaments thanks to its stiff branches.

With excellent needle retention, the Scotch pine holds up well throughout harvest, shipping and display.

Balsam Fir As a Christmas tree, Balsam fir has several desirable properties: a dark-green appearance, long-lasting needles, and attractive form.

It also retains its pleasant fragrance. Balsams are so fragrant their needles were once used for stuffing "pine pillows" to act as a natural deodorant.

Blue Spruce

Douglas Fir

Blue Spruce, or Colorado Blue Spruce, is an attractive tree often used as Christmas trees or ornamentals. It has a narrow, pyramidal shape and cone-shaped crown. As trees become older, they often take on a more irregular appearance. The tree is very popular thanks to its symmetrical form and attractive blue foliage. Blue spruces are often used as living Christmas trees (bought with root ball intact and planted afterward).

The needles are dark green or blue-green, are soft to the touch, and radiate out in all directions from the branch.

They have a sweet fragrance when crushed.

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IMHO In My Humble Opinion

The Game of Loyalty I’m a graduate of Michigan State. My blood runs green every day of the year, but particularly on game days. Football and basketball are my sports, and since we’re about to hit the midway point of the college basketball season, I’m gearing up for what I’m certain will be another Spartan run at the NCAA championship. My loyalty to the team began when I was a child. My father was as diehard a Spartan as you could find. Together, we rejoiced in winning and used panache when forced to say, “We’ll get ‘em next year.” As Chicago Cubs and Detroit Lions fans know only too well, it’s not always easy being a loyal fan. When your team runs into a streak (sometimes decades long) of bad luck, you take a lot of ribbing and both your loyalty and your courage are tested mightily.

Holiday Giving The holiday season is here. The hustle and bustle to prepare for Christmas seems to take over the lives of people everywhere. With the changing weather, planning of holiday parties, and rushing to get everything done, it is easy to let the stress of the season overwhelm the cheerful aspects. One group of twenty-somethings, however, makes sure that they do not forget what the true spirit of Christmas is all about.

Bethany Moxon, a twenty-year-old from Kalamazoo, is part of a special

dropped off by a neutral party, or left on the doorstep of the family’s household.

“I would say if you can’t do a project like this out with just the knowledge that you’ve helped someone, then you shouldn’t be doing it,” Bethany said.

“The point is to help someone in need.”

Outside of the Christmas season, Bethany’s family participates in other volunteer projects such as sponsoring three children in Haiti. They look forward to receiving update letters and are

Loyalty plays a big part in our society as well, as does the courage required to remain loyal. Living in Southwest Michigan, I make every effort to be loyal to my area. I support local businesses, volunteer my time and champion local causes.

Am I always rewarded for my loyalty? Nope. Sometimes stores I love go out of business. Sometimes people I’ve supported move away. Sometimes city government makes choices that aren’t to my liking. But it’s my community, and just like being in a relationship with another person, we’re not always going to see eye to eye. However, if at the end of the day, we realize that we’re better off together than we would be apart, and that there’s value in the relationship and a gain for both sides, being loyal has a payoff.

Of course when there’s a payoff, there’s always a price. If it takes courage to be loyal and stand up to opposition, it also takes courage to step away. Sometimes we are loyal to a fault, supporting people or things that aren’t in our best interest, or even worse, aren’t worthy. That’s when our courage is really called into play.

Just as it takes courage to protect and defend, it takes courage to admit error and move on.

Interestingly enough, loyalty can be described pretty handily using an anagram of the word itself.

L – Learn. Learn what your real needs are before you take a step; you may not really need what you think you do. Conversely, you may need more than you think you do.

O – Opportunities. There are so many gems available within reach, and yet we fail to recognize them. Keep your eyes open and seize them when they’re available.

Y – Yoked. Be open to the possibility that you may find yourself yoked to something not in your best interest A – Action. Once you’ve gathered all the information, it’s time to act. Be courageous enough to express your loyalty, or to admit that it was misplaced.

L – Learn. No, this isn’t a typo, I meant to write the same word in this list twice, and here’s why. Every event in our lives is an occasion to learn. And loyalty gives us that same opportunity.

I consider myself a loyal person. I’m loyal to my country, my family and my beliefs. Now here comes the most important thought in this column: I’m also loyal to myself. You see, we can’t be loyal to others if we don’t believe in ourselves. If we question our own worth, we question our decisions. And being loyal is a conscious decision requiring courage and confidence.

So the next time someone taunts you for cheering on the wrong team, just give ‘em a smile and tell them the real winner isn’t the one with the highest score. It’s the one who’s courageous enough to be loyal to the team.

I believe in what I do and I’m doing it to the best of my ability.

Judy Pearson is the founder of Courage Concepts, an organization which fosters courage in women through seminars and Courage Conventions. Judy is also the author of magazine and newspaper articles, as well as two books about ordinary people who exhibited extraordinary courage. Her latest, Wolves at the Door, has been optioned for a movie.

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lle nfield, Miche , Katie Sta oxon, and enhollander M D ny el ha ha et ac B r, R es, ssica Stapl VanderMee Moxon, Je back: Sarah nt: Joshua Across the fro e th s er os r. Acr holland VanderMee : Jacob Den Not pictured unknown.

holiday tradition. The group, comprised of family members and close friends, chooses a family in their community who are struggling and helps them out in any way they can. The best part? All of their help is given anonymously.

“For years we’ve done things like Angel Tree, so I guess the passion to help others stems from that,” Bethany said. “We all come from very blessed families, really without very many financial struggles, so to see someone who is in great need makes us all put our own lives into perspective.”

Their group helps someone that is connected to one of their families or communities—a family from work, a friend from school, a member of the church community, or the like. They learn what they can about the financial needs of the family and purchase gift cards and canned goods at local grocery stores to help with holiday needs. They place the gift cards and several fillers into baskets, picking out useful things like fruit and veggies as well as things members of the family would just like to have, like scented lotions or lip gloss if the family has daughters. The baskets are delivered to the family in secret, either

excited when the children send recent school photos from them.

“The real motivation is what Christ has placed has placed in each of our hearts, but also recognizing our own situations, being thankful for what we have, and being able to share our bounty is priceless,” Bethany said. “I look forward to this all year. It’s my favorite part of the Christmas season.”

Bethany encourages anyone that is able to get out and help someone this holiday season, even if it is through something small like shoveling a neighbor’s driveway, carrying someone’s groceries for them, or cleaning off someone’s snow-covered car for them in the morning. If you’re looking for a more organized project, there are plenty of places to volunteer this season including the Soup Kitchen in Kalamazoo (616-3736555) or the Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes (269-343-3663). If you are interested in helping out, look for a charity organization near you!

Emily Magyar is an undergraduate student at Albion College. A senior, she is studying English with Creative Writing and working on a minor in journalism.

She interned this summer with Women’s Lifestyle Magazine, and is currently a contributing writer.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • December 2009

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Holiday Gift Guide

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Greater Kalamazoo Edition • December 2009

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Tips for Holiday Eating Without Weight Gain

by Michelle May, M.D.

Enjoy the holidays more while eating less. Here’s how: ● Be a food snob. Skip the store-bought goodies, the dried-out fudge and the so-so stuffing. If the food you select doesn't taste as good as you expected, stop eating it and choose something else. Think of how much less you'd eat if you only ate food that tastes fabulous! ● Think of your appetite as an expense account. How much do you want to spend on appetizers or the entrée? Do you want to save some room for dessert? Go through this process mentally to avoid eating too much food and feeling uncomfortable for the rest of the evening. ● Pace your eating prior to the event so you will be hungry but not famished at mealtime. Ignore the old diet advice of eating before you go to a party so you won't be tempted.

That’s absurd! You want to be hungry enough to enjoy your favorites.

● Socialize away from the buffet table. ● Survey all of the food at a buffet before making your choices. Choose the foods that you really want most at that time, and remind yourself that you can enjoy the other foods later. ● If the food is so special, give it your full attention rather than eating on autopilot. Eat mindfully by reducing distractions and sitting down to eat – even if it's just a cookie. Appreciate the appearance and aroma of your food and savor one small bite at a time by putting your fork down. You'll eat less food but enjoy it more. ● Since the duration of the meal tends to be extended at social events, you may need to have your plate taken away (or put your napkin on it) once you’re satisfied to avoid nibbling unconsciously. ● Be aware of the effects of alcohol on your food intake. And don't forget that beverages contain calories, too.

● Be cautious of "obligatory eating" avoid eating just because it is on the table, on your plate, because you paid for it, or because someone made it. If you're concerned about hurting their feelings, ask for the recipe or a small portion to take home with you for another meal. ● Look for opportunities for physical activity. Take a walk after dinner to enjoy the lights, take a few laps around the mall before it opens, or take guests to local attractions. ● Most importantly, delight all of your senses. Enjoy the company, the atmosphere, the entertainment, and the traditions as much as, if not more, than the food.

Michelle May, M.D. is a recovered yoyo dieter and the founder of the Am I Hungry?® Mindful Eating Program. To learn more about Michelle and her newest book, “Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat: How to Break the Eat-Repent-Repeat Cycle,” visit www.AmIHungry.com.

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Conquer Your Clutter

By Alexandra Fix

Bath & Body Scented candles, bath products, fragrances, gift soaps, chocolates or flowers with an invitation to enjoy a calm moment of respite this holiday season is always a welcomed treat that’s sure to add warmth to a cold winter season.

Pantry Provisions Prepared foods and ingredients are perfect examples of gifts that get used up. I saw a clever gift idea at the farmer’s market this past summer: Salsa in a basket.

The small basket contained the recipe and the tomatoes, onions, peppers, garlic and cilantro needed to make a batch of salsa. Some other ideas might be two ribeye steaks and a bottle of merlot; dried beans, lentils and soup seasonings layered in a glass jar (just add soup bone and water); or spaghetti, marinara sauce, dried mushrooms and a loaf of fresh bread.

Charitable gifts Make a contribution in the recipient’s name to the community – local or global. Choose a charity aligned with the recipient’s values. Remaining nonpolitical and nondenominational is usually best in this type of gift giving. A few charities to explore include . . .

Hydraid.org delivers lightweight HydrAid BioSand Water Filters to developing countries to provide safe water and combat water-borne illnesses.

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Ethiopiareads.org began with a donkey-drawn bookmobile bringing a lending library to children in the Ethiopian countryside who might otherwise never have access to reading.

Oxfamamericaunwrapped.org works in 100 countries around the world and has a catalog of gifts symbolic of their work. You might, for instance, choose a camel, a cow or a can of worms to purchase in a friend’s name.

Neat Necessities

In seeking simplicity and balance, strive to give gifts that don’t add to the clutter of another’s life. Consider simple gifts that get used up, gifts that will not accumulate and gifts of service. In their easy practicality, many of these ideas serve as great lastminute gifts also.

Revive the Amish friendship bread starter tradition.

Bake a loaf of this delicious sweet bread (recipe at www.momswhothink.com), and pass on the bread starter and recipe to several friends who can do the same.

Pass on a book, audio-book or DVD that you’ve enjoyed with a note inside about what that story meant to you and why you think it might be of interest to the recipient.

Present-ing the Past

Cover a bulletin board with gift certificates or gift cards to the neighborhood grocery store, restaurant, hair salon and movie theater. The certificates get used and the bulletin board becomes a great organizational tool. Another lovely gift would be a small makeup bag with gift cards tucked inside for a manicure, pedicure, massage and hair treatment. College students may appreciate a mesh laundry bag filled with detergent, stain remover, dryer sheets and a roll of quarters.

Give the gift of memories to your parents, siblings, children or friends. Pull together some childhood photos, school day pictures or restored photos of ancestors. Write down reflections on your years as a child, as a parent, as a sibling or as a friend. Write a letter (not an email . . . an actual letter) to someone you care about and let them know what they mean to you. Personalize a calendar with family photos, children’s drawings or pictures of good times with close friends.

Pass it On

Gifts of Service

Maybe you can find a pretty vintage plate at a resale shop and bake some goodies for someone. Along with warm cookies on the plate, include a note suggesting the plate be passed on to someone else who might need some fresh-baked kindness one day.

You could offer to paint your parent’s living room or help them clean out their basement. You might offer to babysit friends’ children for a few days so they can have a getaway weekend. The gift of your time may well be the best of all holiday gifts.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • December 2009

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Holiday Gift Guide

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Greater Kalamazoo Edition • December 2009

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C h r i s t m a s

Eye Candy Give your home the magical glow of the season, without the stress.

By Angela Klinske

Decorating for the holiday season can be as simple as lighting a few candles or stringing the lights fantastic. This year, bring the holidays home without breaking the bank or your back.

The Presents Pour a hot beverage, and gather gift-wrapping “tools” – wrapping paper, ribbon and bows, tape, scissors, marking pen and tags. Keep a trash bag handy to discard packaging, wrappers and price tags as you go. Create a unified look under the tree with just one or two paper designs, or brown bag it and wrap gifts with brown kraft paper and red ribbon. Top the gift with a cookie cutter, a candy cane, or a black and white photo.

The Table More ornaments than tree space? No problem. Place a collection in a bowl and use as a tabletop centerpiece. Tie red ribbons around stems of glasses and place curled Christmas ribbon pieces on the table.

The Tree While colored lights add whimsical charm to your greens, white lights can unify the look of your tree adorned with mismatched or multi-colored bulbs.

The Music Log onto Pandora.com and listen to continuous Christmas music or add to your personal music collection with Neil Diamond’s new Christmas album, “A Cherry Cherry Christmas,” (Columbia Records).

The Cookies Bake a batch of sugar cookies (pre-made cookie dough works, too) and sprinkle with red and green sugar. Or buy an assortment of Archway® Christmas cookies and serve on a festive red plate.

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Holiday Parenting Doesn’t Have To Be A

“War of the Roses”!

by Jeff Murphy Principal, Mediation Services of Southwest Michigan

The holidays are here and it’s time for sharing your children's holiday time with your ex. I did some on-line research and talked with experienced Kalamazoo Family Law attorneys about the common problems for divorced parents this season and how to avoid or handle them.

There's still time to make arrangements to improve the chances of a happy holiday season. Your children want and need the support and love of both their parents. When you arrange a smooth holiday experience for them, it reduces their stress and insecurity and possibly ensures the season will be a memorable and positive experience.

Family law practitioners tell me that a client problem they dread at this time of year is the phone call shortly before Christmas from a hysterical, angry mom who says "He's taking Johnny to his parents in New York for Christmas.

My parents are driving in from Iowa and won't get to see him at all. Do something."

Erika Salerno, a Kalamazoo Family Law attorney, said, “I contact all my clients by November 1st to see if they have a holiday plan in place and if their spouse agrees. If not, we negotiate the schedule to avoid hassles. To avoid problems, you have to plan well in advance and firm up the details.

As a result, I don't get the panicked phone calls.

There should even be plans for bad weather and emergencies if you’re out of town or have visiting relatives. Communication and early planning are the keys. Sometimes, if the couple is willing, we may need to bring in a neutral facilitative mediator to help them make arrangements that will eliminate future battles."

Attorney Gail Towne of Kalamazoo agrees that preplanning is necessary. "Most parenting plans need to be very specific, so that when there is a disagreement, they have something written down to refer to. One of the biggest problems of holiday planning is the coveted Christmas morning.

Parents fight to get the "right" to wake up to the magic of the morning, go down stairs to open presents, have breakfast and go to church together. Unfortunately, there is only one Christmas morning each year and parents need to share the magic.

They need to create new traditions to be used on alternate years, such as opening presents and going to church on Christmas Eve. Being creative sets a great example for children and keeps them out of the middle of any potential conflict between the parents."

Kalamazoo divorce attorney, Tom Birkhold, suggests that it’s important for parents to be role models for their children when it comes to their behavior to each other over holiday parenting time. He says, "Remember you and your

spouse are the ones who divorced, not your children. They didn't sue for divorce, you did. So, even if you and your spouse can't be in the same room together, don't let your animosity ruin the holidays for your kids. Don't bad mouth your ex in front of the kids and don't react emotionally if he does it. Be a role model of good behavior."

Birkhold also says, “It's the holiday season of good will and peace. Why not use it as an opportunity to actually improve your relationship with your ex, even if it's only for the sake of the children. Kids can cope with divorce a lot better if they see that you treat each other with respect, especially in how you each talk about and handle your parenting responsibilities."

Here is a suggestion from my own experience in mediating parenting schedules. Don't try to buy your children's loyalty and affection by "one-upmanship" when getting Christmas gifts and toys. The kids know what you're doing and you're actually teaching them to manipulate you.

Instead of one-upping your ex, cooperate with him on the gifts and toys to avoid duplicates and excess. In fact, if your children receive what looks like the entire contents of your local Toys-R-Us, have them choose one or more items to give to children who aren't so lucky.

Go on the web for advice. There are several sites with seasonal guides for divorced parents. I suggest you go to Divorcemag.com "Top Ten Tips for Divorced Parents” and Dadomatic.com for divorced dads with tips specifically aimed at men. Share that with your ex.

To repeat, it's important to remember to plan as early as possible for your holiday and annual parenting schedule. In the worst circumstances, that may involve the

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Greater Kalamazoo Edition • December 2009

help of your attorney and a judge. In the best of cases, you and your ex meet regularly and update your parenting schedule to meet changing needs.

Somewhere in the middle are the circumstances where you just can't see eye to eye and your discussions turn to fights neither of you want. Here is where a trained counselor or facilitative mediator can help you reach a workable solution for the best interests of the kids. Look, if mediators were able to end the sectarian fighting in Northern Ireland and start a peaceful relationship between the warring factions, the same techniques should be able to help you with a parenting plan.

If you need help learning how to communicate with your ex without bringing out the tanks and artillery, go to divorcemag.com and read their article on "Learning to cooperate with your ex." The article will teach you techniques to deal with anger so that you can actually listen to your ex with a more open mind. It's to your benefit, and your children’s, to learn how to get past your old hard positions, attitudes, and perceptions that limit your ability to create mutually satisfactory arrangements for your kids.

Read the article and maybe even share it with your ex.

The holiday season is stressful enough even for people who are not fighting. The rush to buy gifts we can't afford, prepare special meals for an army of relatives and friends, too many social events all at once and juggling work and parenting tires everyone. The sooner you begin planning and the more flexible you are, the more satisfying the season will be for you and your children.

Best wishes for a Merry Christmas, a Happy Chanukah, and a peaceful New Year.

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Holiday Craft Cinnamon Ornaments

1. Preheat oven to 200°F.

Creating Holiday Memories

2. Mix applesauce and cinnamon with hands in small bowl until smooth ball of dough is formed. Using about 1/4 of the dough at a time, roll dough to 1/4-inch to 1/3-inch thickness between two sheets of plastic wrap.

Peel off top sheet of plastic wrap; cut dough into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Make a hole in top of ornament with drinking straw. Place ornaments on baking sheet.

emember making homemade ornaments as a child? Introduce a family tradition with fun and easy-to-make Cinnamon Ornaments – a perfect holiday activity for parents and children alike.

R

The memories of these ornaments last long after the holidays are over.

Makes 12-15 ornaments Prep Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 2 1/2 hours, or 1 to 2 days drying time Ingredients: 3/4 cup applesauce 1 bottle (4.12) ounces ground cinnamon* Supplies needed: Plastic wrap Cookie cutters Drinking straw Colorful ribbon

3. Bake for 2 1/2 hours. Cool ornaments on wire rack.

(Or, to dry ornaments at room temperature, carefully place them on wire rack. Let stand for 1 to 2 days or until thoroughly dry, turning occasionally).

4. Insert ribbon through holes and tie to hang.

If desired, may be decorated with glitter, sequins, paint and more. *If a different size bottle of cinnamon is used, measure 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons of cinnamon.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • December 2009

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Holiday Gift Guide

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Greater Kalamazoo Edition • December 2009

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Merry Christmas

Jeff, S tephanie & Stephanie Cale Buckham, JrJr..

Thank you to all of our clients for the support and referrals this year. We are so blessed to have the opportunity to serve you!

5950 5 950 P Portage ortage R Road, oad, Portage, Portage, MI MI 49002 49002 (269) 342-0212

M I C H I G A N ’ S I N S U R A N C E C O M PA N Y

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • December 2009

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Handling Financial Issues During Emotionally Difficult Times

U

pon inheriting a traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or assets from another retirement plan, you’ll need to make important decisions by deadlines that can easily slip by during emotionally difficult times.

These decisions will hinge on personal circumstances and factors that can be complex. Failing to act on time could have long-term repercussions and cost you serious money.

Start by getting together your paperwork – including the beneficiary designation form for the inherited account. If you’re inheriting assets in a retirement plan account, you’ll need the “plan document” from the employer.

You’ll also need to hunt down your deceased benefactor’s last Form 8606, which will indicate whether part of your withdrawals from the plan will include tax-free return of non-deductible contributions. You may need help sorting out your options, but you must always keep the following deadlines in mind:

count that has co-beneficiaries is not split by this date, the younger inheritors will forever have to receive larger than necessary withdrawals. This could deplete the account faster than otherwise.

If you’ve inherited a Roth rather than traditional IRA, keep in mind a few things.

All Roth IRA contributions are non-deductible, and all of the contributions are considered basis and can be withdrawn tax-free. The earnings also can be withdrawn tax-free as long as the account was held for more than five years (including the time it was held by the person from whom you inherited it). Say, for example, you inherit a Roth IRA in 2003 from your uncle. He first contributed to it in 2000 and died in 2003. All contributions are tax-free whenever they are withdrawn, but the income is not taxfree until 2005 when the Roth IRA will have been held for more than five years.

Is Your Spouse in Your Investment Loop?

Within nine months from date of death, file a disclaimer if you so choose. Suppose you’ve inherited the IRA from your late husband. Meeting this deadline allows you, as primary beneficiary, to give up all or part of your interest in the IRA. But why forfeit those assets?

It could help reduce estate taxes and leave more to your child or grandchild. When you disclaim an IRA, assets pass to a contingent beneficiary such as your child or maybe a charity.

Dec. 31 of the year of death is the date by which you may need to take a distribution. If the IRA owner had started taking required distributions after turning 70½ but did not take the distribution for the year he or she died, you must withdraw the full required amount or pay a penalty of 50 percent of the amount that should have been withdrawn.

Sept. 30 of the year following the death is the deadline for splitting the IRA into separate shares or accounts if multiple primary beneficiaries were named on the account. This is advantageous if a non-spouse inherits the IRA: He or she can take withdrawals over his or her individual life expectancy, which could reduce the size and tax consequences of mandatory distributions.

This date also ends the period during which beneficiaries can disclaim or cash out their portions of the account. A charity is likely to withdraw its share because it won’t be taxed. Beyond this date, the IRA document’s rules – which may be less favorable than IRS rules, particularly for nonspouses – govern how the inherited account will be paid out to beneficiaries.

However, this is not a deadline for the surviving spouse to decide whether to leave the IRA in the deceased’s name or place the assets in the survivor’s account. A spouse can make that choice at any time.

Oct. 31 of the year following death is the deadline for the trustee (if a trust is beneficiary) to send the IRA custodian either a copy of the trust document or a certification of the trust’s beneficiaries and their rights to the IRA. Dec. 31 of the year following death is the deadline by which many inheritors must take their first distribution from the account or suffer the 50 percent penalty. If an ac-

24

In an interview on MsMoney.com, Kerry Hannon, author of Suddenly Single: Money Skills for Divorcees and Widows, said she wrote her latest book after seeing loved ones face financial difficulties, after becoming widowed or divorced.

“Some didn’t even know where their investments, insurance policies and the like were, or have a grip on their cost of living,” Hannon told MsMoney.com.

Being clueless about the family finances isn’t a gender issue. Plenty of men rely on their wives to pay bills, put money aside for savings and retirement, and keep important documents safely stored.

If you’re the one responsible for the household investing and finances, you need to make sure you are keeping your spouse in the loop. That includes: •

•

• •

Knowing the names, firms and phone numbers for key advisors including your investment manager, accountant and estate attorney.

Knowing where key documents, such as insurance policies, copies of your wills and investment account statements, are stored.

Having an overall idea of your financial situation.

Knowing where all banking and investment accountants are held.

Even a non-working spouse should have an estate plan that includes cash and investments, real estate and insurance proceeds. If one spouse does not work, the working spouse should have not only life insurance but disability insurance. Life insurance on the non-working spouse can also help offset costs such as childcare that may be needed after her death.

If you have an elderly parent who is widowed or divorced, you may want to have the same discussion (although it may be more difficult than with a spouse.) If a parent plans to leave a sizable estate to a child, it’s important that the heir know where documents have been kept and which key advisors to contact.

If you have trouble figuring out what your spouse does and does not need to know, ask yourself this question: If to-

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • December 2009

morrow I were killed in an accident, what would my spouse need to know to ensure the family could survive financially?

The bottom line: Keep each other in the loop, know where important documents are located, and have a contingency plan for the unexpected. Know your deadlines, act in a timely manner and seek professional advice where needed.

Sandy K. Derby, CFP®, ChFC has been in the financial services industry since 1989.

She was recently selected as one of America’s Top Financial Planners by Consumers Research Council of America. Sandy is President of Derby Financial & Assoc. LLC, where our goal is to help women become financially secure and independent, through comprehensive financial planning. Sandy can be reached at sandykderby@derbyfinancial.net or 269-321-5047.

Securities and investment advisory services offered through Woodbury Financial Services, Inc PO Box 64284, St Paul MN 55164-0284, 800-800-2638. Member FINRA/SIPC and Registered Investment Advisor. Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. is not affiliated with Derby Financial & Associates, LLC

Sandy K. Derby, CFP®, ChFC has been in the financial services industry since 1989.

She was recently selected as one of America’s Top Financial Planners by Consumers Research Council of America. Sandy is President of Derby Financial & Assoc. LLC, where our goal is to help women become financially secure and independent, through comprehensive financial planning.

Sandy can be reached at sandykderby@derbyfinancial.net or 269-321-5047.

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Top Five Holiday Recipes

McCormick – the nation’s favorite spice maker - has identified the five most cherished holiday recipes: Pecan Cookie Balls , Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon Pecan Crunch, Gingerbread Bars with Cream Cheese Icing, Red Velvet Cake with Vanilla Cream Frosting, and Perfect Turkey Gravy. These represent America’s love of classic holiday dishes that have a modern flavor twist. Impress your guests and delight your family with these favorites.

Pecan Cookie Balls Makes 4 dozen or 24 (2 cookie) servings Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes per batch INGREDIENTS 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened 2-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, divided 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, ground 1/8 teaspoon salt 2 cups flour 2 cups finely chopped pecans

Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon Pecan Crunch Makes 8 servings

3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar, divided 2 tablespoons orange juice 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, ground, divided 1-1/2 teaspoons ginger, ground, divided 1/2 teaspoon salt 3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks 1 cup dried cranberries 6 tablespoons butter, cut up, divided 1/2 cup flour 1 cup chopped pecans

DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Beat butter in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy.

Add 1/2 cup of the sugar, vanilla, nutmeg and salt; beat until well blended. Stir in flour and pecans.

2. Shape into 1-inch balls. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets.

3. Bake 15 minutes. Remove from baking sheets. Immediately roll hot cookies in remaining 2 cups sugar. Place sugared cookies on wire racks to cool. When cool, roll again in sugar.

26

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • December 2009

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Mix 1/4 cup of the brown sugar, orange juice, vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon each of the cinnamon and ginger, and salt in large bowl. Add sweet potatoes; toss to coat well. Spoon into 13x9inch baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with cranberries.

Dot with 2 tablespoons of the butter. Cover with foil. Bake 30 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, mix flour, remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar and remaining 1 teaspoon each cinnamon and ginger in medium bowl. Cut in remaining 4 tablespoons butter with a fork until coarse crumbs form.

Stir in pecans. Remove sweet potatoes from oven and stir gently. Sprinkle evenly with pecan topping.

3. Bake, uncovered, 25 to 30 minutes longer or until sweet potatoes are tender and topping is lightly browned.

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Red Velvet Cake with Vanilla Cream Frosting Makes 16 servings Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 40 minutes INGREDIENTS 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 2-1/2 cups flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened 2 cups granulated sugar 4 eggs 1 cup sour cream 1/2 cup milk 1 bottle (1 ounce) red food color 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting: 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened 2 tablespoons sour cream 2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract 1 box (16 ounces) confectioners' sugar DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 2 (9-inch) round cake pans. Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

2. Beat butter and granulated sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time. Mix in sour cream, milk, food color and vanilla. Gradually beat in

flour mixture on low speed until just blended. Do not overbeat. Pour batter into prepared pans.

3. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire rack.

4. For the Frosting, beat cream cheese, butter, sour cream and vanilla in large bowl until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth. Fill and frost cooled cake with frosting.

Test Kitchen Tip: Substitute a greased and floured 12-cup Bundt pan for the 9-inch cake pans. Bake about 50 minutes.

Or, substitute a greased and floured 13x9-inch baking pan; bake about 40 minutes.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • December 2009

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Ginger Bread Bars with Cream Cheese Icing Makes 27 (1 bar) servings Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes INGREDIENTS 1-1/4 cups flour 1 tablespoon ginger, ground 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ground 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened 1-1/4 cups sugar, divided 1 egg 1/3 cup molasses 3 tablespoons water 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 13x9-inch baking pan with foil. Spray foil with no stick cooking spray. Mix flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. Set aside.

2. Beat butter and 3/4 cup of the sugar in large bowl with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in egg until well blended. Gradually beat in flour mixture until well mixed. Stir in molasses and water just until blended. Spread evenly in prepared pan.

Using packaged turkey gravy mix is a time-saver and takes the guesswork out of making smooth and delicious gravy.

Try one of the variations (listed on the right) to complement your menu.

Perfect Gravy & Variations Makes 15 (1/4-cup) servings Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes INGREDIENTS 2 packages McCormick Turkey Gravy Mix 1/4 cup flour 3 cups water 1 cup turkey pan drippings or turkey broth 1 cup chopped cooked turkey giblets (optional) DIRECTIONS 1. Mix Gravy Mix and flour in large saucepan. Gradually stir in water and turkey drippings with wire whisk until smooth. Stir in chopped turkey giblets, if desired.

2. Stirring frequently, cook on mediumhigh heat until gravy comes to boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer 5 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. (Gravy will continue to thicken upon standing.)

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Flavor Variations: Herbed Perfect Turkey Gravy: Prepare as directed. Stir 1/2 teaspoon Rubbed Sage or 1/4 teaspoon Poultry Seasoning into Gravy Mix. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Hearty Sage Turkey Gravy: Prepare as directed, decreasing water to 2 cups. Stir 1/2 teaspoon Rubbed Sage into Gravy Mix. Makes 12 (1/4-cup) servings.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Hearty Herbed Turkey Gravy: Prepare as directed, decreasing water to 2 cups. Stir 1/4 teaspoon Poultry Seasoning into Gravy Mix. Makes 12 (1/4-cup) servings.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Apple-Sage Turkey Gravy: Prepare as directed, decreasing water to 1 cup and adding 1 cup apple juice. Stir 1 teaspoon Rubbed Sage into Gravy Mix. Makes 12 (1/4-cup) servings.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Garlic and White Wine Turkey Gravy: Prepare as directed, decreasing water to 2 cups and adding 1/4 cup white wine.

Stir 1/4 teaspoon each California Style Garlic Powder with Parsley and Thyme Leaves into Gravy Mix. Makes 12 (1/4-cup) servings.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Mushroom-Onion Turkey Gravy: Melt 1 tablespoon butter in large saucepan on medium heat. Add 1/2 cup chopped mushrooms and 1/4 cup chopped onion; cook and stir 5 minutes or until tender. Mix 2 packages Turkey Gravy Mix, 1 1/2 cups cold water and 1 cup turkey drippings. Add to saucepan; mix well. Continue with Step 2 as directed above.

Makes 8 (1/4-cup) servings.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Cinnamon-Chipotle Turkey Gravy: Melt 2 tablespoons butter in large saucepan on medium heat. Add 1/4 cup chopped red onion; cook and stir 5 minutes or until tender. Mix 2 packages Turkey Gravy Mix, 1/4 cup flour, 1/4 teaspoon each Ground Cinnamon and Gourmet Collection™ Chipotle Chile Pepper, 2 cups cold water and 1 cup turkey drippings. Add to saucepan; mix well. Continue with Step 2 as directed above.

Makes 12 (1/4-cup) servings.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • December 2009

3. Beat cream cheese in large bowl with electric mixer until smooth. Beat in remaining 1/2 cup sugar and vanilla until smooth. Reserve 1/2 cup of the icing; refrigerate remaining icing. Spoon dollops (about 1 teaspoon each) of the reserved icing over batter in pan. With knife or spatula, swirl icing through batter to marbleize.

4. Bake 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 15 minutes. Lift out of pan using foil. Cool completely on wire rack. Invert and peel off foil. Spread refrigerated icing over top. Cut into bars. Store in refrigerator.

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Greater Kalamazoo Edition • December 2009

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Greater Kalamazoo Edition • December 2009

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Greater Kalamazoo Edition • December 2009

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Mother’s New Best Friend Mother’s new best friend doesn’t wax floors or fold laundry, but it’s certainly delicious. Super Suppers in Portage is the secret spot for delicious, homemade dinners, made fresh for families who are stretched too thin for time.

The menu changes each month, offering items such as Potato-Crusted Tilapia and Baked Chicken with CornbreadCranberry dressing. Customers can walk in anytime and choose entrees, sides, soups and desserts from the Grab n’ Go freezers—their most popular option—to bring home and cook fresh. With over forty Grab n’ Go choices, many customers fill their freezers for weeks of worry-free meals. Supper Bundles is a similar option, a complete meal with sides, packaged and ready to go. Supper Bundles is a call-ahead option, and there are three choices daily. Super Suppers can also personalize your meal by skipping items such as onions; just give them 24 hours notice to prepare. They even have menus created for the holidays, such as Buffalo Chicken Dip, Peanut Butter Pie, Black Bean Chicken Salad, or Pecan Praline Baked Brie. You can ease your pre-party “to-do” list

or choose one as a hostess gifts for holiday parties.

Super Suppers has a beautiful kitchen, decorated in a Tuscan style with a heavy wooden pastry table in the center. Refrigerated stations surround the room, each with a recipe, utensils, and the necessary ingredients. This space is for Make n’ Take customers as well as private parties. Make n’ Take is a hands-on option with none of the stress of shopping or planning. Simply choose a station based on the monthly menu, and follow the recipe using the ingredients spread out before you.

Super Suppers provides the instructions and clean-up, and you take home the meal. It’s like baking cookies with mom—she shops and lays out the ingredients for you, but you get the fun of making the cookies before she cleans up. Private parties use this process, as well. Super Suppers closes the kitchen for you and your guests so that you can prepare meals together to bring home. Hostesses receive a free meal and Super Suppers provides appetizers and refreshments for the party. Since it is such a beautiful space and the concept is fun, this would be a great idea for baby or bridal showers, corporate parties, or girlfriend get-togethers.

Gift cards can serve as lifesavers for any family or individual. A new baby, recent illness or injury, or plans to move all leave a family strapped for time and energy. Super Sup-

pers is a great way to get homemade quality without the stress. Having a meal ready to bring home and bake opens up the evening for more family time or relaxation. Kids love choices such as Campbell’s Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole, or Pulled Pork Wraps. The regular entrée portion size feeds 2-3 adults, and the full-sized feeds 4-6. There are also individual portions available, as well as nutrition information and cooking instructions.

Ashley Bowman, Super Supper manager, has the delectable job of choosing the recipes each month. There are literally thousands of tested options for her to pick from, and with the exception of favorites such as Chicken Parmesan, recipes are rarely repeated more than once a year. Super Suppers even partnered with media personality and chef Rachel Ray to carry some of her creations, such as Pork chops with Pumpkin Sauce and Pasta. Ashley and the business owner, Renee, both use their past restaurant experience to grow and expand their business.

Super Suppers has been open for over three years and has a loyal clientele, but they are always searching for busy families and individuals who love food, but don’t have the time or need the stress that comes with preparing it every day.

Chloe Herakovic is a graduate from the University of Michigan with a degree in English and Creative Writing. She is currently a freelance writer in Kalamazoo. You can email her at: cherakovic@gmail.com

The Perfect Gingerbread Man makes 2 dozen Prep Time: 20 minutes Refrigerate: 4 hours Cook Time: 10 minutes per batch 3 cups flour 2 teaspoons McCormick® Ground Ginger 1 teaspoon McCormick® Ground Cinnamon 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon McCormick® Ground Nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1/2 cup molasses 1 egg 1. Mix flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and salt in large bowl.

Beat butter and brown sugar in another large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add molasses and egg; beat well.

Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until well mixed. Press dough to a thick flat disk; wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.

2. Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness on lightly floured work surface.

Cut into gingerbread men shapes with 5-inch cookie cutter. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets.

3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges of cookies are set and just beginning to brown. Cool on baking sheets 1 to 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. Decorate cooled cookies as desired.

32

Gingerbread houses, gingerbread cookies, gingerbread cakes, gingerbread men . . . there’s no better way to get in the holiday spirit than baking gingerbread for loved ones. Gingerbread is a tradition that brings family and friends together and kicks off the holiday baking season. For more gingerbread recipes visit www.mccormick.com.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • December 2009

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Greater Kalamazoo Edition • December 2009

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Question: What is your company doing for the holidays?

Each year at our office there’s a party at one of our associate's home in downtown Kalamazoo where there is great food, fun and camaraderie. The other holiday event at our office is to adopt a family or two that have fallen on hard times and need some extra help to celebrate the holidays.

Maureen Krause, ABR Prudential Preferred Realtors Each year our law firm has held a holiday dinner at our home (Todd Redmond and Danielle Redmond Streed). My husband is an excellent gourmet cook and we learned that our staff was more excited to spend an evening at our house with their significant others than going out for dinner. Each year the staff picks the meal. It’s fun each holiday and it gives us a chance to get to know each other better.

Attorney Danielle Redmond Streed Redmond, Redmond & Yokom I like to thank my clients for their business with a calendar for the following year. It helps them be better organized which is our goal for their lives overall! It also keeps my contact information at their fingertips should they have a quick question.

Gail M. Turluck, CRPC MassMutual Financial Group Premier Designs is a direct selling business that uses the home show venue for selling its high fashion jewelry. For the holidays, I run a different special each month. For example, for the guests at the home shows I’m offering a special that says, "buy 3 items at retail pricing and get a 4th item half off, can be highest priced item, OR spend $95 and get a watch at half price".

Angie Scoffin Your Premier Designs Jeweler We here at Innovative Software are hosting an employees and spouses dinner, at our owner Amy Lenz’ home, she is catering and cooking for us all. Amy is a Holiday freak, her home is full of Holiday trimmings and cheer, we will play games and tell funny stories.

Renee L Moon Innovative Software Strategies

Maureen Krause, ABR is a Realtor with Prudential Preferred Realtors.

She is currently serving as the President for Kalamazoo Network.

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Greater Kalamazoo Edition • December 2009

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10 PARTY TIPS hether you're preparing for a casual family gathering, a fancy four-course dinner party or a high-spirited hoe down for 100, planning a party – particularly during the holiday season – is a big job. Here are 10 tried-and-true tips for planning memorable holiday gatherings that will let you minimize the stress and maximize the fun.

W

1 2 3 4

Plan early and plan often. There's nothing more frustrating than finding out that your intended party guests have other plans. December weekends tend to get booked up early, so it's a good idea to send or e-mail invitations as early as possible.

Another possibility is to schedule your gathering for a time when people tend to be less busy, such as during the week between Christmas and New Year's, the last night of Hanukkah or even New Year's Day.

Design a realistic menu. If you plan on enjoying your own party, it pays to have a menu that includes a number of items that can be made ahead of time and then heated or plated just before your guests arrive.

While it's always fun to try out new recipes when entertaining, it's best to experiment with only a few items on your menu and to leave enough time for substitutes if you're disappointed with the results.

5 6 7

Embrace tradition. During the holiday season, many people warm to the idea of timehonored traditions, so don't be afraid to serve up your favorite Christmas Pudding or Aunt Lydia's legendary potato latkes.

Serve festive beverages. Make sure there’s a merry mix of beverages. A non-alcoholic punch or a pot of hot-spiced cider is always popular and can be served with rum on the side for guests who want a little something extra.

Set the scene. While some hosts like to go all out in the decorating department, others prefer a more low-key approach. Either way, make an effort to create a pleasing ambiance that appeals to the senses. Put out an assortment of candles. Put on a pot of simmering water flavored with cinnamon, cloves and allspice to fill your house with a heartwarming aroma. Put in your favorite holiday tunes.

Bask in the glow of your guests' delight.

8

Keep kids happy. When planning a gathering for guests of all ages, it's helpful to have activities on hand for the younger crowd.

Set aside a space for kids and set out a variety of toys and games that will keep them occupied and engaged.

9

Get help. When hosting a large party with guests who may not know each other, it's important to be on hand to make introductions and keep the conversation flowing.

If you're planning on joining the party once your guests arrive, consider hiring one or more helpers to serve and clean up.

10

End on a positive note. Your responsibilities as a host don't end when your guests say good night. Make sure it's a good night for all by arranging for designated drivers who can see that your friends in need get home safely.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • December 2009

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It’s easy to get listed in our Events Calendar. Our deadline is the 10th of the month prior to publication.

Email us at: calendar@womenslifestylekazoo.com Please type Calendar in the subject line.

Or you may mail your info to P. O. Box 2284, Portage MI 49081-2284

Last Baby of 2009 & First Baby of 2010 Details Coming Soon!

December 1, 17 Intro to Glass Fusing Art Bayou. 6 – 9 pm. Glass fusing is like adult shrinky dinks.

Layers of glass are melted together to make sun catchers, pendants, tiles, plates, bowls, etc. Prices start at $17. Registration and deposit required as this is limited to the first 20 people. 269-375-2600. www.artbayoustudio.com December 2 Nutcracker Tea Kellogg Manor House. 2 pm. Join us for an elegant and relaxing afternoon of tea, sandwiches, scones and other delicious tea treats. Take in the picturesque view of Gull Lake while seated in the Manor House living room at tables set with vintage china and silver. After the tea and a short program, a tour of the Manor House is offered. Pre-paid reservations are requested. $25 Adults, $16 Children.

269-671-2400. www.kbs.msu.edu December 2 Wilton Cake Decorating Classes Cake N Candy. 6:30 pm. Course Level III – Learn to create your own decorative cakes. It’s fun! $25 Class Fee (Book and Equipment not included). Pre-register @ 269-345-2253

December 3 – 5 Late Night Broadway The University Theatre, Gilmore Theatre Complex. 9 pm.

Join the graduating seniors of our renowned Music Theatre Performance program as they present a cabaret evening of New York show tunes with a special Broadway guest star.

Cash bar available. $20, $15 Seniors, $5 Students.

269-387-6222. www.wmutheatre.com December 4 kikaPaprika The Strutt. 5 – 8 pm. A new company that sells eco-friendly clothing for women is having a Fashion Show downtown.

Join us for fun, fashion and a chance to view the new Fall/Winter line! Contact Chelsie at 269.275.0041 or soulshine024@hotmail.com for details.

December 4 All Wrapped Up for the Holidays West Michigan Glass Society, 436 N. Park St. 5 – 9 pm. Colorful and exciting displays of glass holiday art and ornaments. Volunteers will wrap your gift. Glass blowing and lampworking demonstrations. Free. 269-552-9802. www.wmglass.org December 4 Diva Night Art Bayou. 6 – 9 pm. Enjoy your uninterrupted girl time together while the guys are out hunting! Take this opportunity to catch up and relax. Feel free to bring your favorite snacks and beverages. Space is limited, so please call and reserve your seat. Groups of six or more receive a discount. We will do door prizes. Feel good. Paint Pottery. 269-375-2600. www.artbayoustudio.com December 4 In The Christmas Spirit Miller Auditorium. 8 pm. Featuring The Hilarious Chenille Sisters. Free – tickets are required. 269-806-6597. www.kalamazooconcertband.org December 4 Kalamazoo Concert Band and the Chenille Sisters Concert Miller Auditorium.

8 pm. In the Christmas Spirit. Free – tickets are required.

269-806-6597.

December 4 Plainwell Tree lighting downtown and join us for Wassailing!

December 2 Partners in Pink Portage Free Methodist Church. 6:30 - 8:00pm. This support group is for women who have cancer, or have been impacted by cancer, will provide encouragement during your season of stress. Child care is provided (free). If it's helpful bring a friend. No need to pre-register. Just show up. Free.

269-327-5312

December 4, 5 Kalamazoo Garden Council Greens Sale Kalamazoo County Expo Center – Room E. Fri. 9 am – 7 pm: Sat. 9 am – 5 pm. Fresh green arrangements, wreaths, swags, and unique gifts with a "Williamsburg" theme. Free.

269-375-1708.

December 3 Where the Streets For Their Names Kalamazoo Valley Museum. 1:30 pm. Curator Tom Dietz looks at the origin of street names in Kalamazoo. Free.

269-373-7990. www.kalamazoomuseum.org

December 4 – 19 The Eight Reindeer Monologues Epic Theatre. Fri. & Sat. 8 pm. Accusations, rumors and allout attacks are flying fast and furious around Santa's toyshop this holiday season. $22 Adults, $18 Seniors, $14 for students with a valid ID. 269-345-7529. www.wholeart.org

December 3 Handprint/Footprint Workshop rsvp Art Bayou. 4 – 7 pm. Bring in your little ones to get their hand or footprints forever captured on a piece of bisque.

You supply the kids and guest instructor Carol Potter will do the rest. Please reserve your approximate time slot and pieces so we can have a smooth workshop for everyone.

269-375-2600. www.artbayoustudio.com December 3 Wilton Cake Decorating Classes Cake N Candy. 6:30 pm. Course Levels III – Learn to create your own decorative cakes. It’s fun! $25 Class Fee (Book and Equipment not included). Pre-register @ 269-345-2253 December 3 50+ Online Dating Workshop Parchment Community Library. 6:30 pm. Pre-register at 343-7747. www.parchmentlibrary.org December 3 Centering Prayer Introduction Transformations Spirituality Center. 6:30 – 9 pm. Learn the history, tradition, dynamics and practice Centering Prayer.

Register and pay by Nov. 12 $15. Register after Nov.12, $20. 269-381-6290, ext. 310 or www.TransformationsCenter.org

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December 4 – 27 Forever Plaid presents Plaid Tidings Farmers Alley Theatre. Please call as times vary. Plaid Tidings is a brand-new show that offers the best of Forever Plaid tied-up in a nifty package with a big holiday bow on top! Filled with holiday standards that have all been "Plaiderized", "the Plaids" are back together to perform their holiday Special. So gather the family together and join us for a modern holiday musical masterpiece. $29. 269-343-2727. www.farmersalleytheatre.com December 5 A Time for Waiting: An Advent Retreat Transformations Spirituality Center. 9 am – 12:30 pm. The morning will be spent in waiting for the one promised, and will include prayer, input, quiet reflection and sharing of the participants’ Advent waiting. Register and pay by Nov. 16 $35. Register after Nov.16, $40. Please register by Nov. 23.

269-381-6290, ext. 310 or www.TransformationsCenter.org December 5 KIA Holiday Sale Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. 9 am – 3 pm. Pottery, prints, paintings, photography, glass, jewelry, fiber arts and handmade paper by faculty and student of the KIA Art School.

Free. 269-349-7775. www.kiarts.org

December 5 Portage Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting Ceremony Portage City Centre, Library Lane near Shaver Rd. & S. Westnedge. 7 pm. City of Portage annual holiday celebration featuring treelighting, caroling, holiday merriment and refreshments. Free. 269-329-4522. www.portagemi.gov December 5 A Christmas Carol Miller Auditorium. 8 pm. With all the warmth and comfort of a cup of Christmas cheer, Nebraska Theatre Caravan's A Christmas Carol is packed with laughter, pageantry and gorgeous costumes. $10 - $35. 269-387-2300. www.millerauditorium.com December 5 Plainwell Parade downtown at 1:00. Don’t miss out!

December 6 Christmas Concert: "Messiah and More" Miller Auditorium. 3 pm. A concert featuring the University Symphony Orchestra, Grand Chorus, student soloists and faculty artists. $12 in advance, $15 at the door.

269-387-2300.

December 6 Gilmore Rising Stars Recital Series: Pianist Boris Giltburg Wellspring Theatre. 7 pm. Performing Beethoven, Chopin, Rachmaninoff and Prokofiev. $20 Adults, $5 Students. 269-342-1166.

December 6, 13, 20 Taizé Advent Vesper Services Transformations Spirituality Center. Join the Sisters of St. Joseph in an Advent service of chanted music and prayer in Holy Family Chapel. Info @ 269-381-6290 ext. 310 or info@TransformationsCenter.org December 7 IAAP Kalamazoo Chapter Meeting K-Resa:1819 East Milham Road, Portage. 5 pm networking, 5:30 pm dinner, 6 pm meeting. We welcome visitors. RSVP to Betty Gruber 269-553-2709 email: betty.gruber@h32b@statefarm.com December 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17 Music Together Demonstration Classes Classes in Kalamazoo and Portage. Music Together offers 45 minutes of movement and musical fun for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and the grownups who love them.

Registration required; demonstration class is free.

269/345-6664; www.crescendoacademy.com.

December 8 Story Corner Kalamazoo Nature Center. 10 am. Grab a carpet square and actively listen to stories about our natural world $6 adult, $5 senior, $4children 4-13, 3 and under Free. 269-381-1574. www.NatureCenter.org

December 10 Free Talk on Urinary Incontinence in Women Portage Public Library – Gourdneck Lake Room, 300 Library Lane Portage, Mi. 6:30 pm. Dr. Roger Beyer M.D., M.A., F.A.C.O.G, will give a FREE informal talk on Urinary Incontinence. Come ask the doctor your questions. Refreshments will be served. Call (269) 657-6058 to reserve a seat. www.drrogerbeyer.com December 11 Integrative Breathwork Unwindings. 7 – 9 pm. A musical journey for insight, emotional healing & creativity. $30. Pre-registration (269) 3882988 or adamczassociates.com.

December 11 The Oak Ridge Boys Christmas Miller Auditorium. 8 pm. The Oaks' Christmas show includes a collection of traditional and contemporary holiday favorites, as well as many best-known hits. $20 - $40. 269387-2300. www.millerauditorium.com December 11 Bela Fleck & The Fleckstones State Theatre. 8 pm. Bela Fleck & The Flecktones will make a much anticipated return to the State Theatre for the first time in 5 years this fall! $42. 269-345-6500. www.kazoostate.com December 11-24 12 Days of Christmas Savings Oakwood Gift Shop, Oakwood Plaza Shopping Center 3017 Oakland Drive. Save 40% off selected Gift Items Daily.

381-3021 December 11 12 Days of Christmas Heavens Petals - A different discount every day till Christmas! More info at (269) 685-9460 December 12 Free Holiday Expo Extravaganza Believers Business Center, 1301 Cameron Street Kalamazoo.

10:00 am - 3:00 pm. Come and shop for the holidays, and get some great original gift ideas. Contact Carrie @ 269-344-7903 December 12 Buy Local - Art & Gift Fair Kalamazoo Nature Center. 10 am – 4 pm. Give gifts that are inspired by nature and beneficial to nature his holiday season. Spend an enjoyable day viewing the work of local artists throughout the Interpretive Center during this unique event. 269-381-1574. www.NatureCenter.org December 12 Integrative Breathwork Unwindings. 10 am – 6 pm. A musical journey for insight, emotional healing & creativity. $80. Some partial scholarships are available. Pre-registration (269) 388-2988 or adamczassociates.com.

December 8 Free Talk on Urinary Incontinence in Women Bronson Lakeview Hospital – Classroom #1 – Paw Paw, Mi. 6:30 p.m. Dr. Roger Beyer M.D., M.A., F.A.C.O.G, will give a FREE informal talk on Urinary Incontinence. Come ask the doctor your questions. Refreshments will be served. Call (269) 657-6058 to reserve a seat. www.drrogerbeyer.com

December 12 Gluten Free Desserts!

Can Do Kitchen, 315 E.Michigan. 11 am – 2 pm. Peoples Food Co-op Cooking Class: Gluten Free Desserts with Elizabeth Forest. Pre-registration necessary at Peoples Food Co-op. $20. 269-342-5686.

December 8 Cirque Dreams Illumination Miller Auditorium. 7:30 pm. Audiences of all ages will marvel and experience a journey of city dwellers who reinvent everyday objects, balance beyond belief, delicately dangle from wires, leap tall buildings and redefine the risks of flight in an array of astounding occurrences that transform the ordinary into extraordinary. $25 - $50. 269-387-2300. www.millerauditorium.org

December 12 Family Funday: What's Up Doc? Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. 1 – 4 pm. The Art of Warner Brothers Cartoons! Learn how to animate drawings with fun hands-on activities. Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd, Road Runner, Wylie Coyote, and more. Watch classic cartoons on the big screen in the KIA Auditorium with Tweety Bird, Sylvester the Cat, and of course, Bugs Bunny! Free. 269-349-7775. www.kiarts.org

December 9 Gluten Free Grains!

Can Do Kitchen, 315 E. Michigan (First Baptist Church of Kalamazoo). 6 - 8:30pm. People's Food Co-op Cooking Class: By Elizabeth Forest. Pre-reg necessary at the People's Food Co-op. $20. 269-342-5686

December 12, 13 The Nutcracker Chenery Auditorium. Sat. 2 & 7 pm; Sun. 2 pm. In collaboration with Ballet Arts Ensemble. Barry Ross, Conductor This fully-staged production of Tchaikovsky's most popular ballet entertains the entire family. You'll enjoy the Russian Dance, the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, and more. Make it part of your holiday celebration! $12 & $15.

269-349-7759. www.KalamazooSymphony.com

December 9 Men’s Night Heavens Petals - Open till 8:00 p.m. Free gift wrapping!

More info at (269) 685-9460

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December 12 – 31 "The Art of Warner Bros. Cartoons" Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Normal Hours. The exhibition consists of over 160 drawings, paintings, “cels” and related art objects used in the making of Warner’s classic cartoons, from the 1930s through 1960. Free. 269-369-7775. www.kiarts.org December 13 It's Christmas Once Again Westwood United Methodist Church. 3 pm. The vocal group Blendings will be featuring a vocal presentation of the "Nutcracker Suite". Other selections include traditional and composed carols as well as jazz arrangements of seasonal favorites "Winter Wonderland" and "Jingle Bells". Free.

Donations. 269-345-0351 December 13 BachFest Christmas!

Stetson Chapel. 4 pm. One of the season's most anticipated concerts, the Bach Festival Chorus presents festive music for the season. $20, $15, $5, free for children under 12.

269-337-7407. www.kzoo.edu/bach December 13 Kalamazoo Ringers Holiday Handbell Concert Westwood Church of God. 4 pm. Christmas favorites, audience sing-alongs, an interactive slide show and holiday readings. Bring mittens, scarves and hats for donations to the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission. Free. 269-323-7744.

December 19 Kalamazoo Indoor Flea & Farmers' Market Kalamazoo County Expo Center, Room E. 7 am – 3 pm. Special Weekend Market! Come check out all the great deals and support your local farmers while you're here! Free.

269-383-8778. www.kalcounty.com/parks December 19 Family Day SmartShop Metal Arts Center. 2 – 4 pm. A special time for families to share. We've set some time aside for a free guided tour, free arts activities, and free artist demonstrations! Free. 269-345-7285. www.smartshopkalamazoo.com.

December 20 Glass Fusing rsvp Art Bayou. 12 – 3 pm. Glass fusing is like adult shrinky dinks. Layers of glass are melted together to make sun catchers, pendants, tiles, plates, bowls, etc. Prices start at $17. Registration and deposit required as this is limited to the first 20 people. 269-375-2600. www.artbayoustudio.com December 20 Beethoven Fest 2009 Dalton Theater. 3 pm. Second annual BeethovenFest concert for the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony by volunteer members of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, Kalamazoo Junior Symphony, Kalamazoo Philharmonia and Kalamazoo Concert Band, WMU, conducted by Barry Ross. $15. 269-349-7557. www.kjso.org December 20, 27 The Art of Warner Bros. Cartoons Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. 2 pm. Bring the kids or just the kid inside of all of us to see original drawings and animation “cels” by Warner Bros. masters of animation. Free public tour. 269-369-7775. www.kiarts.org December 20 – 23 Manor House Holiday Walk Tours W.K. Kellogg Manor House. 12 – 5 pm. December is perhaps the most special time of the year at the Manor House. The Manor glows with Christmas lights creating a wonderful experience. Hot spiced tea and holiday treats will be available in the Billard Room. Last tour begins at 4 pm. $7 Adults, $5 Seniors and Students. 269-671-2416. www.kbs.msu.edu/manorhouse

December 21 Women In Networking Meeting Richland Area Community Center. 6 - 8 pm. WIN will hold its December holiday gathering/meeting, RSVPs requested by 12/17. http://win.richland.tripod.com December 23 Indoor Labyrinth Walk Parish Church of Christ the King. 6 – 8 pm. A circular pathway for prayer and meditation open to people of all faith traditions. Orientation is offered to first time walkers. Free.

(269) 388-2988 www.parishchurch.org

SAVE THE DATE: Kalamazoo Women’s Expo & Sale 2010!

December 27 Winter Magic Kalamazoo Nature Center. 2 pm. Winter is a magical time of year in nature! Bring the whole family and explore the wonders of nature as we search for signs of activity in the snow, talk about adaptations of the plants and animals, and celebrate the beauty of the season! Outdoor hike for all ages.

KNC Members Free; Non-Members, $6/adult, $5/senior, $4/children 4-13, 3 and under Free. 269-381-1574. www.NatureCenter.org December 28 – January 1 Holiday Hands-on Happenings - Masks!

Kalamazoo Valley Museum. 1 – 4 pm. Explore a wide variety of masks as we celebrate the holidays! Free. 269-373-7990. www.kalamazoomuseum.org December 31 New Year's Eve Labyrinth Walk Parish Church of Christ the King, Pine Island Church. 4 – 7 pm. An opportunity to review the past year and welcome the future. Both indoor and outdoor labyrinths are open for walking. Orientation is offered to first time walkers. Refreshments and art supplies available. Free. (269) 388-2988 or www.parishchurch.org, www.pineislandchurch.com December 31 New Years Eve Bash State Theatre. 8 pm. Greensky Bluegrass are back again to celebrate New Years! Joining them this year, we have favorites Seth Bernard & Daisy May, Joshua & Rachael Davis, and Mike Shimmin & Dominic John. $23 in advance, $25 day of show. 269-345-6500. www.kazoostate.com December 31 – January 1 New Year’s Adult Celebration Gull Lake Ministries. Thurs. 4pm - Fri. 11am. Ring in 2010 with Gull Lake Ministries! This adults-only event is complete with a gourmet dinner and an entertaining show from One Voice. We’ll welcome 2010 in a fun, Christian environment, while praising the Lord for another year! 269-671-5155. www.gulllake.org December 31 – January 1 New Year’s Fest Bronson Park and surrounding locations downtown Kalamazoo. 5 pm – Midnight. All-ages showcase of performing arts with a variety of activities including music, magic, comedy, exhibitions, fireworks, and great food. Admission is through a button that allows entry to all venues including a heated tent hosting college bands. $5 advanced button, $8 button day of event. 269-388-2830. www.newsyearsfest.com

Happy Holidays

February Date: Febr uar y 5-6, 2010 Friday, February TTime: ime: Frida y, Febr uar y 5

REACH VENDORS, REA CH YOUR YOUR T ARGET MARKET! TARGET

6pm to 9pm

Women’s The Kalamazoo W omen’s Expo & Sale is the perf ect opportunity oppor tunity to showcase your products perfect and ser vices to hundreds of local women as services the learn, and discover discover what Southwest Southwest theyy shop, learn, Michigan has to off er in fashion, beauty beauty,, home offer decor,, fitness, diet & nutrition, financial planning, decor planning, cuisine and much more!

Saturday, February Saturda y, Febr uar y 6 11am to 4pm Location: Radisson Hotel

Sponsored Sp onsored in ppart art by

FFor or information information on how to exhibit your business please call (269) 271-1032 or email: wlskazoo@pro wlskazoo@provide.net

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Greater Kalamazoo Edition • December 2009

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Something for Everyone The kids Help your kids save, share and spend money!

The Moonjar Family Kit, $45 The Moonjar Family Kit comes with a lesson plan, moneybox, conversation starters, plush characters and a story book to help families get started on healthy financial habits.

Reader’s Lounge: Holiday Book Gift Ideas

By Alexandra Fix

www.moonjar.com

The man Never run out of gas again!

GasWatch™ 212, $19.95 GasWatch works with all outdoor propane appliance users with QCC Type 1 connection, such as gas grills, patio heaters, propane torches, turkey fryers, camping stoves, RVs and boats.

Available at hardware retailers nationwide.

In October 1843, Charles Dickens was at a low point in his life. His marriage was troubled, he was in debt and his book sales were declining. His idea for the novel, A Christmas Carol, was rejected by his publisher. He pushed onward and basically agreed to what is known today as vanity publishing.

He would deduct all costs associated with its production from its sales. He had 6 weeks to write, publish and market it by Christmas. As we now know, his quest was a grand success.

Over the following years, that novel brought new life to a holiday season that did not have the luster it has today. A Christmas Carol did its part to reinvent forgotten holiday customs, restore its spirit of goodwill and enhance celebrations among family and friends. Few today are unaware of the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchett and Tiny Tim and, now, many more will know the story behind it all.

The dog Interactive and fun Dog Tornado, $40 The Company of Animals (www.companyofanimals.us) introduces “party games for dogs.” Several games, such as the Dog Tornado (pictured), stimulates mental activity for your pooch while reinforcing a special canine-human bond. www.companyof animals.us

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The Man Who Invented Christmas, How Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol Rescued His Career and Revived Our Holiday Spirits

By Les Standiford Crown Publishers, 2008, $19.95

The Sound of Sleigh Bells

By Cindy Woodsmall Waterbrook Press, 2009, $14.99 At 26, Beth Hertzler has become an important link in her Amish community’s wellbeing. She serves as the marketer between the Amish handcrafters and the Englischer stores which sell those items. The peace and simplicity of Beth’s life has been complicated by the death of her fiancé, Henry, and by a secret she carries from that night. The burden of this knowledge fills her with guilt and sadness. In her dealings with the crafters, she comes upon an extraordinary wood carving of Amish children in the snow, by an artist named Jonah, which truly soothes her soul. Capturing the image of the Amish is generally taboo, so she must try to convince her community’s bishop of the value of this healing work. As Jonah and Beth continue their correspondence over this issue, they each begin to find solace for the pain in their lives and answers to their questions.

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Greater Kalamazoo Edition â&#x20AC;˘ December 2009

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