for women - The Telegraph

August 2015
Vol. 10 - Issue 6
for women
Pin-up
in-up
Power
Cancer Center of Excellence
Partnering with OSF HealthCare...
Giving you more
hope than ever.
When the diagnosis is cancer, we consider that the
beginning. The beginning of a fight we’re all in to win. The
OSF Saint Anthony’s cancer team is a great source of hope
– comprised of board certified oncology specialists and
specially trained clinicians who have put our Oncology
program among the top in the nation.
2 August 2015
flaire FOR WOMEN
Today we bring you more resources than ever before. As a
member of
OSF HealthCare, OSF Saint Anthony’s is connected to 10
other acute care hospitals, OSF Medical Group, a medical
school and two colleges of nursing. More collaboration
with a broad range of expertise – right here, close to home.
OSF Saint Anthony’s. On your side. Giving you more reason
than ever to have hope.
Hear stories of hope
Meet our Cancer Care Team
HopeIsHere.sahc.org
Manpreet Sandhu, M.D.
Medical Oncologist
ALSO SHOWN: Nicki McRae, Breast Cancer Survivor; Sister M. Elena, F.S.G.M.;
Jill Emmons, Clinical Supervisor of Oncology Services
e
r
i
Fla
flaire: A natural talent or aptitude; a knack; instinctive
discernment; keenness; distinctive elegance or style
F L A I R E I S A S U P P L E M E N T TO T H E T E L E G R A P H
What’s Inside
12 COVER STORY
Pin-up Power
6
Basic Beauty
Going Coconut
7
Addressing back
to school anxiety
8
How to spot
a pin-up girl
INSIDE
6
Basic Beauty:
Going coconut
12 Flaire Calendar
13 Celebrating National
Thrift Shop Day
16 Flaire Calendar
18 Recipe: All about
friends and family
20 Out and About
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Nathan Woodside
(618) 208-6446
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Bonnie Markham
(618) 208-6427
Cynthia
M. Ellis
Generations
in the military
Recently, I was going through some old emails
and came across a letter I wrote to my son while
he was in boot camp. I had saved it in my email,
although I had typed it up on my iPhone so later I
could print it to send.
It’s hard to believe, but a little more than three
years ago my son left for the Marine Corps. It’s been
an amazing journey for him so far and for me as well
too. I enjoyed writing letters and also getting ones
from him, which by the way I still have.
Nowadays we communicate mostly through
texting, Facetime and Facebook. As a single mother
of an only child it was a bit difficult for me when he
first left. But after boot camp and the initial phase
of not communicating came to an end, we are lucky
because we can stay in touch through the use of
technology.
When I was in the Army the only way to communicate was through letters and an occasional phone
call. My mom was great at sending care packages.
She’s been the same way with my son too. Regardless of the advancement in technology, those in the
service still like receiving mail.
Back in the day mail was the best thing to come
to a military man, especially when a provocative
picture of someone special was sent. After all they
were fighting on the front lines and a photograph
was a way to keep up their morale.
During World War II the popularity of the pin-up
skyrocketed. Although the images were an art form
started long before the 1940s, the images were
something that uniformed men swooned over and
even something pilots painted on their planes.
While “nose art” originated with Italian and
German pilots around 1913, the most personalized
decorations on fighting aircraft appeared during
WWII with the popular pin-up girl.
As you can see this month flaire features a pin-up
girl on its cover. The term pin-up describes a woman
who is seen as attractive and beautiful that you
would want to pin to your wall.
The women who grace the cover of flaire are real
women. These are women in the community and
the range across a broad spectrum of who they are
and what they do. Our cover girl, Michelle Stassi,
may not look like the “cover girl” you see on most
magazines, but she’s a beautiful woman and in my
opinion is pin-up worthy.
— Cynthia Ellis
August 2015 3
EDITOR/SENIOR
WRITER
Cynthia M. Ellis
[email protected]
from the
editor
flaire FOR WOMEN
Staff
20
Out and
about
A
Note
P
in-up Power
Woman finds strength in a wiggle dress and killer pumps
4 August 2015
flaire FOR WOMEN
By CYNTHIA M. ELLIS
Michelle Stassi doesn’t see herself as
a model, yet a few months she entered a
pin-up girl contest, which left her feeling
empowered by retro-style transformation.
“I feel like I was born in the wrong decade,” the 41-year-old Wood River woman
said. “I just love the look of the pin-up girl.”
Michelle’s transformation into becoming
the woman she is today started around
five years ago when she had gastric bypass
surgery to lose weight. Dropping more than
150 pounds she also started finding a new
identity, one she felt better fit her personality.
The positive and out-spoken mother
of two, who also had cosmetic surgery to
remove excess skin, as well as “nip and
tuck” a few spots, said that is when she
also began playing around with wigs.
“After my surgery my hair started to thin
out so I started wearing different pieces,”
Michelle said. “I liked how I could change
up my looks with them too. I could go long
or short.”
She said from the time she was young,
it was instilled in her that a woman’s “coif”
was her crowning glory. Her grandmother,
Alvareita Giles, was a cosmetologist who
owned and operated Alvareita’s College of
Cosmetology.
It was two years ago this month that
Alvareita died and Michelle will forever
remember her spirit.
“My grandmother was an amazing
woman,” she said. “She was a strong business woman and highly respected for her
accomplishments. She was someone to
look up to and I miss her.”
Michelle said her grandmother taught
her many things and even though she was
in the business of beauty, the most valuable lesson she taught her was that beauty
starts on the inside.
It’s a lesson Michelle said was put to the
test many times in her life. She said she
knows how it feels to be stereotyped.
Before her surgery she was judged by
Michelle Stassi of Wood River found a love of the retro style after losing 150 pounds and entering a
pin-up girl contest.
her weight, and since her surgeries she’s
transformed into someone else. Someone
she said she loves because it’s all about
living her authentic life.
She said the pin-up style started more or
less after she started getting “inked.”
“It really was a transformation for me,”
she said. “I found myself wearing clothes
that were considered vintage or pin-up and
complimented my tattoos.
She said she knows that when some
people see her body art she is labeled,
however she knows who she is and is happy
with herself.
“I know the person I am, the mother I am
and that’s what matters most to me,” she
said.
Since her first pin-up contest in May,
Michelle has entered several others. Her
daughter, Katie, has been by her side supporting her all the way, including dressing
up with her.
“My family is everything and they are
supportive of me no matter what I do,”
she said. “Without my family I wouldn’t be
where I am today.”
Michelle said the camaraderie of the
women she’s met since doing pin-up is
remarkable as well.
“It’s really a lot of fun,” she said. “Everyone gets along.”
She said the biggest compliments she
Beautiful
like Betty
Michelle Stassi (below) takes
a cue from classic pin-up girls
like Bettie Page (top right) and
Betty Grable (bottom right).
flaire FOR WOMEN
August 2015 5
receives when she’s dressed up in her retro
style are from the men who actually lived
during the 1940s and 1950s when pinup was
popular.
Pin-up started in the early 19th century,
but it wasn’t until World War II that it gained
in popularity with the masses. American
military admired them and were seen by the
government as a morale booster.
Betty Grable is known as the original
pin-up girl for having the most beautiful
legs in Hollywood, but nothing compared to
what Bettie Page achieved. Even today she’s
known as the queen of all pin-up girls.
The pin-up girl is known for her hint of
sexuality. Her manner of dress and style was
deemed classy and she came in all shapes
and sizes.
It was a look that showed off a woman’s
curves. The modern pin up can be a bit more
revealing, however it’s still a style that real
women can wear.
Michelle said one of the things she likes
about pin-up style is the clothing.
“I get to show off my curves and feel
comfortable at the same time,” she said. “The
moment I put on my wiggle dress and killer
pumps…I get this feeling of empowerment.”
Join us for lunch and browse our shops
Be sure to
visit the
Monticello House
6 August 2015
flaire FOR WOMEN
Check out Clearance Merchandise
in Fred’s Shed
Josephine’s
Tea Room & Gift Shops
(618) 466-7796
josephinesltd.com
Monday- Saturday
Gift Shops Open 10am - 4pm
Tea Room Open 11am - 2pm
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Counseling for Adults, Children, and
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(618) 462-2331
(618) 639-2010
www.wellspringresources.co
2615 Edwards Street
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and most prevalent health need for children in the U.S.?
Do you know what the most common childhood disease
is worldwide? Dental decay!!!
Early childhood cavities can cause discomfort or pain,
abscesses, gastrointestinal disorders, malnutrition from
chewing difficulties as well as crooked teeth, speech
problems, crowding problems for permanent teeth,
and low self-esteem.
Why do baby teeth matter?
If a baby tooth is lost prematurely, other teeth will drift
into the space making it difficult for permanent teeth to
erupt into the mouth creating crowding and crooked teeth.
It is also extremely important to form good dental hygiene
and health habits early in life. Tooth decay is preventable!
What to expect at the first visit…
The ADA recommends that children see a dentist by their
first birthday and then at intervals recommended by the
dentist. A Journal of Pediatric Dentistry study stated that
children who do not see a dentist by 2 years of age are
more likely to require emergency visits and, on average,
spend 40% more on dental care during childhood.
Children who are three to six years old can use toothpaste
that is the size of a pea, and begin flossing as soon as you
see two teeth that touch each other. Make brushing fun
instead of a chore. Let the child help pick out their brush
and toothpaste. If they are excited about it, they are more
likely to use it. When selecting a brush, you should look
for the ADA seal, a brush designed for the appropriate age
group with a handle proportioned for their hands, soft and
rounded bristles, and a brush head that easily fits into the
child’s mouth. It is also helpful for parents to brush their
child’s teeth first, but let the child follow-up to begin to
develop independence and good habits.
5 easy ways to prevent tooth decay
(*Excludes Emergency Exam. New Patients Only. Offer expires in 30 days. Age restrictions apply.)
• “Care Don’t Share” Cavity causing bacteria can be
shared on pacifiers, utensils, drinking straws, etc.
• Eat healthy and drink fluoridated water.
• Use fluoride toothpaste 2 times a day for 2 minutes.
• 1st dental visit by age 1.
• Talk to your dentist about sealants to prevent decay.
Source: ADA and www.mouthhealthy.org
Includes exam, cleaning, necessary x-rays,
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Pre-K through 8th grade only.
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August 2015 7
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BACK TO
SCHOOL
EXAM SPECIAL!
Good dental hygiene should begin very early – even before
the 1st tooth appears! Start by wiping baby’s gums and
mouth with a clean gauze pad or washcloth to remove
plaque after meals and before bed. Infants should always
finish their bottles before naptime or bedtime as “baby
bottle decay” can be an extremely serious problem. This
refers to decay in young children that is often the result of
going to sleep with a bottle or sippy cup of milk, formula
or other sugary beverage. As teeth begin to come into the
mouth, gently brush them with a child’s toothbrush and
small amount of fluoride toothpaste – approximately the
size of a grain of rice. The first baby tooth usually appears
around 6 months.
flaire FOR WOMEN
Our goal is to make the 1st visit a fun and positive
experience while we complete our exam, count and clean
teeth, and provide helpful advice for each specific child.
Some tips to make the visit more positive include:
• Usually morning appointments are best.
• Keep anxiety or concerns to yourself as children
can pick up on your emotions.
• Don’t use the dental visit as punishment.
• Talk with your child or read books about visiting
the dentist.
Healthy habits can lead to lifelong healthy smiles!
BasicBeauty
Going coconut
Nevermind that it’s found
in the kitchen, coconut oil is
becoming the most obsessed
natural beauty staple.
It has an enthusiastic
following of fans who
champion the fatty-acid-rich
oil as an amazing hair defrizzer, teeth whitener, body
scrubber, and miracle makeup
remover.
Below are some of the top
uses for coconut oil. Coconut
oil is available refined and
unrefined. All references refer
to unrefined cold-pressed
coconut oil, which still retains
the beneficial fatty acids,
vitamins and minerals.
8 August 2015
flaire FOR WOMEN
Moisturizer
Coconut oil can be applied
topically to the skin to use as
a luxurious moisturizer. It is
solid when kept cold, but melts
at room temperature and
to the touch. The oil quickly
absorbs into the skin and has
antioxidant properties that
can help prevent aging and
wrinkles.
Deodorant
Most of the reason that
we have body odor is from
bacteria growing on our skin.
Coconut oil has antibacterial
properties so applying it as
deodorant works wonders.
Store bought antiperspirants
and deodorants contain
aluminum, which some studies
show may contribute to
Alzheimer’s, breast cancer and
other diseases.
Adding baking soda and
cornstarch will give it a thicker
consistency, but you may
still want to keep it in the
refrigerator during warmer
months. Mix together 1/4
cup each baking soda and
cornstarch and 1/3 cup of
coconut oil. Mix well then
store in a jar with a tight
lid or transfer to an empty
deodorant container.
Sunscreen
There are many reasons
not to use store bought
sunscreen these days. The
biggest being that sunscreen
blocks your body’s ability to
process the sun and make
vitamin D. Mix one part shea
butter, melted, into two parts
of coconut oil and apply like
any other sunscreen. If you are
more concerned about sun
exposure, you can also add one
part zinc oxide.
Toothpaste
Most toothpastes contain
sodium laurel sulfate, or SLS,
and a recent study published
in the Journal of The American
College of Toxicology showed
that concentrations as low
as 5 percent of could cause
irritation and concentrations
of 10 to 30 percent caused
skin corrosion and severe
irritation. The ingredient may
be something you want to
avoid.
Make your own by combing
one part Dr. Bronner’s
peppermint liquid soap
(available at Walgreens or
www.drbronner.com) to five 5
parts coconut oil. Store in jar
and brush as normal.
Lip Balm
Many lip balms on the
market contain petroleum
by-products which actually
dry the skin rather than
moisturize. Coconut oil can
prevent chapping and help
moisturize lips. You can use
it just straight from the jar,
or make your own lip balm
with a few simple ingredients.
The below makes about eight
tubes of lip balm.
Melt the below ingredients
and mix together: One tbsp
Coconut Oil, 2 tbsp sunflower
oil, one tbsp and one tsp
beeswax. Pour into a small jar
or tin (an Altoids one works
well) and let cool.
Hair conditioner
Whether you have frizzy
curls or limp straight hair,
coconut oil is a great hair
and scalp treatment. The
same way it can nourish your
skin, coconut oil can nourish
your hair. Use it as a leave in
treatment to hold curls or keep
your style straight.
Lubricant
Many couples use store
bought chemically based
lubricants. Coconut oil is
natural, inexpensive and if
you can use it for all these
other things, why not use it
for lubricant? Coconut oil
is harmless to the tender
tissues of the vagina and has
anti-viral and anti-bacterial
properties that can be
beneficial. Somehow coconut
oil kills the bad bacteria but
does not harm the beneficial
bacteria in the body. Do be
mindful though that oil of
any sort is incompatible
with latex and should not
be used with diaphragms or
condoms.
Makeup remover
Coconut oil is a great
moisturizing make-up
remover. Simply apply coconut
oil to a cotton ball and wipe
over eye makeup, and the rest
of the face.
For 101 uses for coconut
oil, check out Wellness Mama
at http://wellnessmama.
com/5734/
101-uses-for-coconut-oil/
Addressing back to school anxiety
By Susanne Ringhausen
MA, LCPC, CEAP
As we enter into August,
a new school year looms on
the horizon. Some kids look
forward to going back to
school, but for others it’s like Susanne
Ringhausen
a pending storm. The chaos Contributing
created from the summer
Columnist
to school transition can be
unsettling for parents and
children alike. While the children endure
the anxiety caused by new teachers and
classmates or more difficult subjects, parents may also deal with many more issues,
including the emotional well-being of their
children. Here are a few tips to help you and
your child handle the back to school storm.
But first, let’s talk about anxiety. Not
all stress is bad. In fact, we all need a little
stress to maintain optimal functioning
which leads us to good mental health.
Anxiety can keep us safe and propel us
to take action. People who experience no
anxiety or stress can become lethargic and
depressed. Anxiety, like anger, is an emotion we must acknowledge and be aware
of its effects so that we can manage it in a
healthy manner. It is chronic anxiety that
can lead to poor work and school performance, as well as a feeling of being out of
control.
Don’t Procrastinate – Be Ready
Get started on the transition now. Over
the course of the summer, the bed times
tend to creep later and the wake up times
more lax. Starting your school routine a
couple of weeks early will help get everyone
back on track. This is important for all ages;
we all need good sleep to perform at our
best. And don’t forget about your nutritious
meals. Keeping your body on a healthy
routine provides key building blocks to
handling anxiety.
NOURISH YOUR BODY
WITH FOODS YOU
LOVE
Are you concerned about
your weight?
It may help your child to do some advance scouting. Load up the car and head
down to the school. Seek out the principal,
teachers, counselors and even the school
nurse. Being familiar with everyone will
lessen anxiety about that first day. This
is a good idea for both new and returning
students. Finding their classroom, meeting
the staff and getting comfortable with the
school’s layout will go a long way toward
easing anxiety.
If your child is young, try to arrange
a play date with a couple of classmates
before the first day of school. This is
great time for you to meet other parents,
exchange phone numbers and establish
a network. Good connections with other
parents will help you deal with your school
concerns. If there is a bus delay or homework change, having another parent as a
source of information can really be helpful.
See SCHOOL | 11
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August 2015 9
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How to spot a pin-up girl
Retro Hair Style
A sky high pompadour.
Perfect pin curls and
flawless victory rolls.
There’s never a dull moment with a pin-up girl
hairstyle.
Wiggle Dress
A pin-up girl celebrates
her fabulous curves and
wiggle dress is the ticker
tape in her parade. The
wiggle dress accentuates
her classic hourglass
figure for anyone lucky
enough to spot her in
the wild. She can also be
spotted in a circle skirt
and cigarette pants.
Hair Flower
A pin-up’s hairstyle
isn’t complete without
a flower. Roses, dahlias,
magnolias and more can
be sprouting from the
side of this pretty little
head, regardless of the
season.
10 August 2015
flaire FOR WOMEN
Classy Cleavage
Classic pin-up always
leaves something to the
imagination. She’s never
met a V neckline she
doesn’t like. A peek of the
peaks is all she needs to
put together the perfect
pin-up look.
Killer Pumps
A dedicated pin-up
lives and dies in her
footwear. Whether peeptoe, printed, patent or
platform, you’ll find her
clicking off to her next
shopping trip, business
meeting or hot date in a
pair of perfectly coordinated pumps.
Cat Eyes
Whether her eye
shadow is smoldering
and smoky for a night out
or light and shimmery for
a day at the beach, the
classic cat eye swoop is
ever present defining her
playful come-hither eyes.
Red Lipstick
Crimson is the color
this pin-up puts on her
pouty lips. She greets the
day in roaring red. She
may experiment with a
range of lip colors, but
the sultry, vibrant red is
her calling card.
Kennie Kerr’s red
lips and red hair
pop against this
black and white
circle skirt dress.
SCHOOL | Continued from page 9
One of the biggest things on the
pre-school year to do list is shopping. If
your child likes to shop, take them with
you and let them pick out their supplies,
backpack and clothes. Shopping can be
a lot of fun and get your child motivated.
However, if they aren’t interested, try and
make it as painless as possible, but remember to include them in the process.
Also important is to consider your
child’s study area. Making sure your child
has the tools he/she will need to succeed
is crucial for alleviating anxiety. The area
should be quiet and free of distractions,
but its location should provide you the
ability to supervise, encourage and, if
needed, help. Include your child in the
process and they may have a better
sense of ownership of their study area
and responsibility toward their homework.
School is here – Finally!
It will take a couple of weeks to fully
adapt your new routines. The important
thing to remember is flexibility. Give
yourself and your child some extra time
for tasks. Waking up a few minutes early
can help ensure everyone eats breakfast
and makes it to the bus on time. Running late can be very stressful, so try to
prevent that at all costs.
Once your child has their school books,
take a few minutes and go over each subject. The text book review will provide you
the perfect opportunity to gain insight
into what your child will be learning, reinforce your faith in his/her ability to learn
the material and share your enthusiasm
for the subjects.
After school, make sure your child
knows what to expect: how will they get
home, who will or will not be there when
they get home, contact information in
the event of an emergency and safety
precautions your child should observe.
A lot of anxiety is created by uncertainty
– give your child a plan and the necessary information to know what they can
expect.
Anxiety functions in a circular motion.
If a person experiences anxiety and has
a negative outcome, their anxiety will
grow the next time they are faced with
a similar circumstance. By paying close
attention to your child’s behavior, grades
and social interactions, you can identify
and help intervene early on problems like
bullying, test anxiety or learning challenges. And remember, the first couple
of weeks can be rough, especially for
younger children experiencing separation anxiety, try not to overreact.
The anxiety presented by a new school
year can be a great teaching and bonding
moment for you and your child. Always
strive to keep your lines of communication open. Above all, encourage and
reinforce your child’s own ability to cope
with back to school nervousness. Most
anxious kids do adapt well over time
when supported by their parents and
teachers. One of the best tools for combating anxiety is preparation. If you both
know what to expect, it will be easier to
weather the back to school storm.
Susanne Ringhausen, MA, LCPC, CEAP, is director of
Psychological Services & EAP Counseling at OSF Saint
Anthony’s Health Center. For information, contact
618-474-6240.
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Alton, downtown
Visit www.altonmainstreet.org for more
information
Aug. 7
Aug. 23
National Night Out
5 to 8 p.m.
Liberty Bank Amphitheater
Alton
Tri-County Olden Days
7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
23946 State Highway 3, Dow
Wood River Triathlon
7 a.m.
Central Park
Wood River
flaire FOR WOMEN
Illinois State Fair
Springfield
Think Floyd
Coors Light Concert Series
Alton Wood River Sportsman Club
Godfrey
Kid’cation Scavenger Hunt at the Tower
9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lewis and Clark Confluence Tower
Hartford
Aug. 8
12 August 2015
Aug. 13-23
Aug. 15
Aug. 29
Dogs of Society (a tribute to Elton John)
8 p.m.
Wildley Theatre
Edwardsville
Celebrating National
Day
Savvy shoppers’ holiday
By CYNTHIA M. ELLIS
in-store credit.
• Bring cash. Some stores
offer discounts for those who
leave their credit or debit card
at home.
• Set aside some time.
Sometimes really great finds
require a little digging. Unlike
clothing stores that have multiple sizes of the same item,
it’s likely every hanger holds a
unique item. It can be easy to
overlook a great shirt in a sea
of other clothing.
• Bring a senior, soldier or
student. Some thrift stores
offer discounts for senior citizens, members of the military
and those with student ID
cards. It never hurts to ask if a
discount is offered.
See a list of area
thrift stores on page 15.
August 2015 13
donations. Shop later in the
week for the best selection,
as weekends are crowded and
busy, leaving shops depleted
of stock on Mondays and
Tuesdays.
• Find out when the discount
days are. Most thrift stores
have at least one day per
month when everything is 50
percent off in the entire store.
• Buy items out of season.
The savings can add up. Winter
coats in the summer may be
on sale as are swimsuits in the
winter.
• Try on items to make sure
it fits. Many stores have a noreturn policy so make sure the
clothes fit before buying.
• Sell your clothes for savings. Sell or consign items for
cold hard cash. Some stores
offer more money by taking
flaire FOR WOMEN
Get ready, get set and get
out to start your money saving
engines.
On Aug. 17, second-hand
shoppers everywhere will
celebrate National Thrift Shop
Day. Thrifting or reselling is becoming an activity for people
who are looking to spruce up
their wardrobes, while saving
some serious cash.
If you think thrift store
shopping is only for those who
can’t afford retail shopping,
you would be wrong. More
and more women are finding
great deals at non-profits like
Salvation Army and Goodwill
and at high end consignment
and resale shops such as The
Women’s Closet Exchange and
The Vault in St. Louis.
The Association of Resale
and Thrift Shops reports there
are more than 30,000 consignment and thrift stores in
the United States. The association reports that while many
businesses close their doors,
resale remains healthy and
continues to be one of the fastest growing segments of retail.
Resale shopping attracts
consumers from all economic
levels. There is no typical
resale shopper, just as there
is no typical resale shop. Non
one is immune to the excitement of finding a treasure and
saving money.
Here are some helpful tips
to get you going on your next
second-hand shopping spree.
• Go often. The great thing
about thrift stores is that new
stuff is always coming in via
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ALTON, IL. 62002
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Club
The Thrift List
Goodwill, Salvation Army, Savers, Red Racks, St.
Vincent de Paul Thrift Store and Plato’s Closet can
be found in multiple locations in Illinois and Missouri.
Check online for locations.
ILLINOIS
• Karma
Glen Carbon —164 S. Main St.
• Riverbend Resale
Wood River — 41 E, Ferguson Ave.
© 2015 Pandora Jewelry, LLC • All rights reserved • PANDORA.NET
MISSOURI
• Women’s Closet Exchange
Sappington —11575 Gravois Road, St. Louis
• The Vault
Brentwood—2325 S. Brentwood Blvd,
www.womensclosetexchange.com
• Jen’s Resale
Brentwood — 8516 Manchester Road, St. Louis
www.jensresaleboutique.com
• Back on the Rack
Brentwood — 2535 South Brentwood Blvd., St. Louis
www.backontherackconsignment.com
• NCJW Resale Shop
Creve Coeur —295 N Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis
• Byrd Designer Consignment Boutique
Clayton —8825 Ladue Road, St. Louis
www.byrdstyle.com
• ScholarShop
Clayton — 8211 Clayton Rd. St. Louis
Webster Groves — 7930 Big Bend Blvd. St. Louis
www.scholarshopstl.org
• Upscale Resale Boutique
Manchester — 10042 Manchester Road, St. Louis
www.upscaleresaleboutique.com
• Avalon Exchange
The Loop — 6388 Delmar Blvd, St. Louis
www.avaloneexchange.com
• Clothes Mentor
South County — 34 Ronnie’s Plaza, St. Louis
www.clothesmentor.com
• Hut No. 8
Chesterfield — 146 Chesterfield Valley
O’Fallon — 331 Winding Woods Dr.
www.hutno8.com
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219 e. center drive
alton, il • 618.465.6629
gouldingsjewelers.com
MKTG130681_GOULDI_M.indd 1
August 2015 15
Bracelet: $465
Necklace: $345
Earrings $410
6/11/2015 4:46:06
All about friends and family
Laura Fowler enjoys helping
others – at work and at home
16 August 2015
flaire FOR WOMEN
Story and photos by
VICKI BENNINGTON
GODFREY — Laura Fowler
has been in service for others
all her life.
She’s a registered nurse
and currently works as the
EMS disaster coordinator at
Saint Anthony’s Health Center
in Alton. She teaches ongoing education at the local fire
department where’s she’s even
worked as a firefighter herself.
“Someone suggested I try
firefighting and somehow, I
agreed,” Laura said. “It was a
good experience, and those
guys do a great job, but it
wasn’t for me.”
But her life focuses on
helping others, whether on
the job or at home, where
she has lived for 30 years in a
very family-friendly Godfrey
neighborhood.
“We all look after each
other,” she said. “When a new
family moves in, they soon find
out, they’ve got a lot of new
friends.”
When one person can’t mow
their lawn, Laura or her husband, Jim, might just swing by
and mow it. If someone needs
to go to the doctor, don’t
worry, a neighbor is happy to
oblige. Jim is “Mr. Fix It” for everyone. And all the neighbors
keep an eye on each other.
Even most of their leisure
weekend time is spent together, cooking, talking, cooling
off in one of the neighborhood
swimming pools or trying new
recipes at potluck dinners.
Laura’s Grilled Pork Pizza
came about by chance at one
such gathering when the group
was trying to figure out what to
have for dinner.
“I suggested pizza, and we
used what we had,” Laura said.
“Sometimes that’s when you
end up with the best meal.”
Jim is a retired assistant fire
chief from the Godfrey Fire
Department, which is where
the two met when Laura came
on board as the first female
firefighter in Godfrey.
She left the department
after two years, but continues
to teach EMT and continuing
education classes there.
“My grandfather and a few
other family members were
firefighters, and I think that
was the real reason I wanted to
try it,” she said.
Laura learned to garden as
a child at her family home in
Dorsey. Between her and her
current, long-time neighbor
and friend, they grow just
about any type of vegetable
imaginable. Herbs and tomatoes, zucchini, potatoes,
green beans, snap peas, beets.
And they can and preserve
everything – usually together.
Hot peppers and onions for
fajitas; pickles, salsa, tomato
sauce for a soup base, mixed
vegetables to add to a roast in
the crockpot.
“I do a lot of crockpot meals
in the winter, and it’s nice to
have garden vegetables available,” she said.
In the summer, Laura and
Jim prepare almost all of their
meals on the grill.
“He grills meat, like chicken
(that’s my favorite), shrimp
kabobs and pork steaks, and
I make potato salad, slaw and
fresh fruits and vegetables,”
Laura said. “We may grill pineapples to serve with chicken,
or eggplant topped with tomatoes and feta cheese.”
She makes crab salad using
fresh crab legs, and prepares
orange roughy and swai fish.
Laura and granddaughter, Olivia, cool off in the backyard pool.
The only thing she fries is
catfish.
Growing up, Laura and her
two sisters were responsible
for dinner, and she learned
to cook for herself while attending Passavant School of
Nursing in Jacksonville, Ill.,
where she earned a bachelor’s
degree in nursing.
One of her specialties is
themed cakes, which she
creates for her grandchildren
and all of the neighborhood
children’s birthdays. She’s
baked a few wedding cakes,
and for baby showers, she’s
made dozens of “baby foot”
sugar cookies.
Cake themes have ranged
from Darth Vader to pirate
ships, Hello Kitty, and a firetruck, to Barney, and lots and
lots of castles and princesses.
She really got into baking
when she and a friend took
cake pop and fondant making
classes four years ago at Lewis
and Clark Community College.
“I left the class thinking, ‘I
can do that,’” Laura said. “And
I really like making the gum
paste flowers – another thing I
learned in the class.”
During the holidays, Laura is
busy making enough cupcakes, cakes and cookies to
give to everyone who stops
by and as gifts for family and
friends. Peanut butter tortes,
“forgotten” meringue cookies,
chocolate covered snowballs,
coffee bar cookies, and chocolate and mint spoons, used to
stir and add flavorings to coffee. But her holiday specialties
are divinity and fudge
Along with her baking, Laura
feels her cooking skills have
developed over the years.
“I’ve always liked food, but
now I think more about different flavors and how they blend
and work together,” she said.
Laura spends much of her
time off taking care of two of
her six grandchildren, Olivia,
who is 6, and new baby Jamie.
“Olivia and I do everything
together,” Laura said. “She
loves to swim and help me in
the garden.”
Laura and Jim like to fish together and take rides with the
top down on their vintage 1969
Oldsmobile convertible, and
participate in area car shows.
They travel every year to Gulf
Shores, Ala. and coincidentally,
Gulf Shores Restaurant and
Grill in Edwardsville is one
of their favorite place to eat,
where they enjoy the Southern
cuisine and fish tacos.
See Laura’s recipe
on page 17.
Grilled Pork
Pizza
1 Pre-made Pizza Crust
1 Pork Tenderloin
1 lg. Vidalia Onion
Fresh Spinach
Portobello Mushrooms
Slicing Tomato
Feta Cheese (Garlic and
Herb)
Olive Oil
Grill tenderloin per package instructions. Slice and
set aside. Slice onion and
caramelize in olive oil. Slice
mushrooms and tomato into
thin slices. Place a layer of
tomato slices on pizza crust,
add a layer of fresh spinach,
and then add mushrooms,
onions and tenderloin slices.
Top with feta cheese. Grill
over low heat until cheese
melts (about 20 minutes).
Slice and serve.
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2502 State St. Alton, Il 62002
618-466-6931
www.stpetershardware.com
www.grandrental-edw.com
Sale ends 8/31/2015
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August 2015 17
St. Peters Hardware & Rental
Out and About
Photos by Dan Cruz
18 August 2015
flaire FOR WOMEN
Fourth of July celebrations is for everyone
including Buddy who needed plenty of water to
keep him hydrated from the Summer heat.
A daughter and her mother smiling is
something that can be treasured for a lifetime.
One young girl was
having a very
fashionable Fourth.
Kristina Sandidge, a Fairy
Tale Concierge vacation
planner was out this past
Fourth of July trying to
make families dreams
come true by helping
plan their Summer vacation to Disneyland.
Stephanie Lovseth
and her 20-monthold daughter Mia
were all smiles
at this years
Family Fun Fest at
Glazebrook Park in
Godfrey.
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20 August 2015
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