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PLUS: Making the choice | 6 Full-time career or full-time mother?

WORKING iT OUT | 10

Female-forward resources help mothers transition back to workforce Southern Minnesota’s Leading Women’s Magazine

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FROM THE PUBLISHER — Lauran Rott is the pubisher of Girlfriends magazine.

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he last two times I’ve traveled, my flights have been delayed.

Not really a big deal--in fact some would call it a first-world problem. And I understand. But this time, I was with a 16-yearold girl anxious to get home to her friends and a 13-year-old boy making fun of the 16-yearold girl anxious to get home to her friends. *sigh* My children. The good news? They are old enough to leave in the chairs at the gate while I take a break with a nice merlot.

Traveling is on most everyone’s bucket list.

Whether to Ireland, Tucson or Minneapolis, we all dream of walking into pubs, lazing by the pool or eating at world class restaurants.

So when Northfield native Larissa Tracy called me and said she was going to the Cannes Film Fesitval, I immediately said YESYESYES! Of COURSE we’d love to do a story on that! So here I was for two weeks living vicariously through Larissa’s pictures, posting them on our Facebook page. Looking at the blue of the water, the colors of the buildings, the incredible juxtaposition of old France decked out in modern fashion. Daydreaming at my computer about meeting Cary Grant and Gregory Peck. (What can I say? I’m an old soul...)

So in this issue we bring you some incred-

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On another note – I want to extend a sincere thank you to all of our readers. Every month I get phone calls from women asking where they can find Girlfriends. “It’s out everywhere I look!” said one reader. “I can never seem to get my hands on one,” said another.

And although I kind of like Girlfriends being such a hot commodity, I also would love for everyone who would like one to find one. This issue, in fact, marks a milestone for Girlfriends as we have increased the printing from 5,500 copies to 7,000! Thank you again! If it wasn’t for your phone calls and Facebook messages, I wouldn’t be able to do this.

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contents girlfriends

THE AUGUST ISSUE 2014 10

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About Us Volume 6, Issue 4

Copyright © Girlfriends 2014 Published August 2014 by: Southern Minn Media 115 W 5th Street Northfield, MN 55057 507-645-1110 Send releases and story ideas to:

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Brenda Ward at Girlfriends magazine, bward@southernminn.com Publisher:

Lauran Rott Editor & Senior Writer:

Brenda Ward

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Contributing Writers:

Kari Berit Elizabeth Jacobs Christie Lienke Sarah Osterbauer Isabelle Wattenberg

Features

Multimedia Consultants:

Kristie Biehn Kathleen Davies Carly Dabroski Lisa Dwyer Debbie Ensley Betty Frost Timothy Goetz Stephanie Hill Shawnea Hull Kacie Karels Terri Lenz Aaron Louks Mark Nelson Catherine Olson Lauran Rott David Weeks

Making the choice | 6

Follow these tips for healthy eating throughout the workday

Full-time career or full-time mother?

The difficult choice for today’s women

JUST FOOD COLUMN | 27

WORKING iT OUT | 10 Female-forward resources help mothers transition back to workforce

profile: Larissa tracy | 12 Minnesota filmmaker attends Cannes Film Festival

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE MADE EASIER | 22 From keeping track of medical records to calories burned, technology today makes optimal health more accessible

Graphic Designer:

What’s for lunch | 24

It’s about the local!

Accessories FROM THE PUBLISHER | 3 From the Kitchen | 17 IN THE KNOW | 19 GIRLFRIENDS GUIDE | 29 WE TIME | 20 Unexpected Caregiver | 28

Kate Townsend-Noet Ad Designers:

Mary Jo Blanchard Nicole Gilmore Naomi Kissling Keeley Krebsbach Jenine Kubista Kelly Kubista Kate McGillen Kayla McMullen Matthew Roosmalen Jennifer Schoenbauer

} ON THE COVER:

View of Cannes International Film Festival in Cannes, France.

Photographer:

Brooke Schroht

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Photo by Larissa Tracy

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a lifestyle {newborn.kids.family.senior.wedding} photography

www.bschrohtdesigns.com

DESIGN B.Schroht Design | Photography | Print | Web

OWATONNA, MINNESOTA

c choi e Making the

Full-time career or full-time mother? The difficult choice for today’s women.

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By Brenda K.M. Ward t wasn’t so many decades ago when the majority of mothers in our country held jobs that looked very similar to their neighbor’s job. From child rearing to meal preparation to keeping up a house, those like the iconic June Cleaver illustrated the norm for women in the midtwentieth century.

But such is not the case today.

Since the late-1960s, fewer mothers have been spending their entire days in the company of their offspring, as political and societal changes resulting in part from feminist movements gave rise to the number of women in the workforce. For the next three decades this trend gathered momentum, but by the late-‘90s, it seems the wave had crested.

According to a recent Pew Research Center report, “The share of mothers who do not work outside the home rose to 29 percent in 2012, up from a modern-era low of 23 percent in 1999.” While the report includes those who choose to stay at home to care for their families as well as those who are unable to find work, are disabled or are enrolled in school, the largest share (two-thirds) is made up of married, stay-at-home mothers with working husbands.

Every day there are women and families making a difficult decision: Work as a fulltime mother or pursue a career track outside the home? For some, the decision is made by choice; for others it is by necessity. Either way, the decision is one that comes with consequences both positive and negative, reaching far beyond household economics.

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I recently met with six women from our region to discuss how their personal decision was made and what it means for women today to have a choice. And I asked them, does giving up a career to stay home with your children reverse the progress of feminists who trod the path for us?

To begin our discussion, the panelists completed a brief survey indicating how important each of the following factors was in making their decision. Of these women, four hold full-time jobs outside the home – an orthodontist, a clinical psychologist, and two business owners – and two are full-time stay-at-home mothers/volunteers. All but one of the women are married.

Using a scale from 10 (highest priority) to 1 (lowest priority), here’s how our panelists ranked the following, on average: 1. Obligation to family : 9.5 2. Family happiness: 9.0 3. Personal happiness: 7.5 4. Finances/income: 5.3 5. Cost of childcare: 3.7 6. Obligation to women’s rights: 3.0 The results, showing primary importance given to family, may surprise ardent feminists that women’s rights were almost a non-consideration.

Family and personal happiness Mari Radtke and her husband, Steve, made the decision for Mari to step away from her career as a commercial interior designer to become a stay-at-home mother when the couple was pregnant with their first child, 13 years ago. For them, having a parent fully available for their daughter was a family priority. Today, the couple is parents to four

children, the youngest about to enter first grade and Mari giving consideration to returning to the workforce.

Emily Monaghan and her husband, Art, made a similar decision. Emily withdrew from a successful career while at the same time Art launched a new business, but for this couple, too, the driving force of their decision was family obligation and happiness.

“We wanted him to be successful and our family to be successful. It was an alignment, a family decision,” said Emily.

The four other women on our panel, each of who maintained their career while parenting, also placed family obligation and happiness as top considerations in their decision.

“Absolutely the most important (consideration) for us is achieving family happiness,” said Jacquee Schieck, orthodontist and owner of Schieck Orthodontics.

Jacquee and her husband, Tanner, set out to pursue that “elusive balance” of family as well as passions both outside and inside the home, while understanding there would be “necessary and difficult choices and sacrifices to make.”

For the Schiecks this meant, in part, that Tanner would put his career on hold to be there for the couple’s children while Jacquee pursued her longtime goal of becoming a successful orthodontist.

Therese Amundson and her husband, Scott, saw family obligation through the lens of time.

“My husband already owned a business and worked a lot of hours,” said Therese. “At times he would leave again after dinner or after the kids were in bed to go back to work. The biggest decision on my part was because of that time factor. I was able to either stay home or bring work home, but I couldn’t be gone too. I needed to pick up the pieces on this end.”

When the couple’s children were in high school, Therese returned to work full-time as co-owner of the couple’s businesses.

Katie McIntosh and her husband, Dan, both have career-driven personalities.

Katie is co-owner of Straight River Sports and The S’Cream, and Dan is the Steele County Attorney. Their dual income is important to meet their long-term goal of providing their kids with a quality postsecondary education. But, it comes with a cost – one that is measured in time.

“I came back to work three days after having a baby,” said Katie. “When you’re a self-employee, that’s how it is. But when you are a stay-at-home mom and work within the home, you don’t get that time off either.”

Katie’s solution was found in staying “well scheduled,” allowing for the time needed to be a business owner, wife and involved parent to her two young children.

For Dorothee Ischler family obligation means, in part, supporting her family as the sole provider. While Dorothee does not have a choice as to whether or not to work, she has found a way to balance time between her children and career to ensure she is there for her kids as much as possible.

“I’ve always worked only as much as I needed to survive,” said Dorothee. “My children are young only once – there will always be time to make money. My priority is time with my kids.”

Putting family first varies in meaning for any given family, and personal happiness, too, must be considered in order for a meaningful fit to be found.

The decision to go back to work or to stay home with your kids is one that requires great forethought. There are logistical questions: Would the cost of childcare outweigh potential earnings?

Would giving up a career temporarily make it difficult to return later, putting your family’s economic health at risk in the long run? Do you own a business that could not effectively run without you?

And personal considerations: Are you OK with someone else raising your child for a significant chunk of time each day? Are you OK with giving up the title you’ve worked hard for? How will you feel about missing out on your child’s milestones because you are working? Are you willing to make sacrifices necessary to find a new balance in your life? Is your partner willing to work with you to make your mutual decision be effective? And, what message is your decision sending society?

Women’s rights

Katie McIntosh with her daughter and son. Photo submitted.

Dorothee Ischler with her two daughters and son. Photo submitted.

In 1963, Betty Friedan brought “the problem with no name” into the limelight through her bestselling book, “The Feminine Mystique.” The “problem,” as Friedan described it, was a widespread sense of dissatisfaction felt by house-

“No path is easy or everybody would pick it. You have to pick what works for you, for your current situation. It may not be a forever thing, but it will come with its challenges.” – Jacquee Schieck AUGUST ISSUE 2014 |

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Emily Monaghan with her husband and their three sons. Photo submitted.

wives in the ‘50s and ‘60s – financially stable women who were married and raising children. The “feminine mystique” taught women that their role was to immerse themselves in their household tasks lest they feel unnecessary. The way out of feeling this way, Friedan postulated, was not to seek fulfillment through marriage and motherhood alone, but to also find meaningful work that would allow women to take a step closer to becoming self-actualized.

Friedan’s book, along with the work of feminist Gloria Steinem, was a key component in the second-wave feminism that spread through the U.S. and eventually to several parts of the world. (The focus of first-wave feminism was on suffrage, voting rights and property rights.) This round of feminism, also known as the women’s liberation movement, took on the issues of family and workplace rights, reproductive rights and sexuality rights among others, capturing the attention of women with a sense of dynamism like never before.

– Which is, of course, not only laudable, but indeed paramount to our history.

Yet, does this historic movement mean that women today must keep these advancements in the forefront of decision making in regard to their chosen path?

“I feel fortunate to be in profession I love, to be able to serve others and be outside the home feeling like I’m contributing,” said Jacquee. “I knew I wanted to be a mom at some point, but the focus on career and academics was intense.”

Three months into her first job as an associate in an orthodontics practice, Jacquee became pregnant. But that didn’t mean the demands on her time would suddenly ease up. This was, after all, a career she’d dreamed about since she was a teenager, newly free of braces that gave her a beautiful smile.

“It was not ideal. I had my dream career, my dream man and was pregnant with a baby, but I was not loving the long hours,” said 8

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Jacquee Shieck with her husband and their two sons. Photo submitted.

Jacquee. “I thought, ‘This isn’t how I want to feel every day when I come home.’”

Together, Jacquee and her husband decided that Tanner would temporarily give up his career to remain home with their newborn son for a year while Jacquee moved ahead in hers. Fast forward to present day and not only has another child come into their lives, but so has a recent relocation to Northfield where Jacquee has opened a new orthodontics office. Again, Tanner sidestepped his career to remain home with the couple’s two sons.

Jacquee’s story may seem like a stance for feminism, but in truth, it was simply a stance for family. In fact, Jacquee admits that when it comes to women’s rights, she sees things from a different point of view.

“I am very proud of the things I’ve accomplished: My education and getting to the point I’m at in my life. But I side more with women’s rights for the stay-at-home mom,” said Jacquee. “I’m a traditional person, but I had put myself into a nontraditional female role because I loved (the job). But I didn’t realize what kind of consequence it would have on me as a 30-year-old woman who wanted to start a family. I’m happy for the path I am on, but it was difficult to find balance.”

Therese, on the other hand, found herself in a different situation: She had one child from a previous marriage and another on its way with her husband, Scott, and the couple also co-owned a business. Needless to say, Therese felt her priorities tugged in several directions.

“My husband wanted me to work more hours, but as a woman, I wanted to have the right to decide not to work,” said Therese.

“Women should also be able to have the right to be able to decide if they will stay home with children. I did give up a lot to do that, but it was worth it for me.”

The right to work or the right to choose – just what meaning does “women’s rights” hold today?

“I believe women have the right to decide

to stay at home, work full-time or work parttime,” said Dorothee. “The way I understand women’s rights and the women’s movement is that it was really for choice.”

Women do have more choice today, and as a whole society is certainly more accepting of women who work outside the home than in the days of June Cleaver.

But does our choice – be it to stay home with kids or work full-time – also come with unexpected consequences?

Backlash Stigma. Like a driven Minnesota mosquito on a sultry summer’s eve, it attaches itself to unwitting victims causing a most bothersome burden. Whereas decades ago, career women may have been signaled out as somehow less acceptable than Mrs. Cleaver and her neighbors, today the topic of career mom vs. at-home mom has some women doling out stigmas from both sides of the fence, insisting that their way is the “right” way.

“I would love to be out there with adults, contributing, making a paycheck and doing what I was educated to do and what I love to do,” said Mari, who outwardly admires women who work outside the home while simultaneously raising children. But up to this point, the obligation to be there full-time for her family has been the chosen priority – one

“Whatever you choose, surround yourself with a good support system.”

– Dorothee Ischler

“This doesn’t have to be a forever choice. If you’re going to choose to be home, maybe it will be three months, maybe longer. Try it. If it works, great; if not, switch it around.” – Emily Monaghan that she wouldn’t change. And while Mari’s choice is generally accepted by those around her, not all women reciprocate her admiration.

“Mommy wars” is a modern-day topic addressed by many, including Sheryl Strandberg, chief operating officer of Facebook and author of the recent bestseller, “Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead.” In her book, Sandberg takes an in-depth look at women’s empowerment, advocating not only workplace achievement, but the necessary importance of cooperation between women to allow all women the ability to reach their full potential.

“We all want the same thing: To feel comfortable with our choices and to feel validated by those around us. So let’s start by validating one another,” writes Sandberg. “Mothers who work outside the home should regard mothers who

work inside the home as real workers.

And mothers who work inside the home should be equally respectful of those choosing another option.” Sandberg continues: “Guilt and insecurity make us second-guess ourselves and, in turn, resent one another.”

Women must ask themselves, are the jabs really worth it? And more so, what message do you want to send to your children: That there is but one choice, or many?

“Now that the training wheels are off of my family and my three daughters are older, I realize they’re watching me.

I want to be a role model to them and for them to be proud of me,” said Mari.

“I want to model being a strong woman, whether that means career or not.

Education isn’t wasted if it’s not tied to a specific job/vocation. I chose to raise my family first and can always go back to a job/career.”

“It doesn’t matter if you work or stay home,” agreed Katie. “You have to look at your parenting and what your values are – what you’re trying to give them.”

Owning your decision In society, opinion will always be fluid.

In parenting, decisions will always be required. Our panel of mothers leaves you with some final thoughts on making the ever-so-important decision of whether to keep your job or take on mothering full-time as you step into the role of parenthood.

“No matter what you do, just own it. Once I started yoga I stopped caring about (problematic) things, and that’s just a better way to live. I work in a male dominated area and it doesn’t bother me. At 30 it did – at 40 it doesn’t. Whatever you do just own it and be happy with it.” – Katie McIntosh The changing trend Source: Pew Research Center

Percent of children being raised by a stay-at-home mother: 1970 – 48 percent 2000 – 24 percent 2014 – 28 percent

Mari Radtke with her family. Photo submitted.

Panelists

Jacquelyn Schieck, Northfield Married, two kids ages 3, 10 months Orthodontist and co-owner of Schieck Orthodontics

Theresa Amundson with her husband and three children, daughter-in-law and three grandchildren. Photo submitted.

Therese Amundson, Faribault Married, three kids ages 31, 23, 21 Co-owner and bookkeeper of The Club and C&S Vending

Mari Radtke, Northfield Married, four kids ages Emily Monaghan, Northfield Married, three kids ages 12, 9, 7 12, 10, 10, 6 Stay-at-home mom and Stay-at-home mom and volunteer founding volunteer of the

Katie McIntosh, Owatonna Married, two kids ages 6, 3 Co-owner of Straight River Sports and The S’Cream Dorothee Ischler, Northfield Divorced, four kids ages 26, 19, 13 and step-son, 29 Clinical psychologist and owner of The Center for Human Resources

Northfield Area Family YMCA AUGUST ISSUE 2014 |

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here are many resources available to working women that offer support, including the following: • Owatonna Business Women: This organization provides networking opportunities for local business women, recognizes women at its annual banquet and provides scholarships to women just starting their career.

Information: www.owatonnabusinesswomen.wildapricot.org.

• American Association of University Women (AAUW): This organization supports 170,000 members in promoting equity and education for women and girls with a focus on education, public policy, research, legal advocacy and educational funding for women in the workplace. The AAUW’s Career Development Grants offer funding for members seeking to renew or resume academic work for credit toward a career or employment advancement. Information: www. aauw.org.

• SmartMomEDU Success Circles: Northfield’s SmartMomEDU has launched its SmartMom Success Circles: Meetings designed to foster networking, obtain peer feedback regarding career advancement goals or entrepreneurial ideas, and brainstorm suggestions for advancement. Information: www.smartmomedu.com.

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By Christine Bernier Lienke

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hen Julie Spinler of Owatonna decided to re-enter the workforce after raising her blended family that included five children, it was difficult to know where to begin.

After an attempt to return to work in 1998, Spinler found her options limited because she didn’t have a degree beyond high school and little previous career experience. She quickly realized that obtaining a college degree would be the first step in forming her career path. So, at the age of 30, she pursued a bachelor’s degree in business administrative management.

Within the first three years of attending

“The most difficult thing about returning to work was giving up the amount of time I was able to spend with my kids. It’s hard to find an even balance as a working mom and not feel guilty that you may be missing large parts of your children’s lives.”

– Julie Spinler

school, Spinler landed a full-time job with the United Prairie Insurance Company in Owatonna and continued the pursuit of her degree parttime, graduating in 2006. Today, she’s not only an insurance agent, but a vice president at the company.

“The most difficult thing about returning to work was giving up the amount of time I was able to spend with my kids,” Spinler says. “It’s hard to find an even balance as a working mom and not feel guilty that you may be missing large parts of your children’s lives.”

No matter the challenges, women re-entering the workforce after child-rearing is a growing trend and one that will likely continue as families strive to make ends meet. According to a 2012 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report, “The labor force participation rate — the percent of the population working or looking for work — for all mothers with children under age 18 was 70.5 percent in 2012.” Finding a balance between the pursuit of a career and the growing needs of home and family are more important than ever for women in the workforce.

More and more, working women are looking to local organizations for guidance.

In an effort to support women in the workforce, many local resources assist women in the transition from home to work. One of these resources is SmartMomEDU, headquartered in Northfield, which was launched in 2011 by Sue Lawlor-Rod and Lisa Ash. This organization’s mission is to help moms navigate their return to work by providing education, networking and guidance to mothers through all stages in their career re-entry to the workforce.

“Like many moms, we experienced all the phases of being busy stayat-home moms, community volunteers and part-time workers, while adapting to the constantly changing needs of our families,” says LawlorRod. “We know mothers have a lot to offer upon their return to paid employment. Our goal is to provide opportunities for busy moms to set themselves up for success. We’re moms helping fellow moms maximize their potential with a meaningful work life.”

Both Lawlor-Rod and Ash juggled raising their children while working part-time and have now reached another career milestone by launching SmartMomEDU. They offer the following tips for women looking to re-enter the workforce:

can find computer and other classes through local colleges, community education programs and online learning opportunities. Volunteering is another great way to keep your skills current, provide content for your resume and grow your network of contacts. Also, check sites like EventBrite (www.eventbrite.com) to find local workshops and conferences that appeal to you.

• Build your personal brand and network. It’s critically important to let people know you’re interested in returning to work and let people know what you have to offer. Set up a LinkedIn account and update your profile even if you’re not currently working, and start interacting online as a way to build contacts. There are several local women-focused networking groups that often have multiple events every month, so you’ll likely find something that appeals to you.

“To us, developing your personal brand means having a clear understanding of who you are and what you have to offer,” says Ash. “Again, this goes back to understanding your strengths and being able to communicate your strengths and skills to others.”

Christine Bernier Lienke is a professional writer and editor based in Northfield.

• Make a plan. Give some serious thought to what type of work you want to do and what type of work environment that appeals to you. Also, find out what your personal strengths are. What are you naturally good at? What do you enjoying doing? The book, “Strengthfinders 2.0,” is a great tool to help you discover your strengths.

• Keep your resume up-to-date and polished. Even if you’re not working full-time and may not plan on returning to work in the near future, it’s good to review and update your resume periodically – including volunteer work. You never know when or if you’ll have to return to work before you planned to due to unexpected spouse job loss, divorce or other circumstances. It is much easier to do this as you go versus trying to think back months or years later to fill in the blanks.

SmartMomEDU can help you to polish your resume and your LinkedIn profile.

• Keep your skills up-to-date. Technology is changing all the time, and when you return to work basic computer skills will likely be required. Don’t be afraid to go back to school to update your skills. You

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Minnesota filmmaker attends

CAN NES 2014

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y c a r t larissa

Minnesota filmmaker attends Cannes Film Fest

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By Isabelle Wattenberg

wo weeks in an apartment in Cannes, France. Step outside, and you’re greeted by a made-toorder crepe stand. Walk across a piazza and in two minutes time you arrive at the site where filmmakers from across the globe have gathered to celebrate their

achievements and explore the works of others.

From May 14-25, this dreamlike sequence was daily life for Larissa and Alan Tracy, co-owners of the Minneapolis-based film production company Colliding Pictures and attendees of the 2014 Festival de Cannes, an international film festival that invites press and film industry professionals for two weeks of educational workshops, red carpet premiers and networking

opportunities.

For the Tracys, the trip was the fortunate result of a few factors. Alan and Larissa are always looking to grow their base of professional connections and considered heading to the 2014 Comic-Con in San Diego, where they could simultaneously attend the event and seek out filmmaking opportunities.

While laying the framework for the trip, Larissa discovered they could join the Festival de Cannes uuu

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A collection of photos from Cannes Film Festival in May of 2014 .

Photo by Larissa Tracy

for a comparable price. Having begun the planning process a year out, they secured a prime apartment through a housing exchange website — accommodations that included a full kitchen and easy access to souvenir shops and farmer’s market stands.

Not that they had too much time to spend at their lodgings.

“It was nonstop,” Larissa said of the experience.

They divided their time between workshops, movie premiers and sightseeing, from perusing the local flea market to exploring museums. Acting as unofficial representatives 14

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of Minnesota’s film industry, they wanted to soak up as much of the experience as possible.

The two grew up in the state and formed creative passions early on – Alan in film production and Larissa in writing. They met at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and, in 2009, formed Colliding Pictures, a filmmaking company that produces short films and comedy webisodes. Alan directs, while Larissa writes the screenplays. While the Tracys didn’t submit a film to Cannes, they did take the opportunity to make connections and gain exposure to the works being

produced by their contemporaries.

“We got to attend a handful of red carpet screenings,” Larissa said. “It was very, very cool.”

Cannes attendees receive points for every minute they spend at the festival, which they can redeem online for tickets to film previews.

Larissa and Alan used theirs to snag tickets for a May 16 preview of “How to Train Your Dragon 2,” a film selected for showing at the festival, but not entered in a competition category. The preview, held at the Grand Théâtre Lumière, included a red carpet walk where paparazzi and onlookers surrounded the

festival-goers as they made their way to their seats. The movie’s cast and directors joined them in the theater a few minutes later.

Most premiers occurred at night, which left the daytime for educational seminars on topics as varied as securing tax incentives to coordinating production in multiple countries.

“We learned things that would’ve been difficult to find on our own,” Larissa said.

The pair already has plans for a return trip to Cannes. But first, they’re headed to Toronto to collaborate on a project with contacts they made at the festival.

“I very much got the sense coming

out [of the festival] that everyone knows who everyone is, and there is a desire to form deep relationships and deep trust with people you partner with,” Larissa said. “Stepping out of Minnesota helped form those relationships.”

The experience at Cannes left Larissa not only with professional contacts, but with creative resources as well.

“Being there was so inspirational,” she said. “I got a lot of ideas for stories I want to write and tell.”

Isabelle Wattenberg is a social media and data analytics specialist for MSP Communications and spends her spare moments listening to opera, reading Alice in Wonderland, and writing about Minnesota happenings.

Northfield Occasional Store Open the 3rd weekend of every month

300 S. Water Street . Northfield, MN www.salonsynergynorthfield.com

507.645.0500

AUGUST 21-24

Kicking off each weekend event on the 3rd Thursday from 3pm-7pm Weekend sale from Friday-Sunday 10am-6pm

Offering a unique shopping experience that encourages your individual style with a blend of New, Old/Vintage & Repurposed Accents for your home 310 Division Street, Lower Level · Northfield (head down the alley, we’re on the riverside)

Shoes, Clothing & Accessories for Men & Women 401 Division Street • Northfield, MN• 645-4257 • www.rarepair.com Flowers from Humble Pie Farms

AUGUST ISSUE 2014 |

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From The Kitchen

You and your baby

Penne

Cardinale Recipe compliments of Andiamo Italian Ristorante, Owatonna Ingredients 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon garlic, chopped ¼ cup green onions, sliced ¼ inch thick 6 ounces sautéed chicken ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ cup quartered artichokes, drained ¼ cup white wine ¾ cup heavy cream 1 ounce butter 7 oz. penne, cooked 1 /8 cup Romano cheese, grated Directions Heat the oil in a sauté pan over medium-high heat, then add the garlic and cook until golden brown. Next, add the chicken, green onions and artichokes, followed by the white wine; toss for one minute. Add the heavy cream and reduce. Last, melt the butter

into the sauté. Add the penne and toss with the Romano cheese.

Place in a large pasta bowl to serve.

Andiamo Italian Ristorante The Italian andiamo translates to “let’s go!” – and go to this fine restaurant you should to experience an array of quality Italian food designed by Ramon Ruiz, former executive chef at St. Paul’s Buca di Beppo. The restaurant is all about simple, fresh food in a casual, quality family atmosphere – the Italian way. Delizioso!

Andiamo has two locations: 1045 Frontage Road W. in Owatonna, and 1629 Lena Court in Eagan.

The most important members of our team Our team of physicians and nurse practitioners provide specialized care for you before, during and after your pregnancy. We offer comprehensive services to ensure you and your baby receive the care you need, when you need it, close to home.

Call us today to schedule an appointment.

Mayo Clinic Health System in Waseca 1-877-412-7575 (toll-free) Mayo Clinic Health System in Faribault 507-333-3300 Mayo Clinic Health System in Owatonna 507-451-1120

mayoclinichealthsystem.org

Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday AUGUST ISSUE 2014 |

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Finds!

Check out these great finds from the region!

Moleskine Planners Something for everyone and everyday.

There is always a layout to meet your need and cover to suit your mood. Strong, durable and in a variety of sizes.

The Sketchy Artist, Downtown Northfield, thesketchyartist.com.

Starting at $18.50

SHOES - Chaco 4 Different looks: Free!* ($20 Value) *with purchase of sandal

Owatonna Shoe, Downtown Owatonna, owatonnashoe.com.

Chaco Sandal in Black: $60.00

Sharing Your Journey The highly trained OB/GYNs at the Women’s Health Center offer supportive and comprehensive care as you walk through life. : Christine Braun, MD : Melanie Dixon, MD

: Dana Olson, MD : Deborah Suppes, MD

Women’s Health Center physicians see patients at our clinic on the Northfield Hospital campus. Call 507-646-1478 for an appointment.

T WITH CONNEC

Your Care Is Our Specialty 18

AUGUST ISSUE 2014 |

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US

507-646-1478 : NorthfieldHospital.org/WomensHealthCenter 2000 North Avenue, Northfield

IN THE KNOW Summer Performance Series 17 Aug - 6:30 PM Caponi Art Park 1220 Diffley Road Eagan

Art and All That Jazz Festival 16 Aug - 12:00 PM Nicollet Commons Park 12600 Nicollet Ave. S Burnsville

Blue Collar BBQ & ArtFest

A unique blend of art vendors, music and food in the heart of the city. www.burnsville.org

9 Aug - 10:00 AM Downtown Faribault 200 block Central Avenue 6 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Free - Local Amateur BBQ Competition runs from Unsettled Ale Society Home Brewing Competition Live Music from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Food vendors are open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Beer Garden: The entire festival grounds are in the secured Beer Garden. You are able to walk through the festival with your alcoholic beverage. An array of beer, wine, and mixed drinks are available for purchase and we ask that you enjoy the festival responsibility. Washers tournament begins around 4:00 p.m. ‘Swing for the Arts’ will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Kids Family Area is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Includes inflatables, face painting and art activities. www.paradisecenterforthearts.org

Personal and Professional Women’s Growth Conference

Free-$5. The Summer Performance Series is a family-friendly program that features a wide variety of music, theater and dance concerts presented against a backdrop of earthworks and majestic oaks in the Theater in the Woods amphitheater. The series brings some of the most talented regional and local artists to perform outdoors at Caponi Art Park. Bring the whole family and join us for an exciting season celebrating art and nature at Caponi Art Park. Bring lawn chairs or a blanket to spread on the grassy slopes for an enjoyable evening at the Art Park. Admision is free with a $5 per person suggested donation to support the program. www.caponiartpark.org

15th Junk Market 9 Aug - 8:00 AM Towne and Country Shopping Center 1998 Cliff Road East Burnsville

Art Match on Main 16 Aug - 2:30 PM Hopkins Center For The Arts 1111 Main St. Hopkins The Visual Arts Committee would like to invite you to attend the first annual Art Match on Main! Join us on Main St. and witness an exciting fine art competition between teams of local artists as they battle the clock and each other. www.hopkinsartscenter.com

Free - Touch of Home Furnishings is hosting its 15th South of the River Junk Market to be held at Towne and Country Shipping Center, Burnsville. Admission to the event is FREE to the general public and is held rain or shine. Emphasis is on educating the local community of the benefits of recycling & utilizing our local consignment stores. Over 100 vendors will be on site selling their re-purposed items. This event will also be held September 20th. Vendor opportunities available. Free to the general public. www.TOHFconsignment.com

31 July - 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Pillsbury College 315 S Grove Ave. Owatonna According to Forbes, 2014 has been a ground breaking year for women in business. “They build better teams; they’re more liked and respected as managers; they tend to be able to combine intuitive and logical thinking more seamlessly; they’re more aware of the implications of their own and others’ actions; and they think more accurately about the resources needed to accomplish a given outcome,” said Jack Zenger and Joseph Folkman in Forbes.

Register at www.camppillsbury.com

Riverwalk Market Fair Riverwalk Market Fair offers fresh seasonal produce from local growers-meats, cheeses, eggs, jams & jellies, honey, fresh flowers, artisan breads, pastries & coffees. Stroll for fine ceramics, original prints, paintings, jewelry & fine craft items. Riverwalk Market Fair features local, high quality products, live music and family activities each week.

Downtown Northfield on Bridge Square. Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., June - October.

Closed September 6 for Defeat of Jesse James Days.

AUGUST ISSUE 2014 |

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We Time

Art plein air

By Brenda K.M. Ward

W

alking through the city centers of Mankato and North Mankato is like strolling through a plein air gallery with creative sculptural works to be spotted around any given corner. You may notice a well dressed “Mr. Eggwards” (who has an uncanny resemblance to Humpty Dumpty!) perched upon a low wall or “Granny” with her apron chock full of fresh veggies. Or perhaps your eye will be caught by an abstract “Tango” dance or a “Mother’s Cherished Moment” with her son and infant.

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These works of art and more can be seen during Mankato’s CityArt Walking Sculpture Tour, an outdoor art exhibit open to the public throughout the year. The tour is designed to draw the gaze of passersby towards 32 unique pieces made with a variety of mediums by regional, national and international artists – as close as Lakeville and as far away as British Columbia.

For more in-depth information about the works of art, an audio tour is available at each stop, or you can utilize the handy QR code using your mobile device. And, when you’ve spotted your favorite, take a moment to fill out a ballot and drop it into the voting box (or vote online) to help determine the 2014

People’s Choice winner.

“Each year the City Center Partnership purchases a sculpture for permanent installation.

It’s a way to help us build up our public art in Mankato and hear the voice of the general public,” said Noelle Lawton, special initiatives coordinator for the City Center Partnership.

The People’s Choice winner will join the growing works of outdoor art in the city.

To plan your trip, take a look online at cityartmankato.com/tour, or simply make the easy drive with your friends to enjoy a day of fabulous art, restaurants and shops in the area. (Don’t forget your sunscreen and water!)

One-hour guided group tours are available by appointment.

O

ne of the best compliments we receive here at Girlfriends is that women love looking at our magazine because there is always someone they know in it. So share with us your photos of you and your girlfriends! Send them along with a snippet of the why or how you are friends and we’ll put them in our next issue! I’ll start...

It’s All Here.

A movie theater … a fitness center … premier care and services … It’s all here.

Northfield Retirement Community offers: • Multiple living options, including independent and assisted living apartments • Skilled nursing and memory care

Lauran

• Rehabilitation

Lauran Rott “This is myself and three of my girlfriends: Heather, Brenda and Angie. We all know each other from our sons’ hockey teams. Some of the best friends I’ve made are because of my children, and I couldn’t be more grateful that because my children have such great friends, I have benefitted too!”

Laura

Laura Skattum Boomgaarden

“These are my college besties! Hard to believe we’ve know each other for 25 years...here’s to the next 50 years!”

• Full-time spiritual care services with on-site pastoral care To learn more about NRC’s comprehensive approach to senior living, stop by or visit us online at northfieldretirement.org.

Residents gather to watch a film in Nygaard Theatre.

507-664-3466 www.northfieldretirement.org AUGUST ISSUE 2014 |

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21

Wellness

Healthy lifestyle made easier From keeping track of medical records to calories burned, technology today makes optimal health more accessible.

By Elizabeth Jacobs

I

n our fast-paced world, making doctor’s appointments, eating well and taking care of your body can often be placed on the back burner. With new technology and better information available all the time, there is no reason to put off living a healthy lifestyle.

Quick and easy record keeping Today, hospitals and clinics are utilizing new technologies by giving patients more access to their own information. With systems now available like MyChart from Allina Health, Patient Online Services from Mayo Clinic, or various eHealth tools, patients can find information about appointments, prescriptions and diagnoses in one place.

“It is a huge convenience,” said Timothy Burke, public relations manager for Allina Health. “If the information is in there, you don’t have to wait on the phone or for an email.”

There are two main ways to create online medical records for yourself.

The first is to go through your health care provider. With MyChart and Patient Online Services all of the information is set up through your provider; the provider is simply giving you access to the electronic files they already have. The biggest advantages of setting up online medical records in this way is in having access to your doctor directly and the ability to make appointments online – whether for you, your children under age 17, or an adult whose medical care you are helping to manage.

The second option for online medical records is to set up Personal Health Records (PHRs) using eHealth hubs. With programs like Microsoft HealthVault and WebMD Health Manager, you can create your own medical records. This works well for people that have more than one doctor since it allows 22

AUGUST ISSUE 2014 |

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all your health information to be in one place.

Although you do have to type or scan all your information into the program, it permits you more control over the information. Many PHRs give the choice to add information your doctor may not have, like over-the-counter medications, exercise habits or sleep schedules. These programs also have options to keep track of medical records for children and elderly adults and to share information with health care professionals.

Apps for a healthy lifestyle With the vast amount of fitness and health apps on the market, it can be difficult to choose the one that will be most helpful to your lifestyle. The first step to figuring it out is to know what your goal is.

If you are looking for an app to help you eat smarter, Cory Pedri, personal trainer and wellness coach at Fit for Life in Faribault, suggests MyFitnessPal. To use this app you simply enter what you had to eat and it keeps track of your calories and nutrition intake.

You can also enter exercise and record the number of calories you have burned.

“It has a variety of [foods] in the data base; everything is already in there,” said Pedri. “It’s definitely helpful and makes a person more aware.”

If you are looking for an app to assist in your workout, Sam Moore, personal trainer at Cornerstone Wellness Center in St. Peter, suggests MapMyRun. This app tracks every detail of your run including duration, pace and calories burned.

If you’re not a runner, oodles of other fitness tracking apps are available, like these: • MapMyFitness – Records details of any and every type of workout as well as your route traveled if on foot or bicycle.

• FitBit – Allows you to sync your tracker stats wirelessly to record fitness goals and progress, log food for calories in and out, and share or compete with friends.

• GymPact – Commit yourself to a number of workouts and place your wager on whether or not you’ll meet your goals. If you succeed in your goals, you get paid. If not, your credit card is charged for that week.

“If you are proactive about working out, fitness apps can be beneficial,” Moore says.

“But they are not going to make someone workout or continue working out. In the end is up to the person.”

Making nutrition labels more consumer friendly After 20 years without change, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has made the decision to bring food nutrition labels into the 21st century. The biggest changes, according

to Kelsey Ahlers, MS, RD, LD, have to do with sugar and serving size.

Ahlers is most excited to see that the new label will feature added sugars (as opposed to natural sugars) as its own category.

“Before you had to look at the ingredients and basically have a nutrition degree to know what’s there,” said Ahlers, a registered dietitian at Faribault Hy-Vee. “The new label will show added sugar right on it.”

The second big change is how the serving sizes will be shown on the new label – which, according to the FDA, better reflects how people eat and drink today. The label will now be based on what people actually con-

Healthy

Living Tip

sume versus what they should consume. For packages that could be consumed either in single or multiple sittings, “per serving” and “per package” information will be displayed.

“This change can be good and bad,” Ahlers said. “Bad because people may think they can eat more and good because they could also see how many calories, fat and sodium are included and rethink that choice.”

One last change you’ll notice is the swapping out of vitamin A and C for vitamin D and potassium. Twenty years ago when the nutrition labels were first created, there was a deficiency of vitamin A and C. Today, more people are not getting enough vitamin D and

potassium in their diets.

“The FDA wanted to make the labels more user friendly,” Ahlers said. “These changes can help people pinpoint healthier foods.”

The new labels will be found on food products within the next two years.

Reading labels and tracking fitness and health information offer conveniences in working toward a healthier lifestyle, but most importantly, you must be proactive in both exercise and eating well.

Elizabeth Jacobs is a freelance writer based in Plymouth.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, a short nap of 20 to 30 minutes can improve alertness and performance without creating feelings of grogginess or interfering with nighttime sleep. A NASA study that examined sleepy pilots and astronauts found that those who napped for 40 minutes improved their performance by 34 percent. While napping can be beneficial, napping can have a negative impact as well. For example, those who nap too late in the day may struggle to get a decent night’s rest later that night, when the length and quality of sleep may not be as long or as strong as it would had they not napped so late in the day. Men and women who find themselves suddenly needing naps despite no obvious cause of fatigue should consult their physicians, as this might be indicative of a sleep disorder or another medical condition.

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AUGUST ISSUE 2014 |

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23

Wellness

What’s for lunch?

Follow these tips for healthy eating throughout the workday.

By Sarah Osterbauer

A

s a semi high-maintenance lady, it is difficult enough for me to remember to grab a Lean Cuisine from the freezer in the morning, much less find the time (or the energy) to make lunch before work. Surely I’m not alone. On top of needing to fill our stomachs, we also need to make sure we’re not putting just anything in there. It would be nice if it was good for us, and maybe not totally repulsive to taste either.

Today there is news story after news story informing us that something you used to think was OK to eat, is now not OK. Sugar is bad, but high fructose corn syrup is worse. Next, sugar is still bad, but not as bad as was first thought. Honestly, it’s hard to keep track of it all.

How are we supposed to juggle life – which might include, but is not

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limited to, work, school, husband, kids, chores, errands and working out – and still find time to decipher what we can eat for lunch?

To help us sort through it all and give us some basic know-how, I solicited the expertise of Rachel Breneman, RD, LD, from Albert Lea HyVee. I asked Breneman, a registered dietician, to provide suggestions for how to eat healthy when we have no choice but to eat out. And, are we allowed to have mayonnaise?

“Salads can be a good option but order the dressing on the side,” Breneman recommended. The calories is dressing can add up quickly, so take it easy on the amount used.

“Choose grilled (not fried/battered) fish and chicken,” she continued. “Beef can be a great lean choice, too, depending on how it is prepared.”

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Sweet... I thought red meat would be a no-no.

What about condiments?

“Condiments are OK, but go easy on them. They can be sneaky sources of sodium and fat.”

Mayo in moderation – I can handle that.

So what about snacks? Personally, I usually start to get hungry right around 10 a.m. What are some good snack options, I asked of the expert.

“Pairing a carbohydrate with a protein is a smart snack strategy because it will keep you satisfied longer, can provide fiber, and your blood sugar will stay on an even keel which prevents fatigue and mood swings,” Breneman replied.

Here are some easy ideas: • String cheese with baby carrots • Cottage cheese or yogurt with fresh fruit • A handful of nuts with raisins • Whole grain crackers with nut butter Yum! For many of us, afternoons tend to drag on. What do we need to keep our energy and concentration going to make it until 5 p.m.?

“Water. Often we are lacking water, which contributes to fatigue and reduced mental clarity,” said Breneman. “The portion of the brain that handles hunger signals, the hypothalamus, also regulates thirst, which explains why we sometimes confuse thirst for hunger.”

So when I think I need salt or a cookie in the afternoon, I might just need some water? My cookie cravings tend to be somewhat serious. I’m skeptical, but willing to give it a try.

Last, Breneman suggests making healthy dinner extras the night before, then adding a salad for a quick and easy lunch prep.

Using these smart, simple tips like those provided by Breneman may be just the thing to help you glide through your workday with better health and even less stress. Why not give it a try?

Saturday, August 9 Faribault Harley Davidson dson

Register at: www.hospiceride.com

$20 minimum donation

($5 for each additional passenger) All proceeds to benefit Faribault Area Hospice patients

Sarah Osterbauer is a freelance writer based in St. Paul.

Schedule:

8:30 - 10:30 Hearty breakfast - $5 INTRODUCES YOUR

Mankato • Owatonna • Rochester Whether you need to travel to Mankato or Rochester, Land to Air now offers daily convenient shuttle trips for folks in Owatonna and the surrounding area!

 Fares as low as $5!

Owatonna Stop:

Kwik Trip, 1220 S. Oak Avenue

9:00 - 11:00 Registration / start ride 12:00 - 3:00 “After Party” Food Prize drawings Live music by Leopard!

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Stop by for breakfast Drive your car on the ride Join us for the after party Raffle Tickets: 1st United Bank Faribault Harley Davidson Faribault Area Hospice Hy-Vee District One Hospital Hosted by:

50 Sibley Parkway Mankato

Visit landtoairexpress.com or call 507-625-3977 AUGUST ISSUE 2014 |

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N N I SOM VOTING BEGINS AUGUST 1 The Best of SoMinn 2014 at

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Wellness

Just Food: Stephanie Aman

Here’s to good health Stephanie Aman is a Marketing and Member Services Manager at Just Food Co-op in Northfield Sponsored by Just Food Co-op

It’s about the local!

It is an exciting time at Just Food Co-op in Northfield. This December, we celebrate the 10th anniversary of opening our doors to a wonderful community that supports just, healthy and sustainable food. As we enter this next decade of Just Food, we have planned many different and exciting activities that will engage our current membership and simultaneously connect any non-members to this fantastic community of Just Food Co-op.

Each fall Just Food hosts, and our community members participate in, the Eat Local Challenge which then culminates with our Harvest Festival. Local farmers, local bands, local food and local businesses come together alongside their local co-op to celebrate our short, but productive growing season during which our farmers have tirelessly worked to provide our community with food for our tables. We celebrate the bounty of the harvest and have fun with our friends. It’s all about keeping it local.

You see, many organizations will host big activities to draw in a crowd, but the co-op difference becomes obvious. We are all about local. Look around Just Food’s store and you’ll see an abundance of local stickers highlighting our local products; very soon, you will see farmer profiles in the aisles that will tell you the personal story of farmers

Show some Co-op Love.

behind your food. Ask any staff member about where those green onions came from, and we can not only tell you where they came from but also the farming practices, when the shipment arrived and how fresh and fragrant they smelled when they came in. Need more?

Look around our store and you’ll see those local farmers shopping in our aisles. We know them by name, we greet them, and they greet us. It’s really a cool thing that we do here!

All co-ops are guided by seven cooperative principles in their operation, one of which is voluntary and open membership, and a second is care and concern for our community.

Everyone is connected through food – whether participating in Harvest Festival, joining an evening with the Growing Up Healthy Cooking Club, or seeing us at a health fair playing with the kids. We are connecting with our community, giving back to our community and supporting our community at every turn. We’re not just that grocery store down on Water Street – we’re also your friends. We invite you to come in and see us or come to an event and learn about us.

Just Food isn’t a cool kids club (although it’s a pretty cool place to be!) – we are open to everyone. Because member or not, you’re ALWAYS welcome at Just Food.

516 Water St S, Northfield 507-650-0106 · justfood.coop AUGUST ISSUE 2014 |

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Kari Berit

Unexpected CaregiveR Kari Berit (www.KariBerit.com) is a radio show host, speaker and the author of The Unexpected Caregiver. Kari speaks around the country, raising awareness of family caregiving and aging.

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Making the choice to get in shape I’ve always wanted to be have one of those bodies you see on the cover of Shape magazine – you know, with six-pack abs and a tight ass – but I’ve never worked to achieve that. The truth is, I’m lazy.

I look in the mirror and say, “Good enough.” Power walking, hiking, occasional swimming and biking provide me with enough satisfactory movement.

Yoga intrigues me, but I don’t practice with any regularity. The message that exercise would add a critical layer of support as I work through current life transitions doesn’t register.

I stand in front of an audience of family caregivers and remind them of the importance of caring for oneself, but lately, and more than occasionally, I need to listen to my own advice. The emotional toll of my care giving situation – whether it be evening phone calls or medical issues – is intensifying. The increased stress seems innocuous at first, until I realize that the notion of “death by a thousand cuts” fits. I found myself choosing that familiar Friends rerun over an evening walk. Fortunately for me, my housemate invited me to the Northfield Senior Center for a swim one evening, and I rediscovered my zest for exercise.

I am at home in the water. I grew up swimming at the YMCA, starting as a “minnow” and ending at the “shark” level. I later joined Red Wing’s first girls’ swim team and became a water safety instructor for summer camps. I may struggle to perform the butterfly stroke, but I still do a mean flip turn.

The Northfield Senior Center has a pool. That, in and of itself, raises its cool factor. As I investigated

membership I realized I would fit in quite well.

There was, however, one tiny, little issue for me to rise above: The name. I am not a “senior.” Or am I? I turned the big “five-oh” this past December – the age where AARP envelopes routinely arrive in my mailbox, and the once elusive senior discounts begin becoming part of my shopping experience.

And even though I continue to feel as if I’m 30-something and dance like I’ve never left high school, I am chronologically older – a senior, in some circles. And as a 50-year old, I qualify to join the Northfield Senior Center.

What I didn’t grasp about the Northfield Senior Center is that they had such an active and engaged calendar – everything from stretching classes to Ping-Pong, to say nothing about the free popcorn and brain workout area. But what really caught my eye was the opportunity for personal weight training.

After my introductory tour of the weight room by a young man named Kyle, I fell in love – not with Kyle, mind you, but with the whole notion of lifting weights. What once felt like an unobtainable goal was now within my reach. Kyle’s thoughtfully designed sets of exercises combined succinctly into a 45-minute workout are doable, and they test my resources. My heart rate increases, my muscles are taxed; I feel energized after a workout! While I may not appear on the cover of Shape, I feel like the Six Million Dollar Man: Better, stronger, faster. I am taking care of myself, which for a family caregiver is priceless.

Girlfriends Guide

$ Financial Resources Brad L. Running CLU® Financial Advisor. A unique and disciplined approach. Today, it’s natural to have questions about your retirement, even if you’ve saved and planned for it. With our proprietary Confident Retirement® approach, we’ll find answers and take the first step toward creating a road map to the future you want. We’ll talk through the four basic principles of retirement: (1) covering essential expenses, (2) assuring your lifestyle, (3) preparing for the unexpected and (4) leaving a legacy. And I’ll help you make adjustments as needed so you can retire on your terms. Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., 1850 Austin Road, Suite 104, Owatonna, MN 55060, 507-455-4070 brad.l.running@ampf.com, ameripriseadvisors@ampf.com/brad.l.running.

Bremer Bank- Ryan Gillespie Buying a new home should be exciting. At Bremer Bank, we’ll make sure that arranging your home financing is a positive experience.

The process can be safe and simple when you work with a bank that helps you understand what you should know and takes action for you. Ryan Gillespie, experienced mortgage loan officer, can help with any mortgage need you have, whether you’re a first-time home buyer, looking to move into a different home, looking to refinance, or about to build a home. Ryan Gillespie, NMLS #503704, 507-676-2708, 730 West Bridge St, Owatonna. rlgillespie@bremer. com. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

Castle Rock Bank The Castle Rock Bank has been serving the women in this community for 96 years. To answer the question, “What do women want in banking?” We believe the answer is, “To be heard, understood, respected and valued.”

27925 Danville Ave Castle Rock, 507-6457751 www.castlerockbank.net.

SANDY FLOM, CPA, CFP Sandy Flom has worked in Faribault for the past 19 years as an Accountant, she’s been a QuickBooks Pro Advisor for many years so she understands how it works and can help guide you through what you need. 14 3rd Street NE, Faribault. 507-333-3973 www. faribaultcpa.com.

State Bank of Faribault

Fit for Life

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

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

Food & Entertainment Legacy Golf & The Grill at The Legacy The Legacy is a championship 18-hole facility offering value-added golf and a warm friendly environment for golf outings & casual dining.

It provides a unique setting for meetings, reunions, groom’s dinners, banquets and bridal showers. The indoor Grill can accommodate 30-50 people & the open-air Pavilion can accommodate up to 170. 1515 Shumway Ave, Faribault, 507-332-7177 www.legacygolf.net.

OWATONNA COUNTRY CLUB Welcome to the Owatonna Country Club, your full service club offering everything from golf, fine dining, and catering to fun! The Owatonna Country Club has been meeting the needs of Owatonna and the surrounding comunities since 1919 — either through our numerous membership options, hosting spectacular weddings and executive meetings (OPEN TO THE PUBLIC) or by providing the most professional golf tournament venue in southern Minnesota. Please call us with any questions or visit our website at www. owatonnacc.com. 1991 Lemond Road, Owatonna, MN 55060, Main: 507-451-6120, Catering: 507-451-6120.

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Health & Wellness

Curves of Owatonna Our Curves Complete program, offers women a complete weight loss solution— exercise, meal plans, and coaching—all in one location. Curves Protein Bars (Meal & Snack size) and Spot Toning classes. All Curves staff are certified by the Cleveland Clinic in Exercise, Nutrition and Behavior Coaching. Curves - 1828 S. Cedar Ave, Owatonna 507-455-4060.

Holland Family Dental Holland Family Dental is located in the Professional Building on Hillcrest Ave. in Owatonna. We have been in Owatonna since 1996 and concentrate on dentistry for the entire family. We offer services in preventive, cosmetic and comprehensive care which includes implants and up-to-date dental technology. Please visit us at 605 Hillcrest Ave. Owatonna MN. 507-451-7250.

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

Northfield Urgent Care Tired of waiting to see your doctor for simple problems like sore throats and earaches? We provide walk-in medical care for all ages, from infants to adults. We are open 7 days per week and no appointment is needed!

Quick, easy and efficient! 2014 Jefferson Rd Suite C, Northfield, MN 55057, 507-664-9999, northfieldurgentcare.com.

The Northfield Area Family YMCA The Northfield Area Family YMCA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing opportunities for all individuals, families, and the community to achieve their fullest potential. From summer camps, to youth sports, to preschool activities and adult wellness, we have something for everyone.

Become a member of the YMCA! 519 Division Street, Northfield 507-645-0088, www.northfieldymca.org. Scholarships are available to ensure everyone can participate.

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Girlfriends Guide Northfield Retirement Community Situated on a 30-acre, beautifully landscaped campus, NRC was established in 1969 to provide housing and services specifically designed to meet the physical, social, psychological and spiritual needs of older adults. Housing options include apartments with a minimal level of services, as well as other home settings that make increasing levels of service readily available. Options include rental and owner-occupied living spaces.

Units are available for both income-sensitive and market-rate income levels. NRC also provides a fully-staffed care center for those who desire a more traditional nursing home setting. 900 Cannon Valley Drive, Northfield, 507-645-9511, northfieldretirement.org.

Home & Garden Simon Bros Cement Co. Simon Bros Cement Co. has been serving the Northfield area since 1969. We specialize in quality concrete and masonry including foundations, driveways, epoxy garage floors.

Call for a free estimate. We will look at your project and use 40+ years of experience to share ideas and advice. Call Ray 612-3284591.

American Family Insurance Bart Jackson Agency American Family Insurance offers home, automobile, atv, motorcycle, boat, commercial business, farm and life insurance. We are available to meet with you personally to review your situation and provide recommendations as to the proper coverage’s for your needs.

Bart Jackson Insurance Agency, 408 Central Ave N, Suite D, Faribault, MN 55021. 507332-6812.

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BLOWN AWAY SALON & SPA Blown Away Salon & Spa offers a variety of services that are perfect for any budget. The salon side offers hair cutting, styling, coloring, & perming. All of our staff is experienced and attends regular classes to keep our guests updated. On the spa side, we offer massage with therapists specializing in Swedish, Deep Tissue, Prenatal, & Reflexology. Our Esthetician does body waxing, makeup lessons/applications, lash extensions, facials, microderm, and chemical peels. Getting married? Check out our great bridal packages! 159 18th St. SW, Suite 4, Owatonna, MN 55060.www.blown-awaysalon.com.

Shopping A touch of charm A Touch of Charm is a quaint florist and gift shop in downtown Blooming Prairie, Minnesota. Leanne Hanson, owner, has been providing home accents, decorating ideas, gift and full service floral for the area since 1988.

We specialize in a mixture of traditional, cottage and countrypolitan accents for your home and a unique array of gifts that you can’t wait to give.

507-583-7637, atouchofcharmonline.com.

The Paper Petalum

Insurance

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Salons

The Paper Petalum in the historic Archer House (212 Division St.) offers friendly customer service and unique gifts for all occasions. Locally owned and operated since 1987 we specialize in Scandinavian gifts, Minnesota products, decorative napkins, Polish Pottery, Rothschild foods, and much, much more. Stop in and visit us. 507-6630565.

507-645-1110 lrott@northfieldnews.com

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Transportation Community Co-op The Community Co-op is located in beautiful and historic downtown Faribault, MN. We were organized in 1925 and have been a cornerstone of this community ever since.

We specialize in fuels, lubricants, tires, and vehicle service, all for an affordable price.

Women live busy lives, our staff understands how important service and convenience are.

That is why we are the Company where our customers send their friends. 9 Central Ave, Faribault 507-334-2056, www.coopoilfblt. com.

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

On Top of the world...

With good health!

Child and Teen Checkups are available to children from birth through age 20 who are covered by Minnesota state health plans such as:

• Medical Assistance • Minnesota Care • South Country Health Alliance • Blue Plus Call if you need help with transportation, interpreters or making an appointment with a doctor or a dentist.

Child and Teen Checkups Program Steele County Public Health

507-444-7650

Plastic Surgery Services in Albert Lea and Owatonna Offering a wide range of reconstructive and aesthetic surgeries in Albert Lea and Owatonna with Matthew Camp, M.D., plastic surgeon.

• Reconstruction of breasts, face, ears and nose • Breast reduction, augmentation and lifting • Body contouring and liposuction • Cosmetic surgery to rejuvenate the face and hands

Matthew Camp, M.D. Plastic Surgeon

For more information or to schedule a consultation, call: • Albert Lea - 507-373-2384 • Owatonna - 507-451-1120 404 West Fountain St. Albert Lea, MN 56007

2200 26th St. NW Owatonna, MN 55060

© Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.