Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Enjoying the Best Years of Your Life.
Citation preview
June 2016
A Place in the
From Behind The Desk, to the
Yoga Mat
a New waY to Cook
the Park Is For the
Dogs
Sun
FREE! Take One!
MAY 2015
Making Memories that LAST
CELEBRATING MOTHER'S DAY With Your Grandkids
APRIL 2015
A Busy
BOOMER
What to Keep
What to Ditch
words to LIVE
BY
JUNE 2015
HERE COMES THE SUN
THE PURSUIT OF HOPPYNESS
SOUTH BEND CELEBRATING150 Years
PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN
The Importance of
Your guide to living locally and loving life!HEALTH • TRAVEL • FAMILY • PETS • HOBBIES
RECIPES • EVENTS • FINANCE • LIFE
boom What's inside
cover PhotograPher
everY MoNTH4 Letter From The Publisher
5 Contributors & Testimonials
6 BOOM Timeline
boom recIPe7 Fresh Strawberry Pie By: Katie & Theresa Slott
boom BooK revIeW11 My Fifty-Year Friendship With A Remarkable Man By William Shatner Reviewed By: Heidi Armstrong-Ingram
boom PeTS23 Loving Animals Are In Need Of Families
boom HeALTHY LIvING8 A Place In The Sun By: Luiz Pantalena, MD, PHD, Board Certified Dermatologic Surgeon
boom HoBBIeS10 Wise Guy By: Jim & Margo Bell
12 Tastes Great…Less Filling By: Chuck Bergman
boom TrAveLer 14 Five Day Trip To Finland By: Phyllis Rose
boom SPecIAL SecTIoN: Day Trips In Michiana16 Day Trip: Local Chocolate Shops By: Phyllis Rose
18 Getaway Good Times By: Cyndy Searfoss
boom LIFe20 Being Thankful For Dad/Grandpa By: Rita Miller
22 Online Lingo For Seniors By: Jamie Lober
24 Casting Your Vote By: Pam Gunterman
26 A New Way To Cook By: Rita Miller
28 From Behind The Desk, To The Yoga Mat By: Evie Kirkwood
30 The Park Is For The Dogs By: Rita Miller
Ann Reiff is one of Michiana’s Premiere Real Life Photographers. Her heart and soul define her style, as she is able to capture the moments we wish to always remember. Ann shoots all varieties of sessions at her studio in Southwest Michigan and also loves doing shoots on location.
Contact her at:www.studio513east.com, • [email protected] • 269-228-0373
oN the Cover:
sherry Cummings Check out her story on Page 28!
PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER: Sue Heinrich [email protected]
MaNagINg EDIToR: Jessica Haviland [email protected]
aD CooRDINaToR & INSIDE SaLES MaNagER Amanda Oiler [email protected]
gRaPHIC DESIgN MaNagER: Zuzanna Zmud [email protected]
MEDICaL EDIToR: Dr. Jesse Hsieh
DISTRIBUTIoN MaNagERS:Chad Haviland
BOOM Magazine is a division of Michiana Family Publishing, LLC established in 2016. All rights reserved.
We would love to hear from you! Please submit press releases, event information and inquiries to: [email protected]
The FAMILY Magazines P.O. BOX 577 Granger, IN 46530 PH: 574.387.5420 • FX: 574.217.4700 www.MichianaMom.com
Permission from the publisher is required for any reproduction or reprint of this publication.
Read BOOM Magazine online each month! Go to www.MichianaMom.com and flip the pages,
June 2016 Volume 5: Number 5
LOOK WHO’s TALKINGFOLLOW uS ON TWITTeR, AND BeCOMe OuR FAN ON FACeBOOk.
www.facebook.com/pages/BOOM-Magazine/
@MichianaBoom
www.pinterest.com/boommagazine/
MichianaBoom
boom FROM the PUBLisheR
I f May is my favorite month, then June is a very close second. With
June, the summer weather comes and frost is gone for a while. I love the sunny days, blue skies and warm temperatures. June brings the start of lake season, which is important to me since I live on Diamond Lake. There are the obvious lake activities of boating, sailing, water skiing and
swimming. What makes June better than July or August is that only part of the lake population returns before July so the lake isn’t nearly as crowded as it will get. Of course, the water is still pretty cold!
June is also the month when all the schools are finally out for the summer. It’s the season of graduations and graduation parties. And, of course, June is the traditional month for weddings, although these days it is more the start to the wedding season. It is also the start for local fresh produce, beginning with asparagus and strawberries.
Other fun things in June include picnics, weekend trips and the start of summer vacations. There are also a couple of special days in June. Flag Day is June 14th. Our national flag, the Stars and Stripes, was officially adopted on June 14, 1777. June 14th was declared National Flag Day by President Truman in 1949 after having been celebrated locally for many years. I can’t forget that Father’s Day is also in June. I always considered myself to be a “Daddy’s Girl” so even though I lost my father nearly 16 years ago, Father’s Day is still important to me. Be sure to honor your father this June 19th.
And, be sure to take a look at the articles in this month’s issue of Boom. Our cover story tells how our cover model, Sherry Cummings, went from behind a desk to the yoga mat. Inside you will find articles on Protecting Your Skin from the Sun, Online Lingo for Seniors, dog parks, several ideas for day trips and a recipe for fresh strawberry pie!
I hope you enjoy your month of June and I hope you enjoy this month’s issue of Boom!
4 JUNE 2016 | boom
boom / cOntRiBUtORs boom / testiMOniaLs
MArGo BeLLMargo Bell, a first-wave Boomer, has a B.S. degree in Biology from Arkansas State university and worked in medical and marine biology research before making a mid-life career change to writing for adults and children. Margo is a former magazine editor and has published over 50 articles and
features in newspapers and magazines. She and her husband Jim live in South Bend and have two grandchildren.Photo Credit: Classic Image Photography
rITA MILLerRita Miller is a CPA in public practice, a mom of four, an avid reader and serves on two boards in the community. She has worked with a variety of industries, including medical professional services, real estate development and rental and retail establishments.
PHYLLIS roSePhyllis Rose is a freelance writer and editor from Vicksburg, Michigan. For nine years, she wrote a day trip column for the Kalamazoo Gazette, visiting hundreds of places in the Michiana area.
eveLYN KIrKWooD evelyn Kirkwood is Director of St. Joseph County Parks in Indiana and host of Outdoor elements, which is broadcast Sundays at 9 A.M. and Wednesdays at 5:30 P.M. on WnIT Public Television.
DoN't Forget! Keep up with us on
Facebook by liking our page just for Boomers!
The beer articles are very interesting and they give me
an idea of what to try next at a local brewery.”
– Donna S.
What I love about BOOM Magazine is how much it caters
to the baby boomers and our interests.”
- Mary-Ann R.
I keep the latest issue of BOOM Magazine on my coffee
table each month. The cover always looks fantastic!”
– Leeann G.
5boom | JUNE 2016
1
13
14
5
6
15
17
Su
M
Tu
W
Th
F
Sa
Su
Mo
Th
18
W
Th
F
Sa
27
29
30
21
22
Tu
M
Th
Sa
Su
M
W
Tu
Th
F
W
Sa
Tu
Su
W
F
4
9
12
20
25
28
3
8
11
19
24
2-5
7
10-12
16
23
26
7th Annual Jim & Ricky Cruise In Car Show, 7:00 A.M., St. Joseph County 4-H Fairgrounds-South
All Shook Up, 2:00 P.M., The Round Barn Theatre At Amish Acres-Nappanee
New Beginnings, 1:00 P.M., The Lerner-Elkhart
First Day Of Summer!
Summer Restaurant Week, Noon, Downtown South Bend
Summerfest 5K Race, 8:00 A.M., Merrifield North Park-MishawakaHannah & Friends 5K And Fun Walk, 8:00 A.M., Hannah & Friends Neighborhood-South Bend
Gregg Allman, 7:30 P.M., The Lerner-Elkhart
Niles Family Fun Fair & Bluegrass/Americana Music Festival, 3:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M.,Downtown Niles, Riverfront Park
All Shook Up, 8:00 P.M., The Round Barn Theatre At Amish Acres-Nappanee
Bluegrass Festival, 4:00 P.M., Wakarusa Bluegrass Festival
Tedeschi Trucks Band “Let Me Get By” Tour, 7:30 P.M., Morris Performing Arts Center-South Bend
Groovin’ In The Gardens-Summer Concert Series, 7:00 P.M., Wellfield Botanic Gardens-Elkhart
History Bike Tour Of Goshen, 6:30 P.M., Rieth Interpretive Center-Goshen
Michiana Paddlefest, 8:00 A.M., St. Patrick’s County Park-South Bend
JUNe eveNTS
Summer Wreaths
Sweet Summer Time (WWW.EtSy.CoM)
Monogramed Wreath (WWW.EtSy.CoM)
Beach Wreath (WWW.EtSy.CoM)
Meet Me On The Island, 5:30 P.M., South Bend Museum Of Art
SBCT Presents “The Game’s Afoot,” 7:30 P.M., South Bend Civic Theatre
Wine Walks, 5:00 P.M., Downtown South Bend
Jeff Foxworthy, 1:00 P.M., Shipshewana Event Center
Happy Father’s Day!
Canoe, Kayak & Stand Up Paddleboard The St. Joseph River, 11:00 A.M., St. Patrick’s County Park-Brown Barn-South BendElkhart Jazz Festival, All Day, Downtown Elkhart
Easy Father’s Day
PET FRiEnDly REminDER: DoN’t Leave YoUr aNIMaLs IN hot CarsIt’s that time of year again when the weather warms up and we are constantly on the go! But, let’s not forget about our furry children! BOOM Magazine would like to remind you to not leave your pets in a hot vehicle while you run your errands! Every year, hundreds of animals die from heat exhaustion. Don’t let your furry child be a statistic!
Elapsed TimeOutside Air Temperature (F)
70 75 80 85 90 95
0 Minutes 70 75 80 85 90 95
10 Minutes 89 94 99 104 109 114
20 Minutes 99 104 109 114 119 124
30 Minutes 104 109 114 119 124 129
40 Minutes 108 113 118 123 128 133
50 Minutes 111 116 121 126 131 136
60 Minutes 113 118 123 128 133 138
> 1 Hour 115 120 125 130 135 140
Courtesy Jan Null, CCM; Department of Geosciences, San Francisco State University
Photo Courtesy: Etsy - simplymadegreetings
MATERiAls: • White Coffee Mug (Any Size)• Painter’s Pens (Assortment of Colors)• Stickers
DiRECTiOns:1. Wash and dry the mug.2. If using stickers, apply onto mug to make outlines.
Peel off stickers once tracing is done.3. Have the grandchildren make their own personal
drawings or write messages on the mug for grandpa!4. Put the mug in the oven for 30 minutes at 350F.Tip: Hand wash the mugs to preserve!
Want to make an easy, yet
personal, present for
grandpa from the grandkids?
Spend a day with the kids
and and make this DIY Sharpie
Mug that all grandpas will
love!
DiY sharpie Mug
6 JUNE 2016 | boom
boom ReciPe
KaTIe anD ThereSa SlOTT are sisters-in-law who write the food blog, Cooking for the Fam, where they share lots of tips, family-favorite recipes and meal plans. For more recipes like this one, or to see step-by-step photos of this recipe, check out their website, www.cookingforthefam.com.
By: Katie & theresa slott
tIMe: 30 Minutes Prep + 2-4 Hours Chilling Time
Makes: 10-14 Servings
INgreDIeNts:For The CrusT:• 6 T. Unsalted Butter• 12 Full Sheets Graham Crackers
(Or 1 ½ c. Graham Cracker Crumbs)• 3 T. Sugar• Pinch Salt
For The Filling:• 2 c. Strawberries, Mashed With A Potato Masher (Or Pureed)• ½ c. Red Juice (Cherry, Cranberry...) Or Water• 3/4 c. Sugar• 1 ½ t. Low-Or No-Sugar Needed Pectin (Optional, But Preferred)• 2 T. Cornstarch (Plus 1 T. If Not Using Pectin)• ¼ t. Salt• 1 T. Lemon Juice, To Stir In At The End
To Finish The Pie:• 6 c. Whole Strawberries, Cored, Halved If Very Large• Whipped Cream
stePs:For The CrusT:1. Preheat the oven to 375F. 2. Place the butter in a 9" pie plate and set in the oven until
melted. If using whole graham crackers, place them in a food processor and pulse until fine crumbs form.
3. When butter is melted, add the crumbs, sugar and salt to the pie plate and stir to combine.
4. Press the crumb mixture flat along the bottom and up the sides of the pie plate (I used the flat bottom of a measuring cup). Be careful - remember that the pie plate is hot!
5. Bake the crust for 12 minutes. Cool slightly.
For The Filling:1. In a two quart saucepan, combine the berries, juice or water,
sugar, pectin, cornstarch and salt.2. Bring to a boil and cook two to three minutes, stirring
constantly, mashing the berries, until thickened. 3. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool slightly.
To Finish The Pie:1. Place the whole strawberries,
top down, in the bottom of the pie plate. 2. Once the bottom of the crust is covered,
add a bit of the filling to coat the berries. Arrange the remaining berries evenly on top and carefully spread the remaining filling over the top.
3. Chill the pie for two to four hours. 4. Serve with whipped cream.
TiPS:The filling can be made with frozen berries. The whole berries placed in the pie at the end should always be fresh.
Fresh strawberry
PIe
7boom | JUNE 2016
boom heaLthy Living
A Place in the
By: luiz Pantalena, MD, PhD, BoarD-CertifieD DerMatologiC surgeon
Summer is upon us, along with plenty of sunlight. We are all catching up on fun, outdoor activities, trying to enjoy it all before winter comes along again. And, here comes the dermatologist warning us of skin cancer and the dangers of excessive sun exposure. The key word? Excessive. We can all enjoy the outdoors, and sunlight, as long as we do so safely.
Never too lateIn my clinic, whenever I diagnose a skin cancer, I often get patients telling me, “But doctor, I was really good about sun protection this weekend!” Patients are unaware that skin cancers are slow-growing cancers. It may take years, or decades, for a damaged skin cell to show up as a skin cancer noticeable to the naked eye. Hopefully this article will help clarify how skin cancers develop, and how you can best protect yourself.
Some skin cancers can have a genetic component, but usually they are caused by sunlight exposure. Sunlight carries energy in the form of ultraviolet rays, which can damage DNA. This, in turn, can lead to skin cancer. In addition, excessive sunlight can damage collagen and elastin, the “stretchy” parts of the skin, leading to saggy skin and wrinkles.
So, most of my older patients diagnosed with skin cancer are paying a price for prolonged sun exposure in their youth. The sun damage during those years is already done, and cannot be erased. The best thing to do is to keep getting regular skin checks with your dermatologist to pick up new skin cancers while they are still small. Another important part is to start protecting yourself from the sun now, so that you won’t have new, additional skin cancer problems in 10 years.
Learn Ways to Protect Your Skin this Summer
Sun
8 JUNE 2016 | boom
Protection is the name of the gameTo safely enjoy outdoor activities, one must take a few precautions. Avoid the sun at its strongest, namely, from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. Hats with a wide brim offer excellent protection for the tip of the nose and top of ears. Sunblock and sunscreens should also be used. My recommendation for sunblock is simple; find one brand that you like, so that you are more likely to use it. Just be sure it offers adequate protection. It is important to get protection against all harmful ultraviolet rays, including UV-A and UV-B. UV-A is not filtered by the ozone layer, and it can penetrate through window glass. It doesn’t cause sunburn, but it penetrates deeply and can darken and age skin. You should favor sunscreens with the words “broad spectrum,” as these offer protection against UV-A.
UV-B can lead to sunburns and skin cancer. When it comes to protection against UV-B, the SPF (“sun protective factor”) number is important. Technically, the SPF tells you how much longer you can stay in the sun before you get sunburn. Let’s say it usually takes you 10 minutes of exposure to strong sunlight to get sunburn. If you apply a sunblock with SPF 15, it would take you 10 minutes multiplied by 15, or 150 minutes (two and a half hours) to get sunburn. With SPF 30, it would take you 10 minutes multiplied by 30, or 300 minutes (five hours) before getting sunburn. You should aim for an SPF of at least 30.
The number one mistake in sunscreen usage is forgetting to apply it. The second most common mistake is not using it properly. Remember, sunscreen needs to be reapplied after prolonged water exposure or after increased sweating. There is no such thing as waterproof sunscreen, just water-resistant, which resists up to 80 minutes but then needs to be re-applied. You should also re-apply after approximately two hours, even if you did not go into water. The third most common mistake is not applying enough of the sunblock. Remember, don’t skimp! You will need a full ounce (a shot glass’ worth) to cover yourself head-to-toe.
Vitamin D is very important for good health. Along with calcium, it
helps to keep your bones healthy. In addition, recent studies have
shown that it helps to keep your immune system at its best.
how do you get vitamin D? There are two ways to get vitamin D. One of them is through sunlight.
Your skin does many things for you, including making vitamin D.
To make vitamin D, your skin needs sunrays to hit it directly. It uses
the energy from the sunrays to make the vitamin D. Unfortunately,
that same energy (UV-B) can lead to skin cancer. It is challenging to
figure out the exact amount of sunlight that would allow vitamin D
production, and yet not increase the risk of developing a skin cancer.
This is also highly dependent on your skin type.
You can also get vitamin D from your diet. If so, you don’t need to
make it in your skin. It turns out to be quite difficult, with a western
diet, to consume enough vitamin D to meet daily requirements.
You can, however, take a vitamin D supplement. These are readily
available at any pharmacy. You should consult with your primary care
physician regarding your daily vitamin D dosage needs. A good rule
of thumb is that those under the age of 70 need 600 IU daily, while
those over 70 need 800 IU daily. •••
what about vitamin D?
“600 IU daily, while those over 70 need 800 IU daily.”
9boom | JUNE 2016
boom hOBBies
WISe GUYBy: Margo anD JiM Bell
In the 1982 comedy Airplane II: The Sequel, Commander Murdock (William Shatner) orders, “Give me a complete file of everyone who’s
seen The Sound of Music more than four times.” Between the two of us that would probably be a dozen, not unusual in that this epic musical was the highest-grossing film from the end of 1965 for the
next five years. Test your knowledge of the producer/director of this top-rated hit plus many others—Robert Wise:
1. in which state was Robert Wise born?a. New Yorkb. Illinoisc. Indianad. Montanae. None of the above. He was not born in the U.S.
2. Where did Robert Wise attend college?a. New York Universityb. Franklin Collegec. The University of Southern California (USC)d. Northwestern Universitye. Julliard School of Dramatic Arts
3. What was Robert Wise’s first job in the movie industry?a. Odd jobs at RKO, including the shipping departmentb. Editorial assistantc. Stunt mand. Camera mane. Craft services server
4. What was Robert Wise’s first movie as solo (noncollaborative) film editor?a. Winterset (1936)b. Stage Door (1937)c. The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939)d. Bachelor Mother (1939)e. My Favorite Wife (1939)
5. What was Robert Wise’s directorial debut?a. Citizen Kane (1941)b. Curse of the Cat People (1944)c. The Magnificent Ambersons (1942)d. Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956)e. The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
6. How many key genres did Robert Wise work in?a. FIveb. Sevenc. Eightd. Tene. Twelve
7. in another Robert Wise spectacular, West side story (1961), George Chakiris was nominated for Best sup-porting Actor. in which of the following two films was he spotted as a nonspeaking dancer?a. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)b. The Band Wagon (1953)c. White Christmas (1954)d. Guys and Dolls (1955)e. The King and I (1956)
8. Which of the following statements is not true about Robert Wise? He:a. Had a misunderstanding with Orson Welles that lasted 40 years.b. Loved doing small-budget, black-and-white dramas.c. Greatly admired Julie Andrews.d. Witnessed an actual prisoner execution.e. Was president of the Directors Guild of America.f. Died just four days after celebrating his 91st birthday.g. None. All the above statements are true.
answers on page
21!10 JUNE 2016 | boom
boom BOOk RevieW
MY FIFtY-Year FrIeNDshIP wIth a reMarkabLe MaN
By WilliaM shatner
eDitor PiCKs
Photo Courtesy: Vogue.com
Boldly go where no one has gone before, join William Shatner as he takes
you on a journey of his more than 50 year friendship with Leonard Nimoy.
William Shatner's new book Leonard: My Fifty Year Friendship with a Remarkable Man
is a fantastic voyage through the years of their friendship and how it all began.
William and Leonard’s lives very closely paralleled one another, through growing
up and the dream to be an actor. They shared similar struggles while trying to get
their acting careers of the ground. Their friendship began in 1966 when they were
both cast to star in a new TV series Star Trek. Having both previously done some
television shows, which never really took off they were both skeptical that this
series would have any longevity, boy were they wrong. As the enterprise boldly
went into space these two became lifelong friends. When it all began they had no
idea that they would become best friends just as they had no idea that they would
play two of the most iconic science fiction characters.
In 2001 William and Leonard did a documentary about their time on Star Trek. The
documentary is really just two friends having a conversation about the adventures
they have had together. At the end of the documentary William says to Leonard
“you and I have spent more than half our lives together. I think of you as one of my
dearest friends, my dearest. And I truly love, I love you.” Leonard being much like
Mister Spock showed little emotion and responded with “the same”, but to Williams
surprise at the very end of the documentary Leonard throws his arm around him
and blurts out “you’re my best friend.” If you are a Star Trek fan then this is a must
read. Shatner does a fantastic job sharing his story of his friend Leonard Nimoy. •••
REvIEWED BY: HEIDI ARMSTRONG-INGRAM, Para Reference Librarian/Interlibrary Loan Specialist,
Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library-Main
A HANNAH SWENSEN MYSTERY WITH RECIPES!
DEVIL’S FOOD CAkE MURDER(www.joannefluke.com)
kEY LIME PIE MURDER (www.joannefluke.com)
CHERRY CHEESECAkE MURDER(www.joannefluke.com)
11boom | JUNE 2016
boom hOBBies
Tastes Great … less Filling
Are Session Ales the Light Beer of Craft?
By: ChuCK BergMan
This is actually a very intriguing question. Over the past couple of years session beers have become more common in the American craft beer world; although they have a long tradition in Europe.
Are session beers just a lighter version of a regular brew, or is there something more to them? To fully delve into this question, it is helpful to have a basic definition of session beer and also a little history to understand its origins.
If You’ve got the time, we’ve got the beerAlthough there is no exact date that the term “session” became popular, it is generally accepted that it originated in England. One story suggests that drinking periods called “sessions” were imposed on shell production workers during World War I. Workers could enjoy multiple beers, usually in the 3-4% ABV range, in between work shifts. Thus they could return to work refreshed, but not drunk or disorderly.
Another suggestion is that session beers evolved from light table beers or family ales. These beverages would be enjoyed during meals and traditionally had lower alcohol contents. Like a session ale, you could feel comfortable enjoying more than one with your meal.
Sessionable beers in the early 20th century were probably cask-conditioned, meaning stored in wood barrels and naturally carbonated. English milds and bitters were only 3-4% alcohol and served by the pint. A regular patron might have had upwards of six pints during a session and still remain coherent, ergo the “session beer.”
12 JUNE 2016 | boom
everything You’ve always wanted in a beer and Less In a beer culture that is filled with imperial stouts, triple IPAs and barleywines, it can be a refreshing change of pace to enjoy a session beer. So are session beers just light craft beers with lower alcohol, less taste and lighter body? Thankfully no!
In today’s American craft beer world it is rare to find a beer below 4.5% ABV, so most session beers are usually no higher than 5% alcohol. But just because they are lower in alcohol content does not mean they have less flavor and body.
As with any craft beer, the key is a balance of malt and hop character. There are some very tasty session pale ales and IPAs on the market that have a solid hop presence. They make a great summer beer to enjoy after yard work or on the golf course.
Founders Brewing out of Michigan releases its All Day IPA every summer. This is a perfect example of the style with a light, refreshing finish combined with a traditional IPA hop flavor. Another great session ale is Paleooza from New Holland Brewing. This tasty pale ale features Michigan Cascade hops and a refreshing malty finish.
Although most session ales in the U.S. tend to be lighter colored beer styles like blond and pale ales, that doesn’t mean you couldn’t have a session-version of other styles. A session porter or stout could feature lower ABV, but still have a strong roasted flavor and dry finish. An Irish dry stout by definition clocks in around 4% ABV and has a lighter body than other stout styles. So, you could consider this a session stout.
You could enjoy the nutty maltiness of a session brown ale or the malty sweetness of a session red ale. Many lager styles also lend themselves to being sessionable.
British milds and bitters are excellent examples of session ales. You could actually say that they pre-date the term. Most milds are brown in color and served on draft. They are malty beers with little hoppiness and a fruity yeast flavor that can veer towards buttery in some examples. Expect toasty, caramelly or nutty malt flavors alongside a bit of fruitiness. These days, milds tend to live in the 3.0-4.5% ABV range, but in the late 1800s, the drink was much stronger, frequently exceeding 6%.
Bitters have three separate recognized styles, but both the standard/ordinary bitter and special bitter could be called session ales. Both sub-styles vary between 3-4% ABV. Bitters tend to be golden to copper in color with a shared toasty or caramelly malt character that is balanced by a fairly assertive presence of earthy English hops. The yeast used for fermentation leaves behind some fruity aromas and perhaps a touch of the butterscotch-like flavor.
I think we can safely say that session ales are not the light beers of the craft world. They are a great example of brewers expanding their ability to create great tasting beers with lower alcohol content. They are a refreshing opportunity to enjoy more than one. CHEERS! •••
“As with any
craft beer, the
key is a balance
of malt and hop
character.”
13boom | JUNE 2016
FIve DaY trIP To Finland
By: Phyllis rose
Five days in Finland makes a fine introduction to this land of 24-hour summer sunlight, stunning seascapes and a convoluted historical chronicle. With continuous sunlight, your days can start early or end late whichever fits your body clock. The sea is always nearby for harbor cruises, walks along the shore, or a day trip to nearby Tallinn, Estonia. And, the first hint of the convoluted history is the street signs which are in both Finnish and Swedish.
My cousin, Judy Thomas, and I visited Finland for the first time this summer, staying in Helsinki from which we explored the southern part of the country. So, here are my suggestions for a fine Finnish vacation:
DaY oNe - heLLo, heLsINkI!Start with a Hop On, Hop Off Tour. These open-topped buses make several stops where you hop off and explore an area and hop on a later bus. On the bus, you listen to commentary on your personal headset.
We hopped off at the Church of the Rock, the Sibelius Monument and the Olympic Stadium. The Church of the Rock, known as the Temppeliaukio Church, is built into solid rock. Natural light streams in through 180 vertical windows between the dome and the rock walls.
The Sibelius Monument honors Jean Sibelius (1865-1957), the country’s most famous composer known mainly for “Finlandia.” The monument’s 600 steel pipes are welded together to create a wave-like pattern, supposedly mimicking Sibelius’s music.
The Olympic Stadium, completed in 1938, was to have hosted the 1940 Olympic Games, but those were cancelled due
to World War II. Instead, the venue hosted the 1952 Summer Olympics. The stadium’s observation tower, accessible by elevator, provides panoramic views of the area, including the sun glistening off the domes of Helsinki’s two cathedrals - Tuomiokirkko - the Lutheran Cathedral and Uspenskin - the Russian Orthodox Cathedral.
After the tour, relax on a cruise of Helsinki harbor as you hear about the various islands and the old harbor fortifications, while enjoying the sun and the sea.
DaY 2 - traIN to tUrkUTwo hours by train from Helsinki, Turku (or Abo in Swedish) is the former capital of Finland. Arriving in Turku, we found the Tourist Information Office and asked for recommendations of what to see. The clerk suggested a walk along the Aura River from the cathedral to the castle - located at opposite ends of town.
We started at the cathedral, consecrated in 1300, which serves as the Mother Church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. Frescoes and other paintings decorate the church’s interior, including the Transfiguration of Jesus, painted in 1836 by Fredrik Westin, a Swedish artist.
• Finland uses the euro.
• English is widely spoken.
• Temperatures average 62 degrees in July, the hottest month. Jackets and rain gear are recommended.
gooD to kNow:
Turku Cathedral
boom tRaveLeR
14 JUNE 2016 | boom
From the church, it was a pleasant walk along the river, lined with beautiful old buildings, sculptures, museums and restaurants on boats.
Turku Castle, Finland’s largest, sits at the mouth of the Aura River. It was founded in 1280 by the Swedish as a military fortress. Our English-speaking guide took us on a tour of the castle, telling stories about its famous inhabitants and at least one incredible escape from the prison dungeon. Afterwards, we explored various exhibits in the rest of the castle.
DaY 3 - bUs to PorvooPorvoo (Borga in Swedish), one hour by bus from Helsinki, is Finland’s second oldest town. From the bus terminal, we walked uphill to the stone-and-timber cathedral overlooking the old town. Though rather small, the cathedral has a pipe organ. When we were there, the organist performed a 15-minute concert at noon.
Leaving the cathedral, we headed down the steep, cobblestone lane, arriving at the Old Town Square where we found a small outdoor market. We bought prints of Porvoo from a local artist who told us where to get some great pictures of the town. We crossed the river and looked back at the old town, including the bright red buildings which were once warehouses, but are now homes.
Around the square are cafes, boutiques and souvenir shops in centuries old buildings, a wonderful place to while away an afternoon.
DaY 4 - FerrY to estoNIaHaving booked a ferry ride and a guided tour of Tallinn through Scandi Classics, we boarded the ferry for the two-hour trip across the Gulf of Finland. Our guide, Tanya, greeted us when we disembarked and led us on a fascinating three-hour
tour of Tallinn’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.
We saw the old industrial area where abandoned factories are being refurbished with unique architectural designs, visited several churches including the Aleksand Nevsky Cathedral - the city’s largest Orthodox Church, walked by Toompea Castle - the country’s parliament building, and ended our tour at the Town Hall Square with the only fully intact Gothic town hall in Northern Europe.
After lunching in a cafe, we wandered through the open air market and the surrounding souvenir shops, and then took the stairs to the top of the medieval walls for panoramic views of Tallinn.
DaY 5 - “FINNIshINg” toUChesOur last day in Helsinki, we visited Uspenskin Cathedral, the Market Square and Suomenlinna. Uspenskin, a Russian Orthodox Cathedral built in 1868, has the traditional onion-topped domes. The highlight of the interior is a lavish iconostasis with icons depicting Biblical scenes.
In the Market Square, vendors sell everything from Lapland cuisine featuring reindeer meat to souvenirs to the work of local artists. We purchased original watercolors of Helsinki scenes.
Then, we took a 15-minute ferry to Suomenlinna, a series of islands connected by bridges. The fortifications on the islands were built by the Swedes in the 1700s to protect against a Russian invasion.
Today, the site is a wonderful place to stroll, have a picnic, visit museums, or just enjoy the sea and the sun. The most scenic part is at the far end where you can explore old bunkers and fortifications along the shore. Then, you can enjoy a snack in Pizzeria Nikolai inside one of the old ramparts.
This was the finish to our Finnish exploration. But, we’ll be back to see more of this fine land. •••
Photos Provided By: Phyllis Rose
Porvoo
A stunning seascape in Suomenlinna
Tallinn's Old Town Square
For More INFo:Tourist informationwww.visitfinland.com
Finland by Lonely Planetwww.lonelyplanet.com/finland
For Day Trips:Viator - www.viator.com
For the daytrip to Tallinn, EstoniaScandi Classics - www.scandi.travel
suggested Hotel:Holiday Inn City Centrewww.ihg.comThis hotel in central Helsinki is next to the train station, and a few steps away from the Finnair bus stop where passengers arriving from the airport are dropped off.
Booking suggestion:I booked this trip through www.europeandestinations.com, a website which allows you to customize your stay in Europe, choosing the destinations, hotels and flights. Shortly after booking, you will receive printable vouchers for the hotel stays and a reservation number for your flights.
DaY trIP local Chocolate Shops
By: Phyllis rose
CHOCk-FULL OF CHOCOLATE! That’s the wonderful feeling you
get when visiting five chocolate
shops in one day. Take it from
Dave and me. This is the sweetest
day trip you can imagine. To
top it off, you get a lovely cross
country drive from LaGrange,
Indiana, to Coloma, Michigan.
Our first sweetshop stop was at Plyley’s Candies, 909 S. Poplar St., LaGrange, IN. For 99 years, the Plyley family has been making chocolates and hard candies. Today it’s still family-owned with the fourth generation of Plyleys running the business.
The shop in LaGrange is inside the small factory. If you come on Monday through Thursday mornings, you can watch the candy being made. We were there on Saturday so we had no choice but to focus on the finished product and what wonderful products they were. Samples of caramels gave us energy while we browsed the variety of chocolates and hard candies.
We bought chocolate covered caramels, peanut butter meltaways, peanut butter cups, peanut butter eggs and dark
chocolate candy bars embossed with the Plyley store sign.
Back in the car, we limited ourselves to eating the peanut butter eggs which had a thick coating of milk chocolate over a creamy peanut butter filling. You can tell these are not mass-produced chocolates!
Before leaving LaGrange, we made another sweet stop - at the town square to photograph the beautiful county courthouse, built between 1878 and 1879 and now on the National Register of Historic Places.
From LaGrange, it was a 30-minute drive to White Pigeon, Michigan, and the Tasty Nut Shop and Soda Bar, 100 E. Chicago Road, where chocolates have been made since 1920. Owner Marjorie Hamminga greeted us as we entered her quaint shop complete with an old-fashioned Coca-Cola themed soda fountain in the back. In fact, Coca-Cola collectibles are found all over the shop.
We chatted with her about making chocolates, all of which she makes by hand onsite. She gave me some tips on making fudge, which I do once a year at Christmas time.
Drooling over the chocolates displayed in the cases, we paid little attention to the jars of fresh roasted nuts on top of the case. That will be for another time.
Today we craved chocolate. We left with peanut butter balls which had a delightful crunchy filling and chocolate covered caramels, with a chewy, gooey, filling.
That was enough to sustain us as we drove 45 minutes to Caruso’s Candy and Soda Shop, 130 S. Front St., Dowagiac, Michigan. They were quite busy so we looked at the historic black and white photos in the soda shop area, highlighting the history of this shop owned by the Caruso family since 1922. Besides chocolates and sodas, you can get lunch here, too. Choices include soup, salads and sandwiches such as the Caruso with ham, cheese, salami, lettuce, tomato and Italian dressing on a grilled roll.
When it was our turn at the candy counter, we decided on chocolate covered cashews and two small dark chocolate bunnies - one for me and one for Dave. We loved both but the bunnies were exceptional with a creamy texture, more like chocolate fudge than regular hard shell bunnies.
Leaving the chocolate shop, we wandered down Front Street, stopping at RUsT Antiques and Olympia Used Books for a few minutes of browsing.
We decided it was time to eat something besides chocolates so it was on to Zeke’s Restaurant, 109 S. Front St. Filled
The Caruso family has been making candy here since 1922. Besides candy, you can also have lunch in the soda shop in the back of the store.
DAY TRIPSIn Michiana!
Special Boom Section
16 JUNE 2016 | boom
with chocolate, we were pleased to see that Zeke’s offers half-size entrees and desserts. Dave had his traditional favorite - spaghetti and meatballs followed by peppermint ice cream. I enjoyed my chicken burrito followed by a warm blonde brownie topped with ice cream.
Since we ordered the half sizes, we still had room for more chocolates, 30 minutes away at two shops in Coloma. Founded in 1998, The Chocolate Garden, 2691 Friday Road, specializes in handmade truffles. This shop has really grown since we were there several years ago. They now have a tasting bar where, after purchasing a ticket, you can taste any three truffles from a list featuring milk, dark, and white chocolate truffles.
Dave chose dark chocolate cherry, milk chocolate caramel and white chocolate while my picks were dark chocolate mint, milk chocolate hazelnut and white chocolate lemon drop. They were arranged on the plate from least intense flavor to most intense.
It was chocolate tasting heaven. Surprisingly, my favorite was the lemon drop - sweet with just a hint of lemon. I found it very refreshing.
Then, we browsed the shop to decide which truffles to take home. Of course, I chose the lemon drops.
The shop also features a lot of chocolate-themed home decor items featuring sayings about chocolate such as a plaque
which says, “Raisin oatmeal cookies that look like chocolate chip cookies are the main reason I have trust issues.”
I purchased a brown-hooded sweatshirt with The Chocolate Garden logo and the sentence, “Nobody knows the truffles I’ve seen.”
Our last sweet stop of the day was just down the road at Vineyards Gourmet Chocolates, 3251 Friday Road. The shop’s kitchen is to the right of the door - behind glass - where you can watch the candies being made.
One of the favorite candies at the Vineyards is chocolate bacon in eight different varieties. Dave and I have never understood the fascination with chocolate covered bacon so we focused on what we did like. For me, it was the caramel peanut butter bites - a clever combination of chocolate, caramel and peanut butter. Dave opted for chocolate covered jellies - a taste I’ve never been fond of. Whatever you like in the line of sweets, however, you’ll find it here.
The Chocolate Garden and Vineyards Gourmet Chocolates are located near area wineries so you might want to add some wine tasting to your itinerary.
Sadly, our chock-full of chocolate day trip had come to an end. But we had bags of chocolates to sustain us until our next foray into Michiana’s fine candy land. •••
Photos Provided By: Phyllis Rose
For More INFo:Plyley’s Hand Made Candies260-463-3351 www.plyleyscandies.com
Tasty Nut Shop269-483-7566www.tastynutshop.com
Caruso’s Candy & Soda Shop269-782-6001www.carusoscandys.com
Zeke’s Restaurant269-782-5070www.zekesdowagiac.com
Chocolate Garden269-468-9866www.chocolategarden.com
vineyards Gourmet Chocolates269-468-4778www.vineyardschocolate.com
Note: If you can’t get to these shops, you can order your favorites and have them shipped to you. Check out their websites for details.
Inside the Tasty Nut Shop in White Pigeon, Michigan, is this old-fashioned soda fountain.
At The Chocolate Garden in Coloma, Michigan, their specialty is truffles. You can sample several before deciding which to buy.
A favorite at Vineyards Gourmet Chocolates in Coloma, Michigan, is chocolate covered bacon. If you're not into bacon, there are a lot of other chocolate treats to entice you.
17boom | JUNE 2016
GeTAWAY GooD TIMeS By: CynDy searfoss
There’s a reason that movies like Thelma and Louise, Bridesmaids and Tammy do so well at the box office and remain popular for years afterwards. The thought of a
road trip – even a less-than-perfect road trip – with the BFF for fun and adventure resonates with American women.
Summer is the perfect time to put together a weekend or longer getaway with the girls. Many destinations offer great rates this time of year and good weather makes traveling by car much less stressful. The good times are limited only by your imagination!
the best way to start is by getting together over dinner to plan your trip. here are some idea starters for the get together:
• Relax and Unwind – Who doesn’t need more
pampering in their lives? Spa getaway trips are a great way
to enjoy time with friends while recharging your batteries.
For example, Heartland Spa in Lake Geneva, WI offers
two- to seven-day inclusive spa packages for pampering or
fitness. There are a number of other spas within easy driving
distance including The Spa at French Lick, which offers a
sophisticated American spa experience and The Spa at West
Baden, with an elegant European vibe.
• Nights on Broadway – Not that Broadway… Broadway
in Nashville, TN is filled with bars and honky-tonks that
feature live country music into the wee hours of the
morning. Stay downtown and it’s all within an easy walk.
Or, choose a hotel on the outskirts of town and use one
of the reasonably priced bus services to ferry your group
downtown and back. Nashville is within a day’s driving
distance. Or, take in more Southern hospitality and spend a
couple of days in Louisville as well.
In Michiana! Special Boom SectionDAY TRIPS
Road Trips with the
GiRls
18 JUNE 2016 | boom
Finally, these are some suggestions to make sure the trip is all about the fun – and not the drama:
• Decide What Kind of Trip to Do – “Fun” may sound like a great description but everyone has a different idea of what fun feels like. For some people, spending a day at a museum is fun. For others, it sounds like water torture. Group road trips work best if everyone is like-minded about the activities on the agenda or at least happy to go along with the majority opinion.
• Set a Budget – Decide in advance how much everyone is able to spend on travel, accommodations, meals and activities. Over-spending is stressful and stays that way, especially once the bills for the trip roll in. Sitting alone in a hotel room eating Ramen noodles while everyone else enjoys a five-star meal is depressing for everyone.
• Delegate – Unless you have a travel agent in your group, divvy up the research for the trip and set another meeting to decide the logistics. You may also want to put one person in charge of the budget, one person in charge of snacks, etc.
there’s nothing like a change of scenery in the company of good friends to create memories and strengthen friendships.
• Beach Breaks – The Gulf side of Florida and
the keys are great summer getaways. Florida in
summer is sultry. But, the beaches and breezes
more than make up for the heat and humidity.
Plan to spend early mornings and late afternoons
enjoying the sand and water; when the mid-
day heat strikes head indoors for a mani/pedi
session, wine spritzers and time to talk.
• Adrenaline Rush – No, this doesn’t have to
be like the final scene in Thelma and Louise… the
Midwest has a plethora of fun, exciting activities
within driving distance, from whitewater rafting
(Wisconsin and Minnesota offer some of the
region’s best trips) to paragliding over Lake
Michigan with a view of the Chicago skyline.
There’s also zip lining, rock climbing or learn
how to drive a high-performance car at The Mid-
Ohio School’s Three Day Racing School.
“who doesn’t need more pampering in their lives?”
19boom | JUNE 2016
boom LiFe
Being
By: rita Miller
This year, the commencement
speaker at Indiana University
reminded the graduates to thank
everyone who provided emotional
and financial support to them during
the last four years. My thoughts
immediately flew to my husband who
has so tirelessly helped our children
through school, working many nights
and weekends to provide for their
educations. Now that Father’s Day is
imminent, what can we possibly do
to thank Dad for everything he does,
day in and day out?
The following is a list of a few favorite ideas for Dad or Grandpa:
Dad loves food and he loves to save money. A perfect gift would be a stash of gift cards so that he can pick up his favorite coffee and donut on the way to work, or get a nice pizza at lunch from that special pizza shop. I know my husband likes coffee from McDonalds. At least he says he goes to McDonalds for the coffee. Maybe he is sneaking in a breakfast hash brown too when I’m not looking!
Dad loves peace and quiet. A perfect gift would be a DVD set he’s been wanting. Old TV series, sports and history are safe bets for any Dad. My husband likes hours of sports trivia. Best to let my son pick and purchase those sets for Dad because there are no ends of sets that can satisfy that craving!
ThankfulFor Dad/Grandpa
Dad likes fresh air. A wonderful gift would be a round of golf, followed by a cold beer. A nice golf package could include the fees, sunscreen and bottled water for Dad. Better yet, join him for the round and spend some time catching up. I suspect my husband would enjoy the catching up part the best!
Dad loves you. This Father’s Day, jump on the mindfulness bandwagon. Be present and available to Dad to reminisce or enjoy a joke, or even to just watch a ball game. Put away your phone for an hour and really spend some quality time with Dad. Any event that involves family is sure to be an event Dad will treasure.
You love crafts. OK, this is not about what Dad loves; it is about what you love. You want to make something special for Dad. “32 Best Homemade Father’s Day Gifts” has the perfect idea for you! The site is www.tipjunkie.com/post/what-to-make-for-dad/. My absolute favorite is #22, a set of old time soda bottles, covered in custom decals and filled with favorite snacks. I can imagine my husband really enjoying this gift. Many of the ideas are clever and simple. Some can be done with the help of small children! • • •
I hope you have a nice holiday with your special dad or grandpa!
1-c: Yes, Robert Wise was a Hoosier! He was born September 10, 1914, in Winchester (Randolph County), Indiana, and later moved with his family to Connersville (Fayette County), Indiana. Both towns are in the western part of the state and have established a Robert Wise Day.
2-b: Wise attended this small liberal arts college south of Indianapolis with an aim toward earning a journalism degree. But the family’s strained finances during the Great Depression caused him to drop out and head for California. Wise’s private papers are stored at USC.
3-a: Older brother David, an employee of RKO, was able to find work for Robert at the studio in the ship-ping department. Robert advanced to a position as a sound and music editor before becoming a film editor.
4-d, e: Wise went solo on these two 1939 films. His first editing as assistant was Winterset (1936) working alongside film editor William “Billy” Hamilton.
5-b: Wise got his first directing job with The Curse of the Cat People when he replaced director Val Lewton, blamed for having the 1944 horror movie fall behind schedule.
6-e: According to theyshootpictures.com, the genres were drama, film noir, crime, crime drama, science fiction, thriller, docudrama, western, melodrama, psychological western (whatever that is), gothic film and sports drama. Well-known examples are Run Silent, Run Deep (1958), The Sand Pebbles (1966), The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), Tribute to a Bad Man (1956), Audrey Rose (1977), The Andromeda Strain (1971) and Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979). Altogether Wise is credited with directing 39 movies.
7-a, c: In Gentlemen Prefer Blondes he’s seen in the musical number “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” and prominently in “Love, You Didn’t Do
Right By Me” sung by Rosemary Clooney in White Christmas.
8-g: In (a), RKO put a reluctant Wise in charge of editing The Magnificent Ambersons (1941) while Orson Welles was out of the country. The result was a new ending as well as cutting out 40 minutes of film. That infuriated Welles but the two men reconciled onstage at the 1984 Directors Guild of America awards presentation. In (b), Wise said of Julie Andrews: “There’s a genuineness about her.”And in (d), Wise attended a real execution in preparation for directing the 1958 biopic I Want to Live. Susan Hayward won Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of the executed Barbara Graham.
SOURCES: Wiki; IMDb; theyshootpictures.com.
WISe GUY By: Margo anD JiM BellAnsWERs:
NEXT MONTH: Dust off your ukes and bongo drums—we’ll feature beach movies!
21boom | JUNE 2016
boom LiFe
for SeniorsBy: JaMie loBer
More and more seniors are looking to become more computer-literate. They want to know about the latest digital products, popular websites and even how social media works. They may enjoy using e-books or e-audio books which is just a way of reading or listening to a book electronically. Seniors love using iPads and tablets and want to know the latest tips and tricks. This is where giving them some extra attention can be helpful and the local library is a good way to begin. “We do one-on-one appointments and seniors often will come in with a laptop if they are not sure how to use it or have trouble with Microsoft Word and we also are more than happy to go externally to senior centers so we can see multiple people at once or to an individual’s house if they are homebound,” said Eric Mims, digital services coordinator at the Mishawaka Library.
Seniors are eager to know more about the latest trends. “It is a case-by-case basis but a lot have generic questions like how to use Facebook to keep in touch with family because it can be daunting and they also have questions about other communication software like Skype,” said Mims. Usually seniors know someone they want to get in touch with who motivates them to become more tech-savvy. “We helped a patron set up Skype so he could get in touch with his grandson since they were far apart and had not seen each other in a long time,” said Mims. This is one of the key advantages. “Using technology to have people connect is really important to us,” said Mims. “Seniors feel peer pressure like their family may be on Facebook or a lot of people may throw their information on a Facebook page so they do not have to call 30 to 40 people and share new photos of their child,” said Mims.
Some people depend more on the internet than others. “We run into some seniors who cannot get business done without the internet or they may need to renew a professional license of some kind or handle social security benefits all of which requires becoming a little more comfortable with technology whether you like it or not,” said Mims. Seniors rave about the rewards of engaging in tech. “I helped my mom get on Facebook because someone she used to work with was on there and said if she wanted to talk to her that she had to use it and then she went ahead and found people she went to elementary school with,” said Mims. Reconnecting with old friends can be wonderful. “Our seniors have a lot more history and people they have interacted with before social media existed so it is fun for them to connect with people they have not talked to in 40 years,” said Mims.
roFL =rolling on the Floor Laughing
Online
Lingo
Reconnecting with old
friends can be wonderful.
22 JUNE 2016 | boom
Seniors may like the perk of finding coupons on the internet. You can even play interactive games like checkers or chess online for free either against other people or against the computer. The internet can be a fantastic educational tool and will help with mental alertness. If you are creative, you may even take advantage of the internet in order to start your own business after retirement. Those who are into fashion, crafts or any sort of hobby may find the internet to be a more convenient way to shop without ever having to leave their home.
Seniors want to know what they can gain by getting involved with technology. “It is about making it relevant to a person because they will not be interested in learning it or picking it up if there is not a reason,” said Mims. You are never too young or too old for technology. “Just like anyone else, the seniors are more than capable of coming around to the lingo and learning about safe e-mail and safe browsing,” said Mims. Sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference between safe and unsafe things. Some common acronyms
are LOL which means Laugh Out Loud, IMO which means In My Opinion, TBH which means To Be Honest and ROFL which means Rolling on the
Floor Laughing. “A lot of seniors have the fear of getting started or the embarrassment factor but we try to make people as comfortable as we can and we are patient and just want everybody to be able to make the most out of technology to improve their lives,” said Mims. •••
boom Pets The elkhart humane Society needs Your helpLOvING ANIMALS ARE IN NEED OF FAMILIES!
Volunteers Needed: The Elkhart County Humane Society is always looking for new volunteers to join their team. There are so many ways to make a difference. Give Janet a call at 574-848-4225 to learn more.
54687 County Road 19 • Bristol, IN 46507 • (574) 848-4225 • www.elkharthumanesociety.org
J.k. roarLINg: Hello, some of you may have heard of me. While my human counterpart, with a similar name, was writing about those wizards, I was writing about magical felines. Let me tell you a bit about myself. I am seven-years-old and have been spayed. They say I am a lap cat and somewhat of a social butterfly. If you take me home, I will translate my books from meow for you.
IZZY: Here I am, beautiful, young, not yet two and black. I enjoy running around, playing with toys but I also like my quiet time. I can be very social, but I like to lap sit too.
Petting is always good. I am even good in the car and most cats aren’t. I have been spayed so I am ready for my new home.
broDerICk: Hello, I’m a well-mannered gentleman shepherd mix in the prime of my life. I was found as a stray back in February. I guess I was on the hunt for the perfect family with time for lots of walks and play-time. Unfortunately, I still haven’t found that family. I am crate trained, but I would love a family who is able to socialize with me often. I also do well with kids!
23boom | JUNE 2016
boom LiFe
A Right? A Responsibility? A Puzzle!By: PaM gunterMan
cASTING Your
vote
24 JUNE 2016 | boom
Every other year we have a national election, every four years it is a presidential election and,
in the off years, a midterm election. The elections are preceded by primaries, conventions,
debates and those oh-so-memorable, or forgettable as the case may be, political ads! Even if
you are not political by nature, it is hard to escape it all.
If you visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services page of the Department of Homeland Secu-
rity’s website, they list the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. The rights include the right to vote
in elections for public officials and under responsibilities is listed participate in the democratic process. Upon
reading these items I feel compelled to take both this right and responsibility seriously.
I suspect that most of us do our best to listen to the candidates, their plan and promises so that we can
make an informed decision when casting our vote. While some may still vote with a particular party,
there seems to be a trend to vote for an individual based on what they stand for or propose to do or
even at times cast a vote “against” someone for the same reasons.
This election season seems to be especially contentious. No matter where you go, everyone is talking
about it, calling in to talk radio, posting to Facebook, tweeting, reporting on it - you name it, the elec-
tion and candidates are certainly on the top of people’s minds. It is great that there is a buzz about the
election and people are listening, discussing, asking questions and forming opinions. The problem is, it
is only June and the buzz is nearly deafening and being bombarded with information is also confusing
and a little frustrating.
Don’t get me wrong, I believe that it is essential that we take the process and all the trappings seriously,
but there are moments I need a break from the political pressure cooker to catch my breath.
It was in one of those “breathing moments” that I remembered a car ride many years ago through town
on a fall day with my two young sons. On this particular day, the main street of our town reflected elec-
tion time in full swing with the front yards sporting signs in support of one or more candidates. The
signs featured donkeys and elephants as most did in those days. Seeing the signs with the animals on
them caused my youngest son to ask, “Mom, is the circus coming to town?” As they like to say - out of
the mouths of babes! When I stopped laughing, I said, “No, honey, those signs are just for the election.”
As this election season progresses, I suspect that story will come to mind more than a few times and
there will be times I may say to myself – circus? – Yeah, it is kind of like that! •••
boom LiFe
A new Way
By: rita Miller
Remember when June Cleaver cooked perfect
meals while in a dress and pumps, always
wearing a beautiful apron? There’s a new apron
in town! Blue Apron is a brilliant idea that is shipped to
my doorstep every week. It is a delivery service of three
meals, all fresh ingredients, every spice and oil included,
sent to my house perfectly packed and ready to cook.
Each meal takes about 30 minutes to make and includes
calories and tips. All for $60 per week!
Blue Apron came to our lives just at the right time. I
was consistently bothering my teen about getting off
her phone. I wanted her to eat healthier and take part
in her nutritional intake. There were only three of us
left at home and mealtimes became sparse. After years
of cooking for a crowd, it became laborious to make
one more pan of sloppy joes. I couldn’t face another
chicken breast. I felt like checking out of nightly meal
preparation.
to
COOk
26 JUNE 2016 | boom
My son tried Blue Apron and he was able to
send us several free meals. Each meal feeds
two to three people. As I looked over the
ingredients and high quality sourcing of meats,
I realized it would take $60 to prepare three
meals from the grocery store. We decided
to give the service a try. Weeks later, we are
hooked. We’ve eaten more fish in a month
than we have in a year. We’ve had spices that
I’ve just read about in magazines. We look
forward to delivery day!
Next week’s meals include: Steak and Eggs
with Quick kimchi Fried Rice, Chicken Fried
Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Collards and
Dukkah Spiced Cod with Warm Beet, Carrot
and Arugula Salad. Other weeks included
a fabulous Cod kedgeree, Alsatian Spiced
Chicken with Smashed Potatoes and Glazed
Red Cabbage and Hoisin & Shiitake Burgers
with Miso Mayonnaise and Sweet Potatoes.
Each meal was plenty for the three of us,
included everything we needed to prepare the
meal, and was delicious!
The mission of Blue Apron is to “make
incredible home cooking accessible to
everyone.” They have three goals: develop
a more sustainable food system, set the
highest standard for ingredients and build
a community of home chefs. They have
succeeded, as they now ship over five million
boxes a month to subscribers. The meals are
pre-measured and created by five star chefs.
From the reaction in my house, they’ve made
a lot of people happy and possibly created a
whole new level of home cooking.
Other services offer similar plans. Hello Fresh
is a service that allows flexible subscriptions.
You can skip a week if necessary. Their
upcoming recipes include: Zucchini and
Parmesan-Crusted Chicken, Ginger Beef
Stir Fry and Jamie Oliver’s Asparagus and
Mushroom Risotto. Each week your delivery
includes an Oliver recipe and ingredients,
while a portion of each subscription price goes
to Jamie’s Food Foundation.
After cooking breakfast, lunch, dinner and
two snacks every day for 30 years, it’s been a
wonderful break to come home three nights
a week to a hot, delicious meal. It is well
worth $60 every week to see my daughter
chopping, sautéing and plating a dish. Even
more important, it is priceless to see her pride
in accomplishing a restaurant quality meal
by herself. I highly recommend trying this
delivery service if you want to involve your
teen or grandchild in meal preparation. You
might end up like me, eating more new foods
that you ever imagined! •••
involve your teen or grandchild in meal preparation.”“
27boom | JUNE 2016
From Behind The Desk,
By: evie KirKWooD
C O V e R S T O R Y
PhotograPher:Ann Reiff - studio513east
To The
Yoga Mat
“It is calming, and helps one reflect on their inner self.”
Savasana is Sherry Cummings’ favorite yoga pose. “Lying flat on my back focused on
breathing and relaxing every muscle… it’s a form of mediation and it gets me in touch with who I am.”
To many, Sherry’s retirement “career” as a yoga instructor sounds very different from her former vocation as a financial planner. But in many ways, it’s not.
As a CPA, Sherry moved from Maryland to Indiana at a time when there were massive layoffs in accounting firms. After making some local contacts she found a job at a bank, but was stuck mostly in an office with little contact with customers. “I missed working with and helping people,” she says.
After three tax seasons, she interviewed for a financial planner position, and got it, in an era when few women were in the field. Sherry retired a year ago, from Hilltop Wealth Solutions, Ameriprise Financial Services. “I loved the consultative nature of listening to people and helping them meet their goals,” she says.
While still working as a financial planner, Sherry started yoga at a local gym after her husband passed away. When her teacher sent her some information about instructor training, she checked it out. Since she was working full time, Sherry spent her weekends attending classes at Sagewater Yoga in Mishawaka, Indiana, over the course of nine months.
During the 200 hours of coursework, Sherry learned anatomy, breathing techniques and the “asanas” or yoga poses. She and her classmates observed and critiqued each other, watched other teachers, wrote class programs and taught the asanas to each other.
After she achieved her certification, she got a call to sub for an instructor in Edwardsburg. She was “nervous as all get out,” but she got through it and asked for input from the students so she could improve as a teacher. These days she teaches a class for the Forever Learning Institute and weekly classes at ICE gym in Mishawaka.
Sherry says yoga is ideal for Boomers. It is calming, and helps one reflect on their inner self. It builds muscle and “definitely helps with balance and flexibility,” she notes, “All things that are good at any time, but especially as we get older.”
When asked what advice she would give to someone considering yoga, she provides a list of suggestions:
Do not be intimidated. Yoga is for all body types and all ages.
Just go to a class. (Find a hatha yoga class with a certified instructor.)
Tell the instructor you are new.
Let the instructor guide you.
Wear loose clothing.
Bring a mat if you have one, or borrow one at the gym.
Don’t push yourself. Do what your body allows you to do.
“Oh, and you DON’T need the latest spandex,” she laughs.
During a class expect to do some gentle stretching and to learn a number of asanas or poses, with names like “warrior,” “triangle” and “chair.” Most classes end with prone positons. In Sherry’s class expect to laugh a little, too. Students in the Forever Learning class, ranging in age from 60 to 81 often request the “pigeon” and “thread-the-needle.” “Then they fall out of it and laugh,” she adds with a smile.
An active retiree, Sherry serves on the South Bend Rotary board and is vice president of the Auxiliary for Memorial Hospital. She also rocks babies at the neo-natal intensive care unit there.
For Sherry yoga is also a way to be physically fit. As an instructor, she likes giving back to her fellow Boomers. “All my friends from high school are falling apart. I want to help people stay heathier as they age.”
But, her favorite aspect of teaching is building a relationship with her students so they can improve and be confidant. All the things she loved about being a financial planner. •••
29boom | JUNE 2016
boom LiFe
the Park Is For
By: rita Miller
Imagine a large area of grass
and dirt, slight hills and trails,
picnic tables, a small plastic
pool and running water. Is this a
family fun paradise? A local park?
This is a description of the off-the-
leash dog park at Margaret Prickett
Marina in Mishawaka! Imagine
walking up the trail and looking out
over the boats docked at the river.
The sun is shining and the air has a
bit of crispness to it, but the view
is beautiful. Dogs are everywhere.
They are running, barking, jumping
and having a great time socializing
with other dogs.
The Dogs
30 JUNE 2016 | boom
I go to the dog park about once a week to give my
Aussie a place to run and jump. The area is completely
enclosed by a chain link fence and gives dogs plenty
of room to run. My Peppers loves to run up the
trails trying to herd other dogs back to the group.
Considering the area is very large, he can run for 45
minutes herding dogs as much as he pleases. The park
has fake fire hydrants and is littered with chewed-up
Frisbee toys. The dogs sniff and try to pick up every
ball and toy while they keep an eye on the other dogs.
Owners are watching their dogs and monitoring any
roughness that breaks out, while chatting with other
owners about the best dog foods for our fur babies.
The park is located on Jefferson Avenue, just east of
Capital. Make sure to bring a leash because the parking
lot can get full and you will need to get your dog thru
two gates to gain entrance to the park. The park is
right next to the river so you will need to monitor your
pet and any small children as you walk to and from the
parking lot. I carry water for emergencies, but there
is a working faucet. Many people bring
bottled water to fill up the large bowls
for all to share. There is a large bag of
grocery bags for picking up waste but
I always bring my own. There are three
picnic tables and multiple benches for
the humans to sit. Many people bring
balls to toss. Others sit and watch the
fun. There is no real shade so remember
sunscreen and a hat for yourself.
There is a restroom but it is only open
seasonally. For small dogs, there is a
companion park right next door.
Peppers and his cousin, Yogi, had a
great time at the park today. They have
been bathed, had a treat and are now
flat out on the floor, sleeping. I love this
park and I hope you will too! •••
Image Courtesy: mishawakacurrent.wordpress.com
“Dogs are everywhere. They are running, barking, jumping and having a great time socializing with other dogs.”
31boom | JUNE 2016
Imagine a wellness model that empowers each member and patient with the knowledge that a whole team of professionals stand behind him or her, all working together. Imagine your primary care physician, physical therapist, fitness specialist, personal trainer, massage therapist and exercise physiologist all supporting your efforts to live the healthiest, fullest life possible. That’s the future of health care and Beacon Health & Fitness is proud to lead the way.
Beacon Health & Fitness is coming to Mishawaka!
Join now and save big! The first 500 to join
receive 65% off their enrollment fee. To join,
call 574.647.2597. For more information,
visit BeaconHealthAndFitness.org.
