Seguin Gazette

SEGUIN

sizzle winter, well done

getting out

with man’s best friend

+ crossfit craze | vaping heats up | beyond starcke park

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winter, well done ~ Sizzle

1

sizzle SEGUIN

WARMING UP

Ready to get back in shape from the holidays?

I

f you’re expecting a holiday edition of Sizzle, we’re sorry to disappoint. But it’s true the holidays have a way of packing on some extra poundage and most of us could stand to pay a little more attention to how we treat our body.

Of course, it’s also time to make those resolutions that will be mostly forgotten by the time the spring issue of Sizzle comes out in March. You know … lose weight, quit smoking, take up a hobby, get a colonoscopy. We can help! Well, with a couple anyway.

We take a look at taking advantage of the great outdoors, whether it’s a day hike, or just hanging out at the park. We also take a peek into the growing trend of vaping as an alternative to smoking. And, since that is where the parade is inevitably heading, we take a look at some things to consider when we finally shuffle off this mortal coil.

Of course, we also have the regular features you’ve come to expect – Sizzling 5, LRN2PLAY, Val’s Vault, and Well Done. As ever, we welcome your suggestions, comments, feedback, and criticism. Give us a call or drop us a line at sizzle@seguingazette.com.

Welcome to the 3rd edition of Seguin Sizzle. Come on in!

— Jeff Fowler, Sizzle Publisher

winter, well done

Sizzle magazine is a quarterly seasonal publication of the Seguin Gazette.

contact

Contact us at 830-379-5402 or email sizzle@ seguingazette.com

advertise Contact advertising director Annmarie Penrod at 830-379-5441 ext 207 or annmarie.penrod@ seguingazette.com

staff

publisher Jeff Fowler

THE HOTTEST SPOT

editor/designer Chris Lykins

Crossfit has exploded across the country and Seguin is no exception as people shape up.

contributors Jeff Fowler Chris Lykins Jessica Limmer Felicia Frazar Ron Maloney Valerie Mendoza Sam Kuykendall

PAGE 14

graphics Melissa Crume Desiree Gerland Cassie Cantu

Valerie Mendoza’s Vault steps out on the town.

PAGE 10 Smokers switching to vaping.

PAGE 18 With the holidays in the rear view you don’t have to let your cuisine fall flat PAGE 8 2 Sizzle ~ winter, well done

It’s back to the future for World of Warcraft.

PAGE 22

Seguin’s park system offers so much beyond Starcke Park.

PAGE 24 Grab your dog and get outdoors!

PAGE 28 Plan before The End™ PAGE 34

boring legal stuff

Vol 1, No. 3 All material herein c. 2014 Southern Newspapers Inc., dba The Seguin Gazette, 1012 Schriewer Road, Seguin, TX, 78155 All rights reserved

hot tip

There’s no such thing as too many naps.

Advanced Medicine. Personal Touch.

Need a local Physician? Call 830.303.4846

1215 E . Co u r t • S e g u i n , T X 78155 • 83 0. 379. 2411 • w w w.g r m e d ce nt e r.co m winter, well done ~ Sizzle

3

TAKING ROOT White gardens shimmer after the sun goes down.

Sometimes called moon gardens, white flowers and silver foliage can bring a cool snowy look to your home landscape.

Since winter is the best time to plant trees and shrubs, local chapters of the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) recommend you seek out the Anacacho Orchid Tree. A patio-sized, fast growing native tree that only reaches 10-12 feet, its delicate and fragrant orchid-like flowers make it a must for any backyard.

Photo by Lee Page, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Look for native plants at the Green Gate Nursery in Seguin, Maldonado Garden Center in Seguin, Canyon Lake Ace Hardware, South Texas Growers in Bulverde, Schulz Nursery in Marion and Thyme N’ Treasure Nursery in St. Hedwig. These locally-owned nurseries cooperate with the Guadalupe and Lindheimer NPSOT chapters in their NICE program: Natives Instead of Common Exotics. Gardening, homeowner and civic groups are invited to contact the NPSOT chapters for a free presentation on the many native plants for this region. For more information, call Nancy Masterson in Guadalupe County at 830-305-9104 or Mary Moses at 210-279-5748 in Comal.

The key to a successful career is through quality education.

Cosmetology,

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5 SIZZLIN

The five things you don’t want to miss this season

Seguin and Guadalupe County residents pack Central Park and then make their way to TLU’s Jackson Auditorium as part of the march that is the highlight of area’s annual Martin Luther King activities. The events unfold the weekend before and Monday, Jan. 19.

Seguin’s ArtsFest is scheduled for March 21st in 2015 and in the past has included a color run, poetry, sculpture, music and dance as the area’s art talent is on full display.

One of January’s biggest events is the Guadalupe County Youth Livestock and Homemaker’s Show which brings youth from all around the area together to put their best on display. It all wraps up with a Saturday auction where the grand champions collect big prizes for the students scholarship purses. You can learn more at www.gcys.org winter, winter,well welldone done~~Sizzle Sizzle

555

Seguin celebrates Texas Independence Day at Sebastopol House with the annual Toast to Texas with a bottle of spring water raised to mark the special moment on March 2.

The spring brings the traditional Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce and Hotshot’s Fish Fry. The event is scheduled for March 28.

“The best kept secret in town” at GRMC

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Monday - Saturday, 9 am - 5 pm

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Janet Coker Boenig Office Administrator

Debbie Freeman-Brown 830.305.0047

Fanny Harkins 830.832.5302

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Karen McMillan 830.305.3600

W H E R E V E R L I F E TA K E S Y O U

CALL ON US! R obin M ueck

President & CEO H e r i t a g e Te x a s P r o p e r t i e s

Heritage Texas Properties, an independently owned firm with offices throughout greater Houston and the Texas Hill Country, is pleased to establish our sixteenth location serving the Seguin area.

We take justifiable pride in the expertise and responsiveness of our company and its associates. Our size, stature, and knowledge of the market are a great benefit and allow us to achieve your goals and accomplish excellent results---Wherever life takes you.

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Mary Jane Windle 915.373.3836

Stephanie Besett Ryan 830.556.6509

Susan Schmidt Office Manager

Matt Skinner 830.832.7327

Jim Williams 830.556.9917 winter, well done ~ Sizzle

7

Well Done

Jessica Limmer

Jessica Limmer is the former news editor for the Seguin Gazette and now her column moves to the pages of the quarterly magazine Seguin Sizzle in the form of Well Done.

Jazz up your post-holiday dinners I wish there was a little more space between holidays. After months of dreaming of a little time off to recharge, here I find myself hit with weeks of freedom. Any break from the daily grind of teaching seventh grade is welcome, yes. But I really could have used one of these weeks back in October, sometime around the sugar-fueled fiasco that was Halloween.

Don’t get me started on that.

Anyway, it seems that what should be two distinctive celebrations has 8 Sizzle ~ winter, well done

morphed into a mush – a holiday mashup, if you will. Christmas music began appearing at Thanksgiving, and now actually starts before turkey day. The plastic likenesses of Santa and Rudolph begin sprouting up in stores before Halloween candy goes on clearance.

With Thanksgiving becoming sort of a rehearsal for Christmas, I’ve got to admit I am pretty tired of the whole thing long before New Year’s. Like I said, I’m very much looking forward to a little recharge time, but I also wish

we could appreciate each holiday as it is.

Many people make Christmas dinner a rehash of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is called Turkey Day. You don’t have to eat turkey, but it is kind of suggested.

These days, I use Christmas dinner as a chance to try something different, yet still special.

I recently made a chipotle coffee pot roast (adapted from Better Homes and Gardens) at the Gazette during one of my luxurious long holiday breaks. If,

like me, you like your food with a little spice, this is the perfect way to jazz up a typically tame roast.

Coffee adds richness and chipotle chili powder (available in the spice aisle at H-E-B) adds heat.

The whole thing can be made in a slow cooker. The roast goes great with red wine or cider. It is pairs perfectly with a spicysweet dessert, too.

I made my very first cheesecake – a caramel apple version loosely based on a version from Cooking Light – for this column.

My cheesecake cracked and my caramel burned on the first try. But once all was said and done, it was a fantastic dessert. Under cover of the caramel apple topping, no one will know if your cheesecake cracked.

Furthermore, no one will care.

Another plus: All of these things can be made ahead of time, freeing you up to spend your post-holiday downtime relaxing.

Chipotle Coffee Pot Roast 1 2-3 pound chuck roast 1 tbsp. instant espresso powder 2 tsp. chipotle chili powder (or regular chili powder) ¼ tsp. salt • tbsp. neutral cooking oil (such as grapeseed or canola) • 14 oz. can of beef broth • tbsp. balsamic vinegar 3 tbsp. tomato paste 3 cloves of garlic, minced • large carrots, sliced ½ inch thick 8 oz. Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved 1 large red onion, sliced into wedges Combine espresso powder, chipotle powder and salt in a small bowl. Rub the mixture on all sides of the roast.

Heat cooking oil in a pan and brown the meat on all sides. Set aside.

In the slow cooker, mix carrots, Brussels sprouts, tomato paste, vinegar and garlic.

Add roast and pour broth on top. Cover and cook on low heat for 8 or 9 hours, or on high heat for 4 or 5 hours.

If you like a sauce with your roast, remove the meat and veggies with a slotted spoon when cooking is done. Put the juices in a saucepan and bring to a boil until liquid is reduced to about 1 cup. Drizzle over meat and veggies to serve.

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Crust: 1 c. graham cracker crumbs (about 8 cookie sheets) 3 tbsp. butter Filling: 1 ¾ c. sugar ½ c. sour cream 3 tbsp. all-purpose flour ½ tsp. ground cinnamon 1 ½ tsp. vanilla ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg 3 blocks of cream cheese, softened (about 8 oz. each) 4 large eggs Topping: 1/3 c. sugar 3 tbsp. water 2 tbsp. butter, divided 2 tbsp. Half-and-Half 1 ¾ c. Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced Preheat oven to 400.

To prepare crust, mix the three crust ingredients together in a bowl, until crumbs are moist. Spray the bottom of a 9-inch spring form pan and press crust along the bottom.

Bake at 400 for six minutes.

Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack. Wrap the outside of the pan with two layers

of foil and reduce oven temperature to 325.

To prepare the cheesecake, place sugar, sour cream, cream cheese, flour, seasonings and vanilla in a medium mixing bowl.

Beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, blending each in.

Pour cheese mixture on top of prepared crust. Place springform pan in roasting pan. Fill roasting pan with hot water one inch deep. Bake for 1 hour or until center of the cake is set.

Let the cake stand in the water bath for 10 minutes, then cool on a wire rack. Once the cake reaches room temperature, cool in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours.

To make the topping, melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a medium pan. Saute apples in the butter until soft and golden.

Set aside. In the same pan.

Mix sugar and water until sugar evaporates. Let the mixture sit, cooking over medium high heat, until it begins to turn golden.

Watch closely, because this happens fast. Immediately remove from heat, stir in remaining butter and then the Half and Half.

Pour over apples and mix, stirring with sprinkling of nutmeg.

Pour on top of slices of cheesecake. winter, well done ~ Sizzle

9

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Valerie Mendoza is a marketing coordinator for the Seguin Gazette and Seguin Sizzle fashion writer.

Follow her on twitter @vsvault or on Facebook at facebook.com/ SGvalsvault

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Fabulous Furs

Faux furs are always on tap for those cold winter months and this season you will be seeing it everywhere you look! From scarves to vests and coats, let your inner animal do the talking as you dress up your favorite winter attire. With New Year’s Eve and Valentine’s Day fast approaching, I wanted to touch more on a classy, elegant and “glammed” up look.

Metallics, leather and zippers are making a comeback! I decided to show off one of my favorite looks with the “Glam Rock” trend. This fun attire definitely made me feel young, yet sophisticated and stylish. I absolutely loved everything I wore, from my leather inspired jacket and skirt to my bold and shiny jewelry.

The Baroque inspiration look is one of my favorite growing trends of the moment.

What better way to show off your feminine side than with this timeless and chic style.

Angela pulls the look off perfectly! Her Victorian style gold jewelry and fur along with a simple elegant black dress and ankle strap heels turn her into a glamorous diva.

This is the ultimate “Night on the Town” look. winter, well done ~ Sizzle

11 11

You can’t go wrong with a charming and sexy cocktail dress! If you are looking for attention then Red will instantly get you noticed. Turn heads this Valentine’s Day in a short and flirty dress like the one Tieara is wearing. This alluring jewel embellished dress paired up with a small fur jacket, beautiful and dainty pearl bracelet and exotic strappy heel is sure to be a show stopper!

If you are looking for more of a classic and modern look for a romantic date with your sweetheart, then a simple yet elegant red dress like Cassandra’s is perfect for that intimate occasion. This figure hugging red dress along with her flashy gold necklace, earrings and peep toe bootie heel complete her classy style.

Nothing accentuates a lovely lady during any occasion than a gentleman in a nice alluring tux.

Models: Above - Tieara Troy, Chris Gilbreath, Angela Billings, Noble Berryhill and Cassandra Cantu; on the previous page, Valerie Mendoza Photos: Mary Heidelbach Photography

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What They’re Wearing...

Tieara Fur jacket from Perky Peacock Red embellished cocktail dress from Little Gen’s Boutique Brighton Meridian pearl/silver bracelet from Gift & Gourmet Angela Black silky dress from Perky Peacock Fur jacket from Always & Forever Red & Gold chain crossover clutch from Perky Peacock Kendra Scott Mandy Gold drop earrings from Gift & Gourmet Kendra Scott Azlyn Cuff bracelet in Gold and gold necklace from Sheek By J Cassandra Red figure hugging dress and gold necklace and earrings from Sheek By J Valerie Metallic leather inspired jacket from Always & Forever Fuchsia top from Always & Forever Leather inspired pencil skirt from Sheek

By J Kendra Scott Harlow in slate cateye gold necklace from Gift & Gourmet Kendra Scott Macy stud earrings from Gift & Gourmet Kendra Scott Arden station cuff from Gift & Gourmet Palladium 950 .60 carat emerald cut diamond with two trillions on the sides custom made ring from Gracie’s Gold Canine fashions provided by Thunderpaws.

Tuxedos were provided by Jims Formal Wear. Search for a store near you on their website at www.jimsformalwear.com

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winter, well done ~ Sizzle

Costa Del Mar White Wing

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Cassandra’s and Angela’s hair provided by Angela at Professional Hair Salon.

13

NO PAIN NO GAIN “Once you get into a class setting and you’re sweating next to somebody, hurting next to them and both of you are laying on the ground and you can’t breathe because you just gave everything you have for 10 minutes, there is something there that you share with that person.” photos & story by Felicia Frazar

Khalid Schuler gives it his all trying to hold weight while his partner completes box jump burpees during a CrossFit event.

14 Sizzle ~ winter, well done

SEGUIN — Luis Sanchez began a new fitness journey eight months ago.

In March, Sanchez signed up for something he had been wanting to try, something thousands of people do daily — CrossFit. “I joined after months of wanting to try it out,” he said. “I tried one day and did terrible so that showed me how out of shape I was.”

But he didn’t let that stop him.

Sanchez continued going and tries not to miss class.

“I love the results,” he “It was designed said. “Because originally for it’s my daily routine now it military, firefighters ruins my day if and police — people I miss.” that go from zero to CrossFit 60 in the blink of an is a workout program that eye and don’t know changes from what the task at day to day, hand is going to be. challenging each memDerek Clark, ber in differCrossfit Coach ent ways, said Derek Clark, 78155 Family Athletic Center supervisor, fitness specialist and CrossFit 78155 coach.

“CrossFit is a constantly varied, high-intensity, functional training program,” he said. “It was designed originally for military, firefighters and police — people that go from zero to 60 in the blink of an eye and don’t know what the task at hand is going to be. After seeing success with these people, they realized that this is good for everybody. They have turned it into a functional program for anybody.”

The program fuses several different forms of exercise and rolls them all into one, Clark said.

“It is gymnastics, body weight awareness, how to move your body through space, how to control your body, power lifting, or Olympic lifting,” he said.

“It is teaching you how to develop power to move something up so you can handle it to speed, agility, endurance, coordination and balance. It is working

winter, winter,well welldone done~~Sizzle Sizzle 15 15

Lisa Stephenson, Diana Leos, Jaimi Mueller and Erica Mueller-Sikes prepare for a team WOD (workout of the day)which included carrying kettle bells and rowing on machines. every domain of fitness there is, all in one program.”

Every day brings a new workout — also known in the CrossFit world as a WOD (workout of the day) — with a combination of movements, said CrossFit Seguin coach Kelle Sullivan.

“That is what makes CrossFit so effective because you don’t have an opportunity for muscle memory,” she said. “Every day is a new day.

You don’t like Olympic lifting, you don’t like going over your head, come back tomorrow because it will be completely different.”

CrossFit has a number of positive side effects noticeable after the first couple of classes, Clark said.

“It helps increase your work capacity — what you are able to do, how long you are able to go,” he said. “It keeps you from not being tired all of the time or all day. A great side effect of it is losing weight and building that strength up. More muscle development and less fat is healthy all the way around.”

Sullivan, who joined CrossFit Seguin three years ago and became a certified instructor last year, said working out in a “box” — the CrossFit version of a gym — helps create strong bonds between ath16 Sizzle ~ winter, well done

letes.

“CrossFit is known to be a community atmosphere. You have a group of different personalities when they walk out the door, but when they are in there they are all like-minded,” she said. “They are trying to get stronger both physically and mentally, they are accepting the challenge, they are willing to give 100 percent to the challenge and everybody understands that the workout is you against yourself.”

And instead of competing with each other, the members are encouraging and pushing each other through each WOD, Sullivan said.

“The last person that is finished gets the loudest cheers than the first person who finishes because there is nobody there to clap,” she said.

“That does a lot for somebody’s mental status that you have a group of friends that are encouraging you and helping to push you along.”

Clark agreed, adding the best bonds are sometimes forged through blood, sweat and tears.

“Once you get into a class setting and you’re sweating next to somebody, hurting next to them and both of you are laying on the ground and you can’t breathe because you just

gave everything you have for 10 minutes, there is something there that you share with that person,” he said.

“Being in a class you have people to share those experiences with, people to push you to go harder, there are people there you don’t want to let down so you are going to push yourself to go a little bit harder.”

Both instructors said the great thing about CrossFit is that anybody, of any age and any fitness level can start at any time.

“It really is for anybody and everybody,” Clark said. “Our youngest member is 8 and our oldest member is in their 60s right now and they beat half of the younger guys. I do it with my kids when I go home.

Building strength, building muscles is beneficial for anybody. It is completely scalable.”

While the workout is set and the movements are the same, everything can be modified to fit the person, Sullivan said.

“You don’t have to work out for three months just to be able to start it,” she said. “You just come the first day. As long as you are wise in your movements and don’t try to be overzealous and do too much too fast and hurt yourself, you can see really

Carlos Martinez holds a kettle bell over his head while in mid swing as part of a workout.

positive amazing results.” helps with having a successful workCrossFit can benefit high school, out program is the support of your college and professional athletes try- fellow members who help keep you ing to stay in shape, as well as every accountable, Clark said. day people looking to get healthy “If you don’t have somebody and fit, Sullivan said. there to push you every day there “CrossFit is designed for the is nobody there to tell you to keep overall improvement of the body going whenever you want to stop,” of an athlete,” she said. “It can help he said. “CrossFit builds a comimprove the overall performance of munity that is going to push you to an athlete, but you don’t have to be keep going. You are going to build Enjoy lifetoindosurround sound friends and relationships while you an athlete it.” ™ horizon, With New Year’s on the with ReSound LiNX are in there sweating and working many people resolve to be healthier hard that are going to help carry you Sound surrounds andsaid nowayou can and get fit, but you Clark majority through to meet those goals. That is experience more natural, fail truer-to-life sound. of those resolutions for lack of ® where I find CrossFit is most successDesigned connect directly to your iPhone, support to and structure. ful. It is not just the programing but ® several different things or iPodare ,® it’s the next step in touch iPad“There the people you meet along the way.” that I technology, look at and talk to clients hearing offering a smarter way Sullivan said if she had known about when they first walk in,” he to stay connected. about this form of physical conditionsaid. “First is, what is your goal? You have to have something in mind — ing sooner, she would have jumped something to reach and we make on board quicker.

“CrossFit is an amazing way to get smart goals. Then we look at nutrition, which is 80 percent of it. We are control of your mind and your body going to talk about nutrition, about and that is a challenge for anybody recovering appropriately and refuel- and that is a challenge I take and a Enjoy life in surround goal thatsound I reach for every day,” she ing your body.” ™ with ReSound LiNX But the most important thing that said.

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winter, well done ~ Sizzle

17

Segu 8

Willie Helm of Seguin’s Make A Cig shop on East Court Street, exhales a cloud of water vapor from his vaping rig.

UP IN

SMOKE VAPOR Story - Photos - Ron Maloney

18 Sizzle ~ winter, well done

A board at Seguin Make A Cig shop shows some of the many flavors available.

n’s

Coconut cream.

Strawberry cheesecake.

Peach cobbler.

Neapolitan.

Key Lime Pie. Sounds like an ice cream or a dessert shop, doesn’t it?

But “Make A Cig,” the new store located in the shopping center behind Walgreens in the 1300 block of East Court Street isn’t a candy store — unless maybe you’ve quit smoking or maybe switched to the newest thing in the smoking world, which isn’t smoking at all.

It’s called, “Vaping,” and vaping looks a lot like smoking, but isn’t — it’s inhaling a flavor-, nicotine- or herbally infused mist to enjoy the flavor or nicotine in a way very similar to smoking, but without its downsides of inhaling volatile and chemically laden smoke with all the substances that can contribute to cancer.

Proponents say vaping is much less harmful than smoking — citing almost no known health effects from the practice.

Detractors say it might make the ingestion of nicotine or other drugs or chemicals involved in creating the flavors more attractive to teens.

Cody Eller, one of the managers at Make A Cig, knows both sides of the argument because he was a teen himself not all that many years ago — one who started smoking in high school, continued in the military and then in a job in a jail before deciding that his three-packs-a-day Marlboro habit was destroying his finances — and his health.

Eller knows where he comes down on the health issue.

“I started when I was about 16 years old,” Eller recalled. “I was smoking about three packs a day — every 15 minutes, I’d go outside and take a smoke break. That’s right around 1,100 packs a year. At some point, I guess I liked it. But now, I can actually breathe. It was getting so bad, I almost had to get one of those CPAP things going at night.”

That’s because with vaping, as opposed to smoking, the user is inhaling a flavor or chemical-laden steam into his or her lungs where when you smoke, those chemicals are are carried on the hot gasses and ash produced by burning the material instead of just heating it to the point that the moisture in the glycolized liquid vaping mixture or tobacco or whatever one is inhaling boils off — but doesn’t create any smoke or, proponents say, any of the carcinogens that might be part of it. Detractors say the verdict isn’t in on the relative health effects of vaping and smoking.

Eller did a stint in the military, but was sidelined by a smashed knee. He then went into another high-pressure job, working as a corrections officer in a jail over in Bastrop.

At around $6 a pack, Marlboros weren’t just destroying Eller’s heath — they were doing his wallet no favors, either.

He’d heard of vaping and that it could help him reduce his smoking or quit altogether, and so Eller stopped in at a vape shop.

“I was driving around my hometown and I stopped in and tried it and it was a lot more enjoyable than smoking,” Eller said, savoring a slow hit on his mod — which is what vapers call their rigs. “And the store is like a hookah bar without herbs — a liquid version of a hookah bar, and that’s what a lot of people call these — a mobile hookah.” winter, well done ~ Sizzle

19

Gear Up!

The initially striking things were the types and numbers of machines available for vaping. They go from cheap, virtually throw-away “pens” costing only a few dollars to the “mod” kits that are far less portable and can cost from tens to several hundred dollars. Some are fueled by flame, others most commonly by rechargeable batteries and some plug into USBs or even household electrical current. Some will extract the essential oils out of tobacco or some other herbal product — Willie Nelson famously uses a vaperizer rig for his own favorite brand of herbal product or will vaporize oils.

Many do both.

Just about all employ some sort of atomizer that creates a steam-like mist or vapor.

A new customer can find the choices overwhelming, Eller says, but that’s no problem at his store because he and the other clerks are going to discuss the options with an eye toward creating a long-term relationship — and not just selling an appliance that’s going to end up on a shelf or in a drawer somewhere.

“We’ll find out if they’re looking to buy e-juice or if they’re interested in starting up,” Eller said. “We find out what they’re thinking of spending first and get them the best they can use within their range.”

A new vaper can be out the door with a starter kit that costs $18.95 and includes a rechargeable battery

that lasts a couple days. Or, he can spend $300 on a remarkable piece of gear in its own wooden carrying case that looks like something removed from a Star Wars set. There are all kinds of systems in between.

Himself, Eller doesn’t prefer the starter kit and he encourages customers to consider a setup that costs about twice as much.

“We usually push people away from the starter kit because the tank isn’t the best quality,” he said. “If you can spend $35, it’s a much much better experience.”

To demonstrate, Eller fires up his own rig with the strawberry cheesecake flavoring. His looks a little like the handle of a lightsaber and it obviously gets a lot of use because some of the plated parts have worn through to a brass patina. He takes a big, theatrical inhale and exhales a thick cloud of mist.

From across the counter, it doesn’t sting the eyes or produce any of the effects those who have lived with a smoker — and second-hand smoke — can recall. It has only a very faint smell and taste of strawberry cheesecake.

Whatever the customer spends, he or she will notice something pretty quickly if their vaping starts to cut down or, as in Eller’s case, cut out, their smoking. And that is they’ll make their investment back pretty quickly when compared to buying smokes — in particular the premium brands.

Willie Helm of Seguin’s Make A Cig shop looks over the diferent options availble to people who want to start “vaping.”

20 Sizzle ~ winter, well done

A 1.6 ml tank of e-juice will last a vaper somewhere between a day and four days depending upon how much it’s used. Eller goes through 3 ml. in four or five days.

A 10 ml. bottle costs $6.49, while a 30 ml. bottle can be had for $16.99. It doesn’t matter whether it’s with or without nicotine or what flavor it is.

“It cut my costs 75 percent,” Eller said. “I’m saving roughly $3-400 a month and that doesn’t count my wife, who switched to vaping before we had our first child a while ago. The worst thing you’re going to ingest in a no-nicotine e-juice is a little sugar. She’s still vaping.”

Road Kill?

The second striking thing is how many flavors E-liquid, e-juice or simply “juice” comes in.

There is the basic, “tobacco” or nicotine flavor which comes in three or four different levels, and affords an opportunity for a graduated reduction in nicotine uptake.

But from there, the imagination is the limit, and Make A Cig has hundreds of flavors, many of which Eller can mix on the spot. A few of the more complex ones will be mixed at another store and brought to Seguin, but there are a few hundred bottles of the flavors — “standard” or “base” — on the wall behind the counter, and a chalkboard menu of what can be mixed lines a wall opposite the counter.

It was the same in that first vaping shop Eller went into.

The clerk sold him a “starter” rig — a “pen” with a battery and a little container that holds the oil.

“I tried the tobacco blend and said, ‘nope,’” Eller recalled. “I didn’t like it very much.”

He tried the strawberry cheesecake flavor and found his favorite flavor on the second try.

“I picked that because I love cheesecake,” he said.

But he’s tried a bunch of them, from the base, “rum” flavor to “key lime pie,” which is combined out of several flavors mixed together. Think “banana nut bread” or “sunflower.”

Sometimes, customers ask for their own special blends. One prefers a blend that includes a drop from every flavor in the store, which he calls, “Road Kill.”

Eller prepares it; but he won’t try that one himself.

“No thank you,” Eller said. “I’m afraid to test that one.”

What’s it like?

“I think its name probably describes it only too well,” Eller said. “I think we were trying to make a flavor for April Fool’s Day, it kept getting worse and we decided to see how bad we could make it!”

All flavors can include levels of nicotine that range from zero to .32 mg. in four steps.

“It will definitely satisfy that feeling that you need a cigarette,” Eller said. “We try as much as possible to get what’s appealing to you instead of just pushing you into getting something that’s not.”

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21

BACK THROUGH THE DARK PORTAL LRN2PLAY - CHRIS LYKINS

For many of us video games have been a constant companion. From Pac-Man to Super Mario the bleeps and bloops defined our generation’s hobbies. Now many of us have children, nieces and nephews who play a whole new suite of games.

LRN2PLAY will get you ready to play alongside them or at least help you avoid looking like too big a noob.

The last time World of Warcraft players charged through the Dark Portal back in 2007 they stumbled into the broken and shattered world of Outland, where Illidan Stormrage waited at the top of Black Temple taunting adventurers that they were not prepared.

That marked the first expansion of Blizzard’s massively multiplayer roleplaying game juggernaut which just celebrated its 10th year. It did so with 10 million players. Try and put that number in perspective. That’s more than the population of New York City – 8.4 million.

Blizzard’s latest expansion — Warlords of Draenor — marks the fifth addition to the World of Warcraft (or WoW for short) universe — and sends players back through the Dark Portal and back in time to an alternate universe before the planet Draenor blew apart to form Outland.

For longtime or returning players that means revisiting favorite places before their destruction and meeting characters back in their younger days.

It can be daunting for a new player to try and jump into a game world that’s been operating for a decade. There’s so much to do, so much to see and with a veteran player base that’s been at it for years, it can be intimidating to try and find your place.

Blizzard to its credit, has recognized that, and when you buy the game bundle — which includes the original game, all the previous expansions and Warlords of Draenor — you’ll automatically have an opportunity to jump your character to level 90.

Level 90 is where all of the top level characters finished the previous expansion, so you’re not having to play through 10 years of content to try and catch up.

Although that’s certainly an option available, and with streamlined systems and leveling boosts it’s a relatively painless and still-enjoyable experience.

22 Sizzle ~ winter, well done

If you do start at 90 a short quest series will introduce you to your character and its abilities piecemeal so that new players won’t be entirely overwhelmed. At the conclusion you’ll feel reasonably confident about how to survive, and jump right into the Dark Portal to start the game for real.

WoW operates under the standard trinity format that these styles of games use. There are DPS, short for damage per second. Their job is to hit things until they die. There are healers.

Their job is to keep people alive. There are also what they call tanks. Their job is to keep the angry things hitting them so that they don’t kill DPS and healers.

If you want to “tank” you can choose a druid, paladin, death knight, monk or warrior. If you want to heal you can choose a druid, paladin, monk, shaman, priest. If you want to DPS you can choose anything.

For new players, the best option to start off with is a ranged DPS. A hunter is a good fit here because you’ll have a pet that can act as a tank to keep bad guys off you and you can shoot them with a gun and a bow. It’s one of the reasons hunters are one of the most popular classes in WoW. Once you start playing you’ll find that WoW has a robust community made up of different guilds. These are groups of people who play together. You’ll almost certainly be invited to one shortly after starting to play. It’s just people to ask for help or to talk with while you adventure through Draenor.

Keep in mind that WoW is a microcosm of the real world because there are real people on the other side of those keyboards. It’s the Internet, so you’ll almost certainly run into your share of small-minded bigots and jerks. Parents can turn a profanity filter on and use parental controls to both limit playtime and interaction with strangers.

If you have two computers — WoW runs on both Mac and PC — it’s a great game to play with family members, spouses, children or friends. But with a $15 monthly subscription fee per player it can add up, although depending on how much you play, it’s still cheaper than a trip to the movies with a lot more content on offer.

Chris Lykins is the managing editor of the Seguin Gazette and regularly plays video games with his 10-year-old son. He was the defensive engineer for the top Team Fortress guild on the planet in the late 1990s and a server-first raiding healing paladin and shaman in World of Warcraft. He is on Twitter @chrisjlykins

WHAT IF I NEED MORE? When a game has been running for a decade with more than 10 million players there’s a lot of ground to cover — and trying to summarize it means leaving quite a bit out to hit the topic with a rather broad brush. But if you’ve decided you’re ready to take the plunge and start playing World of Warcraft there are a host of places you can turn to for more detailed information.

World of Warcraft Official Site http://us.battle.net/wow/en/game/ A good breakdown of all the races, classes, and the two major factions — Horde and Alliance you choose from.

WoWpedia http://wow.gamepedia.com/ If you’re looking to go deep into the story of the game, who particular characters are, what’s happening with the universe, this is a good place to get lost.

WoW Insider http://wow.joystiq.com/ One of the best every day news sites for what’s going on in the game and the rather colorful culture that has sprung up around it.

Wowhead http://www.wowhead.com/ Extremely detailed site with a robust database that lets you find any quest, any item, any characters — basically anything in the game.

MMO-Champion http://www.mmo-champion.com/ A site full of enthusiasts who datamine the game files before information is released to feed the rumor mill that spins furiously around the game Icy Veins http://www.icy-veins.com/ When you’ve settled into the game and want to know how to excel this is the best place for every class/spec combination there is.

winter, well done ~ Sizzle

23

FIGHTING HOLIDAY

Beyond Starcke Felicia Frazar Starcke Park and Walnut Springs Park may get all the glory, but there are several areas of interest in the Seguin parks system, each a little different, adding something special to the town.

CENTRAL PARK

The most visible of the park system’s gems is Central Park, located in the heart of downtown, right behind the Guadalupe County Courthouse.

While it’s less than an acre — tipping the scales at .91 of an acre — it catches the eye of visitors and locals.

The central feature of the park is a fountain that dazzles with an array of different colors at night and a bandstand makes it a perfect location for the downtown summer concert series.

The park also features a monument to town namesake Juan Seguin and has several benches to give visitors a break and a chance to enjoy the view.

“We host a lot of our special events down there because it is centrally located and very beautiful,” assistant parks and recreation director Crystal Miranda said.

Those events include Pecan Fest and Heritage Days,

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• Home-made meals known around town prepared from scratch • Skilled and professional staff to assist you with activities of daily living such as dressing, showering, and medication • Housekeepers to help with your day-to-day housekeeping needs • Beauty and barber shop for hairstyling, manicures, and pedicures • Local medical facilities and major shopping centers nearby • Local business operated by owner and daughter serving Seguin and surrounding area in Guadalupe County, Texas.

• Voted “Best Assisted Living in Guadalupe County” for 2013, 2011, 2010 and 2009 by readers of the Seguin Gazette-Enterprise!

winter, well done ~ Sizzle

25

Arts Fest, trade days and it is also home to the local farmer’s market.

MEMORIAL ROSE GARDEN

Behind the Guadalupe County financial building sits the Memorial Rose Garden.

“The .53 acres is a beautiful location with lots of shade,” Miranda said. “A lot of people choose to come here to take photos. There is a memorial monument that talks about Seguin.”

The rose garden leads down a set of terraced steps, bordered on both sides by an old stone wall and leads down to Seguin’s newest park to date, Walnut Springs Park.

26 Sizzle ~ winter, well done

BLUMBERG PARK

Deep in the city sits Blumberg Park, located between Avenue D, Avenue C and Fifth Street.

The .8 acre park serves as the perfect community park.

“It has a playground unit and a basketball court for the kids and adults alike,” she said. “There are also picnic tables with a covered area and a barbecue pit for Seguin residents to use. It is a really good neighborhood park,” Miranda said.

MANUEL CASTILLA PARK

On the northern side of the city sits Manuel Castilla Park, located near the intersection of Guadalupe Street and Martindale Street.

It’s not a small park, sitting at

13.24 acres and it offers a number of amenities for area residents from sports facilities and playgrounds to picnic areas on both sides of the park, Miranda said.

Manuel Castilla Park is separated

by Guadalupe Street with a playground, basketball court and small pavilion equipped with a barbecue pit on the portion that runs along Martindale Street.

On the larger portion there are a pair of pavilions — one small, one medium — both with barbecue pits.

“The medium pavilion now has electricity and lights so visitors can stay a little after dark, Miranda said.

The Guadalupe Street side also has a playground, along with a paved walking trail — mapped at

M C

PARKING SKATE PARK

OFF-ROAD BICYCLE TRAILS

BASKETBALL COURT

LOW WATER TRAIL CROSSING PICNIC SHELTERS

COMMUNITY ACCESS

WALNUT BRANCH LINEAR PARK TRAIL SPLASH PAD

PLAYGROUND

GROUP PAVILION

RESTROOOM & CONCESSIONS

FUTURE NATATORIUM

PARKING HISTORIC STRUCTURE

BUFFER PLANTING

ATHLETIC FIELD (75 YDS X 125 YDS)

PARKING

COMMUNITY ACCESS COMMUNITY ACCESS

ATHLETIC FIELD (75 YDS X 125 YDS)

NATURE TRAILS

OPEN FIELD

COMMUNITY ACCESS

a quarter of a mile — and newly installed grass volleyball courts, Miranda said.

“The park now has irrigated, multi-use fields,” she said. “They can either be baseball or softball, football or soccer. We do have the Steelers out there practicing and playing.”

The park also has a bathroom facility, as well as parking, Miranda said.

“We also have a veteran’s memorial area,” she said.

MASTER PLAN COMMUNITY PARK

VETERANS PARK

On Jefferson Avenue sits the city’s tribute to the area’s military members with Veteran’s Park.

The near half acre lot has a veteran’s memorial area with benches and beautiful landscaping, Miranda

said. It often plays host to special events on Veterans Day and Memorial Day.

JUAN SEGUIN BURIAL SITE

Near the coliseum, on South Saunders sits the Juan Seguin Burial site, a .2 acre park that offers a place to sit and relax and a monument to learn about the town’s namesake.

“Soon it will have a Texas Ranger burial cross installed there,” Miranda said.

PARK WEST (COMING SOON)

Soon, area residents will have a new park to add to their list of places to visit.

The park, named Park West in a mini election of city residents, will

be located on North Vaughan Street near San Antonio Avenue.

“The new 48-acre park is going to be huge,” Miranda said. “We anticipate a good multi-use field that will be irrigated. There are going to be at least two, maybe three splash pads, an all accessible play ground unit, skate park, bike track, basketball courts, picnic areas, restrooms, and a nature trail, among other things.”

With the addition of the new park and upgrades to the existing facilities, Miranda is excited.

“Our parks system is growing and I think we are working on creating a better quality of life for our community with our parks system,” she said.

winter, well done ~ Sizzle

27

J

OUT INTO THE WILD Canine companions can tag along

28 Sizzle ~ winter, well done

Elizabeth Fowler, DVM Special to Sizzle I like to think of myself as a dog person. I have three and take care of dogs every day in my profession. When I traveled to the Pacific Coast several years ago I saw dogs every place I went.

I’d always wanted to take my dog to the beach. Now I was in an area that catered to dogs and dog people. Every store had guidebooks on hiking with your dog.

I felt so guilty – my two Labrador Retrievers were sitting home in Texas. I really wanted to take another trip at a later date by car so my dogs could join me.

Unfortunately one of those dogs is no longer with me. But I have started to make a concerted effort to involve my Labrador Retriever when my husband and I hike now.

He seemed a little skeptical the first time I insisted on taking her along. And yes, she did hold us back. We were experienced hikers used to several miles on rough terrain in unpleasant heat.

Freya thought we were just going for a walk. We cut the hike short that day. Her feet were hot and she was slow moving. I didn’t complain too much. I was hot, too.

Getting Started

For anyone wanting to start hiking with their dog, the first piece of advice I would give is to remember that you had to train – so does your dog.

If you are an experienced hiker used to 8 to 10 miles a day but your dog is used to 1 to 2 mile walks around the neighborhood you need to take this into account when you first start hiking together. She will need to build endurance just as you did when you started hiking. Terrain and elevation changes make for more challenge than a leisurely walk around the block. You should start by verifying that your dog is physically up to the challenge. Breed of dog is not as important as the health of the dog. When we are on the trail we see people with Chihuahuas, bassett hounds, retrievers, mixed breeds, you name it. It is best to start with a wellness check from your veterinarian to look for any underlying

winter, well done ~ Sizzle

29

Elizabeth Fowler and Freya stop for a water break. Keeping your companion hydrated is important, particularly on longer hikes.

problems. Now ask yourself these questions-is your pet used to going on walks? How far? How does he hold up? Start increasing your time on walks to come closer to your goal. Freya was in adequate shape but each hike makes her stronger. She still has not made 8 miles with us though. And do remember that some of the smaller breeds or shorter legged breeds may not be able to hike as far as some of the other breeds.

Keep In Mind

Other factors to take into consideration are potential pests you may encounter. In South Texas snakes are always a possible inhabitant of the trail. Remember your furry friend is closer to the ground than you are and likely to put a nose someplace that an inhabitant of the trail may live. The rattlesnake vaccine is a good option for dogs hiking in brushy or rocky areas. Rabies vaccine is a state law but also just basic safety. Flea and tick products are also important to apply before you venture into the outdoors and your veterinarian can help advise the best product for your pet. Your 30 Sizzle ~ winter, well done

veterinarian can also recommend what you may want to pack for a Fido first aid kit.

Before venturing out on the trail it is important to check if the park you are visiting allows pets and what their individual rules are. Sometimes this is our deciding factor as to where we are going for the day or if Freya gets to join us. For instance some parks such as Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glendale allow pets on front trails but not in the back country. Most national parks do not allow dogs on trails. Also most areas require dogs to be on a 6 foot or shorter leash the whole time. I have a hands free leash that I really like to use when hiking. I can wear it around my wrist or strapped to a backpack strap or belt loop. It makes it easier to follow the rules and still have the freedom to use hiking sticks if needed. Hiking etiquette requires your dog to also remain calm and well behaved if other hikers, animals, or cyclists pass you on the trail.

Weather is such an important factor when venturing out on the trail.

You need to be prepared for anything and just as with us weather

plays an important role in safety precautions for your pet while hiking. If you are venturing to a cold weather area, there are coats and vests made to help keep your pet warm and dry. In this area the biggest issue is always heat. And heat stroke is something we see far too often in dogs that are left at home so active dogs are definitely at risk.

It is important to plan your hike so it does not occur at the hottest time of the day. My husband and I have found ourselves out on the trail in the hottest part of the day more times than I like to admit. It is important to plan your hike in the cooler hours and to take proper precautions for you and your pet.

Remember your dog is wearing a fur coat and has no sweat glands.

The first time Freya ventured out with a pack was during a warm part of the year. We quickly realized that the pack was not the right material for the time of year she was hiking as it contributed to her overall heat.

So we got to carry it that day. Water becomes very important for heat control. It can be used to wet your pet down to help with evaporative cooling. There is even a vest that is

made for dogs that can be soaked in water so that as the water evaporates it will dissipate heat. You want to be sure that your pet has fresh water to drink just as you do to prevent dehydration and to be sure that he is not drinking contaminated water. It is important not to let your dog gorge on water and then be very active. When a dog drinks rapidly they often inhale air at the same time. Deep chested, large breed dogs are prone to a condition called bloat that can result in their

stomach flipping if they drink or eat too fast and then run. This is a life threatening emergency.

Do be sure to take plenty of water and snacks. Humans burn many more calories when hiking and so does your pet. Be sure when you stop that you have a container to offer fresh, treated water to your dog as well as a snack to replace calories and electrolytes.

Many hiking trails have very rocky terrain or large numbers of grass burrs. I feel my boots are my most

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important hiking gear. On occasion Freya will limp when on a hike. Most often it is due to grass burrs. When we remove them she is fine though my fingers are sore. One day it was evident she was struggling due to the heat on the rocky terrain. She would try to find grassy areas until we could get her back to the truck.

There are a variety of boots made for dogs and many dogs learn to love their boots. They can be very helpful for hot surfaces and cold or slippery as well. It is good to try

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them around the house for small time periods to allow an adjustment time before heading out on the trail.

Now that you have your trail, your gear, and your pet it’s time to hit the outdoors. But do you want your dog to share in carrying some of the supplies? I mentioned Freya’s pack earlier.

There are a variety of backpacks made for your furry friend. In order to purchase the right pack you need to determine your dog’s size by measuring the circumference of your dog’s chest.

There should be a size that corresponds with this measurement. You want the pack to be fitted tight enough that it does not slide off but loose enough that it does not limit your dog’s mobility and breathing. In general, young and healthy dogs can carry up to 25 percent of their weight.

This can vary by as much as 10 to 15 percent based on breed, age, and health status of the pet. All packs are designed to evenly distribute the weight your pet carries. But some features you may look for include visibility with reflectors, collapsible bowls, dividers, a top handle (which makes it easy to hang on to your dog if you’re crossing a shallow river or hiking near a ledge), and a pocket for a cooling insert. Be sure to choose a pack that fits the climate you are hiking in. Freya actually has two packs. One is mostly mesh so that it is more comfortable and allows for more cooling during hot months.

All hikers know to follow the leave no trace principle when in the wilderness. This is true with your pet as well. Be sure to clean up after them and leave no trace. Freya carries her bags in her pack for us in case clean up is needed.

In the unlikely event that you become separated from your dog you want to be sure your pets’ tags have up to date contact information.

A microchip is great to have also in case your pet gets lost. With a microchip you know your pet still has identification even if his collar and tags are lost.

My pets are part of my family so I love being able to have adventures with them. My husband and I find hiking together to be an important part of our relationship with each other. Each time Freya joins us I feel it strengthens our bond with her as well. Hiking with your pet is a great way to enjoy time with your pet and ensures you both reap physical benefits from exercise. Being with your dog also helps to start conversation with other hikers even if they don’t have a pet with them.

This is even a way to entice your children to join you willingly on a hike! And you are more likely to explore the great outdoors if you have a companion to enjoy it with! So now that you are suited up get out and enjoy the great outdoors with your best furry friend!

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PLAN NOW

while you can Story & Photo by Janet Grafe Sizzle Contributor Barbara Nero, 65, is quirky and friendly. You never know what color her hair will be, and she loves to wear bright, trendy clothes. She frequently works out at the GRMC Wellness Center and visits the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Family History Center, where she is searching for her connections to Revolutionary War veterans.

Barbara is also planning her funeral, although she hopes it is many years away.

“I have a good friend, who is much younger than me and is working with me to write the details down, ready to be used when needed,” she said. “I feel you have a personal responsibility to the community where you live to plan for what to do with your remains.”

Barbara has decided to be cremated. She does not have many relatives, so there are few family concerns, but she has a lot of friends. She wants them to be happy for her as she moves on to life after death.

“I don’t want people left with a feeling of despair or loss,” she said. “I want to give them closure. I want people to be aware of who and what I am and that I leave this world with joy.”

Funeral Director Tres Hewell says planning ahead for the end of life makes a lot of sense.

“I think it is always good to have a conversation with your family members about what your wishes are,” Hewell said. “We have become a society who can choose between a lot more options — such as cremation, green burial, or traditional burial. The people who are taking care of funeral arrangements now are the baby boomers.”

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The oldest baby boomers are hitting 67 this year. Men in Guadalupe County have an average life expectancy of 76.5 years, and local women have a life expectancy of 81.5 years, according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.

The healthcare and funeral industries are preparing for serving more clients as this population bubble of aging people gets closer to the end of life.

Boomers in general are a generation who are innovative and have specific ideas about how they want things, whether it is building a house or buying a car or planning a funeral.

Preplanning can be done sitting around the kitchen table with family and friends or at a funeral home.

Consultants are available at local funeral homes to help out.

“A lot of people think they have to prepay their funeral or prepay their plan when they make the plans, but they don’t,” Hewell said.

“They can come in and tell us what

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they want, and we write it down and keep a record. If you want to prepay it, that is fine, but if you don’t want to, that’s also fine.”

In addition to details about disposition of the body — such as whether or not to embalm and what kind of casket to use — there can also be decisions about what kind of service to have. Traditional services are usually conducted by a minister or priest and have a religious tone. Celebrations of life are becoming popular and can be tailored to the values and interests of the individual.

However and wherever it is done, preplanning and writing down a person’s wishes makes it easier on the family and friends and reduces contention and distress.

“We are a nation of blended families now,” Hewell said.

“Sometimes that makes it difficult.”

If a person dies without leaving a written record of how they want their funeral and burial to be, it leaves it to their family to figure it

out. Relatives may have different ideas of how a funeral should be handled and paid for, and that can cause big problems at an already stressful time.

If a person really wants to ensure their last wishes are carried out, they can appoint someone they trust to be an Agent for the Disposal of Remains. The agent then has the authority and responsibility to make funeral and burial arrangements in accordance with their agreement.

Some things to plan ahead of time include information for the obituary.

An obituary usually includes a photo, lists the person’s birth date (and death date), names of parents and deceased and surviving family members, a list of where the person went to school or worked and their membership in significant organizations. It also may include details of military service, if any. If the person wants military honors at the burial, it requires a copy of their discharge certificate or Form

DD-214.

People can also decide where they want the obituary posted in newspapers and online, and choose a location for burial or the disposition of ashes. Other choices include what clothes to be buried in and who will act as pallbearers.

Details for the memorial service may include music, flowers, memorial video tributes, speakers and a reception after the service.

Many people don’t like to think about their own funeral, but taking some time to share what they want and don’t want when they die, is a gift to those they leave behind.

“I don’t think it is morbid at all,” Nero said. “No matter what our religious convictions are, we know that there is an end to mortal life, so we need to prepare for it. I don’t want to leave this world leaving a burden on anyone. This gives me a sense of peace, knowing that everything will be done in a manner that I wish and will be the least distressing to the people involved in my life.”

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