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Living
Norwalk
january 2016
50211
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NORWALK RESIDENTS SHARE
THEIR JOURNEYS TO LIVING
HEALTHIER LIVES
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JANUARY | 2016
Norwalk Living
WELCOME
A matter of scale
I
am not much for New Year’s resolutions. They just don’t work for
me. I guess I need more than a certain day of the year to provide
me with real motivation.
As a grown man who no longer competes athletically or has
measurable fitness goals, my body has
changed. I no longer diet or exercise
as I once did, and the calories in
have exceeded the calories out for a
few decades now. Something has to
change.
I have good intentions of losing
weight and eating healthier. When I do
work out, I get a tremendous sweat
going and burn a lot of calories. But the
workouts are not consistent, and my
diet is far from healthy. And the older
I get, the more I seem to get injured,
further preventing consistent exercise.
So now what?
I know the answer, and you do,
too. I need to adopt a consistent and
low-impact exercise program, and I need to avoid high-calorie and
low-nutrition foods. Should be easy, right? Well, if it were, we would
all look like magazine models.
For some of us, the wake-up call comes from health scares.
Others are motived by clothes that no longer fit. Some even find
inspiration from friends or coworkers who implement healthy lifestyles. For me, right or wrong, motivation continues to come from
that number on the dial — which is exactly why I haven’t replaced the
batteries in my scale.
In our cover story this month, we share results stories from local
residents who found that inner motivation to get off the couch and
get on the road to healthier lifestyles. Their stories are inspiring, as
they have set examples for the rest of us to follow. If the new year
provides enough motivation to get you moving in the right direction,
then more power to you. As for me, I need to step back on the scale.
Thanks for reading. n
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JANUARY | 2016
Norwalk Living
3
FEATURE
GET
moving!
NORWALK RESIDENTS SHARE
THEIR JOURNEYS TO LIVING
HEALTHIER LIVES
Members of the Norwalk Racers: Kate Wallace, Shannon Brown, Jen Downe,
Leigh Vander Holt, Jon Altes and Jen Kownacki. Photo by Dan Hodges.
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Norwalk Living
JANUARY | 2016
FEATURE
D
eep in our hearts, we all know that we are not as healthy as we could be. In
the most extreme cases, being dramatically overweight or extremely unfit
can kill us. For most of us, though, it results in a litany of smaller, nagging
aches and pains and a lowered sense of self-confidence.
Most of us even have a general idea of what we need to do to change things.
According to polling agency Nielson, when Americans were asked to list their New
Year’s resolutions, 69 percent of people picked either “lose weight” or “stay fit and
healthy.”
Just as predictable, however, are the results. Most anyone who has a gym membership knows: starting on Jan. 1, gyms across the country are suddenly packed with
new members. Walking on treadmills, maybe gamely hefting a few free weights,
these well-intentioned neophytes usually thin out by the end of the month, and, by
March, virtually none of the new faces remain. It is not because of a lack of desire,
or willpower, and it is not usually because they are lazy. The biggest thing that stops
people from seeing changes in their health and body is a lack of a coherent plan.
“It’s true that just starting is often the hardest part,” says personal trainer
Trevor Scott. “But so many people walk into the gym — or the grocery store —
without a basic idea of why they’re there or what they want. That first step can often
be a step in the wrong direction.”
But with a little planning and a few minutes of forethought before you sign that
gym contract or buy that DVD set, your chances of sticking to a workout plan and
seeing results become much improved.
“It’s true that just
starting is often the
hardest part.”
— Trevor Scott,
personal trainer
Where do you want to go?
No matter what you are doing in life, the first step is the one that should be the
most obvious: determine what you are trying to do. For better health, this can be
as simple as “eat more green vegetables,” or “walk a mile every day.” But no matter
what your health goals are, having them clearly in mind is key.
“Nobody ever walked into a gym thinking ‘We’ll just see how this goes’ and had
Start your year
off right
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you need!
JANUARY | 2016
Norwalk Living
5
FEATURE
success,” Scott says. “Anyone who got results
from a workout plan or a nutrition change got
them because they knew what they were trying
to do.”
Once you have determined what exactly
your fitness goals are, it becomes much easier
to start building an exercise and nutrition plan
around that goal. Just hitting up Google with a
couple of keywords can lead you to a wealth of
information on how to properly perform exercises, recipe ideas for nutrition-specific dishes,
and message boards full of like-minded people
looking for support or to swap ideas.
“After having a baby, you get the impression
that your stomach area will never be the same,”
says Norwalk resident Tracy Moore. “I found a
group on Reddit that’s centered on exercises
and meal ideas for new moms. It’s helpful to be
able to post your frustrations and hear ideas
and encouragement from people who are doing
the same things.”
The only caveat to all of the information
available online is that it can become difficult to
tell the genuinely helpful information from the
drek. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, perform
a couple term-specific searches, or even talk
to your doctor for advice if you find conflicting
information.
How to get there
Once you have laid out a basic idea of what
your goals are, there are a wealth of ways to
get you on your way. How you proceed will
be driven largely by what works best for you.
For people who self-motivate well, sometimes
just writing out a workout plan and heading to
the gym each day will do the trick. For people
who find the open-ended nature of the gym to
be confusing, there are a number of facilities
that run structured group classes. Many places
have multiple-week programs that will include
nutrition help as well as a number of variable
classes to attend each week. Such programs
give the added benefit of a coach or personal
trainer who can provide personal assistance
and motivation.
Even outside of a traditional gym setting,
finding a group to exercise with can be a huge
source of motivation.
“I’d started running as a way to lose weight
faster,” recalls Norwalk’s Jennifer Kownacki,
who picked up the exercise nearly a decade
ago. “I wasn’t getting the results from the elliptical or the gym, so I took up running.”
Kownacki ran her first marathon eight years
ago and this year participated in the Boston
Marathon, but does most of her day-to-day
workouts as a part of the Norwalk Racers, a
group of like-minded individuals who keep each
other motivated.
“I run anywhere from 25 to 35 miles a
week,” she says. “Sometimes if you’re battling
6
Norwalk Living
JANUARY | 2016
Some apps to get you started
Whether you are looking to run a marathon, hit the gym for some weightlifting, or just eat better, odds are your phone can help. Here are some suggestions for where to start:
Couch to 5K
Generally regarded as the best way to start running, Couch to 5K has helped thousands of
people shed their sedentary ways and get moving. The nine-week program build into the $2.99
app starts you on a series of short run/long walk intervals that gradually increase the run times
as the days and weeks go by. The app also includes route mapping, distance logging and additional
10K and marathon apps to graduate to.
StrongLifts 5X5
Anyone who is starting a weight training program for the first time could do a whole lot worse
than to check out StrongLifts. The free app will walk you through one of the most popular
weight training programs in the world, logging your weight and rep counts, telling you when to
increase weights, and giving pointers on proper form and technique.
My Fitness Pal
The most popular food logger in the world, My Fitness Pal will help keep your nutrition in check.
Featuring a barcode scanner for easy logging and nutrition stats for hundreds of thousands of
types of food, drink and exercises, My Fitness Pal will keep track of the calories you put into
your body, the ones you burn off, and track your progress over weeks and months. Most helpfully, virtually every other fitness platform or app you’d care to use now features My Fitness Pal
integration, making keeping track of your workouts and weight a snap.
an injury, like I was this past November, it can
be a little less. But that’s always the goal.”
“I did my first marathon in 2007 and said
‘never again’,” she continues. “Then my cousin’s
wife convinced me to start training with her. I
first tried qualifying for Boston in 2010, and I
finally ran it this year.”
People like Kownacki are the proof for
anyone just getting off their couch today: With
the proper plan in place, you don’t have to be a
muscle-obsessed gym-rat to maintain a healthy
lifestyle, and a regular workout routine is well
within the grasp of the average person. And
for a large number of people, finding a way to
break out of the perceived isolation of the gym
experience can be a major factor for long-term
success.
“It’s huge,” Kownacki says of her time with
the Norwalk Racers. “Most of us are parents,
so for the other moms that I run with, it’s a
good outlet for socialization. We run in the
early morning, and you can get some friend time
in while you’re running.”
“People often perceive working out as this
thing you do alone, or losing weight as a strictly
solo journey,” Scott concurred. “It’s certainly a
personal experience, but it doesn’t have to be
lonely.”
Pacing is key
No matter how you choose to start your
journey, no matter what your goals are or how
you decide to get there, there is one thing that
everyone agrees on: start slowly.
“The first time I tried to get back in shape,
I just jumped into a P90X DVD right from day
one,” recalls Moore. “I didn’t make it a week.
It was so frustrating not being able to keep up,
and my back started getting really sore. I overdid it.”
“I always tell people to start small,”
Kownacki agrees. “The problem with people
thinking ‘anyone can run’ is that people always
start to fast. Don’t pile on too much distance
too soon.”
To help in that, most programs will start
slowly and ramp up the difficulty as the weeks
go by. If you are doing something on your own,
however, your greatest resource is probably
sitting in your pocket right now.
“Apps are great,” Kownacki says. “For runners, a good app can log your distance and time
and help track progress.”
Both the iTunes and Google Play stores
have a litany of phone apps, most available for
free, that will help guide you in whatever you
are doing. Again, checking online forums or asking trainers or other people doing similar programs for suggestions will point you to some of
the most helpful apps for what you’re trying to
do. Start slow, keep track of your progress, and
find a way to keep yourself motivated. Before
too long, you might even find yourself enjoying your new routine. And the gyms are way
more enjoyable once all the crowds thin out in
February. n
FITNESS
Ask the Anytime Guy
Expert answers to your health and wellness questions
By Joe Nguyen
Q: What’s the best way to wake up
my metabolism for weight loss? Eat
first thing in the morning before my
cardio workout or skip breakfast
and wait longer to extend the fasting period?
A: Exercising in the “fasted state”
has been promoted as a way to
possibly burn more calories from
fat than from carbohydrates. One
theory suggests that because the
body’s resting metabolism continues to work overnight while the
body sleeps, lower levels of carbohydrates will be available for
fuel before breakfast, resulting in
the body having to use fat as fuel.
But there are an equal number of
studies that suggest the opposite.
Therefore, we suggest that if fat loss
is your goal, it’s more important
to consider additional ways to be
more active throughout the day
rather than limiting your caloric
intake prior to a morning workout.
Moving more during the day and
smart nutrition choices will play a
more significant role for long-term
fat loss. Fueling for early morning
workouts will depend greatly on
what works for you. If you choose
to eat breakfast, a low glycemic
food 30 minutes prior to exercise
can provide enough energy to fuel
your workout without raising insulin
levels, which is known to metabolize and store fat. If you simply like
to exercise on an empty stomach,
properly fueling the body afterwards
is really important, as you’ll want to
give the body the correct amount of
nutrients to provide lasting energy
for the rest of the morning.
Q: Are there benefits to using the
pre-programmed workouts that
are available on the various cardio
machines?
A: Pre-programmed workouts can
provide you with new ideas on
how to use the cardio machines
and help you avoid getting into a
cardio rut. Programs are available
on most treadmills, stationary bikes
1
JOINJOIN
FORFOR
$
and elliptical trainers. The programs
automatically manipulate variables
such as time, incline, resistance and
speed to challenge your heart in a
variety of ways. Rolling hills, speed
work, intervals and automatic resistance changes can provide new challenges and motivation to complete
a workout without you having to
decide what to do next. Variety in
your cardio regimen can help you
break through plateaus, avoid boredom and get more from your time
at the gym. n
About the author: Joe
Nguyen is the club owner at
Anytime Fitness in Norwalk.
To submit a question for
future articles, please contact the author at JoeN@
anytimefitness.com.
HURRY!
Sale extended
through
Thursday,
January 21
JOIN NOW and get...
• FREE Get Started Plan
• FREE no-pressure Fitness
consultation
• FREE 30-Day Fitness Plan
See club for details. Restrictions may apply.
1101 Chatham Avenue • Norwalk 50211
STAFFED HOURS: MON–THU 11AM–7PM • FRI 9AM–5PM • SAT 9AM–11AM
JANUARY | 2016
Norwalk Living
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CITY HALL
705 North Avenue
515-981-0228
Open 8:00am – 4:30pm
Monday – Friday
MAYOR’S MOMENT
I have heard some talk and speculation about Hy-Vee coming to town and I thought I’d take a little time to let you know what I know. The City of Norwalk
does have a signed agreement with Hy-Vee. The agreement states Hy-Vee will inform the city approximately six months before they begin building. The
city is also providing approximately $1,000,000, in a combination of city improvements and tax abatement, to help bring Hy-Vee to Norwalk. Before you
get too upset about that number, please continue reading to learn how that number breaks down. $670,000 of that will be spent on improvements to
Colonial Parkway, a new city owned street (right now named Market Street), an entry to Market Street off of Highway 28, a right turn lane onto Market
Street from north bound Highway 28 and a right turn lane from Market Street onto northbound Highway 28. At the end of the project, all of these will
be owned by the City of Norwalk, not Hy-Vee. Hy-Vee will be getting the same tax abatement that any other business gets when building in Norwalk.
Hy-Vee has also agreed to put in additional sanitary sewer lines for the city, at no charge to the city. To recap, Hy-Vee is receiving the same abatement
that ANY commercial property would receive and is receiving a rebate to reimburse them for public infrastructure they are building in conjunction with
their project that will then be owned by the City.
With the property taxes generated by Hy-Vee, all monies that the City invests will be paid back within eight years. We also believe that Hy-Vee will be an anchor for more commercial
development within that immediate area. The Market Street improvements will also pave the way as an entry to the land south and southeast of the Hy-Vee location for more
commercial development. Stay tuned for further updates as they happen.
Planning and Zoning Commission meetings are open to the public (second and fourth Monday at 5:45 p.m.) as are City Council meetings (first and third Thursday at 6:00 p.m.).
I strongly encourage anyone who is interested in knowing what is happening in their community to attend any of these meetings. Meeting agendas and packets are available on the
City’s website before all meetings. We also have a Community Chat on the second Saturday of every month (9-10:30 a.m. at City Hall) for residents to stop by and talk to City staff
and elected officials about topics of your choosing.
We have had a lot of areas opened up for development this year. The City Council has approved seven final plats, which consist of 175 residential lots. It will take a while for all of
these lots to be built out, but if 2015 is any indicator, we will see quite a few new houses built in 2016. As of December 1, the City of Norwalk issued 100 building permits for singlefamily homes and 38 building permits for townhomes. This is a new record for the City of Norwalk.
Jean Furler joined the team at City Hall November 30 as the new Finance Director. Previously, Jean was with Warren County and has extensive experience with city finances. She has
already had a positive impact with the city and it will be good to have her expertise available during budget season.
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. If 2015 is any indication as to how 2016 is looking, I can’t wait for all of the great things coming to Norwalk and you can bet we will keep you
posted as they happen.
Happy New Year!– Tom Phillips, Mayor
UPCOMING EVENTS
•Community Chat – Saturday, January 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at City Hall in the Council Chambers.
•Norwalk Food Pantry – City Hall is a drop off location for the Norwalk Food Pantry. We gladly accept all
non-perishable food donations Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
STORMWATER WINTER TIPS
As we have moved from fall rains to snow and ice there are still practices everyone can do to prevent excessive storm
water runoff. Salt and other deicing chemicals are two of the most widely used agents during snow and ice seasons
Sodium Chloride, rock salt, is the cheapest and most common de-icing product but Calcium Chloride has more benefits.
Calcium Chloride does not have the chemical additives that rock salt has; it is less harmful to vegetation, and only onethird as much needed. It also works well at low temperatures (25 degrees F).
Here are a few tips that everyone should practice.
• Buytherightblend.Byhavingaproductthebestsuitsyourclimateconditionsandaveragelowtemps,youwilluse
less of it.
• Keepwalkwaysshoveledinthefirstplaceassnowquicklybecomesicewhenwalkedon.
• Pre-treatwalkwaysbeforeastormhits.Youwilluselessdeicerintheend.
• Mixsaltwithsand.Youwilluselesstomelticeandgainthetractionprovidedbythesand.
• Storeice-meltinairtightcontainerstomaintainmaximumeffectiveness.
If you must use de-icing chemicals, follow these suggestions:
•
•
•
•
Controlapplicationofchemicaldeicers,alittlegoesalongway,avoidapplyingtomuch
Limitchemicalapplicationsnearenvironmentallysensitiveareas,suchasdrinkingwatercells
Sandcanbeusedasasubstitutetosalttoassistwithtractionondriveways
Considerusingsaltsubstitutesthatarelessharmfultotheenvironmentandtoconcretewalkways,includingCalciumChlorideandCalciumMagnesiumAcetate
There you have it. Some easy practices everyone can do to help reduce stormwater run-off. Please remember what goes down the storm drains end up in our drinking glass.
WWW.NORWALK.IOWA.GOV
8
Norwalk Living
JANUARY | 2016
PUBLIC SAFETY
1100 Chatham Avenue
NORWALK EASTER
PUBLIC LIBRARY
1051 North Avenue
Administrative: 981-0228
515-981-0228
Non-Emergency: 222-3321
Emergency: 911
NORWALK’S LONGEST SERVING PATROL OFFICER RETIRES
After 28 years of service in Norwalk, Officer Doug Metzger is ready to take off his badge and side arm and “call it a day.” Norwalk has had several longtime Police Chief’s retire from
the City, but Officer Metzger earns the distinction as the longest serving Norwalk patrol officer to retire from the City.
Officer Doug Metzger joined the Norwalk Police Department (NPD) in 1988 and has seen a number of changes to Norwalk during his tour. When he started, the police station was in a
three-bedroom house just to the west of City Hall and the department consisted of four police officers and the Chief. Today, Norwalk has more than doubled in population, the police
department moved to the Public Safety building along with the fire department and the staff has grown to 13 officers and the Chief.
“As the City got bigger, it took longer and longer to drive around town,” Metzger states. “The one down side to a growing community is that you can’t drive by every house as many
times as you’d like in a ten hour shift.”
Even though the City has grown over his 28-year career in Norwalk, Officer Metzger says that the friendliness of the residents and the welcoming, hometown feel of the community
have not changed. “When I joined the NPD and moved my family to Norwalk, I was not seen as an outsider,” said Metzger. “Not every community is like that. There is a reason my
family and I have established our roots here.”
Officer Metzger says that the biggest changes he has seen in the community and the department seem to be technology related. The NPD used to handwrite all of their reports and
now they do nearly everything by computer. Instead of checking pawnshops, their go-to is Craigslist.
Technological advancements have also made an appearance in the police cruisers. “When I started in Norwalk, the cars pretty much consisted of a radio that would allow an officer
to communicate with the Norwalk and the Warren County dispatchers, a steering wheel and the toggle switch to turn the lights and sirens on,” jokes Metzger. “Fast forward 28-years
and our police cruisers each have a multi-function radio system that connects us to a state-of-the-art dispatch center and to other law enforcement agencies around the metro, a
computer with fully-functioning internet, a digital video recording system that covers 360 degrees outside and inside each vehicle that records in color and includes microphones.
The videos seamlessly download to our servers as the cruisers pull back into the Public Safety parking lot, and each vehicle is equipped with GPS. Our dispatchers are able to see
where each police vehicle is located at all times, how long they have been there and tracks where they have been. The cruisers are an officer’s mobile office and our “offices” have
gotten significantly more comfortable.”
The creation and use of social media has really become paramount in police work and has both positively and negatively influenced our environment. He says that since we are all
attached to a computer of some sort, it is easier to post about a crime instead of calling the police to report it. “Calling the police is still the only way to report a crime,” Metzger says.
“That is one thing that hasn’t changed and something that probably never will”“
While he is sad about retiring, Metzger says he is looking forward to doing something completely different. He and his wife do plan to stay in Norwalk. As he says, they are invested
in this community and excited at its potential and cannot wait to see where Norwalk will be in ten years. Metzger admits the best thing about retirement will be getting to spend
more time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
Chief Staples noted that sometimes the decision to retire is difficult for an officer because “the job and badge tend to become your identity”. Staples and the rest of the NPD are proud
to be able to wish Officer Metzger a happy retirement. “He has worked the night shifts, had difficult days and has seen his share of emotional situations. He has earned his retirement.
But now it is time for him to be grandpa Metzger” Staples said.
IMPORTANT NUMBERS TO KNOW
Emergency – police & fire: 911
Non-Emergency – police: 222.3321
Garbage – ASI (missed collection): 964.5229
Recycling & Yard Waste – WM (missed collection): 244.7336
Snow Ordinance Activation/Deactivation- City Hall: 981.0228 option 8
Street Light Outage – MidAmerican Energy: 800.799.4443
NORWALK PARKS & REC
Spring will be here just around the corner and that means it is soccer season once again. Norwalk Parks and Rec offers several divisions for your youth to have fun and play. We start
as young has 4 years old and go up through 7th grade. Registration begins on Jan 25. See our brochure or website for further details. Spring also reminds us that it is time to take off
those nasty winters pounds! Parks and Recreation offers a variety of choices for exercise; a step bench/interval class, yoga, circuit sensation and for those early birds folks, a body
sculpting class. If you are looking for a different style of exercise, we offer a Family Taekwondo class as well. Also available are several miles of linear bicycle/pedestrian trails. They
stretch from the south end of town out to the north end. The most recent addition to our bike system is the trail going through 5-Acre Park to the Lakewood Elementary. Come escape
from your home and explore your options!
The Fall/Winter Parks & Recreation guide is available online at www.norwalk.iowa.gov.
Follow us!
JANUARY | 2016
Norwalk Living
9
FAITH
Surprised
by God
Keep the doors of your guest house open
By Pastor Travis Stanley
I
“Joining God’s mission to disciple all peoples
for the sake of His name.”
Sunday Services: 8:30 & 10:30 am
Disciple City for Children: (18 months - 5th grade)
Sunday Mornings, 8:30 & 10:30 am
Quality childcare provided for children under 18 mo.
‘Unstoppable’ (6th-8th grade) & ‘Unshaken’(9th-12th grade):
Sunday Evenings, 6:00-8:00 pm
Sonshine Choir: (K-5th grade) Sunday evenings, 6-7:30 pm
Family Night Wednesdays - Dinner served, 5:30 - 6:15 pm
A night of fellowship & Bible Study for the whole family!
Fellowship Kids: 3 yrs. - 5th Grade, Wednesdays 6:30 - 8:00 pm
(Under age 3 childcare for parents attending growth group Bible studies.)
www.fccnorwalk.org | (515) 981-0699
225 North Avenue, Norwalk, Iowa 50211
10
Norwalk Living
JANUARY | 2016
recently came across a poem
from the 13th century called
“The Guesthouse.”
“This being human is a guest
house. Every morning a new
arrival. A joy, a depression, a
meanness, some momentary
awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.
“Welcome and attend them
all! Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your
house empty of its furniture, still
treat each guest honorably. He
may be clearing you out for some
new delight.”
This 800-year-old poem,
originally written in Persian,
was penned by the Iranian Sufi
Muslim poet Rumi. Throughout
the centuries, Rumi’s words have
touched many people from many
faiths. Everytime I hear his words,
I am surprised again at how clearly this ancient voice, from a faith
different than my own, saw the
world.
Welcome all of life’s unexpected visitors, Rumi says. They
may be clearing you out for some
new delight. Or, in other words,
never close yourself off, for you
never know who or what will be
the vehicle of your salvation.
Too often we are taught to
close ourselves off and fear the
other. We are led to believe that
those different from us, be they
someone from a different race,
country or religion, have nothing
to teach us and are only a threat
to us. But Rumi’s words invite
us to a new disposition, one of
welcome embrace.
Treat everything and everyone as a surprise visitor; those
who are like you and those who
are different. The good times and
the hard times in life. The gifts
and the challenges — all these
things can bring us grace, if we
would only make room for their
surprising lessons.
This New Year, my prayer
for you is that you will keep the
doors of your guest house open.
Do not let hate, prejudice or
fear shut you out from who and
what God has in store for you.
Who knows how God might
come to you this year, and who
knows what lessons you may
learn? Keep your heart open, and
be ready for God’s surprise!
After all, doesn’t God always
work in surprising ways? Through
outsider prophets, through uneducated fishermen, through a baby,
born in Bethlehem to a scared,
refugee couple, even through you
and me — God always works in
surprising ways.
This New Year, get ready to
be surprised by God and know
that no matter what, you are
always welcome in God’s house
of love. n
Information provided by Pastor Travis Stanley , Norwalk
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 701 Main St.,
Norwalk.
WHAT’S IN YOUR GARAGE?
Tyler Bouwers, 3, shows off his loot in winnings in the back of the Equinox after a day at Adventureland with his mom, brother, and sister. Photo submitted.
Fun with the kids
Equinox has plenty of room for Bouwers’ family
By Lisa Verhey-Budding
R
ene Bouwers says she needed a nice
vehicle to safely carry around her three
young children. She went on a mission
in search of the perfect ride for her family and
found her kid-and-cargo chariot — a 2010
Chevy Equinox — in March of 2014.
“It is a model that I had been looking at for
awhile. I wanted it in black, but then I saw the
white one with the brown leather seats and red
trim and decided to get that one,” she says.
Bouwers says she and her family fit nicely in
the car with extra room. This size of vehicle is
great for kids who like to bring stuff along with
them whenever they travel.
“The kids love the fact that they can connect their phones to the car and listen to their
music,” she says.
Out of the many features that Bouwers has
in the Equinox, there is one favorite that stands
out above the rest.
“I love that I can make and answer calls
while I’m driving without having to touch my
phone,” she says.
Bouwers says she and her kids have a lot of
fun traveling together and going to fun places in
their car. They are a close-knit little family with
a huge bond between the four of them. Every
moment together is special, but there is one
occasion that will be remembered as a favorite
to them all.
“So far, my favorite memory is when
me and the kids went to the Iowa Machine
Shed for breakfast, and then spent all day
at Adventureland,” she says. “My older two
wanted to ride the Tornado, but Tyler was too
small, so he played games while we waited. He
ended up winning every game he played. When
we went to put all his prizes in the car, I almost
couldn‘t get them all to fit. He was only 3 at the
time. I was so proud of him for doing so amazingly well because most adults I know can‘t
even win at the ring toss. One of the stuffed
animals he won was bigger than him!” n
Contact Darren at 953-4822 ext. 304
or [email protected] to recommend someone for an upcoming
issue of “What’s In Your Garage?”
JANUARY | 2016
Norwalk Living
11
CALENDAR
Thursday Jan. 14
n Al-Anon and Alateen, Free
Childcare. 8 p.m., Lutheran Church of
the Good Shepherd
Norwalk MS
n Wrestling: JV/V Meet, 5:30/
recommended for 3- to 5-year-olds,
n Basketball: Boys 9/10 vs. Carlisle,
6:30 p.m. @ WDM Valley
but all ages are welcome. We’ll read
6/7:30 p.m. @ CHS
n Basketball: Boys 9/10 vs. Grinnell,
picture books, sing songs and rhymes.
n Basketball: Girls 910 vs. Carlisle,
6/7:30 p.m. @ NHS
10:30-11:30 a.m., Norwalk Library
6/7:30 p.m. @ NHS
n Rhyme Time, 10:30-11:30 a.m.,
Norwalk Easter Public Library
n Pajama Time, 7-7:30 p.m.,
n Basketball: Boys 8th vs. Ames,
4 p.m. @ AHS
n Basketball: Girls/Boys 9th vs.
Newton, 6 p.m. @ Newton HS
n Basketball: Boys 10th vs. Newton,
7:30 p.m. @ Newton HS
n Wrestling: JV/V vs. Grinnell,
6:30/7:30 p.m. @ GHS
Tuesday Jan. 19
n Trash, recycling and yard waste
Friday Jan. 22
n Water Service Disconnects
n Trending Topics - Do More With
n Storytime, This story-time is
11 a.m., Norwalk Easter Public Library
Less, register by calling or stopping by
n Basketball: Boys 7th vs. ADM,
the library. 6:30-8 p.m., Norwalk East
4:30 p.m. @ ADM
Public Library
n Basketball: Girls 7th vs. ADM,
n Basketball: Girls JV/V vs. DCG,
4:30 p.m. @ Norwalk MS
4:45/6:15 p.m. @ NHS
n Basketball: Girls JV/V vs. Grinnell,
n Basketball: Boys Varsity vs. DCG,
pick up, 7 a.m., west side of Highway
4:45/6:15 p.m. @ GHS
7:45 p.m. @ NHS
28/Sunset Drive
n Basketball: Boys Varsity vs.
n Novel Year Book Club, 6:30-
Grinnell, 7:45 p.m. @ GHS
n Basketball: Boys 7th vs. DCG,
4:30 p.m. @ DCG
n Before Hours: Tech @ 10, 1011 a.m., Norwalk Easter Public Library
n Basketball: Girls JV/V vs. Newton,
4:45/6:15 @ Norwalk
Newton, 7:45 p.m. @ Norwalk
Saturday Jan. 16
n Wrestling: JV/V vs. Ankeny,
10 a.m. @ AHS
n Bowling: JV/V vs. Knoxville, noon,
@ Val Lanes
Monday Jan. 18
Community School District
n Adult Craft Night, 6:30-8 p.m.,
n Basketball: Girls 7th vs.
Bondurant-Farrar, 4:30 p.m. @
Bondurant-Farrar MS
28/Sunset Drive
Norwalk Softball League Signups for
n Early Out Wednesdays for K-5,
4:30 p.m. @ Oviatt Elementary
Girls 2nd-6th Grade. 2:30-4 p.m.,
2:30-3:30 p.m., Norwalk Easter Public
n Basketball: Girls 8th vs. Pella,
Norwalk Easter Library
Library
4:30 p.m. @ Pella MS
n Wrestling: Varsity Tournament,
n Wrestling: Middle School Meet,
9 a.m. @ Clinton
4:30 p.m. @ Berg MS
n Wrestling: JV Tournament, 9 a.m.
n Basketball: Girls/Boys Varsity vs.
@ Dowling
Carlisle, 6/7:30 p.m. @ NHS
n Bowling: JV/V vs. Oskaloosa,
noon, @ Val Lanes
Wednesday Jan. 20
Norwalk Living
Monday Jan. 25
JANUARY | 2016
n Rhyme Time, 10:30-11:30 a.m.,
pick up, 7 a.m., east side of Highway
n Planning and Zoning Meeting,
28/Sunset Drive
5:45 p.m., City Hall
n Basketball: Boys 8th vs.
n Wrestling: Middle School Meet,
Marshalltown, 4:30 p.m. @
4:15 p.m. @ Carlisle MS
Marshalltown-Miller MS
Library
n Basketball: Boys JV vs. DCG,
7 p.m. @ NHS
Thursday Jan. 21
Bondurant-Farrar MS
n Basketball: Boys 8th vs. Waukee
North, 4:30 p.m. @ Lakewood
Friday Jan. 29
n Basketball: Girls/Boys 9th vs.
DCG, 6 p.m. @ DCG
n Before Hours: Tech @ 10, 10-
the Good Shepherd
n City Council Meeting, 6 p.m., City
7:30 p.m. @ DCG
Tuesday Jan. 26
n Basketball: Boys 8th vs. Ankeny
Thursday Jan. 28
the Good Shepherd
Marshalltown-Miller MS
12
n Rhyme Time, 10:30-11:30 a.m.,
Marshalltown, 4:30 p.m. @
n Norwalk Softball League,
Hall
Wednesday Jan. 27
n Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
n No school, All day, Norwalk
Saturday Jan. 23
n Basketball: Boys 8th vs. Indianola,
n Basketball: Boys JV vs. Indianola,
10 a.m. @ IHS
28/Sunset Drive
8 p.m., Norwalk Easter Public Library
Friday Jan. 15
Centennial, 4:30 p.m. @ Northview
Saturday Jan. 30
n Norwalk Softball League,
Norwalk Softball League Signups for
CALENDAR
Girls 2nd-6th Grade. 2:30-4 p.m.,
Oskaloosa, 6/7:30 p.m. @ OHS
n Basketball: Boys JV vs. Indianola,
Library
Oskaloosa, 6 p.m. @ Oskaloosa MS
10 a.m. @ NHS
n Parks and Rec Commission
n Wrestling: Varsity Conference
Meeting, 6 p.m., Public Safety Building
Meet, 10 a.m. @ Oskaloosa
n Basketball: Girls 9/JV/V vs DM
Lincoln, 1/2:30/4 p.m. @ LHS
Thursday Feb. 4
Tuesday Feb. 9
Monday Feb. 1
the Good Shepherd
n Bowling: JV/V vs. DM North,
n Rhyme Time, 10:30-11:30 a.m.,
3:45 p.m. @ Val Lanes
Water Bill Payment Due Date
28/Sunset Drive
Oskaloosa, 4:30 p.m. @ Norwalk MS
n City Council Meeting, 6 p.m., City
Hall
n Wrestling: JV/V Quad, 5:30/
n Basketball: Girls JV/V vs.
6:30 p.m. @ NHS
Oskaloosa, 4:45/6:15 p.m. @ NHS
Oskaloosa, 4:30 p.m. @ Oskaloosa
n Basketball: Boys 9/10 vs. Pella,
MS
6/7:30 p.m. @ Norwalk MS
Oskaloosa, 7:45 p.m. @ NHS
Oskaloosa, 4:30 p.m. @ Pella MS
6:30 p.m. @ Lakewood Elementary
Wrestling: JV Invite, 5:30 p.m. @
n High School Band Winter
DCG
Concert, 7-9 p.m., EV Cafeteria,
n Basketball: Boys 9/10 vs. Pella
Norwalk Performing Arts Center
Christian, 6/7:30 p.m. @ PCHS
Tuesday Feb. 2
Friday Feb. 5
28/Sunset Drive
n Basketball: Girls JV/V vs. Pella,
4:45/6:15 p.m. @ PHS
picture books, sing songs and rhymes!
n Basketball: Boys Varsity vs. Pella,
7:45 p.m. @ PHS
28/Sunset Drive
Wednesday Feb. 10
Library
Thursday Feb. 11
Saturday Feb. 6
n Basketball: Boys 7th vs. Pella,
the Good Shepherd
n Rhyme Time, 10:30-11:30 a.m.,
n Bowling: JV/V vs. Pella, Noon @
n Basketball: Boys 8th vs. Pella,
Pella Excit-A-Bowl
4:30 p.m. @ Pella MS
n Basketball: Girls JV/V vs. Pella
Christian, 4:45/6:15 p.m. @ NHS
n Basketball: Boys 9/10 vs. Newton,
Monday Feb. 8
n Basketball: Boys Varsity vs. Pella
Christian, 7:45 p.m. @ NHS
n Basketball: Girls 9th vs. Newton,
6:30 p.m. @ Lakewood Elementary
n Planning and Zoning Meeting,
5:45 p.m., City Hall
Wednesday Feb. 3
6/7:30 p.m. @ Norwalk
n Library Board of Trustees,
6:30 p.m., Norwalk Easter Public
Library
4:30 p.m. @ NorwalK MS
28/Sunset Drive
n Basketball: Boys 9/10 vs.
Promote your event!
Have a calendar entry for the next
issue of Norwalk Living?
Send your information to:
[email protected].
JANUARY | 2016
Norwalk Living
13
HOME PLANS
Carrington
T
extural variety melds with Craftsman styling to
give the Carrington a pleasing yet unpretentious
front facade. Shingles and foundation materials are
slightly rough, while windows, doors, columns and railings
are smooth and sleek. Fairly similar gables on the house
and garage add to the visual appeal, and the full front
porch has a welcoming appearance.
Entering, you step into a wide foyer brightened by
sidelights and a row of small windows high on the door.
The right hand hallway leads to the den and dining room.
Decorative columns on the left mark the wide passageway into a living room with a fireplace flanked by
Craftsman windows. Another walkway, at the rear of
the room, leads to the owners’ suite, stairs and kitchen
with a large work island at center and an open link to the
dining room. The eating bar that rims one edge is handy
for meals on the run, homework supervision and keeping
folks who just want to chat out from underfoot.
Lazy Susan shelving makes the corner shelves entirely
accessible, and a walk-in pantry is just around the corner.
Laundry appliances, too, are mere steps away in a large
pass-through room that connects to the garage. The utility room can also serve as a mudroom.
A huge walk-in closet and luxurious bathroom
expand the Carrington’s owners’ suite.
Upper bedrooms share a two-section bathroom, and
a loft that could be outfitted as a study area or hobby
space. A large bonus room, plus plenty of attic storage
space, is over the garage.
Associated Designs is the original source for the
Carrington 30-360. For more information or to view
other designs, visit www.AssociatedDesigns.com or call
800-634-0123. n
14
Norwalk Living
JANUARY | 2016
EDUCATION
Meet Dawn Schiro
District has passion for helping students thrive
By Morgan Leu Parkhurst
W
hen Dawn Schiro and
her husband wanted
to move to the greater Des Moines area, she started
searching for career opportunities.
“Norwalk caught my eye as a
place I felt would be a good fit for
me,” she says.
Now in her third year, Schiro
has the fortunate opportunity to
work with administrators, teachers and students to enhance the
learning experience in the district.
“I lead administrators and
teachers to ensure that all children receive high quality education in all content areas,” she
says.
A particular passion for Schiro
is literacy, but she also wants
to enhance the role of STEM
education (Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Math) in the
classroom.
“We are currently examining
new resources for our math program and implementing a new science program focused on STEM,”
she says.
Of the five districts in which
she has worked throughout her
career, Schiro says the Norwalk
school district stands out because
of “the passion and devotion” of
staff members.
“This is one of the only districts that I have been in that you
can see a parking lot full of cars
on a Sunday afternoon,” she says.
She also describes staff within
the district as being “collaborative,” and says this mindset sets
the district apart from others.
“Teachers and leaders will do
whatever it takes to make sure
learning is taking place,” she says.
Outside encouragement is
also important.
“The support from parents
and the community is phenomenal,” she says.
Although Schiro works at the
T E
’
N T H E! !
DOSS LIN AY
I
D
M EAD TO
D ALL
C
ACCOUNTING &
TAX SOLUTIONS
Ricardo J. Alverio, CPA
1017 MAIN ST., STE. 2
Dawn Schiro is the elementary director
of teaching and learning in the Norwalk
School District. Photo by Morgan Leu
Parkhurst.
district level, she is frequently
found in classrooms.
“I love working with teachers
and children,” she says. “I spend
time in classrooms to make sure
I am grounded in the real reason
we are all here.”
In the classroom, Schiro is
frequently working alongside elementary educators, co-teaching
lessons.
“I work in classrooms with
our teachers and work with them
modeling lessons to students and
supporting their efforts,” she
says.
She also works with teacher
leaders who often work with
new teachers. These teacher
leader roles are made possible
through the Teacher Leadership
and Compensation grant.
“We would not be able to
accomplish our goals as well as
we have if it wasn’t for the work
of our teacher leaders,” she says.
Ultimately, Schiro strives to
find ways for everyone to enjoy
learning as students discover
their potential.
“I never want to lose sight of
the impact we can make in our
students’ lives,” she says. n
515.981.5222
Se Habla Español
What’s In
Your
Garage?
To suggest a garage, call Darren Tromblay
at 953-4822, ext 304
or email [email protected]
JANUARY | 2016
Norwalk Living
15
LEGAL BRIEFS
Real estate and septic system requirements
System must be inspected before property can be sold
By Adam Doll
W
hat better way to start
2016 than with information about septic
systems? Excited? Here we go.
Inadequate septic systems can
discharge extremely high levels of
bacteria into the ground, which
can make its way to streams and
rivers. This poses a problem for
us as bacteria can lead to sickness and disease. The Iowa legislature addressed this issue by passing
the “time of transfer” law, which
became effective July 1, 2009, to
identify inadequate systems and get
non-performing systems upgraded
or replaced.
Now, if a piece of property has
a septic system, the septic system
must be inspected before the property can be sold. Inadequate septic
systems must be upgraded to current code or replaced prior to the
sale.
It is important that both buyers and sellers of real estate know
about this septic system requirement when purchasing properties
that are served by septic systems.
Septic systems can be very costly to
replace, repair and upgrade, so it is
imperative for all parties to understand this inspection law prior to
entering into any sales of property.
“Certified time of transfer
inspectors” inspect the septic system in question. The inspection
itself is not cost prohibitive, but
failing to discuss the septic system
prior to entering into a purchase
agreement can be an expensive
proposition if it is later determined
the system needs replaced. The
inspector either will “pass” the system or detail what upgrades need
to be performed prior to the sale.
There are certain exceptions
to this inspection requirement on
transfers including, but not limited
to, administration of an estate or
trust, deeds incident to a divorce,
transfers between family members
and foreclosures.
Inadequate septic systems can
hold up the sale of a property.
However, a real estate sale can still
close if there is a “binding acknowledgement” signed between buyer of
a property and the county board of
health, stating that the septic system
will be inspected at a later date and
updated to current code, if necessary. This binding acknowledgment
is often used in the colder months
when weather has caused a delay in
inspection.
In any sale of a property that
is served by a septic system, the
language in the purchase agreement should be clear as to which
party has the liability to make any
upgrades or replace the septic system, if necessary. Discussing these
issues prior to entering into an
agreement for sale is imperative to
avoid any disputes that may arise
later. n
Information provided by
Adam Doll, attorney at law,
Hopkins & Huebner P.C.,
2700 Grand Ave., Suite 111,
Des Moines.
SERVING OUR NEIGHBORS IN NORWALK
A FULL SERVICE LAW FIRM WITH OFFICES IN DES MOINES, ADEL AND THE QUAD CITIES
KARLA J. FULTZ
BRENT HINDERS
NICK PLATT
PAT VINT
2700 Grand Avenue, Suite 111
Des Moines, Iowa 50312
1009 Main Street
Adel, Iowa 50003
515.244.0111 | 1.800.383.0111
www.hhlawpc.com
16
Norwalk Living
JANUARY | 2016
INSURANCE
General insurance tips
Buy a policy with little or no stress
By Mike Lane
I
nsurance need not be a frustrating experience. With the right
advice and the right knowledge,
you can buy a policy with little to
no stress. This article will help you
with the process.
Seek an agent who represents
multiple companies so he or she
can shop your insurance with a
number of companies. You can
often get discounts when bundling
multiple lines of insurance with the
same company. If you change your
car insurer to chase a small savings,
that savings may be nullified by
the increase in your homeowner’s
insurance rates.
Before you go into business,
make sure every aspect of the
business is covered. Most policies
cover you for a wide range of risks,
but if you have employees you will
need to have workers comp coverage. Another important coverage is
business interruption. If the business location suffers a large loss
such as a fire, business interruption pays you a specified amount
of reimbursement while you are
rebuilding the property. Can your
business survive six months with
no income coming in? This will help
your business stay afloat during that
period.
Whenever you file an insurance
claim, keep notes and documentation of the entire process. This will
help to ensure the claim will be
processed efficiently and smoothly. Have the adjuster’s name and
phone number written down, along
with details of an injury you have
suffered. This will help you settle
the claim quicker as you are able to
show the documentation.
If you can avoid filing small
claims, you should do so. It is probably cheaper to cover small expenses yourself, as making a number of
small claims may cause your rates
to rise. There are also many insurers we represent that offer very
large discounts to clients that have
not filed a claim in three years.
Lane Insurance is a locally
owned independent agency founded
in 1969. We represent many insur-
ance companies to shop the market
for the best rate. That is a very
important aspect of our business.
Some insurance companies represent just one company, so if the rate
goes up they have no other option
for you. Lane Insurance works for
you and not the insurance companies, so we are constantly checking
the rates with other companies to
make sure we are offering you the
best price. Some of the companies
that we represent are Allied, EMC,
IMT, Progressive, Met Life, Auto
Owners, Safeco, and State Auto.
Please call us for a free, no obligation quote at 981-4614. n
Mike Lane, Lane Insurance
Agency Inc., 1225 Sunset
Drive, 981-4614.
HAPPY
NEW
YEAR!
Get a
FREE QUOTE
at:
981-4614
or
www.laneinsurance.com
Mike Lane
JANUARY | 2016
Norwalk Living
17
HEALTH
Q: I’m 44 and starting to
have problems seeing fine
print. What’s causing this?
Dr. Jonathan
Anderson
Dr. Michael
O’Meara
Dr. Craig
Winjum
ON-SITE SURGICAL CONSULTATION with
(Indianola office)
OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATES
OF WARREN COUNTY, P.C. SINCE 1965
CARLISLE 515.989.0889 • 55 SCHOOL STREET
INDIANOLA 515.961.5305 • 225 W. ASHLAND
NORWALK 515.981.0224 • 1228 SUNSET DR. #A
A: One of the most likely reasons is a condition called presbyopia.
What happens is that the lens of the eye becomes less flexible, making it difficult to focus clearly on near objects.
This natural process happens slowly over many
years but usually does not become noticeable
until a person reaches his or her early to mid40s. Other symptoms may include a tendency
to hold printed material farther away and eye
fatigue with close work.
To compensate for presbyopia, your optometrist may prescribe reading glasses, multifocal
lenses or contact lenses. Because the effects of presbyopia continue
to progress up until the mid-50s, periodic changes in your prescription
will most likely be needed to maintain clear and comfortable vision. n
Information provided by Dr. Michael O’Meara, Optometric
Associates of Warren County, P.C., 1228 Sunset Drive,
Suite A, Norwalk, 981-0224
Have You Been Injured? Q: Have you been injured?
Chiropractic
can help with
sprains & strains,
slips & falls,
auto accidents &
sports injuries!
Chiropractic can treat
common conditions such as:
• Low back pain
• Neck pain
• Headaches
• Sciatica
• Tingling
• Numbness
FREE CONSULTATION & EVALUTION
Dr. Jesse Stumbaugh
WA
OR L
K
N
Expires in 30 days
1228 Sunset Drive, Suite B • Norwalk
18
Official
chiropractor
to the
O P R AC
Norwalk Living
515.981.1155 Fax
www.norwalk-chiropractic.com
T
CH
IR
IC
515.981.9208 Office
JANUARY | 2016
A: Driving is something that many people take for granted simply
because they have done it for a long time. But the reality is that
roughly one in four drivers is involved in an auto accident during the
span of five years.
Because your body is likely to be flooded with a surge of adrenaline after an accident you may be unable to fully process your circumstances and surroundings, causing you to make irrational judgments.
Many people who are not seriously injured after the accident believe
that they are “OK,” but as weeks and months pass by the body heals
incorrectly, resulting in permanent injuries. Typically a number of
symptoms tend to progress into neck pain, headaches, tingling and
numbness in the hands, low back pain and/or pain radiating down the
leg, to name a few. Because these symptoms can progress gradually,
patients often fail to connect them to the accident they had.
Fortunately, most people involved in an accident have medical
payment coverage of $1,000 to $5,000 tied to their auto insurance.
The med pay acts as a form of health insurance to help pay for your
treatment, and does not affect your insurance rates if you use it. In
the Woodward study, 93 percent of patients studied with chronic
whiplash injury were found to have a statistically significant improvement following chiropractic care. No conventional medical treatment
has been shown to be effective in these established whiplash injuries.
Please call Norwalk Chiropractic today 515-981-9208 to schedule
your consultation. n
Information provided by Dr. Jesse Stumbaugh, Norwalk
Chiropractic, 1228 Sunset, Suite B, 981-9208, www.norwalk-chiropractic.com.
HEALTH
Q: What are sealants?
A: Sealants are a liquid coating a dentist applies to protect the pits and
fissures of teeth. Back teeth, in particular, have pits and fissures because
those teeth are designed for crushing and chewing food. The uneven
terrain of those teeth is particularly vulnerable to the development of
cavities. The good news, though, is that if cavities have not developed by
the time a person is in his or her early 20s, it’s not likely they will. So it’s
for the younger person that sealants can be useful.
The procedure is perfectly painless — no needles and no drilling. The
dentist will surround the tooth he or she is working on with cotton balls
and dry the tooth. The dentist will then apply a dilute acid liquid or gel
that is used to etch slightly into the enamel. Over the etched area the
dentist will apply a liquid plastic that will seep into the etched surface,
attach to the enamel and harden. Some sealants harden by themselves
in less than a minute. Others harden after being exposed to ultra-violet
light for a few seconds. The resulting seal prevents bacteria from getting
into the protected pit or fissure. Talk with your dentist about whether
you or your children might be candidates for sealants. n
Happy
New Year!
from all of us at
Norwalk Family Dentistry!
cosmetic dentistry n TMD n implants
sleep apnea n family dentistry
256.9000
Donna Grant, DDS n Maureen Winslow, DDS
www.norwalkfamilydentistry.com
Information provided by Norwalk Family Dentistry, 1101
Chatham Ave., 256-9000.
1101 Chatham Avenue n Norwalk
Q: How can I help an
elderly loved one or
neighbor this winter?
A: Concern for an elderly loved one or neighbor during the harsh
winter months can be stressful. Below are some suggestions to help
ensure their safety and your peace of mind.
• Be sure and stock emergency resources, including water, batteries, radio, flashlight and blankets. They should also have a seven
day supply of their medications and a three day supply of water and
nonperishable food.
• Make sure their home is properly insulated and windows caulked
to prevent drafts. Thermostats should be set no lower than 68.
• Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are in good
working order.
• Eliminate fall risks by creating slip-proof paths for them around
the house both inside and outside.
• If your loved one is still driving, make sure he or she has emergency snow supplies including heating packs, cat litter or sand, snow
scrapers/brushes, water, blankets and a phone charger.
• Make sure they know how to use their cell phone and have all
your numbers programmed into it, including the power company in
case of a power outage.
• Always have an emergency winter plan in place. n
Information provided by Cristin Larson, director of
admissions/marketing, Norwalk Nursing and Rehab, 921
Sunset Drive, 975-5908.
Specializing in Short Term Rehabilitation
and Long Term Care.
Our goal is to return our clientele to optimal independence.
•
•
Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy
•
•
Speech Therapy
Leisure Activities
Norwalk is proud to be rated a 5 Star Quality
Facility by Medicare.gov
Contact us, or stop by for a tour today!
Phone: 515-981-0604
921 Sunset Dr •Norwalk, Iowa 50211
JANUARY | 2016
Norwalk Living
19
RECIPE
Comfort food
Hearty, delicious results with little effort
By Marchelle Walter Brown
A
s we enter into the new year, most of
us are exhausted and trying to bounce
back from all of the hustle and bustle
of the holidays. However, there still is a need
to keep the household going and put food on
the table.
These chicken and noodles have become
a family favorite and quickly became a “cook’s
choice” meal at our house. They’re hearty and
warming, they’re delicious, and they’re easy —
so easy that sometimes I feel like I’m cheating
because I didn’t start with a whole chicken. This
is comfort food at its best.
This is also a great go-to recipe when you
need something for a fall and winter potluck
gathering. n
20
Norwalk Living
JANUARY | 2016
Slow cooker chicken and noodles
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cans cream of chicken soup
4 cans (14-1/2 ounces) chicken broth
3/4 stick of butter
1 teaspoon black pepper
16 ounces of your favorite egg noodles (homemade
or pre-packaged)
Directions
1. Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of a slow
cooker. If they are extremely thick, you can use two
and cut them in half.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients except the noodles, stir to mix and cook on low for about 6 hours.
3. Stir in the noodles and cook an additional hour.
You can easily adjust the amount of broth and/or
noodles toward the end of the cooking time depending on your preference of consistency.
BEFORE YOU GO
Children and funerals
Deciding whether to allow your child to attend
By Eric O’Leary
T
here are no hard and fast
rules about whether or not
children should attend a
funeral.
Children grieve, just adults
do. It’s usually best not to keep
the death a secret. Children need
information and need to understand so they, too, can work
through their grief. It’s a good idea
to prepare the child ahead of time
so they know what to expect
Allowing children to ask questions is a good way to start.
Answer the questions simply and
directly. Help your children find a
way to say goodbye. Some simple
ideas include allowing them to
write a letter or create a poem
that can be read at the funeral and/
or placed in the casket.
•Let children partici-
pate. Perhaps the child can
visit the funeral home prior to
the body being present or prior
to the visitation and/or funeral.
Children can help pick out flowers, choose a casket or urn or help
choose photos to display. Your
local funeral home may also offer
grief support and education for
children.
•Leave it up to the child
It is important that children have
the option to attend or not. When
family life is disrupted due to
a death, a child may feel abandoned or resentful if he or she is
not allowed to attend. If a child
doesn’t want to attend, let him or
her know he or she is welcome,
but don’t push.
•Allow the child to ask
questions. It’s best to answer
simply and directly. Explain why
we have a funeral, who will be
there, how long will it last and
what will happen while he or she
is there.
•Assign a family member or friend to stay with
your child. Assigning someone
else to stay with your child will
assure he or she is taken care of
and his or her needs will be met.
If the child becomes restless or
needs to leave, you already have
a plan in place to get him or her
home.
•Let children know what
emotions they may see or
feel. Children will see adults crying, and that’s OK. Others may
be sharing stories and laughing,
and that’s OK. While some adults
believe that they need to be strong
Eric O’Leary
in front of their children, the reality is that kids seeing these emotions may be a good thing. If they
know you are sad, it may make it
easier for them to talk about their
sadness. It’s equally important to
let children know that people will
be sharing stories and memories,
and they may be laughing. Explain
why different adults may say different things, and reinforce what you
want them to remember. n
Eric O’Leary and Jeanne
Yordi, O’Leary Funeral
& Cremation Services ~
Celebration of Life Center,
1020 Main St., Norwalk,
www.olearyfunerals.com,
981-0700.
Jeanne A. Yordi
Owner & Director
Family Service Advisor
Over 20 Years of
Professional Experience
Serving Norwalk & Surrounding Communities
Funeral Home • Community Room • Pre-Arrangements • Flowers
1020 Main Street, Norwalk - www.olearyfunerals.com - 515.981.0700
JANUARY | 2016
Norwalk Living
21
LIBRARY NEWS
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22
Norwalk Living
JANUARY | 2016
Online resources
Norwalk Easter Library has much to offer
By Norwalk Easter Library staff
H
ave you ever found it difficult to make it to the
library, but still needed
some help with a question, want
to study for an upcoming GRE test
or simply check out a magazine
to browse? Great news! Norwalk
Library has a variety of resources
available through our website 24
hours a day for seven days a week.
Below we have described a few of
these resources, and if you would
like help learning
more about them,
please do not
hesitate to attend
one of our Friday
Tech @ 10 a.m.
sessions or set
up a 1:1 appointment with library
staff. There are a variety of other
resources available on our library
webpage.
1051 North Ave.
981-0217
Hours:
Mon. - Thur.: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday: 1-4 p.m.
Learning Express
Provided by the State of Iowa as part
of the Work Force Development
trainings, the Learning Express database provides unlimited access to
interactive skill building courses in
math, reading, and writing as well
as a broad range of practice tests
based on official exams such as the
ACT, GRE, GED, ASVAB Core, and
EMT Basic. This valuable service is
available from any Internet-enabled
computer — in your library and
even from your home.
Zinio Digital Library
Central Iowa MagNet consortium
provides
digital
magazines for library
Norwalk
Easter
Public Library users.
We subscribe to
magazines and you
can then check out
complete,
multiaccess magazines
with no holds, checkout periods, or
maximum quantities.
Bridges Digital Library
Previously known as Wilbor,
Bridges is Iowa’s eLibrary offering
access to more than 16,500 eBooks
and 7,500 audiobooks to download
for free anytime, anywhere. Library
card holders can check out and
download digital media by visiting http://bridges.lib.overdrive.com.
Many titles offer multiple copies for
checkout, and users can request to
be emailed or automatically check
out items when they become available. Digital content is borrowed
for a set period of time and titles
automatically expire at the end of
the lending period — there are no
late fees. n
OUT AND ABOUT
Dave Albrecht and Chad Stevens at the Chamber
Holiday Luncheon on Dec. 10.
John Sheldahl, Nicole Smith and Tim Mineart at the Chamber Holiday Luncheon on Dec. 10.
Philip Herman and Kate Baldwin at the Chamber
Eric O’Leary and Denny Wulf at the Chamber
Joe Albrecht and Brendan Comito at the Chamber
Brenda Easter and Barbara Rasko at the Regional
Luncheon on Dec. 16.
Scott James and Ruth Randleman at the Regional
Tom Phillips and Marketa Oliver at the Regional
Makenna Brenizer and Abgele Brenizer at the
Norwalk Easter Library on Dec. 16.
Adalyn Kuhns and Breanna Ramsvig at the Norwalk
Easter Library on Dec. 16.
Brittany Ramsvig and Nichole Ramsvig at the
Norwalk Easter Library on Dec. 16.
JANUARY | 2016
Norwalk Living
23
CHAMBER NEWS
N
o
r
w
a
lk
A r
e
a
C
h a
m
b
e
r
o
f
C
o
m
m
e
r
ceA year of growth
w
is
h e
s
e
v
e
r
y
o
n
ea
and changes
Chamber’s annual banquet set for Jan. 29
By Deb Mineart
T
he past year was a great
one for me personally as I
did two things that I have
never done in my life before —
completed one day of RAGBRAI
and ziplined in Branson, Missouri. I
felt a great deal of accomplishment
overcoming my doubts of being
able to do something new and
surviving. In Norwalk, growth and
change has again occurred with Dr.
Denny Wulf and other prominent
school staff retiring, Scott Havens
retiring, Bryan Greiner moving on
to another level within Fareway,
changes at the city level with new
staff and council members and so
forth.
The new year looks to be
another time of growth and changes, and I am very excited to see
what our community will look like
at the end of 2016. Right now I can
only imagine what Highway 28 is
going to look like on the east side
from Chatham on up to Wakonda
or what perhaps the Northshore
of Lake Colchester might look like;
and also the possibility to see a
“Welcome to Norwalk” sign at the
north entrance of the community.
The city has experienced
a huge increase in new homes,
which will lead to changes/growth
to our school community as well.
The legislature is in session so if
you are so inclined, perhaps talk to
your representative about school
funding for the upcoming fiscal
year. Norwalk most likely will
need another elementary school
down the road and will need some
funding sources to help in their
growth in educating your children.
I would like to take this time
to welcome our newest Chamber
member, DM Metro Electric. It is
located in the old St. John’s church
hall in Cumming, and we will be
holding a ribbon cutting within the
next few weeks. Join me in welcoming Jon and Stacy Henrichsen
to the Chamber and community.
On Jan. 29 the Norwalk Area
Chamber of Commerce will be
recognizing our banquet honorees,
and the public is invited to attend.
Winners for the 23rd Chamber
annual banquet are Business of
the Year Scott’s Foods, Chamber
member of the Year Sarah Dreier,
Citizen of the Year Dr. Denny
Wulf, Teacher of the Year Shelly
Vroegh and Student of the Year
Collin Kilgore. Our guest speaker
is Larry Cotlar, radio talk show
host and author of “The Biggest
Rolodex in Sports.” Reservations
are $40 each or a table of eight
for $310 and should be ordered
no later than Friday, Jan. 22 by
contacting the Chamber at 9810619 or sending an email to [email protected]. The banquet will be held at Echo Valley
Country Club and starts at 6 p.m.
Congratulations to our winners.
Happy New Year! Remember
to Shop Local, Shop Norwalk. n
W
eI
n
v
it
eY
o
u
t
o
J
o
in
t
h eC
h a
m
b
e
r
in
Information provided by Deb Mineart, executive director, Norwalk Area Chamber of Commerce, 981-0619.
24
Norwalk Living
JANUARY | 2016
OUT AND ABOUT
Happy
holidays
The Norwalk Area Chamber of Commerce
held its holiday luncheon on Dec. 10.
Mark Miller and Joe Nguyen
Fabiola Lossner and Jon Niemeyer
Deb Mineart and Carl Sells
Sarah Derier and Cristin Larsen
Dean Yordi and Terry Pauling
Holly Albrecht, Tanya Apana and Jan Sparks
Charlie Ochanpaugh and Nathaniel Tagtow
Rob and Lisa Jones
Haylee Gahringer and Bryce Block
Nate Liedtke and Travis Stanley
John Ludwig and Greg Staples
JANUARY | 2016
Norwalk Living
25
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GET GAME DAY READY AT FAREWAY!
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NORWALK
OPEN 7am–9pm MONDAY–SATURDAY • CLOSED SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS
1711 SUNSET DR. • NORWALK
XX | 2010
GROCERY 981-4420 • MEAT 981-4435
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