Valentine`s Recipes Romance Articles Events

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February 2016
A P P L ETO N
GRE E N V I LLE
LI TTLE C H U TE
Valentine’s Recipes
From morning to night
Romance Articles
Events & Projects
Fun for the whole family
N EEN AH
MEN AS HA
OS HKOS H
Saturday, March 5, 2016 • 10:30 a.m.
Fox Cities Performing Arts Center
• Fox Cities P.A.C. Ticket Office • (920) 730-3760
Tickets are $25. Groups of 10+ save! Call (920) 730-3786.
Grant support
February
Inside this Issue
Non-Profit Spotlight: Foster Forward Together . . . 5
Business Spotlight: The Heart of the Valley
Chamber of Commerce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Community Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
Valentine’s Recipes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Romance Is Not Dead by Rachel Baker . . . . . . . 12
Kids Eat Free Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4 Reasons to Put Date Night on Your Calendar . . 15
Strong and Healthy Relationship Habits . . . . . . 16
School Valentine’s Craft Ideas . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Advertisers
Fox Cities Performing Arts Center . . . . . . . 2 &19
Swimtastic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Century 21 Ace Realty, Jill Coenen . . . . . . . . . . 5
The Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce . . . 6
Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes . . . 6
N.E.W. Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Parnee Frederick, Martial Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Little Inspirations Childcare Center . . . . . . . . 10
St. Francis Xavier Elementary School . . . . . . . 13
Elite Smiles Dental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Valley Organics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
First Impressions Pediatric Dentistry
and Orthodontics . . . . . . . . . . . . . back cover
Please Support our Advertisers,
and Keep your Dollars Local!
ON THE COVER:
Alicia LaCanne & Jeff Beyer from Appleton (top
left) and the Omdal Family from Neenah (bottom
right). Photos by Rachel Kepshire Photography.
Love is In the Air!
This issue is for made just for you
moms and dads! Love is in the air this
month and we can all use a date night
at least once a month, right? Our
articles should help equip you with
what you need to know to get off the
couch, get a sitter, and carve out some
quality time for each other.
Sure we’ve included a few fun things to
do with your kids and family, but this
month is all about us parents for once.
Let us know on Facebook what you
plan on doing for Valentine’s! We will
be celebrating each other; we hope
you have a loved one to celebrate with,
whether with a spouse, significant
other, a child, or family member.
Make it special!
— Robert and Sara Schmidt
Robert Schmidt, Publisher
Sara Schmidt, Creative Director
Printing by N.E.W. Printing in Appleton
Sprout Media LLC
410 W. Franklin St. #202 | Appleton, Wisconsin 54912
920.450.8800 | www.sproutfoxcities.com
Sprout Fox Cities accepts events, writing contributions and
personal stories. Please call 450-8800 or e-mail your
submission to: [email protected]
We are a local and family-owned magazine and want to spotlight
our great community and your stories!
Sprout Fox Cities may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from
the publisher. Views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the magazine.
Non-Profit Spotlight:
Foster
Forward
Together
Helping Foster Children
Foster Forward Together, Inc. is a non-profit
organization which focuses on getting the
community involved to provide support and
compassion to foster children in Outagamie
and Calumet County. Emily and Tim Lennon,
co-founders, became foster parents in 2008
and always had a strong desire to reach out
to children in less fortunate situations. They
were blessed to be able to adopt their own
foster children and wanted to do more.
Foster Forward Together’s primary focus is
to help foster children in areas where the
state and county cannot. Every year we
organize and host a holiday party fulfilling
wish list items and clothing needs for local
foster children. We also provide pillow pets
to children transitioning to a foster home.
A small item as a pillow pet can be a large
gesture for a child during a difficult time.
Pillow pet donations are always accepted
Monday-Friday from 9-4pm at our office on
Water Street in Appleton.
Lastly we organize special events to raise
awareness of foster care needs. Becoming a
foster parent is a big commitment and may
not be the best decision for some; however,
there are many ways to help
these children have a brighter
future. Foster parents are also
in great need.
TO LEARN MORE:
[email protected]
425 W. Water St. Suite 275, Appleton
www.fosterforwardtogether.com
facebook.com/sproutfoxcities • 5
When you buy Girl Scout cookies, you are
becoming part of our mission to give girls
the courage, confidence and charater to
make the world a better place.
The 2016 Girl Scout Cookie Program runs
January 22–April 3
For cookies visit girlscoutcookies.org
6 • Please say you saw it in Sprout Fox Cities!
Business
Spotlight!
Since 1927, the Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce has been a strong,
dynamic organization that has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of
business. The Chamber believes that businesses working together on common goals
will achieve more than any one business alone. There is strength in numbers and that
is certainly true if an economy is to be strong, prosper and grow.
We are committed to building solid partnership with our members. Through our programs,
volunteer committees and events, we are providing the services and resources to help our
members grow while gaining exposure throughout our community, county and state. Our
membership covers the communities of Buchanan, Combined Locks, Darboy, Freedom,
Harrison, Hollandtown, Kaukauna, Kimberly, Little Chute, Sherwood, Wrightstown. Since
our members’ businesses extend outside of the Heart of the Valley area, we also work to
partner with other chambers, communities, businesses and civic organizations.
Many times people ask – What does the Chamber do? It’s actually quite simple! The
Chamber is a group of business professionals that are dedicated to protecting and
promoting the local business community. The primary goal? To help business owners
network and grow. As an added bonus, the Chambers offer discounts to members on
everything from cell phone service to
office supplies and continuing
education. You can also get access
to our mailing list, online and print
membership directory listings and the
Chamber Gift Certificate Program. The
best part – its affordable – and can cost
as little as $18 a month!
As a not-for-profit organization funded
by its membership, the Heart of the
Valley Chamber of Commerce is a direct reflection of our area’s abundance of small-tomid-sized businesses. The Chamber is a thriving organization, continuing to serve its
membership and the community responsibly. Our commitment is to make the Heart of
the Valley communities a great place to live, work and play.
For more information, visit our website at
www.heartofthevalleychamber.com
facebook.com/sproutfoxcities • 7
February
Community Calendar
Tuesday, February 2nd - March 22nd
Sunday, February 14
6:30-7:30pm at Sunrise Elementary School in Kimberly.
FREE event for all families. Young Athletes is an
innovative sports play program designed to introduce
children ages 2-7 with cognitive disabilities, their peers,
and families to the world of Special Olympics. Each
week we will work on different skills such as balancing,
throwing, catching, rolling, kicking, batting, stepping,
jumping, running, crawling, and more to help kids
learn how to use their bodies. Call Jodi at
920-915-3492 or e-mail: [email protected]
for more information.
Children’s Museum in Appleton from 12-5pm. Come
explore how a healthy mouth is part of a healthy body!
Learn ways to get moving, eat healthy and take care of
your teeth. Sponsored by Delta Dental. No registration
required. www.buildingforkids.org
Young Athletes program. Tuesday nights from
Saturday, February 6
EAA Skiplane Fly-In. 10am-1:30pm at EAA AirVenture
Museum in Oshkosh. One of the area’s most colorful
events of the season is a FREE event. If weather
conditions do not permit aircraft arrivals at Pioneer
Airport on February 6, other activities will continue
as planned, including complimentary chili and cake
served beginning at 10:30am. Regular admission for
guests visiting the museum itself. www.eaa.org
Thursday, February 11
2nd Annual Strikes For Charity. All day event held
at both The 10th Frame Bowling Alley and The Super
Bowl in Appleton. This year’s event benefits Harbor
House. Learn more or register your team at:
www.strikesforcharity.com
Friday, February 12
Dive-In Movie Family Fun at Downtown Oshkosh
YMCA from 6-8pm. Movie: Monsters University. FREE
to YMCA members. $5.25/family for general public.
www.oshkoshymca.org
Miles of Smiles Free Day at The Building for Kids
Friday, February 19
Moonlight Snowshoe Hike at 1000 Islands
Environment Center in Kaukauna at 6:30pm. Hike
the trails with the just the light of the moon, stars
and naturalist to guide you. If there is ample snow
on the ground we will lend out snowshoes to turn it
into a snowshoe hike. Hot chocolate will be provided
after the hike. Please register at least one week in
advance by calling 920-766-4733.
Saturday, February 20
Spectrum Saturday from 9-10 am at The Building
for Kids Children’s Museum, Appleton. This program is
designed to give families with children on the autism
spectrum a lower sensory experience in the museum.
Admission is FREE to children and their families on the
autism spectrum from 9-10 am, but you are invited to
stay as long as you’d like. For more information, visit
www.buildingforkids.org
Saturday, March 5
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood - Live! at the Fox Cities
Performing Arts Center. Daniel takes the audience
on an interactive musical adventure as he and his
friends explore the vibrant world of their much-loved
Neighborhood. This live theatrical production filled
with singing, dancing and laughter will warm the
hearts of multiple generations! Tickets start at only
$25, visit www.foxcitiespac.com
1718 E. Wisconsin Ave. • Appleton, WI 54911 • 888.563.0400
From start to finish, we know how to get the job done.
By taking advantage of our finishing and fulfillment services, you
can rest easy knowing your communications will get there on time.
You name it, we print it…
fold it, emboss it, stitch it, rivet it, bind it, die-cut it, punch it, label
it, mail it, store it… Whether you’re updating a business card or
designing an annual report, we have the equipment and the
resources to handle just about anything that comes our way.
And, when it comes to print quality, we use Heidelberg presses…enough said!
8 • Please say you saw it in Sprout Fox Cities!
newprinting.com
Recurring Events
Lapsit. Wednesdays & Thursdays at 10am.
Evening Storytime. Barnes and Noble, Fox River
Our Time. Tuesdays at 10am. Ages: 3–5, on their own.
Ages: 2 and younger 3 year olds with a caregiver.
Commons. Please join us for our weekly evening
storytime every Friday at 7pm, where we will share some
of our favorites both old and new.
Moms and Milk Club. West Pavilion of the Children’s
Hospital in Neenah. 10-11am. Certified lactation
consultants offer support with any lactation issues.
Siblings are welcome to attend. This group meets
every Thursday.
(Caregivers welcome for newcomers and transitioning
three-year-olds).
Twighlight Time. Tuesdays at 6:30pm.
Ages: 2-6 with a caregiver.
Lego in the Library. Last Sunday of the month at
1:30pm. School age kids create a theme for the day.
Legos are provided or you can bring some too.
Breastfeeding Group. Mom and Pop Place in Neenah.
Join us every Wednesday at 10am. All moms, babies, and
toddlers welcome.
APPLETON PUBLIC LIBRARY. www.apl.org
832-6187, Children’s Program Room A/B:
NEENAH PUBLIC LIBRARY.
www.neenahlibrary.org, 886-6335
Wonderful Ones. Mondays 10-10:45am.
Ages: New walkers to 23 months welcome.
Baby Time. Wednesdays at 9:15am.
Time For Twos. Mondays 11-11:45am. Ages: 24-35
Ages: Birth–11 months, with a caregiver.
Toddle Time. Thursdays at 9:15am, and Tuesdays &
Fridays at 10:30am. 12–23 months, with caregiver.
Now accepting students for
martial arts kids classes
months welcome.
Ready to Read: Play And Learn. Mondays 1:30-2:30pm.
Spanish edition is on Sundays from 1-2pm, and
Hmong edition on Sundays from 2:30-3:30pm.
Ages: Infants through 5 years welcome.
Lego Lab. Tuesdays 6:15-7pm. Come join us for a fun
and educational experience and make themed Lego
projects with other kids who like Legos! ALL ages are
welcome.
Musical Movin’ Storytime. Tuesdays 10:30am, 11:30am
Many people say their kids gain
more confidence, have become
positive leaders in their community,
learn to defend themselves
effectively and have fun!
and 1:30pm. 45 minutes. Sing, move, dance, play, explore
musical instruments, and more! Registration is required;
visit www.apl.org or call 920-832-6187 to register.
Storyvine. Wednesdays from 9:30-10am or 10:1510:45am. Ages: 4-8 years welcome.
Only $50/month
Game Night Unplugged. For Teens! Second Tuesday
(meet once a week for 1 hour)
of every month from 6:15-7pm. Childrens room A/B.
Open drop-in card and board games!
or $75/month
THE BUILDING FOR KIDS CHILDREN’S
MUSEUM. www.buildingforkids.org
(meet 2 hours/week)
Please call or email to set up an
appointment for an interview.
Puddle Jumpers. Every Tuesday and Thursday, 9:30-
10:15am. A program intended for infants, toddlers, and
their caregivers featuring music, movement, fine art,
science, and storytelling!
We offer quality martial arts classes
Parnee Frederick
, LMT
BreatheRevolution.com
920.224.3006 • [email protected]
101 W. Edison Ave., Suite 130, Appleton, WI 54915
Book Babies. Mondays 9-9:45am. Pre-walkers welcome.
Shake, Rattle, Roll. Every Tuesday and Thursday,
11-11:45am and 2-2:45pm. An opportunity to get up and
get moving! We’ll enjoy music, movement, stories, and art
all in an interactive, hands-on environment!
facebook.com/sproutfoxcities • 9
CHILDCARE CENTER
Greek Yogurt Pancakes
with Blueberry-Peach Syrup
Syrup
Directions
• ¾ C. pineapple juice
• 1 C. frozen blueberries
• 2 fresh peaches
1.Syrup: Combine the pineapple juice
and frozen blueberries in a small
pot over medium heat. Bring to a
boil and then reduce the heat to
low and allow to simmer (stirring
every once and a while) for about
10-12 minutes.
2.Finely chop one of the peaches and
add it to the blueberry-pineapple
mix and allow the syrup to simmer
for another 5 minutes.
3. Pre-heat a griddle or a large skillet to medium heat. Grease well with butter-flavored
cooking spray.
4. Stir together the flour (make sure to spoon and level your measurement of flour so you
don’t pack in too much flour), baking powder, baking soda, and brown sugar until all
ingredients are well mixed together.
5. In another bowl, beat the eggs with a fork for about 15 seconds and then stir in the
vanilla Greek yogurt, almond milk or milk, and vanilla extract.
6. Combine wet and dry and mix until just combined. Do not overmix batter.
7. Pour 1/3 cup onto the preheated skillet or griddle and flip when bubbles start to show up
on the top. Cook for another 1-2 minutes or until lightly browned.
8. Cover the pancakes in your homemade fruit syrup and
garnish with extra sliced peaches.
Pancakes
• 2 C. white whole wheat flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 2 Tbsp. brown sugar, lightly
packed
• 2 large eggs
• 2 C. vanilla Greek yogurt, full fat
•½ C. unsweetened almond milk
for lighter pancake, or full fat
milk for a richer pancake
• 1 ½ tsp. vanilla extract
treat your valentine
from morning to night
YUM!
Filet Mignon with Mushroom-Wine Sauce
Ingredients
Directions
•½ C. reduced-sodium beef
broth
• ¼ C. of water
• 2 tsp. all-purpose flour
• ¾ tsp. Dijon mustard
• ½ tsp. bottled minced garlic
• ¼ tsp. salt
• 1/8 tsp. black pepper
• Cooking spray
•2 (4-ounce) beef tenderloin
steaks
• 1 C. sliced mushrooms
• ½ C. Marsala cooking wine
1. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat.
2. Combine first seven ingredients in a bowl, mix well.
3.Coat pan with cooking spray. Add steaks to pan
and cook for five minutes on each side or until
desired degree of doneness.
4. Remove steaks from pan to let rest.
5.Add mushrooms to the pan and cook for 3
minutes or until they are lightly browned.
6.Remove mushrooms from pan and remove the
pan from the heat. Add Marsala to the pan,
scraping the pan to loosen browned bits.
7.Reduce the heat to minimum and return the pan
to the heat.
8. Add broth mixture to the pan and bring to a boil.
9. Cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently.
10. Stir in the mushrooms.
11.Plate the steak and pour over mushroom-wine sauce. Enjoy!
facebook.com/sproutfoxcities • 11
by Rachel Baker
With Valentine’s Day approaching lets talk about the subject of romance. Before you roll your
eyes and shrug your shoulders think way back. Not today’s romance but that of years past.
Remember dating when you were younger? You’d spend hours deciding what to wear. Maybe
read reviews or take suggestions to pick the perfect restaurant. Flowers and candy perhaps.
Picking up your date. The nerves, the anticipation, the planning. This, ladies and gentlemen, is
your classic “date.” A modern day mystery to those who haven’t experienced anything quite
like this. It reminds us that maybe we had it right a long time ago. I bring a call to action. The
official revival of “the date.” While each of us are in different circumstances, I’d like to apply this
phenomenon of romance to a few scenarios.
The single person. So you say you are single? No problem. You see you have more
opportunity than you may realize to meet someone. I often joke that people who are ready to
date are like taxi cabs on a busy NYC street. They ideally will have their lights on; letting those
who are also ready to date know that they are also ready to meet someone new. Where you end
up meeting someone so significant to you, almost by accident. Being a possible true “romantic”
I believe that those random events are destined. When you meet someone and have that
instant connection with him or her don’t ignore it. This is that inner voice reminding you to say
hello, make conversation and possibly meet your match. Be open to the possibility of romance.
Plan something you would never ordinarily do with someone you are getting to know. When
you open your heart, you open your chances. Being open doesn’t mean sacrificing your own
happiness however. You want to be choosy in the sense of being
open to love when you are ready not just when you are
feeling lonely. When you love yourself you are so much
easier to love as well.
The new couple. You are already pretty
crazy about one another. You may even make
the people around you a little nauseous. You
are excited to spend time together. It isn’t
exactly a chore…yet. You see the “new” in
your relationship is what often fuels this
desire to connect. You don’t find things
irritating…instead they are still cute and
what makes your significant other adorable.
Can we be frank? This will fade. You have
to work at a relationship to continue
fanning the fire that is the “new” feelings.
We as humans desire connections. We
crave relationships. The secret to making
them last is effort. The moment that we get
too “comfortable” is the moment that things
shift. I am not implying that you should never
let your guard down and just be normal. In fact I
am encouraging you to be you. It is the act of taking
the things you once loved about a person for granted
that is a relationship killer. Find someone who loves you
12 • Please say you saw it in Sprout Fox Cities!
for exactly who you are and you have the
foundation for a healthy relationship.
The married couple. Work, kids, life,
and stress…they all play in to the lack of
romance. As a married pair you might feel
that the spark is barely lit or completely
put out. Marriage takes work. You have
to compromise and work as a team. You
have to co-parent and co-budget. You are
in circumstances that require you to be
a duo daily. So how can the romance be
sacrificed? It falls to the bottom of the
heap…similar to the laundry pile. You
remember how good it felt to be the couple
mentioned above correct? Then get it back.
Date your spouse. You can reconnect as if
things were new again by simply starting
this tradition. Arrange those sitters, make
plans and get dressed up. Put the effort
back in to dating one another. Get to know
each other. You would be amazed what may
have changed over the years. Make the time
to find out what makes your spouse special
to you. Figure out what it is about them that
you love and couldn’t imagine living with
out. Marriage doesn’t have to come at the
sacrifice of intimacy. Marriage should be
a combination of all the wonderful things
you had while you were dating and the
incredible things you have built together as
spouses.
So there you have it you crazy lovebirds. Be
open to dating. Be ready to put in effort. Be
daring and bold. Be spontaneous. Be crazy
for one another. Be romantic. Be your best
self for your best match and be happy.
Enjoy this Valentine’s Day and make it a
date you won’t forget.
facebook.com/sproutfoxcities
facebook.com/sproutfoxcities • 13
APPLEBEES
3040 E. College Ave. and 3730
W. College Ave. in Appleton.
Monday-Wednesday: Kids eat for
$0.99 all day – limited to two kids
per adult entree $7.50 and up.
ATLANTA BREAD 650 N.
Casaloma Dr. in Appleton.
Tuesday: After 4pm, one FREE
kid’s meal per adult meal purchase.
CHILI’S GRILL AND BAR
1170 N. Casaloma Dr. in Appleton.
Tuesday: Up to two kids 12 and
under eat FREE for every one
adult entree purchased.
CINDERS 221 S. Kensington Dr. and
2369 W. Wisconsin Ave. in Appleton.
Sunday-Thursday: Kids 12 and
under receive a kids meal with soda
and ice cream for $1.99.
CRANKY PATS PIZZERIA
905 S. Commercial, Neenah.
Wednesday: Kids 10 and under
choose spaghetti, slice of cheese
pizza or salad bar with purchase
of an adult meal.
DICKEY’S BARBEQUE PIT
W3192 Cty Rd. KK in Appleton.
Kids eat FREE all day every
Sunday and FREE ice cream
every day. Dine-in only with the
purchase of an adult meal.
EL AZTECA MEXICAN
RESTAURANT N474 Eisenhower
Dr. Ste. F and 201 W. Northland
Ave. in Appleton, and 878 Fox
Point Plaza in Neenah. Monday:
get one FREE kid’s meal with
every purchase of kid’s drink &
adult entree of $7.99 or more.
FAZOLI’S 2720 N. Richmond
St. and 4687 W. College Ave. in
Appleton. Tuesday: 5-8pm, kids
12 and under eat for $0.99 with an
adult meal purchase.
GOLDEN CORRAL
1169 N. Westhill Blvd. in
Appleton. Everyday: Kids 3 and
under eat FREE with an adult
meal purchase.
GOOD COMPANY 110 N.
Richmond St. in Appleton. Sunday:
Kids 12 and under eat from the kid’s
menu for just $1.99.
GROUND ROUND GRILL & BAR
1010 Cameron Way in Neenah.
Sunday: Kids 12 and under eat
FREE, limit 2 kids per adult entree.
HOLIDAY’S PUB AND GRILL
1395 W. American Dr. in Neenah.
Sunday: Kids 12 and under eat FREE
off the kids menu with the purchase
of an adult entree.
iHOP 4101 W. Wisconsin Ave. in
Appleton. All Week Specials:
Kids 12 and under eat FREE after
4pm. One child per adult entree.
PULLMANS 619 S. Oneida St.
in Appleton. Saturday: Kids 12
and under eat for $2.99 with the
purchase of an adult entree.
QUIZNOS 3825 E. Calumet St.
and 2151 Crooks Ave. in Appleton.
Sunday: Kids 12 and under eat
FREE with the purchase of an adult
combo meal.
SERIOUS BURGER
4353 W. Wisconsin Ave. in
Appleton. Everyday: One
“Kids Size” burger FREE with
the purchase of a “Serious Size”
burger. 12 and younger.
SOLEA MEXICAN GRILL 1104
Mutual Way and 705 Appleton Rd.
in Appleton, 705 Appleton Rd. in
Menasha, and 1350 Gilingham Rd.
in Neenah. Sunday: Kids 12 and
under eat FREE with the purchase
of an adult entree.
MACHINE SHED 220 N. Fox River
Dr. in Appleton. Thursday: Kids
12 and under eat for FREE with the
purchase of an adult entree at 3pm.
STONEYARD BAR
Appleton, Darboy, and Greenville
locations. Wednesday nights: Kids
10 and under eat FREE; one child
per adult entree.
MARY’S FAMILY RESTAURANT
2106 S. Oneida St. and 2312
N. Richmond St. in Appleton.
Everyday: Kids meals are under $3
with adult meal purchase!
TEXAS ROADHOUSE
3910 W. College Ave. in Appleton.
Tuesday 4-10pm: 99¢ mini
cheeseburgers and hot dogs off the
kids menu. FREE brownies too!
PAGONIS PIZZA 1137 W.
Winneconne Ave. in Neenah and
2480 Crooks Ave. in Kaukauna.
Everyday: Kids 3 and under FREE
lunch buffet.
TWO J’s
N7475 State Road 114 in Sherwood.
Monday: Kids eat FREE with
purchase of an adult meal.
PERKINS 3030 E. College Ave. and
2975 W. College Ave. in Appleton.
Tuesday: Kids Eat FREE from
4-10pm with purchase of adult meal.
UNO CHICAGO GRILL
W3254 Van Roy Rd. in Appleton.
Tuesday: Kids 12 and under eat
FREE with the purchase of an
adult entree.
PIZZA RANCH N139 Eisenhower
Dr. Appleton. Kids Eat FREE on Kids
Night. Tuesday: One free kids (ages
10 and under) buffet with purchase
of regular price adult buffet.
14 • Please say you saw it in Sprout Fox Cities!
by Winifred M. Reilly,
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and author
of the relationship advice blog Speaking of Marriage
Whether you’ve been married five weeks, five years,
or even five decades, date night is a ritual you should
regularly observe. I know. This is hardly a news flash.
Read any advice column about how to keep the spark
alive in your marriage and you’ll find date night near
the top of the list. Yet, if you’re like most couples,
you’ll read it, you’ll note it, and then you’ll ignore it.
A Redbook survey of readers found that 45 percent of
couples “rarely” have date nights. A mere 18 percent
said they manage to go out around once a month.
Why the low numbers? I’ve wondered ­— especially
since date night is so universally advised. Maybe it’s
the old-fashioned sound of the term “date night” that
makes the notion seem corny or trivial. Maybe “dating”
and “marriage” seem like a contradiction in terms.
4 Reasons to Put
Date Night on Your
Calendar
When I ask couples, “When was the last time you went
on a date?” their response speaks volumes:
A few weeks ago we took the kids out for a movie. Does that
count? Oh, yeah, date night... we keep meaning to do that.
Some admit they’re waiting for the other to initiate
it. Others are in a standoff about who last called the
babysitter. Some say that going out in a formal way,
without kids, just highlights the fact that they feel
disconnected, that they find it discouraging and they
therefore avoid it. Many tell me they’re simply “too
busy.” Still others complain that it costs a small
— continued on page 18
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(920) 731-2211
EliteSmilesWisconsin.com
315 West Wisconsin Avenue • Appleton, WI 54911
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facebook.com/sproutfoxcities • 15
Habits of Couples in Strong and
Healthy Relationships
by Sara Altschule
What makes for a healthy romantic relationship differs from couple to couple. Forming a
trusting and positive partnership takes effort and time. And unfortunately, it doesn’t just happen
overnight. For any relationship to grow strong and stay strong, you need to put in some work.
Below are some habits that will help create and maintain a happy and healthy twosome.
Communication
Communication is key and one of the most
important qualities a healthy relationship.
However, not everyone knows how to
communicate properly, or even communicate
at all. Happy and healthy couples have this
game down. They vocalize their love for one
another, saying “I love you” often and offering
compliments. They also discuss the bad instead
of sweeping issues under the rug.
Respect
Aretha Franklin sang a whole song about it, so
you know it’s got to be important. Respecting
your partner comes in many forms. Maintaining
a joyful relationship means respecting your
partner’s time, heart, character, and trust.
However, there are many things people do in
relationships that can break down respect, like
name-calling, talking negatively about the other
to friends or family, and/or threatening to leave.
Time Apart
Spending time together with your partner is
important. But just as important is spending
time apart. Being able to do your own things
and remain independent is vital. When couples
spend too much time together, it can create an
unhealthy codependency. Maintaining healthy
boundaries and some autonomy will make for a
long-lasting partnership.
Love Languages
Gary Chapman came up with the notion that men
and women have five love languages. People
16 • Please say you saw it in Sprout Fox Cities!
have unique ways of feeling loved. There are
words of affirmation, receiving gifts, quality time,
acts of service, and physical touch. It’s important
to know which love language speaks to you,
along with your partner. Telling each other what
makes you feel loved and special helps both of
you stay connected.
Appreciation
Often, we forget to let other people in our lives
know that we appreciate them. Show your special
someone that you love him or her. This could be
done with words, cards, flowers, acts of kindness,
or more. Remember, a flower a day keeps the
fights at bay.
Positive vs. Negative
Sometimes, we get caught up in the negative. We
hate our jobs, are annoyed with our friends, and
our boyfriend or girlfriend is getting on our last
nerve. Uh-oh, have we been drinking too much
of that half-empty glass? It’s vital that we look at
our partner’s positive qualities, in contrast to the
negative. Nobody is perfect, and that includes
our significant other. So instead of focusing on
the bad, let's make a conscious effort to look at
the good.
Choose Your Battles
There are arguments to be had in every
relationship. It’s crucial to bring issues to the
forefront, and work through the hard times
together. Choose your battles wisely, because
people in happy and healthy relationships do.
Valentine's Pins!
While lost in the pages of Facebook one day, I
found myself lost in the land of pinning. Here
are a few cute ideas from popsugar.com.
BONUS! All these ideas are printables, which
makes your job a lot easier. Have some crafty
fun with your little valentine this year!
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I Think You Are Just Write!
Will Zo
o Be M
ine?
ant to
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be my
facebook.com/sproutfoxcities • 17
fortune to pay a babysitter, let alone have dinner or
see a movie.
Give your loved one your undivided attention and
turn off your phone too!
Date night is a luxury, they say. No, I tell them. It’s an
essential. Not just for couples with young kids who
need a night away from the hubbub, or newlywed
couples, or those who are struggling. Date night is an
essential because couples in all states and stages need
quality one-on-one time.
3. It’s About Fun
While date night alone will not guarantee a
satisfying marriage (nor will a weekly date pull a
foundering marriage back from the brink), date
night is an investment in the well-being of your
relationship — one way, among many, to nourish and
care for your marriage.
Date night is an opportunity to have some fun
together, plan something fun. While you’re at it,
try something new. New experiences activate the
brain’s reward system, flooding it with dopamine and
norepinephrine, what I think of as “feel good” brain
chemistry. These same brain circuits are the ones that
“light up” in the early stages of romantic love.
No need to try skydiving, try a new restaurant, go to
the opera, or just turn on some music and dance.
When I see couples in trouble, I often wonder which
came first — the growing estrangement in their
relationship or the lack of effort put in to nurture it?
As a client once said: “Date night is cheaper than
therapy, much cheaper than divorce, and a whole
lot more fun.” I couldn’t agree more, which is why I
regularly suggest date night and make it a priority in
my own marriage.
1. It’s an Opportunity for Romance
There’s a big difference between going out for the
evening and going out on a date. Date night is a
night out with your sweetheart. It’s quick trip back
to courtship, as opposed to an ordinary night out of
the house.
Date night is a state of mind more than an activity.
It’s about the meaning you make of your time
together, whatever you do. Whether simple or
elaborate, eating a sandwich in the park, taking
a walk on the beach, going out to the symphony,
seeing a movie or just having coffee. Date night says,
oh, right, we’re a “couple” when too often it can seem
that you’re simply business partners or roommates or
two people running day care.
Date night is a chance to look across the table and
see the person you married, the one you fell in love
with, not the person who left the bed unmade or
forgot to take out the trash. And unless you’re going
on a hike together, I suggest you dress up. This is a
date, after all, a special occasion.
2. It’s a Break From “Doing”
Simply put, date night is about connecting with each
other, not about getting things done. Date night offers
a needed break from the demands of everyday life. It’s
a time to set aside your to-do list and focus on each
other. To listen. To express affection. To feel close.
While it’s important to have difficult conversations,
date night is not the time for that. Set the hard work
of marriage aside and take time to invest in the good.
18 • Please say you saw it in Sprout Fox Cities!
4. It’s a Show of Commitment
Date night shows a willingness to make the other
person and your relationship a priority by setting
aside special time.
Back when we had young kids, just the effort of
carving out time, arranging for childcare, setting
aside all other obligations meant to both of us that
our couple-ness was important, that our marriage was
worth prioritizing. The fact that my husband was the
one who arranged for the babysitter made it all the
more sweet, feeling, each time, like a generous gift.
When couples make the effort to spend time
together and to continue developing their
relationship, no matter what’s going on in their every
day life, they are more likely to grow closer, rather
than apart. Research has shown that those who have
“couple time” at least weekly are 3.5 times more
likely to report being “very happy” in their marriages,
compared with those spending less alone time with
their mates.
Remember: It’s not what you do, it’s the spirit you bring
to it. Sometimes our date night consisted of putting
the kids to bed and then sitting in the back yard on
lawn chairs watching for shooting stars.
Grab your calendar and plan something!
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WAUSAU • WESTON • RHINELANDER • MEDFORD
STEVENS POINT • SHAWANO • APPLETON
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