January 2019 Facets

FACETS

JANUARY 2019

The magazine for women.

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Podcast marks 50th anniversary of Story County plane crash In December 1968, a fighter jet crashed into Peter Tjernagel’s rural home. The story is one of family, faith, community and a search for justice.

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The magazine for women.

Contributors

MARLYS BARKER LYN KEREN RONNA LAWLESS Design

ALEX FELKER Publisher

SCOTT ANDERSON Tribune Editor

MICHAEL CRUMB

ADVERTISERS

To advertise in Facets magazine, contact Tory McKay at (515) 432-6694 PHONE (515) 663-6923 ADDRESS 317 Fifth St. Ames, IA, 50010 EMAIL news@amestrib.com ONLINE www.amestrib.com/sections/ special-sections/facets

Facets is a monthly publication of GateHouse Media Iowa Holdings.

Ames Middle School student honored as 2018 Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy See page 14

ON THE COVER:

"Follinglo" is a podcast, available at www.FollingloPodcast.com, created by Jenn HansondePaula and her husband, Marcus dePaula, to honor the 50th anniversary of a tragedy at the family farm of Jenn's family. The cover art for the podcast was designed by Katie Crumrine, daughter of Ingeborg Tjernagel Schey. The image was created using a photo of the corn crib destroyed in the fire caused by the explosion. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

FACETS Table of contents New Year’s Resolutions 4 5 6 7

Don’t diet solo

Study reveals ongoing support is key to weight loss.

Doctor’s suggestions

10 recommendations for New Year’s resolutions.

How tech can help

5 ways technology can aid you in your resolutions.

Home remedies: Cold solutions that work

Staying healthy in the new year.

On the Cover: FOLLINGLO 8

Podcast marks 50th anniversary of plane crash near Story City In December 1968, a fighter jet crashed into Peter Tjernagel’s rural home. The story is one of family, faith, community and a search for justice.

Around Ames 14 Ames Middle School student honored for philanthropy

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Grace McCunn is your 2018 Outsanding Youth in Philanthropy.

ISU grad is honored for her art

Iowa State grad receives prestigious 2019 Tulsa Arts Fellowship.

Treats for all occasions

Nevada graduate’s in-home bakery has great pastries and treats.

GI Jill’s

New bar and grill in Roland offers community feel, veteran support.

A unique bakery

Zearing in-home bakery is raising money for a future adoption.

A new face at Story Medical

Story Medical hires a Nevada graduate to join its physician team.

It’s Sew Tempting

A new quilt shop opens in Story City.

FACETS

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New Year’s Resolutions

Don’t diet solo Study reveals ongoing support key to weight loss

By StatePoint Media

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eight loss is a common New Year’s resolution. But for many, weight loss is a constant struggle, full of frustration, fad diets and forgotten workout DVDs. It doesn’t have to be that way. New research reveals a critical element that can make all the difference between an ongoing health struggle and successfully shedding excess weight — and keeping it off long-term. The secret? Don’t fly solo when it comes to trying to lose weight.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, discovered that individuals following structured weight loss programs with support were more likely to lose weight and more likely to keep off the weight, than those who did not. The findings were drawn from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which used the results of the study to update their 2018 statement to officially recommend programs with ongoing support for adults with a body mass index of 30 or higher.

For the average American struggling with lasting weight loss, the study’s findings are clear. Based on a review of 100 weight loss and weight maintenance programs, the best results came from structured programs that included regular in-person meetings, meetings that provide education and personal connection; and a holistic approach.

Weight loss experts also point to the benefits of comprehensive programs — such as Jenny Craig — in helping those seeking to lose weight learn how to keep it off for good.

“This peer-reviewed study, published in one of the most reputable medical journals, provides valuable direction for healthcare providers and consumers who are looking for 4 | FACETS | JANUARY 2019

scientifically-sound guidance as they strive for optimal health and weight management,” said Dr. Pamela Peeke, chair of the Jenny Craig Science Advisory Board. “This new recommendation highlights the importance of ongoing support in weight management.”

Today, more than 35 percent of men and 40 percent of women in the U.S. are obese. Obesity is associated with a wide range of health problems, including increased risk for coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, various types of cancer, gallstones, physical disability and an increased risk for death, particularly among adults younger than 65.

With more than 100 million U.S. adults living with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, finding effective and sustainable weight loss methods is critical for a large portion of Americans.

“Jenny Craig has understood the importance of offering support for more than 35 years; it is the cornerstone of our program,” said Monty Sharma, CEO and president of Jenny Craig. “Personalized human guidance not only keeps people motivated, but also allows for a customized approach for each individual and their life situation.”

Members of the program meet weekly with their personal consultant one-on-one to discuss their progress, create customized meal plans, address challenges and plan the week ahead. Of note, the study found strongest success among those who met at least every two weeks, with those meeting more often seeing even better results.

If you are embarking on a weight loss effort, consider how ongoing support and science-driven structure can help you achieve lasting results. ·

New Year’s Resolutions

10 doctor-recommended New Year’s resolutions

By StatePoint Media

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ith the new year upon us, you may be looking for resolutions that will help to keep you and your loved ones healthy and happy in the year ahead.

“This is the perfect time of year to consider your personal goals, and how you can make positive health choices in the coming year,” said American Medical Association President Barbara L. McAneny, M.D. “Small lifestyle changes today can have a lasting effect in improving your health.”

To help you start the year off on the right foot, McAneny and the experts at the AMA are offering 10 recommendations to help you determine where you can make the most impactful, long-lasting improvements to your health.

Learn your risk for type 2 diabetes by taking the self-screening test at DoIHavePrediabetes.org. Steps you take now can help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.

Be more physically active. Adults should do at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity activity.

Know your blood pressure numbers. Visit LowerYourHBP.org to better understand your numbers and take necessary steps to get your high blood pressure — also known as hypertension — under control. Doing so will reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke.

Reduce your intake of processed foods, especially those with added sodium and sugar. Also reduce your consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and drink more water instead.

If your health care professional determines that you need antibiotics, take them exactly as prescribed. Antibiotic resistance is a serious public health problem and antibiotics will not make you feel better if you have a virus, such as a cold or flu.

If consuming alcohol, do so in moderation as defined by the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans — up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men, and only by adults of legal drinking age.

Talk with your doctor about tobacco and nicotine use and quit. Declare your home and car smoke-free to eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke.

Pain medication is personal. If you are taking prescription opioids, follow your doctor’s instructions, store them safely to prevent diversion or misuse, and properly dispose of any leftover medication.

Make sure your family is up-to-date on their vaccines, including the annual influenza vaccine for everyone age six months or older.

Manage stress. A good diet and daily exercise are key ingredients to maintaining and improving your mental health, but don’t hesitate to ask for help from a friend or mental health professional when you need it.

The lifestyle choices you make now will have long-lasting impacts. So, this new year, prioritize your long-term health by forming great habits. ·

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New Year’s Resolutions

5 ways technology can help you achieve New Year’s resolutions

By StatePoint Media

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ou may have a long list of New Year’s resolutions.

Luckily, these days, your efforts can be simplified with the use of technology. Check out these high-tech ways to achieve your 2019 goals: n Focusing: An ancient practice with renewed popularity today, the benefits of meditation can’t be overstated.

If you’re resolving to meditate in the New Year, you may be hard pressed to actually go about it, particularly if you haven’t meditated before. Luckily, there are plenty of handy apps available that can lead you through a guided practice.

From Headspace to Stop, Breathe & Think, a calmer day is at your fingertips. n Staying Active: If staying active is a struggle for you, consider some wearable tech for that needed jolt of motivation. Whether you are already an outdoor enthusiast or an aspiring one, a watch that’s also an activity tracker, compass, altimeter and more is a great tool for getting active in the New Year. For example, the WSD-F30 from the PRO TREK Smart series has Bluetooth connectivity, Wi-Fi and enables the use of offline maps and GPS log recording for up to three consecutive days. And because it is water-resistant up to 50 meters and boasts environmental durability built to military specifications, it’s a sound choice no matter what your 2019 plans include — be it mountain biking, hiking or whitewater rafting.

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n Making Music: Resolving to finally learn to play the piano? The struggle to learn a new skill can be disheartening. Learn to make music in a way that’s intuitive and fun so that you stick with it. New models of keyboards often offer features that can help. The CT-X700 from Casio is an affordable option that features a Step-Up lesson system that displays proper fingering and notation so you can quickly learn songs, and a six-track recorder is waiting for you when you are ready to put your new skills to the test and record your music. n Boosting Knowledge: Taking on a foreign language in the New Year is easier than ever before. Whereas in the past, you may have been inclined to buy language CDs and sit in a quiet room to study, now apps such as Duolingo are allowing language learners to squeeze in lessons and practice whenever they have downtime. n Getting Organized: With tax season on the horizon, and the perennial importance of building savings and having good credit, if you resolve to organize one aspect of your life in the New Year, let it be your finances. Use next generation tools to do so, like the HR-170RC, a printing calculator, which can help you find discrepancies, keep records and get a great start to 2019. Be sure to look for features like fast, two-color printing, tax keys, a calendar and multicolor display.

This new year, achieve your resolutions with style and ease, using up-to-date technologies to learn new skills, get organized and more. ·

New Year’s Resolutions Home remedies: Cold remedies that work From Mayo Clinic News Network

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old remedies are almost as common as the common cold, but are they effective? Nothing can cure a cold, but there are some remedies that might help ease your symptoms and keep you from feeling so miserable. Here’s a look at some common cold remedies and what’s known about them.

If you catch a cold, you can expect to be sick for one to two weeks. That doesn’t mean you have to be miserable. These remedies might help you feel better.

STAY HYDRATED Water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey helps loosen congestion and prevents dehydration. Avoid alcohol, coffee and caffeinated drinks, which can make dehydration worse.

SOOTHE A SORE THROAT A saltwater gargle — 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt dissolved in an 8-ounce glass of warm water — can temporarily relieve a sore or scratchy throat. Children under 6 are unlikely to be able to gargle properly. You can also try ice chips, sore-throat sprays, lozenges or hard candy. Don’t give lozenges or hard candy to children under 4 because they can choke on them.

COMBAT STUFFINESS Over-the-counter saline nasal drops and sprays can help relieve stuffiness and congestion. In infants, experts recommend putting several saline drops into one nostril, and then gently suctioning that nostril with a bulb syringe. To do this, squeeze the bulb, gently place the syringe tip in the nostril 1/4 to 1/2 inch and slowly release the bulb. Saline nasal sprays may be used in older children.

RELIEVE PAIN For children 6 months old or younger, give only acetaminophen. For children older than 6 months, give either acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Ask your child’s health care provider for the correct dose for your child’s age and weight. Adults can take acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or aspirin. Use caution when giving aspirin to children or teenagers. Though aspirin is approved for use in children over 3, children and teenagers recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should never take aspirin because it has been linked to Reye’s syndrome, a rare but potentially life-threatening condition, in such children.

SIP WARM LIQUIDS A cold remedy used in many cultures, taking warm liquids such as chicken soup, tea or warm apple juice, might be soothing and ease congestion by increasing mucus flow.

ADD MOISTURE TO THE AIR A cool mist vaporizer or humidifier can add moisture to your home, which might help loosen congestion. Change the water daily, and clean the unit according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Don’t use steam, which hasn’t been shown to help and may cause burns. Try over-the-counter cold and cough medications. ·

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On the Cover

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The cover art for Follinglo was designed by Katie Crumrine, daughter of Ingeborg Tjernagel Schey. The image was created using a photo of the corn crib destroyed in the fire caused by the explosion. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

On the Cover

‘FOLLINGLO’ Men gather outside the home of Peter Tjernagel on Dec. 9, 1968, after an Iowa Air National Guard jet crashed into the farm. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Podcast marks 50th anniversary of plane crash near Story City

By Ronna Lawless, GateHouse Media

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t first glance, it’s a story of tragedy — a plane crash 50 years ago at the Story City farm of Pete Tjernagel.

But a closer look shows it’s a story of family, faith, community and a search for justice.

And it’s a story that’s being made into a documentary-style podcast by Pete’s granddaughter Jenn Hanson-dePaula and her husband, Marcus dePaula, of Nashville, Tenn.

Jenn is the daughter of Sigrid Tjernagel Hanson, of Story City, who was present at the time of the plane crash.

“As we remember the 50th anniversary of the shocking events on Dec. 9, 1968, at Follinglo farm, we want to more clearly tell the story of what happened and to share it with a new generation,” Hanson-dePaula said. “We want to honor the lives that were lost and to give a long overdue thank you FOLLINGLO, page 10 FACETS | JANUARY 2019 | 9

On the Cover FOLLINGLO, continued from page 9

to the people of Story City, Iowa. And we are doing this by producing a podcast.”

WHAT HAPPENED? On the evening of Dec. 9, 1968, an Iowa Air National Guard F-89 Scorpion fighter jet crashed and exploded into flames just off Interstate 35 near Story City, killing the two crewmen and setting fire to the home of Peter Tjernagel.

“All seven members of my mom’s family made it out alive, which is an absolute miracle,” Hanson-dePaula said.

Peter Tjernagel, who was 58 and confined to a wheelchair, was carried to safety by one of his sons.

The explosion hurled pieces of the wreckage onto the interstate, creating a traffic jam as cars tried to avoid hitting the chunks of metal, according to a Dec. 11, 1968, article in the Story City Herald. Flaming jet fuel also set fire to the grass on the opposite side of the highway.

The fighter-interceptor, which carried a pilot and radar observer, crashed about 2 miles northeast of Story City at about 6:15 p.m., while it was on a training mission with two other Iowa Air Guard planes and a B-58 bomber.

The plane itself burrowed into the ground just 100 feet from the farmhouse. It left a crater 30 feet deep and 50 feet across.

The body of one of the crewmen was found northeast of the crash. The other body was found northwest of the crash.

Some bystanders reported seeing a parachute in the air.

The pilot was Capt. John H. Rooks, 28, of Eldora, and the radar operator was Lt. Larry Thomas, 30, of Ogden.

The buildings on the Tjernagel farm, also known as the “Follinglo Farm,” were located about 100 feet east of the interstate.

Six members of the Peter Tjernagel family and Peter’s 70-year-old brother, Herman, were in the house when the plane hit.

Martin Tjernagel, 18, was in a barn, feeding pigs, and was unharmed.

Pete was in shock. And his daughter, Sigrid, 15, suffered from cuts on her back and arms from flying glass, which required stitches. Peter’s wife, Marie Tjernagel, was cut on the face and was also treated at Story City hospital.

Other members of the family who were present but uninjured were Michael, 20, and Ingeborg, 12.

The Tjernagel house burned to the ground and embers from it glowed brightly an hour later, the Herald reported.

The corncrib, which contained 5,000 bushels of corn and 5,000 bushels of soybeans, also burned to the ground.

Tjernagel collected old cars and antiques. Two cars, a corn picker, a garage and antiques in the house were destroyed.

Everett Reinertson, who farmed a half-mile south, reported to the Herald he saw “a big ball of fire after the explosion. It seemed to cover the whole farmyard.”

“There was a large boom, sort of like a sonic boom,” he said.

Other nearby farmers, Homer Brown and Alvin Hovick,

On Dec. 9, 1968, the rural Story City home of Peter Tjernagel was crashed into by a fighter jet. The story has become a podcast created by his granddaughter, Jenn Hanson-dePaula, and her husband, Marcus dePaula. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

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On the Cover

both reported seeing the flames and feeling the concussion of the explosion.

A quarter-mile away, Hovick was watching TV when the jet crashed. “All of a sudden, it was like a bomb exploded — like the whole works went up. All the windows upstairs were shattered.”

A CHILLING ACCOUNT In the 1968 article, Marie Tjernagel gave the Herald a chilling account of the crash: “We heard this terrific noise. I can’t even describe it.

“Ingrid said, ‘What’s that?’ And all of a sudden all of the windows started blowing in and the furniture was blown across the room.”

“Sigrid had her back to the window and was blown across the room. Because she had her back to the window, we figure that’s why she got a lot of glass cuts in her back.

“I knew it was an explosion. I ran to the bedroom to see if Pete was OK. He was my first concern. He was all right.

Mike lifted Pete up and carried him out of the house.

“I knew we had to get out right away. Fire was popping out all over and the furniture was knocked down. I thought about calling the fire department but the phone was knocked off and wouldn’t work.

“I never heard anything like that sound. It was a piercing scream in the air and then all of a sudden this loud boom and everything tipped over.”

The Tjernagel matriarch’s ability to tell a compelling story is perhaps a trait that was passed to future generations.

“My family has a long-standing tradition of storytelling,” Hanson-dePaula said in the podcast’s prologue.

“As a child growing up, I loved nothing more than when family would come over to visit,” she said. “That meant lots of laughter sitting around the table, uncles one-upping one another with memories from their youth, and sharing stories of beloved family members we had lost.”

Because of this gift of storytelling, Hanson-dePaula doesn’t recall a time when she didn’t know about the tragedy on her family’s farm.

The place was known as Follinglo Farm and it’s where

her family settled when they emigrated from Norway in the 1850s.

A FORTUNATE ESCAPE Up until the fateful evening of Dec. 9, 1968, Hanson-dePaula’s mother, Sigrid, who was 15 at the time, and her family, worked and lived on this century-old farm.

“The tragedy at Follinglo is a story that makes up the fabric of my family and its impact is the lynchpin that everything turns on,” she said. “Even though I’ve heard and shared this story hundreds of times, what continues to run through my mind is, ‘I can’t believe they made it out of there alive.’”

The farm’s corncrib contributed to the family’s fortunate escape of the impact, explosion and flames.

“Their survival was on God’s mind 100 years earlier when my great-great-grandfather and his brothers decided to put a corn crib in a very specific and unusual spot on the farm,” Hanson-dePaula said. “God was weaving our family’s story of survival together, even then.

“But more so than that, God had very specific people in place within the wonderful community of Story City to provide shelter, food, clothing, support and so much more for my family in their time of great need.

“And I know they would do it again in a heartbeat — that’s just how the people of Story City are.”

Hanson-dePaula and her husband wanted to remember and share this story with a new generation. And they wanted to honor and give a “long overdue thank you” to the people of Story City.

They are doing that by producing a podcast, which is available at www.follinglopodcast.com.

“The ‘Follinglo Podcast’ is like an audio documentary,” Hanson-dePaula said. “Every other week we will release a new episode chronicling the tragedy on Follinglo Farm and the four-year battle for justice that followed.”

“It’s an incredible story,” she said. “We interviewed my mom, my aunt and my uncle as well as neighbors who were there, other family members, and have written accounts from my grandmother, as well as Governor Ray, that will be read.” · FACETS | JANUARY 2019 | 11

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Around Ames

Ames Middle School student Grace McCunn, 13, was honored as the 2018 Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Ames Middle School student honored as 2018 Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy

By Lyn Keren, GateHouse Media

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mes eighth-grader Grace McCunn was honored as the 2018 Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy by the Central Iowa Association of Fundraising Professionals in November.

McCunn’s journey of philanthropy began as a lemonade stand to support Blank Children’s Hospital. It has has evolved into a prestigious honor.

McCunn was contacted by the Children’s Hospital at the beginning of the year to be nominated.

“I didn’t know that I was going to win, I was like, ‘I have a one in something chance that I am going to win,” she said.

In July, McCunn and her family received the news that she has been selected as the award winner. “(I felt) so much, like, love and a lot of love around me.

So many people saw what I was doing, how dedicated I was,” McCunn said. “It shocked me and at the same time I was like, wow, they read our story, they know what I do, and they chose me out of all the people.”

She said even after winning the award, she will continue to fundraise with lemonade stands and show people the difference their donations can make.

“I want to keep doing what I am doing, and it is so much fun to see people react and how much it means to people about what I am doing,” McCunn said.

The middle school student has raised more than $36,000 for the Des Moines hospital through a variety of initiatives including an annual 5K run. Even when she was looking for sponsors for the 5K run, McCunn never took rejection to heart.

“If they said no, she would say ‘that’s fine’ and move on,” said her mother, Mary J McCunn. “She is just very wise

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beyond her years.”

Grace McCunn’s inspiration behind the past few years of fundraising came from her own story. She was a patient at Blank Children’s Hospital for chronic migraines when she was in fifth grade.

She said her sister suffered from chronic daily migraines when she was younger, and then she developed them as well.

“They got worse and worse, so I had to spend a couple days in the hospital. It was hard, but I was able to go home,” she said. McCunn said her observations of long-term patients at the hospital was truly what sparked the idea for her fundraising.

“I remember there was this boy, and he was walking with his little IV pole, and he looked back at me, and I felt so bad because he had to stay in there,” she said. “And I thought maybe if I did something, he would be more excited. It’s hard to see that other people have to stay there longer than you do.”

McCunn’s efforts to help started with just a few hundred dollars with the goal of buying toys to donate for children at the hospital. By hosting the lemonade stand, she raised $200 and donated the funds to the hospital.

Through the process, she found out about the medical facility’s donor wall, filled with bricks in honor of people who have donated significant amounts of money.

Each brick was worth at least $10,000, a goal that at the time seemed out of reach for the young Ames student.

“I said, ‘I’ll be back,’” McCunn said with a laugh. “I was determined to be up on that wall, I wanted to make an impact on people because $10,000 is a lot of money, and it can help find new medicine, help get new technology for the kids.” ·

Iowa State graduate and author receives prestigious 2019 Tulsa Arts Fellowship

Around Ames

By Lyn Keren, GateHouse Media

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n Iowa State University graduate and young adult novelist received the prestigious 2019 Arts Fellow from the Tulsa Arts Fellowship in early December.

M. Molly Backes, 38, was one of 27 artists who received a year-long fellowship award. Each recipient received $20,000, a year’s worth of free housing in Tulsa, Okla., a workspace and other benefits, according to the fellowship’s news release.

Backes will join 59 other Tulsa Artist Fellows alongside veteran fellowship seat holders and Arts Integration recipients.

Backes received her master’s degree from Iowa State’s creative writing and environment program last spring.

She said she was drawn to the Tulsa fellowship because it offers the opportunity for her to spend a year focusing on her creative work.

“Even in grad school, my own writing was often squeezed into the margins of my life, jammed between the classes I was teaching and the classes I was taking,” she said.

She received her fellow after applying with excerpts from her youngadult novel “The Princesses of Iowa.”

Backes’ book is about a high school homecoming princess whose world turns upside down overnight.

“A girl who was once high school royalty must face a truth that money and status can’t fix, and choose between living the privileged life of a princess or owning up to her mistakes and giving up everything she once held dear,” Backes wrote for the overview of the book.

She is writing another historical novel about the Manhattan Project, a research and development project during World War II that produced the first nuclear weapons in 1939.

Backes wants to continue working on the historical novel during her fellowship and hopes she can truly dedicate her time to its development.

“I hope that it will allow me to step out of our multi-tasking world for a while and re-learn how to focus deeply on one task: my own creative work,” she said.

She said she is excited, but nervous, to be in a creative atmosphere in which she can learn from so many other artists.

“Tulsa is a great city with a vibrant art and music scene, and I will be right in the heart of it — literally and figuratively,” Backes said. “I am excited to be surrounded by other writers and artists, and I look forward to the kind of cross-pollination of ideas and inspiration that can happen in such a community.”

During her fellowship, Backes hopes to continue teaching writing classes for Osher Lifelong Learning Institute which offers classes to individuals over 50 years old. She worked with the organization in Ames while earning her master’s degree.

“It was one of the highlights of my time in Ames,” she said.

Backes said she met many amazing members of the community and enjoyed hearing their stories.

When she learned that the branch of the learning institute was available through Oklahoma State University in Tulsa, she said she took the opportunity to teach there when she moves for her fellowship.

“What better way to get to know a community than to listen to the stories of its citizens.” Backes said. · FACETS | JANUARY 2019 | 15

Around Ames

Nevada graduate’s in-home bakery has great pastries and treats for all kinds of occasions Hannah Swanson, 29, has a made-toorder, licensed kitchen in her home in Nevada, where she bakes all kinds of treats for all kinds of occasions.

PHOTOS BY MARLYS BARKER/GATEHOUSE MEDIA

By Marlys Barker, GateHouse Media

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hen 29-year-old Hannah Swanson’s full-time job was eliminated due to company restructuring, she decided there was “no time like the present to take the leap” into working for herself at something she had always loved.

Swanson’s in-home bakery, Hannah Baker’s, is now her full-time occupation, and many local resident’s taste buds are happy she pursued her dreams.

Many folks got an up-close look and taste of some of Swanson’s best treats when she set up a booth at the recent ABWA Craft Fair in Nevada. By day two of the fair, she had very little left because the huge array of treats she made for the show had been gobbled up on day one.

“I don’t know if I bake anything better than anyone,” she answered when asked what she does better than anyone else. “I just love to do it, and I love to bake for others.”

People buying from her at the fair were in love with her cookies and croissants, along with the other treats.

“I have spent a long time developing my cookie recipes, so I am proud of (those) recipes, but I think my favorite things to make are my pastries — croissants and fruit pastries.

They take a very long time to make and really utilize baking science. It’s amazing to see them go from ingredients like flour, water, yeast, milk and butter to something that is so beautiful and tasty.”

On her Hannah Baker’s Facebook page, Swanson

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Around Ames describes the time-consuming croissant process, saying: “After the dough is together (24 hours in), it’s time to make all those glorious layers of flaky, buttery pastry. This is done by rolling butter into the dough, folding the dough, turning and rolling again (for a total of three times). Last roll is when I shape and proof the final pastry. Most bakeries and pastry shops have machines called dough sheeters that do all this work. Not me. Each pastry you enjoy is rolled by hand (my shoulders are feeling pretty buff!)”

EXPERIMENTING, WATCHING AND READING Swanson said her love of baking started when her mom would let her and her brother experiment in the kitchen. “I think that’s what started my interest,” she said. “No one in my family was a huge baker.” But … her mom could make an amazing caramel brownie, and her grandmother always had sugar cookies in a Tupperware container on the counter. “My family always encouraged us to help, and if I wasn’t helping, I just loved watching them cook,” she said, adding that her dad cooked, too — on the grill.

To develop her bakery, which began taking orders just this fall on Oct. 1, Swanson worked to create her own recipes or tweak recipes to make them her own. “I have developed all the cookie recipes on my own…shout out to my family and friends who ate many, many cookies this summer,” she said.

“I have adapted cake and cupcake recipes to get the texture of the cake I am aiming for. Pastry recipes I have been using are based upon a pastry school textbook I found. I have a slight obsession with cookbooks; they are my choice of a book when it comes time to read.”

Swanson said what she has loved about being a baker is the magic of starting with simple ingredients and then making slight changes to end up with entirely different items at the end. “Also, I love to bake for others. Food is so important in our lives. Coming together and enjoying a positive experience while feeling like you are part of the community is a great feeling.”

When it comes to baking for her family — which locally includes her mom, Marlys Brehm, and her husband, Joe; her dad, John Swanson and his wife, Sandy; her brother, Caleb and his wife, Sammie; and her boyfriend, Nick Miller, a transplant to Nevada from Jefferson who works as an ag lender — one of her own favorite treats to make is cherry mash.

“Not everyone has heard of it (cherry mash), and I’m scared to share it because it’s hard to find cherry chips as it is,” she said. “It’s a cherry fudge with a chocolate peanut butter topping. It sounds a little funky, but it’s delicious, and I don’t usually like cherry items.”

Baking for family and friends, for birthdays and weddings, is something Swanson has always loved doing, so as she celebrated the first holiday season with her bakery, it was a bit like a Hallmark movie. She moved back to Nevada last year, bought a home, and with the help of her family, remodeled it with everything she needed for her baking in the kitchen, which was fully licensed before she started taking orders.

“Never did I think I would end up back in Nevada, but I am happy I did,” Swanson said. “Being close to family and a part of a community that is so supportive and eager to see success is something that we are all fortunate to be a part of.”

To find out more about Hannah Baker’s, visit her page called Hannah Baker’s on Facebook, or visit her website: www.hannahbakers.com. · FACETS | JANUARY 2019 | 17

Around Ames

GI Jill’s

18 | FACETS | JANUARY 2019

Around Ames

New bar and grill in Roland offers community feel, veteran support

By Ronna Lawless, GateHouse Media

G

I Jill’s, a new bar and grill with a military theme, has opened in downtown Roland, and the owners’ goal is to create an atmosphere that is oriented to veterans, families and the community as a whole.

Jill and Larry Goodale had been keeping an eye on the old American Legion building, located at 207 N. Main St. in Roland. They watched it change ownership a couple times, and when the most recent owners contacted them about buying it, the Goodales jumped on the opportunity.

“It’s the old Legion building,” said Jill Goodale, a retired Army master sergeant with 28 years of service. “We wanted to honor the building’s military history. We want it to be a place that honors veterans, to say ‘thank you’ to them.”

When GI Jill’s had its grand opening on Nov. 16, the Goodales showed how serious they were about that notion. Proceeds from the event are being donated to local veterans.

“We had a great turnout and raised $1,000,” Jill Goodale said. “That money is being donated to local vets with the help of Brett McClain (with Story County Veterans Affairs) and the Roland ladies auxiliary.”

GI Jill’s is more than just a bar and grill, Goodale said. It’s a place for the people in the community to gather, to have a feeling of togetherness.

“We wanted to get the community back into this building, get people involved,” she said. “It’s a clean, fun place to get together and we have lots of events and things to do.”

Goodale is hosting karaoke once a month, holding Bargo nights (it’s like Bingo, she said, but you don’t have to pay to play), and there is a painting party this week.

“People can come in a play pool, eat pizza, watch sports on TV,” Goodale said. “They don’t have to worry about what kind of atmosphere it’s going to be. It’s part of the community.”

For Thanksgiving, GI Jill’s was open to the community for a potluck, which was attended by about 20 people. The Goodales provided the ham, mashed potatoes and gravy. There was a signup sheet for people to bring other side dishes and desserts.

“There was a lot of fantabulous food. And there was a nice mix of families and single people,” Goodale said. “We hope to make it a tradition to have this Thanksgiving meal and have it get bigger each year.”

“We also wanted to give the Legion their home back, so we’re letting them hold their meetings here in their old home, where they should be,” said Goodale, who’s been an American Legion member herself for more than 20 years.

GI Jill’s is not the couple’s first foray into this type of business.

Larry is the longtime owner of The Grove Cafe in downtown Ames and has also owned the Red Rooster in Iowa Falls for several years.

The bar and grill is already developing a good reputation for its burgers and homemade specials like roast beef and mashed potatoes. The grill is currently open on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights.

Jill Goodale also works full-time as a federal employee with the Army ROTC at Iowa State University. “I had a lot of fun in the military. I really loved it,” she said. “But for the first nine years of our marriage, we didn’t live together.”

That’s all changed now, though, as the Goodales are living and working together. “We’re really excited about GI Jill’s,” Jill said.

“We’re open to great ideas from the community. And we’re there to help. If anyone is in need of help, we’ll do what we can.” ·

GI Jill’s bar and grill is located at 207 N. Main St. in Roland. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

FACETS | JANUARY 2019 | 19

Around Ames

Zearing in-home bakery is raising money for a future adoption Patty Koester is the baker for Patty’s Pastries, an in-home bakery based in Zearing.

Koester, shown here with her two biological daughters, said money raised from her bakery is being saved so that she and her husband can eventually open their home through adoption to a child in need.

PHOTO BY MARLYS BARKER/GATEHOUSE MEDIA

By Marlys Barker, GateHouse Media

I

t may sound different, but funding an adoption is what led one Zearing baker to start her business, Patty’s Pastries.

Patty Koester, who was born in Spirit Lake, grew up in Wisconsin and who has lived in Zearing for a year, started her home-based bakery business back in March.

“I didn’t have to do too much (to prepare at home to have a business),” she said, “but I did have an inspection with the state to get licensed.” Also, she added, “I did increase my equipment, such as having two freezers and two refrigerators, and currently I am expanding again to have two ovens.”

Koester, 35, and her husband Adam, pastor of Zearing Christian Church, have two biological children, Grace Koester, 6, and Sadie, 1. But as people of strong faith, she and her husband have had a “heart for adoption” for a while now. “We feel this is the time to open our home (to a child in need of a home), so I started this business to fund it,” she said. “Once our adoption is complete, I hope to use the funds for other adoptions or other ministries as God leads us.”

Koester is a full-time mom and the full-time baker for her business. A few years ago, after getting married, she discovered that she really enjoyed baking.

“God had given me some talent for it,” said Koester, who used to enjoy giving baked goods to others in her circle, like co-workers, family, friends and church friends. “It was just this past year that I thought maybe I could do this as a business.”

She was one of a number of in-home bakers and food enthusiasts who were showing and selling their “crafts” at the recent ABWA Craft Fair in Nevada. At the craft fair, Koester had, among other things, a number of pies for sale.

Pies are one of the things she feels she does best. “I get the most feedback from my cinnamon roll/sticky buns and pies.”

20 | FACETS | JANUARY 2019

But those aren’t the only things she bakes. She also makes cookies, rolls, breads, cupcakes, round cakes, Danishes and cheesecakes.

“I have been hired for birthday parties and university events,” she said, and she’s made her baked goods for the farmers’ market, holidays and to be given as gifts, too.

People can pre-order anything from her menu, which can be found at: www.pattyspastries.com or on Facebook: Patty’s Pastries.

One of her favorite treats is the frosted sugar cookie.

Although they’re popular for holidays, she’ll make and eat them “really any time of year,” she said with a smile. And does she bake for her family as much as she does for her customers? “My husband jokingly complains that he never gets the good stuff, so yes, I am lacking in making treats all the time for my family.”

Since her main reason for working so hard at her business is to fund an adoption, she said the thing she enjoys most about running this bakery is “all the people I have met and stories I have heard about their connection with adoption.”

Something area residents can watch for and look forward to, Koester announces, is that she and her husband recently purchased a food truck, and when the weather gets better, they’ll be running that business. “So look out for us at fairs, the farmers’ market and more,” she said.

The food truck, which will be called Koester’s Kitchen, will offer pancakes/sausage/biscuits and gravy, along with breakfast rolls in the morning, and beef burgers and pie and ice cream at later times of the day.

No matter what she’s doing, whether it’s baking for her bakery or helping with the food truck, Koester gives all the glory for her ability to bake to God. “I want to give God praise for giving me talents in this area, and for all the people who have been so generous to order from me and give us an opportunity to open our home to a child.” ·

Around Ames Story Medical hires a Nevada graduate to join its physician team in 2019

By Marlys Barker, GateHouse Media

A

fter 11 years of post-high school education and medical training, a 2007 graduate of Nevada High School, Audra (Lloyd) Poterucha, 29, plans to become a full-time family physician with Story County Medical Center, starting in August 2019.

Currently, Poterucha is a third-year family medicine resident physician at Broadlawns Medical Center, the Polk County hospital in Des Moines. She is part of the family medicine residency program at Broadlawns.

“As a family physician, I have been trained in a broad spectrum of medicine and am excited (for the future) to provide many services, including but not limited to, routine physical exams and preventative care, acute sick visits, pediatrics, geriatrics and women’s health,” she said.

Poterucha graduated from Iowa State in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in biology. She spent a year working at the USDA vet lab in Ames and then was accepted at Des Moines University (DMU) for medical school in 2012. She graduated from DMU in 2016 as a doctor of osteopathic medicine (D.O.) and started her residency in family medicine at Broadlawns in June 2016.

“I’ve been at Broadlawns Medical Center ever since and live close to the hospital here in Des Moines,” she said.

During her time at DMU, Poterucha rotated as a medical student with Story Medical’s Dr. Art Check for a few months. “I really enjoyed my experience with him,” she said. “I liked the variety of his schedule, the people he cared for and the positive impact he had on the Story County community.”

About a year ago, she heard that Story Medical was looking for potential providers to add to the Nevada practice, and she got an interview for the position.

She also had the opportunity to do another job shadowing with Dr. Check this past spring. “I was able to see the clinic and hospital as a physician and potential employee. I felt very comfortable and was treated so warmly by everyone I interacted with,” she said.

Poterucha said the Story Medical administrative team, particularly CEO Nate Thompson, was very open and honest. “(They) don’t display the bureaucratic ivory-tower mentality that is unfortunately common in larger health care systems. I knew that Story County Medical Center would provide me with a nurturing environment full of supportive employees, and allow me to develop my skills further as a physician,” she said.

Poterucha admits that becoming a physician has not been easy.

“In June 2019, I will complete 11 years of post-high school education and medical training (four years undergrad, four years medical school, three years residency). I feel as if I’ve been on a marathon and am finally seeing the finish line. There have been many tears, many 80-hour work weeks, and days when I’ve been physically and emotionally

overwhelmed,” she said.

“However, I’ve had incredible support from my husband, family, friends and colleagues over the years, and in the end, I’m very grateful for the opportunity and honor to be a physician and care for others.”

Poterucha still has family in the Nevada area. Her parents, Chris and Charlie Lloyd, still live here, as does her brother, James, who is a second-grade teacher at West Marshall Schools.

She married her husband, Rob, almost three years ago.

“He is a fellow Iowa State graduate and works as a CPA for McGowen, Hurst, Clark, and Smith, an accounting firm in West Des Moines,” she said. “We are avid Cyclone fans and enjoy watching various ISU sporting events, including football games, for which we have season tickets. We also enjoy musicals and go to the Civic Center regularly for performances. We also recently added a very energetic and loving Golden Retriever puppy — now 6 months old and 55 pounds — to our lives and are plenty busy with him.”

As she considers what her future holds, Poterucha said she sees herself being a physician for the long haul.

“Medicine is always changing, and I see something new and different every day while at work. I truly believe working in health care is a ‘calling’ for me,” she said.

“I consider it an honor and privilege to be with patients at some of the best and worst times of their lives. I once had a call shift where I both delivered a baby and cared for hospice patient who died.

There are not many professions where you get to see that type of full spectrum of life.

Although it sounds clichéd, I do enjoy helping others and find it important to help others live full and healthy lives.”

When she returns to Nevada next August, Poterucha will primarily be a clinic-based doctor, but said she looks forward to the variety of things she’ll do at Story Medical. She said she will take care of patients in the hospital, provide oversight in the ER if needed, perform nursing home rounds at Senior Care and handle other job duties as needed.

“The opportunity to work in a rural environment and become part of my hometown community is wonderful.” ·

Poterucha

FACETS | JANUARY 2019 | 21

Around Ames

It’s Sew Tempting 22 | FACETS | JANUARY 2019

Around Ames

New quilt shop opens in Story City

By Ronna Lawless, GateHouse Media

T

wo Story City couples have opened a new quilt shop in a historic, downtown home. It’s Sew Tempting, located at 407 Broad St., had a ribbon-cutting celebration Nov. 15.

Eileen and Curtis Fournier teamed up with Duane and Stephanie, Curtis’s brother and his wife, to renovate the 1912 house, formerly owned by Nola Hurdman, and start the new business. The business offers a selection of yarn, fabric, thread and notions. The Fourniers also offer a variety of classes for quilters and other projects.

Eileen and Curtis Fournier had never even visited Iowa before they decided to move here. Natives of Washington, the couple was tired of the fast-pace, traffic congestion and stressful jobs. Eileen worked for a pharmaceutical corporation, and Curtis was a dispatcher for a lumber company.

They talked with Duane and Stephanie, living 1,800 miles away in Story City, and their description of the community was too inviting to pass up.

“We really love this community,” Eileen said. “We were looking for a business to start or buy here, and quilting was something we love. So, it seemed like a perfect fit.”

When asked why a quilt shop, two things come to mind for the Fourniers. Quilting and love.

“For us these go hand and hand, not only the act of quilting, but what quilts mean,” Eileen said. “Quilts are a tangible expression of someone’s time, energy, creativity and love.”

“What I make with my hands I give of my heart” and “One who sleeps under a quilt is comforted with love” are sayings that poignantly express what many in the quilting community feel about their creations and why they quilt, Eileen said.

“Quilts provide not only warmth and a symbol of love,

but they also provide an outlet for one’s soul to be expressed through art,” she said.

The Fournier men are enthusiastic about the new shop too. They’ve been working to update the old home while also maintaining an homage to its history. The original chandelier was updated and is now used in the sewing machine area. The hardwood floors were reworked to cover the bare space where a wall was removed. A century-old beam was exposed and features prominently in the ceiling.

“When we saw this house was for sale, we literally felt like God was saying, ‘Here you go! Here’s a place for your new shop!’” Eileen said.

Curtis said he is finding a real interest in learning to sew, and he’s also involved in a woodworking business, Story County Woodworks, some of whose products are featured in the quilt shop.

“To me, it’s really relaxing and fun to learn to do different things on the sewing machine,” Curtis said. “In Oregon, I spent time fishing in the ocean and hunting elk, so this is a big change from what I used to do. But I love it.”

It’s Sew Tempting features a variety of yarn, which is a niche market for the shop compared to others in the area.

“Quilt shop owners tend to be supportive of one another rather than really competitive, so we tried to find some things that other stores weren’t really focusing on,” Eileen said.

The shop offers higher-quality fabrics, such as Tim Holtz, Eileen said. The store also sells Baby Lock sewing machines.

“I grew up watching Nancy Zieman’s sewing show on TV, so it’s a dream come true to be selling the same kind of sewing machine that Nancy used,” Eileen said.

Classes will be posted on the store’s Facebook page. The shop is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and is closed on Sundays. ·

Stephanie Fournier and Eileen Fournier cut the ribbon on their new quilt shop in Story City, It’s Sew Tempting, during a ceremony Nov. 15. The women are flanked by their husbands, Duane and Curtis, and surrounded

by Chamber ambassadors.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

FACETS | JANUARY 2019 | 23