Holiday Issue 2012

Faribault • Northfield • Owatonna • St. Peter • Waseca

Holiday 2012

Twelve women share an inseparable bond, experiencing loss and celebrating life

HolidayTips on making your next holiday gathering a feast to remember

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Define what ageless beauty means to you...

You know when those cheesy Hollywood tab-loid shows ask celebs what they did before they got famous? And how it’s always some dorky story about a menial job that seems really out of place for a gazillionaire? Well, I’ve had a lot of terrible jobs and I can assure you the stories would be much more amusing if I was making $100 million a year and chatting about it on late night TV.

Like the lifetimes (OK, technically it was only two months) I endured the management training program at a regional coffee shop. I had

vivid fantasies of bossing around minions as a District Manager, but was told everyone had to start as a barista-in-training to “get a feel for the company.” I worked with an array of high school girls whose main concerns appeared to be prom and avoiding pregnancy. The girls took great pleasure in assigning me the bathroom cleaning and trash re-moval duties as they knew I would probably end up being their boss at the end of my indentured servantry.

I was pretty clear on about day three that I could make you a coffee drink or make inane small talk about what your day held, but I couldn’t do both simultaneously. Matter of fact, I didn’t care what you were doing later that day. Once you ordered a drink that required 25 adjectives and you telling me what temperature you expected your milk to be, I quit listening. I pretty much stood at the espresso machine dreaming of what poisons could be diluted in soy milk and wouldn’t leave a trace during your autopsy.

Kids would come in and demand drinks that were basically blended candy bars topped with whipped crème. I especially loved it when

they paid with $100 bills or plati-num credit cards. And imagine my sense of personal pride when they spoke slowly to me like I might be a moron because I was in my 40s and working at a coffee shop.

The company had a strict rule that you would be fired if you ever entered the store alone first thing in the morning. I’d end up sitting in the parking lot at 5 a.m. waiting for another car to pull in, hoping it was one of my teenage coworkers instead of a crazed robber/serial killer. Since most of the manage-ment trainees quit in the first month, inevitably, I’d have to open alone. Which would have been fine if it hadn’t happened during my first week. Which would have been super if I had thought to empty the 10-gallon coffee makers filled with the overnight cleaning solution before starting to brew new coffee … all over the floor. Which would have been perfectly acceptable if I had remembered I was in charge of doing the milk order for the busy holiday weekend. Which would have worked out swimmingly if I had remembered to thaw the crappy frozen pastries the night be-fore so they weren’t hard as rocks. Which would have all worked out

flawlessly if the power hadn’t gone out forcing me to handwrite all the credit card info to run later.

It was especially funny to me when regular customers would get miffed that I didn’t remember their drink. I’d think to myself, “I’ve been up since 4 a.m. and already want to kill myself for taking this job and you’re gonna give me $*!@ about the fact that I’ve seen you twice and don’t remember that you liked your Americano with lite vanilla?!” Really?

The straw that broke the camel’s back was the two-hour meeting on what direction the lemon bread should be facing in the bakery case. I was tempted to put a fork in the next customer’s eye and expose said coffee shop to a long and expensive lawsuit. I guess I’m not what the company called a “team player.”

— Mary Closner apologizes to all the people she waited on during her coffee house tenure. She is pretty sure she made your drink incorrectly and never was clear which beans were decaf.

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Holiday 2012 Girlfriends.mn 3

Cover Photo About Us

Features9 HOLIDAYS Tips and ideas to make your next gathering a feast to

remember.

18 ‘IT’ GIFT GUIDE Holiday Shopping just got easier! Local retailers share

the hottest gift items of the season.

22 REDEFINING CELEBRATIONS Two families share what it means to have their loved

ones away on military duty.

28 HOLIDAY CALENDAR Check out the great events happening in the area

throughout the holiday season.

31 UNDERGARMENT FITTING Want to look taller, slimmer or enlarge your bust? The

proper fitting undergarments can do just that. Here’s a guide to the best fit.

34 FUNCTIONAL FITNESS Exercise isn’t always about slimming down or sculpting

rock-hard abs. Some people wish for the ability to join their kids in a game of kick-ball, that’s what functional fitness is all about.

Accessories3 Play Clothes

6 Covergirls

17 From the Kitchen

36 Unexpected Caregiver

} Look for your next issue of Girlfriends the week of February 11.

22

34

Volume 5, Issue 1Copyright © Girlfriends 2012Published 2012 by: Huckle Media, LLC, 115 W. 5th St., Northfield, MN 55057 / 507-645-1136Send releases and story ideas to: Jaci Smith at Girlfriends Magazine, [email protected]

Publisher: Lauran Rott Associate Editor: Jaci SmithStaff Writer: Brenda Ward

Advertising Consultants: Lauran Rott, Luke Brown, Rachel Ebbers, Mark Nelson, Deb Theisen, Diane Gengler, Jennifer Fisher, Lisa Dwyer, Debbie Ensley, Kristie Biehn

Graphic Designer: Ashley PtacekPhotographer: Kelli Wencl

Pages 6-7(Photo by Kelli Wencl)

Holiday 2012where local women turn

Wellness

9

Girlfriends Wants to Know!What do you look for in a partner? Email answers to [email protected] or find us on Facebook! Your answer just might be featured in our next issue!

31

4 Girlfriends.mn Holiday 2012

Explore:

Waseca

Please note the correction in Marla’s Reuben Soup recipe, published in the Fall 2012 issue:

Step 3. Bring the large saucepan to a second boil and add the Swiss or American cheese, stirring vigorously to avoid clumping. Add desired amount of roux to the soup mixture, stirring and cooking until quite thick. Turn the heat to low and stir in the cream and corned beef.

Member SIPCwww.edwardjones.com

Happy Holidays

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By Brenda K.M. Ward

A good friend knows all your stories. A best

friend has lived those stories with you.

In Owatonna, a group of women lives out

their life stories with one another a dozen

times over, calling not one or two “best

friends,” but easily naming 11 others their

closest companions, the 12 together now for

15 years.

There’s Kelsey, the free spirit. Holly is the

emotional one. Ashley is the fashionista, and

Anni is calm. Missi is spontaneous, and Kira

gives the best advice. Nicole is a great listener.

Angela is very analytical. Beth is like a stand-

up comedian, and Tanya is filled with energy.

Bonnie tells you like it is.

“We truly love each other for who we are,

though we are all very different,” said Nicole.

“The Girls,” as they are often called by friends

and family, met at Camp Wild, a seventh grade

youth camp in Minnesota. Though some had

known each other beforehand, it was this

summer memory that began their journey

of friendship. Since then they’ve shared

hundreds of sleepovers – still happening to

this day; celebrations of graduation, birthdays

and weddings; numerous summer and holiday

gatherings; as well as comforting each other

during difficult times in life, whether simply a

“bad day” or during times of tremendous loss.

“When I was having a rough day a while back,

my mom said, ‘You have 11 best friends that

aren’t going anywhere. Most women would die

for that – it’s an amazing thing.’ I realized I re-

ally do have 11 people to turn to at any given

time,” said Kira.

“We’re all like sisters, there through everything

with each other,” said Cassie. “We’ve been

through hard times, and we’ve been through

amazing times.”

Finding comfort through tragedy

In 2003, tragedy dropped its heavy heart on

The Girls when a deadly house fire took the

life of one.

Liz Wencl, one of the then group of 13, was a

student at the University of Minnesota when

the house she lived in was destroyed by a

massive fire. Liz was one of three who lost

their lives that tragic day, just eight days after

celebrating her birthday.

“Liz was the most full of life person. You could

not be around Liz and not laugh,” said Holly.

“When we got the call, we immediately all

came together.”

Through the misfortune, the relationship of

the remaining friends became an even more

powerful force in their respective lives as they

helped each other cope with the loss.

But Liz, it seems, hasn’t entirely left the group.

Devoted Dozen

Kira Schiller of Owatonna

Missi Miller of RochesterCassie West of Rochester

Ashley Thomas of BloomingtonBonnie Wavrin of Minneapolis

Holly Arndt of OwatonnaAnni Yule of Owatonna

Nicole Meinhardt of EaganBeth Fink of Kearney, Neb.

Tanya Jungbluth of SavageKelsey Schultz of Avon, Ind.

Angela Christenson of Des Moines, Iowa

{ }Best buddies since middle school,

these Owatonna women gather each

holiday season to celebrate their friendship

Photo by Kelli Wencl of GingerSnaps Photography

{ }The Girls


Covergirls

While certainly with all of The Girls in spirit,

most of them also see their friend in recur-

ring dreams, dreams that are uncanny in their

similarity.

“Just after her death, I had a dream of Liz and

she let me know everything was OK,” said

Cassie. “The dream filled my entire body; it was

a very spiritual thing.” Cassie continues to often

dream of her friend.

“In my dream I always ask Liz, ‘Why are you

here?’ She says, ‘I don’t have a lot of time, but

don’t worry,’” said Bonnie, who feels comforted

in knowing that Liz is OK.

Ever in their memory, to this day, the 12 friends

share stories of Liz on their personal Facebook

friends page and when gathering over the holi-

days each year.

Holiday celebrations

Not a single holiday season has come and gone

in all these years in which The Girls have not

celebrated together.

Typically, their reunion begins with a couple

of hours of catch-up time, each sharing what’s

been happening in their life. Then, they break

out the food, drinks and fun, playing original

games and exchanging gifts during the weekend

sleepover. They’ve even faked a bachelorette

party to gain entry into a nightclub, and ironed

each other’s hair with a clothes iron bringing out

their retro side.

“You just need that time to let loose and have

fun,” said Kira. “We’re happy the whole time.”

The Girls seemed destined to have been brought

together, and they have no desire to let that

friendship go astray – ever.

“We sometimes talk about what we’ll do when

we’re in a nursing home together,” said Nicole

with a laugh.

Grow old together, have kids who will form

friendships together, celebrate life together –

there are dozens of reasons these friends have to

stay together, the least of which is not love.

“We truly believe our friendship is something

special,” said Kira. “We cannot imagine life

without one another.” G

Photo by Heidi Kubes, heidikubesphotography.com

Liz Wencl

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Holidayshome for the


Make your next holiday gathering a feast to remember

By Brenda K.M. Ward

Simply Ambrosial!

he guests have been sum-moned and grocery cart filled. It’s time to begin preparing the holiday dinner. This year you want to ensure the turkey is fully cooked and on time and that you don’t repeat the

distastefully cold sweet potatoes served last year. In fact, you would like nothing more than to present your guests with a magnificent dining experience they will not soon forget.

Pat Wieseler, store director at Hy-Vee in Waseca, and Suzy Taggart, owner of Rooms by Tagg 2 in Northfield, offer practical tips for pulling off the perfect holiday dining experience.

T


When mapping out your holiday dinner, keep timing foremost on your mind: how much oven time and space will be needed for various dishes? Once you’ve figured it out, plan accordingly.

Wieseler suggests starting the dinner a day early by preparing any dishes that don’t require day-of baking. Marinate the roast, prep the dressing and bake turnovers and pies. Don’t forget relish or fruit trays and holiday drinks.

On the day of the celebration, get an early start with baking the bread to have it out of the way by the time the turkey or roast goes into the oven. Cook dishes like potatoes or casseroles ahead of time also. They can easily be re-warmed later.

Prepare the remaining dishes to be ready for the dinner table 30 minutes after your turkey or roast is done.

From there, putting the food out will be a snap.

Feeling the itch to try something different when it comes to your turkey? Try cooking it in one of these nontradi-tional ways. The results may surprise you.

Bag it - Some swear by turkey in a bag for lock-ing in moisture, and it makes for a much easier clean-up process – simply toss out the bag when you’re done.

Deep fried – If you’re a tried and true fried food lover, this could be the method for you, though you’ll need an awfully big vat and several gallons of oil or lard to pull this off.

Grilled – Who says grill-ing season ends when cold weather sets in? Oil and season the turkey then place it inside a large roasting pan and cook it over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 hours.

Crock pot – Tender is the key word here, not to mention freeing up room in the oven. Keep in mind that cooking time will increase to 5 or 6 hours.

Deviate from the traditional

It’s all in the planning

How much is enough?

In general, the size of an individual meal is 16 ounces, said Weiseler, with kids meals typically around 8 ounces.

For a three-course meal, plan on about 8 ounces for the main dish and two 4-ounce servings for the sides. If there are more than two sides, plan on 2-3 ounces for each for the sides.

Bear in mind that appetizers and bever-ages will also affect the “per person” amounts, and, conversely, that some people will eat more than usual. You know your guests best.

Time Crunch? Turkeys cooked in a bag typically

cooks up to an hour faster.


Cooking a turkey need not be so daunting. It’s as easy as this...

Before cooking, remove the giblets and rinse the bird inside and out, then pat it dry with paper towels.

If you are stuffing the bird, stuff it loosely, allowing about ½ to ¾ cup stuffing per pound of turkey, and tie the drumsticks together to keep the stuffing inside.

Smother the bird with butter and a fresh herb mixture – the fresher the ingredients the better.

Wieseler says experimentation is what makes the process fun.

Once seasoned, insert a food thermometer at the thickest part of the thigh, and place the bird on a rack in a roasting pan and into a preheated 350 degree oven. Bake the turkey until the skin is a light golden color, then cover it loosely with a foil tent. During the last 45 minutes of baking, remove the foil tent to brown the skin, and baste the bird with its own juices to help even the browning.

What? Me Cook a Turkey?

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Thoroughly cooked, but not overly cooked

To determine the proper amount of time it takes to cook a turkey, follow this general rule of thumb:

Multiply the weight of the turkey in pounds by 15 to determine the total number of minutes to cook it.

For example, if the turkey is 12 pounds: 12 x 15 = 180 minutes or 3 hours at 350 degrees. Add an extra 15 minutes to the cooking time if the turkey is stuffed.

The juices should run clear when it is thoroughly cooked; however, a variety of conditions can affect cooking time, so always determine doneness by temperature. Check the temperature with a cooking thermometer at the thickest part of the thigh to ensure the turkey is cooked to at least 170 degrees. The stuffing should reach a temperature of 165 degrees.

When done, let the turkey rest for about 20 minutes before carving it for your guests.

Ingredients:½ cup chopped celery½ cup chopped onion¼ cup butter, cubed6 cups dry bread cubes1 large sweet potato or 2 baking

potatoes, cooked, peeled and finely chopped

½ cup chicken broth¼ cup chopped pecans½ teaspoon poultry seasoning½ teaspoon rubbed sage½ teaspoon salt½ teaspoon pepper

Potatoes or Stuffing? How about both! Try this recipe from Taste of Home.

Potato Stuffing

Directions:In a large skillet, sauté the celery and onion in butter until tender. Stir in the remaining ingredients and transfer the mixture into a greased 3-quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for four hours or until the vegetables are tender. Makes 10 servings.

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Accompany your best-ever meal with a dazzling holiday table to complete the dining experience. Suzy Taggart (www.RoomsByTagg2) offers the following tips:

Set the mood Use candles and lamp light for a soft glow to create a warm, intimate atmosphere for your gathering.

Center stage For a dramatic centerpiece, cluster similar items. A grouping of plain white candles can make a striking focal point when set on a mirror that reflects the glow of the flames. Fill clear glass vases with round glass ornaments of various sizes in the hue of your choice, then scatter a few more ornaments at the base of the vases, intermixed with tealight candles in clear glass votives. For a more natural look, plain sticks taken from the backyard can be paired with boughs from a pine tree and placed in vases. Be sure not to use anything too tall so your guests can see each other across the table.

It’s all in the details To add an unexpected element to the holiday table, fold cloth napkins in a rectangle and place one on each dinner plate. Tie a small gift to each napkin, like a holiday or winter-themed cookie cutter, a decorated sugar cookie, or an ornament. A sprig of evergreen also adds a festive touch to the natural table.

Tie it all together If serving from a buffet table, continue the table theme for a put-together look. Do not go overboard, as the food is the main centerpiece. A mirror over the buffet will help reflect candle light, and give the space a more open feel.


Holiday Music

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Nothing sparks a bit of nostalgia like Holiday Music. Here are a few staff-picked favorites:

“O Holy Night” - I have a vivid memory as a child at a Christmas Eve service, a young woman singing this song in a most beautiful, clear voice and feeling the true spirit of the holiday. - Brenda Ward, Staff Writer

“Silent Night” - it brings back fond childhood memories. My mother used to sing it to me in German. It was her favorite too! - Debbie Ensley, Advertising

“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Andy Williams. My father used to play Andy William’s Red Christmas album while we decorated the tree when we were kids, and it was so much fun belting it out at the top of my lungs with my sisters. - Lauran Rott, Publisher

Most popular holiday song of all time? ASCAP names “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)” performed by Nat “King” Cole number one. (www.ascap.com)

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Chocolate Lattice Tart

Ingredients1/3 cup semi sweet chocolate morsels1 tbsp. butter3/4 cup pecan halves, chopped3/4 cup brown sugar1 egg2 tbsp. light corn syrup1/2 tsp. vanilla1 package refrigerated pie crusts, softened as per directions on package

Directions1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In microwave

safe bowl, combine the chocolate and butter and heat on high for 20-30 seconds, until melted and smooth. Add the pecans, brown sugar, egg, corn syrup and vanilla to the chocolate mixture. Whisk and set aside.

2. Unroll the pie crust onto a lightly floured surface and roll into a 13-inch circle. Unroll the second crust and gently fold it in half. Starting at the center, cut the folded crust crosswise into twelve 3/4 inch strips for the lattices.

3. Spoon the chocolate mixture over the center of the rolled out pie crust. Spread into a 10-inch circle and carefully twist a strip of pie crust and place evenly over the filling both horizontally and vertically to form a lattice. Firmly press the ends of each lattice into the pie crust and pinch the ends to form a nice edge (just like making a pie). Sprinkle additional pecans on top of the lattice strips, if desired.

4. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. Remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes. Tastes great with vanilla ice cream!

From the Kitchen

Justine Meyer

Making lives easier, healthier, happierWaseca | 1230 N State St | 507-835-8030

Hy-Vee’s Kitchen provides professional catering at its best! We cater large or small events - and everything in between. Don’t forget, your Waseca Hy-Vee

has wine and spirits for one-stop shopping!

Relax this year, leave the cooking to us.

Recipe by Justine MeyerExecutive Chef, Latham Place, Waseca


1. YARNNorthfield Yarn carries a broad range of yarns in a kaleidoscope of colors, along with a good selection of tools, notions, and patterns. Blue Sky Alpacas 100% Royal Alpaca Yarn, (starting at $18) Northfield Yarn, Northfield, northfieldyarn.com, 507-645-1330

2. SILVER ELEGANCESterling Silver earrings, bracelets, pendants, and rings starting at $30. (Bracelet Price $150) Chappuis Jewelers, Downtown Faribault, 507-334-7114

3. BANGLESThese expandable bangle bracelets are Eco Friendly and Made in America. Many styles in gold and silver (priced at just $24-$38), Jean Marie Gifts & More, Owatonna, 507-214-2012

4. AVEDA PRODUCTSSalon Capri carries a wide selection of AVEDA products. Gift Cards available. Great gifts for anyone on your list! Find us on Facebook (Starting at $12), Salon Capri, Faribault, saloncaprimn.com, 507-332-0585

5. SMARTWOOLAccessorize in style! SmartWool socks, hats and scarves in a variety of colors make any outfit look amazing. Great gifts for family, friends or yourself! (Starting at $17), Owatonna Shoe, Owatonna, 507-451-4640

6. CARMEL ROLLSCustom Coffee and Catering has all of your breakfast and lunch needs covered with delicious, fresh food served with a smile. Gift certificates available. We deliver! Custom Coffee and Catering, Owatonna, customcoffeeandcatering.com, 507-451-8775

Whether you’re shopping for your sister, daughter, mother or friend, sometimes the task of picking the perfect gift can be

overwhelming. We’ve asked local retailers to show us their hot gift item this holiday season, and what we got was a collection of

wonderful gifts sure to please anyone on your list.

itHoliday Gift

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7. SKIN CARESkin Euphoria in Salon Dacapo offers customized facial treatments for everyone on your holiday list! A full line of Dermalogica skin care products and gift certificates also available. Skin Euphoria at Salon Dacapo, Owatonna, online booking at salondacapo.com, 507-446-8700 or 507-837-9369

8. BUDDHA BOARDBased on the Zen concept of living in the moment. Simply paint with water, watch it slowly evaporate and start over again with a clean slate and a clear mind. A truly unique gift for all ages! (Original Buddha Board, $42; Mini Buddha Board $15) The Sketchy Artist, Northfield, thesketchyartist.com, 507-645-2811

9. TRUFFLESHand-dipped truffles, choose from Chocolate, Mocha, Black Forest, Champagne, Grand Marnier, Raspberry and many more! ($25 per lb.) Costas Candies and Restaurant, Owatonna, coastas-candies.com, 507-451-9050

10. DIAMOND HALOThe Diamond Halo Collection starting at $795! (or we will gladly set your own diamond). Only at Douglas Diamonds, Faribault, douglasdiamonds.com, 507-332-2347

11. JACKET & SCARFClassic and Casual Clothing. LAL~Live a Little Turquoise Suede Jacket ($115), Sacred Threads Scarf ($22). Fine Threads, Northfield, 507-663-7993

12. WARM & COZY FEET!Give the Gift of Warm and Cozy Feet! SmartWool socks in a variety of styles and colors and UGG slippers in several styles. Slipper by UGG ($120), SmartWool Socks ($20), Burkhartzmeyer Shoes, Downtown Faribault, burkhartzmeyershoes.com, 507-334-7774

13. FLORAL ARRANGEMENTPanache Floral has beautiful holiday center pieces and arrangements that make wonderful gifts. Panache Floral, Owatonna, panachefloral.net, 507-214-2919

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Photo by Kelli Wencl, GingerSnaps Photography

Thank you A SPECIAL

TO OUR ADVERTISERS

Kelli SackettOwner of Hair-i-tage Salon and Sisters Salon and Day Spa. Kelli is also an operator at Hair-i-tage Salon.

Favorite Holiday Business Tradition: With thirteen years of experience, the holidays are definitely my favorite! The best thing about the holidays is the decorating and the hustle and bustle of helping everyone look and feel their best for those family gatherings!

Passion outside of work: Being a mom!

Kimberly BardwellNorthfield Urgent Care, Receptionist (Also,Therapist for Dr. Bardwell, as needed. Ha!)

Favorite Holiday Business Tradition: Our clinic employees take turns hosting a Holiday “Progressive Dinner” where we enjoy eating one course per house.

Passion outside of work: Gardening.

Joyce HoogenakkerFine Threads, Owner

Favorite Holiday Business Tradition: Winter Walk.

Passion outside of work: Grandchildren!

Stephanie AmanJust Food Co-op, Marketing and Owner Services Manager

Favorite Holiday business tradition: Holiday tastings at the Co-op! There is a ton of energy in the store during that time and the store is dressed up and festive!

Passion outside of work: Family, crafting and sewing.

Kathy OlsonMillstream Commons, Executive Director

Favorite Holiday Business Tradition: Annual Holiday party with the tenants and their families.

Passion outside of work: Family, travel and gardening.

Thank you to Met-Con for the use of their lobby used in the photography.

Get to know some of our advertisers. (from left)


By Brenda K.M. Ward

Ulrika Peterson is a woman of considerable strength.

She is happily married, yet at times a single mother of four.

Her husband disappears for months at a time, but she trusts he will always return.

Her extended family lives across the world in Sweden, but she embraces her nearby friends as if they were a second family.

Ulrika is a military wife who has found ways to cope with the absence of her husband who must leave his family when duty calls, adjust-ing to everyday life and redefining celebra-

tions – like Christmas – to continue to give her family a memorable experience.

Like Ulrika, Christine Behne has no misgiv-ings about what it means to be a military family.

Married to Jim who has put in five tours of duty during his 26 years of service, she knew early on that he wouldn’t be around for long stretches of time and would miss out on holidays and special occasions – like the birth of their daughter, Nicole. But Christine, too, keeps moving forward, adapting to each deployment.

The Peterson Family

Ulrika and her husband Jeff met in Duluth where she was an exchange student from Sweden and he was in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corp (ROTC). Love and marriage,

Redefining CelebrationsHow two military families have learned to cope with deployment

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The Peterson Family


followed by four children – Nickolas, 17; Alexander, 15; Lukas, 10; and Julia, 8 – one dog, Shadow, and many moves, the family has now settled in Northfield. Jeff, presently an Air Force Major, has devoted almost 20 years to his military career, during that time missing out on five Christmases and numerous other milestones and events.

“I knew what I was getting myself into when I married him,” said Ulrika, who has learned throughout the years how to best deal with Jeff’s absence. “I know when he will be gone, so I plan ahead of time and prepare the kids. But, as the time gets closer, it starts to feel more real. All of a sudden it’s not so fun anymore.”

Though Ulrika doesn’t let it get her down for long.

“Emotionally, every few months when Jeff is away I go up and down (in mood), but I always work myself through it. Being busy really helps,” said Ulrika, who this year, along with caring for her four children, has added a new iron to her fire by starting a natural soap making business from her home (whiterocknaturals.com).

If it’s the holidays Jeff will miss, Ulrika keeps the kids involved by preparing a care box filled with gifts and photos for their dad and us-ing Skype to visit with Jeff whenever possible.

“He misses the kids tremendously when he’s gone,” said Ulrika. “He’s such a good dad. It’s definitely hard on him.”

Wanting to keep family traditions alive, the Peterson family plans their own celebration with Jeff either before or after the holidays dur-ing those times that he will be away, sometimes celebrating as early as October or as late as February.

Ulrika has also learned to accept any offers of help that she can from friends and her church community – invitations to holiday par-ties, neighborhood gatherings, meals delivered to her family, gifts delivered to Jeff, or offers to entertain the kids for a day. In fact, much of her personal “means of survival” is through the help of her closest girlfriends.

“Without my dear girlfriends, the year that Jeff was overseas would have been unbearable,” she said.

>>>

They’ve Given You Their Best. Now It’s Your Turn to Give Back.The holiday season is all about families, and so are we.As you enjoy some special time with your aging family members, we encourage you to engage in a conversation about their needs and lifestyle. At some point, routine activities take more effort or are simply too overwhelming without help.

They’ve always been there for you. Now it’s your turn to make sure they receive the care they deserve. Northfield Retirement Community offers seven varied senior living options and a wide range of services. From independent living to round-the clock care, we cater to the needs of all seniors.

When it’s time for a lifestyle change, we invite you and your family members to become a part of our extended family.

For more information, visit northfieldretirement.org or call 507-664-3466.

Northfield Retirement Community 507-664-3466 • 900 Cannon Valley Drivewww.northfieldretirement.org


The Behne Family

The Behne family of Owatonna understands the Peterson’s plight all too well.

Christine and Jim, a Supply Sergeant in the U.S. Army, have three children: Zachary, 14; William, 12; and Nicole, 8.

Throughout the years, Jim has been on five tours of duty in places like Afghanistan, Curasol and Diego Garcia – where he had to wait patiently for word of his daughter’s birth from across the world.

“It was hard not having him there for Nicole’s birth,” said Christine. “But when he first came home with his orders, I said, ‘I’m OK with this.’ I’ve never wanted to tell him no or make him feel like I didn’t want him to complete his job.”

With her mother and sister both nearby, Christine knew she could count on them for support.

Christine’s friends also extend to other wives from the “Omelet Unit” – a term for a group of men from around the state who are placed together into the same unit. If Christine needs to commiserate over Jim’s absence, these women can surely empathize, and through phone calls or Facebook chats they help each other through the challenging times.

“We miss him when he’s away, but we still have lives that must con-tinue on,” said Christine. “Basically, we needed to just keep going.”

Along with raising her family, Christine “keeps going” by running a daycare and working part-time at Cabella’s.

What you can doWhether husbands, wives, sons or daughters who must follow orders and leave their family for any number of weeks, months or even years, there is a period of adjustment and learning in coping with the temporary absence of he or she who has left. As a friend or neighbor of a military family, there are things you can do to provide assistance.

Consider hiring cleaning help for the family once a month, or shovel-ing snow from their driveway when the season calls for it. You could deliver a pizza or home-cooked meal on occasion. Perhaps you could have a child of the family spend a day of fun with you, visiting Santa or sledding. Even a simple gesture, like setting up Skype so the family can visit, is welcome.

shadow.indd 1 5/1/12 3:22 PMshadow.indd 1 5/1/12 3:22 PM

shadow.indd 1 5/1/12 3:22 PM

All faiths or beliefs are welcome.

L iving today to the fullest is a matter of fully preparing for tomorrow.

To learn more about our services, from home care to senior living to

skilled nursing, call (507) 327-7308.

Fun is important To receive a free copy.


The Behne Family

Explore: Faribault

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To help service men and women from around the country enjoy the holidays while serving away from home, here are a few more options to look into:

Holiday Mail for Heroes Each year the American Red Cross delivers holiday cards to veterans, military families and active-duty service members. The cards and personal mes-sages provide a “touch of home” for the troops during the holiday season. Cards are collected through December 7. For further information and guidelines, visit www.RedCross.org.

Send a care packageUnless you have the name and address of a soldier you personally know, the best way to go about sending a care package is to do so through a well-established or-ganization. Visit online at www.BeliefNet.com to learn about reputable organiza-tions like the USO, Operation Gratitude or Soldiers’ Angels that provide guidelines and assistance in getting packages to the troops.

Stuff stockingsHelp stuff Christmas stocking for deployed troops overseas with Opera-tion Santa, which accepts donations of funds and time. You can also donate a Christmas tree to American military units overseas. www.CitizenSam.org.

Books for SoldiersSend a “care package for the mind” through Books for Soldiers (BooksForSol-diers.com), an online venue for connect-ing soldiers with citizens, or Operation Paperback (OperationPaperback.org), which provides the address of a soldier who requests a particular book or maga-zine.

By Brenda K.M. Ward

Dream of owning your own business? Work-ing from home? Doing what you love?

Carrie Peterson took action on her dreams, starting her own business, Doggy Bows, a specialty company that creates and sells artisan dog bows designed primarily for show dogs.

A former Maltese breeder and dog show competitor, Carrie was living in Colorado when she decided upon a change. Along with her husband and children, the Peter-sons trekked across the country, settling in Northfield, and Carrie set to work on build-ing her recently formed business, concen-trating on bows for Maltese, Yorkshire Terri-ers and Shih Tzu dogs. Within just a couple of short years, sales grew exponentially with a customer base that spans the globe.

“It’s a very competitive industry; there are bow makers all over the world,” said Carrie, who had to find her own niche to make her business stand out. “I attribute my success to social media.”

Beginning with stores on eBay and Etsy, it was Facebook that boosted recognition of Doggy Bows. The savvy entrepreneur uses the medium to promote products, but also to recognize accomplishments of those in the business of show dogs. In turn, many of those top show people and breeders have become her customers and friends – one woman from Hungary even shipping to her

a Maltese, Isabella, after learning that Car-rie’s previous Maltese had died.

In addition, Carrie has built a business rela-tionship with Toni Mari Couture, a top dog clothing designer.

Though she has but one assistant, Carrie handcrafts each of the intricate bows made of top quality ribbon, Swarovski crystals and pearls, gold and silver beads, and other embellishments. The bows must also be aesthetically appropriate for the given breed, which means giving consideration to the size of the dog, the shape of the dog’s face and coloring.

No shoddy work here, these bows are meant to last, and their quality shows in the num-ber of repeat customers and overall growth in business. She offers hundreds of design options on her website, along with the op-tion for custom made bows.

“People want something hand sewn, personal designs. They want something special,” said Carrie. “Dog people take this pretty seriously.”

While the majority of her customers are dog show competitors, with prices ranging from $4.50 to $29, the bows make an affordable gift as the holidays near. She’s also expanded her offerings to include satin dog beds, quilted dog blankets, specialty made show leads and grooming items.

Carrie’s handcrafted bows can be viewed and purchased through her website, www.DoggyBows.com. G

Gone to the DogsNorthfield entrepreneur finds worldwide success with “Doggy Bows”

Carrie Peterson and “Isabella”


Explore:

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New Prague

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Try shopping consignment for the holidays!

Camille on RougeRecaptured Treasures for the Home & Garden

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For something that’s unique shop mainstream BoutiqueJeans, tops, scarves, jewelry, handbags...

123 E. Main Street, New Prague, MN 56071 952-758-4150

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Unique & Affordable GiftsHome & Seasonal Accents

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Take care with holiday decorations, especially with young dogs who will chew almost anything. Common yuletide plants, including poinsettias, mistletoe and holly berries, can be poisonous. Tinsel and small ornaments may cause chok-ing or severe intestinal problems if eaten. Animals may be electrocuted if they chew on lighting or extension cords.

Keep boxes of chocolates out of harm’s way. Chocolate is poisonous to dogs, who have been known to get into unopened wrapped boxes of chocolates under the tree and become quite ill. Don’t feed holiday leftovers to your pets. Poultry bones can splinter and changes of diet can cause vomiting and diar-rhea, especially in older dogs.

Imagine the excitement of a tree in the house in the middle of winter, especially a tree festooned with dangling items! The temptation to play is often too great for cats in particular to resist. To avoid a mishap, provide a wide flat base for the tree and consider supplementing this support with fishing line. Place only nonbreakable items within your cat’s reach.

Finally, be sure to take time to have fun with your pet over the holidays. Let your dog inspire you to go for extra walks and you will both feel better!

Dr. Alice Crook heads the Animal Welfare Unit at Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, and is on the animal welfare committee of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association. Fore more information visit www.arkinc.org/merrypets.htm#home

Keep Your Pet Safe this Holiday Season


135 W. Pearl | Owatonna

Sunday, January 20th

10:00 am to 3:00 pm

Holiday Inn Hotel & SuitesInterstate 35, Exit 45, Owatonna

Free admiSSion

For Booth information please contact Betty Frost

507.444.2389 or [email protected]

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Thousands of dollars in prizes will be given away

Photo courtesy of Frank Photography

Nov. 25 – Celebrate in the traditions of our ancestors and rural com-munities during Christmas on the Farm at Farmamerica in Waseca. You’ll find sleigh rides, outdoor activities, singing, crafts, games, dress-up photos, storytelling, tree lighting and take-home ideas for your own family get-togethers. Details: Farmamerica.org

Nov. 29 – Shattuck-St. Mary’s School of Faribault hosts “Simple Gifts” featuring guitarist Billy McLaughlin performing traditional favorites with a focus on what Christmas is really about. Details and tickets: SimpleGiftsMusic.net or s-sm.org

Nov. 29-Dec. 2 – In addition to a nationally broadcast musical performance, the four-day St. Olaf Christmas Festival features a tradi-tional Scandinavian buffet, musical performances, book signings and more on St. Olaf’s beautiful campus in Northfield. Details: StOlaf.edu

Nov 29-Dec. 29 – Find themed weekends of holiday shopping throughout Faribault during Faribault Hometown Holidays. It all begins with a Holiday Lighting Ceremony featuring Santa and carolers setting the mood. Details: FaribaultMN.org

Nov. 30-Dec. 1 – A Victorian Christmas awaits you at the Village of Yesteryear. See the historic Dunnell Mansion lavishly decorated for the holidays, and take part in horse-drawn sleigh rides, an Artisan Market, caroling, wassail and more at Christmas in the Village held at the Steele County Historical Society in Owatonna. Details: SteeleCo-HistoricalSociety.org

Nov. 30-Dec. 16 – The Northfield Arts Guild presents several performances of “White Christmas.” Based on one of America’s most beloved Christmas movies, this merry musical tells the tale of two successful song-and-dance men, two singing sisters, and a deserted

A Season of Celebration

A Season of Celebration


Wrap yourself in a warm coat and slip on some cozy boots. And don’t forget your holiday spirit as you celebrate the season throughout the region at any of the following upcoming events.

“Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!”

Vermont inn. Also, stop by the downtown Arts Guild for the Festival of Wreaths featuring artist-decorated holiday décor, from traditional to wacky in expression. Details and tickets: NorthfieldArtsGuild.org

Dec. 1 – Shop to your heart’s content at the noon Christmas Bou-tique and follow it up with the Holiday Lights Parade at 6:30 p.m. in downtown Le Sueur. Details: LeSueurChamber.org

Dec. 1-2 – Hear favorite holiday classics in this original Paradise Center for the Arts (Faribault) musical event. Filled with the warmth and kindness of the season you will be left with a joyful vision of the holidays. Details and tickets: ParadiseCenterForTheArts.org.

Dec. 1-2 – The Sights & Sounds of Christmas Housewalk, an annual Christmas benefit for the Waseca Arts Council, features five homes decked out for the holidays. Details: WasecaArtsCouncil.org

Dec. 6 – Stroll along luminary-lined streets during this Norman Rockwell-style Christmas tradition known as the Northfield Winter Walk. Experience downtown dining, discounted shopping, holiday music, horse-drawn wagon rides and cozy fires to warm your hands by. Details: NorthfieldChamber.com

Dec. 21 – Ugly Sweater Party with live music by the Mary Guentzel Quintet from at Indian Island Winery, Janesville. Details: IndianIsland-Winery.com

Dec. 21 – Faribault’s River Bend Nature Center celebrates the short-est day of the year with a Winter Solstice Celebration bonfire and cookout supper. Later, following a night hike, return to the bonfire for marshmallow toasting and sharing of winter stories. Details: rbnc.org

Coprorate Graphics

Print Solutions:

Doug Jones

• Brochures• Catalogs• Direct Mail• Posters• Hard Cover Books• Soft Cover Books• Magazines and More. . .

507-381-1540 • 800-891-1345 • [email protected]


Wellness

Do you ever get stressed over the holiday season; feel like there’s a million things to do, too many people to see and too much to cook in too little time? Well, this happens every year and what I want to know is how to not feel that way every time the holidays roll around. Therefore, I am in search of how we can better manage our stress, so that the holiday season can truly be about merriment and good tidings. I have searched high and low and have found a few little tricks that I think really can help bring in the joy this season. I have three things that I find most helpful in managing the holiday season stresses.

The first thing I find that helps me to keep the stress at bay is ‘mak-ing a list and checking it twice.’ In all seriousness, I do make a list of the things I need to get done and prioritize the list in two ways: (1) when the tasks need to be completed by and (2) by the impor-tance of the task. This helps to create a road map of where I should be putting my energy first so that I don’t feel overwhelmed by the whole list, but just focus on the next task at hand. If by some un-foreseen chance my list doesn’t goes as planned, the second line of defense is to take some time under the mistletoe and breathe.

Some of the best defense against being stressed in the moment is to stop and breathe. I know it sounds silly, but just taking a few seconds to calm yourself and your breathing, can truly help to relieve stress. The best breathing exercise I have done is to count to four while you inhale and then count again to four while you exhale. As your breath begins to slow, count to five, then to six and so on until you reach eight. This sounds simple, but it takes serious control to inhale for a count of eight. Once you’ve done two cycles of counting to eight on both the inhale and the exhale, decrease the count back down

to seven and then six until you reach four again. You’ll feel so much calmer and now you can tackle the list again with a clear head.

Another good defense against stress is to make sure you are getting enough restful sleep. I know that this is a struggle for some, even in the least stressful times, but it’s really important to get nestled snugly in bed so that you can dream of dancing sugar-plums. If you are like me and don’t sleep well and have an especially hard time getting your mind to quiet itself so that you can fall asleep, there are some great aids available. One of my favorite supplements that helps with both stress and sleep is Rescue Remedy. Rescue Remedy is a brand name of a five flower essence formulated for stress reduction. Rescue Remedy has recently come out with a sleep formula that is made to help quiet the mind and calm the nerves so you can fall peace-fully asleep. Another great aid is L-Theanine which is an amino acid naturally found in the body that works by calming the alpha brain waves (the ones that get all out of whack when your brain won’t stop chatting) and has the added side effect of making you drowsy.

Let’s recap your ‘less stress holiday!’ 1. Make a list and check it twice.2. Take time to breathe.3. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep.

If all of your planning and good intentions manage to fail you, just remember to make the best of it. This too shall pass. And hey-it’s supposed to be a celebration, so get out there and make the season merry.

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How to Survive and Thrive this Holiday SeasonBy Meg Jensen-Witt, Just Food Co-op Wellness Manager


Wellness

Want to look taller? How about define your waist, enlarge your bustline and slim down your overall figure? Good news – it may be a simple matter of finding the right bra!

Studies show that 8 of every 10 women are wearing the wrong size bra (OneHanesPlace.com) – something a proper bra measuring can fix. But measuring for bra size isn’t a one-time deal. For an ongoing appropriate fit, it’s vital to measure yourself regularly, as bra size changes with age, weight, exercise routines, pregnan-cies and even menstruation cycles.

OneHanesPlace.com offers the following guidelines to ensure the proper fit:

1. When measuring, wear a non-padded bra and, if possible, have someone else measure you using a soft tape measure.

2. For band fit, measure snugly around your rib cage, under your bust and shoulder blades, then add 5 inches. Example: 30” + 5” = 35”. If you get an even number, this is your band size. If you get an odd number, round up one. Example: 35” + 1” = 36”.

3. For bust size, take a loose measurement around the fullest part of your bust. Example: 38”.

4. To determine your cup size, subtract the band measurement from the bust measurement. Example: 38” - 35” = 3”. Use the chart below to determine your cup size: Example: 3” = C cup.

A key thing to remember: accept your bra size. Stick with what the measure-ments show, not the size you want to be. If you’re in between sizes, go larger. Also, use common sense. If the bra rides up in back or the cups wrinkle, it’s clearly too big. If the band digs in or the cups overflow, it’s too small. >>>

If difference is: 0” 1” 2” 3” 4” 5” 6” 7” 8” 9”

Then cup size is: AA A B C D DD DDD&F G H I

Bra Sizes for Most Bras & All-in-Ones

Underwire, lace and seamless – Your sure-fit guide to bras and panties

Fine Threads in Northfield hosts bra fitting events

throughout the year. To find out when the next event is

contact Joyce at 507-663-7993

oh my!



Wellness

Partner to the right bra is a properly fitting panty. Find the size that’s right for you with these guidelines from HerRoom.com.

Finding Your Panty SizeDetermining your proper panty fit requires that you know two components: waist measurement and hip measurement.

Waist measurement – Measure your waist by placing the tape measure around the natural indentation or break in your waist. Hip measurement – Measure the fullest part of your hips, making sure the tape measure remains parallel to the floor.

Once you have those numbers, look at the chart to determine your proper panty size. If your measurements represent two different sizes, go with the larger one.

Let’s Talk Panties (without lines)

What type of bra strap should I look for?With modern engineering, no bra should have annoying straps. Look for padded straps, wide straps, no-slip straps, convertible straps and comfort straps. There are also several options of the no-show variety, including backless, spaghetti strap and halter styles that are much more comfortable and secure than those of the past.

Where are breasts supposed to sit? Breasts should sit midway between your waist and your collarbone.

Some of my bras are hot or cause extra perspiration. I need a more breathable fabric in my bra.Choose a cotton or cotton blend bra that allows air to circulate and helps remove body moisture by absorbing it and wicking it away from the skin. Many sports bras are designed in this way.

What is the best way to launder my bras and panties? Using the washing machine is fine, but make sure hooks are latched to avoid tangling or hooking onto other clothing. Wash on delicate cycle in cool water with gentle detergent. Always air-dry, as heat breaks down the spandex.

Lace, seamless and underwire – which to wear?A pretty bra can make you feel feminine, so unless you’re wearing a fitted shirt or sheer fabric blouse, throw on a lacy bra with sexy match-ing panties.

Underwire bras were created to allow a bra to have less coverage, while still being supportive, so make a good overall bra. Though if not com-fortable for you, there are many non-wire styles that give similar sup-port.

Smooth knit sweater or fitted tops – Go for a seamless, uplifting bra.

Bulky sweater – Wear a bra with shaping, like an underwire bra.

Sheer blouse – This requires a seamless flesh-tone bra.

If I don’t want my bra to show under thin fabric or light colored clothing, what color should I wear?Wear colors as close as possible to your skin tone.

Waist Measurement Hip Measurement Panty Size

25”-26” 35”-36” 5 S 27”-28” 37”-38” 6 M 29”-30” 39”-40” 7 L 31”-32” 41”-42” 8 XL 33”-34” 43”-44” 9 XXL 35”-36” 45”-46” 10 XXXL 37”-38” 47”-48” 11 39”-40” 49”-50” 12 41”-42” 51”-52” 13 43”-44” 53”-54” 14 45”-46” 55”-56” 15

Q&A: Bras and Panties(Compliments of OneHanesPlace.com and HerRoom.com)

What can I do to stop my thighs from jiggling and shaking?A control brief with legs should solve the problem. Various lengths are available, like biker pant length to support the tummy and thin the upper thigh; capri length to provide a slimmer and more elon-gated silhouette for most of your leg to the calf; and a long leg-liner to shape and smooth your entire leg.

How do I eliminate panty lines? Wearing a thong or a g-string will eliminate panty lines in the back. However, if you find those uncomfortable, consider wearing a slip or pant-liner between your panty and garment. If this doesn’t work, consider a long-leg style shape-wear brief.

G-string or thong? Though you’ll likely have that initial “wedgie” feeling when first try-ing on a thong or g-string, many women claim that the uncomfort-able feeling quickly goes away and that the panties actually feels quite comfortable. Unlike a g-string that is, literally, a string in back, a thong has a more generous cut of about an inch of fabric. Both work great for reducing panty lines under tight dresses or skirts and are perfectly suitable for women of all sizes.

Probably the most over-looked piece of lingerie today is the slip. However, if your outfit calls for one and you forgot to put it on, look out! The world will be seeing more of you than you intended.

A slip is a very helpful garment to have in your wardrobe. For example, if an unlined wool dress makes you itch, a slip between you and the dress can make wearing it bearable. Or, if you have a sheer skirt and don’t want your silhouette to show through, a slip is just the trick. A slip can also smooth the lines of a clingy knit. Slips aren’t just for your grandmother. Finding Your Personal Slip Size

Full Slip: The traditional slip as we know it is called a full slip. These slips almost always have adjustable straps and can be as decorative or plain as you like. Sizing for these slips comes two ways: dress size (e.g. size 8 dress, size 8 slip) or bra band measurement (e.g. 34C bra size, 34 slip size).

Half slip: The half slip is very popular. It begins at the waist with an elastic waistband and comes in varying lengths depending on the skirt length you wear. Sizing for a half slip is based on your hip measurement.

Half slips are based on an av-erage 5’ 4” woman. If you are taller, you may need to buy the next longest half slip.

Slips: Not just for your grandmother

(Compliments of HerRoom.com)

Hip Measurement Half Slip Size

32-35” Petite 36-38” Small 39-41” Medium 42-44” Large

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CaLL for an appointment: 507.645.9202 Using “functional fitness” to enhance everyday living

By Brenda K.M. Ward

Exercise isn’t always about slimming down or sculpting rock-hard abs. Some people wish for the ability to join their kids in a game of kick-ball, while others simply want to carry groceries into the house with ease or work their way out of bed without pain.

Tailoring your workout to accommodate such everyday tasks with greater comfort is exactly what functional fitness is all about – using “real life” postures to prepare for day-to-day situations.

“Going up a flight of stairs, reaching for a can in the cupboard – instead of going for a perfect look, functional fitness is a way to encourage being healthy and feeling good in everyday life,” said Aaron Peterson, ISSA certified personal trainer of Northfield. “Basi-cally, it’s training for life.”

A synergistic exercise, functional fitness is designed to have several body parts moving at one time to teach your muscles, and therefore your body, to work as a whole. Typically weights are used – kettle bells, fitness balls, or hand weights – for a simultaneous multi-joint, multi-muscle exercise.

Fitness trainers like Peterson use their expertise to tailor a pro-gram that meets the goals of the individual, focusing on meaning-ful tasks. Using a variety of exercises that includes core, balance, flexibility and strength, the workouts move progressively towards higher levels of difficulty that are performed in context-specific environments. A squat-to-bicep curl combination (squatting while moving dumbbell into bicep curl), for example, would be benefi-cial for one who has trouble picking up a laundry basket or young child, as it combines upper and lower body movement in one exercise. A multi-directional lunge (stepping one leg in front of, behind, or to the side of the other) prepares your body for activities like vacuuming and yard work.

The benefits of functional fitness exercises are typically noticed fairly quickly. What’s more, it helps increase flexibility and range of motion and reduces the risk of injury.

“If you have chronic pain, first talk to your doctor and make sure you are physically able to complete a workout program. Most train-ers will be able to come up with a program to fit your objective,” said Peterson. “The best exercise you can do is the one you will do.”

Peterson is an employee of Huckle Media and can be reached at [email protected].

Fit for life


FUNCTIONAL FITNESS: WHO NEEDS IT?If you find yourself victim to any of the following, you do!

• Sports, running, or even walking is challenging• Unable to comfortably play with your children• Have difficulty in picking up objects from the floor or in getting

up from the floor• Find it painful to climb the stairs• Raking leaves, sweeping or vacuuming leaves you feeling the

pain• It is challenging to reach overhead• Carrying grocery bags, laundry baskets or other heavy objects

is a strain• You want to improve posture or balance• You want more to achieve better overall fitness and quality of

life

10/08/12 -- Mammograms - 7.75” x 4.90”

To run in the following:Owatonna Peoples Press -- Girlfriend’s Magazine October, 2012

Questions: Travis Kunz / intelliGraphix inc. / 320.685.7400

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My mother-in-law wanted to travel to Germany and she didn’t want to go alone.

“Would you two come along?” she asked me and her son.

And a two-week trip to Germany turned into a one-month travel adventure. It was a trip of a lifetime and a fulfillment of a long-held travel dream.

Travel can be an uplifting source of excitement and adventure. Going to new places. Experimenting with new things. Trying new foods. Making new friends. Bringing home new memories. Or simply revisiting favorites from a lifetime of such experiences.

My mother-in-law’s dream was to go to the country of her heritage, but you don’t necessarily have to leave the country or even your state to experience travel abroad. You can find “foreign” opportunities close to home.

Most cities of any size, and lots of small towns, have a variety of heritage festivals and other celebrations throughout the year. They provide a chance to experience, or re-experience, the food, the dress, the crafts, the history, the language of a new or favorite place – and without crossing a time-zone line or lining up for a customs check. These days, for example, I do a lot of foreign travel without ever leaving my home state of Minnesota via Concordia Language Villages’ adult weeks and weekends with language and culture themes (www.ConcordiaLanguageVillages.org). My group often tells me, “I feel like I’m in Norway,” while in the Northern woods of Minnesota.

My mother-in-law had experienced the heritage festivals, and was now ready

to head across the pond. This was her dream trip, so it was important to tailor our locations and outings to fit with my mother-in-law’s desires. She collects Inge-Glas Christmas ornaments, so I organized a private tour at their factor — all easily done via email. And our glass-blower tour guide was terrific. While I may not have included the factory tour in my personal tour, it turned out to be a highlight for all. My mother-in-law holds it in high regard.

Certainly there were accommodations we had to keep in mind to pull off a great trip — especially when traveling with your husband and his mother. We are fortunate that we like and love each other! You may also need to consider particular conditions so they can travel safely and successfully: wheelchair access, special diets or accommodations, the ability to bring along an attendant. Many places will seat people with limited mobility or other physical handicaps first, or find ways to relieve them from the draining ordeal of standing in lines.

I often schedule extra time at airports, so that we’re not racing through crowds with luggage in tow. Get there early, find an airport lounge. Yes, it costs more, but they are worth their weight in gold, especially when traveling with people who need extra time or get sick.

At the end of our December trip, my mother-in-law had caught the cold we were passing back and forth. We purchased a day’s stay in the Copenhagen Airport Apartment and were able to spread out, relax, snack and even sleep. Instead of our trip ending on a sore note, we were able to sit back and enjoy the memories from the month.

Happy traveling! -Kari Berit (www.KariBerit.com) is a radio show host, speaker and the author of The Unexpected Caregiver: How Boomers Can Keep Mom & Dad Active, Safe and Independent. Find her on Facebook

A Trip of a Lifetime-Your Parents and Their Travel Dreams

Unexpected Caregiver | Kari Berit

where local women turn

Have a story idea? We’d love to hear it!

Email ideas to Brenda Ward, at [email protected]

www.girlfriends.mn

Having one special person for your car, home and life insurance lets you get down to business with the rest of your life. It’s what I do.GET TO A BETTER STATE™. CALL ME TODAY.

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ADVENTUROUS CAT LOVER seeks adventurous cat owner. Please be employed and willing to relocate. Especially fond of black and white tuxedo cats. All responses will be answered. Looking for that Purrr-fect match.

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Waseca, MN 56093Bus: 507-835-8301

[email protected] State Farm logo

The State Farm logo is the most visible expression of our corporate identity. It’s composed of the three-oval symbol, which grows out of the State Farm historic identifier, and a modified version of the State Farm wordmark. The logo has been designed to work effectively in all media and at all sizes and should be used to represent State Farm in all forms of communication. The State Farm logo is one of the most recognized in the world. We must leverage its recognition and protect its use. It has a trademark registration and should not be altered for any reason. The State Farm wordmark is an update of the 2007 wordmark. The letters have been carefully drawn to provide maximum legibility at all sizes, and to provide a consistent italic form. The stylized wordmark is always part of the State Farm logo and should never be used alone. The stroke widths, the letter spacing, and the size relationships of the various components of the logo have been carefully developed and should never be altered or recreated. Electronic artwork files are available in the “Downloads” section of the Brand Center. Download artwork

State Farm Brand Center Our Standards - The State Farm logo

Printed on: Jan 05 2012

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Nobody offers more drivers more discounts. So get yours. This time of year, extra money comes in handy. Let State Farm® carve some fat off your car insurance bill. GET TO A BETTER STATE.® CALL AN AGENT OR VISIT US ONLINE TODAY.

Celebrate Thanksgetting.


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State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, State Farm Indemnity Company, Bloomington, IL1103138.1

Nobody offers more drivers more discounts. So get yours. This time of year, extra money comes in handy. Let State Farm® carve some fat off your car insurance bill. GET TO A BETTER STATE.® CALL AN AGENT OR VISIT US ONLINE TODAY.

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Our Team is here for you.

Plemel Insurance AgencyJudy Plemel, Agent

920 Hoffman Drive, Owatonna, MN 55060Bus: 507-451-4619 • www.plemelagency.com



Girlfriends Guide

• Education

BETHLEHEM ACADEMYBethlehem Academy, a Sinsinawan Dominican Catholic school founded in 1865, is currently home to students in grades 7-12. We strive to em-power our students and staff to achieve personal, spiritual and academic excellence. Call 507-334-3948 to schedule a visit today! 105 3rd Ave SW, Faribault, 507-334-3948, www.bacards.org

• Financial Resources

BRAD L. RUNNING CLU® Financial Advisor, Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., 1850 Austin Road, Suite 104 , Owatonna, MN 55060 , [email protected] , [email protected]/brad.l.running

SANDY WENKER, CPAConveniently located in downtown Faribault, San-dy Wenker, CPA, provides tax planning & prepara-tion, payroll services, accounting & bookkeeping, QuickBooks assistance & training, and new busi-ness consulting. Call or stop in at 14 3rd Street NE, Faribault. 507-333-3973 www.faribaultcpa.com

CASTLE ROCK BANKThe Castle Rock Bank has been serving the women in this community for 96 years. To answer the question, “What do women want in banking?” We believe the answer is, “To be heard, understood, respected and valued.” 27925 Danville Ave Castle Rock • (507) 645-7751 www.castlerockbank.net

STATE BANK OF FARIBAULTState Bank of Faribault is an innovative community bank with two locations in Faribault (established in 1919). Offering business loans, home mort-gage, free mobile banking, free online banking and more, SBF is a leader in convenience, as well as customer service. 507-332-7401 www.tsbf.com Member FDIC Equal housing Lender

• Food & Entertainment

COUNTRY KITCHENStill strong on the comfort foods that have defined us for years, today’s menu features old favorites and ex-citing new flavors. Guests will find Country Kitchen a perfect place to have breakfast anytime of the day or wind down with one of our tempting desserts. Stop in today! 3050 Hwy 60, Faribault, 507-332-4007 www.countrykitchenrestaurants.com

LEGACY GOLF & THE GRILL AT THE LEGACY The Legacy is a championship 18-hole facility offer-ing value-added golf and a warm friendly environ-ment for golf outings & casual dining. It provides a unique setting for meetings, reunions, groom’s din-ners, banquets and bridal showers. The indoor Grill can accommodate 30-50 people & the open-air Pa-vilion can accommodate up to 170. 1515 Shumway Ave, Faribault, 507-332-7177 www.legacygolf.net

• Health & Wellness

CURVES OF OWATONNACome see why Curves is the largest fitness fran-chise in the world! We have CurvesSmart! Our state-of-the-art personalized coaching system gives you moment-by-moment feedback. We have Curves Complete! The only plan with diet, exer-cise, and motivation all in one place! Lose up to 20 lbs of fat in 90 days. We also have Curves Circuit with ZUMBA! Owatonna Curves,1828 S Cedar Ave, 507-455-4060

FIT FOR LIFEFit for Life is a 24-hour Fitness Center located just off Hwy 21 N. We specialize in individual and group personal training as well as weight manage-ment and group fitness classes. State of the Art Cybex Equipment is on site for those who prefer to do it alone. 1400 Cannon Circle, Suite 6, Faribault, 507-333-5430 www.fitforlifemn.com

HOLLAND FAMILY DENTALHolland Family Dental is located in the Profes-sional Building on Hillcrest Ave. in Owatonna. We have been in Owatonna since 1996 and concen-trate on dentistry for the entire family. We offer services in preventive, cosmetic and comprehen-sive care which includes implants and up-to-date dental technology. Please visit us at 605 Hillcrest Ave. Owatonna MN. 507-451-7250

IT WORKS!Have you tried that crazy wrap thing yet? Tighten, tone, and firm your problem areas...see results in as little as 45 minutes. Actual fat loss, not water weight! Maria Hoisington, 612-702-3881, [email protected], busymomof5.myitworks.com, facebook.com/ItWorksWrapItWithMaria

MAIN STREET DENTALMain Street Dental Clinics offer comprehensive dentistry for the entire family. Main Street special-izes in superb customer service and gentle dental care. Our office has expanded hours including two evenings and all day Saturday. Relax-It’s Main Street Dental with offices in Blooming Prairie, Owatonna, Rochester and New Richland. 507-455-1000. Visit us at www.mainstreetdentalclinics.com.

MILLSTREAM COMMONS ASSISTED LIVINGMillstream Commons Assisted Living is located in downtown Northfield. 44 Assisted Living apart-ments (studio, 1 and 2 BR) featuring three meals a day, supportive nursing care, respite care, & life enrichment activities. Pets allowed. Licensed Housing with Services provider. Part of the Three Links Community. Member of Aging Services of Minnesota. 210 8th St W, Northfield, 507-650-9627, threelinks.org

NORTHFIELD URGENT CARE Tired of waiting to see your doctor for simple prob-lems like sore throats and earaches? We provide walk-in medical care for all ages, from infants to adults. We are open 7 days per week and no ap-pointment is needed! Quick, easy and efficient! 2014 Jefferson Rd Suite C, Northfield, MN 55057, 507-664-9999, www.northfieldurgentcare.com.

PAULA J. DETJEN, MA, LMFT, LPC Licensed Family Therapist serving children, teens, adults & couples in downtown Northfield, MN. Areas of expertise: anxiety, depression, grief/loss, self-image, relationships, transitions, school & work challenges, family issues, and gambling concerns. A solution-focused therapist, provid-ing support, practical feedback, integrating meth-odologies & techniques to help clients effectively address personal life challenges. With compassion & understanding, builds on individual’s strengths & helps others achieve their personal goals. 105 E Fourth St, Suite 301, Northfield, 507-581-0430, www.DetjenCounseling.com

REPOSE MASSAGE THERAPYREPOSE Massage Therapy is located at 152 East Pearl in Owatonna. (Dow Chiropractic). Off-street parking. NEW modality offered for chronic pain: CUPPING. Receive massage regularly for cumula-tive benefits: pain and stress reduction. Visit www.owatonnamassage.com for more information, or phone (507)323-5031. Please leave a message!

THE NORTHFIELD AREA FAMILY YMCAThe Northfield Area Family YMCA is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing opportunities for all individuals, families, and the community to achieve their fullest potential. From summer camps, to youth sports, to preschool activities and adult wellness, we have something for everyone. Become a member of the YMCA! 519 Division Street, Northfield 507-645-0088, www.north-fieldymca.org. Scholarships are available to ensure everyone can participate.

• Home & Garden

CEDAR FLORALCedar Floral is located in downtown Owatonna. We are a full service floral shop, specializing in gift and home décor items, custom silk arrangements and the freshest quality flowers available. Our profes-sional design staff is here to assist you. 314 N Cedar,

Owatonna, 507-451-7673. www.cedarfloral.com

JUDYS FLORAL DESIGNWhether Your Wedding is black tie/ ballroom or barefoot on the beach or somewhere in between! Beautiful, quality flowers and great ideas start with Judy Smith. “Specializing in fresh creative and affordable blooms for all the flower moments of your life” 507-645-0008, 300 Railway St. North, Dundas, judysfloraldesign.com

Girlfriends Guide


NORTHFIELD CONSTRUCTION COMPANYNorthfield Construction Company handles all types of residential remodeling---and promises a clean job site at all times. You and your dwell-ing are respected at all times—no lost pets, no smoking---just good work. For all your remodel-ing needs contact Ray Cox at 507-645-8975. www.northfieldconstruction.net

OWATONNA MORTGAGEFinancing, or refinancing a home doesn’t have to be a complicated procedure if you have the right professional to guide you through the process. With Owatonna Mortgage you are guaranteed to receive supreme client care and trustworthy advice throughout the entire process. We know how valu-able and precious your time is. NMLS #320358. 507-676-2708, 122 N Cedar, Suite A, Owatonna, www.facebook.com/OwatonnaMortgage

SIMON BROS CEMENT CO.Simon Bros Cement Co. has been serving the Northfield area since 1969. We specialize in qual-ity concrete and masonry including foundations, driveways, epoxy garage floors. Call for a free es-timate. We will look at your project and use 40+ years of experience to share ideas and advice. Call Ray 612-328-4591

• Insurance

AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE BART JACKSON AGENCY American Family Insurance offers home, automo-bile, atv, motorcycle, boat, commercial business, farm and life insurance. We are available to meet with you personally to review your situation and provide recommendations as to the proper cov-erage’s for your needs. Bart Jackson Insurance Agency, 408 Central Ave N, Suite D, Faribault, MN 55021. 507-332-6812.

AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE THERESE WHITESONG AGENCYWe’re a J.D. Power and Associates Distinguished Insurance Agency. We’re among a select group that demonstrated the ability to consistently deliver “An Outstanding Customer Experience.” Whether you need insurance for your auto, home, life, health, or business, we listen to you to determine the right insurance that fits your needs. Therese Whitesong Agency, American Family Insurance. Telephone: 507-645-5010, 510 Washington St South, North-field, www.ThereseWhitesong.com

STEVE MORGAN AGENCYThe Steve Morgan Agency has received the “JD Powers Award for outstanding customer experience” for 8 years in a row. Call and let his Licensed Staff “wow” you with their experience. Insurance should have a personal Fit. Does Yours? 200 Western Ave, Faribault, 507-334-0140 www.stevemorganagency.com

• Shopping

A TOUCH OF CHARMA Touch of Charm is a quaint florist and gift shop in downtown Blooming Prairie, Minnesota. Leanne Hanson, owner, has been providing home accents, decorating ideas, gift and full service floral for the area since 1988. We specialize in a mixture of tradi-tional, cottage and countrypolitan accents for your home and a unique array of gifts that you can’t wait to give. 507-583-7637, atouchofcharmonline.com

THE PAPER PETALUMThe Paper Petalum in the historic Archer House (212 Division St.) offers friendly customer service and unique gifts for all occasions. Locally owned and operated since 1987 we specialize in Scandina-vian gifts, Minnesota products, decorative napkins, Polish Pottery, Rothschild foods, and much, much more. Stop in and visit us. 507-663-0565.

UPTOWN CONSIGNMENTVisit Uptown Consignment of Owatonna, MN for all of your women’s clothing and home décor needs. We offer a unique shopping experience with a personal touch! Our New and Next To New items are of exceptional quality and style! We have new inventory coming in daily - so stop back often! Our consignment shop provides a large selection of quality women’s clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories. Sizes range from juniors to plus, offer-ing something for everyone! We also offer a large selection of home décor, furniture and more! We only showcase quality items at Uptown Consign-ment! Stop in today! 207 N Cedar Ave Owatonna, MN 55060, 507-201-4509 www.uptownconsignment.net

• Transportation

COMMUNITY CO-OPThe Community Co-op is located in beautiful and historic downtown Faribault, MN. We were or-ganized in 1925 and have been a cornerstone of this community ever since. We specialize in fuels, lubricants, tires, and vehicle service, all for an af-fordable price. Women live busy lives, our staff un-derstands how important service and convenience are. That is why we are the Company where our customers send their friends. 9 Central Ave, Farib-ault (507)334-2056, www.coopoilfblt.com

NORTHFIELD LINES, INC.Have your group arrive in style when you pull up in one of our luxurious motor or mini coaches. Single or multi-day sightseeing trips, shopping, girlfriend getaways, dining, concerts, weddings, receptions, casino visits – you name the event and we will get your group there safely and on time. 32611 Northfield Blvd, Northfield, 800-944-2190, www.northfieldlines.com

Be Scene, People“

“Dec. 14

Capturing Life’s Moments...

NEW location! 1620 Hwy 60 West, Suite C (west door), Faribault

507-334-5488 | gingersnapshots.com

GingerSnaps Photography by Kelli Wencl

New Location!

We’re a small-town community bank, but we’re big on YOU!

Banks are as different as the people who work in them. We’re just a small-town community bank. Our approach to banking is an emphasis on prefessional but small-town-friendly servce.

Please join us for our

Holiday Open House December 14th • 2-4pm Enjoy live music, cookies, cider and coffee

Not all banks are the same. Nicollet couNty BaNk 220 South Third St. St. Peter, MN

(507)931-3310www.nicolletcountybank.com

Women of NCB

Happy Holidays from Nicollet County Bank

Documents

Holiday Issue 2012