RVW Nov 15 low res
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RVW Nov 15 low res
Women In Ag AMPI CEO Sheryl Meshke Plus: Ruth Klossner's Cows, Mary Bartz Cooks, Jessica Yost Teaches, Hendryck's Honey & more! Rivervalleywoman.com Special Wheels & High Heels pages Visit Mapleton! FREE! november 2015 • Volume 3 • Issue 6 MAKING A DIFFErENCE... one Child at a tiMe. Pediatric therapy Services, inc. has over 24 years of experience in providing quality physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech/language therapy to children in a “kid friendly” environment. at Pediatric therapy Services we want to help your child be the best they can be! “…Her therapists have made such a difference in her life! We are so grateful for Pediatric Therapy Services and the wonderful people that work there. Ireland may not talk and walk like other kids her age, but with the services that PTS provide her, she has accomplished more than anyone thought she ever could.” – ireland’s mom “Ben comes to PTS for Physical Therapy Services because he has a partially paralyzed leg from an illness he had when he was 5 months old. He has had therapy to help him learn to stand, walk, climb stairs, ride a trike, and move like any other two year old. His has been a huge help in also finding the right bracing and equipment to keep him moving. When Ben started at PTS he was just learning how to crawl. Now he can stand on his own, walk with a walker, go up and down stairs and is learning to walk with forearm crutches. Ben enjoys coming every week to ‘Kim’s house’ as he calls PTS.” – Ben’s mom “He was finally able to communicate with teachers, daycare providers, and family and was developing relationships with friends... They have contoured services to my son’s skills and needs. We have celebrated successes and struggled through lows, but we have all done it together.” – Carson’s mom Main Clinic 150 Saint Andrews Ct, Suite 310 Mankato, MN 56001 Phone: 507- 388-KIDS (5437) Fax: (507) 388-2108 General E-Mail: [email protected] 030635 Satellite Clinic Pediatric Therapy Services Children’s Health Center 1421 Premier Drive Mankato, MN 56001 Therapy sessions at Satellite Office are by appointment only. www.kidtherapy.com 24/31 24/31 MPG STD.* 24/31 MPG STD.* moving forward moving forward moving forward MPG STD.* THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES 2015 RAV4 is ready to help make your THE The ADVENTURE CONTINUES The 2015 RAV4 ready to helpfun. make your days, andisnights, more With expressive The 2015 RAV4 ismore to With help expressive make your days, and nights, fun. styling and aready roomy, comfortable interior, days, and more fun. With interior, expressive styling andnights, a is roomy, comfortable RAV4 decidedly refined—but with agile stylingishandling and a roomy, comfortable interior, RAV4 decidedly refined—but with agile it’s ready and all-weather capability, RAV4 is decidedly refined—but withit’s agile handling and all-weather capability, ready for fun-filled adventure whenever you are. handling andadventure all-weather capability, for fun-filled whenever youit’s are.ready The 2015 Toyota RAV4 for fun-filled adventure whenever you are. The 2015 Toyota RAV4 The 2015 Toyota RAV4 387-1148 heintztoyota.com 387-1148 heintztoyota.com Serving Southern Minnesota drivers for 50 years. 387-1148 heintztoyota.com Serving Southern Minnesota drivers for 50 years. * MPG values estimated * MPG values estimated Serving Southern Minnesota drivers for 50 years. 033129 Eileen Madsen Editor Lather, Rinse, Repeat Food glorious food! No matter how you slice it food is good...well, food. But how does it get here? Not by magic I can tell you that. Unless by that you mean farmers who work tirelessly pulling corn, wheat, beans, sugar beets, and livestock out of a hat, with the help of combines, tractors, GPS equipment, computers and yes, even hoes and pitchforks. This issue (one of our biggest, thanks to the support of our advertisers— thank you!) we get real with the agri-girls who help to bring us all that we enjoy in our daily lives, most importantly, the food we put on our tables, on cafeteria trays, and in lunch boxes (outdated term perhaps, but I have fond memories of my 1970s Emergency TV show lunch box and well, can we say Randolph Mantooth in a cute fireman’s helmet?). This is our third issue devoted to women in agriculture and gosh darn it, the first two were spilling over with such agri-goodness we decided to do two this year. It’s that important. On our cover is a history-maker Sheryl Meshke. She is the first ever female CEO of a dairy cooperative. Meshke is part of a CEO duo who help to ensure our dairy products are affordable, safe and pure at AMPI in New Ulm. 4 RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 We’ve got a whole lotta ag goin’ on in this issue and we are milking it for all it’s worth, starting with Ruth Klossner’s Guinness World Record achievement for her Cow Mooseum. Then to the mix we add food personality Mary Bartz, road trippin’ ladies for ag awareness, ag educator Jessica Yost, bee keeper Marjean Hendrycks, and those who blind us with science in the research department at Pioneer. As you know RVW’s slogan is GO. BE. DO. CONNECT. And there is no better way to act on that than in some hot wheels. Big girl style that is. Our Wheels & High Heels pages school us on how to buy a vehicle (yes it can be fun!), check tire pressure, what those warning lights mean and other need-to-knows. What more can a girl ask for? I know...some place to GO now that your vehicle is in tip top shape, or maybe you’re sportin’ something new? Look no further than our new spotlight on Mapleton and Amboy. Who knew some of our surrounding smaller towns could be so cool? Shopping, sipping, sightseeing. Gather the gang and DO it. And along the drive, take time to notice the fields and farms with new eyes. That restaurant that you will BE at for lunch gets their food from...say it along with me now...farmers. So, what’s left? CONNECT. Our Spaces feature is one of a kind. The Greg and Cathy Roiger family converted their ramshackle rural find into the get-together place of their dreams. A funky design scheme and unique collections of whatnots in their house and barn make a cozy welcome to connect with friends, family, and even the public, on their weekly game night and annual apple press fest. All this food & farm talk is making me hungry. You too? Then check out some of our recipes herein for your holiday gatherings. Throw a Mexican fiesta or throw in a pork loin roast (courtesy of our pig farmers), and you can't go wrong. If you don't feel like cooking or thinking, then turn to our Taste of the Valley pages where you will find food & beverage folks who can do it for you! Speaking of holiday time, a girl’s gotta look good, right? I’ve noticed in clothing stores, and as mentioned in a fashion article inside, that chokers and fringes are all the rage again. Apparently the 1970s are back. Good thing I kept that lunch box. Me and Randolph are back in style. 20 16 30 12 contents Publisher New Century Press 6 Chief Operating Officer Jim Hensley General Manager Lisa Miller Please direct all editorial inquiries and suggestions to: Managing Editor Eileen Madsen [email protected] Sales Manager Natasha Weis 507-227-2545 [email protected] Sales Team Ruth Klossner Tami Leuthold Janelle Magelee Tjode Mickelson Designer Amy Leuthold Cover Photographer Alika Faythe Hartmann Despres Photography River Valley Woman Magazine New Ulm & Mankato, MN 507.354.6158 For advertising and editorial contact information and a list of newsstand locations visit rivervalleywoman.com River Valley Woman is published monthly and distributed free in the Minnesota River Valley area. The content used in this magazine is copyright 2015 River Valley Woman and may not be reprinted in part or in whole without written consent by the publisher. All articles and editorial material represent the opinions of the respective authors. The publisher reserves the right to edit, reject, or position any advertising. In the event of any error, River Valley Woman will rerun the incorrect part of the ad or cancel charges on the incorrect portion. {{ november • 2015 } Go Fun, Festivals, and Frolics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Discover Mapleton, Minnesota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Visit St. Peter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Treasures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Taste of the River Valley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Redwood Area: Take It In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 46 55 64 72 76 Be Wheels & High Heels: Car Buying Can Be Enjoyable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lights Come on Your Dashboard? Don’t Worry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wheels & High Heels: Car Buying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Holiday Eating without the Guilt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Feel Better with Food Therapy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . You Can Prevent Diabetes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Money Talk: Suze Orman: Use Your Vacation Days . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Strut Your Stuff Fashion Pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 26 27 52 54 58 63 82 Do Spaces: The Roigers: Where Everything Old is New Again . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tips for Preparing Your Home for Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Garden Gal: Garden Gratitude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eat a Banana! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Good Taste: Spice Up the Holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Be An Egghead About Eggs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Secrets of a Stress Free Thanksgiving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 36 38 51 60 62 70 connect Lather, Rinse, Repeat - Editor’s Column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Meshke co-leads AMPI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 American Agri-Women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Someone’s in the Kitchen: Mary Bartz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Agriculture & Education: Jessica Yost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Uptown Girl: To the Woman Riding in My Husband’s Combine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Pioneer Research Farm Women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Hendryck’s Apiaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Ruth Klossner’s Cow Mooseum Achieves World Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 This is Why I Do What I Do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Connections Business Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 RIVER VALLEY woman | october • 2015 5 Meshke co-leads $2 billion dairy cooperative By Ruth Klossner Photos by Alika Faythe Hartman, Despress Photography Got CEO? AMPI does. T There were no surprises when the board of directors of Associated Milk Producers Inc. appointed Sheryl Meshke and Donn DeVelder as co-CEOs 10 months ago. They knew exactly what they were getting—two 25-year employees who had worked in tandem over the years, heading parallel parts of the business. As executive senior vice presidents, the two had worked closely with the board of directors for a long time. They were appointed interim co-CEOs of AMPI when then CEO Ed Welch resigned a year ago. With the two assuming the top roles, things went on seamlessly. Co-op members and employees hardly noticed the change in leadership and the interim label was removed just a month later. Meshke stated, “Prior to being named to the permanent role, Donn and I were both executive senior vice presidents. We each were responsible for one side of the co-op—one being the membership side and milk procurement; the other being strategic business decisions involving marketing and manufacturing. There was a natural division of duties.” She continued, “Donn dealt with one side—from farm to plant—and I dealt with the other—from plant to the consumer. When the board asked us to be co-CEOs, we assumed similar positions as before, with some additions. Internally, the staff knows who to ask.” The two make decisions independently when it’s in their area of responsibility but, when it’s a gray area or one where two heads are better than one, they make the major decisions together. 6 RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 AMPI produces 10 percent of the country’s butter, 10 percent of its American cheese, 10 percent of the ensuing whey and 10 percent of its processed cheese slices. AMPI— a look at the numbers With milk production up five percent in the last year, AMPI’s current initiative is to grow it’s 10-10-10-10 footprint. n 2,200 farmer-owners “Dairy in the Midwest is back. It had moved to California, but it’s coming back to this area where the resources are. We’re rebooting the Midwest,” Meshke offered. Locally, AMPI is best known for it’s New Ulm butter plant, but the co-op has 10 total plants in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and South Dakota. The New Ulm butter plant and a cheese plant in Portage, Wisconsin, package products for consumers. Additional cheese plants in Hoven, South Dakota, and Sanborn, Iowa—as well as cheese and powder plants in Paynesville and Rochester, Minnesota, and Jim Falls and Blair, Wisconsin—make blocks and barrels of cheese that are sold for further processing. Plants in Freeman, South Dakota, and Arlington, Iowa, produce nonfat dry milk. Major users of AMPI cheeses include McDonalds, Burger King, Cracker Barrel, Dunkin’ Donuts and many others. M Of the initiative to grow the company’s footprint Meshke explained, “AMPI grows with its dairy farmer-owners. Short- and long-term planning is based on adding value to every drop of milk produced.” She continued, “By adding value to milk, AMPI also brings value to the rural communities in which our owners and employees are located. We’re a $2 billion company located in the rural Midwest. It’s a unique system. What I find so rewarding about working for AMPI is my professional life runs parallel to my personal passion. It’s about keeping people in rural America, and maintaining opportunities for youth and those in rural communities. Working for a co-op owned by dairy farmers, you’re allowed to do those things.” n 10 plants n $2.2 billion annual sales n 5.8 billion pounds of milk processed annually n 600 million pounds of cheese n 150 million pounds butter n 230 million pounds of powdered products n 25th largest co-op in the country n 7th largest dairy co-op in the country n 85 % of the country’s milk is marketed thru co-ops With milk production up around the world—and many farmers in both the USA and worldwide facing reduced prices, Meshke emphasized the importance of AMPI growing with its members. “Through AMPI’s network of plants, our farmers know where their milk will be manufactured,” she explained. “AMPI’s infrastructure is a real advantage. In the Upper Midwest we still have some of the strongest prices because of our product portfolio of cheese, butter and powdered dairy products. In addition, we focus on domestic consumers and are not dependent on global customers.” In the U.S., butter consumption increased 14 percent in 2014 and another six percent in the first quarter of 2015. “There’s no cleaner label than butter,” Meshke said. “The ingredient’s list is cream and salt. Period.” Whole milk consumption is up, too. Although AMPI does not own a bottling plant, it sells about 10 percent of its production to bottlers. Working with a staff of 55 in AMPI’s headquarters office in New Ulm—and with 1,400 employees throughout the co-op, it’s not surprising that Meshke feels that communication skills are critical. “One of my skills is connecting the dots. I see an issue and know who to ask to work through it,” she said. Sheryl Meshke co-leads with fellow AMPI CEO Donn DeVelder. “Sheryl and Donn are on the same page,” noted Sarah Schmidt, AMPI Communications Director. “With staff meetings every Monday morning, there’s so much collaboration. They are team oriented and focused, and the result has been very energizing and positive.” Meshke is quick to commend not only AMPI’s employees, but its farmer members. “Dairy farmers are committed to their families and the cows they care for. As a cooperative, they are able to work together to market their milk, producing cheese and butter for consumers to enjoy.” Yes, dairy farmers care about their animals…and Meshke cares about those farmers aand the AMPI employees with whom she works. RVW RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 7 Getting to know Sheryl (Doering) Meshke The oldest, and only, daughter of Royce and Sharon Doering, Sheryl grew up in the Good Thunder area. Royce and two brothers first farmed together with their parents. As the oldest grandchild, Sheryl remembers milking with her grandma. When her grandparents died, the farming operations were divided, with Uncle Bob continuing to dairy. Royce and Sharon operated a diversified farm, with hogs, sheep, and beef. For Sheryl and her brothers, Alan and Aaron, the primary 4-H project was sheep. “Growing up, our parents treated us all the same. We got the same tasks. We didn’t think about gender,” Sheryl said of those growing up years on the farm. Sheryl studied agriculture at South Dakota State University. “In college, I remember wanting to work for people like my parents—and make things better for them. I knew how difficult it was financially in those tough years, the 1980s.” Meshke’s career with AMPI began in 1991 in a communications position, a combination of several different jobs. At that time, the co-op’s magazine, Dairymen’s Digest, was done out of Iowa. She worked in Spirit Lake for a few months, then moved the office to New Ulm. Government relations was added to her job in the mid 1990s. Over the years, Meshke became vice president of public affairs and, then, strategic planning. Before becoming co-CEO, she was executive senior vice president, focusing on human resources and strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening the performance and value of AMPI. In 2005, Meshke graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a Masters of Business Degree. “I had more of a science background...I wanted more in the numbers/financial area. I did it slowly, as I had two boys at home,” she stated. Sheryl and husband Blake live on a family farm, in the Lake Crystal/Garden City area. Their sons were active 4-H and FFA members. Derek is now a graduate of South Dakota State University and works for the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks. Brent is a senior at South Dakota State University. The family operates a diversified crop and livestock farm and was named Blue Earth County Farm Family of the Year. Blake and Sheryl are 4-H leaders at the county and state level and organized the Blue Earth County Purple Ribbon Club to support youth involved in livestock projects. Sheryl serves on the Minnesota 4-H Sheep and Lamb Lead Committees and is a county and state level lamb lead judge. Blake and Sheryl also coach and promote boys and men’s fast-pitch softball teams. Sheryl currently serves on the board of directors of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, the National Milk Producers Federation, and the Cooperative Foundation. She was appointed by Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton to a four-year term on the Minnesota Dairy Research, Teaching and Consumer Education Authority and now serves as its chairperson. 8 RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 Sheryl Meshke is the first female CEO of a dairy cooperative and one of only three women currently serving as CEO among the nation’s top 100 cooperatives. Here she shares some insight into her career. Did you seek out an agriculture-related field in school? Yes, producing food and fiber is the only profession my family has known — for generations. I wanted to carry on that legacy. Securing a bachelor’s degree in agriculture was a step toward meeting that goal. There are more and more women entering the agriculture field. Any advice for those who have an interest? When I chose to study agriculture in the 1980s — in the midst of the “farm crisis” — it wasn’t a popular career path. Today, agriculture is quite trendy. When choosing a career path, don’t let the current trends dictate your choices. Choose the profession for which you are passionate. What do you find the most challenging? The business of agriculture is challenging, with high overhead costs and volatile markets. It demands the same business acumen one might find on Main Street and Wall Street. What is most rewarding? A career working for the dairy farmer-owners of AMPI is extremely rewarding. AMPI owners know what they do well and why it matters. As employees, we add value to every drop of milk produced on their farms. That directly benefits them. Adding value also provides stable employment in our milk manufacturing network and strengthens the rural communities our owners and employees call “home.” Do you think the perception of what and who a farmer is, what they do, is changing? The dairy farmer-owners of AMPI — for whom I work — are hard-working entrepreneurs who are smart, business savvy and proud of their traditional values. The customers who purchase their dairy products — produced in the cooperative’s manufacturing plants — genuinely respect the people behind the dairy products. The biggest change I’ve observed, in the past 25 years as an AMPI employee, is the customers’ insatiable appetite for more information about the farmers and farms on which their food is produced. What would you like families to know about how dairy products get to their table? Dairy farmers care for their land and animals, and are dedicated to producing a safe and wholesome milk supply. Milk remains one of the nation’s most highly inspected and tested foods. RVW 033131 The American Agri-Women Drive Across America pickup was greeted by local members when it made a stop at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in July. American Agri-Women Local, state and national women advocate for agriculture Story by Ruth Klossner Photos submitted F or 40 years, American Agri-Women (AAW) and its 50-plus affiliates have promoted agriculture at the grassroots, state, and national levels. From a small start in 1974, AAW has grown into the nation’s largest coalition of farm, ranch, and agri-business women with over 40,000 members. In Minnesota, American Agri-Women has a state and several regional chapters. Barb Overlie of Lake Crystal has been with the organization for “at least 30 some years” and was the state president “a ways back,” sometime in the 1980s. Barb Overlie She explained, “When I first got involved, I was fairly new to farming. I was a Twin Cities schoolteacher who 10 RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 married a farmer. I also got involved in Soybean Growers as I was the only one around who knew anything about tofu as I had taught in Japan.” Overlie worked with the Volunteer Soy Promotion program. When AAW’s Ag in the Classroom began, Overlie found that the two programs worked well together. She made a lot of classroom appearances for both programs—and still makes some now, though she is trying to wind down. The Minnesota AAW chapter has been very active, with many women in agribusiness involved as their companies Megan Roberts promoted it and gave their employees time to be involved. A number of local groups were also established—Region 9 (now South Central Minnesota), Alexandria, Red River Valley, Twin Cities, University of Minnesota, and more. Drive Across America “We’re trying to get the local group moving again,” Overlie said of the southern Minnesota group. “We started the Legislative Forum at South Central College and are still a part of it, though more groups are now involved. We have a keynote speaker, a panel, supper, then legislators talk about local and state issues. We get a good turnout at that.” American Agri-Women celebrated its first 40 years of advocating for agriculture with a “Drive Across America” this summer. The five-month educational and advocacy tour recognized the contributions women make on family farms across the country. It kicked off June 3 in Easton, Maine. This year’s Rural Legislative Forum is set for Thursday, December 3. Of the venture, national AAW president Sue McCrum stated, “More than ever, consumers are seeking connections to those who produce the food and products they use every day. Our Drive Across America is a tremendous opportunity for those of us in agriculture—and women in agriculture —to make those connections in person.” M innesota AAW member Megan Roberts of Madelia represents both Agri-Women and the college on the planning committee for the legislative forum. She teaches agribusiness at South Central College and also helps husband Daniel on their hog and crop farm. She first learned about Agri-Women nine years ago, when she was a freshman at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul Campus. The U’s Collegiate Agri-Women chapter is one of the more active college groups in the country. Through the drive, AAW officers and volunteers met organization members and consumers at stops along the way. They also shared stories about the country’s abundant, safe, and affordable food, fiber, and fuel supply. McCrum and other leaders, including Minnesota’s Doris Mold, drove a specially wrapped pick-up truck more than 15,000 miles and participated in educational, network, and advocacy events hosted by AAW’s more than 50 affiliates. XX continued on page 78 When Roberts moved to this area five years ago, she joined South Central Agri-Women. “The group held networking dinners. It was a nice way to get to know other women who are passionate about agriculture,” she said. Of her current involvement, Roberts said, “I try to make sure that southern Minnesota women know about the AAW programs, like the Women’s Agri Leaders Conference at the Arboretum in April.” Minnesota’s Agri-Women groups also visit the state capitol where they meet with local legislators, as well as all members of the ag committee. Overlie commented, “We try to be non-partisan, commodity-wise. If we can’t agree, we won’t promote it one way or the other. That can get pretty interesting when you’re talking coast-to-coast. The Midwest has a mind-set while the two coasts have different mindsets. It’s been interesting to learn all about it.” From her involvement, Overlie learned that Oregon raises grass seed and that Alaska’s group has dissolved as it pretty much evolved around the timber industry, which no longer exists. She commented, “The California area is a whole other ball game and Washington is not ‘cut and dried.’ It was good for us to learn how much agriculture there is in the country—and how diversified it is. There’s a lot more involved than just one issue. Agri-Women’s strength is its cohesiveness advocating on things that we can agree upon. That’s what it’s about.” RVW RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 11 Someone’s Kitchen . . . in the It’s food stylist, director, educator and radio personality Mary Bartz By Amanda Dyslin Few of us know by middle school what we want to be when we grow up, and an even rarer few who do have a clear picture in their minds actually follow through with those plans. But Mary Bartz wouldn’t be deterred. “Way back in the ’60s,” as she put it, there was a tour program that took her Future Homemakers of America group to the Betty Crocker Kitchens, part of the test kitchens at the world headquarters of General Mills in Golden Valley. “Boy, that really sealed it,” said Bartz of rural Sleepy Eye. “That’s what I wanted to do with my life. That was my career goal from a pretty young age, and I was able to live my dream.” Many years later Bartz would become the director of those very kitchens. But to understand the birth of that dream, one has to look back to Bartz’s early years on a small farm outside Kimball. Bartz’s dad had a small Holstein dairy herd, some pigs, some sheep and some chickens, which provided her with a healthy work ethic and years of practice on a working farm, including being the dedicated tractor driver when her dad needed to load hay into the wagon. Her mom was the home economics teacher in Kimball, which gave Bartz knowledge about food preparation, gardening, and preservation. “I learned about living off the land,” Bartz said. “This was also back in the day when there were threshing crews and I helped my mom and grandma with feeding the workers. I also benefited from a wonderful balance of having professional exposure to the food world through my mom, and the business world through one of my aunts, who was a buyer for a major department store.” All of these people and experiences growing up helped push Bartz toward pursuing her degree in Food Science and Nutrition from the University of Minnesota in the then College of Home Economics. While studying there, she met her husband, Greg Bartz, whose family had a farrow-to-finish hog farm in rural Sleepy Eye. 12 RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 After Bartz graduated from the U of M, she had an internship testing recipes for the Pillsbury Bake-Off. The experience proved invaluable when it came to landing her first job at General Mills that August as a product representative. “We were called home economists. We were in charge of a group of products and worked on recipe development, product development, and product optimization,” she said. “We were very much focused on the consumer.” Bartz stayed in that role for several years before moving into food styling, which included preparing food for packaging and cookbook photography, as well as TV commercials. “I developed the skill of enhancing the natural beauty of food,” she said. Several years later Bartz was promoted to management and eventually became director of the Betty Crocker Kitchens. “There were many different times during my career when you kind of pinch yourself,” Bartz said. “But as gratifying as that is, there’s also this moment of, ‘Yikes, I’m responsible for all of this?’ But I had fabulous mentors and role models. It was a time when the corporate environment was very nurturing and supportive.” In the meantime, in Bartz’s personal life, she and her husband moved to her husband’s family farm in rural Sleepy Eye in 1980 and Bartz became “the weekend wife,” she said, living with good friends near her job during the week. Her husband, a veterinarian, worked on the hog farm all week, and Bartz helped when she was home. “That’s what I wanted to do with my life. That was my career goal from a pretty young age, and I was able to live my dream.” “I really was tested in balancing all sectors of my life,” Bartz said. Bartz stayed at General Mills until 2004, a total of 28 years, having helped see the company through its acquisition of the majority of Pillsbury in 2002. General Mills and Pillsbury had their own test kitchen departments, and Bartz aided in overseeing the building of a new test kitchen and the merger of two distinct organizations. Bartz then landed a public relations job with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, educating gatekeepers, including media, about beef. “I was walking into a new role and new responsibility,” she said. “A lot of it was about relationship building. I learned so much. I worked closely with farmers and ranchers because the leadership is made up of elected farmers. Your priorities, your marching orders, your budget approvals all come through farmer involvement.” Finally, in 2009, Bartz made her final career move to become a consultant with the Minnesota Pork Board. Her efforts to inspire and educate people about pork cookery have included creating a radio show at KNUJ during which she cooked live on the air. She’s worked to convince the public that cooking pork to 145 degrees is safe, which means a little pink is OK. Simply Saucy Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin Check out the Recipe @ www.porkbeinspired.com son a e R A s ’ e rk o P Ther a t o s e Minn “It’s challenging to convince people of that,” Bartz said. Going forward, Bartz said she plans to stick with consulting. For fun she also plans to keep judging open class foods at the Minnesota State Fair, which she has done for the past 10 years, and judging at some county fairs, too. “I’ve always loved the fair,” she said. Bartz also has been doing more volunteer work for 4-H, her church, professional food organizations and other entities. And she’s enjoying spending more time with family, including nieces and nephews. She is also loving waking up on her farm every day, reveling in the glory of the land, just the way she did when she was little. RVW s u o i c i l e is so D s k l o F These “I love what I do,” said Wanda Patsche, “caring for my pigs and providing awesome pork for Minnesotans to enjoy.” Patsche Family pig farmers in Martin County https://www.facebook.com/MinnesotaPork 032163 RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 13 like milk & cookies . . . Agriculture and Education are the perfect combination Story by Kelly DeVriendt, Photos by Ruth Klossner Jessica Yost’s first adventures in farming came at age 10 when her family moved to a hobby farm just outside of St. Peter. There she relished her feeling of freedom. Jessica recalled that she and her sister enjoyed the animals on the farm. She claims that, despite the heat, her best memory was baling hay with her father. Although Jessica was active in 4H and FFA growing up, she didn’t envision herself having a career in agriculture. “I never said, I want to work in agriculture,” she commented. “It just happened. It has always been a value and it ultimately was ignited from a lot of different life experiences.” Before landing in her current role with the Dairy Education Center at the University of Minnesota, Jessica was focused on being a teacher. She obtained a degree from Gustavus Adolphus in elementary education, then went on to teach kindergarten for four years. A future on the farm was inevitable when she married her high-school sweetheart, who is a dairy farmer. Together they, along with their three children, run a dairy farm with 100 milking cows. Not all Farmers Wear Overalls Jessica’s education and background in agriculture combined perfectly for her current position at the University of Minnesota. She manages the academic facilities at Davis Family Dairies’ New Sweden site in Nicollet County. At Right: Jessica checks on a cow in the birthing area at New Sweden Dairy. Jessica discussing workshop procedures with fourth year veterinary students at the U of M teaching facility at New Sweden Dairy. And, no, she does not wear overalls to work. Neither do most of her coworkers. “Agriculture is such a general term,” Jessica stated. “There are so many different opportunities in this field. It is not the stereotypical farmer in overalls on a tractor.” This is starkly evident as Jessica described her role as dairy education coordinator. “I work with a variety of people, from students who are coming in to do rotations for their veterinary program, to representatives from pharmaceutical companies and international groups interested in learning about our systems,” she explained. Jessica coordinates travel and accommodations, provides tours and education, and hosts trainings—among various other things. The New Sweden site is unique in that it is the only one of the three Davis Family Dairies that has an education center. The New Sweden site milks about 3,000 Jersey cows and also cares for all cows from Davis’ Northern Plains and High Island Dairies when they calve or need veterinary care. Each of those dairies also has about 3,000 cows. With a grant from the USDA National Center of Excellence in Dairy Veterinary Medicine, the academic facilities also host an eight week training course. Women in the Field “Historically, the veterinary medicine program at the University had been largely comprised of men, but, in the last 20 years or so, males account for only about 15% of the graduates,” Jessica explained. Although women tend to focus on small animals, as opposed to larger farm animals, this still speaks to an increase overall of women in the farm and animal business. However, Jessica asserted that women really have been there all along. “The image has simply expanded, their presence has always been there, but because of social media, marketing and decreased stereotypes, they are more visible,” she said. “The diversity that agriculture offers is also increasing the opportunities. It takes a lot to feed the world. We need people in the field producing, but we also need marketing, shipping, promoting, negotiating, budgeting, and research.” With more promotion, more opportunities and a more welcoming environment, more and more women are looking at various roles in agriculture and saying, “I can do that!” It Starts with Care “People see the tractor in the field, but they may not make the connection when they see the food on their plate,” Jessica said. “Agriculture is the industry that is feeding the world and although the internet has increased awareness and interest as to what is going on our plates, people do not fully understand how it gets there.” That lack of understanding can be a concern according to Jessica, as people today do have a heightened attentiveness to what they are consuming and there is a virtual buffet of viewpoints available. “Farmers strive to produce food products that are healthy, high quality and environmentally sustainable,” Jessica said. “The quality of our products can be traced back to the care of the animal. If we don’t take care of our animals, we don’t have a quality product to sell.” Fun Farm Facts • Cows need to be milked twice a day, every day. The barn doors are now open and the agriculture business is focused on promotion and education, something that Jessica believes the industry has not always done well. She has a deep rooted value in agriculture and a love for education. “I have always had the desire to share and promote the message about agriculture,” Jessica proclaimed, and that is exactly what she is doing. The New Sweden site welcomes visitors for tours. Those interested can also follow UMN Dairy Vet on Twitter @DairyKNOW or Jessica @JessicaYost4. RVW • 30 calves are born every day at the New Sweden site. • Cows need calm and consistent environments. • Temple Grandin (author and professor of animal science) once visited the Dairy Center in New Sweden. • Milk is one of the highest regulated food products. 14% of the nation’s 2.1 million farms are operated by females. Join Farm Business Management to strengthen your farm operations today! Farm Business Management instructors are available throughout Minnesota to help you achieve your farm business goals. Give us a call to find out more. Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/farmbusinessmanagement www.centerofagriculture.org Brad Schloesser | (507) 389-7263 | [email protected] Sara Hewitt | (507) 389-7276 | [email protected] 031505 RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 15 Uptown Girl (A Working Farm Wife’s Blog) To the woman riding in my husband’s combine: By Kate Lambert To the woman riding in my husband’s combine on a sales call, I wouldn’t have thought much about you before last night. Chances are, if you had tried to call on my husband and ride along in his combine I wouldn’t have known about it. Most likely I would have been on a different farm, with a different farmer, trying to do my job in the same way you are doing yours. Now, these women have a right to their feelings, I can even relate to some of them. And I understand many of these women came about in a different generation. I hope these women stop and think about how they would feel if someone said all of those things about their daughters and granddaughters who are trying to be seen as equal in the industry. I didn’t think of you before – but now I will. Last night I read a post from a woman who was upset that a young, presumably attractive female, made a sales call to the farm – and rode in the cab of the combine with the farmer (the poster’s husband). I want you to know this. When you come to my farm, to call on my husband – you are welcome to climb right up into the cab of his combine. You are welcome to ride along, give him your sales pitch or gather your information. For anyone not in the industry, it may sound funny that you would get into a combine with a customer. This time of year, the combine often acts as an office. People who need to see the farmer go to the field and are often invited to ride along while they keep working. Roughly 70% of the time that farmer will be a man. "Thank you for reminding us that being a farmer’s wife is no longer the only place for women in agriculture. Women poured out of the woodwork to attack the sales rep, calling her unprofessional, unthoughtful, disrespectful and worse. They attacked her clothes, suggested she not wear makeup when doing farm visits, even suggested the wife should call the company and complain. They suggested the company send only men, they implied that a woman should not be doing this job at all. One person even commented that she was taught “a woman should never be alone with an unrelated male”. As a Millennial, this is the first time I have encountered such a vigorous and outward attack on a woman for doing her job. To my shock it was all coming from other women. I felt like I was reading Facebook from the 1950s. If I get jealous, (and I might because I would rather be there than working) that is on ME. That is NOT on you. If you do run into a man who cannot handle it that is on HIM, not on you. My husband will not be that man – his mother raised him fully capable of behaving like an adult. I know when you get up in the morning you will stress over what to wear. Too dressy and you look clueless. Too casual and you look unprofessional. I know when you set foot on the farm you’ll be nervous about the farmers taking you seriously. I know you’ll struggle with being able to connect on a personal level, while not getting too personal. You aren’t as free to joke and laugh with customers as the male competition is. I know when you climb into the cab with my husband you are going to be nervous about getting your sales pitch right – about showing that you understand the farm and the industry. I also know that you probably understand it better than the men in your role. I know you already had to prove yourself beyond them, to the men that you work for. I know you are working your tail off, in an industry you love, that generally views you as less competent. I know you face challenges every single day and I want you to know – as a fellow woman I will not be another challenge for you. I want to say thank you. Thank you for being audacious enough to get into the cab of a combine! Thank you for paving the way for my sons’ wives, who may want to pursue a career of their own in this industry and hopefully will not have to think twice about climbing into the cab with a customer. Thank you for reminding me that I need to embrace, support and encourage other women in this industry. And sometimes that may mean getting control of my own emotions. Mostly, thank you for reminding us that being a farmer’s wife is no longer the only place for women in agriculture. Sincerely, The Farmer’s Wife Kate Lambert is a farmer, blogger, and is passionate about agriculture and telling the story of the industry to consumers. Used by permission. uptownsheep.com. RVW 16 RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 afarin ANGELICA OrO AlexAnder Imperial pearl R O Y A L C H A I N lafonn Midas 1AR Specialists in Custom Design 026923 Envision Lab is a coworking space for creative, innovative, visionary entrepreneurs. (We could fill this ad space with more words, but it would be better if we filled our space with more of you.) Come and see for yourself. Bring this ad in and try us out for a day for $5.00. 033120 www.envisionlab.co 507.779.7152 227 E. Main Street, Suite 200, Mankato RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 17 for my job. I have learned to appreciate the contribution of science in agriculture to the well beings of mankind.” Zhang joined Pioneer in January 2008. Emily Combs was born in Cleveland, Ohio and moved around a lot while growing up. After earning a Bachelor’s in biology at Cornell University in New York, she moved to Minnesota in 2009 to get a Ph.D. in applied plant sciences from the U of M. She came to Mankato in 2013. Combs was initially interested in genetics. She found the idea that four letters could make something as complex as a human or a plant so fascinating and wanted to work in an applied field. In college she worked for her advisor who was a wheat breeder, then continued in that field. Research scientists, from left, Julia Zhang, Emily Combs, Candida Cabral, and Lori Scott work together to develop new hybrids at the DuPont Pioneer Research Center south of Mankato. Science! Women at DuPont Pioneer Research Farm work together for farmers Photo and story by Ruth Klossner Julia Zhang, Emily Combs, Candida Cabral, and Lori Scott may come from very different backgrounds but have something important in common. As research scientists, they are involved in corn breeding research efforts at the DuPont Pioneer Research Farm just south of Mankato. The four women who grew up “in all corners of the world” now work together to produce better hybrids for farmers. Their work goes far beyond developing products for farmers in the local area, as it applies to farmers around the world who grow 95- to 105-day corn. They examine corn on both the genetic/molecular level and place those products in Pioneer research plots to see how they perform. They make decisions on what products to advance for planting by 18 RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 farmers and they share their research efforts with researchers across the globe. Julia Zhang was born in a small village in China and received her elementary and middle school education in her village. High school was a boarding school in town, quite far from her village. Though she wanted to be a chemist, she was placed in an agricultural university during the college exam and administration process. She stated, “I was disappointed because a lot of people didn’t think that there was any science in agriculture or farming. In the Chinese college system, it wasn’t possible to change majors. I decided to make the best of the college education.” Zhang received BS and MS degrees in plant genetics and breeding in China, then moved to the U.S. in 1996. She earned a Masters from South Dakota State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities while working full-time in both universities. She stated, “I really grew to love the practice of plant sciences in breeding. As a breeder, I love the combination of working indoors and outdoors. I have traveled to different countries Candida Cabral was born in southern Brazil. Though she did not grow up on a farm, her extended family had a farm background and she spent many summers on her relatives’ farms while growing up. Given that upbringing, and the fact that biology was always her favorite subject in school, it was natural for her to choose a career in agriculture. She earned a bachelor’s degree in agronomy from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil. As a research assistant in college, Cabral worked with oat and wheat research, but planned to rotate among various departments to get as much exposure as possible to the various areas in the agronomy major. However, she found plant breeding fascinating and held that position until graduating. She then earned a master’s degree in plant breeding and genetics and got an adjunct professor position teaching plant breeding and conducting breeding and research in oats at the same university. To further her education, and to increase her exposure to other research institutions, she came to Minnesota to pursue a Ph.D. in applied plant sciences at the U of M, Twin Cities. She moved to Mankato in 2009 when she joined Pioneer. Lori Scott was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut and lived at army bases in Panama and Salt Lake City before her father left the army. When her family settled in the Midwest, she did most of her growing up in Wisconsin. Scott’s undergrad degree in biochemistry came from UW-River Falls and her Ph.D in plant breeding and plant genetics from UW-Madison. Although her family did not farm, their homes were rural enough that her school bus picked up many passengers from farms. Thus, she received an informal education in basic agriculture from friends on the bus. It was only natural for her to want to apply her eventual scientific training to agriculture. The four research scientists collectively answered a series of questions. Here are their responses. What excites you most about your profession? Julia, Emily, and Candida: We are corn breeders. We enjoy seeing products go commercial and have an impact on farmers. There is nothing quite as exciting as seeing a corn hybrid sign in the country side, like P0157, and knowing you played a role in making it available to farmers. This time of year, we are advancing new products both to commercial sales and within our own breeding programs. It is great to see the tangible results of your work. Plant breeders are inventors and integrators. We work at the intersection of many different sciences—genetics, agronomy, statistics, biology, and computer programming—so we work with specialists in all of these fields to develop better corn seed. This helps keep the workday interesting and challenging. Lori: My niche within Pioneer is a bridge between the breeders and the production group. As the breeders develop inbreds and combine them into hybrid products, testing them for yield and agronomic qualities, I am focused on testing the inbreds to understand the producibility of the seed corn we produce and sell. Often the two inbreds used to produce a hybrid don’t flower at the same time so we plant them at different times to synchronize their flowering periods. I get excited when I visit a seed production field where we “hit the nick” perfectly, resulting in fully pollinated ears. Reliable seed production contributes to stability for sales, confidence of customers, and profit that supports continued research and development. What challenges do you face during your work day? We are constantly working toward developing new corn hybrids with higher yield and better stability. One challenge is the fast paced, dynamic nature of science and the seasonality of agriculture. We are constantly applying the latest advances in genetics, statistics, field design, and so on. New methods, combined with the seasonality of agriculture, mean we rarely do the same process the same way twice. Furthermore, because corn is a model species for plants and agriculture, there is always new literature to study. Mother Nature is another challenge. Just like farmers, we cannot control the weather and must adjust when our test plots are damaged by the weather. We also frequently work outside and must adapt to different weather conditions. The seasonality of agriculture makes workload very variable, which can be challenging for family life. We are all at different life stages—from having aging parents or grown children, to children in college, to children at home, to being single. Finally, we work with many diverse groups of people that can make building and maintaining relationships with coworkers challenging. We collaborate with other researchers, both at the Mankato research station and worldwide. Our coworkers are from different generations, different nationalities, may speak different languages, and have different scientific and personal backgrounds. What advice would you give other young women who may be interested in a career in agriculture? In many ways, agriculture is no different from any other career. It takes dedication, a good education, strong interpersonal skills, and hard work. Getting involved in agriculture early through summer jobs and internships is a great way to get started in the career. Emily did an internship with Pioneer in Windfall, Indiana before graduate school. Emily and Candida each had Pioneer scholarships for graduate school. All of us had early jobs in agriculture that helped us confirm it was the right career for us. Historically there have been relatively few women in agriculture. However, things are changing very rapidly. Julia has been with Pioneer since 2008 and has been especially amazed by the number of women working at Pioneer now versus the past. We think cultural and generational changes in expectations around work life balance have helped make the workplace friendlier to women—as well as to men. For example, Julia was the breeder for Eau Claire, Wisconsin for a few years, but was allowed to office out of Mankato in order for her son to finish high school in Mankato. Are people surprised when you tell them about what you do? Yes. We have all found that most people don’t realize how much research and development goes into a bag of seed. We also find that people are surprised by how much/little we work outside. Whenever there is corn in the ground, we go out to take data regularly. Contrary to old-day breeders who did most note-taking and decision making in the field, modern commercial breeders spend tremendous amounts of time in office to do research work on computers. Finally, there are a lot of questions and misconceptions about GMOs (genetically modified organisms) that always seem to come up when we tell people what we do. What would you like readers to know about genetics work? Genes are the building blocks of life and everything that is alive—from a corn plant to your children—contains DNA. Trying to understand genetics is one of the great scientific challenges of our time. At Pioneer, we are a company built on genetics. Our corn genetics are one of our greatest strengths and we work every day to identify new improved genetic varieties for farmers and consumers in our area. What would you like women to know about the connection that farming has to their everyday lives—food, clothes, cosmetics, etc? Considering the fact that one American farmer can feed 155 people today— compared to 25 in 1960—farming and related professions are humbling careers. Farming meets the essential needs of our daily life by providing food, fuel, fiber, and feed. Corn is a crop that impacts most of these areas— from feeding the dairy cows that make milk, powering your car, sweetening drinks, making disposable cutlery, and helping cosmetics function—corn is everywhere. According to the National Growers Association, in 2014, corn was directly used as follows—38.8% feed, 12.9% exports, 30.5% fuel ethanol, 3.6% high-fructose corn syrup, 2.1% sweeteners, 1.8% starch, 1.5% cereal/other, 1.0% beverage/alcohol, and 0.2% seed. Directly and indirectly, agriculture employs about 17% of the American workforce. Agriculture has a particularly strong impact in Southern Minnesota. As populations in the world increase what role does your job play in filling the need to feed everyone? We know that, in the next 50 years, we will need to grow as much food as we did in the last 10,000. It will take many people working together, including farmers, agronomists, meteorologists, soil scientists, equipment specialists, and others to make this happen. As plant breeders, we feel we have a key role to play in developing seeds to feed the world while adapting to climate change and being producible in an environmentally friendly manner. RVW Preserve Your Special Memories with a one-of-a-kind Made from wedding dresses, baby clothes, sweaters, the possibilities are endless! Memory Bear Pins And needles AlterAtions 728 n. riverfront dr., Mankato, Mn 507-625-5163 029993 RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 19 Bees both reproduce and produce honey in the hives. Unless agitated, honey bees don’t cause problems when being checked on. Using smoke will disorient them, keeping them from letting others in the hive know that there may be trouble. Hendrycks Apiaries One Honey of an Occupation By Mike Lagerquist Marjean and Chuck Hendrycks have spent more than 30 years working with bees. It also seems as though Marjean has spent most of that time working FOR bees as well. HONEY CAKE 1/2 C butter 1/2 C sugar 2 eggs 1/2 C honey 3/4 C milk 1 t almond extract 2 C flour 2 1/2 t baking powder 1/2 t mace 1/2 t salt Cream sugar and butter. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Beat in honey. Combine milk and almond extract. Mix together the flour, baking powder, mace and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk. Beat well. Pour into greased and floured 8 inch round pans. Bake in 350 oven 30-35 minutes. Spread layers with Honey Nut Topping and bake another 5 minutes. Serve as is or later with whipped cream sweetened with honey. HONEY NUT TOPPING 1/2 C honey 1/2 C chopped nuts 1/4 C brown sugar 1/2 t cinnamon 1/4 C softened butter Mix all ingredients together and spread onto hot layers. PEARS IN HONEY 4 pears 4 T honey 1 1/4 C water 2 T lemon juice 1 vanilla bean 2 T chopped pistachio nuts Whipping cream Peel pears, cut them in half and remove cores. Bring the honey, water, and vanilla bean to a boil and pour syrup over pears in a small pan. Cover and simmer until pears are cooked, basting them from time to time with syrup. Remove vanilla bean and transfer pears to a serving dish. Sprinkle with the nuts and serve cold with whipping cream. 20 RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 Bees have an image problem. Because of that, beekeepers also have an image problem. “There’s this misconception, I think. ‘Well, what exactly is it that you do?’ ‘How do you keep busy?’ Or, ‘Can you make a living doing that?’ We’ve had that kind of question [asked] and it’s really kind of insulting. I think there’s just this idea that somehow it’s not a legitimate business that’s run like a business is,” Marjean said. The answer to those questions is a resounding “Yes.” Hendrycks Apiaries, located north of Nicollet near Lafayette, is proof of that. They have provided bulk honey to bottlers in foreign countries and throughout the United States—though mostly in Minnesota in recent years—as well as selling their own product at places like the St. Peter Food Co-op and River Rock Coffee. They’ve been doing it successfully full-time since 1988. Honey bees are nature’s most efficient pollinators, explained Marjean while driving down gravel roads between bee yards with Chuck. Without being properly pollinated, fruits and vegetables will literally die on the vine. In fact, it has been determined that bees play a $15 billion role in agriculture, but they are under-appreciated, under recognized and, therefore, suffering. It’s now time for them to retire from the day-to-day grind of tending more than 1,600 hives in 60 rural locations, Marjean said. They’ve found a buyer for their business who shares their philosophy which will allow them to enjoy a less demanding schedule. But like Rodney Dangerfield, Marjean will always fight for respect. “At least 30 percent of honey bees are being lost each year and that’s a difficult number to be remaking,” she said. “Beekeepers are literally going out of business each and every year because our environment is so unfriendly toward bees.” One reason is destructor mites that feed off of bees, weaken their immune systems and make them more susceptible to viruses. This stresses bees and shortens their already short six-week lifespan. Another reason is insecticides that affect bees’ memories, destroying the communal aspect of hives that makes them efficient. “The other thing that stresses bees—and that is something we can do something about—is habitat,” she continued. She encourages farmers and rural landowners to recognize that road ditches are home to the native flowers that provide bees with the pollen and nectar they need, and which they store in sacks on their legs to share. Ditches also provide the food for ground-nesting birds like pheasants and partridges. “I simply think that the landowners don’t know how to say no [to calls to cut grass in ditches] or maybe they’re just unaware that this is valuable habitat for all pollinators. Not just honey bees, but a lot of pollinators live Property near the farm lived on by Marjean’s parents has been taken out of crop production and returned to its natural state. within stems of grasses or plants, or they live under the ground in the subsoil,” she said. Bees will cover about a 3-mile radius from their hive, to which they return each day. Marjean said it’s believed one hive of bees can pollinate up to 100,000 blossoms each day. This is why it’s important to not only have healthy numbers of bees, but also to have them in many locations. Chuck and Marjean got started in 1974—one year after they married— when Chuck purchased some hives for a side business. Neither had beekeeping in their families, and both kept their full-time jobs at first. It was Chuck’s activity, though Marjean says when it grew to a few hundred hives she would help out as needed. “And then we decided that the two jobs we had been doing were not satisfying to us and weren’t going in the direction we wanted things to go, and Charlie Hurd was selling his hives,” she said. “We went to the banker and we said, ‘This is what we’d like to do.’ ” After an on-site interview the loan was approved and they went into the full-time bee and honey business. In their first year, 1988, they increased from 300 or 400 hives to 1,515. They got as high as 1,800 at one point, but preferred keeping their numbers between 1,600 and 1,700. They arranged rental agreements for “bee yards” at various locations, often paying the rent with honey. “It’s not just the bees that cost you something,” she said. “It’s all of the equipment along with it. So there were additional expenses with keeping things up and running or buying new equipment. And trucks and skid loaders and all of those things.” They have a honey house on their property, which is where Marjean spent much of her time during the two main honey-producing months. Chuck continued making the daily trips to hives, often seeing Marjean only when he returned at the end of the day with hives for extracting. Part-time workers were brought on to take Marjean’s place on the road and to also help her in the honey house. “We in Minnesota produce a very white, very palatable honey,” explained Marjean. This is in great part due to the basswood, linden wood and other plentiful sources of desirable nectar. When they started, their honey often was sold to German firms who blended this prime honey with less desirable honeys, resulting in an inferior product. Enjoy the season. Be active. Be healthy. Be able with OrthoEdge. The OrthoEdge joint replacement program offers superb care from your first visit through recovery. The surgeons from the Orthopaedic & Fracture Clinic and the care team at River’s Edge Hospital provide personal and professional care to get you back to able. Why River’s Edge Hospital & Clinic: • River’s Edge Hospital & Clinic has a long-standing relationship with the Orthopaedic & Fracture Clinic • There are 14 private suites that feature a private bathroom and shower • Restaurant-style menu • Low patient to nurse ratio • Hospitalist on staff to provide patient centered care 24 hours a day • Free WiFi for patients and guests • Individualized care • On-site Physical and Occupational Therapy “It’s not necessarily doing you as a consumer any good, and it sure doesn’t make what would be a fantastic honey better,” said Marjean. Now, however, Minnesota honey has gained status, so it gets blended less. Hendrycks honey sold locally has always been pure. So far, Marjean said, she’s surprised how easily she has shed the 16-hour days that come with full-time honey production. As part of the sale they have agreed to help their buyer get started on a part-time basis. Though they regretted after-school hours their children spent with grandparents just down the road, they plan to make up for that with their own grandchildren. “As far as the everyday grind, I’m so happy not to have that on my back anymore,” she said wistfully. Though it’s likely, come spring, she will be looking for a little honey buzz. RVW Mankato St. Peter (944) 412-7949 | OrthoEdgeMN.com 033153 RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 21 Milking it for all it’s worth! Cow Mooseum achieves World Record Status By Kelly DeVriendt Record Breaking News Ruth Klossner not only broke the record, she blew it out of the barnyard. On July 10, 2015, Guinness World Records confirmed that she owns the largest collection of cow-related items in the world. The previous record holder had just over 3,000 items, while Ruth’s official count is 15,144. It appears her world record status should stand for a long time. Ruth’s first cow item was purchased in the mid-1970s at an auction. Ruth recalled, “I bought the cow and calf statue just because I liked it. The collection grew from there.” By the mid-1980s, initially as an attempt to learn how to use spreadsheets, she entered the pieces she had on her computer. There were about 150 items at that time. Fortunately, Ruth had the foresight to continue to document every piece as she acquired it. Without that, securing the world record with an accurate count would have been impossible. After originally inquiring to Guinness in 1999, Klossner decided she did not have the time to put together everything required to confirm her cow collection status. “About three years ago, I started thinking about it again and people kept telling me I should do it,” Ruth said. 22 RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 She began the process of obtaining her rightful place in the record book more than two years prior to its confirmation. She sent photos, a videotape, computer lists and witness statements to Guinness. When they informed her that she would need someone else to confirm the count to make it official, she thought, “Well, that’s it, I guess.” However, two community members actually volunteered to count the cows. It took retired District Court Judge Tom McCarthy and his wife Patty two long days to count the over 15,000 cow-related items. A Collection of Memories Ruth’s first purchased piece is not actually the oldest piece. That honor goes to her 1964 Nicollet County Holstein Girl award. (Ruth went on to be named Minnesota Holstein Girl in 1967 and National Holstein Girl in 1968). Ruth also noted, “The oldest pieces actually date back to the 1950s. I had a set of three cow pieces that I gave to my nieces and nephews.” After not seeing those pieces for five decades—and forgetting about them—the pieces were returned to her a few years ago. Ruth’s home in the village of Bernadotte (rural Lafayette), which she moved to in 1979, houses her collection and has been designated “The MOOseum.” hosted over 5,000 visitors—with nearly 500 of them taking part in a Dairy Celebration recognizing the Guinness record on September 19. Tours are by appointment (call 507-240-0048 or email [email protected]). There is no charge. The collection includes items from international travels, as well as from throughout the United States; also pieces from antique shows and sales of all kinds. Then and Now Why cows? Is one of the most common questions Klossner receives. The answer is pretty straight forward, as Ruth explained. “I always loved cows. I showed cattle in 4H. I had cows as pets before I even started school. When I was 12, I convinced my parents to buy me a purebred Holstein “I always loved cows. I showed cattle in 4H. calf.” That first purebred calf was named Delight but she was no better I had cows as pets before I even started school." than any other cow on the family farm. However, Delight’s first calf, Princess, went on to be a 4-H champion at the Minnesota State Fair. “About 25% were gifts, some actually from strangers,” Ruth said. As she walks around the Mooseum, there is no shortage of stories. She pointed out a small manure spreader that her father planted in the collection, asserting, “If you’re going to have all these cows, you’re going to need at least one spreader.” Klossner usually hosts an open house on a Sunday in December, and asks area kids to come to help as tour guides. One of these students bestowed his own toy tractor to the collection to pull the manure spreader. Klossner also pointed out a key ring, purchased on a recent vacation to Vermont as one of the dozens of pieces she brought back. There’s also a display of dairy-related advertising pencils that date back to the 1950s. They were part of her first childhood collection. A prized piece sits under a glass casing in the kitchen. It is a silver cow creamer named “Tippifina.” When the city of Lafayette celebrated its centennial in 2000, Tippi Hedren, the star of Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds and a native of Lafayette, was asked to be grand marshal of the centennial parade. Hedren, along with four additional family members, stayed at Ruth’s house. When Hedren returned to the area in 2014, she told Ruth, “I have something for your collection, but you’ll have to wait for it. I’ll leave it to you in my will.” However, after Tippi returned to California, she called to tell Ruth, “The cow and I talked it over, and she wants to live with you now.” The creamer, which had been a wedding gift to Tippi, now lives happily among friends at the Mooseum. If Ruth had had her way, she would likely have followed a career in some area of the dairy industry as she started college by majoring in agriculture. However, that was not an option when Ruth attended school in the mid-1960s so she switched to home economics and worked in county extension work for 13 years. Women weren’t welcome in agricultural jobs at the time. Klossner stated, “Things began to change by the 1970s as the industry realized that women had a lot of knowledge and that they were missing half the people.” Ruth believes that women have always been an integral part of agriculture. She stated, “My dad worked hard on the farm, but so did my mother. They made all the farming decisions together.” Ruth went on, “Women are more visible today; they have a foothold in agriculture and are moving to reach equality in most areas.” Klossner did go on to receive a Master’s degree in agriculture in 1978. Ruth’s life continues to center around agriculture and, even though she hasn’t lived on the farm for years, she proclaimed, “I am still a farm girl at heart.” Klossner readily admits that the barnyard is pretty crowded, but visitors are always welcome. Since starting a guest register about 20 years ago, she has The proof lies in the impressive stack on accomplishments and involvements Ruth has achieved. Throughout her life, she has earned numerous awards through 4-H, she is secretary of the New Ulm Farm-City Hub club, has photographed 4-H livestock at the Minnesota State Fair for 33 years, supported agriculture during a 27-year career at the local newspaper after working in county extension as a 4-H agent, is president of the Nicollet County Holstein Association, and is currently working on a third book. Ruth has dedicated her life to participating, supporting and promoting agriculture; she is most definitely a farmer. RVW Ruth with her champion 4-H cow, Klossner Princes Delight, 1966 Ruth's home office RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 23 “This is Why I Do What I Do” Real Minnesota farmers tell the story of agriculture Farming Today empowers farmers to tell their stories in their own words. Farmers are trained to speak about why they do what they do, address issues in agriculture and present their stories. The program connects farmers with opportunities to speak to community and civic organizations, businesses, family and consumer science (FACS) classrooms and agriculture classrooms. Farmers share their real stories and audiences benefit from firsthand accounts of people on the front lines of agriculture. As the public has moved to urban and suburban areas, people are increasingly removed from American agriculture, oftentimes between 3-5 generations removed from the farm. The Minnesota Farm Bureau initiated the Farming Today program in 2010 to bridge the communication gap between consumers and farmers. The Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation Farming Today program is made possible by a partnership with the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation, Minnesota Corn Growers Association, Minnesota’s Farm Credit organizations including AgStar Financial Services, United FCS, AgCountry and AgriBank, Minnesota Beef Council, Cargill, CHS and Riverview, LLC. RVW Courtesy of Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation Ask a Farmer... SOTA FAR NNE M MI U FOUNDA TI "If you’re not telling your story, someone else will tell it for you. When you can look somebody in the eye and say ‘this is why I do what I do,’ it always is impactful.” cost to the groups. Contact Barbara Dodson, Farming Today scheduler at 800-711-0747, ext. 222 or [email protected]. REA BU “Encouraging farmers and ranchers to share their own story is important because so many consumers don’t know a lot about agriculture,” said Marytina Lawrence, Minnesota Farm Bureau Farming Today coordinator and speaker participant. “This program not only teaches people where their food comes from, but also how agriculture is vital to our communities and the world.” Marytina Lawrence, Minnesota Farm Bureau Farming Today coordinator and speaker participant, along with husband Bryan and their children. Invite a Farming Today Speaker and hear the farm-to-food story directly from a local farmer! A farmer from your area is available to speak to your community group, moms club, school, church group or place of business. Find out how food, as well as clothing and many other products all start with a farmer! ON Minnesota farmers feed families, fuel the economy, care about their communities and are stewards of the environment. And now they are telling their story. “As consumers, we all benefit from firsthand awareness of the care and passion that farm families put into feeding families, and the support they deserve in accomplishing that feat,” said Lawrence. “Farmers aren’t always comfortable talking about themselves, but if you’re not telling your story, someone else will tell it for you. When you can look somebody in the eye and say ‘this is why I do what I do,’ it always is impactful.” To learn more about Farming Today, visit facebook.com/ FarmingTodaySpeakers or contact Marytina Lawrence, coordinator at 763-273-6981 or [email protected]. Service organizations such as Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce, etc., MOMS or MOPS group, schools, or places of business could benefit from hearing from a farmer. The presentations are at no 24 RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 Care Minnesota Farmers Animals Environment Food Family • To schedule a farmer: 800-711-0747 • For more information: 763-273-6981 • Visit Farming Today Speakers on Facebook 032880 1849 AdAms st. mAnkAto, mn 56001 507-386-4609 FREE GAIt AnALYsIs & Foot AssEssmEnt PLus $15 oFF A PAIR oF shoEs With this ad. Cannot be combined with other offers. Expires 11/30/2015. 033350 s 26 Continued page 40 RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 SPACES By Susan Bottin Photos by SR Photography The Roigers: Where Everything Old is You are a stranger in this house but once. Most importantly, this is the place Greg and Cathy Roiger have made their home, in rural New Ulm. It all started in 1987 when Greg was at the right place at the right time, enjoying his regular cup of coffee with a group of friends. Mention was made about a place that would soon be coming up for sale. Greg and Cathy had searched for over a decade, hoping to live on a farm but just hadn’t found the right fit. s Traveling up the long driveway, you instantly recognize this is a place you will never forget. The road that leads you here is literally a road less traveled. The brick house would easily serve well for a movie setting with its elegant front door, the pasture, chickens running around, and apple trees in the distance, along with the newly remodeled red barn, but there is so much more to this scene. New Again Suddenly, it felt like the search was over as this place seemed like it was “the one.” When Greg and Cathy went to have a look at the unoccupied home, the doors had been boarded up, the windows were broken, and every structure on the premises lay under a cover of dust. Neither spoke a single word to the other, but that did not mean there was nothing to say. A few days later Cathy looked at Greg and said, “I want that house!” 28 RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 A bit of research revealed that this wasn’t just another farm on the Big Cottonwood River. It had history. A story that was begging to be told. And the Roigers were the perfect people to tell it and add chapters to it. In fact, Greg did write a book about life there on the Cottonwood entitled “Becoming River Rats” s Breaking the silence meant sparking the process of securing the house and diving into renovation plans. A typical renovation consists of new coats of paint, walls being tore down, and replacing windows, but the Roigers put their heart and soul in to this house to ensure this renovation was also a preservation, and it would hold true to its original purpose and charm. They replaced every old nail with a new one, redid the beautiful maple floors, and created history in the present. With friends and family helping, their renovations encompassed the entire following year as they worked daily until they could finally move into their “new” home. 033124 We treat our customers like family. Materials, design services and FREE delivery for your building or remodeling projects makes us your go-to, do-it-all center! Go ahead, dream big. At Community Bank we know small businesses are the backbone of America and our local community. So we’re always there to help. From checking accounts with no service fees to small business loans, you’ll get a fast, informed decision - right on site. Community Bank. The right fit for your business. MONEY MATTERS. WORK SMART. LET COMMUNITY BANK HELP YOU BRING THE TWO TOGETHER. We offer Metal Sales products for commercial, agricultural and residential products. 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Nordaas American Homes 10091 State Hwy 22, Minnesota Lake, MN 800.658.7076 Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. & Sat. 8 a.m. to Noon www.nordaashomes.com 032684 RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 29 Suddenly, it felt like the search was over as this place seemed like it was “the one.” About the Process You seem to have a nice collection of antiques, old items and other collectibles. Can you tell us about some of them and how you were inspired to integrate them into the design scheme? My main collection is Hall teapots and coffee pots. I got my first teapot from my grandmothers estate in the early 80s. I expanded to anything Hall, but reduced my collection due to space restraints. The other collectibles/antiques have come from family, auctions, and thrift stores/garage sales. I try to only get things that match with the age of my house. How long did the renovation take? The basic renovation took a year. We moved in with no floors put down, no painting done, and the downstairs ceilings were no done. That all took most of the rest of another year. It has been a work in progress since then. which is about the remodel, some history of the three families who have lived here, and about how how they live their life. You can purchase the book at the Brown County Museum in New Ulm. In 1871, two brothers, Julius and his sister Minnie, left Duesterferde, Mecklenburg-Strelitz Germany and made their way to Brown County. A few months after their arrival, Julius built a watermill on the Big Cottonwood River in Home Township. In 1872, his brother August also immigrated to America and made his way to Home Township to work with his brother operating the Frank Mill. It was at this time they built their home and made it a halfway house (halfway house was a term used for a roadhouse, such as “halfway” to New Ulm) where others could stay before milling grain the next day, or fording the river to travel to New Ulm for stations, supplies, or to sell crops. The Roigers are carrying on tradition and open their doors to anyone who cares to visit. Friends gather for get-togethers in the newly renovated barn (the “Party Room”) every Wednesday to enjoy card games, puzzles, table shuffleboard, and crack walnuts. Come fall they have an Apple Press Party where anyone and everyone brings a dish to pass and can participate in pressing apples to make apple juice, hard apple cider and apple wine. A Christmas party that has become a tradition with friends and neighbors features a visit from none other than Santa himself. The 37.5 acres is once again a home for cattle, chickens, sheep, a pig, a dog named Chloe, and the Roigers’ growing family creating more stories for future generations to share around the table. It’s important to the Roigers that all who visit leave feeling like family and are part of another page in the history book or name on the chalkboard. 30 RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 What challenges did you encounter? The challenges we faced were that the sill beams were all rotten, there was a sand floor in the basement, no plumbing and very very old electrical, and no heat vents. We also had to replace all the storm windows. The inside windows are the original windows with “new” old glass from Mike Mason. What did you learn during the process? We learned to be patient, Everything took longer than we anticipated and usually cost more than we planned. Did you know exactly how you wanted it to be from the get go? We had many visions of what we wanted. Some worked, some did not. There are always things you think you should have done differently, but we love what we have. Do you have a favorite part of the property? We have 37 1/2 acres here and there is not really a favorite spot. The whole property is special and every spot has something that is our favorite. What advice would you give to someone renovating an old house? My advice to anyone taking on a project like this is to take it day by day. We had a basic plan, but took our time and got it all done. We would love to have you come next fall to the Apple Press. It is a wonderful day of work, friendship, food, and, music. Everyone goes home with fresh apple juice and great memories. This year the Organic Cowboys band played and they were wonderful. In the past years we have had TC Chantler play. Greg wrote a book called “Becoming River Rats” which is about our remodel, some history of the three families who have lived here, and about how we live our life. RVW You’re Secure Behind Our Shield Products & • Residential & Commercial services • Burglar Alarms • Video Surveillance Connect” New! “Total Video on the Go • Remote Key Pad • Video Services • E-mail Notifications When connected to your alarm system, any action that you can perform at your keypad can now be achieved remotely from anywhere in the world utilizing the Internet, PDA’s, cell phone and other web enabled devices. GetYourshield.com 030315 033157 Shield Security Systems A Division of C&N Sales Company 1840 Commerce Drive, North Mankato 507-387-7986 www.cnnsales.com 033202 RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 31 Tips for Preparing Your Home for Winter As the temperatures cool around the region, the leaves on the ground will soon turn to snow. With a very snowy winter predicted in the forecast, it is more important than ever to make sure your home is ready. Protecting your biggest investment can be a matter of doing simple tasks before the snow falls. Tune Up Your Furnace Before cold weather strikes, making sure your furnace is in good running condition is imperative. For a small fee, a furnace technician can come to your home to make sure your furnace is running smoothly. He or she can clean the insides of the furnace and make sure it is running to its optimal efficiency. You can also have your furnace filter replaced and measure for carbon monoxide leakage. Not only is getting your furnace cleaned and checked the best way to avoid winter related fires in your home, but it is a great way to avoid a furnace breakdown on the coldest day of the year. There may be rebates for this available from heating and cooling vendors through various utilities programs. Be sure to ask. Caulk Around Doors and Windows Even if your furnace is running smoothly, gaps around windows and doors can create a draft and will raise your heating costs for the winter. Applying a moderate strip of silicone caulk on the exterior of your windows and doors can reduce these gaps and keep the inside of your home warmer and more efficient. If any of your doors have a gap around the sides or at the bottom, apply weather stripping to make sure you have a tight seal. Clean the Gutters During the fall months your gutters can build up a large amount of leaves, acorns and anything else that falls from the trees. When snow falls on top of that, it can create ice dams and force moisture toward your roof. Cleaning the gutters can prevent a buildup of ice in the winter, and make sure any melting snow and ice can run to the ground and not toward your roof. The gutter’s job is to protect the roof of your home and the foundation around it, but when it is clogged in the winter it can have an opposite effect. Cleaning the gutters is just another simple way to protect your home from nature’s winter elements. Get the Chimney Cleaned and Inspected If your home has a chimney, it is a good idea to get it cleaned and inspected before the winter months. The chimney can build up soot and other debris that can be harmful and hazardous during the heating season. Having a fireplace in your home is a definite plus in our climate, but a dirty chimney can cause fires where you don’t want them to start. Having a professional sweep and clean your chimney once a year- particularly in the fall, will help you avoid a chimney fire. They can also check for leaks and damage to your chimney to make sure it is running safely. Drain All Faucets Outside Drain and disconnect all garden hoses from the exterior faucets to prevent them freezing over the winter. If a garden hose is still connected to the faucet, it can actually result in your interior pipes freezing and a costly repair. If possible, find the shut off valve for any exterior faucets and make sure they are in the off position. Taking these simple steps to prepare your home for winter can help you stay warmer and more efficient in the coldest months of the year. It can also ensure that your home and your family stay safe during the heating season. Winter can be a harsh time for homeowners, but taking precautions can make the season a little more cozy and worry-free. RVW Jessica Barke, Realtor ® Coldwell Banker Burnet Klobucar Realty Group Your Search Starts Here. Residential Investment Recruiting Shawna Wolfe Co-owner Residential Division 507-420-1877 (Cell) 507-345-1599 (Office) 028988 32 RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 c21landmarkrealtors.com 241 St. Andrews Drive, Mankato, MN 507.345.8084 012358 Highway 14 West • New Ulm • designhomecenter.com 507.233.8440 234340 033234 RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 33 Garden Gratitude Here’s a strange statement for a Minnesotan gardener to say: November is my favorite month. n Ga e d ar l•G arden Gal •G Though it may feel contrary to our innate inclination toward busy-ness, we shouldn’t ignore an allowance for rest. Minnesota seasons force our gardens to rest, and there’s no reason we gardeners can’t follow suit. When the plants go dormant, we can also experience a period of dormancy. I’m always relieved to have a few months away from gardening. It keeps me interested, keeps gardening from becoming a burdensome chore, keeps my passion fresh and bright. n But November, despite its subtle beauty, is a difficult month for gardeners. There isn’t very much to do besides shut down our gardens for the year, add some “winter interest” to our containers, and go inside to sip hot tea while gazing longingly at the bare ground. Sure, you can start planning for next year, but who’s actually organized enough to keep track of said plans until spring? Not me. By this time of year, I’m a little exhausted. I’m more inclined to stowaway on a plane to Mexico than to divide and transplant another pesky hosta. (But I’ll do it if it needs to be done…) •G Once, I would have agreed with you. But I’ve recently come to appreciate the beauty of death in the garden. Nature is all about cycles: plants live and die and feed other plants with the nutrients from their decomposing cells. Dead trees become trellises that allow climbing plants to reach the light they need to survive. Dormant grasses shelter wildlife from the harsh winter winds, and fallen leaves compost themselves and enrich the soil for the following year. Gal • Gard e l • Gard • Garden Gal Ga al The November gardening lull gives us time for gratitude. Before our fingernails fully return to their original state of cleanliness, let’s walk around our gardens and be grateful (and stick our hands in the dirt a few more times to remember what it feels like before it freezes). It may seem silly at first, but I think even a brief attempt at this exercise can improve your daily outlook. It also may seem like a silly time of year to “experience” your garden. You’re probably thinking (rather exasperatedly), “Laura, I already cut everything down for the season. There’s nothing to look at. This is dumb.” den ar en G Honestly, I started out feeling this way because my birthday is in November. (Like any good millennial, I love my birthday! It’s fun to get attention.) But over time, I’ve developed an honest-to-goodness appreciation for this blustery, chilling month. I like how the wind sends leaves scurrying into corners and how I can nestle into my jacket and usually feel just the right amount of warmth. I like the crumbly bare garden ground before the first snowfall and the crunchy rustling of dried grasses and branches. It’s quite lovely. accomplish even more. I don’t have time for gratitude! Right?! Yes, November gardens are mostly physically empty, but they are simultaneously filled with hope for spring and with that pure joy that comes from being alive and having the ability to help other organisms live, too! I like to marvel at the jagged outline of bare tree branches against the autumn sky. They remind me of permanence – and somehow, at the same time, impermanence. Seasons will always change, and lives will always come and go. But right now, I have the privilege of tending and improving my own little part of the world, year after year. It’s certainly something to be grateful for. RVW Laura Schwarz, a New Ulm native, is a horticulturist and writer in Minneapolis, MN. However, I sometimes wonder: what should we do with our unfocused energy during the off-season? For now, let’s embrace the main tenant of November, that of being grateful, of giving thanks. Sometimes, gratitude is more difficult than it should be – I find myself having to make a concentrated effort to truly experience it. I want to rush past gratitude, instead indulging my worries and anxieties or working even harder to Writer’s note: I’m starting a Facebook page, and I’d love to interact with you! If you have any questions, comments, suggestions for article topics, or friendly salutations, please follow me at http:// www.facebook.com/LauraSchwarzGardenWriter. Thanks very much! Kato Moving & Storage Over 120 years of service We can handle all your moving needs local and long distance, climate controlled warehouse or self-storage units 417 Poplar Street, Downtown Mankato 34 RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 507-388-9329 or 1-800-228-8583 236538 Wedding invitations & accessories 1750 Tower Blvd., North Mankato M-F 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. | 507.625.0547 www.stationerygift.carlsoncraft.com Ask us how to get 30% OFF your next order! 236964 033211 It’s Showplace cabinetry! For a limited time, it’s even more affordable, with two ways to save: discounts on premium woods, or cash-back rebates. Idea Haus is your exclusive local source for Showplace Cabinetry. So when you’re ready to create that gorgeous kitchen see the design team at Idea Haus of New Ulm. • KITCHENS & BATHS • FLOOR COVERINGS • COuNTERTOpS • pORCELAIN TILE • ONyx COLLECTION SHOwERS • dESIGN SERVICES Overson Lumber Co. Inc. St. James | Sleepy Eye | Lamberton | Wabasso | Jackson | Westbrook | New Ulm 207475 RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 35 Car buying CAN be enjoyable — just do your homework Women buy 54% of the cars in the United States, and influence 84% of all vehicle purchase decisions*. But, when I’m asked the best advice for purchasing a vehicle for a woman, SURPRISE! It’s the same advice I would give to a man. Car buying can be an enjoyable experience! If you go to a dealership and feel like you’re not getting the service you deserve for any reason, find a new salesperson or find a new dealership. So, what is my advice for a great car buying experience? Do your research Consider your lifestyle, driving habits, and financial situation and narrow your search to 2-3 vehicles that fit your needs. There is a ton of information online, look at vehicle reliability, gas efficiency, cost of ownership, features, trim levels, and future resale value. But, don’t forget to ask around! Talk to your friends, family, co-workers, pet groomer, and find out where and who they have bought their vehicles from and how their experiences were, but keep an open mind! If you have a vehicle to trade in, check sites like Kelley Blue Book (KBB.com), and NADA.com to get an idea of what your vehicle is worth. Pick a dealership Read dealership reviews, but keep an open mind. They will give you a good idea of overall quality. How long have they been around? You want to know that when you have to have service done or if you have questions, they will still be there. Location – you will have to have your vehicle serviced, is it convenient? Some brands offer a period of free maintenance that needs to be done at the dealership. Good dealers take pride in their facilities and that is reflected in all aspects of the dealership, from the showroom to the service department. The Service Department shouldn’t be intimidating. You’ll be talking to the Service Advisors more than your salesperson, you will develop a relationship them. Pick your salesperson Remember, the salesperson can be your friend! Trust your salesperson. Their job is to find you the perfect vehicle that meets your needs, at a price you can afford. You should have a good feeling about the dealership and your salesperson, and feel comfortable going back for service and asking your salesperson any questions you may have after you purchase the vehicle. A salesperson should always be willing to help, even after the sale. Pick a car New vehicles come with a warranty, and some used vehicles do too. When looking at a used car, find out how much information they have about it. Did they inspect it? What did they find during the inspection? Do they have service records? Look at the Carfax – one should be provided to you free from the dealership. If you feel it’s necessary, have a mechanic you trust look the car over. Buying a vehicle is one of the biggest purchases you will make. There are a lot of factors that will go into making your decision. While price does matter, sometimes the lowest price is not the best deal. If you’ve done your research, and found a great salesperson, you will find your perfect car that meets your needs at a fair price, then you’ve gotten a great deal. RVW *nolo.com Laurie Danberry Sales Consultant Heintz Toyota Lights come on your dashboard? Don’t’ panic! The dreaded low tire pressure light comes on. What do you do? First of all do not ignore it. Your vehicle may have a problem that requires some attention. The wisest thing to do is stop at a full service automotive facility as soon as you can and ask them to check your air pressures in all tires. Typically one of three scenarios will occur. Number one is when only one tire is lower than recommended. At that time it is advisable to have the shop check for a puncture or leak and repair it if they find one. Number two is when all the tires are just a little low on pressure. This is very common here in river valley country. As the air temperature rises and falls your tire pressure also rises and falls. It is a simple scientific fact. For every 10 degree change in temperature your tire pressure rises or falls approximately 1 pound of air pressure. The shop will add the needed air to all tires and the system will need to be reset to extinguish the warning light. This varies by manufacturer. Your owner’s manual will detail how this is done. Number three is the one that “catches” most of us, even some shop personnel. Some vehicles monitor the spare tire also. If no issues are found with the tires on the vehicle ask that they check the spare. If you do this you just might really impress some shop personnel. What is the correct air pressure for a tire on your vehicle? Open the driver’s, or in some cases the passenger’s front door. There will be a label that states the correct tire size and air pressure for your vehicle. It NEVER states correct air pressure on the side of the tire. Proper air pressure adds life to your tires, makes them roll easier saving you gas and allows the tire tread to work as it was designed to give you the best possible traction and ride. RVW Randy Jacobs, Manager Heartland Tire New Ulm wheel Talk When is the best time to purchase a new car? Usually the best time is toward the end of a model year. Most of the manufacturers work hard to lower the amount of inventory on the dealer’s lots toward the end of the year to make room for the new models. That’s not to say that periodically throughout the year there aren’t special short term programs. It can work well to let your salesperson know you are in the market for a vehicle and then they can notify you as the programs become available. representative test your vehicle’s battery and antifreeze ratios. Specifically, testing the battery for cold cranking power and the antifreeze for proper ratio, if it’s a weak ratio it might freeze at 0 or -10 degrees instead of proper ratios which are good till -35 degrees. How much air pressure should my tires have in them? This answer differs with every vehicle because it depends on the type of vehicle you own. On all vehicles there is a label usually on the driver’s door or door jamb that has the correct PSI (pounds per inch) listed for your vehicle. It is typical to need to make an adjustment to your tire pressure with a seasonal temperature change. Woman What is the most popular feature that people look for when shopping for a new vehicle? Whether a customer is shopping for a new car or a used car, the most asked for feature is Bluetooth. If a vehicle is equipped with Bluetooth it allows hands free calls in your vehicle. Many of the models even download your phone’s contact list so you can both call out or answer an incoming call without taking your eyes off the road. s What should I do to winterize my car? To winterize your vehicle it is important to have your service Why do some dealerships have different prices on the same type of used vehicle? In regard to used vehicles, there are several factors. Every dealer acquires their used vehicles from different sources. Trade-ins, auctions, etc. Most of the time when there is a difference it has to do with more or less equipment on each of the vehicles. 2 Woman We know what you like when shopping for a vehicle. No need to dread a visit to a car dealership, because we speak your language! 1807 S. Broadway • New Ulm 507-354-1550 Pauline Wohnoutka Sales Consultant SP Faith Ryan Jeanne Limoges Sales Consultant General Manager Why should you bring your car to Heartland Tire in New Ulm? Kristi Schacher Finance Manager Scott-PreuSSe, Inc. Your trusted hometown dealer since 1955 1300 E. BridgE St. rEdwood FallS, MN 507-637-2991 800-658-2380 • We have over 90 years of automotive experience ready to serve you. • We provide pickup and delivery service of your vehicle . • We provide rides to home or work • Clean and comfortable waiting area • Complimentary coffee and bottled water while you wait • We are a family owned business • Every car we service receives a seat cover and floor mat before we drive it 033431 RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 37 How do I know if I should lease or purchase a car? This is probably the most asked question of car dealers. The short answer is that it is different for everybody. With leasing, there isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ program. For some people leasing isn’t a benefit and for other people it’s a huge benefit. Some of the general guidelines when considering leasing over a traditional cash purchase or finance are the number miles per year you drive, the vehicles warranty term, how much do you want your monthly payment to be and how long do you like to keep a car. Your dealer’s representative is a great resource in helping you work through these questions. The best local price in addition to the best service, best parts, & best guarantee! Factory GM Parts offer a 12 month/12,000 mile guarantee Nicole Briggs, GM Certified Service Convenient scheduling options! 24/7 on our website or email! Why Service With Jensen? 4 n 4 n 4 n 4 n 4 n What is the difference between all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive? The difference is how the power is provided to all four wheels so your benefit of these features is very similar. Another difference is that allwheel drive senses road conditions and automatically activates the wheels for all-wheel drive based on slippage and four wheel drive you can shut off and switch on when needed. RVW Complimentary 27 Point Inspection with every visit Free Wi-Fi, Kids Korner, & Coffee Free pick-up and delivery services in New Ulm! Extended Service Hours on Mondays! 8am-8pm Courtesy Transportation options Hwy 15 South New Ulm, MN 56073 507-233-8810 800-967-3390 JensenMotors.com Jeanne Limoges Scott Pruesse Redwood Falls 033114 Same Great People. Same Great Service. Call Today! 507.388.4895 1671 E. Madison Ave. Mankato, MN 56001 jerrysbodyshop.com Time for a Big Bow Auto Body Repair Auto Glass Repair & Replacement National Lifetime Limited Warranty Open Up a Toyota This year! 033127 026315 38 RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 1234 Raintree Rd., Mankato Call 507-387-0443 [email protected] www.heintztoyota.com Discover Chiropractic Dr. Cuong Huynh D.C. and Dr. Deb Bobendrier Now in Mankato and Nicollet! 304 Pine St. , Nicollet, MN 507-232-2789 1609 North Riverfront Dr Suite 100, Mankato, MN 507-720-0742 We’re having a C.O.W! (Chiropractic Opportunity Week) Dec. 7-11 - Bring a bag of food for the Echo Food Shelf and receive a new patient exam for FREE! www.mankatodc.com Hatanpa Insurance Agency 1613 N. Riverfront Dr., Mankato 507-345-3606 217 Main St, Mapleton 507-524-4145 Start feeling better soon. massage and spa services Book online today at justkneadedmassage.fullslate.com! For every 20 cans of food collected for the Echo Food Shelf, get a $10 gift card! 507-317-4739 1609 N. Riverfront Mankato, MN justkneaded.massagetherapy.com Buying? Selling? Talk to us! Realty Executives River Valley Dar Vosburg, Broker/Owner 507-387-5545 Pam Sher, Realtor/Buyer’s Agent 507-382-1184 Melinda Sturm, Realtor 507-382-1103 www.MankatoHomes.com Body Concepts 1609 N. Riverfront Dr. Suite 105 Mankato, MN 507.381.5467 bodyconceptsmankato.com BoDy CoNtouRiNg tReatMeNtS Slimming Body and Face treatments offer immediate inch loss, detoxification, boosts metabolism and lifts, tightens & tones. 033545 & Fun, Festivals Frolics To have your event listed, please e-mail Ruth Klossner at [email protected] by the 15th of the month. Listings are generally for events that are free to the public, or are fund-raisers. Listings will be published as space allows and at the discretion of the editor. Thurs.-Sun., Nov. 5-8 •GnomeMade Artisan Market, historic locations & artisan homes in New Ulm. 8 am-5:30 pm Fri. & Sat.; 11 am-3 pm Sun. Preview sale at select locations 5-7 pm Thurs. Regional artisans & craftsmen display & sell wares. Info: 507-2334300 or newulm.com. •‘Argonautika,’ Anderson Theatre, Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter. 8 pm Thurs., Fri. & Sat.; 2 pm Sun. Theatre adaption of ‘The Voyage of Jason and the Argonauts.’ Info: 507-933-7353 or kborowy@ gustavus.edu. Fri., Nov. 6 •Minnesota Music Hall of Fame 27th Annual Induction Ceremony & Banquet, Turner Hall, New Ulm. White linen dinner, entertainment & induction ceremony. Info: mnmusichalloffame.org/. •Henderson Lions Ladies Night Toy Drive, Event Center, 514 Main Street, Henderson, 6 pm. Bring toy, get 20% coupon for a vendor. Raffle drawings; wine & beer samples. Info: 952-200-5684 or [email protected]. •A Taste of Home Fundraiser, Johnson Hall, Nicollet County Fairgrounds, St. Peter, 5:30-8 pm. Silent auction; food, wine, and beer tasting. Tickets at door. Proceeds to Habitat for Humanity. Info: hfhsouthcentral.net or 507388-2081, or 507-327-5992. Fri.-Sat., Nov. 6-7 •Wine Diva Days, Morgan Creek Vineyards, 23707 478th Ave, New Ulm. 8 am Fri.—5 pm Sat. Free wine tasting for ladies. Info: morgancreekvineyards.com/, 507-2334300 or [email protected]. Fri.-Sun., Nov. 6-8 •Quilt Exhibit at Wanda Gag House, 226 N. Washington St., New Ulm, 1-4 pm Fri., 10 am-4 pm Sat., 12-3 pm Sun. Exhibit of Christmas quilts, wall hangings and table runners. Info: 507-359-2632 or [email protected]. Fri.-Sun., Nov. 6-8 & 13-15 •Holiday Shopping Opener, New 40 Ulm. Eat, stay & play on either of the weekends. New Ulm specialty shops join together for open houses, tasty treats, events & giveaways. Info: 507-233-4300, [email protected] or newulm.com. Sat., Nov. 7 •Women’s Expo and Holiday Craft Sales, Jefferson Elementary School, New Ulm, 9 am-2 pm. Combines community agencies, personal businesses & crafters in one location. Benefits ECFE program. Info: 507-233-4300 or newulm.com. •Minnesota Music Hall of Fame 2015 Inductee Showcase, 27 North Broadway, New Ulm, 10 am-2 pm. Entertainment, visit with 2015 inductees, refreshments. Free. Info: mnmusichalloffame.org/. •St. Peter Craft & Vendor Show, Armory, 1120 N. Swift St., St. Peter, 9 am-2 pm. 40+ vendors & crafters, door prizes; concession stand proceeds support Church of St. Peter VBS. Info: facebook. com/stpetercraftvendorshow or [email protected]. •Holiday Fare, St. Peter Community Center, 600 S. 5th St., St. Peter, 10 am-3 pm. Juried art, jewelry & craft sale, holiday heritage bakery sale, lefse sampling, entertainment. Free admission to sale. Wine/craft beer tasting. Proceeds benefit Arts Center of Saint Peter. Info: artscentersp.org/about/holiday-fare. •Hunting Widows Weekend Winter Design Seminar & Mini Fashion Show, A & W Furniture, 1501 East Bridge St., Redwood Falls, 11 am. Info: 507-644-3535. •Girls Weekend Out, Hutchinson Mall, 1060 Minnesota Hwy 15, Hutchinson. On-mall exhibitors, discounts, drawings, samples, shopping. •Free Kid's Concert—Hangin' With My Gnomies, State Street Theater, 1 North State St., New Ulm, 1 pm. Free, original crafted folk music & storytelling performance geared RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 towards kids grades PreK-6. Info: gnomemademarket.com/ or [email protected]. •Quilt Creation Stories, Wanda Gag House, 226 N. Washington St., New Ulm, 2 pm. Mary Jean Janni will present stories behind the creation of antique & heirloom quilts at Wanda Gag House. Info: 507-359-2632 •Little Black Dress Gala, Mankato Golf Club, 100 Augusta Dr., Mankato, 6 pm. Social hour, dinner, fashion show, program, entertainment, vendors, silent auction with proceeds benefitting American Cancer Society programs in Blue Earth County. Info & tickets: secure.acsevents. org/site/Ticketing?view=Tickets&id=119302 •Opera House Gala, St. James VFW Club, St. James, 6 pm. Masquerade ball theme; social hour, dinner, dance. Info & tickets: 507-9953354. Tues., Nov. 10 •Alice Lind Play Reading Society, John Lind House, 622 Center Street, New Ulm, 7 pm. Reading ‘Camelot.’ Info: Info: execdir@ statestreetnewulm.org or 3599990.507-359-9990. •MVL Veterans Day Celebration, Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School, Hwy 14, 2 miles east of New Ulm. 7:30 am breakfast, 9 am program. Info & RSVP: valh@ mvlhs.org. Thurs., Nov. 12 •Henderson Sew & Share Quilters, Henderson Library, lower level. 6:30 pm. Beginning projects or bring your own stitching, knitting, etc.—sew, share, and learn. No cost. Info: 507-248-3880. Fri., Nov. 13 •8th annual KNUJ/SAM Farm-City Day, Youth Coliseum, Brown County Fairgrounds, New Ulm, 6:30-9:30 am. Free breakfast, live polka music, door prizes, live radio broadcast. Info: knuj.net. Sat., Nov. 14 •Get Your Jingle On Winter Décor Seminar, A & W Furniture, 1501 East Bridge St., Redwood Falls, 11 am. Info: 507-644-3535. •Flashback Movie Saturday, New Ulm Public Library Meeting Room, New Ulm, 10 am. Entire family invited for free, kid-friendly G-rated movies. Info & movie titles: 507359-8331, [email protected] or newulmlibrary.org. •Easy & Economical Ways to Preserve Quilts Seminars, Wanda Gag House, 226 N. Washington St., New Ulm, 10 am & 2 pm. Info: 507359-2632 or wandagaghouse@ gmail.com. Sat.-Sun., Nov. 14-15 •Natural Healing & Psychic Expo, Courtyard by Marriott, Mankato. Sat. 10 am-6 pm, Sun. 10 am-5 pm. Workshops, speakers & modalities; natural beauty & nutritional products, jewelry, crystals, books & products. Info: matrixmediaexpo.jigsy.com. Wed., Nov. 18 •Noon Tunes with Lori Jean & Dick Kimmel, New Ulm Public Library, second floor, New Ulm, 12 pm. Selection of Americana music; free. Sponsored by Friends of New Ulm Public Library. Info: 507-3598334, [email protected], or newulmlibrary.org. •Healthy Aging Lunch ‘N Learn, Senior Nutrition Meal Site at New Ulm Community Center, New Ulm, 11:30 am. Presentation by LSS Senior Nutrition & New Ulm Medical Center staff; nutritious meal, sponsored by Allina Health. Open to adults 60+ and spouses. Info & reservations (required the day before): 507-359-2243 or Sarah. [email protected]. Thurs., Nov. 19 •Snow Kisses & Christmas Wishes Winter Décor Seminar, A & W Furniture, 1501 East Bridge St., Redwood Falls, 2 pm. Info: 507644-3535. •Bridging Brown County Networking Dinner, New Ulm Conference Center at Best Western Plus, New Ulm, 5:45 pm. Social hour, dinner, silent & live auction, wine pull, presentation of Bridge Builder Award. Info & advance tickets: 507-794-4733, bbc@sleeyeyetel. net, or bridgingbrowncounty.org. Fri., Nov. 20 •Christmas Candlelight Winetasting, Morgan Creek Vineyards, 23707 478th Ave, New Ulm, 6:309:30 pm. Dress warm for vineyard sleigh rides; evening of mulled wine, appetizers & holiday music. Info: morgancreekvineyards.com/ or 507-233-4300. •Christmas by Candlelight, downtown Redwood Falls, 5-8 pm. Special savings, horse-drawn carriage rides, visits with Santa, shopping raffle, Holiday Parade of Lights, Info: 425-941-0197 or redwoodfalls.org. •Polar Express Christmas Festival, Verizon Wireless Center, Mankato, 3-8 pm. 60+ vendors, artisans, crafters. Food, entertainment, Santa, make & take crafts, horsedrawn trolley rides. Free admission. Info: 507-345-4646. Fri.-Sat., Nov. 20-21 •Razzle Dazzle Celebration, Main Street, Madelia. Tour of Trees, visit Santa, live reindeer, music & parade (6:30 pm) Fri. Tour of trees, pics with Santa, Holiday Expo Sat. Free & open to public. Info: visitmadelia.com/MadeliaChamber/ Regular/razzledazzle.html. Sat., Nov. 21 •Dear Santa, I want it All Winter Décor Seminar, A & W Furniture, 1501 East Bridge St., Redwood Falls, 11 am. Info: 507-644-3535. •Spirit of MVL Recognition & Gala, New Ulm Best Western Conference Center, New Ulm. 4 pm, recognizing supporters of MVL; 5 pm, fundraising gala. Info & reservations: mtacke@mvlhs. org, 507-233-8662, or mvl.org/ news-events/events/spirit-of-mvlevents/. •First Lutheran Church Fall Bazaar, 1020 Lafayette St., Lafayette, 9:30 am-1 pm. Bake sale, crafts, coffee hour (9:30), Swedish meatball & ham dinner (10:30-1), kids activities, quilt raffle. Info: [email protected]. Sat.-Sun., Nov. 21-22 •New Ulm Figure Skating Club Fall Festival Figure Skating Competition, New Ulm Civic Center, Brown County Fairgrounds, New Ulm. Free. Info: 507-276-2522 or [email protected]. Sun., Nov. 22 •Redwood Falls Holiday Tour of Homes, Redwood Falls, 1:305:00 p.m., four homes on tour, refreshments follow at Garnette Gardens. Info: Facebook at 2015 Audacia Holiday Tour of Homes. Mon., Nov. 23 •Pose Your Pet With Santa, downtown mall, New Ulm. Fundraiser for Brown County Humane Society. Info: bchsnu.com. •Sleepy Eye’s Holiday Kick Off, Community Center, 115 2nd Avenue NE, Sleepy Eye. Supper & visit with Santa; naming of little Miss and Mr. Holiday, 6:15 pm. Info: 507-794-4731, 800-290-0588, or sleepyeyechamber.com. Fri., Nov. 27 •Parade of Lights, viewing from Dynamic Agents C hristine Gerber 4th South to 4th North on Minnesota Street, New Ulm, 6 pm. 65+ unit parade, all with Christmas lights. Never canceled by weather. Capped by Santa calling to the children. Official Christmas Tree Lighting at City Hall follows. Info: 507-233-4300, chamber@newulm. com or newulm.com. Fri., Nov. 27-Thurs., Dec. 31 •Kiwanis Holiday Lights, Sibley Park, 900 Mound Avenue, Mankato. Walk or drive through winter wonderland. One million-plus LED lights, animated & choreographed displays. Synthetic skating rink, live reindeer & visits with Santa (weekends). Warming houses & concessions available. Holiday parade with illuminated floats opens event at 6 pm Nov. 27. Monetary & canned goods for local food shelves accepted. Info: kiwanisholidaylights.com. Sat., Nov. 28 •Henderson Small Business Saturday, Henderson Event Center, 514 Main Street, Henderson, 10 am-3 pm. 52 area home-based & area crafters; area businesses open. Info: 952-200-5684 or [email protected]. •Vendor Show & After-Thanksgiving Shopping Day, Indian Island Winery, 18018 631st Ave., Janesville, 12-4 pm. Vendors with a variety of items, winery gift shop. Info: 507-383-2513 or [email protected]. •Old-Fashioned Christmas in Saint Clair, School on Main, St. Clair, 9 am-2 pm. •Santa & Mrs. Claus 10-1, live reindeer 10-12, horse trolley rides 10-12:30, handcrafted items & direct sale vendors. Info: [email protected] or christmasinstclair.blogspot.com. •Small Business Saturday, Redwood Falls area. Special savings & promotions a participating businesses. Info: redwoodfalls.org. Sun., Nov. 29 •Hilltop Happenings, Hilltop Hall, 206 First St. N., Montgomery, 4 pm. Musical variety show. No admission—donation accepted to defray costs; pizza sold at intermission. Info: bighonza.com/ hilltop-hall/. •Annual Elfin Magic Craft Show, Redwood Armory, Redwood Falls, 10 am-3 pm. 75 artists & craftsman from Minnesota & surrounding 5-state area. Food available. Info: 507-637-2828 or redwoodfalls.org. Thurs.-Sat., Dec. 3-5 •Crechefest, Centennial Lutheran Church, 701 Locust Street, Henderson. Thurs.—1:30-7 pm with musical program by Allan and Matt Carlson at 7 pm; Fri. & Sat.—1:30-5 pm. Viewing of nativity displays & collections, fellowship, refreshments & music. Info: 507-248-3834 or marjorose@ frontier.com. Fri., Dec. 4 •Holiday Lights Parade, Le Sueur, 5:30 pm. Fireworks to follow at River Park. Info: 507-665-4372 or lesueurchamber.org. Fri.-Sat., Dec. 4-5 •GSR Fine Art Festival, Verizon Wireless Civic Center, Mankato. 11 am-7 pm Fri., 10 am-6 pm Sat. Handcrafted works by 40+ artists; local musicians; Free admission & parking. Info: 507.934.5655 or [email protected]. •Christmas in Christ Chapel, Gustavus Adolphus College, 800 W. College Ave., St. Peter. 7:30 pm Fri.; 3:30, 5:30 & 7:30 Sat.; 3:30 & s •Norwood Young America Craft Fair, Central High School & Elementary Gyms, Hwys 5 & 25, Norwood Young America, 9 am-3 pm. Hand-crafted items only. “Thank You” to all my Wonderful Clients! I Appreciate Your Business! Celebrating Over 10 Years Selling Real Estate 507-382-0958 Cell Phone Email: [email protected] Website: www.ChristineGsellshomes.com 020854 RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 41 & giving back through life sustaining gifts of livestock animals. Food & beverage available. Info & tickets: livestockmn.com. 7:30 Sun. Take a journey, joining global travelers to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace. Info & tickets: gustavustickets.com or 507-933-7520; early reservations suggested. •Christmas in Lake Crystal, Lake Crystal Area Rec Center, 621 W. Nathan St., Lake Crystal, 10 am-2 pm. Craft fair, business fair, musical entertainment, chili feed, pictures with Santa, kids coloring contest, cookie/bake sales, gift basket silent auction. Info: 507726-6730. Sat., Dec. 5 •25th Annual Cookie Walk, St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 440 6th St., Lafayette, 10 am. Many kinds of cookies available by the dozen; lunch served. Info: 507-228-8262. •Arli-Dazzle, Community Center & Main Street, Arlington. 9 am breakfast with Santa, 9 am quilt show, 10 am Santa Day, 12:30 Santa Dash, 1 pm pre-parade festivities, 5:30 pm Arli-Dazzle Parade with 100+ lighted units; evening bonfire; horse-drawn sleigh rides, old-time snowball baseball game, raffle, fireworks. Info: 507-964-2809, 507-964-5687 or arlingtonmnchamber.com/ events/arli-dazzle/. •Livestock Christmas Music Fest, Crossview Covenant Church, 2000 Howard Drive West, North Mankato, 5 pm. Kids Concert & Christmas Concert, celebrating Sat.-Sun., Dec. 5-6 •Holiday Open House, Morgan Creek Vineyards, 23707 478th Ave., New Ulm, 11 am-5 pm. Old fashion sleigh rides, 12-3 pm Sat., country brunch 11 am-2 pm Sun., free wine tasting. Info: 507-9473547 or morgancreekvineyards. com. Sun., Dec. 6 •Advent Bazaar & Stone Soup Lunch, Oakwood Methodist, 1630 Oakwood Avenue, New Ulm, 10:45 am-12-45 pm. Free will donation; craft & baked goods individually priced. Proceeds benefit outreach to needy in community. Info: 507-766-3194, [email protected], or oakwoodumcnewulm.org. •Skate with Santa and Friends, New Ulm Civic Center, Brown County Fairgrounds, New Ulm, 1-4 pm. Skate with Santa & help support local food shelf. Bring own skates or rent. All ages welcome. Info: 359-8347. •Run for a Claus 5K, Sibley Park, Mankato, 9 am. Proceeds to buy toys for kids at Minnesota Children’s Hospital. Info & registration: active.com/mankato-mn/ running/run-for-a-clause-2015 Tues., Dec. 8 •Alice Lind Play Reading Society, John Lind House, 622 Center Street, New Ulm, 7 pm. Reading “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde. Info: 507359-9990, execdir@newulmact. com, or newulmact.com/events/ play-readings/. Thurs., Dec. 10 •Festival of St. Lucia, Christ Chapel, Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, 10:30 am. Chapel service featuring court of women chosen for leadership, service to 028999 Bring the family out for an Old Fashioned Country Christmas! Cut your own tree & enjoy a cup of hot cider & cookies! • Balsam Fir • Spruce • Fraser Fir • White Pine • Fresh Greens & Roping Precut Christmas trees are available at River Creek Nursery, New Ulm Guggisberg Tree Farm 17703 Grandview Road, New Ulm, MN 56073 Opening for the Season Friday, Nov. 27 9am-5pm Regular Hours: Sat. 9-5; Sun. 11-5 Call for an appointment Mon.-Fri. 507-276-6462 www.guggisbergtreefarm.com 42 RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 033238 college & others, charity, kindness, and thoughtfulness. Info & tickets: 507-933-7520. Thurs.-Sun., Dec. 10-13 •A Christmas Carol, State Street Theatre, 1 N. State St., New Ulm. Live radio broadcast. 7:30 pm Thurs.-Sat.; 2 pm Sun. Info: statestreetnewulm.org or 507359-9990. Fri.-Sat., Dec. 11-12 •Springfield Nativity Pageant, Riverside Park, Springfield, 7 pm each night. Outdoor nativity presentation by local actors in a live manger scene, with real camels, dancing angels & more. Christmas music by community choir. No admission charge. Info: springfieldmnchamber.org/ event-calendar/. Sat., Dec. 12 •Henderson Winter Extravaganza, Minnesota New Country School, 210 Main St., Henderson, 10 am-3 pm. Gifts, home decor, jewelry, candles, crafts, fresh baked goods. RVW Carols Original WorkS Thistleberry 140 E Maine st 507-380-1330 Hrs. Fri 10 am - 5 pm Thu & Sat occasionally Graf’s Home Furnishings 124 E Maine st 507-674-3385 Hrs. M-F 9 am -5 pm Sat 9 am-4 pm 112 E Maine st 507-317-9076 Hrs. T-F 10 am-6 pm Sat 10 am-3 pm b y o m A Cottage Café 100 E Maine st 507-380-0288 Hrs. T-Th 6 am-8 pm Fri - Sat 6 am-9 pm Sun 9 am-1 pm Sweet Cicely 144 E Maine st 507-674-3757 Hrs. Tue-Sat 10 am-5 pm Acorn Studio 100 E Maine st 507-380-0288 Hrs. Thu - Fri 2-4 pm Sat 11 am-4 pm Depot Merchantile Maine st. (E of Urban oil) 507-674-3862 Hrs. Th-Sat 10 am-4 pm s e Do ows B & !!! ay g D O in pen You’re Invited D&K Tire Service 130 2nd Ave. South 507-674-3149 Hrs. M-F 8 am-5 pm Sat 8 am -Noon Christma s Traditi ons Celebrat ion , Nov 7 y a d r Satu m - 5 p 10 am boy al Am c o l p Sho esses ts, busin if ique g n u n es. for fu d priz n a d foo ur up yo it” Pick Perm g n i t s and n u in H s u es “Gif t ting b a ip ic t s. y par g gift at an baggin s) it start im l bag (NO Saturd ay De cemb er 12, ee Sant 2015 a a t the Fir Thursd e Stat ay e Tree Lig vening 6-8 pm ion hting C erem Friday Evenin ony Shop a g local bu nd Enjoy Holi day tre sinesse ats s Saturd ay 10 a at m - 5pm Come s 033130 RiveRfRont 410 S. Riverfront Dr. Mankato, Mn 507-625-1107 Hilltop 2010 Adams St. Mankato, Mn 507-625-9070 making lives easier, healthier, happier diabetes – Are you at Risk? Diabetes is not going away. Approximately 26 million adults and children in America live with diabetes and another 79 million are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Recent estimates project that as many as one in three American adults will have diabetes in 2050 unless proper preventative steps are taken. the American Diabetes Association has deemed november “American Diabetes Month” to help promote diabetes awareness. it is important for those with diabetes to keep blood sugar levels near normal in order to avoid additional health problems, like heart or kidney diseases. Here are some basic eating guidelines that can be followed by those with or without diabetes to help maintain normal blood sugar levels. 1. Be consistent. try to eat the same amount of carbohydrates for meals and snacks at regular times throughout the day. 2. Carbohydrates are key. Carbohydrates in food will raise blood sugar. Know the amount of carbohydrates in the foods you eat by looking at the food label for total grams of carbohydrates for the serving size of food. Contact your health care provider or ask your local Hy-vee dietitian if you do not know how many grams of carbohydrates you should be eating. by Brian Cornelius, R., Ph. pharmacist Mankato Hilltop Hy-vee 3. Watch portions. one of the keys to good blood sugar control is watching how much you eat. Refer to serving size on the nutrition facts panel and measure or weigh food to become familiar with the amount in one serving. 4. Focus on fiber. eating high-fiber foods can help keep blood sugar from rising too high and fast after you eat. Good sources of fiber include wholegrain cereals and breads, flax and chia seeds, fruits and vegetables and beans. 5. Mind the fat. people with diabetes have an increased risk for heart disease. Choose quality sources of fat to help regulate blood sugars and to help you feel fuller longer. Great fat choices include avocadoes, nuts, seeds, and olives. 6. Maintain a healthy weight. if you are overweight, even losing just 5 to 10% of your weight can make a big difference in helping bring down blood sugar levels. 7. let Hy-Vee help you. As your Hy-vee health and wellness team, we are here to help you fight the battle to control or prevent diabetes. Your Hy-vee pharmacist or registered dietitian can talk with you more about blood sugar control and the foods recommended for those with diabetes. Making your lives easier, healthier, happier. Where there’s a helpful smile in your wellness aisle Naturally Sweet Sweeteners can be divided into two groups. nutritive sweeteners contain calories, while nonnutritive sweeteners are either extremely low in calories or contain no calories at all. Although they may differ in form, most nutritive sweeteners — honey, sugar or maple syrup — are similar in terms of calories and carbohydrates as well as their lack of nutrients. these types of sweeteners are often referred to as added sugars. While the body metabolizes added sugars and the natural sugars found in foods like fruit and milk the same way, foods containing added sugars are often higher in calories and lower in nutrients. nonnutritive sweeteners sweeten foods with minimal or no carbohydrate and calories and can be a tool for those with diabetes or anyone looking to cut back on calories. However, nonnutritive sweeteners can’t always be used interchangeably with nutritive sweeteners in recipes, as their taste and cooking qualities may differ. Types of Natural Sweeteners Table (White) Sugar: Sugar cane and sugar beet are the main sources of this highly refined pantry staple, also known as granulated sugar. A teaspoon measures up at 16 calories, while a small sugar cube delivers similar sweetness for 9 calories. Fructose: this form of fructose derived from corn is found in some calorie-reduced foods and beverages. Since it’s 20 percent sweeter than sugar, you can use less. You’ll find it in some enhanced and flavored waters, energy drinks, yogurt, nutrition bars, powdered beverage mixes and baked goods. Molasses: the liquid remaining after refining sugar cane or beets becomes molasses. light molasses results from the first boiling; it’s lightest in flavor and color. Dark molasses, thicker and less sweet, comes from the second boiling. the third boiling produces blackstrap molasses, a very dark, thick and slightly bitter variety that’s an excellent source of calcium and magnesium. April Graff, MS, RD, lD Hy-vee Dietitian Monk Fruit (luo Han Guo): native to Asia, monk fruit is 150 to 200 times sweeter than sugar, but has no calories. You’ll find it popping up in a number of sweet foods and beverages, and as a standalone sweetener. Agave Nectar: the juice from the agave plant is processed to make agave nectar, a thick syrup ranging from light to dark amber in color that’s about one-and-a-half times sweeter than sugar. Although often promoted as a healthier sweetener, agave should still be used sparingly. Stevia: offering calorie-free sweetness that’s 250 times sweeter than sugar, compounds extracted from the leaves of the stevia plant are highly purified and sold as sweeteners under various brand names. Brown Sugar: A combination of table sugar and molasses, brown sugar comes in light or dark varieties. Keep it moist by storing in a sealed plastic bag. to soften hardened brown sugar, add an apple wedge to a tightly sealed bag for a day or two. firmly pack brown sugar into cup or spoon when measuring. Corn Syrup: not to be confused with high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup is a concentrated solution of dextrose (glucose) and other sugars made from the starch of corn. famous as a key ingredient in pecan pie, corn syrup keeps crystals from forming, so it’s ideal for candies, jams and frostings too. Maple Syrup: Although often imitated, pure maple syrup is made by boiling down sap tapped from maple trees. the amount of sap needed to yield 1 gallon of syrup depends on the sap’s sugar content, but it can be upward of 50 gallons. A quarter-cup serving of maple syrup packs 216 calories — not including pancakes. Powdered (Confectioner’s) Sugar: Made from granulated sugar crushed to a fine powder with a smidgen of cornstarch added to help prevent clumping, powdered sugar is sometimes used to decorate baked goods. easily dissolved, powdered sugar is preferred for candy and icing. Honey: With more than 300 varieties, honey’s flavor, color and aroma differ depending on the nectar of the flowers visited by the bee. Generally, the lighter the honey’s color, the milder the flavor. Smokey Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Sweet Potatoes (Serves 6) All you Need: 1 1/2 lbs Brussel sprouts (ends removed and quartered) 1 large sweet potato (peeled and cubed small) 2 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp maple syrup 2 tsp smoked paprika 1/2 tsp chili powder 1/2 tsp sea salt All you do: 1. preheat oven to 350. 2. Add the quartered Brussel sprouts and cubed sweet potato to a bowl. 3. Stir in olive oil, maple syrup, smoked paprika, chili powder and sea salt, until coated well. 4. Spread the vegetables onto a lined baking sheet. 020446 5. Bake for about 30-40 minutes, stirring halfway through. Mapleton Rita’s ORiginals Specializing in Bridalwear & Alterations 507.524.4234 028717 [email protected] 13187 586th Ave. Mapleton, MN 56065 Mapleton, with a population shy of 2,000, is about 20 miles south of Mankato and named for its plentiful maple trees. It is also known as the “Curling Capitol of Southern Minnesota.” From a variety of businesses to recreational facilities and beautiful parks and nature to enjoy, a trip to Mapleton is on your must see & do list! Mapleton has fun family events and festivals year ‘round. Visit during the holidays for the Snowflake Dazzle event December 2. Visit with Santa, enjoy free refreshments, take advantage of shopping specials, hear stories at the library, win prizes and more! Then warm up with the firefighters chili feed. Make your next day trip “where the winding Maple flows...” s y a d i l o H r Make You at Farm & Home Bright Holiday decorations – Artificial Trees & Lights Gift items – Mr. Beer Home Brewing Kits (Beer & Root Beer), Yankee Candles, Keurig, Evergreen Enterprises Lawn & Garden Flags Valspar paint – Custom Color & Color-Matching 032167 UpcominG eVents ➤ saturday, november 28 small BUsiness satUrday • Shop local and support small business • Great holiday buys on seasonal and gift items ➤ Wednesday, december 2 mapleton snoWflake dazzle • Host of the Mapleton Festival of Trees • Live music, treats • Great holiday buys on seasonal and gift items specializinG in natUral & Holistic food for dogs, cats and horses (Solid Gold, Pioneer Naturals, Tasman’s, Crypto-Aero) 507-524-3617 216 ne main st, mapleton, mn www.mapletonfarmandhome.com Where the winding Maple flows . . . mapletonchamber.com Mapleton Mapleton’s Rooted in our heritage, focused on your future Snowflake Dazzle 3 locations to serve you! Wednesday, December 2 1600 Madison Ave, Suite 112, Mankato 306 Main St. NE, Mapleton Tara Garbes, REALTOR 507-327-6370 16 N Main, Winnebago e d Lighted Para m starts at 7 p Festival of Trees Mapleton Farm & Home 032166 www.homestead4sale.com Your Hometown Specials, Treats & Prizes! Chili Feed at the Fire Hall - 4:30 FREE Horse-draw n Benefits Dollars for Scholars Trolle y Rides 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. Holiday Helper 4 4 4 4 4 4 Stores will have Meat & Cheese Trays Fruit Baskets Smoked Meats & Cheeses Fresh Baked Dinner Rolls Gift Cards Weekly Ad Specials Mrs. Claus Decorating Cookies at the Library Spaghetti Feed at St. Teresa’s Church from 4-8 pm. Community Closet Open - $3 Bag Sale Home-Based Businesses Vendor Fair at Town & Count ry Leisure Center Open 7 Days a Week! Hours: Mon. - Sat. 7:30 am - 8 pm; Sun. 8 am - 6 pm 202 East Main St Mapleton, MN 56065 507-524-3833 dietzfoods.com Sponsored by Mapleton Area Chamber of Commerce 033004 Where the winding Maple flows . . . mapletonchamber.com 032680 Mapleton 032686 Drop In Fitness Making a DIFference Making a DIFference 032447 • Personal Trainers • insurance Billing • FiTness classes • Tanning Here for All Your Tire Needs! Since 2007, we’ve been providing tire and wheel sales and service to families in Mapleton and the surrounding areas. • TIA-certified Tire Dealership • Tire Sales & Service • Oil Changes • Local Pick-up & Delivery • Mobile Tire Repairs • Passenger Tires, Light Truck Tires, Agricultural & Farm Tires, Lawn & Garden Tires, Commercial Tires, Industrial Tires, & OTR Tires 032399 507-524-4999 408 State Hwy 22 South • Mapleton, MN 56065 kaducetire.coM 304 Main St. E. Mapleton, MN 56065 507.524.4665 dropinfitness mapleton.com 032681 Drop In Fitness 24/7 Accessibility! Your Go-To Store for s a m t s i r h C Cheer! —Floral —GiFTS —Decor Plaid Piper We’re Bloomin’ Good! Floral, Gifts, Home Decor 308 Main St., Mapleton, MN 507.524.4222 [email protected] Open Mon., Tues, Wed., Fri. 9-5; Thurs. 9-3; Sat. 9-12 033000 Where the winding Maple flows . . . mapletonchamber.com Mapleton Insurance you can rely on. Professional care and services • 24-Hour Skilled Nursing • Medicare/Medicaid • Private and Semi-Private Rooms • Local Physicians Making Weekly Rounds • Long-Term Staff • Activity Programming • Therapeutic Meals • Inpatient and Outpatient Therapy • Special Care Suite & Adjoining Family Room • IV Therapy • Respite Care • In-House Beauty / Barber Services 301 Troendle Street Mapleton, MN 507-524-3315 032682 As an independent insurance agency, we can choose from a wide variety of financially sound, reputable insurance companies to find the best coverage and the best price for you. M & M Insurance Agency LLC 302 Main Street E., Mapleton, MN 56065 [email protected] 507-524-3810 mminsagency.com MainstreaM Cabinets Ideas to Reality 032368 Cabinet Design & Complete installation KitChen & bath showroom 306 main st., mapleton 507-524-3377 RemodeleR lic.#cR 067199 Owner/Operator: Kevin Boertje • 28+ Years Experience • Visit us at www.MainstreamCabinets.com 032168 Where the winding Maple flows . . . mapletonchamber.com Mapleton Fresh Pizza & Subs Made to Order MaPle Mart 407 Silver St. Mapleton, MN 56065 507-524-4400 032858 Where Fresh and Flavor Come Together Offering Daily Specials and Featured Menu Items Breakfast - Appetizers - Soups & Salads - Wraps - Pasta Burgers - Sandwiches - Desserts - Kids Menu 203 Main St NE, Mapleton, MN 56065 507.524.3663 maggiejsmapleton.com Hours: Monday-Wednesday 7:00am - 2:00pm; Thursday 7:00am-9:00pm; Friday & Saturday 7:00am-11:00pm; Sunday 9:00am-2:00pm 032372 032642 Where the winding Maple flows . . . 032857 mapletonchamber.com Eat a banana! By Kelly DeVriendt “Eat a banana.” This has always been my dad’s answer to everything. Studying for a test? Eat a banana! Have a stomach ache? Eat a banana! Your dog just died? Eat a banana! Fighting with your sister? Shut up and eat a banana! This is endearingly annoying and what’s even more frustrating is that he actually may be right. According to Food Matters online, because of high tryptophan levels, which are converted to serotonin, bananas can help with a depressed mood. Additionally, bananas are soothing to the digestive tract and help restore electrolytes, and the potassium in a banana helps with learning by making you more alert. I had a brief, “My dad’s a genius” moment, but then quickly moved on from that and thought, “This shouldn’t be that surprising.” Food is what makes our body and mind run; of course what we put into it matters. Although I don’t think we are buying into the fact that it matters enough to regularly skip eating a hot-dog and eat oh, I don’t know…a banana. Why are making good choices so hard? Do we live in a world that truly supports healthy eating? What do we need to help all be able to choose to consume a healthy diet every day? Why is making good choices so hard? I should note that I have a love-hate relationship with the notion of choice and with the movement chanting: Choose this or choose that. No doubt, choice is powerful. Digesting the realization that, despite often times feeling powerless or trapped, we each actually do have a choice in the course of our lives is true freedom. It’s likewise a heavy responsibility and sometimes there are things we surrender or give up. I suspect we at times view outgrowths with a sense of guilt or doubt. Evidence of our quandary may be seen in how we have occasionally misconstrued our concept of choice. Choose to be happy! “Oh, so depression is a choice now, good to know, I’m cured.” Sarcastically says anyone who has been diagnosed as they choose not to punch the person in the face. Love is a choice! “I guess I’m not loving enough because I decided to end a relationship that wasn’t allowing for enough joy.” Says 50% of the population who has gotten divorced. Choose to eat healthy! “It’s my fault I’m overweight, depressed, sick, tired, (you can insert any number of words here), because I make bad choices.” And here’s the dilemma: there is real truth to that. Our choices indubitably affect us. However, there are serious flaws and consequences in the narrowness of this type of thinking that puts the entire burden on the individual. The ingredients of this downside are guilt, shame, judgement, blaming, entitlement and a healthy dash of ego. Making good choices are hard because we are human and no one human should have to stand alone. Do we live in a world that truly supports healthy eating? By oversimplifying major life choices like love, happiness and health as an individual’s problem, we hinder our collective growth. Our knowledge and awareness of mental health and what it means to be happy is growing; our concepts and beliefs about love and marriage are evolving. Our conversation about health and food is also most definitely on the table. We are more aware presently than ever before how necessary it is to be mindful of what we consume. Yet, despite the information on how diet contributes to our health, our mood and our longevity being shoved down our throats, we struggle to consistently follow orders. Why? Because, it’s easy to fail at eating, it’s even encouraged. Bad food tastes better, our bodies respond to it in a different way; the cost of eating healthier is higher in the short term, which tips the scales for many. Moreover, the healthy options eating out are limited and don’t get me started on portion sizes. There is too, an overwhelming peer pressure to eat a hot-dog instead of, oh, I don’t know….a banana. And this is only our immediate environment, there is a whole bigger food picture going on in the world. Most of us have no idea about what is actually in our food, where it’s coming from, what it takes to get it to our plate or what it really takes to feed the entire planet. Thinking of it on that scale feels rather daunting; it is difficult to fathom how we can affect it. I think this is why it is easier to divert blame to individuals and their choices, rather than looking at a system that may need to shift, along with our perspective perhaps, if we want to build a world that truly supports healthy eating. What do we need to help all be able to choose to consume a healthy diet every day? I feel like I may need to eat my words as I think about answering that question, because honestly, I don’t know. I may have some appetizers, but definitely not the main course. I certainly see movement towards a culture that promotes healthy eating choices. People are gaining knowledgeable about the power of our food choices and there are more businesses offering healthier options. We have groups that educate and support members to choose healthy foods and more people demanding to know how our food is being produced. So, more of that! Overall though, the food and agriculture industry is huge and most understand very little about how it really works. Perhaps, one way is to continue to gain a greater comprehension of our current system. I know there are people in the industry right in our backyard who are open to conversations and education. Most importantly, we cannot forget to work towards ensuring all people have basic access to healthy food. I do believe ultimately there is a collective answer, yet what we are left with in moments is ourselves. Eat the hot-dog or the banana? RVW Featuring : Ashley, Marshfield & Best Chair Furniture. Shaw, Mohawk & Congoleum Floorcovering. Englander & Corsicana Bedding. Hayden’s Furniture & Floorcovering We sell quality for less. Just ask your neighbor. 507-723-5415 14 East Central Springfield, MN 56087 Open Mon.-Fri. 9-5; Sat. 9-3; Evenings by appt. 027780 RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 51 Holiday Eating, Without the Guilt! T he holidays are just around the corner, which mean traditions, celebrations, and many of our favorite foods. When it comes to these next few months, it’s important to not get distracted by things in our environment that influence us to eat. So much of what we do is triggered by what we see. In social situations, it’s common to be influenced when someone else is eating, or by walking into the break room at work and someone has brought a treat. As a society, we tend to reach for these snacks even when we’re not hungry. For some, the urge to overindulge in tasty treats in the office and at holiday dinners with our families may lead to feelings of guilt and ultimately a rollercoaster of emotions leading us to want to restrict our food choices the next day in order to “make up” for our “wrong doings.” Instead of getting caught in this eat-repent-repeat cycle, remember that every eating situation is just a choice and you will get another opportunity to make another choice on how you eat and fuel your body the next time you get hungry. It’s not worth the guilt! Instead, ask yourself what led me to this decision and what could I do differently next time to feel just as good at the end of eating as I did when I started. Convenient, Fast, eFFeCtive & aFFordable Chiropractic, Acupuncture & Massage Therapy. Alternative healthcare for all ages. Patient Appreciation Week - Nov. 9-14 Offering our lowest price on massage gift certificates! now offering animal Chiropractic. services provided at the Paw in Mankato. Hours: Monday - Friday 8-7 and Saturday 9-3 31 Navaho Avenue Mankato, MN 56001 Phone: 507-345-4035 Fax: 507-345-4122 033388 52 RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 Veterans JOIN FOR FREE! 1 DAY ONLY - JOIN FOR $11 W1ED ESO DA VEIN MFBO ERR 1$11T1H! DN AY NYL,YN- O JO WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11TH! anytimefitness.com anytimefitness.com MANKATO*Offer valid at participatingMADELIA locations only. Not valid with other offers. NEW ULM 1, 2Main 015 ©2Street 015 Anytime Fitness, LLC 1751 N. Victory Dr. Expires Novembe3r 1W. 512 1st Street *Offer valid at participatin507-642-2400 g locations only. Not valid with other offers507-354-0700 . 507-388-7066 Expires November 11, 2015 ©2015 Anytime Fitness, LLC 600 S. Riverfront Dr. ST. JAMES 507-388-7002 512 1st Ave. South 507-375-3755 032881 Teresa Marshall, DC, FIAMA Paula Prybylla, DC Julie Soost, DC Tjode Mickelson, DC Offer valid at participating locations only. Not valid with other offers. Expires November 1, 2015 ©2015 Anytime Fitness, LLC Dr. Angela Schuck Dr. Keith Flack These holiday eating tips will help you enjoy the holiday season and feel good about it: n Eat when you know you’re hungry: When was the last time you felt physically hungry? Listen to your body’s signals that it’s time to eat, like emptiness in your stomach, pains, growling, queasiness, shaking or irritability. Unlike what some diets say, you shouldn’t fear hunger, it’s your body’s only way of indicating its energy needs. n Don’t skip a meal in anticipation of a holiday gathering: eat normally up to that point. Trying to save your calories and getting too hungry will only cause you to over eat. n Be a food snob: don’t eat something because it’s there. If it doesn’t look good, or the first bite isn’t amazing, don’t eat it and choose something else. n Think of your appetite as an expense account: how much do you want to spend on the entrée or appetizer? If you want dessert, save room for it so you don’t make yourself feel uncomfortable or sick. n Stay away from the buffet table: we tend to be food suggestible, so try and socialize away from the food. Get what you want, put it on a plate and steer away from the table. You Deserve Comfortable Care Every Time. • Sedation - Complete Relaxation with Just a Pill • Invisalign - Clear Alternative to Braces • Lumineers - No Fear Cosmetic Veneers • Implants - Placement and Restoration n Remember, it’s not the last time you will have Aunt Carol’s amazing pecan pie or grandma’s sweet potato casserole. Ask for the recipe, the ingredients are always attainable! n Think about your alcohol intake: sometimes we don’t think about how many calories are in alcohol, but they can add up. Be aware of your calorie intake in your drinks and how this influences your likeliness to overeat. n Know when to say ‘no:’ as a society, people tend to be food pushy and we obligatory eat. It’s OK to not eat everything you paid for, or if it was free, someone gave it to you or it’s on your plate. n Forgo the Clean Plate Club: a lot of people have a hard time wasting food, but once your body’s fueling needs are met, it stores extra fuel as fat. Try eating off a smaller plate, splitting entrees, or taking smaller portions. You can always go back for more if you are still hungry. Most importantly, remember that the holidays are for enjoying the company, traditions and atmosphere around you. The holidays are one time of year, and it’s what we do every day that leads to habits and long-term health. RVW • Cerec - One Visit Crown Technology • 3D Imaging with Fewer X-Rays • Cosmetic Enhancements • Drill-free Technology • ZOOM Whitening • Emergency Care 1400 Lookout Drive, North Mankato 507-625-CARE(2273) • mankatodentist.com 020758 Turkey 4 Stuffing 4 Cranberry Sauce 4 Wines from MGM 4 Large Selection of • Liquor • Wine • Beer Locally owned and operated Erin Gonzalez, R.D., L.D., Mankato Clinic Diabetes and Nutrition specializes in disordered eating and weight management and challenges people to rid themselves of dieting rules, make peace with food and reconnect with internal hunger cues while bringing awareness to their true overeating triggers and barriers to feeling their best. Erin is a trained facilitator of Am I Hungry?® for Mindful Eating and Am I Hungry?® Mindful Eating for Binge Eating. Mankato 201 Victory Dr. 625-2420 North Mankato 1755 Commerce Dr. 387-2634 St. Peter 100 N. Minnesota Ave. 934-8964 www.mgmwineandspirits.com Hours: Mon. - Sat. 8 am- 10 pm ATMs at all stores 033135 RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 53 Feel Better with Food Therapy Living in a modern time of science and technology makes it difficult to imagine what life was like thousands of years ago, particularly when you think about how those people dealt with illness. Families grew their own vegetable and herb gardens knowing which herbs and foods helped certain ailments. They decocted1 home remedies from recipes that appear to be long gone from our modern lives. Now what do we do? We run to the nearest drug store for over-the-counter medications, or we spend an afternoon at the doctor’s office hoping for that super prescription to knock out our viral and bacterial infections. Some of us will go to our favorite supplement store and buy whatever the clerk recommends, or stand in the vitamin aisle and stare at the sea of plastic bottles. Out of all these things we do, rarely are we told what foods to eat at home to help get us through whatever our ailment is. Food Therapy is one of the many modalities of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Two thousand years ago in the Han Dynasty, we didn’t know about vitamins and minerals. There were no calories, carbohydrates, or grams of fat to count. People understood that Food was their daily medicine and that if they ate according to their body type, they stayed healthy. When illness presented itself, people changed their diet until their health improved. According to TCM theory, Food has energetic properties. There are Foods that cool you, Foods that warm you, and Foods that nourish your Qi and Blood. What does that all mean? It’s quite simple actually. We all fit into a few different categories, or patterns, and once properly diagnosed by a TCM practitioner, there are Foods that fit within each body type. Below are just four examples of the many different diagnoses we use, including some basic symptoms and beneficial Foods for each. Yin Deficient people are generally more warm-bodied2. They tend to have dryness in the throat and/or mouth that can be worse at night, dry skin and eyes, night sweats without obvious reason, tinnitus, dizziness, wakes frequently during sleep, and have a thin body type. Use plenty of water in cooking and include soups and stews. A nourishing diet for Yin Deficiency includes seeds, beans, and high-quality protein. Oats, rice, millet, barley, chicken, yogurt, tofu, nuts, oysters, mussels, clams, potatoes, melons, pears, black beans, apples, bananas, flaxseed oil, and almond oil are just a few examples. Yang Deficient people are generally more cool-bodied. They can have endocrine, or hormonal dysfunctions, hypothyroidism, adrenal insufficiency, chronic low back and knee pain, depression, sexual dysfunction, low libido, cold legs and feet, profuse clear urine, and general exhaustion. Avoid cold foods3 and raw vegetables4 as much as possible. Make sure everything is either room temperature, warmed or slightly steamed. Beneficial foods include ham, lamb, leeks, peaches, raspberries, rosemary, chicken, shrimp, sunflower seeds, sweet basil, walnuts, egg yolks, fresh ginger, cloves, chives and green pepper. Qi Deficient people will feel fatigued, have a poor appetite, loose stools, pale face, weak voice or be reluctant to speak. Eat foods that are easy to digest. All cooked, warmed, slow-cooking foods are ideally suited for qi deficiency. Soups, broths, high-complex carbohydrates, vegetables, and small portions of meats are recommended. Avoid excessive fluids with meals, uncooked raw foods, overeating, skipping meals, and eating while working. 54 RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 Millet, garbanzo beans, pine nuts, figs, dates, squash, carrots, cabbage, small portions of meats, vegetables, grains, leeks, onion, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, cherries, peaches, strawberries, chicken, turkey, spices, ginger and cinnamon are all beneficial. Blood Deficient people can have dizziness, heart palpitations, insomnia, dry skin or hair, poor memory, fatigue, paleness. This is usually caused by excessive menstruation, blood loss due to a medical issue, anemia, or emotional strain. Worrying will make this worse. Dark leafy green vegetables, spinach, grapes, lotus root, liver, beef, chicken, eggs, oysters should be included regularly. Include iron and protein-rich foods. Understand that the foods you eat are just as important as any herbal remedy Acupuncturists may prescribe for you. In fact, some foods you already cook with are actually medicinal herbs, like ginger root for example. Most pregnant women are familiar with ginger to help relieve morning sickness. I recommend just buying the root, cut and peel off about a teaspoon size piece, drop it into a cup of hot water and sip on it like tea. Ginger is energetically hot, so if drinking this makes the nausea worse, then that means you already have what we call Stomach Heat, so you’re basically fueling the fire with the ginger and need to try something more cooling in nature like peppermint or spearmint tea. Finally, autumn is the time of year for frequent colds and flu. It is interesting to note that in TCM theory, autumn is associated with the Metal Element, which governs the lungs, making this the most vulnerable time of year for getting sick. If you find yourself stuck at home with the common cold, you will have more congestion symptoms if your diet is rich, creamy, sweet, and fatty, because those foods slow digestion and create phlegm. Eat much less and use a more simple, liquid-based diet such as vegetable or grain soup if chills predominate over the fever. If the fever is stronger than the chills, fruit, vegetable juices or fresh fruits are a better alternative. The common cold happens in stages, and there are Chinese herbs that can help for all of them, but symptoms become so individualized that it’s best to have an herbal consultation to determine the best formula for treatment of your cold. Keep in mind that getting plenty of rest, not over-working yourself, and eating a regular, clean diet free of processed foods and sugars will help you stay healthy throughout the seasonal changes and beyond. As Michael Pollan says, “Eat Food, Mostly Plants”. For those of you interested in further reading on the subject of food therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine, I highly recommend the book Healing with Whole Foods, by Paul Pitchford. It gives thorough explanations of theory as well as dietary suggestions for people with simple ailments, to illnesses requiring medical support. RVW Stephanie L. Hylla, L.Ac., Dipl. Ac. Licensed Acupuncturist Mankato Acupuncture Clinic 1. Decoct means to extract flavor or active chemicals of plants including bark, roots, stems, leaves, flowers, or seeds. You probably do it every day without knowing it. Are you a coffee or tea drinker? 2. Warm-bodied does not necessarily mean you have a fever. This is how you feel, not what a thermometer reads. Remember, there were no diagnostic tools in the Han Dynasty. 3. Cold foods include ice cream and beverages with ice cubes. The temperature of your stomach is what it is for a reason so don’t fool it. 4. Raw vegetables are rarely served in authentic Asian restaurants. That chopped iceberg lettuce salad with shredded cheddar cheese is not helpful for this condition Visit St. Peter Where History & Progress meet Historic St. Peter echoes what the Minnesota River Valley is all about! A vibrant and beautiful community with diverse people and businesses make it a must-go-to destination for a day or weekend. Annual events, festivals, dining establishments and cultural activities await. Let's meet in St. Peter! Now order online at Jakesstadiumpizza.com Holiday Parties, Football Parties, “Just-Because” Parties... Everyone will love delicious Jake’s Pizza! Find the Perfect Gift! We are your full service florist and gift shop specializing in weddings & sympathy work. Exquisite Fresh Floral & Silk Arrangements, Unique Plants & Dishgardens, Sympathy Gifts, Kids Gifts, Wall Decor, Art Peace Poles, Memorial Stones, Wind Spinners, Gourmet Chocolates, Leanin Tree Cards, & More! Business hours: Monday- Friday 8-6, Saturday 8-5, Sunday closed. 55 032888 1123 S. Minnesota Ave. St. Peter, MN 56082 507-931-4806 www.marysflowersstpeter.net RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 032884 LET US EASE YOUR GIFT GIVING EXPERIENCE Julee’s Jewelry What We Offer STUNNING ENGAGEMENTS In St. Peter Julee’s Jewelry for your diamonds, gems, custom design, repairs, engraving, watch batteries, memorial gifts and more! YOU’LL LOVE OUR NEW OBAKU WATCHES FROM CUSTOM DESIGN DENMARK Sit with Julee at her STACKABLES Diamonds, Birthstones, Gold custom-design computer and help design your own unique piece! Religious & Personalized Gifts Julee’s Jewelry 120 S Minnesota Ave Call 507-934-3344 We hope to see you soon! We’ll help make your Christmas shopping extra special! Park in front or on the side. Conveniently located in downtown St. Peter, Julee’s Jewelry is the the premier destination for your jewelry and service needs with the best value and the ultimate in education and information all in a friendly, nostalgic atmosphere. Julee’s Jewelry has many popular styles, designer pieces, and unique jewelry to fit your style. Julee is a certified, world-wide diamond importer. She travels to Antwerp, NY and various jewelry shows to hand-select the best diamonds at the best value for her customers. She will personally shop for you! “Julee and her staff are the friendliest, they actually care about helping you, and there’s no pressure. You feel like you learn something with every visit.” -Chris Julee’s Jewelry MEMORIAL GIFTS Having lost a son to cancer, Julee’s compassion is sincere when dealing with memorial gifts. She can engrave a signature. a sketch or anything you’d like. 120 S Minnesota Ave Call 507-934-3344 We hope to see you soon! We’ll help make your Christmas shopping extra special! Park in front or on the side. 033726 YOU can Prevent Diabetes If the nation’s obesity epidemic continues, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) projects that one in three people born in 2000 will eventually develop diabetes. Type 2 diabetes develops when your body doesn’t use insulin properly and is highly associated with obesity. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, accounting for 90 to 95% of all diagnosed cases. Unfortunately type 2 diabetes is increasingly developing in younger people including children and adolescents. A diabetes diagnoses should be taken seriously. According to the CDC, the risk of premature death among people with diabetes is about twice the risk than those without diabetes. Preventing diabetes is a high priority across the medical community and understanding more about early indicators, such as pre-diabetes gives us an opportunity to take control of this epidemic. Physicians are now more proactively diagnosing those with higher than normal blood glucose levels with pre-diabetes when their levels are not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. That higherthan-normal blood glucose level is the first evidence of a metabolic defect affecting how you use insulin. Pre-diabetes means that your blood sugar level is higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes. What does having pre-diabetes mean for my health in the future? If you are diagnosed with pre-diabetes, you are not alone. The CDC reports that 79 million Americans have pre-diabetes—approximately 35% of the population! Having pre-diabetes in an early warning signal, giving you the chance to take action and hopefully delay or prevent type 2 diabetes. Without treatment, pre-diabetes progresses to type 2 diabetes at a rate of 5-15% per year.* People with pre-diabetes are also at risk for 58 RIVER VALLEY woman | october • 2015 other serious health issues including cardiovascular disease—heart valve problems, arrhythmia, heart attack and stroke. The good news is, for many people with pre-diabetes, diet changes, increased activity and modest weight loss can often help restore blood glucose levels to normal. Lifestyle changes If you are diagnosed with pre-diabetes, it’s time to step on the scale. Weight loss is the most effective way to lower your risk of type 2 diabetes. In fact, the positive effects of weight loss are seen across all populations regardless of age, sex, ethnic group or level of activity. In a three-year study of the National Diabetes Prevention Program, researchers found that members of a lifestyle intervention group reduced their risk for type 2 diabetes by 58% by losing 5-7% of their bodyweight. They did this with modest weight loss through dietary changes and increased physical activity. Participants ages 60 and older had even more dramatic results by lifestyle changes, reducing their risk by 71% compared to the placebo group. The study also found taking medication alone was about half as effective as making lifestyle changes. Working with a Registered Dietician/ Nutritionist is a great way to ensure you are safely making changes to your diet and lifestyle. This may be learning about balancing calorie intake and output, problem solving, strategies for eating out and during holidays, managing stress and staying motivated. RVW Am I at Risk? You may be at risk for pre-diabetes if you: • Are over 45 years of age • Are overweight • Have a parent or sibling with diabetes • Had gestational diabetes during pregnancy • Are not physically active at least 3 times a week. Can it be prevented? YES! Lifestyle changes including modest weight loss, good nutrition and regular exercise can prevent pre-diabetes. Research also shows that these changes can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes in over half of patients with pre-diabetes. * Source: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Get Screened for Diabetes If you haven’t been screened for diabetes and have concerns about your risk factors, ask your doctor to screen you or seek out a free blood sugar screening event. Redwood Area Hospital holds free blood sugar screenings during the month of November at three pharmacies in Redwood Falls. November 2, 9 a.m. - noon – GuidePoint pharmacy *Source: National Diabetes Prevention Program November 5, 9 a.m. - noon – Sward-Kemp Snyder Drug Dorie Oja, Registered Dietitian, Redwood Area Hospital November 6, 9 a.m. - noon – Wal-Mart pharmacy Gourmet cheese A selection of cheese serves as easy party fare whether an appetizer, or the main event. Make your own cheese tray with expert advice from certified cheese specialists, or let Hy-Vee make it for you! “I love manchego for its mild, slightly nutty flavor and smooth firm texture. Great with wine and perfect with fruit.” Chris Harrison Cheese Specialist “One of my new favorite cheeses has to be Brie. Used as an appetizer, part of a main dish, or as a dessert, its many uses make it the perfect cheese to keep on hand.” Matt Hauger Delicatessen Manager Hilltop Hy-Vee takes your meal from ordinary to extraordinary. 033117 2010 Adams St. Mankato, MN 507-625-9070 good TASTE Spice Up the Holidays with Latin Sides Prepare a fiesta this holiday season with side dishes inspired by the Latin kitchen for a lively alternative to your typical celebration. Recipes that draw on regional ingredients, such as chili peppers, cilantro, yuca and quinoa, are a delicious way to amp up flavor and bring Latin American style to holiday spreads. “These recipes are a change of pace to more traditional holiday menus and are also good for you with an average of only 125 calories per serving,” said Manuel Villacorta, an award-winning registered dietitian who developed CanolaInfo’s recipe collection. “The dishes have all the Latin flavors I love plus an extra measure of nutrition thanks to canola oil, which has a neutral taste to let other ingredients shine, and also contains the least saturated fat of all common vegetable oils.” Roasted Winter Veggies and Tri-Color Potatoes Green Bean Saltado Servings: 4 2 tablespoons canola oil 8 ounces green beans, ends trimmed 2 medium red onions, cut into strips 1 clove garlic, minced 1 tablespoon aji amarillo (or mild chili) paste 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce 2 teaspoons cumin 2 tomatoes, seeded, sliced into narrow strips 1/2 cup chopped cilantro In large saute pan or wok, heat canola oil over medium-high heat. Add green beans and cook 5 minutes. Add onion, garlic, paste, vinegar, soy sauce and cumin. Stir to combine. Cook 3-5 minutes or until onions are fragrant but still hold their shape. Add tomatoes and cook 1-2 minutes. Remove pan from heat and add cilantro. Stir to combine. Serve warm. Servings: 10 Quinoa Salad with Aji Amarillo Dressing 1 1/2 pounds tri-color potatoes, quartered 1 pound Brussels sprouts, cut in half 1 large red bell pepper, coarsely chopped 1 medium red onion, coarsely chopped 2 medium zucchini, cut lengthwise and sliced 2 medium carrots, sliced 1/4 cup chopped rosemary 1/3 cup canola oil 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon garlic powder Heat oven to 400 F. Servings: 10 In large roasting pan, place vegetables. Add rosemary, canola oil, salt and garlic powder, and stir to combine. Cook about 40 minutes or until vegetables are tender. 1 cup quinoa 2 cups vegetable broth Dressing: 1/4 cup canola oil 1 tablespoon aji amarillo (or mild chili) paste 1 cup whole cilantro leaves 1/4 cup lime juice 1 teaspoon salt Salad: 1 cup peas (fresh or frozen) 1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed 1/2 cup celery, chopped 1/2 cup red onion, diced Rinse quinoa well under cool water in fine sieve for several changes of water. Drain well. In large pot, boil vegetable broth and quinoa over medium heat. Reduce to simmer and cook quinoa until tender but still firm to bite, about 15 minutes. It’s done when germ separates, making it look like a curly Q. Drain well and return quinoa to pot off heat. Cover with tea towel and replace lid, allowing it to steam and fluff as it cools. For dressing, add all ingredients to food processor and blend until smooth. For salad, if using fresh peas, bring medium-size pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add peas and cook about 5 minutes. Strain and rinse with cold water to cool. If using frozen, skip this step. In large mixing bowl, combine cooled quinoa, peas, beans, celery, red onion and dressing. Mix until dressing is distributed evenly and serve. Note: May be prepared one day ahead. Fiesta Rice Servings: 16 8 cups low sodium chicken or vegetable broth 2 cups wild rice 1 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons canola oil 1 medium white onion, chopped 1 cup diced red bell peppers 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 1/2 cup golden raisins 1/4 cup finely diced parsley In large saucepan, bring broth to boil, then stir in wild rice and salt. Reduce heat and simmer covered 40-45 minutes, or just until kernels puff open. Uncover and fluff with fork and simmer additional 5 minutes. Drain excess liquid. Place cooked rice in large serving bowl and set aside to cool. In large saute pan, heat canola oil over medium heat. Add onion and saute for 1-2 minutes or until translucent. Add peppers, walnuts and raisins. Cook until lightly browned and fragrant. Add sauteed mixture and parsley to wild rice. Stir to combine and serve warm. Mix things up a bit this holiday season and serve versatile pork. Guests will be pleasantly surprised! Pork Tenderloin Braised with Cranberries, Shallots and Apples Servings: 4 2 pork tenderloins (2 pounds) sea salt or kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste) 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 12 medium whole shallots, peeled 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and cut into 3/4-inch thick slices 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, chopped 1/2 cup Pompeian Burgundy Cooking Wine 3/4 cup cranberry juice 1/4 cup dried cranberries Heat oven to 400 F. Season pork tenderloins with salt and pepper. In large skillet over medium-high heat, add 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Add tenderloins one at a time and brown well on all sides. Transfer to medium-size, non-reactive baking pan. Add 2 more tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil to skillet. Stir in shallots and cook until lightly browned on all sides. Transfer shallots to baking pan. Add apples to skillet and brown on all sides. Transfer apples to small bowl and set aside. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in skillet and add garlic and thyme. Cook garlic until golden, then pour in cooking wine. Bring wine to a boil, scraping brown bits at bottom of pan. Add cranberry juice and cranberries. Bring back to a boil, then pour liquid over pork in baking pan. Transfer baking pan to oven, cover and braise for 15 minutes. Add apples to pan, cover and braise another 10-15 minutes, or until thermometer inserted into pork registers 155 F. Transfer pork to platter and return pan to oven for 10-15 minutes more, until shallots are tender. Cut pork into 1-inch thick slices and spoon shallots, apples and cranberry-wine sauce over pork. RVW Be an egghead about eggs! The cozy carton that keeps your eggs from breaking also carries some very useful information. While some of it is easy to understand, the meaning of other information on the carton may be a little harder to crack. Here’s a helpful guide to understanding your egg carton. Julian date: This is usually found on the short side of the carton and is the number of the day of the year the eggs were packed. The day is written as a number, with Jan. 1 written as 001 and Dec. 31 as 365. Sell by date: Many cartons also have a “sell by” date, although it is not required. This is the date beyond which eggs should not be sold. However, the eggs are still safe to eat for four to five weeks after the Julian (packing) date, even if the sell by date passes before that time. Plant number: This starts with a P and indicates the facility where the eggs were packaged. Visit USDA to enter the plant number and learn more about the facility. UEP Certified: The United Egg Producers’ UEP Certified logo can be used on cartons of eggs from farms that follow UEP’s guidelines for hen health and well-being. Participating farms must meet the certification guidelines on 100 percent of their hens as verified through independent, third-party audits. Cage-Free: These climate-controlled barns have open floor space, accessible perches and enrichments, and hens are allowed to roam freely through sections of the building, exhibiting natural behaviors. If the carton doesn’t specify, the eggs were most likely produced in conventional cage housing, which consists of stacked rows of cages. It’s in that type of housing where the vast majority of eggs in the United States are produced. Pasteurized: This term is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and refers to eggs heated in their shells to temperatures just below the coagulation point to eliminate naturally occurring pathogens. Though the supply is somewhat limited, pasteurized eggs can be beneficial for individuals with compromised immune systems. Hormone Free: Egg-laying hens are never fed hormones. So whether or not the carton says so, all eggs are hormone free. Safe handling instructions: The Food and Drug Administration requires all cartons of raw, shell eggs to carry the following statement: SAFE HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS: To prevent illness from bacteria: Keep eggs refrigerated, cook eggs until yolks are firm, and cook foods containing eggs thoroughly. One other question we had about egg cartons: Is it safe to reuse them? Free-Range: Hens have some access to the outdoors. Due to higher production costs and lower volume per farm, free-range eggs are generally more expensive. The Egg Safety Center recommends that cartons not be used to store eggs again. Even though the eggs are washed and sanitized before being packed in new cartons, there is potential for cross contamination if eggs are stored in them repeatedly. Organic: USDA Certified Organic eggs are produced according to USDA standards that require hens receive only organic feed and have access to the outdoors. To learn more about the sustainability of different types of housing systems, visit Coalition for Sustainable Egg Supply. RVW bestfoodfacts.org When the Beach is out of Reach Bring in this ad for a 15 minute body balance for $25! Tanning Packages • Wedding • Formal • Vacation New Products Arriving Soon! 028989 62 507.388.6160 201 N. Victory Drive, Mankato RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 Patricia Ruether, N.D. Naturopathic Practitioner 1650 E Madison Avenue Suite 106 Mankato, MN 56001 507-388-8525 Offer Expires December 1st, 2015 030697 Money Talks by Suze Orman Photo by R. Trachtenberg The One Employer-Provided Benefit You Really Should Use More An estimated 40% of Americans who get paid vacation days don’t use all their allotted time. On average we’re leaving the equivalent of about one week a year on the table. I think that’s bad retirement planning. Yep, using your allotted vacation time each year can help build retirement security. Look, I know many of you are determined to work longer before you retire. Well, if that’s your plan, then one of the issues you need to be on high alert for is burn out. Vacation time is one of the smartest ways to avoid burn out. burn out. If the pressure is external (a manager, or the general work culture) I defer to your judgment. But at the very least, rather than leave five or more days unused, put in for 5 single days throughout the year—create your own long weekends. It’s a smart career, and retirement planning move. RVW And let’s talk about your physical and mental health. You need that time off to recharge, refresh and relax. That will make you infinitely better at your job when you return to work. I get that you may feel pressured not to check out for a long chunk of time, out of fear you may fall behind. Is that pressure internal? If so, I’d ask you to seriously consider all the ramifications of not using your vacation time. I am serious when I say it can hurt your career if you 2015 holiday events Nov 6-8 Holiday Shopping Opener Nov 6-8 GnomeMade Artisan Market Nov 6-8 Wine Diva Days Nov 7 Women’s Expo & Craft Fair Nov 13-15 Holiday Shopping Opener Nov 13-Dec 11 “ArtScape” Juried Art Show Nov 27 Parade of Lights Nov 28 Small Business Saturday Dec 3 New Ulm Day of Giving Dec 4-6 “A New Ulm Christmas Carol” Radio Play Dec 5 St. Nicholas Day Celebration Dec 24/25 Luminaries @ Schell’s Brewery 032630 www.newulm.com RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 63 Treasures. . . Discover your treasure at the many fun and unique shops in our Minnesota River Valley communities! You never know what you might find... for a special gift, or just because. Little things mean a lot! Perk up your tired bathroom with a fresh custom cabinet, that is professionally designed and built. It may just turn the powder room into your favorite room! Mainstream Cabinets Kitchen & Bath Showroom 306 Main St., Mapleton 507-524-3377 MainstreamCabinets.com Rock On! Want a way to make winter go by faster? Join a curling league at the Heather Curling Club in Mapleton, Minn. It's great exercise and a wonderful way to socialize and meet new people. Plus you know what they say, time flies when you're having fun... and curling! Open House Saturday Dec. 5. Mapleton Curling Club 315 Silver St. W, Mapleton, MN mapletoncurlingclub.org Down the aisle with style! Your personality will shine through with an unexpected bird cage veil. Choose from designers Erica Koesler and A.A. Bridal. When the hush falls over the crowd, your look will speak for itself. Minnesota Wedding Shop Located on the second level of the New Ulm Event Center mnweddingshop.com 507-354-GOWN Knock knock... Who's there? Tara Garbes, and she will help you open the door to your new home! Roll out the welcome mat to personal, friendly but professional results! Selling your current home as well? No problem. She's got you coming and going. Homestead Realty LLC Mankato, Mapleton & Winnebago 507-327-6370 Chill in the air? You won't care! Not when you can wrap yourself in one (or two?) of these soft blanket scarves. Choose from a pile of cozy colors and patterns. Wear them outside or inside. Winter? Bring it on! Generations Boutique 326 South Minnesota Ave., St. Peter 507-934-7407 generationsboutiquemn.com Tis the Season! As Christmas time approaches, this whimsical Santa can remind you of how many shopping days are left. Put him on the fireplace mantel, or even under you tree. Makes a great hostess gift for those holiday get-togethers! Nordaas Home Furnishings & Decor 10091 State Hwy. 22 Minnesota Lake, MN 56068 800-658-7076 nordaashomes.com homestead4sale.com 64 RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 Treasures A&W Furniture, Finds and Design The largest furniture showroom in southern MN! Unique items, huge selection and affordable prices! A&W Furniture, Finds and Design 1501 E. Bridge St. Redwood Falls, MN awfurniture.com Drive With Cold Confidence When it comes to driving in winter weather, having the right snow tires matters. Bridgestone Blizzak tires offer confident stopping power on snow and ice plus reliable handling on snow and slush. We have a set for you at Kaduce Tire 408 State Hwy 22 South, Mapleton, MN 56065 507-524-4999 kaducetire.com Water Watchdog The Watchdog Water Alarm is an effective early warning system for use near sump pumps, laundry rooms, water heaters or any place that leaks could cause damage in your home. Come in to the M & M Insurance Agency office at 302 Main Street in Mapleton for a free insurance quote and a water alarm or an insulated grocery bag. M & M Insurance Agency LLC 302 Main Street E., Mapleton, MN 56065 507-524-3810 mminsagency.com Discover Benjamin Moore! A unique color palette that reflects your individual style beautifully. The high-quality paint a home like yours deserves. Design Home Center Highway 14 West, New Ulm, MN designhomecenter.com 507.238.8440 Naughty or Nice? Either way, don't think twice about stopping in at Kibble Equipment to shop for John Deere merchandise for kids of ALL ages. Kibble Equipment 507-387-8201 kibbleeq.com 8 Locations including Mankato, Minnesota Lake, Sleepy Eye & Redwood Falls Style is in the bag! Under Armour athletic bag kicks it into gear at the gym and on the street. Solid construction, variety of colors, undeniable hit! Nicklasson Athletic 1217 South Broadway, New Ulm Phone 507-354-8586 Toll Free 800-228-6425 (NICK) nicklassonathletic.com Something Shimmery It's your day to shine with sparkly arm candy from Erica Koesler, A.A. Bridal and Sassy South. You'll love them so much you may want to say "I do" to a few! Minnesota Wedding Shop Located on the second level of the New Ulm Event Center 507-354-GOWN mnweddingshop.com Art that speaks to you Bucolic landscape print will calm you after a stressful day. Meaningful message to lift your spirits and bring peace to your soul. Thoughtful gift for that special someone. Mary's Flowers 1213 S. Minnesota St. St. Peter, MN 507-931-4806 www.marysflowersstpeter.net Amazing Assets This bra is a necessity in every woman’s closet! The back-smoothing fabric, seamless design, and pillow foam cups makes it a must-have for under t-shirts. Bellaforma By Marvelle’s 1020 E Bridge St, Redwood Falls 507.637.1770 bellaformaboutique.com RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 65 To everything---a season! A decoration for each holiday. Shop the Plaid Piper for holiday napkins, fresh floral arrangements and unique decor perfect for the season. You'll be grateful that you did! Plaid Piper 308 Main St., Mapleton, MN 507.524.4222 Come and Shop our one-of-a-kind quality furniture and accents at Interiors Home Furnishings in Mankato. We carry the latest trends and modern comforts to help furnish your home with elegance and warmth this holiday season. Interiors Home Furnishings Mon-Fri: 10am – 8pm Sat: 10am – 6pm Sun: 12pm – 5pm 482 Raintree Road, Mankato Next to Rooms and Rest www.interiorsmn.com Snowflake Dazzle in Mapleton Wednesday, December 2 with Main Street Parade starting at 7 pm. Experience an old-fashioned Christmas with small town delights such as free horse-drawn trolley rides, decorating cookies with Mrs. Claus, pictures with Santa, and so much more. Sponsored by Mapleton Area Chamber of Commerce We'll match the tires and the price! Now is the time to replace those worn tires. Just in time for the cold season and we will match competitor's advertised price. Also great rebates happening now through Nov. 30 at Jensen Motors, Inc. 2325 S. Broadway, New Ulm 507-238-8810 jensenmotors.com The art of paint Why have average color when you can experience Fusion Mineral Paint! Self-leveling with a built in top coat and 31 gorgeous colors. Use it however your muse directs you...furniture, shelves, walls. With an exceptional matte finish and one-coat application your home is your palette! Keepsakes from Kathy 226 S. Washington, Redwood Falls, MN 507-640-1545 66 RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 Your Hometown Holiday Helper Breeze through holiday entertaining and shopping with help from Dietz Foods. Your guests will enjoy meat & cheese trays, smoked meats & cheeses, and fresh baked dinner rolls. Gift giving is made easy with fruit baskets, gift cards and more. Dietz Foods 202 East Main St, Mapleton, MN 507-524-3833 dietzfoods.com Warm up with savory soups! Fall is in the air, with the sunny days & cool nights. Now is the perfect time of year to serve up soup for your next meal. Stop in and check out our new collection of Wind & Willow soups and hot dips. The Stationery and Gift Store by Carlson Craft 1750 Tower Blvd. North Mankato, MN 507-625-0547 email: [email protected] Redwood Area Chamber Bucks make the perfect holiday gift for anyone on your list. Available in $5, $10, and $25 amounts, Redwood Bucks are good in area businesses on everything. Shop Local for the Holiday Season, and Every Season, with Redwood Bucks! Redwood Area Chamber & Tourism 507-637-2828 redwoodfalls.org New textured LED candles give mood lighting at the touch of a button! See them on display in three sizes and available with remotes at: The Design Element (In the Mankato Design Center) 1711 Premier Drive, Mankato, MN 507-345-8708 [email protected] Need a little Christmas? Then right this very minute you can add instant holiday cheer to your porch, entry or home with old- fashioned yet elegant greenery in pots and wreaths. You’ve got a little Christmas now! Opening for the Season Friday, Nov. 28. Guggisberg Tree Farm 507.276.6462 www.guggisbergtreefarm.com New to Mapleton America’s best loved candle™ is now available at Mapleton Farm & Home. Check out our selection of classic and seasonal fragrances in the styles you love most. Mapleton Farm & Home 216 Main Street NE, Mapleton 507-524-3617 mapletonfarmandhome.com Worth the Drive Maggie J's Restaurant & Bar has a delicious variety of homemade soups, salads, sandwiches, entrees and, of course, desserts. Maggie J's Where Fresh and Flavor Meet Downtown Mapleton 507.524.3663 New Ulm Christmas Gifts! New Ulm memorabilia makes an excellent, unique gift idea! These items (pictured) and more are available at the New Ulm Visitor Center. Items range in price from $2-$40. “Germans Have More Fun” items also for sale! New Ulm Visitor Center 1 N Minnesota St, New Ulm. [email protected] 507-233-4300. Lamp Wall See our lamps and pendants neatly arranged in our new cubbies at the Mankato Design Center! Find these accessories and more now at Lights On Madison’s new location in The Design Element! 1711 Premier Drive, Mankato, MN 507-345-8771 [email protected] A little something for everyone… Unique gift items for all ages featuring local authors and artisans. Blue Earth County History Center Gift Shop 424 Warren Street, Mankato, MN 507-345-5566 BlueEarthCountyHistory.com Primitive Handmade Santas Original hand made, one-of-a-kind Santa's with hand sculpted faces, sheep's wool hair and beards. They have wool jackets and pants, with each one holding a different Christmas treasure. Absolutely wonderful! The Farmer’s Wife 141 E 2nd St. Redwood Falls, MN 507.627.7800 thefarmerswifeprimitives.com RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 67 Let it Snow--Man! Not your everyday snowman, these handsome characters are originals, and designed locally. You can't help but hum a carol or two as they smile at you from a bookshelf or greet guests on a doorway table. How fun! Lights of Home 151 E 2nd St Redwood Falls,MN 507.627.7321 Salud! Celebrate a special occasion (or maybe just a Tuesday) with a festive margarita in your favorite flavor. Girls night out just got even better! New location coming soon to Redwood Falls! Plaza Garibaldi 1707 N. Broadway, New Ulm, MN 507-359-7073 plazagaribaldinewulm.com Who says you can't have it all? Relax in front of this electric fireplace, watch TV...or both! So nice for those chilly Minnesota winter evenings (or mornings!). Great mood setter for holiday get togethers. Turn on a music channel, "light" the fire, and it's a party. Larson's Home Furnishings 342 S. Mill St. Redwood Falls 800-585-8346 larsonfurniture.com Also see us at our Marshall location. 800-310-6320 Not just for children anymore! Get on board with the latest trend in relaxation and fun with our great selection of coloring books. Express yourself, relax and include them in your holiday gift giving. LAMBRECHTS 119 North Minnesota Street New Ulm, MN 56073 www.lambrechtsgifts.net 507.233.4350 Stop and Shop! Even if you are not a quilter, you will enjoy a visit to our unique store. We feature exclusively designed pottery mugs, 1803 candles/soaps/melts, novels by well-know authors Ann Hazelwood and Marie Bostwich and local author Lannie Tiffenbach. Introducing new products, Thymes lotions, and hand creams. Sewing Seeds Quilt Company 1417 S State St. New Ulm 507-354-8801 www.SewingSeedsQuiltCo.com 68 RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 The Luxury Ceramic Alternative Warm and comfortable underfoot, DuraCeramic is inspired by nature and designed for your life. DuraCeramic floors are strikingly realistic and extremely practical with all the benefits of modern technology and innovation. Puhlmann Lumber & Design 301 1st S. St. New Ulm 507-354-4914 www.puhlmannlumber.com Love at first sight! This novel and colorful console will be the focal point of any room and so versatile! Would make an unique TV stand, hallway bureau or accent piece or anywhere you want a wow-factor. Hayden’s Furniture & Floorcovering 507-723-5415 14 East Central Springfield, MN 56087 Wings & A Beer There's nothing like wings and beers! Choose from 8 different flavors, served with blue cheese or ranch dressing. Let the good times (and food) roll! Happy Joes Pizza and Ice Cream 1700 N. Broadway, New Ulm 507-359-9811 Pamper Yourself Containing the highest quality ingredients and renowned for their strict quality control, Yourx products feature high concentrations of active ingredients. Including plant extracts, natural minerals and naturally sourced vitamins and proteins. Not only the most pampering skin care treatment around, but also the most effective. Natural, Sustainable Botanical ingredients combined with the latest scientific ingredients. Special Touch Massage & Day Spa 35797 Liberty Ave. Redwood Falls, MN 507-641-1000 Radiant! Cleansing is the essential first step in a healthy skin care ritual. The patented Clarisonic Sonic Cleansing Brush uses a sonic frequency of more than 300 movements per second to deeply cleanse the skin far more effectively, yet more gently, than traditional superficial cleansing or simple rotating brushes. The result is noticeably smoother, more radiant skin. Skin Essentials, Mankato Clinic Suite 400A, Madison East Center 1400 Madison Ave Mankato, MN, 56001 507-625-6599 Have G'day in the Outback 25 years in the making, Canyon Outback bags and purses bring stylish, modern, and on-trend designs. Combined with premium, top quality full grain leathers that are 100% drum dyed to accentuate the natural beauty and character of each hide, you can carry on in style! Gallery 512 Boutique 20 N. Minnesota St. New Ulm 507-354-5120 Whiten Up! Whiten your teeth while you tan for that double wow-effect. Mouthpiece for use in tanning bed or use LED light for use at home. Talk about glamor, you got it goin' on! Ultra Tan 507.388.6160 201 N. Victory Drive, Mankato, MN Candlelight Reinvented Ribbonwick candles offer hypnotic light, sophisticated fragrance and radiant ambiance to your home. WoodWick candles also available. Find a nice selection at Glowing Hearth & Home 241 St. Andrews Drive, Mankato, MN 507-345-8084 What could be Better? Bettercreme is the icing on the cake. Literally! Pre-whipped and ready when you are. Variety of colors and decorator tips. How much fun is that? Don't fuss this holiday season, take some time to enjoy it. Hy-Vee Hilltop 2010 Adams St., Mankato, MN 507.625.9070 Hy-Vee Riverfront 410 S. Riverfront Dr., Mankato, MN 507.625.1107 Expect the Unexpected! If you are looking for unique then A to Zinnia Florals and Gifts is your holiday and decor shopping destination. Containers, pillows, novelty signs, and weather-resistant silks await. Grab you friends and make your celebrations amazing! A to Zinnia Floral & Gifts 15 S. Broadway St., New Ulm, MN 507.359.9900 RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 69 Tidy Tightwads The Secrets to a Stress-Free Thanksgiving Having done freezer cooking for many years, I’ve got tried and true recipes and freezing techniques that work well for make ahead meals. There isn’t any reason why you can’t apply these tricks to your Thanksgiving meal. • Plan your meal out now. Maybe it’s the same every year, and maybe you change it up. Whatever you want to do, planning now will allow you to shop, save, freeze, and delegate with plenty of time to spare. • Most of what you want to make for Thanksgiving can be made ahead of time and frozen. Corn casseroles, green bean casseroles, sweet potatoes, desserts, pies, and even mashed potatoes can be made ahead of time. Prepare your dish as if it’s oven ready and then cover it with foil and freezer paper or bags to protect it. Thaw the day before Thanksgiving and pop it in the oven or crock pot, according to cooking instructions. *Hint: Cream and soft cheese doesn’t always freeze well; they can get watery or curdle. If possible, add these ingredients later, after you thaw the dish. • Most Thanksgiving dishes can also be made in the crock pot or roaster, or a combination of stove, oven, and crock pots. Planning DONATIONS ACCEPTED 7 DAYS A WEEK. Furniture Pickup Available. AGAIN Thrift & More 706 N. Victory Dr., Mankato mnvac.org 507-345-2409 019874 70 Hours: Mon. - Friday 9-8 pm; Sat. 9-6; Sun. Noon - 5. RIVER VALLEY woman | november • 2015 ahead will help you make sure you have plenty of oven space and crock pots collected, so you aren’t scrambling. *Hint: Too many crock pots or items plugged into the same circuit can blow a fuse/circuit breaker. If using many crock pots, space them out in the kitchen, dining room, or even the garage. • Simplify grandma’s recipes! Just because grandma spent days making all her own pie crusts and homemade bread, doesn’t mean you have doing the same. Forgive yourself for using store bought pie crust or dinner rolls, if it means less stress. • Say “yes” when people ask if they can bring something. Again, when you plan now, you have time to delegate and allow people to help. The holidays are about family and gathering together, so why not let others feel included in the meal preparation? *Hint: Those who don’t cook can still contribute! Let the non-culinary relatives or friends bring a bottle of wine, paper products, coffee, etc. • Borrow before you buy. You don’t need to go out and purchase 8 crock pots and 2 new roasters. When you plan ahead, you can locate what you need within your circle of friends. *Hint: Items you may want to borrow include crock pots, large oven roasters, electric roasters, extension cords, card tables and chairs, air mattresses, dog kennel, baby playpen or high chair, and baby gates. RVW by Cindy Haugland tidytightwads.com nativity pageant Fri. & Sat., Dec. 11 & 12. FREE! 100+ volunteers tell the Christmas story under the stars in Riverside Park. It’s Our 30th year! Jingle Bells promotion Wednesday, Nov. 11 - Springfield Chamber businesses will host Holiday Open Houses from 4-8 p.m. Also, Jingle Bell Tickets will be available! (Drawing for $2,500 on Dec. 17). Join us for the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Main Street at 6:00 p.m. Visit www.springfieldmnchamber.org for more information springfield ... We have a lot to share! 030406 There isn’t any reason why you need to sacrifice family favorite recipes for your sanity, or vice versa. There are some tricks from seasoned moms that combine well with time saving options for a less stressful, more enjoyable Thanksgiving. Over 60 vendOrs! artisans, crafters & fOOd enTerTainmenT: Garlicks Water Conditioning Entertainment Stage: Mankato Symphony Orchestra, Dance Conservatory Of Southern MN, Mankato Childrens Chorus, Horse Drawn Trolley riDes Sponsored by Dance Express, Lantz and Jeremy Make & Take CrafTs • LeTTers To sanTa • MeeT sanTa! Get Your Free Copy of Decorations by RiverValleyWoman.com 033125 Big Burgers, Beer, & Sports Lamplighter Gift Cards make a tasty gift for anyone on your list! Photos by Alika Faythe Despres Photography Join our VIP Text Club! Get exclusive offers & updates. Text: M512 To: 36000 214 N Minnesota St, New Ulm, MN 507-354-2185 lamplighterbarandgrill.com Choosing Turkey or Chicken when You Dine? A crisp, light white is the best choice for wine! — SiNce 1970 — It’s Been All About Selection, Service And Everyday Low Prices 1527 N Broadway Street New Ulm, MN 56073 507-354-8778 1970 • Our 45th Yea r • 2015 032186 Choose from the largest selection of wine, liquor & beer in the New Ulm Area! 032827 Swing on by to Lakes on 1st Taste our hearty panini sandwiches, fresh hand-pattied burgers, bone-in wings, and plenty of other signature items! Serving Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 7 days a week! Meet me at Friesen’s! Switching things up Friday & Saturday nights with our DINNER menu, featuring fresh walleye, ribeye, and a signature zuccini pasta. Need an event catered? We can do that too! Facebook ReviewS: Our meeting & Conference Area accommodates a variety of groups up to 50 at one time. Great for Birthday Parties, Baby or Wedding Showers, Business Meetings and Friendly Gatherings. Caterings - Special Orders - Box Lunches Zero Waste - Personalized Cake Orders “The wings are so amazing, I could drink the sauce” • “Best wings I’ve ever had in New Ulm” • “Amazing walleye, what a meal!” • “Great food, great owners, great atmosphere, will definetely be my new TO-GO place” • “Breakfast was outstanding” • “Lunch specials are always great, awesome to see a place switch things” And in Our Shop: Fresh Pastries Everyday Mounds of Cookies, Candy, Cupcakes & Muffins, Bread, Soup & Cold Salads Daily 3 Hot Sandwiches & 3 Hot Soups served on our lunch menu daily 515 North Riverfront Drive, Mankato 507-345-4114 033221 512 1st North Street New Ulm, Minnesota 507-354-0306 032882 Hours: Mon-Sat 6am-6pm; Sun 6am-2pm Email: [email protected] A wide variety of deliciousness Served at your place or ours! Choices include: Wings, Pizza Stix, Cheese Stix, Garlic Toast Breakfast Omelet Pizzas Party Pastas, Pizzas, Party Salads 1700 N. Broadway New Ulm 507-359-9811 032628 033150 032825 Redwood area .. Come Shop with Us! Hours: Thurs. & Fri. 10-5; Sat. 11-4; Sun. 12-4 (starting Nov. 22) Open every weekend thru Christmas, starting November 12th. [antiques] [repurposed furniture] [gifts] [home decor] [clothing, accessories] [& more!] 033237 Keepsakes from Kathy A Boutique of Treasures 226 S. Washington Redwood Falls, MN 507.640.1545 032835 Welcome Baby. We’ll be here when you need us with Obstetrics care. If you are currently expecting or planning to become pregnant, ACMC wants you to rest easy knowing that we have a full team of providers who offer prenatal, delivery and postnatal care. Every pregnancy is a unique and special event, and ACMC’s team is here with you and your baby through the most exciting time of your family’s life. “The nurses were absolutely amazing! They took fantastic care of me and my baby. I’m so very grateful for all they did for us.” -Anonymous patient survey Birthing Center Michelle Cilek, M.D. David Danielson, M.D. Family Medicine Family Medicine Joshua Gregory Friese, M.D. McCallum, M.D. Alan Olson, M.D. Julie Kircher, Gina Klabunde, R.N., C.N.P. R.N., C.N.P. Family Medicine Family Medicine Nurse Practitioner Nurse Practitioner Family Medicine ACMC-Redwood Falls 1100 East Broadway | Redwood Falls, MN 56283 (507) 637-2985 | www.acmc.com REDWood falls.org Close to Home 018153 Entertainment • History • Scenery • Attractions • Lod .. Take it in! “I’m your REALTOR, Welcome Home” a full-service real estate agent with over 16 years of experience, you can rely on Valerie to provide the highest level of service with a personal touch. Authentic Mexican Restaurant Valerie Stephens Opening sOOn in RealtoR Specializing in Call for a FREE • Homes • Townhomes • Condos confidential market • Investment Properties analysis of your current • Business • Lots • Farms home or property today! [email protected] RedwOOd Falls! 032373 1500 East Bridge St Redwood Falls, MN 507-644-8433 office 507-640-2839 Cell kerkhoffauction.com & y t i l a u Q e c n e i n e Conv Offering the same great food & drinks you’ve come to love in New Ulm. n Full Service Grocery n Hot & Cold Take Out Deli n Catering n Fresh Meat Department n Produce n Bakery n 24-hour Gas, Diesel & Non-Oxy n ATM n Photo Kiosks Plaza Garibaldi is expanding to their new location in Redwood Falls! n Fax and Copy Service 032677 507-637-8332 1111 E. Bridge St. Redwood Falls, MN Open 7 Days A Week 6am – 10pm tersteegs.com dging • Shopping • Entertainment • History • Scenery 032734 REDWood falls.org Redwood area .. 033231 2015 A&W Furniture Fall & Winter Shows Kick Off the Holiday Shopping Season in the Redwood Area! Sat., Nov. 7 - 11am “Hunting Widows Weekend” Winter Design Seminar & Mini Fashion Show” Thurs., Nov. 12 & Sat. Nov. 14 - 2pm “Get Your Jingle On!” Winter Décor Seminar Thurs., Nov. 19 - 2pm “Snow Kisses & Christmas Wishes” Winter Décor Seminar Sat., Nov. 21 - 11am “Dear Santa! i Want it All!” Winter Décor Seminar Christmas by Candlelight Friday, November 20, 5-8 pm Downtown Redwood Falls. Special savings, Horse-drawn carriage rides, Santa Claus & more! Annual holiday Parade of Lights during Christmas by Candlelight, 6 pm Friday, November 20 Downtown Redwood Falls win a $1000 shopping spree! Raffle tickets available through Dec. 7 at the Chamber. Prizes totaling more than $2,000! holiday Gift-Giving Guide Shop local in the Redwood Area ~ See an “idea a day” on Facebook everyday in December! 1501 East Bridge Street Redwood Falls, MN 507.644.3535 www.awfurniture.com laneylus.com small business saturday November 28 Redwood AReA ChAmbeR & TouRism 507-637-2828 www.redwoodfalls.org 032632 Shop participating businesses for special savings & promotions! Featuring Original Art Pieces Redwood Falls 800-585-8346 & Marshall 800-310-6320 larsonfurniture.com REDWood falls.org Friends & Family can gather around your holiday table in style and comfort. Many designs and options available. Stop in and see them today! 032886 crafted by Mary & Karen. Lights of Home 032627 Gifts, Decor & So Much More. 151 E 2nd St Redwood Falls, Minnesota 507.627.7321 Open 7 days a week starting Nov.1; Sat. & Sun. 12 - 4; Mon.-Fri. 11-5 Entertainment • History • Scenery • Attractions • Lod Take it in! .. Welcome to the Redwood Area! Nestled along the Minnesota River Valley, the Redwood Area is in the heart of the Minnesota River Valley National Scenic Byway, and is rich in history and natural beauty. Enjoy two 18-hole golf courses, great hiking, camping, and biking, or many other recreational opportunities. Visit our unique specialty shops, historical museums and sites, or take in some great entertainment and special events. Whether it’s for a day or for a lifetime, you’ll enjoy the Redwood Area and all it has to offer, so come “Take it in!” Rhonda M. Kerkhoff, Financial Advisor “Explaining investments with the heart of a teacher...” 1500 East Bridge St. Redwood Falls, MN 56283 507-644-5000 direct 507-828-5085 cell [email protected] www.focusfinancial.com/rhondakerkhoff Securities offered through Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC, Insurance and Investment advisory services offered through Focus Financial Network, Inc., not affiliated with Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. 033115 032257 Christmas Gathering Bellaforma by marvelle’s November 11-14 FALL fashion Open Sundays Nov. 22-Dec. 20 12:00-4:00 Primitives No more tugging, gouging, chafing, or itching! Get the right fit with our certified bra-fitting specialists. Sizes from 28AA to 52K. Stop in or call for an appointment. Folk Art Early American Reproductions in-store savings coupon 25 NOW THRU FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27TH The Farmer’s WiFe one item % any Bellaforma of redwood Falls 141 east 2nd st. redwood falls, minnesota 507.627.7800 thefarmerswifeprimitives.com Open Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, from 11-5; saturdays from 11-3. 032831 Facebook Search words The Farmer’s Wife Redwood Falls OFF by marvelle’s *Select styles only. Limit one offer per customer; one-time use only. May not be combined with any other coupon offer or promotion. Cannot be used to purchase gift cards, or applied to previous purchases. No cash or credit back. Not valid on clearance or sale priced items. Valid on in-stock merchandise only. Not valid on items being billed to insurance. Must present coupon at time of purchase. Expires 11/27/2015. CODE: RIVERVALLEYWOMAN 032826 Redwood Falls (507) 637-1770 • www.bellaformaboutique.com dging • Shopping • Entertainment • History • Scenery REDWood falls.org 030404 Connections . . . Broadway ChiropraCtiC wellness Center 1510 North Broadway New Ulm 507-359-4374 Providing a link between business owners and thousands of readers each month. Post or pick up virtual business cards here! We specialize in helping runners get back to running, and keeping them running! www.broadwaychiropractor.com dr. Fred Falentin dC.dCBCn Bonnie lantz n.C. Marsha Miller o.M. Chance dale Ca, scribe Marketplace Mall • Consignment More than 35 years of providing quality products & service! Antiques, Vintage, Home Décor & More. Specializing in Custom Painting Furniture. Retailer for Mother Earth Chalk Paints. Nicollet, Minnesota 507-232-3502 Hours: M-F 8:00 - 5:30; Sat. 7:30 - 4:30 www.georgescitymeats.com Hours: Thurs. 12-6; Fri. 12-6; Sat. 10-4; or by appointment 249242 032625 Custom jewelry•Design•repair Jewelry Bench Celebrate your special event in an Elegant Victorian Setting Stately 1887 Queen Anne is your Perfect Venue for Weddings, Receptions, Showers, Groom’s Dinners & Holiday Parties By Mary 424 Park Lane Mankato, MN 507-385-0167 622 Center Street | New Ulm 507.354.8802 [email protected] lindhouse.org Trusted in the area for over 30 years 032883 Mayo Clinic care close to home 1-877-412-7575 (toll-free) mayoclinichealthsystem.org 030626 Call today for all your chiropractic needs 3.75”x2” River We Valleytake Woman Connections Section patients of all ages. Visit Berkley’s Den Pediatric Adjusting Room Interpreting and Translation Services Dr. Nate Neubauer ICPA Cert. in Pediatric & Prenatal Chiropractic Many Languages, One Company, One Voice 014674 015078 6 East Central Street Springfield, MN 507-430-5368 507-359-7622 1316 S Broadway, New Ulm www.lingua-one.com 033206 507-351-8787 American Agri-Women continued from page 10 The five-month education and advocacy tour traveled through Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, The District of Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, American Agri-Women president Sue Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, McCrum and AAW first vice president Doris California, Arizona, New Mold shared a moment during a stop in New Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri before York while on the Drive Across America. crossing over to Florida, then up the East Coast. Its final parking place is Portland, Maine, just in time for AAW’s 2015 annual convention November 5-7. Doris Mold—AAW first vice president, president of Sunrise Agricultural Associates in St. Paul, and a dairy farmer at Cumberland, Wisconsin—drove three stretches of the cross-country trip—from Maine to Wisconsin, from Wisconsin to Nebraska and from Texas to Missouri. delivers Mold stated, “We really wanted to do something special for our 40th anniversary. For a grassroots all volunteer group to do something of the magnitude of the Drive, it took a lot of us pulling together. The work was worth it as we raised people’s awareness of agriculture, touching millions of lives from coast to coast, visiting small towns, farms, and ranches—but also big towns and cities like New York, Chicago, Washington, DC, Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Omaha, Denver, Portland and Los Angeles along the way. We highlighted the important role that women play in our tremendous U.S. agricultural system and surprised a lot of people.” She added, “ The Drive has been a unique privilege. We had the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life and see awesome people and agriculture from coast to coast. If the people we met and things that we witnessed are any indication as to where we are headed as a country, we have a promising future.” The drivers often stayed in members’ homes and were treated to homecooked meals, barbecues, and harvest dinners in the field. The group met with elected officials, policy makers, ag leaders, consumers, students and many others. McCrum stated, “This has been a tremendous opportunity for our organization to showcase agriculture. We’ve seen the vast power of American agriculture, from my own potato fields in Maine to the heartland’s corn, wheat, and soybean fields and livestock pastures to the orchards, vineyards, and vegetable fields of the Western states and then back through the fertile fields of the South. We’re not only celebrating our 40th anniversary, but laying the groundwork for more important work ahead. We are proud to be a force for truth for American agriculture.” Leading agriculture, agri-business, and marketing organizations sponsored the Drive Across America. Among them were McCain Foods USA, CoBank, Bayer CropScience, CCI Marketing, Freestyle Productions, Penobscot, the Renewable Fuels Association, Syngenta, Valent USA, Ohio Corn & Wheat, Sunrise Agricultural Associates, and Agri-Pulse Communications. RVW River Valley Woman delivers maximum value for advertising dollars by effectively reaching the targeted market. 1 ReadeRship: RVW averages 2.5 readers per copy, or based on 9,192 audited gross distribution per month, yields 22,980 readers monthly. 2 puRchasing Response: 62.9% of those surveyed said they frequently purchase products or services from ads seen in River Valley Woman. 3 Retention: When asked, 67% said they keep RVW three weeks or longer before discarding it. This affords advertisers multiple opportunities for repeat impressions from a single advertisement. the survey also indicated that RVW reader demographics exceed average market demographics in every desirable category *Circulation Verification Council (CVC) is an independent, third-party reporting audit company. St. Louis based CVC audits thousands of editions nationwide with a combined circulation of more than 55 million. Audits cover printing, distribution, circulation, websites, digital editions, mobile, email, social media and readership studies to give an accurate picture of a publication’s reach and market penetration. (http://www.cvcaudit.com) The Circulation Verification Council estimates that all the information in this survey has a maximum error margin of +/3.5% at the 95% confidence level. A minimum of 250 completed interviews, or 2.5% of net circulation for publications under 10,000 net circulation is required with no more than one interview per household. To view the CVC audit in its entirety go to the River Valley Woman website at http://www.rivervalleywoman.com. 018825 Fall and winter style trends to add to your wardrobe As days grow shorter and cooler, the unstructured ensembles of shorts and tanks make way for the sweaters, boots, tweeds, and wool of autumn attire. Whether you’re ready to head back to the office or the classroom, you may want to include cozy ribbed knits, pantsuits and some other trendsetting items in your autumn wardrobe. • Duster coats: Duster coats and ponchos could be seen at all the major runway shows. These coats are equally comfortable tossed over casual wear, such as a sweater and jeans, or worn over business attire. The longer length keeps legs and torsos warm on chilly days. Play with patterns and colors, such as animal print or pale pink, for extra flair. • Turtlenecks: Put away your t-shirts for the season and use turtlenecks as your next must-have layering piece. In the past, turtlenecks have fallen in and out of favor. But now they’re back again in high demand. Turtlenecks keep you warm, and they’re also quite fashionable. Turtlenecks can even be worn in nontraditional ways, such as under a dress with straps. • Skirt belts: Mini skirts can be paired with longer dresses as a waist cincher or to add a bit of texture. This creates a focal point and can break up the monotony of a long, single-colored dress. • Luxury athletic wear: A trip to the gym or just lounging around at home can now be even more fashionable, as many brands are now offering luxury gym clothes. These clothes offer a greater attention to detail and more comfort than the usual gym attire and can be mixed and matched with other pieces you may already have in your closet. Slouchy hoods and freeflowing pieces garner all the right attention. • Chokers: Flash back to the 1990s and enjoy the nostalgia of choker necklaces. Black chokers can have a bewitching look and dress up evening wear or even a more casual button-down shirt. • Fringe: If you haven’t yet added something fringed to your wardrobe, now is the time. The trend is still prevailing with nearly every designer including some sort of fringe or frayed fabric in their collections. Fringed skirts, capes and vests are just a few looks to try. • Pantsuits: Pantsuits are back in a big way, but they’re edgier than in years past. Whether it’s tailored jackets paired with flowing pants, cigarette-style bottoms and cropped tops or a boxy blazer and suspenders, pantsuits are a chic and trendy look. The cooler temperatures of autumn mean wrapping yourself up in comfort and coziness without compromising on style. RVW SeaSonS o f Style. Generations Boutique est. 2015 326 south minnesota avenue, st. peter, minnesota 507.934.7407 82 We carry clothing RIVER VALLEY woman | august • 2015 sizes XS-3X open wed.-fri.10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; sat.10 a.m. to 5 p.m. generationsboutiquemn.com 032676 032187 Encore 033126 Consignment & Bridal Boutique 311 N. RiveRfRoNt DR., MaNkato, MN 507.386.0861 www.eNcoReMaNkato.coM HouRs: M-f 10-6isH; sat. 10-4isH; suN. 12-4isH Enhance Your Natural Smile before after before after before after ServiceS include: - eyebrow - eyeliner - beauty markS - Full lip Mention this ad - Get 5% OFF lip enhancement! Permanent Cosmetic Tattooing by Staci Lowe www.permanentcosmeticsbystaci.com 507-388-7500 — Gift cards available — 13 Years Experience • Licensed by State of Minnesota Mankato, MN www.salon07/lowe.html 033158 032370 the Minnesota “ I loved Wedding Shop because everyone there was so helpful and very easy to talk to. The place was so cute, cozy and very inviting. They had so many options to choose from so I was able to find my perfect dress right away. And Josh found his perfect tux/shoe combo that he had been wanting. If we had any issues or concerns with anything they were always quick to answer and we knew we could count on them to get things right! I would definitely recommend them to anyone, best shop in the area for sure! ” — Callie Thorson, Minnesota Wedding Shop Bride Featuring Allure Bridals • Kenneth Winston • Mikaella & More! Southern Minnesota’s Most Elegant Event Venue Affordable Elegance. • Weddings • Meetings • Corporate Parties Many Other Events! Lacey, Our Executive Chef, and owner of Lola: An American Bistro, will assist you in planning your customized menu to accommodate your tastes. Book your event with us today! Located on the second level of the New Ulm Event Center mnweddingshop.com 507-354-GOWN 301 20th St. S.. New Ulm, MN 507.354.4673 www.newulmeventcenter.com 032374 GreAT GifT iDeAS from Jolly Old “St. Nicklasson” • Under Armour - Men’s, Ladies, Youth • Shoes - Asics, Saucony, Nike, Under Armour, New Balance • Hockey Gear, Accessories & Skate Sharpening • Baseball Gear & Apparel • School Apparel • Licensed Apparel: Vikings, Gophers, Wild, Twins • Stadium Chairs - MVL, Cathedral, NU or solid black • Duffle Bags/Sackpacks, Backpacks & Much More! NiCkLASSON ATHLeTiC 1217 South Broadway, New ulm Phone 507-354-8586 toll Free 800-228-6425 (NICK) nicklassonathletic.com Store HourS: Mon: 8am - 8pm; tue - Fri: 8am - 5pm; Sat. 9am - 4pm 032833 030693 Choose Mayo Clinic care for your child From the delivery room to graduation, we give kids the complete care they need for a healthy mind and body. • Convenient clinic locations • Pediatric specialists and therapy services • Same-day appointments Find a provider at mayoclinichealthsystem.org. Call 1-877-412-7575 (toll-free) to make an appointment. 020250 8”x10.2” River Valley Woman May 2015 Give Thanks Formerly Bedpost Furniture INTERIORS home furnishings VISIT OUR MANKATO STORE: 482 Raint ree Road, Ma n ka t o | Ne xt t o Ro o m s a n d Re s t www.int eriors mn .c o m Int e r i o r s Ho m e Fu r n i s h i n g s 033134
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